Learn about the amendments on today’s ballot at lsureveille.com
Reveille Areas near campus see 22 vehicle robberies in one week, p. 3
The Daily
Miles anxious to play ’Bama after bye week of hard work, p. 5
www.lsureveille.com
Volume 115, Issue 49
Jindal talks with SG officials
Tuesday, Nov. 2, 2010
POLITICS
Polls open for midterm elections today Matthew Albright Staff Writer
going to raise taxes. He said fiscal year 2011-12 will be the toughest year for the state yet but that revenues look to be getting better. “They were very quick to spout facts and statistics and not make it relevant to higher
Today marks a much-anticipated political slugfest as Republicans crusade for political control in Congress in mid-term elections. The most prominent battle in Louisiana is for a seat on the U.S. Senate. Current Democratic congressman Charlie Melancon is challenging incumbent David Vitter in a race that has seen a torrent of negative advertising. Melancon’s ads have blasted Vitter for his “serious sin,” a 2007 scandal in which his name appeared on the client list for a Washington D.C. prostitute service. Melancon has also criticized Vitter for not firing a women’s issues staffer accused of assaulting the staffer’s girlfriend. Vitter has portrayed Melancon as a supporter of “the Obama agenda,” linking him to administration policies that are decidedly unpopular in Louisiana. Vitter has also accused Melancon of using taxpayer funds for personal vacations. Both candidates have used the BP oil spill as ammunition — Melancon has blasted Vitter for capping the company’s liability, while Vitter
JINDAL, see page 11
ELECTION, see page 11
ADAM VACCARELLA / The Daily Reveille
Gov. Bobby Jindal, left, speaks with SG President J Hudson, center, and Vice President Dani Borel on Monday afternoon at Abundant Life Church in Denham Springs.
Governor finally faces Hudson, Borel; will answer more questions today at meeting Catherine Threlkeld Staff Writer
Student Government President J Hudson and Vice President Dani Borel spoke to Gov. Bobby Jindal today after weeks of unanswered contact from him. Jindal spoke at Abundant Life
Church in Denham Springs about economic development and creating jobs, and Hudson and Borel took the opportunity to confront him. When asked about students’ concerns for their future in higher education, Jindal said universities need to do more for the value the
state allocates. “It’s not acceptable to have that much waste,” Jindal said about Louisiana universities. Jindal said the state government is not going to reward programs that don’t return in performance. He stressed the state is not
BUSINESS
TOMS founder shares message of charity Sydni Dunn Staff Writer
Shoes of every color and size stepped into the Student Union Theater Monday night, each pair different but all with the same label stitched on the back — TOMS. Canvas shoe-clad students flocked to hear Blake Mycoskie, founder and chief shoe giver of TOMS Shoes, tell his story of entrepreneurship at “The New Rules of Tomorrow’s Business: A Student’s Guide to Making a Difference in the World,” hosted by the Student Activities Board and the Stephenson Entrepreneurship Institute. TOMS was founded in 2006 after Mycoskie made a trip to Argentina that ultimately changed his life. He said he witnessed a local shoe drive first-hand
and saw how a simple pair of shoes could make a powerful impact. “I watched volunteers get on their hands and knees [putting on shoes], and I wanted to do the same thing,” Mycoskie said. “I was so filled up, I had never had an experience like this.” This feeling translated into a for-profit business that provides one pair of shoes to a child in need for every pair purchased. “No formulas, no percentages. You buy $45 shoes, we’ll give a pair away,” he said. After brainstorming and visiting local artisans, the first basic shoe model was designed and about 250 pairs of original TOMS were created. “But there were two problems,” he said.”First, I had to go to work. Second, I
knew nothing about shoes.” He introduced the shoes to family and friends, worked to sell the product to retailers in Los Angeles and struggled with a business driven solely by passion. Finally, a store agreed to buy 80 pairs, and the rest was history. This initial sale resulted in an article in the Los Angeles Times, the catalyst for a boom in business and a string of future publications from magazines like Vogue and Time.
Read more about Mycoskie’s visit at lsureveille.com Contact Sydni Dunn at sdunn@lsureveille.com
DAVID LYLE / The Daily Reveille
TOMS Shoes founder and chief shoe giver Blake Mycoskie shares his story of entrepreneurship and philanthropy Monday night at the Student Union Theater.
The Daily Reveille
Nation & World
page 2
INTERNATIONAL Greeks: Multiple mail attacks target France’s Nicolas Sarkozy ATHENS, Greece (AP) — Greek police foiled four attempted parcel bomb attacks Monday, allegedly targeting French President Nicolas Sarkozy and three embassies in Athens, after one of the devices exploded at a delivery service, leaving a worker hospitalized with burns. Indonesia volcano shoots new blasts, 21 others rumble MOUNT MERAPI, Indonesia (AP) — Deafening explosions of hot gas rattled evacuees miles (kilometers) from an Indonesian volcano Monday, the latest eruption in a deadly week. The country reported increased rumblings at 21 other active volcanoes, raising questions about what’s causing the uptick along some of the world’s most volatile fault lines. No casualties were reported in Mount Merapi’s new blast, which
came as Indonesia struggles to respond to an earthquake-generated tsunami that devastated a remote chain of islands. The two disasters unfolding on opposite ends of the country have killed nearly 500 people and strained the government’s emergency response network. In both events, the military has been called in to help. Merapi has killed 38 people since it started erupting a week ago. Armed men steal plane from military base at Honduras airport TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras (AP) — Five armed men broke into a military base at the major international airport in northern Honduras early Monday and made off with a small airplane that authorities seized last year in an anti-drug operation. The theft occurred at La Mesa International Airport in San Pedro Sula, about 180 miles (290 kilometers) north of the capital, Tegucigalpa.
photo courtesy of THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Students wear masks Monday to protect themselves from the volcanic ash of the eruption of Mount Merapi at a junior high school in Indonesia.
Tuesday, Nov. 2, 2010
NATIONAL
STATE/LOCAL
Number of residents denied BP oil spill money rising sharply
Cleco Corp. posts decline in third-quarter profit earnings
La. attorney general sues drug companies over inflated costs
OCEAN SPRINGS, Miss. (AP) — Denied claims for Gulf of Mexico oil spill victims are rising dramatically because of a flood of new filings coming in without proper documentation or with no proof at all, the head of the $20 billion BP fund said Monday. Some 20,000 people have been told they have no right to emergency compensation, compared to about 125 denials at the end of September.
