The Eagle — Oct. 26, 2009

HIGH RISER ‘Amelia’ wins hearts as the icon changes the world’s view of females in the skies SCENE page 5

American University's independent student voice since 1925

the EAGLE WWW.THEEAGLEONLINE.COM

NEWS SAVE OUR MAMA EcoSense joins global protest to save “Mother Earth” page 4

EDITORIAL

OCTOBER 26, 2009 VOLUME 84 n ISSUE 18

Burst pipe floods Leonard Pipe fixed, but bathroom still out of service

By ROCIO GONZALEZ Eagle Staff Writer There was a flood in Leonard Hall on Thursday afternoon, Oct. 22, after a hot water pipe broke in the seventh floor’s women’s bath-

room.

The incident occurred around 12:20 p.m., causing a severe flood in the first floor lobby area. Leonard residents were surprised to find a cascade of water pouring down from the ceiling as they entered the residence hall.

Right after water started leaking, a resident went down to the front desk to inform the desk receptionist that the same thing was happening on the fourth floor’s men’s bathroom. The desk receptionist on duty, Resident Assistant Matthew Welsch, immediately

called 2Fix and Resident Director Julie Eller.

Water continued to pour down until water service was turned off in order to repair the problem. Before the water was turned off, empty trash bins were placed underneath the leak, but there was a large amount of water coming down and the trash bins overflowed. Several ceiling tiles were damaged and eventually collapsed. Most of the water on the floor was vacuumed out and fans were placed in the lobby to dry the carpet.

Housing and Dining Programs,

Facilities Management, Aramark and Public Safety responded to the scene. RAs taped fliers to bathroom doors and elevators, informing the students that the water was turned off and asking them to enter and exit the building through McDowell Hall. This prompted some students to go to other areas of campus while the problem was solved.

According to an e-mail Housing and Dining sent to Leonard residents, the fire alarm system and card access panel in Leonard were shut off as part of the repairs,

in order to avoid electric damage.

Housing and Dining asked RAs to conduct “fire walks” until the system was back up the next day, in compliance with Risk Management guidelines.

“Fire walks are continuous rounds of the building to verify safety on the floors and in the common areas,” said the e-mail. “Public Safety officers will conduct regular rounds throughout this event in order to confirm the safety of the building and all residents.” n

see FLOOD on page 4

Steele, Ford Jr. argue health care

PERMIT POT A libertarian case for legalizing marijuana in the United States page 3

SCENE STUCK IN TIME The National Gallery of Art offers snapshots of photo’s history page 5

SPORTS HOPE IS ALIVE Women’s volleyball keeps their postseason chances alive page 8

RAIN GO AWAY Sloppy field makes playing hard for AU men’s soccer team page 8

Both spoke on need for policy reform

By HOWIE PERLMAN Eagle Staff Writer Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele and Democratic Leadership Council Chairman Harold Ford Jr. explored areas of agreement and contention between their political parties on health care reform Oct. 24 at a Kennedy Political Union event hosted in Bender Arena.

Professor James Thurber, who directs AU’s Center for Congressional and Presidential Studies moderated the well-attended discussion.

Steele said he disagrees “with this notion that some Republicans are against the president putting to-

gether health care reform or doing 14, when it was placed on the Union Calendar for upcoming consideranything with health care reform.”

“Nothing could be further from ation by the entirety of the House.

The Senate would also have to the truth,” Steele said. “There have been over 800 individual pieces of pass a bill on health care reform legislation and amendments pro- before President Barack Obama posed in the would have the House that opportunity to eventually led sign into law the to H.R. 3200 ... health care rethat were sumform measures marily rejected under considby the Demoeration in Concratic commitgress.

One out tee chairman.” of every two H.R. 3200, household introduced July bankruptcies in 14 by Rep. John Dingell, Dthe United States Mich., as Amerresults from “ex– Michael Steele ica’s Affordable ploding health RNC Chairman Health Choices care costs,” Ford Act of 2009, is said. Americans the main bill spend about under consideration in the House $2.25 trillion annually on health of Representatives that proposes care, and about 45 million Amerinational health care reform. The lat- cans do not have health insurance, est action taken on the bill was Oct. he said.

“I think Harold and I kind of represent a generational shift in how we like to see our politics engaged ...”

KELSEY DICKEY / THE EAGLE

HEALTHY DEBATE — RNC Chairman Michael Steele and DLC Chairman Harold Ford Jr. entertained parents and students Oct. 24 in Bender Arena.

Ford said he disagrees with people who say the government should not be involved in the delivery of health care in the United States.

n

see KPU on page 4

SG has male majority Student strikes

By LINDSEY ANDERSON Eagle Staff Writer The Undergraduate Senate represents and advocates for AU students, but does the Senate’s makeup reflect the AU student body?

The 5th Undergraduate Senate began this month and will continue through October 2010. The Eagle surveyed by e-mail the new and old senators, asking their majors, issues they want to advocate for this session, their home states, class and more. Here are the results from the 23 senators who responded to the survey: Seven of the senators, or 32 per-

cent, are female. In comparison, more than 62 percent of the AU student body is female, according to the Office of Institutional Research and Assessment.

Alli Zottala, a sophomore in the School of International Service, said even though the Senate does not reflect AU’s female-male ration, women are involved in other organizations on campus.

The Senate is still diverse, she said, since “there are a lot of kids involved who come from different friend groups and are not just from one group of students.”

In addition to few female senators, there are only a few non-Cauca-

sian senators.

There are no students in the Senate with hometowns outside of the United States, while about 6 percent of the AU population is international students, according to the Princeton Review.

President for the Class of 2013 Jose Morales said he was hesitant to say the make-up of the Senate did or did not represent the AU student body.

SG as a whole represents the university well, but the Senate lacks Hispanic and black members, Morales said. n

see SENATE on page 4

THEY REALLY GREW UP

TODAY’S WEATHER

YouTube gold

By BROOKES MAY Eagle Contributing Writer More than 7 million people have watched the YouTube video, “The WTF Blanket,” by Jack Douglass, a senior in the School of Communication.

That’s a lot of people.

That’s the population of Hong Kong, or double the amount of people who visit Yosemite National Park each year. It is also roughly the number of people in prison in the United States, according to the Pew Center.

“Well morons, now there’s hope with the new What the F*** Blan-

ket,” Douglass’ voice says, dripping with irony, over images of people struggling with ordinary blankets.

“The blanket that will ruin your sex life.”

If you haven’t already guessed, he’s talking about the now-infamous Snuggie.

Douglass, a film major from Columbia, Md., lives in a small attic room in an off-campus house with several of his friends, most of whom are also film majors. He edits most of his videos on his MacBook laptop using Final Cut Pro and Garage Band.

His YouTube Channel, Jacksn

see SNUGGIE on page 2

Tuition climbs above U.S. avg.

HI 64° LO 45° Mostly sunny, chance of showers later

By MEG FOWLER Eagle Staff Writer

TUESDAY HI 65° n LO 53°

WEDNESDAY HI 66° n LO 52°

the EAGLE 252 Mary Graydon Center 4400 Massachusetts Ave. N.W. Washington, D.C. 20016 Newsroom: 202-885-1402 Advertising: 202-885-1414, x3 Fax: 202-885-1428 E-mail: editor@theeagleonline.com Classifieds: adbox@theeagleonline.com

“Arguably, the most successful health care program the nation has

CAITLIN E. MOORE / THE EAGLE

Hanson, remembered for the catchy tune “MMMBop,” walked barefoot around AU’s campus last Tuesday, Oct. 20, to raise awareness for children going without shoes in developing countries. See story on pg. 5.

Like universities across the country, AU is asking students and families to dig deeper into their wallets to pay increasing tuition costs.

Nationwide, private schools are raising their tuition totals by an average of $1,096 this fall semester, according to a press release from the College Board.

AU is no different. Both AU’s total tuition amount and its tuition augmentation rate increased this year — even more than the national average reported by the College Board.

AU’s tuition rose by $1,640 from its $32,816 tuition for the 2008-2009 academic year to $34,456 for full-time students this academic year, according to the AU Student Accounts Web site.

In addition, the rate at which AU

increased its tuition for the academic year 2008-2009 was 5.9 percent, 1.5 percentage points higher than the College Board’s estimated national average rate for private universities of 4.4 percent, according to the AU Budget for fiscal years 2010 to 2011.

However, in addition to tuition increases, AU has also allotted more financial aid spending in its budget.

From FY2008 to FY2009, AU increased its total financial aid amount by 5.4 percent, and for the FY2010 budget, AU expects to increase its total available financial aid again by 6.9 percent.

Claire Rychlewski, a freshman in the School of Communication, was offered the largest financial package at AU out of all of the schools where she applied, which she said motivated her to enroll. n

see TUITION on page 4

the EAGLE

OCTOBER 26, 2009

news 2

MON 26

TUES 27

WED 28

THURS 29

FRI 30

SAT 31

Lecture: “Opening Communication in North Korea” WHEN: 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.

WHERE: Ward 2 INFO: Eunjung Park of Open Radio for North Korea will be speaking about the importance of opening lines of communication with everyday North Koreans and giving them information about news beyond their borders.

CONTACT: For more information, email Jennifer Anderson at jennifer. anderson@american.edu.

“AU Battles Breast Cancer AllYou-Can-Eat Dinner Fundraiser” WHEN: 6 - 8 p.m.

WHERE: School of International Service Lounge INFO: Help AU battle breast cancer by treating yourself to an allyou-can-eat dinner fundraiser.

Tickets will be $5 for all-you-caneat and $10 to eat and fill a to-go container.

CONTACT: For more information, e-mail Colleges Against Cancer at AmericanCAC@gmail.com.

Lecture: “Keynesian Stimulus in the 21st Century” WHEN: 5 - 6:30 p.m.

WHERE: Ward 2 INFO: Jared Bernstein, the chief economic advisor to Vice President Joe Biden, will speak on the Recovery Act and how it has affected America.

CONTACT: For more information, email the Economics Department at econ@american.edu.

National Geographic Documentary Screening WHEN: 6 - 9 p.m.

WHERE: SIS Lounge INFO: The Africa Council will host a screening of Michael Davie’s documentary on child soldiers in the Congo. A question and answer session with Davie will follow the screening.

CONTACT: For more information, call SIS at 202-885-1600.

SUB Cinema: “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” WHEN: 11:59 p.m.

WHERE: Mary Graydon Center Tavern INFO: Just in time for Halloween, the Student Union Board presents a showing of the cult classic “The Rocky Horror Picture Show.”

CONTACT: For more information, e-mail SUB at sub@ausg.org.

Women’s Soccer vs. U.S. Naval Academy WHEN: 1 - 3 p.m.

WHERE: Reeves Field INFO: Come out and cheer on the women’s soccer team as they play the U.S. Naval Academy.

CONTACT: For more information, email Nancy Yasharoff at nancy.yasharoff@american.edu.

Senator knocks Poli Sci

By SARAH RUDNICK Eagle Staff Writer Political science, a field widely studied by AU students, is not worth federal support according to Sen. Tom A. Coburn, R-Okla., who proposed an amendment to cancel its funding Oct. 7.

In a controversial statement during the debate, Coburn said the federal grants for political-science research nourish debt that would “waterboard” future generations of children.

The proposal has caused severe backlash among the American Political Science Association, according to The Chronicle of Higher Education. Some members believe that even if it does not pass, its mere existence undermines social sciences’ value and place in society.

At AU, 42 percent of students are pursuing a degree in the social sciences, according to collegeboard.com.

Coburn believes the National Science Foundation should be giving its money to the “hard” sciences, such as math and engineering, said Don Tatro, his press secretary.

The senator does not believe political science falls under NSF’s mission, which includes promoting breakthroughs to help people with disabilities, he said.

“What’s interesting is that the political scientists have become the very people they’re researching,” Tatro said.

