The Current Vol 3 Issue 10

Easter

egg

hunt

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The Official Student Newspaper of Eckerd College

Vol. 3, Issue X—April 6, 2012

Service Learning heads to 66° North

News: page 3

Where did you take The Current on break?

Students take copies of The Current around the world for their service trips— see spread inside.

Viewpoints: page 9

Kony 2012 pros and cons debate Two of our editors go head-tohead to debate merits and pitfalls of the Kony 2012 movement.

Entertainment: page 13

Rollbatto Sushi: Grab some rolls on the go The Current reviews an affordable assembly-line style sushi restaurant in downtown St. Pete.

By Alex Zielinski Asst. Photo Editor

Health & Fitness: page 20

How you can protect yourself from STDs The coordinator of health promotions provides tips on prevention for STD awareness month.

Brezin wins ECOS runoff election

photo by Alex Zielinski

The Service Learning office has offered alternative spring break options for students for more than a decade. This year Service Learning upped the ante by offering a total of 20 destinations, up from 15 for the past two years, for students wishing to do service over spring break.

Options included Orlando, Fla., Detroit, Ukiah, Calif., New York City and others for those wishing to stay in the United States. Trips abroad included Guyana, Panama, Nicaragua, Peru and a few others.

Two trips stood out for the overwhelming interest in securing one of the 23 coveted spots between the two. These trips included

Cuba and Iceland.

While Cuba was an Eckerd first, Eckerd visited Iceland once before in 2007.

I was fortunate enough to be selected for the Iceland trip along with ten others by our trip leader and Service Learning Intern Lizzy Haag (‘11).

Our group left for Iceland on March 16, the first group See ICELAND , page 5

Retired dean assists select students Dean Emeritus Richard Hallin plays integral role in helping students acquire scholarships

By Devon Williams Director of PR/Advertising photo by Alex Zielinski

By Kelly Coston Asst. Health & Fitness Editor

A much anticipated decision has been determined. Rhemy Brezin has been elected to be the ECOS president for the 2012-2013 school year. After campaigning with her “Brez for Prez” slogan, Brezin won the majority vote in the runoff election, beating out running mate Devon Williams by a 59-41 percent margin, according to ECOS Public Relations.

While at her house in Tallahassee Fla., where she had stopped on her way to Mobile, Ala. for the Women’s Rugby South Championships, Brezin received the call that she had won. “I got really excited and did a dance around my kitchen with my mom and my teammate Lauren Thompson.”

Brezin is currently the Director of Committee for Palmetto Productions and is used to having a lot of responsibility on her See BREZIN, page 5 Please Recycle

INDEX: News 2 - 8

According to Dean Emeritus Richard Hallin, he’s the lucky one.

“I have been working with some of the college’s most promising and performing students to help them be as competitive as possible for major national scholarship competitions,” he said. “In many cases, my work with a student begins in freshman year and continues until graduation and beyond.”

Hallin has played a major role in assisting 39 Eckerd students to win coveted Hollings Scholarships, awards administered through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). During the seven years of Hollings competitions, no college or university in the country has had more student winners than Eckerd College. Hallin has also assisted students with applications for Goldwater, Udall, Fulbright, Rhodes, Rotary, Truman and other national scholarships.

He officially retired from EC in 2004. But, Eckerd wasn’t through

with Hallin. President Eastman extended an opportunity for Hallin to continue a mentoring role on a part-time basis that continues to benefit the students of Eckerd during their undergraduate experience here and beyond.

Hallin has an office in the front of West Lodge, in a room no bigger than a closet, where academic opportunities for the best and brightest at Eckerd College are born. A group of lucky freshmen with a GPA higher than an unpublished amount, hear from Dean Hallin.

Students at Eckerd are extremely grateful to his extensive work with them on various parts of their academic journey. Junior and Ford Scholar Jaclyn New says, “Dean Hallin has opened up a lot of doors for me in regard to scholarships and post graduation opportunities. You can tell he’s a very compassionate man… His one-on-one attention really makes the difference.”

Donna Grasso, the Administrative Secretary in the Admissions Department, worked closely with Dean Hallin. “[He]

Dean Hallin was a main reason is the man that hired me. When he took me into his office I felt that Eckerd was able to boast immediately like I had known him about their enrollment of students for years and we from as many as 49 states and over 60 were old friends. countries with more He is one of the than 15 percent of the most intelligent student body coming people I have from outside of the ever met, a great U.S. Hallin stated, “It listener, and he was exciting to have always made you a hand in crafting a smile.” student community In 1978, Dean Hallin suggested of such diversity.”

His past endeavors to the then are just as interesting Eckerd president, and engaging as the Peter Armacost, that he should —Donna Grasso, adminis- man himself. His career assume the trative secretary. academic position of dean includes receiving of admissions a Bachelor of Arts Degree from and financial aid.

When describing the state of the Occidental College; a Master of Arts college at that time, Dean Hallin degree from Oxford University; went on to say that, “The College and a Ph.D. from Columbia was struggling financially and University in New York City with enrollment was falling. There was a specialization in Political Science a desperate need for stability in and American Government. He that dean’s position. He agreed, and even tried his hand at running for appointed me to the position from See HALLIN , page 8 which I retired 26 years later.”

“...I

felt immediately like I had known him for years and we were old friends.”

Viewpoints 9 - 12 Entertainment 13 - 16 The Quickie 17 - 18 Health & Fitness 19 - 20 Sports 21- 24

The Current is a free, biweekly student newspaper produced at Eckerd College. Opinions expressed in this publication are those of the writers.

2 News

the current

April 6, 2012

Briefing National

Global Nations collaborate to help Syrian rebels

Colored chicks for Easter raise humane concerns

The United States and other nations met in Istanbul for the “Friends of Syria” conference. Arab nations have pledged $100 million to pay opposition fighters. The Obama administration has agreed to send communications equipment to help rebels evade Syria’s military. Views on arming the rebels have been opposed with uncertainty on where the weapons will end up. An additional $12 million will be donated from the United States to aid humanitarian assistance for organizations aiding Syrians.

