The Eagle — Nov. 5, 2009

‘TIS THE SEASON Director Robert Zemeckis tells The Eagle what’s behind the animated ‘A Christmas Carol’ SCENE page 5

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NEWS

EXCLUSIVE Eagle staff writer talks tea parties and toilets with Sen. Mark Begich page 4

EDITORIAL

Kerwin’s salary tops U.S. list Trustee says statistics were misleading

By SYLVIA CARIGNAN Eagle Staff Writer The Chronicle of Higher Education reported this week that President Cornelius M. Kerwin received a salary of over $1.4 million during the 2007-2008 fiscal year, according to the Chronicle of Higher Education — a number that is inaccurate and misleading, according to the AU Board of Trustees.

ALIVE AND WELL Tuesday’s election proved America’s two-party system is far from dead page 3

In a memo sent to the AU community Monday, Board of Trustees Chairman Gary Abramson explained how the Chronicle miscalculated Kerwin’s salary.

“His compensation for that year included annual salary and benefits as well as a lump sum payout of deferred compensation, allocated and invested in a trust over nearly a decade,” Abramson said.

Starting in 2000 during his time as provost, a portion of Kerwin’s earnings each year was placed in a trust. He could not withdraw funds from it before he had served nine years with the university. In 2008, he could withdraw from the trust, and was required by his contract to take the complete amount it

contained, about $800,000. The Chronicle added that nine-year investment to their calculation of his salary for a single year, which inflated his earnings, according to Abramson.

Kerwin made $573,206 in salary and benefits for the 20062007 academic year, ranking him in the middle of most private college presidents.

Though Kerwin was inaugurated as university president in September 2007, the Chronicle’s figures added in his earnings as interim president from the same year. Kerwin became president when his predecessor, Benjamin Ladner, was dismissed after an investigation into his expense account.

“Under President Kerwin, our

Child center will re-open this winter

By CHRISTOPHER COTTRELL

SCENE LOST AND FOUND Two friends turn old home videos into big screen laughs page 5

SPORTS FIRST GAME AU basketball collapses late in disappointing exhibition opener page 8

ROAD WOES Men’s soccer falls to University of Virginia Cavaliers on the road, 3-0 page 8

TODAY’S WEATHER

HI 55° LO 37° chance of showers early, partly cloudy later FRIDAY HI 52° n LO 33°

SATURDAY HI 59° n LO 40°

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NOVEMBER 5, 2009 VOLUME 84 n ISSUE 21

Eagle Staff Writer Finishing touches are being made this week to the Child Development Center’s playground, preparing it for when AU’s sixand-under crowd finally moves back in after eight years in Leonard Hall, President Kerwin’s Chief of Staff David Taylor said Monday.

The development center has been closed to the young children of AU faculty since 2001, when the Army Corps of Engineers detected elevated levels of arsenic in the soil underneath and around the building and on the adjacent intramural fields, The Eagle previously reported.

Once the playground’s current crushed tire surface is replaced with a spongier, softer surface designed to more effectively absorb impacts, a D.C. licensing agency can then evaluate if the overall facility is ready to be used

Eagle Staff Writer

AARON BERKOVICH / THE EAGLE

CHILD’S PLAY — The Child Development Center was closed in 2001 after Army Corps of Engineers detected high levels of arsenic in the soil. once again as a day care center.

While a tentative move-in date is dependent on the swiftness of the D.C. bureaucracy, Taylor said it is possible that the children could be back on South side by

winter break.

The development center has been “fundamentally ready” for some time but there has been too much Army Corps activity nearn

see PLAYGROUND on page 4

D.C. University President Salaries FY 06-07 and 07-08 reported by the Chronicle of Higher Education

American University President Cornelius Kerwin total compensation 1,419,339 – 9-year trust investment returns and deferred compensation 800,168 = $619,171 total salary FY 2007-08

Class gains PR experience with nonprofit

By SARAH PARNASS

Professor faces criticism following ad in Roll Call

One class in the School of Communication has allowed students to gain hands-on experience while improving the lives of children in the D.C. area this fall.

Professor Gemma Puglisi’s Public Relations Portfolio class — a requirement for undergraduate Public Communication majors at AU — has paired up with the nonprofit organization Neediest Kids to create a campaign to raise money for D.C. students.

Neediest Kids provided over $1.4 million in resources to more than 32,000 students at schools in the D.C. area. The charity provided goods and services like eyeglasses and dental care, according to a press release created by one group of students in the class.

For the past five years, Puglisi has taught PR Portfolio at AU far differently from the styles of professors before her.

“Basically, it was helping students to hone their [PR] skills,” Puglisi said. “... but I felt that it would have more of an impact if it was a real-life situation.”

Under Puglisi’s direction, the

course now allows students to work with a nonprofit organization or small business for 15 weeks, create a plan of “strategic communication” for the business, implement media strategies and present their results to the entrepreneur, according to Puglisi.

The inspiration for the class came from Donald Trump’s reality show, “The Apprentice,” according to Puglisi.

“I realized what was out there, what young people were expected to do, and I thought maybe I could make some of the class kind of like that idea,” Puglisi said.

To kick off the students’ semesterlong project, Puglisi brought in the organization’s executive director and AU alumna from the class of 1973, Lynne Filderman.

“They have really done a great job,” Filderman said of the class. “What I have loved is the creativity and ingenuity of what they’ve brought to the table.”

Filderman said she liked the way the class had organized to tackle this campaign.

The students divided into two groups, each focused on one of two companies that agreed to work with n

see CLASS on page 4

AU to receive H1N1 vaccine in November

By CHARLIE SZOLD Eagle Staff Writer Professor James Thurber, the director of AU’s Center for Congressional and Presidential Studies, is facing public scrutiny after the center ran an ad thanking a long-time guest speaker and part-time instructor for his work with AU students, leading some to accuse him of a possible conflict of interest.

Thurber has known the guest speaker Jack Bonner for years and recently began working as an ethics adviser for Bonner’s lobbying firm, Bonner & Associates, after the firm ran into some problems with Congress over the summer. According to Thurber and a spokesperson for Bonner & Associates, he does not receive any compensation from the firm.

Bonner, however, receives compensation from AU for teaching at the CCPS, according to Thurber.

Five days after an Oct. 30 Congressional hearing investigating Bonner & Associates’ misconduct, the CCPS placed an ad in the Capitol Hill-focused newspaper, Roll Call, thanking Bonner for “15 years of teaching excellence [at the center].” The ad goes on to say, “Students of the Public Affairs and Advocacy Institute are grateful for the knowledge, insight and years of experience you bring to the university.”

Thurber’s connection to both the CCPS and Bonner & Associates

academic and financial condition is stable and strong,” Senior Director of University Communications Camille Lepre said. “We are able to continue not just academic programs but many other programs that students participate in.”

The Chronicle also reported that overall, university presidents’ median pay increased by 6.5 percent in fiscal years 2007-2008.

Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, said university presidents’ salaries need to be more reasonable.

“The fact that these salaries are growing right now is out of sync with the reality for most parents and students who are trying to pay for college in the midst of high unemployment,” Grassley said in a statement.

By SYLVIA CARIGNAN Eagle Staff Writer

KELSEY DICKEY / EAGLE FILE PHOTO

TOEING THE LINE— Professor James Thurber, above in a Kennedy Political Union debate, has run into media scrutiny regarding ties to a lobbyist. has prompted at least one media outlet to question whether there is a potential conflict of interests for the AU professor.

Talking Points Memo, a leftleaning political Web site, posted a story on its Web site Nov. 4, questioning whether it was ethical for an organization directed by Thurber to be running supportive ads for someone by whom he was employed. TPM also raised issue with Thurber’s ability to stay “independent” from Bonner after the two have grown close after years of cooperation between them.

Many credit Bonner & Associates for creating the concept of “grassroots” lobbying. However, his firm faced intense pressure on Capitol Hill after it was discovered that some letters that had passed to members of Congress over the summer were forged, The Hill reported.

The letters, under the supposedly official letterhead of the NAACP, the American Association of University Women and other organizations, warned lawmakers that these organizations had serious concerns n

see THURBER on page 8

The Student Health Center will offer the swine flu vaccine to students in mid-November, according to SHC Director Dan Bruey.

The D.C. Department of Health planned to send doses of the vaccine to AU in October, but the supply was delayed. The vaccine is now expected to arrive on campus the week of Nov. 9 or 16, Bruey said.

The Health Center has not yet determined where the vaccine will be administered on campus; the location will depend on how many vaccines it receives from the D.C. Department of Health.

“If we get very, very few shots, we’ll probably do it in the Health Center,” Bruey said. “If we get a few thousand, we’ll try [Mary Graydon Center] or a larger place ... for people to get the vaccine.”

Although the vaccine is already of-

fered in various locations throughout the D.C. area, many of these clinics are experiencing high demand for a limited supply of vaccines, leading to long lines. Wilson Senior High School, located near the Tenleytown Metro station, offered the vaccine on Oct. 24. The resulting line of people waiting for their dose stretched well past the high school campus and towards the AU shuttle stop.

Kate Nazareth, a sophomore in the School of International Service, volunteered at a Northeast D.C. high school that offered the vaccine.

“We weren’t going to deny people the vaccines,” she said. “But they were going to have to wait.”

Bruey is unsure of how long supplies of the vaccine would last.

“It’s hard to say,” he said. “18- to 24- [year-olds] are one of our priority groups, and that’s most of the students on campus,” he said. n

see VACCINE on page 4

the EAGLE

NOVEMBER 5, 2009

POLICE

BLOTTER

OCT. 28 Money was taken from a victim’s purse. The purse had been left unattended in her McDowell Hall room.

A sign and a few ceiling tiles were pulled down from an Anderson Hall ceiling. Facilities Management and Aramark were on the scene.

OCT. 30 The Department of Public Safety responded to a report of a highly intoxicated individual in the Mary Graydon Center. The sick person was slightly coherent and on the floor of the men’s restroom upon DPS’ arrival. Emergency Medical Services transported the sick student, accompanied by a friend, to a hospital.

DPS responded for a report of an intoxicated student in the Letts/Anderson Quad. A medical refusal form was signed. The student slipped in the north stairwell and struck her head. She was evaluated again by the D.C. Fire Department.

OCT. 31 DPS responded to a report of an intoxicated student in Anderson.

He signed a medical refusal form.

DCFD was not contacted.

DPS responded to a report of a possibly intoxicated student in the 4th floor men’s bathroom of Anderson.

A resident director advised she found the student unconscious on a shower floor. Upon arrival of DPS, the student was conscious and coherent and started vomiting.

DPS and the Metropolitan Police Department responded to a report of an intoxicated student at the intersection of Brandywine Street and 40th Street, N.W. The reporting person advised the sick student just came from a party and became very ill and passed out. The student was conscious and alert when DPS arrived but was not able to stand or answer questions. DPS transported the student to a hospital.

NOV. 1 An RA reported a student was found in a Letts Hall restroom highly intoxicated and vomiting profusely.

DCFD transported the student to a hospital.

A student reported finding a small bag containing suspected marijuana in a Congressional Hall elevator.

DPS took custody of the item.

An RD in Anderson reported a student was found in the LA Quad acting belligerent and appearing heavily intoxicated. The student was conscious but unable to answer some basic questions. DCFD transported the student to a hospital.

