The Houstonian

Huntsville, Texas

Vol 114 — Issue 21

Quite a surprise SHSU President reveals plans to retire at annual picnic

By Victoria Craven Contributing Writer

The Annual Faculty and Staff picnic was held Oct. 30 at 11:30 a.m. at the Old Main pit.

Over 500 faculty and staff members mingled together wearing their orange for an afternoon of fun.

At the beginning of the picnic, President Dr. James Gaertner announced his intention to retire, effective Aug. 31, 2010.

“Nancy and I have enjoyed this time of our lives more than I can describe. It has been an incredible honor to serve with the entire university community as president of this grand old university,” Gaertner said.

“We have been able to renew old friendships, and make many new friends, while serving in a position that has brought us tremendous joy and fulfillment.

Please accept my profound thanks and appreciation for your support and commitment to Sam Houston State during my tenure.” Gaertner said.

The faculty and staff’s reaction was mixed. Many people seemed to be upset and surprised. There are quite a few comments and chatter going on after his announcement.

The picnic was hosted by President Dr. Gaertner and his wife, Nancy Gaertner.

The faculty and staff picnic is held every year as a way to have open communication lines between faculty, staff and the President.

The event lasted until 1:30 p.m. Hamburgers, chips and watermelon were served. A D.J. played, Sammie came, and all the members of different departments mixed and mingled which made for a great Friday afternoon outside.

Krystal Jackson | The Houstonian

Announcement shocker. During the annual faculty picnic, SHSU President Dr. James Gaertner told attendees about his plans to retire come August 31, 2010.

Time for celebration

Joe Buvid | The Houstonian

Defensive struggles from both teams led to an offensive explosion Saturday night at Bowers Stadium.

Northwestern St.’s freshman quarterback was able to rush for 144 yds on 22 carries, while Sam Houston State got big plays from Blake Joseph, with his 65-yard run for a touchdown and 2 touchdown receptions from Jason Madkins, snapping the Bearkats two game losing streak.

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!

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

PRESIDENT’S SPEAKER SERIES

Larger than life Former Polish President shares insight into role in decline of Communism

By Addison Reed and Meagan Ellsworth Viewpoints and Associate Editors

When the powerful Red Empire, led by the notorious Joseph Stalin, invaded without official declaration, the people of Poland found they were in the midst of a hopeless situation.

Unable to afford basic necessities, and unable to suppress the communist party, an outspoken electrician working at Gdansk shipyard decided to make a stand, a stand that would lead to the Solidarity movement, and the fall of communism.

But before the outspoken electrician succeeded, the world and its computers of the time said there was no chance of defeating Stalin‘s regime, and before he, now the 66year-old, former President of Poland and Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, could succeed, he would have to fail.

In 1996, “for his outstanding achievements against incredible odds,” President James Gartner said President Walesa was presented the Sam Houston State University Humanitarian award.

On Thursday, Oct. 29, Lech Walesa arrived in Huntsville as

a guest speaker in the Killenger Auditorium at Sam Houston State University once again; this time to speak to students about the issues of today’s era and America’s role as a superpower and world leader in a lecture titled “Challenges of Globalization: Values in a Changing World”.

“He is a person that has exhibited intellectual, moral, and physical courage in his lifetime. He is literally a person who has changed history,” Gaertner said.

Standing on the stage with translator Magda Iwinsua at his side, Walesa greeted the crowd with a mustache hiding a generous a smile, patting his stomach as he bowed to an eruption of laughter from the audience on its feet with praise.

“Ladies and gentleman, thank you very much for this opportunity so that I can express myself to you,” Walesa said. “You are the superpower and the whole world is looking up at the United States, judging if it is actually complying with the leadership position properly as superpower.”

From revolution and solidarity, eras were changed, and out of the era of confrontation, divisions and the bipolar sys-

Joe Buvid | The Houstonian

Sharing first hand account. Former Polish President, Lech Walesa, gave insight to SHSU students and faculty about life in Poland during the Communistic era.

tem, he said the world entered the era of intellect, of information, and now Globalization.

The dollar crisis History professor explains problem, ways to improve

“The United States has — See WALESA, page 4

Volunteer training sessions for Saturdays at Sam to begin on Thursday

By Kristin Meyer Senior Reporter

By Meagan Ellsworth

Lights, camera, economics! On Oct. 22, Dr. Brian Domitrovic, assistant professor of history at SHSU, appeared on CNBC’s The Kudlow Report to take part in a panel on a discussion of the decline of the dollar in today’s economy.

“We’ve seen the decline of the dollar numerous times before in history,” Domitrovic said. “All the decline of the dollar is is when the Federal Reserve has a target that is something other than the real demand of private markets for the dollar.”

What is happening now, says Domitrovic, is that the Federal Reserve is creating dollars much in excess of the actual demand for the dollar, making the value of the dollar decrease.

The solution that Domitrovic gives to this problem is to increase the scarcity of the dollar.

“One of supply-side economics’ greatest innovations was that you can complement monetary policy, which is over-supplying the dollar, by increasing the demand for the dollar,” Domitrovic said.

One way Domitrovic proposed for increasing the

The university needs at least 150-200 volunteers, who could use some community service credit, a free t-shirt to wear, or a good way to get more involved, for Saturday’s at Sam on Nov. 21.

Twice a year, once in the fall and once in the spring, about 2,000 prospective students with their parents visit Sam Houston State University’s campus for the big day that could use some big help.

Saturdays at Sam is a preview day to highlight SHSU in order to increase enrollment among students graduating from high school or transferring from other colleges.

“We show them what they have to do in order to get accepted,” Susie Houston, Enrollment Management Specialist said. “It’s a preview day because some may be only sophomores or juniors, already thinking about where they want to go to after they graduate from high school.”

