SERIES OF SUCCESS After its ‘Band of Brothers’ success, HBO is bringing in the big guns for this fall. SCENE page 7
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MARCH 22, 2010 VOLUME 84 ISSUE 41 n
NEWS ELECTION COVERAGE The full story of the SG election, including timeline of controversies pages 2 and 4
EDITORIAL
SG ENDORSEMENTS The Eagle’s editorial board weighs in on the elections page 5
SPORTS VICTORY Three Eagles climb podium at wrestling championship page 6
LEADING THE TEAM Women’s lax wins first PL game behind Makoid’s four goals page 6
SCENE HUTCH IS CLUTCH Pop musician Eric Hutchinson ‘Rock and Rolls’ the Tavern
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NO NONSENSE— Protests bloomed across D.C. last weekend as AU students participated in two separate anti-war protests, an anti-health care protest and one for immigration reform. Here, two police officers survey the crowd during Saturday’s National March on Washington.
‘Weekend of activism’ in D.C. At least four separate protests over weekend
Two AU students jailed, released
By MEG FOWLER
By ASHLEY DEJEAN and MEG FOWLER
Eagle Staff Writer This weekend, the high was 73 degrees Fahrenheit, the sun was shining and thousands of people, including many AU students, turned out for at least four rallies that occurred across D.C. in what sophomore in the School of International Service Melissa Mahfouz called “the weekend of activism.” FRIDAY Friday afternoon, the sevenyear anniversary of the beginning of the Iraq War, a student-organized street party “Funk the War: Bad Romance” protested the War on Terror at Farragut Square on 17th and K Streets. The AU group Community Action and Social Justice helped organize the rally with other student groups from across the city. Howard University’s Political Equality Action Committee, the George Washington University’s Radical Student Union, University of Maryland’s chapter of Students for a Democratic Society and D.C. Students for a Democratic Soci-
ety all helped in coordinating the event, according to Geoff Ramsey, a member of CASJ and an AU graduate student. In a description sent out in a CASJ e-mail, Funk the War was described as a “roving youth and student power street party, bumping the phattest of beats and reclaiming the streets to stop the war and break off the love affair between our government and the corporate parasites who Obama’s been cheating with.” The rally involved Lady Gagathemed costumes and music playing on a mobile sound system. At least six arrests occurred, two of which were of AU students. See adjacent article for story. SATURDAY The National March on Washington, a protest against the Iraq and Afghanistan wars organized by the ANSWER Coalition, started at noon in front of the White House Saturday. Clusters of individual AU students turned out to participate. The ANSWER Coalition, which stands for Act Now to Stop War
and End Racism, holds an antiwar march bi-annually, according to Ramsey. Mahfouz went to the protest “out of curiosity,” and while she did not know the estimated total of people in the crowd, she was convinced that there were “thousands” gathered there, she said. Several people spoke to the crowd in front of the White House, including Ralph Nader and Cindy Sheehan, an anti-war activist whose son was killed in 2004 while on duty in Iraq. The crowd marched from the White House to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Halliburton, The Washington Post, the National Endowment for Democracy and the Mortgage Bankers Association of America before returning to the White House, according to the ANSWER Coalition’s Web site. While Mahfouz did not necessarily agree with the ideologies of the people at the protest, it was a thought-provoking experience, she said. “I felt like I was being transported into the 1960s,” she said. n
see PROTESTS on page 3
Eagle Staff Writers Michael Dranove and another AU undergraduate — who did not wish to be named — were arrested during the Funk the War: Bad Romance Street Party Friday afternoon. Dranove was released around 8 p.m. Friday, while the other AU student was released around 1 a.m. Saturday. According to Geoff Ramsey, an AU graduate student and Community Action and Social Justice member who helped organize the protest, Dranove, a freshman in the College of Arts and Sciences, was nearby when someone vandalized the Armed Forces Recruiting Center. Exactly what happened is unclear, Ramsey said. Protesters were shouting, “Who do you protect? Who do you serve?” and started to go into another chant when the sound of shattering glass stopped them. A large yellow splatter of paint then appeared on one of the windows of the recruitment center.
“I just remember cops coming into the crowd, grabbing me, throwing me on the ground, cuffing me, and I had to kneel down for awhile while they yelled at me,” Dranove said upon release. Dranove has been charged with allegedly defacing government property — a felony — and will appeal in court on April 6. “I was arrested. They took me into [jail], told me I wasn’t going to be released until Monday, sitting in a cold jail cell all by myself,” Dranove said. “I was kind of freaked out because [I thought] 72 hours in this jail cell is not going to be fun.” Dravone is currently working on getting a lawyer from Public Defenders or The National Lawyers Guild, but expects the felony will be reduced to a fine. “Most likely the felony will be reduced to a misdemeanor,” Dravone said. “At that point, if it goes to trial, they’ll probably just reduce it to a fine because they don’t want to take it to trial.” The second student was trying to leave the march when he got arrested, according to Melinda Fielder, a CASJ member. n
see JAILED on page 3
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Greek community tries to resuscitate faltering tradition By SARAH RUDNICK Eagle Staff Writer AU’s Greek Week will be held as a philanthropic event for the first time, according to Inter-fraternity Council Vice President Carter Gibson. The goal of Greek Week — occurring from Thursday until Sunday next week — is “[t]o promote unity among all fraternities and sororities on campus, to improve the image of Greek Life at American University, to raise money for charity and to celebrate the collective efforts and successes of Greek Life’s continued philanthropic efforts,” according to Gibson’s written Greek Week proposal to the Residence Hall Association. By making the event philanthropic, Greek Week will be a more legitimate event on campus, said National PanHellenic Council Greek Liaison Alana
Rudkin. Fraternities and sororities will merge into teams and compete in events to earn points. The team with the most points will win $1,000 to donate to their preferred charities. As of Sunday evening, colony Zeta Psi was in the lead with 124 points, and fraternity Phi Sigma Kappa was at the bottom with zero points, according to Gibson and the Greek Week Facebook page. Greek Week, usually a series of events held over seven days, was trimmed down to four days this year. Gibson and Rudkin thought they would get a better turnout if the majority of the events were held over the weekend. “We thought that one week can be too long and dragged out,” Rudkin said. “The weekend is better; more n
see GREEK WEEK on page 3
I never thought I’d go greek, but... By SARAH RUDNICK Eagle Staff Writer Fraternity expansion is thriving on campus with the arrival of three colonies over the last few years: Zeta Psi, Sigma Alpha Mu and Tau Kappa Epsilon. What is it about the experience that’s appealing to people? It seems that the majority of people in a fraternity or sorority at AU preface the explanation of their greek experience with, “I never came to college thinking I’d go greek, but...” Like everything else in life, going greek has its positives and negatives. For example, living in a fraternity or sorority house is the strongest indicator of binge drinking in college, according to a study done by the Harvard School of Public Health. However, almost half of all U.S. presidents have been greek, as well as 40 percent of Supreme Court justices and 30 percent of Fortune 500 executives, according to Cornell University’s Web site.
Collegeprowler.com — a Web site written by students about their colleges — says AU has an active greek community, but that students can be unaffiliated without social consequences. “Frats and sororities [at AU] are a good choice for people who feel overwhelmed and want a surefire way to make friends,” the site says. “Students who don’t care about greek life need not worry, as it is entirely possible to ignore.” For spring 2010, AU’s fraternities and colonies took a total of 136 pledges. Including brothers, AU has a total membership of 524 students belonging to or pledging a fraternity, accounting for 6 percent of AU’s total undergraduate population, according to IFC Public Relations Chair Adam Tager. So why do AU students decide to go greek? What’s the rush? For Robert Goodley-Espinosa, a freshman in the School of Public Affairs, the concept of brotherhood won him over. He realized he missed the camaraderie he experienced at his all-boys high school,
and after spending time with some brothers, decided to rush Pi Kappa Phi and TKE. Joining a fraternity would be meaningful to him, he said, and even though he wasn’t overly stressed out over the rushing process, he was still a little nervous about the possibility of not receiving a bid. “You want to look interested, but at the same time you don’t want to look desperate or aloof,” he said. “You also don’t want to be publicly over-confident about it, because word gets around.” He said rushing really starts in August. During “Welcome Week”the week before classes known for its abundance of greek parties — brothers already begin to seek out potential recruits. “By the time you rush, by the time you go out there, they know a kind of scary amount of stuff about you,” Espinosa said. The next step after open rush — where everyone is welcome to attend — is closed rush, which is invite only. This is an opportunity n
see RUSH on page 3
the EAGLE
MARCH 22, 2010
news 2
SG Senate bills call for academic changes By STEFANIE DAZIO Eagle Staff Writer The Undergraduate Senate passed three academic bills Sunday with little to no opposition. Bills to replace the current Freshman Forgiveness rule with a policy that extends to all students, to extend the period for changing grade type from A-F to pass/fail and a bill to allow students to take 14 credits at another four-year institution, rather than six credits, passed yesterday. These bills encourage the Student Government president to recommend these new policies to the administration. The sponsors are confident these bills will be wellreceived by the administration because they had input in the writing of the bill.
The bill to replace the current Freshman Forgiveness rule, sponsored by College of Arts and Sciences Sen. Victoria Glynn, would allow a student to repeat up to two courses at anytime during their AU career within one calendar year. The two grades would be averaged for both full-time and transfer students in their GPA, but the first grade would still remain on the student’s transcript. For first-semester freshmen, however, the grades would be replaced rather than averaged. The current policy, which has not been updated since 1975, allows for students in their first two full-time semesters who received a grade of F or incomplete in a course to repeat that course within the next calendar year. It is currently possible for a stu-
dent to use Freshman Forgiveness for all of their freshman courses, according to Glynn. Glynn’s second bill would extend the period for changing grade type from two weeks to four weeks. Currently, students must designate whether they will take a class graded A-F or pass/fail at the end of the two-week add/drop period at the beginning of each semester. Class of 2011 Senators Ed Levandoski and Meg Miraglia said this bill would aid students in block classes, who only have two classes by the end of the current period, and study abroad students whose semesters do not necessarily begin at the same time as the regular AU semester. Class of 2010 Senator Steve Dalton sponsored the bill to allow students to take up to 14 credits
In between the issues: an SG election timeline
at another four-year institution in their time as an AU student. This is an increase from the current maximum of six credits, aside from study abroad credits. However, these outside credits would not count toward a student’s AU GPA. Dalton said 14 credits was the number agreed upon because most students take 15 credits per semester. He said if a student were able to graduate a semester early, the university would lose out on tuition and other fees. Dalton also said he would eventually like AU to recognize twoyear institution credits taken as an enrolled AU student, but his bill only calls for four-year institutions. SG reform bills passed Sunday include bills to amend impeachment proceedings and to reform
the use of proxies in the Senate. The bill to amend impeachment proceedings was also sponsored by Dalton, inspired by fall 2009’s impeachment trial against formerComptroller Matt Handverger. The bill is a clear process by which an impeachment hearing will be run and puts significant roadblocks to “frivolous impeachment proceedings,” Dalton said. The trial cannot last longer than one day and should be approximately two hours, at the end of which a vote by secret ballot will be taken. The bill is intended to remove the possibility of rogue senators, as three senators must file written impeachment charges to “jump off the cliff together,” Dalton said. The bill to reform the use of Senate proxies, sponsored by Adam
Daniel-Wayman, a senator for the class of 2012, codifies a system for proxies because the former rules were inconsistent between undergraduate speakers. Proxies are fillins for senators who cannot attend the Senate session. “If the past two weeks have not demonstrated the need for internal reform, nothing ever will,” DanielWayman said. Other bills passed were to add more trash cans and recycling bins around campus and to replace the trees felled by the recent snowstorms, sponsored by Eric Reath, a senator for the class of 2013. Another bill reallocated $743.81 from the Artemas Ward Week account to the Spring Fling account. You can reach this staff writer at sdazio@theeagleonline.com.
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By JULIA RYAN Eagle Staff Writer
MARCH 17 Habash Disqualification: Nirvana Habash is disqualified from her Student Government presidential campaign in a three-to-one vote by the Board of Elections for violating election rules. Two of Habash’s friends sent out an e-mail over the School of Public Affairs’ Leadership Program’s listserv in support of Habash’s presidential campaign. This e-mail violated Article IV Section 10 of the BOE rules that says candidates may not send out campaign related information on non-campaign related mediums. Habash appealed the decision the same day.
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MARCH 18 Judicial Board nullifies the BOE’s decision: The Judicial Board throws out the BOE’s decision on the basis that Habash was not given due process. She has not been alerted to the complaint filed against her until after the BOE had disqualified her. The meeting started at 11 p.m. Wednesday and lasted until 2 a.m. Thursday.
