November 1 2012

OPINION

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Kicker Magistro to split time with Craddock p. 7

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U. Senate crafting plan for smoking ban Officials have until July to implement system-wide ban; senate will administer online survey to gather ideas

By Lauren Kirkwood Senior staff writer With implementation of a campuswide smoking ban nine months away, the University Senate is leaning toward recommending a “respect-based” policy.

The senate’s Campus Affairs Com-

mittee will likely suggest a statute that encourages students, faculty, staff and visitors to refrain from smoking and informs smokers the university has a nonsmoking campus, said committee chairwoman Marcy Marinelli. Though administrators must put a ban into effect by July to align the campus with

University System of Maryland policies, several committee members said the university does not have the resources to strictly enforce such a policy.

Prohibiting all members of the campus community from smoking would be impractical, several senators said at the Campus Affairs Committee

meeting a week ago, noting the lack of enforcement for the current requirement that smokers stay 25 feet away from buildings when lighting up.

“Our continued belief is that students will do what they please and faculty will hide in their offices and do what they please,” said faculty senator Bill Walters.

The committee plans to distribute an online survey this semester to collect other implementation ideas to gauge the university’s knowledge of the upcoming ban, Marinelli said.

Although the Board of Regents has See smoking, Page 2

Maryland ranked 47th state in beer drinking

By Nick Foley Staff writer

able to reunite until the couple moved to the United States in 2001. In 2005, she became a housekeeper at this university, where she had worked previously in Dining Services. She was assigned to Denton, Easton and Elkton halls, and most recently the seventh and eighth floors of Oakland Hall.

“My life is changed. I’m coming here, I got a

A small group of servers huddle around the bar inside R.J. Bentley’s.

It’s Halloween night, and hordes of costumed students will soon pour into the “filling station.”

But when they do, they are less likely to go for a beer than their out-of-state peers, according to a report released last month by The Beer Institute, a lobbying group that has been tracking beer consumption data for nearly a decade.

The organization ranked this state 47th in beer consumption in 2011, the most recent data available, stating of-age residents imbibe 23.3 gallons of beer per year. According to several Bentley’s servers, the data isn’t far off from what they see on a regular basis.

“Here at Maryland in general, the bars are more popular than house parties, which is where people consume more beer,” said sophomore government and politics major Kate Scruggs.

But the low ranking shocked other employees, such as sophomore kinesiology major Carly Solow, who wondered how Maryland compared to other states.

“What comes next, Alaska?” she joked.

Not exactly: New Jersey, New York, Connecticut and Utah rounded out the rest of the bottom five. Alaska comes in 20 places higher than this state, with

See medhen, Page 3

See beer, Page 2

genet medhen, a university housekeeper, dreamed of leaving Ethiopia in the hopes of finding a better life. After getting married and having a daughter, Medhen and her husband moved to the United States in 2001. She began working as a housekeeper in 2005 after serving in Dining Services. Medhen would have liked to be a decorator, but couldn’t afford a college degree. She hopes her daughter can one day go to college . christian jenkins/the diamondback

inching toward the dream University housekeeper moved to U.S. from Ethiopia in 2001 hoping for better life

By Teddy Amenabar Staff writer As a child, Genet Medhen would tell her father she had a dream, a wish to venture farther from the Ethiopian capital of Addis Ababa, just 25 minutes from her home.

“I go to another country,” Medhen would say when she was young. “I live [in] like big apartment or something, I tell him.”

But time passed. She married and had a daughter named Ende, and Medhen’s father lost hope in her dream, declaring she didn’t “have a chance” at leaving.

For seven years, Medhen was alone in Ethiopia with her daughter while her husband attended school in Germany on a scholarship to become a mechanic. He would visit for a month every year during the college’s summer break, but he and Medhen were not

Dining employees work through storm Workers stayed in hotels, dining rooms to keep business running

By Bradleigh Chance Staff writer Students may have been holed up in dorms and apartments as Hurricane Sandy made landfall, but it wasn’t enough to stop Dining Services employees from coming to work.

To ensure students had food even after classes were canceled Monday and Tuesday, the department had its workers stay in local hotels and in the dining halls. About 75 staff members

INDEX

stayed in 30 rooms in two Route 1 hotels, said Joe Mullineaux, Dining Services senior associate director. Additionally, the Department of Resident Life provided the dining rooms with mattresses so another 25 or 30 workers could sleep there.

Typically, Dining Services employees receive overtime pay if they work when the university is closed; the university determines whether staff members receive overtime pay on a case-by-case basis, Mullineaux said. However, staff

members who stay overnight are not paid for the hours they are not working.

Staff members decide whether they want to work through weather emergencies, Mullineaux said, and the department ensures they are taken care of. While the university was closed this week, Dining Services hired four drivers to transport the employees to and from the campus every day, either from hotels or homes if employees live close to the university.

NEWS 2 OPINION 4 FEATURES 5 DIVERSIONS 6 CLASSIFIED 6 SPORTS 7

See dining, Page 3

the dining halls remained open earlier this week even though classes were canceled. charlie deboyace/the diamondback

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THE DIAMONDBACK | NEWS | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2012

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BEER From PAGE 1 each resident over 21 drinking about 29.8 gallons each year.

The top three states, according to The Beer Institute, were Montana, North Dakota and, in fi rst place with 43 gallons per person, New Hampshire.

While college towns may see more drinking than other areas, several students said it makes sense many students would prefer hard liquor to malt beverages such as ale or lager.

