November 2, 2012

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OPINION

Foreign policy has been forgotten this election cycle p. 4

Women’s soccer and field hockey begin ACC tournament play p. 8

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friday, november 2, 2012

Several leaks reported in wake of Sandy

By Savannah Doane-Malotte Staff writer After the heavy rains and winds of Hurricane Sandy left several dorms soggy, Residential Facilities received many ceiling leakage reports from the dorms.

Though buildings on the campus had experienced some leaks prior to the storm last weekend, Residential Facilities Director Jon Dooley said weather conditions caused widespread leaks within the dorms.

Along with the sagging and soaking of some ceiling tiles in Hagerstown Hall’s first-floor lounge, caused by water that leaked from a small roof area over the west side of the build-

university president wallace loh emphasizes more blended and online learning techniques to help the university become a top public research institution in yesterday’s State of the Campus address. Although further budget cuts are still possible, Loh pointed to successful fundraising efforts. charlie deboyace/the diamondback

an innovative future

Loh emphasizes tech-savvy classroom learning in his third annual State of the Campus speech

By Lauren Kirkwood Senior staff writer Advanced teaching and learning techniques, most notably blended and online learning, will become a priority on the campus as the university continues working to climb the national ranks, university President Wallace Loh said in his State of the Campus speech yesterday.

In his third annual speech to the

campus community, Loh, who spoke for about an hour without a written script in hand, highlighted successes of students, faculty and staff, but also addressed challenges the university faces in upcoming years, including the need to move public higher education into the 21st century with a tight budget.

“The campus is strong; the university is ascendant,” he said. “It is a university in bloom. It is strong in its

academics and research and impact on society, locally and around the world.”

While lauding the continually improving characteristics of the freshman class – the average high school weighted GPA of this year’s freshmen is greater than 4.0, he said – the university must work to improve its graduation rate, which has hovered at about 82 percent for the past five

An incident reported to police early yesterday morning turned out not to be a robbery as described in a crime alert, according to Prince George’s County Police.

At about 2:28 a.m. Thursday, the university community received an alert that a robbery had just occurred at 7300 Baltimore Ave., and suspects were at large. Police gave the all-clear about 22 minutes later, but after investigating the incident further, police determined no robbery occurred, said District 1 Commander Maj. Robert Brewer.

Early Thursday morning, a University Police officer witnessed what appeared to be a fight in the College Park Shopping Center, between the CVS Pharmacy and Bank of America, according to University Police spokesman Capt. Marc Limansky; only one individual, a 22-year-old male student, remained on the scene by the time the officer pulled over.

“The guy that was left standing there was intoxicated to such a degree he was unable to give a good account of what happened,” Limansky said.

INDEX

“He said some of his property was missing, which is why I guess they called it a robbery.”

The officer contacted county police, who took over the case.

“Right now we’re investigating a possible assault,” Brewer said, adding no weapons were involved.

Fights are relatively common on the weekends, Limansky said.

“They sprout up usually when the bars let out or sometimes a little before they let out, little skirmishes,” he said.

“Usually, you just break people up, send them on their way.”

Even if neither party wishes to press assault charges, police may charge individuals with disorderly conduct or disturbing the peace if a crowd gathers around an altercation, Limansky said.

“If [students] find themselves a party to the dispute, they should try to make the more mature decision,” he added. “You’re not proving anything by getting yourself involved in a fight where you or someone else could get injured.” newsumdbk@gmail.com

NEWS 2 OPINION 4 FEATURES 5 DIVERSIONS 6 CLASSIFIED 6 SPORTS 8

See leaks, Page 2

Economy could decline without new budget deal Fiscal cliff slated to go into effect Jan. 1, 2013

By Jim Bach Senior staff writer A series of severe budget cuts are slated to go into effect in January, and if Congress doesn’t propose new legislation, students could be staring down another recession when they are already struggling to find jobs.

A mix of drastic spending cuts and tax hikes scheduled for Jan. 1, 2013 — also known as the “fiscal cliff ” —

would further impede the economy’s recovery by slowing growth and hiring, ultimately burdening students already hard-pressed in finding work after graduation. Unemployment could skyrocket to more than 9 percent and plunge the country back into a recession, according to an August report from the Congressional Budget Office.

The cuts were a result of budget negotiations during the 2011 debt ceiling See budget, Page 2

See loh, Page 3

Reported robbery was instead possible assault

By Fola Akinnibi Staff writer

ing, water leaks have also been reported in Wicomico, La Plata and Anne Arundel halls and Leonardtown Community, in addition to a few houses off the campus on Fraternity Row and the Graham Cracker.

“With the prolonged and extensive nature of the storm, it’s not surprising that many buildings experienced leakage,” Dooley said.

Residents also discovered water trickling into elevator shafts within Somerset, Cumberland and Centreville halls, causing maintenance to temporarily shut them down. Some buildings also experienced minor flooding

greg merson, who dropped out of this university in 2007, wins $8.53 million in the World Series of Poker Wednesday night. As a student, he was working toward a business degree. photo by joe giron and pokernews/wsop

Upping the ante Former student wins $8.53 million in poker

By Laura Blasey Staff writer The statistics are grim for working adults without a college degree, and spending the days gambling doesn’t usually even the odds.

But Greg Merson, who dropped

out of this university in 2007, has enjoyed a burgeoning career on the professional poker circuit — one that peaked Wednesday night to the tune of $8.53 million and the World Series of Poker’s championship title. Merson, 24, was also named the WSOP’s Player of the Year.

Submit tips to The Diamondback at newsumdbk@gmail.com

The former student, who once pursued a business degree, competed against eight other finalists in a marathon Texas Hold ’Em match that lasted almost 12 hours at the Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, according to the Associated Press.

According to the WSOP records, Merson went into the final rounds on Monday third place in chip count.

American Jesse Sylvia was in first, followed by Andras Koroknai of Hungary.

Merson played wisely, becoming the first American to win the tournament since 2009, according the WSOP. Sylvia took runner-up.

It was an emotional win: Merson teared up as he presented his mother with his championship gold, platinum and diamond bracelet, the orange Baltimore Orioles logo on his shirt paying homage to his Laurel hometown.

“I’m crying, it’s absurd, it just doesn’t even seem like real life,” Merson said to an ESPN reporter as the crowd applauded.

Since 1970, the World Series of Poker has defined careers. The five-monthlong tournament begins in May with registration and smaller “satellite” tournaments — ones with relatively lower buy-ins that can give participants extra chips to put toward participating in the WSOP’s main events.

For breaking news, alerts and more, follow us on Twitter @thedbk

See poker, Page 3

© 2012 THE DIAMONDBACK

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THE DIAMONDBACK | NEWS | friDAY, november 2, 2012

budget

mode, several experts said.

Philip Joyce, a public policy professor, said Congress’ rationale was, “‘If we put this sort of failsafe in the law, then letting that happen will be viewed as such a bad thing’ that it will force them to come to agreement. But it didn’t.”

Additionally, the 2001 and 2003 Bush-era tax cuts are set to expire, abruptly hiking rates on everyone. Either President Obama or Republican presidential hopeful Mitt Romney will have to address these looming possibilities after the dust settles on the election.

What was originally posed as a hypothetical doomsday scenario could become a reality if the law stands as is. University economist Jeffrey Werling said

“Everyone in government’s kind of screwy at this point; they need to compromise a bit more.”

from far less rain, but this was the most extensive amount of leakage From PAGE 1 reports we’ve received during one event,” Dooley said.