Concerns are being raised over a new practice of temporarily dyeing baby chickens for the upcoming Easter holiday. The colorful dye is injected into an egg during incubation or sprayed on the newly-born chicken.

Some are concerned the novelty of the chicks will wear off quickly and they will be cast aside.

Florida legislators recently overturned a ban of 45 years prohibiting dyeing animals in response to a dog groomer wishing to enter dog grooming contests where owners “elaborately sculpture and color their pets.”

The New York Times

The New York Times

1991 Nobel Peace winner elected to Myanmar parliament The New York Times

According to her party, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi won a seat in Myanmar’s parliament.

The winner of the 1991 Nobel Peace Prize has been a global icon of democracy. Although the victory has brought praise and optimism, Myanmar’s parliament is still dominated by the military-backed ruling party. The United States and the European Union have said that the fairness of the election’s outcome will be a determining factor in whether they lift economic sanctions on the country.

courtesy of Annie Jalota

Carnival cruise ship seized by federal marshals CBS news

Cycle of conflict rising for Sudan and South Sudan CNN

courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

Sudan and South Sudan may be heading back toward conflict with reports of Sudan bombing its newly independent neighbor. The United Nations Security Council demanded both sides cease military operations to stop the cycle of violence. On top of aerial bombings there have been clashes between ground forces near the border. The U.N. refugee agency has not been able to confirm how many have been killed in the clashes but it knows that thousands have fled the violence.

Local

Sitting in port in southern Texas, the Carnival Triumph was briefly seized and held by the U.S. Marshal’s office. The ship was held in port by the marshals for several hours Saturday afternoon. Passengers were free to move on and off the ship, but the ship itself was not allowed to leave port. The ship was seized after a Texas judge signed the order because of a lawsuit against the company. The lawsuit was filed on behalf of a German woman who died in the Costa Concordia wreck earlier this year. Carnival maintains that the Concordia is a sister company and thus the company is not responsible for the damages, though the lawsuit alleges that Carnival did not take proper safety precautions for all ships within its fleet, which includes the Concordia. A deal was negotiated and the ship was allowed to leave on its 5-day trip to Mexico after only a few hour delay.

Campus

Mayor Foster vows option of renovation with more support Tampa Bay Times

Residents of St. Petersburg have signed a petition in a grass roots movement to save the pier. With 13,000 signatures, the campaign is meant to allow voters to decide the fate of the iconic structure. The movement still needs 3,000 more signatures to put the pyramid on the ballot. Supporters are pushing for a refurbished design by Tampa architect Kenneth Kroger. Mayor Bill Foster says that he will put it on the ballot only if the group gets the required signatures. Legally the city does not have to put the pyramid on the ballot no matter how many signatures are collected.

Kappa Kitchen to be held Saturday at South Beach At Monday’s senate meeting Kappa Senator Roble Velasco-Rosenheim announced that the next Kappa Kitchen will be held this Saturday from 3-10 p.m. on South Beach.

Items on the menu include hamburgers, veggie burgers, smoothies and popsicles.

ECOS takes RespECt campaign online

courtesy of flickr

Trayvon Martin support rallies in St. Petersburg

ECOS senate is holding an online video competition to promote the RespECt campaign on campus. Students who wish to enter are asked to make a short video and post it to the ECOS Facebook page. Winners will be chosen by which video receives the most “likes” throughout the month of April. First place will receive $250, and 2nd and 3rd will also win a share of the prize money. Students are encouraged to get as creative as possible. The videos can be funny or serious as long as they are appropriate and related to the RespECt campaign. For more rules and details, please visit the ECOS Facebook page or search “RespECT Video Competition 2012!” on YouTube.

Senate approves funds for zipline

Tampa Bay Times

In downtown St. Petersburg, 200 people marched at the “I am Trayvon March for Justice.” The march was held by the National Christian League of Councils. Another rally was held the same day at City Hall by International People’s Democratic Uhuru Movement. All across the country rallies are being held in honor of Martin, but these were the first in St. Petersburg. Another rally and a car wash were held the day after with proceeds going to Martin’s family.

A zipline will officially be coming to campus as one of the events for this year’s Springtopia. The senate vote, which took place via email, approved the zipline last week. In a joint effort with Palmetto Productions, senate will be contributing $1,500 from their budget and Palmetto will cover the rest.

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the current

April 6, 2012

News 3

Cnews INSIDE NEWS

Spring break service trips take The Current around the world

EC Republicans club

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Light rail

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Petitions

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Pancake breakfast for vets

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Blast from the past

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The Current goes on Spring Break 1

2 Students on the San Blas Islands during a spring service trip to Panama. Photo

by Sophomore Emily Hladky.

Taken on Professor Szelistowski’s service trip to Bimini, Bahamas. Photo by Junior Jenna Caderas.

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4 Students on Director of Service Learning Brian MacHarg’s service trip to Cuba. Photo by Sophomore Sarah Levine.

Junior Devon Williams reading The Current in Havana, Cuba.

Photo by Sophomore Sarah Levine.

Film program poised for expansion, possible major

By Hailey Escobar Staff Writer At long last, the offering of a film major at Eckerd seems imminent.

At last month’s Pizza with the President dinner, held in Epsilon complex lounge, students got a chance to talk with President Eastman about the future of the college’s film program, specifically whether or not an expansion of the program is on the horizon.

There are already a small number of film opportunities on campus.

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Courses in film history, production and screenwriting have been offered to students who want to pursue the art form as a minor.

Eckerd hosts its annual Environmental Film Festival in February, and the International Cinema Series has become a staple in weekend event offerings.

Professor Nathan Anderson even occasionally leads a winter term trip to the Sundance Film Festival to teach students about American Independent Film.