“Shots are stronger and are less calories,” said Katie Litkowski, a junior agricultural science and technology major.

The Beer Institute calculated the rankings by dividing the quantity of beer sold in each state by the number of people over the age of 21, according to Lester Jones, the institute’s chief economist.

The results were not a shock to Jones, who said, historically, most Marylanders aren’t beer guzzlers. Since the study began, the state has ranked 47th each year. However, people seem to make up for the lack of beer drinking by consuming other

alcoholic beverages, Jones said.

“People tend to drink more wine and spirits in the state of Maryland than they do in other states,” Jones said. “It’s a function of many different things.”

Sophomore mathematics education major Grace Hsu said the study relayed what she already knew — in more upscale parts of the state, beer doesn’t seem as popular.

“I’m not surprised,” Hsu said.

“Large portions of Maryland are rather cosmopolitan, so beer consumption is lower.”

Growing up in Bethesda, Hsu said she knew of only one adult who favored beer over spirits, and most adults with steady incomes chose more refined alcohol options.

“In terms of parent-age income, they have more disposable income, so what do they do? They choose to buy wine, not beer,” Hsu said.

However, Scruggs said, the drink faces no danger of fading into statewide obscurity, as it remains a favorite to some.

“The other day I had a table that came in, and the lady said, ‘Five pitchers of beer,’” she said. newsumdbk@gmail.com

SMOKING From PAGE 1 required all institutions in the system to be smoke-free by summer in an effort to promote the health of smokers and nonsmokers alike, the board’s charge also allows universities to designate specific areas where smoking can occur, granted approval from the university president.

After studying comparable policies at institutions such as Frostburg State University and Towson University, committee members said they have considered allotting times when smoking could occur in certain areas, such as allowing it in parking lots during tailgating before football games. But several senators said it would be too difficult to create complex rules for smoking on the campus, and doing so would trivialize the intent of the policy.

“The more exceptions we have, people are just going to eat away at them, and it’ll be back to the way it is now,” said faculty senator Carla Montori.

“I’m not normally an absolutist,

but I think we should start from an absolutist standpoint.”

Without an enforcement mechanism, rules for timing and designating areas would be irrelevant anyway, other senators said.

“The big question was, if there was enforcement, who does it, and who do you report it to?” said undergraduate senator A ndrew Do. “We thought that no one is going to want to take that up.”

Instead, the university may have more success with a policy similar to Frostburg’s, committee members said, which would focus on changing behavior and encouraging a healthy lifestyle on the campus.

“It’s more one of respect, not really, ‘I see you smoking, I’ll fi ne you $75,’” Do said.

Additionally, the policy would offer students, faculty and staff smoking cessation services, which may help some smokers cope with the added restrictions.

T he Un iversity Hea lth Center already offers some services, though implementation of the ban would necessitate a “modest” increase in funds, according to the com-

mittee’s research.

By surveying the university community before the committee’s report is submitted, Marinelli said the committee will be able to collect important information, such as where people stand on the issue of a total ban, their attitudes toward having designated smoking areas, whether students or employees would transfer or leave the university because of a ban and how comfortable they would be telling a smoker this is a nonsmoking campus.

Through the committee’s work, Marinelli said she has seen an increase in awareness of the upcoming ban.

“I think the conversations are helpful, and I think it’s now on people’s radar screens that this is coming,” she said. newsumdbk@gmail.com

blue From PAGE 6 costume-clad College Park students. For a professional band, this had all the fundamental elements of a road gig: chatter during songs and nearly the same amount of people huddled around the bar as in front of the stage. This was music for drinking or grinding, but not scrutiny.

But they dared to persist. Field swigged a beer; Bustos shouted the name of each song as if he were standing in front of a packed house; Ajluni closed his eyes and unleashed a wailing guitar solo.

All they wanted to do was embody the spirit of rock ‘n’ roll.

Harmonic Blue plays tomorrow night at the WMUC radio station. Doors open at 5 p.m. diversionsdbk@gmail.com

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2012 | news | THE DIAMONDBACK

Medhen From PAGE 1 job, it’s good life,” Medhen said.

“Better than my country because my country, it’s too much war. …

It’s much better here.”

It’s a hard job, sometimes an invisible and humble one — housekeeper Rachael Jordan said she used to harbor a negative perception of the work. But for many members of the university community, it’s a foothold that allows them to take one more step toward their aspirations.

“Coming into housekeeping, I have learned this is not a degrading job,” Jordan said.

“It has opened doors for you to go higher.”

Med hen now l ives i n a n apartment around Takoma Park, working to raise Ende, now 18, and a 4-year-old son.

She wakes up at about 5 a.m. to start the day, and each morning comes as a race to feed and dress herself and her son, who can be a little picky.

“Sometime you cook something, he tells you, ‘I want hot dog,’ ” Medhen said with a smile, “You know? Too much problem.”

B y 7 a . m ., t h e p a i r a re sitting in her car outside Sligo Adventist School, waiting for one of the day care employees to come in for work. Because day care and Medhen’s job both start at 7:30 a.m., she has to drop her son off as early as possible. Then, hoping traffic isn’t too bad, Medhen sets off for the campus.

While several co-workers said Medhen is quiet compared to other members of the department, they value her as a helpful resource and someone to turn to. Yanci Umana, a university housekeeper, said Medhen helped train her when

she first started the job in April.

“She’s really nice,” Umana said. “She told me how to do everything and what to do first.”