Emily Wagner, a junior biology because water flowed in undermajor, avoided her Wicomico neath exterior doors.

“The leaks weren’t that big room during the worst of Sandy of a deal, though some parts of by staying at a friend’s house. the ceiling tiles may have to be However, when she returned to the replaced,” said Centreville resi- campus Wednesday morning, she dent Demi Chang, a freshman said her single looked “trashed.” journalism major. “I think these Her bedside table was knocked kinds of issues are inevitable.” over and possessions strewn Chang’s hallway also saw across the floor. Her temporary air conditioning unit — provided minor leakage, she said.

“We have had leaks before by the university to accommodate

Wagner’s heart condition — was removed from her window, and there was a rain bucket in her closet where her clothes were wet and muddy, she said.

“When I walked in, I had no idea what had happened,” Wagner said. “I hadn’t received any notifications from facilities, and so I was just really confused.”

After Wagner notified her resident director, a maintenance employee came by her room and explained there had been a leak in the ceiling of her closet and water had gotten in through the air conditioning unit, flooding her room.

“The maintenance staff was really nice and they have been really supportive in trying to help me clean up my dorm room,” Wagner said.

Residents made 12 calls from Wicomico to Residential Facilities reporting leakage, and the department discovered two leaks from each end of the building, according to Dooley.

The influx of reports to Residential Facilities during Hurricane Sandy prevented staff from alerting Wagner of the flooding issue within her room, as they were

From PAGE 1 crisis, when national lawmakers could not agree on whether to increase the federal borrowing limit or how to save $1.2 trillion over 10 years. After several weeks, a bipartisan committee proposed a series of deep acrossthe-board cuts that will immediately take effect in 2013 unless legislators can craft another budget plan by December 31.

The cuts, known as “sequestration,” were purposely made devastating to scare a compromise out of Congress. But if legislators do not take action soon, the cuts in place could backpedal an economy in recovery

LEAKS

MORE ONLINE Keeping up with the Kandidates: The election isn’t over, but Obama already won the Internet People will always talk politics. It’s how they spread the views of their kandidate of choice and try to sway people so that they themselves can really represent more than one vote come Election Day. In the past, these political discussions were reserved for people we actually enjoyed talking to. But in this world-is-flat day and age, it’s easy for people to share their opinions with everyone they know.

This is good and bad. The good is that it gives people a chance to argue effectively for their kandidate to a mass audience. The bad is that some people aren’t very good at this.

To read more of Juan Cervantes’ post, check out The Diamondback’s student blogs at diamondbackonline.com.

JOHN GREGG

Senior government and politics major and master’s candidate in public policy he doesn’t expect the Republicancontrolled House or the Democratic-controlled Senate to risk going over the cliff — even if there is a shakeup after the election — but it can’t be counted out.

“I think the chances remain pretty sma l l a nd that’s no matter who is elected, but you can’t put that probability at zero,” he said, adding it seems even more likely “given the silly policy” pursued over the last

two years regarding the budget.

Even with a broad consensus in Congress to cut the budget, Joyce said he doesn’t expect the fiscal cliff to be the ideal answer for either party.

“I think that we have to separate the fiscal cliff from the need to reduce the debt and reduce the deficit,” he said. “I just don’t see how it’s possibly in the interest of either party to let all these things take effect.”

But given the 112th Congress’ record of moving from one short-term fi x to the next, Joyce said he expects further delays even after the election.

“The Congress and the president, quite frankly, are very good at kicking the can down the road,” he said.

Some students feel the bitter divide in Congress and the unwillingness to compromise will dissipate after the election, when lawmakers’ political careers aren’t on the line.

John Gregg, a senior government and politics major and master’s candidate in public policy, said both parties have put partisan ideology ahead of pursuing meaningful legislation and solutions.

“Everyone in government’s kind of screwy at this point; they need to compromise a bit more,” Gregg said. “Republicans are a bit too partisan. On the other hand, in the [Democrat-controlled] Senate, they rammed through a lot of legislation they shouldn’t have

rammed through in 2008 and 2009, so they need to kind of get their act together and go back to the bipartisanship you had in the late ’90s.”

Joyce said government spending needs to be reigned in, but the stopgap measures are “not the way to do it” and need to be replaced by long-term budget solutions. Doing so will help erase uncertainty and could urge businesses to hire again.

“The markets like certainty; they don’t like uncertainty,” Joyce said. “If we came up with a 10-year plan and everybody knew what was in that plan, I just think that would be a much better plan for the economy.” newsumdbk@gmail.com

pressed to respond to a number of similar cases, according to Ryan Manning, resident director for Caroline, Carroll, Wicomico and Worcester halls.

“For the magnitude of reports that we were dealing with, we did everything that we could to deal with all issues that came to our attention,” Manning said. “Our facilities staff did an excellent job.”

If a student’s belongings are ruined or damaged, Resident Life encourages students to file a police report and then work with their family’s home insurance company, as most home insurance plans also cover dorms. Students may also file a claim with the university to receive compensation for their losses. Staff have responded to reports by using wet-dry vacuums to aid in cleaning up the water in the dorms, and contractors are inspecting windows and roofs of buildings to see where repairs are necessary.

“With each call, staff respond during and after the event to assist the students as best as we can,” Dooley said. newsumdbk@gmail.com

A Wicomico single showed signs of flooding and had belongings scattered on the floor when resident Emily Wagner returned after Hurricane Sandy. photo courtesy of emily wagner

friDAY, november 2, 2012 | NEWS | THE DIAMONDBACK

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Honors College partners with univ. program for high schoolers Students enrolled in Upward Bound will meet with mentors throughout the year, prepare for higher education with college mentors further strengthens their education.

“You didn’t have to stay; you didn’t have to sign up. I know More than 60 students and faculty, some donning super- you have other things pulling at hero capes, gathered in the you,” Associate Director of Prebasement of Anne Arundel College Programs Annie Foster Hall on Saturday to celebrate Ahmed told the 40 high school the launch of a new partner- students, who enjoyed lunch, ship with college preparedness games and ice breakers with the 24 honors students who will program Upward Bound.

Local high school students mentor them this year. “You en rol led i n t he precol lege chose wisely, you chose to make program come to the campus an investment in your future.”

The high school students will in the summer, live in dorms and take classes in a curricu- meet with their mentors once lum modeled after the Digital a month throughout the year.

Cultures and Creativity honors Moesch said the college piloted program, said DCC graduate the partnership last year, invitassistant Jarah Moesch. In a ing six students from the living county with high dropout rates and learning community and and relatively low numbers 15 high school students to test of students entering college, out the idea. It was a success, Moesch said, Upward Bound and after nearly two years of i s a n i mpor ta nt resou rce, planning, Upward Bound and and pairing high schoolers DCC, along with Honors Hu-

manities and Integrated Life Sciences, have formed an official partnership.

“We had more students interested this year than we could take,” Moesch said.

Organizers said the partnership’s driving force is that it benefits both groups of students involved. It helps the college students think creatively, come up with lesson plans and develop important skills while giving back. At the same time, it gives the high school students a chance to explore the possibilities of college, develop a positive selfimage and set themselves up for a world beyond their high school communities.

“This exposes them to the Honors College; it gets them interested,” said Emily Rizzo, a counselor for the Upward Bound program. “They learn

what it takes to be an honors student. … They get to see that just because you like engineering, you don’t have to give up other hobbies and interests. In college, you can do all that.”