On that day, each academic area is open for students to visit and find out more information about

Associate Editor

Krystal Jackson | The Houstonian

Reaction to decline of dollar. Assistant professor of History, Dr. Brian Domitrovic, believes that the solution to the dollar’s decline is to increase the scarcity of the dollar.

demand of the dollar is by increasing the rate of return for any economic enterprise through marginal tax cuts.

“If you cut the marginal rate, let’s say for the income tax, any economic enter-

FEATURE PRESENTATION

Entertainment editor Kevin Jukkola critiques This is it.

SEE page 5

prise that has to be funneled through the income tax will automatically become more productive,” Domitrovic — See DOLLAR, page 4

— See SAM, 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

“The path to a brighter future of the world leads through honest reconciliation of the conflicting interests and not through hatred and bloodshed. To follow that path means to enhance the moral power of the all-embracing idea of human solidarity.”

Lech Walesa Nobel Laureate and Former President of Poland

Time to take a second glance.

Clayton Goss

discusses why he feels that it’s

time to implement instant replay in baseball.

I fancy myself a sports fan. I root for my team even if it takes them seven weeks to get their first win, I defend my San Antonio Spurs no matter what the opposition, I believe I am the best coach in any major sport, and I yell at the television (ask my girlfriend).

As a sports fan, I am honored to do in this column what any true sports fan does anytime they watch their team, I am going to complain about officials.

This particular complaint is addressed to Major League Baseball.

Many typical sports fans will tell you baseball is no longer Americas pastime. In fact it seems like baseball is slowly becoming the third most popular sport in America.

It’s easy to see why baseball is losing credibility: steroids. It’s difficult to watch a sport in which so many superstars are using or have used performance-enhancing drugs.

With baseball sliding out of the public eye, this post-season had to be one of the best of all time. It had to bring old and new fans back and had to re-establish baseball as America’s pastime.

It tried; the New York Yankees are where their wallet says they should be, but that has not been the story. What has? The same thing all of us fans love to lose our heads about: blown calls.

In Game Four of the ALCS, the Angles catcher tagged two Yankees standing off the bag at third, but the umpire only called one out despite the photo evidence.

In the top of the 11th of Game 2 of the AL Division Series at Yankee Stadium, Twins catcher Joe Mauer hit what appeared to be a leadoff double down the left-field line. But umpire Phil Cuzzi called it foul.

In the 12th inning of the Tigers-Twins one-game playoff for the AL Central title, Detroit’s Brandon

Inge was grazed on the uniform by a pitch with the bases loaded, which would have forced in a run.

But the umpire missed the call, Inge grounded into a fielder’s choice and the Twins went on to win in the bottom of the inning.

Against the Yankees in game four of the World Series, the Phillies’ Ryan Howard was called safe at home in the bottom of the fourth inning, tying the score at two…but he never touched the plate.

Tired of it yet?

What is even scarier is that some of the calls affected the outcome of games. This is quite simply inexcusable especially given that we have the gift of replay.

Just like college football, just like the National Basketball Association, just like the National Football League, we’re sitting on our couch with chips, wings, and beer, and we all have instant replay.

For some reason the people who matter in the league do not. I understand the MLB wanting not to slow down the game, wanting to keep tradition. I am a huge fan of tradition and prestige.

But I am a bigger fan of getting the game right.

If it takes television crews about five seconds to run back the replay, why can’t we have an official watch the same replay and tell the umpire the right call?

With all the technology available to the average fan, it’s time that we use it to make the correct calls on the diamond. Baseball needs to play catch-up with the implementation of instant replay. Maybe next year we can talk about a great postseason, and maybe just maybe the MLB will give us a little less to complain about.

Clayton Goss is a contributing writer to The Houstonian. He is a sophomore Criminal Justice major.

Key Words: In loving memory.

Adam Key discusses the importance of appreciating life and those around you.

Fellow Bearkats, I must confess that this is not the column I originally intended to write. I honestly wanted to talk about something lighthearted, like the small pleasure of half-off Halloween candy at WalMart, or the frustration of how facebook is constantly changing everything but never fixing anything.

But as I walked out of my mentor’s office this morning, I knew what I had to write.

When I walked through the office door, I was ready to exchange our standard banter about the frustrations of coaching, but as I caught the look on her face, I knew something was wrong.

As it turns out, a dear friend of both of ours was rushed to the emergency room via ambulance in the early hours of this morning. She didn’t know what was wrong or how serious the situation was, and had not heard back.

I’m sure there were other things said afterwards, but I cannot tell you what was said. As soon as I

heard that someone I care about was in a potentially life threatening situation, it was as if the whole world went silent. I could see lips moving and knew words were being spoken, but as I stood there, it all faded into the background.

The frustrations I had carried into the office vanished. To be concerned with such trivial things seemed almost obscene by comparison to my friend who, for all I knew, was fighting for her life.

As of the time of this writing, I still have heard nothing regarding my friend’s status. And as I hope and pray that she will be all right, it gives me pause, as it should to us all, to consider the important things in this life.

Capitalist Western society, especially our American version, places great emphasis on work and very little on people.

Think about how many different circles of friends you’ve had and sloughed off as you grew up.

We had our friends in kindergarten and then

our group in middle school. In high school, we reinvented our social circles and ourselves several times over, before leaving most of them to go off to college. And, much as we promise our collegiate pals that we’ll keep in touch after graduation, we all know that’s not always the truth.

We’ll spread out across the country, filling jobs and making new friends, just like we’ve done so many times before.

Growing into adulthood, we’ll likely get married and have a few kids. If we’re part of the lucky half, we’ll only go through this process once.

We’ll break promises, miss Little League games to work late at the office, and miss our kids growing up through their many social circles as the cycle repeats itself for another generation.

Until someone dies.

Once they’re gone, we’ll realize how much they actually meant to us. We’ll realize all the things we left unsaid.

