The Daily Reveille - February 8, 2010

THE DAILY REVEILLE Volume 114, Issue 86

WWW.LSUREVEILLE.COM

Monday, February 8, 2010

photo by JULIE JACOBSON / The Associated Press

After 43 seasons, the Saints win their first Super Bowl on Sunday night, beating the Colts, 31-17.

Turn to page 5 to read opposing views about Super Bowl XLIV. Turn to page 3 for fans’ reactions.

Turn to page 9 for a game recap.

THE DAILY REVEILLE

Nation & World

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2010

INTERNATIONAL

NATIONAL

Iran leader orders new step in nuclear program, uranium stock

Palin calls Obama’s debt-increasing budget ‘immoral’

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — Iran’s president on Sunday ordered his atomic agency to significantly enrich the country’s stockpile of uranium, angering Western nations who want the Islamic republic to halt its nuclear program.

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad maintained, however, that Iran was also still willing to follow a U.N. plan to export its uranium abroad for further enrichment. Refining uranium produces nuclear fuel for a power plant but if carried out far enough can create material for a weapon.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Sarah Palin says President Barack Obama’s proposed 2011 budget is “immoral” because it increases the national debt, which she called “generational theft.”

Palin told the national “tea party” convention Saturday that America’s national debt, which is held largely by other nations, “makes us less free” and “should tick us off.”

The 2008 GOP vice presidential nominee got one of several standing ovations from the gathering of about 600 people when she said the nation is drowning in debt.

Missionary held 43 days in North Korea arrives in US

Hundreds flee south Afghan town ahead of offensive KANDAHAR, Afghanistan (AP) — Minivans piled high with mattresses and clothing lined up at checkpoints Sunday as hundreds of civilians fled a Taliban-controlled area ahead of a planned NATO offensive in southern Afghanistan.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — A Korean-American missionary who defiantly crossed a frozen river into North Korea intent on urging a change in its leadership has reunited with his overjoyed family, silent

and downcast after 43 days in the communist nation’s custody.

Robert Park, 28, wept as he left the flight from Beijing Saturday evening and met with his family, his brother said.

“Hugging him, there didn’t seem to be anything broken,” said Paul Park, who said he was speechless when he spotted his brother.

The greeting took place in a private location, but the family spoke to reporters briefly as they left the airport.

Governor plans emergency address on Nevada budget

CARSON CITY, Nev. (AP) — Nevada’s budget is so far out of balance that by one account the state could lay off every worker paid from the general fund and still be $300 million in the red.

The economic downturn has hit so hard that prisons may be closed, entire colleges shuttered and thousands left without jobs.

Gov. Jim Gibbons will try to explain the depth of the state’s financial crisis.

STATE/LOCAL

State prison escapee caught in Houston, used stolen car LAKE CHARLES (AP) — Authorities say a state prison trusty who escaped from a crew picking up litter in Vinton has been caught in Houston.

Police say 19-year-old Jamaul LeBleu of the Church Point area was arrested Friday, with a car stolen earlier Friday from Vinton.

Police say Texas police were notified that he might be heading there after the car was seen heading west on Interstate 10.

LeBleu was serving a fouryear sentence for simple burglary.

After he escaped Wednesday, schools in Vinton were locked down and students kept inside.

Landrieu: Mayoral election signals ‘rebirth’ for New Orleans NEW ORLEANS (AP) — After a landslide win, New Orleans Mayor-elect Mitch Landrieu, the son of the city’s last white mayor, said

PAGE 2 Sunday his victory reflected a desire for unity in a city riven by the trauma of Hurricane Katrina and racial conflict.

Drawing support across racial lines, Landrieu, who serves as Louisiana’s lieutenant governor, will replace term-limited Mayor Ray Nagin on May 3. He won 66 percent of the vote in an open primary election on Saturday and avoided a runoff.

At a news conference Sunday, Landrieu said the vote “was the beginning of a rebirth.”

10 years after guard killed, first trial set ST. FRANCISVILLE (AP) — Ten years after five inmates serving life sentences for murder were accused of killing a state prison guard, the first trial has been scheduled.

Jury selection is tentatively scheduled to begin July 6 in Covington for Jeffrey Cameron Clark, and jurors will hear the trial in St. Francisville, retired District Judge Dennis J. Waldron of New Orleans said Friday.

TODAY ON

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lsureveille com Log on to read about the men’s and women’s tennis matches and the updated LSU men’s basketball and photo blogs.

TODAY

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TUESDAY Wake Up! Do the Right Thing NAACP Week- Political Forum Coates Hall Rm. 145, 6:30 p.m.

The National Society of Collegiate Scholars presents Integrity Week Display your integrity by signing the NSCS Integrity Banner all week in Free Speech Alley from 10:00am-2:00pm Career Services Career Expo is TOMORROW 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 in PMAC Network,explore, find a job www.lsu.edu/career/expo

MIKE’S MARK

50 30 THURSDAY 53 40

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EMILY SLACK / The Daily Reveille

LSU Scotch Guard Do you like volunteering?

Do you want to support the LSU Army ROTC? Contact: lsuarmyscotchuard@gmail.com for more information Genesis Tutoring- FREE! Monday- Thursday 5pm-9pm Office of Multicultural Affairs, 355 Student Union 578-4339 Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Diva Game Night Tuesday, February 9th, 7:13pm Castilian Room, Student Union, Casual Attire For more info contact Samantha White swhit37@tigers.lsu.edu Black History Month Tribute February 9, 2010 LSU Student Union Ballroom, 6:00pm Sankofa Poets Februaru 11, 2010 LSU Faculty Club, 6:00pm DO YOU HAVE AN OCCURRENCE? Call Isaiah at the Student Media Office 578-6090, 9AM- 5PM or E-mail: officemanager@lsureveille.com

Log on to see a slideshow of LSU logos on cars, signs and banners around campus.

CORRECTIONS AND CLARIFICATIONS

The Daily Reveille holds accuracy and objectivity at the highest priority and wants to reassure the reporting and content of the paper meets these standards.This space is reserved to recognize and correct any mistakes which may have been printed in The Daily Reveille. If you would like something corrected or clarified please contact the editor at (225) 5784811 or e-mail editor@lsureveille.com.

POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

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THE DAILY REVEILLE

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2010

WE’VE ALL GONE A BIT

SAINTS CRAZY

During their special Sunday open, bars in Baton Rouge were painted black and gold by fans celebrating the Saints’ history-making trip to Miami.

By Mandy Francios Contributing Writer

SARA SICONA / The Daily Reveille

The Varsity Theater packed a huge crowd Sunday for Super Bowl XLIV.

Mike the Tiger wasn’t the only one roaring at LSU on Sunday night.

Cries of “Who dat?” echoed across Baton Rouge on Super Bowl Sunday as the Saints won their first Super Bowl, 31-17, against the Indianapolis Colts.

As the Colts marched onto the field for the coin toss, fans in Fred’s Bar in Tigerland immediately started booing.

The atmosphere at Fred’s before the game was tense — the crowd waited anxiously for the coin toss. Those at the bar were dressed head-to-toe in black and gold.

One fan didn’t stick to code and donned a Brett Favre jersey.

“I’m definitely pulling for the Saints,” said Cord Cole, a former University Student. “I’m wearing this jersey because I want to see him in one more year, and I grew up near him.

But the Saints are gonna win.”

Jacob Jarrell, civil engineering junior, said he has been a Saints fan since infancy.

“I’ve been waiting for this all my life,” he said. “This is the only time in my life that they have ever made it to the Super Bowl, and I’m stuck here in Baton Rouge.”

Some students were already looking forward to partying after the game.

“When the Saints win, we rioting,” said Will Ryan, law student. “If they lose, we rioting anyway.”

Bars in Baton Rouge are not allowed to open on Sundays, but special permission was given for the Super Bowl.

Mike Martinez grew up

Log on to lsureveille.com to see a slideshow of more Saints fans celebrating.

UNIVERSITY

Forever LSU Student Video Contest winner announced

Top prize a parking pass, MacBook Pro

By Grace Montgomery Staff Writer

Students found out what “LSU is” at the Univeristy of Kentucky men’s basketball game Saturday.

University alumna Leah Stevens and graphic design sophomore Elizabeth Scott won the Forever LSU Student Video Content with their video “LSU is ... Forever.”