And Veronica Stubbs, a zone supervisor, said it’s hard not to get along with someone who calls everyone “my friend,” as Medhen does.

When Medhen leaves work at about 4 p.m., her day is far from over. She picks her son up from day care and returns home to make dinner for her family. Her husband is usually on homework duty, but his hours are sporadic because he works for an air conditioning company.

“Sometimes he come midnight, 1 o’clock, 2 o’clock,” Medhen said. “When work’s finished, he comes.”

She looks forward to having enough spare time to dedicate to one of her favorite activities — decorating around her home and for special occasions such as birthdays, weddings and other celebrations. Though she could have pursued a career as a decorator in Ethiopia, she said that route became complicated when she had to balance school, work and family in a country she barely knew.

Medhen attended language school for about three years to learn English, and though someone suggested she get a degree, Medhen instead opted to focus on her job.

“Everybody tell me, you must have master’s degree or doctorate degree — I don’t have one,” Medhen said. With a sober laugh, she added, “I can’t because you need too much money.”

Eventually, she hopes to decorate her house the way she envisions. But for now that remains another dream, and she has a more pressing one — getting her children a college education.

With a college degree, Medhen

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hopes, Ende will be able to work wherever she wants.

“If you quit your job, you got another job,” Medhen adds.

Though she hopes to give her children more opportunities, Medhen worries the move from Ethiopia has been hard on her daughter. Back home, neighbors and friends would often help people take care of their children if they were busy during the day — the “teenager problems” parents experience with adolescent kids don’t exist there, she said.

Despite these difficulties, Medhen recently gained another piece of home. After a visit to Ethiopia in August, she brought her parents back with her to the U.S. so they could live nearby in eastern Takoma Park.

But the transition from a busy, bustling life visiting friends across different neighborhoods has been no easier on her father than it was on her.

“He don’t like it here, but he has green card,” Medhen said. “He tell me, ‘All day at home, I watch TV, that’s it.

No friend, no working.’”

“Here, nothing. Nobody ta l k to you because th is language is different,” she added. “In this country, you’re just by yourself. It’s hard for him.”

But Medhen can now take care of her parents, a responsibility she welcomes.

“My home is a big family — I am happy,” she said with a smile.

And, Medhen remembers, when her father first came to the country, he shared his memory of her desires as a young girl to travel far away from Ethiopia.

“Your dream is true,” he said. newsumdbk@gmail.com

dining From PAGE 1 “While our first responsibility is serving our student guests during extreme weather conditions, our most pressing concern is the safety of our staff and their families,” Mullineaux said, “which is why we make several accommodation options available to the essential staff members.”

The department has faced more difficult weather emergencies in the past, such as the snow storm that kept the university closed for more than a week in 2010. Staff members stayed in hotels and worked

for eight straight days without going home, Mullineaux said.

Many students said they didn’t know the lengths employees went to for students. Hallie Burkhard, a freshman hearing and speech sciences major, said she didn’t know the workers stayed in the area; she thought they commuted during the storm.

“I guess someone had to work during the storm — the university had the responsibility to feed the students,” Burkhard said. “I just hope that the workers were compensated fairly for the role they played during the storm.”

Stephanie Norfolk, a sophomore history major, said the department should have to pay

its staff members overtime in addition to paying them for the time spent away from home.

“If they were made to stay in the dining hall, they need to get overtime for that,” Norfolk said. “They were kept away from their families in an emergency situation, and they deserve some compensation for that.”

Burkhard added the workers should receive payment for all time spent in the area because of their commitment to the school.

“They should have been compensated for the time they spent overnight,” she said. “This took them away from their homes and families during a time of stress.” newsumdbk@gmail.com

SPORTS

Kicker Brad Craddock lost his job as the Terps’ primary kicker after missing six of his 14 field goal attempts this season. file photo/the diamondback

KICKERS From PAGE 7 made him a liability on shorter attempts.

Those shortcomings became glaring during the Terps’ 20-18 loss to N.C. State on Oct. 20.

After converting bids of 36 and 48 yards, Craddock sent a potential game-winning 33-yarder clanging off the left upright with two seconds remaining. He also

missed the extra point after the team’s third-quarter touchdown.

Edsall told Magistro — who had consistently hit within 40 yards in practices and warmups all season — to start working with the first string during team practice the following day.

The second-year coach had been confident for the better part of the season that Craddock could overcome the inconsistencies, but had grown tired of watching his team lose out on easy opportuni-

ties to gain necessary points. After all, barring one contest, Craddock has missed exactly one field goal in every game in which he’s made an attempt this season.

“Right now he isn’t being as productive as he can be, and we have someone else who, through practice, has shown they were being more productive,” Edsall said. “Brendan has showed he can do it in the game as well.” sportsdbk@gmail.com

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Opinion

THE DIAMONDBACK | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2012

EDITORIAL BOARD

YASMEEN ABUTALEB Editor in Chief

Mike King

Managing Editor

Tyler Weyant

Managing Editor

maria romas Opinion Editor

nadav karasov

Assistant Opinion Editor

CONTACT US 3150 South Campus Dining Hall | College Park, MD 20742 | newsumdbk@gmail.com OR opinionumdbk@gmail.com PHONE (301) 314-8200 FAX (301) 314-8358

STAFF EDITORIAL

Decision time for the state’s ballot questions

I

t’s perhaps the most momentous state ballot in nearly a century.