PINEVILLE, La. (AP) — Power provider Cleco Corp. posted a 17 percent third-quarter profit decline Monday that missed analysts’ forecasts. The company also raised its 2011 earnings guidance, although the top range fell below current forecasts. For the July-through-September period, Cleco earned $49.6 million, or 82 cents per share, on revenue of $343.9 million. During the third quarter of 2010, Cleco earned $59.8 million, or 99 cents per share, on revenue of $241.5 million. Analysts polled by Thomson Reuters, on average, had forecast per-share earnings of 88 cents per share for the latest quarter. Overall revenue jumped to $343.9 million from $241.5 million a year ago, but the company recorded higher interest charges and higher operational costs.
(AP) — Louisiana Attorney General Buddy Caldwell is alleging that 18 drug companies inflated drug costs Louisiana paid through the Medicaid program by hundreds of millions of dollars. Caldwell said Monday that he filed a lawsuit on Oct. 28 against the companies in state court in Baton Rouge.
Police: Man robs bank, offers strangers $1,000 for ride CAPITOLA, Calif. (AP) — Police say a bank robber forgot to set up a getaway ride, so he offered $1,000 to people on the street for a lift after the heist. Capitola police said a man in his 40s or 50s entered a bank at 11:40 a.m. on Saturday and ordered $20 and $100 bills from the teller.
Weather
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
74 55
67 42
TODAY High: Low:
72 60
FRIDAY
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — A Marine who had survived duty in Iraq was stabbed to death in the French Quarter while two other men were shot — one fatally — in violence that ended the Halloween weekend. Police say a man was killed about 6:30 a.m. Monday and another was shot in the head hours earlier by gunshots in apparently unrelated incidents.
TODAY ON lsureveille.com
Read a reaction to game five of the World Series Gov. Bobby Jindal finally speaks to a Reveille reporter
SATURDAY 63 37
65 36
T-storms
Two killed in weekend shootings, stabbing in French Quarter
Video: Les Miles’ press conference
AUTUMN LEAVES @lsureveille, @TDR_news, @TDR_sports
Follow breaking news at facebook.com/ thedailyreveille
College of Engineering Thursday, November 4, 2010 Engr. Majors please join us for the 17th Annual LES Jambalaya Dinner
SARAH HUNT / The Daily Reveille
See pictures of the Hilltop Arboretum on today’s Snapshot at lsureveille.com.
6 PM South Courtyard of Patrick F. Taylor “Engineering Your Future” seminar @ 5 pm in 1109 PFT Event is FREE and a great career enhancement opportunity DO YOU HAVE AN OCCURRENCE? Call Michael at the Student Media Office 578-6090, 9AM- 5PM or E-mail: officemanager@lsureveille.com
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
The Daily Reveille (USPS 145-800) is written, edited and produced solely by students of Louisiana State University. The Daily Reveille is an independent entity within the Manship School of Mass Communication. A single issue of The Daily Reveille is free. To purchase additional copies for 25 cents, please contact the Office of Student Media in B-34 Hodges Hall. The Daily Reveille is published daily during the fall and spring semesters and semi-weekly during the summer semester, except during holidays and final exams. Secondclass copies postage paid at Baton Rouge, La., 70803. Annual weekly mailed subscriptions are $125, semester weekly mailed subscriptions are $75. Non-mailed student rates are $4 each regular semester, $2 during the summer; one copy per person, additional copies 25 cents each. Postmaster: Send address changes to The Daily Reveille, B-39 Hodges Hall, LSU, Baton Rouge, La.,70803.
The Daily Reveille B-16 Hodges Hall • Baton Rouge, La. 70803 Sarah Lawson Robert Stewart Stephanie Giglio Steven Powell Xerxes A. Wilson Ryan Buxton David Helman Chris Branch Matthew Jacobs Andrew Robertson Adam Vaccarella Sheila De Guzman Marissa Barrow Care Bach Newsroom (225)578-4810
Editor-in-Chief Managing Editor, Content Managing Editor, Production Managing Editor, External Media News Editor Deputy News/Entertainment Editor Sports Editor Deputy Sports Editor Production Editor Opinion Editor Photo Editor Deputy Photo Editor Reveille Radio Editor Advertising Sales Manager Advertising (225)578-6090
The Daily Reveille
Tuesday, Nov. 2, 2010
RESEARCH
page 3
CRIME
University Campus area had most auto burglaries in BR scientists receive $20M grant Sarah Eddington Staff Writer
Matthew Albright Staff Writer
Two University professors lead a statewide coalition of researchers and professors that received a massive grant from the National Science Foundation, according to a University news release sent out Monday. Physics professor Mark Jarrell and chemistry professor Randall Hall head the Louisiana Alliance for Simulation-Guided Materials Applications, or LA SiGMA. The group recently received a Track One Research Infrastructure Improvement Grant worth $20 million over five years — one of the largest the NSF has given, according the release. The group will use the money to create a state-of-the-art communication system to network researchers throughout the state. High-definition monitors and communications software will allow researchers throughout the state to participate in “group meetings” remotely. The technology would also allow graduate students at one university to draw upon the expertise of and learn from professors at other universities. “The idea is to bring together a critical mass of researchers throughout the state,” Hall said. “You can think of it as a virtual organization.” LA SiGMA studies “computational material sciences,” using computers to study and test various industrial materials from disk drives to energy storage, according to the release. The research money will be used to help researchers develop new computing technologies to better test and study those materials. Hall said research can’t easily be done via traditional methods. “The computation allows you to reveal things you might not see in a lab,” he said. “Computation is being recognized as coequal with experiments.” The NSF grant came through the Louisiana Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research, or EPSCoR, which is housed at the Louisiana Board of Regents.
Contact Matthew Albright at malbright@lsureveille.com
7:20 a.m., 8:20 a.m. Noon, 3:20 p.m. 4:20 p.m., 5:20 p.m.