And for a while, we just might actually value our remaining friends a little more before we slip back into the routine.

It shouldn’t take losing someone we love to wake us up.

For the most part, we live in a world of comfortable delusion.

We believe bad things happen, but only to other people. We cannot fathom tragedy happening to us.

On average, 150,000 people die every day. This means that, statistically, every .58 seconds, another person passes into eternity. I can assure you that a good portion of those 150,000 didn’t wake up thinking today would be their time to go.

So hug your loved ones tight, say those things that need to be said, and above all, take a deep breath. After all, for all you know, it might be the last one you get.

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

Tuesday, November 3, 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

Paws Up, Paws Down 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 President and Mrs. Gaertner, along with the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, for their efforts in bringing Nobel Laureate Lech Walesa to share his insight to the SHSU community.

“Paws DOWN” to President James Gaertner for announcing his retirement effective August of 2010. He will be sorely missed by the University community, but he will be forever appreciated.

“Paws UP” to SHSU History professor Brian Domitrovic for the success of his new book, “Econoclasts,” and for his recent appearances on several major news channels.

“Paws DOWN” for the lack of attention and attendance for the SHSU Women’s’ Volleyball team.

The team is on an 11 game win streak and are ranked second in Southland Conference play.

Correction from 10/29

Information on the sports page for Senior day in the incorrect information listed for Debbie Campbell. The information was actually that of Ashley Simmons.

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 3, 2009

Breaking Barriers Program to promote diversity throughout the university community on Thursday

By Amanda Earp Contributing Writer

The Interns of the Exceptional Men of the Talented Tenth Inc. will host Breaking Barriers to promote diversity and unity among the university community.

The program will be held on Thursday, Nov. 5 from 7 to 9 p.m. in the LSC Theater and is open to all members of the SHSU community.

According to Mariel Kanene, Fundraising Chair and one of the creators of Breaking Barriers, the goal of the program is to address the social segregation on campus and see if there is a solution for it.

“You can’t fix anything unless you address it, so we are addressing the situation and trying to educate each other,” Kanene said.

The program will be broken down into four segments. The first segment will introduce the program and talk about breaking barriers.

The second segment will focus on

social segregation and why it still exists.

The third will be a segment for the faculty representatives to speak and answer questions.

The last segment will be searching for a “real” solution to the addressed problems and situations.

The program will open up to audience discussion after each segment.

“This will be a very interactive educational program,” Kanene said.

Videos will be incorporated throughout the program to enhance visual education.

According to Kanene, there will be a video pertaining to each segment that they focus on.

The Interns of the Exceptional Men of the Talented Tenth Inc. are required to produce an educational program.

Kanene, a sophomore, along with a few other Intern members envisioned the program because they felt like this issue is something that has not been addressed.

“We are trying to break the barrier,” Kanene said.

The Interns of the Exceptional Men of the Talented Tenth Inc. will be hosting Breaking Barriers to promote diversity and unity among the university community. The program will be held on Thursday, Nov. 5 from 7 to 9 p.m. in the LSC Theater and is open to all members of the SHSU community.

According to Mariel Kanene, Fundraising Chair and one of the creators of Breaking Barriers, the goal of the program is to address the social segregation on campus and see if there is a solution for it.

“You can’t fix anything unless you address it, so we are addressing the situation and trying to educate each other,” Kanene said.

The program will be broken down into four segments. The first segment will introduce the program and talk about breaking barriers.

The second segment will focus on social segregation and why

it still exists. The third will be a segment for the faculty representatives to speak and answer questions. The last segment will be searching for a “real” solution to the addressed problems and situations. The program will open up to audience discussion after each segment.

“This will be a very interactive educational program,” Kanene said.

Videos will be incorporated throughout the program to enhance visual education.

According to Kanene, there will be a video pertaining to each segment that they focus on.

The Interns of the Exceptional Men of the Talented Tenth Inc. are required to produce an educational program.

Kanene, a sophomore, along with a few other Intern members envisioned the program because they felt like this issue is something that has not been addressed.

“We are trying to break the barrier,” Kanene said.

D i a d e lo s m u e rt o s Follow up: “the Day of the Dead” is a holiday in Mexico held on Halloween to celebrate the lives of loved ones who have passed on.

The fight for first SHSU Army ROTC Ranger Challenge team places first at competition

By Andrew Enriquez SHSU ROTC

From October 23-25, the SHSU Army ROTC Co-ed Ranger Challenge team participated in the Annual Ranger Challenge competition at Camp Bullis in San Antonio, Texas.

A total of 19 teams in three categories (Male, Coed, and Female) represented seven schools from across Texas.

These schools make up groups four and six of the Apache Brigade of Cadet Command.

SHSU competed with the best cadets of Army ROTC programs from the University of Texas at Austin, Prairie View A&M, the University of Houston, Stephen F. Austin State University, Tarleton State University, and Texas Christian University.

The Ranger Challenge competition consists of eight events; The Army Physical Fitness Test (two minutes

of push-ups, two minutes of sit-ups and a two mile run), a written examination that covered the tactical

aid obstacle course, and day and night land navigation.

Making up the SHSU Coed team were CDTs; Janie

Photo courtesy of Andrew Enriquez

Since Aug. 17 SHSU’s ROTC team has been training to showcase their abilities in the Ranger Challenger.

aspects of patrolling, a 10K ruck march, M-16 event (disassembly, assembly, and functions check), hand grenade assault course, first-

Salazar, Austin Harms, Joan Kim, Christina Escobedo, Michael Feagan, Robert Stoermer, Jared Gantt and team captain Wayne Salazar.

Kaddy shack for the green

Kappa Sigma hosts golf tournament for charity

By Brittany McClure Contributing Writer

Kappa Sigma’s Kaddy Shack Golf Tournament almost didn’t happen. Last week’s rainstorm covered the Cypresswood Golf Course in Spring with three feet of water, but David Shirley, Kappa Sigma’s Chairman of Fundraising and Founding Father, decided to go through with the tournament, which was a great decision.

