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THE DAILY REVEILLE WWW.LSUREVEILLE.COM
Volume 114, Issue 120
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
SG
Seminar held to discuss budget
By Grace Montgomery SARAH HUNT / The Daily Reveille
Hot Press off the
Acclaimed LSU Press celebrates 75 years of history
photos courtesy of Laura Gleason
[Above] New books travel down the production assembly line at the LSU Press. The Press celebrates its 75th anniversary this year. [Top right] (Left to right) Graphic design senior LeeAnna Rhodes, book designer Michelle Neustrom, and graphic design senior Brent Rich work on designing a book cover at the LSU Press.
Seventy-five years, four Pulitzer prizes put it into context,” Callaway said. “We only and more than 3,000 books are all reasons do 60 to 70 books a year, but some other scholars praise LSU Press, the University’s presses put out about 300 books per year.” on-campus publishing house. John Kennedy Toole’s “A Confederacy LSU Press is celebrating its 75th anni- of Dunces” is the Press’ winner for fiction, versary this year, and it has while three poetry volBy Ryan Buxton achieved many successes umes account for the other Senior Staff Writer since its founding in 1935, awards — “The Flying publishing widespread Change” by Henry Tayclassics such as “A Confederacy of Dunces” lor, “Alive Together” by Lisel Mueller and and “Twelve Years a Slave.” “Late Wife” by Claudia Emerson. The Press’ reputation for publishing critically acclaimed work in Southern his- PUBLICATION PROCESS tory, literature and poetry makes it what When a manuscript is submitted to the English professor and LSU Press author Press, it undergoes an intensive review proJohn Lowe calls the “crown jewel” of the cess to ensure its quality and cohesion with University. LSU Press’ output that publishing season. LSU Press is the only university press Manuscripts are first peer-reviewed to win Pulitzer prizes in both fiction and by a scholar with an authority on the subpoetry — notable in itself, but even more ject in the work, then examined by an inso when compared proportionally to other house committee and a faculty committee presses with a larger output, said Mary comprised of eight University professors, Katherine Callaway, LSU Press director. PUBLISHING, see page 15 “The number is more impressive if you
Staff Writer
Student Government hosted a seminar discussing upcoming budget cuts to state higher education and outlining its official budget proposal to State Legislature on Tuesday at 7 p.m. in the Live Oak Lounge in the Student Union. The seminar titled, “Who Should Pay for Your Education?” featured a presentation on education in the state from Ourso Distinguished Chair of Economics Naci Mocan and a summary of the SG budget proposal by Student Government Chief Economic Adviser Greg Upton. “The main purpose is to educate students on the proposals we’re making and have them focused around a specific message,” Upton said. Upton focused on the three major points in the SG proposal: the LA GRAD Act, the TOPS program and revising statutory protections in the state budget. Upton emphasized the need to revise statutory dedications and decrease the number of protected funds in the State Constitution. There are currently 1,868 pages of statutory dedications, Upton said. “It’s probably the biggest point in the proposal,” Upton said. SG promoted the idea that LA GRAD, see page 10
BUDGET
Martin reviews cuts and tuition Cost increases and program cuts likely By Xerxes A. Wilson Senior Staff Writer
Chancellor Michael Martin had a message for students Tuesday: Now is the time to get involved in the University’s future. Martin joined Eric Monday, associate vice chancellor of Finance and Administrative Services, and Jason Droddy, assistant vice chancellor of Legislative and External affairs, at a roundtable discussion on the challenges facing the University with
campus leaders from Student Media, Stu- have is the current budget situation will dent Government and other student orga- set us back so far it will take two to three nizations. generations to catch up.” “This is a critical time for students to The University is facing the possibilbe involved to shape LSU’s ity of another midyear cut of See talking point about $10 million because future,” Martin said. “You flyers on will be labeled as an LSU of a shortfall in state funds. graduate, and it’s critical lsureveille.com. The University already took that you make sure you para $12.6 million mid-year cut ticipate in any way you can.” in January. The University cut from every Martin touted the progress the Univer- department in January, but Martin said that sity has made in the last two decades and method would be ineffective in the future emphasized that progress is currently in because “there is no more left to be taken danger. off the top.” “It made a big difference on the way Martin said the University could up, and it will make a big difference on INVESTMENTS, see page 15 the way down,” Martin said. “The fear I
ERIN ARLEDGE / The Daily Reveille
Jason Drotty, director of External Affairs, Eric Monday, Interim vice chancellor, and Chancellor Michael Martin meet on Tuesday with student leaders to discuss “challenges facing LSU.”
THE DAILY REVEILLE
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 31, 2010
Nation & World
INTERNATIONAL
NATIONAL
Colombian rebels free hostage more than 12 years after capture
Federal authorities: Christian militia needed to be ‘taken down’
FLORENCIA, Colombia (AP) — A soldier held hostage for more than 12 years was freed by Colombian rebels Tuesday, the International Red Cross said. Sgt. Pablo Emilio Moncayo was one of the longest-held hostages of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, known as the FARC.
DETROIT (AP) — Federal authorities had been monitoring members of a Michigan-based Christian militia for some time but were forced to “take them down” over the weekend after learning of an imminent threat against police, the U.S. attorney leading the prosecution said Tuesday. “The time had come that we needed to arrest them and take them down,” Barbara McQuade told The Associated Press in an interview at her office.
UN delays release of report on Bhutto assassination UNITED NATIONS (AP) — Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Tuesday accepted a request from Pakistan’s president to delay the release of a report on the assassination of his wife, former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, until April 15. U.N. spokesman Martin Nesirky made the announcement hours before a U.N. commission that investigated Bhutto’s death was scheduled to hold a press conference to discuss the report’s findings.
Ga. lawmaker wants to impeach attorney general over health care ATLANTA (AP) — A Georgia legislator wants to begin the impeachment process against his state attorney general for refusing to sue the federal government over health care reform. Republican state Rep. Mark
Hatfield filed a bill Tuesday against Democratic Attorney General Thurbert Baker, who is also running for governor. The resolution claims Baker is required by the Georgia constitution to follow Republican Gov. Sonny Perdue’s direction and join 14 other states challenging the Democraticbacked health care bill. Body parts discovered at Kansas medical waste company KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — Officials in Kansas have been trying to identify several body parts, including six heads, found in a truck at a medical waste company. The body parts were found last week in 12 large red plastic tubs in a delivery truck at Stericycle Inc., a medical waste disposal company. The tubs each had shipping labels saying they came from The Learning Center, which is affiliated with the New Mexico company, Bio Care, which distributes bodies for medical research and education.
STATE/LOCAL
State Farm asks for 10 percent rate increase on Louisiana homes
New Orleans man arrested in ‘taxi’ van rape in Baton Rouge
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — State Farm Fire and Casualty Co., the state’s largest residential insurer, is asking for an average 9.9 percent rate increase for homeowners coverage in Louisiana. The filing with the Department of Insurance comes just over a month after Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon rejected the company’s request for an average 19.1 percent rate hike. Donelon called that proposal unreasonable and unjustified. State Farm received an average 8.3 percent increase last year in Louisiana after asking for 13.7 percent. Though the average rate hike would be 9.9 percent, hurricanevulnerable coastal areas would bear the brunt. The New Orleans region would see a 17.7 percent increase while rates in the Lake Charles region would go up 22.5 percent, said State Farm spokeswoman Brooke Cluse.
(AP) — Police have arrested a New Orleans man and accused him of picking up a woman in New Orleans in a van marked “taxi,” driving her to Baton Rouge against her will and raping her. Sgt. Don Kelly, a police spokesman, said 38-year-old Rudolph Joseph was booked Monday on one count of forcible rape.
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TODAY
Weather 77 50
Third NOPD officer expected to plead guilty for deadly shooting NEW ORLEANS (AP) — A third New Orleans police officer is expected to plead guilty in a federal probe of a deadly shooting in Hurricane Katrina’s aftermath. A person familiar with the case said a bill of information is expected to be filed Tuesday in U.S. District Court against Officer Michael Hunter Jr. Two former police officers already have pleaded guilty to a cover up after police killed two unarmed civilians.