All members of the program will get together two more times this year — once in February for a workshop modeled around the year’s theme, environmental justice — and then again at the end of the year for a closing reception.

“I thought it would be an interesting thing to put on a resume or use in a job interview,” said Bemnet Gebrechristos, a sophomore at Wheaton High School. “The food was good, and the people are interesting, so I think I made a good decision instead of going home and going on the computer.”

This is Gebrechristos’ first year in the program. She signed

LOH

and basic research – in the 21st century, we need to do more,” he said. “This is a way of thinking, and it is not simply to create ventures that generate revenue; it is to create social ventures that make a difference.”

Loh pointed to the MPowering the State partnership with the University of Maryland, Baltimore, a strategic alliance that brings together certain departments and personnel from both schools, as an example of collaboration that will benefit the community through the medical and technical innovations the partnership will foster.

Although he said the university often has a tendency to see itself as an island – an “academic park in the city” – Loh said there can no longer be a divide between the campus and surrounding community.

I mprov i ng the school system through the launch of the College Park Academy

charter school, which he said will attract top students to the area, as well as providing incentives for faculty and staff to live in College Park, including upper-scale local housing complexes, will help revitalize the local economy, he said.

Arts and Humanities Dean Bonnie Thornton Dill said she agreed with Loh’s major points.

Engaging with the community to create an environment of mutual support is critical, she said, as is keeping the university up-to-date with modern learning methods.

“Online education is really something we have to address, and I think the future of how we’re going to educate our students is an important issue,” she said.

Senate Chair Martha Nell Smith, who introduced Loh, said the university is prepared to tackle future obstacles. “[Loh] is a clear-eyed leader

By Laura Blasey Staff writer

From PAGE 1 years. Loh aims to increase the rate by 1 percent each year to hit 87 percent by 2017, he said.

T he university can make strides in several other areas, Loh said, and he pointed to ramping up blended and online learning on the campus. The partnership with Coursera, a company that hosts free university classes online, will help the university move in the right direction by allowing professors to reach more students than in a traditional classroom, he said.

Additionally, the Edward St. John Learning and Teaching Center, which is in the planning stages, will hold high-tech, modern classrooms designed for blended learning.

“From the point of view of public higher education, the

major challenge in the 21st century in the face of state cutbacks — of flat growth — is the following: No. 1, how do you educate more students?

No. 2, how do you educate them better? And No. 3, how do you drive down the cost?”

Loh said.

While Loh said university officials have prepared for possible budget cuts, he touted the fundraising efforts led by Brodie Remington, former vice president for university relations. The university has now raised $990 million in its Great Expectations fundraising campaign, only $10 million short of its goal.

Loh said increasing opportunities for entrepreneurship also exemplifies the university’s mission, because as a research institution, the university should be at the forefront of innovation in all fields.

“We emphasize education

POKER

collaborations between local high schools and the university, Moesch said.

“W hat we’d like to see is have an established model that other colleges can replicate,” she said.

Sophomore journalism major ALEXIS ANTHONY Sophomore journalism major Alexis Anthony, who donned a superhero cape Saturday to up for the Honors Humanities mark her status as a returngroup, and although she was ing mentor, is working toward timid at fi rst, she became more developing the program into outgoing with the help of her an open-source model for her mentors, including freshman DCC Honors capstone project. government and politics major “It was really rewarding,” Ross Fasman. she said. “I loved being able “I’m a freshman and I re- to work with the students and member being here for my ori- teach them what we’ve been entation, and there was some learning here, and allowing intimidation,” Fasman said. “I them to experience collegefeel I’m more established here style learning and different now, and I can help people not style of learning. It was a really be scared of college life.” fun experience.”

One of the program’s goals is to serve as a model for future newsumdbk@gmail.com

“I loved being able to work with the students and teach them what we’ve been learning here.”

UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT WALLACE LOH outlines his plans for the future of the university during his third State of the Campus address. Loh said one of his top priorities will be to increase opportunities for creative innovation in all fields of study. charlie deboyace/the diamondback who doesn’t soft-pedal the challenges,” she said. “These are daunting times for us. But he’s the one who says to us there’s an opportunity in these

which requires both the ability to play prudently and the means to do so; the number of chips a From PAGE 1 player has going into the game In July, a series of tourna- can make or break his chances ments whittle almost 7,000 of winning.

Sp e ctators act u a l ly u se participants down to nine. It’s an expensive endeavor, and those figures to place bets on participants risk never seeing who they think is going to win the final table event. their money again.

Merson is used to the stress T he f i n a l ro u nd , wh ic h Merson won, requires partici- and the risk.

“W hen you do th is for a pants to shell out a minimum l iv i ng a nd you d rop out of buy-in of $10,000.

T hou g h r i sk y, t he move school, t here’s no back up is well worth it for the most plan,” Merson told The Dicom m itted players. I f you a m o n d b a c k i n Ju ly, a f te r make all the right moves and scoring more than $1 million play you r ca rds correctly, in a WSOP early round.

In the same interview, he you r ba n k accou nt w i l l be discussed his messy past with rewarded.

In an event like the WSOP, drug addiction. He said he’s strategy is key — the final round been clean since December is no-limit Texas Hold ’Em, and credits yoga and poker

daunting times. … That kind of outlook is infectious in the best possible way.” newsumdbk@gmail.com

“WHEN YOU DO THIS FOR A LIVING and you drop out of school, there’s no backup plan.”

GREG MERSON

World Series of Poker winner with helping him focus his energy more positively.

Now, he has even more reason to celebrate, and so do his fans, who wore T-shirts that read “Greg Merson #WeNeedIt” as they cheered him on.

“I’ve played a lot of long c a sh ga me s i n my c a re er, which helps you prepare for something like this, but this whole stage is something you can’t ever really prepare for,” Merson told a WSOP reporter. newsumdbk@gmail.com

4

THE DIAMONDBACK | FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2012

Opinion The choice of a reverend JAKE DeVIRGILIIS It’s official. As of Oct. 21, 2012, I am the Rev. Jake DeVirgiliis. My spiritual evolution has been a wobbly one, and though I follow no specific doctrine, I feel my personal ethic jives with the Universal Life Church, through which I have been ordained. Here’s what they told me on the big day: “Your commitment is to always do the right thing. It is your responsibility to peacefully and sincerely determine the right course of action, and to avoid infringing on the rights of others. You alone are responsible for your actions as a minister.”

I’ve long tried to commit myself to such behavior. Now, I imagine I do as poor a job as anyone else, but I try really hard. Yet my commitment has been formalized, and the job brings some cool perks: I have been endowed with all the legal privileges of keepin’ the faith.

It’s a big responsibility, which is tremendously exciting. Readers, let’s start doing the right thing.

Legally, I can officiate marriages.

Legally, I can marry you. So, brothers and sisters in the LGBTQ community: Hit me up. I’m the reverend for you.

I know I’m not the only one tired of the arguments against marriage equality. The most popular opposition — perhaps one that seems to course beneath all others — is that certain churches have defined marriage in a certain, exclusionary way.

Fair enough. But in the Church of the Sauce (that’s my church), marriage is the way it should be: open to all. We’re a diverse country, and it runs contrary to our most fundamental principles to deny citizens rights because certain churches wish to do so. Constitutionally, it’s abundantly clear we are equal under the law. Legally, private religious institutions and citizens have the right to discriminate as they please. But nationally, we are equal.

