The Houstonian 10-8-09

Huntsville, Texas

Vol 114 — Issue 14

Thursday, October 8, 2009

2009 SAM JAM CARNIVAL

Spectacle of lights

Carnival celebration held to ignite Bearkat spirit during Homecoming week

Joe Buvid | The Houstonian

Thanks to the hard work of Student Activities, Sam Houston State students were able to get in the groove of Homecoming with the Sam Jam Carnival. Held at Holleman Field Parking Lot at 7 p.m. Wednesday night, SHSU students had the thrill of rides and games at the tip of their fingers. With such rides as the Ferris wheel, the Sizzler, and the Tilt-A-Whirl, students were in for a thrill. Even more intriguing is that students were also allowed to be served free food such as caramel apples, nachos, as well as free beverages.

SAMTASTIC OFFICE DECORATING

HOMECOMING EVENTS

Kats connect for all students immediately following Homecoming game Cheryl Smith

Contributing Writer

Immediately following the Homecoming game on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2009, Bearkats can go to the Lowman Student Center Ballroom for the Kats Connect event. Alumni Clubs across Texas and the Sam Houston Student Alumni Association will be attending to educate students on how they can become a part of the Alumni Association.

“Students interested in becoming a part of the Student Alumni Association can attend and a representative will be there to answer questions,” Charlie Vienne, executive director of Alumni Relations, said.

“If you plan to attend, we

ask that you call in advance and let us know,” Vienne said.

From 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. there will be live music, dancing, and food in the LSC Ballroom.

“Students can mix and mingle with Alumni leaders from across the state,” Vienne said.

Membership fee is $15 per year, however there is no cost to student alumni members. Students interested in attending need to call the Alumni Relations office, 936-294-1841.

See the Homecoming Parade today at 6:30 p.m.

WHAT’S ON THE WEB Visit our website to participate in our latest poll or post your comments on the stories in this issue at houstonianonline.com!

Celebrating 50 years of Sammy in sports

Check out page 6 to read about the history of Sammy the Bearkat, starting from his beginnings to today.

FEATURE PRESENTATION

Entertainment editor Kevin Jukkola reveals the results of his weekly poll, as well as the winner of the Best Dance Crew.

SEE page 5

Homecoming decorating contest inspired by Sammy’s 50 birthday Cheryl Smith

Contributing Writer

Faculty, colleges and departments across campus participated in the Homecoming festivities by decorating their offices on Monday. The theme of this year’s office decorating was “Samtastic” because of Sammy’s 50 birthday. The 22 entries included the Education department, Criminal Justice department, Music, Health and Kinesiology, Business, Recreational Sports, Residence Life, Visitor’s Center, Bearkat One office, Student Activities, Program Council, Registrar’s office, and Financial Aid Operations.

The offices had to register online so the judging committee would know which

office to judge. Decorations were provided by the Homecoming Committee.

“The committee supplied some decorations to use, but they could get more if they wanted to,” Cutty Gilbert, Director of Development and Alumni Relations for the Criminal Justice Center, said. The judging committee consisted of two alumni, one student, and one faculty member from SHSU. The participants could win two possible awards: Best Decoration or Most Original Decoration. The Best Decoration was for the office whose team demonstrated “Samtastic” the best and Most Original Decoration will go to the — See DECOR, page 4

INDEX

Nation & World...page 4

Opinions................page 2

Entertainment........page 5

Campus................page 3

Sports....................page 6

OPINIONS

Page 2 The Houstonian

THE ROSTRUM

“Believe deep down in your heart that you’re destined to do great things.”

Joe Paterno Legendary Penn State Football Coach

Thursday, October 8, 2009

Letter to the Student Body

Dear Sam Houston Students, Staff and Faculty and Alumni: The Houstonian would not survive were it not for the continued involvement and dedication of the SHSU student body.

We welcome all column submissions and letters to the editor.

If at any time you feel the need to express an opinion, please do not hesitate to email your thoughts or drop by our office in the Dan Rather communications building. We look forward to hearing from you and thank you as always for your continued support of the Houstonian.

Addison Reed Opinions Editor dar015@shsu.edu

Interesting Happy Homecoming Bearkats facts about homecoming Addison Reed

talks about the importance of hav-

ing fun over homecoming weekend. Just not too much fun.

Homecoming is a great time of year. The sea of orange blanketing campus, the exciting events put on by various university organizations, and of course, the big tailgating parties. Oh, there’s a football game too.

To say the least, it’s a great week to take it easy and have a great time with friends and fellow Bearkats. With that said, however, it’s also a week in which it’s easy to get a little carried away with just how much fun you have.

Those of you, who, like me, may have graced Shenanigans on Tuesday night, may have been so fortunate as to witness a veritable army of Huntsville Police officers, DPS State Troopers, and TABC agents break up what law enforcement officials generally refer to as an “altercation.”

I don’t know the details, but from what I saw it seemed like there was a rather large fight that broke out in the back of the bar, resulting in the whole place closing down early.

One incident in particular I found quite humorous. I usually sit in the front of the bar near the stage.

It’s a location that’s close enough to the bar and it also offers a great vantage point to observe the main entrance and the stream of women, err, people who walk in and out.

Tuesday though, it was also a great place to watch the night’s events unfold. At about 11:30, a friend (The Houstonians own Joe Buvid) and I witnessed three HPD officers, four state troopers, and two TABC agents run in, flashlights on and hands on their waists.

I felt like I was in a 1930s speakeasy in the middle of a prohibition raid and I was just waiting for Eliot Ness to show up.