District 2, which includes the University campus and surrounding areas, had more vehicle burglaries in the past week than all the other districts in Baton Rouge, according to Baton Rouge Police Department crime maps. While the maps for districts 1, 3 and 4 each indicated between 10 and 13 vehicle burglary locations over the past week, the map for district 2 showed 22 locations, including Stanford Avenue, Brightside Drive, Highland Road, Boyd Drive and the Tigerland area. The maps only indicate crime locations and not the number of vehicles burglarized, but multiple burglaries often occur at the same locations, according to Cpl. L’Jean McKneely, BRPD spokesman. “Burglars are likely to hit
COMMON AREAS FOR VEHICLE BURGLARIES IN DISTRICT 2 OVER PAST SEVEN DAYS Boyd Drive Tigerland area Terrace Avenue McKinley Street Ivanhoe Street in Northgate area Stanford Avenue
more than one car in the same day,” McKneely said. “You can have 10 burglaries in one night.” McKneely said the number of vehicle burglaries for District 2 is probably higher because there is more opportunity outside of a college campus. “With all the apartments, there are more cars,” he said. “It’s easier to burglarize cars when there are so many in that area.” McKneely said there is little traffic passing through the area
late at night and multiple businesses near campus. Sgt. Blake Tabor, LSUPD spokesman, said there haven’t been any trends in vehicle burglaries so far this year, and the numbers are typically low. “We’re going to be victims of vehicle burglaries because of the sheer amount of vehicles on campus,” Tabor said. Tabor said Easy Streets helps protect vehicles in the center of campus, but commuter parking lots on the outskirts of campus have been affected in the past. McKneely said precautions can be taken to decrease the chances of having a vehicle burglarized, including keeping
valuable objects like MP3 players, laptops, phones and purses out of sight or out of the car entirely. “Nine times out of 10, they’re not going to break into your car if they don’t see anything valuable in there,” he said. McKneely said people should also be sure to lock their doors, park in well-lit areas and use a car alarm system. “They don’t want to draw attention to themselves, and an alarm will scare them away,” he said. “Most of the time, people flee.” Contact Sarah Eddington at seddington@lsureveille.com
Pluckers Wing Bar Mon.: $14.99 All You Can Eat Wings and $3 Pluckers Lemonades Tues.: Kids Eat Free, $3 Mexican Beers and Margaritas Wed: Trivia at 8 pm, $4.50 Mother Plucker Mugs of Bud and Miller Thurs: $15.99 All You Can Eat Wings, $4.50 Mother Plucker Mugs of Bud Light and Miller Lite, $5.50 Patron Margaritas Sun: $3 Pluckers Specialty Shots
9-10:30 AM 12-1:30 PM 3:00-3:30PM 4:30-5:00 PM 5:30-6:00 PM 7:30-8:00 PM 8:00- 9:30 PM 10:00-10:30 PM 10:30-11:00 PM 11:00-12:30
Beetlejuice Sex and the City 2 Newsbeat Sports Showtime Newsbeat The Ramen on Ch. 19 Up in the Air Newsbeat on TTV Sports Showtime on Ch. 19 Sports Showtime Paranormal Activity
page 4
The Daily Reveille
Tuesday, Nov. 2, 2010
Sports
Tuesday, Nov. 2, 2010
page 5
The Extra Mile
Miles, Tigers anxious to get back on the field after bye week Rob Landry Sports Contributor
Les Miles is anxious. The head man of the No. 10 LSU football team is ready for his team to get back on the playing field following a bye week. And he should be. When Miles has more than a week to prepare for a game, he is an astounding 13-3 at LSU. “As a coach, when you sit there and watch football Saturday, and you don’t have a game to play, you wonder where you are at,” Miles said. “You feel like there is somewhere you need to go.” Sophomore wide receiver Russell Shepard said he believes the extra rest with the time off is what aides the Tigers coming off a bye. “Playing in the [Southeastern Conference], injuries plague a team,” Shepard said. “You get time to heal, and you get time to freshen everything up. Last week we had relaxed practices but ones that focused on execution.” Though Miles has been stellar with extra time for a game, this week poses a new threat. Besides addressing its own struggles, Miles also must have his team in full preparation mode to overcome the challenge they will face in Saturday’s colossal clash with No. 6 Alabama, who also had a bye last week. But Miles is not treating the two issues with any separation.
‘‘
Rachel Whittaker Chief Sports Writer
‘Our football team realizes that this is going to be a very competitive game... I think we are capable of defending this team.’ LSU football coach
Miles downplays Colorado rumors
Jefferson, Lee will both play Saturday
BYE, see page 7
Les Miles
FOOTBALL
BRIANNA PACIORKA / The Daily Reveille
LSU football coach Les Miles celebrates after the Tigers’ 20-14 win over West Virginia on Sept. 25. Miles is ready to get back on the field Saturday when the Tigers take on No. 6 Alabama.
Les Miles addressed LSU’s struggles against Auburn last week and the team’s preparation for Alabama on Saturday but was mum on rumors of taking a coaching job elsewhere at his weekly press luncheon Monday. Miles refused to elaborate on a coaching rumor linking him to a potential job opening at Colorado. The rumor circulated in a blog post by Denver Post columnist Woody Paige. Buffaloes coach Dan Hawkins is expected to be fired at the end of the season. “Somebody needs to write articles. Somebody needs to mention names. I have little reaction,” Miles said. The LSU football team had its bye week to digest its loss to Auburn that eliminated the team from the ranks of the unbeaten in the Southeastern Conference. Now that the off week is finished, LSU coach Les Miles said the No. 10 Tigers are in full preparation mode for their showdown against No. 6 Alabama on Saturday at 2:30 p.m. ALABAMA , see page 7
FOOTBALL
Defense trying to replace production of DE Montgomery Aghayere, Edwards, Mingo see more time Michael Lambert Sports Contributor
Redshirt freshman defensive end Sam Montgomery became a budding superstar for LSU’s defensive line through his first five starts this season. The Greenwood, S.C., native was on pace for a special season, already securing 18 tackles, two sacks and six tackles for loss. But Montgomery tore ligaments in his right knee against Tennessee when Volunteers junior running back Tauren Poole blocked the approaching pass rusher, ending his promising season. Montgomery’s menacing presence has been missing since
the Tennessee game Oct. 2, and the defensive line has been forced to adjust without a solid starter holding down the right side of the line. “Certainly when you lose a starter, it’s a difficult piece [to replace],” LSU coach Les Miles said. “We feel like we would be a little better with Sam here.” LSU’s stout defensive numbers have slipped since losing the 6-foot-4-inch, 245-pound defensive end. The Tigers’ sacks and tackles for loss numbers have decreased, and opposing teams have increased their rushing yards against LSU since Montgomery’s injury. The defense only recorded three tackles for loss against McNeese State and two against Auburn, the lowest totals of the season. “[Montgomery’s injury]
has taken away from our blitzing game a little bit,” said junior safety Brandon Taylor. “It takes a piece out of our blitzing schemes.” McNeese State ran through the Tigers’ defensive line without its emerging star, rushing for 101 yards, and Auburn junior quarterback Cam Newton helped his team crush LSU’s front four for 440 yards on the ground. Sophomore defensive end Chancey Aghayere replaced Montgomery on the right side for two games, while redshirt freshman defensive end Barkevious Mingo got the start against Auburn. Sophomore defensive end Lavar Edwards also has seen an increased role. Junior defensive end Ken Adams has remained in his starting spot on the left side. INJURIES, see page 7
BRIANNA PACIORKA / The Daily Reveille
Redshirt freshman defensive end Sam Montgomery (99) will be out for the season with a torn ligament in his knee. The Tigers have allowed more rushing yards since his injury.