Students voted for their favorite video by logging onto PAWS and picking from the three finalist’s videos — the winning video, “Fightin’ Tiger Rap,” by Caitlin Cleveland and “Forever and Ever and Ever Rap” by Mac Alsfeld, Brandon Hicks and Jay Grisoli.

The contest rules required videos to encourage donations to Forever LSU and the ways students can donate to the campaign.

Stevens said the idea for the “LSU is ... Forever” entry developed from a video she made as a youth director and adapted for the University.

In November, students and a panel of judges composed of faculty and staff narrowed down seven video submissions to three finalists for the competition.

The three groups worked with Emmy award-winning alumnus Robert Zimmerman to re-edit their videos.

“He made it become a reality,” Scott said. “He helped with transitions and to make more live action shots.”

Zimmerman contacted finalists through e-mails and phone calls and flew in from Nashville,

Tenn., to meet them, according to finalist Cleveland.

“He was always very encouraging,” Cleveland said. “I never felt silly talking to him.”

For their first draft, Scott and Stevens said they approached students in the Quad to hold and toss the LSU-themed cards used in their video.

The final draft featured their friends as cardholders since shooting each scene could take from 30 to 40 minutes, Scott said.

The grand prize for the competition was a MacBook-Pro laptop and an all-access parking pass on campus. Each finalist also received an iPod Touch for ranking in the top three groups.

Contact Grace Montgomery at gmontgomery@lsureveille.com

PAGE 3

SARA SICONA / The Daily Reveille

Joshua Roberts, archeology major, dresses for the Super Bowl at Walk-On’s Bistreaux and Bar.

in New York and said he had never seen such a reaction for a football game.

“Louisiana definitely has New York beat on sports team pride,” Martinez said.

The atmosphere was looser down Nicholson Drive at WalkOn’s Bistreaux and Bar. Joshua Roberts, archaeology junior, wore a Saints T-shirt, shorts and kneehighs to cheer on his favorite team.

“They’re gonna win because of my heart,” Roberts said. “It has enough trust in them.”

The Colts struck first, and a collective “aww” reverberated through the restaurant.

The atmosphere at The

Varsity Theatre was buzzing with excitement as the game neared halftime.

Christie Battagalia, general studies senior, jumped out of her chair at a Saints mishap.

“When you grow up [here], you kinda have to become a Saints fan,” she said.

Jessica Alondo, University alumna and bartender at The Varsity, said she was rooting for a Saints win.

“Everyone I know is in New Orleans right now — that’s where the party is,” Alondo said.

When the Saints were close to scoring a field goal toward the end of the second CELEBRATION, see page 15

THE DAILY REVEILLE

PAGE 4

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2010

STATE

LA Swift offers residents affordable transportation

By Hannah Adams Contributing Writer

LA Swift, one of Louisiana’s largest public transportation systems, has served as an affordable and convenient means for passengers to travel to New Orleans for more than four years.

The bus system began on Oct. 31, 2005 “in an attempt to bring much needed workers back into the devastated New Orleans area after Hurricane Katrina,” according to a news release from LA Swift.

For a $5.00 per ride fee, the system now provides a means of

commuting for more than 1,000 people each month.

A 2009 LA Department of Transportation study showed two-thirds of LA Swift riders reported they “use LA Swift to regularly commute to school, work or to medical appointments.”

“It’s really a vital service,”

said Meri Maurer, Account Executive for LA Swift at Hoffman/Miller Advertising.

Maurer said not only have Louisiana residents come forth to testify the buses are necessary for their commute to school and work, but it’s also a safe and affordable means for college students to

travel.

Blake Saale, digital art sophomore, said he has taken advantage of the cheap ride despite having his own vehicle and he’s has heard of other University students doing the same.

SWIFT, see page 15

HIGHER EDUCATION

Tucker Commision: La. needs more graduates TOPS changes not in report’s final draft

By Xerxes A. Wilson Senior Staff Writer

Louisiana faces disaster if it fails to improve the graduation rate and quality of education in the state, according to the final report of the Postsecondary Education Review Commission.

The Commission — informally known as the Tucker Commission — finalized its recommendations for reforming higher education Friday at its final meeting.

“The graduation rates at Louisiana’s four-year and two-year institutions are among the lowest in the nation and the South,” the final report said. “The future of the state depends on producing significantly more four-year and two-year graduates.”

The 22 recommendations explain how education should set graduation goals, be appropriated funds and be governed.

The Commission recognized the state’s drastic budget situation by recommending institutions are given more freedom to set tuition levels and change how budget cuts are allocated. Tuition and substantial fees increases currently require two-thirds

legislative approval.

If this recommendation becomes law, the door will be open for tuition increases and the introduction of new fees such as a Flagship fee to offset the budget crisis. Chancellor Michael Martin said he would rather levy new or increased fees on students than cut academic programs.

The committee recommended enrollment be reported at the end of the semester instead of on the 14th day of class. These numbers would then be used in the state formula to fund state institutions.

Commissioner and former University Chancellor James Wharton presented the recommendation and said this would save the state money because students who drop classes will not be counted in the funding equation.

The Commission also recommended institutions across the state receive the same funding for lower-level courses no matter what type of institution.

The University would receive the same rate per credit hour for the first 60 hours of a bachelor’s degree as any other public school in the state if the recommendation becomes law.

Reformation of TOPS was also a hot topic during the commission deliberations, but no COMMISSION, see page 15

Mellow Mushroom $9.99 1 Topping Larges Dine-In, Tak-Out and Delivery $1 OFF Import Bottles & $2 OFF Pitchers

9-10:30 AM 12-1:30 PM 4:00-5:30 PM 8:00- 9:30 PM

The Hurt Locker A Perfect Getaway Julie & Julia Without A Paddle: Nature’s Calling

ADAM VACCARELLA / The Daily Reveille

Commissioner Ben Nevers of the Postsecondary Education Review Commission, also known as the Tucker Commission, discusses recommendations regarding higher learning.

THE DAILY REVEILLE MONDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2010

BABBLING BROOKS

Saints become a ‘Team of Destiny’ For all intents and purposes, Super Bowl XLIV lived up to all the hype.

On paper, the game featured two of the most potent offenses in the NFL this season — with one featuring one of the greatest quarterbacks ever to lace up a Johanathan pair of cleats, Brooks Sports Writer and the other coming from a city that had not yet been able to reign supreme as champions of their domain.

Storylines abounded for the game: Peyton Manning vs. Drew Brees, Manning vs. his hometown, Colts defensive lineman Dwight Freeney’s ankle injury and — most importantly for me — the Saints vs. history.

Full disclosure: I’m a lifelong Saints fan.

I’ve been that way since my mother birthed me into this world and engrained into me the values of rooting for the Black and Gold at a very young age.

I’m not going to say I’ve been suffering as much as my mom or any other of the older Saints fans, but it’s been rough.

I remember Aaron Brooks throwing picks and not giving a damn.

I remember Hurricane Katrina forcing us to become nomads for an entire season.

I remember Mike Ditka trading away almost an entire draft to

Sports

WILD LOSS DeMarcus Cousins helps Kentucky steamroll LSU

J.J. ALCANTARA / The Daily Reveille

Kentucky freshman forward DeMarcus Cousins (15) drives the baseline past LSU sophomore forward Storm Warren (24) during the Wildcats’ 81-55 win Saturday against the Tigers in the PMAC.

By Chris Branch Sports Writer

Kentucky freshman guard John Wall came to the PMAC as a headliner and left as a sidekick.

Unfortunately for the Tigers, the headliner honor went to Kentucky freshman forward DeMarcus Cousins, whose 19 points and 13 rebounds led the No. 4 Wildcats (22-1, 7-1) in a 81-55 rout of LSU (9-14, 0-9) on Saturday.

“They’re for real,” said J.J. ALCANTARA / The Daily Reveille

Cousins (15) gets tangled with LSU junior guard Bo Spencer, center, and sophomore guard Zach Kinsley.

DESTINY, see page 11

LSU coach Trent Johnson. “Basically, what I told our guys is that I’ve been on that end of the deal. I’ve had a couple of teams like that — big, strong, very mature. I say this as a positive: They were nasty.”

Junior guard Bo Spencer led LSU with 25 points, while senior forward Tasmin Mitchell was shut down for most of the game. Mitchell was held to 10 points on 4-of-15 shooting and tied a season low with three BASKETBALL, see page 8

“I thought we had really good energy to start.”

Trent Johnson

LSU men’s basketball coach

PAGE 5

THE LONE YANKEE

Saints victory a complete shock One decision. One lousy decision.