But I digress. Soon after the modern day Untouchables rushed in, about five people were escorted out so that they could get a good night’s sleep at the Walker County jail. Most of them went quietly. Most of them.

One young lady had no intention of making it easy for Huntsville’s finest.

The first we saw of her was when she emerged from the crowd in front of the bar at a full, inebriated sprint. She was soon brought down by an HPD officer, who took about three minutes of rolling around on the floor to finally put her in handcuffs.

There’s plenty more of incredibly funny detail that I’m choosing to leave out, mostly because I’d like to keep my job as an editor here at The Houstonian.

On a side note, a big time PAWS UP to not only this offi-

cer in particular, but also all of Huntsville’s law enforcement officials for their great work.

Needless to say, she was finally led out and the dancing and drinking carried on, but not for long. Soon after this incident, the bright lights came on and last call was given…about ten minutes early.

The end result of the night’s events was that the entire bar ended up closing early.

Ok granted, it was only ten minutes early, but I started to think about what might have happened had this occurred on Saturday night, one of the few glorious nights in Huntsville on which the bars stay open until 1 a.m.

On another side note, a major PAWS DOWN to the Huntsville City Council for delaying their vote on the proverbial “2 a.m. Law” on Tuesday night.

Can you imagine if the bar had been shut down at 11:50 on Saturday, over an hour before closing time?

This (finally) brings me to the reason I decided to write this column. I’m sure up until the altercation, the group of people involved, like the rest of us there, were having a great time.

However, as a result of their actions, not only was their night ruined but the rest of us ended up having to leave early without a relaxing final dance

or drink.

In short, the actions of a few negatively impacted the many.

This is something we all ought to remember this weekend. This whole week is absolutely supposed to be a great time, and this culminating weekend has the opportunity to hold a great deal of fun and excitement.

But we can’t forget that with this opportunity comes a certain amount of responsibility.

I’m not saying don’t go out and get drunk.

What I am saying is that even when inebriated, we ought to still have enough common sense and reasoning to not get too carried away.

If nothing else, remember that everyone else is looking to have a good time too. Keep in mind that if you do get carried away, it might not just be your own night that you’re ruining.

So this weekend, to those of us who are of age, drink up responsibly. To those of you that aren’t, don’t risk getting a homecoming present from HPD, DPS, or TABC. But to all Bearkats, remember that this weekend is for everyone to have fun. Let’s not ruin it.

Addison Reed is the Opinions Editor for The Houstonian. He is a senior History major with a Mass Communication minor.

Mad Brad: The King...maybe?

Brad Basker shares a rather awkward experience from a homecoming past.

My 18th birthday fell on my senior homecoming game and there wasn’t much I asked for. All I wanted was booze, a beautiful date, and the pleasure of buying my first legal pack of cigarettes.

Not the most sterling list of goals, but at the time I believed I could achieve.

However, my simple petition turned into a perfect ball of homecoming chaos when I theoretically ended up being the king.

I attended an all boys’ school, so we had to resort to alternative methods to get our HC queens. We had the pleasure of pooling our candidates from our three sister schools which left us with plenty of options.

I had no girlfriend at the time, so I asked a good friend of mine named Sara.

Sara was always cool to hang out with, and on top of that she was gorgeous.

But, I wouldn’t realize the fullness of her beauty until I found out that fellow students had voted her into

the court. She was chosen as one of six girls by the upperclassmen, and I had no idea what I was getting into.

The intensity only heightened when I discovered that I would have to walk with her during the homecoming pep rally, which wouldn’t have been a big deal if I wasn’t the pep rally MC. In the middle of inspiring my peers and faculty, I had to hand the mice to my coMC, and take a gallant stroll with my date. It was a unique conflict of interest.

I was hardly ever nervous to address the student body on matters of school spirit, but to parade with a beautiful woman made me uneasy.

People gave me kudos like I had done something amazing, when I simply didn’t want to be a single loser at homecoming.

Luckily, Sara’s election to the court shocked her as well, so we were in agreement during the walk of fame.

It was customary during my senior year to pre-game with cheap unsavory liquids for the sake of fueling school spirit and testosterone, but I was asked by Sara to take it easy.

I would have to meet her parents at the game, and it would be horrendous impression to be a sloppy somebody while she was a dazzling damsel.

However, the euphoria of legal cancer sticks and brotherhood ran away with me, and wallowed in anxiety and aromatic burps of alcoholism.

Thankfully, I’ve always possessed a good command of my faculties in social interactions, and I pulled the parental encounter off with a breeze.

Sara was surprised when I told her that I was sloshed and could hardly stand.

But I was more surprised when they called her name as the victor during halftime.

I remember jumping around a lot and shaking

hands with friends, but in the midst of the calamity came a moment of pensive clarity.

We didn’t take votes for HC king, so there was no declared victor. There was only the beautiful Queen Sara, and her inebriated, yet well mannered, date.

Taking this into consideration, I concluded that I was 2004’s silent homecoming king.

The authenticity of my crown can and should be questioned.

My conclusion is logical, but then again, so is communism.

Whether you see me as the king or not is nil either way. In my heart I know that I had at least one homecoming experience worth mentioning.

Texas’ own Baylor University may in fact have held the first homecoming in 1909, but it was not made an annual celebration until 1934.

The University of Missouri is generally credited with starting the tradition of an official homecoming celebration all the way back in 1911. Mizzou has held the event everY year since.

Homecoming isn’t just limited to football.

Some schools hold “courtwarming” in which the celebration centers around a basketball game.

The Harvard-Yale game has invited alumni back to “The Game” since 1870, but did not start celebrating homecoming until the early 1900s.