APSA is now lobbying to keep the funding, which Coburn claims the government does not possess, he said.

“The reason the amendment exists is a listing of priorities,” Tatro said. “We don’t have money to be spending — on anything. They’re just pointing a finger and saying, ‘We need our money.’”

Karen O’Connor, a political science professor at AU, said she believes one of the reasons Coburn is

opposed to the funding is because of its insular nature. NSF typically only distributes funding to large or prestigious universities, such as the University of Michigan’s American National Election Studies, she said.

Therefore, a smaller school such as AU has almost no chance of receiving funds.

Additionally, O’Connor said political scientists do not want to be objectified, because they do, in fact, use science in their profession.

“It’s an easy target for him,” she said.

Peter Zuk, a graduate of the School of Public Affairs with a political science degree, does not regret his choice of study.

“I think government studies are an essential part of a basic liberal arts education. It’s an important degree,” he said. “It’s no different from studying economics, communication. It’s just a focus.”

When looking for a job, Zuk said it was useful to have a politi-

cal science degree because of the massive political culture in D.C. For example, if he was applying to work in the office of a member of Congress, having a background in political science would show he understood the nature of the job.

“I understand where [Coburn] is coming from because many people see political science as a throwaway, pre-law degree,” he said.

O’Connor said AU students do not need to worry much about the amendment significantly affecting them if it does pass. Most people fund their political science projects using other sources and the federal funding usually ends up going to graduate rather than undergraduate programs.

“I would say stick with it,” Zuk said. “It really helps you understand the political process.”

You can reach this staff writer at srudnick@theeagleonline.com.

YIPIN LU / THE EAGLE

MORE MONEY, NO PROBLEMS — Josh Tetrick, former staffer to President Bill Clinton and Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, spoke Oct. 23 on how to thrive financially and make a positive difference in the world. “This is not a story about charity,” he said. “This is a story about how you can thrive.”

n

Do-gooders can make bank, too

from WTF on page 1

By STEFANIE DAZIO Eagle Contributing Writer

Courtesy of JACK DOUGLASS

WTF? — Jack Douglass, a senior in the School of Communication, earns nearly $2,000 a month from his YouTube channel Jacksfilms. His biggest hit, “The WTF Blanket,” has over 7 million views and is a parody of the now-infamous Snuggie. Here Douglass models two of his personal Snuggie collection. n

from SNUGGIE on page 1

films, has 62,688 subscribers and he is a partner member of Google AdSense, raking in some $2,000 a month in revenue from ads Google runs on and around his videos. “[The ads] usually have something to do with the key words in the video,” Douglass said. “Ironically, one time the WTF blanket had Snuggie ads next to it, which was great.”

The Snuggie is a blanket with arms that comes in several shades and colors, including zebra print.

It’s a popular item in the infomercial world, where “some dumb***** have paid as much as 60 dollars for the What the F*** Blanket,” as the video puts it.

It’s designed so the wearer can, as stated in Douglass’s stinging satire, “Color a book, drink some tea and hold a baby. You know, things you couldn’t do with a regular blanket.”

Douglass’ witty exploitation of this couch potato’s dream has

EAGLE RANTS I really do think I’m better than a lot of people in the sense that most people are really boring and have no personality.

The supervisors in the Phonathon don’t understand that a 20 minute break is not enough time to harvest all my crops in Farmville!!!!

The only reason I work at the Phonathon is to talk to good characters and see if I can marry a rich man.

earned him quite a YouTube fan base. Through a feature on YouTube that tracks the demographics of video viewers, Douglass can tell where his viewers are, how old they are, what gender they are, and how popular each individual video is.

“Oddly enough, a lot of my viewers are teenage girls,” Douglas said.

A fact to which his friend Tina Steier, a senior in the College of Arts and Sciences, can attest to firsthand.

“I was in Bed Bath and Beyond once,” she said. “When I walked by the display of Snuggies I heard these girls talking about “The WTF Blanket” video. That’s when I realized how popular it had gotten.”

That popularity can be put into perspective when looking at other successful viral videos: “The WTF Blanket” has 36 million fewer views than “Chocolate Rain,” 20 million fewer than “Leave Britney Alone,” 7 million fewer than “Star Wars Kid,” and a good 3 million more than “Boom Goes the Dynamite.”

I wish you would get your head out of your ass and stop thinking you’re better than everyone. I don’t care who you are or what sport you play; you’re a bitch and no one likes you.

It’s been featured on cnn.com, Collegehumor.com, todaysbigthing.com and countless other smaller blogs.

“There’s definitely a formula to what Jack’s done,” said Chris Trice, a senior in SOC who has acted in several of Douglass’ videos. “I don’t think he really knows what that formula is per se, but whatever he’s doing, it’s working.”

Douglass launched his YouTube channel in 2006. It did not reach 100 subscribers until nearly two years later. It’s hard to establish an initial fan base, according to Douglass, but once you do they can add up pretty quickly.

“I made [The WTF Blanket video] in just a few hours,” Douglass said. “I was bored and wanted to make fun of something. I didn’t even own a Snuggie then but I did get one later, two actually ... only for the purposes of the videos. I swear I don’t wear them ... they ruin your sex life.”

Douglass’ other popular videos include, “WTF Blanket 2,” “WTF

Blanket 3,” iPhone parodies, MacBook parodies, The Wimpy Boy Band series and the “Jesus Christ Sponge,” which is “the only sponge that will make you cry, Jesus Christ that’s neat!”

Douglass says these videos are an income source, a hobby and a way to beef up his resume and gain filmmaking experience. He hopes to write, direct and act in his own feature film someday. He has tentative plans to move to Los Angeles after graduation where his viral video success might give him an edge in the competitive film industry.

But for now, he’s content making teenage girls giggle through their braces at his clever abuse of bathrobe-blanket-hybrids that has millions asking “What the F***?”

Bender is expensive. Be thankful for the concerts you do get.

give a shit.

People working in those semitransparent cubicles on the first floor of the library: they are not sound proof and you are still in a library. Speak accordingly.

I am too drunk to be at work right now.

Of course the fire alarm was set off

by Leo 7. Who else?

Phonathon ... just five more hours of phone calls and those Uggs are mine.

To whoever complained about SUB last week, shut your mouth. We put on countless concerts in the tavern for FREE every month. Booking

I expected that people here would care about school, then I realized that all the former private school kids riding daddy’s visa don’t

You can reach this writer at news@theeagleonline.com.

Abstinence is very easily practiced for straight women at AU. I miss Juicy Campus. If I’m not destroying someone else’s reputation, I don’t know how to spend my free time.

Thanks to Eagle Rants, I no longer need cocaine.

It’s called covering your mouth when you cough. It isn’t that hard, you disgusting proles.

Most college students think it is nearly impossible to “save the world” and make money while doing it. Not true, said Josh Tetrick, who formerly worked for President Bill Clinton and President of Liberia Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.

Tetrick, a Cornell University graduate, also led a United Nations initiative in Kenya.

People have to understand the paradox that “selflessness is profitable,” Tetrick, 29, of Pennsylvania, said at the final School of International Service Week event, co-sponsored by the SIS Undergraduate Council and the 2011 Class Council.

“This is not a story about charity,” he said to an audience of eight, Oct. 23. “This is a story about how you can thrive. This is not necessarily about giving your life away.”

Tetrick currently runs TelosWorks, a business that “helps companies invest in clean energy ... in some of the poorest countries in the world,” he said.

He advised audience members individually on how to get op-

portunities that correspond with their respective passions.

Rebecca Kern, a freshman in the School of International Service, said she is interested in working with the World Trade Organization and the World Court System.

For her, Tetrick suggested she work with Integrated Framework, a company that “helps the least developed countries ... develop ... trade capacity.”

“A lot of the speakers are about just helping out,” Kern said.

However, Tetrick’s speech was about making money too, she said, calling it “the best of both worlds.”

Students can “be financially sound and make a difference at the same time,” Tetrick said.

For students in need of opportunities and internships, Tetrick suggested three Web sites: idealist.org, Good Magazine’s www. good.is and www.change.org. He also said students are free to email him at joshtetrick@gmail. com.

You can reach this writer at news@theeagleonline.com.

EDITORIAL

OCTOBER 26, 2009

GRAHAM VYSE n Editorial Page Editor EdPage@TheEagleOnline.com

JEN CALANTONE n Editor in Chief Editor@TheEagleOnline.com

The time has come for marijuana to be legal in the U.S. GIVE ME LIBERTY

MICHAEL STUBEL The possession and transfer of marijuana were deemed illegal in the United States with the passage of the Marijuana Tax Act in 1937.

For the “reformers” it was hailed as a great accomplishment. Yet, strikingly similar to the experiences of alcohol prohibition, the demand and use of marijuana did not disappear from legislative action. The 1960s were to the marijuana reform movement as the late 1920s were to prohibition opponents.

With resentment and bitterness in the air, a culture of defiance grew from social unrest. Marijuana use rose dramatically during the 1960s while the federal government rushed to respond.

On a more practical level, drug laws continue to inflict damning consequences on the sustainability of America’s criminal justice system. Excessive penalties for drug offenses are a leading culprit of our overcrowded prison system, with the vast majority of prisoners serving time for nonviolent crimes. Most of these offenders, deprived of education and rehabilitation programs in prison, will be released with their chances of recidivism alarmingly high. Forms of legalization and sentence liberalization would reduce drug arrests by as many as one million per year and eliminate tens of billions of dollars spent on drug enforcement. In response to prohibitionist fear tactics, reformers would be wise to stress such fiscal statistics to expose conservative hypocrisy.

Numerous studies show that mandatory sentencing measures crowd prisons with low-level users and increase public expenditures on trial proceedings.

Conversely, from an enforcement perspective, countless officers have lost their lives or been seriously injured in pursuit of narcotics, no matter the size of the haul.

Just as disturbing are the reports of

persistent corruption within police departments across the country in relation to the drug trade. From New York City Police Department to the Drug Enforcement Agency, numerous officers and bureaucrats have been exposed for their hypocrisy through charges of drug use, smuggling and trafficking. The truth remains that some drug enforcers are tempted by the money associated with the illicit trade and have used their posts to engage and conceal in activities that they allegedly spend their lives fighting. Therefore, the drug enforcers, both police and prosecutors, have evolved as unlikely but unique victims of the drug war.

Other countries handle drug debate differently than the United States. For example, the Dutch had long viewed marijuana as a “stepping-stone” drug, but not for the same reasons that this opinion is held in the United States. In essence, laws prohibiting marijuana had forced its market into the criminal arena. Their reasoning was not based on the drug’s chemical qualities, but rather that its prohibition meant it was being sold in the same place and by the same dealers of hard drugs. Subsequent reforms reduced penalties on marijuana possession, thus ushering in age of moderation and control.

Both criminal justice officials and drug experts in Holland believe that they have largely solved the marijuana problem because studies show that use among Dutch youth has decreased since the 1970s and legalization has taken away a once valuable form of defiance.

The consistent theme that binds the histories of the alcohol and marijuana prohibition movements is the distinct failure of federal enforcement. While Washington has refused to cede control of marijuana policy, successful enforcement methods have never materialized despite increased police powers.

Michael Stubel is a junior in the School of Public Affairs and the School of Communication and a moderate libertarian columnist for The Eagle. You can reach him at edpage@theeagleonline.com.

CASEY PETROFF One of the best things about this city are its museums. Thanks to tax dollars paid by the rest of country, many of them are free and open to anyone who can get through security. Recently, I took advantage of the generous contributions of my fellow countrymen and took my visiting mother on a kind of historical tour.

We stopped by the Thomas Jefferson Building at the Library of Congress, which is one of my favorite buildings in D.C., simply because of how over-the-top it is. Built in the 1890s, it’s a splendid example of Gilded Age architecture and decorating from a time when the prevailing aesthetic philosophy seemed to be “Stick a facade on anything that stands still long enough to have a facade stuck on it — then paint it orange.”

