Men’s basketball: Tigers win nail biter, 84-82, p. 7
Music festivals: What you need to know about the spring and summer’s hottest acts, p. 11
Reveille The Daily
www.lsureveille.com
Pageants: Deaf student wins Miss Capital City, p. 13 Thursday, Feb. 24, 2011 • Volume 115, Issue 96
Reinventing the wheel Students embrace alternative vehicles to navigate campus
photos by BLAIR LOCKHART, DAVID LYLE and BRIANNA PACIORKA / The Daily Reveille
[Above] Nic Chason, disaster management freshman, rides his unicycle Monday in the Quad. [Top left] Alex Hanna, psychology sophomore, rides his scooter around campus Wednesday. [Top right] Jordan Auxt, mechanical engineering sophomore, rides a longboard to class Wednesday.
Motivated by the slow speed of around campus to become more walking and the difficulty of stor- comfortable around crowds of ing and securing people before he bicycles, different performs on it for a Morgan Searles modes of transportalent agency. Contributing Writer tation — from un“Riding a uniusual to fantastic — have grown in cycle isn’t difficult. I think it’s safer popularity on campus. than a bike,” Burke said. “SomeOne such contraption belongs times different books in my bookto Scott Burke, mechanical engi- sack are different weights that I neering freshman, who can be spot- have to account for, though.” ted peddling a 5-foot-3-inch tall Burke said riding the uniunicycle around campus. cycle has garnered him a lot of atBurke said he rides this one- tention with students staring and wheeled wonder, which was given TRANSPORTATION, see page 19 to him by a stranger at a party,
BOARD OF REGENTS
Suit focuses on race and gender, not merger
Sydni Dunn Staff Writer
When Dadrius Lanus stood before the Board of Regents on Feb. 8 to defend his university, he noticed something wasn’t right — there were no minority members. Lanus, a political science and history junior at Southern University-Baton Rouge, was making a public comment to the Board concerning the proposed merger between the University of New Orleans and Southern University-New Orleans. Further research on the merger was temporarily suspended as a result of a lawsuit filed by Lanus and six other Southern University students. But Lanus said the suit has nothing to do with the proposed merger — it’s about the Board’s makeup. Lanus said this was the first time he observed the Board’s membership, and it spiked his interest. “I did research and found out the Board’s makeup is unconstitutional,” he said. “Not just on the REGENTS, see page 19
TRANSPORTATION
Student hopes to construct covered bus stops on campus Facility Services to help with design Andrea Gallo Staff Writer
Nick Dalton, general studies senior, says he hopes to be given the opportunity to build covered bus stops around the University’s campus as a way not only to better the University, but also to launch his career as an entrepreneur. Student Government and the Office of Parking, Traffic and Transportation have confirmed plans for larger, more expansive bus stops to be built by Lockett Hall and the Frey Computing Services Center, but Dalton wants
to build smaller, but less ornate bus stops around the perimeter of campus. Dalton, who owns Dalton Management LLC, said he thinks covered bus stops are an SG initiative he could bring to fruition, not only as structures built around campus but also as security alert systems. “I’ve got some really good student safety stuff integrated into my designs that I can’t really disclose what they are because of the competition,” Dalton said. “It’s almost like the Emergency Alert System.” Dalton said he could build these bus stops at no cost to the University. He said his company could design the bus stops, finance a contractor building them and in turn, advertise on them for profit.
“Our shelters will be metal shelters, but they will be architecturally designed to fit in with LSU’s existing structures,” Dalton said. “As far as designs, our entire goal is that we will put these structures up, and they will fit in with LSU’s campus.” Dalton said he is currently working on the design phase of the structures with Emmett David, director of Facility Services, to whom he is sending designs. Dalton said he has had trouble designing the bus stops because of the lack of organization and specification among those organizing the bus-stop initiative, including SG President J Hudson. “They just really don’t know DALTON, see page 19
DAVID LYLE / The Daily Reveille
Nick Dalton, general studies senior, describes the placement of a potential covered bus stop Wednesday. Dalton hopes to build various stops around campus.
The Daily Reveille
Nation & World
page 2
Thursday, Feb. 24, 2011
INTERNATIONAL
NATIONAL
STATE/LOCAL
UK: Separating couples must try mediation before going to court
Hawaii governor seventh to sign a same-sex civil unions bill
School resource police officer booked with sexual abuse charges
LONDON (AP) — Separating couples will be ordered to try mediation to resolve disputes over their breakups before heading to court, Britain said Wednesday in a move aimed at reducing the number of people who end up embroiled in costly divorce battles. Justice Minister Jonathan Djanogly said too many divorce cases are coming before judges, straining Britain’s legal system and costing individuals — and in some cases the government — hefty fees.
HONOLULU (AP) — Same-sex civil unions will become legal in Hawaii when Gov. Neil Abercrombie signs a bill granting gay partners the same state rights as married couples. Abercrombie plans to sign the legislation during a ceremony on Wednesday. Civil unions would start Jan. 1, 2012, making Hawaii the seventh state to permit civil unions or similar legal recognition for gay couples. Five states and the District of Columbia allow same-sex marriage.
LAFAYETTE (AP) — A police officer who has been on assignment as a school resource officer at Broussard Middle School has been placed on unpaid administrative leave after he was arrested on sexual abuse charges. The Advertiser reported that 28-year-old Henry Samuel Bates was booked Tuesday with four counts of molestation of a juvenile and one count of oral sexual battery. Broussard Chief of Police Brannon Decou says the alleged incidents did not occur at the school and did not involve a current student.
Brazil woman finds son with gator behind couch after flood SAO PAULO (AP) — After floodwaters receded from her home, a Brazilian woman was shocked to find a most unwelcome house guest: a 5-foot alligator lying tamely in the living room as her 3-yearold son petted the reptile’s head. The animal apparently was washed inside by the high water Monday night, said Luiz Claudio Farias, a captain of firefighters in the north-central city of Parauapebas. When the woman went to clean up the following day, she saw the boy playing with something behind the couch, Farias said. It turned out to be a gator.
Apple Inc. expected to unveil second-generation iPad next week NEW YORK (AP) — Apple Inc. is expected to unveil the secondgeneration iPad next week. The Cupertino, Calif., company has sent invitations to a media event in San Francisco next Wednesday. The invitation shows a calendar page with the upper right -hand corner peeling away to reveal an iPad underneath. The large “2” on the calendar page denotes the event’s March 2 date and could be another hint that Apple is about to unveil the followup to the original iPad.
JENNIFER REYNOLDS / The Associated Press
Keith Wilkins, right, and a member of the Texas Marine Mamal Stranding Network kept a pygmy sperm whale stabilized Wednesday in Galveston, Texas.
Beached 12-foot pygmy sperm whale to be euthanized in Texas GALVESTON, Texas (AP) — Marine biologists have decided to euthanize a 12-foot pygmy sperm whale rescued from a southeast Texas beach. Heidi Whitehead of the Texas Marine Mammal Stranding Network says that experts decided the prognosis for the whale was bleak and veterinarians have decided that trying to keep the more than halfton animal alive in the network’s rehabilitation tank in Galveston would only prolong its suffering.
GUEYDEN (AP) — A group of young whooping cranes — some of the rarest and largest birds in the world — has been brought to the state with the aim of creating a thriving flock in southern Louisiana marshes. If successful, the federal-state project could help revive a species that now numbers only about 400 in the world, according to a count by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Black History Month Real Talk: No Homo Part II Thursday, February 24, 2011 Senate Chambers, 6PM
DO YOU HAVE AN OCCURRENCE? Call Chase at the Student Media Office 578-6090, 9AM- 5PM or E-mail: officemanager@lsureveille.com
Watch a video of LSU’s spring step show. Read the LMFAO blog about Better than Ezra performing at the Rockkus Parade in New Orleans. Check out a blog about alternative modes of transportation on campus on Out of Print. Read about the jersey number changes for football on Tiger Feed. Join us at flickr.com/groups/ thedailyreveillephotos
Project brings whooping cranes to La. to create new flock
facebook.com/ thedailyreveille
@lsureveille, @TDR_news, @TDR_sports
Weather TODAY MOSTLY CLOUDY
78 63
SEEING DOUBLE
Black History Month College Reunion Saturday, February, 26, 2011 LSU Parade Grounds, 12 PM-4 PM
Today on lsureveille.com
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
78 52
76 63
SUNDAY
MONDAY
79 55
70 42
CHRISTOPHER LEH / The Daily Reveille
See photos of reflections on Snapshot at lsureveille.com.
CORRECTIONS AND CLARIFICATIONS In the Feb. 23 edition of The Daily Reveille’s “Crime Briefs,” a brief wrongly identified Heweth Baker’s employment. He is a custodian with the LSU Student Union, not Facility Services.
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 Ryan Buxton Grace Montgomery Chris Branch Sean Isabella Matthew Jacobs Devin Graham Adam Vaccarella Zach Breaux Bryan Stewart Marissa Barrow Care Bach
Newsroom (225)578-4810
Editor-in-Chief Managing Editor, Content Art Director Managing Editor, External Media News Editor Deputy News/Entertainment Editor Sports Editor Deputy Sports Editor Copy Desk Chief Opinion Editor Photo Editor Deputy Photo Editor Video Editor Reveille Radio Editor Advertising Sales Manager
Advertising (225)578-6090
The Daily Reveille
Thursday, Feb. 24, 2011
page 3
ART
Post-pop painter exhibits works in BR Exhibition held in Glassell Gallery Emily Herrington Contributing Writer
According to Italian artist Walter Bortolossi, all that happened had to happen. Bortolossi, a world-renowned painter for his post-pop style, held a lecture in the Design Building on Wednesday night for University students. He is also holding his first solo exhibition in North America in the Alfred C. Glassell Exhibition Gallery at the Shaw Center for the Arts. The exhibition, titled “All That Happened Had to Happen,” will be in the Glassell Gallery until March 27. Bortolossi’s presentation showed students images of 15 of his works dated from 1990 to 2010 and offered explanations. His works, which are often described as “kaleidoscopic compositions,” address current issues and aspects of the modern world, like new technologies and scientific advances. “New media and technologies create new equilibriums and disequilibriums,” Bortolossi said. “The desire to resist their deterministic features has become a prominent feature of my work.” Bortolossi said he aims to comment on the transformation of scientific texts through the presentation of images in his artwork. “My goal is to connect objectivity with subjectivity,” Bortolossi said. His collage-like paintings combine current events and happenings of the past. For example, the final piece he showed and the namesake of his exhibition combined images of the Great Depression with images including President Barack Obama. Bortolossi said this
Thursday February 24 BLAIR LOCKHART / The Daily Reveille
A visitor to the School of Art Glassell Gallery examines works from Italian artist Walter Bortolossi’s exhibition “All That Happened Had to Happen,” which runs until March 27.
painting “endorses the idea of the progress of history.” Kristin Malia Krolak, Glassell Gallery coordinator, advised University students to visit Bortolossi’s exhibit because “it’s about their world.” “There are references to topics going on in politics and pop culture, and he makes statements about consumerism and mass marketing,” Krolak said. Krolak also said the exhibit is a good opportunity for students to broaden their worldviews and see examples of contemporary art from other parts of the world. Lauren Hegge, photography graduate student, visited Bortolossi’s exhibition and said it was one of the best shows she had seen at Glassell Gallery. “It’s definitely worth
checking out,” Hegge said. Hegge also said Bortolossi’s works are interesting because of the direct references he makes to contemporary issues. Raina Wirta, sculpture graduate student, said the content in Bortolossi’s paintings is “influential” to artists because of the collage painting approach he employs. “The images speak for themselves,” Wirta said. Bortolossi’s week-long stay in Baton Rouge will end after an artist’s reception on Saturday at 6 p.m. at the Glassell Gallery in the Shaw Center.