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BABY GIMME THAT TOOT TOOT
SUNNY
THURSDAY
REZ WEEK 2010 Celebrating the Resurrection of Jesus Christ Hosted by 11 Campus Ministries Wednesday- Worship Service @ 7pm in Howe Russel 130
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77 56 SATURDAY 76 57
FRIDAY 77 64 SUNDAY 80 57
MOHAMAD KHALED / The Daily Reveille
CORRECTIONS AND CLARIFICATIONS
In the March 29 Daily Reveille article “‘Top Yam’ TV show depicts La. pageant,” Jeanne Marie Maraist name was misspelled as Jean Marie Maraist in the cutline on page 4.
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.
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THE DAILY REVEILLE
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 31, 2010
FACILITIES
PAGE 3
TRAFFIC
Lawmakers Pedestrian corridor should enhance safety approve Earl Path to link North Gate with campus K. Long, OLOL deal By Sabrina Trahan Contributing Writer
Move should be completed by 2014 By Grace Montgomery Staff Writer
Plans are moving forward for the University to close Earl K. Long Medical Center and move its graduate medical teaching facilities and in-patient care to Our Lady of the Lake Hospital. The agreement to move from Earl K. Long to OLOL was approved March 19 by the State Legislature’s Joint Budget Committee. The vote was originally scheduled for Feb. 5, but lawmakers pushed the decision back to further study the terms of the agreement. “The next step is to work out the details of moving the program to Our Lady of the Lake,” said Marvin McGraw, LSU Medical Health Care Services director of media relations The University’s Board of Supervisors and OLOL officials previously approved the cooperative endeavor agreement, McGraw said. The state will invest a total of $38 million in the project. Constructing a new facility was considered, but it would have cost the state more than $400 million, he said. The University hopes to have facilities ready by 2014, McGraw said Sixty beds will be added to OLOL to balance the anticipated increase in patients, he said. OLOL’s patient load is expected to increase by 10 percent, said Catherine Harrell, Our Lady of the Lake spokesperson. A level one trauma center and a medical education building, which will be donated to the University, will be built on OLOL’s campus, McGraw said. The University will also construct a 24-hour urgent care center in north Baton Rouge near Earl K. Long.
A pedestrian corridor will connect the North Gate area to the core of campus, but it will be several years before construction begins. The Louisiana Board of Regents approved plans March 25 to fund the pedestrian walkway, said Meg Casper, Board of Regents associate commissioner for public affairs. “This is an effort to improve pedestrian safety on the north side of campus by constructing a pedestrian corridor, which will facilitate a separation between pedestrians and vehicles,” said Jason Soileau, assistant director for the Office of Facility Development. This project will enable students to walk a 12-foot-wide, .33-mile-long corridor, which will include pedestrian lighting and street trees to reduce heat and better define the path.
Campus Crime Briefs Student arrested for possesion of marijuana, drug paraphernalia Samuel Woodham, a 20-yearold University student of 11 51st St. in Gulfport, Miss., was arrested March 25 for possession of drug paraphernalia and marijuana. Officers were patrolling the area near the Kappa Sigma fraternity house at 2:24 a.m. to look for suspects in a complaint of criminal damage to property, said Sgt. Blake Tabor, LSU Police Department spokesman. The officers stopped three men, including Woodham. Tabor said no connection was found between the men and the damage complaint, but officers found Woodham had a ceramic pipe with suspected marijuana residue and a wooden container holding 3.3
“This project will provide a clear delineation between the existing roadway and the pedestrian route,” Soileau said. The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development granted the University funds for the pedestrian corridor through the 2009 DOTD Transportation Enhancement program, a federally funded cost-reimbursable program. The state of Louisiana will provide 95 percent of the project’s eligible construction expense — nearly $300,000 — through a DOTD program using state and privately sponsored funds. The University is responsible for funding the remaining 5 percent of funding, as well as all of the design and testing costs. The design costs haven’t yet been funded. The state accepted the University’s application in November 2009, and the University Board of Supervisors passed a resolution accepting the funds in January 2010. The University has obtained the required environmental clearance, Soileau said. Construction is not expected to begin until summer 2012 based on grams of marijuana during a patdown search. Woodham admitted the marijuana belonged to him and was issued a misdemeanor summons and released. Misdemeanor summons issued to men trespassing in Fieldhouse
Two people unaffiliated with the University were arrested March 25 at approximately 11:27 p.m. for criminal trespassing. LSUPD was dispatched to the Huey P. Long Fieldhouse when an intrusion alarm sounded at the building, Tabor said. Officers found Ricardo Galvan, 33, of 848 Florence Blvd., and Robin Boatright, 26, of 743 Bourbon Ave. ,when they arrived. Galvan was in the racquetball court area, and Boatright was in the empty swimming pool, Tabor said. The two said they didn’t know they weren’t allowed to be there. They were both issued a misdemeanor summons and released.
graphic courtesy of Jason Soileau
previous experience with DOTD, Soileau said. “We’ve had great luck with this program,” Soileau said. “We’ve funded at least five University projects through the Enhancement program in the past.” The University has worked to make campus more pedestrianfriendly through projects like Easy Streets II and has successfully secured funds for nearly 4 miles of on-campus pedestrian sidewalks
since 2002. “The North Gate area has exploded to a large residential area, and many students walk to campus,” Soileau said. “We’re concerned for pedestrian safety because there aren’t many sidewalks. Our goal is to provide them a safe means of transportation.”
Student arrested for driving wrong direction, no headlights, DWI
car, driven by Joshua Smith of 307 Magnolia Ridge Road in Boutte. The officer smelled alcohol on Smith’s breath, Tabor said. Smith failed all three components of the field sobriety test and was transported back to LSUPD, where he was given a breathalyzer test and registered a .081 blood alcohol content. Smith was booked into East Baton Rouge Parish Prison.
A 21-year-old University student was arrested March 28 at approximately 2:21 a.m. for a DWI, driving the wrong way on a oneway road and not using headlights when required. An LSUPD officer observed a tan Honda Accord driving without headlights heading southbound on Infirmary Road, a one-way street for northbound traffic only, Tabor said. The officer pulled over the
Contact Sabrina Trahan at strahan@lsureveille.com
Contact The Daily Reveille’s news staff at news@lsureveille.com
MELLOW MUSHROOM Team Trivia @ 8pm & Karaoke @ 10pm 3-10pm $6 Bud and Bud Lt. Pitchers 3pm-Till $10 Buckets & $2 Shots
Contact Grace Montgomery at gmontgomery@lsureveille.com 8:30-9:00am Your Source 9-10:30 The Time Traveler’s Wife 11:30-12:00pm Your Source 12-1:30pm Love Happens 3:00-3:30pm Manship Show
4:00-5:30 pm 6:00-6:30 pm 6:30-7:00 pm 8:00-9:30pm 11:00-11:30pm 11:30-12:00pm
Saw IV Your Source SketchMo The Stepfather Your Source SketchMo Repeat
PAGE 4
Revelry WEDNESDAY’s Q&A
THE DAILY REVEILLE Today’s KLSU Specialty Shows: Beat Street (Trip Hop) 9 - 11 p.m. Underground Sounds (Underground Hip-Hop) 11 p.m. - 1 a.m.
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 31, 2010
Entertainment writer Ben Bourgeois sat down with Ben Catchings, lead singer of Louisiana rock band Barisal Guns, for a Q&A session. The band is made up of Catchings, bassist Liam Catchings, drummer Ashley Sutton and guitarist Ken Faucheux. Q: The band’s sound has been described as closer to the rock ‘n’ roll bands of the ’70s rather than modern rock. What led you guys toward that sound, and how’s the reception been?
photo courtesy of BARISAL GUNS
with
Barisal Guns
Ben Catchings: I think all four of us really came up on that sound. We were fortunate enough to have parents, families and friends who shared that music with us and really explained the difference between the musicians and musicianship of that time period, along with a number of musical styles. Beyond that, it’s always been our goal to make our music as timeless and classic as possible. There seems to be a growing amount of discontent amongst music fans because everything is becoming so disposable. People are gradually coming around to the idea that music shouldn’t be a fashion statement that you can throw off, but rather something of lasting quality that you can get real mileage out of. We make music for people that feel that way.