The 1890s were a wild decade in American history. As the country moved toward discovering movies, automobiles and ragtime, the Library’s architects cast their gazes backward to Ancient Greece and Rome and proceeded to slap mythological motifs on every available surface. In a time of economic crisis beginning in 1893, they goldplated columns and put in elaborate stained glass ceilings. My mother and I also dropped by the National Portrait Gallery. Before the art gallery moved in, the building on F and 8th Streets housed the Old Patent Office Building, an impromptu Civil War hospital and the Bureau of Indian Affairs. The great poet Walt Whitman worked at the Bureau of Indian Affairs as a clerk until he

Making tough tuition decisions Students and their families are understandably concerned that the university has raised tuition fees. But AU has generally made good financial decisions in this recession.

Times are tough.

Our national economy is on the mend, but Americans are still reeling from the worse recession since the Great Depression. Healing will be slow. Recovery is a long way off. In this economic environment, the last phrase families paying college bills want to hear right now are the words “tuition increase.”

That’s why it’s too bad AU’s tuition went up $1,640 this year, increasing by 5 percent. That spike is even greater than the national average among private

schools, which is $1,096.

No one is pleased by any of this. College is expensive enough. But the truth is, AU has done an excellent job managing its money during these tough economic times and the university deserves recognition. Tuition has risen, and it will continue to rise, but AU is making a real effort to continue increasing its financial aid. The administration is doing everything it can to accommodate students whose families have been hit hard by the recession.

AU has also managed to accomplish a great deal during the recession that improves the quality of an AU education. New professors have been hired. New positions have been created, for example, in the Office of the Provost. AU is still creating jobs.

Meanwhile, the demand for an AU education has increased, not decreased. There have been more prospective students on campus this year than last year.

So, are AU’s tuition hikes painful? Absolutely. But there

Thumbs up to ...

Students, parents can discover and dream at D.C.’s museums MIDDLE OF THE ROAD

Courtesy of MCT CAMPUS

was fired because of his controversial book of poems Leaves of Grass, which contains his 1865 elegy for Lincoln, “When Lilacs Last in the Dooryard Bloom’d.” At the building where Whitman once worked, there is currently a collection of Lincoln paraphernalia relating to his second Inaugural Ball, assassination and funeral. Looking at the faded photos of the Lincoln’s funeral procession calls to mind Whitman’s description of the “coffin that passes through lanes and streets ... With the pomp of the inloop’d flags, with the cities draped in black.” As you read those works, history doesn’t seem so distant.

The main attraction of the National Portrait Gallery is, of course, the portraits. There are certainly famous portraits of our leaders —Washington standing around in his Continental Army uniform and Lincoln sitting in a chair looking appropriately contemplative. These are images that show up in pretty much any American history textbook ever printed and they are nailed to the wall of this gallery for our viewing pleasure. Getting close enough to actually see the artists’ brush strokes is the kind of experience that sends shivers down the spines of history buffs.

For many of us, myself included, the opportunity to live in Washington, D.C. is the chance of a lifetime.

The eyes of the country and the world watch this place. History lines its walls and fills its crevices. It’s like nowhere else in the world. And, for four years at least, it’s our city, in which to discover and dream.

Casey Petroff is a freshman in the School of International Service and a moderate liberal columnist for The Eagle. You can reach her at edpage @theeagleonline.com.

... pumpkin-flavored food products. This fall at Starbucks, we’re sipping pumpkin spice lattes.

At Einstein Bagels, we’re spreading pumpkin cream cheese on pumpkin bagels.

At the Cheesecake Factory we’re swapping Factory Original for Pumpkin Pecan. Many of us are enjoying adult beverages like Harvest Moon Pumpkin Ale. One thing’s for sure: this festive fall flavor is one of the few silver linings to the end of summer. ...

Hanson.

The Mmmboppers came to campus this past Tuesday as part of their “Talk the Walk” campaign to provide

are 39 top schools in this country that cost more per year in tuition than AU (including a certain university located in downtown D.C., named for a certain Founding Father, which charges an additional $7,000).

AU has done relatively well in this recession, managing money effectively and providing an excellent education that continues to be held in high esteem across the country and around the world.

Things could be worse.

Thumbs down to ...

aid to Africa. Unfortunately for AU’s large female population, each member of the ‘90s pop trio is married with children. Still, the brothers’ visit afforded AU students an enjoyable trip down memory lane. Oh, elementary school nostalgia! ... sadtrombone.com.

Feeling disappointed?

Think something is an “epic fail”? If so, visit this site. It features a big orange button, which, when clicked, plays that ironic “Wah, Wah, Wah, Wahhh” sound.

It’s a simple concept, but it might be the best thing to hit the Internet since “The WTF Blanket” viral video on YouTube.

... Michael Steele re-naming his blog. The RNC chairman, who frequently employs hip-hop slang to varying degrees of success, launched a personal blog on the new GOP.com entitled “What Up,” only to rename it “Change the Game.” What a cop-out! If you’re going to be the guy who offers Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal “slum love” and plans an “off the hook” PR campaign for Republicans, you might as well use “What Up.” At least you’ll get political points for consistency. ... seasonal depression.

Those beautiful leaves are going to fall off the trees, autumn is going to end and finals will be upon us, and our lives are going to go to shit. No matter how many trendy scarves or cardigans you

might own, or how good those Ugg boots may seem to look — autumn really sucks. So what if we get an extra hour of sleep next week. It’s going to be dark at 4:30 in the afternoon. We’ll be inside, alone in the dark and counting the days till spring. ... Leonard flood. The Eagle received a tip last week that said Noah was planning on revamping the arc and heading to Leonard Hall to rescue every poor, helpless, drowning resident. OK, not exactly. But, what a bummer to be in Leonard last week during the Great Flood of 2009. It’s bad enough when it rains outside, but in the privacy of one’s own residence hall — talk about miserable.

CORRECTION In “Equal Bounce for All” published Oct. 22, The Eagle incorrectly suggested in a photo caption that pumpkins were sold at the “Diversival.” Those pumpkins were in fact sold in a separate event held by Alpha Kappa Psi. The Eagle regrets the error.

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OCTOBER 26, 2009

Students review Kindle

By JULIA RYAN Eagle Staff Writer Amazon.com gave over 200 college students at various institutions a free copy of its e-book reader, the Kindle, this fall, but the students had mixed feelings about Kindle’s features.

Kindle, an e-book reader sold exclusively through Amazon, weighs 10 ounces and has a width of one-third of an inch — roughly the width of a pencil, according to Amazon.com. The original Kindle can hold about 1,500 books while the newest version of the Kindle, Kindle DX, can hold over 3,500 books. The Kindle does not need to be connected to a computer and can download books over its wireless network, according to Amazon.com. The original Kindle retails for $259, and the Kindle DX costs $489.

Some of the students given free Kindles by Amazon said that they liked being able to have all of their textbooks for one semester in one place, according to an article in USA Today. They also liked the fact that they could wirelessly download new books anytime. But other students complained about the Kindle’s lack of highlighting capabilities, its tiny, hard-to-use keyboard and

the fact that the Kindle does not show a book’s page numbers.

Members of the AU community were divided over whether or not Kindle would be useful to the average AU student.

University Librarian Bill Mayer said Bender Library has recently acquired four Kindle DXs for testing and loaning. The library will be offering these Kindles for loan through the copy center sometime in the near future. Students will also be able to download free popular fiction content on the Kindles through Bender Library.

Mayer said that he was excited for the possibility of Bender Library moving forward with ebook technology.

“I think mobile readers for electronic content is a very good idea,” Mayer said. “I think that 2010 is going be a major year of evolution with e-book readers.”

However, it would be hard to integrate Kindles into AU academics because many of the textbooks required by faculty are not yet available through Kindle, Mayer said.

William LeoGrande, dean of the School of Public Affairs, pointed to this lack of availability as one of the Kindle’s biggest

weaknesses, along with its unwieldy features.

“I don’t think the Kindle technology is quite ready for primetime,” LeoGrande said. “The problems students have taking notes on it are a serious drawback. Not all textbooks are available yet, and students will still have to use their computers for e-reserves.”

LeoGrande said that while Kindles may rise in popularity in the near future, SPA will continue to give students the option of using hardcover textbooks.

Kristi Cole, the manager of the AU Campus Store, said the bookstore would not be selling Kindles anytime soon because Follett, the bookstore’s parent company, already offers digital textbooks through CafeScribe. CafeScribe allows students to use their laptops or computers to download textbooks to the CafeScribe ereader where they can highlight content and make notes right on the page, according to Cole.

Though CafeScribe digital books were not a big sell this fall, the Campus Store would promote digital books more this spring with a focus on how digital books save students money, Cole said.

Emily Hunter, a senior in the

School of International Service and the College of Arts and Sciences, said she could see numerous benefits to having her textbooks on a Kindle.

“A Kindle would be environmentally friendly — think how much paper you would be saving by not using textbooks,” Hunter said. “The Kindle would also be easy to carry around and it would be convenient to have all my textbooks in one place.”

Cori Zantanella, a junior in SIS, saw this convenience as more of a safety issue.

“What if someone steals [the Kindle]?” Zantella asked. “What if it breaks? It’s not reliable.”

Zantella said she does not think Kindle has enough advantages over regular books for her to make the switch.

“I don’t like reading on a screen, and I wouldn’t be able to make notes or highlight anything [on a Kindle],” Zantella said. “I just like traditional books better.”

You can reach this staff writer at jryan@theeagleonline.com.

GRAPHIC BY LINDSEY ANDERSON / THE EAGLE

SG REPRESENT — Many senators plan to advocate for increased sustainability at AU, shuttle changes, meal plan reform and improved housing (left). The majority of senators are in the School of Public Affairs with 14 (right). The School of International Service has four senators, three are from the College of Arts and Sciences, one from the School of Communication and none from the Kogod School of Business. This chart does not reflect senators confirmed Sunday, Oct. 25. n

from SENATE on page 1

“I would not place the fault on the Senate because it all counts on people who want to run [for Senate seats],” he said.

The SG Senate reflects the U.S. Senate, which has only a few minority senators, Morales said.

“If more males are interested in SG, they have got to be able to reach out to female constituents,”

n

he said. “If they are only going to listen to their male, Caucasian constituents, that’s a huge problem.”

The top issues the senators said they are going to advocate for are sustainability, housing, the shuttle system and meal plans. Lowering the Zipcar age limit to 18-yearsold and improving dialogue with administration were also popu-

lar issues the senators said they would like to work on.

The majority of the SG senate members, 63 percent, have majors in the School of Public Affairs.

There are currently no senators in the Kogod School of Business and only one from the School of Communication. Three senators are in the College of Arts and Sciences and four are in the School of In-

waterfall in Leonard,’ and I wanted to go check it out, but once I got out of class the water had been cut off and they were working on seeing what the problem was,” she said.

As of Thursday evening, repairs had been completed and water service had been restored, although the ceiling tiles that collapsed in the lobby have not been replaced and there are still fans drying the lobby’s carpet.

All bathrooms in Leonard are in order, “except for the seventh floor

women’s bathroom, where cosmetic work will be done over the next several days to repair the damage,” said Sophia Z. Benedicktus, assistant director of operations, in the e-mail sent to Leonard residents.

“Girls weren’t allowed to use the bathroom until Saturday. However, we still can’t shower there until further notice,” Cabrer said.

ternational Service.

Most senators are in the Class of 2012, with nine senators. The Class of 2010 has six and is closely followed by the Class of 2013 with five. The Class of 2011 lags with only four senators at press time.

You can each this staff writer at landerson@theeagleonline.com.

news 4

EcoSense asks media to cover climate change

By ALLIE MEYER Eagle Contributing Writer AU’s club for environmental sustainability, EcoSense, set up camp on Oct. 23 across the street from NBC Studios to spread knowledge about climate control and participate in Global 350 Day. The group was counting down the time until Oct. 24, Global 350 Day, also known as the International Day of Climate Action.