Whether voters realize it or not, this year’s state ballot is historic and thrusts a huge responsibility upon eligible voters. The DREAM Act was the first piece of legislation in 20 years to be successfully petitioned and put to referendum. A same-sex marriage bill closely followed. And voters will get to decide whether to uphold a state redistricting plan for the first time in 50 years.

While most have decided which presidential candidate they hope to see take over the Oval Office, many likely haven’t taken the same time and effort to decide on the state’s seven ballot questions. After extensive research and reporting, this editorial board has decided which measures we support and which ones we think will ultimately harm the state.

Questions 1 and 2: Prescribe different qualifications for judges of the Baltimore and Prince George’s counties orphans’ courts The response to these questions should be obvious — it’s ridiculous that orphans’ court judges are not already required to pass the bar exam. Few people know exactly what orphans’ courts are and what they do, so here’s a brief summary.

The state’s orphans’ courts handle wills and estates. Even though judges have to be elected every four years, state law doesn’t require them to be lawyers.

It really should be mandated that these judges be licensed to practice law in the state. Even though most cases that courts see are fairly routine, they can get complicated, as can any kind of case.

And the Baltimore City Orphans’ Court is the busiest in the state, according to The Baltimore Sun. There are some tough issues this election cycle, but this certainly isn’t

one of them.

Question 3: Specify condition under which an elected official convicted of a felony or certain misdemeanors is to be removed from office Again, this shouldn’t even need to be a ballot question. The measure, House Bill 211, called “Elected Officials — Removal from Office — Crimes,” mandates an elected official convicted of certain felonies or misdemeanors be suspended when found guilty and removed from office when convicted or after pleading guilty or no contest. It’s disconcerting this isn’t already a state law; the only thing worrisome is the question’s confusing wording. Don’t let it faze you; vote “yes” on Question 3.

Question 4: Approve the state’s DREAM Act The state’s version of the federal Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors Act, more commonly known as the DREAM Act, would enable undocumented students to pay in-state tuition if they meet a set of requirements.

It’s an issue that has bitterly divided legislators and served as a microcosm of the national debate over immigration.

Some view the DREAM Act as an easy ride for students residing here illegally.

But if you look at the requirements the students need to meet — attend a state high school for at least three years, earn at least 60 community college credits and prove they or their parents have filed state taxes for at least three years — it seems fair for students who had no say in coming here and have lived as state residents to pay in-state tuition.

Studies have come out in the last couple of weeks trying to determine whether the measure would benefit or harm the state. It’s difficult to say concretely how it would affect it — a fiscal analysis state lawmakers used during the 2011 legislative session said there wasn’t enough information to estimate

the costs — but the number of undocumented students paying in-state tuition in states with similar measures hasn’t exceeded 1 percent, according to The Washington Post.

You can spin the numbers any way you want for now. What’s important is these students have lived as state residents and paid taxes like the rest of us who pay in-state tuition. And they’re viewed as out-of-state students in the applicant pool to preserve spots for state residents.

Enabling these students to pay reduced rates is by no means a break — they’ve fulfilled the same obligations as any other state resident, so it seems only fair they receive the same benefits.

Question 5: Approve Maryland’s congressional redistricting plan passed in October 2011 For the first time in 50 years, voters will get to approve or reject the state’s redistricting plan. If you look at the map Gov. Martin O’Malley and Democratic legislators drew up, it’s a convoluted way of dividing the state’s eight districts in what many have said is an attempt to win one more Democratic seat for the U.S. House. Right now, six of the state’s eight representatives are Democrats.

While redistricting plans are rarely left up to voters, it’s no surprise Republicans mobilized to put this potential map on the ballot. It’s a perfect example of gerrymandering, and some of the state’s districts are so far-reaching it would be nearly impossible for a single representative to truly understand the needs of all of his or her constituents.

Even if you’re a Democrat, this isn’t a good plan for the state. It would allow politicians to alter the state’s lines based on individual wants and needs, rather than determining districts based on what’s most efficient and practical.

Maybe we don’t always get the results we want, but the beauty of democracy is the citizens speak. The priority in

drawing district lines should be the ability of representatives to effectively serve their district and understand its specific needs — not to gain another seat in the House to unfairly alter the political landscape.

Question 6: Approve same-sex marriage Maryland appeared poised to become the eighth state in the nation to legalize same-sex marriage in February, but, once again, Republicans garnered enough signatures to put the legislation to referendum. This state is one of four with such a measure on the ballot.

The measure hasn’t fared well across the country. It’s been on the ballot in 32 states — and has been voted down 32 times. State voters have the opportunity to make history by being the first to uphold it. Although polls indicate the legislation has a healthy margin of support, history has shown the result is often much different after votes are cast.

For students, the result of this vote will affect the lives of many of their friends and peers. And for those who don’t support same-sex marriage for any number of reasons, the law isn’t imposed on anyone. Churches and other religious organizations that don’t support same-sex ceremonies don’t have to perform them.

This is our generation’s equality movement. The so-called sanctity of marriage doesn’t exist within many heterosexual couples — divorce has become the norm, and we continually hear about incidents of adultery. It seems horribly unfair to prevent two people ready to commit to each other from receiving marital benefits because they’re of the same sex. The decision here is simple: Vote “yes” on Question 6 to support equality.

Question 7: Allow table games and the construction of a casino in Prince George’s County Supporters and opponents of this

legislation have spent tens of millions of dollars on an advertising war. Some ads claim a vote for table games is a vote for increased education funding and more money for Maryland, while others claim the measure will harm state residents.

Forget the ads. No matter which side they’re on, all of the advertisers are trying to protect their personal interests.