A student was sleeping in her room with the door locked. An unknown suspect used a key to enter the room.

The student woke and said “hello.�

The suspect left the room. No items were missing from the room. The lock shop was notified to change the lock to the room.

NOV. 2 A laptop computer and other property were taken from a parked, secured vehicle in an off-campus parking garage. There was no damage to the vehicle. The complainant indicated she would notify MPD. A bicycle was taken from a bike rack outside Leonard Hall. The bike had been secured with a cord.

An unattended wallet was taken from a chair in MGC while the complainant was getting food. An AU room key and AU ID were among the items in the wallet.

NOV. 3 Smoke emanated from a “smoker’s pole� outside the Katzen Arts Center. DPS extinguished it with water.

No damage was noticed.

A student in Capital Hall reported a missing passport. The passport had been seen last on his desk in early October.

A bike was taken from outside the Kay Spiritual Center. The bike had been secured with a cable.

A bike was taken from outside the School of International Service building. The bike had been secured with a cable.

AU Facebook group facilitates ride-sharing

By ANGELA MODANY Eagle Contributing Writer AU students stuck without a way back home for the holidays will be able to utilize a new Facebook group that sets up rides among students.

The American University Rideshare Board Facebook group, started by AU student Casey Clark, allows students to find rides home with other students who live in the same general area.

Clark, a sophomore in the School of International Service, said she got the idea from her mom. “I guess that they used to be a really big thing on college campuses, and last time I went home, she suggested that I check the rideshare board for a ride,� Clark said. “I liked the idea, and since we didn’t actually have a board, I decided to start one.�

Instead of using an actual bulletin board, Clark turned to Facebook. “I thought it would be much easier and more accessible to do an online version,� she said.

To use the group, students just post a topic on the discussion board with the place they are going or looking to go, along with the date of departure, according to the Facebook page.

Students pitch in for gas, making the trip home much more affordable for the driver.

Kasturi Puntamekar, a sophomore in the College of Arts and Sciences, said she has heard of the group and will probably use it. “It’s a good way to save money in the city,� Puntamekar said.

Kit Blanke, a freshman in SIS, said she would be unlikely to use the group since she is from Minnesota. “Ridesharing seems dangerous, but it seems safer through Facebook than using a bulletin board because you know the people are from American because they are in the American network,� she said.

Kathleen Bradway, a freshman in the School of Public Affairs, said she was also concerned about safety, although she thinks the Facebook group is a good idea.

“You don’t really know who is actually giving you a ride and whether they’re a safe driver or not,� she said.

The site is already active and there are already posts about Philadelphia, Boston, Pittsburgh, Tennessee, New Jersey, Indiana, Cleveland and West Virginia.

The group currently has 648 members, with hopes of growing, since more members means students have a greater chance of finding a ride home with someone from their area, according to Clark.

Clark is anticipating that use of the group will increase as Thanksgiving and Christmas approach because more people will be going home and the prices of Amtrak and airfare are more expensive at that time. She has not used the board yet, but said she will in the future. “I am planning on looking for a ride home for Thanksgiving,� she said.

You can reach this writer at news@theeagleonline.com

news 2

D.C. bars are safe despite recent fight

By JULIA RYAN Eagle Staff Writer Despite the emergency closure of a popular Northeast D.C. club last weekend due to a fight, club violence is not a serious threat, according to D.C. Police Chief Cathy Lanier.

Lanier closed down The Martini Lounge on the night of Oct. 27, after a man stabbed another man he had gotten into a fight with.

As of Oct. 29, the owner of the Martini Lounge, Clifton Humphries, was awaiting a hearing about the club’s liquor license.

The emergency closure is not in any way an indicator that D.C. clubs have recently become unsafe, Lanier said in an e-mail. “I have used my authority for emergency club closures only a few times in the last few years,�

Lanier said. “To put this in perspective, there are over 1,000 licensed restaurants, bars and clubs in [D.C.]�

Lanier also noted the Metropolitan Police Department has not seen a significant rise in club violence in D.C. News of the fight at the Martini Lounge came as a surprise to the managers of local clubs and hangouts frequented by AU students.

Kathy, the manager of Hawk ‘n’ Dove who declined to give her last name, said she has never seen a fight break out at her bar.

Manuel Ruiz, the manager of Guapos, said he has seen “a couple of small fights break out between students at Guapos’ large AU parties.�

However, Ruiz has never had to get the police involved in any incidents.

Hannah Rubin, a freshman in the School of Communication, said she has never been in a situation where she felt uncomfortable or unsafe at a D.C. club. “I was at a club once where there was some sort of controversy, but it got resolved pretty quickly because there were a lot of bouncers at the club,� Rubin said. “Now I typically only go to clubs in large groups, and I only

go where I know there will be bouncers.�

Lieutenant Rina Sifri, the crime prevention and rape, aggression and defense coordinator for the Department of Public Safety, said Public Safety has not recently received any reports of fights involving AU students in D.C. clubs. However, Public Safety would be notified if the MPD had to respond to an off-campus incident involving AU students.

Students can avoid club fights or emergencies by following a few simple rules, Sifri said. “Know where security officers and bouncers are,� she said. “Always know where the exits are in case of any kind of emergency.

And definitely do not go to bars in bad neighborhoods.�

Students should avoid getting into disagreements that could quickly escalate into violence, Sifri said.

“Understand that people will bump into you, but it’s not something to start a fight over,� she said. “Don’t get offended — just apologize and move on.�

Sifri said if students are ever caught somewhere where they do not feel comfortable or safe, they should not hesitate to use Public Safety’s Safe Ride Program.

Through this program, students can call a cab and have Public Safety pay for their cab charges once they get back to campus.

Public Safety will then put the charge on the student’s account.

The Safe Ride Program ensures AU students will never have to be stuck in the unsafe parts of D.C., she said. “No one should ever have to feel like they have no way to get home,� Sifri said.

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

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THURS 5 Comedy: Flip Orley 8:30 p.m.

WHERE: The Improv, 1140 Connecticut Ave. N.W. METRO: Farragut North (red line) INFO: Flip Orley, the nation’s premiere comic hypnotist, has been putting audience members across America under a trance for nearly two decades.

COST: $15 CONTACT: For more information, call 202-296-7008.

MON 8 Documentary Screening: “Inside Media — Reporting the Wall’s Fall�

2:30 p.m.

WHERE: Newseum, 555 Pennsylvania Ave. N.W. METRO: Archives-Navy MemorialPenn Quarter (yellow and green lines) INFO: Former Washington Post reporter Marc Fisher will be showing a documentary about the fall of the Berlin Wall and will be speaking about his experiences as a young reporter covering this sensational international story.

COST: $20 CONTACT: For more information, call 888-639-7386.

FRI 6

SUN 7

Exhibit: Presidents in Waiting 11:30 a.m. - 7 p.m.

WHERE: The National Portrait Gallery, 8th and F Streets N.W. METRO: Gallery Place-Chinatown (red, yellow and green lines) INFO: The National Portrait Gallery showcases portraits of the 14 men who moved from the vice presidency to the presidency.

COST: Free CONTACT: For more information, call 202-633-1000.

Author Event: David Finkel 6 p.m.

WHERE: Busboys and Poets, 2021 14th St. N.W. METRO: U Street/African-American Civil War Memorial/Cardozo (yellow and green lines) INFO: David Finkel signs and discusses his new book, “The Good Soldiers,� which takes an extensive look at the heroes and soldiers fighting in the Iraq War. COST: Free CONTACT: For more information, call 202-387-7638.

TUES 9 Play: “Zarzuela on the Avenue�

8 p.m.

WHERE: Gala Hispanic Theater at Tivoli Square, 3333 14th St. N.W. METRO: Columbia Heights (yellow and green lines) INFO: The Gala Hispanic Theater presents “Zarzuela on the Avenue,� a bilingual re-interpretation of Spanish musical “La Gran Via� (“The Avenue�) about neighborhoods and redevelopment in Madrid.

COST: $38 CONTACT: For more information, call 202-204-7760.

WED 10 Exhibit: James Osher — Three Seconds with the Masters 11 a.m - 6 p.m.

WHERE: Addison/Ripley Fine Arts Gallery, 1670 Wisconsin Ave. N.W. METRO: 36 bus from Friendship Heights to Reservoir Road INFO: Osher’s photographs provide a unique look at historic paintings in several museums, including the National Gallery of Art. COST: Free CONTACT: For more information, call 202-338-5180.

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EDITORIAL

NOVEMBER 5, 2009

GRAHAM VYSE n Editorial Page Editor EdPage@TheEagleOnline.com

JEN CALANTONE n Editor in Chief Editor@TheEagleOnline.com

Election reaffirms two-party system GIVE ME LIBERTY

MICHAEL STUBEL Political columnists and pundits tend to overreact to electoral developments and their significance in relation to future contests. I cannot say I am free from such journalistic sin. Yet, in the wake of Tuesday’s off-year elections, I am here to sound a warning before every network and print news outlet engages in the perennial debate over who is up and who is down in the political sphere. I am only afraid I speak too late.

It was only one year ago that a young senator from Illinois took a nation by storm in his route on Election Day. A progressive, black Democrat had won the White House with a resounding 53 percent of the popular vote. Judging by some of the reaction in the days that followed, Obama was destined to ease the economic downturn, withdrawal all troops from Iraq and achieve universal health care before his first 100 days had passed. The reality, of course, is much different.

I am not sure that the most neutral observer could tell the difference between today and any random day in the twilight years of the Bush presidency.

This is not to say that President Obama has neglected to undertake distinct policy initiatives. Rather, it is testament to the fact that America’s two major parties remain huddled on the edge of the center. That “center,” supposedly damaged by tea party activism and liberal discontentment, survives because our nation’s political system is built to side step the most vexing issues in hopes of compromising on broad and agreeable terms.

Change comes through a frustratingly slow process of attrition — there’s some give and take, and maybe, just maybe, we will see incremental progress. Everything our Founding Fathers held dear, including a guard against passing, sectional or passionate interests, seems so wise at this moment.

With the news that Republicans Bob McDonnell and Chris Christie won gubernatorial seats in Virginia and New Jersey, respectively, the GOP secured the rebound it desperately needed. No one can deny that these triumphs, occurring in states that went for Obama last year, are signs of life for the slumping Republican Party. What last night did not represent, however, was a clear rebuke of the Obama administration or the direction of the country. The Republicans will not simply ride the good news to success in next year’s midterm elections. This is not 1993 with a prelude to 1994. Every year is unique, full of distinct political actors and shifting loyalties.

For Republicans to succeed, they must continue, as they did in Virginia and New Jersey, to attract Independent voters. This entails fielding the right candidate and trumpeting a tailored message. McDonnell, for example, ran as unconventional Republican focusing on job creation, school quality and transportation. Conversely, Democrats would be foolish to believe that they can count on Obama’s coalition to win off-year and midterm elections — it’s like trying to grasp running water in your hand. The perfect combination of youth, blacks, Latinos and educated whites will not carry the party without sustained enthusiasm.