The group planned to be outside NBC from 3 p.m. on Friday to 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, but its action was shut down by the Secret Service after four hours. Alex Thorp, a sophomore in the School of International Service and the congressional watchdog for EcoSense, said the Japanese Embassy allowed them to stay but the three Secret Service agents that arrived told them they had to cross the street and get off of Japanese Embassy territory.

“With the Japanese security head deciding not to correct the Secret Service agents, we had no choice but to pack up and take all the stuff back,” he said. “We returned a few minutes later with only the poster-board signs and stood outside of NBC.” Thorp said EcoSense stayed there for a few more hours and talked with several NBC employees who agreed to mention the 350 March to people who were higher up in the station.

People in 181 countries participated in over 5,200 350 Day events around the world. This was the “most widespread day of environmental action in the planet’s history,” according to 350.org.

In Washington, D.C., a march was organized from Malcolm X Park in Columbia Heights to Lafayette Park.

Participants marched through the pouring rain with signs, megaphones and a 350-foot fabric banner signed by people all over the country and stretching.

Thorp explained why the number 350 was emphasized. “[Three hundred fifty] parts per million of carbon dioxide is the safe level for the atmosphere to avoid catastrophic climate change,” he said. “[Three hundred fifty] parts per million is what scientists are saying is a necessary level but in international negotiations they believe 450 will still be safe.”

EcoSense President Drew Veysey, a senior in the College of Arts and Sciences and the School of Public Affairs, is frustrated that people are

not taking the 350 level seriously and choosing to disregard what scientists have announced.

“We should have scientifically based targets, you can’t bargain science,” he said.

EcoSense chose to set up across from NBC studios Oct. 23 to raise awareness that climate control and the 350 level have been lacking media coverage. The group’s tagline was “This is what’s happening around the world, why aren’t you covering it?”

The screen projected images of other groups’ actions around the world, and they continued adding more as the movement grew.

On Oct. 24, EcoSense participated in the march in the heart of the city. The march to the White House on Saturday included hundreds of supporters and many environmental groups. Before the march, people gathered at Malcolm X Park and listened to speakers and performers while also getting more information from the environmental groups that set up tables in the park.

One of the organizations, Friends of the Earth, is a national environmental organization dedicated to preserving the health and diversity of the planet for future generations.

“We have a high level of ambition for all the countries involved [in the Climate Control actions]. We know we’ll have to keep fighting for many years to accomplish an effective global climate,” said Elizabeth Bast, a member of Friends of the Earth.

The group marched through pouring rain down 16th Street, chanting phrases like “Rain or Shine!

We’ve got 350 on the mind!” or “Come on Obama! We’ve got to save our mama!”

Amanda Becker, a freshman in the School of International Service, said the march through the rain was inspiring.

“Even though it was raining, everyone was really into it and that was pretty cool to see,” she said. “Right behind me was a six-year-old boy chanting at the top of his lungs. That just shows how important this is, that people of all different generations have been affected by climate change and they realize that it is such an important part of our lives. It’s more important than anything else; I mean there won’t be anything else to worry about if we don’t even have a planet.”

You can reach this writer at news@theeagleonline.com.

from FLOOD on page 1

Leonard resident Laura Harris, a junior in the College of Arts and Sciences, was told the water was off when she came back to the residence hall around 3:30 p.m.

“I got my stuff and went over to MGC,” she said.

Seventh floor resident Camila Cabrer, a sophomore in the School of Communication, was in class when the pipe broke.

“My roommate texted me ‘there’s a

n

ever known is a governmentrun program called Medicare,” Ford said. “So for those who believe government cannot efficiently administer a health care system, I would put forward that as at least some evidence that there is at least hope, if not reality, that government, when managed correctly, can be involved in the health care system with private enterprise in a way that is efficient and in a way that is smart.”

Steele criticized the Obama administration’s approach to health care reform for moving too quickly. Taking additional time to consider the ramifications of aspects of health care reform could result in a bill that would provide greater benefits to Americans, he said.

“Why do we need to rush this thing through when we can take our time and come up with the type of bill that, yeah, it’s going to create a little pain for both sides, but ultimately is going to benefit the American people?” Steele

You can reach this staff writer at rgonzalez@theeagleonline.com.

GO HOHENSEE IN 2012?

n

KELSEY DICKEY / THE EAGLE

Rick Hohensee of Maryland began “running for president” in 2004. He “revised” the constitution to be able to run for president. He promises to end the “genocide business” and stop government “looting.”

from KPU on page 1

from TUITION on page 1

“I think it was the best decision I could have made,” Rychlewski said. “It’s been great so far.”

Janis Young, Rychlewski’s mother who was at AU for Parents’ Weekend, was very happy about the financial award that AU offered her daughter because the nationwide tuition increases are indicating that other schools are struggling financially, she said.

“But if tuition is going up, you’ve got to wonder about that [at AU] too,” Young said. “I’m all for tuition not going up, but who wouldn’t be?”

Paige Carney was also at AU for Parents’ Weekend to visit her son, Todd Carney, a freshman in the School of Public Affairs, and she recognized the difficulty the economy is posing for both institutions and families.

“If my costs go up, I’m sure the university’s costs are going up,” Paige Carney said. “Where do

asked.

Both speakers called for greater collaboration between the Democratic and Republican parties to advance the interests of the United States.

“I think Harold and I kind of represent a generational shift in how we like to see our politics engaged: the free spirit and discussion of ideas back and forth,” Steele said. “We don’t want to have to go to those places that have taken us off of having an intelligent discussion that may actually lead to some sound solutions.”

Ford said level-headed elements within both parties can help lead the way in making the federal government work more effectively for its citizens.

“When government acts in a smart, rational way — when we don’t allow the voices from the left who are nutty, and the voices from the right who are nutty, to dominate the conversation — we get good government, and that’s the direction we should be headed,” Ford said.

they cut [costs]? I don’t know. It’s a tough thing.”

“Private schools have it tougher because they don’t have the tax base to help pay.”

– Jim Carney Parent of an AU student

Government aid has also been adjusted for the rising costs. Federal grant aid per undergraduate student increased an average of 3.4 percent per year during the decade from academic year 19981999 through academic year

The discussion between Steele and Ford was the latest in a series of KPU events that took place during AU’s annual Family and Alumni Weekend.

Brad Barbour, a freshman in the School of Public Affairs who attended the event with his family, said the event reflected the spirit of AU. “I think that American University has a reputation for political activism and I think the best way to show people what the university is like is by having such a politically involved event,” Barbour said, noting the numerous claps and cheers throughout Ford and Steele’s discussion. “It was obvious that there was a lot of engagement here ... and it was good for the parents to see that their investment is justified.”

You can reach this staff writer at hperlman@theeagleonline.com.

2008-2009, according to the College Board.

Jim Carney, Todd’s father, thinks the government should continue “more of the same” with its tax breaks and deductions for universities.

“Rising costs are inevitable in education, as anything else,” Jim Carney said. “Private schools have it tougher because they don’t have the tax base to help pay ... so the costs to individuals are higher.”

However, Todd has enjoyed his first semester at AU so far because of the community service opportunities and other activities available for the students. “[AU] has definitely been worth the investment,” Todd said.

You can reach this staff writer at mfowler@theeagleonline.com.

OCTOBER 26, 2009

THE EAGLE'S ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT SECTION

Gallery creates flashback with photo exhibit NGA tells history of pictures

By ALI GOLDSTEIN Eagle Staff Writer

Courtesy of KEN WORONER

FLYING HIGH — Hilary Swank plays the world-renowned Amelia Earhart in her latest film, “Amelia.” Chronicling not only her successes but also her struggles in trying to fly in a male-dominated world, “Amelia” shows the literal ups and downs of women in aviation.

‘Amelia’ wins hearts

By BRYAN KOENIG Eagle Contributing Writer AMELIA

B-

“Amelia” is certainly shiny and well-acted enough to be a major motion picture about one of the most well-known Americans of the 20th century. But as vivid and welldone as the film is, it tells a story more than it creates a life, a legend or an adventure. While certainly historical, “Amelia” just doesn’t have any of the qualities you might call historic.

Showcasing all the major events of her life, Hilary Swank energetically takes on the role of Amelia Earhart, perhaps the most famous aviator in American history. Referred to in the press as “Lady Lindy” (in reference to Charles Lindbergh), the movie does well in proving Earhart as an aviator in her own right

— one who shattered records and presuppositions about which gender belongs in the cockpit.

Swank and cast (including Richard Gere and Ewan McGregor), do an admirable job, but as likeable as the film is, it does only a good — not great — job of conveying the timeless, titanic life of such a universally-renowned figure.

Perhaps the film’s (and Swank’s) best accomplishment is in the portrayal of Earhart as a woman sometimes unsure of her ability and often doubtful of her own femininity, but still strong enough that the audience readily accepts her determination to keep flying despite financial woes, physical dangers and the limits placed on female pilots in a male-dominated world. Fortunately, the film never bogs itself down in any one theme. While obviously feminist, it does not flaunt it, preferring to tell the story of Earhart’s life rather than using it as a vehicle for promoting a cause.

Though Swank has a strong per-

formance, neither she nor the editing of the film are anything one might call Oscar-worthy. There is nothing wrong with Gere, McGregor or anyone else’s performance, for that matter. But though audiences are likely to see good actors doing an amicable job, we always remember that this is a production, not a whole new universe sprouting before our eyes or a trip through space-time to the 1930s. Instead, it is a well-told story of 1930s America and the effect it had on Earhart and her flying — a woman in a man’s world who had to mercilessly promote herself and her products in order to make enough money to finance her next trip aloft.

The problem with telling a story instead of creating an all-encompassing world is that in the latter, we truly feel the motivation behind the characters. The best explanation we get in the entire film about why Earhart wants to fly is for the same reason a man rides a horse — “because he wants to.” Otherwise, there are

simple tidbits about freedom and love of the skies, but rarely do they become much more than words.

There are times where the film breaks the cardinal rule of showing rather than telling, sinking into exposition with little to no context as a way of fleshing out details.

“Amelia” is a good biography, not shy of showing its subject for all her faults and scandals, doing well to convey her life and the times in which she conquered the skies. Perhaps the biggest drawback of the film is that the bar is set too high for a two-time Oscar-winner portraying such a great American, but regardless, audiences are unlikely to become entranced by Swank’s Earhart or her story — it is simply an interesting tale. Unlike the woman at the core of it, there is no inspiration for the ages or grand sense of importance and history to “Amelia.”

raise money and awareness for Africa through five main outlets: the provision of shoes, the drilling of wells for clean water, the building of schools, the continuation of AIDS research and the increase of access to medical care. In partnering with TOMS Shoes, the band, consisting of brothers Isaac, Taylor and Zac, sought to creatively engage people in direct action.

“It’s important to bridge the gap now between the very detached, over-stimulated culture and do something that is so simple you remember it,” Taylor Hanson said to the crowd.

While the act of walking may

appear austere, the unique barefoot aspect set their vision apart, challenging fans to experience what is an everyday reality for those in Africa unable to access shoes.

At the end of the one-mile march around AU’s campus, the brothers played a few songs to their devoted barefoot brigade, including “The Great Divide,” a song written in response to their experiences in Africa, originally recorded with choirs from South Africa and Mozambique. The lyrics of the song express maturity and raw emotion that are the core, and often overlooked, mes-

sage of the band: “I find hope and it gives me rest/I find hope in a beating chest/I find hope in what eyes don’t see/I find hope in your hate for me.” The song then continues, “Have no fear when the waters rise/We can conquer this great divide.” The call to action did not fall on deaf ears, as many in the audience sang along, raising hands in solidarity.