Got on opinion? Visit www.houstonianonline.com to post your comments and thoughts to these or any other article you’ve read this year.

The individual opinions on the Viewpoints page are not necessarily affiliated with the view of The Houstonian or SHSU. The Houstonian is published semi-weekly on Tuesdays and Thursdays. It is a news publication of Sam Houston State University, a member of the Texas State University system, and is produced by students. It is self-supporting and welcomes all advertisers. Those interested in placing ads or classifieds should call (936) 294-4864. The Houstonian is a member of the Associated Press.

The Houstonian Editorial

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Kristina Salazar...............................................................936-294-1505 FACULTY ADVISOR Patsy Ziegler.....................................................................936-294-1499 SECTION EDITORS Meagan Ellsworth........................................................Associate Editor Addison Reed................................................................Opinions Editor Lotis Butchko....................................................................Sports Editor Kevin Jukkola........................................................Entertainment Editor Thomas Merka.....................................................................Web Editor STAFF Kristin Meyer.................................................................Senior Reporter Mike Silva......................................................................Sports Reporter Joe Buvid..............................................................................Photo Editor Krystal Jackson.................................................................Photographer Heath Wierck.......................................................................Copy Editor

Advertising BUSINESS MANAGER Tammie Nokes..................................................................936-294-1500 STAFF

Brad Basker is a regular comlumnist for The Houstonian. He is a senior English major and is the paper’s former business manager.

Brittaney Pires.....................................................Advertising Manager Samantha Berezowsky............................................Account Executive

Advertising Deadlines

Tuesday’s Issue............... Friday at 2:00 p.m.

Thursday’s Issue........... Tuesday at 2:00 p.m.

Thursday, October 8, 2009

L u c k Melody Stacey

Carolyn Angel Hall

CAMPUS

o f

t h e

The Houstonian, Page 3

d r a w

Jessica Lane Titus

Tiffany Goebel

Jessica Lane Titus is a junior at Sam Houston State University. She is originally from Hockley, Texas, and came to Sam Houston State University in the fall of 2006.

She is an early childhood education major, and upon graduation in May 2011, hopes to teach Kindergarten.

During her freshman year at SHSU, she became very active on campus with organizations such as Program Council, and Diversity Council.

She is currently the Vice President of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. at Sam Houston State University.

She is also a resident advisor for Belvin Buchanan Hall, Co-Entertainment Chair for Program Council and the public relations chair for the National Pan-Hellenic Council. In her free time she likes to spend time with her family and friends.

Tiffany Goebel is a junior at Sam Houston State University majoring in Interdisciplinary Agriculture with a minor in Secondary Education. After graduation in December 2010, she hopes to become an Ag science teacher. Tiffany came to Sam Houston in fall of 2007, with high hopes of becoming a leader to motivate younger students to get involved.

Tiffany is a member of Ag Ambassadors and has been a three year member of Collegiate FFA and treasurer for one year. Last spring Tiffany was inducted into Delta Tau Alpha, the National Agricultural Honor Society.

Ag IT Council is Tiffany’s newest endeavor; she was voted treasurer for this current year. Tiffany would like to return to Sam Houston State University to complete her Master’s degree in education.

Eric Loewer

Daniel Pawlowski

Eric Loewer is a senior here at Sam Houston State University, with a major in Kinesiology and a minor in Health. Eric graduated from Lumberton High School in 2005 with a GPA of 3.36.

He volunteers for numerous events, such as the Sam Houston Folk Festival. Eric is currently a member of Sigma Alpha Pi, the National Honor Society of SHSU. He is also an affiliate of Death Row Mixed Martial Arts, Huntsville’s premier fight team. Eric is currently employed by the SHSU Art Department as a model for their Life Drawing class. He is an avid athlete and runner, having competed in the Houston Aramco Half-Marathon twice, the Huntsville Half-Marathon twice, the Dallas White Rock Half-Marathon once, the New Orleans St. Patrick’s Day 10K, and the first and only SHSU Just Tri-It Triathlon.

Upon graduating from Sam, he hopes to enrich the world as a certified personal trainer.

Eric’s expected graduation date is May 2010.

Daniel Pawlowski is currently studying Political Science with a minor in Theater. Aside from his studies at Sam Houston State University, he is involved in several different organizations. He is a proud and active brother of the Epsilon Psi chapter of the Sigma Chi Fraternity. He has served on the Interfraternity Council Executive Committee since his freshman year, and has served as President for the past two years. Daniel is a member of the SHSU Alcohol Abuse Initiative. He is also a life member of the Houston Live Stock Show & Rodeo (HLSR) where he serves as a speaker for the Speaker’s Committee. He is a member of the Huntsville Leadership Institute Class 27 as a part of the Huntsville/Walker County Chamber of Commerce.

Daniel has also served as an emcee for the Sammy’s the past two years.

Photos and bios of all nominees courtesy of Brandon Cooper | Student activities

Melody Stacey, a senior from Katy, TX, is a dance major with a health education minor, representing the National Panhellenic Conference. Melody is very involved on campus at SHSU while maintaining a 3.6 grade point average. She is currently a Campus Representative for the Disney College Program, a sweetheart to the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity, a member of Order of Omega and the SHSU dance company.

She will be escorted by her mother, Karen Stacey, Melody’s biggest fan and best friend. Melody would like to thank all of the women under the Panhellenic Conference and the students at Sam Houston State University for nominating her this year. Eat Em Up Kats!

Peter Hopkins

Carolyn Angel Hall is a senior at SHSU, and double majoring in International Business and Economics.