The party system did not take a measurable hit in either of the past two elections. Sure, electoral turnover is high in this time of social unrest. Yet both parties will live to fight another day. What we can take from last night is this: the electorate showed, once again, that all politics is local. Moreover, there is more fluidity than most believed. That fluidity holds the center together; it is compromised of that 15 to 20 percent of individuals that managed to vote for Obama and McDonnell or Obama and Christie. We owe a lot to those voters.

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.

Alex Rodriguez gives me indigestion. Still, I appreciate his honesty.

MIDDLE OF THE ROAD

JOE WENNER As a Phillies fan, I get indigestion from Alex Rodriguez.

Throughout this World Series, I have reached for a Tums every time he steps to the plate. He ruined my Halloween weekend by dismantling Philadelphia’s comeback in Game 4. Regardless of the Fall Classic’s outcome, the Yankees owe much of their success to Alex Rodriguez.

It’s not just opponents who have taken notice. Sportswriters across the nation have praised A-Rod for his playoff endeavors. When Rodriguez was passed over for American League Championship Series MVP, sports blogs were alight with rage.

For a blogger on thefastertimes. com, the choice should have been a clear one: “A-Rod didn’t just have a good ALCS ... he had a phenomenal, legendary one.”

Flash back nine months. It’s hard to imagine Rodriguez getting this kind of praise, if any at all.

Many forget that on Feb. 24, ARod admitted to using performanceenhancing drugs. Calls for retribution, suspensions and subpoenas were ubiquitous in the media. The prognosis for his future as a player was grim. Sports Illustrated wrote that A-Rod “and the mighty Yankees have already seen their entire season derailed.”

This reaction should have hardly been surprising. Since the phrase “performance-enhancing drugs” became a regular term in baseball jargon, association with it has ended the careers of many popular ballplayers.

Barry Bonds, Rafael Palmero, Sammy Sosa, Mark McGwire — the list goes on. Each of these players has followed a predictable and repetitive path. The discovery of his substance abuse is followed by media furor.

The player then vehemently denies his involvement, as memories of his

accomplishments fade away. Finally, the player’s transgressions with steroids are left as his sole defining impact on baseball.

Rodriguez tested positive for steroids. Rodriguez is equally guilty of cheating the game. Yet he continues to be embraced by the baseball community. What makes his case different? Has he received a free pass?

After reviewing the events following Rodriguez’s admittance of steroid use, I realized what had set him apart: a simple mea culpa.

We all remember the contentious display of the players subpoenaed to the Congressional hearing on steroids use in 2005. Equally offputting were Mark McGwire’s nondenial denials, as he refused to even discuss the general availability of steroids in baseball.

Contrast this to Rodriguez’s statement made in February: “I was young; I was stupid; I was naïve ... I wanted to prove to everyone that I was worth being one of the greatest players of all time. I did take a banned substance. And for that, I am very sorry and deeply regretful.”

Does an apology make up for wrongdoing? Hardly. To a point, steroids will always be a blemish on Rodriguez — despite his accomplishments. Still, his apology was sincere — a rarity in today’s environment.

Moreover, the pressure to stick with the trend of accused steroid users — deny, deny, deny — must have been daunting. Instead, Alex Rodriguez put his records, trophies and livelihood on the line by coming clean. In the end, the apology should remind us all that despite his godlike salary and skill, A-Rod is still human.

Forgive me, fellow Phillies fans, but I must admit it: I respect Alex Rodriguez. It’s true he causes me great pain and suffering. But as an fan of the game, I can’t help but admire his talent. And as a human being, I admire his honesty.

Joe Wenner is a sophomore in the School of International Service and the College of Arts and Sciences and a moderate columnist for The Eagle. You can reach him at edpage@theeagleonline.com.

JOE CORCORAN / THE EAGLE

Accurately analyzing Kerwin’s pay The Chronicle of Higher Education printed misinformation about Neil Kerwin’s salary.

It’s time to set the record straight about how much he makes — and why it matters.

The Chronicle of Higher Education is spreading misinformation about AU President Cornelius M. Kerwin — and it’s time to set the record straight. The Chronicle would have us believe Kerwin received a salary of over $1.4 million during the 2007-2008 fiscal year. But it’s false. The AU Board of Trustees appropriately has called this claim inaccurate and misleading.

And to its credit, the university is pushing back hard against the Chronicle’s claims.

The Eagle’s article explains how the publication miscalculated the information. The Chronicle factored about $800,000 into Kerwin’s total

earnings that simply should not have been counted. This $800,000 is a lump sum payout of deferred compensation, not a part of Kerwin’s salary or benefits package. As The Eagle reports, a portion of Kerwin’s earnings each year was placed in a trust back in 2000, when he was provost. Kerwin was prohibited from withdrawing funds from the trust before he had served nine years with the university. But as the Board of Trustees points out, the Chronicle added that nine-year investment to their calculation of his salary for a single year, which inflated his earnings.

All of this is relevant, be-

cause college and university presidents’ salaries has been a topic of national debate recently. Sen. Chuck Grassley, RIowa, said in a press statement that salaries need to be more reasonable. And maybe they do. In such tough economic times, when students and parents are scrimping to pay for school, college and university presidents should not be getting exorbitant pay increases.

They should do more with less.

But the Chronicle of Higher Education should be honest about which presidents are making the most. The truth is, Kerwin’s salary is average for college and university presidents. He makes less than the

president of George Washington University and even less than the president of Georgetown University.

Kerwin works hard. For almost a decade, he has been an invaluable influence at this university. But in spite of this, he has not taken a salary that is unreasonable or even particularly handsome, especially compared to other college and university presidents in the area. The Chronicle of Higher Education should fix their embarrassing error. In the meantime, AU students should take a moment to appreciate the good work their president does.

Women’s Resource Center needed asset

one or two stand-alone events that demonstrate that gender inequality is alive and well. It’s about a system of oppression that hurts all people, men and women, and instructs us to value power over another person. It’s about a system that teaches us to think that a Women’s Resource Center isn’t fair to men, instead of viewing it as benefiting all people by pushing for an equality that will strengthen our relationships as human beings. A system that teaches us to place groups in need on a hierarchy, to argue that veterans need more resources than women, instead of acknowledging that we, as a society, have a lot of work to do so that neither group faces violence or inequality. This is a societal problem that Women’s Initiative, a group run by students with a student group’s budget, should not have to work against alone.

A Women’s Resource Center isn’t going to dismantle this system, but it is one tangible step we can take toward equality.

Eagle editorial board proves inconsistent

guaranteed funding will help ensure that issues related to gender expression and issues of gender inequality are addressed without fear of future budget cuts from a fickle senate.”

On April 27, 2008, the editorial staff awarded their annual grades to SG executives. SG President Joe Vidulich was given an A-, at least in part for his tireless work advocating for the creation of the WRC. At that time, the editorial staff felt that “The forthcoming Women’s Resource Center holds immense promise for male and female students alike.”

I certainly don’t expect the newspaper’s positions to remain static through staff changes. But I would hope that this editorial staff would take proactive steps to speak with advocates and become educated about the issue, as past staffs have done, before submitting a knee-jerk reaction that panders to the lowest common denominator.

I am happy to answer any questions you may have about the proposal, the goals of the center, or the reasons why a WRC is a vital and necessary addition to AU.

Monday’s editorial “Questioning New Resource Centers” generated a lot of controversy about the new Women’s Resource Center, which will open in the fall of 2010. We completely agree with the editorial staff, who encouraged students to be aware of where their money is being spent and to question the value of new university projects. What is sad, though, is that the Eagle staff and other students who agree with them still need to be convinced that a Women’s Resource Center is a valuable and needed investment.

Here is the point where we could launch into the many reasons why women on campus need the support a resource center would offer. But no amount of alarmingly high sexual assault statistics or lack of women’s health services will convince people who view women as a “special subgroup” that are attempting to “segment” the campus that such a space is needed.

The fact is that it isn’t about the statistics and it isn’t about

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Perhaps The Eagle’s editorial staff should take a quick look through their archives before running an editorial like “Questioning new resource centers” that contradicts their previous positions on a women’s resource center.

The Eagle ran an article on September 30, 2007, titled “Women’s Center in Beginning Phases” which outlines the goals of the WRC. That same day, The Eagle ran an editorial stating that “The university and the Student Government’s collaboration on the future Women’s Resource Center represents significant progress toward a more open and safe AU.” It continued, “Considering that 65 percent of the AU student body is female, it’s almost surprising that a resource center doesn’t already exist ... to expect a fulltime student to offer the same extent of services as a full-time staff director is unreasonable and unrealistic.”

On January 24, 2008, after the launch of the online resource center, Peter Brusoe devoted his opinion column to the topic, saying it was “time for a gender resource center.” He said that “A commitment from the university or a professional staff member and

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NOVEMBER 5, 2009

Metro steps up safety due to recent incidents

By MARISA KENDALL Eagle Staff Writer Following the fatal June 22 crash on Metrorail’s Red Line and several Metrobus accidents, the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority has begun implementing several new safety procedures.

Metrorail has switched its train operation to manual mode and has reconfigured its setup by putting older model cars in the center of the trains, according to Steven Taubenkibel, a Metro spokesperson. Metro is also in the early stages of testing a new software system that will alert Metro personnel to anomalies in the track circuit.

While the current crash prevention software only checks the tracks twice a day, the new software is in real time and can send alerts to the control center as soon as a track disturbance occurs, Taubenkibel said.

Taubenkibel could not say when the software will be in full use in Metro stations.

“We’re still in the early stages of testing,” he said. “We don’t have a final estimated cost, so we’re still in the early stages right now of that.”

The Metrobus union, Amalgamated Transit Union 689, has also begun an initiative — separate of WMATA — to have drivers adhere more strictly to operating procedures, Taubenkibel said.

The campaign began Oct. 13 as a reaction to recent Metrobus incidents, according to The Washington Post.

Bus incidents are taken care of with strict follow-up investigations and disciplinary action, if necessary, Taubenkibel said. He said he could not provide any information regarding the number of accidents Metrobuses have been involved in this year or regarding the number of bus operators let go for disobeying regulations.

However, WMATA supports the drivers’ initiative, he said.

“We welcome that,” Taubenkibel said. “All operations personnel are expected to follow the standard operating procedures. So if the bus operators are doing that,

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Neediest Kids — Papa John’s Pizza and the Washington Wizards, D.C.’s NBA team. From there, the two groups split by type of media they would use to promote their respective initiative, according to Maile Krauss, a senior in SOC and member of the class.

The Papa John’s group created materials to promote a special deal from the pizza restaurant: for every large pizza ordered online using the promotional code NEED, Papa John’s will donate $1 to Neediest Kids. Group leader and senior in SOC Heather Abrams said her team contacted media outlets to raise awareness about the campaign with some success. The group also went to community centers to hand out flyers and will set up tabling at AU later in the week, according to Abrams’ co-leader and senior in SOC, Katie Licht.

The Wizards group focused on an online auction, all proceeds from which go to Neediest Kids, and a text messaging campaign that allows donors to give from their mobile phones. Group member and senior in SOC Alyssa Romano said the group plans to host four AU men’s basketball games and two women’s basketball games called Neediest Kids Nights to promote the auction.

then we welcome that.”

Operators taking part in this initiative planned to observe posted speed limits, activate the handicap lifts at every stop and refrain from passing other buses, according to the union’s Web site.

