Health: Drug designed to help cure cocaine addiction, p. 8
Academics: Teacher integrating Wikipedia into course, p. 3
Reveille The Daily
www.lsureveille.com
Super Bowl XLV final score Green Bay Packers: 31 Pittsburgh Steelers: 25 Monday, Feb. 7, 2011 • Volume 115, Issue 83
Sniffing out crime Tiger
LSUPD purchases first narcotics detection canine Sydni Dunn Staff Writer
photos by BRIANNA PACIORKA / The Daily Reveille
LSU Police Department Officer Christopher Masters handles Meggie, the officers’ first narcotics detection dog, Thursday. Meggie is from Holland and will work on a rotating schedule determined by “criminal elements and crime trends.”
The LSU Police Department has added a new member to its team — and she has a nose for crime. Meggie, a 2-year-old German shepherd, became a part of the force in November, making her the University’s first narcotics detection canine. While Meggie isn’t the first canine owned by LSUPD, she is the first trained in detection, according to Sgt. Blake Tabor, LSUPD spokesman. Tabor said LSUPD currently has an explosives detection canine named Sindy, who has been with the team about four years. He said the department owned a second dog, but she recently retired because of an injury. “In her place, we made the decision to get a narcotics sniffing dog,” he said. “We didn’t get her because of a drug problem on campus — she was obtained because of her ability to keep drugs to a minimum.” And that’s when Christopher Masters, LSUPD officer and certified canine handler, began preparing. “Masters has experience as an explosives detection handler, and he took a lot of initiative to get the dog,” Tabor said. “Masters was asked by the chief to do research and determine how a detection canine could benefit the LSU community.” The next step was a trip to U.S. K-9 Unlimited, a canine training facility in Kaplan that specializes in purchasing, selling and training detection canines for law enforcement and
government agencies. The majority of the dogs for sale are German shepherds and Belgian malinois breeds, which are known for their agility and obedience. The dogs are hand-selected based on quality and trained to the highest standards, according to the U.S. K-9 website. The facility has about 25 dogs in its kennels for sale at all times, imported from around the world. Meggie is originally from Holland. “They show you all of the dogs available,” Masters said. “I liked Meggie’s personality.” Masters said he knew the sleek black-andgold female was a perfect match, noting how MEGGIE, see page 6
UNION
Lair food court nears completion
Dining options could help recruiting Andrea Gallo Staff Writer
CC’s Community Coffee House is officially open for business in the Student Union, paving the way for the rest of the Tiger Lair food court. Most of the other food venues will be open soon, said Student Government Vice President Dani Borel after a Union Board meeting with Jason Tolliver, director of University Auxiliary Services. “It’s been a big struggle for the whole University,” Borel said. “Having the Tiger Lair open makes the Union the place where it’s supposed to be.” Borel said she and J Hudson, SG president, have been in contact with Tolliver and Eric LAIR, see page 6
EVENTS
Vet School open house features array of animals, Mike VI Event showcases daily operations Kevin Thibodeaux Contributing Writer
The University School of Veterinary Medicine held its 29th annual open house Saturday for visitors, relatives and prospective students alike. The event featured an array of animal-related activities. Scattered along the halls of the Vet School, spectators could find a number of animal-petting booths to appease pet enthusiasts. Some petting exhibits featured the standard domestic dogs and rabbits, but a petting zoo featuring pigs, goats, ducks and
horses also attracted guests. The open house boasted an exoticanimals petting room with snakes, lizards and various exotic birds. Emily Harrington, a first-year vet student and volunteer in the exotic animals room, volunteered to bring her own rabbit to showcase at the event. The theme of the event was “One World, One Medicine — Human and Animal Health.” The school’s website defined the theme as a movement to create equal and collaborative efforts between veterinary and human aspects of medicine. “This is just a good way to show the public what we do,” said Ginger Guttner, the Vet School’s public relations coordinator. Guttner said there were at least 200 Vet School student
volunteers at the event and more than 4,000 visitors to the open house. Mike VI was present at the open house, welcoming visitors at the entrance of the event. The Baton Rouge Police Department was also present to showcase its K-9 unit with a live demonstration from attack dogs. The open house featured a fistulated cow, which allowed children and adults to don rubber gloves and slide their hands into a pre-made hole leading to the cow’s stomach. Many volunteers were on site to encourage visitors to get past the “gross-out factor.” Among other exhibits, the open house featured a OPEN HOUSE, see page 6
BENJAMIN OLIVER HICKS / The Daily Reveille
Melanie Reed, veterinary medicine sophomore, holds a pig for visitors to pet Saturday afternoon at the LSU Vet School’s open house petting zoo.
The Daily Reveille
Nation & World
page 2
Monday, Feb. 7, 2011
INTERNATIONAL
NATIONAL
STATE/LOCAL
Police evict indigenous Easter Island protesters from luxury hotel
Youngstown State fraternity house shooting kills 1, injures 11
About 150 demonstrators in New Orleans back Mubarak’s ouster
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — Police on Chile’s Easter Island raided the grounds of a luxury hotel Sunday to evict the last of dozens of indigenous protesters battling for ancestral lands and a larger share of profits from the tourists who come to see the Pacific Island’s famed, mysterious statues of giant heads. A Rapa Nui clan’s claims to the land under the new, $800-anight Hangaroa Eco Village & Spa have won support from international human rights agencies.
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (AP) — Police say they’re searching for two suspects in a shooting at an Ohio fraternity house that killed one student and injured 11 people, including six students, just north of the Youngstown State University campus. Youngstown police Chief Jimmy Hughes says the suspected gunmen were involved in a dispute at a party before the shooting early Sunday. He says the pair left, then returned and began firing outside the house, which was crowded with 50 or more people, some as young as 17.
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — About 150 people demanding the immediate ouster of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak demonstrated outside the New Orleans federal building Saturday, saying Mubarak’s departure from power is long overdue. Waving signs and Egyptian flags and chanting “get up, stand up, stand up for your rights,” the peaceful protest — watched by courthouse security officers and curious bystanders — took place in a cold wind as thousands continued their often-violent protest in Cairo. “That’s a drop in the bucket,” said Egypt native Reda Bakee.
Protest held near Berlusconi’s villa near Milan, resignation demanded MILAN (AP) — Critics of Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi staged a protest Sunday near his Milan villa, some wearing masks of the leader while others shouted slogans against him. A small group scuffled with police. Berlusconi is under investigation on suspicion he had sex with a 17-year-old Moroccan girl and used his office to cover it up. He denies wrongdoing. Prosecutors have focused on Berlusconi’s villa in Arcore, just outside Milan, where he reportedly throws wild parties with young women.
AMR NABIL / The Associated Press
Egyptian anti-Mubarak protesters chant Sunday as they wave Egyptian flags during their protest in Cairo, Egypt.
Egypt VP meets opposition, offers press freedom, other concessions CAIRO (AP) — Egypt’s vice president reached out to the outlawed Muslim Brotherhood and other opposition groups Sunday as part of a new offer of sweeping concessions including press freedom and an eventual end to hated emergency laws that have been in place for decades, the latest attempt to try to calm an anti-government upheaval. The protesters, skeptical the government will keep any promises to reform, said they will maintain their pressure.
Rocket for national defense launches from California coast VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. (AP) — A rocket carrying a national security payload was successfully launched Sunday from a base on California’s central coast, Air Force officials said. The Minotaur 1 rocket took off from Vandenberg Air Force Base at 4:26 a.m. amid clear skies, said Col. Richard Boltz, 30th Space Wing commander and the mission’s leader. The launch, which was scheduled for Saturday, had been delayed by a day because of power problems with the rocket’s safety equipment.
(AP) — The state of Louisiana has been going into urban areas to first identify homeless people with serious health issues and then focus on finding housing for them. Randy Nichols, executive director of the Capital Area Alliance for the Homeless, told The Advocate that although Georgia is looking at participating as well, it appears Louisiana would become the first state to complete the survey.
