The Houstonian

Vol 114 — Issue 25

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Huntsville, Texas

SPORTS

FEATURE PRESENTATION

INDEX

Nation & World...page 4

A recap of this weekends sporting events including football, basketball, and volleyball.

Entertainment editor Kevin Jukkola reveals the results of his weekly poll.

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

Entertainment........page 5

SEE page 6

SEE page 5

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

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

Running for the cure BREAST CANCER AWARENESS

In order to battle against one of the leading cancers in women, the Zeta Tau Alpha sorority hold 5k run to help raise funds

By Kristin Meyer Senior Reporter

Running shoes, check; pink shirt, check; race number, check; show your support for breast cancer awareness, check.

At 8:00 a.m. last Saturday, over 200 feet walked and ran approximately three miles to show their support for breast cancer awareness at the 3rd annual Zeta Tau Alpha Kats for the Cause 5k Race.

To raise breast cancer awareness, ZTA organized the Kats for the Cause 5k race and sold over 3,000 Pink Out t-shirts to change the color of the Sam Houston stands from orange to pink.

“Breast Cancer awareness education is the ZTA national philanthropy and we teamed up with Sam Houston State University three years ago and wanted to do a Pink Out game,” Cherie Countz, cochair of Zeta Tau Alpha, said.

“We wanted to pink out the stadium to bring awareness and educational materials

Krystal Jackson | The Houstonian

Taking part. A runner takes part in the 5K run.

Krystal Jackson | The Houstonian

Run for the cause. In an effort to raise money for breast cancer organizations and awareness, the Zeta Tau Alpha sororoty held a 5k run last Saturday. The ZTAs raised between $5,000-$6,000.

to students and community members.”

ZTA even teamed up with the NFL for the Fall 2009 season to help create breast cancer awareness at the football games.

Twenty-two teams participated in THINK-PINK!® including the Houston Texans, Chicago Bears, New York Giants and Green Bay Packers, according to the Zeta Tau Alpha website.

The Kats for the Cause events included the 5k charity run/walk, a tailgate, the Pink Out at the football game and a half time honoring cancer survivors.

“We have some honorary captains who are breast cancer survivors and every year we have 3 to 5 captains that we honor at half time,” Countz said.

Student Services talks higher education in D.C.

Not only did students participate in the 5k race, but with a shotgun start, the race was lead by cancer survivors.

Three-year cancer survivor and SHSU Alumni, Eileen Boaz was present at the 5k and it was because of her story that Roseanne Keathley, Committee Chair of ZTA, wanted to host the Pink Out along with ZTA. “She became very involved when I was diagnosed with cancer and she was a big support during my treatment and surgeries over the last three years,” Boaz said. “So this awareness project was instituted kind of because of me.”

Many students turned out to show their support for breast cancer awareness and honor family members that were lost to the disease.

“I had a great aunt pass

Work for food

Career Services reaches out to students at luncheon with advice for getting and keeping jobs

By Cheryl Smith

Contributing Writer

SHSU Public Relations SHSU Student Services representatives recently traveled to Washington, D.C., to meet with the Student Affairs Leadership Council, a subsidiary of the Advisory Board Company.

Representatives met with company representatives and other universities to discuss best practice research methods in higher education. They also discussed higher education issues with U.S. Senator John Cornyn and his staff, said Brandon Cooper, Student Activities assistant director.

away from breast cancer, so I want to come out every year and show my support,” senior Julieta Banda said.

This year, ZTA raised between $5,000-$6,000, which will be donated to the Zeta Tau Alpha foundation who then disperse it out to all the different breast cancer awareness organizations, such as the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, Colleges Against Cancer, American Cancer Society, etc.

In 2009, approximately 269,800 women have died from cancer and 15% of these deaths have been because of breast cancer, according to the American Cancer Society.

By raising awareness and money to find a cure for breast cancer, ZTA is aiding in lowering this percentage.

Career Services hosts Career Café on Wednesday Nov 18 outside of Academic Building IV. The staff will be promoting all the programs that career services have to offer while students enjoy hot chocolate, coffee and cookies. The event will take place from 11:30a.m. to 1:30p.m.

Students seeking career advice can walk by their tent and speak with a career counselor.

“We are targeting students who need career advice and students that are about to graduate,” Paige Andrews, job fair and special events coordinator,

said.

This is one of the many events that career services has hosted to reach out to students who need career advice or job help.

Career services offers, Career Assessments, Career Counseling, Job Fairs, “Jobs 4 Kats” Job Listings, Mock Interviews, Presentations and Workshops, Company Information, Career Library/Computers Cover Letter and Resume Assistance, On-Campus Interviews.

Students seeking more information about career services and what they offer can visit AB IV or call to make an appointment 936 294 1713.

Clock Tower Blues In response to the “Paws Up, Paws Down” segment last week regarding the question as to why the design of the number four was on the clock tower, Today@Sam helps to clear up the misconception.

According to the Verdin Company of Cincinnati, Ohio, manufacturer of the SHSU clock, the use of IIII was universally accepted when Roman numerals were used on dials.

Furthermore, a study of Roman inscriptions surviving from the days when Rome controlled the British Isles shows that the Romans themselves preferred IIII to IV. IIII appears 87 percent of the time.