SHADY’S
Baton Rouge’s Best Ladies Night Free Drinks & Cover for Ladies til 10 Free Wine and Martinis til 10 $3 calls For guys until 10 Come have a drink, Don’t be a DiCK
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
Contact Emily Herrington at eherrington@lsureveille.com
Newsbeat 3:00pm Newsbeat repeat 5:00pm Newsbeat repeat 6:30pm Newsbeat repeat 9:30pm All remaining times MtvU
7:20 a.m., 8:20 a.m. Noon, 3:20 p.m. 4:20 p.m., 5:20 p.m.
The Daily Reveille
page 4
Thursday, Feb 24, 2011
Man accused of campus homicides arrested for separate murder Xerxes A. Wilsom Staff Writer
A man who police still believe was involved in the murder of two University international students more than three years ago was arrested earlier this month in the shooting death of a 14-year-old boy. Michael Jermaine Lewis was arrested in the Feb. 16 shooting death of Christopher Williams, who was shot while buying candy from a home on St. Gerard Avenue, according to Baton Rouge Police Department Spokesman Cpl. L’Jean McKneely. Lewis and two others were arrested in spring 2008 for the murders of Chandrasekhar Reddy Komma and Kiran Kumar Allam. The two Indian international students were robbed and murdered inside the Edward Gay Apartments where Allam lived in
December 2007. Although investigators believe all three men were involved in the murders, only one of the three, Devin Parker, was indicted by a grand jury, allowing Lewis to go free. “I feel, personally, we had enough evidence to indict all three, but obviously the grand jury didn’t feel the same way,” Maj. Lawrence Rabalais, LSU Police Department Police Chief, told The Daily Reveille on Oct. 21, 2009. “It is frustrating. It was a gambit of well-experienced, seasoned veterans that were involved in this investigation, and I think if you ask any of them who were involved, they would tell you when we arrested those three people, we had the right people.” Although the initial indictment failed, investigators say Lewis is still a person of interest, and his latest arrest could lead to something in the campus homicides.
ACADEMICS
University to create ‘fall back’ degrees Celeste Ansley Staff Writer
The University is considering ways to make it easier for students to earn a degree, like making it simpler to change degree programs. Faculty Senate President Kevin Cope said the state is urging higher education institutions to make it easier for students to get a degree by using various methods, such as arranging curricula in a way that would make it easier to switch to another degree program. “It seems as though I’m declaring some areas of study are harder than others — that’s not what I’m saying,” Cope said. “Rather, it is the case that all areas have different sets of requirements, and some students are better at some than others.” Cope said if a student is unable to succeed at one degree’s set of requirements, the student would be able to “slide over” into a different degree program. “That way you ensure that the student leaves with some form of degree,” Cope said. Cope said the University will see the creation of “fall back” degrees in the next few years with the implementation of the LA GRAD act, which allows the University to raise tuition to up to 10 percent annually. Saundra McGuire, assistant
vice chancellor of learning, teaching and retention in Academic Affairs and chair of the Retention Committee, said students’ interests change as they learn, and they many want to change their academic pursuits McGuire said the University will study all the suggestions made by the state to help students graduate at a higher rate. “The main goal is the greatest degree of success for the most students,” McGuire said. McGuire said the Retention Committee met Wednesday afternoon and discussed ways the University can make it easier for students to switch majors. Cope said the University could implement this plan by identifying degrees with common prerequisites, making adjustments to some degree requirements and providing students with information about alternate degree options. Cope said the goal is to minimize the extra work that goes into changing majors, allowing students to graduate sooner. Cope said some programs may profit from the changes because they will receive more students and credit hours.
Contact Celeste Ansley at cansley@lsureveille.com
“No new evidence has surfaced, but we do believe this could open up some doors for us,” said LSUPD Spokesman Det. Jason Bettencourtt. Bettencourtt said there is a possibility that information about
previous homicides could resurface as part of a plea deal because Lewis is now facing other charges. The homicides were initially investigated by a consortium of detectives from various agencies, and Bettencourtt said representatives
meet several times a year to discuss the murders. The trial for Devin Parker is ongoing. Contact Xerxes A. Wilson at xwilson@lsureveille.com
The Daily Reveille
Thursday, Feb. 24, 2011
BOARD OF REGENTS
Search Committee approves Purcell New commissioner to be voted on today Sydni Dunn Staff Writer
The Board of Regents’ Search Committee unanimously approved James Purcell on Wednesday for the Commissioner of Higher Education position following a public interview with the candidate. Purcell, who is currently serving as director of the ArkanJames Purcell sas Department of Higher Edupotential Commissioner of cation, will seek Higher Education approval by the full Board on Thursday during its regular meeting. Purcell must be approved by two-thirds of the Board’s membership. The Regents received approval from the Joint Legislative Committee on the Budget on Purcell’s compensation package last week, according to a news release. The Commissioner’s salary cannot exceed $275,000. Greenwood/Asher and Associates Inc., the search firm hired by the Regents in September, selected Purcell as the final candidate out of five total applicants. Representatives from the firm said they are pleased with their selection and the amount of time it took to find him. Purcell said he is qualified for the position because of his extensive experience working in higher education in the South. “Just like many other states across the country, Louisiana is asking its colleges and universities for more than ever before,” Purcell said. “There has to be a reason for your decisions and priorities, and I know I can help Louisiana create the road map to get there.” Purcell said he has experience with performance-based funding, the creation of a seamless credit transfer system in Arkansas and merging institutions in Alabama. He said one of the biggest issues facing higher education to date is the “access to success,” or the access to higher education. Louisiana has been without a higher education commissioner since Sally Clausen resigned in June. The Regents were set to name Tom Layzell as interim commissioner in July, but his salary package was not approved. Contact Sydni Dunn at sdunn@lsureveille.com
Filing for Student Gov. elections closes Editor’s note: Candidates are listed in alphabetical order of presidential candidate’s last name. Andrea Gallo Staff Writer
Student Government election filing ended Wednesday at 4:30 p.m. with two additional tickets filing for president and vice president. Diego Delfino filed for SG president with Hannah Martin filing on the same ticket for SG vice president. Garrett Dupre also filed for SG president with Jarrett Richard filing on his ticket for SG vice president. The tickets who previously filed on Monday were Aaron Caffarel and Alli Robison, David Jones and Kacey Brister, and Cody Wells and Kathleen Bordelon. Billy Wright, SG commissioner
of elections, said the filing process went smoothly, with five president/ vice president combinations and 14 independent candidates filing. SG President J Hudson said he feels filing was handled with poise this year, and he does not think candidates should be looked down upon if they are not already involved in SG. “I think last year’s campaigns were very focused on experience, but people without experience have outside points of view,” Hudson said.
Read about the nondiscrimination clause SG passed at LGBTQ students’ request at lsureveille.com. Contact Andrea Gallo at agallo@lsureveille.com
page 5
page 6
The Daily Reveille
Thursday, Feb. 24, 2011
Today in sports: Women’s basketball takes on South Carolina at 7 p.m. in the PMAC
Sports
Thursday, Feb. 24, 2011
page 7
Winding Down
FOOTBALL
Kragthorpe not playing favorites next season Katherine Terrell Sports Contributor
senior season winding down. Instead, she said the Lady Tigers (17-11, 7-7) are only focused on South Carolina. The Gamecocks (16-11, 8-6) are in fifth place in the SEC, one game ahead of LSU, and both teams have one regular-season game remaining after tonight’s matchup. “[South Carolina] pressures you with the ball with full-court pressure. They’re a great defensive team,” Graham said. “We know we have to come out and not turn the ball over because that’s one reason why we gave up such a big lead and why we’ve
LSU football fans may finally have a few answers about the quarterback situation when spring practice starts March 11. New offensive coordinator Steve Kragthorpe said it’s open season on the quarterback competition, and even he doesn’t have any answers quite yet. Kragthorpe said the offense he runs will be a new one in terms of some of the concepts the team will use, which puts all the players on a level playing field. “I didn’t want to have any preconceived ideas, good, bad or different, whether they’re offensive players, defensive players, special teams players or any particular position on the offensive side of the ball,” Kragthorpe said. He said he wants to have a user-friendly system that can let players play to the best of their abilities. This will be particularly important in practice, he said. Kragthorpe and the other offensive coaches had a meeting last week where they discussed a way to put players in a position to make the plays on game day that they made in practice. “I’m kind of deaf to guys that want the ball,” he said. “I’m a visual person. I want to see you make plays in practice.” The coaches plan to have a list of playmakers who have stepped up in practice the previous week. If a player isn’t on the list, he won’t be playing. “You want to get on that
SENIORS, see page 10
OFFENSE, see page 10
File photos
Senior guard Latear Eason (left) drives for a layup Dec. 16, 2009 in a 75-33 win against North Carolina A&T. Senior guard Katherine Graham (right) directs traffic Feb. 18, 2010 against Vanderbilt in a 55-39 win. The Tigers’ game against South Carolina tonight will be the two players’ last game at home.
Lady Tigers to send seniors off tonight against South Carolina Rachel Whittaker Sports Writer
For LSU senior guards Katherine Graham and Latear Eason, it hasn’t sunk in that they will take the PMAC court for the final time in their careers tonight. The Lady Tigers square off in a mustwin game against South Carolina at 7 p.m. on Senior Night in which Graham, Eason and forward Jasmine Nelson will be honored. In the teams’ first game Jan. 6 in Columbia, S.C., LSU squandered an 18-point lead and lost. The Gamecocks won, 63-61, indicative
of the Lady Tigers’ repeated scoring inconsistency. Graham has started all 28 games this season, extending her streak to 68 straight starts. She is also one of two players in program history with a triple-double and the only LSU player with a triple-double in Southeastern Conference play against Ole Miss on Feb. 7, 2010. This year, Graham is No. 11 in the SEC in assists with 3.2 per game and No. 7 in free throws at 69.2 percent. She is shooting 44 percent from the field and averaging 8.8 points. Graham didn’t say much about her
MEN’S BASKETBALL
Tigers edge Mississippi State, 84-82 LSU gets first win since Jan. 12 Michael Lambert Sports Writer
The streak has finally been snapped. It’s been 42 days and 10 Southeastern Conference games since the LSU men’s basketball team has enjoyed the spoils of victory. But Wednesday night, the Tigers (11-16, 3-10) could celebrate after knocking off
Mississippi State, 84-82, as freshman point guard Andre Stringer sunk a layup with 22 seconds remaining to help LSU earn its third conference win of the season. “For the first time in a long time, it’ll be an enjoyable plane ride and bus ride home,” LSU coach Trent Johnson said in a postgame radio interview. “They’ll be able to laugh and smile.” Mississippi State senior guard Riley Benock missed a jumper with one second left for the Bulldogs’ last gasp. “I’m just happy for the kids,”
Johnson said. Two clutch free throws by sophomore forward Eddie Ludwig and another by freshman guard Ralston Turner helped secure the win after Stringer’s score. “We shot the ball well,” Johnson said. “More importantly, our kids showed great courage.” LSU let Mississippi State (14-13, 6-7) back in the game after leading, 63-53, with 12:01 remaining after a four-on-one fast break layup by junior forward Storm Warren. BULLDOGS, see page 10
KERRY SMITH / The Associated Press
LSU freshman guard Ralston Turner (22) drives past Mississippi State senior guard Riley Benock on Wednesday during the Tigers’ 84-82 win against the Bulldogs.