Nonetheless, Eckerd still lags behind on what it needs to sustain

Visit us online at www.theonlinecurrent.com

a film major. “I can say that our film (video) production facilities, while adequate, are somewhat modest and low budget at this time,” said Professor Arthur Skinner. “I would hope that in the future we may be able to build on that significantly.”

Advancements in Eckerd’s film capabilities may come sooner than expected. Thanks to a generous gift from Trustee Helmar Nielsen, Eckerd will be welcoming Dr. Christina Petersen to its faculty as a new film studies professor, where she will be leading the development

of a possible major.

With the foundation in place, the hope is that current and future students will take advantage of an expansion of the film program.

Anderson is optimistic about that kind of positive response.

“I think such a program will thrive,” he said. “All of our introductory film courses fill up, and I know that there is a lot of enthusiasm for film and video both as a medium for self-expression and exploration of ideas and as something to be studied.”

By Stephen Barber ECOS President Change in politics is a doubleedged sword. It is heralded by those who are discontent with the policies of the current administration and feared by those who are comfortable and content with the present state of affairs.

This year, ECOS has embraced the idea of change. Our core objectives and organizational goals revolved around changes past and present by continuing the traditions, engineering new initiatives and evolving our image as a student government.

The Small Changes, Significant Impact initiative focused fastidiously on minor improvements and the accumulative effect these small changes can have on the Eckerd community. The ice machine, televisions in the Cafe and trashcans in the Omega parking lot recently looked to spark change residentially, and the pilot program for a Freshman Student Government Association will look to bring about organizational change next Fall.

However, given the nature of the academic calendar and oneyear term in office, there is only so much that can be accomplished.

Each student government enters with goals that are altered, ideas that are tabled and initiatives that fall in priority to other events and programs, and we aren’t any different.

Looking at the list of Small Changes ideas, and hearing suggestions from students and staff, we recognize there are still many changes to be made, and proposed ideas that have yet to be considered.

Over the past few weeks, the Eckerd community has gone to the polls to vote for their 20122013 ECOS Executive Council.

Rhemy Brezin, Eliza van Dissel, Erin Stringer and Brady O’Donnell will take office as the ECOS president, executive vice president, vice president of academic affairs, and vice president of financial affairs for the upcoming academic year.

Change is on its way, and it is up to the student body to guide that upcoming change.

On May 1, when the 2012-2013 ECOS executive council takes office, we hope that next year’s administration will continue where we left off in accomplishing the goals and changes that you, as the student body, suggested over the course of the year, and design new traditions creating a legacy of change for the future.

4 News

the current

April 6, 2012

Eckerd Republicans hope for exposure

By Ethan Packey Staff Writer Eckerd’s student body has a notoriously liberal reputation.

But a small group of politically conservative students campus have come together to form Eckerd College Republicans (ECR). The group hopes to foster a broader discourse on campus about social, economic and political policy options.

The club has been enjoying increased exposure from fliers and recent events, where they’ve hosted speakers from the Perry, Romney, and Cain campaigns. ECR Chairman Ryan Heffner, a junior, says membership is expanding. “The 2011-2012 school year has been a great success; we’ve gained about fifteen new members.”

Recently, several members of the club’s executive board attended a Youth Leadership School run by the Leadership Institute, a political think tank based in Arlington, Va., that specializes in effective leadership strategies for political campaigns and offices.

Following up on the Leadership School’s emphasis on effective campus activism, Heffner commented on what plans the club has for the future.

The club’s constitution forbids them from endorsing a candidate during the primary season, but Heffner said that the club’s spring semester event calendar “already includes more speakers and other political conferences.”

The club is also co-hosting the annual Florida Federation of College Republicans convention this April with USF at Busch Gardens in Tampa.

ECR Chairman Ryan Heffner, a junior, currently serves as communications director on the state executive board for the FFCR, and is running for the post of next year’s second vice chairman.

Heffner said that he believes Eckerd’s student body is not particularly liberal politically, just more apathetic. To that extent, the club wishes to bring in policy experts to increase awareness of the issues facing policymakers in the near future.

On a possible collaboration between ECR and Eckerd College Democrats, Heffner said, “Currently we don’t have any plans. However, if the Eckerd College Democrats ever wanted to really take a stand against President Obama’s extreme jobs-killing policies, I am sure we could collaborate on an event.” He hammered home the core issue of the Republican campaign this year that Obama was severely inhibiting job growth through tougher regulations and higher taxes.

Heffner also extrapolated his stance on the issue to a statement about freedom.

“It’s not that we oppose Obama’s policies just because they kill jobs; there is a larger issue at play,” he said. “Excessive regulation and taxes inherently inhibit the freedom of economic choice. For all their talk of being fair, Democratic politicians including President Obama are fundamentally abridging the economic rights of the business community.”

EC Republicans meets every other Tuesday evening in Brown 103.

Light rail plans secure future of Tampa Bay Ethan Packey Staff Writer Here’s a little known fact: Tampa Bay, or more specifically the Tampa-St. PetersburgClearwater Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA), is the 19th largest MSA in the country with a population slightly more than 2.75 million people.

It is also the largest MSA in Florida, outranking both the Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford MSA and the Jacksonville MSA, which are the 2nd and 3rd largest MSAs in Florida respectively.

Yet of the top 50 MSAs in the country, Tampa Bay is one of only two that doesn’t have a modern transit system; the other one is Detroit. But even Detroit is in the process of building a modern transit system, so what is happening in the Tampa Bay Area

to rectify this situation?

As it turns out, Pinellas County has been working studiously to put together a plan for a light rail system connecting the downtown areas of Clearwater and St. Petersburg with a possible connection to Downtown Tampa, if Hillsborough County gets on board with the plan.

The new light rail line would be 24 miles long with 19 stops throughout central and southern Pinellas County, including a stop at the St. Petersburg/Clearwater Airport. The light rail line would be backed up by a reorganized bus system with premium bus routes designed to quickly and efficiently bring passengers from outlying Pinellas communities into the light rail corridor.