With that research, the Verdin Company considered that justification to use IIII instead of IV, explaining that it balances the VIII and makes the dial more pleasing to the eye.

Hearts of Gold

Joe Buvid | The Houstonian

Pro-life message found to break school code

By Lotis Butchko Sports Editor

Friday morning, Sam Houston students found writing on the walls that they could not miss.

On the walls, floor, and even the stairs were antiabortion messages. The messages read to the effect of “pro-life”, “Abortion stops a beating heart”, and “Bearkats for life” as an anti-abortion group posted messages on campus.

“I think it was a bit extreme,” said Katelyn Slayter, a senior at Sam Houston.

Six colors of chalk told the stories as a litter of hearts were drawn all over the walls. The writing was left over the weekend and was still present Monday.

While Sam Houston State allows posting there is a policy which was violated by the posters. According to the department of student activities operational manual section five “The specific objective is to

establish policies and practices pertaining to the distribution of printed materials on the university campus so as to provide an atmosphere conducive to the educational purposes of the university.”

Calls to members of the anti-abortion group went unreturned.

The writing will more than likely be washed off by maintenance according to Dean John Yarabeck.

“We just have some people who got a bit overzealous,” said Yarbeck. “More than likely this will just be cleaned up, I wouldn’t expect anything else unless they continue to do this.”

While some students never noticed the writing, others took it in a demeaning manner.

“I was offended,” said one student who requested to remain anonymous.

While the freedom of speech was implored for messages like this, there is a line between a message and an offense.

OPINIONS

Page 2 The Houstonian

THE ROSTRUM

“The sacred rights of mankind are not to be rummaged for among old parchments or musty records. They are written, as with a sunbeam, in the whole volume of human nature, by the hand of the divinity itself; and can never be erased.”

Alexander Hamilton American statesman and economist 1755-1804

Mad Brad: Walk before you run. who was out for a brisk walk as well.

What happened to me?

I remember at the end of my freshman year in high school I decided that I wanted to make varsity cross country .

215 pounds of power lifting man love.

My mass of Catholic schoolboy goodness would carry over into my college career, and even though I partied a lot my freshman year I still would workout all

“

Say what you will about my priorities, but at least I was devoted.”

That entire summer I ran everyday, and when the fall came around I made the squad. I lettered twice in track, and despite injuries went to state both years.

We also won both of those years.

When I wanted to gain muscle mass I delved into protein shakes. By the end of my senior year I was called Buffalo Basker, and despite my unhealthy lifestyle I was

the time.

Some nights I would party until about 5 in the morning. I would stay up to make sure that I would be one of the first 10 customers to Kaldi’s so I could get a free cup of coffee, and then I would hit the weights around 8.

Say what you will about my priorities, but at least I was devoted.

So when I lay sprawled out on my living room floor in pain, I didn’t

know what to think. What should I have expected?

I’ve spent the last 5 months writing, studying, eating bagels with New York cheesecake spread and watching every episode of The Office.

Although The Office is one of my favorite shows, it is hardly conducive for perfecting my physique.

It was good to get defeated so swiftly, because I had no idea how much my physical status had fallen. I’m 179 pounds of weight room leftovers with the heart and mind of a brand new jock strap. I’m going to go at this with all my might.

But even though I feel that way, I know that it’s going to take progress through dedication. I’ve got to walk, before I can run.

Adam Key talks the perceptions society and families have on being single in this day and age. have just recently or soon plan to get married themselves.

The biggest problem with this question are the assumptions it makes. It presumes that I plan to get married, and more offensively, implies that there is something wrong with not being married already.

It’s not just my family.

If you’re single and 25, society starts treating you in much the same way I imagine they used to treat lepers. People legitimately think that there is something wrong with you if you are not actively seeking a mate.

You’re immediately assumed to either be someone trying to have sex with as many women as possible, or a gigantic loser who couldn’t get a date to save his life.

Either way, like our leprous brethren of yesteryear, we end up shunned.

The older you get, the worse the treatment becomes. As more and more of your friends enter the Twilight Zone that is holy matrimony, they start seeing you as the odd man out.

Married couples have married friends. They

do things together, as couples. Single people, for whatever reason, are not allowed into their exclusive club.

We end up with awful labels like third wheels.

I’m continually thankful that, as a man, no one will refer to me as being a spinster or a cat lady.

This demand that people get married is likely a source of a lot of societal problems.

People end up getting married because they feel that it’s time, that they need to do it to feel like a whole person and to live up to everyone else’s expectations.

With a divorce rate over 50% in this country, perhaps we should consider that all this settling down is causing an upset.

So why am I writing this column?

Am I hoping deep down that some beautiful and ambitious young woman will read my plight in The Houstonian, be overtaken by my incredibly sexy author picture, and fall madly in love with me on the spot?

That’s a big negative.

The truth is, I am rather happy living the

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 areed@houstonianonline.com

In this section of the opinions page, we take a look at some various news stories around campus and give the parties involved either a “paws up” for a good job, or a “paws down” for a not so good job.

“Paws UP” to the Huntsville City Council for finally passing the long-heralded “2am Law.” Starting December 1st, bars in Huntsville will have the option to remain open until 2am.