The Daily Reveille
page 6
Tuesday, Nov. 2, 2010
SCHWEHMMING AROUND
Saints and Voodoo make for exceptional weekend I don’t know if this past weekend could have been much better. Between the awesomeness that was the Voodoo Experience and the Saints beating the supposed best team in the NFL, it was an all-around great weekend to be from New Orleans. Oh, and the Hornets beat the Nuggets and the Spurs to start off the season 3-0. That’s music to my ears. To top it off, it was Halloween. Trick or Andy Schwehm treat, Steelers? Sports columnist In front of 17,777 costumed Saints fans and more than 50,000 other screaming fans, the Saints were the ones to call “checkmate” in a well-coached chess match, a treat for Saints fans. The Saints’ offense had a solid, 14-point quarter to help seal the 20-10 victory. Drew Brees looked more like the Brees of old, throwing for more than 300 yards, two touchdowns and only one interception (a vast improvement from the four he threw last week). The offense looked much better than it did last week, and that’s good news. That is, as long as it can keep it going next week against the Panthers. But what’s been lost in all the commotion is that for five straight games the Saints’ defense has held its opponents to
fewer than 300 total yards of offense. That’s an outstanding stat for any NFL team. Now, those opponents (Carolina, Arizona, Tampa Bay, Cleveland and Pittsburgh) all rank in the lower half of the league in total offense, but that’s not important here. The Saints defense now ranks third in the league in total defense, giving up a mere 287.2 yards per contest. Here’s what makes that stat impressive — the Saints rank No. 16 (of 32) in the league in rush defense (108.6 yards per game allowed). So how could they rank third? Easy. Their pass defense is third in the NFL (178.6 yards per game). Now that’s impressive, considering the plethora of injuries in the Saints secondary. That includes both of the Saints’ starting cornerbacks (Tracy Porter and Jabari Greer). But the second-string secondary has been stepping up. That’s a sign of great depth, which can be vital down the stretch. The Saints will now have extra players to sub on defense, taking out any fatigue factor down the home stretch of the regular season and (fingers crossed) into the playoffs. In addition, the Saints finally have safety Darren Sharper back, the Saints’ turnover creator. Sunday night against the Steelers, Sharper didn’t create a turnover. But he was in the right spot at the right time to
GERALD HERBERT / The Associated Press
New Orleans Saints wide receiver Marques Colston (12) dives for a touchdown Sunday past Pittsburgh Steelers safety Ryan Clark (25) during the second half of the Saints’ 20-10 win at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans.
catch Heath Miller’s late fumble that helped seal the deal for the Saints. With a healthy Sharper back on the field and some of the cornerbacks and other safeties getting back to health, this is a Saints team that can make some moves late in the season to win the division. Reggie Bush and Pierre Thomas are also slated to rejoin the offense in the upcoming weeks, and their additions, along with a week 10 bye, should get the Saints back to full strength. The Saints are 5-3. They are right in the thick of things. When the talking heads on ESPN and other networks start to discount them, the Saints are right where they want to be — underdogs and under the radar in the muchdisrespected NFC.
Contact Andy Schwehm at aschwehm@lsureveille.com
The Daily Reveille
Tuesday, Nov. 2, 2010 BYE, from page 5
“I think both are done in the same fashion,” Miles said. “I don’t think it’s something you can prioritize because, frankly, you have to be prepared to play your opponent. Along those lines during that time you have to improve your team, and that’s what we did.” On the home front, LSU must look to address the problems in the passing game, in which it ranks 113th out of 120 Football Bowl Subdivision teams in passing yards per game, averaging 138.8. “We worked on the little things,” said senior wide receiver Terrence Toliver. “We had a lot of drops, especially me, during the Auburn game. If we can catch the ball and block the perimeter and get the running game right, we’re going to be good.” Shepard also emphasized the need for the Tigers to use their speed to make plays on the perimeter of the field. “The teams that have beaten them have made plays on the perimeter,” Shepard said. “They made tough catches. They’ve broken tackles. So we have to go out and play this team.” The Tigers must also look to slow down a potent rushing attack after being thrashed by Auburn quarterback Cam Newton and the Auburn rushing attack for 440 yards in their 24-17 loss on the Plains. Making plays this week will not be any easier as Alabama features reigning Heisman Trophy winning running back Mark Ingram and fellow running back Trent Richardson. The two double as a two-headed monster of a rushing attack that averages 186.9 yards per game. “It’s a power running game,” said freshman defensive end Barkevious Mingo. “They have multiple backs that can break any time they want. We just have to contain them and put multiple hats on them and put them on the ground.” To shore up the defensive game, the defense went back to fundamental football. “Tackling and getting off blocks and reading what the defense was giving us [were our keys during the bye week],” Mingo said. With the changes made to the team during its short hiatus, Miles has full confidence in the Tigers’ ability to take on the Tide. “Our football team realizes that this is going to be a very competitive game,” Miles said. “I don’t know that getting over the hump is the view. I think it’s more of doing things that we are capable of doing and letting the game be decided in that way. I think we are capable of defending this team.” Contact Rob Landry at rlandry@lsureveille.com
ALABAMA, from page 5
“We had a nice open week, but it created great anxiety,” Miles said. LSU and Alabama are tied for second place in the SEC West at 4-1 in conference play. For LSU to overtake Auburn in the division, it at least has to win its four remaining games. Miles said he doesn’t avoid the subject of the SEC race with his team, but he stresses the importance of focusing on the games at hand. “It’s more about controlling the
INJURIES, from page 5
“We’ve had to play a bigger body in there,” Taylor said. “It’s not the same speed that Sam brings around the edge.” Brockers said the performance of Edwards, who has two starts and 1.5 sacks on the season, is key to bringing the line back to earlier-season form. “He knows the game,” Brockers said. “We expect him to come in and be good for us and take the place of Sam Montgomery.” The defensive line almost took another hit when senior
page 7
things we can control,” Miles said. “Frankly, to keep our position in the [SEC] West is what we need to do, and to do that we have to take one at a time, and this very next one is an awfully important one.” Miles said senior defensive tackle Lazarius Levingston’s foot injury is healing, and he expects Levingston to practice this week. Against Auburn, the LSU offense did not have the explosiveness to match the power and versatility of quarterback Cam Newton. One issue Miles addressed was the
dropped passes by LSU wide receivers. “We work hard on just the simple mechanics of catching the football on a daily basis,” Miles said. “I’m in the key piece of my season where the big plays have yet to have been made. ... Really, I’m expecting this receiving corps to do the things they’ve done in the past, and that is rebound and play like hell and play well.” Miles said he plans to stick with the quarterback system of juniors Jordan Jefferson and Jarrett
Lee against Alabama, and he anticipates Jefferson to impact the running game again. Jefferson led LSU in rushing against Auburn with 16 carries for 74 yards and a touchdown. “Any time he takes the field, there is a need for him to have the opportunity to carry the football,” Miles said. “I think that adds to a defense’s checklist.”