The total cost of the plan for both the light rail line and the reorganized bus system has been

pegged at $1.5 billion dollars.

To provide some perspective on that mind-boggling sum, the freeway-style upgrades to US-19 in Pinellas Park and Clearwater are also costing the county $1.5 billion. That’s just a small portion of US-19 in Pinellas County, not to mention the eventual cost of expanding the highway due to increased usage.

So as transportation upgrades go, a light rail system stands to create a more effective transit system at a lower cost. According to Brian Shuford, a proponent of the project who works for the Pinellas County Realtors Organization, national studies have shown the returns on a light rail system are approximately $7 of new investment for $1 spent on the project.Now what does all this mean for Eckerd College students? On the surface, not

much; many students are not from the Tampa-St. Pete area and will likely find jobs elsewhere. Also, since the proposed route stretches from downtown St Petersburg to downtown Clearwater, south St Petersburg will not have any stations; traveling by car will still be the fastest way to get downtown from Eckerd’s campus.

The only real benefit to most students would be easier access to local airports and a faster option for day trips to Clearwater and possibly Tampa, if the route extends into Hillsborough County.

But for students who stay in the area after college, light rail could secure the economic future of the Tampa Bay area. This is why the plan is being so heavily backed by the government of Pinellas County; they see it as a means to ensuring the continuing greatness of the Tampa-St. Petersburg area.

Palmetto Productions and Pet Council bring you...

100

100

eggs

prizes

step 1:

step 2:

Find egg with

Take number to Pet

number in it

Council office

Pet Council

by 4 pm on Friday

step 3:

COLLECT PRIZES * 3 eggs per person.

* can only win 1 pair of Spring Ball tickets

Bookstore swag Candy Easter treats

Spring Ball Tickets graphic design by Carver Elliot Lee

Police Blotter

Police Blotter

Jeremy Raynor, 20, was arrested March 13 and charged with one felony possession of marijuana and one felony possession of a controlled substance, according to the Pinellas County Sheriff ’s report. Raynor was released March 14 on his own recognizance.

Brandon Charles Dybdal, 19, was arrested March 13 and charged with one felony possession of marijuana, according to the Pinellas County Sheriff ’s report. Dybdal was released March 14 on a $5,000 cash bond.

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the current

April 6, 2012

News 5

Students commit to service work in Iceland Eleven students hike for hours in the north, do landscape work, maintain trails and campsites Iceland from front page

out for spring break. We landed in Reykjavik, Iceland on March 17, but were far from our final destination: Skaftafell National Park. Unlike many of the international trips that had a five-hour drive down to Miami before catching their flight, we had a six-hour drive after landing in Iceland.

When we arrived at Skaftafell, our contact had yet to make it to the park, so we had time to explore what would be our surroundings for the next nine days.

While exploring we discovered, the park’s most popular waterfall, Svartifoss, as well as the other beautiful views along the trail.

“Iceland was incredible!” Junior Cathryn Wheaton said. “I would recommend anyone to go if they have the opportunity.”

The service we did in Iceland was physically strenuous and demanding. While some of the projects we worked on didn’t require much full-body movement, our legs felt the strain each day from hiking eight to nine hours a day.

The service projects we did included trail maintenance, cutting down invasive plants and creating rock boxes for the camp sites.

One of the biggest projects included removing three kilometers of fencing (posts, wire fencing and barbed wire) the park had used for sheep grazing research. However, this didn’t compare to one of our most demanding days hauling lumber to Svartifoss for a bridge being built during the summer.

This sounds simple, but all of this was done by hand.

We had two trails: a shorter one

photo by Alexander Zeilinski Students in Iceland.

about three quarters of a kilometer, and a longer one about a kilometer long. Both were up and down mountains, making the trip even more difficult. The total amount of wood we moved far exceeded a ton, probably closing in on a second ton.

Once we had brought the wood to its building site, we had to take their temporary bridges out, two steel beams about 20 feet long and

a few hundred pounds each. The park ranger we were working with told us the beams were brought in by helicopter, making us that much more determined to get the beams out ourselves without outside help.

With the isolation of the area of Iceland we were staying, our group bonded very quickly. We reflected almost every night and discussed anything that came to our minds.

ECOS president responds BREZIN from front page

plate. In the little free time she has between running the weekly Palmetto Productions Committee meetings, focusing on her studies as an environmental studies major and biology and coastal management minors, playing for the EC women’s rugby team and her job as the Omega senator, Brezin enjoys reading, baking, traveling and collecting spoons.

Already heavily involved in the Eckerd community, Brezin decided to run for ECOS president because she wanted to further serve the student body. “I want to be an easily accessible link between my peers and the Eckerd administration,” Brezin said.

Current ECOS President Stephen Barber is confident Brezin will do an excellent job in office given her drive and knowledge of the organization. “Her role in the senate, as well as Palmetto, has given her a multi-dimensional perspective on how to connect with the student body,” Barber said.

One unique feature of the ECOS president role is that he or she will present to the Student Life committee of the Board of Trustees during their three weekend meetings and observe the Plenary Board meeting. “Creating an informative and personal connection with the Board enables the efficient flow of information about current trends in student life and provides an opportunity for the ECOS president to observe an integral aspect of our college,” added Barber.

As the official representative for the Eckerd student body, Brezin has the option to schedule weekly meetings with Dean Annarelli, along with other college officials to update them on ECOS mat-

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ters. “The ECOS President should be in tune with events and be able to address students’ concerns should they arise,” said Brezin.

Her main goals next year will focus on food, community and transparency. Brezin plans to make the Food Committee permanent, with its own director and board so it can accomplish goals more readily next year. A vending machine available 24 hours, seven days a week for late night snacking that will be linked to cash and flex dollars is something Brezin will strongly pursue during her term in office.

“I spent this past year in the ECOS senate learning how to get the residential ice machine in Omega and I plan to use that knowledge to bring many more wonderful things (such as a 24/7 food vending machine) to the Eckerd campus,” Brezin assured.