A book signing followed the show, where fans could purchase the book “Take the Walk,” which chronicles the band’s journey and includes an EP record. The band generously stood for more than an hour signing books and speaking

You can reach this writer at thescene@theeagleonline.com.

It seems fitting that amid passionate cries for the return of Polaroid film, the National Gallery of Art should present a new exhibit tracing the development of photographic processes.

“In the Darkroom: Photographic Processes Before the Digital Age,” shows the constant experimentation of chemicals, technology and artistry that led to the development of digital photography.

Instead of assuming a “kids these days don’t even know what a negative looks like” tone, the exhibit instead places digital photography in its artistic context.

From the bruised-purple tones of the earliest salted paper prints to the startling crispness and color of the later chromogenic prints, the exhibit shows how photography has always been framed by the same creative impulses regardless of technological limitations.

Curators Sarah Kennel and Diane Waggoner pulled together works from the NGA photography collection to showcase the diversity of photographic processes artists once had at their disposal.

The exhibit features 24 of the most commonly used processes since the advent of photography. Displaying these forms in progression highlights how much choice and artistry goes into what seems to be such an immediate medium.

The exhibit begins with Henry Fox Talbot’s invention of photography and the advent of the salted paper print. These prints have an incredibly soft, almost velvety finish, but lack the range of tones and crispness one expects of photography.

“How charming it would be if it were possible to cause these natural images to imprint themselves durable and remain fixed on the

paper,” Talbot wrote. “And why should it not be possible?”

Progressing into the development and popularity of the albumen print in the second half of the 19th century, the medium’s somewhat contradictory search for greater verisimilitude and artistic capacity emerges. For example, in the albumen print “Fruit and Flowers,” photographer Roger Fenton introduces a new lushness of detail to the medium. One can imagine reaching into the painting and picking a grape off the table.

The second half of the 19th century thus marked an exciting and experimental era of photography in which new methods constantly emerged. What process to use was just as important of an artistic choice as how to frame the picture.

And then there is color! When the exhibit finally arrives at the more familiar, modern processes of chromogenic color and silver dye prints, the crispness of color is almost overwhelming. These two techniques were the most immediate predecessors of the development of digital technology. Thus, the capacity of these processes to capture reality with its full range of color seems all the more remarkable, considering the medium’s artistic heritage. Seeing each process in context highlights what new technological developments add and take away from the medium.

It’s rare to see an exhibit linked by process rather than subject. As a result, “In the Darkroom” showcases the diversity of what artists can create using the same tools.

This exhibit is a celebration of the creativity that continues to push photography forward. One can almost imagine digital photography in a similar exhibit centuries in the future, with college students much like us marveling at the limitations of our technology.

“In the Darkroom: Photographic Processes Before the Digital Age” runs through March 14.

You can reach this staff writer at thescene@theeagleonline.com.

Students step out with Hanson brothers

By OLIVIA HARRINGTON Eagle Contributing Writer “I took the walk,” the chant rose from within the crowd. “I took the walk.” As the sun beat down on a gorgeous October afternoon, hundreds of supporters descended upon the Kay Spiritual Life Center, seeking not only to reminisce but also to raise awareness. There, Hanson, the band that rose to popidol fame in the late 1990s, relinquished the red carpet for a barefoot walk across cold cement in an effort to provide aid to Africa.

Hanson began the “Take the Walk” campaign as a mission to

with each person individually to thank them for their donation.

The “Take the Walk” campaign began in 2006, in hopes of walking around the world — a distance of 24,902 miles — donating a dollar per each mile walked. A little over two years later, the band and their supporters have done just that, surpassing their goal by over 10,000 miles. But the success is only one step along their journey, one that shows little signs of stopping as they intend to try and “walk around the world” yet again.

The path has not been easy, something that Zac Hanson, the

drummer and youngest of the trio, acknowledged.

“It’s a really hard thing, especially when you are put in the public eye. People assume that you do things because they are popular or they will help your career,” he said in an interview with The Eagle. “I think we just came to a conclusion that it really didn’t matter and that the only way to prove to people that you really do believe in what you are talking about is by showing people by example.”

But the brothers do more than just show; they fully engage with their supporters. Despite having n

see HANSON on page 7

Age of MP3 detrimental to album cohesiveness ON THE RECORD

RYAN TANNER-READ How often does the pontification of some music journalist include something along the lines of this little gem: “In the download age, the album is dead?”

It seems to have become something of a truism these days. The logic runs like this: when people can download any song they want, the biggest hits from a new record fly off the electronic shelves while the rest of an album’s tracks lie dormant. The consequence of this is, of course, that artists have no reason to continue thinking

of their work in terms of whole albums like they did back in the days of CDs and vinyl discs.

Let’s consider.

Sales and everything else aside, is the album artistically static in 2009? Have artists really stopped paying attention to album structure in the age of the MP3?

If the album is dead, that would be news to quite a few artists. Take, for example, Green Day (I’ve focused on their work in a previous column), whose recent overwrought concept albums have brought them rising like a phoenix from the ashes of critical acclaim into the land of teenage punk idolatry.

Of course, music snobs have little taste for Green Day’s more recent work, but the California rockers aren’t the only act treading into concept album territory recently.

Despite the threat that Colin

Meloy’s cutesy eccentricities will cause his work to creatively implode, the latest effort from indie darlings The Decemberists, “The Hazards of Love,” is nothing if not an album-length work. Even with less-than-enthusiastic reviews from big publications like Spin and Blender magazines, the album has been selling well — and selling as an album.

If there is any doubt that Meloy and company conceive of “Hazards” as a complete work, that ought to be laid to rest by the structure of performance on the band’s most recent tour — every concert includes “The Hazards of Love” performed in its entirety, guest vocalists and all.

Certainly, the band’s propensity for esoteric themes and elevated diction has reached a sort of zenith on “Hazards,” but it is also a bold new step for the normally mellow

acoustic rockers. A big sweeping saga of forbidden love, its fauns, forest queens and hard rock riffs seem to belong more in the oeuvre of Led Zeppelin than any indie rock group. If the only way to succeed in today’s music economy is to produce digital singles, then Meloy certainly hasn’t gotten the memo.

Still, where is 2009’s “Dark Side of the Moon?” The muddled storyline of “The Hazards of Love” is interesting, but it can’t hold a candle to many more inspired concept albums.

Perhaps it is unfair, though, to compare the work of today’s artists with these classics. Ennio Morricone’s “The Ecstasy of Gold” is one of the most transcendent pieces of orchestral music ever written for film, but no one would claim that it has any business alongside Beethoven’s Fifth. These are two

different pieces of work from two very different moments in time.

Maybe it’s time to say the same things about the album. To say that artists are no longer thinking in terms of the album seems presumptuous. Great musicians have never been known to create their art based on the most effective economic model.

Certainly, comparing the work of Meloy with the artistry of, for example, Pete Townsend leaves the former looking wanting, but it doesn’t change the fact that “The Hazards of Love” is a pretty damn good album (I’m not sure I can say the same for Green Day’s most recent, “Twentieth Century Breakdown”).

Let’s declare a moratorium on pronouncing the death of the album right now. Give it time. Perhaps Meloy still has a Quadrophenia in him. The next “After The

Gold Rush” could be just over the horizon. In the meantime, let’s try to enjoy today for what it is: a time when there’s way more music than ever to discover.

Sure, the hit machine is churning out download singles by the thousands, but there are real artists out there, working on albums of real beauty. In fact, some are actively resisting the digital single.

Look at the concept album. Look at the movement back toward vinyl releases (in some ways the ultimate affirmation of the album as an art form).

Don’t listen to the prophets of doom and gloom. Get out there and give something a spin. Because that’s what will ultimately save the album when it needs help: you.

You can reach this columnist at thescene@theeagleonline.com.

the EAGLE

OCTOBER 26, 2009

the scene 6

Courtesy of ROBERT BERGMAN

DEATH STARE — Photographer Robert Bergman is the artist behind a new exhibit that opened Sunday, Oct. 18, at the National Gallery of Art. After travelling the streets of New York for over 40 years, Bergman created a collection of photographs that featured portraits of Americans staring deeply. He left details of the subjects, such as names and locations, out of the photograph in order to focus on their inner anxiety.

Untitled works stare into emotion

By NATASHA CARLOS Eagle Contributing Writer Photographer Robert Bergman traveled the streets and back alleys of America for over 40 years, documenting the people and scenes he came across. The “Robert Bergman: Portraits, 1986-1995” exhibit, which showcases his work, opened at the National Gallery of Art on Oct. 11.

The display of 33 gripping portraits was a recent gift to the National Gallery of Art, and art lovers are lucky to see their first exhibition to the public.

Like many other street photographers of his generation, Bergman used a 35mm camera to take black and white photographs. He went into American cities and began to photo-

graph their residents. Bergman’s inspiration came from Robert Frank’s “The Americans,” a photo series that went beneath the surface of American life and helped the nation get a clear perspective of itself.

In 1985, Bergman began to work with color film. Color allowed him to create a new painting-like aesthetic. He used the cities as his palette for these rich portraits. Without special lighting or equipment, Bergman focused on the composition of his images. He built special rapports with his subjects that allowed him to show the individuals rather than their stereotype.

All the images in the “Portrait” series are untitled. The subjects and locations are left without recognition. The only hint of information is

the year the images were taken. Bergman takes away all of the elements of context in these images to keep the focus on the subjects. Their bodies take up the majority of the frame and the backgrounds are out of focus.

The emphasis of these portraits is on the emotion the subject brings out through their eyes and facial expressions. The subjects sometimes wear distant stares or gazes but mainly direct eye contact to convey their feelings of mixed emotions. Some of the portraits embody worry and inquisitiveness, while others exemplify resignation and resilience. In other portraits, it is hard to discern exact emotions of the subject, but it is unmistakable that they have a heavy weight on their shoulders.

Vampire fad brings another don’t-see

By STEPHANIE JAAR Eagle Contributing Writer

CIRQUE DU FREAK

C+

There seems to be no end to the current vampire trend, regardless of whether it’s in book, movie or television form. The latest saga to be given the big screen treatment is Darren Shan’s popular young adult series, “Cirque du Freak: The Vampire’s Assistant.” Featuring a protagonist with the same name as the author, Shan’s vampire story focuses on the beginning of teenage Darren Shan’s life as a bloodsucker.

Stepping in as the main character is relative newcomer Chris Massoglia, whose acting credits consist mostly of guest spots on television.

His interpretation of Shan as a naïve young teen works in the beginning, but as the story progresses, his character fails to show much development.

Everything in Shan’s life seems to be planned out for him prior to becoming a vampire. He is a model student and the perfect son. As his parents like to remind him, his future will consist of college, a job and a family of his own. The only blemish in Shan’s otherwise perfect life is his trouble-making best friend, Steve (Josh Hutcherson).

This picturesque life is shaken one day when destiny drives down the road — literally. A flyer for the Cirque du Freak is dropped out of a mysterious car window whose license plate reads “Des-tiny.” The

boys sneak out in the dead of the night to experience this one-of-akind freak show.

The main attraction at the Cirque is John C. Reilly’s 200-year-old vampire, Larten Crepsley, and his dancing pet spider, Madam Octa. In a hasty decision, Shan decides to satisfy his spider obsession and steals Octa. This action functions as the catalyst that sets the story in motion and eventually results in Shan giving up everything to become Crepsley’s assistant.

As the serious, yet dark-humored vampire, Reilly pulls off the undead character effortlessly. He proves he is a flexible actor who can camouflage himself in any role. However, it’s not his fault that Crepsley is one big mystery to the viewers. His sudden interest in Shan seems to be completely unfounded. There’s something about a war and a prophecy in a book, but none of this seems to make much sense. It’s possible the scriptwriters were trying to set up plot points for a potential sequel, but they should know better than to get so far ahead of themselves in such a fickle industry.