Q: How has the band moved on with shows and practicing since the fire at The Caterie a few months ago? Ben Catchings: We had the choice at the very beginning of the year to either jump straight into gigging or wait a while so we could lick our wounds. It wasn’t even a question at that point. We borrowed some gear from our friends and decided to come back stronger than ever. It wouldn’t have felt right to do it any other way. Our drummer Ashley has a rehearsal space in New Orleans that we’ve used whenever we need to tighten up our sound. We’re replacing things as we go along. It’s been really reassuring that we’ve been able to book and play bigger shows than we ever have before.
Q: What are some of your favorite venues to play? Q: What’s it like playing in
Baton Rouge and for college-aged audiences?
Ben Catchings: Baton Rouge has been our home base since we got together and really has been an incubator for our sound. When we go out on the road, it’s all about winning people over and trying to make new fans. Here, we’re still trying to win people over, but they usually turn into friends because we’re able to hang out after shows and really form relationships with the people that we play to. College audiences are great because there’s a lot of open mindedness in college students and they are really active in seeking out what they like.
Ben Catchings: We just got back from playing our first South by Southwest, and that was fantastic because people really seem to go with open minds. We’re getting our first shot at headlining the Varsity on Thursday, April 1, which is great because we can really put on our biggest show on a stage like that. We cut our teeth playing Northgate Cavern and Click’s [Billiards] and have put on some really fun shows at the House of Blues Parish Room and the Maple Leaf in New Orleans. 7:20 a.m., 8:20 a.m. Noon, 3:20 p.m. 4:20 p.m., 5:20 p.m.
THE DAILY REVEILLE
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 31, 2010
CONSTRUCTION
PAGE 5
TECHNOLOGY
New dorm LSU mobile phone app expected by June to begin App will be free for ‘You can use a browser ... phase two iPhones, BlackBerries butmobile there’s nothing more dynamic than in August having an app.’ By Ryan Buxton Senior Staff Writer
By Andrew Hanson Contributing Writer
Residential College One, the newest dormitory being built on campus, is scheduled to begin its second phase of construction in mid-August. “The building will add a dormitory and faculty residential apartments to the University,” said Richard Brown, vice president of Bani, Carville and Brown, the architecture company in charge of the project. Construction began in 2005 with the $900,000 demolition of Graham Hall. Phase one involved leveling Graham Hall and clearing the land for phase two and was finished in fall 2007. Phase one cost the University $22 million, Brown said. The next phase, involving the building of the new dorms, is estimated to cost the University $21.4 million, Brown said. Some students questioned the need for such costly construction. Nicole White, economics freshman, said she doesn’t understand why the facility wasn’t affected by the economic downturns in the last year. The project seems unnecessary to other students. “I don’t know if you need a new set of dorms when you can just renovate the older dorms,” said Heather Watts, mass communication sophomore. Brown said budget cuts are a non-issue when it comes to construction costs because the project is entirely funded by bonds paid for by renting fees of students living on campus. Names for the new residential hall haven’t been officially released, but Brown said it will likely still be called Graham Hall. The project is scheduled to be finished in spring 2012.
Contact Andew Hanson at ahanson@lsureveille.com
An LSU mobile phone application is expected to be available for iPhones, BlackBerries and other smart phones by June, members of the app’s development team said Tuesday. Developers discussed the upcoming app at Tech Talk, an event hosted by Information Technology Services. The first phase of the free app will include a University directory, transit tracker, maps, videos from the University’s YouTube account, the Student Life calendar and a University news feed, among others, said Jeff Lee, IT analyst. The app will eventually be expanded to include availability listings for campus computer labs and course information, Lee said. Developers may also pursue course registration on the app. Talks about the app began last summer when developers brainstormed about how to make information on the University’s Web site more accessible to students, said Heath Price, assistant vice chancellor of Financial and Administrative Services. “I can pull up lsu.edu on my mobile browser right now with no problem, but how do we take that data and give it to [students] quicker, better and render something they can actually use?” Price said. The app will be available for free in both the iPhone and BlackBerry app stores when released, and other smart phones will be able to access the app via the Internet, Price said. All the information in the app will be available online, but Price said using the app itself would be a richer experience. “You can use a mobile browser
‘‘
Heath Price
assistant vice chancellor of Financial Administrative Services
to access content, but there’s nothing more dynamic than having an app,” he said. Offering the app online is important because many students can’t afford a monthly data plan for an iPhone or BlackBerry, Price said. Cornelius Toole, computer science graduate student who attended the seminar, said he thinks the app would be useful to students. “It increases people’s ability to take advantage of this information that’s already available,” Toole said. Tim David, a system engineer from Apple, spoke about the way apps and mobile technology can benefit universities. He said it’s important for students, faculty and application developers to think of apps as more than just a simple Web site. “Don’t think of a Web application as just a Web page,” David said. “You can get pretty advanced functionality.” The University originally began developing the app with a company called Terribly Clever, which was then purchased by Blackboard. Blackboard now has a one-year contract with the University to develop the app, set to expire this fall, Price said. The contract will then be reviewed and either renewed, or the University will partner with another company.
Contact Ryan Buxton at rbuxton@lsureveille.com
MELANIE SCOTT / The Daily Reveille
Tim David, Apple system engineer, discusses how universities can create apps for iPhones, BlackBerries and other phones Tuesday in the Capitol Chamber in the Union.
PAGE 6
THE DAILY REVEILLE
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
LAW
Officer expected to plead guilt in post-Katrina cover-up By The Associated Press NEW ORLEANS (AP) — A third New Orleans police officer charged in a cover-up of a deadly shooting by police in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina is expected to plead guilty, a person familiar with the case said Tuesday. A filing Tuesday in U.S. District Court charges the officer, Michael Hunter, 33, of Slidell, with one count of conspiracy to obstruct justice and one count of misprision of a felony. The charges are part of a deal under which Hunter has agreed to help in the investigation of a cover-up after police shot six people — killing two — at the Danziger Bridge in September 2005, according to the person familiar with the case, who was not authorized to discuss it and spoke on condition of anonymity. Hunter is scheduled to make his initial court appearance on
April 7. He faces a possible maximum sentence of eight years in prison and a $500,000 fine. Townsend Myers, a lawyer for Hunter, wouldn’t immediately comment. Hunter remains on the force, but he is assigned to desk duty. Police spokesman Bob Young said Tuesday that Hunter was expected to resign before pleading guilty. Michael Lohman, a retired lieutenant, and Jeffrey Lehrmann, a former detective, earlier pleaded guilty to participating in the cover-up. “[Hunter’s cooperation] tells me that the rest of the defendants must be coming around, and that it’s going to be very difficult for them to win in court,” said Davidson Ehle III, attorney for Lehrmann. “The fact that he was on the bridge that day and saw what happened is explosive.” Hunter drove at least four officers and two sergeants to the
bridge in a rental truck, according to Tuesday’s filing. On the east side of the bridge, officers opened fire after encountering six civilians walking across in search of food and supplies from a supermarket. One of those civilians, 19-year-old James Brissette, was killed. On the west side of the bridge, an officer shot and killed Ronald Madison, a 40-year-old mentally disabled man. In the aftermath of the shooting, Hunter helped investigators in “articulating false stories that would make it appear as if the civilians who were shot on the bridge had fired first at officers, and that the officers had been justified in shooting the civilians,” the filing says. Hunter also is accused of providing a false account of the shootings when he testified before a state grand jury in October 2006. Before speaking to the grand jury, Hunter and other officers
INTERNATIONAL