She currently serves as the Executive Director of Program Council, President of Orange Key Ambassadors, Co-Director of Diversity Council and Chair of SAMentors. She is dedicated to enhancing the SHSU community through programming and service.

In her free time she loves to shop and spend time with friends and family. After graduation she plans on furthering her education by enrolling in graduate school to pursue her MBA.

Asa Wilson

Homecoming Queen

nominess

Students have a hand in the pick for the

50th ‘Samtastic’ Homecoming king and queen

Homecoming Peter Hopkins is a senior here at SHSU where he is majoring in Kinesiology, and minoring in Secondary Education.

Hopkins is originally from Crockett, Tx where he attends church at St. Luke Baptist Church and is the proud Son of Coach Andrew Hopkins and the late Mildred Hopkins. Peter is the youngest out of his two sisters and two brothers. Hopkins graduated from Crockett High School with honors and a member of Who’s Who High School students. He then attended Tyler Jr. College where he played football, received an Associates Degree in Mathematics, and became a member of Who’s Who for College Students. Since being here at SHSU, Hopkins is a proud member of NAACP, NPHC, and currently the President of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Incorporated. After he graduates from SHSU, Hopkins is planning on going to graduate school to get a Master’s degree in Sports Management.

Asa Wilson is representing the Agricultural and Industrial Sciences Department. He is a junior majoring in Animal Science with a minor in Wildlife Ecology and hopes to become a Wildlife Biologist. Asa is the son of Mike (SHSU Class of ’74) and Melinda Wilson and a brother to Aaron (SHSU Class of ‘04) and Amy Wilson (SHSU Class of 09). He is an Agricultural and Industrial Science Ambassador and has helped to coordinate the National Conference this past January. Asa is also involved in Block & Bridle as well as the past Collegiate FFA President of the SHSU Chapter and is currently serving as Texas Collegiate FFA Vice-President. Asa is extremely involved in the Agricultural Department and is always extending a helping hand to new students and friends in need.

Happy Birthday Sammy!!!

Love, The Houstonian P.S. GO BEARKATS! Photo courtesy of Brian Blalock

King

nominess

Photo courtesy of SHSU

Looking back: 2008 Homecoming King and Queen, Rashad Deckard and Haley Heft

Bearkat Classifieds Real Estate 3 bed, 2 bath for rent. Central heating/air. Washer/dryer connect. Stove, fridge, dishwasher. 2712 Old Houston Rd. Call 438-8203

Classified Rates • Rate: $1.50 per line, per issue • All ads must be paid in full prior to publication • No refunds • Lost and found ads are free • Deadline: For Tuesday’s paper is 12 p.m. Thursday For Thursday’s paper is 12 p.m. Monday Note: The Houstonian is not responsible for any misleading or misinterpretation of advertisements.

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Page 4 The Houstonian

NATION & WORLD

CBO: Budget deficit hit record $1.4T in 2009 (AP) — The federal budget deficit tripled to a record $1.4 trillion for the 2009 fiscal year that ended last week, congressional analysts said Wednesday.

The Congressional Budget Office estimate, while expected, is bad news for the White House and its allies in Congress as they press ahead with health care overhaul legislation that could cost $900 billion over the next decade.

The unprecedented flood of red ink flows from several factors, including a big drop in tax revenues due to the recession, $245 billion in emergency spending on the Wall Street bailout and the takeover of mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Then there is almost $200 billion in costs from President Barack Obama’s economic stimulus bill, as well as increases in programs such as unemployment benefits and food stamps.

The previous record deficit was $459 billion and was set just last year.

The Obama health plan would be “paid for” with new revenues and curbs in

spending. But the overhaul effort would eat up tax increases and spending cuts that could be used to bring the deficit down.

Obama has attributed the nation’s dismal fiscal situation to the financial and economic crises he inherited. White House Budget Director Peter Orzsag is overseeing the administration’s efforts to tackle the soaring deficit next year.

The huge deficits have raised worries about the willingness of foreigners to keep purchasing Treasury debt. The administration promises that once the recession is over and the financial system is stabilized, it will move forcefully to get the deficits under control.

Economists worry that the deficits could place upward pressure on interest rates in future years as the government has to offer higher rates to attract investors Republicans pounced on the bad news.

Economists say the best measure of the deficit is to compare it with the size of the economy. On those

Laden. U.S. forces first launched airstrikes into Afghanistan on Oct. 7, 2001, less than a month after alQaida carried out the Sept.

11 attacks in Washington and New York.

U.S. troops, with help from Northern Alliance militia members from Afghanistan’s north, quickly pushed the Taliban out of Kabul and their southern stronghold in Kandahar, leading some U.S. officials to declare the Afghan fight a quick and easy victory.

But that original military success has turned into an increasingly violent counterinsurgency fight in recent years.

An unprecedented number of U.S. troops — about 65,000 — are in Afghanistan today, along with 40,000 more forces from other NATO countries.

The Taliban called on foreign forces to leave, an unlikely event despite heated debate in the U.S. over how to quell the conflict.

“We call on the American rulers and their allies of the coalition once again to put an end to the game

Trying to fix the problem. Of the many initiatives President Obama is trying to take on, he is also having to deal with a large deficit.

terms, the 2009 deficit reached almost 10 percent of gross domestic product, a level not witnessed since World War II. The White House says it wants deficits in the next few years to stabilize at or below 3 percent of GDP. But by the White House’s own estimates released in August — which predicted deficits averaging about 4 percent through the rest of the decade — it would take several hundreds of billions of dollars in new taxes or spending curbs to just get the deficit down to 3 percent of GDP. Those steps would easily exceed the efforts un-

der way now to pay for Obama’s health care plan.