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MacCracken endorses Bronstein: Current SG President Andy MacCracken endorses SG presidential candidate Nate Bronstein in a YouTube video posted to Bronstein’s Facebook page. With an American flag as his backdrop, MacCracken sings to the tune of Jason Mraz’s “I’m Yours” about his support for Bronstein. “He’d do such a great job,” MacCracken sings. “No, I won’t hesitate to vote for Nate ... I know he’ll do a much better job than me.”
Habash calls for misconduct charges against acting BOE chair: Habash files misconduct charges against Erika Zois, the BOE chair at the time of her disqualification. Habash sends a letter to Student Activities Director Karen Gerlach outlining Zois’ misconduct in her temporary position as the BOE chair. Habash threatens to file Student Conduct Code violations against Zois, claiming that her actions constituted intimidation and harassment. The charges were never filed, Habash says. The BOE rules that Habash’s name should be taken off the ballot, but that she was still allowed to campaign.
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BOE chair resigns: Zois steps down as temporary chair of the BOE. Bikram Kohli assumes the position. Kohli’s appointment will go to the Senate for confirmation after the elections. Zois remains in her position as chair of the Judicial Board.
Rosenstein declines to run as write-in candidate: SG Presidential candidate Seth Rosenstein says he will not take his name off of the ballot, as he and his fellow presidential candidates were called on to do by The Eagle’s editorial board. Rosenstein also says the controversy around these SG elections “makes him sick.” The Eagle’s editorial board had written earlier that day that because of the events surrounding Habash’s disqualification, the only way to have a fair election would be if all presidential candidates ran as write-in candidates.
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Bronstein allegedly sends mass e-mail for campaign: an e-mail from votefornatebronstein@gmail.com was sent out to a random assortment of e-mail addresses and listservs, including SPA freshman and sophomores, AUSG executives, the cabinet and the Undergraduate Senate. Bronstein claims that he did not send the e-mail, and he files a formal complaint with the BOE.
MARCH 21 Bronstein e-mail ruled not a violation: The BOE rules that the e-mail sent by someone claiming to be connected to the Bronstein campaign did not violate BOE rules. In the BOE ruling, Kohli said that the BOE “does not have the jurisdiction, or the authority, under current election regulations, to take action against the perpetrator.” However, Kohli also states that “for future elections, the current regulations need to incorporate that sending out an e-mail to recipients who have not signed up to receive said notifications constitutes as a violation.”
VP candidate under fire for Facebook note By ASHLEY DEJEAN Eagle Contributing Writer Queers and Allies voiced concern about vice presidential-candidate Jeremiah Headen and a Facebook note he wrote in December. “While reading over the note we realized that there was a lot of sexist, homophobic and explicitly transphobic and intersex-phobic remarks through this note and it just created a really disturbing picture for us,” Executive Director of Queers and Allies Rachel Lachenauer said. Queers and Allies was particularly uncomfortable with remarks about transsexuals and intersex people, the language used about women and the need to protect them as well as the overall message
about “unmanly men,” according to Lachenauer. “FOOLS!! That! ... is no longer enough to define a man,” a line from the note read. “For now we have women with surgically implanted penises/ As well as those who have been born with both genitals/ NO! These Weaklings are not what I define as a ‘man.’” Headen said he meant having a penis did not define being a man, but rather taking responsibility. “I would like to apologize to anyone who was offended by the note,” he said. “Know that I didn’t mean it in any offensive matter.” Tonei Glavinic, the director of advocacy for Queers and Allies, wrote an e-mail to Headen asking him, on behalf of the club, about the
note. “His remarks really did not ease our tensions and did not really get at the core issues,” Lachenauer said. Headen said that the message that Queers and Allies took from his note is not what he intended. “In the note I wasn’t talking about sexual orientation; I was talking about responsibility,” Headen said, “Honestly, it’s a misunderstanding and I wish I would’ve put my words differently, but I’m not a homophobe, I’m not against transgender [people]. When it comes to matters of what it means to be a man, my dad’s taught me a lot.” You can reach this writer at news@theeagleonline.com.
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MARCH 22, 2010
news 3
AU’s new center will study Latin America, Latinos By STEFANIE DAZIO Eagle Staff Writer AU founded the Latin American and Latino Studies Center on Jan. 4 to draw on scholars both inside and outside of the university for highlevel research, said Program Coordinator Annie Gillman. This Center is the only one of its kind in D.C., as no other program focuses on Latino studies of people and cultures. AU’s program is one of only a few centers in the country that combines both Latin American and Latino studies. Latinos are Latin Americans in the United States, according to Gillman. “You have to understand Latin America in order to understand Latinos,” Gillman said. Gillman called the Center a “meeting place” for different activities relating to Latin America and Latinos that will “reach out and generate research materials.” She said the Center would work with the surrounding Latino community on policy and research projects in making sure the university is connected with the Latino community beyond campus. The Center will focus on issues
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for the brothers to get to know the rushes more intimately and more formally — the rushes have to wear suits. “[Closed rush] is a little bit more stressful because you want to say the right words and avoid certain other topics,” Espinosa said. However, being selected for closed rush doesn’t mean you’re “in” — the critical element being the bid. Austin Yau was another freshman rushing PiKapp and Delta Tau Delta. He said if he didn’t receive a bid, he wouldn’t feel too bad. Yau was invited to PiKapp’s closed rush.
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“Obviously, they were discussing different events, but overall, the activist ideology that they were promoting anti-war issues was very interesting.” Meanwhile, on Capitol Hill Saturday, AU students joined thousands participating in a day-long campaign to oppose the health care bill. The rally started at noon at Union Station and then moved to the west lawn of the Capitol, according to freshman in the School of International Service Paul Bencivenga. Once at the lawn, the crowd participated in chants and cheers and heard speakers including various members of congress and actor John Voight. After the rally, participants went to their congressional offices to voice their opinions, returned to the lawn at 5 p.m. for another round of speakers and had a candlelight vigil at 7:30 p.m. The College Republicans, who set up a Facebook event and sent out a message for their members to join the rally, had five members at the protest. President of College Republicans Michael Monrroy, junior in the School of Communication Julie Grace Brufke, sophomore in the SPA, Ariel Judah, freshman in SPA Amy Farina and Bencivenga were at the event with a sign saying, “Listen to us!” Other signs in the crowd included the messages “Kill the Bill,” “Pelosi or Us?” “Kill Sick Politics,” “Just Say No to Back-Room Deals” and others.
like inequalities, justice and democracy, culture and creativity, peace and diplomacy in Latin America and the United States. The Center will submit a $1.5 million grant application today that would allow for 10 Latin American studies fellowships, according to Gillman. Graduate students are already working with the Center and federal work-study students are needed. “Students are always welcomed to be involved,” she said. AU is applying for this $280,000per-year grant, one of 16 offered throughout the country. The grant would support new courses and professors, but it is only for Latin American studies, not for Latino studies. Other projects in the works and actively seeking funding include the study of religion in Latino communities and the effect of U.S. evangelism in Latin America. The Center will not develop a new degree program. AU currently has a major in Language and Area Studies, with a focus on Latin America. You can reach this staff writer at sdazio@theeagleonline.com. “I [felt] like maybe I get judged a little bit, but we all do that,” he said. “The way I see it is you go there to meet brothers who will eventually become basically your life-long friends, right? So you just want to be who you are ... so that you don’t be someone you’re not, because then you’re just going to be hanging out with these people who have a perception of you, and that’s just not the way it should be.” Espinosa and Yau received and accepted bids from fraternity PiKapp. You can reach this staff writer at srudnick@theeagleonline.com.
The five from the College Republicans arrived at the protest at noon and left at 8 or 9 p.m., according to Monrroy. Though they tried to enter offices of the 16 congressmen with key Democratic votes for the bill to voice their opinions, the College Republicans encountered at least five or six locked or closed offices. “This was very ironic that the one day when people would want to express their opinions, the offices were closed,” Monrroy said. SUNDAY Around 100,000 people participated in the March for America rally Sunday advocating for immigrants’ rights. CASJ organized a group of 15 AU students who attended the rally, according to Andrew Dobbyn, a two-year member of CASJ and a senior in the College of Arts and Sciences and SPA, who attended the protest. The crowd was largely Latino except for the student section, which had an equal mix of blacks, whites and Latinos, according to Dobbyn. The event ran from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., starting with a march that ended at the National Mall. A rally on the Mall then went from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., and afterward the crowd embarked on an impromptu march to the Capitol building, according to Dobbyn. You can reach this staff writer at mfowler@theeagleonline.com.
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BEST WEEK EVER? — This year’s Greek Week will be four days instead of the regular seven. Greek Week coordinators felt they would get better turnout for the events over a weekend than over an entire week. Stricter alcohol policies will be enforced this year to prevent a repeat of past mishaps. n
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people can go.” Due to logistical problems, Gibson and Rudkin had just over two months to plan the event, according to Rudkin. “The planning that needed to be done wasn’t done — that’s the bottom line,” Gibson said. “[Coordinator of Greek Life] Curtis Burrill told us there wouldn’t be a Greek Week.” The former IFC vice president resigned early without having started planning for Greek Week, leaving Gibson to make the arrangements later than usual. The schedule includes an opening ceremony, a screening of the
movie “Van Wilder,” participation in the Stay Awake and Dance charity event, greek olympics, Alpha Kappa Psi’s “Dress for Success,” a greek gala and the closing ceremonies, according to the Greek Week Facebook page. In an effort to include the whole AU student body, only two events — the olympics and the gala — will be closed to the general AU community. Gibson said he hopes this will show non-greeks that greeks are there to support all of AU, not just the fraternities and sororities involved. Additionally, Greek Week will have a strict no-alcohol policy after last year’s events were deemed a
failure, according to Gibson. During the 2009 greek olympics, an individual spontaneously threw slime at a member of Public Safety, prompting its premature end. The slime was not part of a specific event, but for fun, Gibson said. Due to the sheer number of people present, no one knows who was responsible. “In the past Greek Week has been bad,” he said. “People had no incentive to be sober.” In order to prevent some of last year’s problems — such as high rates of underage drinking and an individual who suffered a compound fracture — the IFC and National Pan-Hellenic Council will be acting
as moderators, Gibson said. If individuals show up intoxicated, they will be expelled from participating in Greek Week, Rudkin said. Gibson predicted those who regularly participate in and contribute to greek life culture will adhere to the rules, while “others are in for a rude awakening.” Overall, however, people have been receptive to a stricter policy of sobriety. “We’re actually really, really surprised by the amount of support we’ve gotten ...We’re all policing each other,” he said. “This is a collaborative effort.” This staff writer can be reached at srudnick@theeagleonline.com.
Summer in LA program returns By MEGHAN SWEENEY Eagle Contributing Writer The School of Communication will jump-start its “Summer in Los Angeles Program” next year after a brief hiatus and will incorporate AU students outside SOC while lowering the cost of the program, according to David Lieberson, a student publicist for the program. Beginning in summer 2011, SOC students will be able to study and live at Loyola Marymount University while connecting with Los Angeles-based AU alumni who work in media, according to Lieberson. SOC hopes to enroll over 50 students in the program, Lieberson said. The program will cost approximately $7,000, which includes housing, seminars and three credits for SOC majors, Lieberson said. The program will be open to rising juniors, seniors and gradu-
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“He was trying to leave the entire march and go home at that point and was picked up by the police,” Fiedler said. This student was arrested on the grounds of crossing a police barricade according to Police Central Intake. He was released with a citation, Ramsey said According to The Washington Post, at least four other protesters were arrested. The protest aimed to
ate students. Students will be able to earn up to six credits through seminar classes, which cover a varying array of topics or internships. Artist-in-Residence Russell Williams, the director of the Summer in LA program, said he will recruit seminar speakers based on what the participating AU students want to learn. “[The seminars] can be molded summer by summer,” Williams said. “We can tailor the speakers based on the level of interest.” Students will get the opportunity to choose from a wide variety of organizations for their internships. Major corporations like Warner Brothers and Capitol Records have said they will participate in the program and hire AU students as interns. Williams said he hopes this diverse base of internship opportunities will lure non-SOC students into the program. “We have a broad alumni base
on the West Coast,” Williams said. “Some of these people we haven’t [contacted] yet because we haven’t had a broad interest [in the program] yet.” The Summer in LA program is making a comeback after a threeyear hiatus. The program started in 2000 and ran until 2008 when it was canceled due to a lack of interest, according to Lieberson. Students lost interest in the program because it was too expensive, housing was not guaranteed and the program itself was not advertised well, he said. In order to generate interest in the program among students outside of SOC, Lieberson and others are working to spread the word about the program on campus. SOC will be putting information on Today@AU, tabling on the quad and hosting an event for the program on April 8 to generate student interest, Lieberson said. The program also has accounts
on Twitter and Facebook in addition to its Web site, according to Lieberson. Gemma Puglisi’s Public Relations Portfolio class, COMM437, will be brainstorming ways to promote the Summer in LA program for a group project, Lieberson said. “The [students will use] four years worth of skills they have learned in public communication classes to help the Summer in LA Program re-launch,” Lieberson said. Williams said he hopes participating AU students get a lot of valuable experience from this program and will be able to make contacts in LA that will help them find careers in the future. “It’s a great opportunity for students who have the West Coast in their sights,” Williams said.
display the disillusionment of the youth with Obama and the new administration for not living up to its promises. Traditionally, the protest has been held to protest the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. March 19, the day of the “street party,” marks the 7-year anniversary of the Iraq war. “[Funk the War] is youth and students coming together for a mobile dance party to show that we’re in a ‘Bad Romance’ with the Obama
administration and the U.S. government,” said Brian Menifee, a sophomore at Howard University who helped organize the event. “He’s deceived us. He’s broken our hearts because we were the ones knocking on doors making these phone calls for him during the campaign season.” While the protest did devolve into violence at points, many people protested peacefully. Costumes ranged from shark suits to Lady
Gaga-inspired costumes. Music blasting from stereo systems provided the soundtrack. “Through the entire time people were really enjoying the music and having a good time,” Ramsey said. “We were just there and playing in the streets. Unfortunately, the situation got a little aggressive.”