Peyton Manning will regret it for the rest of his life, while Saints fans will have it on repeat in their minds forever.

Hell froze over Sunday night as the Saints shocked not only the enSean Isabella tire nation, but Sports Contributor more importantly myself, when Saints cornerback Tracy Porter returned an interception 74 yards for a touchdown to send Bourbon Street into mayhem.

Smiles as wide as the Mississippi River and tears of joy Sunday night spanned from New Orleans to Miami.

The Saints organization, New Orleanians, Louisianians and Saints fans around the globe popped everything from Cristal to Grey Goose, celebrating the first championship in their 43-year existence.

And it all came as a surprise.

The Colts entered the game as one of the most dominant teams in the NFL in the last decade.

Indianapolis quietly strung together an NFL-record seven consecutive 12-plus winning seasons and totaled 115 wins during the 2000s.

Their leader, Peyton Manning, is 131-61 as the Colts’ starter and has won 89 games the last seven years, including a Super Bowl title, a Super Bowl MVP and four MVP trophies.

None of that mattered VICTORY, see page 11

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

LSU takes tough loss in triple overtime, 102-101 Graham’s push for the win falls short

By Michael Lambert Sports Contributor

LSU junior guard Katherine Graham did about all she could in an attempt to secure a Lady Tigers victory against Ole Miss on Sunday afternoon.

Graham became the second Lady Tiger ever to record a

triple-double and forced the game into triple overtime with a clutch game-tying 3-pointer at the end of the second overtime.

But the third-year player missed a potential game-tying free throw in triple overtime and came short on a potential gamewinning jumper off the rebound, and the Rebels (15-8, 6-4 SEC) escaped with a 102-101 win.

“We fought as hard as we could fight,” said LSU coach Van Chancellor. “They made some incredible shots in the end. That’s

just the way it goes.”

Ole Miss sophomore center Kayla Holloway hit a layup with 11 seconds in triple overtime to give Ole Miss the final lead.

No. 19 LSU (15-7, 4-6) came back in the second half after being down by 14 at one point in the first half.

“I felt we lost the game early,” Chancellor said. “Late in the game we did all we could.”

The Lady Tigers forced overtime when sophomore forward LaSondra Barrett made two free

throws and Ole Miss senior guard Elizabeth Robertson missed a jumper with one second remaining.

LSU sophomore point guard Destini Hughes nailed a jumper with one second to tie the game again to end the first overtime.

Unlikely heroes emerged in the second overtime as Hughes made a 3-pointer and freshman guard Bianca Lutley hit a jumper. Graham hit a 3-pointer with seven seconds left in the second overtime to force the team’s first

triple-overtime game of the season and first since Feb. 15, 2003, against Santa Barbara.

Lutley and Hughes each landed another 3-pointer in the third overtime, but it wasn’t enough as Graham’s potential game-winner hit the rim and fell short.

“Thank goodness Hughes and Lutley played, but we didn’t lose the game [in overtime],” Chancellor said.

LADY TIGERS, see page 8

THE DAILY REVEILLE

PAGE 6

Revelry

Today’s KLSU Specialty Shows..... 9 pm - 11 pm: Valley Girl Intelligencia (Girl bands), 11 pm - 1 am: Bars and Ballads with L.A. Tré (R&B and soul) MONDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2010

Week in Review ...

lsureveille.com Log on to see photos of these events.

MELANIE SCOTT / The Daily Reveille

Hanna Kennedy, international studies sophomore, inquires about studying in Thailand at the Study Abroad Fair on Tuesday. Horticulture professor Carl Motsenbocker explains the opportunities and experiences involved.

photos by BRIANNA PACIORKA and J.J. ALCANTARA / The Daily Reveille

[Left] LaDonna Goodman, psychology sophomore, plays finger football at LSU Dining’s Super Saints Party held at The 459 Commons on Wednesday. [Right] Leah Stevens, University alumna, left, and Elizabeth Scott, graphic design sophomore, right, won the Forever LSU student video contest for their submission “LSU is ... Forever.”

See what Saints-themed shenanigans Matt and Mal are up to this morning at lsureveille.com

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2010

THE DAILY REVEILLE

PAGE 7

GYMNASTICS

Tigers defeat No. 1 Alabama for second-straight year

Jackson wins 5thstraight all-around

By Andy Schwehm Sports Contributor

The LSU gymnastics team headed into Friday night’s meet against No. 1 Alabama looking at victory as secondary to an improvement in its total team score.

The No. 12 Tigers got more than they wished for, snagging a 196.475196.050 victory in front of 2,821 fans in the PMAC. LSU put together its first complete meet of the season, posting season highs or second-best season scores on all four events.

The victory was the second straight for the Tigers (4-3, 2-2) against the Crimson Tide, traditionally a tough opponent for LSU, and the first loss of the season for Alabama (5-1, 3-1). It was also the first time LSU took down a No. 1 team since 2002, when the Tigers defeated Utah, 196.125-196.000.

“To compete with a team like Alabama, you have to put togeth-

er four events,” LSU coach D-D Breaux said. “Tonight gave the kids the confidence they needed, and it solidifies the hard work they have been doing in the gym.”

Senior Susan Jackson led the Tigers once again as she posted a career-best 39.725. Her fifth-straight all-around title tied former LSU AllAmerican Sandra Smith for consecutive all-around titles to open a season. She also added three event titles.

“Her going last and hitting gives us so much confidence heading into the next event,” said LSU senior Sabrina Franceschelli. “We know she will always pull through for us.”

While Jackson’s season-best 9.950 on the floor capped the night and solidified victory for the Tigers, earning Jackson the floor title, the turning point of the night came in the first rotation.

Alabama had to count a fall on the bars en route to a season-low 48.275, which was more than half a point worse than its second-lowest score of the season on the apparatus, a 48.825.

The Tigers got off to a hot start on the vault, posting a 49.150, their second-highest score on the appara-

tus this season.

Jackson won the event title with a 9.950 that came on the heels of sophomore Gloria Johnson’s seasonbest second place 9.900. Johnson would later add a 9.800 on the beam for her best statistical performance of the year.

“Gloria Johnson stepped up and gave us two big events,” Breaux said. “She’s been kind of out there non-existent for the past two years.”

The Crimson Tide bounced back on the vault in the second rotation to equal LSU’s vault score with a 49.150.

LSU then posted its second-best bars score of the season, a 49.050, to hold a 98.200-97.425 advantage at the half-way mark of the meet.

Jackson got her second event title of the night with a 9.925 on the bars.

“I went out there and had fun like we all wanted to,” Jackson said.

“Our team motto this meet was to go out, relax and have fun, so that is what I did. I went out and did what I was capable of doing — what I try to do every day in the gym.”

The Tigers were then able to hold off the Crimson Tide in the final

J.J. ALCANTARA / The Daily Reveille

LSU senior Sabrina Franceschelli performs on the uneven bars Friday.

two rotations, as Alabama’s falls on bars proved to be too much.

In the final rotation of the evening, LSU hit a 49.225 floor score, its second-best of the season, to hang on by what may have been a few inches.

Freshman Ashley Lee, the third Tiger in the event, took a fall, scoring a 9.075. That left the pressure on the final three gymnasts to hit for LSU to win.

All three did, including junior Sam Engle, who posted a 9.775 despite coming dangerously close to falling on one of her tumbling passes.

“Sam did a great job, and that was what solidified it for us,” Breaux said.

Contact Andy Schwehm at aschwehm@lsureveille.com

TRACK AND FIELD

Men place second, women grab third in invitational

By Katherine Terrell Sports Contributor

Add another record to the list for LSU junior Walter Henning.

Henning, an All-American thrower, smashed his own record in the weight throw at the New Balance Collegiate Invitational in New York on Saturday.

The native New Yorker has a long history of success at The Armory Track and Field Center. In addition to a successful high school career, he set the meet record there last year with a throw of 72 feet, 8 1/2 inches.

He broke that record and his own personal best when he threw 76 feet, 6 1/2 inches to win the competition.

“It’s always great to come back to The Armory where I spent so many weekends in high school,”

Henning said in a news release. who tore his medial meniscus in his “This is a special place to me, and to knee in the same meet last year. perform the way I did today in that “I’ve worked really hard in circle is a great feeling.” training to get to this level after what Henning was named Most happened last year,” Thomas said Outstanding Male in a news release.

Competitor at the “I’m just motivated conclusion of the to perform at my meet. best each meet.”