While these new actions have caused bus route times to slow slightly, there have been minimal delays, Taubenkibel said. The Georgia Avenue, 14th Street and 16th Street routes have been most affected.

One of these new safety adjustments has not gone over well with the public. Many passengers have been complaining about getting motion sickness from the sudden stops and starts caused by the new manual operation of the trains, according to the Post.

When the Post asked WMATA for its complaint records, workers hand-searched through every complaint and found 11 that mentioned nausea, according to Taubenkibel. He estimated that the 11 were out of about 20 million rides.

“So that’s a very, very, very small number,” he said.

The trains will be running on manual operation until further notice, Taubenkibel said. This will probably be until the investigations regarding the cause of the June 22 accident are concluded.

Jinesh Sha, a graduate student in the College of Arts and Sciences, said he thinks Metrorail service has been the same this semester as in the past. He continues to take Metro trains despite the June 22 crash.

“I think that [Metro is] the best way of transport in D.C., and it’s convenient, and AU is obviously close to the Metro stop,” he said.

WMATA has been publicizing the recent safety modifications as much as possible, Taubenkibel said.

“We’re trying to do what we can to make the system as safe as possible, and so our customers expect us to run a safe operation ... so I think they understand what we’re trying to do: we’re trying to make it as safe as possible,” he said.

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

Eighteen to 25 restaurants in the D.C. area will also host Neediest Kids Nights, at which they may use coasters advertising the initiative, donate a portion of their proceeds to the organization or some combination of both strategies, according to Krauss.

Collectively, the class also created a Twitter and a Facebook page for Neediest Kids.

Several students in the class this fall found it challenging but important in terms of experience for their later careers.

“Without this class it’s possible that someone could graduate [from AU with a Public Relations] degree without ever doing PR,” Krauss said.

The fact that many of her students will graduate at the end of the semester motivates her to take a more hands-off approach, Puglisi said.

“My hope is that this class takes them away from the structure and security of a classroom to being their own bosses, understanding what it’s like to be an entrepreneur, not having somebody breathing down your neck all the time — even though I know I do — but let them come up with strategies and what they do to take this to the next level,” Puglisi said.

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

news 4

BRO-BALL

COURTESY OF SIGMA CHI

Saturday, Oct. 24, Sigma Chi hosted a Broomball night as one of the many events of the fraternity’s 2009 Derby Days. The week-long philanthropy event raised $3,000 for the Hunstman Cancer Center.

Alt. break beats economy

By SARAH RUDNICK Eagle Staff Writer Despite a turbulent economy, AU’s Alternative Breaks program has continued to expand in both its number of trips and its number of applicants, according to Shoshanna Sumka, coordinator of Global and CommunityBased Learning Community Service.

Alternative Breaks are trips planned through the AU Community Service Center aimed at furthering social causes around the country and world during AU’s winter, spring and summer breaks.

Despite the economic turmoil, Alternative Breaks has not visibly suffered, Sumka said.

“It’s really hard to tell,” she said. “I know from our recruitment numbers that there still is a very high level of interest for going on the trips. So we do have more numbers than last year of people applying for the trips.”

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by, which had deterred administrators from moving the children back to their original location, Taylor said.

“We didn’t want to be in a situation of moving the kids back, only having to move them back [into Leonard Hall] again,” Taylor said. “We wanted to make sure everything was free and clear.”

Any move would likely take place between semesters, he said.

“It’s just a matter of finishing touches, getting the licensing done and figuring out when is the best time,” he said.

A high-priority investigation is underway at the 4825 Glenbrook Rd. property behind the Watkins building, but the development center does not lie within the Corps’ established 96-foot safety boundary.

In 2001, Corps investigations revealed that 35 percent of tested soil contained arsenic levels higher than the Environmental Protection Agency’s removal guideline level of 43 parts per million.

In some areas, these levels were as high as 498 ppm, according to minutes of a Feb. 13,

Over the past four years, interest among participants and leaders has continued to grow, Sumka said.

However, she said the main reason people end up dropping out after applying for a trip is because they cannot afford it. Alternative Breaks works to avoid this problem by taking measures to make trips as reasonably priced as possible.

“We do have a little bit more money in our scholarship fund that we are able to give out as travel grants, and I think that’s helpful for people,” she said. “We try to have a balance of domestic trips versus international trips, [as] domestic trips are more affordable ... And any time we do a trip, we really try to make it as bare bones as possible. The main thing people are paying for is the airfare.”

AU students are selected as trip “leaders” after a rigorous application process, Sumka said. They plan everything: logistics, budget, recruit2001 meeting of the Spring Valley/Corps Community Group.

After the discovery, the development center was relocated to Leonard Hall and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry conducted exposure investigations on development center’s children and staff.

While test results revealed “detectable levels” of arsenic in hair samples from eight of the 32 participants, the ATSDR report concluded that hair arsenic concentrations were “not elevated” in the 28 children and four adults who participated in the exposure investigation.

“All of the hair arsenic levels detected in the [Exposure Investigation] participants were within the ranges reported for unexposed populations,” the report stated, adding that background hair arsenic levels in the general population have not been well characterized.

The Corps removed contaminated soil from around the development center building, but failed to remove potentially contaminated soil from underneath the building, according to Kent Slowinski, a former Restoration Advisory Board member and Spring Valley resident.

“If there is elevated arsenic

ing, advertising and more. This year, there are 30 leaders running trips to 12 different locations — more than last year. Two new additions include a trip to Senegal this winter and one to India this summer.

Emily Phillips, a sophomore in the School of International Service and the Kogod School of Business, is leading a group to Guatemala. The trip has not been adversely affected by the economy, according to Phillips.

“In planning the trip, affordability is always important,” Phillips said in an e-mail. “Luckily, for the trip to Guatemala, the budget was not constrained significantly by the economy.

This is because of the relatively low living expenses in the country and the strength of the U.S. dollar compared to the Guatemalan quetzal.”

Two other trip leaders, seniors Gabrielle Goudiaby and Megan Kelly, said they do not believe the economy has affected their budgets. soil beneath the [Child Development Center], there could be a problem with vapor intrusion,” he said.

Vapor intrusion is when chemicals in the soil give off gas and toxic fumes. Such fumes could potentially enter a structure through cracks in the foundation, according to the Corps’ military response program manager Dan Noble.

After speaking with the university’s scientific adviser, Dr. Paul Chrostowski, Taylor said vapor intrusion does not represent a significant threat.

“Given the substantial work done on and around the site, there is no reason to suggest that ‘toxic gas’ is an issue,” he said.

“In addition to the soil having been removed and replaced, not only around that building but in the adjacent areas, air monitoring and dust control [were] done throughout the operation.”

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

Karina Zannat, a sophomore in SIS and Kogod, said her trip to Bangladesh this winter was impacted by the unstable times.

“The airfare is pretty high,” Zannat said. “The participants are generally being financed by their parents who are very much affected by the economy, so [my co-leader] and I have tried exceptionally hard to subsidize and cut out as many costs as possible.”

To cut costs, the group will replace hotel rooms with homestays, she said.

“So the current economic crisis definitely made us think twice about cutting down costs as much as possible,” she said. “But at the end of the day, it still sums up to $2,250 per person.”

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

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After the SHC receives the initial shipment of the vaccine, the Department of Health will continue to send weekly doses to AU until February. If students who want to be vaccinated do not get the shot within the first week, they will have an opportunity to get it the following week.

Some students are planning to get the vaccine as quickly as possible.

“The sooner, the better. It’s always about to strike; there are so many people getting sick,” said Therese Quiao, a senior in the School of Communication. “A lot of people know who’s gotten it and can say they know someone who has it.”

If supplies run out, students can also get the vaccine off campus.

Health workers at Wilson Senior High School will administer the vaccine to “all [Centers for Disease Control] priority groups” on Nov. 3, according to The Washington Post.

These priority groups include people “between the ages of 6 months and 24 years old,” among others listed on CDC’s Web site.

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

Sen. Begich muses on federal spending, toilets

By GRAHAM VYSE Eagle Staff Writer At 7 p.m. on Nov. 3, Sen. Mark Begich, D-Alaska, spoke to the AU College Democrats in Butler Board Room. In an exclusive interview with The Eagle following the event, Begich touched on the issues of federal spending and anti-tax tea parties.

He also explained how he recently fixed a toilet at a Bruce Springsteen concert.

Begich on stimulus, spending and deficits...

“I worked with a group of moderate senators to ‘right size’ it. It was too much. When we were on the floor and it was getting close to a trillion dollars, a few of us — and we were kind of new that February — we just

said, ‘Hey, let’s get this show on the road and get in a room and figure this all out’ ... We sat down and brought it back down. And on the budget, when [President Obama] presented his budget and he had another $250 billion in there for TARP II, we said absolutely not. That’s not happening.

And so that also gets you called to the White House. But you have to be willing to understand that’s going to happen and be able to say, ‘I belong to a group of Democrats that are focused on deficit reduction.’ That’s our next big challenge to tackle. If we don’t deal with that in what I would consider an aggressive, positive way, that’s the next big issue.”

On the anti-tax tea parties...

“I think as individuals they have concerns. I’ve encountered them.

There’s some players out there that have a lot of money that are antiObama, anti-Democrat, [and] that at any cost are going to be jamming whatever they can ... I think what’s happened is, the people with big money who don’t like President Obama are fueling it. But people who have legitimate concerns about the economy or concerns about maybe government’s doing too much have found that as an avenue to voice their views. They may not have any clue who the funders are — or care, but they’re worked up. When I did my town hall meetings, I didn’t do them in August, because that was a situation where millions of dollar were being spent to just kind of prove emotions ... So, I did mine in June and September.”

On his recent night out at a Bruce

Springsteen concert...

“I will tell you, at the Bruce Springsteen concert, we were at one of those box rooms. I was there with Sen. [Mark] Pryor, [D-Ark.], and a whole bunch of folks. I went into the bathroom and the toilet was broken!

I fixed it. [I thought], there’s like 27 people in there. Someone’s gonna use that, so it better get fixed.”

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

YIPIN LU / THE EAGLE

MARK THE PLUMBER? — Sen. Mark Begich, D-Alaska, tells The Eagle about his first year as a senator — including how he once repaired a faulty toilet at a concert.

NOVEMBER 5, 2009

THE EAGLE'S ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT SECTION

Courtesy of IMAGEMOVERS DIGITAL LLC

BAH HUMBUG — Robert Zemeckis’ latest directorial effort, a computer-animated version of the classic Dickens tale “A Christmas Carol,” stars comedian Jim Carrey in the role of Ebenezer Scrooge as well as the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Yet to Come. Though Carrey plays four of the main roles, “Carol” is still filled with an all-star cast, including Colin Firth, Gary Oldman and Robin Wright Penn.

Scrooge re-animated in ‘Carol’

By YOHANA DESTA Eagle Staff Writer To movie buffs out there, the name Robert Zemeckis is equal to cinematic legend. For those who may not recognize his name, maybe this one sounds more familiar: “Forrest Gump.” If even that film doesn’t quite do it for you, how about “Cast Away,” “Back to the Future” or “The Polar Express?” These films are among the many Zemeckis wrote, directed and produced.

He’s worked with the best actors and directors out there, including both Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg (multiple times), as well as Halle Berry and Angelina Jolie, with his films grossing over $1 billion worldwide.