“Paws DOWN” to a stillstruggling job market that many Bearkats are having trouble getting in to. Here’s hoping things turn around soon.

“Paws UP” to SHSU Career Services who will be hosting “Career Cafe” on Wednesday outside AB IV. Representatives will be on hand to offer advice and free snacks to students.

Brad Basker is a recurring columnist for The Houstonian.

He is the paper’s former Business Manager.

Key Words: Singled Out

With Thanksgiving being next week, I know a lot of Bearkats are really looking forward to the holidays. We’ll break bread with relatives that we’re thankful to only see twice a year, eat astounding amounts of overly fattening food, and take a moment to consider all the blessings of the past year.

For many freshman, especially those who live a considerable distance away from Huntsville, it will be the first time they’ve seen their extended family since starting college.

I, for one, am not particularly looking forward to Turkey Day. I’m not dreading the strange food or the relatives who fell far, far away from the family tree. What makes me cringe, however, is the question that I know I will be assailed with over turkey: “Why aren’t you married yet?”

It’s a question that I know I’ll be asked at least 6 or 7 times over dinner, if I’m lucky. I’ll hear it from everyone, from grandparents wanting great grandchildren to my younger cousins who

Letter to the Student Body

Paws Up, Paws Down

Brad Basker talks about the importance of dedication to accomplish goals.

I recently decided to reengage in physical activities, and as I went for my first early morning run in months I had many anticipations. I stretched, breathed in the day’s dew and remembered the glory days of track and cross country. As I took off down the street I thought, “I’m going to be in the best shape of my life!”

About minute and a half later I was walking along the side of the road.

My mind and heart were on fire with youthful vigor to be a physical specimen of man-tastic proportions, but the fire in my legs did not share the same sentiments.

I tried a slight jog, but I was going so slow that mosquitoes were able to land on me. After trying for a few more minutes I just started to walk back.

With very little sweat on my body I waved at a middle-aged woman in a turquoise windbreaker

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

way I currently am, and it’s a lifestyle that I could not maintain if I was in a committed relationship. I am free to do what I want when I want, without having to check in with someone to make sure it’s okay that I take off every other weekend to coach the debate team.

I can pull all nighters when I need to, and hang out with my female friends without worrying about making anyone jealous.

At this point in my life, I am not nearly ready to get married.

This column is not for me. It’s for every other single person out there who’s been made to feel like they are less of a person because they’re not in a relationship.

Simply because you don’t have a significant other does not make you insignificant.

It’s time we as a society recognize how valuable single life is and take a stand against settling down.

Adam Key is a recurring columnist for The Houstonian. He is a Communication Studies graduate student.

One extra “Paws UP” to SGA President Ryan Bridges who submitted to the potential of public humiliation by getting his head shaved last week to benefit cancer awareness. At least he doesn’t look a whole lot different.

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 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.

CAMPUS

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Rough riders

Future Farmers of America have a go-round at steer saddling

By Blake Myers Contributing Writer

It was a night of dirt, spurs, saddles, and steers presented by the SHSU Collegiate FFA at the Ag Complex on Avenue M last Thursday. The event was a huge fundraiser for the organization, and is always open to all students, parents, and faculty.

Last Thursday, Nov. 12 at 6 p.m., teams of three did their best to saddle and ride young bulls in front of a huge crowd. Steer Saddling, as the sport is called, is a rough and tumble rodeo event that pits two teams of three cowboys against each other to see who can wrangle, saddle, and ride their steer across a certain distance the fastest.

“Thankfully no one got hurt, and we had a good safe event” Asa Wilson, vice president of SHSU’s Collegiate Future Farmers of America, said.

Wilson, who is also the State Vice President of CFFA, organized the annual event with his president, Brittany Hall. This year most teams were comprised of Ag students, but they have had many teams in the past made up of parents, fraternities, and even professors. Teams paid $30 to enter, and their fans could purchase tickets for $3 in advance or $5 at the door.

“We’ve been doing this for about 10 or 12 years, and every year we get more and more people out, whether to compete or just watch” Wilson said.

The club raised $1,300 at the event,

and also donated $1,000 to both Delta Tau Alpha, the agricultural fraternity, and the Texas FFA Ag Ambassadors.

The Houstonian, Page 3

Raffles and Rifles

Anyone interested in Collegiate FFA should contact Asa Wilson at either asw005@shsu. edu, or (936) 348-4281.

The group meets the second Tuesday of each month in the Thomason Building, room 221, at 6 p.m.

Chapter to guide 2nd annual special drawing night with live music and gear prizes

By Victoria Craven Contributing Writer

Joe Buvid | The Houstonian

FFA Fundraiser: “Steer Saddling, as the sport is called, is a rough and tumble rodeo event that pits two teams of three cowboys against each other to see who can wrangle, saddle, and ride their steer across a certain distance the fastest.”

THE

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Make Great Money While Still in College!

Come wearing your boots, hungry and ready to get your two-step on in support of Sam Houston State University’s Duck’s Unlimited Chapter.

SHSU’s DU chapter will hold their banquet Nov. 18 at the Walker County Fair Grounds. The doors open at 6 p.m.

The Duck’s Unlimited banquet is the biggest fundraiser for the chapter.

“Most of the raised money goes to the national Duck’s Unlimited for conversation efforts,” Blake Baker said.

