Movies: Rave Theater installing IMAX-3D screen, p. 9
SG: Black caucus debate heats up in Senate, p. 3
Reveille The Daily
www.lsureveille.com
Sports: Lacrosse making mark on campus, p. 5 Thursday, March 3, 2011 • Volume 115, Issue 101
Let the Race Begin
Forbes names BR fifth most toxic city Rachel Warren Staff Writer
Aaron Caffarel & Allison Robison
Garrett Dupre & Jarrett Richard
before us have aimed to do,” Caffarel said. Alexandra Westermann, who is running on Caffarel and Robison’s ticket, said they will work to better the University, and she is ready to implement changes. Dupre and Richard, who refer to themselves as a combination of their first name initials, GJ, are supporting heightened communication in their campaign, “Open Source.” They said they want “all members of the LSU community” to voice their opinions. “We are speaking directly to individuals,
Baton Rouge has been ranked by Forbes as the fifth most toxic city in the country, but University officials question the results. Mike Durham, director of the Office of Environmental Health and Safety, said he hadn’t heard of the rankings but was upset by Baton Rouge’s placement. “It’s really disappointing to see this,” Durham said. Durham said he wasn’t sure the rankings were completely accurate. “I think it’s a bogus story, if you want to know the truth,” he said. Forbes says Baton Rouge saw 33.6 million pounds of on-site toxic releases in 2009 — the latest statistics available. Patrick West, safety and environmental training officer for Environmental Health and Safety, said in an e-mail the numbers were likely misrepresented. West said he read in an Environmental Protection Agency
ELECTION, see page 15
TOXIC, see page 15
David Jones & Kacey Brister
Cody Wells & Kathleen Bordelon
photos labeled presidential candidate first; by CHRISTOPHER LEH, BLAIR LOCKHART, BRIANNA PACIORKA and ADAM VACCARELLA / The Daily Reveille
Four tickets announce candidacy for Student Government presidential race Andrea Gallo Staff Writer
Pushcards, stickers and trinkets will pepper the campus for the next few weeks. Four pairs of Student Government presidential and vice presidential contenders announced their candidacies and their proposed changes to SG on Wednesday, officially commencing campaign season. Aaron Caffarel and Allison Robison, Garrett Dupre and Jarrett Richard, David Jones and Kacey Brister, and Cody Wells and Kathleen Bordelon announced their campaigns.
Caffarel and Robison said their campaign, “NOW,” will focus on creating relationships with legislators to find “long-term solutions to the financial crisis facing higher education in the state.” The pair said its ticket advocates increased student involvement within organizations, in cultural campus events and on faculty committees. They also said they want to increase campus sustainability and strengthen SG’s “visibility and accessibility.” “My purpose at LSU is to represent the best interests of my fellow students and serve them in whatever capacity I am able, just as those
PHILANTHROPY
Students, chancellor participate in Read Across America Event celebrates Dr. Seuss’ birthday Catherine Threlkeld Contributing Writer
Outside his usual setting of suits and ties, important meetings and decisions affecting thousands of students, Chancellor Michael Martin sat down with a group of elementary students Wednesday. Wearing a red-and-white striped hat like the one from Dr. Seuss’ “The Cat in the Hat,” Martin sat on a child-size chair and read Judith Viorst’s “Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day.” The occasion was “Read Across America” week and
Dr. Seuss’ birthday celebration. Martin engaged with the students, asking them questions about the book and the University. He learned in and asked if they wanted to come to the University when they got older. “You’re going to play sports? Basketball? Football?” Martin asked the kids. “We’ve got a place for everyone to come and do that.” Before leaving, Martin told the students to keep reading and snapped a picture with the group. “[Today] reminds us that we have an obligation to our colleagues who work in K through 12,” Martin said after reading. “I so enjoyed my own kids when they were this age.” Martin said it’s important to encourage the students to continue reading.
“If I had my choice, I’d do this all day and not go to important meetings,” Martin joked. “This is about the future of LSU as much as it is the present at Polk [Elementary School].” University students also volunteered at Polk and Buchanan Elementary Schools. Emily D’Aquin, child and family studies senior, said she volunteered because her major has taught her how important reading is. “You should start reading to your child from birth,” she said. “And in our public schools, there should be all kinds of books available.” D’Aquin read “Wilfrid Gordon McDonald Partridge” and READING, see page 15
DAVID LYLE / The Daily Reveille
Chancellor Michael Martin reads to Polk Elementary School students Wednesday as part of Dr. Seuss’ birthday celebration and Read Across America week.
The Daily Reveille
Nation & World
page 2
Thursday, March 3, 2011
INTERNATIONAL
NATIONAL
STATE/LOCAL
Libyan rebel forces flee pro-Gadhafi demonstrators after violent battle
Community college student files lawsuit over illegal GPS tracking
New Orleans mayor expects Mardi Gras activities to generate $322M
BREGA, Libya (AP) — Rebel forces routed troops loyal to Moammar Gadhafi in a fierce battle over an oil port Wednesday, scrambling over beach dunes and using an air strike to corner their attackers. The attack on Brega, a strategic oil facility 460 miles (740 kilometers) east of Gadhafi’s stronghold in Tripoli, illustrated the deep difficulties the Libyan leader’s armed forces — militiamen, mercenaries and military units — have had in rolling back the uprising that has swept over the entire eastern half of Libya since Feb. 15. Gadhafi warned against Western intervention, vowing to turn Libya into “another Vietnam.” Gadhafi said any foreign troops coming into his country “will be entering hell and they will drown in blood.” At least 10 anti-Gadhafi fighters were killed and 18 wounded in the battle for Brega, Libya’s secondlargest petroleum facility. Citizen militias flowed from a nearby city and from Benghazi to reinforce the defense, finally repelling loyalists. The attack began just after dawn, when several hundred proGadhafi forces in 50 trucks and SUVs mounted with machine guns descended on the port.
WASHINGTON (AP) — A community college student who says he’s never done anything to attract the interest of law enforcement officials filed a lawsuit Wednesday against the FBI for secretly putting a GPS tracking device on his car. Yasir Afifi, 20, says a mechanic changing his oil in October discovered the device stuck to his car with magnets. Afifi removed it and had it identified. Two days later, Afifi says, agents wearing bullet-proof vests pulled him over as he drove away from his apartment and demanded their property back.
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu expects Mardi Gras 2011 to be one of the city’s biggest and best. Landrieu told reporters Wednesday that the economic impact of this year’s celebration on the city likely will total $322 million. The figure is based on a study evaluating the effects of the 2009 Mardi Gras season. Mardi Gras 2011 is March 8. The later date and warmer weather is expected to attract students from across the country on Spring Break.
KEVIN FRAYER / The Associated Press
A political book depicting Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi burns Wednesday during a protest in Benghazi, Libya.
Venezuelan human rights activists protest sentencing of union leader
Airport workers accused of failing to examine luggage for explosives
CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — Leading human rights activists condemned Venezuelan authorities on Wednesday for sentencing a union leader to prison for launching a strike. More than 100 other unionists also face charges after participating in protests. Ruben Gonzalez was sentenced Monday to seven-and-a-half years in prison on charges related to a strike he led that temporarily paralyzed Venezuela’s state-run iron mining company.
HONOLULU (AP) — Transportation Security Administration officers have been disciplined after allegations that workers at Honolulu International Airport didn’t screen checked bags for explosives. TSA announced the action following a television station reported 27 workers were investigated for failing to check as many as thousands of pieces of luggage. In some cases over a period as long as four months, officers marked unexamined bags as having been screened.
SPRINGFEST Team Leader Applications Available Now! Access the application at www.lsu.edu/oma due by 4 pm Friday, March 4 Campus Housing Contract Renewal (CHCR) Open to ALL residents on Campus to reserve a space anywhere on campus and have the option to invite one person to join them
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Product placement is getting out of hand: New Spin Zone Blog. Students look for housing deals at the Living Expo: Video. Find yourself in our pics from Snowing in the South: Flickr. The modern music industry is rapidly declining: LMFAO. Ryan Ginn analyzes the baseball close call: Tiger Feed.
Manatee mortality spikes, record numbers die because of cold NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Cold weather has taken a toll for the second year in a row on one of the Gulf Coast’s most interesting creatures — the gentle, half-ton manatees that winter in Florida waters. Manatees have died in near-record numbers since New Year’s Day, according to Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission data. Bottlenose dolphins have also been dying in large numbers from an unknown cause. Scientists say the spike in manatee deaths is clearly related to cold; dolphin deaths are still under investigation.