With the success of his last holiday film, “The Polar Express,” Zemeckis has gotten back in the spirit to create his latest work, an animated

version of “A Christmas Carol.”

Zemeckis’ last project, the animated “Beowulf,” taught him that animation is a way to discover an old tale in a new way.

“When I was doing ‘Beowulf,’ I realized it’s a great form for introducing classics to new moviegoers,” Zemeckis said in an interview with The Eagle. “Many of these classic stories have great spectacle which is hard to relegate to the big screen.

Obviously, ‘A Christmas Carol’ is a very familiar title and I thought, ‘Why not give this a try?’”

For those who worry that Zemeckis will turn the classic Dickens novel into an unrecognizable Hollywood film, Zemeckis says they should not fret.

“It’s a story of redemption, and we stayed true to that,” Zemeckis said. “We did tinker a bit in the end to give Scrooge some action, but that’s it. One thing that defi-

nitely made the studio nervous was to have everyone speak in the language Dickens wrote it in, which I think is very beautiful.”

The director seemed confident in his version of “Carol,” steering clear of emulating other versions that “watered down the suspense and sense of foreboding,” according to Zemeckis.

In the new version, versatile comedian Jim Carrey plays Scrooge.

Zemeckis did not have a specific actor in mind when writing the script, which he attributes to his desire to see his characters as “shadows.” After Carrey was tapped to do the role, Zemeckis figured that since the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future are an extension of Scrooge, he should have Carrey play all three. Carrey has certainly shown a lot of range throughout his career and when it comes to dramatic roleplay, he is one of the

masters. Carrey fans have no fear, however — even though “A Christmas Carol” is a classic novel, Carrey was still able to use his trademark improv in the film.

“This role called for a straightforward, dramatic performance, because nobody is going to tamper with Dickens,” Zemeckis said. “[Carrey’s] improv came with physical things to give Scrooge great characterization. His whole body transforms to Scrooge.”

The new “Carol” uses animated special effects that take the actor’s actual body movement and translate it onto the silver screen. Using high-definition cameras focused on literally every part of the actor, every pore is defined. The actor’s movements are three-dimensional, and the sound is pitch perfect; once they get what they want, the animators wrap it in digital skin. The process is complicated and extremely

Old ‘footage’ proves funny

By BRYAN KOENIG Eagle Staff Writer Humor is often found in unexpected places, but it is still rare to seek it out in corporate training videos and bizarre home videos lost to the yard sale. That hasn’t stopped the Found Footage Festival from trying, however.

The festival will stop by the Arlington Cinema ‘N’ Drafthouse at 7:15 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 7.

“Basically it’s a guided tour through our collection of videos we found over the years at thrift stores and garage sales and other out of the way places like that,” festival co-founder Nick Prueher said.

Prueher and co-founder Joe Pickett describe themselves as curators and hosts for the festival, playing the 90-minute compilation of video clips in different segments and categories and providing a live, running commentary as they play.

According to Prueher, choosing the videos can be difficult.

“The criteria for us is it has to be found somewhere,” he said.

“Most of the videos are things that weren’t meant to be shown in public, so [they are] home movies, exercise videos, training videos, promotional tapes — you know, things that you’d watch at home in your living room or in a break room somewhere at your corporate job.”

The festival is broken down into an average of 15 to 16 segments. Even if the audience finds one segment boring, at an average length of four minutes each, the next segment isn’t far behind.

“You never have to wait more than a few minutes,” Pickett said.

Often, the segments are chosen based on themes. Common themes of the festival’s various incarnations have included montages of exercise videos, VCR games and computer how-to videos. Pickett describes many of the

videos as “painfully outdated and hard to watch.” That is, until he and Prueher get their hands and snarky comments on them.

Approximately six months out of the year, Prueher and Pickett hit the road with the festival, described as a live version of “Mystery Science Theater 3000.” They edit the 90-minute show out of an estimated 150 hours of video they have amassed over the years. The same venue never sees the exact same show twice, although they will show the same incarnation at different stops on their state-tostate tour, expecting to perform close to 100 screenings this year.

To let the humor of the videos shine through, Prueher and Pickett allow the videos to speak for themselves.

“We try not to overdo it with making comments,” Prueher said.

“Sometimes we let them stand on their own, other times we feel like they needed a little bit of help.”

The two aren’t afraid to make the subjects of their films the butt of a joke.

“Having watched thousands of hours of videos to cull these videos down to just 90 minutes of stuff, we feel like we’ve earned the right to make fun of them a little bit,” Prueher said.

Segments that audiences can look forward to this Saturday include one called “Heavy Metal Picnic.” Filmed in D.C., “Picnic” is a home movie of a heavy metal weekend in 1985 full of “drunken debauchery” — the kind that, when you see it, “you’re just happy that you’re not there,” according to Pickett.

Another popular segment that will be featured Saturday is “Andrew’s Grab Bag.” When the festival was in Denver last year, the curators ran into the segment’s namesake, a man who Pickett describes as “a real life Peewee Herman.”

Andrew had a massive collection that included a number

technical, but Zemeckis has perfected it, showcasing his talent for animation in “Beowulf.”

“I try to explain the process to the actors, but there’s no way to explain it until they experience it themselves,” Zemeckis said. “What weirds them out the most is putting on the leotard.”

Zemeckis assured that actors eventually fall in love with the process because it’s all about performance.

“They don’t have fancy clothes or make-up — it’s like doing blackbox theater, and it’s really powerful,” Zemeckis said. “On a typical 20hour day, actors work for maybe 20 minutes, but with animation, they work all day long and their scenes are not chopped up.”

For Zemeckis, “A Christmas Carol” is his second film dealing with time travel. His “Back to the Future” franchise also had a plot

Eagle Contributing Writer

FESTIVAL FOLLIES — Founders Nick Prueher and Joe Pickett began the Found Footage Festival after realizing that their collection of eclectic videos should be seen by more than just their close friends. The festival will be hitting the Arlington Cinema ‘N’ Drafthouse on Nov. 7.

of videos that he donated to the festival. Pickett and Prueher compiled the donated collection into a montage of videos Pickett describes as truly bizarre, including a how-to guide on throwing horseshoes and a training video on masturbation. An unwritten rule of the show has become to always have a non-erotic depiction of full frontal male nudity.

Premiering at the Drafthouse screening will be a new segment called “VHS Cover Slideshow,”

featuring “our favorite, funniest VHS covers,” according to Pickett. The first non-video the festival has ever played, it will feature promising or funny covers and titles.

In order to find their fourminute gems, Prueher and Pickett comb through huge amounts of video looking for laughs.

“We don’t wish it upon anybody to have to sit through all the videos we do,” Prueher said. n

see FOUND on page 7

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

Taking Back Sunday reborn on ‘New Again’

By MAGGIE HOLLANDER

Courtesy of FOUND FOOTAGE FESTIVAL

with the subject, something Zemeckis revealed was inspired by “A Christmas Carol.” As one of the first time travel stories he read, it clearly left a lasting impression. Things are coming full circle in Zemeckis’ life while he brings the classic novel to the silver screen in a new way.

“I want people to take that it is one of the greatest stories written, and maybe they’ll go back and read it,” Zemeckis said. “It just has such scale and ghosts and great supernatural stuff. Dickens is just one of the greatest writers in the English language.”

With an all-star cast comprised of Jim Carrey, Colin Firth, Gary Oldman and many more, “A Christmas Carol” is bound to be the perfect Christmas film this year. It opens in theatres everywhere Nov. 6.

Taking Back Sunday, known for hits like “MakeDamnSure” and “Liar (It Takes One To Know One)” are trying to become the title of their most recent album, “New Again” — sort of.

With a new guitarist, a new(ish) album and a new outlook on life, Taking Back Sunday are attempting to take back the airwaves.

“I definitely think the band’s matured,” guitarist Matt Fazzi said in an interview with The Eagle. This maturity is evident on the group’s latest record.

“New Again” is definitely not by the same 18-year-old boys who wrote the first album; it has a far more mature sound than the band’s earlier music. Some of the edge from their first album, “Tell All Your Friends,” has been smoothed out and baby-proofed for this new phase in the lives of the artists themselves. It also has a darker feeling and leaves the listener wondering where all the spirit from the old TBS went. However, their first single, “Sink Into Me,” is something of a flashback, reminiscent of their earlier work. It has that same joy and passion as Taking Back Sunday did when they formed 10 years ago.

But some fans are still unsure about the new record, choosing to believe that the band peaked back in 2002, with the release of “Tell All Your Friends.”

Fazzi does not deny a change.

“Some people think ‘New Again’ sounds like ‘Tell All Your Friends,’ which I completely do not agree with,” Fazzi said. “If that’s the way

people hear it, that’s great, and if that made them like it, that’s cool.”

After being in the business for 10 years, fans can hardly expect the band to produce songs similar to those they wrote as teenagers.

“At the end of the day we just try to write a good record and write good songs and try to push the band in a few different directions that the band has never been, and I think we did a pretty good job of that,” Fazzi said. Speaking for the band, Fazzi said they were all proud of the way TBS had evolved.

Of all the songs on the record, Fazzi believes “Carpathia” best defines this new Taking Back Sunday sound.

“I think that song is a nice picture of where we were at when ... making the record, but also the direction we’d like to go in, more ... of a vocal frontier for the band,” Fazzi said, adding that he hopes the band will continue to grow.

Despite the many changes, Taking Back Sunday fans have stuck by the band — for which the boys remain thankful.

“We’re so, so lucky that we have a great fan base that always sticks with us no matter what,” Fazzi said.

“We may not have sold as many records on ‘New Again’ as we did for ‘Louder Now,’ but we’re still selling the same, if not more, tickets for every city; our touring is still... great.”

On the cusp of beginning a new tour with the All-American Rejects, Fazzi looked back fondly at their time this summer opening for Blink-182 and the influence other bands have had on them.

“Blink and Weezer had a huge n

see TBS on page 6

the EAGLE

NOVEMBER 5, 2009

the scene 6

Director strays from ‘gentleman’ roots

By AMRITA KHALID Eagle Contributing Writer

GENTLEMEN BRONCOS

B

With his new film “Gentlemen Broncos,” Jared Hess (of “Napoleon Dynamite” acclaim), feeds his camp-hungry audience the same formula of true weirdness as his last two efforts. Only this time, he does it with a certain dose of crassness that could only be warranted in the world of science fiction. According to Hess, between the two films, he’s been able to showcase different sides of his own childhood. “‘Napoleon’ is kind of a representation of my social life at that age,” Hess said in an interview with The Eagle. “This is more of a representation of my creative life.”

Be warned if you somehow end up at this film with your grandmother: this definitely isn’t a wholesome family film by your favorite indie filmmaker from Utah.

Go see this movie with a group of fun friends — preferably the unemployed ones with criminal records — and be prepared to have both your funny bone and your gag reflex induced.

The film follows the story of Benjamin Purvis (Michael Angarano), who is excitedly accepted to Cletus Fest, the best camp for young writers in Utah. Remember the kids in high school who got way, way too excited about each new “Lord of the Rings” movie?

Take about five hundred of them, put them in cringe-worthy, ‘70s haircuts and clothing and ask them to write about their fantasies. That’s Cletus Fest.