During the banquet there will be a silent auction, a raffle and games with the opportunity to win prizes.

A few items on the silent auction list will include a free coupon to get a duck mounted, Duck’s Unlimited merchandise, a

dove hunt, a guided duck hunt and possibly a guided ram hunt. Items that are planned to be raffled off or won as prizes include two shot guns, two riffles, Ducks Unlimited wooden chairs and table set and many others.

Cody Johnson’s Band, a local country music singer, will be performing. They are likely to go on stage around 7 p.m.

Everyone is welcome out to this event. Presale tickets are $25, tickets at the door are $30 and a cooperate table is $250.

A corporate table seats six people and includes “dinner, alcohol, and nice things for their guests” Baker said.

To get your presale tickets please contact Blake Baker at bgb005@shsu.edu.

Page 4 The Houstonian

NATION & WORLD

Group: Founder of Tibetan Web site gets 15 years (AP) — The founder of a Tibetan literary Web site was sentenced to 15 years in prison on charges of disclosing state secrets, an overseas monitoring group said Tuesday.

Kunchok Tsephel, 39, was convicted and sentenced Nov. 12 after a closed-door trial at the Intermediate People's Court of Gannan prefecture in southwestern Gansu province, according to reports from Tibet received by Tibetan exiles, said the International Campaign for Tibet, a Washington D.C.-based advocacy group.

Some of the charges are believed to be related to content posted on his influential Web site, Chodme, or Butter-Lamp, which promotes Tibetan culture, and also for passing on information about last year's anti-government protests.

His family, who did not know where he had been held

for nine months, was summoned last Thursday to hear the verdict, the ICT group said.

Kunchok Tsephel had founded his Web site on Tibetan art and literature in 2005 along with a fellow poet. Authorities have shut it down several times over the past few years.

Tibetan resentment against Chinese rule has been fueled by religious restrictions and competition for resources with migrants from the Han Chinese majority. Similar grievances fed ethnic rioting this year in the neighboring heavily Muslim region of Xinjiang that left nearly 200 dead.

In the wake of the Tibet protests, the Chinese government installed a heavy security presence in the region, arresting thousands in connection with the unrest.

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

AP Poll: Americans fret over health overhaul costs (AP) — It's the cost, Mr. President.

Americans are worried about hidden costs in the fine print of health care overhaul legislation, an Associated Press poll says.

That's creating new challenges for President Barack Obama as he tries to close the deal with a handful of Democratic doubters in the Senate.

Although Americans share a conviction that major health care changes are needed, Democratic bills that extend coverage to the uninsured and try to hold down medical costs get no better than a lukewarm reception.

The poll found that 43 percent oppose the health care plans being discussed in Congress, while 41 percent are in support. An additional 15 percent remain neutral or undecided.

When poll questions were framed broadly, the answers seemed to indicate

ample support for Obama's goals. When required trade-offs were brought into the equation, opinions shifted — sometimes dramatically.

In one striking finding, the poll indicated that public support for banning insurance practices that discriminate against those in poor health may not be as solid as it seems.

A ban on denial of coverage because of pre-existing medical problems has been one of the most popular consumer protections in the health care debate.

Some 82 percent said they favored the ban, according to a Pew Research Center poll in October.

Costs for those with coverage could go up because people in poor health who'd been shut out of the insurance pool would now be included, and they would get medical care they could not access before.

The health care debate

is full of such trade-offs.

For example, limiting the premiums that insurance companies can charge 50year-olds means that 20year-olds have to pay more for coverage.

More than 4 in 5 Americans now have health insurance, and their perceptions about costs are key as Obama tries to rally his party's congressional majority. In the House, Democrats came together to pass their bill. In the Senate, Democratic liberals and a smaller group of moderates disagree on core questions even as Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., prepares to take legislation to the floor.

And there would also be a stick — a tax penalty to enforce the coverage mandate.

Among Democrats, only 12 percent oppose the broad goal of requiring insurance. But 50 percent oppose fines to enforce it.

The poll found a similar opinion shift on employer requirements: 73 percent agreed that all companies should be required to give their employees at least some health insurance.

Yet when asked if fines should be used to enforce such a requirement on medium and large companies, support dropped to 52 percent. Uninsured workers are concentrated in small companies.

The poll was based on land line and cell phone interviews with 1,502 adults from Oct. 29 to Nov. 8. It has a margin of error of plus or minus 2.5 percentage points. The interviews were conducted by GfK Roper Public Affairs and Media. Stanford University's participation was made possible by a grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, a nonpartisan organization that conducts research on the health care system.

DEBATE OF CENSORSHIP

Canada Supreme Court hears media appeal

Thrown in jail. Because the Chinese government believed Kunchok Tsephel’s website promoted Tibetan culture, he received a sentence of 15 years in prison.

Judge tells Chicago to let students transfer (AP) — A federal judge says Chicago Public Schools must arrange for the immediate transfer of students who want to leave a South Side high school after an honor student's brutal beating death.

U.S. District Judge Robert Gettleman's ruling Monday came in a lawsuit filed last week against the district by 11 students who say they don't feel safe at Christian Fenger Academy High School. Along with

the transfers, the students want a judge to order the district to make Fenger safer.