Afghan president wraps up first round of talks with insurgents By The Associated Press KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — President Hamid Karzai and representatives of a major militant group wrapped up a first round of peace talks Tuesday, reaching no final deal but pledging to continue a dialogue that if successful would split the ranks of the Taliban-led insurgency. The talks with Hizb-i-Islami were the first public face-to-face negotiations in the capital between Karzai and representatives of an insurgent group. Hizb-i-Islami, led by former Prime Minister Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, is far smaller than the Taliban but is active in at least four provinces of eastern Afghanistan and parts of the north. Its defection from the insurgency would be a coup for Karzai and could encourage some members of the Taliban to explore their own peace deals. The talks come ahead of a three-day peace conference the Afghan government is hosting the first week of May in Kabul. Hizb-i-Islami negotiators said they had not yet decided whether the group would be represented at the gathering. A member of the delegation, Qaribur Rahman Saeed, characterized the two-hour working lunch with Karzai as “positive for both sides.” It was the second meeting the delegation had with Karzai at the presidential palace since it arrived in early March. The delegation plans to leave later this week and submit a report to Hekmatyar. Members said that would take 15 to 20 days because Hekmatyar is in hiding, the delegation said. Karzai’s spokesman, Waheed Omar, said the government expressed hope for future talks, but
said it was too early to judge progress. He also made clear there were some conditions in Hizb-i-Islami’s 15-point peace plan that were unacceptable, including the rapid withdrawal of U.S. and other foreign troops. “There are some values like the constitution of Afghanistan, respecting human rights and some other issues that the Afghan people and the Afghan government are not willing to deal on,” Omar said. He added the government would not agree to the departure of foreign troops until Afghan forces were ready to defend the country. The plan calls for foreign forces to begin withdrawing in July — a year ahead of President Barack Obama’s desired deadline to begin a pullout. The delegation acknowledged this was a sticking point, but said the group was flexible on the issue. Under tight security, the fivemember negotiating team has shuttled around Kabul having private meetings with Karzai, Vice President Mohammad Qasim Fahim, top leaders of parliament, former members of the Taliban, and a few members of the international community, including Staffan de Mistura, the top U.N. official in Afghanistan. “We have delivered our pro-
posals to the government, the politicians, the social organizations to the parliamentarians and also diplomats,” Saeed said, sitting crosslegged on the bed of a hotel room. “We are hopeful to continue these discussions. This is not the last draft.” Delegates did not meet with U.S. officials in Kabul, but Saeed hinted the U.S. was not standing on the sidelines, saying “we have channels in the U.S. through our representatives.” The insurgent peace plan calls for presidential, parliamentary and provincial elections to be held in the spring of 2011 after all foreign troops have left. The group said the newly elected parliament would have the right to rework the constitution. Contact The Daily Reveille’s news staff at news@lsureveille.com
who opened fire on the bridge attended a meeting called by a police investigator. “At the meeting, the investigator instructed the shooters to make sure they had their stories straight before they gave their formal statements on tape,” the filing says. The Justice Department’s civil rights division opened an investigation after a state judge threw out murder and attempted murder charges against seven officers, including Hunter, in 2008. Katrina struck on Aug. 29, 2005, leading to the flooding of an estimated 80 percent of New Orleans after levees broke and the city plunged into chaos. Looting was reported in some areas, including the downtown business district, and rescuers said they thought sporadic gunfire was directed at them. Officers have acknowledged shooting at people on the bridge,
but said they did so only after taking fire first. However, Lohman concluded that the shootings were legally unjustified when no weapons were recovered from the scene, according to court documents. The case is among several involving New Orleans police in Katrina’s aftermath that are being probed by the federal government. The others include the fatal shooting of Danny Brumfield Sr. outside the New Orleans convention center; the death of Henry Glover, whom witnesses claim died in police custody; and the fatal police shooting of a Connecticut man, Matthew McDonald. Associated Press reporter Devlin Barrett in Washington, D.C., contributed to this story. Contact The Daily Reveille’s news staff at news@lsureveille.com
RIDE WITH ME
MELANIE SCOTT / The Daily Reveille
Noah Miller, Student Government director of transportation, sits March 30 in one of the larger buses that will be used next year to carry more passengers.
Today in sports: Baseball - 6:30 p.m. at Alex Box Stadium
Sports
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 31, 2010
PAGE 7
Hissing and Clawing Tigers to face Binghamton Bearcats in midweek game By Michael Lambert Sports Contributor
HILARY SCHEINUK / The Daily Reveille
The Binghamton baseball team is spending spring break in warm Louisiana while most of the school’s students will remain in the frigid North. The journey from Binghamton, N.Y., to Baton Rouge is more than 1,300 miles, but the Bearcats are escaping 30-degree temperatures to enjoy the mid-70s of the Pelican State. No. 4 LSU will host Binghamton (6-10) on Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. at Alex Box Stadium and will be the third Louisiana team to welcome the Bearcats this week. “It’s called a spring break trip for those northern schools,” said LSU coach Paul Mainieri. “It’s either that or play with orange baseballs in 2 feet of snow. I know the feeling, believe me.” Mainieri has been putting the midweek matchup in a different perspective for the Tigers. “You can say they’re a Northern school down on spring break with a 6-10 record, or you can look at it and say they beat [Tennessee pitcher] Bryan Morgado at Tennessee one night, 7-4,” Mainieri said. “They beat Centenary’s top pitcher the other day, 16-0.” Binghamton took two of three games against Centenary this weekend in Shreveport. The Bearcats fell in the final game, 3-5. LSU (21-3) swept its first series of the season against the Gents, but Mainieri said the Tigers had to battle with Centenary. “We’ll be in a dog fight,” Mainieri said. “They’ve got a kid that hit 16 home runs back on their team this year. I know they have a freshman All-American returning.” Binghamton has a record of recent success in the American East Conference. The team won its third consecutive conference title and finished third in the Greenville, N.C., Regional in 2009. “This is the biggest game I’m sure that their kids are going to play,” Mainieri said. “They are playing the defending national champions.” Junior outfielder Leon Landry said the Tigers
LSU sophomore Mikie Mahtook hits a foul ball March 21 during the Tigers’ 5-1 win against Arkansas.
BEARCATS, see page 11
GOLF
No. 28 LSU wins at Bulls Bay
By Rowan Kavner Sports Contributor
March marks the beginning of spring, and the Tigers are blooming. The No. 28 LSU men’s golf team topped No. 34 Wake Forest to win the three-day, 15-team Hootie at Bulls Bay Intercollegiate tournament in Awendaw, S.C. The Tigers continue to blossom in March after winning the Louisiana Classics and finishing second at the John Hayt Invitational earlier in the month. LSU had never finished better than fifth in its five previous appearances at Bulls Bay. The Tigers led after each day and finished the final day at 5-under 279. LSU’s final score of 7-under par 845 edged Wake Forest by a stroke. The Demon Deacons’ blistering 8-under 276 performance on the final day — three shots better than the rest of the field — briefly put them atop the leaderboard. But the Tigers’ late heroics were the difference in the tournament as the Demon Deacons, who finished the day before the Tigers, helplessly watched their lead dwindle. “Time will tell, but we may end up gaining more after leading for two and a half days, giving up the lead, and then having to fight our way back out of it,” said LSU coach Chuck Winstead. Junior Andrew Loupe and sophomore Sang Yi had stellar VICTORY, see page 11
SOFTBALL
Tigers aware of potential trap against McNeese Santos, Langoni to play in today’s game By Chris Branch Sports Writer
The belly of the beast lies ahead for the LSU softball team. The Tigers, riding a nation-best 23-game winning streak, have arguably the toughest portion of their schedule coming. No. 12 LSU (284, 8-0) travels to Lake Charles on Wednesday to face McNeese State (18-19, 6-9) before sinking its teeth into the meat of the Southeastern Conference schedule. “It’s been a very good run,” said LSU coach Yvette Girouard. “I didn’t realize it was that many at one
point, and I didn’t realize it’s the nation’s longest streak right now.” The Tigers might need to be wary of the Cowgirls. Last year’s squad slogged into Cowgirl Diamond ranked No. 19 in the country. McNeese State won, 4-3. Girouard recalls the hullabaloo centered around that game. “I’ve been on the other side of the road where the dollars were very sparse,” Girouard said. “When I saw McNeese with the pregame aerial parachuters coming in with the game ball against us, I kind of figured this was going to be a big deal. That was probably all of their promotion money spent against LSU. I’ve never seen that in softball where a skydiver brings in the game ball.” Whatever promotion McNeese used worked. Girouard said she is
fully aware of the threat McNeese poses, and the Tigers aren’t overlooking the Cowgirls with No. 6 Florida and No. 8 Alabama looming on the schedule. “I’m sure the crowd will be overflowing, break the record,” Girouard said. “Certainly we’ll point it out to them that we weren’t successful there last year and we want to turn that around. We’re not overlooking them at all. We know what happened last year, and we want to make sure that doesn’t happen again.” The Tigers will be healthier than last time around. Girouard’s crew enjoyed some rare time off this past weekend, which Girouard said has the squad “the healthiest we’ve been since the beginning of the season.” HEALTHINESS, see page 10
ERIN ARLEDGE / The Daily Reveille
LSU senior pitcher Kirsten Shortridge swings during the Tigers’ 7-0 win against Nicholls State. Shortridge’s three hits helped LSU extend its winning streak to 22.