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2011 LSU Chalk Art Competition on Saturday , March 26 8 apm - 4 pm, LSU Parade Ground. Win one of four $100 cash awards! Visit the Union Art Gallery or lsu.edu/union for applcations and guidelines
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POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
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Thursday, March 3, 2011
The Daily Reveille
page 3
STUDENT GOVERNMENT
Black caucus emerges in tense session
Andrea Gallo Staff Writer
Student Government Senators ranted, yelled and rallied through a two-and-a-half hour debate Wednesday night that ended in SG voting to create a black caucus. The resolution passed on a 32-11-2 roll call vote. Sen. Ashley Hebert, one of the authors of the bill, defended it throughout the evening. “I never thought that by trying to help the black people at LSU, I’d be faced with so much ignorance,” Hebert said. CHRISTOPHER LEH / The Daily Reveille The debate climaxed when Members of the newly instated black caucus debate the merits of the group at Sen. David Jones, College of Humanities and Social Sciences, Wednesday night’s Student Government Senate meeting. “It’s not your job to question endorsed the bill and said it will of Agriculture, also expressed her this group of students who you help unite the University as a desire to fail the resolution. “If we need a caucus system don’t understand. It’s your job to campus. The senators were told white members would not be able then break it down by something represent them,” Williams said. Sen. Lane Pace, University other than race,” to reach “active Center for Freshman Year, adGillum said. status” if they deHebert em- dressed problems that have arisen cided to join the phasized the cau- with black caucuses on the nationblack caucus. cus would “help al level. Sen. Chris “I don’t think because you’re us represent more Sellers, College students on cam- black you face different problems of Humanities and than if you are white,” Pace said. pus.” Social Sciences, The debate also turned into “How can told an anecdote you say we’re a question of who senators are about a man who one united student meant to represent and whether was, in every way, body when there’s SG senators should only represent similar to Jones, Sen. Ashley Hebert less than 10 per- the people in their respective colexcept he was Graduate School cent black people leges or all students. white. The authors of the bill continon campus?” HeSellers compared his exclusion from the cau- bert asked. “Can you recognize ually repeated that they want the cus to Jones being told he couldn’t that forming this caucus will be a black caucus to open the door for other caucuses within SG, as well. relate to this man because they meeting of minds?” “We’ve had caucuses beGillum replied by saying were different races. Sen. Carolyn Hill, Gradu- “it’s not our faults” there is such a fore, but none of them have been ate School, responded by saying small percentage of black people backed by legislation, and that’s why they fizzled out,” Jones said. black people face different strug- at the University. Theodore Williams, a former “This will be used as a pilot progles from white people. “When you wake up in the SG member who was at the meet- gram for us to see what works.” morning, you have white privi- ing as a guest, reprimanded Sen. lege,” Hill said, inciting gasps Emily Landry, E.J. Ourso College from the chamber. “I am a black of Business, for questioning why Contact Andrea Gallo at female, and those are issues I black people didn’t currently feel agallo@lsureveille.com have to deal with every day when represented within SG. I wake up in the morning. I can’t change who I am.” “I can empathize because I have never felt as discriminated against until one of the authors of this bill told me I couldn’t be a member of this committee because of the color of my skin,” Sellers retorted. Sen. Kasey Gillum, College
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‘I never thought that by trying to help the black people at LSU, I’d be faced with so much ignorance.’
Thursday, March 3 SHADY’S
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The Daily Reveille
page 4
STATE
Jindal’s proposed legislation would allow cuts to protected funds session, Jindal made a rare appear- be removed more easily than ance in front of the Senate Finance constitutional protections. The Legislature can overturn Committee, urging legislators to a statutory dedipass Senate Bill 1, cation by simply which would have MIDYEAR CUTS passing a law, granted Jindal the Matthew Albright which needs only 10 percent power. Chief Staff Writer The bill failed • 2008: State suffers $234 million a majority vote. One of the keystones of Gov. despite A constituJindal’s midyear cut -- entire cut taken Bobby Jindal’s proposed legisla- plea. tional dedication out of General Fund. tion to ease budget cuts to higher According to • 2009: State suffers $340 million is more difficult, education is a scaled-back version the Legislature’s midyear cut -- Jindal cuts dedirequiring a twoof legislation he has twice pro- website, the bill cated funds by $22.4 million, the thirds vote and a posed that would bolster a power passed the Sen- rest is taken out of General Fund vote of the people. he has seldom used. Bob Mann, ate. In the House, • 2010: State suffers $106 million The proposal, announced last however, the bill political commuweek as part of the governor’s sec- was funneled into midyear cut -- entire cut taken nication professor ond higher education legislation a conference com- out of General Fund. and former compackage, would allow Jindal to cut mittee, where sevmunications direc10 percent from protected funds to eral legislators added exceptions to tor for then-Gov. Kathleen Blanco, ease budget burdens on higher edu- the bill, tacking on provisions that says the 2009 bill’s ill-fated life cation. would exempt certain programs span is a good indicator of potenCurrently, many programs from the governor’s budgetary tial political hurdles. throughout the state have dedicated scythe. “There are lot of interests that or protected sources of funding. The bill never made it out of are very interested in keeping their When budget cuts occur, those the committee. dedications,” he said. “There are programs are spared cuts, which Although similar, the 2009 a lot of people who have a strong increases cuts to bill — and a simi- motivation to keep those funds higher education lar one that failed protected.” and health care. Mann said programs that benin 2010 — would Jindal’s sechave granted more efit from dedicated funds — and ond higher educaexpansive powers, the lobbyists who represent those tion package, anallowing Jindal programs — don’t want to see nounced last week, to cut both funds their protections disappear, so they seeks to address protected by the lobby legislators to fight the bill or this structural constitution and make exceptions. problem. Because many programs refunds that are The first piece ceive dedicated funds, many intermerely protected Bob Mann of legislation in political communication professor by statute. ests are opposed to such legislathe package would The new bill tion. increase the bud“[Jindal] is targeting pretty would only give get-managing power the governor the governor power to cut statuto- much everything but higher educaalready has. rily dedicated funds, according to tion and health care,” Mann said. The state constitution allows DiResto. Read about the effects of the governor to cut 5 percent from It would also exempt dedicathis bill on lsureveille.com. protected programs if the state tions that result from agency fees general fund — where most of the paid to regulatory agencies by Contact Matthew Albright at unprotected funds are — is cut by businesses. malbright@lsureveille.com seven-tenths of a percent. Statutory protections can The governor can use this power when lower-than-expected government revenues cause midyear cuts. Jindal has already had several opportunities to use this power. In December 2008 and October 2010, for example, he issued executive orders that caused midyear cuts. Those orders either made cuts to the general fund or passed responsibility for distributing the cuts to legislative committees. Most recently, Jindal ordered a midyear cut last semester that sliced $5.1 million from the University’s budget and $34.7 million from higher education statewide. All of the money for that cut came out of the General Fund. Jindal used the power to cut protected programs once, in January 2009, when he reduced statutory dedications by $22.4 million to fill a midyear gap of $341 million, according to Michael DiResto, director of communications and strategic initiatives with the Division of Administration. This isn’t the first time Jindal has proposed granting his office more power to cut dedicated funds. In the 2009 legislative
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Wii KNOW LIVING
Similar bills have previously failed
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‘[Jindal] is targeting pretty much everything but higher education and health care.’
BENJAMIN HICKS / The Daily Reveille
Anthony Pham (left), biology junior, and Tristan Dao (right), chemistry junior, play Wii on Wednesday morning at the Living Expo in the Student Union.
Sports
Thursday, March 3, 2011
page 5
MEN’S BASKETBALL
Bulldogs pound Tigers, 73-53 Michael Lambert Sports Writer
LAcrosse LSU lacrosse club sees increase in participation, fan support as sport grows in Louisiana
photos by BENJAMIN OLIVER HICKS / The Daily Reveille
[Top] The LSU lacrosse team runs a drill Tuesday night at the Sport and Adventure Complex fields. [Above] A player celebrates during practice Tuesday night at the SAC fields.