Derrion Albert, a 16year-old Fenger honor student, was beaten to death in September during a sprawling fight that was caught by a cell phone video camera.

Messages left for a district spokeswoman and lawyer weren't immediately returned.

(AP) — News blackouts unjustifiably prevented the public from learning why charges were dropped or suspended for some terror suspects, media lawyers told Canada's Supreme Court on Monday.

Several media organizations, including The Associated Press, are asking the Supreme Court to lift reporting restrictions on preliminary hearings in criminal cases.

The appeal relates to the 2006 arrests of the "Toronto 18" — accused of planning to bomb the Toronto Stock Exchange and two government installations.

One man has been convicted and four more have pleaded guilty. Seven have had the charges against them withdrawn or suspended, but the media are not allowed to report why. Six more are awaiting trial.

Under Canada's criminal code, reporters may attend preliminary hearings but are barred from reporting nearly all details if the accused asks for a publication ban.

Media lawyers for the AP, the Canadian Broadcasting Corp., CTV television and the Toronto Star argued that reporters in courtrooms serve as surrogates for the public and have an obligation to report about allegations against suspects. Lawyer Paul Schabas said the

Tracking down “Toronto 18”. A police officer stands guard as over 400 Ontario officers searched for members of the homegrown terrocell “Toronto 18” in 2006. The suspects were charged with planning to bomb the Toronto Stock Exchange and two government installations.

public has the right to know why some suspects were released on bail and later had their charges withdrawn.

"All of the bail and preliminary proceedings have been effectively been under a cone of silence," Schabas told the nine justices. "Why, the public may ask, are these men who the police described in their press conference as being dangerous terrorists, posing a real and serious threat to Canada, being released."

Schabas said the bans prevent scrutiny.

"The public's right to know is lost. Justice is not being seen to be done," he said.

The court also heard from a different set of media law-

yers about an Alberta case that challenges the same section of Canada's law on bail hearings. In that case, the public was shocked when an Edmonton man accused of killing his pregnant wife was released on bail. A publication ban prevented the public from knowing why he was released. The man was later convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison.

Lawyers for some of the terror suspects and the government argued that the existing system of automatic bans is necessary to protect fair trial rights and ensure bail hearings take place expeditiously.

John North, a lawyer for the government, said in his

written submission to the court that the bans protect the fair trial rights of the accused since jurors may be influenced by prejudicial information disclosed at a bail hearing that was not admitted into evidence at trial.

North said that is particularly important these days because the internet preserves pretrial stories and search engines like Google make it easy for any person to access this information at any time.

Schabas said juries can be trusted and that fair trial rights are not so fragile.

Lawyers for the media in the terror case lost an appeal before Ontario's Court of Appeal in a 3-2 majority decision announced in January.

In the majority lower court decision, Ontario Court of Appeal Justice Kathryn Feldman wrote that an accused person can be granted a publication ban in a preliminary hearing if there is any possibility the case will go to a jury.

Feldman, writing for the majority, ruled that the limit on freedom of expression is justified to prevent the potential breach of fair trial rights. The two dissenting judges agreed with the media's position.

The Supreme Court reserved judgment for a later date.

9/11 TRIAL

Security threats inside and out for 9/11 trial (AP) — Hot sauce and a comb were all an al-Qaida suspect in New York needed to nearly kill one of his guards nine years ago. The bloody episode suggests that security worries in bringing Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and other 9/11 suspects to trial here could be just as big inside the courthouse as outside.

Already, the U.S. marshals are promising the highest security possible — an acknowledgement of how dangerous terrorism suspects have been in the past.

Attorney General Eric Holder announced Friday that Mohammed, the professed mastermind of the 2001 attacks, and four accused henchmen would be brought from Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, to New York to face a civilian federal trial.

The prosecution is planned for a court complex just blocks from where the World Trade Center towers were destroyed in the attack blamed on these men. The court-

The 9/11 mastermind. There is much debate going on as to whether Khalid Sheikh Mohammed (above) and other 9/11 suspects should actually be brought to New York City to be tried in civilian court.

Many are worried that attacks are imminent.

house is among the most secure in the nation, ringed by closed-off streets, 24-hour guard posts, anti-truck-bomb barricades and street video cameras so powerful that they can read the print off a passerby's newspaper.

The Sept. 11 case would be the most spectacular of a half dozen major terrorism trials in New York that have already sent away the men

blamed for the less devastating 1993 bombing of the trade center, a plot to blow up five landmarks in New York City, a scheme to blow up a dozen U.S. airliners over the Far East and the 1998 bombings of two U.S. embassies in Africa.

Holder's decision to try the Sept. 11 suspects sparked debate over the security risks posed to densely-populated

lower Manhattan, but far less has been said about attempted violence by the defendants themselves.

At the same federal lockup where Mohammed and the others are to be held, federal prison guard Louis Pepe was attacked in late 2000 by Mamdouh Mahmud Salim, a former top aide to bin Laden who was awaiting trial in the embassies case.

Salim surprised Pepe by using a squeezable plastic honey bear container filled with hot sauce as a kind of homemade pepper spray that temporarily blinded the guard.

The inmate then took a plastic comb ground into the shape of a dagger and plunged it into Pepe's left eye. The point pierced deep into his brain, causing severe permanent injury to his sight, speech, and movement.