And he wasn’t Staying fothe only Tiger to cused is Thomas’s have a successful aim as he looks weekend in New toward the NCAA York, as the Tigers Indoor Championplaced second and ships in March.

Walter Henning the Lady Tigers “I also think LSU thrower placed third out of staying focused 117 teams. and preparing myJunior Zedric self mentally has Thomas won the long jump with been a key for me,” Thomas said. a jump of 26 feet, 3 inches, beat- “Things like always knowing where ing his personal best of 24 feet, 10 I am in the competition and what inches by almost 2 feet. jump I’ve got to have has helped It was redemption for Thomas, me focus on every jump I take. I’m

‘‘

‘This is a special place to me, and to perform the way I did today in that circle is a great feeling.’

really focused on helping the team as much as I can at nationals.”

The runners had a good weekend alongside the field competitors, particularly the middle-distance runners.

Of six LSU athletes competing in the 800-meter run, five had NCAA provisional qualifying times.

Junior Richard Jones took first place in the 800-meter run with a time of 1 minute, 48.88 seconds.

Senior Jamaal James placed second, and freshman Sadiki White placed sixth.

The Lady Tigers were no slouches either. Senior LaTavia Thomas finished second in the event, senior Kayann Thompson placed third and freshman Charlene Lipsey was sixth.

“I thought we continued to make progress as a team today,”

LSU coach Dennis Shaver said in a news release. “It’s important that we continue to take steps in that direction with each competition.”

Shaver said he thought the team performed well in a championshiplike atmosphere.

“I also thought we continued to show the kind of competitive spirit we will need in order to have success in the championship meets,” Shaver said. “It had that kind of atmosphere this weekend, and I’m proud of some of our kids with how they stepped it up.”

LSU will take another road trip next weekend to Fayetteville, Ark., for the Tyson Invitational.

The meet will be held Friday and Saturday.

Contact Katherine Terrell at kterrell@lsureveille.com

PAGE 8 BASKETBALL, from page 5

rebounds.

LSU hung with the ’Cats early.

The Tigers, behind stingy defense on Cousins, raced out to a 6-1 lead. The lead wouldn’t last long.

“I thought we had really good energy to start,” Johnson said.

Kentucky’s size was too much for the undermanned Tigers. The Wildcats are one of the tallest teams in basketball, with Cousins standing 6 feet 11 inches, freshman forward Daniel Orton standing 6 feet 10 inches and junior forward Patrick Patterson measuring 6 feet 9 inches.

LSU sophomore forward Storm Warren — who is 6 foot 7 inches — garnered the tough assignment of guarding Cousins.

“They’re animals on the glass,” Spencer said. “I’m so impressed with

LADY TIGERS, from page 5

The Lady Tigers shot a perfect 5-for-5 from beyond the arc in the overtime periods, but the Rebels still found a way to win.

“Ole Miss made bigger plays than we did, and that’s how the game came down to it,” Barrett said.

LSU senior guard Allison Hightower, Barrett and Graham dominated offensively for LSU, which shot 46 percent in the second half after only making 28.6 percent of its shots in the first.

The three Lady Tigers accumulated 74 of LSU’s 101 points in the game.

Hightower scored 31 points, one shy of her career high, before

THE DAILY REVEILLE

Cousins because he’s just a freshman. He plays like he’s been here forever.”

Mitchell agreed.

“I give their interior the utmost respect,” Mitchell said. “It wasn’t the perimeter that really shocked us.

It was their inside game. They play real physical.”

Kentucky went on a 41-8 run after that — including a 22-0 run sandwiched in — to close out the half.

LSU trailed 42-14 at the break.

Halftime might have been the best part of the afternoon for Tiger fans.

Former Tiger great Rudy Macklin had his jersey retired at intermission. Macklin’s No. 40 jersey joined the likes of Pete Maravich, Shaquille O’Neal, Bob Pettit and Seimone Augustus in the rafters.

“I feel bad for Rudy,” Johnson

said. “He’s everything we want this program to be. I just wish we would have put him in the Hall of Fame like I begged for last year when we were playing Kentucky twice. That would have been more appropriate. I don’t like it to be like that when you have former players who are still involved in the program and still give their all and are still good role models for the players.”

Things got a little better for LSU in the second half. The Tigers managed 41 points in the second after only putting up 14 in the first period.

“I thought in the second half we did a good job of trying to run our offense, trying to take good shots,” Johnson said. “We still struggled at times. I thought Bo showed a lot of courage. At times there were bad shots, but at times it was probably

limping off the court during the second overtime.

“There were a lot of things that could have turned the game either way without it going into overtime,” Graham said. “Hopefully next time I get a triple-double, we can win.”

The Rebels ended a threegame losing skid as LSU fell for the sixth time in its last eight games.

The rebounding battle went to Ole Miss, who had six more boards than LSU. “The difference in the game was we couldn’t rebound the ball,” Chancellor said. “We were up by three twice, and we just had to get a defensive rebound.”

The Lady Tigers did take

care of the ball. LSU only committed eight turnovers while forcing 17 from the Rebels.

Senior guard Bianca Thomas led Ole Miss with 29 points.

“It is heart-breaking for either team,” said Ole Miss coach Renee Ladner. “There are just so many moments that we stepped up within the overtime period.”

The Lady Tigers will travel to Florida on Thursday for another SEC tilt.

the best shot we could get in those situations.”

He logged 25 points, but Spencer struggled to a 2-of-12 performance from the 3-point distance.

Spencer didn’t get much help.

Patterson corralled Mitchell, who averages 17.3 points per game, for most of the night.

“Pat did an incredible job,” Cousins said. “He’s an incredible defender. A lot of people don’t know that. He had a tough task and did a great job with it.”

With the loss, the Tigers remain winless in Southeastern Conference play. The loss marks their ninth consecutive defeat and 12 losses in the last 13 games.

“You lose nine games, and guys are going to get down, get frustrated,” Johnson said. “But I’ve always said that kids are more resilient than,

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2010 not necessarily coaches, but adults.

As down as I get, I’m going to go watch video tape, and I’m going to go back to work as soon as I can.”

Kentucky coach John Calipari had nothing but praise for Johnson’s effort and resolve amid the Tigers’ current losing streak.

“I look at what Trent’s doing here, undermanned, that they have a chance to win every game they’ve played is incredible,” Calipari said.

“I was sick when I watched Auburn.

I don’t know how they lost. He’s giving these kids a chance to win almost every game.”

Contact Chris Branch at cbranch@lsureveille.com

J.J. ALCANTARA / The Daily Reveille

Contact Michael Lambert at mlambert@lsureveille.com

LSU junior guard Katherine Graham drives to the baseline against Ole Miss sophomore forward Nikki Byrd during the Lady Tigers’ 102-101 triple-overtime loss to the Rebels.

Monday, February 8, 2010

THE DAILY REVEILLE

PAGE 9

NFL

Saints win Super Bowl, 31-17, against Indianapolis Colts

By Barry Wilner The Associated Press

Former Tigers in Super Bowl XLIV:

MIAMI (AP) — Who Dat won the Super Bowl? The New Orleans Saints, that’s who.

Ain’t kidding.

Put away those paper bags forever. Drew Brees and the Saints are NFL champions, rallying to upset Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts 31-17 Sunday night in one of pro football’s most thrilling title games.

Brees tied a Super Bowl record with 32 completions, the last a 2-yard slant to Jeremy Shockey for the winning points with 5:42 remaining, and was chosen the game’s MVP. “We just believed in ourselves and we knew that we had an entire city and maybe an entire country behind us,” Brees said. “What can I say? I tried to imagine what this moment would be like for a long time, and it’s better than expected.”

A surprise onside kick sparked the Saints’ second-half comeback.

Their 25th-ranked defense made several key stops, and Tracy Porter’s 74-yard interception return on a pass from Manning, of all people, clinched it.

Manning tried to give chase, but was blocked by a New Orleans defender and fell awkwardly as the cornerback raced by. The four-time NFL MVP forlornly walked to the sideline as the Big Easy celebrations began.

“It’s time for the Saints to celebrate,” he said. “It’s their field, and it’s their championship.”

An NFL embarrassment for much of their 43 years, the Saints’ football renaissance, led by Brees and coach Sean Payton, climaxed with Shockey’s touchdown and Lance Moore’s two-point conversion catch, originally ruled incomplete but overturned on Payton’s challenge.