I understand why some activists and celebrities with the legal right to marry have abstained in protest of the current inequality. But it’s apparent quite a lot of us just want to get married. In addition to nifty tax benefits, marriage is a symbolic agreement between two people (emphasis on “people”) that can mean a lot. Marriage might be a symbol of love and commitment, or a celebration of all that is good in the world; it certainly isn’t a danger to anyone.

You might not want a piece of paper from the city, but if it’s important to you, it’s important to me. So grab your copy of The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy (or I guess a Bible or Koran if you want) and we can make this happen.

I don’t discriminate, though. I’ll marry anyone: homosexuals, heterosexuals, atheists, Mormons, cyborgs or tree sloths. I’ll marry anyone, that is, I can legally marry. Because unfortunately, readers, we still live in a country where they say there is equality — but there isn’t. That’s why I need your help.

The current political culture is discouraging, and often, I can’t blame those who avoid politics at all costs.

But for all the contentious debate, same-sex marriage is truly a nobrainer. There is no reason, constitutional or moral, we should be against increasing the amount of love and equality in our country.

This election season, you can cast your vote in support of marriage equality, and I think you should. If you vote “for” on Question 6 in this state, you are voting for equality. You are voting for the rights of gay and lesbian couples to get married, and for the right of religious institutions to choose whom to marry.

This reverend has made his choice abundantly clear.

Jake DeVirgiliis is a senior government and politics major. He can be reached at opinionumdbk@gmail.com.

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

STAFF EDITORIAL

Honesty is the best foreign policy

A

bortion. Same-sex marriage.

Economics. Health care. Government spending.

If you’ve flipped on a TV, listened to the radio or read news articles in the last few weeks, you’ve undoubtedly heard rhetoric thrown around regarding all of these issues in a plethora of advertisements.

They’ve taken center stage in this year’s presidential campaigns, and understandably so — but there’s another issue that’s received far too little attention that greatly impacts all of us, no matter which end of the political spectrum you’re on.

Candidates, campaigns and voters alike have been misguidedly overlooking foreign policy in this election. At the national level, President Obama and Republican challenger Mitt Romney had an entire debate intended to be dedicated to foreign policy. It’s not surprising the conversation shifted to the state of the economy and snipes against each other, but the fact very few people even noticed how little foreign policy was actually discussed is what’s most disconcerting. It simply helped the candidates once again avoid laying

out detailed, concrete plans for the known as America’s forgotten war. An NBC News article analyzing the war put country’s affairs abroad.

With so much to worry about within it best: “The Afghan war transformed our borders, why should young voters into a series of small, often vicious and worry about what’s going on abroad? In intense fights scattered across a country an interview with this editorial board, almost as large as Texas.” By the 2008 House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer election, even the war in Iraq was in (D-Md.) said: “We live in a volatile the back of people’s minds within the world. We live in a time of emerging political arena. These two wars, with … nationalism, fundamentalism and thousands of troops deployed, were put democratization, and they’re all sort of on the back burner in light of economic rolling around together, and they create problems — and not much has changed this election. a very politically unThe war in Afstable, socially unOUR VIEW ghanistan has barely stable environment.” been mentioned on Deployed troops the campaign trail, are our peers; a classeven though it has mate or friend could been going on for be the next person more than 11 years. sent to Afghanistan With both candidates or a different volatile claiming they want to region. More than pull troops from the 2,000 U.S. troops region by 2014 — have been killed in Afghanistan, according to NBC News, and Romney noting that withdrawal and the average age of those soldiers is should be based upon U.S. command26. Even that pales in comparison to the ers’ assessments, according to Voice of number of Afghans who have died — America — it’s surprising neither has more than 10,000 since 2003, according been challenged to specify how that would happen. to a July article in The Atlantic.

It’s hard to have a vested interest in In 2008, Obama pledged to prioritize the war in Afghanistan, which is now foreign affairs until people you know

Politicians need to make foreign policy a more prominent part of their campaigns; it’s an issue too easily overlooked.

personally are affected by decisions made in Washington. Members of this editorial board have close family and friends who are either serving in Afghanistan or will be deployed in the next couple of years. Our generation has grown up in the midst of two wars, which have depleted the country’s resources and left us to clean up the mess created over the last 11 years. If we don’t start paying closer attention and holding our candidates accountable, even more of the government’s foreign policy objectives will be kept under the radar; we just can’t afford to let that happen.

The war in Afghanistan is far from the only foreign relations issue — America is a major world power, and though politicians may not have publicly stated clear policies or stances on relationships with different countries, citizens need to realize we are involved in many other places around the world. But the problems in Afghanistan help illustrate the necessity in understanding what the country’s next move will be abroad. So yes, look at how the candidates stand on social issues and how they’ll help the economy recover, but remember that pressing and life-changing matters extend beyond our borders.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

Egalitarianism vs. elitism: The better system?

OSAMA ESHERA My father has probably had the single greatest impact on my work ethic and ambition. His story as a naturalized citizen — coming to this country with only $100 in hand, obtaining a doctorate in engineering, working in high-level research and development at one of the world’s largest companies and eventually starting his own engineering contracting firm during the ’90s — is humbling. His story has been a constant source of direction and motivation for me, particularly in my college years as I began to appreciate the hard work and sacrifices my father made to reach his goals.

His basic philosophy: Work hard, dedicate yourself to being really good at what you do, and the system will appreciate that and reward you. He would always say to me, “Do your best and you’ll be the best.” As much as I appreciate my father and sincerely value his advice, I do not think his elitist experience is representative of most Americans’. He was one of the lucky ones.

This idea that two people, starting off with the same initial conditions — a college degree, some relevant experience and so on — who work equally as hard will be equally valued by the “system,” simply does not hold true. A study by the American Association of University Women indicates, on average, when a man and a woman are one year out of college, the woman will earn 82 cents to every dollar earned by the man.

While the details differ across examples, this pattern holds for other communities as well, such as racially or ethnically defined groups. If we take monetary wealth to be a good indicator of one’s resources, it is clear that certain groups — regardless of how hard they wo rk o r h ow good they are a t wh a t t h ey do — will not obtain their due resources.

But an even m o re f u n d a m e n ta l i s s u e than unequal resources is unequal access

to opportunity. It’s worth noting the difference between equal outcome and equal opportunity: Neither are realistically attainable, but the latter is a far more reasonable target than the former.

So the question now becomes one about initial conditions — can two people, who invest equally in themselves and in their skills, achieve the same level of resources if one enjoyed more or better opportunities than the other?

I believe the answer is resoundingly no, for many reasons, not the least of which is our imperfect social structure. But perhaps more relevant to this discussion are the differences at individual, familial and community levels. People growing up in underprivileged circumstances have essentially different value systems and priority matrices than their more comfortable counterparts. Many do not have the luxury to invest in academic or vocational studies and instead have to address more immediate needs such as food, safety and health — concerns many elitists are barely familiar with.

And this isn’t some small slice of our population: Cornel West and Tavis Smiley estimate nearly one-third of Americans are at or within one paycheck of poverty.

This isn’t about the 99 percent versus the 1 percent. This is about acknowledging the real, human flaws in an elitist world view. Our society is not entirely elitist or egalitarian, but is far more dynamic. “Changing the system” is a lofty goal that transcends any one person’s actions or ideas. What we can do, however, is be a bit more merciful, compassionate and appreciative of the challenges people face.