defensive tackle Lazarius Levingston, who has started every game next to senior defensive tackle Drake Nevis, suffered a foot injury against Auburn, but the verdict seems positive. “All I know is it’s improved, and we expect him to practice this week,” Miles said. The challenge doesn’t get any easier with Alabama’s twoheaded monster in the backfield and a top quarterback under center coming into Tiger Stadium this weekend. Junior running back Mark Ingram and sophomore running back Trent Richardson lead
the Southeastern Conference’s fourth-best run attack, averaging 186.9 yards on the ground per game. The defensive line also has the challenge of getting pressure of Alabama senior quarterback Greg McElroy. “The thing that has to happen to get pressure on McElroy is to get him into predictable passing situations and then be able to get up the field,” Miles said. “Our guys rush the passer well.” Miles said the pressure may be tuned down against the Crimson Tide. “We would like not to call
too much blitz, but it really kind of depends on how the game is going and what’s needed to get pressure on that passer,” Miles said. Taylor said Montgomery is already gearing up for next year’s campaign. “He’s been in the training room talking about how he’s going to come back next year harder and faster,” Taylor said. “I can’t wait to see that.”
Contact Rachel Whittaker at rwhittaker@lsureveille.com
Contact Michael Lambert at mlambert@lsureveille.com
The Daily Reveille
Opinion
page 8
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Students should not sit idly amid budget cuts live.
What a sad day in which we all
What a tragedy that many of us at this esteemed university would rather dance a jig on the fences of neutrality and apathy than step out into the field and fight the enemy that now sits waiting at our gates. Yes, LSU Tigers, the enemy is upon us, and the future of our beloved higher education system might very well be doomed without our intervention. The mysterious and ethereal entity of “other people” on whom we always seem to rely when messes happen is not going to fix our
problems for us this time. Mommy and Daddy are not going to be able to single-handedly rescue their babies from the flood of budget cuts currently decimating our school. These cuts to our higher education are our battles to fight; how tragic that we, the soldiers, are too apathetic to even peek out of the barracks to see what is going on. The only change we can truly believe in is the change brought on by our own thoughts, words and actions. I urge you, fellow Tigers! Be passionate about your education and defend it yourselves! Write to our legislators, our senators and anyone else that will listen! On Nov. 10 at 11:30 a.m., there is a rally at the State Capitol to demand attention to the effects of the cuts to higher education. Make your voices heard. Do not stand silent and wait for divine intervention while the foundations
of higher education crumble at your feet. Angela Balis Music education freshman A Proud Student
LSUPD should be applauded for hard work Chief Lawrence Rabalais and LSUPD Officers, As an LSU alumna, I wanted to thank you for the hard work your department has put forth towards “random” LSU student events. My brother Nick Romero has organized the LSU Undie Run for the last several semesters. Your uniformed officers have been nothing but cordial in
Tuesday, Nov. 2, 2010
allowing us to run this small event and keeping safety the primary concern. I noticed the same kindness and attention to safety during the “flash rave” in front of Middleton Library during finals week last semester. For thousands of LSU students, when they look back at the most fun moments of their college careers, these two seemingly small but truly memorable events will enter the forefront of their minds. Thank you again for your openmindedness and dedication. I understand that being an officer requires constantly balancing many heavy loads, and I’m truly appreciative of your department taking the time to let the students have fun in a safe way. Christen Romero Overseas director Shadow Girls Academy
The Jindal Count Days Bobby Jindal has ignored our concerns:
20 Will higher education hold any priority with the administration in the coming budget crisis? Would the governor support a constitutional amendment to protect higher education and allow for more “across the board” cuts?
POP GOES THE CULTURE
NPR’s recent criticism of journalism schools ironic, timely In case you haven’t heard, journalism is apparently disappearing. On Oct. 18, National Public Radio published an article entitled “What’s the Point of Journalism School, Anyway?” where the writer rhetorically battled assertions that journalism is a dying profession because information in the 21st century is free. The claims were made, interestingly, by students at the University of Southern California’s Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism. NPR media correspondent David Folkenflik declared, “These days journalism schools around the country are often challenged to justify a mission that trains students at such a high cost for a collapsing industry that doesn’t even require a degree.” The article resolves its own skepticism by consulting cheerful Annenberg faculty, who adopt the reassuring tone of a press release for the school. Ernest Wilson, dean of USC’s journalism school, insists a “free and independent press” is intrinsic to a democracy — a point with which I absolutely agree. Yet, as Folkenflik discloses, Wilson is also chairman of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting — a major source of funding for NPR. So much for independent press.
Thus, whether intentionally or not, Folkenflik’s piece serves as a prime case for why journalism education should be taken more seriously at the national media level. With PR firms, advertising companies and talking heads taking over the industry, objectivity is indeed a Kelly Hotard fading value — especially Columnist at NPR — but it’s one that must be revived, and mass communication schools need to perform the resuscitation. Journalism curricula stress journalistic neutrality. On the other hand, mass communication students are also taught the media must dissect and explain information for meaning, which requires a certain amount of subjectivity. As opinion editor Andrew Robertson pointed out last week, opinion journalism — considered by many to be an oxymoron — is everywhere, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. We all have personal views, and some of us are paid to express them. The modern format of journalism, with 24-hour news networks and Internet convergence, encourages this element of bias. Nobody wants to watch or listen to someone simply rehashing
The Daily Reveille Editorial Board Sarah Lawson Robert Stewart Stephanie Giglio Steven Powell Andrew Robertson
Editor-in-Chief Managing Editor, Content Managing Editor, Production Managing Editor, External Media Opinion Editor
events. To engage people, journalists must themselves participate in dialogue and debate. NPR knew this when it hired now-ex employee Juan Williams in 2000 to be a news analyst. The organization was also aware Williams already had a contract with FOX News. The decade-long love triangle among Williams, FOX and NPR was full of tension, often stemming from Williams’ insistence on speaking his mind. As an analyst, rather than reporter, he was justified to do so — especially on outlets like “The O’Reilly Factor.” It made no sense for CEO Vivian Schiller to terminate Williams for participating as usual in what NPR’s code of ethics calls “shows … that encourage punditry and speculation” as if it were news to her. The issue wasn’t with Williams’ connection to FOX News, his outspokenness or his Islamophobic confessions. The bone of contention lay in NPR’s unspoken ethics policy, which bases editorial decisions not on universal journalistic standards but on the opinions of its financial patrons — the public and the government. If special-interest groups and readers hadn’t stormed NPR with a record number of angry comments attacking Williams’ character, he probably wouldn’t be a full-time FOX News employee as of last week.