Porter’s pick, just as dramatic as his interception of Brett Favre’s pass to force overtime in the NFC title game, was the game’s only turnover.

It’s one Manning will forever regret.

The Saints (16-3) won three postseason games this winter after winning only two in the previous 42 years. They beat Arizona, Minnesota and Indianapolis (16-3) — all division winners — for their first title, scoring 107 points and allowing only 59.

The championship came 4 1/2

• Final score: Saints 31, Colts 17.

• (Colts) Joe Addai - 77 yards rushing, 1 rushing TD, 7 catches, 58 yards receiving.

• (Saints) Devery Henderson - 7 catches, 63 yards.

• (Saints) Randall Gay - 2 tackles.

years after Hurricane Katrina ravaged New Orleans, making the Saints nomads for the 2005 season.

There even was some doubt they would return, but the NFL refused to abandon the city. The Superdome was repaired and the Saints won the NFC South in ’06, their first season with Brees and Payton.

That was the season Manning won his only Super Bowl. He had the Colts, favored by five points, in front for much of this one, but New Orleans’ league-leading offense, which scored 510 points this season, outscored Indy 31-7 after falling behind 10-0. That matched the biggest comeback in a Super Bowl.

Payton held the Vince Lombardi Trophy high over his head and ran into the end zone toward several hundred fans chanting the Saints’ rally cry: “Who dat, who dat, who dat say gonna beat dem Saints?”

Nobody can say it now.

“Everybody back in New Orleans gets a piece of this trophy,” he said.

“I think I could kiss him,” owner Tom Benson said.

Before many of the 74,059 fans got settled following the Who’s halftime show, the Saints worked a little football voodoo. Garrett Hartley’s onside kick was touched by the Colts’ Hank Baskett, then recovered

by Chris Reis at the New Orleans 42.

“I just told our guys you’ve got to make me look good on this,” Payton said. “That really becomes like a turnover.”

Looking like the NFL’s most potent offense, the Saints seized the opportunity to take their first lead. It came on Pierre Thomas’ brilliant 16yard run with a screen pass, capped by a dive into the end zone.

Manning simply shrugged, found Dallas Clark for 45 yards on a 76-yard drive, and Joseph Addai used a spin move a figure skater would envy to score from the 4.

But that was it for Indy.

Hartley, the hero of the NFC title game with his 40-yard field goal in overtime made a 47-yarder later

in the third period. After Matt Stover was wide left on a 51-yarder early in the final quarter, Brees led the biggest drive in Saints history.

Manning looked sharp on the Colts’ first two series, taking them 53 yards to a 38-yard field goal by Stover, at 42 the oldest player in Super Bowl history.

Then Manning led a 96-yard, 11-play drive that appeared almost routine, even though it tied the longest march in a Super Bowl. Addai rushed for 53 yards on the series, and Manning found Pierre Garcon behind backup cornerback Osama Young for the 19-yard score on third down.

New Orleans couldn’t match that, but did get a 46-yard field goal

by Hartley to make it 10-3. Brees was sacked on third down by All-Pro defensive end Dwight Freeney, who sure looked frisky despite ligament damage in his right ankle that made his availability uncertain for two weeks.

Then Indy’s defense, ranked 18th during the season but staunch in the playoffs, really showed some power. After the Saints marched 71 yards, including 40 yards on two receptions by Marques Colston, New Orleans had third-and-goal at the 1.

Mike Bell slipped running right behind All-Pro guard Jahri Evans, and Thomas was stacked up at the line by Gary Brackett and Clint Sessions on fourth down.

But the Colts went against type and ran three times, leaving 35 seconds for the league’s most prolific offense to get in position for Hartley’s 44-yard field goal and a more manageable 10-6 halftime deficit.

Shootout? More like a slowdown. Indy had two three-and-outs and New Orleans had one.

But the points came quickly after halftime — mostly for the Saints.

CHARLIE RIEDEL / The Associated Press

New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees celebrates with the Vince Lombardi Trophy after the Super Bowl against the Indianapolis Colts in Miami on Sunday.

CHUCK BURTON / The Associated Press

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

New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton displays a newspaper after the Saints beat the Indianapolis Colts, 31-17, in the Super Bowl game in Miami on Sunday.

photos by MARK HUMPHREY, MARK J. TERRILL, CHUCK BURTON / The Associated Press

[Left] New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton walks on the sidelines during the Super Bowl against the Indianapolis Colts in Miami on Sunday. [Center] Saints linebacker Scott Shanle (58) and safety Roman Harper (41) tackle Colts tight end Dallas Clark (44). [Right] Saints running back Pierre Thomas dives for a touchdown. The Saints won, 31-17, for the first time in franchise history.

PAGE 10

THE DAILY REVEILLE

Monday, February 8, 2010

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2010 DESTINY, from page 5

get Ricky Williams.

But most of all, I remember losing year after year and my team being the laughingstock of the NFL. New Orleans’ football franchise has long been considered one of the worst in the league.

The Saints, founded in 1967, had only been to the playoffs six times and had never been to the Super Bowl before this season.

Some fans were convinced the team would never amount to anything, and the team’s lack of success became a running joke.

Fans wore paper bags and called them the ’Aints. I’m not going to lie: I did it too, but I never forsook them or jumped off the bandwagon.

But the Saints finally got the king-sized monkey off their backs when the clocks struck zero in Miami on Sunday night.

The final score read 31-17, Manning looked dejected and Saints coach Sean Payton was drenched in orange Gatorade.

The team had been called a

THE DAILY REVEILLE

team of destiny, and there was one moment when I realized that was true.

Down by four at halftime, the fans had just been forced through watching geriatric Brits “rock” across the stage for far too long, and the Colts lined up to receive the kickoff to start the second half.

Kicker Thomas Morstead kicked an onside kick, Saints rookie linebacker Jonathan Casillas recovered it, and the Saints took their first lead of the game on the ensuing drive.

From then on, I never had a doubt they’d come out on top.

Payton’s call to kick it onside took grande cajones, and there’s only one of two explanations when things like that go your way — somebody is point shaving, or you’ve got fate on your side.

Fate reared its head again later in the game when the Saints attempted a two-point conversion already up by five points.

Wide receiver Lance Moore caught a Brees pass and contorted his way into the end zone only for the side judge to

PAGE 11

rule the pass incomplete.

The Saints challenged the play, and it was overturned, giving New Orleans a seven-point advantage.

Destiny.

When Tracy Porter took a pass from Manning 74 yards a few minutes later, it was simply icing on the sweetest king cake the Who Dat Nation ever tasted.

The team, the fans and most importantly the city of New Orleans deserved this win.

Words can’t describe the state of euphoria and disbelief this win has put me in, but they’re telling me what happened is true.

This whole column probably seems like a giant cliché, but this is real, unadulterated emotion from a dude who didn’t want to see his favorite franchise become the Chicago Cubs of football.

Thank you, Saints.

JULIE JACOBSON / The Associated Press

Contact Johanathan Brooks at jbrooks@lsureveille.com

New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) reacts after a 16-yard touchdown pass to running back Pierre Thomas during the second half of the Super Bowl.

VICTORY, from page 5

Sunday night.

The Saints proved to be overmatched to start the game as the Colts ended the first quarter with a 96-yard scoring drive capped by a 19-yard touchdown reception by wide receiver Pierre Garcon.

The strike from Manning to Garcon was preceded by a 26-yard scamper by Addai, which included a juke that dropped Saints safety Darren Sharper’s undergarments quicker than Janet Jackson’s wardrobe malfunction.

The Colts defense stuffed Pierre Thomas on fourth and goal from inside the 2-yard line, deflating any momentum the Saints and their fans had.

As The Who performed at halftime, I sat and wondered what was more impressive to that point: the Saints’ miserable attempt to score a touchdown or guitarist Pete Townshend windmilling with more force than a vintage Vince Carter dunk.

Saints coach Sean Payton and his staff must have heard my thoughts because they came out of the locker room ready to pull all the tricks out of the bag.

Payton took a page from Les Miles’ playbook to start the second half, calling the first onside kick prior to the fourth quarter in NFL history, and the rest was history — literally.

My biggest concern heading into the game, like most fans’, was the Saints defense, which had been skeptical all year.

Gregg Williams’ game plan for the Colts to beat them with the running attack worked, regularly dropping five and six defenders into zone coverage to offset the Colts’ potent air attack.