Black Student Union: Black History Quiz Bowl
Thursday, Feb 10 @ 7-9 in Live Oak Lounge Call (318) 787-8308 or email dmaneaz@lsu.edu Black History Month Black Academic Perspectives Lecture Series
Wednesday, February 9, 2011 French House, Grand Salon, 12 PM
Where in the world are the Olsen twins? Read about Olsens Anonymous on the LMFAO blog. Read Ryan Ginn’s reaction to the Super Bowl prop bets on the Tiger Feed blog.
@lsureveille, @TDR_news, @TDR_sports
facebook.com/ thedailyreveille
Weather TODAY Isolated T-storms TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
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55 31
THURSDAY
FRIDAY
44 24
50 27
SHAINA HUNTSBERRY / The Daily Reveille
See photos of North Gate’s advertisements on Snapshot at lsureveille.com.
CORRECTIONS AND CLARIFICATIONS The Daily Reveille holds accuracy and objectivity at the highest priority and wants to reassure the reporting and content of the paper meets these standards.This space is reserved to recognize and correct any mistakes which may have been printed in The Daily Reveille. If you would like something corrected or clarified please contact the editor at (225) 5784811 or e-mail editor@lsureveille.com.
POLICIES AND PROCEDURES DO YOU HAVE AN OCCURRENCE? Call Chase at the Student Media Office 578-6090, 9AM- 5PM or E-mail: officemanager@lsureveille.com
Check out a video of the Vet School’s open house and their animals.
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Spring 2011 Career Expo February 9th & 10th, 10:30 am - 3:30 PM Cotillion Ballroom, LSU Union Monday February 7, 2011 LSU Student Union Ballroom, 6 PM
What’s the history of the Echo Circle? Find out at 5:20 p.m. on KLSU.
Homeless health polled for help in housing and identification
SIGNS OF THE TIMES
Black History Month Play: Laugh, Cry, Scream & Shout
Today on lsureveille.com
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The Daily Reveille
Monday, Feb. 7, 2011
page 3
TECHNOLOGY
Teachers incorporate well-known research website into courses Students’ research adds to site Rachel Warren Staff Writer
Students in Kari Walters’ ISDS 4120 course were surprised to learn they’d be using a wellknown but often forbidden research website throughout the semester — Wikipedia. Walters, a Ph.D. student and instructor in the ISDS Department, is a Wikipedia campus ambassador for the University. Walters said the main initiative of the project is to encourage faculty and students to re-evaluate their perceptions of Wikipedia. Walters said students in her class are required to do research and create PowerPoint presentations each year, and this year she’s putting their investigative skills to use. “This year while they’re researching, they put it into Wikipedia and share their work with others,” she said. Walters said her students have two options — they can edit articles or create their own. She said if they choose to edit articles, they must make at least 40 changes and use four new resources. If they create a new article, they must write two paragraphs with at least four sources. Walters said one of Wikipedia’s guidelines is that each sentence in an article has a source, and her students must abide by that rule to receive full credit. Walters said she thinks her students will enjoy seeing what other people have to say about their research. She said people from all over the world will edit her students’ articles and comment about them
on discussion pages. “They really watch it come to life,” Walters said. She said another benefit of the project is that students learn to explain technical topics in simple terms — a skill she thinks is important for everyone to have. Walters said she understands why most teachers don’t accept Wikipedia as a valid resource, as there’s no way to guarantee the information in any article is correct. But she said students can use articles as starting points to find more widely accepted sources. Walters believes Wikipedia will be more credible in the academic world after this project. “It’s neat to see that perception changing a little bit,” Walters said. Communication Across the Curriculum Assistant Director Rebecca Burdette said she came across an article explaining the project in the Chronicle of Higher Education and reached out to the Wikimedia Foundation. She said she and other faculty members were hesitant but their perceptions changed after training. “It’s not a source,” Burdette said. “It’s a collection of sources.” LiAnna Davis, communications associate for the Wikimedia Foundation’s Public Policy Initiative, said the Wikimedia Foundation — the non-profit organization that runs websites like
7:20 a.m., 8:20 a.m. Noon, 3:20 p.m. 4:20 p.m., 5:20 p.m.
Wikipedia, Wikinews and Wiktionary — received a year-long grant in June 2010 to create the Public Policy Initiative. “Once it’s up, we’ll shift away from public policy to a number of different topics,” Davis said. “We’re excited about where this is going.” Davis said the foundation began implementing the program in 14 classes across the country last fall and are using it in 30 classes this spring. She said they train ambassadors on campus and on the Internet to help students fulfill their course requirements. “We trained a number of Communication Across the Curriculum faculty members,” she said. Online ambassadors help students, too, but not in a classroom. Davis said online ambassadors are experienced Wikipedians — people who are experienced in adding to and editing Wikipedia articles — who are chosen to mentor students as they complete their work on the Internet. Davis said each student is assigned his or her own online ambassador. Contact Rachel Warren at rwarren@lsureveille.com
BLAIR LOCKHART / The Daily Reveille
Ph.D. student Kari Walters teaches ISDS 4120 on Feb. 3 in Tureaud Hall. Walters’ students are producing Wikipedia research in an effort to change perceptions about the site.
Monday February 7 SHADY’S
Free drinks 8-10 $1.50 High Life 50 cent shots all night 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
3:00-3:30 PM Survivor: Bush 3:30-4:00 PM Survivor: Bush 9:00-9:300 PM Making Moves 9:30-10:00 PM That’s Awesome
The Daily Reveille
page 4
Monday, Feb. 7, 2011
Doctor working to find drug to help cocaine addicts Celeste Ansley Staff Writer
Nicholas Goeders, professor and head of the Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Neuroscience at the LSU Health Sciences Center in Shreveport, is designing a drug he hopes to release on the market to cure cocaine addiction and help prevent relapses. Goeders said he has studied drug addiction for the past 25 to 30 years and focuses primarily on cocaine. Goeders said he looks at the physiological effect the drug has on the brain and the effect on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, or the stress system. To study the drug, rats are placed in an operant chamber for two hours a day, said Glenn Guerin, lab manager at the LSU Health Sciences Center in Shreveport. Guerin said the chamber box is specially designed for the animal to have enough room to move around. Goeders said the box has two levers. One allows the rat to
self-administer food and the other cocaine. “The rats learn very quickly to administer the drug,” Goeders said. Goeders said when the rats press the drug lever, a tone and light go off, and when the tone and light go off without dispensing cocaine, the rats’ stress systems are activated. This simulates a “cue” similar to what humans experience, Goeders said. “This is the same as humans when they see paraphernalia related to cocaine,” Goeders said. People, street corners, places and anything addicts associate with cocaine can serve as a cue, Guerin said. Stress can also be a cue for use by addicts, Guerin said. “When people get really stressed out, the stress can cause a relapse,” Guerin said. Goeders compared this effect to that of nicotine addiction, stating people who have quit smoking tend to crave the nicotine when they get stressed out. When the rats receive the
treatment drug, it blocks the effect of the cue and reduces the rats’ desire to administer cocaine, Goeders said. Goeders said he and his team conducted a small pilot study about three years ago to see if the drug would have the same effect on humans as it did in animals. Goeders said the trial participants were required to test positive for cocaine to be eligible for the study. Participants came in twice a week to have vital signs checked, provide a urine sample for drug screening, receive the treatment drug and report any negative side effects, Goeders said. The study showed a decrease in cocaine levels present in the screening samples, as well, and decreased cravings for cocaine, Goeders said. Goeders said participants stated problems of agitation, upset stomach and other non-serious effects, but those receiving the placebo also complained of those symptoms. Guerin said the next trial will take place in a year or two, and
Students play integral roles in ads Brian Sibille Contributing Writer
Students have become an essential form of advertisement for businesses in the Baton Rouge area. Free T-shirts, food and school supplies are among items given to students to serve as promotion for the companies. The most noticeable freebies on campus are T-shirts distributed by residential businesses like The Cottages and Aspen Heights. “College students always love free T-shirts,” said Brittney Hollis, vice president and director of leasing at The Cottages. The company began its Tshirt campaign in October 2009 when The Cottages’ leasing office opened, Hollis said, and it has been their most important and successful method of advertising since. Students see the shirts, displaying only the business’ name in capital letters, and become curious about The Cottages in passing, she said. Shirts are given away to the business’ target student audience who wear the shirts and create a brand image for other students, said
Lance Porter, advertising design professor. “It’s perfect advertising,” he said. Capstone Properties, the company that manages The Cottages, has many other student communities in the U.S., all of which invest in T-shirt advertising, Hollis said. She said the Baton Rouge branch spends at least $20,000 annually on T-shirts. Raegen Harbour, nutritional sciences freshman, said she received her free T-shirt when she signed a lease with The Cottages. She said she believes the T-shirt campaigns are good ideas for companies. “From a business perspective, it’s the right thing to do,” Harbour said. Erica Moffatt, sales and marketing manager for Aspen Heights, said the new student community’s shirts have been popular among students, noting almost all the Tshirts from the large initial order have been given away. Aspen Heights T-shirts are American Apparel brand, Moffatt said, and students’ excitement