Fellow campers Tabatha (Halley Feiffer) and her guy friend Lonnie (Hector Jimenez) joyfully cling to Benjamin after he succumbs to her request to borrow 20 dollars in order to buy tampons. Heading the camp is renowned science fiction author Ronald Chevalier, played with utter hilarity by “Flight of the Conchords” star Jemaine Clement. Chevalier, Purvis’ idol, is a complete tool who perpetually dons a Bluetooth on which he never receives any calls. One of the most hilarious scenes involves him coaching the campers on coining better names for the characters in their fantasy stories.

“You can add -onious, -ainous or -anous to just about anything and it becomes magical,” explains Chevalier with utter sincerity. Chevalier, believably, is at a low point in his career where no one is buying his work. When he announces a contest for the best science fiction story, Purvis eagerly submits his latest opus, “Yeast Lords: The Bronco Years,” a bizarre tale replete with sexual innuendo.

Benjamin leaves camp early to help his eccentric, coddling mother Judith (Jennifer Coolidge) with her nightgown-making business.

In addition to nightgowns, Judith also makes and sells popcorn balls that she joyfully deems “Country Balls.”

Life after camp for Benjamin is miserable. Not only did he lose the Cletus Fest contest, but Tabatha and Lonnie, who own an A/V studio, have decided to translate Yeast Lords into a movie that would make something by Michael Bay look like an Oscar-winning film.

On top of this, Chevalier has predictably enough decided to plagiarize “Yeast Lords” by “onious and

ainous-ing” all the character names and incorporating cyclops, which leads to a chaotic struggle by Benjamin to reclaim the work.

Audience members may gasp or cover their eyes during many of the grosser moments of the film. However, Hess seems rather nonplussed about things getting too weird or getting pushed too far.

“I mean, this film is as weird as we get,” he said. “We always try and make the film that we’ve always wanted to see with the characters and situations that we haven’t seen before and that’s what’s fun to do as a filmmaker.”

Hess co-writes all of his films with his wife, Jerusha. Despite her sensitivity to gross-out humor, Hess said that she played a significant part in “Broncos.” One of the opening sequences of “Broncos” involves a character’s gonads being cut off.

“It’s funny because she actually blames the disturbing stuff on me, but she actually had the idea for the gonads thing — that was her,” Hess said. But the film’s weirdness goes beyond the situations; in fact, much of it comes from the characters.

Upon Purvis’ return from camp, his mother realizes her son has no friends. She takes it upon herself to find him a church-appointed mentor named Dusty (Mike White), an albino choir-singer with a boa constrictor that contributes to one of the most outrageous moments in the film. Despite its ridiculousness, it is actually loosely based on a true event.

“I had a friend ... in Boy Scout Camp when I was like 14,” Hess said. “He caught a big old black rat snake in the woods, and was like, ‘Check out this sweet snake,

Courtesy of SETH SMOOT

BUCKING BRONCOS — Jared Hess’ newest movie, “Gentlemen Broncos,” is quite different from his past indie film hits, like the memorable “Napoleon Dynamite.” The film follows the adventures of an aspiring teenage author who, after losing a contest, has his book idea ripped off by a famous author. “Broncos” comes out Nov. 6. man!’ and it just crapped all over his shirt. I didn’t even know snakes had a butt hole — I just thought they kind of regurgitated their food when they were done.”

Many of the film’s characters were inspired from Hess’ life in Utah.

“My mom kind of inspired the Judith character,” said Hess. “She worked for a modest nightgownmaking company, had popcorn balls that she sold ... A lot of things that happened to the characters in the film, I can relate to quite a bit. The Lonnie character is based

on someone I knew in high school that made a lot of soap opera movies that were thrillers. Tabatha is kind of a composite of a lot of crazy girls I knew growing up.”

On par with his own indie-esque movies, Hess encourages aspiring filmmakers to start with whatever they can.

“The first piece of advice is probably very practical, and that is, write something within your means,” Hess said. “Write something you can shoot tomorrow on DV. I knew a lot of kids in film school who would write these epic

stories and be like, ‘It’ll be at least 100 mil to pull this off, and we’ll have to have Bruce Willis.’ And it’s like, dude, you don’t have the funds to pull this off. Write something you can do immediately. It’s a great way to find your voice as a director and a writer. Write about the things you know first hand, which may or may not be entertaining to people.

But start there.”

“Gentlemen Broncos” hits theaters this Friday, Nov. 6.

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

Brit rockers cut ‘monkey’ business out

By YOHANA DESTA Eagle Staff Writer

Courtesy of FRIENDLY FIRE RECORDINGS

PHENOMENON — The Phenomenal Handclap Band is a collective of musicians from New York City founded by two former disc jockeys who were tired of spinning other people’s music and wanted to make their own. The band, who just released their self-titled debut, create an eclectic sound by blending the most popular sounds of the past five decades with a contemporary feel. PHB recently opened for Simian Mobile Disco at 9:30 club.

PHB show deserves a ‘hand’ Eclectic octet takes over stage at 9:30

By KATRINA CASINO Eagle Staff Writer The Phenomenal Handclap Band are from at least three different decades, not in terms of age, but in terms of style. And not just fashion sense; though this would be true, too, each of the eight members seem to have stepped out of a different era of rock ‘n’ roll in how their sound.

In name, the Phenomenal Handclap Band sound like they’re going to be one of those aginghippie-meets-hipster deals, perhaps belting out carpe diem melodies and running across fields a la Polyphonic Spree. And, although there may be hints of that hippie/ hipster thing going on in their self-titled debut album, PHB are also a fusion of funk, R&B, folk, experimental, electronic, new wave and ‘70s psychedelic rock — it’s a lot to fit into a six-song set.

It wasn’t just the mélange of styles that was overwhelming, but the band members themselves.

Identifying more strongly as a musical collective than a band, the eight members crowded 9:30 club’s mid-sized stage, heads down and bodies swaying to their own trippy, slow-motion groove.

Unsettled audience members whose eyes perused the stage for a focal point to settle on were met by guitarist Luke Riverside’s solo, his high-pitched distortion ripping through the muddled sound and demanding attention.

This sudden break in the tension launched PHB’s first song into a nearly-frantic jam laced with varied guitar sounds ranging from jangly strumming to Ratatatesque riffs.

Composed largely of dynamic instrumental jams, the band’s set was a showcase of skill, both collectively and individually.

Founded by former New York disk jockeys — Daniel Collas and Sean Marquand — who wanted to start making their own music, it’s no surprise that the group has a tendency to push boundaries and blend styles.

Some songs were characterized by intensely stacked vocal harmonies made possible by participa-

tion from nearly all members of the band. The eight performers singing into microphones lined up at the edge of the stage were reminiscent of 1970s family-style bands like the Partridge Family — but actually cool.

A new element was introduced to the audience when, three songs into their set, the two women whose previous responsibilities seemed only to be nonchalant tambourine playing took the lead on vocals. Joan Tick’s voice is dark and deep, and her on-stage persona reads pure, cool confidence.

Laura Marin’s raspy voice is playful and fun. Leading the band in “15 to 20,” a song that seemed mostly about counting to 50 in increments of five, Marin took the band’s set in a new direction, proving that musicians don’t always need to be ultra-serious to make good music.

The PHB know how to work the stage. Though their presence was somewhat overwhelming at first, the band’s size added an element of faux-epicness to their performance. Though the U Street venue only holds about 1,200 concert-goers (even then, the place was only about half full), the PHB made it feel like

they were filling up an entire stadium.

They also know how to share the stage. Never letting any one member bask in the 9:30 spotlight for too long, their set accentuated the talents of each individual member.

Their closing number, “Born Again” was the highlight of their show, with the dirty groove of the synthesizer playing over Patrick Wood’s drums, which seemed to function more as a beatbox than a drum set. On top of that, vocals flew between band members, culminating in an a capella rendition of the chorus. As if that wasn’t enough, Marquand surprised the audience with an organ solo.

That’s right, an organ solo.

And because it’s rude not to live up to their name, there was even some phenomenal handclapping.

Phenomenal Handclap Band’s blending of genre, sound and appearance is so wrong that it’s almost right. Certain spots in their set occasionally seemed a little bit jittery or hesitant, but the band have got the right idea. This is just their first round.

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

They’re loud, they’re English and they rock hard. They are Sheffield, England’s finest: the Arctic Monkeys.

If you don’t know who they are, it’s about time you got caught up.

In 2006, four lads by the names of Alex Turner, Matt Helders, Jamie Cook and Andy Nicholson came out with their first album, “Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not.” The album’s release was followed by two Grammy nominations, record-breaking sales of 363,735 copies worldwide in one week and a reputation as alterna-rock’s next big thing.

With Turner’s poetic lyrics, Cook’s riff-heavy guitar playing, Helder’s smashing drums and new bassist Nick O’Malley’s relentless groove, the indie alt-rock band has become one of the biggest names in England, all while staying true to their indie roots.

Now, two albums, millions of copies and a bunch of awards later, the Arctic Monkeys are at it again with their latest release, “Humbug.” Written by Turner and coproduced by Josh Homme (Queens of the Stone Age), “Humbug” is a decided step away from the previous material that the band has produced. It is darker, edgier and far more haunting than anything fans thought the Arctic Monkeys were capable of producing.

The band flew out from their native England all the way to the Mojave Desert to write and get a new sound and feeling for this album. The new setting worked, as evident by the fantastical lyrics, Western-vibe melodies and hushed vocals produced by Turner.

It has a depth that critics have never seen before, as Turner’s lyrics are usually playful and sarcastic and quite reflective of the debauchery going on around him.

With new lyrics like, “Fiendish wonder in a carnival’s wake/Old caresses once again irritate/Tread softly stranger/Move over towards the danger that you seek,” it is evi-

n

from TBS on page 5

effect on me wanting to learn how to play guitar and getting me to seem like it was within my reach,” he said.

“It was cool to identify with someone like Rivers [Cuomo, lead singer of Weezer] who just didn’t look like your normal rock star; he looked like a totally normal, geeky guy.”

Fazzi said the experience was a memorable one, but the band are excited to be doing what they’re doing these days.

“At the end of the day, we’re all still

dent that there is more of a poet in Turner than suspected before.

This is not to say that the Arctic Monkeys have completely forsaken the sound that they are known for. Playful and kitschy songs like “Sketchhead” and “Dangerous Animals” reflect their earlier sound, with only a hint of darkness and foreboding.

“Humbug” is a mix of classic indie rock and psychedelic rock similar to Jimi Hendrix or even Cream. The sound is haunting and enigmatic, but the songs are fast and riff-heavy, in true Arctic Monkeys style. For dedicated fans, it is a chance to see their growth as a band and to see just how far their brand will stretch.

Considering that it is their first album in two years, fans were eager to get their hands on whatever they sent out. As a result, “Humbug” has sold over 100,000 records already with the numbers sure to climb higher. The first single off the track is “Crying Lightning,” with the music video featuring all four members sailing on a boat, playing their instruments, surrounded by turbulent waters and trippy colored skies.

The second single off the track, the romantic “Cornerstone” has been released as well, along with its music video. It features Turner, alone against a white backdrop singing the song while being creepy, nerdy and hilarious all at the same time. It showcases the way that the Arctic Monkeys balance their sense of humor and their reputation as a serious rock band.