Times are tough.

up on the ladder of society, the stakes multiply. Wealth and power increase and, naturally, higher barriers are erected to ANAND KUMAR GUPTA protect high-stakes possessions. Clubs become exclusive, wealthy suburbs Someone born in the disease- become homogeneous with rich people, stricken poverty of sub-Saharan only a few partner-status employees Africa obviously does not have in firms become managing directors, anywhere near the same opportu- universities become selective and so on. nities as someone born to collegeGiven the limitations of this coneducated parents in the suburbs of struct, the entire notion of a fair society America. This world is unfair. But ought to filter out from an idealistic one even to a lesser extreme, the appar- to a practical one. Therefore, a practient inequality stems from the fact cally fair society would be one in which that two people with the same quali- the barriers to elite circles are not insurfications may not necessarily have mountable for qualified aspirants. What access to the same opportunities; it’s determines qualification for elite status? a result of natural design, not man- Traits such as hard work, highest stanmade conspiracy. Common sense dard of work ethic, ambition, hunger, the mathematics provides evidence: Out spirit of constant learning and improveof every 100, there is only so much ment, networking with like-minded space for the top five. people, among other things, may help.

This idea ties in to the concept Qualification is not a one-time event; of elitism. Our world has limited one has to continuously remain qualiresources, and this makes all living fied. Even elites themselves are not beings compete for survival and spared. Those who fail to uphold these control. At this point in Earth’s values, over time, lose their privilege history, man is superior to other to those competing for the top spots. animals. In other words, man has Sure, simply following these values more control over the resources of does not guarantee top status. One may the planet. But it doesn’t end there. still not be the best, or even elite, for that Within the society of man, some have matter. But what can be guaranteed is more control than others. this: In America, if you truly subscribe to Why is this so? Try this thought these values, there is no way you will not experiment: Imagine a perfect world, be rewarded with a good life. My fellow where you can simply conjure up columnist Osama Eshera’s own father’s anything you desire — a big house, experience is a case in point. cars, private planes, energy, food, As a clarification, it should be apparwhatever. Everything in such a world ent I am not championing authoritarian would be unlimited and accessible or oppressive elitism. I agree with all and, thus, this world would perhaps those who opine that discrimination even transcend the social and politi- on the basis of color, gender, who you cal problems that plague our own. love or religious beliefs is disgusting Our world is limited. Therefore, and, indeed, a man-made conspiracy one is more likely to monetarily to stifle competition for power. But defend wealth, a good indicator of democracy, even though suggested to Osama Eshera is a senior how much access and control one has be a farce, certainly makes the system bioengineering major. He can be reached over resources. As one goes higher more equitable and just. at opinionumdbk@gmail.com.

Life is sometimes EDITORIAL CARTOON incomprehensible.

But until there is a BEN STRYKER/the diamondback better nonspeculative answer to the larger cosmic puzzle of life, this is how the world works.

Instead of mulling it over with frustration, our best bet is to deal with what we have, which, even though imperfect, works out pretty damn well.

Anand Kumar Gupta is a junior agricultural and resource economics major.

He can be reached at opinionumdbk@ gmail.com.

POLICY: Signed letters, columns and cartoons represent the opinions of the authors. The staff editorial represents the opinion of The Diamondback’s editorial board and is the responsibility of the editor in chief.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2012 | THE DIAMONDBACK

5

Features

CROSSWORD

ACROSS 1 Plaster 7 Bark shrilly 10 Nasty cut 14 Slow down 15 Uris hero 16 1899 gold-rush town 17 Boombox sound 18 -- de mer 19 Field of study 20 Mira or Betelgeuse (2 wds.)

23 Glossy 26 Cries at a circus 27 Leafy vegetable 28 “-- Lang Syne” 29 ONU’s hometown 30 Hen or mare 31 Dixie fighter 32 -- Lanka 33 Played with a pencil 37 Way back when 38 Not prepaid 39 Miners dig it 40 Nest-egg letters 41 Kid’s question (2 wds.)

43 Soho co.

44 Garden-pond fish 45 Literary miscellany 46 Overhead railways 47 Some narcs 48 Encouraging look

51 Andy Capp’s wife 52 Comb contents 53 Wild orchid (2 wds.)

56 Pound sound 57 Law, to Caesar 58 Removed a knot 62 Nights before 63 Ja, to Jacques 64 On the double 65 Change decor 66 Menacing sound 67 Windows operating --

30 Arranges 32 Tea cakes 33 Blob of mayo 34 Compare 35 Form a butte

36 Dagwood’s pooch 42 Trinidad music 46 Potion 47 Strong points 48 More crafty

DOWN 1 Almost-grads 2 Lunar new year 3 Navaho foe 4 Worked with jade 5 Spooky noise 6 Garbage bin output 7 Honda rival 8 Burnoose wearers 9 Tablet 10 Ground, as teeth 11 Major artery 12 Do finger painting 13 Got the news 21 Cloud-seeding compound 22 Bounced back 23 Vaughan or Miles 24 “Hasta --!”

25 Macaroni shape 29 Cafe attraction

© 2012 United Features Syndicate

PREVIOUS DAY’s puzzle solved:

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49 Writer -- Binchy 50 Ran in neutral 51 -- -de-lis 52 Jane Fonda’s dad 54 Wade through

55 Baby seals 59 Ego ending 60 When Paris sizzles 61 Abbot

B

HOROSCOPE STELLA WILDER

orn today, you are so focused on what you want and how to get it that you can sometimes neglect those peripheral issues that can actually be quite important to you -- and this is something that will prove a lifelong challenge to you, in both personal affairs and business pursuits. Once you learn to go after what you want and still maintain your peripheral sense of what is going on around you, you will surely be able to maximize your own rewards in all things. You cannot avoid all related setbacks, but you can surely minimize the likelihood of recurrent problems.

You do not like to stay in one place for any great length of time, and as a result you may prove quite peripatetic throughout your lifetime, traveling here and there and experiencing the different kinds of things that others places, peoples and cultures have to offer.

Also born on this date are: David Schwimmer, actor; k.d. lang, singer; Pat Buchanan, conservative commentator; Ray Walston, actor; Burt Lancaster, actor; Warren G. Harding, U.S. president; James K. Polk, U.S. president.

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.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 3 SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) -- You can’t believe everything

COLLEGE INTUITION RICHIE BATES ROGER DOES COLLEGE

you read today, but what comes to you directly from a reliable source is something you can count on.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) -- It’s a good day to examine your priorities. Someone may be trying to insinuate himself into a private situation.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) -- You don’t have to dwell on any mistakes today, as they are not likely to result in any serious or permanent setbacks.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) -You can’t undo what has already been done, though you may be concerned with how to spin reports that things are not as they should be.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20) -- You can rely on someone who claims to be an expert -- but not, at first, for the reasons you anticipate. A surprise is in store.

ARIES (March 21-April 19) -- You’ll be guided in the right direction by someone whose experience is less than yours, but whose instincts are much keener.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20) -You’ll reveal a secret about yourself that wins positive reactions

from someone who is not always easy to impress.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20) -- A look back at your creative history will reveal something that takes you by surprise even now.

Your critics may be silenced for a while.