about the style of the shirts develops into word-of-mouth advertisement. Harbour, a member of Chi Omega sorority, said hers was one of many Greek organizations Aspen Heights has reached out to on campus, providing members with T-shirts personalized with each group’s Greek letters. Aspen Heights also visited many Greek houses during finals week to give students energy drinks, snacks, Scantrons and highlighters. The personalized T-shirts were produced at the sororities’ and fraternities’ request, Moffatt said, but study baskets were Aspen Heights’ way of catering to students’ needs. “They were super excited and thought a lot of it for us to deliver these study baskets to them,” Moffatt said. She said funding for Aspen Heights’ many different advertising ventures is provided by corporate headquarters since the Baton Rouge location is still under construction. Contact Brian Sibille at bsibille@lsureveille.com
all the preparation and research is funded by grants. Goeders said the next step in making the drug available to the public will be to conduct larger clinical trials and fulfill the Food and
Drug Administration requirements, which will take years. Contact Celeste Ansley at cansley@lsureveille.com
The Daily Reveille
Monday, Feb. 7, 2011
page 5
TECHNOLOGY
On-campus help desks troubleshoot common problems Morgan Searles Contributing Writer
One commonly accepted truth of technology, whether it’s as complex as a supercomputer or as simple as an iPod, is the inevitable occurrence of glitches, bugs, malfunctions and crashes. Thankfully, the University has a system for solving some of the irritating and panic-causing problems. When students have problems with personal computers, PAWS or wireless Internet, they have the option to seek help at one of the University’s three student-staffed computer help desks. Located in Middleton Library, the Student Union and in the Frey Computing Services Center, the help desks are attended by student workers and analysts who can solve many common computer problems. Although the help desks are unable to assist with hardware or virusrelated problems, they most often cover issues with wireless connection and PAWS password resets, said Stephanie Suarez, computer analyst
and User Support and Student IT Enablement manager. “If you have a problem, you can come in, and we’ll try our best to help you,” she said. “The help desk covers a lot of topics, and all of the services are free.” Students with virus-related issues are directed to TigerWare, where they can find protection software. In addition to working with personal computers, the help desk is also capable of solving gadget problems with products like iPods, iPhones and BlackBerries. Help desk employees are student workers who are hired for their customer-service skills and go through training to be able to assist students. Prior technology knowledge is encouraged but not mandatory, Suarez said. “There are all different types of majors working in the help desk,” she said. “We let new workers sit with a veteran student worker, and they listen to the different calls that come in. We also have a boot camp twice a year, and there’s always a
TECHNOLOGY
Tiger Ware reaches 2 million downloads Morgan Searles Contributing Writer
As technology becomes a bigger part of the classroom, students have been able to turn to the University to fulfill their communication, organization and security needs in the form of downloadable software since 2005. The University’s software download system, TigerWare, has reached 2 million downloads, an important milestone that Sheri Thompson, IT planning and communications officer, called “the most exciting statistic” for the system. The idea for TigerWare came from Indiana University, where a similar system called IUware is in place, Thompson said. “There was no way for us to get software easily without having to burn CD-ROMs,” Thompson said. “With TigerWare, which came from IUware, there was this opportunity for us to distribute software easily.” The University bought the code for TigerWare from Indiana and altered it to fit its specific needs. The Student Tech Fee supplied the money for the purchase and covers the cost of student downloads of software like Microsoft Office. Information Technology Services fund the TigerWare staff that keeps TigerWare running and up-to-date. Construction management senior Chad Hatten said TigerWare is convenient and saves him money. “I’ve downloaded Microsoft Office from TigerWare,” Hatten said. “I’ve found it pretty valuable since the trial version on my computer expired. I like that LSU is
able to offer this, and it does come in handy for sure.” TigerWare products are managed by a software committee, which meets and reviews submitted requests for new or additional software. Open source software is frequently added. If a new program would require the University to buy the license, a significant number of people have to need the program in order to balance the cost, Thompson said. Contract prices can also be included for personal and University departmental purchases. A system like TigerWare is important for the University since students are used to having things at their fingertips, Thompson said.
Contact Morgan Searles at msearles@lsureveille.com
full-time analyst on duty.” “Workers rely on past experience and the 13,000 articles available on the GROK Knowledge Base to solve problems,” said Tony Simmons, chemistry junior. “Employees try to be as formal as possible when assisting students but also laid back, as it is a University service,” Simmons said. “We do help as much as possible, and people do tend to leave satisfied,” Simmons said. If workers can’t solve a problem, it goes to an analyst for tier two support, Suarez said. Derek Luckett, landscape management junior, has been to the help desk in Middleton Library twice for wireless connection problems.
DAVID LYLE / The Daily Reveille
Morgan Rainey, English literature senior, gets help from Brady McNitt, ITS staff, in connecting to the network Wednesday at the Middleton Library help desk.
“The help desk has been helpful both times I’ve been in,” he said. “It’s very convenient. I feel like if I have a problem, one way or another
they can help me get it fixed.” Contact Morgan Searles at msearles@lsureveille.com
The Daily Reveille
page 6 MEGGIE, from page 1
alert and motivated she was. He said he also wanted to purchase a female dog because he finds them easier to train. After purchasing Meggie, Masters was required to enroll in a four-week handler’s training course, where he learned proper handling and how to work effectively with the dog. But the training didn’t stop there. Tabor said Masters is required to take Meggie to K-9 Concepts, Inc., a training facility in Broussard, once a month for an eight-hour day to make sure she’s up to speed. He said Meggie’s training consists of placing narcotics in various locations, vehicles and buildings for her to find. Masters must also keep her familiarized with her obedience training on a daily basis. Tabor said the training has paid off, as Meggie has already made an impressive find. On her first night on the job, Meggie discovered nine bags of marijuana after a traffic stop near the University Recreation Center Complex. The bags, which were hidden in the front of the vehicle, collectively contained about 18 grams of marijuana. “When you are off searching for a narcotic, it’s sometimes easy to miss,” Tabor said. “She makes our job easier — no officer has the sense of smell a canine does.” Tabor said officers are able to focus on a situation more effectively when a canine is present. “She has done nothing but good things, and we have only scraped the surface on the benefits of Meggie,” he said. Masters also said he continues to be impressed by her work. “I enjoy working with Meggie a lot better than working with a human,” he said. “You can never have a disagreement with a canine.” Tabor said Masters works with Meggie on a rotating schedule determined by “criminal elements and crime trends.” He said Meggie will not be routinely walked around the residence halls. She will only respond when needed. “She is like the dog around our house,” Tabor laughed. “But she is understood as a police officer and trained to protect her owner.” Tabor said she has proved herself to be an asset in more than one way. And when Meggie isn’t sniffing out crime, she can be found at Masters’ house with him or riding around in the police vehicle patrolling the campus. “I’ve developed a bond with the dog,” Masters said. “I’m with the dog more than I’m with my family.” Contact Sydni Dunn at sdunn@lsureveille.com
LAIR, from page 1
Monday, vice chancellor for finance and administrative services, to follow the Tiger Lair progress. Louisiana Bayou Bistro, an “authentic Cajun food” restaurant, is set to open Feb. 21, along with Quiznos and Food to Geaux convenience stop. Chick-fil-A, Jamba Juice and Salsarita’s will start serving customers Feb. 28. Panda Express’ “gourmet Chinese food” will be available March 9. Madeline Gaynor, pre-veterinary freshman, said she’s most
excited about Panda Express. Papa John’s Pizza will open March 16. Shane Lindemann, physics freshman, said he normally eats at The 5 dining hall, but the Tiger Lair will be convenient for the weekends when dining halls are closed. Emma Alexander, business freshman, said though she normally doesn’t dine on campus, she’s more likely to eat at Tiger Lair between classes. Borel said she and Hudson cannot take credit for the opening of the Tiger Lair, but she is excited to see it open. She said
Monday, Feb. 7, 2011 having the Tiger Lair open will have a positive impact on recruiting. “Tiger Lair being closed is affecting recruiting,” Borel said. “Right now, while [students] have some food options, it’s really limited.” The Union will also house an optical shop, a Kaplan Testing Center and a Copy & Mail Center after construction is complete.