Also on Brezin’s list is purchasing communal seating to be placed in areas around the GO Pavilion and Kappa Field, and to have an additional graffiti wall built outside of Nu. Brezin’s goals don’t stop at adding a few additional perks to the campus. Her main focus as the 30th ECOS president will be to make campus life more cohesive. She plans to work with the recording secretary of ECOS, webmaster, and vice president of financial affairs to publish all ECOS documents online. “I want there to be a budget breakdown online, as well as an updated calendar with current events and meetings times posted for all students to access,” said Brezin.

The ECOS president is easily accessible and can be reached at the ecospres@eckerd.edu email at any time. Brezin will take office, along with next year’s executive staff, on May 1.

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No one felt left out as we had three to four different board games going on at once. If one of us went missing for a few minutes, people noticed and went searching.

We all took away something from our adventure in Iceland.

“It was interesting,” Senior Andrea Willingham said, “because working so hard and finding out how much you are capable of makes

you feel realy big and strong. But at the same time in a place like that as soon as you look up, you realize how small you actually are.”

As for me, I plan on going back to Iceland sometime in the future.

Whether it’s for a summer program, through another Eckerd service trip or on my own, I look forward to what awaits me when I return to the land of the midnight sun.

Petitions spark on campus

By Malena Carollo, Jaclyn New & Elizabeth Tomaselli News Team Recently, student petitions have emerged in support of different causes, such as a change to the new speed bumps, the latest regarding student suspension.

On March 28, Sophomore Jeremy Raynor sent an email to complex aliases asking for support against his upcoming suspension for felony possession of marijuana and possession of a controlled substance.

“I am sending this message to you all,” his email states, “in hopes to get at least 10 percent of the Eckerd College community (182 student responses) in petition of my suspension from the on-campus community and the entire 20122013 school year!”

He urges students to include statements such as “I fully support Jeremy Raynor’s return to campus” or “I know Jeremy, he’s a community leader! Kicking him out will not benefit the community!”

“Sign your name the Eckerd way by typing ‘Pledged (Your Name),” the email closed.

He sent a second email detailing the reasons he was being charged with suspension.

“Really, it’s not so much a petition as much as just trying to get the students to voice their own opinions on this,”

Raynor said. “I understand that the school is looking into the best interest of the school and the community.”

Sending out mass emails to the student body is done through email aliases. Housing aliases are moderated by Justin Long, director of campus housing.

When the switch was made to Google Mail, some aliases from the old system were not closed, though maintenance was done to correct this March 30.

Long sent out an email reminding students that “these email aliases are not designed for students to ‘mass’ communicate with one another (i.e. to sell personal belongings, to remote any non-college sponsored events, to request survey participation, or to create petitions on any issue, etc.).”

“I’m not trying to go behind the school [by emailing complex aliases] and do something I’m not supposed to,” Raynor said. “I’m just trying to reach out to the students.”

But the real issue is his call for student support. Raynor has collected 43 statements from classmates and friends who have expressed their support in his return to campus.

While Raynor hopes that the statements will be considered in the appeals process, Lori Meehan, coordinator for community standards, says they are not accepted.

“If we allowed every student who goes through a Conduct Review Committee to ask

for petitions it would not only irritate fellow students,” Meehan said, “but, when you do not know exactly what that student has done (and Conduct Review Committee’s are reserved for the most egregious violations of college policy) and are blindly supporting them without complete knowledge of the incident, it’s not helping keep our community safe.”

According to the EC Book, “request for final review,” not petitions, must be submitted within three business days in writing to the coordinator for community standards. The “request for final review” may only be submitted “to consider new information, unavailable during the original hearing, that could be outcome-determinate; to assess whether clerical or procedural error impacted the fairness of the hearing” or “to review a sanction of suspension or expulsion from the college.”

Students, Meehan says, are allowed two character references when going through a Conduct Review Committee.

These can be staff, faculty or close friends of the student.

“It’s important to note that only the Conduct Review Committee can make the decision on whether the student is responsible for violating any college policies and what the sanctions should be,” Meehan said. “These committees have what’s best for the accused student and the community in mind.”

6 News

the current

April 6, 2012

Editor-in-Chief Ashley Daniels thecurrent@eckerd.edu Managing Editor Max Martinez

News Editor Jaclyn New currentnews@eckerd.edu Asst. News Editors Malena Carollo Josh Keeler Viewpoints Editor Jeralyn Darling currentviews@eckerd.edu Asst. Viewpoints Editor Carver Elliot Lee

Entertainment Editor Shelby Howell currententertainment@eckerd.edu Asst. Entertainment Editor Cait Duffy Ian Lindsay The Quickie Editors Hayden Johnson Ely Grinfeld Health & Fitness Editor Elizabeth Tomaselli Asst. Health & Fitness Editor Kelly Coston Mike Geibel Sports Editor Lincoln Andres-Beck currentsports@eckerd.edu Asst. Sports Editors Will Creager Greg Reiley Photo Editor Cassie Ochoa Asst. Photo Editor Alex Zielinski Web Editor Johnny Jones Asst. Web Editors Mike Geibel Seth Ravid Web Master Shawn Craine Graphic Designers Carver Elliot Lee Max Martinez Alex Zielinski

Faculty Adviser Tracy Crow

Local pancake breakfast benefits vets

By Malena Carollo Asst. News Editor

A warm sea breeze carried the smell of breakfast across the roof of the Hurricane Seafood Restaurant.

Under a collapsible tent by the stairs, a team of chefs volunteering from the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Seminole flipped pancakes for a line of hungry customers to the tune of music from one of the live bands down on the street. Peeking over the side of the roof, it took little guesswork to figure out what kind of benefit this was.

Camouflaged Humvees and military weapons were among several military-themed booths set up on the street for the Second Annual Charity Pancake Breakfast.

Don Schmidt, event coordinator for the Veterans of South Pinellas County Inc. (VSPC), helped organize the morning.