CANCER (June 21-July 22) -- Information is likely to be shared that results in benefits you cannot yet anticipate. It’s time for you to seek the key.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) -- When you tell others how you do it, they are likely to be somewhat incredulous -- though you can prove that your methods are indeed valid.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) -You can entertain those around you simply by doing and saying what comes naturally. You have an attractive though puzzling nature.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) -- A contest with another comes down to a matter of taste -- and what you think is excellent may well serve to cool another’s reactions.

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:

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HARD

Today’s SUDOKU PUZZLE sponsored by:

6

Diversions

THE DIAMONDBACK | FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2012

ALL THE CRAP YOU CARE ABOUT

YES, CHRIS BROWN IS STILL A DOUCHEBAG

Continuing to prove the public will tolerate any amount of bad behavior from celebrities as long as they have pretty faces, pop star and general asshole Chris Brown dressed up as a terrorist for Halloween. What’s more, he uploaded the picture (left) to Instagram, showing he’s not only morally abhorrent but pretty dumb. The real victim here is his publicist, who has the worst job in the world. But, hey, at least no one was brutally beaten, so chalk this one up as a win.

REVIEW | FLIGHT

A LONG FLIGHT TO NOWHERE

Flight boasts the best Denzel Washington performance in years, but a lack of narrative urgency prevents the film from equaling the greatness of its star

By Zachary Berman Senior staff writer As one of the few actors in Hollywood on a fi rst-name basis with everyone, Denzel Washington gets a lot of free passes for being in bad movies.

After two different train movies (T he Taking of Pelham 1 2 3 and Unstoppable), a post-apocalyptic schlock-fest (The Book of Eli) and a bland action film (Safe House), Washington was pushing the limits of just how many times he could cash in on his trademark glare.

Alas, we have Flight — beaten down by awful pacing a nd clu n k y w riti ng, it’s a massively i m p e r fe c t f i l m that sti ll ma nages to prove why Washington is an Oscar-winning leading man.

First and foremost, movie-goers excited by Flight’s electrifying trailer need to understand the movie is not director Robert Zemeckis’ (A Christmas Carol) big-budget airplane disaster movie.

It’s clear after a decade spent directing animated movies, Zemeckis was ready to get back into making movies with live-action adult drama. Flight is much less a visual extravaganza — a la Back to the Future or Death Becomes Her — and more a character study in the vein of Cast Away. And who better to join Zemeckis on his Oscar quest than Washington, who hasn’t seri-

ously flexed his skills since American Gangster?

Flight isn’t really about the incredible plane crash that frames the trailer. Instead, the vast majority of the movie deals with that airplane’s pilot, Whip Whitaker (Washington), and his alcoholism.

Alcoholism is dealt with in fiction almost constantly, though rarely with the grace Washington brings to the performance. It’s easy for an actor to slip into pastiche while playing drunk, a potential pitfall Washington ad m i rably avoids despite the fi l m’s cliches and oft-abysmal dialogue.

Even the most die-hard Washington lovers will absolutely hate Whip — and I mean that in the best way possible.

Washington brings empathy, frustration and anger to the role all at once — no minor feat.

The fi rst 30 minutes of Flight are damn near perfect. The build-up from Whip’s morning routine to takeoff to the inevitable crash is gutwrenching and horrifying, with just a slice of nervous humor. Take note: You may not ever want to get on an airplane again after watching this.

The whole first act is intercut with a parallel story about heroin addict Nicole (Kelly Reilly, Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows) and her struggles. The point is obvious: No matter your station in life, when you’re an addict, you’re always at rock bottom.

Her connection to the main plot becomes clear later on, but if the rest of the film had been as complex as its first act, it would have even m o re a f fe c t i n g w h e n t h e t w o addicts finally meet.

Instead, the film slows to a crawl after the crash — Whip’s addiction is called into question during the investigation. The next 90 minutes are a ponderous slog toward the hearing that could land him in prison.

Meanwhile, there’s a lot of tentative talk about G od a nd the sou l, but the themes never come together in an interesting way.

Through all of this, Washington gives a killer performance t h at br i n gs much-ne e d e d energy to a narrative that’s going nowhere fast. There’s a moment just before the hearing when it seems as though the frenetic pace of the crash will return, but it’s gone in an instant.

That’s the story of Flight, though. The other

top-billed actors barely get enough run time to even qualify as a cameo — John Goodman (Trouble with the Curve) has two short

scenes as W h ip’s lovable d r ug d e a le r H a rl i n g M ay s a nd D on Cheadle (The Guard) is attorney Hugh Lang, but seen only in a small portion of the film.

It’s a film that starts out strong and then never reaches such heights again, ending with the most painfully silly melodrama possible, made worse by Whip’s unbelievably passe speech about finally being “free” of his addiction, or whatever.

B y t h i s p oi nt, a ny d i s c e r ning movie-goer will have completely given up on Flight as Oscar bait, Washington being the sole exception.

So cheers to you, Washington — everyone who sees Flight will be reminded why you are important, but the movie itself is as interesting as a long layover. diversionsdbk@gmail.com

photo courtesy of stonehengenyc.com

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2EVEN FRIDAY, NOVEMBer 2, 2012 | SPORTS | THE DIAMONDBACK

DEVILS From PAGE 8 With a one-goal victory, they will now face No. 2-seed Virginia in tomorrow’s semifinal round.

Frazer broke the early deadlock with a backhanded goal from the top of the circle in the ninth minute. The Terps (15-4, 3-2 ACC) dominated possession throughout the half, not allowing No. 6-seed Duke (7-11, 0-5) to register a shot until the 30th minute.

But Cabrera, the secondstri ng goa l keeper beh i nd Natalie Hunter, was hit with an onslaught of attempts in the last five minutes of the half. The Blue Devils shot five times in that span, three of them on target, and Cabrera stood firm to maintain a precarious one-goal advantage

THE DIAMONDBACK THE DIAMONDBACK | XXXDAY, | FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER AUGUST XX, 31, 20127

entering the locker room.

“It was a little nerve-racking to know that I was going i n aga i nst [a n ACC tea m] because I haven’t been put up against those teams before,” the redshirt sophomore said.

“But after I made those saves, I felt really good about it. My confidence definitely built up.”

The squad tried to remain composed after Gagliardi scored.

Duke was now putting together longer possessions, and the Terps’ offensive sets were breaking down. But right when things looked bleak, defender Harriet Tibble fed the ball straight into the circle, where Witmer deposited the go-ahead score. “ T here wa s no t i me to think – just collect it and shoot it,” Meharg said. “I was telling them to dig deeper, work hard, play more disciplined and finish.

DEACONS

That’s exactly what we needed.”

Now the Terps will face the Cavaliers, who handed them their second loss of the year Sept. 28. In that contest, the Terps held a 2-1 lead with 17 minutes left. It disappeared, though, when two Olympians, Michelle Vittese and Paige Selenski, scored two consecutive goals off breakaways.

But with an ACC tournament win already secured, the Terps aren’t planning to leave Chapel Hill early. They intend to stay until Sunday, when they just might have a shot to avenge their loss to the Tar Heels in the title game.

“I’m excited. I’m ready for revenge,” Frazer said. “We all know what happened last time. We’re ready for a battle.” sportsdbk@gmail.com

JACKETS From PAGE 8

From PAGE 8

thought we were in control of the match and played well.”