But alas, Williams is gone for good from NPR and in his absence, the government-funded radio program faces a public relations nightmare. Annenberg School, get ready — Schiller may just be enrolling in Media Ethics and Crisis Management 101.
Kelly Hotard is a 19-year-old mass communication sophomore from Picayune, Miss. Follow her on Twitter @TDR_khotard.
Contact Kelly Hotard at khotard@lsureveille.com
BEST AND WITTIEST
Editorial Policies & Procedures The Daily Reveille (USPS 145-800) is written, edited and produced solely by students of Louisiana State University. The Daily Reveille is an independent entity within the Manship School of Mass Communication. Signed opinions are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of the editor, paper or University. Letters submitted for publication should be sent via e-mail to opinion@lsureveille.com or delivered to B-26 Hodges Hall. They must be 400 words or less. Letters must have a contact phone number so the opinion editor can verify the author. The phone number won’t be printed. The Daily Reveille reserves the right to edit letters and guest columns for space consideration without changing the original intent. The Daily Reveille also reserves the right to reject any letter without notification of the author. Writers must include their full names and phone numbers. The Daily Reveille’s editor-in-chief, hired every semester by the Louisiana State University Media Board, has final authority on all editorial decisions.
cartoon courtesy of KING FEATURES SYNDICATE
Quote of the Day “At the touch of love, everyone becomes a poet.” Plato Greek philosopher 428 BCE — 348 BCE
The Daily Reveille
Tuesday, Nov. 2, 2010
CAMPUS-RESIDENT ALIEN
Opinion
page 9
Higher education needs to deliver more than statistics While you may be subconsciously avoiding any further columns with the words “budget cuts” or “financial crisis,” I am desperately trying to wake up from a nightmare where those words are already losing value. The whole crisis of education — and thus the major crisis of higher education — is not completely an economic crisis, as many wish to believe, though it’s obviously affected by budget shortfalls. Why or when was it taken for granted that universities couldn’t be affected by a sudden halt in the mad, high-speed train of the digital money world? If the education services delivered by our educational systems and institutions was more meaningful than just a job-seeking tool, we wouldn’t be seeing such a boring battle of arguments and statistical indicators. Numbers and comparisons hardly touch the real setback
of the issue: The value of the knowledge produced and articulated by universities is getting weaker by the minute. “To Louisiana College Students: Our government is spending more than we can afford, and I believe our universities are delivering less value than you deserve.” That was Gov. Bobby Jindal’s response to the avalanche of criticism he received last week, following the national attention received by a letter from Student Government President J Hudson calling Jindal back to Louisiana to take care of the University’s budget cut issues. As a student to whom Jindal’s speaking, I decided to give special attention to understanding as clear as possible the meaning of the last words of his response: “Our universities are delivering less value than you deserve.” OK, I admit the “value” he had in mind is a concept made up of numbers of graduates
per year and all other kinds of indicators that are used to illustrate the performance of our — and his — flagship university. But I also think that a set of quantitative parameters are questionable to measure the contribution that a higher education inMarcelo Vieira stitution can Columnist and should offer to a community. Based on the immense geometrical process of academic inflation that we have seen for the past 10 years or so, two immediate reflections and consequences of Jindal’s affirmation make themselves clear to me — and hopefully to you, as well. First, the value delivered by the University — if measured by how much having a degree helps you get a job — is really less than
our parents expected when they sent us here. Second, if the value of the higher education we think we are achieving when we graduate is the false notion of certainty built during college years, it will drastically crash against a world of uncertainty as soon as we cross the bridges of LSU island toward the jungle of real life. Back in Brazil, during my undergraduate years, one of the most significant happenings of my academic life was a huge strike of state university professors in 2002, followed by big protests and a longer strike by teachers from elementary to graduate schools all over the country. The reason: precarious conditions of work, lack of substantial funding and lousy, undervalued salaries at state-federal universities. But right after that, some private universities also started bankrupting, showing signs of trouble in different fields that
proved the point of the overall, fundamental crisis to be evidence of the collapse of education as a whole, especially higher education. It doesn’t matter how efficiently the budget issues are addressed and eventually solved. If the knowledge produced, articulated and “delivered” — to paraphrase Jindal’s response — by the University doesn’t burn itself down to be recreated in different ways and with different objectives, the words “budget cut” and “financial crisis” are doomed to lose value in whatever discussion we get ourselves to — just like our diplomas. Marcelo Vieira is a 32-year-old jazz cello graduate student from Brazil. Follow him on Twitter @TDR_MVieira. Contact Marcelo Vieira at mvieira@lsureveille.com
PRESS X TO NOT DIE
Apple patents method intended to control teen sexting It’s safe to say hardly anyone uses their cell phone solely as a mobile telephone now. With smartphones booming in popularity, these little gadgets give users access to the world at their fingertips. “With great power comes great responsibility.” Yes, I did just quote the most overused Spider-Man line ever. But since kids these days have no sense of responsibility at all — many a time thanks to the parents out there who don’t give a damn — some people feel they need to step up and help regulate what children do with their smartphones. That’s where Steve Jobs comes in. Last month, it was released Ol’ Uncle Steve and Apple were approved for a patent to help regulate “text-based messages based on objectionable content.” Or in other words — sexting. Sexting has become quite a recurring phenomenon over the past few years — in most part, thanks to the advancement of technology. Evolving from simple text messages and e-mails to picture messaging, video sending and, most recently, live video calling, people just can’t seem to keep it in their pants while on the phone. Apple’s patent (filed in 2008) will supposedly help keep some of this under control. “Systems, devices and methods are provided for enabling a user to control the content of textbased messages sent to or received from an administered device,” according to the patent. Basically, instead of parents
explaining to their kids that sending pictures of your boobs to the entire football team is a bad idea, Apple will just allow a parental setting on the iPhone. How will this be done, you ask? “In some embodiments, a message will be blocked (incoming or if Adam Arinder outgoing) the message Columnist includes forbidden content. In other embodiments, the objectionable content is removed from the message prior to transmission or as part of the receiving process,” the patent also says. While the iPhone’s “predictive text” function makes swearing in text messages difficult as hell (AKA “he’ll”), this parental control application will make it “ducking” impossible to send naughty words to your friends. However, this restriction will be nothing but a speed bump to most teenagers. The easiest workaround is to simply use that crazy “Phone” button that keeps getting in the way of the “Angry Birds” and “I Am T-Pain” apps. The most hilarious workaround would be to come up with more unique ways to sext. Whenever you’re bored, Google sexual euphemisms — fantastic read right there. Of course, since this is an optional parental control, many people — including the majority
of college students — won’t have to deal with Apple’s latest attempt to control the way their device is used. It’s still easy to cite the First Amendment and claim Apple is restricting freedom of speech. However, that’s what I love so much about Apple products — you use them the way they want you to, or you don’t use them at all. Much like their heavy censoring of applications for the app store, Jobs and crew are once again playing “Big Brother” to all those who purchase their iDevices.