You can reach this writer at news@theeagleonline.com.
You can reach these writers at news@theeagleonline.com.
Congresswoman thanks young Dems Praises turnout in ‘08 election By HOWIE PERLMAN Eagle Staff Writer Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, D-Fla., complimented young Americans for their role in the 2008 General Election at a College Democrats-sponsored event Thursday night. “It was your generation, especially all of you here today, that put Barack Obama on the map and made it possible for him to become president of the United States,” Schultz said. “All across this nation, young people have begun a new chapter of passion and commitment to civic engagement.” Schultz represents Florida’s 20th Congressional District and is one of the Democratic Party’s chief
deputy whips in the U.S. House of Representatives. As a chief deputy whip, she helps encourage party members to vote along party interests on legislation. “I know from personal experience that young people, activists, campaigners, volunteers and voters are what bring real passion and fresh ideas and commitment to our political process,” Schultz said. “It really gives me great pride to know that all of you have gotten involved and that you have wisely chosen the Democratic Party as your political home,” she said at the event. More than 22 million Americans under the age of 30 voted in the 2008 presidential election, increasing this number by two million from 2004, Schultz said. The 2008 elections were the largest turnout of this demographic in the history of presidential elections, she said. This demographic favored then-Senator Obama over Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., in the presidential race by a margin of 34 percent, Schultz said. Bo Hammond, president of
AU’s College Democrats chapter and a junior in the College of Arts and Sciences, said he appreciated that Schultz had taken the time to meet with the chapter. “She is in the thick of the action,” Hammond said. “It’s important to educate our members on the issues of the day, and the issue of the day is health care. She is on the firing lines right now, whipping votes, and we’re honored that she took the time tonight when the final vote is so close.” The health care bill was passed in the House last night and will be sent to Obama for his signature. Palak Gosar, a freshman in the School of Public Affairs, said having the opportunity to meet with members of Congress is one of the best parts about living in D.C. and going to school at AU. “I always enjoy when we’re able to see congressmen and congresswomen come in and speak to us,” Gosar said. “The classroom gives us a really good academic perspective, but when congressmen and senators are able to come speak to us we get a more realistic, more inside view of how the city
works.” Tim McBride, who is also a freshman in SPA, said he felt the College Democrats were serving students well by bringing in interesting speakers. Earlier that week, the College Democrats had brought in Rep. Loretta Sanchez, D-Calif., on March 15 and Ted Sorensen, President John F. Kennedy’s chief speechwriter and adviser, on March 16. “It’s really what I expected when I came to AU,” McBride said. “We’ve been incredibly fortunate, in part because of our location but also because College Dems are such an active group and are known around the city.” Gov. Jack Markell, D-Del., is scheduled to be the next College Democrats speaker. He will speak on campus April 12 at 6:00 p.m. in Ward 1. Markell is currently serving as the chair of the Democratic Governors Association. You can reach this staff writer at hperlman@theeagleonline.com.
the EAGLE
MARCH 22, 2010
IN THEIR OWN WORDS:
SG VOTE‘10
news 4
The Eagle sent questionnaires to all candidates running for SG executive office. Here are excerpts from their responses, which The Eagle has only edited for spelling. To see their full responses, visit www.theeagleonline.com/sgelection.
Compiled by Ethan Klapper and Sarah Parnass, Eagle Staff Writers
COMPTROLLER
PRESIDENT
Dustin Baker
Nate Bronstein
Anthony Dunham*
Nirvana Habash
Seth Rosenstein
Ed Levendoski*
School/Major: School of Public Affairs: Political Science and Justice Year: 2011 What is your stance on the Clean Energy Revolving Fund? If you’re for it, how would you implement it? If you’re against it, why? This is an issue that needs to be further explored in my opinion. Not by myself, or my competitors, but by the student body as a whole. I understand that there are organizations on campus advocating both sides but I would think an issue as important as this should be brought front and center by the Student Government. I think the bigger issue is not the $10 “mandatory donation,” rather the $52,000 tuition that lacks transparency in a myriad of areas. However that being said, I approve the Clean Energy Revolving Fund. I think it is important to “be the change we wish to see in the world” and support the going green of America by doing it at American. [...]
School/Major: School of Public Affairs : Political Science and International Relations Year: 2012 Previous SG experience, if any: Senator for the School of Public Affairs (20082009), Director of Open Government (2009), Director of Outreach (20092010), The SG Representative for the Student Conduct Advisory Board What is your stance on the Clean Energy Revolving Fund? If you’re for it, how would you implement it? If you’re against it, why? I am for the Clean Energy Revolving Fund. I’m also for the referendum but more for the principle of allowing students to vote and voice their opinion rather than any stance on making students pay. I think students should have the option to pay or donate to the fund, and if this could be extended to places such as the campus store or the Eagle’s Nest,[...] Major events and getting external sponsors and matching grants will also help. This semester the spring gala the Student Government and I are organizing will be a major fundraiser for this purpose. We’ve also been talking with President Neil Kerwin about this, and we may be getting a $15,000 matching grant. [...]Regardless, it’s events like this coupled with an affective awareness campaign that I feel real money can be raised for CERF.[...]
School/Major: School of Public Affairs : Political Science Year: 2012 Previous SG experience, if any: Parliamentarian of the Student Government (August 2008 - June 2009), Speaker of the Undergraduate Senate (June 2009 - October 2009), Chair of the Commission on Constitutional Review (November 2009 - present) What is your stance on the Clean Energy Revolving Fund? If you’re for it, how would you implement it? If you’re against it, why? [...]I believe wholeheartedly in the goal and essence of the Fund, and I believe that it will require the input of the entire AU Community, including staff, faculty, and alumni to ensure its continuity and growth. I feel that there should be several avenues for funding: The student body should have an opt-in donation tool available to them through their student portal, made clear to them through programs introduced during Summer and Fall Orientations. [...]The Student Government, through the Office of the President, should provide means, i.e. programs, events and drives to fundraise during the year for the program. [...]Also, should it be possible for the SG to financially support the Fund, it should do so at the discretion of those in office or at the behest of the student body.[...]
School/Major: School of Public Affairs : Law and Society, College of Arts and Sciences: Sociology Year: 2011 Previous SG experience, if any: 2011 Class Senator, 2011 Class President 2011 Class Vice President, Women’s Initiative D.C. Outreach Director and Vagina Monologues Cast What is your stance on the Clean Energy Revolving Fund? If you’re for it, how would you implement it? If you’re against it, why? CERF itself is a great initiative, the kind that will keep AU a leading institution in national and global policies.[...] I plan to create constant communication and biweekly meetings with my Director of Environmental Policy so we can better engage our student body about the progress being made with CERF and the next steps along the way. [...]I plan on actually listening to the supporters, the opponents and those who are unsure about their stance on funding CERF. [...]I am fully aware that there are students who do not support being forced to fund CERF out of their own pockets so I want to reach out to those individuals immediately to better understand their positions. It is essential that the President understand the difference between their own personal opinions and their professional duties to serve as the voice for all students.[...]
School/Major: School of Public Affairs: Political Science Year: 2012 Previous SG experience, if any: Senator for the Class of 2012 What is your stance on the Clean Energy Revolving Fund? If you’re for it, how would you implement it? If you’re against it, why? I’m a proponent of the Clean Energy Revolving Fund. It is a great initiative that will increase AU’s green standards over time. I would fund CERF through voluntary donations and SG-promoted fundraisers. The referendum on this election’s ballot could lead to Student Activity fees significantly expanding CERF, which would be an additional boost to the program. The Student Government must play a role in fundraising for and promoting CERF in order to ensure its success. I would work with campus organizations and student leaders to decide how to best implement it. Environmental issues, housing, facility usage and transportation are going to be top priorities. Please check out the discussion board on my Facebook page to learn more about my proposed initiatives in depth.[...]
School/Major: School of Public Affairs: CLEG Year: 2011 Previous SG experience, if any: Senator Class of 2011 (August 2009 - present), Chairman of Committee on Academics (September 2009 - present), Member of Budget Committee (5th Undergraduate Senate) What will you do to ensure that this year’s changes to AUTO operations will be successfully implemented? The change of the AUTO program from mileage billing to per hour billing has both been more convenient for users of the program, as well as for the profitability of the program. I would like to continue to ensure that the AUTO program remains both financially viable, and useful to the clubs and sports teams that use them. The software system and box holding the keys is being fixed, and I will work my hardest to make sure that the system is fully operational to run by the start of the fall semester at the latest. I will work to ensure that AUTO trips to Target and Ikea are run during welcome week. [...] The production of a manual for AUTO would be a great asset, and I would work along with the other officials to ensure that the program gets approved by the administration.[...]
VICE PRESIDENT
SECRETARY
Amy Chin School/Major: School of Communication: Public Communication, School of Public Affairs: Political Science Year: 2011 Previous SG experience, if any: Senator-at-large How would you ensure the success of the Founders’ Day Ball? I have already started planning Founders’ Day, I’ve already been in contact with the National Building Museum about the different spaces they have available. I think advance planning is the key to success of any event. I’ve had a very successful programming career at this university. [...]During Artemas Ward Week and Spring Fling I’d like to give each council a day to own programming and collaborate with the vice president.[...]
Jeremiah Headen* School/Major: School of Public Affairs, Political Science Year: 2011 Previous SG experience, if any: one semester in the Undergraduate Senate How would you ensure the success of the Founders’ Day Ball? By advertising it as a party. After all, that is what it is. Sure, we all get dressed up nice and maybe even get ourselves a date. But in the end, when we show up... we’re not waltzing. As a matter of fact, that’s the LAST thing we’re doing. Events like the Founders’ Day Ball need to be publicized like it’s the party of the year, because it is. I have never understood why no one has ever thought of posting fliers around campus and why word of the event has only stuck in freshman circles. That’s not what I’m going to do. I’ve thrown a few parties through my fraternity in the Tavern, where we once maxed the Tavern out with 700 attendees. The Founders’ Day Ball is a respected and classy event, and I will keep it that way; I’ll just take the “lame” off.[...]
Jenny Kim School/Major: School of Public Affairs: CLEG Year: 2012 Previous SG experience, if any: Co-chair of American University’s 3rd Annual Dance Marathon, senator-at-large, Deputy Director of Student Health and Services, Director of Health and Student Services How would you ensure the success of the Founders’ Day Ball? Founders’ Day Ball is the biggest and grandest of American University’s traditions and seeing it followed through and planned to the furthest ability is very important. [...]The current Director of Founders’ Day Ball, Jackie Martin, did play her part to successfully plan Founders’ Day. However, once there was talk about contracts and scheduling dates for the event, follow-up and follow through was not quite up to par. [...]I cannot emphasize enough the importance of detail. [...]The smaller the detail, the greater importance it serves, but it is very easy to forget.[...]
Maia Tagami School/Major: School of Public Affairs: Law and Society, School of Communication: Public Communication Year: 2011 How would you ensure the success of the Founders’ Day Ball? The Founders’ Day Ball is a central part of our tradition at American University. [...]I envision the Founders’ Day Ball to be extraordinary and memorable (and to make up for this year). I have already begun contacting venues to gather the needed information to establish an extensive and detailed plan of action. [...]I want it to be somewhere exclusive where students would be proud to attend and yet still appropriate for dancing and having a fun environment to celebrate. [...] I have experience in planning large-scale events. [...]I vow to make a clear and public deadline for the venue and all contracts to be secured so that the process is transparent and open to the students. [...]I have full faith that we can restore the tradition of Founders’ Day! [...]