Contact Andrea Gallo at agallo@lsureveille.com
OPEN HOUSE, from page 1
demonstration of the school’s small animal endoscopy equipment, using a bowl of candy to demonstrate the technology’s use. Similar to an episode of a medical television show, participants could be seen close up as they grabbed at candy much like a surgeon would use the equipment to operate during surgery.
Contact Kevin Thibodeaux at kthibodeaux@lsureveille.com
Sports
Monday, Feb. 7, 2011
page 7
Next Up LSU crushes
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
Dillon Gordon •Position: Tight end •Hometown: River Ridge •Height: 6’5” •Weight: 250 lbs. •Rating: •Status: New commit
LSU gains three 2012 commits since National Signing Day Michael Lambert Sports Writer photo courtesy of DINAH ROGERS / The Times-Picayune
Avery Johnson •Position: Wide receiver •Hometown: Pompano Beach, Fla. •Height: 6’2” •Weight: 180 lbs. •Rating: •Status: Committed photo courtesy of GEORGE WILSON / South Florida Sun Sentinel
Landon Collins •Position: Safety •Hometown: Geismar •Height: 6’0” •Weight: 203 lbs. •Rating: •Status: Uncommitted
Evangel High School defensive end Jermauria Rasco wrestled with his college decision until the early hours of National Signing Day last week. The Scout.com five-star recruit woke up with LSU on his mind and later inked his loyalty to the Tigers in front of family, friends and the national media. Three prospects for the 2012 recruiting crop did things a little differently. They didn’t want to wait another year and ended up pulling the trigger on their commitment in the days since National Signing Day. Defensive end Torshiro Davis of Woodlawn High School (Shreveport, La.) committed Wednesday to LSU’s 2012 class, the same day many 2011 recruits were signing their National Letters of Intent. Outside linebacker Ronnie Feist of West St. John High School (Edgard, La.) and tight end Dillon Gordon of John Curtis High School (River Ridge, La.) pledged to the Tigers this past weekend after attending Junior Day. “With Feist they started going after him once his junior year ended,” said Shea Dixon, managing editor of TigerSportsDigest.com. “They were going to get him to commit this weekend, and they did.” Feist and Gordon, both Edgard, La., natives, received offers and immediately gave their word to LSU coach Les Miles on Saturday. “These two guys know each other,” Dixon said. “It’s almost like the new ‘Fam.’ These guys are already best friends.” The trio of juniors extends LSU’s 2012 recruiting class to five members. “Five guys, that’s a quick start,” Dixon said. “I expect LSU to be in double digits quicker than last year.” The Tigers already locked up Scout four-star wide receiver Avery Johnson and three-star linebacker Trey Granier. “We’re on our way to what we think is a real good group of underclassman,” Miles said Wednesday during a press conference. “We’ve identified the guys we want to get to and introduce to our way of doing things.”
photo courtesy of MICHAEL TORTORICH / The Gonzales Weekly Citizen
RECRUITS, see page 11
Ole Miss, 76-38 Mark Clements Sports Contributor
The LSU women’s basketball team finally found its mojo. Coming off the three worst offensive outputs of the season, the Lady Tigers (16-9, 6-5) took all their frustrations out on Ole Miss on Sunday afternoon in a 76-38 trouncing of the Rebels (10-12, 3-7). LSU came out of the gates firing, hitting 7-of-10 from 3-point range in the first half, led by sophomore guard Adrienne Webb who was 5-of-6 from behind the arc and had 20 of the Tigers’ 42 halftime points. And with just five games left on the docket before the Southeastern Conference tournament, LSU needed to get back on track. “I don’t always say that there’s a must-win game, but this was a must-win game,” said LSU coach Van Chancellor in a post-game radio interview. But LSU lit up the scoreboard Sunday, shooting 57 percent from the field and hitting 10 of 17 from beyond the arc for a 59 percent clip. The hot hand from downtown was a relief for Chancellor and his Lady Tigers, who shot a horrid 5-of52 — 9.6 percent — from 3-point range the past three contests. “I can’t understand why we make a bundle of threes and then in other games we’re one of 15 and 0-for-15,” Chancellor said. “If we OFFENSE, see page 11
MEN’S BASKETBALL
Youth dooms Tigers against Bulldogs Turnovers prolong five-game losing streak Rob Landry Sports Contributor
With the outcome of the game hanging in the balance, Trent Johnson didn’t have many options. The LSU coach knew there weren’t many players on his roster that had experience knocking down shots in clutch situations and Saturday would test their mettle. Johnson’s Tigers were coming out of a timeout, trailing Mississippi State, 58-57, with seven seconds to play. The only person to touch the
ball after that was freshman guard 4-4) hit two free throws with 1:59 Andre Stringer. remaining in the Stringer got game, LSU had the ball, but before three possessions in he could get off a which it could reshot the ball got gain an advantage stripped, bounced and win the game. across the court and The Tigers out of bounds as (10-13, 2-6) failed time expired. to get off a shot. “ O b v i o u s l y, In fact, LSU there weren’t a lot — now losers of of guys out on the five straight — floor who really launched just one wanted to touch it, ball at the bucket in with the exception the final 3:23 of the Andre Stringer of him,” Johnson game. LSU freshman guard said. “And he’ll be “We would in that situation a lot more where have never been in that situation, he’s going to make a lot more plays.” TURNOVERS, see page 11 After Mississippi State (12-10,
‘‘
‘We did a pretty good job of making decisions quickly early on in the game, and those last couple plays, we didn’t make them well.’
BRIANNA PACIORKA / The Daily Reveille
LSU junior guard Chris Bass (4) jumps for a shot Saturday during the Tigers’ 58-57 loss against Mississippi State in the PMAC. The loss was LSU’s fifth in a row.
The Daily Reveille
page 8
Monday, Feb. 7, 2011
TENNIS
Tigers win home opener against Rice, Lady Tigers fall on road Men get first victory of 2011 season Hunt Palmer Sports Contributor
LSU’s men’s tennis team won its home opener Sunday for the fourteenth-consecutive time under head coach Jeff Brown. The Tigers (1-2) defeated No. 29 Rice, 5-2, to earn their first victory of the 2011 dual season. The Tigers clinched the doubles point behind a strong performance from junior Neal Skupski and senior Sebastian Carlsson. The duo split the first four games of their match with Rice’s (5-2) Christian Saravia and Michael Nuesslein before reeling off six straight games to win the match, 8-2.
After sophomore Stefan Szacinski and junior Tom Knights dropped their doubles match, 8-3, sophomores Roger Anderson and Olivier Borsos bested Sam Garford-Bles and Peter Frank, 8-4, to put LSU on the scoreboard. “The doubles point is real important,” said senior Julien Gauthier. “Those guys gave us the momentum that we needed going into singles.” Gauthier rode the early momentum to an easy, 6-1, first set against Saravia. After falling behind, 4-1, in the second set. Gauthier roared back to win the second set and give LSU a 2-0 lead, bringing the home crowd to its feet. “A hundred people can make a big difference in an individual sport, especially when they’re right behind the court,” Brown said. “Those things that come with a home court are nice.”
BLAIR LOCKHART/ The Daily Reveille
Neal Skupski returns a ball during his 8-2 win against Rice on Sunday with partner Sebastian Carlsson. They split the first four games before clinching six in a row.