PAGE 8
THE DAILY REVEILLE
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
MEN’S BASKETBALL
Walk-ons excused, must try out again next season Jacobsen opts not to try out next year By Chris Branch Sports Writer
It’s time for LSU men’s basketball coach Trent Johnson to reload. The offseason is the annual period in which coaches tinker and retool rosters for the upcoming season with hopes of finding the precise formula for success. Johnson’s prospects aren’t too shabby. The Tigers return six, possibly seven, players, depending on the outcome of junior guard Bo Spencer’s academic suspension. A five-man recruiting class is on the way into town as well. Those numbers don’t bode well for the four walk-ons who made the roster this season. Sophomore guard Zach Kinsley, sophomore forward Taylor Jacobsen, junior guard Chris Beattie and freshman guard Daron Populist could be sitting in the stands next season. Johnson said during his Monday press conference the quartet will have to try out again at next season’s walk-on auditions. “I thanked the walk-ons at the team meeting,” Johnson said.
J.J. ALCANTARA / The Daily Reveille
LSU sophomore guard Zach Kinsley dunks the ball Feb. 24 during the Tigers’ win against Arkansas. Kinsley is one of four walk-ons who will have to try out again.
“Chris Beattie, Taylor Jacobsen, Daron Populist and Zach Kinsley were great for our basketball team and great for our program this year. They have been excused, and we’re going to open up walk-on tryouts in the first part of the fall next year.” Johnson said no walk-on has an advantage heading into next year’s tryout.
“They’re not guaranteed anything,” Johnson said. “I don’t want to say we’re starting over, but in fairness to the student body and in fairness to giving everybody a chance, that’s what we need to do.” Jacobsen has elected to not try out again next year. He cited school and a degree in landscape architecture as his reasons for leaving. “I wanted to focus more on
my career,” Jacobsen said. “During this year that I did walk on, I had to miss just two classes, but they were very key classes. I obviously had a lot of support from the tutoring and advising to get me as far ahead as possible. But as of right now, I’m still behind. I don’t want to drop my major. I chose to go make the money the old-fashioned way.” But Jacobsen said he doesn’t regret a thing. The sophomore only played five minutes during the season but cherishes his time under Johnson. “Just to be able to go to practice and be on the bench, I had a smile on my face every time I walked into that gym,” Jacobsen said. “It’s one thing to keep with all the photos, knickknacks and shirts, but the main thing I learned is mental toughness on and off the court.” Beattie could be a similar story. Johnson said Beattie has opportunities in the classroom and in the workforce that could prevent him from coming back to the team. “Chris Beattie has a lot of things going for him from a standpoint of school and job opportunities,” Johnson said. “He was great.” The other two could be more likely candidates for a return to Johnson’s squad. Both Populist and Kinsley saw significant minutes during the season, with Kinsley even starting LSU’s game
against Arizona State in Madison Square Garden. Kinsley has gone through this before. The Baton Rouge native earned a spot on the 2008-09 roster his freshman year. He went through the same process again this season, easily securing a spot in the second annual tryout. Populist was forced into action later in the season, averaging 13 minutes a game during the last 11 contests. His season-high 23 minutes came in LSU’s win against Arkansas during which Populist scored eight points and went 2-of4 from 3-point range. “I know that Daron Populist is a kid that you feel really excited about what he did late and what he can do,” Johnson said. Four spots won’t be available for walk-ons on next year’s roster. Only one slot will probably be open, maybe two, Johnson said. “There could be room for one or two, but I’m not going to address that until I know what our needs are,” Johnson said. “But again, I think it’s something that you earn the right by producing and trying out, so we’re going to look at it again just like we’ve always done it.” Contact Chris Branch at cbranch@lsureveille.com
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
THE DAILY REVEILLE
PAGE 9
RECRUITING
Two-sport athlete shows promise for football, baseball QB Lee weighing options for future By Mark Clements Sports Contributor
Most high school football recruits spend months deciding where they want to play in college, but Zach Lee was an exception. Lee, a native of McKinney, Texas, and a member of the No. 6-rated 2010 LSU recruiting class, committed to LSU in June of 2009 and never looked back. The McKinney High School quarterback helped lead his Lions to the playoffs last season while amassing more than 2,500 passing yards. McKinney High School coach Bobby Reyes raved about Lee and his potential. “I can’t tell you enough good things about him … He’s very smart. He makes good decisions. He knows how to read defenses,” Reyes said. “He’s going to be a really, really good college quarterback.” Reyes said the best characteristic of Lee, who threw 31 touchdown passes and only six interceptions in 2009, is his composure and his short memory. “He never loses his composure,” Reyes said. “If he makes a mistake, he doesn’t dwell on it.
photo courtesy of Juan Carlos Cortes
McKinney High School quarterback Zach Lee runs downfield Oct. 23 in a game against Frisco Centennial High School. Lee has signed a letter of intent to LSU.
He goes on to the next play, and he moves on.” Reyes also commended his quarterback on his ability to stay level-headed throughout a game. “He never gets too high or too low in a ball game. He’ll throw a touchdown pass, and it’s hard to tell if he threw a touchdown pass or an interception,” Reyes chuckled. “He’s such a classy kid, and he’s got a level head on his shoulders.” Lee is also an academic standout, having accumulated a 4.8 GPA in high school. Reyes, who has been Lee’s quarterback coach for the last three
years, said the young athlete carries his knowledge onto the football field. “He’s a smart kid … He does a great job reading defenses, and he understands the different coverages. I can’t tell you how many times he went to the second, third or fourth read receiver,” Reyes said. “He understands the game, and if something’s not there, instead of forcing it, he’ll throw it away.” Lee is rated as a four-star prospect and ranks as the No. 9 prostyle quarterback in the nation according to Rivals.com. He was also selected as the District 9-4A Offen-
sive Player of the Year in 2008. Reyes said he believes Lee can come in and compete for playing time as a freshman. “I’m biased because I’ve coached him for three years, but I fully expect him to come in and compete for a starting position at LSU,” Reyes said. “I will be surprised if he doesn’t.” Lee also excels on the baseball diamond as a starting pitcher for McKinney. The right-handed gunslinger has a fastball that reaches 93 mph and is one of the most highlytouted high school recruits for the Major League Baseball First-Year Player draft. Lee was selected to the USA Baseball Youth National team as a starting pitcher in 2007. The team captured gold in the tournament, defeating Brazil in the gold-medal game. Lee was the winning pitcher for the game, which took place at Daniel Canonico Stadium in Barquisimeto, Venezuela. Lee may never make it to LSU if he is drafted high enough in the MLB draft in June. Mike Scarborough, Rivals.com recruiting analyst, said this loss could spell trouble for LSU in the future. “If [Zach Lee] doesn’t end up at LSU, LSU is really going to need to make a move real soon. I think they would need to sign two quarterbacks this year,” Scarbor-
ough said. “If he goes pro baseball, they’re really going to have to get moving on a quarterback.” Lee plans on playing both football and baseball if he ends up in Baton Rouge. Scarborough said Lee’s success hinges on his ability to deal with both sports. “It’s all a matter of him trying to be a two-sport guy and how he juggles that,” Scarborough said. “We’ll have to wait and see.” Reyes said he doesn’t see the two-sport athlete having problems balancing both sports, considering his success in high school. “He is really good at budgeting his time,” Reyes said. “I think it would be a little different if he were a position player. Being a pitcher may make it a little easier on him. I don’t see it being a big issue.” Reyes remarked on Lee’s competitiveness, calling him a “bulldog,” and said the Tiger Nation will come to love him. “He’s not going to be intimidated — I can tell you that right now,” Reyes said. “His time is going to come, and I think it could come earlier than a lot of people think it could … He’s coming to LSU ready to play.”