Kent Hiebel
Ashley Kongs
Jake Paul
School/Major: School of Public Affairs: CLEG Year: 2013 Previous SG experience, if any: Director of Communications, Member of the Commission on Constitutional Review How will you keep the SG Web site updated? To keep the Web site current (and better yet, all SG external communications), I will improve internal communications and management. [...] regarding internal communications and the Web site, I will: ■ [...] Track progress of marketing and communications plans online to create a constant flow of communications between different departments under the Secretary ■ Video record (or live stream) every Senate session for ultimate transparency ■ Assign an individual to write a press release and take pictures for every SG meeting and event to highlight ■ Make budget allocations and meeting minutes extremely visible on the Web site [...]
School/Major: School of International Service: International studies Year: 2011 Previous SG experience, if any: Chairman of the Judicial Board, Communications Director How will you keep the SG Web site updated? Keeping the AUSG Web site updated is vital to facilitating effective communications between the SG and the student body. [...] As secretary, I will establish a standing meeting between the secretary, the communications director and the IT director every two weeks throughout the duration of the academic year. During these sessions, the members of the secretary’s cabinet can brainstorm new ideas, outline priorities for content, address issues with the Web site and design the layout of the site. Establishing a regular, structured conversation between those individuals most involved in maintaining the Web site will keep the Web site more up to date and will lead to a more effective way of solving problems with the site when such problems arise.[...]
School/Major: College of Arts and Sciences Year: 2010 Previous SG experience, if any: Director of Information Technology How will you keep the SG Web site updated? I built the new Web site, currently in beta at new.ausg.org, partly to solve the problem of infrequent updates. [...] The new Web site is easier to update: in addition to longer informational posts, SG members can add short status updates like on Facebook or Twitter. All posts and updates are now part of a stream, like Facebook’s news feed, that is displayed on the homepage of the Web site. [...]The new site also brings online the SG’s internal processes for requesting publicity, such as Facebook messages or poster designs. In order for SG departments to receive any kind of publicity, they will have to request it through the Web site. When they submit a request, they are also making a public post on the Web site with the details of their event, which means that every event the SG holds will now appear on the Web site.[...]
REMEMBER TO VOTE!
GET THE RESULTS!
ENDORSEMENT DISCLAIMER
To choose your next Student Government executives, log on to my.american.edu between 9 a.m. Tuesday and 5 p.m. Wednesday.
The Eagle will post results online the moment it receives them. Be sure to check out the Web site Wednesday night.
The Eagle received these questionnaires from the candidates prior to its endorsement meeting, but they did not play a decisive role in the editorial board’s decisions.
* The Eagle endorsed these candidates. Read why on page 5.
EDITORIAL
MARCH 22, 2010
JOE WENNER n Editorial Page Editor EdPage@TheEagleOnline.com
5
JEN CALANTONE n Editor in Chief Editor@TheEagleOnline.com
ON THE ISSUES: CERF Reform
Vote for CERF and renewable energy VIEW FROM THE OUTSIDE
PRO DREW VEYSEY On Tuesday and Wednesday there will be a student election where we’ll get to decide the fate of clean energy at AU. It will be the culmination of a 10-month long process. Last May, I received an interesting e-mail from AU alumnus Marie Stratton. In the e-mail was a link to Macalester College’s Clean Energy Revolving Fund, whose mission is to “encourage global sustainability on campus and in the community, by funding innovative projects that demonstrate environmental leadership and economic benefit.” The idea struck me as brilliant. I’m not the only one who thinks renewable energy generation on campus is a good idea. According to the Sustainable Endowment Institute, there are 54 universities with programs like the Clean Energy Revolving Fund. Those 54 universities tend to have higher overall sustainability scores. Fast forward to today and now AU has its own Clean Energy Revolving Fund. Our CERF will pay for on-campus projects that further the transition toward a low-carbon economy and sustainable society. As an independent fund within the Office of Finance at AU and administered by students, faculty and staff, CERF will fund renewable energy projects that would otherwise be delayed because of high start-up costs. The Clean Energy Revolving Fund will help meet the university’s goal of becoming carbon neutral. Some may say “Why us? Why spend our money on this? Why now?” To those questions I will have to reply with the words of a new leader on clean energy, Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C.: “who are these people in the future? Because we constantly count on
them. I don’t know who they are. I’ve yet to find them. So I guess it falls to me and you. So let’s do it.” Burning our planet’s finite supply of fossil fuels pollutes our air, poisons our water and changes the climate. We know there is a better way. We know the world must shift to renewable sources of energy. But to expect poor countries to develop in a way independent of fossil fuels we must to stop using fossil fuels here at home. School of International Service Professor Terry Sankar is right now developing a vertical-axis wind turbine, the Aeolun Harvester, which can be built out of local materials with few tools. With smart financing, AU can be the first demonstration of a project that will bring cheap, clean power to the developing world. In the undergraduate election tomorrow, students will choose what the future holds for AU. We can choose to continue our reliance on the fossil fuels that are destroying our planet and making our country less secure. Or we can choose a better path and fund clean, renewable energy right here on campus. The fact that only 10 months after the initial suggestion we have our own Clean Energy Revolving Fund in place is a testament to what is possible at AU. Good ideas, pursued in the spirit of cooperation and prosperity have fertile ground at AU. George Washington University has been trying to start a revolving loan fund for almost two years, and they’re still mired in onerous bureaucracy. We can do better. Tomorrow, let’s vote yes and chalk up another win for AU.
Drew Veysey is a senior in the College of Arts and Sciences and the School of Public Affairs. He is the former President of EcoSense and the current director of environmental policy for Student Government. The views expressed in this column are his own. Responses can be sent to edpage@theeagleonline.com.
ON THE ISSUES: CERF Reform
CERF referendum: a tax on students VIEW FROM THE OUTSIDE
CON STEVE DALTON On the SG ballot this week will be a seemingly innocuous referendum question that purportedly asks students to support the so-called “Clean Energy Revolving Fund.” Unfortunately, that is not what the referendum advocates. The referendum would advocate for AU to increase the student activity fee (paid by every single undergraduate student) by nearly 15 percent. The funds raised by the fee increase would not go toward improving the university by purchasing better desks and facilities in academic buildings, or even by putting on better programming initiatives through the Student Government. Instead, the students’ money would, for the first time, go to a private initiative — by force. If there is so much support for the Clean Energy Revolving Fund, why can’t the proponents of it raise a significant amount of money for it from the very means by which they said they would: voluntary donations and grants? Why, again, if this is such a great project, will they ask — no, will they demand — that every single student at AU turn over his or her money to the project? Despite the claims that students are either voting “for” or “against” CERF, that simply isn’t the case. They aren’t. CERF exists, and students, faculty and friends are free to donate as much as they can afford — or want — to. In the aftermath of the Haitian earthquake, students came together and raised thousands of dollars to donate to relief efforts. That happened through private donations. Students are receptive
to worthy causes and can make an informed decision as to who — or what — should receive their money. Maybe someone wants to donate $100 to CERF. Maybe someone else can only afford $5. And, maybe, just maybe, someone doesn’t want to donate at all. I say let the students choose. I hope CERF has much success; I really do. But, this referendum just shows what I knew from the moment that the idea of the revolving fund was broached — that those behind its inception intended to fund the initiative on the backs of students with additional fees and surcharges rather than putting in the time and effort to get people to donate voluntarily. It begs this question: do they not have faith that people will buy the bill of goods that CERF is offering? CERF should have the ability, like countless other private organizations, to raise money from students. What it should not have the ability to do, however, is to pick every student’s pocket by making “contribution” mandatory. If CERF is allowed to take money from every student on campus, what would be the next group or program to come out and demand your money? Support CERF, don’t support CERF; it is entirely up to you — but stand firm in opposing this outrageous money grab by a private project. When you log in to vote from your my.american.edu portal on Tuesday and Wednesday, remember: a gift, if required, is not a gift; and a donation, when compulsory, is not a donation. It’s a tax. Steven Dalton is a senior in the School of Public Affairs and a SG Senator for the Class of 2010. The views expressed above are his own. Responses can be sent to edpage@theeagleonline.com
Courtesy of MCT CAMPUS
Student Government endorsements One fact has been overshadowed by the multiple controversies surrounding this year’s Student Government elections: this week, the student body is presented with one of the most talented and promising field of candidates in recent memory. This could not come at a more needed time, as the seemingly constant stream of SG conflicts has eroded AU’s patience for its student representatives. In this electoral climate, many have predicted dire futures for the SG, and their arguments are at times convincing. However, this paper’s editorial board was impressed by the quality of each candidate, and as a result, we are hopeful for the SG’s future prospects. Unlike past sessions, these endorsements were far from easy. Recognizing the SG’s current state of crisis, The Eagle realizes that reform is needed in many parts of the SG. Therefore, in the interest of wide-scale improvements, candidates were selected in a synergistic manner — how they would govern in tandem was equally important as their caliber as individuals. We endorse the ticket as a whole, and are convinced that this combination of candidates would be best able to impose the combination of representation, effectiveness and frankness that students yearn to see from their SG. Secretary:
Because one of the candidates is this paper’s Web Developer, The Eagle will not be endorsing any of the individuals running for SG secretary. We encourage students to make an informed decision in this race by reading each of the candidates’ questionnaires, available on page 4 and on the Web at www.theeagleonline.com. Comptroller: Ed Levandoski
the EAGLE
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While he is running unopposed, Ed Levandoski promises to continue and build upon the needed improvements currently being instituted. And with the impeachment trial still a searing memory in the minds of many, progress from the comptroller is vital if the reputation of SG is to be re-established. With a minor in finance, time spent on the Senate Budget Committee and as the treasurer for Model UN, Levandoski has the necessary experience to be an effective comptroller. Moreover, his time inside the Senate should serve as ample warning to show what happens when one is not constantly vigilant when handling other people’s money. Levandoski knows what he is getting into. While he is running unopposed, Levandoski is nonetheless a safe choice for SG’s main money-man. Vice President: Jeremiah Headen
The quality of the candidates for SG vice president was especially striking. This paper could see any of the candidates occupying the position and performing admirably. However, with the unimpressive output from the office this year, it is in most need of a shake-up. It is with this necessity in mind that we endorse Jeremiah Headen. While Headen is an outside candidate, his extensive programming experience assuages any doubt that his minimal SG familiarity will hinder his ability to put together well-planned, well-attended and fun events. As the two-year president for the Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Headen has headed numerous events — some of which have reached the Tavern’s maximum capacity of 700, while at the same time running smoothly. What’s most compelling about Headen’s candidacy, however, is least three elected staff members. All members of the Editorial Board have the same weight during Editorial Board meetings each Sunday and Wednesday. Letters and guest columns are the opinion of the writer. • The Eagle has a commitment to accuracy and clarity and will print any corrections or clarifications. To report a mistake, call the Editor in Chief at (202) 885-1402 or e-mail Editor@TheEagleOnline.com. • The Eagle is a member of the Associate Collegiate Press, U-Wire, which syndicates to a national audience, and McClatchey-Tribune wire service. • One copy of The Eagle is free per student. For additional copies please contact The Eagle in 252 Mary Graydon Center.
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President: Anthony Dunham
Amidst the calls for drastic change within the SG, many may find it strange that The Eagle has decided to endorse a candidate with such extensive SG experience. Yet Anthony Dunham has professed an intense desire to spur desired outreach to students, and it his experience that guarantees he will turn it into results. Indeed, without knowledge Sports Editor Assistant Editorial Page Editor
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of the system and how it works, demands for improvements — no matter how impassioned — remain mere words. No other candidate was able to accurately spout off figure after figure in support of his or her platform. Dunham is sure to utilize his knowledge in pursuit and application of student input Moreover, his passion for making SG work is abundantly clear. His near-harrowing experience presiding over the Handverger impeachment trial would have caused a lesser man to avoid anything even resembling SG at all costs. Yet he continues to attend to SG issues and advocate for students within his position in the RHA with an admirable fervor. Coupled with his expertise, Dunham would surely make things happen as president. His experience also acts as the perfect compliment to Headen. If both elected, Dunham will be sure to guide Headen’s passion and enthusiasm, and together they will ensure that SG can be taken as a serious and legitimate institution by the student government. We must again stress the excellence of this year’s ballot and write-in candidates. Each of them persuasively pledged to reform SG and make it reflect the will of the students. Specifically, Seth Rosenstein’s call to go through the lines of the SG bylaws was especially compelling. Futhermore, Nirvana Habash has shown impressive fortitude throughout her setbacks in this race and Nate Bronstein displays charisma and dedidcation to the SG. Yet only Anthony Dunham offered that ideal mix of SG knowledge and desire for change that promises competence and results. And if the SG needs anything right now, it is results.