After the attack, prosecutors say papers found in the cell showed Salim's plan had been to take hostages inside the prison and free his co-

defendants. While such a "breakout" plot may sound far-fetched given the security of the federal buildings, in Salim's case the very attempt nearly killed someone.

Salim's lawyer in that case, Richard Lind, said he had "mixed feelings" about Holder's decision, because while he believes the suspects should be tried in civilian court, he has security concerns When Mohammed and the others are taken from their cells to the courtroom, U.S. marshals will provide security.

There, too, the last major al-Qaida trial serves as a warning.

During a pre-trial hearing, al-Qaida suspect Wadih ElHage leaped out of a jury box that held several defendants and raced toward the judge, who maneuvered his tall black chair in front of him as a shield. The defendant was tackled by a deputy U.S. marshal and slammed against a wall next to an American

flag, about a dozen feet from the judge.

The trial was held in a large ceremonial courtroom with its own security check — a sort of perimeter within the perimeter. Outside the building, heavily-armed marshals stood guard. When hijacked airplanes slammed into the World Trade Center towers Sept. 11, 2001, those same marshals rushed to the scene to join rescue efforts.

Even with extra security, some are convinced trial in a civilian court is a bad idea.

The most high-profile critic so far has been former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani, who said over the weekend the decision displayed "a lack of concern for the rights of the public."

Josh Dratel, a lawyer who represented El-Hage, said it was right to bring Mohammed and others to trial in New York, both for legal reasons and because, he said, "there's nothing that makes New York more of a target" than it already is.

ENTERTAINMENT

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

The Houstonian, Page 5

At the Movies with Kevin:

Precious lacks reason for offending Kevin Jukkola

Entertainment Editor

Archie Bunker would have approved of the manner in which “Precious” portrays black people as stupid, abusive, ignorant, and lazy. Although there are certain people of every race that fulfill these requirements, the belief that any group perfectly illustrates every aspect of these characteristics is blatantly and unforgivably offensive. I am appalled at the implication that these are facets of real life for any race, rather than the actuality of the unbearable and pointless exhibition of abuse that constitutes the film’s structure.

The film’s storyline effectively follows a pattern of humiliating and degrading Precious (Gabourey Sidibe) continuously until it becomes almost unwatchable.

It then switches to brief moments that illustrate a possibility for hope, which is discarded in favor of more abuse that is painful and meaningless. I am unsure of the reason to inflict such despair without a sense of optimism or catharsis for the characters, but “Precious” certainly achieves this, even if it does nothing else.

Tyler Perry, one of the film’s producers, seems to determined with all of his endeavors to insinuate that all black people are obnoxious, loud, and moronic, but these are only the opinions of racists. All of his television shows and movies are simply permitting these racist beliefs that pollute the progressive social dialogue

that should be taking place.

Perry, once a homeless comedian who has worked his way up to becoming a millionaire, has an inspirational success story that should be applauded for its demonstration of resiliency. He appears to be a decent man with harmless intentions who appears clueless to the harm he is imposing on the improving nature of interracial relations, but pleading ignorance as a reason for continuously perpetuating ignorant attitudes is not a permissible excuse.

“Precious” shows black people in the same light as “Birth of a Nation” did in 1915, but that film was at least revolutionary and influential in its filmmaking style, while this one does nothing to advance the cinematic medium. That said, “Birth of a Nation” lacked the historical perspective that should be expected from “Precious”, but both are awful explorations of insensitive and bigoted portrayals of black people.

Racists are going to watch this movie with pride, believing that someone has finally shown black people in the way they should be seen. All of their suspicions will be proven correct with this offensive illustration of characters with no other reason for acting as they do other than to depress the audience. The performances, which are the only decent artistic part of the film, only add to the despair and denigration of Precious that is unending and unbearable.

There is an inhumanity within the characters who

abuse Precious that is senselessly startling.

“Precious” encourages the belief that every darkskinned person satisfies all racial stereotypes. The film shows light-skinned blacks as polite and virtuous and dark-skinned blacks as evil and volatile sub-humans who wish for people’s company only so their unnecessary abuse can be targeted.

According to the gospel of “Precious”, a trace of white blood makes you a better person.

“Precious” is basically a long-running cruelty joke.

It starts with Precious being expelled from school for no discernable reason other than to garner artificial sympathy in the eyes of the audience. Even though the decision might turn out for the best, this is not a realistic depiction of a principal’s possible actions.

Precious is not a real person. She is a dramatic device used and abused at the impulse of the filmmakers whenever they feel the need to inflict senseless pain.

These virulent actions do not resonate dramatically as pictures of realism, but rather as gratuitous moments of meaningless hate.

“Precious” decides to include a final device that plays on our depressed emotions, which is a despicable excuse for the torture of an innocent child that reveals nothing about the human experience. This revelation makes her triumphant pursuit of an education a worthless enterprise. The film does not simply kick Precious while she is down.

It drags her tired body into the shed and beats her with a baseball bat. It does this by showing the two rapes of Precious in extremely graphic detail because of its constant ambition that is aimed at forcing the audience to cringe by illustrating hopelessness as the only commonality in her life. Apparently, the filmmakers felt that the consistent physical and verbal abuse at home and on the streets was lacking some dramatic feature.