Contact Mark Clements at mclements@lsureveille.com
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PAGE 10
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 31, 2010
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
Hightower named AP Honorable Mention All-American 14th Lady Tiger to earn honor since 2001 By Staff Reports LSU senior guard Allison Hightower was named an Associated Press Honorable Mention All-American for the 2009-10 season Tuesday. Hightower is the 14th Lady Tiger to receive All-America honors since 2001. “It’s a tremendous honor to be recognized with some of the great players today,” Hightower said in a news release. “During my time
HEALTHINESS, from page 7
Sophomore outfielder Ashley Langoni and sophomore infielder Juliana Santos are slated to suit up Wednesday. Girouard revealed Tuesday that Langoni’s abdominal injury was nearly catastrophic. “This is the first time in about 10 games that Langoni will hopefully be in our lineup again,” Girouard said. “She was actually on the verge of a disastrous injury, and we caught it in time. She was on the verge of having a torn, what in layman’s terms would be a six-pack
LA GRAD, from page 1
protections should not be the norm in the state so budget cuts would be more evenly allocated, rather than seriously affecting one or two programs. Seventy-two percent of respondents support a statutory reform, according to a recent survey, Upton said. The proposal supports the LA GRAD Act and encourages institutions to have more freedom to make decisions for tuition increases rather than the state. The proposal promotes a meritbased TOPS system and offered no current changes to the program. “We want to keep the best and brightest in Louisiana, and TOPS is an integral way to do so,” Upton said. But SG suggests raising certain standards of the TOPS program, such as increasing the minimum requirement to maintain a TOPS Opportunity Award from 2.3 GPA during a student’s freshman year to a 2.5 and increasing the TOPS Honors Award from a 3.0 GPA to a 3.2. The seminar also suggested changes to the funding formula. The state gives 52 percent of funding based on a university’s credit hours that are determined by how many students are enrolled on the 14th day of class. SG wants to change the formula to determine hours at the end of the semester to avoid miscounting students who drop classes later in the semester. Students were encouraged to show support of the budget proposal by campaigning to legislators by visiting the Capitol in person or through e-mail, Upton said. Contact Grace Montgomery at gmontgomery@lsureveille.com
J.J. ALCANTARA / The Daily Reveille
LSU senior guard Allison Hightower dribbles the ball Feb. 18 in the Lady Tigers’ match against Vanderbilt. Hightower was named Honorable Mention All-American.
at LSU, I hope I set an example for my teammates to continue to work hard and continue to do well
‘‘
‘We don’t talk about the streak. We’re playing very good ball.’ Yvette Girouard LSU softball coach
muscle. It was only frayed.” Santos’ situation is a bit different. The Newman, Calif., native battles Crohn’s disease, an intestinal disease that can inhibit
on and off the court.” Hightower finished her career at LSU in an NCAA tournathe healing process. Her toe surgery over the summer posed unforeseen problems in the rehabilitation process, causing her to miss more games than expected. Santos returned against Auburn but quickly dislocated a finger in the game. “Her body just doesn’t react the way most of ours do,” Girouard said. “So she had the foot problem. We had to rest her for a while. Hopefully she’s going to be back for us.” The Tigers haven’t missed the pair too much statistically. They
ment loss to Duke last week. She ranks as the 13th all-time leading scorer in LSU history with 1,509 points. She also ranks sixth in blocked shots with 89 and seventh in career 3-point field goals with 108. Hightower finished the season as the No. 2 scorer in the Southeastern Conference with 18.2 points per game, and she scored in double-figures in 29 of LSU’s 31 games. Hightower is projected as a high pick in the 2010 WNBA Draft, which will be held on April 8 in Secaucus, N.J. Hightower is also a finalist for the State Farm Coaches’
haven’t stopped winning. “We don’t ever talk about it,” Girouard said. “We don’t even talk about rankings that much to them anymore. We used to do all of that. We don’t talk about rankings. We
‘‘
‘It’s a tremendous honor to be recognized with some of the great players today.’ Allison Hightower LSU senior guard
All-America Team, the John R. Wooden Award and the Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award.
Contact The Daily Reveille’s sports staff at sports@lsureveille.com don’t talk about the streak. We’re playing very good ball.” Contact Chris Branch at cbranch@lsureveille.com
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 31, 2010 BEARCATS, from page 7
are going to come out with a vengeance, even though it’s not against a Southeastern Conference opponent. “I expect them to come out and play their hearts out,” Landry said. “Every time we have an opponent come into Alex Box, they give it their all.” LSU freshman pitcher Michael Reed will take the mound Wednesday night. Reed enters the game with a 7.20 ERA in 15 innings of work. The Tigers are coming off a sweep of Tennessee last weekend. LSU took the third game of the series, 8-6, as junior pitcher Anthony Ranaudo saw his first action since the season opener against Centenary on Feb. 19. Ranaudo recorded two perfect innings and one strikeout in his first outing after suffering a stress reaction in his throwing elbow.
VICTORY, from page 7
finishes that led to the Tiger victory. Loupe birdied the 16th and 17th holes after suffering a bogey and a double bogey earlier on the back nine. Loupe started the day strong with an eagle on the second hole and a birdie on the third. He finished the tournament in a tie for 10th on the player leaderboard at 2-under 211, marking his fourth top-10 finish of the season. Yi birdied the 16th hole to end the final day at 1-under 70. The Carrollton, Texas native entered the final day of competition at 5-under par and tied for second place. His three-day score of 6-under 207 put him in a tie for third place on the player leaderboard. “Sang had a tremendous event, and a top 10 from Andrew is really solid,” Winstead said. Sophomore Austin Gutgsell and junior John Peterson both finished the final day at 1-under 70. Peterson parred every hole on the back nine after finishing the front nine at 1-under. He finished the tournament in a tie for 41st, shooting 6-over 219. Gutgsell was 4-under through 13 holes but suffered a bogey on the 14th hole and a triple bogey on the following hole to put him at even par. He bounced back on the 16th hole with a birdie and parred the final two holes. Gutgsell’s three-day score of 3-over 216 put him in a tie at No. 27 on the player leaderboard. Sophomore Josh Jones finished the tournament at 8-over 221. The Tigers had a two-shot lead against Southeastern Conference rival No. 19 South Carolina entering the final day of competition. The Gamecocks finished in fourth place at 2-under 850, and No. 18 Virginia took third place at 4-under 848. N.C. State junior Matt Hill secured the individual title at 9-under 204, two strokes better than Wake Forest sophomore Lee Bedford. Contact Rowan Kavner at rkavner@lsureveille.com
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“After being out a couple weeks, it feels good to be out there and be part of the team again,” Ranaudo said. “I’m going to keep building my pitch count up, and hopefully in a week or two, I’ll be 100 percent to go.” Mainieri said Ranaudo is expected to get a longer start against Georgia on Friday night. The coach said he is making
one change for the Binghamton game. Sophomore Grant Dozar will get the start at second base, while sophomore Tyler Hanover will switch to third base. “I want Dozar to play a full game,” Mainieri said. “Hanover is our back-up third baseman and shortstop. I’d like him to play some over there.” Dozar, also junior Micah
Gibbs’ backup at catcher, is hitting .357 in 14 at bats this season and started six games in 2009. Hanover has been hot at the plate. The Kernersville, N.C., native hit .533 with three doubles and seven RBIs in four games last week and was named one of two Louisiana Sportswriters Association Baseball Players of the Week.
PAGE 11 Mainieri said freshman Beau Didier will resume his role at third base this weekend. “Right now Didier is still the guy at third base,” Mainieri said. “I don’t think Didier played all that poorly.” Contact Michael Lambert at mlambert@lsureveille.com
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Opinion
PAGE 12
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
SG president thanks students for participation I experienced my proudest moment as a student Monday at the opening of the 2010 legislative session. I witnessed LSU students making their way to the State Capitol to advocate for higher education, and it was
at that point I realized the true meaning of being an LSU student. Attending Louisiana’s flagship university is a privilege. The students love this place, envision its prosperous future and know the impact it has on the great state of Louisiana and the rest of the world. An idea to get students to the state legislature and engage in discussions with elected officials turned into a reality Monday. When Student Government
asked for help, LSU students answered. Watching my peers approach various legislators to discuss matters that will directly impact our university and our peers made me realize we will be the deciding factor in this year’s legislative session. Thank you to the members of our staff who have given up so much to turn what was just an idea into an opportunity for success. Thank you to the writers, editors and leadership at The Daily Reveille and other student
media who helped us get the word out. But, most importantly, thank you to the students who showed up Monday morning willing to give more to our university and made a point to have their voices heard. Your efforts did not go unnoticed. Our job does not stop here — this is just the beginning. As Martina and I enter the final days of our administration, we look to present and future members of Student Government, campus leadership and the
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
student body to continue this much-needed fight. It has been an honor to serve the students of Louisiana State University and to attend this influential place of higher learning.