Despite being a club team since 1973, show up.” LSU lacrosse has only recently seen a relaThe interest increase wasn’t an actively large amount of popcident. Most, a New York ularity and exposure. state native, cites the Albert Burford In recent years, the ingrowth of high school laSports Contributor flux of lacrosse culture into crosse throughout Louisithe South has influenced the team. ana, Texas and surrounding states as the “When I was a freshman, we were reason for the participation boost at LSU. quite the ragtag bunch of guys,” said Jacob He also said the increased number of Most, lacrosse player and LSU club presi- area players with high school experience dent. “It was a collection of a lot of guys has strengthened the team’s numbers and who hadn’t played before.” talent. Most, mass communication junior and Fourteen high schools across Louiformer Daily Reveille employee, has no- siana have lacrosse programs. Of them, ticed a difference in the makeup of the team Catholic High School and Dutchtown High in just three years of lacrosse. School are the closest to LSU. “This year we had tryouts for the first time,” Most said. “We had like 50 people LACROSSE, see page 7
LSU men’s basketball coach Trent Johnson is used to having Georgia coach Mark Fox on his side. The two shared the bench as assistants with Washington during the early 1990s, and Johnson hired Fox to his staff at Nevada in 1999. The coaches went toe-to-toe Wednesday night, and the understudy got the best of his former boss as the Bulldogs bullied LSU (11-19, 3-12) in the second half to beat the Tigers, 73-53. Georgia (20-9, 9-6) capitalized on LSU’s 18 turnovers, scoring 34 points off the Tigers’ mistakes. “That’s the difference in the basketball game,” Johnson said in his postgame radio interview. “We got real careless with the ball.” Freshman point guard Andre Stringer and freshman guard Ralston Turner each committed four turnovers. Turner, who recorded a gamehigh 19 points, was the bright spot for LSU despite the four giveaways. His 9-of-9 performance from the free-throw line was a career high. “Ralston played well for us,” Johnson said. “He did a very good job in terms of getting to the freethrow line and being aggressive.” The Bulldogs used a balanced LOSS, see page 7
BASEBALL
Tigers squeak past winless Mississippi Valley State, 10-8 LSU uses six pitchers in offensive duel Rowan Kavner Sports Writer
Junior pitcher Matty Ott picked a bittersweet night to tie LSU’s all-time saves record with 29. A resilient Mississippi Valley State (0-9) battled back from a 6-0 first-inning deficit but fell short, 10-8, as the No. 19 LSU baseball team (9-0) squeaked out a win Wednesday night. “They were a really scrappy team,” said sophomore right fielder Mason Katz. “They were never going to give up the whole way.”
After going down in order to start the game, the Delta Devils answered the Tigers’ six-run first inning onslaught with three runs in the second inning. “We preach to our pitchers to not give back runs after our offense puts up a good inning,” Katz said. “We didn’t play bad defense. They were just staying in the count and hitting the ball hard.” Katz retaliated with an RBI single to center field in the bottom of the second inning to increase LSU’s lead to 7-3. The Delta Devils fought back with two more runs off two doubles and a single in the top of the third inning to cut LSU’s lead, 7-5. The Tigers hadn’t allowed more than four runs in any game this season.
MVSU chased LSU senior pitcher Daniel Bradshaw after 2 1/3 innings in his first start of 2011. All five runs were earned as Bradshaw divvied out six hits, including a two-run home run to MVSU junior first baseman Derek Wallace, who was hitting .200 with no home runs entering the game. “It wasn’t so much what we were doing bad as much as what they were doing good that got them back into the game,” said LSU coach Paul Mainieri. The Tigers never trailed but were forced to keep scoring as the Delta Devils put on the pressure. MVSU senior catcher Kylie Ming led off the fifth inning with a single and stole second base. WIN, see page 7
BRIANNA PACIORKA / The Daily Reveille
LSU sophomore Chris Cotton (58) pitches Wednesday during the Tigers’ 10-8 victory against Mississippi Valley State in Alex Box Stadium.
The Daily Reveille
page 6
Thursday, March 3, 2011
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
Lady Tigers faces Alabama in SEC tournament today Possible Kentucky matchup looms Rachel Whittaker Sports Writer
LSU women’s basketball coach Van Chancellor said one thing is certain about LSU’s firstround matchup against Alabama in the 2011 Southeastern Conference Tournament: The teams’ styles couldn’t be more different. The No. 7-seed Lady Tigers (18-12, 8-8) clash against No. 10seed Crimson Tide (16-13, 5-11) today at 2:30 p.m. at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., with a second-round battle against No. 2-seed Kentucky 24 hours later. “We’re 100 percent contrasting styles of play,” Chancellor said. “They want to press; we don’t press.
They want to get up and down; we don’t get up and down.” The Crimson Tide began their SEC season with nine straight losses, but they enter the postseason with wins in five of their last seven games. One of those defeats came Jan. 9 at the hands of LSU, 72-43, LSU’s third-largest margin of victory this season. Alabama coach Wendell Hudson said the Crimson Tide have learned from their errors in the 29-point loss and have made “some small adjustments” to correct them. “The matchup wasn’t hard to figure out. We just weren’t shooting the ball very well,” Hudson said. “We had some wide-open opportunities. ... If we can score and get the game into a transition game, we’ll feel pretty good about our chances to be successful.” Hudson said LSU’s defense
will also be a challenge to over- All-SEC and All-Defensive Team come. The Lady Tigers finished the honors, announced Tuesday, and regular season No. 1 in the SEC she’s No. 2 in the conference with in scoring defense 15.7 points per and No. 2 in fieldgame and No. 1 in goal and 3-point rebounding with percentage de10.9 per game. fense. Horn was named to “The biggest the SEC All-Freshthing that makes man Team. them so difficult “You can tell is they play a halfeveryone on that Van Chancellor court man-to-man LSU women’s basketball coach team respects Jen[defense],” Hudkins as a player son said. “LSU and the things doesn’t extend their defense the she’s done in her career,” said LSU way a lot of other teams do.” senior guard Katherine Graham, But Alabama has a few pro- another SEC All-Defensive Team ductive players of its own. It boasts honoree. “She’s a tremendous perthe No. 4-ranked scoring offense son, and she brings a good low-post with senior forward Tierney Jen- presence.” kins, junior guard Ericka Russell The No. 1 seed in the SEC and freshman forward Kaneisha tournament is Tennessee, which has Horn, the team’s top three scorers. won 19 straight games and finished Jenkins earned First-Team 16-0 in conference play. Kentucky
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‘We’re 100 percent contrasting styles of play.’
RECRUITING
Linebacker not following teammates to Auburn Thibodaux native commits to LSU Mark Clements Sports Contributor
While LSU is known for reeling in the majority of in-state football talent, recent years have left one dark cloud hovering over a small southern city — Thibodaux. Tiger fans have watched two highly touted recruits say goodbye to the backyard field and ditch their purple and gold for the orange and blue of Auburn University. Scout.com three-star linebacker Trey Granier said he is a different story. “That doesn’t bother me,” Granier said of his former teammates’ depar‘He’s one ture. “I’ve been of the best [committed to] from day football LSU one. They chose players in to take a differthe state.’ ent route.” Five-star wide receiver Mike Scarborough Trovon Reed, considered by Rivals.com recruiting analyst many as a longtime LSU lean, shocked Tiger nation in 2010 by verbally committing and later signing to the Auburn Tigers. This past recruiting season showed a similar scenario with four-star guard Greg Robinson. Robinson was considered a coinflip choice between LSU and Auburn before announcing his decision to attend Auburn less than two months before signing day. “The Auburn staff made their mark and set their sights on [Reed and Robinson],” said Shea Dixon, managing editor for TigerSportsDigest.com. “Trey is not one that they’re after as hard, and certainly he’s committed. He’s one I see definitely sticking.”