The director, Lee Daniels, completely misplaces the tone of the entire film by splicing in random and

needless dream sequences in the most depressing and heartless times of Precious’ life. These are meant to be invigorating escapes from the despair that is Precious’ life, but are actually annoying distractions used as false exhibitions for an inauthentic hope. There is nothing genuine about “Precious”, and its pure exploitation of emotions is a sickening and inherently offensive attempt at manipulation that makes the audience feel increasingly unclean. The film has been mentioned as a possibility for various year-end honors, but to award any

credit to the artistic achievement of “Precious” would be tantamount to endorsing the hateful attitudes it so vehemently and continuously perpetuates.

This is more than a bad and horrifically depressing movie; it is a dangerous one. “Precious” shows blacks in such a disparaging light that it could influence people who are incline to discriminate and enhance these attitudes. It is sad that “Precious” would be propagated as a breakthrough for black filmmakers when it is actually a shame that it was ever produced.

Precious

Despair without hope. Precious (Gadbourey Sidibe) attempts to walk away from her abusive life and find some resemblance of hope in the manipulative and depressing “Precious”.

MUSIC SPOT

Energetic Leg Sweeper mesmerizes adoring, engaged audience James Ashworth

Contributing Writer

On Saturday, November 14 at the Westheimer Block Party, I witnessed one of the most energetic bands in ages, Leg Sweeper. To summarize, the show was a sweaty mess. I could feel my heart pounding as guitar player Justin Gomez started to crowd surf. Beer and dirty laundry covered the floor.

As the songs started, the punk kids formed a whirling dervish, known as circle pitting, in the center of the room. This energetic event was hosted at Mango’s, a popular indie and punk club in Downtown Houston.

I walked into Leg Sweeper’s set with no prior knowledge of their music, but I immediately became a fan. They perfectly capture the essence of the Dallas punk scene with their fast, ambitious, and fun beats. I enjoy this type of music because it is generally less about politics and more about partying. This model was followed by other Dallas punk bands like A.N.S. and the Bleach Boys. While not as prominent as the scenes in Los Angeles or Portland, Dallas deserves just as much attention for its dearth of talent.

Their sound is a breath of fresh air from the morbid themes of Houston’s crust and grind core bands.

The local kids were responsive

to Leg Sweeper, which is a positive thing. I always like to see a show where the audience is actively engaged. After noticing all the buzz in the room about this band, I had to get a demo.

It’s called “Leg Sweeper’s First Demo EP” and is five songs long. The demo runs for about 10 minutes with the best track being “My Face Hurts”.

The song makes reference to Refused’s 1998 album with the line, “This is what they said would be the shape of punk to come.” The song also has a melodic chanting sequence which says, “My face hurts. I need medicine. I can’t even feel my legs. My fist hurts. I need medicine. But [expletive] that, Lets do it again.” Now, those are raw and unblinking lyrics.

Judging by the show and demo, I believe that Leg Sweeper sounds fresh and catchy. They bear a resemblance to the late 1980s post-hardcore scene in Washington D.C. Bands like Rites of Spring, Jawbreaker, and Shudder to Think come to mind. Yet, they embrace a newer path set by Annihilation Time, Japanther, and Lightening Bolt.

In fact, Leg Sweeper played the Block Party with Japanther, who headlined at Numbers, and they have a bright future ahead of them. For contact information and upcoming shows, visit Leg Sweeper’s myspace at www. myspace.com/sweepthehead.

Entertainment Poll of the Week

Box Office Winner

Effective dramas often constitute the pinnacle of filmmaking in the way that real life is depicted in a shockingly realistic fashion.

Although “Precious” does not accomplish its intended goal of truthfully moving the audience, there have been many dramas in the decade which have succeeded in achieving this extraordinarily difficult task. What is the best drama of the decade?

Choices: -21 Grams -About Schmidt -Cast Away -Little Children -Lost in Translation -Million Dollar Baby -Monster’s Ball -Mystic River -The Reader -Road to Perdition -The Wrestler

Stars: No Stars Grade: F Running Time: 109 min.

MPAA: Rated R for child abuse, including sexual assault, and pervasive language.

Cast:. Gabourey Sidibe (Precious), Mo’Nique (Mary), Paula Patton (Ms. Rain), Lenny Kravitz (Nurse John), Mariah Carey (Ms. Weiss), Sherri Shepherd (Cornhows).

Directed by Lee Daniels.

Written by Geoffrey Fletcher, based on the novel Push by Sapphire.

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SPORTS

Page 6 The Houstonian

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Ending the Down go the Sugar Bears season on a winning note

Joe Buvid | The Houstonian

Taking Flight. Defensive back Cameron Jenkins blocks a pass from Central Arkansas quarterback Robbie Park. The Bearkats won the game 17-14 bringing their record to 5-5 on the season. Next up for the Bearkats is Texas State.

Mike Silva

Staff Reporter

Joe Buvid |The Houstonian

Getting Air. Camille Alfaro, Anna Ferguson, and Katie Phillips go up for a block. The Bearkats finished this season 20-13 their best record since 1996.