On Saturday, Oct. 31, almost 40 players attended the morning tee off at 8 a.m. During the day, several contests were held alongside the actual tournament.

Awards were given for the longest drive, straightest drive and a “closest to the pin” competition. A professional golfer also played one hole with the participants.

There was also a silent auction comprised of multiple donations, such as

,an all expenses paid deep sea fishing trip, a 25-person wing party at Hooters, and a free golf lesson from a professional golfer. Lunch and refreshments were also served for free all day for the players. $3,400 was raised during the tournament and auction for St. Jude’s Children Research Hospital. Shirley said that even though he has only played one game of golf in his life, he was more than willing to take on this opportunity for Kappa Sigma’s charity.

“I can say with absolute certainty that every brother cares about what St. Jude does and that we look forward to contributing to their mission for years to come,” Shirley said.

Due to the success of the Kaddy Shack Golf Tournament, the fraternity believes that this event will become their main fundraising event.

They are planning to hold an event for students and the community in the spring, but details are not known at this time.

The Lambda Phi chapter of Kappa Sigma was established in fall 2005 with just six members. There are now more than 70 dedicated members that support the ideas of leadership, fellowship, scholarship, and service. Shirley says that since SHSU’s chapter of Kappa Sigma was started from scratch, they have had the ability to shape the organization and take it in the direction that they felt would be best for the members and their beliefs.

“We are dedicated to continuing this fraternity’s purpose of promoting service and the growth of our members from wide-eyed freshmen to men who can go on and make the world a better place with humble confidence,” Shirley said.

The SHSU team took 1st place in the 10K ruck march, the 1st aid obstacle course, the M-16 event, and the APFT. SHSU’s APFT average was higher than all other teams in attendance in all categories with a score of 323.

CDT Jared Gantt had the highest score overall with a 363, easily reaching the extended scale. SHSU won the Co-ed category by the largest margin in recent history, beating the second place team by a staggering 15 points.

The team has trained since Aug. 17 for the competition, conducting PT at 5:45 every weekday morning and afternoon training each day for an additional three hours.

This SHSU team has shown a tremendous amount of dedication and motivation throughout the competition season, bringing home recognition and a great honor to the SHSU Army ROTC program.

Houstonian Classifieds Employment F/T Walker County Development Tech I needed.

Applications will be accepted until the position has been filled. For information call 936-436-4939 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.

The Houstonian, Page 3

Piper Awards

Nominations for Staff Excellence award close to Wednesday dealine

Every year, students always have that one Contributing Writer professor that they enjoy more than any other. That one class that is more bearable than the rest, because the professor makes it fun, makes the hour fly by, and does not just sit at the computer reading off a power- point.

Now, students have the ability to provide feedback to their favorite teachers by nominating them for the Piper Professor Award, or Staff Excellence Award.

Each year, fifteen $5,000 awards are given to public and private university professors for excellence in teaching. Selection is made on the basis of nominations submitted by each college or university in the State of Texas.

Any full time faculty member that shows excellent performance, excels in his or her job, and demonstrates outstanding abilities and high levels of motivation at Sam Houston State University can be nominated, and any student or other faculty member can nominate a professor.

The deadline to nominate a professor for this years Piper Professor Award is this Thursday, Nov. 4th.

Upon nominating a professor, the student or faculty member must fill out a nomination form, which gives the Selection Committee information on why the professor deserves the award.

This includes any student organizations they sponsor, any off campus community service they do, and why they are superior in their teachings.

James Olson was the last to receive the Staff Excellence Award at Sam Houston, in 2006. Other professors from Sam Houston include: Hazel Floyd (1961), George Killinger (1968), Mary Frances Park (1981), Fisher Tull (1984), Ralph Pease (1987), Witold Lukaszewski (1991), Rolando V. del Carmen (1998), Caroline Crimm (2004) and Victor Sower (2005).

The first Piper Professor Award was given in 1958.

The Piper Professor’s Program is funded by the Minnie Stevens Piper Foundation. This organization was founded in 1950, and named after the principal donor, Minnie Stevens Piper. Along with her husband, Randall Gordon Piper, were the two principal donors of the Foundation.

In addition to the Piper Professor’s program, the Minnie Stevens Piper Foundation hosts a variety of other services for students in college, including the Student Aid Center and Bexar County Scholarship Clearinghouse, the Piper Scholars Program, the Piper Fellows Program, and other applicable grants.

So if you have a favorite teacher, one who excels in your mind and in the minds of others, nominate them.

What better way to show your appreciation for all the professors do for us?

For more information, or to fill out a nomination form, please visit http://www.shsu.edu/~pre_www/ piper_award/ .

By Julie Gallo

ANNOUNCEMENT Huntsville Highschool Grenadier Guard (GG) Drill Team is celebrating their 40th anniversary this year.

The team will host a garage sale on November 7 from 8:00 AM - 1:00 PM at the high school to raise money to send the team to contest.

For more information Rachel Calabretta Huntsville High School Dance/Grenadier Guard

COOL LOFTS

936-291-1466

Smithercompany. com

Page 4 The Houstonian

From WALESA page 1

has remained the only superpower on the battle field, and actually you bear the responsibility for how this huge victory is going to be taking advantage of,” Walesa said.

In a conference prior to the lecture, Walesa responded to Jeannie Kever of the Houston Chronicle’s question regarding the reaction of Poland as well as his own to the Obama administration’s plan to change the missile shield explaining that he is both in favor and against the shield at the present time.”

Walesa shared his views on President Barack Obama’s recent Nobel Prize selection, insinuating the selection as too soon, but also said Obama stands “a good chance of really reforming the world,” a world he said lacks leadership.