Granier got a jump-start on the recruiting process, receiving his LSU offer Sept. 15 and making his decision official Nov. 11. “The atmosphere at LSU football is something that I had never really experienced before,” Granier said. “When you’re around it and get a chance to experience it by going to a few games, how can TREY GRANIER you not want to Thibodaux be there?” linebacker The 6-foot1-inch, 225-pound Thibodaux native is listed on the Rivals Top 250 watch list for 2012 and chose LSU over Alabama, Arkansas, Auburn, Florida, Tennessee and Texas. Rivals.com recruiting analyst Mike Scarborough called Granier a rare elite Louisiana linebacker and said Granier is one of the jewels of this class. “It’s crazy that this state
produces so many great football players, but you have to go back to Bradie James since there was a national caliber linebacker,” Scarborough said. “He’s going to be the type of kid that’s a featured team leader at LSU. I do think he’s one of the best football players in the state.” Cory Butler, Granier’s father, said the future Tiger’s football skills come from a long line of athletes. Butler mentioned parents, grandparents, uncles and cousins who were collegiate athletes. The list also included two former Tigers — David Butler, a wide receiver in the ’90s, and Lionel Wallis, a wide receiver under former coach Jerry Stovall the ’80s. “Trey’s been blessed to be part of a family who has had several athletes play collegiate athletics,” said Butler, who played football at Nicholls State. But Granier’s talents aren’t limited to the field. The Thibodaux senior is also
an honor student, which Butler, principal at Ellender Memorial High School in Houma, said runs in the family as well. Granier also told Tiger fans not to worry about the Thibodaux trend of leaving Louisiana. When asked about his future commitment status, Granier replied, “It’s for good.” Contact Mark Clements at mclements@lsureveille.com
finished five games back in the standings at 11-5. No. 3 Vanderbilt and No. 4 Georgia also earned firstround byes with 10-6 records. Kentucky coach Matthew Mitchell said either LSU or Alabama will present challenges to the Wildcats, even though they knocked off both teams this season. “We played LSU pretty recently, so that may help our kids if LSU in fact beats Alabama,” Mitchell said. “In SEC tournament play, the preparation time is not there, so it doesn’t become as much about what the other team’s doing. It’s what you’re able to do well.” Follow Rachel Whittaker on Twitter @TDR_Whittaker
Contact Rachel Whittaker at rwhittaker@lsureveille.com
The Daily Reveille
Thursday, March 3, 2011
page 7
huge amount.” Most said the team was encouraged by the crowd interaction. “They started doing the ‘Geaux Tigers’ chant from both sides of the field, and we scored right after that. The crowd went crazy,” he said. “Crowd support was something I’ve never really been a part of at a lacrosse game.” The games were also covered by NBC-33 TV, Tiger TV and The Advocate. As the talent and crowds grow, the venues for the team grow. The team even played a game against Ole Miss in VaughtHemingway Stadium, Ole Miss’
football stadium. After starting off with two losses on the season, LSU notched its first win of the season Feb. 20 against Baylor. The win marked the team’s first win against Baylor in program history. “We should be beating Baylor and competing with Texas and Texas A&M,” Most said. “It was a huge stepping stone for our team.” Both Joslyn and Most agreed the team is growing and improving, but the goal for the season is to do well in conference play and qualify for the Men’s Collegiate Lacrosse Association playoffs. The Tigers are members of the Lone Star Alliance.
“Even with these out-of-conference losses we had, we’re still in the hunt for the playoff berth,” Joslyn said. “When we travel to Texas A&M and Texas State, if we win one of those games, we’ll go to the playoffs. That keeps the guys motivated.” The last time LSU made the playoffs was in 2007, when the team qualified on technicality after Rice dropped out of the competition. The future of the sport depends on the continued growth of lacrosse throughout the South, Joslyn said. “Once Louisiana high school lacrosse gets big and relevant, that
will certainly help us out,” he said. “We always lack a little in lacrosse IQ and experience, but we’re moving in the right direction.” Most is also excited about the future of the LSU club. “We’ve grown exponentially from when I got here to where we are now,” he said. “Everybody on the team has played before, and that speaks for itself in terms of improving as a team.”
letes, and they ran out on us,” Johnson said. But the Bulldogs didn’t have complete control of the game. LSU flexed its muscles early, starting the game with a 13-4 lead. The Bulldogs began the contest shooting 2-of-12 before eventually heating up from the floor and going on a 15-2 run, which gave Georgia a 30-25 halftime lead. “We have a hard time sustaining anything past 30 minutes,” Johnson said. Georgia’s ninth conference victory kept its hope for a bye in SEC tournament alive and helped its case for an spot in the NCAA
tournament. Before Wednesday’s game, ESPN’s Joe Lunardi projected the Bulldogs as a No. 11 seed in the NCAA tournament. LSU could have secured the fifth-place spot in the SEC West by upsetting Georgia or if Ole Miss had defeated Auburn on Wednesday night. Neither scenario transpired. Auburn’s 76-73 win at home against the Rebels keeps the No. 5 spot in the SEC West up for grabs. LSU will host Auburn on Saturday at 6 p.m. for the fifth seed in the division. The winner of the game will
open the SEC tournament against the No. 4 team from the SEC East on March 10 in Atlanta. The loser will take on the No. 3 squad from the East. Kentucky, Vanderbilt and Georgia are all tied for the second spot in the East with 9-6
conference records.
Watkins finished the night with a career-high three stolen basMing scored later in the inning es, while Jones continued his torrid after MVSU hit into a double play, start, going 3-for-3 with two RBIs. slimming the Tiger lead to 8-6 after The Nos. 6-9 hitters, consistLSU junior centering of Katz, sophfielder Mikie Mahomore first basetook scored on a man Alex Edward, wild pitch the injunior catcher ning before. Jordy Snikeris and LSU tacked Jones, combined on two more runs for nine hits and in the bottom half six RBIs. of the inning on The Delta a solo home run Devils continued by freshman secthe slugfest with Mason Katz ond baseman Jatwo unearned runs LSU sophomore right fielder Coby Jones and a in the seventh insqueeze bunt by junior third base- ning off freshman pitcher Nick man Tyler Hanover, which brought Rumbelow but were shut out in the in junior left fielder Trey Watkins. eighth and ninth innings by sopho“I knew he was coming back more Chris Cotton and Ott. with a fastball because he wouldn’t Ott’s save tied the record of throw me a changeup [with a 3-1 former Tiger closer Rick Greene. count],” Jones said. “I sat on a fast“It’s a great honor,” Ott said. ball, and that’s what I got.” “Rick’s son comes out and throws
the first pitch today, and his son even messaged me on Facebook and said, ‘I hope you beat the record.’”
LACROSSE, from page 5
LSU lacrosse coach Nick Joslyn, a 2005 LSU alumnus who played for the team, said more players come from Louisiana high schools than in previous years. Fifteen members of the LSU club are from Louisiana, according to the team’s roster. With increased interest in the sport comes increased fan support. The team’s first two games were Friday night events hosted at the UREC Sport and Adventure Complex. “We had probably over 100 people at the games,” Most said, “which for a club sport is a pretty
LOSS, from page 5
attack to beat LSU as four players, including junior guard Gerald Robinson, scored in double figures. Robinson, a transfer from Tennessee State University, contributed 16 points. “Robinson’s a very impressive athlete,” Johnson said. “He’s a really good addition for them.” Georgia junior forward Trey Thompkins, the Southeastern Conference Preseason Player of the Year, was held to eight points, but his supporting cast carried the load. “They have some good ath-
WIN, from page 5
‘‘
‘We didn’t play bad defense. They were just staying in the count and hitting the ball hard.’
Follow Rowan Kavner on Twitter @TDR_Kavner. Contact Rowan Kavner at rkavner@lsureveille.com
Contact Albert Burford at aburford@lsureveille.com
Follow Michael Lambert Twitter @TDR_Lambert. Contact Michael Lambert at mlambert@lsureveille.com
on
page 8
The Daily Reveille
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Online exclusive: Ice Cube playing Baton Rouge concert tonight
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Entertainment
page 9
MOVIES
BR’s first IMAX to open March 11 Kittu Pannu Entertainment Writer
ZACH BREAUX / The Daily Reveille
The Phantom Party Records studio is filled with musical equipment, like this sound board. Phantom Party is a local label that currently has 10 bands signed.