Sure, my bias toward Apple may be showing, and I could easily be overreacting to a harmless, additional parental control option, but things always start small. Today it may be filtering apps or text messages, but who says tomorrow it won’t be websites, phone numbers and entire contacts? It’s ironic, though, considering FaceTime almost encourages a naughty night of video chatting. Kids are smart — smarter than most of their parents when it comes to technology. Patenting new features on a
phone won’t cut down the amount of teenage boobs flying around in cyberspace. But it should be parents’ job to make sure little Sally isn’t sending naughty words on her phone, not the manufacturer. Adam Arinder is a 21-year-old communication studies senior from Baton Rouge. Follow him on Twitter @TDR_aarinder. Contact Adam Arinder at aarinder@lsureveille.com
BEST AND WITTIEST
cartoon courtesy of KING FEATURES SYNDICATE
Classifieds
page 10
To place your ad: Visit www.lsureveille.com and click on classifieds
Announcements
Help Wanted P/T COMPUTER TECH ASSISTANT Property Management company looking for p/t intern with general troubleshooting knowledge. FREE RENT could be involved for right candidate. Email resumes to Rallen@pmbr.com EARN $1000-$3200 A month to drive our brand new cars with ads placed on them. www. AdCarDriver.com VETERINARY EMERGENCY TECH Night & weekend help. Exp req. Fax resume to 225.293.6441. www.sherwoodsouth.com GREEN ENERGY SOLUTIONS Canvassers Needed $50/ appointment plus bonuses QUICK CASH, FLEXIBLE HOURS send resume to www. greenenergysolutionsofla@ gmail.com or call JamieEthridge @ 225.381.0679 or 318.614.4176 ►►BARTENDING UP TO NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY. TRAINING PROVIDED. AGE 18+ OK 1-800-965-6520 ext127 STUDENTPAYOUTS. COM Paid Survey Takers Needed In Baton Rogue. 100% Free To Join! Click On Surveys. GREYSTONE COUNTRY CLUB Reliable workers needed for server/bartender/beverage cart weekend shifts at Greystone Country Club in Denham Springs (only 20 minutes from campus on I-12). Flexible scheduling (weekends a must!), great atmosphere and fun customers make this the perfect job for any student. Positions available immediately! To apply email resume & work history to jennifer@greystonecountryclub.com 225.667.6744
Cost: 35 cents per word a day Personals Free for students
Employment INTERNSHIPS Need business, advertising, video, photography, fashion and/or computer science majors. Email for details:HR@aeonstudios.net DON’T MISS THIS OPPORTUNITY! Now hiring for all positions at the following locations: JEFFERSON 7615 Jefferson Hwy Baton Rouge 70809 PERKINS ROWE 7707 Bluebonnet Blvd. Baton Rouge 70810 “Flexible schedules & Benefits for Full Time Associates” Please apply in person during regular restaurant hours. Equal Opportunity Employer DRIVERS NEEDED for lumber jack firewood. Must have own truck. Average $20/hour. 225.603.7680 ALL AROUND GAL Household helper, good driver...& congenial you. $10/hr. M-F or other. LSU area. Call Beth 225.252.8474 NOW HIRING Monjunis on Jefferson Hwy Hiring servers and hostesses. Experience preferred. Apply in person at 711 Jefferson Hwy M-Th 5pm-8pm GREAT HOURS! GREAT PAY! Texas Roadhouse is currently hiring servers and hosts. Make money at a fun restaurant! Come by 10360 N. Mall Dr, M-T, between 2 and 4 pm for an interview. Hope to see you soon! 225.293.0144 PARKVIEW BAPTIST PRESCHOOL Preschool Afternoon Teachers needed 3-6pm flex days. no degree required. Please email your resume to parkviewbps@gmail.com STUDENT WORK! $16.00 Starting Pay! Customer Sales/ Svc. Flexible PT/ FT, No Exp Necc. Conditions Apply- Call NOW! 225-383-4252 WEEKENDS OFF!