“The world is saying the world needs reform, the United States says there is a need for change, and the world at the end of communism and at the downfall of communism at the end of a bipolar system needs to re-adjust to the new [system] and it would be very beneficial if this reform was peaceful,” Walesa said. “It seems to me that he will deserve the Nobel Peace Prize, we will see. I certainly wish him all the best.”

While Walesa said he finds Obama’s policies interesting, he also said so far it appears that Obama has been focusing on the former adversaries of the United States.

“I imagine that once he gets everybody at that negotiation table, he will then propose some kind of reform,” Walesa

NATION & WORLD said. “But if he fails to do that then there will be chaos in the world.”

In the eyes of Walesa, democracy has thus far guaranteed rights and privileges, but just as democracy seems to become less and less sufficient it also seems too slow in operations; thus,it is in need of reform to adjust to today’s world.

“China and India will join in [the] structure in making [with] the United States and Europe and if we follow and could give them the right to vote according to our basic principle of democracy can we imagine any vote being won by whole Europe or even by whole United States against the Chinese?”

Exemplifying his warning, Walesa suggested a hypothetical situation.

“At one point China might say, ‘why don’t you have the United States join China?’ and they will have the majority vote. How would react then?

Do we object to that vote? So I think we need to reform and readjust it slightly,” Walesa said.

An alternative solution to the hypothetical, yet possible, situation was also offered.

“Of course I could also see an [immediate] solution; all of us have to get down to work and work really hard to have at least 30 children in every household. Then, who knows ,we might stand a chance of winning against the Chinese,” Walesa said to great applause.

Addressing the need for a foundation in the new world, Walesa said “We need to race to education an individual conscience…the [test] challenges us to reach consensus on the values we can share

and once we reach this consensus we need to use these values as the real foundations for any other solution” Walesa still believes it’s possible to deal with the military challenges of the Middle East in a peaceful manner providing an attempt to re-adjust the structures and institutions in today’s world.

“We continue to be using old NATO, old United Nations, which were established to face totally different challenges in the world. They were established to control the bipolar system, they were established to block the antagonism between two conflicting sides, “ Walesa said. “Unless we really reform these institutions and re-adjust them, then we shall always find those challenges difficult to overcome.

As a generation which has witnessed the beginning of a new century and new millennium, Walesa said this generation has also witnessed the beginning of a new era.

“I foresee that tomorrow within the next 20 years, democracy will oblige everyone, every individual include to declare what we own, what possessions we have , and forever will be deprived of them.” he said. “then once this is all transparent, democracy will realize that really only 10 percent of mankind owns some assets where the 90 percent does not.”

The man who at one time in his life found himself leading a revolution said he does not foresee such particular individuals of this “special generation” eager to carry out revolution, because “revolution will hardly ever win.”

However, he does predict

“[masses] will elect demagogues and populist, who will then go out giving the people what does not belong to them, and will try to retrieve the money giving out through taxes or by other means to keep their election promises.”, and asks ,“What should be the shape of democracy today?”

While the crowd at the lecture stood on their feet in admiration of the man who has seen, the man who has led, and the man who continues to share insight; another man, disappointed, shared what he heard a student say.

“My wife is a professor here [at SHSU] and she told her students that this [lecture] was happening today and his response was, ‘well, he doesn’t matter anymore,’” Sam Beard of the Walker County Free Press said in a conversation.

Taken aback, Bruce Erickson, director of communications whispered in response, “Oh, but he does!” and warned the consequences of ignoring history with the old cliché of making the same old mistake.

“Had he not done what he did, Poland would probably not be the country it is. The revolution that this man led could have gone either direction, the tanks were lined up and he went to prison for it. In 1956, the nation of Hungary tried something similar and it didn’t end well. The tanks rolled end and a lot of people were killed,” Erickson said.

“I hope students Google him and they understand what a tremendous figure he was in history and in changing the world.”

From DOLLAR page 1

said. “Therefore, people will seek out to make more investments because any investment will pay more money, and that increases the demand for the dollar.”

In order to gauge the market value of the dollar, Larry Kudlow’s view is that the Federal Reserve seems to be targeting the unemployment rate.

“That is to say that until the unemployment rate, which is obviously very high right now, goes appreciatively down, the Federal Reserve will keep pumping money into the system,” Domitrovic said. “This is a mistake because the Federal Reserve should not target the unemployment rate, but maybe the inflation rate or fixed exchange rates. This is not the case, however, so we are therefore stuck in this mediocre recovery.”

There have been many recessions in the history of America as strong as the one the economy is currently in other than the Great Depression.

“There were probably around 4 or 5 recessions that were as bad as this one since the Great Depression,” Domitrovic said.

“The 1988 recession was worse than the one we are in now

From SAM page 1

their area of interests, while organizations such as admissions, financial aid, residence life, and first year experience are set up in the coliseum later in the morning.

Some volunteers will stand on campus to help with directions as large school groups ride

SEPTEMBER 11 SALUTE

Ship built with WTC steel comes to namesake city (AP) — The new Navy assault ship USS New York, built with World Trade Center steel, arrived in its namesake city Monday with a rifle volley salute near the site of the 2001 terrorist attack.

First responders, families of Sept. 11 victims and the public gathered Monday at a waterfront viewing area, where they could see the crew standing at attention along the deck of the battleship gray vessel.

The big ship paused. Then the shots were fired, with a cracking sound, in three bursts.

The bow of the $1 billion ship, built in Louisiana, contains about 7.5 tons of steel from the fallen towers.

Tallon said her brother, who was a Marine, would have been proud.

JoAnn Atlas, of Howells, N.Y., who lost her husband, fire Lt. Gregg Atlas, draped a flag-themed banner along the fence. The names of emergency workers who died were written on the red stripes.