This editorial board previously endorsed the legislation because we believed it would bring in more money for education. Through further reporting and research, however, we’ve found education wouldn’t necessarily receive more money — there would simply be more money for the state’s general fund.

Yes, table games and a new casino would mean more jobs and needed money for the state. But it would also mean more gambling addictions — and in the midst of it all, casino owners would receive a tax break.

Although many argue neighboring states with casinos are receiving money that should stay in Maryland, the National Gambling Impact Study Commission found the likelihood of someone becoming addicted to gambling doubles if he or she lives within 50 miles of a casino. What’s more, the University of Maryland medical school has already created a gambling addiction center in response to the state’s new casinos, including Maryland Live!, a $500 million complex that opened this summer.

Like the rest of the country, this state has struggled financially and needs more money and jobs. But that shouldn’t come at the cost of so many residents’ wellbeing. The gambling addiction center is being funded by a $5 million grant, so keep in mind the costs the state would incur when treating the problems another casino would create and perpetuate.

EDITORIAL CARTOON

A needed lesson in women’s health We should fight ignorance — not choice

SARAH GORDON Let me begin by saying this is not a “no uterus, no opinion” kind of column. Since election season began, feminists all over the country have proclaimed their indignation over men’s ability to dominate on issues such as abortion and birth control.

There is subtle logic in this argument: Men, who are not as directly affected by these issues as women, tend to be less educated about the intricacies of the female body. However, the problem isn’t in the Y chromosome itself, but in the lack of education about these critical areas of interest. Women’s health only seems to be a hot-button issue every four years, when in truth these topics affect millions of women every single day.

But the responsibility to be educated does not fall solely on men. Women should also be knowledgeable about the options they have for their own health. A great example is Plan B, the more colloquial name of the morningafter pill. What does it do? How does it work? Is it like an abortion? Why does it need to be taken 48 to 72 hours after intercourse? These are simple questions, but the discrepancies in answers have dramatically different implications for different people.

In Colorado, there have been two ballot referendums since 2008 alone to pass legislation to incur that a woman ovulating — naturally producing an egg (which happens every single month, for those of you unfamiliar with the concept of a period) with no mention of whether or not it is fertilized — will have the same constitutional rights as two fully grown people. This legislation is effectively saying popping a birth control pill (but not necessarily even having sex and causing conception) is equivalent to murder. It is mind-bendingly frustrating that people could logically put

those two activities on the same level.

Educating people about the scientific differences between the phenomenon of conceiving a child and producing an egg could work wonders here. For those of us who know the difference, it seems preposterous. But from the quotes of Todd Akin, Rush Limbaugh, Richard Mourdock and the riot-like effect they have had on people of this country, it is clear the confusion is not isolated.

How can we solve this? More education does not come with a simple course of action. These topics aren’t included in your typical sex education, and the subject matter is definitely for a more mature audience. The earlier we’re having sex education, however, the earlier conversation about the mechanisms of birth control becomes necessary. Sex education in the fifth grade is a decent foundation. (Although does anybody really synthesize something like that in the fifth grade?) But this kind of information needs to be reiterated at a time when it is more relevant. I guess if MTV has its way, Preteen and Pregnant will be the next series; for now, a course in these topics sometime in late middle school or early high school would be highly beneficial.

For those who oppose birth control for religious reasons, that is hardly an argument precluding a factual understanding of how it works. On top of that, boys — who turn into the men we call part of our government — need to stop seeing birth control, menstruation and the like as “women’s topics.”

It can’t be underscored enough how important they are to all people. It’s a logical fallacy of sorts if men refuse to be educated about women’s bodies and functions because they’re “gross” or “not their problem” but then shoulder the responsibility of passing legislation that oppresses, judges and condemns women for the choices they make.

Sarah Gordon is a junior neurobiology physiology and major. She can be reached at opinionumdbk@gmail.com.

JOEY LOCKWOOD/the diamondback

An election of worthless facts NADAV KARASOV It’s early November — Christmastime for political junkies, and torture for everyone else. When you cast your election ballot, it’s worth remembering Freakonomics co-author Steven Levitt’s belief that, “One good indicator of a person who’s not so smart is if they vote in a presidential election because they think their vote might actually decide which candidate wins.”

Depending on your perspective, voting can either testify to your American ideals of civic duty or serve as an indictment of your own stupidity. By virtue of your willingness to read voluntarily, you’ve already proven yourself a reasonably intelligent person. (Yep, the standards are pretty low these days.) So while I absolutely hope you make it to a voting booth, you understand the reality of what your vote does and does not mean.

Even if you will not exactly decide the election with your vote, in a normal year, you could find fulfillment in making an informed decision that appropriately expresses

your hopes and convictions. Sadly, this election has made that task increasingly difficult.

In theory, campaign advertisements and the candidates themselves are supposed to serve as aides in clarifying your decision. Though every election has vicious attack ads and intense campaign spending, usually candidates forgo outright lies. Yet, 2012 has ushered in a new era of electoral inanity. Mitt Romney’s campaign’s stance, according to an August statement, has been, “We’re not going to let our campaign be dictated by fact-checkers.”

Romney’s not alone in his resistance to clarity — from the presidential race all the way to state referendums, the messages are blurred to the point voters begin to doubt what they’re actually voting for.