Stuart L. Watkins Student Body President Contact The Daily Reveille’s opinion staff at opinion@lsureveille.com
NIETZSCHE IS DEAD
Recent failings shouldn’t ruin religion for the rest of us
one.
This Lent has been a strange
Earlier this month, I covered a counter-protest outside Dutchtown High School against a planned appearance by members of the infamous Westboro Baptist Church (the “God Hates Fags” people). The WBC crew didn’t actually show up, but I still watched a crowd at least 300 strong yelling against them anyway. A member of a local church stood alone in front of them and was shouted down every time he tried to raise his voice — even though he
wasn’t preaching the WBC’s gospel of hatred. “Your God doesn’t exist,” one angry high school girl yelled. “There’s no heaven for me or you or anybody.” She had dark eye-liner, ravenblack hair and a sign saying “All You Need is Love.” I picked up the weekly newsletter that Friday for the National Center for Science Education and read about the most recent fundamentalist campaign to block the teaching of evolution in public school.
This week, the most recent sex abuse scandal rocked the Catholic Church. Evidence has been piling up that the Pope intentionally covered up child abuse on a staggering scale, and no one in the Vatican seems to be Matthew Albright accepting full Opinion Editor responsibility. Now the headlines are full of the arrest of nine members of an armed
BEST AND WITTIEST
cartoon courtesy of KING FEATURES SYNDICATE
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
anti-government militia group called “Hutaree” composed of extremist Christian commandos who have apparently been training to fight the Antichrist. They were arrested Monday — the second day of Holy Week. Sometimes it’s hard to go to church. The perception that people of faith are arrogant, self-righteous and hypocritical is spreading, and it’s getting harder and harder to argue that it shouldn’t be — as is the feeling that following around a magical man in the sky is ignorant and laughable. This Sunday is Easter. Whether or not you actually believe there was a man named Jesus who was actually the son of God and whether or not you think that man actually rose from the dead is frankly immaterial. The point of the Easter story — and the real, fundamental point of Christianity and pretty much any major religion — is there’s something redeeming about this life that can get so ugly. The things that are broken, wrong and hurtful about the world aren’t too big to leave no room for hope. And the most broken, wrong and hurtful things in this world are ourselves, but that doesn’t mean that’s the way it has to be. I go to church every morning I can drag my lazy self out of bed. I don’t do it because I feel like I have to. I don’t do it because my parents make me. I don’t go because I’m afraid of an angry God that condemns me — or anybody else — to eternal fire and torment. I don’t go because I think I’m better or holier than anyone else. I actually go because I’m painfully aware that I’m not. I, like most people of faith, am not interested in converting
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.
anyone out of any sense of anger or judgment. The greatest grace of faith is that it’s personal. And if you don’t want any part of it, that’s fine. But it merits pointing out that the vast majority of us think these fanatics who give us such bad press are far from normal. They are the lunatic fringe marring something powerful and beautiful. The overwhelming majority of us believe in grace, redemption and building a heaven on earth — not judgment, condemnation and obsession over a hell after we die. We think God, whatever he looks like, loves everybody — even those of other sexual orientations. We accept the facts of science like everybody else. We think the crisis shaking the Catholic Church is horrible and should be condemned, and we think the leaders of that body need to hold themselves accountable. And we certainly think it’s insane to prepare physically and mentally for a war with the Horsemen of the Apocalypse. And we people of faith are just as frustrated as our secular friends at those who disagree. This Sunday is Easter. It’s a time for millions of people across the world to remember we’re human — we’re bitter, broken and hurtful. But more importantly, it’s time to remember why and how we can try to do better. Matthew Albright is a 21-yearold mass communication junior from Baton Rouge. Follow him on Twitter @TDR_malbright.
Contact Matthew Albright at malbright@lsureveille.com
QUOTE OF THE DAY “Take everything you like seriously, except yourselves.”
Rudyard Kipling British author and poet Dec. 30, 1865 — Jan. 18, 1936
THE DAILY REVEILLE
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
AGE OF DELIGHTENMENT
Opinion
PAGE 13
Gaga is here, she’s a monster and she’s fabulous In the beginning, there was Elvis. Elvis begat Elton John. Elton John begat Queen, and Queen begat David Bowie. David Bowie begat Madonna, and Madonna begat Cyndi Lauper. Cyndi Lauper begat TLC. TLC begat the Spice Girls, who begat Destiny’s Child, who begat Beyonce. But the Lord saw Madonna’s path before she existed, and so the Lord said, “Let there be Michael Jackson.” And Michael Jackson was so. Michael Jackson begat Donna Summer, who begat Debbie Harry, who begat the Talking Heads. The Talking Heads begat The Cure, who begat Marilyn Manson. And the Lord saw what he had done and was a little pissed because that’s not really where he was headed with all this. And he was like, “Oh, Michael. Where did we go wrong?”
And the Lord said, “Let there be Gaga.” And there was Gaga, and the Lord saw her and knew that she was good. Maybe that’s not exactly how it happened. But Lady Gaga is undeniably a conglomerate of the most interesting, fantastic parts of so many pop history icons sent to girls like me and flamboyantly gay men from God himself. A different, pantsless, haute couture outfit every day? Wigs, updos, crowns and hair jewelry? Videos rife with subtext and feminist commentary? Performance art concerts? Yes! Yes! Oh, God, yes. Her music is tertiary. Gaga is an artist first, a performer second and a musician third. Lady Gaga’s product is not made to be simply listened to on an album. It’s meant to be viewed — in videos at the very least, but preferably in
live performance — because the sheer spectacle, emotion and level of artistry involved in a Lady Gaga production are rivaled only by Olympic opening ceremonies. Her music is fine and easily bests rival Sara Boyd pop princesses in substance, Columnist talent and production, but it’s not really potent until you see her doing it. Gaga is perfectly crafted as a character. She transcends approachable pop humanity to become an icon only — there is no Stefani Germanotta left. The woman is the character, 100 percent. Nothing remains but sexuality, ego and high art — the very definition of what “pop” should
be. Lady Gaga is to artist as nirvana is to Buddhist. The horror of Gaga is often glossed over, but it’s one of her most intriguing facets. Her performances and videos integrate couture with images of domestic violence, murder, suicide, charred skeletons and crippled women. Lady Gaga is not afraid to show the grotesqueries of pop culture — the fame that begets monsters, the price of infamy, the stylistic appeal of violence. Perhaps most threateningly, Lady Gaga is a strong female character. She is in control of her sexuality, her business and her image. She is wildly successful at everything she does in an industry still overwhelmingly controlled by men. And she does it all looking like the girliest girly-girl this side of RuPaul. No cropped haircuts, pantsuits or
minimal makeup will be found on Lady Gaga. Much has been made about Gaga’s sexual orientation and organs, but the simple truth is she is indeed a lady, doing lady things in a lady way. I can understand distaste for Gaga, but hatred for and persecution of Gaga or her fans is simply a misogynist, sexually repressed, childlike response to a perceived threat to the status quo. The only threat Lady Gaga poses is getting one of her songs stuck in your head. And if — God forbid — that happens, just dance! It’ll be OK. Sara Boyd is a 23-year-old general studies senior from Baton Rouge. Follow her on Twitter @TDR_sboyd. Contact Sara Boyd at sboyd@lsureveille.com
BURNS AFTER READING
Lady Gaga’s nonsensical lyrics not appealing (Satire ahead: proceed with caution) Singer Lady Gaga has swept the hearts and minds of millions of young, aspiring whores in the last few years. I interviewed the notorious pop icon last week to see what her appeal is. Burns: “Thank you so much for you time, Miss Ga. Let’s get straight to it: Are you really as promiscuous as your music suggests?” Gaga: “Well, once you kill a cow, you might as well make a few hamburgers.” Burns: “That’s an absolutely idiotic philosophy. But now I’m curious, where do you get inspiration for your lyrics? Is it true you stole them from some ninthgrade skank’s diary? Or are you really that poetically illiterate?” Gaga: “I don’t care what you heard. Watch me, watch me swing my weave. I’m gon’ stunt on them hoes.” Burns: “... Fair enough. Moving on, rumor has it you have male genitalia. Is that true?” Gaga: “You can’t read my poker face.” Burns: “Excuse me?” Gaga: “My my my poker face — my my poker face.” Burns: “First off, that has absolutely nothing to do with my question. Second, never question my gambling skills. I’m a superb poker player.” Gaga: “My my my poker face — my my poker face.” Burns: You keep saying that, but I don’t think you know what it means. Besides, enough with the stut-tt-tt-tering, Miss Magoo. We get it: You have the face of