Manning finished with 333 passing yards, but the Saints defense limited Colts receivers to almost no yards after the catch, and most of Manning’s yards came when the game was out of reach.

It was the Colts defense who regularly looked out of sync against the prolific attack of Brees and company.

The Saints’ rushing game was

MARK J. TERRILL / The Associated Press

Indianapolis Colts cornerback Pierre Garcon (85) catches a touchdown pass as Saints cornerback Usama Young, left, defends during the first half of the Super Bowl.

nonexistent, but that didn’t matter either.

Brees picked apart the Colts’ defense to the tune of 288 yards and two touchdowns, not to mention completing 82 percent of his passes.

His performance during the last month will be forever etched in the minds of not only Saints fans, but fans of all kinds.

Brees, who was rightfully named Super Bowl MVP, knocked off future Hall of Famers Kurt Warner, Brett Favre and Manning en route to the Lombardi Trophy.

Warner, Favre and Manning — not too shabby, Drew.

The Saints have done it,

people. They have proved the naysayers wrong — including me.

Those feelings of hatred, disappointment, sorrow and grief bottled up in Saints fans’ minds vanished into the air Sunday night in Miami.

The Saints have won a Super Bowl.

And I’m still surprised it happened.

Contact Sean Isabella at sisbabella@lsureveille.com

CHRIS O’MEARA / The Associated Press

New Orleans Saints running back Pierre Thomas (23) is stopped at fourth and goal by Indianapolis Colts linebacker Gary Brackett (58) as Clint Session (55) moves in during the first half of the NFL Super Bowl XLIV in Miami.

THE DAILY REVEILLE

Opinion

PAGE 12

NIETZCHE IS DEAD

Monday, February 8, 2010

New Orleans citizens deserve Super Bowl jubilation NEW ORLEANS — Have you ever seen a city dance?

I have. I’m standing on the corner of Bourbon and Iberville.

It’s the day of the first black-andgold Super Bowl, and I’m watching the crowds go wild.

It boggles the senses, standing here. It’s like being submerged in a black-and-gold ocean, immersed in sounds and smells and feelings that are dizzying and moving and wonderful.

It smells like smoke and beer and spice and happiness. It’s a cold day in hell — and a chilly day in New Orleans. There’s a wide open blue sky above us, and the clouds roll overhead like the floats parading down the old brick streets.

You can hear the bands marching down Canal Street. This isn’t sophisticated, subtle music. This isn’t the kind of music you politely bob your head to or tap your feet to. This is loud, proud, raw and wild like rolling thunder — music you feel in your bones and in your blood. You can hear it for blocks, and the blood in your veins pumps a little faster as you hear the thundering drums and the roaring brass.

There’s music everywhere, on every corner of every street.

There’s music in the bars and restaurants — music in the streets and on the sidewalks. There are all kinds of songs being sung in all kinds of styles and keys, but they’re all up-beat, they’re all jubilant, and they’re all meant for dancing.

And there’s plenty of dancing going on. From one end of the city to the other, there’s always a beat.

And where there isn’t, some blackand-gold-clad zealot leaps up and yells, and the whole seething crowd erupts in answer.

“Who Dat? Who Dat? Who Dat say ’dey gonna beat them

Saints?”

It’s overwhelming, and for a second I have to draw back into myself.

I’m not from New Orleans.

I mean I’ve never actually lived in New Orleans. I’ve always lived 80 miles out, in Baton Rouge.

But New Orleans has always been a part of me, as much a part of my bloodline as my blonde hair and blue eyes and my tendency to like good music. My mother was born and raised here, and, as Chris Rose famously Matthew Albright wrote, “She is Opinion Editor a New Orleans Girl, and New Orleans girls never live anywhere else. And even if they do, they always come back.”

She thinks she’s past it. She thinks we generally can’t tell. But when she gets together with her friends from the old town, and when she returns to the city streets she walked as a girl and still knows by heart, her accent lapses into that distinctive accent you can only find in New Orleans. Her voice fills with “y’ats” and “y’alls” and nostalgia — it’s wonderful to watch.

She grew up in the Ninth Ward, in a tiny brick house on Foch Road.

Her mother and father labored to raise four children in that house on a government salary. It flooded during Hurricane Camille — my mother remembers fleeing to a gymnasium as the streets filled with water and the wind hurled shrapnel through the air.

On the year of my grandparents’ 50th anniversary, the house flooded to the ceiling in Katrina.

They were too old to rebuild it, so

we gutted it.

I remember going to the house and shoveling out all their possessions, unceremoniously dumping old books and pictures and memories in the giant pile of sheetrock and wood and garbage by the roadside. I remember my old, dignified grandfather digging among the rubble like a vagrant, searching for memories among the ruins.

I remember driving down those ghostly streets, looking at the eerie piles of indiscriminate garbage that contained all their own dead, broken muddy memories.

They live in Baton Rouge now.

But whenever they talk of home, and their eyes cloud with memory, it’s obvious their minds and hearts are always in New Orleans. I can’t help but think my grandmother still dreams of the tiny white kitchen where she spent so much time, money and love.

But this isn’t just a story of me and my mother and grandparents. It’s the story of thousands of children, of thousands of mothers

and fathers and grandparents, and, how if they ever left, they’re all here again, dancing in the streets of the city they’ll always call home.

This isn’t just another team.

This isn’t just another Super Bowl.

Win or lose, this is a day of jubilation for a people that have struggled to rebuild their homes despite the floods, despite the corruption, despite the heat, despite all the things that would make children of a lesser city pack up and leave.

The deadline for this column is at halftime. I don’t know if the Saints are going to win this game. I don’t know how this story is going to end.

But I watch these men and women who have been through so much, endured so many hardships and so many trials — and I can’t help but think the ending probably doesn’t matter. I look at these people dancing with reckless, happy abandon under a bright Louisiana sky, and I can’t help but think that somewhere in heaven there’s a big, happy, smiling God dancing with

them.

Maybe I’m reading too much into this. Maybe I’m being melodramatic.

But I look down these streets that were once lined with great grey piles of broken memories, and I see them now lined with black and gold. I look down these streets that were once empty and silent and mud-caked, and I see these dancing, cheering people that were once exiled and homeless and broken, and, well, I very much doubt it.

Happy Super Bowl, New Orleans. Laissez les bon temps roulez.

You deserve it.

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

Contact Matthew Albright at malbright@lsureveille.com

BEST AND WITTIEST

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

“Blonde on a Budget” article laughable, not news I picked up the February 2nd edition of The Reveille today and found the paper’s front page article entitled, “Blonde on a Budget” entirely laughable. With all of the interesting and actually relevant news to pick from, such as the

crisis in Haiti, the New Orleans mayoral election, a possible AlQaeda attack on the U.S., our Saints in the Superbowl, and much more, an article about the challenges of blonds having to go brunette because of difficult economic times is a joke. I’d just like to say, who cares?

Sarah Lambremont LSU Law senior Contact The Daily Reveille’s opinion staff at opinion@lsureveille.com

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

Editor Managing Editor, Content Managing Editor, External Media Managing Editor, Production Opinion Editor

cartoon courtesy of KING FEATURES SYNDICATE

EDITORIAL POLICIES & PROCEDURES The Daily Reveille (USPS 145-800) is written, edited and produced solely by students of Louisiana State University. The Daily Reveille is an independent entity within the Manship School of Mass Communication. Signed opinions are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of the editor, paper or University. Letters submitted for publication should be sent via e-mail to opinion@lsureveille.com or delivered to B-26 Hodges Hall. They must be 400 words or less. Letters must have a contact phone number so the opinion editor can verify the author. The phone number won’t be printed. The Daily Reveille reserves the right to edit letters and guest columns for space consideration without changing the original intent. The Daily Reveille also reserves the right to reject any letter without notification of the author.

Writers must include their full names and phone numbers. The Daily Reveille’s editor-in-chief, hired every semester by the Louisiana State University Media Board, has final authority on all editorial decisions.

QUOTE OF THE DAY “A New Orleans credo: When life gives you lemons — make daiquiris. ”

Chris Rose American author, journalist

THE DAILY REVEILLE

Opinion

Monday, February 8, 2010

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

NO Mardi Gras overshadows Cajun festivities As the Mardi Gras holiday approaches, students are inevitably getting geared up for their annual Carnival (and undoubtedly carnal) celebration in New Orleans. But passing relatively unknown to a number of LSU students are the festivities that take place in the many small towns of Southwest Louisiana, in the heart of Cajun

Country.