Built from tragedy. The Navy’’s USS New York has great significance due to the fact that it is built from steel that once belonged to the World Trade Center.

“We have to remember. It’s a way to honor them,” she said.

Members of the public included Nancy DiGiacomo, who came from Huntington, N.Y., with her husband, 9-yearold son, mother and sister.

“I just thought it was important to see” the transformation of the tragedy’s wreckage, said

DiGiacomo. “From that, something else can come of it.”

Lt. Cmdr. Colette Murphy, a Navy spokeswoman, said she was excited for those serving on board to see the city’s “aweinspiring” welcome.

At a short ceremony later at Pier 88 near the site of the aircraft carrier, the USS In-

trepid, Mayor Michael Bloomberg said the USS New York couldn’t have a more fitting name, representing freedom, courage and resilience.

Of the 361 sailors serving aboard the ship, around 13 percent are from New York state, which is higher than would normally be the case, Mur-

phy said. There were many requests from Navy personnel to serve on the ship, which will carry some 250 Marines.

After the ground zero stop, the ship — escorted by about two dozen tugboats and other vessels — headed up the Hudson River toward the George Washington Bridge. After a U-turn there, it headed south to Pier 88. An official commissioning ceremony is scheduled for Saturday.

The New York will remain in the city through Veterans Day and then head to Norfolk, Va., for about a year of crew training and exercises, Murphy said.

The ship is 684 feet long and can carry as many as 800 Marines. Its flight deck that can handle helicopters and the MV22 Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft.

It was scheduled to be built before the terrorist attacks. About a year later, the announcement came that the ship would bear the name New York to honor the city, state, and those who died.

MEDICAL MISTAKE

RI hospital fined $150,000 in wrong-site surgery (AP) — Rhode Island’s largest hospital was fined $150,000 and ordered to take the extraordinary step of installing video cameras in all its operating rooms after it had its fifth wrong-site surgery since 2007, state health officials said Monday.

Rhode Island Hospital, the teaching hospital for Brown University’s Alpert Medical School, was fined a second time for wrong-site surgeries, state health director David Gifford said. The hospital also was fined $50,000 after brain surgeons operated on the wrong part of the heads of three patients in 2007. Gifford said his department has issued only two fines — both to Rhode Island Hospital.

Gifford sent a letter and order to hospital CEO Timothy Babineau on Monday.

Babineau said in a statement that the hospital was committed to reducing medical errors and had been taking steps to improve patient

Costly error. Due to five wrong-site surgeries, the Rhode Island Hospital has had to take the extreme measure of having cameras installed in every operatin room.

safety.

But he also requested a meeting with state officials to discuss the sanctions, saying he was disappointed that the health department had not incorporated into its order separate recommendations from the Joint Commission Center for Transforming Healthcare.

A hospital spokeswoman, asked to elaborate, said she did know what those recom-

mendations were.

The latest incident last month involved a patient who was to have surgery on two fingers. Instead, the surgeon performed both operations on the same finger. Under protocols adopted in the medical field, the surgery site should have been marked and the surgical team should have taken a timeout before cutting to ensure they were operating

on the right patient, the right part of the patient’s body and doing the correct procedure.

Gifford said the surgical team marked the wrist, rather than each finger, and the surgeon did not mark the site himself. The team did not take a timeout before the second surgery. When they discovered the error, they checked with the patient’s family to see if they should perform the surgery on the correct finger. When they did the surgery on the correct finger, they also did not do a timeout, something Gifford called “amazing” given that they had just made such a serious error.

The order includes a provision that the hospital must assign a clinical employee who is not part of the surgical team to observe all surgeries at the hospital for at least one year. The person will monitor whether doctors are marking the site to be operated on and taking a time out before

operating to ensure they’re operating on the proper body part.

It requires the surgeon to be involved in marking the surgical site.

It also gives the hospital 45 days to install video and audio recording equipment in all its operating rooms. Every doctor will be taped performing surgery at least twice every year, although it will be left up to the hospital whether to tell surgeons when they are being monitored, he said.

The purpose is to use it as a monitor and a training tool, he said.

Gifford said he had never heard of another state health department ordering a hospital to install video cameras in its operating rooms, something he said surgeons should welcome.

The hospital will get permission from patients or their families before any recording.

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

across the board and the quarterly growth rate coming out of that depression tripled the 3.5 rate that we have now for 6 quarters.” This recovery was procured, said Domitrovic, by supply-side economics.

The core of supply-side economics is maintaining the proper “policy mix” between monetary (dollar) and fiscal (tax) policy, said Domitrovic.

For the current crisis, Domitrovic suggests that the government tighten monetary policy and also cut taxes. “Cutting taxes right now would solve the dollar’s route to the foreign exchange markets,” said Domitrovic.

In Domitrovic’s book, “Econoclasts,” he discusses that even the worse of economic crises, when met with the supply side solution, were solved immediately and permanently.

“It doesn’t matter how bad it gets,” Domitrovic said. “Even if it gets really bad you can always just waltz in with the supply-side solution, and you will take leave of it right away and forever. The depressions of 1942,1947, 1962, and 1982 are all examples of this. Even if the government muddles through with this stuff for another year or two or three, if the supplyside solution comes in it will work. ”

in on their buses, while others will lead the eager crowd carrying packets to where they’re thinking about getting their degree, for a presentation.

In order to become a volunteer one must attend one of three training sessions held Thursday, Nov. 5 at 5 p.m.; Thursday, Nov. 12 at 3 p.m.; or Monday, Nov. 16 at noon.

If someone misses out on the sessions, but is still interested in becoming a volunteer, they will still be required to train.

Past participates should contact Houston if interested in volunteering once again, but are not required to repeat the training sessions.

“They are going to be representing the university so we want them to be an ambassador for us that day, so we will go over what to do, what not to do, those sorts of things,” Houston said.