Since the release of their album, the Arctic Monkeys have embarked on a huge tour and have already made stops in Europe and America. However, the tour should continue into 2010, with the band performing all over the world. If you want to see them, they’ll be at 9:30 club on Dec. 8, but hurry because tickets are selling out fast.

You can reach this staff writer at ydesta@theeagleonline.com. people that appreciate a musician’s role and to be able to play music every day for a living is a dream come true,” Fazzi said.

Curious to see how far this band has come? Grab tickets to their show on Nov. 16 at the Patriot Center, where they’ll be co-headlining with the All-American Rejects. And don’t worry, hardcore TBS fans — they promise to play a ton of their old stuff, too.

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

7

CLASSIFIEDS

NOVEMBER 5, 2009

KUSHAN DOSHI n Business Manager 202.885.3593

Time abroad flies fast Missing home ends semester away too soon

“We’re sort of masochists — we’re willing to suffer for other people’s entertainment, but we don’t expect other people to do the same. So we try to pare it down to just the most entertaining stuff.”

The show is currently on its fourth volume. When they tour, the pair are constantly looking for new videos at garage sales, thrift stores and the like.

“The more we do this, the more videos we come across,” Pickett said. Oftentimes audience members will come up to them and offer their own videos for the festival.

The festival has been playing in the D.C. area for three years.

The founders chose the Arlington Drafthouse for its unique characteristics. “It’s a movie theater and comedy club that serves beer,” Prueher said. “That’s pretty much the perfect venue for us. It’s been great, we’ve had all sold-out shows every time we’ve been there.”

A single art deco theater, the Drafthouse boasts a movie screen and stage for live comedy.

With comfortable chairs, tables and a full bar and restaurant, the Drafthouse fits 295. This time, however, the audience will be capped at 275 in order to keep the feel “packed but comfortable,” according to Greg Godbout, one of the owners.

The Drafthouse attempts to book the festival three to four

times a year, according to Godbout.

“The whole thing is very humorous and fun,” Godbout said.

With Saturday marking the festival’s fifth time at the Drafthouse, it has been playing there for the last year and a half.

Friends since the sixth grade in Madison, Wis., Prueher and Pickett have been collecting eclectic videos for 17 years, giving an early incarnation of the festival at home and in their college dorm room.

“Nothing much has changed,” Pickett said of their routine.

In the spring of 2004, the two decided to try and turn a profit on what had by then become a staple among their friends and share their unique videos and colorful commentary on these videos with the world.

With the technological switch to DVDs and people getting rid of their old VHS tapes, “I don’t think we’re in danger of running out of footage,” Prueher said.

“We’ve barely scratched the surface.”

The festival can be found online at http://www.foundfootagefest.com, where a new video is posted everyday.

MADRID — A few weeks ago, the air was getting crisper and the city’s few deciduous trees were starting to change color when I started feeling a familiar pang of yearning in the depths of my stomach. It uncontrollably arrives at random moments throughout my day: my mouth starts to water and the waistline of my jeans tightens. I’d prom-

THURS 5

FRI 27 6 THU

SAT 7

SUN 8

MON 9

TUES 10

Exhibit: I Ran Home (In America) WHEN: 11 a.m. - 7 p.m.

WHERE: The Fridge 516 Eighth St. S.E. METRO: Eastern Market (orange and blue lines) INFO: Three Iranian-American artists display various works detailing their struggles with identity and American culture.

COST: Free CONTACT: For more information, call The Fridge at 202-664-4151.

Music: Peter Bjorn and John WHEN: 8 p.m.

WHERE: 9:30 club 815 V St. N.W. METRO: U Street/African-American Civil War Memorial/Cardozo (yellow and green lines) INFO: The Swedish indie pop band that gained popularity with their single, “Young Folks,” performs with El Perro del Mar. COST: $25 CONTACT: For more information, call the 9:30 club at 202-265-0930.

Exhibit: Fixation WHEN: 6-10 p.m.

WHERE: Industry Gallery 1358 Florida Ave. N.E. METRO: New York Ave-Florida AveGallaudet University (red line) INFO: Nine photographers examine what it means to live in Washington, D.C. as part of FotoWeek DC. COST: $10 CONTACT: For more information, visit www.tenmilessquare.com/ events.

Dance: Bhagmati WHEN: 4 p.m.

WHERE: Atlas Performing Arts Center 1333 H St. N.E. METRO: Union Station (red line) INFO: Kuchipudi Kalanidhi’s dance production depicts the true love story between a Muslim king and a Hindu commoner in Mogul India.

COST: $20 CONTACT: For more information, call the Atlas Performing Arts Center at 202-399-7993.

Staged Reading of “Ruined” WHEN: 7:30 p.m.

WHERE: The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts 2700 F St. N.W. METRO: Foggy Bottom-GWU (orange and blue lines) INFO: The Kennedy Center presents a reading of the 2009 Pulitzer Prize winner for drama about a mining town in the Congo.

COST: Free CONTACT: For more information, call the Kennedy Center at 202-4674600.

Play: 26 Miles WHEN: 7:30 p.m.

WHERE: Round House Theatre 4545 East-West Highway METRO: Bethesda (red line) INFO: A road trip between an estranged mother and daughter unfolds in Quiara Alegria Hudes’ comedy.

COST: $25 CONTACT: For more information, call the Round House Theatre box office at 240-644-1100.

MADRID, SPAIN

By TAMAR HALLERMAN Eagle Staff Writer

get back to the States (the lack of good sangria and free tapas will be deeply mourned). Knowing this fact has helped me appreciate all the wonderful things this country has to offer, while of course still keeping in touch with my irrepressible American side.

Back at the American market, I stood in line still gripping my overpriced box of oatmeal before I finally snapped back to reality.

First, I recognized that these feelings of homesickness will pass; in a few weeks I will be leaving, and I knew I would regret not enjoying as much Spanish food (and culture) as possible. So I put the oatmeal and Skittles back on the shelf and quickly bolted out the door.

I made it about three blocks before I encountered another McDonald’s. I once again felt my mouth water and the waistline of my jeans dig into my hips. I couldn’t resist. Flash forward to five minutes later, as I gorged my delectable double cheeseburger in a scary amount of time. Well, I guess I can start that whole experiencing new cultures thing tomorrow...

from FOUND on page 5

ised myself to not let it get to me while abroad, but ... cheeseburger season had undeniably arrived.

I have no idea where my annual craving comes from, but every fall the weather changes and I get the urge to consume juicy, grilled patties smothered in ketchup and gooey melted cheese. However, this year hamburguesas weren’t the only American things I was craving: TJ Maxx, the Bravo channel and Cool Ranch Doritos were among the others, and I often found myself skipping out on new Spanish things in favor of the old and familiar.

For several weeks, I couldn’t figure out where all these irrepressible hankerings came from.

Did I somehow acquire tapeworm while eating a chorizo sandwich? Or was it perhaps a rare mutated version of “the swine,” as my mother had been warning me about for months? I felt like I needed the likes of Dr. Phil to psychoanalyze me for any hidden food fetishes.

Nevertheless, sans a highlevel psychology degree, I finally managed to figure out the root of my problem myself, and no, it’s not the fact that there actually is a McDonald’s on every corner here. I had spent over 40 minutes looking for an American food market one afternoon

CROSS-CULTURAL DISPATCH

during my lunch break. After another 20 minutes of shrieking uncontrollably (think Backstreet Boys fans circa the fifth grade) at every item in the store, I found myself standing in the checkout line protectively clutching an $11 box of oatmeal and a $4 bag of Skittles when it hit me: I was suffering from a brutal case of homesickness.

As the semester wound down last spring, I was dying to leave AU. I had found myself in an arduous daily rut and was in desperate need of a new adventure.

My first few months in Spain flew by in a wide-eyed haze — everything was so new and exciting, and I had to soak up everything I encountered like a sponge. But as the novelty began to wear off and my friend’s Facebook pictures from home looked increasingly more exciting, my itch for the familiar was apparent: not just the familiar faces and familiar food, but the familiar lifestyle.

Coming to terms with what you miss from home (and what you don’t) is just a part of the experience of living abroad (or so others tell me). While there are some things Spain doesn’t have (i.e. blue box macaroni and cheese and a decent deodorant selection), there are countless things I know I will miss once I

n

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

5TH ANNUAL BAR MITZVAH PARTY! SPONSORED BY THE JEWISH STUDENT ASSOCIATION

Come out with your friends and dan ce the night away at our fifth annual Bar Mitzvah Cel ebration!

Hor’devours , DJ and a whole lot of chuzpah!

Saturday November 7, 2009 Co-Sponsored by: Peace & Empowerment, One Voice, AEPi, Hillel, AUSFI, Banghara, AU In Motion, EcoSense, Student Government and GLBTA

Tavern 8pm-Midnight Paid for by the American University Club Council

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

8

SPORTS

NOVEMBER 5, 2009

ANDREW TOMLINSON n Sports Editor 202.885.1404

AU falls to RMC 49-47

By ALEX ALBA Eagle Contributing Writer The AU men’s basketball team let its first exhibition game slip away against the Randolph-Macon College Yellow Jackets, 4947.

With the last 10 seconds ticking off of the clock, the Yellow Jackets guard Eric Pugh snagged a rebound off of AU junior Nick Hendra’s three-pointer and sprinted up the court. After receiving a quick screen, Pugh leaped up for the game-winning layup.

After leading throughout most of the first half, the Eagles were not able to sustain their lead and fell in the final minutes of the game. Turnovers and sloppy play did the Eagles in.

“Twenty-five turnovers was one of the most obvious reasons why we lost the game,” Head Coach Jeff Jones said.

In the first half, both teams were firing on all cylinders, forcing 10 or more turnovers each.

The Eagles were able to keep Randolph-Macon from scoring over a 13:34 stretch. However, the offense did not execute with similar force. The Eagles did establish a 9-0 run to lead 18-9, but RMC reduced the lead to six with a three-pointer making the score 18-12 at halftime.

Randolph-Macon challenged the Eagles offensively in the second half. After AU’s Riley Grafft and Blake Jolivette helped sustain a six-point lead of 25-19, the Yellow Jackets soon took a 7-0 run and gained the lead for the first time in the game, 28-27 with 11:11 remaining. Neither team would lead by more than two points for the rest of the game.

AU collapsed in the last two minutes of the game; with 1:22 left, AU sophomore Stephen Lumpkins hit a game tying threepointer. Nick Hendra followed with a layup to take the lead, but the Yellow Jackets responded with a jumper from David Carlson, which tied the game at 47 points.

AU would have the last possession with 33 seconds left. Nick Hendra put up a three-pointer that missed and was captured by RMC’s Eric Pugh. He drove up the court with six seconds left and scored the game-winning bucket, stealing a victory from the Eagles, 49-47.

Despite the win, the Yellow Jackets only shot 32.7 percent from the field, 10 percent worse

SIDELINE SCHOLAR TYLER TOMEA

PHILLIP OCHS / THE EAGLE

DROPPING THE BALL — Junior Nick Hendra takes the ball up the court in AU’s 49-47 loss to Randolph-Macon College Tuesday night. While it was only an exhibition game, the sloppy play may be a cause for concern. Head Coach Jeff Jones said the squad needs to find an identity in order to win. They play Catholic University on Nov. 8. than AU. Nick Hendra led the Eagles overall with 18 points, while also grabbing six rebounds. Daniel Muñoz had six points, three rebounds and two steals in his collegiate debut. Randolph-Macon scored 37 points in the second half, more than three times what they scored in the first half.