a mutilated muskrat, the body of a dollar-menu prostitute and the singing voice of a sexually confused teenage boy. Now answer my question: Do you or do you not have a special something slithering between your legs?” Gaga: “... I wanna hold ‘em like they do in Texas Scott Burns Play.” Columnist Burns: “Your testicles, I presume? May I see them ... for verification?” Gaga: “Go! Use your muscle. Carve it out. Work it. Hustle. I got it. Just stay close enough to get it. Don’t slow! Drive it. Clean it. Lights out. Bleed it.” Burns: “Whoa, chill out. I want a sneak peek — not a greasy hands-on demonstration. Besides, I’m not your type. I’m a man.” Gaga: “But I want your drama, the touch of your hand. I want your leather-studded kiss in the sand. And I want your love. Love-love-love.” Burns: “I’m sorry. I don’t speak Lesbianese or Whorean. Come again?” Gaga: “You and I would make a bad romance.” Burns: “No. No no. No no no. What could you possibly want from me?” Gaga: “I want your everything ... as long as it’s free.” Burns: “You want my everything as long as it’s ... free? What kind of stingy skank are you? Screw this. I’ll call you when you feel like giving a coherent
MISS SKETCHED
LACYE BEAUREGARD / The Daily Reveille
interview.” Gaga: “You can call all you want, but there’s no one home, and you’re not gonna reach my telephone!” Burns: “That’s fine. You clearly can’t restrain yourself. Goodbye.” Gaga: “But I’m your biggest fan. I’ll follow you until you love me. Papa, paparazzi.” Burns: “Please don’t stalk me. That sounds absolutely horrifying. Besides, the last thing
I need is more of your crappy lyrics stuck in my head. Gaga: “Baby, you’ll be famous.” Burns: “For dating a notoriously unstable whore? Who do you think I am, Reggie Bush?” Gaga: “Then just dance. It’s gonna be OK, da da doo-doommm. Just dance.” Burns: “I don’t think dancing will solve anything. You’re clearly in desperate need of a licensed shrink and a top-notch plastic
surgeon. Besides, I’ve learned my lesson: Never give an attention whore the fame she craves for, because this is what you get.” Scott Burns is a 20-year-old economics junior from Baton Rouge. Follow him on Twitter @TDR_sburns.
Contact Scott Burns at sburns@lsureveille.com
THE DAILY REVEILLE
Classifieds
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Wednesday, March 31, 2010
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WEDNESDAY, MARCH 31, 2010 PUBLISHING, from page 1
Callaway said. The book enters the design stage once it has been thoroughly reviewed. Design and Production Manager Laura Gleason said the most important design concept is service to the reader. Every part of a book’s design must be tailored to the work’s tone, and every aspect, including font, is important, Gleason said. LeeAnna Rhodes, graphic design senior and Press design intern, said design requires a critical eye tuned to the specific nature of each book. “It’s really nitpicky detail,” she said. “For books where the general feel might be more lyrical or something uplifting, designers might choose a typeface that is more delicate.” Gleason, who was once an LSU Press intern, said the University has a beneficial environment for both the Press and students because many universities’ presses are located
INVESTMENTS, from page 1
attempt to temporarily take funds from investments as another midyear cut becomes a reality because the funds would have to be found before the end of the fiscal year in June. The state is also facing a $1 billion deficit that could see higher education cut more in the next fiscal year. The next set of cuts will be offset by cuts to academic programs and services, Martin said. “We are going to have to be
THE DAILY REVEILLE off-campus. “It’s a unique thing we have on campus,” Gleason said. “We can take advantage of students, and we feel an internship should provide something to the students and not just for us.” Rhodes said the collaborative environment of the Press is beneficial. “It’s a friendly bunch, and LSU Press is a respected establishment, so having them on my resume will help me in the future to get a job,” she said. Once a book is designed, it is printed, marketed and distributed by LSU Press, Callaway said.
translated into 23 languages since its publication in 1980 and given people a popular reference point to the Press, Callaway said. Lowe said the book gives credibility to the Press as a publisher of Southern works. “It’s one of the greatest books published in the South,” he said. “It’s made a lot of money for them. It’s just a classic.”
FINANCIAL HARDSHIP The Press has carried out this process for 75 years, but it hasn’t been without financial difficulty. “We had a budget cut last January and another in the summer, but so did a lot of people on campus,” Callaway said. “It’s very tough times for higher education, and university presses across the country are experiencing the same thing.”
Lowe, who served on the Press’ Board of Directors, said cuts were severe enough that getting rid of the Press completely was discussed, but vocal supporters were able to prevent it. “There was a national outcry,” he said. “There were hundreds of letters of support for the Press, talking about what a travesty it would be [to eliminate it.] It’s such a treasure for LSU and for scholars all over the world.” The Press has persevered despite challenges, Lowe said. “The product is still good,” Lowe said. “The books are still excellent.” Callaway said budget problems make the Press’ popular titles, such as “A Confederacy of Dunces,” important to support the publisher. “We want to publish books like ‘A Confederacy of Dunces’ that sell a lot of copies and make money so they can support ones with a more narrow audience,” she said. “Dunces” has been an important success for LSU Press. It has been
much more draconian,” Martin said. “It’s now going to start having the pain and suffering at levels we have tried to prevent for students and faculty.” Martin said cuts to academic programs would be proposed based on the number of students and graduates, the potential to grow, the importance to the state and the effects on other parts of the University. He said he wants to wait until the exact budget situation is clearer in July to announce cuts because cuts
can’t be reversed. Target cuts range between $12 million to $14 million, Martin said. He said he wants to raise a similar amount through increased tuition. Droddy told students about various bills that would allow the University to raise fees. All three administrators touted the LA GRAD act that would give universities the ability to raise tuition by 10 percent on an annual basis if performance goals are met. Martin argued higher tuition
could have a positive financial return for some students in the long term as increases in tuition could offset academic cuts. Fewer academic cuts lead to students graduating faster, therefore paying less tuition because students will not have problems getting the classes they need in a timely manner, Martin said. Martin also wouldn’t rule out the possibility of significant furloughs to help offset potential cuts by the state, and he also talked to students about hypothetical long-term
THE NEXT CHAPTER Callaway said she is looking to the future as the Press expands into new areas of publishing, rather than reflecting on financial hardships. LSU Press is venturing into e-books. The process began with scholarly e-book vendors, but “A Confederacy of Dunces” is already available on devices like the Amazon Kindle and Sony Reader, with more titles to be added soon, Callaway said. And there is another device on the horizon that could change the ebook atmosphere. “Everybody is excited about the
PAGE 15 Apple iPad,” she said. “In publishing, they’ve already nicknamed it the iWant.” Apple is starting with books from trade houses with a wider appeal, Callaway said. But LSU Press will be prepared with its books in the proper electronic format when Apple is ready to expand to scholarly work, Callaway said. Callaway said she hopes LSU Press will continue to grow as the publishing world changes and create a history for itself as rich as the literature it has published for the last 75 years. The Press’ continued presence on campus is one of the things that makes the University great, Lowe said. “It’s a great tradition, and people at LSU need to be more aware of how excellent the Press is,” he said.
Contact Ryan Buxton at rbuxton@lsureveille.com budget solutions. As an example, the University will consider differentiated tuition across different majors because some less expensive majors subsidize majors, which cost the University more money to teach, Martin said. He also said he was still considering whether to approve the mandatory class gift fee proposed by SG. Contact Xerxes A. Wilson at xwilson@lsureveille.com
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
THE DAILY REVEILLE
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