Housing
Tuesday, Nov. 2, 2010
Deadlines: 12 noon two school days prior to the print publication date
Merchandise
ABL Management, Inc. has immediate part-time opening for a high energy person to assist with producing marketing packages, perform general accounting and office administration duties. Looking for a detailed, well organized person to work up to 20 hours a week. Must have computer skills, good work ethic, and be a team player. Competitive hourly wages. Office hours 7:30am to 5:30pm. Will work with Your schedule. EOE. COUNTER CLERK part time afternoon, flexible hours, great for students Welsh’s Cleaners 5454 Bluebonnet @ I10 apply in person 225-921-6660 PARRAIN’S SEAFOOD NOW HIRING Experienced servers with daytime availability needed. Apply in person Monday-Friday between 2:00pm and 5:00pm 225.381.9922
For Rent LSU 3 BED/2 BATH HOME FOR SALE $203,000.00. 5566 Ducros Drive. 337-842-1541 or do9869@yahoo.com AVON Its more than just make-up! Buy/sell Avon today! Shellie-Ann Avon_Independent_Sales_Representative sbarclayavon@aim.com www.youravon.com/sabarclay 225.803.1291 UNIVERSITY VIEW UNIT 1107 CONDO FOR SALE 2BDRM, 2 BATHS GATED, INCLUDES APPLIANCES, cotaj@cox.net TIGER MANOR CONDOMINIUMS. UNITS READY FOR FALL and SPRING 2010-2011!! Reserve now! Brand new 1, 2, and 3 bedroom units for sale starting at $124,900. Ask about our
Transportation
Guaranteed Buy-Back Program!! 3000 July St. 225-346-5055 www.tigermanor.com Location. Location. Location... Start Living. 225.383.0143
For Sale BURGIN APARTMENTS 175 Burgin Ave, Highland and Lee. 1br/1ba, $589/mo, $400/ dep. Call for appointment. 225.252.3163 TIGER MANOR CONDOMINIUMS. UNITS READY FOR Fall 2010 and Spring 2011!! 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. 225.383.0143 3 BR 2 BA HOUSE FOR RENT Meadowbend Subd. Near LSU. Remodeled. $1100. per mo. $500. DepositCall 985-6882757. WALK TO LSU CAMPUS 2BR/1BA duplex newly remodeled $625/M McDaniel Prop 225.388.9858 HIGHLAND ROAD House - 3 br/2ba $1099/mo. 225.769.1079 FOR RENT 3 BR 1 1/2 BA house next to campus. Fenced yard. Range, refrig., washer & dryer. Central heat, window A/ C. $960 per month. Pets OK. Deposit and lease. Available Nov. 20. 225.766.2963
Roommate Wanted ROOMMATE NEEDED IMMEDIATELY: Sharlo/Brightside, $425 per month + half utilities, no lease (month-to-month basis). 225.773.0577
Services
Personals
IT’S GETTING COLD OUTSIDE, are you? Helping find my cute, sassy BFF a cuddle buddy. Males only. Must smell desirable. No creeps. Just cuddling... unless you’re in to Passion Pit, then she might be more willing. cuddlefuddle4evz@gmail.com ANY ARTSY OTAKU OUT THERE? Female artist looking for a cool, intelligent guy. Maybe we could watch anime, listen to some electronica and rock music, or draw together. Contact me at zenithsword@yahoo.com. FRAT STAR SEEKING GDI FEMALE. Must have an intense hate for Nike shorts and leggings, over-sized Guy Harvey shirts, Game Day dresses, and party cups. email me at letsnotfrat@yahoo.com WANNA JAM METAL?! If you play guitar or bass, like some heavy sht, such as Megadeth/Metallica/Lamb of God, and want to join a band, then contact Joe at Jmurp33@tigers.lsu.edu SEEKING HILLARY LOOK-ALIKE I love the environment, vegetables, recycling, books, gays, and protesting everything, so pretty much just a normal, run-of-themill democrat. If you want to meet up over a non-fat, dairyfree, sugar-free, caffeine-free latte’ and talk about how much we love taxation just send me an email at bdonne3@lsu.edu
Miscellaneous ACT/SAT PREP CLASSES Come improve your chances to get your best score. $199 for registration. Call (225) 7578085
The Daily Reveille
Tuesday, Nov. 2, 2010 ELECTION, from page 1
has criticized Melancon for supporting the Obama administration’s moratorium on deepwater drilling. The most recent polls show Vitter up by 15 percent. Vitter also far outraised and outspent Melancon. Vitter, who is widely considered a stalwart Republican, voted against the economic stimulus plan, the health care reform bill and the financial reform bill. Melancon, a more moderate Democrat, voted for the stimulus and financial bills, but against the health care reform bill. Louisiana voters will also select the state’s seven delegates to the House of Representatives. New Orleans-area incumbent Anh “Joseph” Cao, a Republican, is struggling to hold on to his seat against Democratic challenger Cedric Richmond. Cao took that seat in a historically Democratic area after defeating its previous occupant, William Jefferson, who was then fighting corruption charges. In Baton Rouge, Republican incumbent Bill Cassidy is facing a challenge from engineer Merritt McDonald, a retired state employee. The lieutenant governor’s race has earned headlines in Louisiana over the past few months. Republican Jay Dardenne, the current Secretary of State, was the front-runner in the primaries. A former leader in the State Legislature, Jindal has touted Dardenne’s experience as his main appeal for votes. His challenger, Democrat Caroline Fayard, is making her first run for public office, although she’s no stranger to politics. Fayard previously worked at the White House and at Goldman Sachs and has been endorsed by former president Bill Clinton. Fayard has emphasized the need for “a new face” in state government. The lieutenant governor is responsible for overseeing the state’s tourism industry, including museums. The current race is a special election to fill the office after Mitch Landrieu left to become mayor of New Orleans. Landrieu has endorsed Fayard in the race. Louisiana voters will also vote on 10 constitutional amendments. Most of these are technical changes dealing with tax issues and other mechanics. The first amendment would make raises for public officials go into effect after the term of the official that approved the increase. Proponents argue such a change would reduce opportunities for graft or self-granted pay raises, while opponents have argued the change would be better made outside the constitution. Other amendments would: increase the percentage of severance tax revenue the state gives local governments; allow the homestead
exemption to be doubled for veterans disabled in combat; limit the ability of local bodies to raise taxes; allow homeowners to claim twice as long of a post-disaster grace period before losing homestead exemptions and other property rights. A full list and description of all 10 amendments is available at lsureveille.com from the Public Affairs Research Council. Turnout for the election is expected to be low. The Secretary of State’s office is hoping for a 35-percent turnout. Mid-term elections traditionally have much lower turnout than elections with a presidential contest. Students must vote in the districts in which they are registered. Polling locations are available at the Secretary of State’s website. Booths are open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. A driver’s license, Louisiana special ID, or other picture ID with the voter’s name, address and signature is required. Contact Matthew Albright at malbright@lsureveille.com
JINDAL, from page 1
education,” Borel said about Jindal’s responses to higher education budget cuts. Hudson said Jindal needs to make the connection on how creating jobs and economic development is a direct link to funding higher education. “Everything he talked about was what we’ve done in the past,” Hudson said. “This year is going to seriously define how we handle the future.” Borel and Hudson didn’t inundate Jindal with questions, as they are meeting with him and Chancellor Michael Martin today at the Governor’s Mansion. About 60 people, many of them Baton Rouge officials, listened to Jindal talk about the new jobs recently created in the state. “I promised to you we’d create a new Louisiana,” Jindal said about his inauguration. “We started by waging war on corruption and incompetence.” Jindal listed five areas where Louisiana has improved under his leadership: ethics, cutting taxes,
page 11 investing in work force training, improving education and investing in infrastructure. Jindal listed four bills, including the LA GRAD Act, for improving higher education performance. He also cited Louisiana as having second-highest dropout rate in the nation. “That’s not good for those students, not good for the taxpayers,” Jindal said. Jindal also said the Board of Regents’ funding formula has been too rewarding for universities that
are big, not the best. He said the formula has been revised to reward excellence, not size. Kyle Plotkin, Jindal’s press secretary, said the University has seen no reduction in total funding since January 2008, which includes $13 million in new LA GRAD Act funding the University receives. Plotkin said the University’s budget has grown 0.3 percent. Contact Catherine Threlkeld at cthrelkeld@lsureveille.com
page 12
The Daily Reveille
Tuesday, Nov. 2, 2010