Free from the oppression of trivial things such as facts or reality, campaigners have no qualms making unsupported assertions. I can’t totally blame them — it can be fun. For example, did you know while at Bain Capital, Mitt Romney cut 2.4 million jobs in Nevada? Or that in 2002, Barack Obama was quoted saying he thought redistributing wealth was “cool?” Or that Question 7 will generate $750 billion for state schools? Don’t get bogged down in questioning whether these are facts or not. If this campaign

can teach us anything, it’s that you have the right to believe whatever “facts” you choose — it’s American political freedom at its finest.

The Supreme Court’s Citizens United ruling ensured corporations and unions no longer suffer from political spending restrictions, aka, anti-freedom money stoppers, either. The more than $1 billion spent by the presidential campaigns to date has allowed candidates’ message of obfuscation to ring clear. And total federal campaign spending is expected to surpass $6 billion — more than enough to effectively confuse voters.

As Levitt’s earlier quote suggests, it’s doubtful (read: impossible) your vote will singlehandedly decide the election.

But he did get one thing wrong: In this election, the best way to gauge people’s stupidity is if they believe what they hear from the campaigns.

In the final days of campaigning, the onslaught of advertising and baseless accusations will be consuming. Do the right thing and mute your TV and block out the noise. If you’re still unsure on certain issues, read The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times. Somewhere in the middle, you’ll find the truth.

Nadav Karasov is a junior economics major. He can be reached at opinionumdbk@gmail.com.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2012 | THE DIAMONDBACK

5

Features

CROSSWORD

ACROSS 1 Barter 6 Cat-goddess of Egypt 10 Like some errors 14 Psyched up 15 Memsahib’s nanny 16 Outback mineral 17 Sky blue 18 LP player (hyph.)

19 Dole out 20 Medium’s session 22 Said no politely 24 Cowhand’s nickname 26 Low-fat latte at Starbucks 27 Jet set destination 31 Kind of system 32 Keep away from 33 Rattle 36 Photo 39 Sherpa’s sighting 40 Wild guesses 41 Verne captain 42 Language suffix 43 Vacuum tube 44 Aired again 45 Place to surf 46 Roman-legion officer 48 Like some socks 51 Set the dog on 52 Charmed 54 Chocolate dessert 59 Blissful spot 60 Denny’s rival

62 Scout unit 63 Mellowed 64 Whim 65 Lake near Reno 66 Capone foe 67 Bird-feeder treat 68 Like a hermit

40 “Finlandia” composer 41 Kan. neighbor 43 Lox locale 44 Lasagna cheese

45 Injures 47 Basketball hoop 48 Blocky heel 49 Curved moldings 50 Mod jacket

DOWN 1 Herbal soothers 2 Level 3 Water, to Pedro 4 Bruce or Laura 5 Built 6 “Phooey!”

7 Between 8 Bank fixtures 9 Curdles 10 Hooded cloak 11 Philadelphia sch.

12 Ahoy, --!

13 Blackmailed dry 21 Ever, to Byron 23 Enjoy a sucker 25 Hobby knife (hyph.)

27 “Big Mouth” Martha 28 Currier and - 29 Go to the polls 30 Grandson, maybe 34 Youngster 35 Drives the getaway car 36 Amazon source 37 Statuesque model 38 Orange road marker

© 2012 United Features Syndicate

PREVIOUS DAY’s puzzle solved:

Today’s crossword sponsored by:

52 Hit on the head 53 Venetian magistrate 55 Russian range

56 London district 57 By and by 58 Three-sided blade 61 Four-footed pal

B

HOROSCOPE STELLA WILDER

orn today, you are a generous and sensitive individual with a passion for doing things that benefit not only yourself, but those around you. When you are young it may seem as though your efforts are primarily self-serving, but the truth is that you are always working to position yourself so that you are able to work for the greater good. When you are starting out, this may mean making a name for yourself, attracting attention to your endeavors and making money that you can later spend on those projects to which you feel fully committed and dedicated. You seem to know what others are feeling, and you strive to do those things that will have them feeling better about themselves and the world at large.

You will stick with something until one of two things happens: either success, or the kind of failure that prevents you from continuing. You are never one to give up on something halfway through.

Also born on this date are: Jenny McCarthy, model and comedian; Lyle Lovett, singer; Larry Flynt, publisher; Gary Player, golfer; Stephen Crane, author.

To see what is in store for you tomorrow, find your birthday and read the corresponding paragraph. Let your birthday star be your daily guide.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 2 SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) -You will want to stay firmly within

COLLEGE INTUITION RICHIE BATES ROGER DOES COLLEGE

your comfort zone as you face a situation with which you have not been long acquainted.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) -- Attend to all forms of protocol today and you’ll avoid rubbing anyone the wrong way.

Such manners count for much.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) -- Warnings that come your way must be heard or they will surely go unheeded -- and that, in turn, will bring serious dangers your way.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) -- Someone is trying to get you to back off from an issue that is quite important to you at this time.

Hold your ground patiently.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20) -- You have a certain style that can be shown off on more than one occasion. Others will come back to you with positive feedback.

ARIES (March 21-April 19) -You’ll be singled out for something that is really only partially your own doing. You’ll want to share credit with another.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20) -If it’s approval you seek, you may have to wait patiently for much longer than you had anticipated.

It will come -- but not today, probably.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20) -- You’ll be tempted to fall back on something much easier when the going gets tough for you when pursuing your primary goal.

CANCER (June 21-July 22) -- The social aspects of your work will provide more than mere enjoyment. You can make one or two important new contacts.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) -- You may be skeptical of a plan introduced by another -- and not just because your own ideas are being overlooked. You have a legitimate concern.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) -- You must lean on someone more reliable than your familiar teammates today -- not that they are unreliable, but another is more steady.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) -- You’ll discover that what you have been doing is not exactly according to the plan set forth by those in charge. It’s a matter of creativity.