Training sessions will be conducted at the visitor’s center auditorium, expected to last about 30-45 minutes where event coordinators will gain information about volunteers and their specialties.

“Some of them really love to talk and may want to give tours; maybe some of them want some of the behind the scene types of things, so at that point we get what they’re interested in doing and we go over the things that they are doing.”

Whether it’s guiding a group of students to their future field or putting out signs in the morning, the university is calling on all eager, enthusiastic students wishing to show off their Bearkat spirit.

“It takes a lot of people to do this,” Houston said.

“With Saturday’s at Sam it takes a lot of help, just about everybody across campus helps out in some way.”

Check out page 4 to see w h a t is happ ening around the nation and world

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Red Bull Soundclash a spectacular event James Ashworth

Contributing Writer

On Thursday, Oct. 29th, I was invited by Red Bull’s representative for SHSU to attend the Red Bull Soundclash. I had never been to an event quite like this, being that I mostly frequent local shows with small audiences. I must say that this night was spectacular and engaging to the senses.

When I pulled up to Escapade 2001, the club hosting the performance, I knew I was about to experience something out of the ordinary.

For this clash, Latin rock giants Plastilina Mosh and Los Amigos Invisibles matched musical wits and creativity. Plastilina Mosh hails from Monterrey, Mexico and has gained international recognition with their hits “Mr. P. Mosh,” “Monster Truck,” and “Peligroso Pop”.

Los Amigos Invisibles have been in the music business for 18 years, garnering significant attention in their native Venezuela.

Stylistically, the bands offered different approaches to Latin pop music. Plastilina Mosh is a more dance-oriented group. They apply heavy synth lines over rock-based grooves to successfully make the audience move to the music. Los Amigos Invisibles presented a different feel with their compositions. While heavily influenced by salsa and world music, Los Amigos Invisibles are comparable funk and disco bands of the 1970s. With this convergence of talent, I wasn’t sure of who would win the battle. Even more compelling was how Red Bull took the “battle of the bands” idea and molded it into an innovating concept.

Essentially, the Soundclash is a “battle of the bands” on crack…or Red Bull.

The two performers set up on opposite stages, facing each other. The audience is sandwiched in the middle of the bands. Events are divided into four rounds: The Cover, The Take-Over, The Clash, and The Joker. At the conclusion of each round, the audience is told to cheer

for which group they feel should win. The results are measured in decibels (dBs), and whichever group has a higher range of decibels wins the corresponding round.

For the first round, “White Horse” was chosen as a cover.

The song made was famous

by Danish pop group Laid Back in 1983. I was tantalized in hearing professional bands cover this obscure pop gem.

While I preferred Plastilina Mosh’s version of the song, Los Amigos Invisibles had the audience support to take this round. The second round, The Take-Over, began with each group playing an original song. Halfway though the performance, the opposing group snags the song where they left off. Again, Los Amigos Invisibles decimated Plastilina Mosh when they stole their single “Peligroso Pop” and played it with more energy and cunning. As a result, they won the second round.

I found the third round to be a bit comical. This round requires that the band play a couple of their singles. The catch is they have to rework the songs into different genres.

I heard both bands play heavy metal versions of their songs.

The only problem was that most of this event was spoken in Spanish. So I was unable to catch the names of the singles they played. For the fourth and final round, The Joker, both bands bring out special guests to help in their performance.

The special guests are usually famous musicians or celebrities known in that genre. Again, I apologize, but the entire event was spoken in Spanish and I had no idea whom the special guests were.

All that I do know is that Los Amigos Invisibles won the final round, meaning they were champions of the Red Bull Soundclash.

I highly advise all music lovers to attend the Red Bull Soundclash. Concerts like these are showcased around the world. The next Soundclash is to be held on Nov. 4 in Phoenix, Arizona.

The performers will be The Dirty Heads vs. Dear and The Headlights.

ENTERTAINMENT

The Houstonian, Page 5

At the Movies with Kevin Kevin Jukkola

Entertainment Editor

Michael Jackson was the Elvis Presley of his generation. He was an immensely talented performer whose inner demons caused secret addictions that tragically shortened his influential life. He was also an overrated musician whose largely impotent and meaningless lyrics were elevated by their legendary beats and ability to entertain in a way that made an everlasting cultural and musical imprint on society.

“This Is It” chronicles the preparation for the final concert tour that would never begin. The film is amazingly focused on the complexities of a vast production, making it a fascinating glimpse into the mind of a genius.

Through this careful examination, “This Is It” illustrates Jackson’s obsession over every aspect of the performance, granting some insight into the possible cause of his addiction. He was responsible for everything and nobody can comprehend the overwhelming nature of

this grave responsibility.

“This Is It” does a great service by showing the people who were inspired by him, which will forever be one of his most indelible triumphs.

The film shows the people who were involved in the production, making the unawareness of the participants of the upcoming events even more tragic.

The exploration of every detail of this production is unparalleled in both its audacity and expansion is mainly what “This Is It” is about. The film does a tremendous job of focusing on his performance art, which is the most entertaining and unique part of his stage persona.

Unlike most musicians, Jackson believed that the performance was more important than the actual music because it was easier to express his intended meaning through performance rather than lyrics. Jackson knew his strengths as an artist and focused on those to enhance his memorable performances, which is what will make his legacy an unforgettable tribute to the emphasis on the art of the performance.

This Is It

Stars: * * * 1/2 Grade: ARunning Time: 112 min.

MPAA: Rated PG for some suggestive choreography and scary horror film images.

Directed by Kenny Ortega.

Pointing for emphasis. Michael Jackson gives cues to the sound and lighting technicians throughout all of his memorable numbers in “This Is It.”

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Entertainment Poll of the Week “This Is It” is a fascinating look at Michael Jackson as an entertainer, but it is also filled with great music throughout.