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his contagious and enthusiastic approach to the logistic duties of the vice president. In his session with The Eagle’s editorial board, he put it simply: “If I’m planning an event, it’s going to be an event that I would want to go to.” He offered a detailed plan to include various student groups as part of an overhaul of traditional AU events like Artemas Ward Week and Founders’ Day — both in need of extensive renovation. To be sure, Headen is a candidate that carries a bit of risk. AU Queers and Allies chastised him for a particularly offensive Facebook note he posted on his profile last December, which is certainly something that this editorial board cannot support. Though this momentary lack of judgment is concerning, he seems to have learned his lesson and his gregarious personality is sure to bring an inclusive atmosphere to the office. We call on Headen to approach these important issues to the AU community more seriously, whether elected or not. If he is elected, we encourage Headen to approach his opponents with positions in his cabinet, as their experience will provide the office with stability and competence it has previously lacked. Still, with the SG’s need for change, Jeremiah Headen brings the potential to make SG events more popular than they have ever been.
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SPORTS
MARCH 22, 2010
ANDREW TOMLINSON n Sports Editor 202.885.1404
Phillies remain favorites in NL East OVER THE WALL
SAM LINDAUER
KELSEY DICKEY / EAGLE FILE PHOTO
IN CONTROL — AU junior Brit Ferguson takes the ball up field in a game last season. The Eagles won their first Patriot League game over the weekend. Senior Amanda Makoid led the team with four goals, a career high. She has scored 13 this season. Three Eagles scored in less than a minute to give AU a lead they would not relinquish.
Women’s lax wins their first PL match of the year By TOM SCHAD Eagle Contributing Writer The AU women’s lacrosse team earned their first Patriot League win of the season Saturday, as they defeated the Bucknell University Bison 15-13. Senior Amanda Makoid led AU with a career-high four goals, giving her a team-leading 13 for the season. Five other Eagles scored two goals apiece and junior Brit Ferguson controlled a career-high nine draws. The win snapped a two-game losing streak. AU scored early and often on the afternoon, beginning with a Makoid goal 16 seconds into the contest. It quickly turned into a back and forth affair, as Bucknell responded with three unanswered goals in the next six minutes. AU then bounced back to score three of their own, including two by sophomore Lauren Schoenberger. Bucknell’s Chelsea Peters
scored with 11 minutes remaining in the first half to tie the contest at four. A flurry of goals were exchanged by both sides in the final third of the half, culminating in back-to-back AU goals. The two goals gave AU a 7-5 advantage. Chiara Speziale, Emily Burton and Samantha Marshall each scored for the Eagles. Marshall scored again at the start of the second half to increase the AU lead to three. Not easily discouraged, Bucknell rebounded with three goals in just over two minutes. Paige Cobbs, who led the Bison with four goals on the day, scored two unassisted points in that span. AU responded yet again with their best minute of the entire game. Makoid, Paige Lin and Emily Stankiewicz each scored in less than one minute, to give the Eagles an 11-8 lead. This minute burst gave AU a lead that they would not relinquish for the remainder of the match. A Ryan Gribbon goal pulled Buck-
nell back to within one goal with nine minutes left, but another set of goals by Lin and Stankiewicz sealed the AU victory. The Eagles took twice as many shots as Bucknell, outshooting the Bison 42-21. They also controlled more draws, winning that statistical category 19-11. Kaska Komosinski recorded five saves for the win. Not only did the Eagles beat Bucknell in shots, but they also won the turnover battle 18-17. Unlike AU’s previous game, there were no man advantages and few fouls in the game. With the victory, AU improves to 3-6 on the season and 1-1 in the Patriot League. It also gives the Eagles momentum heading into a three game home stand, which will begin Wednesday, March 24 when they take on George Mason University. You can reach this writer at sports@theeagleonline.com.
Three make wrestling podium at NCAA Championships By MIKE DEFABO Eagle Contributing Writer Three AU wrestlers climbed the podium and earned All-American status in the NCAA Championships, the most in school history, Sunday in Omaha, Neb. Red shirt senior Mike Cannon placed third at 184 pounds, junior Steve Fittery took fifth at 157 pounds and senior Kyle Borshoff claimed eighth at 149 pounds, to help AU to a 14th place team finish. Cannon claimed his third AllAmerican honor with a 7-2 decision at 184 pounds. In 2008, he took sixth at 165 pounds, and in 2009 he took eighth at 174 pounds. Only 13 other athletes in NCAA history have earned AllAmerican status at three different weight classes. After an 11-2 loss to the top ranked wrestler in the 184-pound weight class, Cannon came from behind against second ranked John Dergo of Illinois University in the consolation semifinals. The match was scoreless in the second period before an escape and takedown by Dergo gave the Illinois wrestler a 3-0 lead. Cannon evened the match in the third with an escape and takedown. He then tacked on two back points to earn the decision by a score of 7-5. Cannon led throughout the third place match against seventh ranked Joe LeBlanc of Wyoming. He took down LeBlanc 13 seconds
into the match and again in the second period to move the score to 4-2. For a third time, Cannon took down his opponent in the third to make the score 6-2. Cannon was able to use the remaining time to his advantage and defeated his opponent by a final score of
[Cannon] finishes his five year career with 122 wins, second all-time. 7-2. The victory is Cannon’s last at AU. He finishes his five-year career with 122 wins, second alltime. Fittery took home fifth place in the 157-pound weight class with a 15-6 major decision over fourth ranked Cyler Sanderson of Penn State. Sanderson took down Fittery three times in the first period for a 6-3 lead. Fittery fought back in the second with a takedown of his own and then three back points to move the score to 8-6. Fittery earned three more points with a single leg, then three more with nearfall points to earn the major
decision 15-6. The victory gave Fittery his team-best 34th win in his first season at AU. The 157-pounder was a two-time Division II All-American at Shippensburg University, before transferring to AU. Kyle Borshoff became an AllAmerican for the second time with his eighth place finish. Borshoff lost 5-0 to ninth ranked Kevin LeValley of Bucknell University in the seventh place match. LeValley broke the scoreless tie with an escape early in the second period. He added three back points in the third when he turned Borshoff. LeValley would end up winning the match because of his time advantage. The three All-American honors tied AU for seventh-most earned by school at the NCAA Championships. It also sets a new mark for AU. In the past five years, 11 AU wrestlers have climbed the podium at the NCAA Championships, 10 of whom have been named AllAmericans. The Eagles rank second, only behind Cornell University for the most All-Americans in the past five years. AU finished the weekend in 14th place overall with 38.5 points, the best performance in program history. The Eagles’ previous best team finish was 17th in 2006 and 2007. You can reach this writer at sports@theeagleonline.com.
Philadelphia Phillies: Last year’s division champs have undoubtedly one of the most powerful lineups in the league. Their infield alone has offensive juggernauts Ryan Howard, Chase Utley and the reliable Jimmy Rollins. They have a nice mix of power and speed represented in the outfield with Jayson Werth, a surprisingly productive Raul Ibanez at the corners and the speedy Shane Victorino patrolling center. What really separates the Phillies from the pack are their offseason additions. First there is Placido Polanco, who is replacing Pedro Feliz at third base. Since the Phils have such a dynamic lineup there is little pressure for Polanco to be a major run producer. He has proven to be an excellent hitter with a career batting average over .300 and a great glove in the infield. The big move that will make the Phillies tough to stop in the East is the acquisition of ace Roy Halladay. In the deal to get the former Blue Jays starter, the Phillies lost another top starter in Cliff Lee. It should result in a virtual wash, since they lost one great pitcher and gained another. With a lineup with so much power and a rotation anchored by one of the best in the league, the Phillies are positioned to take the top spot again. Florida Marlins: In the past, the Marlins have been able to build up a young team that finds a way to compete on a shoestring budget. This year is no different. The Marlins will surprise a lot of people with how much of a threat they can be. Last season, they managed to finish in second place, which opened some eyes to the talent they have. The Marlins are led on the mound by Josh Johnson, who had a breakout season last year with 15 wins and an ERA of just 3.23. Following Johnson in the rotation, is an equally youthful staff that includes Ricky Nolasco, Anibal Sanchez and lefty Andrew Miller. Offensively, the Marlins will likely struggle. They have two ex-
cellent hitters in second baseman Dan Uggla and shortstop Hanley Ramirez, who many think of as one of the best all-around players in the majors. After those two, there is too much of a dependence on unproven bats like Cameron Maybin and shaky veterans like Jorge Cantu. Last year, the Marlins were able to score some runs and win 87 games and there is no reason to think they won’t continue to raise eyebrows in 2010. Atlanta Braves: Bobby Cox’s last year with the Braves looks to be as mediocre as the previous ones. One cannot talk about the Braves without mentioning their third baseman, Chipper Jones. As the face of the franchise, Jones showed a noticeable decline last year as he hit just .264 miles from his .307 career average and drove in just 71 runs. The Braves’ new offensive leader is catcher Brian McCann, who has turned into one of the better young hitters in baseball. There has also been a lot of talk about baseball’s top prospect, Jason Heyward. The outfielder is said to be baseball’s top up-and-coming hitter, but it is unrealistic to think he would be able to contribute to the team this year. One of the most exciting players on the team is 24-year-old Jair Jurrjens. He had a 2.60 ERA but has not received the recognition he really deserves. Jurrjens is joined by another great young pitcher in Tommy Hanson who was outstanding in his first season. In 21 starts he went 11-4 with a 2.89 ERA. After Jurrjens and Hanson, the Braves will look to veterans like Derek Lowe and Tim Hudson to win some games. At the back of the bullpen is closer Billy Wagner, who looks all but finished in this league. The Braves will not take the top spot in the East for at least a few years, for now they need to settle for being in the middle of the pack. New York Mets: New York’s 2009 campaign was just plain ugly. Marred by injuries, the Mets could not live up to expectations. This season, things look equally grim, but it is important to note this team has a lot of talent. New York still has third baseman David Wright, but his problem now appears to be hitting for power in the new Citi Field in Queens. Shortstop Jose Reyes has some of the best tools in the
league to be a great player, but he has been constantly injured. Carlos Beltran has to deal with injury issues as well. This offseason, the Mets attempted to improve significantly and signed Jason Bay. The Bay signing seems more of an attempt for the Mets front office to save face, rather than truly improve the team. Bay will give them some power, but Bay is lacking defensively. The Mets’ pitching staff has a great ace with Johan Santana, but the other four starters are questions for the team. Santana gives the Mets a chance to win every time he takes the mound, but there must be some questions about whether Mike Pelfrey and John Maine can get the job done. This season, if the Mets want to avoid finishing behind the Nationals they need to stay healthy and pray that Oliver Perez produces for them on the mound immediately. Washington Nationals: The Nationals will finish in last. This is most likely where D.C.’s favorite team will finish for the next few years. That is the bad news. The good news is they are getting better. If they manage their young players correctly, they may even be able to build a playoff team down the line. That team is way down the line however. The Nationals’ future currently depends on the right arm of Stephen Strasburg. Unfortunately, the Nationals’ best pitcher will be starting the season in the minors. This is the smart move to make, as his development directly coincides with the future success of the team. For now, the Nationals will head into the season with a very young pitching staff that includes John Lannan, Scott Olsen and Garrett Mock. The youngsters will not have a ton of help on the offensive side, as the team has few weapons. Washington’s best hitters are third baseman Ryan Zimmerman and first baseman Adam Dunn, who strikes out more than almost anyone. This year, the Nats will be better, but they will still end up at the bottom and the MLB will just need to get used to it. Prediction: Phillies. A ton of offensive power, plus arguably the best pitcher in baseball makes them very tough to beat. You can reach this writer at slindauer@theeagleonline.com.
Change in philosophy shapes Redskins’ offseason SIDELINE SCHOLAR
BEN LASKY What is going on with the Washington Redskins? The team that is usually on a spending spree at this time of year has only signed one big name player—running back Larry Johnson—and he does not seem to be a big part of the team’s future. Since Dan Snyder bought the Redskins, the team has won the offseason battle almost every year. In 2000, the Redskins signed future Hall of Fame cornerback Deion Sanders to a seven- year $56 million contract after he was released by the Dallas Cowboys. It would have been a great signing, if Sanders hadn’t been 33 years old at the time and in the declining stages of his career. It would have been even better had he not retired after a year with the team. In that same offseason, the team signed Hall of Fame defensive end Bruce Smith. Much like the Sanders signing, Bruce was old and his carrier was in decline. That said, somehow the Redskins rewarded him with a five year, $25 million contract shortly after he was released by the Buffalo Bills. Where are signings like these this year? Are we sure these are the Washington Redskins? So far this offseason, a few players who are past their primes have signed with other teams. In the old days, LaDainian Tomlinson would have had a 10-year $100 million contract from the Skins waiting for him immediately after he was released by the San Diego Chargers. Of course, by old days this means last offseason.