Red Stick Sounds
Local label Phantom Party Records climbing to top of Baton Rouge music scene There’s a hot commodity but took off out of the ashes of his lurking amid the Baton Rouge mu- former band Cohen and the Ghost. sic scene. If local bands are lucky, “We got a lot of notoriety as they’ll be brought aboard the boat far as Baton Rouge is concerned,” of musicians locking down with he said. “We were drawing in rethe coolest label in town: Phantom ally big crowds, touring, and RollParty Records. ing Stone was about to do an arThe local label is swiftly ticle on our album. Then we broke scooping up the community’s mu- up, and they canceled the whole sicians and spitthing.” Cathryn Core ting out shows all Because of over the city. the fans, contacts Entertainment Writer Phantom Parand media conty Records’ compilation release nections Hartman made with the show premieres Friday at the Var- Ghost, he said he was able to sity Theatre. Attendees can pick jump-start Phantom Party Reup a CD featuring tracks from all cords to help other bands get their 10 of the label’s bands and get a sounds out to venues like The real life dose of some of the la- Spanish Moon. bel’s best bands including Royal “If you have a new band, Teeth, Bone Machine, He Bleeds no matter how good you were or Fireman and England in 1819. Co- how many people you drew, [The hen Hartman, founder of Phantom Spanish Moon] wouldn’t give you Party Records and guitarist for a chance — wouldn’t respond to Bone Machine, said the label was LABEL, see page 10 originally founded in April 2008
ZACH BREAUX / The Daily Reveille
Local band Endzus records in the Phantom Party Records studio Monday. Endzus has not been yet signed to the label, which currently hosts 10 local bands.
The Mall of Louisiana’s Rave Motion Pictures theater is getting a facelift. Rave will finish upgrading one of its halls in Baton Rouge to an IMAX-3D theater room March 11. “IMAX started in museums, but they have come up with a great model to put big auditoriums in existing multiplexes,” said Jeremy Devine, vice president of marketing for Rave. “We are the only commercial IMAX theater in Baton Rouge.” Rave and IMAX joined together to update 13 theaters across the nation beginning last September. Ticket prices for IMAX shows will increase, but the official price has not been finalized, Devine said. IMAX’s installation process is fast and easy, Devine said. “The process has been underway, but we will have no problems opening by March 11,” Devine said. “There are some very distinct physical and technological upgrades that take place ... in three weeks.” The IMAX experience is immersive, according to Devine. It uses a dual projection system with custom lenses to present greater image contrast and a crisper picture. The audio will have 10 times more range and less distortion, IMAX, see page 10
THE LYONS’ ROAR
New Orleans, Baton Rouge full of Mardi Gras activities Carnival fever is spreading around campus with students and faculty catching the regional epidemic known as Mardi Gras. No matter where students grew up, they should fully embrace this unique Louisiana tradition before graduating. The time has come to throw down the textbooks and throw up both hands to catch the collegiate Mardi Gras experience. But what to do during the weekend free of school and full of celebratory potential? Travel east and do it big in the Big Easy or stay put and experience the variety of festivities offered in capital area? Here are a few suggestions for Mardi Gras first-timers venturing to the cultural hub of New Orleans. Before I begin, if a reader
resides in the 504 area code, they should stop reading. Now. I acknowledge every fiber of your soul speaks the internal dialogue of the city, and no writer, especially one from the 337 area code, could capture the immensity of Mardi Gras and love of JEANNE LYONS “your” city. But Entertainment moving along... Writer The magnitude of events occurring in the city stagger from the constant procession of floats parading down St. Charles Avenue to the numerous nooks and crannies to grab a drink
(or two, or five), hear live music or see a spectacle of locals and tourists partying like it’s 1999. Grabbing a hand grenade (the drink) and rubbing shoulders with an excess of tourists down Bourbon Street provides a great collective visual of carnival, but keep moving and venture away from the tourist hot spot toward Esplanade Avenue and patronize the legendary Port of Call restaurant. Order the famous — or should I say infamous — “Monsoon” cocktail. One word of warning: Only order one, unless your tolerance for rum trounces the drinking capabilities of Jack Sparrow. Embrace the open container MARDI GRAS, see page 11
ADAM VACCARELLA / The Daily Reveille
Parade-goers catch beads from a Krewe of Artemis float downtown Friday night.
The Daily Reveille
page 10
Thursday, March 3, 2011
ATHLETICS
Warrior Dash obstacle course challenges racers over 3 miles
Louisianians from all over the state will face the challenge of discovering their inner warriors this Saturday. The 3.18-mile obstacle course dubbed “The Warrior Dash” takes place in states all over the country. The Louisiana event starts on the Bonnet Carre Spillway and takes runners through a winding course of 13 difficult obstacles. The obstacles include climbing over giant hay bales, jumping through knee-high tires, negotiating cargo nets, stumbling through pitch black tunnels, racing though wild forests and crawling through
mud beneath barbed wire. The final obstacle is called the “Warrior Roast,” and it requires racers to leap over a fire. After the race, participants are treated to beer, turkey legs and live music at the post-race party. Spectators can begin enjoying the music and fun 30 minutes before the race begins. “It’s something different,” said Hunter Hall, communication studies senior. “It’s a test of endurance and fitness, which is something I’m into. And most importantly, it looks fun.” Hall discovered Warrior Dash while stumbling around Facebook, and he said he was excited to participate after seeing the event’s page. Warrior Dash is the brainchild of Red Frog Events, an entertainment company whose mission is “creating fun and extraordinary
IMAX, from page 9
LABEL, from page 9
Runners must face tunnels, forests, fire Andrew Price Entertainment Writer
and the screen is curved and spans from wall-to-wall, Devine said. Construction crews also had to remove some seating from the auditorium, but Devine said he wasn’t sure how many seats were removed. “We removed the seats because we didn’t want to sell a ticket for a poor vantage point seat,” Devine said. The films are digitally remastered with the highest form of technology, Devine said. “All of these upgrades are meant to give more brightness, more contrast and more clarity,” Devine said. The IMAX 3D films add an immersive feel, Devine said. “[3-D Films] have gone from a handful a year to a steady amount of product from the studios,” Devine said. “Fast Five,” “Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides,” “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Pt. 2,” “Transformers: Dark of the Moon” and “Cars 2” are coming attractions for IMAX. The first film the Rave will show in its new IMAX-3D theater is Disney’s “Mars Needs Moms,” which will premiere March 11. Rave and IMAX feel the Baton Rouge community will be open to the new change. “They’ll really enjoy it,” Devine said. “I think it will be good for Baton Rouge, also.”
Contact Kittu Pannu at kpannu@lsureveille.com
events through innovation, cre- half marathon, and I like that this ativity and top-notch participant race is an obstacle course with a service, while laughing all the party after its all over,” Dupleway,” according to its website. chain said. Bryn Duplechain, biological Hall said he looks forward to sciences senior, said she has been completing the race and enjoying running disa feeling of accomtance races for plishment. more than three “At the end years. of the three-mile “I started course, you can stop running when and look and say, I became a per‘Yeah, I just did that,’ sonal fitness and that’s going to be trainer,” Dua good feeling,” Hall plechain said. said. “But mostly, it Hunter Hall “I tried differjust looks fun.” ent avenues of This year alone communication studies senior exercise and Red Frog will host just got hooked on running.” 29 Warrior Dash events scattered Duplechain said she heard all across the United States and about Warrior Dash from a friend even one in Australia. and was curious to find out more. Based in Chicago, Red Frog “I’ve ran the Crescent City hosts various events all over the Classic three times as well as a country. Their website lists think-
ing “innovation is paramount” and giving “seriously good highfives” as two of the Red Frog’s many core beliefs. In addition to the Warrior Dash, Red Frog Events also created RegistratioNATION, a secure and automated online payment service for events, including Beach Palooza, an obstacle race similar to Warrior Dash but with a beach theme to match its location, and Great Urban Race, an adventure-themed obstacle race where teams must solve clues to progress. These events helped Red Frog earn a Stevie Award last year as one of the 2010 North American Companies of the Year.
Essentially, the label seeks to keep its sounds “unique,” Landrum said. “We want original music,” he said. “We want to keep it strong. We want people that do something unique, something worth promoting.” Matt Sigur, public relations head for Phantom Party Records and former Daily Reveille employee, said the label is a “resource hub.” “We are a stepping stone for bands,” he said. “We want to provide them with things that they
might need, kind of like a nonprofit organization. ... We want to see the community and music scene succeed.” Sigur said the opportunity to take part in the label was too good to pass up. “It’s about the community, and we have to establish that,” he said. “Make some goals and push forward — it’s a lot of work. But it’s cool to see it pay off.”