The Daily Reveille
page 8
Thursday, Feb. 24, 2011
SOFTBALL
Bizarre inning pushes Tigers past McNeese State David Helman Sports Contributor
Seven-run rallies don’t come much stranger than this. Trailing 1-0 to McNeese State on Wednesday night, the No. 20 LSU softball team reeled off seven runs on just two hits to fuel a 7-1 win against the Cowgirls. Stranger still, the Tigers (10-3) had taken a 3-1 lead without even recording a hit. Instead, LSU capitalized on every kind of mistake McNeese (2-9) could make — errant pickoffs, fielding errors, five
walks and two batters hit by pitches — in a bizarre third inning. “We’re kind of lucky tonight. I wasn’t all that impressed with the Tigers,” said LSU coach Yvette Girouard. “If you’ve coached long enough, you’ve kind of seen everything ... and we were handed a gift tonight.” The rest of the game was an offensive washout. The two teams combined for 11 hits, and McNeese State couldn’t register another run after opening the scoring on an RBI single. LSU fared no better, as the
Tigers struggled to find hits even during their rally. They recorded just five hits in the game — the lone offensive highlight being a two-RBI double by junior designated player Morgan Russell. “It was nice that we got seven runs, but games like that happen,” Russell said. “I’m happy it happened, because we made things happen in our way.” While the Tigers’ bats needed some help to seize the lead, LSU pitching required no such dramatics. Freshman pitcher Meghan Patterson got the start for LSU,
giving up four hits and one run while striking out five batters. Patterson didn’t stay long in the circle, however, as Girouard gave her entire pitching staff some work ahead of this weekend’s Cathedral City Classic in Palm Springs, Calif. Junior Brittany Mack (3-0) replaced Patterson in the fourth inning and proceeded to strike out four while allowing just one hit. She pitched only two innings, but it was enough for the win. “I wanted to keep it simple. I didn’t want to throw too many
pitches in there,” Mack said. Sophomore pitcher Rachele Fico took over for the final two frames and held the Cowgirls to one hit in two innings. “[Girouard] told us before the game we were all being thrown a little bit,” Mack said. “I guess it was kind of to refresh ourselves since we’re about to be playing in two days. Normally, we wouldn’t do that, but this is a huge tournament.” Contact David Helman at dhelman@lsureveille.com
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
Freshman sparks Lady Tiger lineup with skill, personality Rachel Whittaker Sports Writer
LSU freshman guard Jeanne Kenney is living her dream. Those are the words she used to describe her first season on the LSU women’s basketball team. The 201011 regular season is nearing its end with just two games left, and Kenney has made an impact quickly, as LSU coach Van Chancellor predicted she would at the team’s annual media day in October. “I’m going to tell you right now, nothing bothers the kid,” Chancellor said. “Her mental toughness and her ability to make another play even after she turns it over or misses a shot are a positive influence on all our team.” Kenney, a Baton Rouge native, has played in all 28 of LSU’s games this season, and she twice tied the LSU freshman record for 3-pointers in a Southeastern Conference game with five at Mississippi State on Jan. 13 and a week later at home against Ole Miss. Kenney said her role with the Lady Tigers (17-11, 7-7) is not only to be a shooting weapon, but also to pump up her teammates. “If there’s a tough moment in practice or we didn’t do the best in a drill, I say, ‘Let’s go, ladies! The next drill we’re going to kill it,’” Kenney said. Tami Reynolds, Kenney’s basketball coach at St. Michael the Archangel High School, said Kenney’s enthusiasm and knowledge of
the game always commanded the respect of older players. “She was a leader from the moment she stepped on our campus,” Reynolds said. Kenney’s young basketball career did not come without its sacrifices, as she made the trip from Baton Rouge to New Orleans on many weekends to play on her AAU girls’ basketball teams. It was with the New Orleans Dominoes team that Kenney met Theresa Plaisance, with whom she would later reunite at LSU. Both players committed to the Lady Tigers in 2010 after winning seven straight state championships together in AAU play. “Hanging out off the court and growing closer as friends made our game a lot stronger,” Plaisance said. “We would spend weeks at each other’s houses during the summer. ... She had her own toothbrush at my house for a very long time.” The second of Kenney’s backto-back Class 4A state championships at St. Michael’s actually came at the expense of Plaisance and Vandebilt Catholic High School in 2009. As much as Kenney was on cloud nine throughout her high school career, that came crashing down in January of her senior season. Kenney injured her left ankle in the second game of district play as St. Michael’s was aiming for a thirdstraight state title. The original prognosis was Kenney’s high school playing career
was finished. But she was far too determined to let her doctor’s word keep her out of the lineup. Kenney persevered and returned to the floor for the playoffs, where St. Michael’s lost in the quarterfinals. While Kenney couldn’t be a
threat on the floor for the Warriors that season, Reynolds said she was an extra coach who always motivated and taught the other players. Kenney is studying kinesiology at LSU and hopes to be a P.E. teacher and basketball coach. “She’ll be a phenomenal
coach,” Reynolds said. “Just because you play basketball doesn’t mean you can coach the game, but she gets it.” Contact Rachel Whittaker at rwhittaker@lsureveille.com
The Daily Reveille
Thursday, Feb. 24, 2011
page 9
BASEBALL
LSU fans tailgate, keep up tradition at new Alex Box Stadium Family atmosphere attracts tailgaters Katherine Terrell Sports Contributor
Rain or shine, LSU fans will tailgate for anything. And was all sunshine for LSU’s opening weekend at Alex Box Stadium. The weather, unusually hot for February, brought out droves of tailgaters for Sunday afternoon’s baseball game. With about an hour left before the first pitch against Wake Forest, a man drove up in a red truck. Working to the sound of an oldies station, he pulled out two chairs, sat and waited until a friend eventually walked over to greet him. Over at the stadium, “Baseball at the Box” blared from the loudspeakers. “Tigers swing, Tigers groove, to Omaha they’re going to move,” the song cheerfully bounced along. Together they sat, occasionally talking, but mostly listening to the music. This is baseball tailgating in all its glory. Even in the fall, some long for spring and Omaha dreams. But mostly they long for these afternoons of sitting and talking. There are no crystal chandeliers or elaborate setups around
BLAIR LOCKHART / The Daily Reveille
Several LSU baseball fans tailgate Sunday before the game outside of Alex Box Stadium during the Tigers’ opening weekend sweep of Wake Forest.
the Box. Sometimes it’s as simple as two chairs and one red truck. Those who participate say they wouldn’t have it any other way. Longtime LSU baseball fan Andrew Montero said he gave up on football tailgating a few years ago because it’s too much of a hassle. Instead, he bought an RV, nicknamed it the “Coonass Condo,” (complete with a sign) and started driving it to Baton Rouge for weekend baseball series. Montero’s group laughed and ate in front of “the Condo” as they waited for the afternoon’s game. Occasionally, they joked about
the difference between football and baseball tailgaters. The difference, said Naomi McWillie, is as clear as night and day. “It’s not fun,” McWillie said of football weekends. “Too many people.” Not to mention, one of her friends said football people don’t clean up after themselves. Spring tailgating is more relaxed and family oriented, McWillie continued. “Everybody knows each other. Everybody knows each other’s kids,” McWillie said. “We look out for each other. We take care of
each other. It’s just a family. It’s a big, big family.” It’s the family atmosphere that attracted people like Doug Levet, who said he has watched kids grow up at his tailgate. “The big difference is the people,” Levet said. “Baseball people are a lot better than the football people.” Levet waved his arms toward his tailgate as he explained why. “You see all this stuff we have here?” he said. “We can walk in the game, leave it set up. You do that in football, your own fans will steal it. That’s the significant difference.” Levet said he has tailgated with the same group of people for more than 15 years, from the old Alex Box to the new one. Years ago, Levet and his friends began the tradition of feeding the opposing teams and stadium workers during the weekend series. The tradition has stood the test of time as well as the move to the new stadium. Levet said the administration was hesitant for the tradition to continue at the new Box, but eventually they relented. “Last year we fed Brown [University] over here,” Levet said. “They came through here, wiped us out. No drinks, no food. They did the same thing to each of the guys down the way.” Last Saturday, the tradition continued for another season.
Levet’s group fed the Wake Forest team after Saturday’s game. Wake Forest baseball coach Tom Walter said he has only seen that kind of hospitality in Louisiana. “They’re the best,” Walter said of LSU’s fans. “We were very appreciative of that. We had a good time at the tailgate. We got to eat some good home cooking, which I’ve missed sorely since I’ve been gone. It was a good afternoon for us.” Things have changed in the three years since the old Alex Box was closed down. For McWillie, it’s been a learning experience. McWillie said all of the tailgaters were closer together at the old Alex Box. At the new stadium, tailgating has become more spread out, similar to football. “Here, we’re so spread apart,” she said. “We had some wonderful times over there. It was just fun. I miss it every day. In fact, whenever they tore it down I actually cried.” Montero said it took about a year for everyone to find one another again, but things have gotten back to normal. As for McWillie, she’ll keep coming as long as her friends do. “I’ll never stop tailgating for baseball,” she said. Contact Katherine Terrell at kterrell@lsureveille.com
The Daily Reveille
page 10 SENIORS, from page 7
struggled offensively as of late.” Eason has had her share of injury obstacles to overcome in her LSU career, suffering a torn ACL as a freshman and a broken collarbone in the 2009 NCAA Tournament. She re-aggravated the collarbone as a junior, and most recently, she suffered a concussion in the first South Carolina game this year. Eason missed three games recovering from the concussion but has started all 25 games in which she has played so far. She has 63 career starts and averages four points and 2.2 assists per game as a senior. Eason showed similar emotions as Graham about Senior Night tonight. “It hasn’t hit me yet,” Eason said. “We just need to get it together. Everybody needs to be on the same page heading into the next two games and the SEC tournament. It will help us a lot if we know what our roles are.” Freshman guard Jeanne Kenney said the seniors have meant a
BULLDOGS, from page 7
A flurry of 3-pointers from the Bulldog junior guard Dee Bost and senior guard Ravern Johnson made the final eight minutes a dramatic affair. The game was knotted at 77 with 1:41 left, but LSU junior forward Garrett Green tipped in a miss by Turner to give the Tigers the lead for good. “This is the third game in which we had more assists than turnovers, and that’s how we have a chance to win games,” Johnson said. The Tigers didn’t allow a repeat of the teams’ first meeting. Mississippi State came behind to beat LSU, 58-57, on Feb. 5 in the PMAC. The Tigers failed to score in the final 3:23 after being ahead, 57-54. The performance of sophomore guard Aaron Dotson in final minutes of the first half gave LSU the lead it needed entering the final 20 minutes to notch the victory. The Bulldogs bullied the Tigers to start the game, jumping out to a 24-11 lead with 11:42 left in the first half. But LSU roared back with the hot hand of the Seattle native. Dotson’s 3-pointer from the left side gave the Tigers their first lead, 31-30, with six minutes in the first half after a 20-6 run. The 6-foot-4-inch guard kept his scoring momentum going with another trey less than two minutes later, which put LSU up, 36-32. Dotson, who had 13 points
lot to her too, as they’ve mentored her in her first season. Kenney said they helped make the team feel like a family atmosphere right off the bat, something she craved to start college. “They took me in under their wing,” Kenney said. “You don’t see that a lot from seniors to freshmen because you only have one year with them. As a guard I look up to [Graham] a lot because when we split up guards and posts, she’s helped me a lot with being smart and defensive instruction. She’s really been a great guide to me.” LSU coach Van Chancellor said he has valued Graham and Eason’s leadership on the court in his tenure. “When I came here in 2007, they were the two players it would have been devastating if they had left,” Chancellor said. “I hope we can go out a winner with the three [seniors]. They deserve it.” Follow Rachel Whittaker Twitter @TDR_whittaker.