Borsos’ straight-set victory against Frank gave the Tigers a commanding 3-0 lead, but the fourth point didn’t come easy. Skupski fell in straight sets
to No. 44 Harry Fowler, and the final three matches of the day went the distance. Carlsson battled back after a tough second set against
Garford-Bles to claim the decisive set, 6-0, and get LSU into the win column for the first time in 2011. “We’ve got a tough schedule,” Brown said. “You need to take any win you can get, especially against NCAA-type teams.” The women’s team fell, 4-3, on the road to No. 34 Texas A&M on Sunday in College Station, Texas. After losing the doubles point, the Tigers lost three of the first four singles matches providing Texas A&M with the winning margin. The Lady Tigers are now 0-2 on the young season and face Rice in Houston on Tuesday.
Contact Hunt Palmer at hpalmer@lsureveille.com
TRACK AND FIELD
Tigers take team title in New York, Carter sets record Men and women ranked in top 5 Luke Johnson Sports Contributor
During the weekend, LSU showed the Big Apple why its men’s and women’s track teams are ranked Nos. 2 and 3, respectively, at the New Balance Invitational. At the Armory — one of the most prestigious venues in college track and field — the Tigers took the team title by a whopping 17 points, and the Lady Tigers finished as the runner-up in a stacked field that included five top-10 teams. The New Balance Invitational was one of only two regular season meets for LSU where the events were scored and a team champion was named at the end of competition. “This was really great for our men’s team to come in here and win a meet like this against this quality of a field,” said coach Dennis Shaver in a news release. “This is just one more step toward our goal of competing as a team at the championship meets.” Junior sprinter Horatio Williams continued his torrid start to his LSU career by winning his third 60-meter dash title of the
year with a 6.64 second dash in the finals. Just a year removed from junior college, Williams’ seasonal best time of 6.61 seconds is just .01 seconds shy of qualifying for the indoor national championships. Williams is the fourth Tiger to win the 60-meter dash title at the New Balance Invitational in the last six years, joining former Tiger greats Kelly Willie, Richard Thompson and Trindon Holliday. But Williams wasn’t the only Tiger to come up big. Senior Walter Henning returned to the Armory Track Center to widen the gap between
himself and the rest of the NCAA in the weight throw. Henning, who competed at the Armory when he was in high school, set a new seasonal best with a throw of 72 feet, 7 inches. He now has the top mark in the country by two feet. Henning set a new facility record at the Armory in last season’s New Balance Invitational, and it was senior jumper Brittani Carter’s turn to set a record this year in the women’s high jump. Carter launched herself over a 6-foot-1 1/4 bar to qualify for the indoor championships and set a New Balance Invitational meet record in the event. The effort was a new
personal best for Carter and is just a quarter-inch shy of the 18-year-old indoor school record. “I have missed that jump so many times, all I could think about when I made that final plant was I needed to clear it,” Carter said. “That was it, and all I felt was the mat underneath me.” LSU returns to action next
weekend in Fayetteville, Ark., at the Tyson Invitational — one of three meets this season at the Randall Tyson Track Complex.
Contact Luke Johnson at ljohnson@lsureveille.com
The Daily Reveille
Monday, Feb. 7, 2011
page 9
RECRUTING
New signees need to fill multiple voids for Miles, Tigers 17 of 22 recruits Louisiana natives Rowan Kavner Sports Writer
Some teams lose a coveted athlete or two. Then there’s LSU, which needs to fill the vacancies of the Cotton Bowl Offensive MVP, a Bednarik and Thorpe Award winner and three First-Team All-SEC members. Senior linebacker Kelvin Sheppard, senior defensive tackle Drake Nevis, junior cornerback Patrick Peterson, junior wide receiver Terrence Toliver and junior running back Stevan Ridley headline the LSU players likely donning NFL jerseys next season. Sophomore wide receiver Rueben Randle, the No. 1 recruit in the class of 2009, could fill Toliver’s void, freshmen cornerbacks Tyrann Mathieu and Tharold Simon will likely see more time opposite sophomore cornerback Morris Claiborne, and a plethora of young running backs could share the carries. The rest of these 22 Tiger signees will compete for the remainder of the vacancies.
Quarterback The highly anticipated battle between junior Jordan Jefferson and junior college transfer Zach Mettenberger should be interesting. Mettenberger, who is already enrolled, threw 32 touchdowns and only four interceptions in one season at Butler (Kan.) Community College. The Tigers finished 102nd in the nation in total passing yards in 2010, but Jefferson delivered another stellar bowl-game performance, throwing for 158 yards and three touchdowns against Texas A&M. LSU also signed Stephen Rivers, the younger brother of San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers. The versatile 6-foot-7-inch signee had 12 passing touchdowns and nine rushing touchdowns his senior season in Athens, Ala.
Running Back The Tigers snagged the Louisiana high school rushing yard record holder in Patterson’s Kenny Hilliard, who rushed for 8,603 yards in his high school career. Franklinton’s Terrence Magee, a high school quarterback, will likely play running back at LSU. Magee threw for 2,634 yards and 35 touchdowns and ran for 1,370 yards and 19 touchdowns as a senior.
Redemptorist running back Jeremy Hill, a verbal commitment to LSU who ran for 2,260 yards and 36 touchdowns as a senior, has not yet signed because of legal issues.
Wide Receiver The prize in this class is likely Lutcher’s Jarvis Landry, a five-star Scout.com and Rivals.com recruit who caught eight passes for 70 yards and a touchdown at the Under Armour All-America Game. Isidore Newman’s Odell Beckham Jr. also projects as a wide receiver. He hauled in 19 touchdown receptions, rushed for six touchdowns, returned two punts for touchdowns and posted four interceptions as a senior. Alonzo Lewis, another multifaceted receiver, caught five touchdowns and picked off two passes his senior season at St. James. Offensive Line Redemptorist tackle La’el Collins, a consensus five-star prospect who is the Rivals.com No. 1 Louisiana recruit, headlines the offensive linemen. LSU also added Capitol’s Corey White and St. Augustine’s Trai Turner and Jonah Austin, all of whom are three-star linemen on Scout.com.
Defensive Line The blue-chip defensive line recruits keep rolling in. O.P. Walker’s Anthony Johnson, who is already enrolled at LSU, is the consensus No. 1 defensive tackle prospect and broke the Louisiana career sack record with 67.5. LSU also added consensus four-star defensive tackle Mickey Johnson just a few days before Signing Day. The St. Paul graduate registered 50 tackles and 11 sacks his senior season. Rasco, a Scout.com five-star defensive end, was the final signing for the Tigers. He notched a whopping 21 sacks his senior season after tallying 10.5 his junior year. Three-star defensive lineman Quentin Thomas missed his senior season at Breaux Bridge but has the versatility to play anywhere on the line. Linebacker The one position LSU is light in is linebacker. Trevon Randle from League City, Texas, was the only linebacker LSU signed in the 2011 class. The Clear Springs High School graduate recorded 108 tackles, three interceptions and a sack his senior season.
Defensive Back Four new defensive backs joined “The Fam.”
David Jenkins, the only secondary signee in the Scout.com Top 200, finished his senior season at Hebron High School in Carrollton, Texas, with 49 tackles and four interceptions. Ronald Martin, Jalen Collins and Micah Eugene are all three-star Scout.com safeties. The versatile Eugene also played running back and rushed for 121 yards in the 2010 5A Louisiana State Championship game, scoring the game-winning touchdown for Acadiana. Martin played quarterback and safety, throwing for more than 1,400 yards and picking off nine passes at White Castle. Athlete/Kicker Paul Turner projects as either a safety or a wide receiver at LSU. The West Monroe native passed for 1,245 yards and 14 touchdowns and rushed for 974 yards and 14 touchdowns his senior season. Kicker-punter James Hairston made 11-of-16 field goals and averaged 44.8 yards per punt his senior season at Jesuit High School in Dallas.