“It really brings a community together,” Schmidt said. “I mean, you can feel the fun and enjoyment and being together by just watching the street down there.”

This year, attendance totals reached nearly 1,000, up from the previous year’s 350. While many came for the pancakes and street festivities, many also came to meet Sergeant Bill Allen and Medal of Honor recipient Gary Littrell, for whom the 54th Avenue South causeway is named.

They were among several military personnel who came to the event, including some Vietnam War veterans.

“That wasn’t easy to do,” Schmidt said, “because the military wasn’t thought of like they are today, and all of us [Vietnam veterans] just think it’s wonderful.”

Also in attendance was Congressman C.W. Bill Young.

Upon arrival, guests purchased an American flag-themed wristband entitling the wearer to a stack of

photo by Tracy Crow Sergeant First Class Tanesha Johnson, standing, and SFC Luis Calderon assist Stephen Hindman, 5, from Charleston, W. Va.

pancakes and some sausages on the roof. In total, 2,400-2,800 pancakes were made and 3,600 sausages cooked—all donated. As guests made their way upstairs to retrieve breakfast, the y likely passed several boys scurrying into the elevator with food supplies.

Running the food upstairs and down, bussing tables and taking out the trash were 160 volunteers from the local community. Cub Scout Pack 340 and Boy Scout Troop 340 lent their time to the organization, coordinating with The Saints Baseball Team from St. Petersburg Christian School to keep the event flowing. “[The best part about the event is] knowing that we helped the veterans that are keeping our country safe,” Anthony Ferguson,

member of Boy Scout Troop 340, said.

One of those veterans is Sergeant Joel Tavera, who was at the fundraiser. Tavera was the second most seriously wounded veteran from Iraq. He lost multiple limbs, suffered brain trauma, burned over 80 percent of his body and went blind. Homes for Heroes, one of the recipients of the fundraiser’s money, helped build him a house tailored to his needs.

“He’s gone through over 100 different surgical procedures to get to where he is today,” Schmidt said, “and yet today he’s one of the most optimistic and cheerful…” His voice cracked with emotion.

This fundraiser’s money will go toward helping build a similar house for double-amputee veteran

B.J. Jackson, with a long-term goal of building a home for an injured member of the VSPC. The St. Pete Beach Support Our Troops organization will also receive donations from this event for their efforts to send care packages to troops in Afghanistan.

Last year the organization donated $13,000 to the Wounded Warrior Project and to the St. Pete Beach Support Our Troops organization. Aside from the recipients of the donations, supporters of the VSPC this year will receive certificates of appreciation.

“It’s a wonderful group of veterans and a team atmosphere,” Schmidt said. “Everyone can do something, and everybody does what they can do.”

Director of Finances Beth Robinson Director of PR/Advertising Devon Williams currentads@eckerd.edu Asst. Director of PR/Advertising Arielle Burger Columnists Sean Lawlor Ethan Packey Evan Bollier

(Top) Humvee exhibit at Passe-a-Grille.

The Current is a free biweekly student newspaper at Eckerd College. Offices are located upstairs in Cobb at 4200 54th Ave S, St. Petersburg, FL, 33711.

Opinions expressed in this publication are those of the writers and do not necessarily reflect those of EC students, staff, faculty and administration.

The Current welomes letters to the editor. Submissions should be typed and not exceed 400 words. Writers must include their full name, graduation year and contact number. Faculty and staff should include their title, department and contact number. All submissions are subject to editing for the purposes of clarity, style or length. The Current holds the right to reject any letters deemed inappropriate. Letters can be sent via email to thecurrent@eckerd. edu with subject “Letter to the editor.”

-----------------The Current will run full-length articles covering any arrests that present a clear danger to the community.

Charges that would be investigated under this policy include robberies, assaults, weapons charges or illicit drug manufacturing, such as methamphetamine. The Current will continue publishing a small police blotter for felony arrests, and misdemeanor charges against student goverment leaders, Residential Advisors and staff members of The Current. We learn of arrests through searching the police arrest database by entering Eckerd’s address, as well as from tips. Questions and comments can be emailed to thecurrent@eckerd.edu.

(Bottom L) Members of Boy Scout Troop 340 Oliver Adamiak, left, Anthony Ferguson, middle and Duke Becker, right, enjoy pancakes and orange juice.

photo by Tracy Crow

photo by Malena Carollo

(Bottom R) Medal of Honor recipient Gary Lee Littrell, left, and Army Sgt. Joel Travera, right.

photo by Tracy Crow

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the current

April 6, 2012

News 7

Constitutionality of healthcare individual mandate debated

By Sean Lawlor Columnist Last week will probably be one of the most memorable moments of the Obama administration. Over a three-day period, the Supreme Court opened up the floor to legal arguments in support of and opposition to the president’s landmark healthcare reform law in what is sure to make a historic court decision.

The legal conflict in the case concerns the constitutionality of a key component of the law known as the individual mandate that would allow the federal government to compel all American citizens to purchase health insurance.

Ironically, the individual mandate was originally an idea created

by Republicans as a response to a healthcare proposal made by the Clinton administration in the mid 1990s.

In fact, from an economic perspective, the individual mandate appears quite conservative in nature since it forces individuals to take responsibility for their own health by purchasing insurance.

This would prevent the uninsured from running to the emergency during a health crisis which then places the healthcare costs of frequent ER visits on the American taxpayer.

Still, the use of the Commerce Clause in the legislation is broadly applied and questionable to several legal analysts. Furthermore, the Supreme Court’s decision to review the healthcare bill may benefit it in the long run since most of the American public remains unaware of what the law actually does.

Hearings began March 26 with the question of whether the court can review the case at all. The issue here concerned whether the individual mandate can be considered as a tax.

According to an 1867 anti-injunction law, the court is barred from reviewing cases on taxes that have yet to be paid. Since the individual mandate will not be fully implemented until 2014, the issue would not be ripe enough to hold suit.