on
Contact Rachel Whittaker at rwhittaker@lsureveille.com at intermission and led the team with 16 for the game, didn’t only contribute points. He dished a bounce pass to Warren, who took it to the hoop for a one-handed jam at the 2:03 mark in the first half as LSU entered the halftime locker room up, 45-41. LSU’s offensive explosion Wednesday night was the team’s most points since the season opener against Northwestern State. The Tigers shot 41.8 percent from the field and 39.1 percent from beyond the arc. Five LSU players recorded double-digit scoring nights, including Green, who also snagged eight rebounds. LSU will return to the friendly confines of the PMAC on Saturday afternoon to meet Vanderbilt, who is currently in second place in the SEC East. It will be the first meeting between the two teams this season. Follow Michael Lambert on Twitter @TDR_Lambert. Contact Michael Lambert at mlambert@lsureveille.com
OFFENSE, from page 7
list,” Kragthorpe said he told the players. “You want to play so well in practice that you walk off the field and say ‘Coach needs to have me on that list. I’ve proven that I’m the guy that can make plays for him.’” Kragthorpe said everyone will be starting at “ground zero,”
Thursday, Feb. 24, 2011 and he’ll watch to see how the progression goes through spring and into the fall. He said rising senior quarterbacks Jordan Jefferson and Jarrett Lee may have a head start over junior college transfer Zach Mettenberger simply because of experience, but Mettenberger has been coming along quickly. “Obviously, with Jordan and
Jarrett being here, they have a little bit better idea, a little bit more experience than Zach does,” Kragthorpe said. “But Zach’s a very talented player. That puts him in a position to compete very quickly.” Contact Katherine Terrell at kterrell@lsureveille.com
Entertainment
Thursday, Feb. 24, 2011
NEW ORLEANS JAZZ & Kanye West HERITAGE FESTIVAL Kings of Leon The Strokes
bonnaroo
page 11
OSCARS
Nominees feature veterans, new faces Andrew Price Entertainment Writer
photos courtesy of THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Arcade Fire Jimmy Buffett
Eminem
Mumford & Sons
The Black Keys Widespread Panic
FUN IN THE SUN
Warm weather brings outdoor music festivals, events offer diverse experiences Andrew Price Entertainment Writer
Originally the exclusive domain of only the dirtiest of hippies, outdoor music festivals have become hugely popular with both showering and non-showering members of society. Festivals like Bonnaroo and Coachella have established reputations and pull in massive crowds every year, and new festivals are constantly popping up with ever-improving lineups. The constantly-growing popularity of these events has made them important opportunities for bands to increase their popularity, and every new year sees more mainstream artists performing in outdoor venues. This year in particular has festival lineups looking similar to one another, with bands
like Mumford and Sons and Arcade Fire playing multiple festivals. With so many spring and summer festivals going on around the country, it can be difficult to decide which one to attend. And while the best decision would obviously be to attend them all, it helps to examine each one individually before choosing which to go to. Coachella — April 15-17 One of the largest and most popular festivals in California, Coachella is everything a music festival should be. Located just outside of Los Angeles, Coachella is similar to Bonnaroo in that there is a designated campsite for those interested in roughing it. Unlike Bonnaroo, festival goers are allowed to stay in hotels outside the festival and
come and go as they please. In years past, Coachella has primarily featured rock, hip-hop and electronic artists. However, this year sees a larger incorporation of indie and other genres. Grammy winners Mumford and Sons will be performing, as well as The Black Keys, Kings of Leon and others. Anyone attending this year should be wary of headliner Kayne West — while his habit of spontaneously rambling about his own persecuted genius is hysterical, his live festival performances are often disappointing. “I love the location,” said Caitlin Mobley, University alumna. “Everywhere you look, you’re surrounded by mountains.” FESTIVALS, see page 14
It’s that magical time of year again, when all of Hollywood gathers to see which movies will be forever imprinted into cinema history. This Sunday is the 83rd Annual Academy ‘I love Awards. This year’s watching ceremony will the be hosted by dresses. Anne Hathaway and James Seeing Franco, both of all the whom received praise for their different work this year. fashions Franco is up is my for Best Actor for his perforfavorite mance in “127 part of Hours,” and though Hatha- watching way didn’t re- the Oscars.’ ceive an Oscar nomination, she Sara Jarrett was nominated fashion merchandising sophomore for Best Actress in a Comedy at this year’s Golden Globes for her role in “Love and Other Drugs.” In addition to the excitement of discovering which actors, actresses and films win this year, viewers can tune in to the red carpet to see what designers are being worn.
Check out lsureveille.com Sunday for a live Oscar feed. OSCARS, see page 15
DANCE
Tri Delta wins Greek step show Kittu Pannu Entertainment Writer
Stepping to the beat of their own drum, University Greek Life held its annual step show Wednesday at the Baton Rouge River Center. Delta Delta Delta sorority beat the competition with a Britney Spears-inspired performance, said Aislinn Herrera, general studies senior and Tri Delta dance mentor. “It was Britney Spears’ ‘Circus,’ but it was like a circus-freakshow,” Herrera said. “Anything I asked them to do, they were more than willing to do ... just to make it a really good show.” The step show incorporates various forms of dance and brings together different groups, said Jerry Whitmore, assistant director of
Greek Life. “The step show is a step dance performance that our fraternities and sororities do at LSU,” Whitmore said. “Only two of the three councils participate in it — NPHC and the PHC.” The show was different from most University events, said Stacey Vignes, dairy science sophomore. “I thought it was really good. You could tell the work they put into it,” Vignes said. “I really liked Phi Mu’s because of the blindfolds. It was different, and you could tell they put a lot of time into it.” The step show conveyed a sense of unity, Vignes said. “It really did convey how they worked together and how their motivation was similar,” Vignes said. This year, Greeks worked hard
to prove their stepping abilities, said Katie Gernhauser, graphic design junior and Tri Delta member. “It was probably one of the most fun things ever,” Gernhauser said. “Everybody just got so into it, and the people we had working with us ... we couldn’t have asked for a better pairing.” The practice schedule was demanding, but it never felt like a responsibility, said Elizabeth Casten, sociology freshman and Tri Delta member. “We have been practicing since we got back from Christmas break,” Casten said. “It was something so different, and we won so it makes it even better.” Herrera said she pushed the SHOW, see page 14
EMILY SLACK / The Daily Reveille
Members of Delta Delta Delta sorority perform to Britney Spears’ “Circus” on Wednesday night in the NPHC Step Show at the River Center. Tri Delta won the competition.
The Daily Reveille
page 12
Thursday, Feb. 24, 2011
FILM
Ne-Yo talks about his new film ‘Battle: Los Angeles’ Kittu Pannu Entertainment Writer
R&B crooner Ne-Yo, after countless accolades in the music field, is playing a Marine who defends Los Angeles while aliens wreak havoc on the city in the Jonathan Liebesman film “Battle: Los Angeles.” Ne-Yo sat down for a conference call Friday with university newspa‑ pers, including The Daily Reveille. The film will be released in theaters Friday, March 11, and also stars Mi‑ chelle Rodriguez and Aaron Eckhart. “We looked like actual Marines, and that was the goal,” Ne-Yo said. “To make sure that when the movie came out, a seasoned Marine could go see this and be like, ‘Oh, they know what they’re doing.’” The film was predominantly shot in Baton Rouge and Shreveport from September 2009 to October 2010. “I didn’t get to do a whole lot of hanging out,” Ne-Yo said. “I had a studio bus parked on the grounds of the hotel we were staying at, so I would go from set to the studio bus and record music. I didn’t get to ex‑ perience the city as much as I would like to. I went to the Larry Flynt Hustler Club a couple of times. That was kinda fun.”
Preparing to play a Marine in “Battle: Los Angeles” did not require much preparation, but it was difficult, Ne-Yo said. “We trained with actual Marines for three weeks,” Ne-Yo said. “They were basically training us as if we were real-life Marines. Waking up at five or six in the morning, jogging three, six miles every day, calisthen‑ ics and eating that disgusting food — it was terrible, but it was worth it.” Working with Liebesman in the film was a fun and exhaustive experi‑ ence, Ne-Yo said. “Jonathan Liebesman is a slave driver,” Ne-Yo said. “He’s very much a perfectionist. But the end result is the best performance you could pos‑ sibly get.” Though Ne-Yo does not believe an alien invasion is a realistic event in the near future, he did say viewers will learn life lessons from the film. “I can definitely see how it could make somebody live life to the full‑ est,” Ne-Yo said. “One lesson to be learned is that life is very short and anything can happen, so don’t put anything off tomorrow that you can do today.” After winning three Grammys and dabbling in acting, Ne-Yo said he wanted to try something different and challenge himself.
“Music runs through my veins. Acting, though it’s fun to have a re‑ spect for it—it’s just an interesting hobby right now, something that I’m trying,” Ne-Yo said. “I believe in ex‑ pansion and growth and trying new things. [Acting] is just another form of self expression.” But Ne-Yo also pushed himself musically while filming in Baton Rouge. Ne-Yo finished recording his lastest album, “Libra Scale,” in the parking lot of his hotel. Ne-Yo is currently working on his new untitled fifth LP. Ne-Yo said love will be the inspiration for the project. “Love is always the inspiration,” Ne-Yo said. “Love is one of those things that will never go out of style, so you will always find that thread in any album that I do.” During the interview, Ne-Yo said he does not like how some art‑ ists abuse Auto-Tune. “Auto-Tune is like training wheels,” Ne-Yo said. “If you’re a singer, take the damn training wheels off and sing.”