‘‘
‘[Warrior Dash is] something different. It’s a test of endurance and fitness.’
strategically plans shows. “We’ve been able to have e-mails or calls — because they a show every weekend [or] evwere looking out for their busi- ery other weekend somewhere in ness,” he said. “With the Ghost, town,” he said. “I don’t want to we had proved ourselves, and I sound cocky, but it’s almost as if we’ve taken over a good bit of the was able to book easily.” Hartman said the label started scene.” Phantom Party Records is a small as an outlet to lend a helping “label of songwriters,” according hand to other musicians. “[The Spanish Moon] was a to Hartman. “We’re pretty selective, and big weapon for me in the beginning,” he said. “I’d be like, ‘What we take pride in that,” he said. do we have to offer you? Well, I “All of the bands on Phantom Party have one fancan get you tastic songwriter. The this show at Phantom Party lyrics are very pothis place evRecords bands: etic, thoughtful, very erybody goes • Royal Teeth artistic. We have a where you can • He Bleeds Fireman lot of openly artistic have really big bands on the label.” crowds.’ Ev• The Widowers Jon Tillman, erybody was • Prom Date Phantom Party’s used to playing • Bone Machine booking and artist [North Gate • The Have-Nauts relations source, said Tavern], Here • England in 1819 the label is not curToday Gone • Kosmic Nod rently looking to add Tomorrow and • Gyspy Space Caravan bands. Instead, Phanhouse shows, • Monsters Will tom is developing a and nobody community between was able to get the 10 bands and their fans. in touch with the bigger venues.” “The idea is to eventually beHartman started out with a few bands like England in 1819 come a regional or national label,” and Prom Date, eventually build- he said. “We want to develop what ing a powerhouse of musicians we have in front of us right now, that has enabled the label to take and eventually we will try to sign other bands.” flight. Chase Landrum, Phantom “Ever since we became a four-man team, we’ve been book- Party’s management and finance ing shows nonstop,” he said. “Two head, said the label’s ultimate goal years ago, right when we started, is to build the local scene. “We want to make this a it was like, ‘All right, we have a big Phantom Party show coming non-cannibalistic society of muup next month, and oh, there’s an- sicians,” he said. “We don’t want other one a month and a half after the bands going after each other. [We want them] working together that.’” Hartman said his team to all achieve success.”
Contact Andrew Price at aprice@lsureveille.com
Contact Cathryn Core at ccore@lsureveille.com
The Daily Reveille
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Reveille Ranks
Dropkick Murphys, “Going Out in Style”
MARDI GRAS, from page 9
Born & Bred Records
The latest album from Dropkick Murphys, “Going Out in Style” is a powerhouse of Celtic punk rock from start to finish. Unlike previous records, the Murphys use this album to tell the story of Cornelius Larkin. Each track gives listeners a glimpse into the life of a man who dies with Jameson whiskey in hand. Cornelius lived life to the fullest, though, as only a few of the 13 tracks on the album could potentially qualify as “mellow.” The remainder of the songs are 100 percent punk madness.
[A+] ANDREW PRICE
Any Human Heart
PBS
The breathtaking PBS Masterpiece classic series “Any Human Heart” captures the personal journey of English novelist Logan Mountstuart in a three-part series. It maps his sexual initiation at Oxford University, drinking with literary geniuses Ernest Hemingway and Ian Fleming and the many loves of his life. Based on the best-selling book by William Boyd and starring Jim Broadbent, Matthew Macfadyen and featuring Kim Cattrall, the series takes audiences on an intimate journey through the happenings of Mountstuart’s life as well as the 20th century.
[A]
JEANNE LYONS
Foo Fighters, “Rope”
RCA Records
At a little more than four minutes long, Foo Fighters’ new single, “Rope,” delivers listeners to pure bliss. With an alternative sound, the Fighters have come back after a two-year absence that can be a quality product in multiple genres. The song is more commercial than the band’s earlier material. Lyrically, it’s nothing new and is about sex, telling the listener to give some rope to pull another into bed with him. Melodically, the Fighters have outdone their previous singles. Listening to this song builds anticipation for the band’s new album “Wasting Light,” which will be released April 12.
[A-]
KITTU PANNU
The Strokes, “Under Cover of Darkness”
RCA/Rough Trade
The Strokes are back with a song that not only blows everything they released after “Is This It” out of the water, but it also spits in the face of musical singles released this year. “Under Cover of Darkness” returns to the rocking style that first made the band famous. With the release of this song, the sour taste of their last album is gone. The beat is exciting, head-bob worthy and easy to get into. Without a doubt, this is the band’s best work since its debut album.
[A+]
TAYLOR BALKOM
Lykke Li, “Wounded Rhymes”
Atlantic Records
“Wounded Rhymes,” Lykke Li’s album that dropped this week, tests the boundaries of space and sound by creating cool, confident and danceable melodies that go beyond the mind of the listener. Li simultaneously exemplifies the poetic flow of the art of songwriting and allows the listener to become enveloped in the quirky world she creates for all who give the listen-worthy album a chance. The tracks of “Wounded Rhymes” beat like a heart, and it is so much more than just an album. It is sound personified. It is alive.
[A]
CATHRYN CORE
Shedding For the Wedding
The CW
There are many weight loss reality shows like “Celebrity Fit Club” and the “The Biggest Loser,” but the newest one, the CW network’s “Shedding for the Wedding,” has a new twist. Nine overweight couples compete to lose weight to win the wedding of their dreams. The show exceedes typical reality show standards and is seemingly drama free and relatable to the average person. Its choice of competitors seems random rather than casted for entertainment purposes, unlike many other reality shows that ironically lack the “reality.”
[A]
DEVON WALSH
EDITOR’S PICK: Alex Ebert, “Alexander” Community Music/Vagrant Records
Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes frontman Alex Ebert breaks free from the 10-person band on his solo album, “Alexander.” While his style is similar to the Magnetic Zeroes, the sound is more stripped down with Alexander producing every sound on the 10-song album. While less lively and whimsical than the Magnetic Zeroes, “Alexander” is still dreamy, optimistic and worth a listen.
[B+]
GRACE MONTGOMERY
policy while sipping on the deadly, delicious concoction and walk over to historical Frenchmen Street and listen to Charmaine Neville, member of the famous Neville musical clan, on Friday and Monday and Topsy Chapman on Saturday at local jazz joint Snug Harbor Jazz Bistro. Students can also jam with Louisiana-native band Better Than Ezra at the House of Blues on Friday and Saturday nights. A plethora of parades cruise the city throughout the weekend. Try to watch the Krewe of Tucks on Saturday and catch some toilet memorabilia. On Sunday evening, spectate the legendary Krewe of Bacchus as it rolls down St. Charles Avenue led by Andy Garcia as he reigns as the krewe’s king. But some students may rest in
page 11 Baton Rouge with plenty of parades and performances to celebrate the season. The Krewe of Southdowns plans to parade through the local neighborhood beginning at 7 p.m. Friday. After the parade, head down Perkins Road and sway to the regional tunes of the Cajun band Jesse Lége and Joel Savoy at Chelsea’s Cafe at 10:30 p.m. On Saturday, look out for crossing flamingos as the flamboyant Spanish Town parade, themed BP Blows and Wiki Leaks, proceeds through the neighborhood at noon. After the parades wrap up downtown, head over to Boudreaux and Thibodeaux’s and dance coverfree to Luv Sexy from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. and The Chase Tyler Band at 9 p.m. The countless events in Baton Rouge and New Orleans staggers
throughout the Mardi Gras break. Students will rarely get such an extended amount of time off to let their hair down and act like kids, so go to the parades, aggressively catch beads as though they weren’t made of plastic, dance with strangers to live music and don’t forget to drink the Kool-Aid. We only have four Mardi Gras holiday breaks in our college careers (most of us, that is), so make them count. As Aaron Neville says, “Go to the Mardi Gras.”
Check out LMFAO at lsureveille.com for more fun Mardi Gras activities. Contact Jeanne Lyons at jlyons@lsureveille.com
The Daily Reveille
Opinion
page 12
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Certain efforts at LSU lack common sense When construction for The Five began, someone probably proposed ways to make the dining hall environmentally friendly. At the time, it probably sounded good. Implementation of this plan lacks common sense, which is the problem.