This year, however, they passed over the aging running back and signed Johnson. It’s not only the old guys the Redskins have signed over the years. They have also given some money to younger players who are highly overrated. A solid example is when they signed wide receiver Antwaan Randle El to a seven-year $31 million contract the year after he caught 35 passes for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Yes, you are reading correctly, the Redskins gave him nearly a million dollars per catch. Of course, the fact he threw a touchdown pass in the Super Bowl may have had something to do with it. Randle El was a solid player for the Steelers. He never put up amazing numbers, but he helped the team on special teams and on trick plays because he played quarterback for Indiana in college. However, there is no way the Redskins can possibly justify giving that kind of money to a receiver who had never had a year with 1,000 yards receiving. Randle El was mediocre in his four years in D.C. and was released by the team last month. Last year, the Skins signed 28year-old defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth to a seven-year $100 million contract. There is no doubt that when he plays — and plays with any kind of motivation — he may be the best defensive player in the NFL. However, he is not healthy enough to justify that kind of money. In his first year with the Redskins, Haynesworth played 12 games for the Redskins. When he did play, he was constantly on the ground after the whistle had blown. Not necessarily because he was injured, but because he was often tired. Which is why Redskin Hall of Fame quarterback and Redskins color commentator Sonny Jurgensen would not stop talking about how out of shape Haynesworth looked. In
reality, why should he stay in shape? What is his motivation? It isn’t winning, because if that were his motivation, he would not have signed with the Washington Redskins. He does not have to play inspired football, because even if he gets cut, he has $41 million guaranteed. This year, there is none of that. Go to the rumors section of ESPN. com or Profootballtalk.com and you will see that the name Redskins is essentially nonexistent. In the last 10 years, if you looked at rumors in the NFL offseason you would have seen a towel boy being potentially signed to a multi-million dollar contract by the Redskins. Amazingly, it seems that after a decade of mistake after mistake in every aspect of the organization, Dan Snyder is doing what he should have done a long time ago: sitting back, shutting up and allowing football people to make football decisions. After all, this is the actual NFL, not a fantasy football league. You cannot just sign a bunch of big name players and expect to win. In the middle of last season, the Redskins’ team president and “yes man” Vinny Cerrato resigned after the team was out of playoff contention early. The team then hired Bruce Allen, the team’s first general manager of the Snyder era. Shortly after his hiring, Allen brought in two-time Super Bowl winning coach Mike Shanahan. These two bring a changing of the guard in D.C. It marks the era of no more multimillion dollar contracts for declining or mediocre football players and no more trading draft picks for nobodies. In a few years this could resemble a well-run football team, if they continue to make smart moves that is. You can reach this writer at sports@theeagleonline.com.
MARCH 22, 2010
THE EAGLE'S ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT SECTION
New culture emerges past laptop screen By WILLIAM F. ZEMAN Eagle Columnist
CROSS-CULTURAL DISPATCH
CAIRO, EGYPT
Photo by ANDREW COOPER
WITH THE OLD BREED — “The Pacific,” produced by Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg, contains shades of their past collaboration “Band of Brothers.” HBO has called back some of their most promising talents, including David Simon of “The Wire” and Terrence Winter of “The Sopranos.” These series try to recapture some of the past successes of their dramas by featuring familiar actors, themes and directors.
HBO scores proven talent Spielberg, Scorcese return to TV By MICHAEL W. RICHARDSON Eagle Staff Writer In the American television world, TV series often lead sad, incomplete lives. Shows start off fast and, depending on popular opinion, are either cut down in their youth or peter out pathetically with more and more desperate plotlines. Unlike in Britain — where series are often given set time limits and a show like Ricky Gervais’ “The Office” can create a satisfying story arc — American television is expected to go on indefinitely until they get the pink slip. To find a series with that kind of craftsmanship, a viewer often must turn to channels that specialize in such programming. HBO has made a name for itself by creating excellent mini-series and dramas — critically praised and popular Emmy-magnets. The channel turned to some of its biggest names to create new series for the coming months, hoping to recapture that
old magic. The nation has a general fondness for any combination of Steven Spielberg, Tom Hanks and World War II. After winning multiple Oscars for the visceral “Saving Private Ryan,” Spielberg and Hanks turned to a new, more expansive project in “Band of Brothers.” The show contained the same realism of Spielberg’s film thanks to diligent production, advice from writer Stephen Ambrose and the input from the very veterans the show profiled. This means there are high expectations for their new series, “The Pacific.” Based on three different memoirs of the Pacific War, “The Pacific” portrays a war very different from the European theater that hosts most WWII stories and media. Because of hazy battle lines and a very different enemy culture, the difficulties of the Marines in places like Peleliu and Guadalcanal have rarely been depicted in war films. “Going to the Pacific was going off into a mystery, an absolute question mark, a place that they had never been to or even been able to imagine,” Hanks said in a press release. But this series maintains a tried and true formula — adrenaline-pumping battle scenes and quiet moments of self-reflection. If you mention “The Wire” to
certain people, you’ll start a onesided conversation that threatens to never end. David Simon created a series about the city of Baltimore and its corrupted institutions that served as a hyper-realistic portrayal of urban life and a fable for the flaws of the American dream. It also had a rabid cult following, which still considers it one of the greatest television series of all time. Simon followed that up with the mini-series “Generation Kill,” a gloriously profane profile of a company of Marines in Iraq that was a worthy successor to his crime series. But now Simon is leaving the Middle East for another profile of a broken city — New Orleans. “Treme” features some of the same themes, actors and production as “The Wire,” but it’s steeped in the culture of the city it depicts. The unique language might force non-natives to scratch their heads, but Simon tends to throw the viewer in the deep end without much help. The series will focus on the music scene of the city — a nice distinction, considering that “The Wire” turned a blind eye to Baltimore’s arts community. The series depicts the city three months after Hurricane Katrina and follows a large cast trying to rebuild both their infrastructure and their lives. It’s a ripe setting for Simon’s political sensibilities,
and viewers can expect many big speeches about the failures of general society and the blind eye we turn to the problems of the disadvantaged. “Boardwalk Empire” might have the most impressive pedigree of the lot. Based on a book by Nelson Johnson and adapted by a former “Sopranos” producer Terence Winter, the pilot is directed by Martin Scorcese, who will remain as creative help for the rest of the show. It also stars some big names including Steve Buscemi, Kelly Macdonald and Michael K. Williams. Proving that HBO mines its best material from the crime world, “Empire” is “The Sopranos” thrown back in time to 1920s Atlantic City. Thanks to prohibition, criminals have a long shadow in this town, and, much like it’s influences and predecessors, the intricate politics of gang life will be on display. While information about the series is still limited, the trailers and brief glimpses are tantalizing a potent combination of Scorcese’s way with images and Winter’s stylized dialogue and poetic language. Expect an abundance of guns, intrigue and fedoras when the show premieres this fall. You can reach this staff writer at mrichardson@theeagleonline.com.
Throughout my travels, I have had a constant companion. He’s recorded all my experiences. He’s traveled with me from Ankara to Cappadocia and Istanbul to Cairo. He’s kept me in contact with friends, shown me American television when life abroad became too demanding and even helped me do my homework. Now he has passed on. A moment of silence, if you please. I’m speaking of my laptop — an Apple Macbook that’s served as my silicon sidekick since high school. So, wipe away your tears, dear reader — we speak of an inanimate object. There’s no reason to be upset. My laptop’s hard drive crashed just under two weeks ago. I had finished watching “LOST” (a worthy last task for any computer) and was starting work on a paper when my hard drive began getting louder and louder, hotter and hotter. Then, the spinning pinwheel of doom (Apple’s version of the infamous PC “Blue Screen of Death”) appeared. Eventually everything went black. My computer is now in the hands of Ahmed Bakr at Sync Computer Services. Insha’Allah he can perform some Frankenstein magic, resurrecting my machine from the dead, data intact. But I doubt it. However, this situation presents advantages as well as disadvantages. Most Egyptians, 85 percent, don’t use computers or the Internet, at least not regularly, according to the World Bank (compare that with 60 percent of Turks and 28 percent of Americans). I came abroad to learn about the others’ lives, and, yet, with my computer linked up to the Internet, I was emulating a paltry 15 percent of Egyptians. So for a week now I’ve embarked on a little experiment, and tried to use computers and the Internet as little as possible — a task made far easier when you’re computer-less (I’ve broken down once or twice; I did have to file this column). Here’s what I’ve learned: Writing by hand is relaxing — and yet not at all. I wrote an essay by hand this week. It was a strange experience. Words come more slowly when
writing by hand, and you can enter this trance where you feel in touch with centuries of authors. “Typing is a recent phenomenon,” you say. “The great authors of the world — Shakespeare, Milton — they all wrote by hand.” You become convinced you’re going to write all your essays this way. Then you’re faced with retyping your essay into a computer, keystroke by keystroke. The illusions of grandeur fade. Then you do a word count, and discover your pages of handwriting amount to 600 words, and there’s another thousand to go by nightfall. After that, writing by hand stops being relaxing. History relies on paper. This is one of my Egyptology professor’s great fears. The only reason we know about ancient Egypt is because Egypt’s climate preserved their papyrus and monuments for almost 5,000 years. Granted, most of the information has been damaged, and scholars had to relearn hieroglyphics to glean anything from ancient texts. But still, the texts are there. My laptop’s hard drive wasn’t even able to preserve text for a full four years. What will historians 5,000 years from now be able to tell about me? Mohamed ElBaradei’s support may be overstated. The Egypt-born former head of the International Atomic Energy Agency’s name keeps coming up as a contender for presidential elections next year. When he came to visit Cairo from France, 800 people came to cheer him on. His Facebook support group has almost 200,000 members. The Twitterverse is buzzing about how great he is, as is the Daily News Egypt’s newsroom. Yet his supporters all seem Internet-based. That means he has a support base of, at maximum, 12 million Egyptians, and based on the backlash on the Twitterverse, it’s likely less. As for the 60-some million other Egyptians eligible to vote in next year’s presidential election, nobody knows where their support stands. A computer’s importance changes based on class. When I told rich Egyptians, or any of my American friends my computer had broken, their response made it sound like a family member had died. “I am so sorry,” one person told me. “If there’s anything — anything — I can do to help, just let me know,” said another. As for Hussein, who runs the toy store next to my building and always invites me for tea, he was less upset. “I’m sorry,” he said. “I think there’s a shop down the street if you want to buy a new one. Want to watch WWE?” Yes, Hussein. I do want to watch WWE. You can reach this columnist at thescene@theeagleonline.com.