Contact Kittu Pannu at kpannu@lsureveille.com
THEATER
Performance tackles issues on race Jeanne Lyons Entertainment Writer
With an attention‑grabbing title and culturally relevant theme, “The Electronic Nigger” tackles race and education through an in‑ teractive performance at the Music and Dramatic Arts’ Studio Theatre through Feb. 27. The tragic comedy examines the miseducation of African Amer‑ icans and the subsequent ramifica‑ tions through the journey of black intellectuals who struggle with the effects education places on their ra‑ cial identity. “The Electronic Nigger” ex‑ plores how rhetoric can be em‑ powering, esoteric and excessively absurd,” said Jacquelyn Craddock, director of development at Swine Palace. Renaldo McClinton, perfor‑ mance theater senior, made his directorial debut with “The Elec‑ tronic Nigger” on Tuesday and said it was an honor directing a work by Ed Bullins, legendary African-American playwright, and wanted to do justice to the heavily
titled piece. “The performace represents the constraints of certain ethnic groups who can’t escape being identified by their skin color rather than their education,” McClinton said. No matter the education and knowledge acquired by an African American, they are usually identi‑ fied by their race first, McClinton said about the performance’s con‑ text. “The Electronic Nigger” fea‑ tures an ensemble cast of eight ac‑ tors. Michael Scott, performance theater senior, and Le’Brian Pat‑ rick, sociology instructor, lead the performance. Scott plays Mr. Ray Jones, a first-time writer with a successful novel who also teaches at a univer‑ sity and clashes with a student, Mr. Carpentier, played by Patrick. “Mr. Jones feels education, and books are the best ways to grow as a human being,” Scott said. “While he’s educated, he be‑ comes disconnected from his eth‑ nic roots.” The audience centers around
the performance, with a setting similar to students in a classroom, Scott said. “People in general ‘should’ realize they must delve into the content before judging based on a title,” Patrick said in an e-mail. “This piece speaks to more than just race, for those that are able to grasp more than surface-level de‑ tails.” The interactive setting and unusual subject matter make “The Electronic Nigger” a must-see, McClinton said. Once people are able to move beyond the mere comedic and ab‑ surdist aspects of the piece, it will prove an interesting phenomenon that has real world applications Patrick said. “Theater is storytelling with human interaction,” Scott said. “The context of the performance has roots in black ideals but con‑ tains universal ideas that anyone can take from.” Contact Jeanne Lyons at jlyons@lsureveille.com
photo courtesy of TAMMY TERRIO / Moroch
A battle rages in a scene from the new Jonathan Liebsman flim “Battle: Los Angeles, which will be released in theaters March 11. Ne-Yo plays a marine in the film.
The Daily Reveille
page 13
Thursday, Feb. 24, 2011
BATON ROUGE COMMUNITY
Deaf student wins Miss Capital City, qualifies for Miss Louisiana Queen raises deaf student awareness Devon Walsh Entertainment Writer
After a life full of challenges, a deaf University student has won the Miss Capital City Pageant, qualifying her for the Miss Louisiana Pageant. Andrea Sonnier, English senior, said she has only been involved in pageants for about a year. “I got involved in pageants because it gives girls opportunities to further their education and give back to their community,” Sonnier said. Sonnier is now preparing for the Miss Louisiana Pageant, which she will attend June 23 through 25. If she wins, she will continue on to Miss America 2011. This will be the second time Sonnier participates in Miss Louisiana. According to her interpreter,
Dawn Couvillion of University in critical pedagogy.” Disability Services, Sonnier won The second requirement is Miss Congeniality at Miss Louisi- that all participants have a talent. ana 2010. Sonnier said her talent is dancing. Couvillion described Sonnier She has been a Tiger Girl for three as “a very outgoyears and will pering, personable inform a jazz numdividual — enjoyber at her upcomable to be around.” ing pageant. Sonnier said Couvillion many people missaid Sonnier was take Miss America often discouraged and its preliminary and told not to pageants for a dance because she Andrea Sonnier beauty contest like couldn’t hear the English senior Miss USA, but it is music, but it didn’t actually a scholarstop her from doship pageant that has strict require- ing what she loved. ments. “She is extremely talented, The first requirement for par- and despite the barriers growing ticipants is they must be students, up, she has found a way to realize because the main purpose of the her dreams and loves to perform pageant is to inspire girls to further for the crowds,” Couvillion said. their education. The last requirement, and “I plan to attend Gallaudet most important to Sonnier, is that University this fall to receive my each contestant have a platform in master’s in deaf education,” Son- which she raises money to donate nier said. “I also want to go to to a charity of her choice to raise medical school to receive a Ph.D. awareness for something she feels
‘‘
‘I have a different ability, not a disability.’
New leisure class facility opens Cathryn Core Entertainment Writer
The University Leisure Class spring 2011 season kicked off with a bang with the opening of the brand new, state-of-the-art facility. The University Leisure Class arts facility is located on the ground floor of the Student Union and, according to its website, “will accommodate several Leisure Classes, including jewelry, stained glass, painting classes and clay classes, including hand building and wheel throwing.” Beyond the classes located in the new facility, the program boasts a plethora of enticing classes from crocheting and calligraphy to automotive repair and maintenance. It sticks to the motto, “Life is stressful. Leisure is not.” Lynne Maxwell, assistant director of leisure and arts in the Union, said the classes are great social outlets. “All of our leisure classes are a good place to meet other people of similar interest and to learn a new hobby or skill,” she said. “It’s a fun thing to do with your leisure time, so that’s kind of the principle of our leisure class program.” The new arts facility focuses specifically on craft classes, according to Maxwell. “Anyone who is interested in doing arts and crafts would benefit from taking a class,” she said. “It’s a lot of fun, and it’s a productive way to spend your evening, have fun and learn something new.” The old space used for arts and crafts was nowhere near as suitable for classes as the new facility, Maxwell said. “We were only able to do crafts in the evening because during the day the space was used by the frame shop,” she said. “But now, we have a space that can be used for crafts all day and
into the evening.” Unlike the old facility, the new arts studio has fresh equipment and offers a safe working environment without the hazardous fumes of pottery kilns, Maxwell said. “Kilns create fumes that are not good for you to breathe,” she said. “Now, the pottery kilns are located in a separate room than the space you would be working in when making pots. So, we really
have taken all that into account and made it a much safer work environment, a much healthier space to work in, and we’re excited about that.”
Read more about leisure classes at lsureveille.com. Contact Cathryn Core at ccore@lsureveille.com
passionate about. Sonnier has chosen the Children’s Miracle Network to help deaf children across America. She said she wants to raise awareness and support for deaf students. “Not only is Andrea a lovely and extremely talented young woman, her platform reaching out to the deaf community and those closely related to it has far reaching impact potential,” Couvillion said. Sonnier said being deaf is a blessing and not a disability, and it has not held her back in life. Instead, she said it has only pushed her further. She added most people are unaware that the common term “hearing impaired” is actually offensive to deaf culture. Deaf people don’t see it as a disability and feel no one else should either. “I have a different ability, not a disability,” Sonnier said. Contact Devon Walsh at dwalsh@lsureveille.com
photo courtesy of ANDREA SONNIER
Andrea Sonnier, English senior, waves to the crowd after winning the Miss Capital City pageant. Sonnier, who is deaf, raises awareness and support for deaf students as her pageant platform.
The Daily Reveille
page 14
Thursday, Feb. 24, 2011
FOOD
Winter weather has little effect on this year’s crawfish season Taylor Balkom Entertainment Writer
Crawfish season is in full swing, but with the recent wintry weather around Louisiana, many students were worried this year’s harvest wouldn’t be as good as in the past. Jason Murray, co-owner of Crawdaddy’s Select Crawfish, said crawfish lovers shouldn’t worry about the size of the mudbugs. “This year’s growth has been pretty good,” Murray said. “The crawfish we have are pretty big. It’s
FESTIVALS, from page 11
Jazz Fest — April 29-May 8 A homegrown favorite, the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival goes down each year in the Big Easy. A less hardcore festival than many of its counterparts, Jazz Fest offers no campgrounds or tent cities. But this doesn’t make the experience any less extraordinary. The lineup at Jazz Fest includes a bevy of eclectic and fantastic artists. From previous headliners like the Allman Brothers Band and The Dead Weather to upcoming performances from Kid Rock and The Roots, Jazz Fest has a lot to offer music fans. No New Orleans event would be complete without an infusion of the art, food and culture that makes the city famous. Jazz Fest comes complete with all these things. It’s a Louisiana marketplace that offers goods native to the state as well as products from other cultures. The food at Jazz Fest is unlike any other festival, offering traditional Cajun and Creole dishes as well as authentic international cuisine. The opportunity to return somewhere each night and shower makes Jazz Fest a must for anyone new to music festivals. “Growing up in New Orleans, Jazz Fest was always an exciting cultural event,” said Matthew Sewell, business management sophomore.
SHOW, from page 11
girls to perform at their peak and it paid off in the end. “We had practice three or four times a week,” Herrera said. “From the beginning to the end, they improved every day ... and impressed me every single day. It was just a wonderful experience.” The win means a lot to both TriDelta and Sigma Gamma Rho, Herrera said. “We competed last year ... but this year, I had both Phi Mu and TriDelt place, and this just means everything to us,” Herrera said. “Both teams worked really hard, and I’m so glad it turned out this way.” The National Pan-Hellenic Council represents many of the traditionally multicultural fraternities and sororities, while the Panhellenic Council represents the University sororities, Whitmore said. “We put this event together to show the unity among the Greek system,” Whitmore said. “The show helps build community.” Last year was the first time the University held the event, and student
just that we haven’t gotten many crawfish so far.” Crawfish boils are a staple of spring and summer in Louisiana. Friends and family can gather in someone’s backyard, on someone’s porch or wherever they like and celebrate living in Louisiana, said Malarie Jenkins, criminology senior. “For most people living in Louisiana, crawfish season isn’t just about the food,” Jenkins said. “It’s about the quality time you get to spend with family and friends during a boil.”
Matt Delmore, costal environmental science freshman, also thinks it’s about more than the food. “The best thing about going to a crawfish boil is that there’s always a party,” Delmore said. While the crawfish are technically grown in farms year-round, between January and late July or early August is considered crawfish “season.” The so-called peak of crawfish season is right when the season starts. “Later in the season, the shells get really hard,” Murray said. “The
crawfish aren’t as juicy and flavorful as they are in the beginning of the season. The best time to get crawfish is when they’re the most expensive.” Everyone has different opinions on where to get the best crawfish, but some students mentioned general favorites around town, like LA Boilers, Sammy’s Grill and Heads and Tails Seafood. “I’ve found only one restaurant that never disappoints — The Crawfish Place on Cloverland Avenue,” Jenkins said. Delmore said his favorite way
to get crawfish is to “do it yourself.” Jenkins agreed, saying only having crawfish at a boil isn’t enough. “Combining the bugs with garlic, corn, mushrooms and potatoes are a must,” Jenkins said. Crawfish is currently going for around $3 to $4.50 for live batches, and $4.25 to $5 for boiled, according to NOLA.com.
“I’ve seen Dave Matthews Band, Jimmy Buffet and a lot of other bigname bands there.”
Woodstock, Bonnaroo takes place on a 700-acre farm in Manchester, Tenn., and attendees are arranged into giant campsites where everyone sets up tents. With yearly crowds of nearly 100,000 people, these campsites fuse into one giant tent city. There’s a noticeable sense of community that quickly develops within the city of Bonnaroo, and it’s not uncommon to leave having made new friends from all over the country. What makes Bonnaroo truly extraordinary is the “something for everyone” approach it has with regard to the entertainment lineup.
Traditionalists can find plenty of the jam bands that always accompany any outdoor music festival, but Bonnaroo boasts a huge variety of musical acts from electronic artists like Tiesto, who performed in 2008, to Eminem, who was recently announced as one of this year’s headlining performers. This year’s lineup incorporates even more mainstream genres than usual. Hip-hop legend Lil Wayne will perform, as well as indie darlings Mumford and Sons, Arcade Fire and My Morning Jacket. With so much to do and see, most people find themselves faced with the
agonizing task of deciding which bands, comedians and other activities they can afford to miss, as it’s nearly impossible to see and do everything. For those looking to have the full-on festival experience, look no further than Bonnaroo. “I like the atmosphere,” said Andrew Calogero, biological engineering junior. “You always meet random people, and everyone shares. It’s ‘One Love.’”