For example, bringing the 2014 deficit back in line with Obama’s goals would require about $240 billion in deficit-closing steps in that year alone — near the amount of revenue that would flow from the expiration of former President George W. Bush’s tax cuts.

Such steps would almost certainly force Obama to break his promise to limit tax increases to the wealthy.

Other budget experts predict higher deficits that would require even more painful steps.

of occupying Afghanistan and killing the Afghans under unsubstantiated pretexts,” the statement said.

“We believed from day one that this is not a war between democracy and the so-called terrorism, but rather a war between the Western colonialism and the freedom-loving nationalist and Islamist forces,” the statement said.

A U.N. report issued last month said August was the deadliest month of 2009 for civilians because of violence from the insurgency.

A total of 1,500 civilians died in Afghanistan between January and August, up from 1,145 in the same period of 2008. About 68 percent of the deaths were caused by the insurgents, the report said.

Military deaths have also spiked. On Wednesday, a Spanish soldier was killed when a patrol vehicle drove over a mine near the western town of Herat, the Spanish Defense Ministry said.

Elsewhere, an insurgent rocket ripped through a bus on a highway in eastern Afghanistan, killing two

people aboard and wounding about 25, the government said.

The militants appeared to have been aiming for a nearby police checkpoint in Ghazni province’s Qarabagh district, but the rocket fell short of the target and hit the busload of civilians instead, the Interior Ministry said.

Meanwhile, American and Afghan forces battled militants in neighboring Wardak province, killing a number of insurgents. U.S. forces spokeswoman Capt.

Regina Gillis declined to say exactly how many militants died, but said it was fewer than 10. No casualties were reported among American or Afghan forces.

The troops were attacked while searching a compound used by a Taliban group believed to be organizing bomb attacks in the area, a NATO statement said.

Afghanistan’s Defense Ministry said Afghan forces also killed eight militants in two separate battles Tuesday in Zabul and Wardak provinces.

Big dino prints found in Jurassic park in France sauropods, long-necked plant eaters that were giants among the dinosaurs.

The hulking beasts who left their footprints in the mud 150 million years ago weighed 30 to 40 metric tons (33 to 44 tons) and were more than 25 meters (82 feet) long, the French research center said.

From the prints, “we can calculate their size and speed, find out about their behavior and learn how they got around,” said Mazin, who is studying the site along with fellow researcher Pierre Hantzpergue. Their discovery was announced Tuesday.

Several scientists who are not connected with the project said the prints appeared to be among the biggest ever found internationally, though they noted that slightly larger tracks have been recorded elsewhere.

Andrew Milner, paleon-

a plaque which is passed down to the winners to keep for a year until the next decorating contest, and coffee and bagels from Einstein Bros Bagels. Thursday, Oct. 8, at 9 a.m. the winners of the contest will be notified

by Gilbert and Charlie Vienne, the Alumni executive director, along with a representative from Einstein Bros Bagels.

BATTLE FOR CLEAN WATER

NEW DISCOVERY

(AP) — Now that’s one big foot.

Paleontologists in eastern France have reported the discovery of some of the largest dinosaur footprints ever documented, measuring about 1.4 meters to 1.5 meters (4.6 feet to 4.9 feet) in diameter.

The site of the find, high in the Jura mountains, was once a literal sauropod stomping ground: So far, 20 prints scattered on a 10hectare (25-acre) site have been uncovered, paleontologist Jean-Michel Mazin of France’s National Center of Scientific Research told The Associated Press on Wednesday.

Researchers believe there are hundreds, or even thousands, more still hidden, Mazin said.

The well-preserved footprints from the Late Jurassic period will help scientists learn more about

page 1

office that was most creative. This is the first year the committee has decided to do two awards.

“All offices really did a great job and we wish all of them could win,” Gilbert said.

The contest winners will receive the traveling plaque,

Taliban say they’re no threat to other countries (AP) — Afghanistan’s insurgent Taliban marked the eighth anniversary of the U.S. invasion Wednesday saying they have no “agenda” to harm other countries but would continue fighting as long as America and its allies remain in the troubled nation.

The Taliban insistence that it would pose no threat to other countries appeared aimed at countering suspicions that the Islamist movement would support al-Qaida’s global jihad if they returned to power.

Supporters of the war fear that al-Qaida would regain its once-dominant position in Afghanistan if the Taliban topple the U.S.-backed Afghan government.

In an Internet statement Wednesday obtained by the SITE Institute, a U.S. group that monitors terror messages, the Taliban said their goal was “independence and establishment of an Islamic system.”

The statement came on the anniversary of the U.S. invasion that ousted the Taliban for harboring alQaida leader Osama bin

From DECOR

Thursday, October 8, 2009

tologist at the St. George Dinosaur Discovery Site at Johnson Farm in southwestern Utah, looked at photos of the French craters and said, “You get a real sense of the weight of the animals, you can see a big, clear mud ring around the footprints.”

“It looks like a pretty amazing site — I’m blown away,” Milner added. Daniel Marty, a paleontologist who is excavating dino tracks along a highway under construction in Switzerland, said the French site is “very interesting, there is this huge potential for excavation.”

Two eagle-eyed nature lovers, Marie-Helene Marcaud and Patrice Landry, discovered the site on a path through a mountain prairie and reported it to scientists.

Hikers often passed by, but nobody had reported dino prints before.

“They were very hard to see because there were a lot of little stones (on the ground), there was grass growing there, and you really had to have a trained eye to notice something,” said Mazin, the French researcher.