Contact Rowan Kavner at rkavner@lsureveille.com
GYMNASTICS
Freshmen Morrison, Mathis post 9.90s in BYU thrashing Tigers nail seasonhigh team scores Rowan Kavner Sports Writer
The wake-up call came quickly Friday night. After the No. 24 LSU gymnastics team (2-5) posted a seasonlow 48.750 on vault against BYU (8-2-2), the Tigers rallied to post three straight season-high scores in bars, beam and vault and a season-high final team score in a 195.875-193.750 stomping against the Cougars. “We’re seeing breakthrough performances,” said LSU coach D-D Breaux. “We’re seeing kids all of a sudden be able to get those 9.80s. We sat here three weeks ago, and we were looking at 9.60s.” It was the first time since Feb. 20, 2009, that LSU’s worst performance of a meet was on vault. Breaux attributed the low score to resting the Tiger gymnasts a little extra this week. “I really think I did the right thing in giving them a light, light week, because their bodies were really tired,” she said. The subpar score didn’t transfer to the Tigers’ next event. LSU posted a 49.00 on bars as five of the six LSU gymnasts tied or set season highs. Freshman Sarie Morrison capped the event with the first 9.90 of the season for any LSU gymnast. “The warmup for me started a little slow, and then once everyone started hitting their routines, I
started getting more pumped up,” Morrison said. “When I stuck my dismount, I just knew it was the best routine I’d done so far.” Four Tigers posted a 9.80 or higher on beam en route to a 48.975 in the event. Sophomore Ericka Garcia tied her career high with a 9.85, and freshman Maliah Mathis posted a career-high 9.80, but Mathis wasn’t done. She continued her stellar night in LSU’s final apparatus, posting the Tigers’ first 9.925 of the season on floor. “Once the adrenaline hits me, I just go,” Mathis said. “The last pass, I just tried to control it.”
LSU’s previous team-high score of the season on floor was a 48.725. The Tigers posted a 49.150 against BYU. “Our kids stepped up. They worked the presentation and they worked those intangibles,” Breaux said. “How their body looks and how they present themselves is part of the judgment, and I think the kids are beginning to see that.” Senior Sam Engle and freshman Sarah Zoldos competed only on bars again this week as both nursed ankle injuries. Breaux said Engle likely could have competed on beam and will do so this week at practice.
Those Tiger fans unable to make the trip to the PMAC on Friday night may have heard a familiar voice on television. Former Tiger gymnast Susan
Jackson broadcast the game on CST. Contact Rowan Kavner at rkavner@lsureveille.com
page 10
The Daily Reveille
Monday, Feb. 7, 2011
The Daily Reveille
Monday, Feb. 7, 2011 RECRUITS, from page 7
Johnson, the brother of former LSU cornerback Patrick Peterson, was the charter member of the 2012 class when he committed in September. “I’m happy for him,” Peterson said in September. “He always told me he wanted to come here since he was a freshman in high school.” The 6-foot-2-inch, 180-pound recruit from Pompano Beach, Fla., caught 55 passes for seven touchdowns his sophomore season. Granier’s commitment in November was only surprising because of where he is from — Thibodaux High School. LSU has had a tough time pulling recruits from the school 67 miles to the south. Former Thibodaux high-profile recruits Greg Robinson and Trovon Reed picked Auburn instead of LSU in the past two years. “That was a big statement
OFFENSE, from page 7
were 3-for-15, we would have beaten Arkansas and Vandy.” All 13 Lady Tigers scored in the game, including senior forward Jasmine Nelson, who saw her first action of the year, putting up three points. “I’m really pleased with today,” Chancellor said. “It was a 13-player win. All 13 players scored, everyone contributed, and everyone did a good job.” The Lady Tiger defense, which led the conference allowing just 53.5
TURNOVERS, from page 7
just like South Carolina, if we were knocking down shots,” Johnson said. “It’s hard for everybody to understand that, but the last two games we’ve played with good effort, we’ve been in situations where we can win, but we’re not making shots.” Turnovers plagued the Tigers all day — they committed 13 — but down the stretch they were crippling. Four of LSU’s final five possessions ended prematurely via turnover. “I don’t think they did anything different on those last couple possessions,” Stringer said. “I just think our decision making was a little different than the rest of the game. I think we did a pretty good job of making decisions quickly early on in the game, and those last couple plays, we didn’t make them well.” The last shot LSU was able to manage in the game was a long jump shot from the top of the key by junior forward Garrett Green. The shot capped off a 3-of-8 shooting day for Green, who had success down low, but struggled with his mid- and long-range shots all afternoon. In the early going, LSU’s woes from three-point land nearly came to an end. The Tigers started the night off 4-of-6 from downtown before cooling down faster than this past week’s temperature in Baton Rouge. After the quick start, LSU missed its next 16 attempts from beyond the arc, before making its final two to finish the day 6-of-24. Despite the rapid decrease in long range productivity, the Tigers never wavered in their confidence to take 3-pointers.
commitment from Thibodaux,” Dixon said. “It stops the bleeding from that school.” Derek Ponamsky, publisher and recruiting analyst for BayouBengalsInsider.com, said the in-state players for 2012 may not be as highly rated as the ones from 2011, but Louisiana will still provide its fair share of athletes. “If you do a great job in evaluating talent, you can generally find it around here,” Miles said. “This state gives you that.” A top target for the Tigers is Dutchtown High School safety Landon Collins. Collins, who already earned a four-star rating from Scout, is familiar with LSU and spent time with Miles last month during the team’s Junior Day. “The No. 1 guy in the state of Louisiana is Landon Collins from Dutchtown,” Ponamsky said. “There’s going to be some good
quality players in-state.” Potential quarterbacks will also be on LSU’s radar. New offensive coordinator Steve Kragthorpe’s main role in recruiting will be to lure future signal callers. LSU is already recruiting quarterbacks Zeke Pike (Ft. Mitchell, Ky.), Maty Mauk (Kenton, Ohio) and Matt Davis (Houston). “I do have some experience recruiting in Louisiana, a lot of experience recruiting in Texas, and then wherever they want to put me, I can just throw on the purple and gold and go,” Kragthorpe said during his introductory press conference.
points per game, made its presence known, as well. LSU held the Rebels to 38 points in the game, the lowest output of any Tiger opponent this season, while forcing 14 turnovers in the contest. “We just went out and told them that in the second half we could not give them anything,” Chancellor said. “We changed our defense … and that just completely cut Ole Miss off.” LSU held Ole Miss to just 14.8-percent shooting for 12 points in the second half, while putting up
34 points of its own. “I thought we came in here tonight and played with more mojo,” Chancellor said. “Tonight it wasn’t just because we were playing Ole Miss. We regained some things here tonight and did some really good stuff.” LSU faces Auburn on Thursday in the PMAC in the second-to-last home game of the year. Tipoff is set for 7:00 p.m.
“The bottom line is, I’m comfortable living and dying [with 3-pointers] when we get shots in position where they have an opportunity to score,” Johnson said. “I spend
a lot of time watching my tape, and we’ve had our share of open shots.”