The Hangout Music Festival — May 20-22 A newcomer to the world of music festivals, The Hangout is in only its second year of existence. Located in Gulf Shores, Ala., this festival is unique because it takes place on the beach. Just like Jazz Fest, there aren’t any campgrounds designated for this beach festival. Instead, The Hangout encourages people to reserve a condo and enjoy the festival in style. Despite its young age, The Hangout is catching major attention for the strength of this year’s lineup. With headlining performances from Paul Simon and Foo Fighters, as well as performances by Primus, Pretty Lights and Cee Lo Green, The Hangout is quickly establishing itself as a festival not to be missed. “I’m really excited about The Black Keys and My Morning Jacket,” said Craig Chandler, geography junior. “Having a festival on the beach is probably the coolest thing about it.” Bonnaroo – June 9-12 Arguably the biggest festival in the East, Bonnaroo is a four-day extravaganza of music, art, comedy and cinema. Following in the footsteps of legendary festivals like response was great, Whitmore said. “Last year, students came out to support their friends,” Whitmore said. “This year will be interesting because people know what to expect and it will be more competitive. Last year was more of a practice run.” Because of last year’s response, even more Greek associations are getting involved this time, Whitmore said. “This year we have 10 teams competing,” Whitmore said. Such step shows have been a staple of Southeastern Conference schools, and the University has been “kind of behind in the step show arena,” Whitmore said. “We took the model from the University of Arkansas, Middle Tennessee State University, a lot of other SEC schools and big universities that involves everyone in the Greek community,” Whitmore said. The show helps boost Greek organization reputations, Whitmore said. Contact Kittu Pannu at kpannu@lsureveille.com
Contact Taylor Balkom at tbalkom@lsureveille.com
Contact Andrew Price at aprice@lsureveille.com
The Daily Reveille
Thursday, Feb. 24, 2011
Reveille Ranks
Banjo or Freakout, “Banjo or Freakout”
OSCARS, from page 11
Memphis Industries
It’s difficult to describe exactly how Banjo or Freakout sounds as a band. Its latest album, “Banjo or Freakout,” doesn’t make this task any easier. It’s a swirling blend of ambient sound, delicate harmonies and often unsettling music. While so many sounds and textures should have made this album an indie smash, it falls dramatically flat, as it often sounds confused and boring. Rather than creating moods and feelings, the album has little real substance and even in its best moments tries just a little too hard.
[C+] ANDREW PRICE
Radiohead, “The King of Limbs”
Self-released
Radiohead’s new album wants to be good. It really does. Fans have waited three years for a new album, and a few songs like “Codex” and “Give up the Ghost” are good entries. But the album as a whole seems lost. After the upbeat and rocking style of the band’s previous effort, “In Rainbows,” “The King of Limbs” seems like a step backward for Radiohead. The only people who will end up liking this album are pre-existing Radiohead fans. New fans are better off listening to earlier albums.
[C+]
TAYLOR BALKOM
Esperanza Spalding, “Esperanza”
Heads Up International
Coming off her Best New Artist win, Esperanza Spalding’s debut album, “Esperanza,” launched up digital charts, with everyone wondering the same thing: Who is she? She is a contemporary jazz artist with little showmanship and lacks enough flair to be a pop-culture mainstay. Her songs would sound great in a jazz bar, and the album works well in its genre — but it falls flat in my ears. All in all, Spalding should hold on to her 15 minutes of fame before it runs out and she returns to touring small venues.
[C-]
KITTU PANNU
“I Am Number Four”
DreamWorks Pictures
Sci-fi young-adult film “I Am Number Four” holds the audience’s attention but contains excessive traces from multiple supernatural teenage movies. It’s a great breakout film for actor Alex Pettyfer, who plays the lead role of John. Dianna Agron breaks out of her safety zone and jumps into something other than the well-known Quinn from “Glee.” Overall, the film was good, but it was originally the first novel of a six-book series, so this will likely be another movie to fall victim to never-ending sequels.
[B-]
DEVON WALSH
Toro Y Moi, “Underneath the Pine”
Carpark Records
Chaz Bundick, South Carolinian and maestro of Toro Y Moi, does a charmingly OK job making melodies with his most recent release, “Underneath the Pine.” The sound of the album is something like Pulling Our Weight meets Ceremony — easily unknown and completely relaxing yet forgettable. Think background music to a perfectly floaty scene from an indie flick — not too intrusive, not too loud but just enticing enough to entrance the listener for a song or two without being completely dull. “Underneath the Pine” is simply all right.
[C]
CATHRYN CORE
“Unknown”
Warner Bros.
Imagine awakening in Berlin after a car accident and realizing your wife does not recognize you, another man stole your identity and unknown assassins are hunting you down. Not a typical vacation for on-the-run Dr. Martin Harris, played by Liam Neeson, who leads this action-thriller along with beautiful co-stars January Jones and Diane Kruger. Overall, “Unknown” portrays a classic action movie, with suspenseful buildups and expected surprises. Neeson delivers a strong performance, but the constant motion of the typical thriller will leave audiences exhausted.
[C-]
JEANNE LYONS
EDITOR’S PICK: Adele, “21”
XL, Columbia
Soulful songstress Adele shows off an older sound as she combines melodic piano with her sweeping voice to create a beautiful compilation on her new album “21,” titled after the age at which she wrote the songs. Her style is recognizable, but Adele adds funkier tones on songs like the irresistible “Rolling in the Deep” and “He Won’t Go.” Adele’s sound is bolder and more mature but just as listenable.
GRACE MONTGOMERY
[A]
“I love watching the dresses,” said Sara Jarrett, fashion merchandising sophomore. “Seeing all the different fashions is my favorite part of watching the Oscars.” Keeping up with all the Oscar news can be difficult, but entertainment website Vulture keeps extensive track of all the nominees and evaluates their chances for Academy glory. Fighting for Best Actor this year is Jeff Bridges, who despite numerous nominations throughout his career has only received one Oscar thus far, as well as Franco,
page 15 Jesse Eisenburg, Javier Bardem and Colin Firth. The coveted Best Picture award is a contest between “127 Hours,” “The Fighter,” “Inception,” “The Kids Are All Right,” “The King’s Speech,” “The Social Network,” “Toy Story 3,” “Black Swan,” “True Grit” and “Winter’s Bone.” “I hope Jeff Bridges wins Best Actor,” said Kerry Kennedy, philosophy junior. “I also think Best Picture will either be ‘Black Swan’ or ‘The King’s Speech.’ ‘The Social Network’ will be talked about a lot but won’t actually win anything.”
In the running for Best Actress are Annette Bening, Nicole Kidman, Jennifer Lawrence, Natalie Portman and Michelle Williams. “Natalie Portman is definitely going to win Best Actress,” said Victoria English, kinesiology junior. “And I think Colin Firth definitely deserves to win best actor. I’m not sure about Best Picture, though. There are a lot of really good movies that could win it.”
Contact Andrew Price at aprice@lsureveille.com
The Daily Reveille
Opinion
page 16
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Make an impact, e-mail your senator Although the Louisiana Legislature has not convened for the 2011 Regular Session, an opportunity for us to make an impact on the budget cut we may be facing has presented itself. This week, in
an article titled “Jindal Proposes Three Bills to Ease Cuts,” Daily Reveille reporter Matthew Albright wrote about bills proposed by senators Gerald Long and Mike Walsworth that will most likely help higher education this year. Senator Long’s first bill would give the governor the ability to annually cut protected funds by ten percent, instead of the current five percent, during a budget crisis. Senator Long’s second bill would
direct interest earned on protected funds to unprotected entities such as higher education. Senator Walsworth’s bill would create a routine review of these protected funds, which will provide greater scrutiny over the money our state guarantees to entities each year. After announcing these bills, Governor Jindal added, “A total of $4.75 billion is locked away in dedicated funds in the current fiscal year. These three bills will put more
Thursday, Feb. 24, 2011
options on the table so we can access this funding to help protect critical services.” We ask that you please send a short e-mail to these legislators showing your support for increasing funds available to higher education. If these bills are passed, it may help LSU now and for years to come.
Senator Walsworth: walsworthm@legis.state.la.us
Senator Long: longg@legis.state.la.us
Contact The Daily Reveille’s opinion staff at opinion@lsureveille.com
J Hudson, Dani Borel SG president and vice president
POP GOES THE CULTURE
‘CSI effect’ agitates celebrity fan bases, legal experts Television shows have a way of bringing dissimilar people together. In recent years, this trend has befallen of one of my personal favorites, “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation,” with rather unpleasant consequences. Prosecutors, defense attorneys, Taylor Swift fans and “Beliebers” alike have all been uniting to build a case against “CSI.” Their respective accusations vary but share a common theme: discontent. This column examines the “CSI effect” in terms of both pop culture and the justice system. Even if you’ve never watched the Las Vegas-based crime drama, a passing glance at current headlines and viral videos reveals what’s provoked the ire of teenyboppers nationwide. The show tends to guest-star young music idols, then violently snuff their characters within an episode or two. Recent award ceremony snubs, fictitious fatal stabbings and shootouts add injury to insult for the worshippers of T-Swift and J. Bieb. They don’t react kindly — just ask Kanye West and Esperanza Spalding. But long before director Jerry Bruckheimer and Co. were killing off overrated pop singers to the dismay of legions of fans, legal experts were voicing their own grievances with “CSI.” The most vocal criticism comes from prosecutors, who claim these high-tech dramas heighten juries’ evidence expectations, intensify the burden of proof and make it more difficult to get convictions. From their perspective, television’s depiction of forensics as an exact science raises the real-world acquittal rate, with juries demanding more conclusive, as-seen-on-TV data before they
commit to a guilty verdict. The same lawyers also often equate modern “whodunit” mysteries with instructional videos for criminals, providing a detailed behindthe-scenes look at forensic techniques and limitations. But many attorneys retort the “CSI Kelly Hotard effect” also Columnist impacts the defensive side of the courtroom with the opposite result: more unlawful convictions. Detective shows routinely identify the guilty party with damning DNA evidence, while statistics of real crimes illustrate a drastically different role of genetics in police work. Nationwide initiatives like the Innocence Project, which works to exonerate people serving unjust life sentences, actually incorporate biological evidence to clear its clients’ names. DNA is only present in 5 to 10 percent of crime scenes, according to the organization’s website. It also cites faulty forensics as the second-highest cause of wrongful convictions. Let’s recap: Prosecutors blame crime show-caliber standards for increasing acquittals, while their defensive counterparts say real forensic science lands many innocent people in prison. Enter Donald Shelton, a chief judge and legal professor from Michigan. He conducted his own study on crime shows’ influence on trial proceedings and published his findings in the National Institute of Justice Journal. In his two-year project, Shelton surveyed 1,000 prospective jurors about their familiarity with
The Daily Reveille
legal dramas and attitudes about evidence and convictions. His ruling? The “CSI effect” is more like a myth. Pre-trial impressions between crime show fans and nonviewers were distinguishable, but “differences in expectations about evidence did not translate into important differences in the willingness to convict,” Shelton wrote. Whether fact or fiction, ramifications of this rumored cultural phenomenon persist. NPR recently reported that several states now permit lawyers to eliminate
jurors and witnesses during voir dire based on their TV habits. As a mass communication major — and professed “CSI” junkie — I side with Shelton’s conclusions. They correlate with the “limited effects” theory, which says media influence an audience’s biases much less than a lifetime of experiences and socioeconomic factors. I’d hope sound-minded adults can differentiate between entertainment and reality, but the blurring of the two spheres is a valid concern. To the creative masterminds
behind “CSI,” I offer my fullfledged support, yearbook-style — You rock. Don’t ever change. But may I suggest you work Miley Cyrus into the script somehow? I rest my case. Kelly Hotard is a 19-year-old mass communication junior from Picayune, Miss. Follow her on Twitter @TDR_khotard.