The Jura mountains gave the Jurassic period their name because rocks from the period were found there. Back then, the area resembled the Bahamas, all water and islands.

Mazin said the dinosaurs are believed to have left their tracks near the water in mud, which then dried in the sun and was set like plaster. The sea slowly washed sediment onto the prints, trapping them and sealing them off — which protected them throughout history, even during dramatic changes to the landscape.

Calif. senator plans hearing on toxic school water (AP) — A U.S. Senate environment committee plans to hold hearings to address the widespread problem of toxic drinking water in the nation’s schools.

California Democratic Sen. Barbara Boxer called for the hearings following an Associated Press investigation showing water supplies at thousands of schools have been found to contain unsafe levels of lead, pesticides and dozens of other

toxins.

Boxer chairs the Committee on Environment and Public Works, which oversees the Environmental Protection Agency. She plans to hold the hearings on drinking water concerns later this year.

The AP analysis found contaminants have surfaced at schools in all 50 states, and in small towns and inner cities alike over the last decade.

Somali pirate error ends with 5 in French brig (AP) — Somali pirates in two skiffs fired on a French navy vessel early Wednesday after apparently mistaking it for a commercial boat, the French military said. The French ship gave chase and captured five suspected pirates.

No one was wounded by the volleys from the Kalashnikov rifles directed at La Somme, a 3,800-ton refueling ship, French military spokesman Rear Adm. Christophe Prazuck said.

La Somme “was probably taken for a commercial ship by the two small skiffs” about 250 nautical miles (290 statute miles) off Somalia’s coast, Prazuck said.

“They understood their mistake too late,” he said.

One skiff fled, and La Somme pursued the second one in an hour-long chase.

“There were five suspected pirates on board. No arms, no water, no food,” Prazuck said.

France is a key member of the EU’s naval mission, Operation Atalanta, fighting Somali pirates in the Gulf of Aden. It has aggressively tracked and caught suspected pirates and handed over at least 22 to Kenya.

An additional 15 suspects were brought to France for prosecution after allegedly seizing boats belonging to French nationals.

President Nicolas Sarkozy called for tougher action against piracy last year after dozens of attacks.

MARIJUANA AND LEGALIZATION

Pot legalization gains momentum in California AP) — Marijuana advocates are gathering signatures to get as many as three pot-legalization measures on the ballot in 2010 in California, setting up what could be a groundbreaking clash with the federal government over U.S. drug policy.

At least one poll shows voters would support lifting the pot prohibition, which would make the state of 40 million the first in the nation to legalize marijuana.

Such action would also send the state into a headlong conflict with the U.S. government while raising questions about how federal law enforcement could enforce its drug laws in the face of a massive government-sanctioned pot industry.

The state already has a thriving marijuana trade, thanks to a first-of-its-kind 1996 ballot measure that allowed people to smoke pot for medical purposes. But full legalization could turn medical marijuana dispensaries into all-purpose pot stores, and the open sale of joints could become commonplace on mom-and-pop liquor store counters in liberal locales like Oakland and Santa Cruz.

Under federal law, marijuana is illegal, period. After overseeing a series of raids that destroyed more than 300,000 marijuana plants in California’s Sierra Nevada foothills this summer, federal drug czar Gil Kerlikowske proclaimed, “Legalization is not in the president’s vocabulary, and it’s not in mine.”

The U.S. Supreme Court also has ruled that federal law enforcement agents have the right to crack down even

on marijuana users and distributors who are in compliance with California’s medical marijuana law.

But some legal scholars and policy analysts say the government will not be able to require California to help in enforcing the federal marijuana ban if the state legalizes the drug.

State marijuana bans have allowed the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration to focus on big cases, said Rosalie Pacula, director of drug policy research at the Rand Corp.

The most conservative of the three ballot measures would only legalize possession of up to one ounce of pot for personal use by adults 21 and older — an amount that already under state law can only result at most in a $100 fine.

The proposal would also allow anyone to grow a plot of marijuana up to 5 feet-by5 feet on their private property. The size, Pacula said, seems specifically designed to keep the total number of plants grown below 100, the threshold for DEA attention.

The greatest potential for conflict with the U.S. government would likely come from the provision that would give local governments the power to decide city-by-city whether to allow pot sales.

Hundreds of medical marijuana dispensaries across the state already operate openly with only modest federal interference. If recreational marijuana became legal, these businesses could operate without requiring their customers to qualify as patients.

ENTERTAINMENT

Thursday, October 8, 2009

The Houstonian, Page 5

SHSU SCHOOL EVENTS

Bozeman impresses as Stay Focused is named Best Dance Crew Tara Lestarjette

Contributing Writer

On Tuesday, Oct. 6, the LSC Ballroom was hopping with excitement. The enthusiasm for the night’s program began long before the scheduled time at 7 p.m. as hundreds of students filled the hallway and stairwells, creating a line that wrapped around the LSC. These students were pumped with adrenaline to attend Program Council’s “Sam Houston’s Best Dance Crew.”

Once students finally entered the Ballroom, extra seats were provided as the room reached

beyond the capacity anticipated.

The seats vibrated as the DJ played his tunes and students showed each other their moves while waiting for the event to begin. Melissa Stelter, a junior at SHSU, said “I have high expectations. Sam Houston has really good dancers.”

Three groups of SHSU student organizations made up the competitors who signed up in advance to be judged by three judges. The groups were Fade to Black, Stay Focused Promotion and the Newcomers. The format was similar to American Idol. After each performance, the judges

shared their opinions, then let the crowd judge by filling out voting cards to turn in.