In Crepsley’s world, being a vampire includes possessing superstrong fingernails that can slice a tree and the special ability to “flit,” or in other terms, run extremely fast. Flitting resembles something out of a cartoon, similar to the blurred outlines of Shaggy and Scooby running from their latest monster encounter.

Naturally, there is also some blood sucking involved, but this breed of vampires does not have the intention to kill. Humans are only put to sleep while the vampire feasts

on their blood.

Killing humans for blood is left up to the Vampaneze, the mortal enemy of the vampires. These Vampaneze are threatening war on the vampires. Power-hungry and desperate to become a bloodsucker himself, Steve is also lured to the dark side and becomes part of the Vampaneze ranks. He and Shan, now on opposite teams, make up the classic tale of good versus evil.

Not to be forgotten about, the Cirque du Freak is made up of an array of interesting characters that help bring a bit of life to this otherwise downer of a movie. There’s the peaceful and larger-than-life ringmaster of the Cirque, Mr. Tall, played

by Ken Watanabe. Salma Hayek also lends her talent to the film as the occasionally-bearded lady whose facial hair only seems to grow when she’s horny. Jane Krakowski is severely under-used as a woman who can re-grow her limbs, and Patrick Fugit and Jessica Carlson are Evra the Snake Boy and Rebecca the Monkey Girl, respectively.

“Cirque du Freak: The Vampire’s Assistant” has its good moments, but overall falls flat. The material becomes very dark and mature towards the end, to the point where it’s difficult to take Massoglia and Hutcherson seriously in their respective roles.

No matter how slicked-back the stylists may choose to have Massoglia’s hair, he and Hutcherson still look as if they belong in a family-friendly ABC Family original movie.

You can reach this writer at thescene@theeagleonline.com.

Bergman not only captures the physical presence of his subjects but also their psychological state. In these portraits, the subjects are shot straight on and encompass the majority of the frame. Bergman cuts off part of their bodies, including parts of their face, creating an awkward crop. Bergman emphasizes the unsettling emotions of his subjects through these uncomfortable compositions. The framing of the subjects creates a tension that enhances the raw emotions of the people in the portraits.

The portraits have a soft light that makes the viewer sympathetic to the subjects. Bergman’s photographic technique avoids professional lighting equipment. Due to this, the environment’s natural lighting cre-

ated the mood for each photograph.

Bergman’s “Untitled” from 1994 is a shot of a woman with short blonde hair. Due to the shallow depth of field, there are soft hues of red and purple in the background. These warm colors in their delicate glow make the subject seem softer, yet sadder. The lighting in each portrait helps further the feelings of each person captured.

Bergman’s series shows the reality of the American streets through tightly cropped photographs. He removes all elements of context from his photographs, such as subjects’ names and locations to create the notion that the emotions of these people are not specific to them, but to all people living under these conditions regardless of their setting.

Again, the images are powerful due to Bergman’s relationship with his subjects. He is able to break down their barriers and let them open up to him. The result is this series of upfront portraits that portray the true human condition in America’s streets and back alleys. Bergman shows us the individuals who are often forgotten or overlooked, forcing us to take notice of this people and wonder about their condition.

The “Robert Bergman: Portraits, 1986-1995” exhibit will be in the west building of the National Gallery until Jan. 10, 2010.

You can reach this writer at thescene@theeagleonline.com.

Exercise your body for a more productive brain WHOLISTIC HEATLH

KELLY BARRETT It often seems the older we get, the busier we get, and it’s easy to put exercising on the back burner when this happens. Understandably, several people have written in asking about ways to balance work and school schedules to make time for exercise.

It’s hard to cover this topic well in one column, because it really is an individual decision. What works for one person may not work for someone else — we all have different schedules and exercise tastes.

What is most important is to find what you like and go with that. If you get sick of it or find it’s no longer enjoyable or motivating, start doing something different.

Physical activity should be just as high a priority as your schoolwork or job, largely because it is crucial for you to do well at both.

But while prioritizing exercise is important, you don’t need to always “schedule in” exercise. For example, I walk about 20 minutes to campus each day; then about the same distance to work in the afternoon and all the way back home again. At the end of the day, I have gotten in over an hour of walking. This equates to about 250 or more calories burned.

The thing is, if I took public transportation, my commute would likely be just as long — maybe even longer on days when the Metro or

shuttle is being unreliable. On these days, if I can’t sneak in a run or trip to the gym, I don’t stress about it, because I’ve already gotten in some good cardio for the day.

All too often people get into auto-pilot, going to the gym, cycling their legs on a machine while flipping through a 3-month old issue of People Magazine, simply to make themselves feel better about having worked out that day. I’m guilty of having done this for sure.

Over time, I have realized unless I am going in with a clear focus for my workout and unless I leave red-faced and sweaty, I sort of just wasted a lot of time making a big deal about going to the gym. If your days are jam-packed, you have to aim to economize your time with the intent of being as active as possible, as often as possible. If the gym helps you do this, by all means you should go. But if it isn’t convenient or you find it causes you to mindlessly go through the motions without challenging yourself, it’s probably not worth your extra time. You might even subconsciously realize this, which is why a lot of people just stop going to the gym — because they aren’t seeing the results they want.

If you are delaying or avoiding exercise because you have too much work, try to remember that physical activity will increase blood flow to your brain; increase your energy levels and enable you to focus better and get that work done faster.

Scenario 1: You sit in front of your computer working all day, thinking about how you hope you have time to exercise at some point.

Then you never end up working out, because you are mentally exhausted

by the day’s end and also have no time. Scenario 2: You wake up and get moving, incorporating physical activity into your day without taking up any extra time. You work better and more efficiently, because the exercise has energized your mind and body, and you actually end up with more time at the end of the day for extra rest.

Now these situations may seem oversimplified, and they are. But I have lived both of them out, and my point here is that staying active doesn’t have to mean sacrificing your schoolwork or other jobs. In fact, it often does the very opposite.

Try to turn your otherwise mundane activities into opportunities for exercise. Climb up five floors to your dorm room. Time how long it takes for you to race up the Metro escalator, then try to beat that time the next day. Get a bike or loan one from AU (visit au.agilefleet.com to join this program) and use it to get from place to place, saving money on public transportation and decreasing your carbon footprint.

Take breaks in between studying, turn up your favorite music, dance around and laugh at yourself. This last one might sound ridiculous, and maybe it is, but it will help keep you awake and burn calories, too. Do things that increase your heart rate and just have fun with it. Not only will you save time, you will likely engage new muscles you probably wouldn’t have used on the same old machines at the gym.

Cheers to keeping our bodies active.

You can reach this columnist at kbarrett@theeagleonline.com.

www.theeagleonline.com/behindthescene

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OCTOBER 26, 2009

7

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Cartel hope to win back fans ‘Cycles’ may make or break band’s future

By MAGGIE HOLLANDER Eagle Contributing Writer It was the summer of 2007, and Cartel were on top of the world.

Their stardom had been on the rise since the release of their debut album, “Chroma,” in 2005, and they were finally being noticed on a national scale.

Any non-believers were given proof of that when Cartel landed what seemed like a great publicity opportunity with MTV: 20 televised days of living in a giant transparent bubble in New York, culminating in a live concert where they would perform the CD they had recorded while inside the bubble.

Just months later, it looked as though Cartel were finished. The bubble experiment ended terribly with a rushed album that lacked any of lead singer Will Pugh’s signature flair, which resulted in less-than-desirable record sales. In other words, their great publicity stunt was a big, fat flop.

This was noticed not only by the general public, but also by Epic Records, which wasted no time in dropping the band from their label.

Now Cartel are trying to do what few bands have done successfully — make a comeback without having ever really “made it.”

Luckily, having spent more than a year recording their third album, “Cycles,” they may have a shot at achieving the improbable.

The band hope to reclaim its old fans as well as accrue new support with an album that has enough commercial appeal to not fail as badly as the last album.

n

from HANSON on page 5

spent over 12 years in the spotlight, they exude humility.

Quite literally down-to-earth, they came barefooted, with only megaphones in hand, into a sea of faithful fans. The direct exposure, which many artists might avoid, does not seem to bother them; in fact, it seems to only invigorate them. While they lightheartedly recall some of the crazier antics they’ve experienced, the band remains grateful for all the support they’ve received.

“It’s really the individual who makes the difference,” Taylor said. “It’s not the Hanson brothers out there; it’s Zac, Isaac and Taylor. We couldn’t do what we’ve been so blessed to do without the amazing efforts of each individual who goes out there with us, one step at a time.”

Hanson’s efforts seem to have scored them yet another hit, as

As if a repentant for the rushed bubble recording, “Cycles” offers the clean sound of a band’s third album, with every song closely scrutinized and edited. Unfortunately, this creates a catchy but over-produced CD that lacks the grit and passion that made “Chroma” such a big hit in the alternative rock scene.

On the 11 tracks, Pugh’s vocal skill often goes unnoticed, covered up by the layered noise of several guitars and other instruments. It’s a shame, really, as the lead singer’s talent is one of the few factors that sets Cartel apart from other bands of the same genre. To hear that magic again, you’ll have to see them live.

Cartel follow in the footsteps of other bands like them, such as Fall Out Boy and Boys Like Girls, whose overproduced follow-up albums to their big hits disappointed die-hard fans but accrued enough listeners to make up for it. In fact, “Typically” and “Faster Ride” from Cartel’s latest release have a sound similar to that of Boy Like Girls’ self-titled album.

The first single off of the new album, “Let’s Go,” has summer anthem written all over it, with lyrics like “Let’s go/Take the world with me.” Unfortunately for the band, the song hasn’t gotten much radio play since its release in late July of this year. But never fear, true Cartel fans — the band haven’t lost itself entirely. Its second single, “The Perfect Mistake,” has more of that “Chroma” sound, and the ballad “Only You” will give listeners the same chills as the end of their first album.

So is this destined to be the comeback of the year, or just a band that won’t quit? Only time will tell, but you can decide for yourself by picking up “Cycles.”

You can reach this writer at thescene@theeagleonline.com.

the response on campus was of overwhelming praise.

“I’m thrilled to be here supporting this cause,” said Megan Pirrello, a graduate student in the College of Arts and Sciences. “Hanson has done a great job of encouraging a tool we’ve always had: ourselves. Regardless of celebrity, we can all make a difference.”

As Hanson continues their “Take the Walk” campaign across the country and around the world, the moral will remain the same: togetherness is not always about the music we tune in to, but instead, it is about the messages people can’t tune out.

You can reach this writer at thescene@theeagleonline.com.

Curator opens closet D.C. plays host to designs from Japan

By ALLIE MEYER Eagle Contributing Writer The Textile Museum’s newest exhibit, “Contemporary Japanese Fashion: The Mary Baskett Collection,” opened last week, accompanied by a complementing exhibit, “Fabrics of Feathers and Steel: The Innovation of Nuno.”

The guest curator of “The Mary Baskett Collection” is Cynthia Amneus, the curator of costumes and textiles at the Cincinnati Art Museum. Baskett is an art dealer and former curator at the same museum. All of the pieces in the exhibit come from Baskett’s personal closet. She started collecting pieces in the early ‘70s and has her own gallery in Ohio.

The exhibit mainly features three Japanese designers: Rei Kawakubo, Issey Miyake and Yohji Yamamoto. There are also a few pieces from protégés, those influenced by the main three designers and those who have worked with them.

Kawakubo, Miyake and Yamamoto all became very influential in the fashion world after their work was first introduced in Paris in the early ‘80s. Their clothing is

characterized by unconventional construction, asymmetry and oversized proportions. They broke the mold for Western fashion at the time and are credited for their contributions in influencing the post-modernist movement in fashion.

As you walk through the hallway towards the exhibit, it is clear that everything has been planned with the viewer in mind.

Black silhouette figures line the walls, rotating as you move further down the hallway.