Keeping the “King of Pop” in mind, what is the best musical of the decade?

Choices: -Chicago -Dreamgirls -Hairspray -Moulin Rouge -Once -Sweeney Todd -Walk the Line

SPORTS

Page 6 The Houstonian

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

These girls can play!

Joe Buvid | The Houstonian Shooter. Anna Ferguson kills another point for the Bearkats, Ferguson has now amassed over 1,000 at Sam Houstston State University. The Bearkat Volleyball team has won 11 straight games in conference and is leading the west division. They only trail Central Arkansas for first in Southland Conference.

The Bearkat volleyball team beat Texas A&M Corpus Christi to win 11 games in a row Mike Silva

Staff Reporter

The Bearkat volleyball team extended their win streak to 11 games by edging Texas A&M Corpus Christi, 25-11 23-25 19-25 25-13 1512, in a five-set thriller.

Sam Houston State improved their record to 19-10 overall and 11-1 in the Southland Conference by defeating the Islanders in a nail-biting home court finale.

Led by Anna Ferguson’s 24 kills, the Bearkats rallied from a 1-2 deficit to dominate the final two sets en route to their 15 home victory of the year. Carli Kolbe added 13 kills in the victory along with six from Jamie Kaleh, who was huge coming off the bench in the victory.

“It was a nail biter but we pulled it out,” Ferguson said. “We got a little sluggish in the second and third game, but we came together and picked each other up and it worked out.

“I’m so confident in our team going towards the playoffs. It’s so close we can taste it now.”

The Bearkats strengthened their hold on the conference lead with Saturday’s win, giving them a comfortable two game lead on secondplace Texas State in the Southland Conference West Division.

Sam Houston once again found itself on the winning end of yet another five-set match, giving them their tenth of the year. The Bearkats have won their last four consecutive home games going into five sets and are 10-2 in five-set matches for the year.

“It’s almost an inside joke now, ‘Oh we’ll just go five,’” said Head Coach Brenda Gray.

“We just know how to win in five. These girls work hard all the time and never stop. They practice hard and play hard and they’re very good under pressure.”

The match started out all Sam Houston and had no looks of a five-set thriller at first. The Bearkats dominated the first set with great attacks and good defense. They took a quick 3-0 lead and never looked back. Sam Houston finished the first set on a 12-2 run and rolled the Islanders 25-11 to take the first set.

Coming into the second set, the Bearkats looked out of sorts and Texas A&M Corpus

Christi took advantage. Both teams traded scores throughout the second set that saw 10 tied scores and four lead changes.

Sam Houston broke free of the back-andforth scoring and took a 19-16 lead after scoring four in a row, but the momentum quickly shifted in favor of the Islanders following five straight scores. The Bearkats trailed 21-19 and looked up from there. The Islanders went on to win the set 25-23, tying the match at 1-1 overall going into the half.

The Islanders’ good play rolled over into the second half, where they continued to build momentum on the struggling Bearkats.

Sam Houston was tied with the Islanders in the beginning of the match at 1-1 only to trail throughout the rest of the match.

Texas A&M Corpus Christi led nearly the entire match and dominated on their way to winning the set 25-19, giving them a 2-1 lead for the match. However, the Bearkats ended the set on an 8-4 run, shifting momentum that would ultimately rollover into the fourth set.

The Bearkats got out to a quick 13-3 lead in a fourth set in which they never trailed. Sam Houston maintained this lead all the way to

the finish and dominated the set 25-13. With the match tied at 2-2, a deciding fifth set began with momentum on Sam Houston’s side.

The fifth set was a close one with seven tied scores throughout the match, but the Bearkats never trailed. Both teams traded scores until the score was tied at 10-10. Sam Houston distanced themselves from the tie and took the lead, 11-10, which they held onto to win 15-12, winning the match 3-2.

“I have no doubts in our team,” Kolbe said.

“I think after a while you forget how to lose and winning is all you know. Right now we’re refusing to lose.”

Sam Houston State finished 8-0 at home in the conference and 15-2 overall at Johnson Coliseum. The Bearkats will finish out the year with four consecutive road games, where they are 4-8 overall and 3-1 in conference play.

The Bearkats look to increase their win streak to twelve games this Thursday when they take on conference foe University of Texas-Arlington on the road. They look to improve their record to 20-10 overall and 121 in the conference.

Going in for the win Kats beat Sugar bears Amy Turek

Contributing Writer

Joe Buvid | The Houstonian

On the run. Jason Madkins runs after a reception.

The Bearkat women’s soccer team faced off against the University of Central Arkansas Friday on a very muddy Pritchett Field. The Bearkats defeated the Sugar Bears 4-2.

Even though it was senior night, freshman midfielder Kirby Zak stole the show.

Within the first 19 minutes of the game she completed a hat trick, her second of this season.

Her first goal came in the fourth minute when she lofted the ball over the UCA defenders and the goal keeper to put the Bearkats up 1-0.

The Sugar Bears tied the game at the 16 minute mark but Zak answered that goal with two of her own, just one minute apart from each

other in the 18 and 19 minutes.

Zak’s second goal of the game was truly a heroic effort; she dribbled through five defenders to make the shot, which the UCA keeper put a hand on but was unable to keep from going in.

“I’m shocked. I wasn’t really expecting that tonight,” Zak said of her hat trick.

The Sugar Bears scored once more in the 23 minute, leaving the score 3-2 at halftime.

Freshman striker Shelby Grissett put one more ball in the net for the Bearkats at the 85 minute, and the team was able to hold off UCA till the whistle, making the final score 4-2.

With their win, the Bearkats qualify for the playoffs in Natchitoches, LA, beginning Nov. 5.

Joe Buvid | The Houstonian

Mudslinger. Kirby Zak looks to score another goal. She had three on the night.