The competition began as Fade to Black took the stage with energy. The students responded well, getting involved in the performance with their cheers and applause. The dance was well choreographed and the music well chosen. While Fade to Black had the moves down, they lacked unity and often their facial expressions didn’t match. The judges seemed to agree as they told the four female dancers that they had the beauty and talent to go far individually, but needed

Joe Buvid | The Houstonian

Stay Focused on the prize. The dance group celebrates wildly after being named SHSU Best Dance Crew.

to work on performing as a group.

The next group, Stay Focused Promotion, simply lacked focus. The five male dancers are very talented, but their performance lacked the organization and structure any dance should contain when carried out on a stage in front of an audience. The music seemed to drag on as the group continued to entertain the crowd. Stay Focused Promotion understood the importance of audience participation and incorporated this into the dance.

The judges critiqued the group as sloppy and unorganized, but complimenting them on their individual skills.

The Newcomers finished off the event with an incredible performance.

The group consisted of seven talented dancers who successfully combined their individual skills to create a dance with good transitions, synchronization, and rhythm. The dance was not as lengthy as the previous two, but the quality made up for the time lacked. The judges praised the Newcomers by telling them they had the “wow factor,” clean moves, great facial expressions, and good transitions. The group was encouraged to boost their enthusiasm to the next level.

While the votes were being tallied for the three groups, there was additional competion for $250 among students who formed into groups of at least four dancers. Several groups signed up, but the winner of the prize brought the house

Joe Buvid | The Houstonian

A special, hidden talent. Jessell Bozeman was the “best dancer of the night” and “any dance crew should extend an invitation to him,” according to Sports Editor Lotis Butchko. down with their interpretation of Beyonce’s “Single Ladies”.

To pass the lulls between performances, lots of audience participation provided fun entertainment as students demonstrated how to do the “stanky leg,” some impressive breakdancing, the “YMCA,” and much more.

Stay Focused Promotion took home the victory. According to Stefanie Mellado, a sophomore at SHSU, and Uresa Forbes, a junior, the event was fun, but slightly disappointing. Forbes says “The Single Ladies dance

was my favorite part. I enjoyed tonight, but the voting was manipulated.” Mellado also felt the outcome was unfair, as she said, “I thought the Newcomers deserved to win.

However, I would come to the event again.”

Program Council once again outdid themselves on a fun and lively event. Though students will never agree on the outcome of a competition, the event was an ultimate success as the turnout and participation of the night was greater than anticipated.

Entertainment Poll of the Week

What is the best historical narrative of the decade?

Student Choice: Charlie Wilson’s War Critic’s Choice: Cinderella Man SHSU Online Poll Results Charlie Wilson’s War......................26% Black Hawk Down.........................22% Cinderella Man...............................17% Hotel Rwanda.................................17% Good Night, and Good Luck............9% Seabiscuit.........................................9% Frost/Nixon......................................0% The Grey Zone.................................0%

Kevin Jukkola

Entertainment Editor

“Charlie Wilson’s War” is a light-hearted but rigorous examination of an infinitely fascinating congressman whose obsession of defeating the Soviet Union was alleviated by the aid of like-minded individuals. The film goes into intricate detail about the greatest covert operation in United States history, sometimes in spite of analyzing the feelings of the characters and the consequences of their decisions. The ending is surprisingly touching, exuding a nostalgia admiring accomplishment and a direct, angry perspective of the lack of American involvement afterward

by Charlie Wilson. It would have been a better film if his opinions were expressed this explicitly more often.

The acting talent on display in “Charlie Wilson’s War” is obviously supported by the clear direction of Mike Nichols and the sharp dialogue provided by Aaron Sorkin. Tom Hanks takes Charlie Wilson, a man widely seen as a country bumpkin, and turns him into a southern

gentleman whose weaknesses for women and alcohol prevented him from being a historically great legislator. Philip Seymour Hoffman portrays Gus, a CIA agent, as a temperamental, intelligent, and opinionated operative who was just as knowledgeable about the possible consequences of the war as how to fight it. Although Julia Roberts has the second billing, Amy Adams is far more interesting as Charlie’s secretary, a woman who works for a man with morals and ethics that differ greatly from hers, and yet she supports and adores him anyway.

“Charlie Wilson’s War” has many moments of hilarity and is often intellectually exciting but always seems to keep the audience at arms length as the characters think within their seemingly unbreakable bubbles.

Why did Charlie Wilson promiscuously drink and have sex? Why did he feel like Afghanistan was the time to use his influence to fight this war? “Charlie Wilson’s War” hardly speculates and, although the film is an entertaining experience, it is not necessarily memorable.

Kevin Jukkola

Entertainment Editor

There is a moment toward the beginning of “Cinderella Man” where Jim Braddock, a former boxing great, walks bruised, beaten, and defeated into the hotel suite of the same promoters who made a living at witnessing his physical destruction. After a brief silence acknowledging his respected presence, Braddock garners the courage to ask for $36 in order to turn his gas on and bring his family back together. He is a man of immense pride, his last shred of dignity painfully thrown aside in this moment of greatest need, and his misplaced and undeserved internal shame heartbreakingly resonates throughout the room. This was a familiar sight in the harshest midst of the perpetual despair known as the Great Depression, and the triumph of Jim Braddock was more a national than individual accomplishment.

“Cinderella Man” tells Braddock’s unbelievable true story with a genuine sincerity, showing how important sports are to the fabric of our nation.