COPYRIGHT 2012 UNITED FEATURE SYNDICATE, INC.

Today’s HOROSCOPE sponsored by:

Max Siskind

su | do | ku © Puzzles by Pappocom

Fill in the grid so that every row, column, and 3x3 grid contains the digits 1 through 9.

PREVIOUS DAY’s puzzle solved:

DEGREE OF DIFFICULTY:

HARD

Today’s SUDOKU PUZZLE sponsored by:

6

THE DIAMONDBACK | thursDAY, november 1, 2012

Diversions SPOTLIGHT | HARMONIC BLUE

KIND OF BLUE

Local rock band with diverse influences tries to find niche

By Dean Essner Staff writer Three of the four members of Harmonic Blue sit in Franklin’s Restaurant, Brewery and General Store in Hyattsville, eating giant sandwiches on a mundane Saturday in early October. Nearly two weeks later, they’ll headline the Velvet Lounge in Washington.

The College Park musicians have elbowed their way past the punks and indie kids to find musical success in the D.C. area.

All they want to do is talk about aesthetic influences. Over the course of an hour-long lunch, they freely reference everyone from Grizzly Bear and Jeff Buckley to Michael Kiwanuka and Jimi Hendrix. These influences, though disparate, are indicative of Harmonic Blue’s style, which ranges from mellow jazz to gritty blues-rock. Yet, in a town full of niche bands, they’ve struggled to find camaraderie.

“I feel like we’re outcasts,” said lead guitarist and senior finance major Anthony Ajluni.

“We draw from such a wide variety of influences that it’s hard to find a good set of bands that have a similar sound.”

Most of this university got its first taste of Harmonic Blue at last semester’s Art Attack, which they played after winning Student Entertainment Events’ Battle of the Bands competition to open for B.o.B. The same day as the show, the band released Villa Borghese, an album recorded at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County during winter break.

The record touches upon many different musical ideas, which is unsurprising given the group’s diverse list of favorite artists.

There’s the Pet Sounds-flour-

ishes of the instrumental title track. The ’90s guitar noodling on “Silver Spoon.” The Red Hot Chili Peppers bounce of “I Go, She Goes.” The conceptual melting pot is vast and impressive.

It was the band members’ experiences in foreign countries that spurred the sentiment behind the textures on Villa Borghese. The record was named after a park in Rome that Ajluni and the band’s

ON THE BLOG singer Zach Field, a senior government and politics and marketing major, visited during their time abroad.

These travels, along with bass player and 2012 alumnus Gabe Bustos’ time in Seville, Spain, shaped the thematic arc of the album, which they consider a series of “letters from abroad.”

“More than music, [we’re inspired] by life itself,” said Ajluni.

But worldliness and artistic soul-searching aside, Harmonic Blue is focused on the financial practicalities of its craft. The band holds regular business meetings, where the members plan for the future and monitor the flow of

PERUVIAN PARADISE

Want a cheap, fast meal but tired of Noodles & Company and Chipotle? Head to Sardi’s Pollo a la Brasa in Beltsville for roasted chicken, red-skinned potatoes and plantains. For more, check out diamondbackonline.

funds. Ten percent goes to each of the four band members, while the remaining 60 percent goes back into the overall pot for expenses and savings. It’s a system that’s helped them stay sustainable, especially as they face the hardships of being semiprofessional musicians leading busy, independent lives.

For instance, scheduling meeting times presents an obstacle: Bustos has already graduated and lives in Baltimore, and drummer Sam Balcom attends Towson University. While they have no manager, they rely solely on their business sensibilities to keep things running smoothly.

HARMONIC BLUE prior to a performance at the Velvet Lounge. photo courtesy of harmonic blue “At the beginning of junior year, we obviously recognized that we had about two years of this fallback, this cushioning, which is your parents paying for your rent and for your food,” said Bustos. “Since junior year, we’ve been very proactive in trying to

do as much as we can until everyone graduates, and the real world hits.”

On Friday, at its Velvet Lounge show, the band took the stage to a room full of boisterous,

See BLUE, Page 2

Classified RATES 35¢ per word ALL CAPITAL LETTERS Bold Letters

$3.50 minimum 35¢ extra per word 70¢ extra per word

CLASSIFIED DISPLAY ADS • Larger type • Sold in 1” increments • One column wide • $33.00/column inch • Run online at no additional cost OFFICE HOURS 10AM – 4PM Monday – Friday • 3136 South Campus Dining Hall DEADLINES The deadline for ads is 2PM • 2 business days in advance of publication SPECIAL Run the same ad 4 consecutive days and get the 5th day FREE!

All Classified & Classified Display Ads will run online at no additional charge. ¿ ONLINE

To place an ad: PHONE 301-314-8000 | EMAIL advertising@dbk.umd.edu | FAX 301-314-8358 | v m A All ads must be prepaid

Employment

Employment

NOW HIRING

PART-TIME BARTENDERS

Must have neat appearance, good communication skills, and own transportation.

Hourly rate plus tips. Call 301-681-3056 for questions. Apply at www.uniparkvalet.com.

If you are outgoing and upbeat and want to make money while having fun, visit www.pubdog.net to submit an application.

No experience necessary.

Valet Parking Staff Needed

CHRISTMAS TREES

Multiple seasonal positions in local area. Full or part time.