In the front of the dining hall, there is a “carbon-credit” machine. You can purchase carbon-credits that will reduce the carbon output in America. Sounds great in theory, except someone forgot this is LSU. If this were Reed College or Berkeley, maybe it would works, but judging by the gas-guzzling behemoths prowling the streets, I do not think LSU will change its purple and gold to “green” anytime soon. The ironic part of this is the machine runs on electricity. Electricity requires a power source,
usually coal. Coal emits carbon. This machine is on for hours upon hours, and not a single person has ever used it. At least not during my nine meals a week at The Five. Another effort to “do good” that backfires horribly is passing out stickers to promote a cause. Earlier in the year, it was for breast cancer. Yesterday, the Five was passing them out for some cause, from a percursory glance I think it was for shingles awareness. Drawing attention to a cause, what can go wrong? If you walk
around campus immediately after these are handed out, they will be everywhere: stuck on the sidewalk, garbage cans, walls, doors, desks and who knows where else. It’s an eyesore, and it’s annoying. In reality, what benefit is derived from passing these out? Very little. Lastly, as a student on a meal plan, I have been starved for variety on the weekend. It’s been Quiznos, McDonald’s, Einstein’s, and if I venture to the other side of campus, the occasional Taco Bell or Papa John’s. Finally, Tiger Lair opens. The only
Thursday, March 3, 2011 problems are at the moment it is only open when the dining halls are open anyway, and I am sick of Quiznos anyway. To quote the former Guiness tag line, “Brilliant.” If George Carlin were alive and an LSU student, he would have enough material to draw on to write another book. Steve Wolf Mass communication senior Contact The Daily Reveille’s opinion staff at opinion@lsureveille.com
POP GOES THE CULTURE
Britney Spears’ new music video depicts pop trends Oh, Britney, Britney. I won’t say our once-beloved Kentwood native’s latest foray into the music scene was a letdown. Disappointment requires high expectations. But I must confess my sentiments about Britney Spears’ new single abandons all conventions of eloquence. “Hold It Against Me” really sucks. We should expect nothing else. In the past decade, 29-yearold Spears has sporadically swung from tabloid mania to invisibility, endured two whirlwind marriages, two pregnancies and is now trying to revive a career in pop music, the most
volatile of genres. Cultural values are most accurately assessed by outsiders, whether it’s unpopular individuals trying to assimilate or has-beens emerging from an underground semi-sabbatical. Britney is a little of both, as “Hold It Against Me” and its accompanying video reflect on variKelly Hotard ous levels. Columnist The most obvious respect is the song itself, which infuses the prevalent
sounds of techno-electronica and dubstep with Spears’ classic porpoise-on-helium vocals. Add the hackneyed lyrical narrative of a romantic dance club encounter — centered around the titular double-entendre — and the single is a formulaic recipe for pop-chart success. The music video is even more iconic, realistically and symbolically, of Britney’s battle to remain relevant. Again, I begin with the most visible manifestation: the twophase “plot” that bears no correlation to the lyrics and suggests a broader commentary. The initial premise? An
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extraterrestrial pop singer lands on 2011 Earth and illustrates the creation of modern superstars. It’s also somewhat like “Britney History 101,” with her current self surrounded by televisions playing her old music videos. The most telling aspect of this segment is its shamefully blatant product placement. In the first two minutes, we’re bombarded with five clearly labeled brands. Even the frenzied way these products are displayed characterizes the 21st century’s fragmented, ad-centric mass media culture. The effect of the music video and our fast-paced society is our inability to digest — literally and figuratively. “Hold It Against Me” conjures the image of someone conglomerating the music industry’s most appalling trends and vomiting them into a video. Ready for the second course? The dyspeptic metaphor gets graphic, with Spears spurting neon-colored liquids from fingertip IVs and collapsing in a wedding dress that soon resembles a notso-amazing Technicolor dreamcoat. If pop music could be regurgitated, it would look like that. The concluding section shows Britney’s allegorical power struggle turning physical, as the diva dukes it out with her alter ego and performs a telltale final dance sequence. Ironically, unlike the conspicuous commercials, the final two-plus minutes communicate the most subconscious statements. Subliminal messages are justifiably associated with sinister, propagandistic motives and
Editorial Policies & Procedures The Daily Reveille (USPS 145-800) is written, edited and produced solely by students of Louisiana State University. The Daily Reveille is an independent entity within the Manship School of Mass Communication. Signed opinions are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of the editor, paper or University. Letters submitted for publication should be sent via e-mail to opinion@lsureveille.com or delivered to B-26 Hodges Hall. They must be 400 words or less. Letters must have a contact phone number so the opinion editor can verify the author. The phone number won’t be printed. The Daily Reveille reserves the right to edit letters and guest columns for space consideration without changing the original intent. The Daily Reveille also reserves the right to reject any letter without notification of the author. Writers must include their full names and phone numbers. The Daily Reveille’s editor-in-chief, hired every semester by the Louisiana State University Media Board, has final authority on all editorial decisions.
hidden agendas. Here, the rather unsuccessful cover-up lies in the choppily filmed routines designed to disguise Spears’ lack of fitness and lackluster work ethic. Britney’s lip-syncing and dancing are unintentionally robotic and half-hearted. She looks bored and straining to keep up. But so are the viewers of this chaotic video — let’s not hold that against her. This isn’t a critique of the imploding superstar we formerly idolized. It’s a censure of the cultural climate that demands singers resort to such extreme popularity tactics. Like the music video, I’m mocking celebrity consumerism and desperation. An alien singer strives for success by emulating materialistic peer rituals, while a fallen icon contemplates how the fame game has changed. In both rounds of Britney vs. Britney, all end up passed out on the floor. Even when she resurrects and dances her way to the finale, the real victors — time and age — conquer all. It’s unclear whether Britney’s artistic self-destruction indicates a change in her musical style. I won’t buy her seventh album to find out, but I do appreciate “Hold It Against Me” for its laughably legitimate portrayal of the pop industry. 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
Quote of the Day “Women complicate everything.” Britney Spears American Singer Dec. 2, 1981 - Present
The Daily Reveille
Thursday, March 3, 2011
SHOCKINGLY SIMPLE
Opinion
page 13
Embryonic stem cell research threatened by uncertainty Legal uncertainty has significantly impacted stem cell research in the U.S., according to a recent survey published in the journal Cell Stem Cell. Aaron Levine, who conducted the study, solicited responses from 370 stem cell scientists regarding a recent federal court ruling on the already confusing area of federal stem cell funding. Embryonic stem cell research has alternatively had its funding cut and expanded in the past decade because of disputes over whether federal funds financed the collection of stem cells from embryos or merely supported research on previously cultured cell lines. Last August, U.S. District Court Judge Royce Lamberth suspended federal funding for embryonic stem cells while the legality of President Barack Obama’s research plan was debated. As a result, the National Institute of Health briefly stopped reviewing stem cell grant proposals until the
Obama administration successfully appealed the moratorium in September. The NIH is currently awarding stem cell grants, pending the outcome of the case. Of the embryonic stem cell researchers surveyed, 75 percent agreed the temporary ban impacted their research with 24 percent of the researchers calling the impact substantial. More than 45 percent of embryonic stem cell reAndrew searchers also Shockey said legal unColumnist certainty significantly impacts their work. Much of the public distaste for stem cell research comes from a few common misconceptions. Many Americans link abortion with stem cell research because they believe embryonic stem cells come from aborted fetuses. While stem cell research and
abortion raise many similar philosophical questions, human embryonic stem cells are not harvested from aborted fetuses. They are collected from human embryos originally cultured for in vitro fertilization. In vitro fertilization requires the insemination of multiple embryos to maximize the chance of a successful pregnancy. Unused embryos are frozen then thawed for subsequent treatments if the previous attempt was unsuccessful or the client decides to have another child. Once the client decides her family is complete she may leave her embryos in storage at personal expense, donate them to embryonic stem cell researchers or have them discarded. Using those embryos destined for the incinerator to advance medical research is just the utilitarian thing to do. Many Americans also believe all stem cells are collected from embryos. Adult stem cells are collected from various tissues in the
body, including skin and bone marrow. They actually provide some medical benefits over their embryonic counterparts and are currently being used in experimental procedures. Researchers from the University of Pittsburgh are testing an adult “stem cell gun” for use on burn victims. Adult stem cells, which are less likely to be rejected by the patient’s body than embryonic stem cells, are extracted from the patient’s skin, suspended in solution and sprayed directly onto burns. Normal burn treatment involves painful skin grafts, which can require weeks of care to avoid infection. By contrast, burns treated with the stem cell gun were completely healed in under a week. Unfortunately, even adult stem cell researchers are being affected by the uncertainty surrounding stem cell funding. More than 45 percent of scientists working with modified adult stem cells feel legal uncertainty has impacted