“I see the hallway as a transition space,” Amneus said. “I wanted a different kind of experience as you move into the galleries.”

There are three galleries in the exhibit, each devoted to one of the three designers. Each ensemble is hung from cables on top of asymmetrical white platforms.

Most of the pieces do not have mannequins in an attempt to keep the viewer focused on the clothing.

Amneus wanted the ensembles to

be seen as artwork.

“I did not want to show these pieces on typical mannequins,” Amneus said. “You see them on a body form but not on full mannequins.

I wanted the visitor to be focused on the piece itself.”

She also said the abstract platforms are designed to give the viewer an idea of the avant garde aspect of the pieces and to hint at a sense of disarray.

A l l three of the designers share a similar unconventional aspect, but each has their own twist on their designs.

Yamamoto is well known for the subtle characteristics of his pieces. Many of his ensembles cause the viewer to do a double take to spot the twist. His pieces include an off-white suit with an asymmetrical hemline and a black dress without shoulder seams that contests conventional cutting.

Miyake’s philosophy that each individual should be able to wear the same piece differently is appar-

ent in his work. Miyake was interested in pushing the limits of textile technology and began pleating polyester in the ‘90s, allowing for a lot of flexibility in movement for the wearer.

Kawakubo is interested in the idea that art can be beautiful and simultaneously displeasing to the eye. One of her pieces is a dress of a dainty pink fabric that looks like a sack when worn.

The complementary “Nuno” exhibit also proved interesting.

“Nuno” is Japanese for “functional fabric,” and, fittingly, the exhibit features 18 of the world’s most innovative fabrics.

“The 18 that we have chosen give an idea of the technical range, wit and beauty of fabric today,” said associate curator Lee Talbot.

“These technologies are what have allowed the designers [like those featured in “The Mary Baskett Collection”] to make such creative pieces.”

Both exhibitions will be open to the public through April 11, 2010.

You can reach this writer at thescene@theeagleonline.com.

Courtesy of SCOTT HISEY

TRIPLE THREAT — “Contemporary Japanese Fashion: The Mary Baskett Collection” is the Textile Museum’s latest addition. The exhibit centers around the works of designers Rei Kawakubo, Issey Miyake and Yohiji Yamamoto.

Quest for win ‘unites’ cast

By ALEXANDER GRAWBOWSKI Eagle Contributing Writer

THE DAMNED UNITED

B+

It’s a good thing to be without prejudice when watching an infamously beloved sports team take on the underdog that has worked so hard to join its division. It’s a great thing when a movie tries to go exceed expectations. Unlike most sports movies, “The Damned United” isn’t about a tough coach turning a squad of underachievers into champions; it is much different.

The movie revolves around English football (soccer) legend Brian Clough, a former star-turned-pretty-boy manager. In 1974, Clough, played by Michael Sheen (“The Queen,” “Frost/ Nixon”), took over as the manager of Leeds United, a powerhouse in the league’s First Division. When the team lost five of its six games, he was fired after a mere 44 days on the job. It was a humiliating moment for Clough, who had garnered so much praise from football fans.

The film opens to Clough arriving for his first day of work at Leeds stadium. He astonishes his new team by saying, “As far as I’m concerned, you can throw all those medals you’ve won in the bin, because you won them all by cheating.” To disparage your team on the first day is nothing short of a surprise. However, to understand Clough’s feelings towards the team, we must revisit his first match against Leeds when he was the new manager of Derby County. On that day in 1967, Clough had scrubbed the aging Derby stadium clean and dressed to impress the top notch Leeds United, manager Don Revie (Colm Meaney), only to be neglected by Revie without so much as a handshake. It didn’t make it any easier that Derby had lost 2-0 to a team whose playbook consisted of cheats. It was the ultimate insult for the upstart young manager, who’d grown up admiring Revie and finally thought himself on equal footing.

Courtesy of LAURIE SPARHAM

FIELD WORK — In “The Damned United,” which was released in theaters Oct. 23, a European football coach struggles to convince his powerhouse team that honesty is more important than victory.

This is just one theme that “The Damned United” deals with. It also follows a tale of obsession and revenge.

The audience is juggled back and forth like a ball in play between Clough’s doomed tenure at Leeds and his earlier experience transforming a wretched Derby County into a respectable upper-division competitor. Clough’s Derby team makes itself known as a team that plays the game beautifully and fairly. He makes his team known not only by winning games, but by his arrogant public persona. The cocksure Clough is someone who would declare with a straight face, “They say Rome wasn’t built in a day, but I wasn’t on that particular job.”

Though it is ostensibly about football, the film — based on David Peace’s novel and directed by Tom Hooper from Peter Morgan’s script — shows barely any on-field footage. Instead, it is much more interested in Clough’s relationship with his right-hand man Peter Taylor, played by Timothy Spall

(“Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire”).

Taylor is the yin to Clough’s yang. He is an unpretentious assistant whose knowledge of football was unparalleled at the time. Taylor is the brain behind Clough, a brilliant man who advises him on player personnel, tactics and strategy. We’re led to believe that, before the relationship soured, Taylor was an essential component.

It is Clough’s ambition and moral blindness that eventually tears the two apart. By the time Clough took over at Leeds, determined to transform the widely loathed champions into a universally adored squad, he had driven away Taylor. While Clough enchanted fans and played the media, he took for granted the man who helped get him where he was.

After Clough’s downfall, it is the life-altering power of “bromance” that finally lifts him back up. We learn in the epilogue that he and Taylor would reunite professionally and turned the 13th place Nottingham Forest club

into a championship team. Their relationship is what ultimately lies at the emotional heart of the film.

“The Damned United” includes a great cast of actors. Stephen Graham and Jim Broadbent shine through the managerial shroud. Graham plays the crass captain of Leeds, while Broadbent plays Sam Longson, the owner of Derby, who is similar to Jerry Reinsdorf. He reminds us that at some level, professional sports are a retail business.

These great performances play out against the bizarre, alternate universe of ‘70s English soccer. While the acting and directing is exceptional, the themes weigh on the heavier side. The audience may wonder if the film is a portrait of the artist-as-manager or an odd couple romance. Regardless, “The Damned United” is unlike any sports movie you have ever seen.

You can reach this writer at thescene@theeagleonline.com.

Art Brut show District audiences can get crazy

By ALEX RUDOLPH Eagle Contributing Writer The cliché that Washington’s concert audiences are stiff, humorless mannequins even while watching their favorite bands play live is on the way out. After Oct. 18, the only people who will complain about apathetic crowds are those who did not see Britpunks Art Brut play at Black Cat. Art Brut, touring for the second time since the April release of their recent album, “Art Brut vs. Satan,” played a show of their snarky, popculture referencing/critiquing punk rock last Sunday. Though they’ve been touring nearly non-stop, the band members played with an energy that

would seem to imply that they had not opened every one of their shows over the last six years with “Formed A Band.” But there it was — after a short cover of The Modern Lovers’ “Roadrunner,” the guitars sped up, and frontman Eddie Argos jumped into the air as “Formed a Band” broke out.

Throughout the song and, it would turn out, entire set, rhythm guitarist Jasper Future’s mouth was agape and his eyes alternately bug-out wide and clenched shut as if he were caught in the middle of a 90-minute orgasm.

This is the song that Art Brut wrote famously only a few hours after he had, well, formed the band, and it has served as a show opener for nearly all of its live performances. It’s easy to

think, then, that the band would just slog through the song, going through the motions for the benefit of anybody not lucky enough to have already seen them live. But every member of the group thrashed around like he had just decided backstage that this show, and this show only, was going to be granted the full power of what Art Brut can bring to the world.

Argos jumped around and was constantly conversing with the audience; bassist Freddie Future sang along with every lyric (without a microphone) and drummer Mikey Breyer stood behind his kit, grinning like a maniac and sweating like he had just run three marathons.

Art Brut’s energy and playfulness

make it easy to forget they emerged with post-punk revivalists like Interpol and fellow Brits Bloc Party and Arctic Monkeys, who started out smiling but went on to make “serious, mature” albums. Perhaps Interpol forgot Ian Curtis can dance like nobody’s business.

While Arctic Monkeys have changed their sets by wiping organ solos overtop new songs, Art Brut merely changed focus, keeping a juvenile tone. The song “Modern Art,” about Argos wanting to rock out after visiting art galleries, was renamed “DC Comics.” Argos waded into the crowd, giving an impassioned monologue about how he loves DC Comics and about a visit to the company’s

headquarters. When it ended, Argos began jumping around the stage, leading audience members around him to do the same.

“Good Weekend,” the band’s biggest hit so far, was interrupted by an Argos-led chant of “Art Brut, Top of the Pops.” Top of the Pops is dead, but the symbol remains — Art Brut deserve to hit the big time, to sell out the arenas that U2 has been sleepwalking into for decades.

The problem may be in the lyrics. Before playing “Rusted Guns of Milan,” Argos turned to his band and ordered, “Let’s glamorize bad sex.” Art Brut are willing to write music about everything from sexual incompetence to the joys of merely riding on public

buses, and while the crowd that sang along with the lyrics “leave the light on” and “I’m fine when I am with my own hand” was all for it, it’s hard to deny that Art Brut lack the widespread appeal of a Kings of Leon.

Still, it’s difficult to imagine the frontman of that band giving a speech about how much he hates Radiohead or his old obsession with a high school girlfriend. We want Art Brut to hit it big, but we know they never will. Argos put it best when he yelled during “Demons Out!”: “If you like pop music, why do you let them abuse it? The record-buying public, we hate them!”

You can reach this writer at thescene@theeagleonline.com.

8

SPORTS

OCTOBER 26, 2009

ANDREW TOMLINSON n Sports Editor 202.885.1404

NBA reloads for 2010 SIDELINE SCHOLAR

TOM SCHAD

PHILLIP OCHS / THE EAGLE

PLAYING IN THE RAIN — Senior Colin Zizzi heads the ball in AU’s double overtime thriller. While the game was a draw, it still leaves the Eagles without a loss in the conference. Their next game is Wednesday at Georgetown.

The men have a 8-3-2 record overall and 4-0-1 in the Patriot League.

Double OT match ends in draw for men

By ALEX ALBA

Eagle Contributing Writer After two and a half hours of play under a torrential downpour at Reeves Field, the AU Men’s Soccer team ended in a double overtime draw against Lehigh.

Both teams had opportunities to put their team on top, but were unsuccessful. Although AU did not record a victory, the draw leaves them unbeaten in eight consecutive matches and keeps them in first place in the Patriot League.

They have a record of 8-3-2 overall and a 4-0-1 record against the Patriot League.

In the first half, both teams were practically limited to scoring chances. The muddy grass impeded the short-pass game for both teams and the transition to the long-pass game was hard to adjust to. AU’s defense stepped up, allowing only one shot on goal.

On the other side of the field, AU was able to put four shots on goal, three of which came from senior Colin Zizzi. Mountain Hawk goalkeeper Jonathan Nydell saved all of his shots. The weather worsened as the half progressed.

“The weather was definitely a factor in today’s game for both teams,” said Coach Todd West.

“When the field got too heavy, you couldn’t pass the ball anymore.”

In the second half, the skies started to open up for AU. Junior Nick Kapus had a chance to put AU up on the scoreboard only ten minutes into the second half, but a Lehigh defender deflected the ball while in front of the net.

The Eagles best scoring opportunity came with three minutes left in regulation. Junior Daniel Shan-

non rushed down the right side of the field with the ball. After faking a Mountain Hawk defenseman, he booted a curving shot towards the leftward goalpost. Once again, a Lehigh defender was there to save a goal, by kicking it away.

AU senior Cameron Petty trapped the rebound and shot the ball from point-blank range.

Incredibly, the shot was blocked again by the Mountain Hawk defense. Daniel Shannon got control of the ball, narrowed in on goal and fired a shot, which missed just wide right.