The annual “Courir de Mardi Gras” (French, for “Running of the Mardi Gras”) is a centuries-old tradition that draws its roots from Medieval Europe. The ritual was passed down through the generations by French and Acadian settlers of the area. Here, “running” costumes are assembled from brightly colored fabric scraps, a wire screen masks and dunce caps (capuchons). Beginning early in the morning, they are led through the countryside by a Capitaine, who is usually on horseback.

Along the way, the Mardi Gras stop at local farmhouses to beg for money (cinq-sous), rice or sausage.

The most prized of these donations

is a live chicken, which the runners must chase and catch. As alcohol is typically a major contributing factor in these events, hilarity ensues.

The ultimate goal of their quest for ingredients is, at the end of the day, to be able to make a gumbo from the collections. To thank those that give generously, the revelers often dance and sing Le Chanson de Mardi Gras. This chant, sung entirely in French, often varies from town to town but frequently describes the runners’ journey and mission. While outsiders are often barred from actively participating, they are more than welcome to follow the procession throughout the area as spectators.

The whole ordeal can seem

like chaos but, in actuality, the rituals are steeped in age-old rules that govern the revelers’ behavior (although some are meant to be broken). Here, the emphasis is not on fancy floats or beads; the symbolism of the day’s activities serves to remind everyone of the importance of both giving and sharing in the community, along with enjoying the company of those you love.

The day’s run often culminates in a street dance where partygoers can enjoy traditional Cajun music, food, friends and, of course, booze late into the night. Like any carnival celebration, many seek to partake in as much feasting, fun, and merrymaking as possible before the Lenten season begins.

PAGE 13 By the end of the long weekend, repentance is often necessary.

So, for seeking a new experience this Mardi Gras without sacrificing a good time, I encourage you to make the journey west. The most notable Courir de Mardi Gras festivities take place in Basile, Elton, Eunice, Iota, Mamou, and Ville Platte. Many of these communities’ websites can be consulted for event schedules and music lineups.

Joshua Douget finance senior

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

CAMPUS-RESIDENT ALIEN

Who’s afraid of the socialist bogeyman? America The obsolete fear of socialism in this country is bizarre — especially from an outside point of view.

I’m now better able to analyze the matter from the inside, having lived in this country for a while now, but this irrational fear doesn’t seem any less bizarre. When I see propaganda stating the current American government has a “socialist” agenda, I can’t help but ask myself: Are the people and/or organizations sponsoring this information antiquated or ignorant, or do they just want to mislead? Recent accusations of socialism are just as awkward and untruthful as some post-WWII propaganda — you know, the kind that portrayed communists as murderers and childreneaters. It has the same fantastic approach as telling little children they better go to sleep, or the bogeyman is coming to get them.

For those spreading these misleading announcements, a brief look at some history books — or, simpler than that, a Google search — would elucidate my point. Socialist governments are remnants of the past. Socialist (or Communist) movements that became governments failed, proved to be incapable of putting to reality the theoretically beautiful principles they predicated. We’re talking about dictatorships that not only restrained basic human rights but also killed people who opposed their government.

So, a closer look at the socialism history and process will bring us to what’s become of the movement after the fall of those governments: the social-democracy. Cutting to the chase, social democrats in Europe radically changed socialism, combining free market with social policies. This blend of concepts and flexibility is what kept them in power for so many years in countries like Sweden.

Read this, from the new Declaration of Principles in the 18th Congress of the Socialist International in 1989: “Democratic socialism is an international movement for freedom, social justice and solidarity. Its goal is to achieve a peaceful world where these basic values can

be enhanced and where each individual can live a meaningful life with the full development of his or her personality and talents and with the guarantee of human and civil rights in a democratic framework of society.”

Sounds good to me.

Marcelo Viera What do you think? It sounds Columnist just like what every government (capitalist, socialist, anythingist) should pursue for its people.

But calm down. I’m not saying we should geaux democraticsocialist. Let me say again a curious thing about Brazil (where I’m from), regarding this ideological quarrel. Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva comes from a leftist background rooted in his history as a labor union leader. Most of his constituents expected a “socialist” revolution when he took office, and thus the revocation of neoliberal economic measures the previous government took. He did not live out these expectations (thank God).

When he kept the liberal economic orientation from the previous government, the media and

the people attacked him severely.

You could say he was accused of “having a capitalist agenda.”

As usual, there are many sides to the same issue. Governments, by definition, are supposed to “regulate” fields of society. If this weren’t the case, why would we have governments in the first place? Why choose people to represent us if they can’t create rules to guarantee our welfare? Regulation doesn’t mean socialism. And capitalism doesn’t mean exploitation.

By the 10th year of this 21st century, after so many economical and political comings and goings, we should be able to realize and

absorb a convenient truth: To oppose ideas that are complementary doesn’t help us in the difficult and necessary task of (re)building a fair society, no matter if you`re black or white, capitalist or socialist — a Saints or a Colts fan.

Marcelo Viera is a 32-year-old jazz cello graduate student from Brazil.

Follow him on Twitter @TDR_mviera.

Contact Marcelo Viera at mviera@lsureveille.com

BEST AND WITTIEST

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Via Veneto Salon Upscale salon looking for mature student to work as receptionist Tuesday and Thursday afternoons and 1-2 Saturdays a month. Apply in person at 5172 Corporate Blvd. 225.928.7155 Family Assistant Pt time help for large busy family. Must hve own trspt & ref, Elem ed major pref 504.382.3995 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 Oportunity Employer BARTENDERS NEEDED No Experience Necessary. FT/ PT, Will Train. Earn $250 per shift. Call us at 877-405-1078.

Earn Extra Money Students needed ASAP. Earn up to $150 per day being a Mystery Shopper. No Experience Required. Call 1-800-722-4791 Moore Construction, Inc hiring construction/engineer students. Email resume to Ed Stock at estock@mooreconstructioninc.com to set up interview.

FITNESS INSTRUCTORS NEEDED- Great part time afternoon school year job-Full time summer job-Great Pay! Exerfit Family Fitness, Bluebonnet Ave(Crawfish Aquatic’s Sister Program) If you are highly motivated, hard working, we can teach you the rest. Please fax resume to 225706-1634 or e-mail to mleach@exerfitbr. com website: www.exerfitbr.com P/T Cashier Convenient store looking for reliable person with flexible hours. Leave Message.

225.769.0856 225.769.0856 Before/After School Counselors GONZALES, LA AREA: YMCA seeks Before/ After School Counselors at Gonzales school site. Must be able to work M-F, during the hours of 6:30ñ8:00 am & 3:00-6:00 p.m., drug test and b/ g heck.

Dependable, dedicated individuals contact Lindsey Seals @ (225) 767-9622.

PART TIME ACCOUNTING ASSISTANT needed to assist owner and CFO of boat sales and service business. Duties include invoicing customers, receiving payments, answering phones, managing orders and office management. Send resume to cwadecpa@cox.net Counter Clerk part time afternoon, flexible hours, great for students Welsh’s Cleaners at Perkins Rd. and College Dr. apply in person or call 225-921-6660 SURVEY TAKERS NEEDED: Make $5-$25 per survey. GetPaidToThink.com. ►►BARTENDING UP TO NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY. TRAINING PROVIDED. AGE 18+ OK 1-800-965-6520 ext127 SWIMMING INSTRUCTORS NEEDED Great Part Time Afternoon Spring Semester Job-Full Time Summer Job-Great Pay! CRAWFISH AQUATICS, Louisiana’s Total Swim Program-If you are highly motivated, hard working, we can teach you the rest. Please fax resume to 225-706-1636 or e-mail to swimcraw@bellsouth.net Parkview Baptist Preschool Preschool Afternoon Teachers needed 3-6pm flex days. no degree required. Call Kim 293-9447

For Sale Condo For Sale updated/gated community. Washer/Dryer in Unit. Furnished/ vacuum cleaner/microwave/refrigera-

tor/all dinner ware. Community Pool.

225.445.1877 225.445.1877 1989 Jeep Wrangler Sahara, 4X4, Automatic, 55678 miles - $2,300 - Email me for more details at: ACEYROWLEY@ AOL. COM Tiger Manor Condominiums. UNITS READY FOR SPRING and FALL 2010!! 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. lsu townhouse for sale! Huge 3bd, 2.5ba townhouse in Heatherstone just off Brightside. Lg den w/ space for a pool table. Great for entertaining. Open fl. plan, separate dining and living room.