Contact Kelly Hotard at khotard@lsureveille.com
BEST AND WITTIEST
cartoon courtesy of KING FEATURES SYNDICATE
Editorial Policies & Procedures
The Daily Reveille (USPS 145-800) is written, edited and produced solely by students of Louisiana State University. The Daily Reveille is an independent entity within the Manship School of Mass CommuniEditorial Board cation. Signed opinions are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of the editor, Sarah Lawson Editor-in-Chief 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 Robert Stewart Managing Editor, Content number so the opinion editor can verify the author. The phone number won’t be printed. The Daily ReveilStephanie Giglio Art Director le reserves the right to edit letters and guest columns for space consideration without changing the origiSteven Powell Managing Editor, External Media nal 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 evDevin Graham Opinion Editor ery semester by the Louisiana State University Media Board, has final authority on all editorial decisions.
Quote of the Day “Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable.”
John F. Kennedy American president May 29, 1917 — Nov. 22, 1963
The Daily Reveille
Thursday, Feb. 24, 2011
SHOCKINGLY SIMPLE
Opinion
page 17
Young earth creationists should have never left the ark Sid Galloway, speaker, biology teacher and former zookeeper, delivered a two-hour lecture Sunday on the merits of young earth creationism at the Chapel on the Campus. While I was unable to attend Galloway’s lecture, I have since investigated his website, including his 300-slide PowerPoint presentation. I’d like to offer counterarguments to a few of his outrageous claims. Galloway asserts mutations cannot add any beneficial traits to genomes. A simple counterexample is lactose tolerance in humans. Humans naturally lose the ability to digest lactose after childhood. Around the time animal husbandry was being developed in Europe and other regions, a mutation allowing continued production of lactose digesting enzymes emerged in these populations. This trait proved beneficial to survival and reproduction, so it spread throughout those populations, making them lactose tolerant. Meanwhile, cultures historically without cows or other milk bearing livestock
such as those found in South America or South Africa have remained overwhelmingly lactose intolerant. During his speech, Galloway claimed DNA is far too complex to have arisen by random chance. Luckily, the theory of evolution doesn’t rely on random chance nearly as much as creationists like Galloway seem to believe. Biologists do not believe DNA magically sprang from Andrew Shockey the primordial Columnist soup in its current form. They believe it evolved from a more rudimentary, self-replicating polypeptide chain through advantageous mutations culled by natural selection. How this original polypeptide formed is a more difficult question, but it is a question of abiogenesis, not evolution. Galloway goes on to blame a
buildup of deleterious genes for the relatively short life span of modern humans compared to biblical patriarchs like Adam and Noah. He then graphed the life spans of these men and fit them with an exponential decay curve. Galloway’s hypothesis not only completely ignores increases in human life expectancy in the last few hundred years, but also assumes the patriarchs actually lived for hundreds of years and all people in biblical times had similar lifespans to their contemporary patriarchs. Even more damning, if we roughly extrapolate Galloway’s model to the modern era, we find modern humans should only live about 35 years because of our overabundance of harmful mutations. Eventually, Galloway transitions from simply being incorrect to downright offensive with his assertion, “At the core of Hitler’s belief was evolution.” Hitler’s views on evolution and human breeding revolved mostly
around the concepts of microevolution, which has been observed for centuries and has even been accepted by creationists like Galloway. Hitler believed in God and some form of intelligent design and never directly attributed any of his views to the works of Charles Darwin. By contrast, in his work “Mein Kampf,” Hitler proclaimed Martin Luther to be one of history’s greatest reformers due in large part to his anti-Semitism. Luther, arguably the father of Protestantism, penned “On the Jews and Their Lies” in 1543, in which he urged Christians to enslave the Jews and burn their homes, schools and synagogues to the ground. Luther believed it was every Christian’s duty to take revenge on the Jews for the death of Jesus and wrote, “We are at fault in not slaying them.” I am not blaming Hitler or the Holocaust on Christianity. I am just trying to point out the difference between Darwin and a real inspiration for Hitler.
Finally, Galloway believes religion and evolution are incompatible. I agree his fundamentalist views are irreconcilable not only with evolution but also reality in general. However, I don’t understand the desire to completely replace religion with scientific thought or why so many religious people feel the need to actively deny scientific explanations for observable phenomena. We still don’t know plenty about the universe, and much of this may defy any scientific explanation. So why can’t religion stick to those questions rather than the ones science has already answered? Andrew Shockey is a 20-year-old biological engineering sophomore from Baton Rouge. Follow him on Twitter @TDR_Ashockey.
Contact Andrew Shockey at ashockey@lsureveille.com
ROCKING THE CRADLE
Believe in the American Dream: Love it, hate it, emulate it Do you believe in the American Dream? To say “yes” would be far too vague. Like all things intrinsically simple, the American Dream carries countless interpretations and manifestations, whether they be of youthful dreamers or the big bad capitalist schemers. A beacon for the downtrodden, the American Dream is nothing more than a promise of indiscriminate potential. The dream is neutral in every respect, but, the nothing-is-sacred attitude that neutrality logically entails tends to make more enemies than allies. In the Middle East, the dream is torturously enticing yet irreverently countercultural — namely in tyranny, theocracy or both. But the dream has found new voice in the cradle of civilization through the most globally aware generation this world has produced. With the growing reach of the Internet has come the idea of information as a birthright. Anyone can get on the Internet and witness the state of affairs on this planet. As a dictator, to impede Internet access would be evil and to allow it would be risky. Like anyone who lives in an information bubble, as soon as the people see what freedoms they are denied they will do anything to achieve them. The populace will demand freedom as exemplified by the wave of revolutions breaking across the Middle East and northern Africa. While the idea of equal opportunity is neutral, i.e. nationless, America has earned a reputation as the dream’s mascot through the pervasiveness of her industries.
After all, capitalism is the heart of the American Dream. Remember this: Across the Atlantic, American-made websites Facebook and Twitter are being used to dismantle former dictatorial allies of the United States. The use of these sites for such a purpose is only appropriate, as they are the windows Clayton through which Crockett the subjects of Columnist dictators see freedom. The irony of this relationship, however, serves beautifully as a prologue to the love-tohate relationship between Middle Eastern and American culture. Any Middle Eastern person hoping to preserve a culturally traditional lifestyle has reasonable enmity toward the United States. America’s stature as a melting pot undermines not only our own cultural ties but also our sensitivity to the cultures of others. This is why we, with a free market, see no problems expanding American businesses abroad. Business, though, is only a physical iteration. The real intrusion of Western culture is through the hypodermic needle into the people that is the Internet. About 45 percent of Web pages are in English. The technological and now literal revolutionary sites Google, Facebook and Twitter are all American. The creator of the Facebook page that organized protests in Egypt works for Google. These facts pave the way for
what is seen by Middle Eastern conservatives to be invasive cultural permeation and destruction. The youth of the Middle East, in their embrace of the Internet and the global awareness it brings, appear to be fastening a noose around what is the traditional Arab-Islamic way of life. The culprit behind the cultural erosion is freedom. Freedom is a natural tendency for humans, for it logically says that in a free society individuals are able to live as they wish, think as they wish and grow up to become what they wish. Unfortunately, these concepts are incompatible with most con-
temporary Middle Eastern politics, one reason being theocratic elements. Factions do exist within our borders, which harbor similar goals, but our country has by and large outgrown such tendencies. Theocracy lingers in many nations in the cradle, however, and where religion is rule, freedom is impossible. Former President George W. Bush once asked, “Are millions of men and women and children condemned by history or culture to live in despotism?” The millions of protestors in what has been called the Jasmine Revolution
have rallied from Morocco to Iran to valiantly reject the concept of cultural condemnation to tyranny. No one is culturally condemned. Freedom is as instinctual — and thus, universal — as the American Dream. Clayton Crockett is a 19-year-old international studies and mass communication freshman from Lafayette. Follow him on Twitter @ TDR_ccrockett.
Contact Clayton Crockett at ccrockett@lsureveille.com
BEST AND WITTIEST
cartoon courtesy of KING FEATURES SYNDICATE
page 18
NURSERY AND AFTER SCHOOL CARE River Road Day Care is hiring experienced employees to work part-time 2:30 to 6:00 M-F. 225.336.9030 GREAT JOB IF YOU SPEAK SPANISH Insurance Admin Support 20 hours per wk $12.00 per hour Send resume to: jobs@gregtown. com P/T OFFICE ASSISTANT NEEDED Need organized, intelligent, focused individual who can execute directions correctly and can think ahead. Email resumes info@amezhicrc.com EARN EXTRA MONEY Students needed ASAP. Earn up to $150 per day being a Mystery Shopper. No Experience Required. Call 1-888615-5245 BRIDAL SALES CONSULTANT Now hiring F/ P time ASAP @ Bridal Boutique. Hourly wage commission. Email resume bridalboutiquebr@gmail.com. 225.925.1135 ►►BARTENDING UP TO NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY. TRAINING AVAILABLE. AGE 18+ OK 1-800-965-6520 ext127 HIRING IMMEDIATELY!! !! CASHIERS PART- FULL TIME, VERY FLEXIBLE HOURS, MONDAY THRU FRIDAY OR WEEKENDS, OUR HOURS ARE 6:30 AM TO 6:30 PM PLEASE APPLY IN PERSON AT SOUTHSIDE PRODUCE 8240 PERKINS ROAD PART TIME-STUDENTS Great pay, Flexible schedules, sales, service, ages 17+, conditions apply, CALL TODAY: 225-3834252 www. workforstudents.com
Classifieds
IN PINK!! I was the guy in the blue button-down who asked to borrow a pen... but I should have asked for your number! Give me a chance - I’ll wear my pink shirt this Thursday and meet you at the fountain at noon. I’ll treat you to a cool drink if you let me get your number! I hope you meet me there! JIMMY JOHNS GOURMET SANDWICHES Jimmy John’s Gourmet Sandwiches is looking for KICKASS Sandwich Makers and Delivery Drivers. Now taking apps for both locations. Apply in person. 3043 Perkins or 10711 Coursey. PARKVIEW BAPTIST PRESCHOOL Preschool Afternoon Teachers needed 3-6pm flex days. no degree required. Please email your resume to parkviewbps@gmail.com STUDENTPAYOUTS. COM Paid Survey Takers Needed In Baton Rogue. 100% Free To Join! Click On Surveys. SWIMMING INTRUCTORS NEEDED GREAT OPPORTUNITY-Part time Afternoon April & May- Full Time Summer-Great Pay! CRAWFISH AQUATICS, Louisiana’s Total Swim Program-If you are highly motivated, hard working, we can teach you the rest. Please fax resume to 225-706-1636 or e-mail to swimcraw@crawfishaquatics.com
TIGER MANOR CONDOMINIUMS. Accepting reservations now for Spring 2011 & Fall 2011! Brand new 1, 2, & 3 bedrooms available. Walk to class. Free Breakfast. Fitness Center. 3000 July St. 225-346-5055. www.tigermanor.com
NOW ACCEPTING DEPOSITS! Lake Beau Pre Townhomes, Arlington Trace & Summer Grove Condos 2 & 3 Bedroom Floor plans Available Now, Summer/Fall 2011 Dean Flores Real Estate 225.767.2227
FOR RENT 4 bedroom, 2 bath, with Washer & Dyer. Yard services provided. Fenced in yard. Call Today 225.928.9384
BRIGHTSIDE ESTATES 3BR/2BA GATED, ON LSU BUS ROUTE, 3 ASSIGNED PARKING, $1500 MONTH/1500 DEP. 318.447.2622
*** MOVE IN SPECIAL*** Spacious 2bdrm, 1.5 bath townhouse, Perkins Cove Sub.wood flooring, new carpet, appl incl, water paid, pets welcome. $700mo,500dep 225.400.9876
LSU TIGERLAND 1 & 2 br, Flat & T/H, W/F, Pool, W/S pd, $435 $585, 225.615.8521
$600 ALL UTILITIES PAID! 1 BR. Apt w/ Power, CableTV/ Net, H2O&Alarm 772-2267
BURBANK COMMONS 4 bedroom/ 2 bath with washer/ dryer/ furnished/ security system/ pool/ gym/ free tanning. $420 monthly! Only a minute from campus and Tigerland! 985.515.9795
BRIGHTSIDE MANOR Great 2BR 1 1/2ba TH in 4-Plex. $750. 772-2429 www.cdc-tigerland.com
DUPLEX FOR RENT Newly renovated, duplex on Jennifer Jean. 3 br, 2 bth, new appliances, w/ d connections, w/ s included. email jtdoiron@aol. com or Call J T Doiron, Realtor 225.343.5721
CHATEAU DU COUR IN TIGERLAND Large 2 BR 1 B in gated complex..772-2429 mckproperties. com ROOMS (2) FOR RENT LSU 3BR/2B CONDO near Tigerland. GATED/ POOL.; $500/ Mo+Util Each; W/ D;LSU BUS Line 504.451.0707
BRIGHTSIDE PARK TOWNHOMES Large 2BR 2.5 Bath w/d, pool. $800 955-6480 or 588-3070 southlandpropertiesinc.com TIGER MANOR CONDOMINIUMS. Accepting reservations now for Spring 2011 & Fall 2011! Brand new 1, 2, & 3 bedrooms available. Walk to class. Free Breakfast. Fitness Center. 3000 July St. 225-383-0143. www.tigermanor.com
FEMALE ROOMMATE WANTED 4bed/2bath.410/mth.furnished. close to lsu.available NOW 985.381.4178
WALK TO CAMPUS 1Br, 2Br, and Townhomes. Starting as low as $325.00. www.lsuwestchimesplace.com 225.346.4789 CHATEAU DU COUR 4707 Tigerland Ave. Lge 2 BR apt in gated complex. $595. Cell 7722429 www.cdc-tigerland.com
EARN $1000-$3200 A month to drive our brand new cars with ads placed on them. www. AdCarDriver. com
1 BR AVAIL. AFTER MARCH 7TH $550. 4243 Burbank. Across from Mellow Mushroom/ Illegal Burrito. www.lsubr.com for pics/ floor plan. $300 dep. 978-1649. No pets.