After the first overtime where neither team scored, the game went into its second overtime.

AU’s Mike Worden had a great chance to lead AU to another overtime victory, but his shot was unfortunately blocked once more by the persistent Mountain Hawk defense. The AU defense held strong as the match ended in a 0-0 draw.

“Unfortunately, we created a lot of chances, but we didn’t score,” said AU Goaltender Matt Makowski after the game. “I think the positive is that our defensive backs played well under the tough weather conditions.”

After the game, Coach Todd West said winning the conference would come down to beating Holy Cross and Colgate. The team’s head coach felt confident that the team can wrap up the conference against these two teams.

AU Men’s Soccer will travel to Georgetown this Wednesday to face the Hoyas at 3 p.m.

You can reach this writer at sports@theeagleonline.com.

Know what we know.

the EAGLE

Late October is one of those odd periods, where all four major sports are going on at once. Hockey has just started and football’s reaching the bulk of its season, giving Redskins fans a reason to dread Sundays. As baseball is on its way out, basketball is just beginning to enter the picture; with a reloaded and much better NBA. This offseason could be best described with one word: reloading. It started at the top with the defending NBA champions from Los Angeles. Even with an NBA title last year, General Manager Mitch Kupchak was not completely content with the makeup of his Lakers. As a result, he re-signed essential bench players Shannon Brown and Lamar Odom, let Finals star Trevor Ariza flee to Houston and signed troubled, yet defensively gifted Ron Artest.

Artest was the first major signing this offseason and forced other title contenders to restock as well.

In Cleveland, Lebron “The King” James and company signed aging Shaquille O’Neal with hopes that “The Diesel” can give the Cavs that extra push to get over the top.

Boston and Orlando countered by

acquiring two fading stars of their own, Rasheed Wallace and Vince Carter respectively. The Spurs also had a busy offseason, watching defensive mastermind Bruce Bowen retire and trading backups Kurt Thomas and Fabricio Oberto to Milwaukee in order to make room for a whole new crew featuring Richard Jefferson and rookie big man DeJuan Blair.

Other offseason travelers included Hedo Turkoglu to Toronto, Tyson Chandler to Charlotte, the seemingly worthless Allen Iverson to Memphis and Shawn Marion to Dallas. On top of these, the new crop of NBA rookies also needs to be factored in. Yes, the likes of Blake Griffin and Hasheem Thabeet are exciting players with a lot of potential, but it’s hard to see either having a truly franchise-changing impact. Look for Sacramento’s Tyreke Evans, Denver’s Ty Lawson and Philadelphia’s Jrue Holliday to be those franchise guys who develop into true superstars.

Aside from the rookies and free agent signings, one of the players with the biggest impact this year will be Chris Paul. When the man has the ball in the open court, it seems like there is nothing short of a brick wall that can stop him.

There will definitely be another shootout in the Wild West this year; obviously everyone is chasing the Lakers, but that conference is stacked with talent on almost every team — sorry Minnesota, but it’s going be a long year. I’m also curious to see which of the bottom-feeders start working their way up the food chain this season. It’s tough to be optimistic about pitiful teams like Milwaukee, Memphis and the aforementioned Timberwolves, but it is possible that the Sacramento Kings can crash the playoff party this year. That is, if they can find a consistent low post threat, or any threat for that matter.

Of course we cannot talk NBA without talking about the prospects of the local Washington Wizards. The Wizards showed to be less than charming last year, as they were crippled by injury all year and finished tied with the franchise-worst record of 19-63; they were so bad that the AU Men’s team outdid them in wins. Needless to say, hopes are slightly high this year with the arrival of head coach Flip Saunders, who reached four conference finals with the Timberwolves and Pistons. The front office also worked hard over the summer to bring in some new

talent; the likes of Mike Miller, Randy Foye and Fabricio Oberto, should all prove to be useful additions. Couple these new guys with the core group of Caron Butler, Antwan Jamison and a healthy Gilbert Arenas, the Wizards have a solid chance of winding up in the playoffs this year. And hey, if they don’t, at least Washingtonians can rejoice in teams like the Nationals and Redskins. Well, maybe not.

When it’s all said and done this year, a few things will be certain.

First, it’ll become evident that the Eastern Conference isn’t the little brother to the West as it was a few years ago. Whoever comes out of the East will give the Lakers a run for their money and it may not be the team that everyone expects.

Which brings me to another certainty: the Lakers will reach the NBA championship again in 2010.

One last certainty: Mark Cuban will offend somebody, talk trash about somebody’s mother or try to motivate his team by telling them that they suck.

What is there to say but that it’s life, it’s the NBA and it’s that time again.

You can reach this columnist at sports@theeagleonline.com.

Caps must fix sloppy play CAPITALS SPOTLIGHT

ANDREW TOMLINSON Despite the close calls and sloppy plays, the Washington Capitals have to be happy with their last four games, especially since a win is a win no matter what.

After a sluggish 2-2-2 start, Washington has come out and played its own kind of hockey. There have been 15 goals for the Caps, pucks have been flying free and Alex Ovechkin has been their top performer. If they can skate by with these tight wins for now, they will buy the time to improve on the weak parts of their game.

Wins against San Jose, Atlanta, Nashville and the New York Islanders, while not impressive, are the ones that will count come playoff time. If only a game or two separates the Caps from a playoff berth and a long summer, it will be important that they won their early games.

A key to all of their victories has been their penalty kill. A big prob-

lem for the team last year was their inability to stop the power play. That has not been the case this year. As a team, Washington is 23 for 25 on the penalty kill during a victory and 39 for 47 overall. It is good enough for sixth in the Eastern Conference and will be key, seeing as penalties were the major reason for their failure against the Pittsburgh Penguins in the playoffs.

Despite their success in that facet of the game, it is not good enough for Head Coach Bruce Boudreau. He believes any more than three penalties in a game is unacceptable. It is for a good reason too, since most of their shorthanded situations pull their best players off of the ice.

The most impressing part of the four-game winning streak is how they have won despite injuries. Washington experienced a swoon last year when winger Alexander Semin was kept out of the lineup with a back injury. Even though he is just as important to the team this year, they have been able to put the pieces together without his play-making abilities.

Another major injury was to goalie Jose Theodore. Many believed Semyon Varlamov would run away with the starting job after his stellar postseason, but he has struggled early and Theodore had been a wall in net. When the

young rookie was looked at too fill in, he did a fantastic job posting three straight wins. That said, it was still a welcome relief to see Theodore back in net on Saturday. He was a difference maker posting a 93 save percentage against the Islanders.

Their last three games of October will show whether or not these wins and statistics are just adorations, or the real Caps team. Washington returns home to face the red hot 5-2-1 Philadelphia Flyers Tuesday, followed by another trip to Atlanta and a home game against the Islanders. The last two games should be easy wins and the last is a must-win. Philly is the kind of team that the Caps have been unable to beat and if they can win on Tuesday it will show they have turned a corner as a team.

The Capitals would struggle to win if Ovechkin, Semin and Mike Green are shut down by a strong defense.

It was evident against the New York Rangers in the first round last year.

One of the big things the Capitals front office worked on fixing during the offseason was the traffic in front of the net. As a result, they added perennial net crasher Mike Knuble.

Knuble may be the missing piece that could tie a young team together.

He has already stepped up several

times with clutch goals when the Caps need them most. His energy is perhaps the most important part of the team.

They lacked that scrappy player that would energize the team through big hits and less than pretty plays last year.

Now they have that and while Ovechkin is still the star, all of the pressure is not on him to pick the team up when it is down.

If Washington can keep up their penalty kill and can get the muchneeded contributions from role players, they will go far this year. It is still early to proclaim that, but it is the recipe for success for almost every team in the NHL. The strategy won the Penguins their Cup last year, with a good PK and contributions from players like Hall Gill, Petr Sykora and Sergei Gonchar.

It is a long season and Washington is not even a quarter of the way through it yet. Sloppiness can be tolerated for right now as long as the team is winning. The key word there is now, their problems must be fixed as the season continues. With the pieces they have at their disposal though, Washington should have no problem doing that.

You can reach this columnist at atomlinson@theeagleonline.com.

Volleyball notches two key wins

By ELLIOT JEFFORDS Eagle Contributing Writer The AU volleyball team got the two wins it needed against Lehigh University and Lafayette University to keep its playoff hopes alive.

The Eagles not only won both matches, but they dominated both opponents. AU beat Lehigh Friday night in straight sets with scores of 2511, 25-16, 25-21, then continuing its strong play, the Eagles beat Lafayette 25-11, 25-19, 25-7.

“The team is starting to hit around blocks, and [setter] Krysta [Cicala] is getting more and more confident each game,” said Head Coach Barry Goldberg.

In the opening set against Lehigh, the team came out looking strong as they jumped out to an early 4-0 lead.

But after a timeout by Lehigh the game settled down and started to look a little more competitive.

AU picked up its play and pulled out to a 13-5 lead, forcing another timeout by Lehigh. After getting the serve at 16-7, junior Magdalena Tekiel aced the Hawks twice and played strong defense to lead the Eagles on a 7-0. It was smooth sailing to the end of the set from there. AU had a very impressive .500 hitting percentage for the set.

Lehigh came out tough in the second set, out to prove they wouldn’t just roll over and give the Eagles the match. Lehigh jumped out to a 5-0 lead, but after the long rally that ended with an Eagles point, AU settled down and reeled off four straight points to level the score at five.

The set was back and forth until the Eagles scored three straight points to take an 18-14 lead. Lehigh provided little resistance from there as AU allowed the Hawks to win only two points in the rest of the set.

Of all of the sets, the third was the

PHILLIP OCHS / THE EAGLE

DIVING IN — Junior Angelina Waterman dives for a ball in the Eagles three set sweep of Lafayette Saturday. The win over the Leopards as well as the win over Lehigh on Friday keep the team’s playoff hopes alive. closest. Lehigh kept in it early with four straight AU serving errors. AU was finally able to pull away at 2016 and despite a slight comeback by Lehigh, the margin proved to be too much.

Tekiel, Ann Recht and Angelina Waterman all recorded double-digit kills with Recht providing ten blocks.

Cicala contributed 35 assists to the winning effort that also included only

nine errors in the match.

“We passed well, the defense played well,” Recht said. “[Cicala]’s sets were on point, it was just a good team effort overall.”

The Eagles returned to the court to face the Lafayette Leopards on Saturday. The game held special significance as the team honored its three graduating seniors Ann Recht, Claire Recht and Cynammon Burns.

After the previous night’s performance that included a strong offensive showing, the defense took center stage. In the first set the Eagles flew out to an 11-3 lead that included a 7-0 run. AU would keep control of the set, winning 25-11.

Lafayette stepped up its play in the second set going toe to toe with the Eagles until a 6-0 run by AU broke a 10-10 tie. After back-to-back errors by AU, the defense stepped up big again to prevent Lafayette from gaining any momentum as AU was able to rally to win the set.

The third and final set was the perfect exclamation point to the weekend as the Eagles completely dominated the set. In the same manner as the first set, AU took advantage of multiple Lafayette errors to jump out to an 113 lead. The Eagles then used a 7-0 run to put the match out of reach, taking a 22-6 lead. Waterman, a junior, finished off the match for the Eagles with her tenth kill.

Waterman finished with a doubledouble adding ten digs to her ten kills.

The team finished with 30 block assists tying the AU record set back in 1991. The game included five aces and 23 assists by Cicala.

With only five games left until the Patriot League tournament, the Eagles sit in third place. AU is a game behind Colgate and three behind Army. The team will need to finish in the top four to qualify for the league tournament.

“We are working hard and the seniors have a sense of urgency and are leading this team,” Goldberg said.

“We want to hear our names on ESPN again.”

AU returns to action on Thursday, Oct. 29 against Navy in Bender Area with the game beginning at 7 p.m.

You can reach this writer at sports@theeagleonline.com.