That momentum would come to a halt in the second half. Wake Forest’s three-goal effort started when Tomaselli beat a diving goalkeeper Keith Cardona, and forward Luca Gimenez gathered a long cross from defender Chris Duvall three minutes after Woodberry’s red card. Reserve defender Danny Wenzel iced the game for the Demon Deacons (11-34, 4-1-3) in the 77th minute, beating Cardona on a penalty kick after Cyrus committed a foul in the box.

The four goals were the most the Terps had given up all season. In their first 16 games, they had allowed two goals four times. The Demon Deacons also outshot the Terps, 13-11, marking the first time the Terps had been outshot this season.

But while it was an uncharacteristic performance for the Terps, Cirovski tried to keep perspective.

“Our goal was never to go undefeated during the regular season,” Cirovski said. “We accomplished our fi rst goal and now we’re focused on our second goal, which is the ACC tournament.”

TERPS NOTE: Defender Taylor Kemp subbed into the game after Woodberry’s ejection. It was the fi rst time he had played since being sidelined Oct. 5 with a sports hernia.

Brown tomorrow.

Brown has established himself as the team’s only real feature back over the past two weeks.

He rushed for a career-high 121 yards in a 20-18 loss to N.C. State two weeks ago and he was the only running back to record a carry in the Terps’ 20-17 loss to Boston College last week.

“He’s a beast. I love blocking for him,” center Evan Mulrooney said. “It’s just really great to see a young guy step up to the plate like he has.”

Edsall wouldn’t go into any specifics on the game plan, but it looks as though the Terps — like the Yellow Jackets — will feature the run game heavily.

Petty averaged fewer than 20 throws a game in high school and likely won’t top that number tomorrow.

And when he does take to the air, the passes should be short ones. Offensive coordinator

sportsdbk@gmail.com

BEANLANDS From PAGE 8 Hodak and forward Danielle Hubka — played in that game, and although Jonathan Morgan will show his players the tape, it’s not something he wants his seniors dwelling on.

“The majority of these kids didn’t play in that match, so those revenge feelings don’t really carry over,” the firstyear coach said. “But this is a tournament, and if it goes to PKs, you want to be prepared for it. We haven’t put a lot of time into them in the past, and I think we put a little more of an emphasis on PKs this week because the level of each team is so similar and going into a PK shootout is pretty likely.”

On paper, the teams are

Mike Locklsey praised the Terps’ improvement in the screen game and, without the benefit of a downfield passing game, could make a concerted effort to get the ball in the hands of playmaking wide receiver Stefon Diggs.

“It’s always great when you can count on having a guy back there that has the ability to make something out of nothing,” Locksley said.

Even if the Terps do throw, it won’t be a lot. With the Pettyled offense taking on Georgia Tech’s triple-option attack, tomorrow’s contest is bound to stick close to the ground.

It’s someth i ng the Terps haven’t been accustomed to this season. But with four quarterbacks out for the season because of injury and a converted linebacker starting under center, the unexpected has become commonplace in College Park.

“It will be a little bit different,” Edsall said. “It will give everyone something to talk about.” sportsdbk@gmail.com

nearly identical. Wake Forest (13-4-3, 6-3-1 ACC) and the Terps (12-5-2, 6-3-1) each finished the regular season with 19 points, and they rank Nos. 4 and 5 in the conference, respectively, in goals a l lowed th is season. T he Terps defeated the Demon Deacons, 2-1, in their only meeting of the year.

It’s that likeness that could create the need for just what Bea n la nds a nd her tea mmates were practicing earlier this week.

“We are the higher seed and we were able to beat Wake Forest before, but this is the ACC,” Morgan said. “These games really can go either way. You’re always at risk, but I do like the way our team is playing. I like our motivation and our excitement for

LETOURNEAU From PAGE 8 entered the fourth quarter of a Sept. 1 season opener against lowly William & Mary down, 6-0, they didn’t simply crumble under the pressure of a potentially embarrassing home loss.

They strung together a touchdown drive, and escaped with the narrow victory.

Heck, even in losses the Terps have shown they’re a far cry from the disenchanted group that staggered through a 2-10 nightmare last season.

There was that Sept. 22 matchup at unforgiving West Virginia when the Terps arrived four-touchdown underdogs, and tested the thenNo. 8 Mountaineers until the latter stages of the second half.

There was also last week, when the Rowe-led Terps managed to climb out of a 13-0 third-quarter deficit. Freshman miscues ultimately resulted in a 20-17 heartbreaker, but the statement had already been made: This team is unfazed.

this game, so I feel confident in our group for Friday night.”

That’s why the Terps spent time this week practicing penalty kicks. The winner of tomorrow’s game will face either No. 1-seed Florida State or No. 5-seed Virginia in the fi nals Sunday, and, based on the Terps’ history with Wake Forest, they might need a shootout to get there.

“I think we have a great opportunity to win the title, and there are six or seven girls I feel confident in for taking penalty shots,” Morgan said. “There are four teams in the semifinal, and we’ve beaten two, so I feel great about our chances, but we have to take it one game at a time and we need to get past Wake Forest fi rst.” sportsdbk@gmail.com

“T hey a re doi ng a l l the things that we are asking them to do,” Edsall said after losing to the Eagles.

This week has been no different.

The Terps have rallied around their latest answer under center, freshman Shawn Petty, since they sat slack-jawed during a team meeting and learned they were suddenly without a scholarship quarterback.

The four sidelined signal callers have helped reintroduce Petty to a side of the ball that, up until two weeks ago, he thought he was done with completely. Defensive players have kept tabs on the offense, making sure practices are running smoothly. And, falling in line with Diggs’ Sunday soliloquy, the Terps have expressed support and unity via Twitter.

“Everything that we want is still in front of us,” wide receiver Nigel King said Wednesday. “We can’t worry about the past.”

Diggs is right. No matter what happens on the field tomorrow, this team has bought in. sportsdbk@gmail.com

QUOTE OF THE DAY Mark Turgeon Terps men’s basketball coach

“I’m disappointed. There’s expectations on us this year, and I haven’t tried to temper them at all.”

Sports

NO STARTING FIVE YET FOR TERPS

ON THE BLOG

For coach Mark Turgeon’s comments on the Terps men’s basketball team’s lineup and other notes, visit diamondbackonline.com.

PAGE 8

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2012

Terps, Jackets ready for battle on ground Team could lean on run game with Petty at QB

By Josh Vitale Senior staff writer For as long as Paul Johnson has coached Georgia Tech, the Yellow Jackets have run a triple-option offense. It’s a system in which the quarterback decides whether to hand the ball to the fullback, pitch it to the running back or run it himself, attacking the defense’s front seven while mostly shunning the passing game.

For the most part, it’s an anomaly. Georgia Tech is the only program in the ACC that uses it as a primary offense, averaging a league-best 311.8 rushing yards and a leagueworst 143.4 passing yards per game — by far the biggest disparity in the conference.

But when the Terrapi ns football team hosts the Yellow Jackets at Byrd Stadium tomorrow, the run-heavy system won’t stand in stark contrast with the Terps’ once-balanced attack. In fact, the two offenses should look fairly similar.

With Caleb Rowe — the team’s

FOOTBALL

MARYLAND TERRAPINS

GEORGIA TECH YELLOW JACKETS

4-4, 2-2 ACC

3-5, 2-3 ACC

Despite misfortune, Terps still buying in Injuries, struggles not hurting team’s resolve

fourth casualty at the quarterback position — out for the season with a torn ACL, the Terps will hand the offense over to converted linebacker Shawn Petty tomorrow. And while the team likely isn’t going to completely overhaul its playbook, it clearly plans to tailor the game plan to fit the true freshman’s skill set.