MISSED PINK CONNECTION Hey pretty lady - last Thursday you were in the quad and so PRETTY
1-BR APTS NEAR LSU, $450 / Month. Hot water included, Call Wang 225.278.6622
GETTING WARM Let’s be free in the warm weather. No need to confine ourselves under all that material. Let’s be Nude. Looking for a fellow nudist. Contact me at lsunudist@yahoo.com IS THAT HOT GUY YOU? I see you in the Union every Wednesday at 11:30, usually in a baseball cap. I’m a shy girl interested in getting to you know. If you are single, meet me at the Living Expo next Wednesday, and while you are
Thursday, Feb. 24, 2011
picking up info, maybe you can pick up mine too! I’ll be wearing a purple LSU shirt & my hair is light brown & long. Maybe we can get some free jambalaya together!! See you there at 11:30 if you are interested, I hope!! ME LOVE YOU LONG TIME Senior in air force about to graduate looking for a girl who can finally make him feel like the man in the relationship. When we go out to Happy’s, you can’t make fun of my leather jacket, abundance of cologne, or my semi feminine mannerisms. I am a Debby Downer, so you need to be tolerant of my constant complaining. Cargoshorts4eva@yahoo.com ANY FIRE OR POI SPINNERS in Baton Rouge? Houston transplant is looking for others to spin with. He’s an intermediate fire poi spinner, and greatly misses his group back home. Email at shall24@ lsu.edu SEEKING ONE WITH SAME INTEREST Female seeking friendship with a yaoi fanfic loving, rpg playing (KH, Star Ocean), supernatural watching, Japanese music listening (KAT-TUN) person. Any of these above are cool but the more the better! If this is you email me at britaccluv@gmail. com. SEEKING SENSUOUS WOMAN Grad student and sensuous man seeks sensuous woman for dancing, romance, and possibly more. sensuousman86@gmail.com ARE YOU AS BORED AS I AM? Male looking for lady friend to do the following activities with: Relaxin’, adventures, cuddling, and maybe(hopefully?) more. Super serious and uptight need not apply. Contact me at adventuresforus@gmail.com PS: Don’t worry about baggage. I’m willing to defeat a maximum of 4 evil exes, just to get to know you. NORMAL GUY LOOKING for a girl who enjoys playing Frisbee Golf and appreciates spending time outdoors. Bonus points for brains. If interested, email lsucetiger@ gmail.com
The Daily Reveille
Thursday, Feb. 24, 2011 TRANSPORTATION, from page 1
taking pictures. “One night I was finishing up a physics test and was riding back at about 8 p.m. at night. I was chased by a drunk guy who tried to tackle me, and I jumped off and landed on a curb with my right foot and sprained my ankle,” he said. There are at least two other unicyclists on campus: Nic Chason, disaster management freshman, and Adam Barnes, mass communication freshman. Burke, Chason and Barnes all said unicycles can be chained to most bike racks, and none have ever run into a pedestrian while unicycling. Alex Hanna, psychology
REGENTS, from page 1
grounds of race but on gender.” Of the Regents’ 15 appointed members, none are racial minorities, and only four are women, totaling just 26 percent of the membership. The group’s lawsuit cites the Louisiana Constitution, which states “the Board should be representative of the state’s population by race and gender to ensure diversity.” The suit argues Gov. Bobby Jindal removed all appointed racial minorities from the Board and replaced them with white males on Dec. 17. Lanus contacted the six student leaders, four of which attended the Feb. 8 meeting, to help him create a case. “I found student leaders from SUNO and BR and the law center,” Lanus said. “I also contacted a civil rights attorney.” With the voluntary help of former state Sen. Cleo Fields, of the Fields Law Firm in Baton Rouge, the group filed a lawsuit against the governor and the Board on Feb. 14, halting the study of the merger. But Venese Morgan, political science and Arabic senior at SUBR, said the Feb. 15 restraining order — which has since been reversed — on the study was just one aspect
sophomore, also uses a non-traditional vehicle in the form of a Razor scooter. Hanna said he rides a scooter because having to tie up a bicycle is inconvenient and can make students late for class — plus riding a scooter is more fun. “I don’t find any problem getting around because I have bigger wheels than the ones we used to ride on as a kid, but I still feel like a kid again,” he said. Hanna said he gets a few funny looks, but many people appreciate the nostalgia of a Razor scooter. Some sets of wheels are less familiar. Shane Pantoja, biological engineering freshman, rode through the Quad on an unusual-looking board
Monday afternoon. “It’s a Stow Board. It folds up, and you can put it in a backpack,” Pantoja said. The longboard has a place for the front foot on the metal deck and a spot toward the end to rest the back foot, and it folds up to about the size of a textbook. “It’s cool looking,” Pantoja said. “People look at me when I ride it. I make someone pull me, but it doesn’t do well when I hit cracks.” Longboards have become popular with students because of their ability to handle bumps and sidewalk cracks more smoothly than other skateboards. Jordan Auxt, mechanical engineering sophomore, chose a longboard because a bike wouldn’t fit in
his car. He said the board gets him to class in a third of the time. “It’s small and light,” Auxt said. “I can carry it wherever I’m going, and I don’t have to lock it up on a bike rack. I can keep it with me at all times.” Auxt said the board isn’t best for moving uphill, and he has to pick it up and walk if sidewalks are crowded. Sam Bossier, business administration sophomore, also rides a longboard. When he gets to class, Bossier said he puts his two-and-a-half foot board under his desk or sets it by the door. “I’ve left it behind a few times,” Bossier said. “I start walking and think, ‘This feels really slow,’ and
of the suit. “It’s not fair for this Board to conduct studies concerning higher education of any magnitude,” Morgan said. “No decisions should be made.” Lanus agreed, saying many people have misconceptions about the group’s motives. “This has absolutely nothing to do with the merger,” Lanus said. “It’s primarily and solely based on constitutionality.” Nykeisha Bryer, criminal justice senior at SUBR, said it’s important for people to realize no one is above the law, not even the governor. “I also spoke in front of the Board on Feb. 8,” Bryer said.“When I got in front of the Board, I saw that I was not represented — not as a woman or as a minority.” Bryer said the Board’s membership is unacceptable. Morgan said she hopes the court hearing, which is scheduled for this afternoon, will “bring light” to the issues at hand. Bryer said she is excited to see the hearing’s outcome. “We have a solid argument,” she said. “I’m ready for people to hear it.” The students agreed their main goal is to achieve justice for the universities and for the state.
“The Board doesn’t just represent Southern — they represent everyone,” Lanus said. “And it makes one question: If they don’t have proper representation, do the
other management boards?”
he referred Dalton to Gary Graham, director of Parking, Traffic what exactly what they want,” Dal- and Transportation. ton said. “There’s no official plan “I don’t know the capabilities out, no specifications, nothing. of that company,” Hudson said. It’s very difficult to move forward “We can’t just say, ‘Here’s the job.’ when the organiWe have to bid zation that wants it out to whoever the bus stops will make LSU doesn’t know what most profitable.” it wants.” Graham said Dalton said he had not seen he originally apany designs from proached Hudson Dalton as of Monabout building the day, but designs bus stops but was have been submitgiven little feedted by MSSMedia, back and was not another company. contacted again by Graham said the Nick Dalton Hudson. designs will be regeneral studies senior “What reviewed at the next ally surprises me Facilities Design and Development is that there’s just no follow-up,” Committee meeting. If there is Dalton said. “Why wasn’t J com- more than one company interested ing to me and saying, ‘Hey, Nick, in building the bus stops after the let me see your business plan,’ and design is approved, the companies saying let me help you critique it will have to bid, Graham said. and get it to the right person.” Hudson, who acknowledged he has not followed up with DalContact Andrea Gallo at ton, said SG does not have control over who builds the bus stops, and agallo@lsureveille.com
DALTON, from page 1
‘‘
page 19
‘It’s very difficult to move forward when the organization that wants the bus stops doesn’t know what it wants.’
Contact Sydni Dunn at sdunn@lsureveille.com
have to go back for it.” Bossier said he gets a lot of compliments on his board, including people wanting to know where he got it. “It’s so much fun to just hop on,” he said. “The longer board has less wobble, but you can’t really ride on campus as a beginner.” Contact Morgan Searles at msearles@lsureveille.com
page 20
The Daily Reveille
Thursday, Feb. 24, 2011