Covered parking. Cable incl. in HOA. $189,900; B0915771; 225.938.1222 2 Story Condo For Sale Lakes at Bluebonnet. Convenient to LSU. 3 BR/3BA Washer/Dryer/Refrigerator to remain. 9ft ceilings/ceramic tile/private verandas & backyard. Professionally landscaped. Prewired for security. 225.445.1877 Laptops $199 and up. Computers $99 and up. Repair desktops/laptops.

Computer Exchange, 10120 Florida Blvd.

225.274.1400

For Rent 2 br/ 1.

5 ba townhouse. 1 year lease/$1,000 a month. Ava. Mar/Apr on Brightside View.

225.247.2382 225.247.2382 2BR HOUSE DOWNTOWN FOR LEASE!!

2BR/1BA $1150/MO WOOD FLOORS, DECK, FENCED YARD. WWW. KEYFINDERSBR. COM FOR PICS. AND MORE INFO. KEYFINDERS REALTY 225-293-3000 LSU TIGERLAND Special Lg Studios 1&2 BR TH &Flat Pool, w/f, $450 to $695 225.615.8521 Chateau du Cour in tigerland Large 2 BR 1 B in gated complex..772-2429 mckproperties.com 2BR/2.5BA TH FOR RENT W/D, alarm system, covered parking, private courtyard. Incredible location, off Perkins near College Dr. $1,000/mo. Call Melissa @ 225.343.0010 Summer grove conds

Gated Community off Brightside Clubhouse with pool & work out room All Appliances Included 1, 2 & 3 Bedroom Units Now Accepting Deposit for Summer Dean Flores Real Estate 225.767.2227 Tiger Manor Condominiums. UNITS READY FOR SPRING and FALL 2010! 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.

LSU Walk to Campus Big Clean 1 br $495. New Orleans Courtyard style. Pool, Coin Laundry, bus line. No pets 766-5511 BRIGHTSIDE PARK TOWNHOMES NICE 2 BR 2.5 BATH, W/D, POOL. $900 1737 S. Brightside View 318-243-8231 southlandpropertiesinc.com FOR LEASE Houses, Apartments, Condos & Townhomes FOR LEASE in all areas!

WWW. KEYFINDERSBR. COM or call Keyfinders Realty 225-293-3000 FOR MORE INFO 3 Bedroom House Near campus 691 Dentation. Three bedrooms, two full baths, competely renovated home in Highland Hills $1500 a month, $1000 deposit, 1 yr lease 225.278.6650 2 BD 2.5 Bath Condo Available immediately. Renovated, W/D. $900/mo. 8091 Bayou Fountain Unit 203. 225.330.9286 or 225.757.0494 1Bd/1BA ground floor apartment for rent in Brook Hollow. No pet deposit! $765/mo, February Rent Free!

225.365.2572 Practically on campus! 1 & 2 bedrms ranging from $375/mo - $525/mo.

225.344.9995 WalK To Campus 1Br, 2Br, and Townhomes. Starting as low as $400.00. www.lsuwestchimesplace.com 225.346.4789

Roommate Wanted $425 All Utilities included!!!

HOUSE!-SHARE-A-HUGE 3BR/3BATH-HOUSE-NEAR-LSUALL-UTITLITIES-INCLUDED!!!!HIGHSPEED-INTERNET-CABLE-NICEEXCLUSIVE-AREA-OFF-CONGRESS AND-PERKINS.-LARGE-YARD-ALARMGATED ACCESS--MALE-ROOMMATES.

Monday, February 8, 2010

3LARGE LIVINGROOMS-PERFECT-FORLSU-GAMES!EMAIL MANYTASKS@YAHOO. COM OR CALL 225.772.2506 Large bedroom at Heatherstone Townhouses. On LSU bus route. $550/ month includes internet and utilities.

337-356-3311 Room in good house. W&D, alarm, etc.

No lease needed. $295 + shared utilities. $250 dep. 225.921.1209 Roommate Needed: Seeking graduate or serious student for 3BD/2B home in Beau Pre. $600/ mt. and all utilities included. Call 337 9625469 or 337 2802822. $317 1 or 2 Roommates Needed 3 bedroom 1.5 bath house. Rent $317 1/3utl. Pets ok! jhonor2@lsu.edu 225.733.7114

Personals PARTY THIS WEEKEND? Free energy drinks for a fun party. Buckets and buckets of tasty, tasty caffeine. Email boredatlsu@ymail.com Ladies! Cute girl and handsome guy, both LSU students, looking for an intelligent, open-minded and exotic girl to get to know. We enjoy fine dining, dancing, and live music, but we are open to any adventure. We would love to take you out some time, so email us, we’re not creepsters! RIPmr.miyagi@gmail.com Sexy lady looking for a sexy man to love me sexy. I like slight speech impediments and big curly hair...all over.

If interested pls email cheesecake4816@ yahoo.com SOUNDS LIKE: music. books. standing in smoke-filled bars watching live shows. taking pictures. yes? phoenixmoth@gmail.com.

Bad Romance: Charming, witty, and handsome bachelor looking to meet a beautiful, intelligent Lady Gaga type for love games or to just dance. jjacobs2376@gmail.com Cute Fashion Major with an engineer’s mind looking for a nice, clean cut guy to hang out with.

Let’s catch a movie or coffee sometime. fashionistadiaries61@yahoo.com

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2010

THE DAILY REVEILLE tion Sports Bar & Grill downtown became much more relaxed quarter, the bar erupted in a chant once the Saints took a 17-16 lead.

“I just don’t want the game to of “Who dat said dey gonna beat come down to a coin toss,” said dem Saints?”

Residents at Sterling North- Derrick Giliam. “Even if they gate gathered in the front office don’t win the game, I feel that they have alof the complex ready won. for a Super Bowl The Saints party. have come Brittany far this seaBarbera, Sterling son, and property manage v e r y o ne er, said the party should be was the third proud.” football party On camheld in three pus, students weeks. gathered in “If they the Live Oak Alex Wilson lose, the whole Lounge to Southern University student, city, the whole watch the state is gonna go Sterling Northgate resident game. Some crazy — so I restudents, ally hope they win,” said Alex Wilson, Southern like psychology freshman Kayla University student and Sterling Karimbakhshasli, did homework resident. “Hopefully school is while watching the game.

“It’s hard to concentrate in closed.”

The atmosphere at The Sta- here, but I really want to watch

CELEBRATION, from page 3

‘‘

‘If they lose, the whole city, the whole state, is gonna go crazy – so I really hope they win.

Hopefully school is closed.’

PAGE 15 the game,” Karimbakhshasli said.

Others gave the Saints their undivided attention.

As the game ended, fans jumped out of their chairs and cheered. Fireworks exploded outside as fans screamed, “The Saints won the Super Bowl!”

Contact Mandy Francios at mfrancios@lsureveille.com

SWIFT, from page 4 “You can’t beat how cheap it is compared to how much you would spend on gas, and they’re really nice buses,” Saale said.

LA Swift is an initiative of the Louisiana Recovery Authority, a private partnership between the State of Louisiana and Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development, and is operated by Hotard Coaches Inc. More than 500,000 people have experienced the one-hour commute in the buses specifically designed to ensure comfort, according to the news release.

LA Swift’s buses feature captain’s chairs, flat-screen televisions and wireless Internet.

Riders may board and exit in Baton Rouge, Sorrento, LaPlace and New Orleans.

The system recently reduced carbon dioxide emissions by 90 percent, according to the release.

It has also won the title of the most cost-efficient transportation service in the state.

The system has earned the Outstanding Service Award, Transportation Excellence Award and the Connecting Communities Award.

Contact Hannah Adams at hadams@lsureveille.com

COMMISSION, from page 4

Highland location

OPEN 24-hours

recommendations in the final report specifically addressed the aid program.

Two recommendations that would have added a merit-based formula to the award failed to pass the commission.

The Commission also suggested the five managing boards currently governing higher education be consolidated into two — one for four-year institutions and one for community and technical colleges.

This change would also dissolve the Board of Regents — the highest authority governing postsecondary education aside from the legislature.

This recommendation would require two-thirds legislative approval and a public vote to become law.

The Commission’s report will be reviewed by the Board of Regents. The Regents will present comments on the report to the legislature before the end of the month.

769-2196

Contact Xerxes A. Wilson at xwilson@lsureveille.com

Monday, February 8, 2010

THE DAILY REVEILLE

PAGE 16