“It’s going to be a combination of what he can do, but we’ve also got other guys on the team that realize their skill sets as well,” coach Randy Edsall said Wednesday. “It’s that balance we’ve got to find in terms of what’s the best way to move the ball and score points utilizing Shawn, utilizing the other parts of our offense.”

Using Petty means using the ground game. The Greenbelt native has plenty of experience directing a run-fi rst offense — he played in a Johnson-style option at Eleanor Roosevelt High School — and the Terps could lean heavily on the legs of Petty and running back Wes See JACKETS, Page 7

CONNOR LETOURNEAU

Wide Receiver Stefon Diggs took to Twitter after quarterback Caleb Rowe tore his ACL, telling Terps fans, “I don’t give up on those who support me.” charlie deboyace/the diamondback

Stefon Diggs was heated.

The Terrapins football wide receiver had heard the groans and read the pessimistic statuses littering the Internet.

Enoug h was enoug h, he figured. It was time to make a statement.

So Diggs penned a Twitter speech so passionate and so persuasive it could’ve made the two candidates in Tuesday’s presidential election blush.

For about a two-hour span on Sunday night, the Terps’ star playmaker rallied a distraught fan base. He implored supporters to stay loyal to the Terps and affi rmed his trust in his teammates and coaching staff.

Never mind the Terps had just lost Caleb Rowe to an ACL tear, their third quarterback in two weeks — and fourth on the year — to go down for the season. Never mind coach Randy Edsall would have no choice but to start a scout-team

TOURNEy TIME

Two Terps teams will fight for ACC Championships this weekend FIELD HOCKEY

WOMEN’S SOCCER

linebacker under center against Georgia Tech tomorrow.

The Terps would just have to work harder.

“I bought in,” Diggs tweeted.

“I don’t give up on those who support me.”

Diggs k nows someth i ng some Terps teams have forgotten in past years. He understands when adversity mounts, there’s no time for wavering.

He understands trying circumstances have a way of showing a group’s true colors. Does it wilt under the mounting pressure of lengthy injury reports and shortened depth charts?

Or does it unite?

Given what they’ve shown thus far this season, odds are Diggs’ teammates will follow the freshman’s lead. Odds are they’ll face Saturday’s challenge head-on and play until the final whistle sounds. Odds are they won’t allow a depleted roster to temper their expectations.

It’s what they’ve done all year, after all. W hen they See LETOURNEAU, Page 7

MEN’S SOCCER

Terps net first loss of season 3 second-half goals give Wake 4-2 win

By Daniel Gallen Senior staff writer

Midfielder Megan Frazer scored the Terps’ first goal in their 2-1 victory over Duke yesterday.

The No. 3-seed Terps will play No. 2-seed Virginia in the semifinals today. file photo/the diamondback

Frazer, Terps sneak past Duke, 2-1, set up meeting with Virginia in semifinals

By Nicholas Munson Staff writer For more than 40 minutes yesterday in Chapel Hill, N.C., the Terrapins field hockey team’s ACC quarterfinal matchup with Duke seemed like little more than a stepping stone. With a stingy Terps defense shutting out the Blue Devils, 1-0, at half, Duke’s third scoreless output of the season appeared imminent.

“I felt like it was just a warmup game for us,” midfielder Megan Frazer said after the Terps’ 2-1 win. “It was a game to get into the feel of the tournament atmosphere. We were confident that we would come through.”

That certainty began to fade in the 43rd minute. Duke’s Abby

Beltrani passed the ball to midfielder Devon Gagliardi, who drew goalkeeper Brooke Cabrera out and ripped a shot into the right side of the net.

It didn’t just tie the game — it forced players to reflect on nearly every bad memory they’ve accumulated this season. The Terps lost one-goal leads to Virginia and Princeton, and blew a twogoal lead to North Carolina.

“We’ve been in that situation how many times?” coach Missy Meharg asked. “We’ve been there before.”

But thanks to forward Jill Witmer’s goal 11 minutes later, the No. 3-seed Terps made sure they didn’t repeat their mistakes.

See DEVILS, Page 7

Goalkeeper RAchelle Beanlands makes a save in the Terps’ quarterfinal win over Miami. To prepare for Wake Forest, Beanlands and the team practiced penalty kick strategy. charlie deboyace/the diamondback

Beanlands could play key role in Terps’ semifinal matchup with Wake Forest

By Erin Egan Senior staff writer Rachelle Beanlands positioned herself near the end line Wednesday. She dove left and right over and over again, consistently getting back up and repositioning herself in goal.

The goalkeeper’s teammates stood in a line 12 yards away.

One by one, they fi red shots at her, mimicking the intensity of a penalty kick shootout.

T h e Te r ra p i n s wo m e n’s soccer team doesn’t practice penalty kicks often, but given past history, the drill seemed fitting. It’s the fi rst time Beanlands has played in an ACC Tournament, but for some of her veteran teammates, to-

night’s matchup takes on a little more meaning.

The No. 2-seed Terps’ semifinal contest against No. 3-seed Wake Forest in Cary, N.C., is a rematch of their meeting in the 2010 championship. The Demon Deacons captured the title on penalty kicks in that game, and the team’s veterans haven’t forgotten.

“Losing on penalty kicks is one of the most miserable things in the world,” said midfielder Olivia Wagner, who played 20 minutes in the Nov. 7, 2010, game. “If we can be confident in our PKs now, it just makes everything else so much easier.”

T h ree cu rrent players — Wagner, midfielder Domenica

The Terrapins men’s soccer team suffered its fi rst loss of the year yesterday night, but it may have suffered a loss more significant than an unbeaten regular season.

In the 65th minute of the Terps’ matchup at Wake Forest, defender London Woodberry was issued a red card after Demon Deacons midfielder Jared Watts went down while the two were jockeying for position. Coach Sasho Cirovski said Woodberry was reacting to “a pretty egregious situation.” Woodberry will now miss at least Tuesday’s ACC tournament quarterfinals match against the winner of N.C. State-Virginia Tech.

The red card came six minutes after Wake Forest midfielder Ross Tomaselli tied the game at 2-2 from just outside the 18-yard box. Not much went the Terps’ way the rest of the game, as the No. 18 Demon Deacons would score two more times to hand the No. 1 Terps their first loss of the season, 4-2, in front of 3,548 at W. Dennie Spry Soccer Stadium in Winston-Salem, N.C. “The red card changed everything,” Cirovski said. “That’s something that really changed the whole direction of the game. It was just an unfortunate call that caught us all off guard.”

After the first half, it appeared the Terps were rested and rejuvenated after looking fatigued late in their 2-2 draw with Clemson on Oct. 27. Demon Deacons forward Sean Okoli scored an early goal to give Wake Forest a 1-0 lead, but the Terps took a 2-1 lead into halftime.

First, midfielder John Stertzer netted a bicycle kick off a deflection

by Wake Forest goalkeeper Andrew Harris in the 25th minute. And in the 41st, forward Christiano Francois took a long pass from defender Jordan Cyrus and touched it past Harris to give the Terps (14-1-2, 6-1-1 ACC) the lead.

“We were tuned in,” Cirovski said.

“We were focused. They got a goal against the run of play, and then we came back and scored two great goals. I

See BEANLANDS, Page 7 See DEACONS, Page 7