Follow Michael Lambert Twitter @TDR_Lambert
on
Contact Michael Lambert at mlambert@lsureveille.com
Contact Mark Clements at mclements@lsureveille.com
Contact Rob Landry at rlandry@lsureveille.com
page 11
The Daily Reveille
Opinion
page 12
GUEST COLUMN
Monday, Feb. 7, 2011
Mubarak’s departure means uncertain future for Middle East Gal Koren Special to The Daily Reveille
Demands for emancipation of the Egyptian people have been resonating through Tahrir Square in Cairo this week, resulting in at least 105 reported casualties, a turbulent atmosphere and an uncertain future for the country. Millions are calling to oust president Hosni Mubarak, whose 30-year continuous rule has been named undemocratic and repressive. Despite this unprecedented cry for change, Egypt has played both a stable and peaceful role in Middle Eastern politics under Mubarak. With Egypt’s political future unknown, some say this sudden uprising may prove to be a double-edged sword for both the West and the Middle East. Internally, Egypt has been under state of emergency law since 1967, banning manifestations and most political opposition. The military and police have been
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Indian porn column inaccurate, misguided The mixing of politics and morality is complicated. Radicals skew the issues in an attempt to serve their own agendas as well as salve personal pains. But is that the debate really portrayed in Mr. Robertson’s column? The column seems instead to question the morality of porn use and the relevance of religious texts, favoring the former and discrediting the latter. First, put aside religion and politics. Look at some results of porn use on individuals and relationships. 1 - It’s a cop out on a real relationship. It’s a selfish attempt to receive without investing. 2 - It undoubtedly hurts real relationships. Imagine dating a partner who loves fantasizing about sex with another. It would hurt your feelings, it would hurt mine (or I believe any other person who is honest). So of course it causes insecurities and reduces self-esteem. 3 - Every porn figure is a real person. Sure most of them “chose” to do that spread. But would anyone genuinely choose to have their most personal gifts exposed for a dollar? Or are they more likely motivated by
characterized by extreme brutality and poor human rights awareness, with more than 500 documented cases of torture between 1993 and 2007. Stemming from woes and frustration of indifferent government policies and corruption, as well as the grim economic situation in Egypt (with 40 percent of Egypt’s population earning roughly $2 per day), workers and the unemployed have been clashing against military forces in protest against the government, demanding unequivocally the immediate resignation of President Mubarak. Mubarak has acquiesced to fire the government and stated he will not run again for presidency come summer, but as of the first week of February, Egyptian protesters have not accepted his terms and would only agree to his removal. The turn of events leads many to question the area’s security. Until last week, Egypt had been considered to be the most reliable Arab ally of the United States,
other issues and are willing to give anything to gain in perceived value? Regardless of religious or political affiliation, I don’t know of any value system that would defend these things. Secondly, Robertson claims “Clearly, neither the Bible nor the Quran say a word about it.” This statement is simply not true. I am not as well versed in the Quran as in the Bible so I will defend my point using a single biblical citation: “But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart”(Matt. 5:28). Adultery is prohibited by the Ten Commandments. This would include pornography, unless pornography is viewed without lust ... This is one example in a large text. There are several other instances that denounce the inevitable fruits of pornography use. If your debate is about porn legality, then please discuss that. If your debate is about porn morality then please change your title, and present opinions, not false facts.
receiving millions in aid every year. With a dense population of 80 million people and situated near Middle Eastern conflicts, Egypt has served as a positive anchor for international diplomatic efforts in the area, primarily the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. During March 1979, in Washington, D.C., previous Egyptian president Anwaar El Sadat signed a peace treaty with the State of Israel, thus ending a belligerent history since Israel’s establishment. Forty-two years later, Egypt has remained Israel’s main ally in the Middle East and has assisted Israel in blocking the route of ammunition smuggled through Sinai into the Gaza Strip. This area has been controlled by Hamas since recent elections (indicated as a terrorist organization by the international community). Egypt and Jordan, currently both seem to be on an imminent brink of political revolution, are the only predominantly Muslim countries with which
Israel maintains diplomatic relations. As Mubarak’s popularity declines and the situation exacerbates, a notorious political figure otherwise known as the Muslim Brotherhood is attracting attention in Egypt. It was founded as an opposition party in far Ismailia, Egypt, and has since gained great influence motivated by Islamist principles and fundamentalist doctrine. Outlawed several times in Egypt by Mubarak and his predecessors, recent turmoil may be the opportune moment the Brotherhood has been wanting for years: to seize significant power in the Egyptian parliament. The Muslim Brotherhood operates in several other countries as well, like Syria, whose authoritarian president Bashaar Al Assad is sought to be removed by some activists inspired by the recent coups d’etat affecting the Arab world. While many world leaders have taken sides with the
demonstrators and condemned military violence, it is unknown whether the new regime in Egypt will remain a close Western ally and retain its friendly approach. During his terms in office, former U.S. President Bush endeavored to promote democracy in Pakistan, Iraq and the Gaza Strip by instating free elections, which have been mostly unfruitful after radical Islamist movements like Hamas were elected democratically. As the West desperately tries to cling to its moderate Muslim allies, it is a question of whether the Arab World is capable of electing leaders who will set the Middle East in a peaceful direction. Gal Koren is a 19-year-old computer science major at Bar Illan University. He lives in Kiryat Ono, Israel. Contact The Daily Reveille’s opinion staff at opinion@lsureveille.com
BEST AND WITTIEST
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Quote of the Day “Boredom: the desire for desires.” Leo Tolstoy Russian novelist Sept. 9, 1828 — Nov. 20, 1910
The Daily Reveille
Monday, Feb. 7, 2011
A BETTER PILL TO SWALLOW
Opinion
page 13
Mammoth resurrection proves science really can be fun Some of our most wonderful childhood memories stem from the beautiful marriage of science and fantasy. Gadgets like Batman’s grapple-gun and Captain Kirk’s communicator all roused our imaginations, but they often upheld one common truth — they were based on authentic science, albeit far advanced in design. However, most science is not as cool as batarangs or lightsabers. If I described how phosphofructokinase phosphorylates fructose-6-phosphate during glycolysis, you would want to slap me. But if I told you Japanese scientists are going to bring the woolly mammoth back from extinction, your inner 6-year-old would vividly fabricate wild scenarios of prehistoric animals breaking out of high-voltage electric fences. Yes, a team of Japanese scientists has already begun planning such a feat and expects to have a fully functioning mammoth in about five years. Though my mind has been trained by almost three years of science courses to think methodically, I struggle to see the pure scientific value in reviving woolly mammoths. I do concede that studying the behavior of an animal that went extinct more than 10,000 years ago is a novel scientific endeavor. However, I cannot shake the suspicion that these Japanese scientists, led by mad-scientist Akira Iritani, are only using scientific premises as a smokescreen. Maybe resurrecting mammoths is simply more awesome than it is scientifically important. I can live with that. I do not feel alone in my
reasoning. In no reference to Iritani and his teams’ work can I seem to glean any major scientific ramifications from such an act, either. Most periodicals appear to focus on constructing cheesy Jurassic Park jokes — something I definitely won’t do anymore. DoubtlessChris Freyder ly, the process Columnist of cloning the mammoth could also set the standard for bringing other extinct animals back to life. Who can predict how long it will be before we have a fully functional prehistoric zoo that even a maverick paleontologist would be proud of — sorry, I couldn’t help myself. Of course, not everything is peachy. Although the freezing temperatures of the Arctic have left many well-preserved frozen mammoth corpses at our disposal, ice damages DNA. Therefore, there is no complete genetic map of the mammoth thus far. Also, the cloning of the mammoth will involve a surrogate African elephant mother, which will endure a 600-day pregnancy and a 70 percent chance of spontaneous mammoth miscarriage. Not to be outdone here in the United States, scientists recently used the power of genetics to create a larger variety of jalapeno peppers — so we can stuff more cheese into them. Delicious. Are we playing God by attempting to resurrect mammoths? Are we constructing our own Tower of Babel? Would this
woolly mammoth have a soul? While I cannot answer these questions without deeper introspection, the imminent feeling that these Japanese scientists are creating some sort of Frankenmammoth looms over me. The scientists’ method of shocking the mammoth embryo with electricity to initiate development doesn’t stave away this feeling. Let’s hope this mammoth will do more to serve society than throw children into lakes and be frightened of fire. I am sure most of my misgivings are only cautionary in nature. Otherwise, I fully endorse this new venture of extinct animal resurrection. It was always inevitable. The idea has been around for decades, and the tools to create viable clones have been constantly developing. Now that these tools are sharp enough, it is time to cut away at science fiction until we are only left with science — pure, unadulterated, hairy-elephant science. Perhaps dinosaurs are a little out of the question for now, but who would not want to see a saber-toothed tiger or 12-foot cave bear added to the collection? My inner 6-year-old is ecstatic.
MISS-SKETCHED
Chris Freyder is a 21-year-old biological sciences junior from New Orleans. Follow him on Twitter @TDR_Cfreyder.
Contact Chris Freyder at cfreyder@lsureveille.com
LACYE BEAUREGARD / The Daily Reveille
WALKING ON THIN ICE
Drowning out British Petroleum: Dispersants were last straw If it wasn’t enough for a large corporation to be horribly unprepared for what became an imminent tragedy, the company allowed its mistake to rape our ecosystem to such an extent that it may never recover. New reports show that the chemical dispersants used to clean up the crude oil from the spill have yet to completely dissolve, according to the Environmental News Service Though they were supposed to be gone over the course of three months’ time, the toxic chemical mixture remains in a deep sea plume showing no signs of degradation except to the deepwater fish. While scientists are busy trying to discover to what extent these chemicals could ruin our environment, British Petroleum, similar to many large
corporations, is sitting comfortably in a vat of luscious green. Under the protection of basic accounting principles, corporations hold limited liability for their actions, and it definitely shows. The problem was caused by BP, and yet we’re the ones paying for the outrageous mistake. As a large Priyanka Bhatia c o r p oration, Columnist BP has the option to do nothing. While it’s an insane, unconventional option that would lead to international chaos, it’s an option that remains. With their product in such high demand, their only priority is making sure people are still paying. And so far, they are.