Hutchinson Tavern gig proves talent still sells Performance succeeds sans Auto-Tune By CAITLIN E. MOORE Eagle Staff Writer While methods like Auto-Tune are audible in nearly all recent releases on Top 40 radio, it’s refreshing to know that some artists are still relying on good, old-fashioned vocal talent. Eric Hutchinson, best known for his hits “OK, It’s Alright With Me” and “Rock and Roll,” played the Tavern on Friday night to a packed house. Opening band Andy Suzuki and the Method, though not well known among the audience, were met by screams and yells before they even sat down — due to their good looks. Bandmate Jason G. was even taunted by lead singer Andy Suzuki to take his shirt off, causing a ruckus among the largely female attendants. The band quickly eliminated any unnecessary attention elsewhere when they began playing their acoustic pop music. Percussionist Kozza Babumba hand-drummed every song (with an occasional bass drum beat in
certain songs) while Suzuki played the keyboards and Jason G. rocked the electric violin. Unlike most opening bands that often play unknown songs to an unwilling audience, Andy Suzuki and the Method took heed of the shortcomings of other musicians and consequently played several covers during their set. While not short on their own songs, like “Fingers Crossed” and the personal “300 Pianos” (the titular track of their album and dedicated to Suzuki’s sick father), the band also played unique versions of popular hits like Drake’s “Best I Ever Had,” Kings of Leon’s “Use Somebody” and John Mayer’s “Clarity.” “Clarity” stood out the most among their set list, as Jason G.’s adaptation of Mayer’s guitar solo on his electric violin brought a more emotional and heartfelt aspect to the song. He didn’t miss a beat of the impressive music break as his fingers flew along the neck of the instrument, rousing yelling and loud applause from the audience. With a short break in between sets, headliner Eric Hutchinson took the stage to great reception, playing hits from his debut album “Sounds Like This.” The audience participated in a sing-along to the effervescent (and easily memorable) “Oh!” Despite the popular-
ity of his radio songs like “OK, It’s Alright With Me,” the audience seemed to enjoy “You Don’t Have to Believe Me” the most. The tune’s danceable rhythms and funk-laden guitar chords made attendees dance, bumping into each other in the crowd and clapping along. Hutchinson is one of those artists who makes the audience know immediately that he is in it for the music. He danced around more on stage than most in the audience, bouncing around while playing the electric guitar and nearly knocking over his piano bench as he jumped around on the keyboard. His soulful voice translated easily from his tunes on the album, displaying his vocal range and showcasing his old school ability to capture R&B melodies with pop sensibilities. Hutchinson interacted with the audience often, encouraging them to applaud more and playing one of his “new songs,” which ended up being a joke about how those in the audience below 5 foot 6 were screwed because the stage was too low and the floor was too flat, but those who were taller were good to go. He also played actual new songs from his album. After being recruited back on stage for an encore before playing the audience favorite “Rock and Roll,” Hutchinson sang the everpopular “My Girl,” claiming he
CAITLIN E. MOORE / THE EAGLE
LOOKS LIKE THIS— Acoustic rocker Eric Hutchinson took to the stage last Friday at the Tavern to perform for an audience of mostly screaming girls. His opening act was eclectic rock band Andy Suzuki and the Method. sang it before The Temptations did and “no one knows I wrote this.” In a surprisingly fit segue, Hutchinson then transitioned from the ‘60s smash into the R. Kelly euphemism-laced “Ignition Remix.” Hutchinson’s concert at AU
on Friday night was a subtle reminder that among the Ke$has and T-Pains of the world, there are still some artists that can be catchy without covering up their own vocal talents with the work of musical machines. With any luck,
Hutchinson’s album “Sounds Like This” will only be a precursor of a long career to come. You can reach this staff writer at cmoore@theeagleonline.com.
the EAGLE
MARCH 22, 2010
the scene 8
Easy additions spice up everyday meals CHEF SECRETS
WILL KOPER One of the things I love most about cooking is being able to throw together something tasty based on stuff that I have lying around. While the ingredients in my fridge tend to vary, there are a few staples that, for me, help facilitate this spontaneous cooking process. Oils I try to keep two oils on hand at all times: a regular canola oil and a good (as good as I can afford) extra virgin olive oil. I use the canola oil in 90 percent of my cooking — everything from sautés to salad dressings. Why? It’s got a clean, neutral flavor and a high smoke point. Neutral just means that it doesn’t overpower whatever I’m using it in, and the high smoke point means that it can take lots of heat without breaking down. I use the olive oil sparingly — it has a great flavor, but it’s just a little too strong for most things. My rule of thumb is that I don’t use it unless I want to taste it. Acids Acidity in a dish is essential to achieve a balanced flavor. Aside from being one of the five basic tastes (the other four being salty, sweet, bitter and savory), acidity helps strip the palate of other flavors and prepares it for the next taste. For that reason, I
generally keep a wide variety on hand: red and white wines, lemon and lime juices and all sorts of vinegars. Salt and pepper Salt is probably the most ubiquitous ingredient in the world. I can’t imagine life without it. I’m not sure if it really makes a difference, but I prefer kosher salt to regular table salt. It’s definitely a little bit coarser, which I think makes it easier to sprinkle evenly. Of course, you’re very rarely going to use salt without pepper. In fact, some cooks will keep a blend of salt and pepper on hand for convenience. For super-fresh pepper, buy peppercorns and a cheap coffee grinder and grind small batches once a week or so. The next best thing is the coarse ground, which seems to stay fresher longer and pack more of that peppery punch. Spices There are about 10 spices and spice blends that I use on a regular basis: red chili flakes, cayenne pepper, dry mustard, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, oregano, chili powder, five-spice powder and bay leaf. I use chili flakes for a more subtle, “back-of-the-mouth” kind of heat. The cayenne pepper is much more direct and in-your-face. Mustard powder is fantastic in stirfries and barbecue. It goes with pork like peanut butter goes with jelly. Garlic and onion powders are great for spice rubs (which I generally prefer to liquid marinades). I use them in barbecue and Latin-style recipes. They also work well for last minute adjustments in my marinara and Bolognese sauces if I feel like they
need a little more flavor. Cumin is a staple in Latin American, Mediterranean and Indian cuisines. I use a lot of it in hummus and rice and beans. Contrary to what you might think, chili powder isn’t spicy (well, not “hot” spicy). It gives dishes a sweet, almost smoky flavor. Like the garlic and onion powders, I use it in my barbecue spice, and some (but not all) Latinstyle dishes. I use five-spice less frequently than most of the others, but it’s great for sweet-and-sour type stir-fries, and it also works well as a substitute for cinnamon (think apple pie) when you want to add a little more complexity to a dish. Bay leaves add a very distinct and subtle flavor to almost anything. I toss one or two into anything I boil or simmer — beans, tomato sauce, stews, etc. I’ve seen them used in every cuisine from Mexican to French, Italian and even Indian. Other flavors Mirin (Chinese cooking wine) and soy sauce are essential if you do any sort of Asian cooking. If you do a lot of it, you might also want to pick up a bottle of sesame oil. Onions and garlic end up in 90 percent of the dishes that I cook. I usually keep one white onion and one red onion on hand. I use whole garlic and chop as I need it; the prechopped stuff always has a funky smell to it. Putting it together So here’s an example of putting these essentials to good use: I got home late from work one night, and, after decompressing with an adult beverage, I started to get hungry.
WILL KOPER / THE EAGLE
SPICE WORLD — The key to making a good meal lies in proper materials, and the right array of oils and spices can save a dish. It’s more important to have the essentials rather than an overstuffed spice rack. I looked in my fridge and discovered some diced pork, some corn tortillas, a piece of jalapeño pepper and a bunch of cilantro. I tossed the pork in a bowl with some canola oil, salt, pepper, chili flakes, chili powder, garlic powder and onion powder. After some deliberation, I added just a little bit of diced
jalapeño and let it marinate while I heated a pan on the stove. When the pan was good and hot, I tossed the meat in and let it sear while I washed a few dishes. I flipped the meat, let it cook for another minute then took it off the heat and deglazed the pan with some lemon and lime juices. I let it all sit for
a minute while I heated the tortillas directly over the burner, and in less than the time it would have taken me to get to McDonald’s and back, I had an easy and tasty plate of tacos. You can reach this columnist at thescene@theeagleonline.com.
Summer tour closes musical gender gap Girl bands join forces, break barriers By KATRINA CASINO Eagle Staff Writer
Courtesy of PARAMORE
RIOT! GRRRLS — Indie twins Tegan and Sara will be joining power-punk heroes Paramore on the Honda Civic tour this summer. Both bands are touring to promote recent releases, “Sainthood” and “Brand New Eyes.”
Courtesy of TEGAN AND SARA
Paramore have been slowly working their way into indietown, but don’t be too quick to say “there goes the neighborhood.” Their success started last September with their viral cover of Kings of Leon’s “Use Somebody” and moving onto joining Weezer on the band’s most recent tour (and even accompanying them on stage for their classic “Say It Ain’t So”). The Tennessee five-piece are now slated to play alongside twindie darlings Tegan and Sara on this year’s Honda Civic tour. Although this may seem like a random choice, the decision to tour Paramore is unsurprising, considering that past headliners have included bands in the vein of power-punk, such as Fall Out Boy, New Found Glory and blink182. Given this, the more surprising act is actually Tegan and Sara, but one can never be too shocked, as the tour occasionally likes to throw in wild cards such as their 2006 headliner, the Black Eyed Peas. Both acts are touring in support of recently released albums — Paramore’s “Brand New Eyes” and Tegan and Sara’s “Sainthood.” The co-headlining of this tour
highlights an interesting interchange in demographics. Both acts are on the rise but in entirely different ways, with Paramore slowly gaining indie street cred, and Tegan and Sara moving into the mainstream after over a decade in the music business. So how will these sounds mesh together? Well, the obvious link between the two is female vocals — a bold move on the tour’s part, as females are highly outnumbered in the music industry. Besides that, though, they don’t have much in common, which may make for an opportunity for fans of each band to discover the other. On the other hand, it may also make for an extremely polarized tour — or worse, an extremely unattended one. Paramore’s latest release is their most successful album to date, topping charts internationally and exhibiting a maturity unseen in the band’s previous albums. Typically marked by a loud, punk-y, in-your-face attitude, Paramore have been stereotyped as a band popular with adolescents in studded belts and fingerless gloves. “Brand New Eyes” sees the band emerging as older, more serious musicians, most notably on the last two tracks, which take on an uncharacteristically slow tempo. This new addition serves as an opportunity to focus on the vocals of lead singer Hayley Williams, who is growing into her more delicately tuned voice, while still keeping her “Riot!” chords strong. This newfound maturity may make Paramore a surprisingly good match for Tegan and Sara.
On the other side of the bill, Tegan and Sara have been moving toward a new sound, starting with their 2007 album “The Con” and continuing on “Sainthood.” Featuring vague but compelling songwriting, “Sainthood” takes on a punkier edge, especially on “North Shore,” a fast-paced, angst-ridden lament over roman-
Both acts are on the rise, in entirely different ways ... So how will these sounds mesh together? tic masochism. Balancing this are tracks like “Sentimental Tune,” a song with a light tone that features a catchy hook and a string interlude — a new foray for the twins. Although the pairing of Paramore and Tegan and Sara may initially seem like the result of poor planning on the part of the Honda Civic tour, the decision may be more founded than most fans realize. So with the tour kicking off in late July, one question remains to be answered: will they rock, or will fans roll out? You can reach this staff writer at kcasino@theeagleonline.com.
Indie-prep posers detract from college rock legacy POPPIN’ CULTURE
KATRINA CASINO There was a time when college rock was characterized as alternative music spun by bearded indiekid deejays at all hours of the night. Records made in basements showed off an ever-present buzz, the hum of the tape and singers who growled about society through clenched teeth. Their audience knew — and more importantly, felt — exactly what they were talking about. Today’s college rock, much like today’s college climate, however, is much different. What was once all flannel and hair has now evolved into something much more ... sweater vest-y. As more and more Americans have access to higher education and college students make up a larger
part of the population than they ever have before, the culture that was once elite has merged into the mainstream. And sure, college kids with guitars is a premise we can all relate to, but college rock is moving into an entirely new league — namely, the Ivy League. Ivy-educated rockers aren’t anything new — just ask Weezer frontman Rivers Cuomo, a recent Harvard graduate. Continuing an education he began prior to the success of Weezer, Cuomo not only proved himself one of the godfathers of emo, he also inadvertently fronted a trend that would fully come into fruition a decade later. And that trend is that geek is chic. Cuomo is probably almost singlehandledly responsible for the return of the thick-rimmed Buddy Holly glasses. His band suddenly made it cool to jam out on stage in wingtipped shoes and plaid shirts under V-neck sweaters. And if that didn’t expose Weezer as nerds, their music certainly did. An entire album inspired by and littered with references to “Madame Butterfly” followed up by another album whose title had fans running to the
thesaurus, “Maladroit,” betrayed the band’s tendency toward intellect. And surprisingly, the whole thing worked. We loved Weezer for their embracing sheer nerdiness. We may have seen one of them getting beaten up in the halls, and none of them would deny it. Sure he may have been famous, but even seven records into his career, Cuomo probably still wouldn’t identify as “cool.” In fact, his image is decidedly uncool, and we love his acceptance of it. There was something charming about the sincerity of it all, and — even though not all of us wanted to admit it — there’s a part of anyone that can relate to feeling uncool. The Ivy bands of today may be decided in their image, but they’re undecided on what all of these things might mean. I’m looking at you, Vampire Weekend. Hailed by hipsters and indie kids alike as Ivy League rocker gods in Polo shirts, the four Columbia graduates formed in 2006, graduated in 2007 and were on the road with Death Cab for Cutie by 2008 — before they even
released their first record. Now, of course, there’s nothing wrong with some hard-earned success (and there’s no doubt that these guys know their music), but there is something a little averting about a band that sells an elitist lifestyle as much as or more than they sell an art. There’s just something a little inherently self-deprecating about worshipping that kind of band. As higher education becomes more common, the college undergraduate degree is becoming less valuable — a frustration that’s leaking into our music. Our education is starting to feel futile, and instead of examining the system that created these conditions we focus on what we have been taught is most important: moving up. And not moving up in an empowering George Jefferson hard-work-and-success manner (the original model of the American dream), but moving up in a way that’s, well, pretentious. In following Vampire Weekend’s lead and borrowing the Ivy League style and lifestyle, we are moving farther into elitism and away from
the art of it all. Music should reflect who we are: disillusioned college students. Instead, we are appropriating the Ivy League lifestyle, which is, in turn, appropriating bits and pieces of cultures that it feels entitled to. Vampire Weekend found themselves the darlings of indie critics who praised them for their original incorporation of African drum beats into their music. But you know who else uses African drum beats? Africans. It’s not that original. And besides, Paul Simon already covered that base in his 1986 album, “Graceland.” So instead of looking for guidance from who and what we are told is the best and chasing after the upper echelons of societal structure while abandoning the problems at hand, perhaps we should just ... face them. Of course, it’s always easier to work, work, work toward upward mobility to launch oneself into success than it is to recognize and acknowledge that something is inherently wrong with institutions we’re already putting tons of money into. But the solution isn’t just up and leaving so that it can be someone else’s
problem, it’s to re-examine what’s already wrong and speak up about it. I’m not saying that everyone and anyone who is into Vampire Weekend is a pretentious poser. I’m not even saying that the implications of liking them are so glaringly obvious that it points to ignorance. In fact, I’m not even really bashing Vampire Weekend themselves. The problem is the environment that created such a need for us to feel like we always need to be better, and that better is defined by what is most elite. So no, I don’t suppose I’ll make a pun about Vampire Weekend sucking, nor will I suggest any sort of boycott on sweater vests. Listening to prep-rock won’t kill anyone, I promise, but before you spin that vinyl on your vintage record player, stop and think for a second about why it is that Ivy is so far out of our league. You can reach this columnist at kcasino@theeagleonline.com.