Paul Ridings Sports Information

Natchitoches, LA -- Jamie Kaleh totaled 14 kills, and Carli Kolbe and Anna Ferguson each added 11 as Sam Houston State completed the regular season with a threeset victory over Northwestern State Saturday afternoon.

The Bearkats took only an hour and 18 minutes to dispatch the Demons 25-19, 25-17, and 25-20 as Sam Houston wrapped up the number two seed at next weekend’s Southland Conference post-season tournament in San Antonio.

Complete pairings for the tournament will be announced on Sunday.

The victory gives Sam Houston a 20-13 overall season record and a 12-4 Southland Conference mark. The Bearkats quenched a three-match losing streak with the win.

The Bearkats totaled 48 kills in 93 attempts with Becky Swann and Katie Phillips also adding three kills.

Michelle Miller totaled 34 assists and Kaylee Hawkins had 13 digs for Sam Houston.

Yelena Enwere led Northwestern State with 11 kills.

The Demons ended the year 3-21 and were 2-14 in Southland Conference action.

Conference tournament: First game Nicholls Friday at 4 p.m.

The Sam Houston State Bearkats defeated Central Arkansas, 17-14, in a defensive battle Saturday to jump back to .500 at 5-5 overall and 3-3 in the Southland Conference.

After a dismal performance at McNeese State last week, the Bearkat defense put the lock down on a tough Central Arkansas offense in Sam Houston’s final home game of the season.

The Bearkats were able shut down Brent Grimes, the SLC’s second leading rusher, holding him to only 68 yards on 18 carries. The Bearkat defense was especially good on third down, allowing only three third down conversions out of 15 attempts.

“When we lost to McNeese by that margin we were embarrassed,” said Will Henry, who had six tackles and a sack. “Today we had to come out and show that we aren’t that team that lost to McNeese and show what we could do.”

The defense penetrated well throughout the entire game and was in the of-

fense’s face every play. The pressure forced two late turnovers in the game en route to the victory.

Special teams also played a major part in the victory.

The momentum changed late in the third quarter when Vincent Dotson blocked a punt and took it to the house to give the Bearkats their first lead at 10-7.

“The return before that I was close, but I went too wide,” Dotson said. “Coach told me to skin my guy and get closer. The next play, I did just that. I made a great play on the ball, extended my arms, and it turned out for the best for us.”

Following the gamechanging play, the Bearkats played keep-away with Central Arkansas from there on out.

The offense was able to overcome the SLC’s second overall defense by controlling the ball, moving the chains, and extending the lead to 17-7 after a Chris Poullard touchdown.

“We knew coming out that it would be tough,” said Poullard, who led the Bearkats with 93 all-purpose yards and a touchdown.

“It was a battle from the opening snap to the end of the game. The defense and

Joe Buvid | The Houstonian

Gotcha. Corner back Kenneth Jenkins deflects a pass.

Sam Houston’s defense was big in the win over the Sugar Bears.

special teams played real well. It’s a team game and we played as a team. That’s how we got the victory.”

The Bearkats close out the season next week in San Marcos, where they

will take on the rival Texas State.

Sam Houston looks to build on this momentum and improve to 6-5 overall and 4-3 in the conference to finish the season over .500.

Bearkat Basketball is Back!

The mens basketball team is off to an 2-0 start

Mike Silva Staff Reporter The Bearkats built on an opening night win with a 91-54 blowout victory over Texas College, increasing their record to 2-0.

The defense was once again a factor, holding Texas College to 35.6 percent shooting from the field. The defense forced 23 turnovers of which they scored 31 points.

The offense played much better than in the first game. Sam Houston shot 58.5 percent from the field and 35 percent behind the arc. Sam Houston also shared the ball very well throughout the game. With 11 Bearkats recording assists, the team totaled 34 for the game.

“We try to play fast,” Head Coach Bob Marlin said. “We like to run the floor and take advantage of our depth.

We’re very unselfish and we always

share the ball.”

Once again, the Bearkats dominated the inside game, outscoring Texas

Drae Murray was huge off the bench once again, dropping nine points, five assists, and three steals in just 18

College 58-14 in the paint.

Gilberto Clavell scored a game-high 19 points in just 18 minutes, for his second straight game scoring in double figures. Arthur Zulu was also

minutes off the bench.

The play of Corey Allmond and Ashton Mitchell allowed for a lot of bench players to get extra playing time. The two combined for 25 points

an inside force with six points and five rebounds.

“We practice everyday going inside and then out,” said Clavell. “If they bring the double team, we’re going to

and 10 assists in the game and were key contributors to Sam Houston’s 20 fast break points.

“Coming into the game we knew that we could hurt them in transition,”

kick it out. It’s good because we’ve got great shooters and great post players.

It’s going to be difficult for opponents to match up when we play like this.”

The Bearkats outscored Texas

Mitchell said. “I think we got a lot of easy buckets tonight. Our goal was to limit them to one shot and get out in transition.”

Sam Houston State will be back in

College 46-23 on bench points. Aaron Thompson scored seven points and grabbed four rebounds. Antuan Bootle

action Thursday when they travel to the Rupp Arena to take on the Kentucky Wildcats.

provided 13 points and a team-high seven rebounds in 14 minutes off the

The Bearkats look to improve to 3-0 on the season by winning their first of

bench.

four consecutive road games.