Neither liberal nor conservative judges on the court were convinced by this argument. “Congress has nowhere used the word ‘tax’. What it says is ‘penalty’,” said Justice Stephen Breyer. “Moreover, this is not in the Internal Revenue Code but for purposes of collection. And so why is this a tax?

The second day of hearings on March 27 turned to the bread and butter of the controversy, the individual mandate. The constitutionality of this measure is being challenged by 26 states, led by our home state of Florida, who argue that the

mandate represents an overreach of federal power on state jurisdiction.

As a result, the individual mandate would fundamentally change the relationship between the federal government and the citizen.

According to Paul D. Clement who is representing the states in the case, “If this is to remain a system of limited and enumerated federal powers that respects individual liberty, accountability and the residual dignity and sovereignty of the states, the individual mandate cannot stand.”

In response, the Obama administration argues that the mandate is legitimate under the Commerce Clause of the constitution which allows Congress to regulate commerce “among several states.”

According to Solicitor General Donald Verrilli who spoke on behalf of the Obama administration, the individual mandate “is within Congress’s power to enact not only because it is a necessary component of a broader scheme of interstate regulation, but also because, within that scheme, the provision itself regulates economic conduct with a substantial effect on interstate commerce, namely the way in which individuals finance their participation in the health care market.

Since 1936, no court has ever struck down a regulatory law on the grounds that Congress unconstitu-

tionally exceeded its power. However, due to the conservative shift in the court over the past three decades, the fate of the mandate is highly ambiguous.

Day three of the hearings on March 28 centered around the expansion of Medicaid versus states’ rights. Under the healthcare reform bill, states can receive more federal funding if they enroll more of the financially vulnerable in Medicaid programs. However, if they refuse, states can lose federal money for Medicaid altogether.

This has been characterized as aggressive arm-twisting on the part of the federal government to coerce the states to abide by draconian national policies. Such a provision particularly targets a state like Florida with a Republican governor unsympathetic to the needs of the poor.

In their 2012 budget, Governor Rick Scott and the Florida state legislature have passed over $300 million in budget cuts in Medicaid despite a projected rise in recipients.

This issue sparked an ideological divide in the court. While liberal justice Kagan questioned why a federal gift would be considered “a matter of coercion,” conservative Justice Kennedy pointed out that the states were allotted “no real choice.”

At the end of the three days of legal proceedings, the fate of the healthcare law remains uncertain, and will continue to be until the court makes a final decision this summer.

Most likely the result will be decided by a five to four vote with a tie being broken by either Justice Kennedy or Roberts. There is also a chance that the law can still go into effect without the individual mandate.

But anything that is said about who will benefit from the decision in the 2012 election is most likely partisan and premature. Be sure to stay tuned this summer.

Earth update Carbon Offset Fund purchases new water bottle filling stations

By Evan Bollier Columnist This semester, the money from the Carbon Offset Fund went to promoting reusable water bottles.

The money was used to purchase two water bottle filling stations for campus. The picture below is of the one installed in the Eckerd Fitness Center. A second filling station is planned for the Sheen Auditorium Lobby.

Place your reusable water bottle in front of the sensor and cold, fresh, filtered water will pour down.

See the number on the top right corner of the station? That’s how many 12oz plastic disposable water bottles you have diverted from landfills!

The hope is that there will be an increase of reusable water bottles and a decrease of disposable ones.

Even if initially recycled, plastic is in an open loop system and will eventually make it to the landfill.

Therefore, by reusing water bottles there will be a reduction of emissions from incinerating solid waste. With the help of our Facilities Department, more of these bottle filling stations will be installed over the next year.

Do you have any suggestions for next year’s Offset Fund projects?

Please contact Evan Bollier.

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Office hours: Monday-Friday 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. bollieea@eckerd.edu 727-864-8980.

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8 News

the current

April 6, 2012

B l a s t f r o m t h e pa s t

Welcome back to the “blast from the past,” a feature showcasing articles from our archives. This piece, from March 9, 1979 tells the story of Dean Richard Hallin’s appointment as director of admissions in 1979. Prior Hallin was Eckerd’s provost, a senior academic advisor.

Garcia Resigns: Hallin appointed new admissions director

By Lee Dancy Long-gone Alum Effective March 15 [1979], Ofelia Garcia will no longer be admissions director at Eckerd.Garcia will be taking a new position with Income Realty and Management of Denver, Colorado. “There is flexibility in when I’m expected in Colorado,” Garcia said. “I expect to be here through the end of March but it could be until the end of April.”

To fill the gap left by Garia’s resignation President Armacost has appointed Dr. Richard Hallin, Eckerd’s provost for the past four years as the new admissions director. “I have lived the last seven years in very high tension high stress administrative positions,” Hallin said. “That kind of life style has taken its toll on me to the point where I’d like to be in a job with les stress and tension of a continuing sort.”

“Where I might want to go in the future isn’t certain.

If its academic administration, admissions will only be a plus given the importance of it to liberal arts colleges everywhere,” Hallin said. “If it’s business, the experience with public relations, computers and marketing will be a plus.”

“The decision I’ve mad does not in any way get in the way of my vague career aspirations,” Hallin said.

“I’ve tried to consider what’s best for the institution.

Admissions is the most vital and important department at Eckerd. Ofelia’s resignation left an enormous void.”

Hallin said that if President Armacost continues to be pleased with his work he will stay at the new job for at least three years. “I suspect the work load might actually be heavier but that doesn’t bother me,” Hallin said. “As provost my energies have been spread over the whole gamut of things. As director of admissions I’ll be focusing on one aspect of the college.”

“In this particular job,(provost), every kind of crisis on interpersonal relationships difficulties comes to me,” Hallin said. “Being in the middle is a real drain of

energy. It will not be that way to any near degree as director of admissions.”

Hallin said he will take an approximate 20 percent cut in salary and 75 percent cut in office space.

“Obviously I have made the decision for reasons other than finance or prestige,” he said.