• Sales and cashiers • Home delivery and set up • On site marketing person to refer customers to our new location. Good position for an energetic, creative marketing or theater major.

Contact North Star Trees 301-674-9324

Menswear Models needed. Good build required. No charges to applicants. $30/hour.

410-719-6246 after 12 pm.

Pub Dog Pizza & Drafthouse Columbia, MD

Cashier/Lottery Attendant

Hiring immed. Flexible hours. CLOSED SUNDAYS. Nice environment, family owned & operated liquor store for over 60 years.

Students encouraged to apply. Must be 18 yrs. Call EASTGATE, located on Greenbelt Road, 301-390-6200. $ Bartending $ – $250/day potential. No experience necessary. Training available. 1800-965-6520 x116.

STUDENTPAYOUTS.COM. Paid survey takers needed in College Park. 100% free to join! Click on surveys.

VET TECH/ASSISTANT. Small animal practice in Potomac, MD. Ideal for animal science majors. Must be available weekends and holidays. Send resume to: Attn: Beth E. Fax: 301-299-7605; pah4142@comcast.net

ATTENTION $PRING BREAKER$ AND $TUDENTS WHO NEED $$$$ GET PAID BETWEEN CLA$$E$, HAVE FUN AND TRAVEL THE WORLD!!!

IF YOU ARE TIRED OF WAITING FOR YOUR REFUND CHECK OR BEGGING MOM AND DAD TO PUT MONEY IN YOUR ACCOUNT,

YOU NEED TO SEE THIS!

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Employment

Intern/Gopher Wanted for Greenbelt Criminal Law Firm

10-15 hours per week, weekdays and hours flexible around school schedule. MUST have own car. $11 per hour, 51 cents per mile.

Scan resume to koconnell@lstamm.com or fax resume to 301-441-4652.

For Rent 5-7 bedroom houses: $3000/month, plus utilities. All amenities. Apartments: 1-3 bedrooms. $850-1595/month, plus utilities. All walking distance. Call Marcel: 717-830-0869 or 240-438-3096. Email: chsrentals@ hughes.net.

NEED MONEY FOR RENT? Find a job in The Diamondback Classifieds!

Roommates Female roommates wanted. Furnished houses – College Park and Mount Rainier. $600, all utilities. On shuttle. Professional management – call 301-220-1613.

Services



ACADEMIC EDITING — Dissertations, theses, papers. Style manual specialists.

301-474-6000. www.CompuMediaUSA.com/academic

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PREGNANT? Free confidential pregnancy testing & caring counseling help. www.optionline.org, 1-800-712-HELP. Continue education and career. 1-800-ANGEL-OK.

 

Miscellaneous



SSM Info: MarylandMarriageAlliance.org, NationForMarriage.org, MassResistance.org.

       

                               

APARTMENTS AUTOMOTIVE BEAUTY E DUCATION FLORIST HEALTH LEGAL RECREATION A PARTMENTS AELIGION PARTMENTS R A AUTOMOTIVE UTOMOTIVE B BEAUTY EAUTY E E DUCATION DUCATION A PARTMENTS A PARTMENTS F LORIST FLORIST A UTOMOTIVE A UTOMOTIVE H HEALTH EALTH B EAUTY B EAUTY L LEGAL EGAL E DUCATION E DUCATION R RECREATION ECREATION F LORIST F LORIST R RELIGION ELIGION H HEALTH EALTH L LEGAL EGAL R RECREATION ECREATION R RELIGION ELIGION

ON THE WEB

FH READIES FOR ACC TOURNAMENT The Terrapins field hockey team opens its ACC tournament slate today against Duke. For more, visit diamondbackonline.com.

Sports

REG.-SEASON FINALE FOR M. SOCCER The Terrapins men’s soccer team will travel to Wake Forest for its final regular-season contest. For more, visit diamondbackonline.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2012

ON THE WEB PAGE 7

FOOTBALL

A leg up

Craddock’s misses give freshman Magistro chance at kicker for Terps

By Connor Letourneau Senior staff writer

kicker Brad Craddock will now split kicking duties with Brendan Magistro. file photo/the diamondback

Brendan Magistro has grown accustomed to repetition since he arrived on the campus as an invited walk-on in June.

Every week, he practices field goals from the same distances. Every warmup, he tries to

perfect the same time-honored kicking form. And nearly every day, he hears Terrapins football coach Randy Edsall utter the same three-word phrase: “Just be ready.”

So after starting kicker Brad Craddock’s 35-yard field goal attempt sailed wide left in the first quarter of an eventual

20-17 loss at Boston College on Saturday, Magistro was prepared when Edsall told him to start warming up.

The Forest Hill native made the most of the opportunity.

He converted both extra-point attempts and drilled a 28-yard field goal in the waning seconds of the third quarter to cut the Eagles’ lead to 13-10.

It was no star-making performance, but it was enough to secure Magistro a share of the Terps’ place-kicking duties.

Edsall announced Wednesday the true freshman will handle all attempts within 35 or 40 yards — extra points included — when the Terps face Georgia Tech on Saturday. Craddock, meanwhile, will be called upon for the longer-distance kicks.

The move came after Craddock, an Adelaide, Australia, native who learned to kick playing Australian rules football, converted just eight of 14 field goals through his first eight college games. The leg strength was always there — he went four-for-six from beyond 50 — but technique inconsistencies See KICKERS, Page 3

8

THE DIAMONDBACK | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2012