the EAGLE
MARCH 22, 2010
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‘Ain’t No Grave’ for musical works of Johnny Cash ON THE RECORD
RYAN TANNER-READ In the early ‘90s, Johnny Cash had fallen out of favor with the recording establishment in Nashville. So when Rick Rubin suggested that he get away from the kinds of recordings he had been making and do something simple, it was an easy sell. The resulting work from these unlikely collaborators was a revelation. Cash’s 1994 album, “American Recordings,” was his best in years, if not his best album ever. Its combination of well-chosen covers and Cash originals in intimate arrangements highlighting Cash’s ragged baritone was haunting and beautiful. Now, six albums into the series, that would come to simply be called “American,” we are presented with the final album we will ever receive from the Man in Black. “American VI: Ain’t No Grave” is just as beautiful and heart-breaking as that first album. In fact, it is perhaps more poignant knowing that Cash is long dead and can never offer us this kind of artistry again. This album features the final recordings Cash made just before his death. As Rick Rubin tells it, Cash was shaken by his wife’s death, but with an “unshakable” faith, he set out to offer one last album. Death seems to hang over “Ain’t No Grave,” but for Cash, an incredibly religious man, this doesn’t seem to be a cause for fear. Opening with the title track and leading right into “Redemption Day,” the album makes it clear that Cash embraced death and the life he expected to find after it. Still, that didn’t stop him from offering one of his best as his final legacy to American music. Cash’s voice is more ragged than ever before on this album. Yet, if nothing else, it seems to emphasize the pathos and art that, animate his signature style of singing. An unlikely but fitting selection of covers (from Cheryl Crow to Bob Nolan) indicates Cash’s wide-ranging musical interests, but he transforms these songs into his own indelible recordings. If we needed a reminder that
we lost one of our greatest musical artists when Johnny Cash died, this is certainly it. Apparently animated by the same urgency as, for instance, Warren Zevon’s “The Wind,” “Ain’t No Grave” is a fitting farewell. However, we run the risk of impoverishing Cash’s final masterpiece if we consider “Ain’t No Grave” as merely his final album. Instead, it might be better to consider the “American” recordings as a set. These are six individual albums, but when listened to together, they form a kind of song cycle of real beauty. From “Delia’s Gone” on the first album, to his justly famous cover of “Hurt” on American IV, to his heartbreaking interpretation of Lightfoot’s “If I Could Read Your Mind” on American V and finally to this newest recording, the “American” series makes a strong claim on a position as the greatest work of an already great musician. Many aging artists simply try to rekindle old fires and imitate their former selves. Johnny Cash, on the other hand, underwent a profound transformation. The result was an incredible growth in his artistry. Maybe Cash was unique. Maybe it was his own talent that allowed him to become the consummate musician that these final recordings place on display so poignantly. I don’t think so. Perhaps, instead, Cash’s final glories can offer a model to other aging artists. The Man in Black made no apologies for his increasingly weathered voice or for his powerful faith (poignantly on display on “Ain’t No Grave”). Instead, he embraced the possibility of these simple and beautiful recordings. In the end, maybe he didn’t reinvent himself. Instead, he let his work evolve as he aged. Other artists might do well to do the same. All that aside, there is one thing we can say for sure about the “American” series. It is one of the greatest pieces of contemporary music to be produced in this country in the last two decades. If you haven’t heard it or have only heard “Hurt” or “The Man Comes Around,” you owe it to yourself to go out and listen to the rest of Cash’s masterpiece — he will never make more. You can reach this columnist at thescene@theeagleonline.com.
Courtesy of SHE & HIM
SUGAR SWEET — This season, a new crop of musicians are setting out to bring summer sounds as early as possible. Brand new artists like Toro Y Moi capture surf melodies, while the sweet-as-pie She & Him bring a country feel to typical dreamy indie pop music.
Warm tunes signal Spring By YOHANA DESTA Eagle Staff Writer With the rapid arrival of warm weather, it is time to cast out morbid playlists and insert the latest breezy performers that’ll give you spring fever all season long. This is where South Carolina native Toro y Moi comes in. Born Chazwick Bundick, musician Toro Y Moi captures the essence of California in his songs and effortlessly blends surf music with crashing techno beats. But his kind of beat is harder and more intense — a new kind of sound that can be likened to artists like Neon Indian or the Drums, but with a cascade of synthesized beats layered on top of the cooing choruses. His debut album was released on Jan. 4, earning rave reviews from indie critics like Pitchfork and Nylon. Titled “Causers of This,” the album is an electronic trip, complete with titles like “Freak Love” and “Talamak.” Songs like “Low Shoulder” beckon and woo the listener, with lyrics like “Don’t mind the sunrise/It weakens/It climbs/It gets in your eyes/Just look into mine.” Toro Y Moi also borrows from hip hop sounds, giving the album some edge and a bit of mystery. On March 24, he’s opening up at Black Cat for pop act The Ruby Suns. With a name that just screams colorful psychedelia, The Ruby Suns are made up of New Zealand natives Ryan McPhun, Alistair Dev-
EAGLE RANTS *@#!3*%! How can I continue to have faith in humanity when there are smart people in the world who can look me in the eye and tell me “Blah Blah Blah” is a good song? AU should expel those two students who were arrested for destroying the recruitment center for behavior unbecoming [of] AU students. So I always thought they were kidding about the guy giving fellatio in the amphitheater. I was walking into the gym, and if the noises from the gardens near the eagle are to be believed, someone is doing something. To the girl last week who called herself a “late bloomer” because she didn’t have a boyfriend until she was 16: What planet are you from? 16 is early bloomer, not late bloomer. I’m 22 and I’ve never been kissed. Q: how many shirtless frat boys does it take to hang up greek week signs?? Just when I thought I couldn’t care less about Student Government... Elections. My Facebook is being violated by all this self-important campaigning. The quad is NOT your personal trashcan. I’m so glad so many people from AU showed up to Funk the War on Friday!! I think AU Activism may
be coming back! Dear AU Student Body, I know that you are all enjoying the fabulous weather, as do I. But pick up your trash from the quad lawn so that I can enjoy laying out tomorrow. I found another reason to be thankful for my boyfriend... midterms sex breaks, I mean, study breaks. Major props to the freshman who swiped me into Tavern last night it was greattttttt. I still think about you basically every day. Fuck. Dear girl who lives upstairs, YOU DO NOT KNOW HOW TO WALK IN HEELS. You should probably just stop wearing them, but at least stop clomping around in them on your carpet-less floor before 8 am. Love, me You know how elementary schools will sometimes give first graders fifth grade “buddies” or the like? Mine is the intern coordinator for one of the congressional offices I’m applying at. I don’t know if it’s karma, but I’m happy nonetheless. I’m so tired of going to American University. Before coming here, I was informed that this was a respectable university of prestige, like Hogwarts.
What is with the quad tonight? Hurray for playing outside but clean up after yourselves!! I don’t understand what is in a person that makes them just get up and walk away without picking their trash up off the ground. It’s disgusting. If you’re going to enjoy the quad, be a grownup about it. People. I’m glad you’re out enjoying the beautiful weather, but please find a more appropriate place to play frisbee/football/soccer. For example: throwing it back and forth across the street, or on the stairs in front of MGC — not okay. A nice empty-ish patch of grass on the beach or the quad — ok. Not that complicated. I’m looking at you, Pike. Enjoying your lunch on the quad on a beautiful day is a lovely thing to do. Leaving your trash behind when you leave is not. I am disgusted by the state of the quad these past days. It is a public space, show some respect for this university and your fellow students and clean up after yourself. I actually like Greek Life. Here’s the problem with Phonathon: All athletes hate AU because they got rid of their sport, nurses hate it because the got rid of their school, ‘90s grads hate it because they’re still paying for it, and older alumni hate it because its liberal. Calling “First-time Donors” is so depressing.
erick and Graham Panther. Formed in 2004, The Ruby Suns are an otherworldly musical experience, creating dreamy space pop that is both indie and world-aware. Think of it as a mash-up between Beach House and Animal Collective. Their 2008 album “Sea Lion” was a nod to African music and culture, but their just-released third album, “Fight Softly,” is a blend of McPhun’s life
... She & Him are all sweetness and lullabies, without ever feeling the need to get clouded down... experiences. It’s a departure from the Sun’s former head-in-theclouds, psychedelic sound. The album is more driven, focusing a lot on McPhun’s vocals, rather than the dreamy ensemble singing on their past records. For those who want simple, summery music, go back and listen to “Sea Lion.” But for fans of the Suns, this album still has a unique and enchanting feel. Their upcoming show with Toro Y Moi is sure to be a frenzy of a dance party, so buy your ticket now. But for those who prefer coun-
try twangs, sweet melodies and songs about sunshine, turn your attention to pop-rock duo She & Him. She is actress and singersongwriter Zooey Deschanel; Him is folk guitarist, M. Ward, who is both a solo performer and member of indie supergroup Monsters of Folk. The duo are unlikely but work marvelously well together, not unlike other actress-musician duos such as Scarlett Johannsen and Pete Yorn. But unlike that duo, She & Him are all sweetness and lullabies, without ever feeling the need to get clouded down in emotions and darkness. Deschanel’s mezzo-soprano voice is thick and buttery, spinning poetic tales of love and dreams. The duo released their debut in 2008, titled “Volume One,” and are releasing their sophomore album, “Volume Two,” on March 23. Deschanel writes the lyrics while Ward concocts the delightful melodies. To add to the cuteness factor, the duo just recently released a music video for their first single, “In The Sun,” which features Deschanel and a group of friends dancing around a high school while singing about hanging out in the sun and trying to work through a stagnant relationship. Deschanel’s wide-eyed innocence is on full display, complete with cutesy, polka-dotted outfits. But though she can’t help but be adorable, Deschanel’s lyrics keep the group from being sickeningly sweet, providing depth and feel-
ing to music that’s otherwise light and fun. The duo have just gone on tour to promote the album but are not coming to D.C. anytime soon. So for now, you’ll have to settle for playing their album in a sun-filled hammock. Perhaps one of the most anticipated releases of the year is that of Broken Bells. The Shins’ James Mercer and producer Brian Burton, better known by his stage name Danger Mouse, joined forces to create an album that combined both of their indie sensibilities and weirdly addictive electronic-pop. Burton has worked with artists like Gorillaz and Beck, and was also one half of the wildly popular Gnarls Barkley. Combined with Mercer, Broken Bells is an indie dream, bringing together some of the best sounds in alt-rock, hip hop and electronic music. Their debut album, “Broken Bells,” was an amalgam of pop and indie rock and is finally something for Shins’ fans to celebrate, since the last time Mercer made music was on the fantastic Shins’ album, “Wincing the Night Away,” released in 2007. The duo have not gone on tour yet, but it is certain that self-respecting indie fans everywhere will clamber to buy tickets as soon as possible. You can reach this staff writer at ydesta@theeagleonline.com.
the EAGLE
MARCH 22, 2010
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