After spending millions of dollars on advertising, the business seemed to assume it was a job well done. Meanwhile, fisheries remain closed, and the Louisiana seafood industry is almost at a standstill. BP’s efforts to clean up the mess are posted all over the corporation’s website, but nothing has really been solved. It’s obvious the industry doesn’t care about our problems. It’s obvious they don’t care how we’re holding up, but the truth is we can change the course of events and make them see just how important our ecosystems are. As a people directly influenced by the disaster, the rest of the country is staring at us for direction in this freakish string of events, but we’re relying on one man to handle all of our
problems. Is it any wonder nothing’s fixed? And as a force of millions, it’s about time we raise our voices to the higher power and tell British Petroleum to stick it where the sun don’t shine and solve the underlying problem. It’s time for BP to suck the dispersants out and stop killing our wetlands. After all, what is another million or so dollars when livelihoods and lives are at stake? In a previous article, I mentioned that the EPA has declared Louisiana seafood unsafe, but just as unstable are the lives of the fishermen. It seems as though we have hit the bottom of the slick black pail, and it’s come time to climb out. While we may not have the money to force British Petroleum to make the right decision, we do
have the resources to make them change and the voices to make them listen. Below I have attached the address to British Petroleum’s Response to the gulf contact number and URL. Join their mailing list and voice your complaints. The time to make a difference is now. Environment/Community line (866) 448-5816 RestoreTheGulf.gov
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Priyanka Bhatia is a 19-year-old pre-veterinary medicine major with a minor in environmental management systems. Follow her on Twitter @TDR_Pbhatia. Contact Priyanka Bhatia at pbhatia@lsureveille.com
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►►BARTENDING UP TO NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY. TRAINING AVAILABLE. AGE 18+ OK 1-800965-6520 ext127 P/T WEEKND MANAGER ClimaStor needs P/ T weekend manager for climate control/ boat storage facility. MUST be able to work weekends. No experience necessary. Will train. Some light lifting and forklift operation. Great workplace for college student. Call or email resume to allie@ climastor.com. 225.761.2144 225.761.2144 PART TIME Ñ STUDENTS Great pay, Flexible schedules, sales, service, ages 17+, conditions apply, CALL TODAY: 225-383-4252 www. workforstudents.com SITTER / ASSISTANT needed a few aftnoons of week 2pm on. Must have transportation n avail weekends 504.382.3995 EARN $1000-$3200 A month to drive our brand new cars with ads placed on them. www. AdCarDriver.com BUSTLE BRIDAL HIRING P/T sales associate needed. Must be available on Saturdays. Retail experience a plus but not necessary. Bring resume to 7215 Highland Road btwn 10am - 5pm M-F. 225.769.9455 PARKVIEW BAPTIST PRESCHOOL Preschool Afternoon Teachers needed 3-6pm flex days. no degree required. Please email your resume to
STUDENTPAYOUTS. COM Paid Survey Takers Needed In Baton Rogue. 100% Free To Join! Click On Surveys. BATON ROUGE P-T OFFICE JOB Runs errands as needed, processes incoming mail and phone calls, keeps files organized, and performs simple book-keeping. 10 hours/ wk during normal business hours, including summer. Email resume and hours avail to jobs@puryear-it.com F/T AQUACULTURE BIOLOGIST C-K Associates, LLC has been providing environmental consulting services to Gulf South industries for over 25 years. Our current opportunity is for an Aquaculture Biologist to perform all culturing and support activities related to freshwater and marine aquaculture, and to maintain daily organism production rates to meet testing and sales needs. Requirements: BS in Biology or Zoology, aquaculture and toxicity testing experience preferred. Must be at least 21 years of age with valid driver’s license, and available to work a rotating weekend schedule. Please send resume to hr@cka.com For more information, visit us at www.c-ka.com INTERNSHIP Wanted: Poli Sci or International Relations majors to participate in government simulation. Participants will act as the cabinet of a fictional country. 225.910.8861 DON’T MISS THIS OPPORTUNITY! Now hiring for all positions at the following locations: JEFFERSON 7615 Jefferson Hwy Baton Rouge 70809 PERKINS ROWE 7707 Bluebonnet Blvd. Baton Rouge 70810 “Flexible schedules & Benefits
for Full Time Associates” Please apply in person during regular restaurant hours. Equal Opportunity Employer MODELS/ MALE AND FEMALE FOR CELEBRITY EVENTS/ HOSTS SUBMIT YOUR PROFILE ONLINE WITH PROFESSIONAL PHOTOS MUST BE AVAILABLE TO START RIGHT AWAY CONTACT US VIA EMAIL FOR MORE INFO AT bphilipapp@ gmail.com GREAT PART TIME school year, full time summer opportunity!! Kids’ fitness instructors/ camp counselors needed for high energy programs. Looking for highly motivated, purpose driven individuals interested in making a difference. No experience needed, great pay! Please fax resume’ to 225-706-1634 or email to brittany@exerfitbr.com. SWIMMING INTRUCTORS NEEDED GREAT OPPORTUNITY-Part time Afternoon April & May- Full Time SummerGreat 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 INTERVIEWING IN NOLA for Katrina Recovery. Join our LSU Sociology Research Team to conduct interviews of residents in New Orleans neighborhoods. Saturday trips to New Orleans, with full day of work. $9/ hr with free round-trip transportation & lunch. Interesting, meaningful teamwork on community recovery. Contact David Maddox, dmaddo1@tigers.lsu.edu
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. 225-3465055. www.tigermanor.com
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LSU Walk to Campus New Orleans style Courtyard -pool2BR all appls. inc w/ d $695 1BR $495 Studio inc ul’s $445.. More! 766-5511 ROOMMATE NEEDED; LSU BUS ROUTE Private bedroom in beautiful 3 bdrm 2 ba condo on LSU bus route. Fully furnished kitchen and living room in Beau Chene Condominiums corner Lee & Nicholson; $525/month all inclusive; no need for parking pass or to drive on campus; no pets please; 504.452.6989 BRIGHTSIDE PARK TOWNHOMES Large 2BR 2.5 Bath w/d, pool. $800 955-6480 or 588-3070 southlandpropertiesinc.com BURGIN APARTMENTS 1br/1ba, $589/mo, $400/ dep. 175 Burgin Ave, Highland and Lee. W/S included, W/D on site. No dogs. Call for appointment. 225.252.3163
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The Daily Reveille
Monday, Feb. 7, 2011 and I’m learning major and minor pentatonic scales. My interests are classic rock from the 70s-80s, new country, and blues. Call or text me at 225.718.9678 XBOX 360 LSU student looking for XBOX 360 players to form an online group. No commitment needed, just looking for casual players willing to play multiplayer on any XBOX game. No specific games required, just looking for others looking to play. Email me at kmoran4@lsu. edu if you are interested, and feel free to include any games and gamer tags you want to ad to the list. Bassist Wanted Tired of cover bands? Bassist wanted to help start band to play original music. Genres include classic rock, southern rock, blues, new rock, punk rock, ska, ect. Email for an audition at: connerzord1@yahoo.com Experience preferred but not required. Guitartist Looking for Band I have plenty of experience with blues/rock scales
WATER SKI Team/Club!!! Lots of Fun & hanging out on the water, whether your competitive or recreational !! If interested CONTACT Jaime Wallace =) @ Jwall28@tigers. lsu.edu or 318.381.5078 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 SEEKING HILLARY LOOKALIKE I love the environment, vegetables, recycling, books, gays, and protesting everything, so pretty much just a normal, run-of-the-mill democrat. If you want to meet up over a non-fat, dairy-free, sugar-free, caffeine-free latte’ and talk about how much we love taxation just send me an email at bdonne3@lsu.edu
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The Daily Reveille
Monday, Feb. 7, 2011