their research. Ironically, a pair of adult stem cell researchers is responsible for the brief NIH moratorium. They believe the Obama administration’s research policy is illegal and unfairly favors embryonic stem cell research. Using federal funds to extract stem cells from embryos is illegal and has been since 1995. With the verdict still out on federal stem cell funding, it makes sense for scientists to be worried. Beginning a stem cell research project right now is a serious gamble when funding could disappear overnight, and various lines of stem cells desired by researchers have been funded or rejected seemingly at random in the last decade. Andrew Shockey is a 20-year-old biological engineering sophomore from Baton Rouge. Follow him on Contact Andrew Shockey at ashockey@lsureveille.com
ROCKING THE CRADLE
Egotism fuels violence in Middle East following Mubarak’s fall The Jasmine Revolution of the Middle East looked both beautiful and promising after the fall of former Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak. When a man of Mubarak’s stature and stubbornness heeds the justified cries of his people by leaving office, the foundations of all dictators weaken. Luckily for all involved in the Clayton Egyptian proC rockett test, Mubarak Columnist understood progress would be inhibited by his association and eventually left — nevertheless still preserving some influence through the power assumption of former colleagues. Most dictators are not so sensible. In Libya, Moammar Gadhafi promised civil war before resignation and kept every bit of his word. While Libyan “rebels” take charge of key cities and military officers defect to their cause, Gadhafi is ordering military assaults on what were his own people with air raids and armies of hired guns. On Feb. 23, the Italian government, who has strong commercial ties with Libya, projected a death toll as high as 1,000 in Libya, and the war has ceaselessly raged on since. The burning question is: What madness is required to convince a leader to kill his own subjects? Around 360 were killed in
Egypt, opposition leaders within Iran claim a death toll of about 100 and at least two have been killed in both Bahrain and Oman — whose protest is but three days young. It’s fear that drives such rage against one’s own subjects, a rage stemming from what I would call a dictator complex. The dictator complex makes each autocrat irrationally and egotistically convinced he is the only man for the job. Seeing as most of the leaders in question have ruled for decades while filling government offices with puppets, thus tailoring the nation to their idiosyncratic wills, it makes perfect sense they believe they are indispensable. These men think if they leave, next to nothing of their rule will remain. The nation’s government will be a blank slate, and the dictators’ legacies will be reduced to ash. With this in mind, one can begin to grasp why a man might massacre his people for some greater good, like stability. Stability is always the key word. Mubarak was a slave to his obsession for stability and chastised any organization with the scent of religious involvement as extremist in order to maintain his particular flavor of stability. In China, the exact term used by the government to refer to its dealings with opposition forces is “stability maintenance.” Stability is a sign of power. Being in control of a stable nation shows a leader has a tight grip, and opposition rallies are seen as
an embarrassment. Why else would Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad outlaw any and all journalistic coverage of the ongoing protests there? The obvious answer is so he can feign stability while simultaneously quelling demands for an end to the Iranian Islamic Republic with lethal force. Journalists in Iran have been detained or put under house arrest along with men who ran against Ahmadinejad in the last election season. The measure of violence a
leader is capable of inflicting upon his people is dependent on his — often outlandish — perception of his own value to the country. With more momentum than ever and still more each day, the people are willing to do anything. The real question to be asked upon each flair of opposition is how indispensable the leader believes himself to be. A line from the film “V for Vendetta” comes to mind: “People should not be afraid of their governments. Governments
should be afraid of their people.” Finally, autocrats the world over have been force-fed this axiom by none other than their own constituents, and each leader’s fumbling, ruthless actions betray a hidden terror. Clayton Crockett is a 19-year-old international studies freshman from Lafayette. Follow him on Twitter @TDR_ccrockett. Contact Clayton Crockett at ccrockett@lsureveille.com
MISS-SKETCHED
LACYE BEAUREGARD / The Daily Reveille
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The Daily Reveille
Thursday, March 3, 2011 READING, from page 1
“The Very Hungry Caterpillar” to a class of prekindergarten students. “You know what a memory is? Things we remember from the past? Fun things we did?” D’Aquin said as she engaged students in the books. Brandon Smith, community affairs liaison for LSU Community University Partnership, said about 70 students registered to read at Polk, and 40 students, faculty and staff read at Buchanan. “As a former educator, I know the students were excited to have someone outside the school come in and read to them,” Smith said. Smith said Read Across America is an annual event, and the chancellor always takes an active role in participating. “[Martin] plays an integral role — he reads with a lot of excitement, he picks out his own books,” Smith said. Smith said the event also gives the University the opportunity to give back to local schools. “LSU always eagerly participates in this event because it shows that great college students are students who do well at the earliest stages of education,” Smith said. Polk Elementary librarian Ann Scott said all across the country, people should be reading all week. Scott said this week is about “appreciating the importance of reading, especially getting children exposed to different types of literature.” Polk Elementary principal Cherryl Matthews said the school designates 105 minutes every day for reading. Matthews said this week will help put fun into reading. From seeing the chancellor and University students reading them stories, Matthews said “the children will get the impression that reading is universal.” Matthews said they provide additional reading support for children with special needs and encourage parents in the reading process. She said reinforcing the skill helps make reading a life-long habit for students. “Having someone as special as Chancellor Martin come — it makes them feel special,” Matthews said. “They love that.” Contact Catherine Threlkeld at cthrelkeld@lsureveille.com
that burn natural gas or coal in the area. report from 2009 that the city saw He said such releases must be 11.9 million pounds reported to the EPA. of toxic releas“We have a large The country’s most es, not 33.6 million. refinery,” Durham Durham said it’s toxic cities, according said. to Forbes difficult for him to Bryant Denison, believe Baton Rouge criminology junior, is the country’s fifth said he’s not sur1. Philadelphia most toxic city beprised by the rank2. Bakersfield, Calif. cause he has always ing. 3. Fresno, Calif. thought of the city as “I would imag4. New York City a clean place to live. ine it’s mostly be5. Baton Rouge “The air is cause of Exxon Mo6. Los Angeles good,” he said. “The bil,” he said. 7. Houston water’s good.” Denison said the 8. St. Louis Durham said refinery is necessary one factor that may for city survival. have led to the ranking is the re“That’s Baton Rouge’s econolease of pollutants by industries my right there,” he said.
TOXIC, from page 1
ELECTION, from page 1
and that is something I want to make perfectly clear,” Dupre said. “If you want to go to lunch with Jarrett or myself, go ahead and hit us up.” Dupre and Richard said they hope to establish a system where University organization leaders “supply input” to SG and a “Congress of RAs,” who will discuss with SG how to “better the lives of residents.” They also said they support financial transparency so students can see how all SG funds are appropriated. “That’s what we’re here for: open communication first, followed by the leadership to put your values in action,” Dupre said. Jones and Brister’s campaign, “Defining Our Future,” is centered around maintaining the University’s flagship status and propelling the University to achieve greatness in the future. They said they will fight budget cuts and promote campus safety and sustainability. “Do you realize we are the pinnacle of public education in the state?” Jones said. “If we fail, everyone fails.” Sen. Emily Landry, E. J. Ourso College of Business, said she thinks Jones and Brister are the pair that will “most genuinely listen to the students.” “They’re both in touch with a large, diverse range of student groups,” Landry said. Wells and Bordelon said they have been discussing changes they would make to SG since their freshman years, leading them to their campaign, “Together LSU.” Wells and Bordelon said they
hope to reroute the bus system to extend service not only to Tigerland, but also to the downtown area. They also said they want to increase lighting on campus, offer a shuttle to the Farmer’s Market on Saturdays and allow part-time students who are veterans access to tickets for football games. “My mission is to bring students together from all walks of life to discuss and solve the issues we face every day and also to discover ways that we can improve the student experience,” Wells said. Iftekhar Rouf, accounting senior, said he approves of the veterans’ initiative and said the Farmers’ Market bus system is a good idea for international students and those who live on campus. Contributing writers Parker Cramer and Kevin Thibodeaux also contributed to this report. Contact Andrea Gallo at agallo@lsureveille.com
page 15 Mike McDaniel, president of the Baton Rouge Clean Air Coalition, said he’s not sure what to think of the ranking because he has seen the amount of Baton Rouge pollution decline in recent years. McDaniel said it’s important for residents to realize the amount of toxins doesn’t necessarily mean
they’re at risk for exposure. “Those numbers look big, but that doesn’t mean that’s what people are exposed to,” he said.
Contact Rachel Warren at rwarren@lsureveille.com
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The Daily Reveille
Thursday, March 3, 2011