A major downfall for AU was the 1-9 they put up beyond the arc.

“We struggled to score points ... 25 turnovers is too much, so, we must be stronger with the basketball,” Jones said after the game.

Several players said that if the team is to be successful they are going to have to establish a consistent play style.

“This team will create its own identity, there is no last year,” AU

guard Daniel Muñoz said. “We gave [RMC] too many open shots.

We needed to get out quicker to defend [against] them.”

The AU men’s basketball team will host Catholic University on Nov. 8 in Bender Arena.

game. Since he became eligible, McGwire has been kept out of the Hall of Fame. McGwire knows that a hitting coach is a fairly anonymous job in the MLB and that he can fly under the radar standing beside LaRussa. But next season, McGwire will get more coverage on ESPN than any hitting coach in the history of the game.

That is not to say McGwire should not be allowed to coach. He was never proven guilty of anything beyond what he admitted to using. This offseason, he demonstrated that he may actually be a good coach; he helped Matt Holliday work on his swing and Cardinals fans know that Holliday started to produce once arriving in St. Louis.

The real problems may arise when the Cardinals leave the incredibly friendly confines of Busch Stadium.

Maybe for the first time in baseball history, fans will be booing and chanting at a team’s hitting coach. Delirious fans will make blind accusations that the Cardinals will now start taking steroids, merely because of McGwire’s position as hitting coach. Sure, these will be baseless and mindless accu-

sations, but this team does not need these kinds of distractions.

The decision to hire McGwire was clearly because he and LaRussa are friends and know each other from their days with the Oakland Athletics. Of course, memories of that time are tainted with the images of a young McGwire bashing inflated forearms with fellow “Bash Brother,” Jose Canseco. Fortunately, Canseco does not really have friends around the league, so no team would think of hiring him as a hitting coach.

McGwire has had the option to repair his image. His best chance was when Congress questioned him in 2005. His response of, “I’m not here to talk about the past” was maybe the worst thing he could’ve said. He was, in fact, there to talk about the past.

By not doing so, he all but admitted he had used steroids, and his historic 1998 season — where he hit 70 home runs — was a sham.

McGwire has had four years to come clean and should haven taken a cue from Alex Rodriguez. Rodriguez, whose name was on a list of positive tests from a number of years ago,

apologized for taking the drugs and admitted that he had used drugs. He is now in the World Series having the best playoff run of his career. Yankees fans do not seem to mind and have embraced him. Rodriguez’s teammate, pitcher Andy Pettitte, admitted to using steroids to help him recover from injury. No one seems to mind since he owned up to it. The reason for such acceptance among the fans is that both of these players came clean and admitted their mistakes.

Mark McGwire will not make friends or fans throughout the game by becoming the hitting coach for the Cardinals. He will not convince Hall of Fame voters to let him into Cooperstown because he helps Yadier Molina work on his swing. The only way for McGwire to make amends, with the fans of the game that loved to watch him play, is to say exactly what he did and apologize. Until then, baseball fans will just have to wait until McGwire remembers that honesty is always the best policy.

it down because it would have been inappropriate, he said.

“When [Bonner] got into this trouble, I said ‘You need some ethics training down there.’ [Bonner] said, ‘I would like to pay you,’ and I said, ‘no,’” Thurber said.

Talking Points Memo and The Hill had originally reported that Bonner had hired Thurber for pay — although the author of TPM’s post on Thurber disputed that his article made this claim. After The Eagle contacted both Thurber and Bonner

& Associates, it became clear that Thurber was not paid by Bonner but was instead offering ethical advice pro-bono.

Thurber said he will be more careful in the future.

“I’ve never had anything like this [happen to me] in 35 years [of working for AU],” he said. “I ultimately take responsibility for this, but the idea came from others who are very loyal to [Bonner] here. He’s well liked by staff and students.”

Senior Director of University

Communications Camille Lepre offered the following official statement from AU: “American University is aware of the ad and is looking into the facts of the situation. The university does not endorse individuals or organizations.”

The Eagle will update this story as the university provides more information.

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

McGwire must fix image

OVER THE WALL

SAM LINDAUER Honesty is the best policy. It is a pretty standard rule most people live by and when someone is caught in a lie and the person apologizes, often times all is forgiven. So why does new Cardinals hitting coach, Mark McGwire, think this does not apply to him?

A few years back McGwire refused to “talk about the past,” and his alleged steroid use. Now he has agreed to a job where he uses his past experiences to help players improve their hitting.

It should all be fine because McGwire was a prolific talent and a fantastic hitter. The only problem is that he is the face of the steroid era in baseball.

Tony LaRussa’s decision can be seen as a way of trying to restore McGwire’s damaged image throughout the

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over a climate bill up for vote in the House of Representatives. Bonner claimed in the Congressional hearing that one rogue employee was responsible for sending the letters and was fired immediately after the transgression was uncovered. At this same hearing, Bonner said that he would be hiring Thurber as an “independent ethics adviser,” The Hill reported.

Thurber said that he was originally offered compensation for his work with Bonner & Associates but turned

NFL playoff races are still up for grabs

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

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

GO ONLINE. www.theeagleonline.com

With the NFL season passing the halfway point after this week’s games, it’s time to take a look at each division and see who is positioning themselves for a playoff run.

The New York Giants seemed to have a stranglehold on the NFC East after jumping out to a 5-0 start. Three consecutive losses have dropped them to third in the division though. Eli Manning’s play has people questioning the severity of his injury, while the pass defense has been absolutely atrocious.

The beneficiaries of New York’s downfall have been the Dallas Cowboys and the Philadelphia Eagles.

Dallas is on a three-game winning streak, while the Eagles made a statement with their 40-17 thumping of the Giants. These two teams meet on Sunday Night Football, with the winner grabbing sole possession of first place.

Love him or hate him, Brett Favre has the Minnesota Vikings sitting atop the NFC North at 7-1. Despite their record, the world continues to wait and see if Favre will fall apart down the stretch, as he did last season with the New York Jets. In addition to Favre, the Vikings have a very balanced team with Adrian Peterson on offense, Jared Allen on defense and game-breaker Percy Harvin returning kicks.

The Green Bay Packers are kicking themselves for losing to the Vikings twice. Not only did they let Favre beat them, but they also most likely lost any shot at an NFC North title. Like the Packers, the Chicago Bears sit at 4-3, needing to earn a wild card spot to make the playoffs.

Then there is the Detroit Lions, who were out of it when last season started, let alone at the start of this season.

The NFC South simply belongs to the New Orleans Saints. Their 70 start and propensity for points has people thinking of the 1999 St. Louis Rams. The Saints should coast in this division and will be battling it out with the Vikings for home field advantage.

Atlanta put forward in a solid effort against the Saints this past Monday but fell 35-27. A potential wild card team, the Falcons could be 6-3 heading into a key game with the Giants on Nov. 22.

Football’s worst division is the NFC West. Again. The defending NFC Champion Arizona Cardinals lead the division at 4-3, but it is hard to be sold on them. They defeated the Giants on the road 24-17 but then lost at home to the Carolina Panthers by 13.

The San Francisco 49ers are the main competition for Arizona. But the 49ers have so many questions on defense, at quarterback and in the

backfield that it is hard to be scared of them. Most football fans have to wonder how long Alex Smith can hold up.

Tom Brady returns, and all is well in New England. After some early season struggles, they hold a twogame advantage in their division.

They have defeated their last two opponents by a combined score of 94-7, forcing people to remember that this is the NFL, not college football.

The New York Jets looked great after they started off the season 3-0 with wins over the Patriots and the Tennessee Titans. But now, that win over the Titans doesn’t look so great and they have spiraled to a 4-4 mark. They will look to regroup during their bye week while the 3-4 Miami Dolphins play at New England on Sunday.

Pittsburgh definitely has some competition in the AFC North thanks to the Baltimore Ravens and the upstart Cincinnati Bengals. The Bengals and Steelers both share 5-2 marks, but this week could tell us a lot about all three teams.

The Steel City takes on the Denver Broncos on Monday Night Football.

Meanwhile, a key showdown will take place between the Bengals and the Ravens. Cincinnati went into Baltimore earlier in the year and escaped with a 17-14 victory. Baltimore will now try to return the favor and avoid dropping to 4-4.

Who says there is no parity in the NFL? The AFC South looks identical to its NFC counterpart, as the Indianapolis Colts have raced off to a 7-0 lead. Their second-half schedule will really test them, starting with a home date against the Houston Texans on Sunday.

Houston was right on track for their usual 8-8 season, before they overcame three turnovers to defeat the Buffalo Bills, 31-10. This week’s game will show if they have really taken that next step.

Everyone refused to believe in the Denver Broncos, even after their 6-0 start. A 30-7 loss to the Ravens has people thinking that the Broncos have finally come back to earth. They have a chance to show they are permanently for real this week against Pittsburgh on national television and reestablish themselves as the AFC West powerhouse.

The San Diego Chargers were expected to win this division by about four games. That hasn’t worked out however, and their next three games against the Giants, Eagles and Broncos could determine the fate of their season.

No one can say anything is for sure this year and there is still a lot of football left to play. The first half of the NFL season has gone by too quickly, but with half a season to go, enjoy it while you can.

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

Men’s soccer loses to UVA 3-0 on the road

By BEN LASKY Eagle Contributing Writer The AU men’s soccer team was shutout for the sixth time this season in a 3-0 loss on the road to the tenth ranked University of Virginia Cavaliers Tuesday night.

It is the second straight loss for the Eagles, who lost to Holy Cross on Saturday. UVA’s three goals were all scored in a 25-minute span in the middle part of the game. Jonathan Villanueva scored the first goal in the 41st minute. Will Bates and Tony Tchani scored the other two goals in the 54th minute and 65th minute, respectively. The win brings the Cavaliers’ record to 11-3-2 on the season.

AU was outshot 18-8 in the match, including 13-3 in shots on goal. Two of the Eagles’ three shots on goal came from Junior Nick Kapus. The loss drops the Eagles’ record to 9-5-2.

“The difference between the teams tonight was that Virginia thought they would win and we weren’t sure,” Eagles head coach Todd West told AU Athletics. “When

we step on the field to prove that we are the better team, we can play with anyone in the country. Now we will focus on the Patriot League.”

Eagles’ goalie Matt Makowski had eight saves on the night and played all 90 minutes in goal. It was a strong performance, despite the offenses’ ability to give him any help.

The next game for the Eagles will come at home against Colgate University on Saturday, Nov. 8. The game is the final regular season match for both teams before the Patriot League Tournament. Colgate is 7-8-1 and is coming off a 2-0 victory against Navy on Friday.

It is a critical game for AU, since they must win if they want to clinch the regular season championship.

The Bucknell University Bison is the only school in front of the Eagles. They are currently 5-1-0 in the Patriot League standings with 15 points, while AU has 13 points.

Bucknell plays third-ranked Lehigh University on Friday.

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