After years of working any job that would pay enough for his family to eat, Braddock finally caught a break when his former promoter and trainer offered him a fight. After years of essentially being forced into retirement by various injuries, he inexplicably won and briefly became the

country’s favorite son. Braddock defeated a few other opponents before fighting Max Baer, a younger, bigger, and more ferocious fighter, for he heavyweight championship of the world.

Few people gave Braddock a chance to win the fight, just as there was little faith that America could return to being the dominant world power it was before the Great Depression. “Cinderella Man” makes it perfectly clear that Braddock was a symbol of America in every sense possible. Every punch he took coincided ideally with the obstacles the common man experienced during this tough time.

Jim Braddock became a hero not only because of his charity to society and loyalty to his family, but because he represented the belief that America could bring itself out of this massive and seemingly inescapable hole and once again become the ultimate world power. Max Baer, his final opponent, represented the bankers and investors who were responsible for the Great Depression, although he differs from them in that he was genuinely concerned for Braddock’s welfare. “Cinderella Man” illustrates the belief that patriotism in the movies is not reserved for war films, but rather signified by a common goal among a nation to overcome immense obstacles and achieve perpetual greatness.

Russell Crowe sees Braddock as a faithful and devoted

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family man who will do anything to keep his children in the same house. He hardly notices the glory that comes from the fights because he is too busy working toward the invisible goal of contentment that we all seek. Renee Zellweger, as his wife, and Paul Giamatti, as his trainer, are also exceptional, but Crowe’s humanity and decency drive the story to the heartwarming and tearful conclusion.

Braddock believed he was fighting for his family, but he was wrong. He was fighting for the man on the street

who lost hope after losing his latest job and considered ending his life. He was fighting for the widow whose husband was killed over a bar room brawl that came from years of frustration over the lack of work. He was fighting for you, whoever you are, because the hopes and dreams of wishing for a living wage and a loving family are no different than those that were often silenced during the Great Depression, and “Cinderella Man” vividly and eloquently illustrates this truth, evoking strong emotions rarely felt in today’s movies.

SPORTS

Page 6 The Houstonian

Thursday, October 8, 2009

The history of Sammy the Bearkat Mike Silva and Lotis Butchko Staff Reporter and Sports Editor

In 1959, the current Sammy Bearkat mascot character was born and began appearing in Sam Houston State sports events.

Sammy’s two minute routine earned him a national championship of the mascots division at the 2005 United Spirit Association Collegiate National Championships. For a short period of time, Sammy had a partner

alongside him. Samantha Bearkat was Sammy’s partner mascot for a period of time, but Samantha has since retired. One of Sammy’s current co-mascot is the Airkat Bearkat, the big balloon like mascot that bounces around at several sporting events.

Sammy was first introduced in 1959 at a basketball game against Austin College.

President Dr. Harmon Lowman introduced Sammy and inducted him to the college.

Since his arrival he has been to sporting events graduations as well various events in

the mall.

Sammy walks through the crowd during home games and occasionally travels to away games. His new look has been made to be more child friendly as well as more athletic so that Sammy could do more athletic moves if necessary.

He is currently on his seventh makeover.

Follow along as The Houstonian chronicles the time line of Sammy for his 50th birthday.

Photos courtesy of Brian Blalock.

Cut out photo by Joe Buvid | The Houstonian

What is a Bearkat?

The term “Bearkat” likely was given without a particular animal in mind. It was believed at one time that “bearkats” were kinkajous, small carnivorous animals that reside in jungle areas in South America, but this idea has recently been denied and claimed as false.

It is more likely that the “bearkat” nickname was given by an old saying around the times of its conception. The local saying “tough as a bearkat” was the likely reason behind the naming of Sam Houston State’s mascot.

Old Sammy and Samantha outside the LSC.

Sammy circa 1984 at Pritchett field.

Sammy’s Head Sammy’s head has changed several times in the past fifty years.

Originally his head was made out of paper mache with a sailor hat on top.

His next head debuted in the late 60’s and was a plastic fox head and again he was wearing a sailor hat.

In the early 80’s, a fluffier Sammy was introduced. Made of fur and a sweat shirt, this Sammy was more brown than orange.

Early 90’s Sammy was more of a dog than a bearkat. This was also the arrival time of Samantha.

The Sammy dog head was destroyed during a game when rain poured down on the mascot.

The last and current head was designed in the late 90’s. It debuted at halftime during a Stephen F. Austin basketball game.

The first Sammy in 1959 wore sweats with a large head.

Sammy circa 1969. The fox look.

The Sam Houston Ravens?

In the late 1940’s, then Sam Houston State University President Harmon Lowman attempted to change the Sam Houston State mascot from “Bearkats” to “Ravens”.

General Sam Houston’s Cherokee nickname was “raven”, thus bringing life to the idea of the change of the name.

Alumni were polled about the possible name change.

Historian Vernon Schuder reported that she had voted for “raven” but that “all those old Bearkats beat us out”.

Old and new Sammy pose together

The Original Mascot

Homecoming Schedule Alumni Coffee & Pre-game with the President: Austin Hall at 10:30 a.m.

Bearkat Alley Tailgate: Bowers Stadium at Noon SHSU vs. Nicholls Football: Bowers Stadium at 2 p.m.

Reginonal & Special Inerest Alumni Clubs Reception: LSC Ballroom at 5:30 p.m.

Sam Houston State’s Athletic teams have been called “The Bearkats “ since 1923 when the Texas state legislature change the university’s name from Sam Houston Normal Institute to Sam Houston State Teachers College.

Before this name change in 1923, the name given to Sam Houston State varsity sports teams was “The Normals”.

For a brief period of time Tripod, a four legged dog with one gimp leg was considered the unofficial mascot.