Armacost has appointed Dr. courtesy of Donna Grasso William Roess as A younger Dean Hallin. acting provost until July 1, 1979 or until the national search for a new provost is completed.

Garcia is a Florida Presbyterian [Eckerd] graduate who majored in French. As a Woodrow Wilson scholar, Garcia received her Masters in French at the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor. In 1974 Garcia came back to Eckerd as an admissions counselor. From March 1976 to July 1976 she served as acting admissions director.

She then became associate director from July 1976 to August 1977 when she was appointed director of admissions.

“It was not an easy decision,” Garcia said. “I’ve spent four years at Eckerd as a student and then four as a professional. I’m leaving with mixed feelings.”

The search committee for a new provost will be elected at a special meeting of faculty members scheduled for March 7. The committee will begin work immediately.

Dean Hallin helps students prepare for competitive scholarships Hallin from front cover

courtesy of www.eckerd.edu

Congress.

In 1974, he ran for Congress as a Democrat in a district in Southern California. While a Dean at Occidental College he had time to teach one course each semester in political science. The course was entitled “Political Participation.” Dean Hallin said, “I was forever on my soapbox in class to encourage students to be active participants in the political process.”

His students responded by giving him

a challenge to step up to the plate and run.

Dean Hallin won the Democratic primary and went on to win 48 percent of the vote in the general election, which made it the closest Congressional race that has ever been run in that district.

Currently, Dean Hallin spends six months each year in St. Petersburg and the other six months at his seacoast cottage in Ogunquit, Manie. He is still driven by the same passions that propelled him to excellence during his working life. He continues to fight against artificial barriers that keep people from real-

izing their full potential. He continues to promote people coming together in good faith to craft policies and programs to help people live more productive and meaningful lives.

While Dean Hallin attributes many of his joys to Eckerd College, this institution owes just as much or more to him. When asked what the most rewarding part of his journey with Eckerd has been he said, “During my life I have been blessed with the opportunity to engage in this journey with students of all ages. The process has kept me young, engaged and alive.”

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the current

April 6, 2012

Viewpoints

9

CViewpoints perspECtives “I’d like to think our generation would be known for bringing back a progressive and tolerant movement in society.”

- Andrea Willingham, Senior

What will our generation be remembered for?

By Shannon Vize Staff Writer The ‘60s had hippies, Woodstock, The Beatles and Rock and Roll.

The ‘70s introduced disco, sequins and big hair.

The ‘80s were filled with John Hughes’s finest movies and teenagers flocked to replicate the “Brat Pack.”

Even the ‘90s had its signature acid wash jeans and boy bands, while rap finally gained momentum as a true music form.

But the 2000s? We don’t even have a catchy abbreviation for my generation’s decade.

As I showed my dad St. Pete over family weekend, the only radio station worth listening to blasted songs stemming from my father’s adolescence. As I sang along to the greatest hits from the ‘60s to the ‘90s, I realized what little we as a generation are leaving behind to be remembered by.

The decades from the 1960s to 1990s each had a definitive movement, a voice. The ‘60s called for a revolution, the ‘70s demanded

dancing, the 80’s captured the teenage mindset and the ‘90s yearned for creativity and inventiveness.

These decades defined the generations that lived through them.

But will the 2000s and 2010s define us the same way? I doubt it. We don’t even have our own style; instead we crave “vintage” looks and pull from previous decades for our latest fads.

While my dad reminisced over his best disco dances, the first time he saw “Say Anything” and the music that had changed him forever, I contemplated the depressing discovery that we will probably be best known for Facebook, reality TV shows, hipsters and dubstep.

Don’t get me wrong, I realize that the technological advances these past twelve years have produced are extraordinary and have redefined the way we interact and create, but at what price? It seems the Internet and its by-products have completely stripped us of our years to make our mark on American culture and history.

Facebook has intercepted our generation in an effort to make life more memorable and accessible,

“We’re going to be thought of as pioneers of the early digital era.”

but has trapped us inside typing away on our laptops or snapping countless pictures solely to display them later online.

Hipsters seem to have popped up out of nowhere snapping black and white pictures while sipping on countless PBRs in their highwaisted shorts, claiming to be the antithesis of our reality-TV-driven culture.

And lastly, dubstep has effectively removed any chance of conversing at concerts, parties or anywhere it is played.

Personally, these are the last things I would want to recall if my kids ever asked me what it was like growing up now. I want them to ask me what it felt like to be at an environmental protest outside the White House, when my state finally allowed homosexuals to marry and the music and movies that touched my adolescent heart and changed me forever.

Here’s to hoping the rest of this decade holds more memorable events like these and inspires greater musical and cinematic creativity than the Justin Biebers and Hollywood re-makes we’ve seen thus far.

- Wesley Lucas, Senior

“We will be the technologically dependent generation.”

- Ashley Chambers, Sophomore

“Our generation will be remembered as the first generation to be raised on mobile technology and the second big wave of spreading information.”

- Hank Broege, Sophomore

Women’s roles in TV and movies A debate weighing the pros and cons of Kony 2012 “I fail to see how buying merchandise will aid in military operations against the few remaining LRA forces in Uganda’s neighboring countries.”

- Hayden Johnson

“We can’t all hop on a flight and go track down Kony, but we can urge our own and other governments to get involved in the search.”

- Carver Elliott Lee

see page 11

INSIDE VIEWPOINTS

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Revisiting “Three Cups of Tea” scandal

Visit us online at www.theonlinecurrent.com

page 10

By Hailey Escobar Staff Writer Characters in the media are supposed to reflect the way people think and act in real life. However, many of the women I see in major media aren’t necessarily people I would want to emulate.

They need guys to make them feel fulfilled in life, like Bella Swan in the “Twilight” series who would rather die than not be with her sparkly vampire boyfriend, Edward Cullen. They have nothing better to do than get pregnant like the girls on 16 and Pregnant, fight over a guy like they were on The Bachelor or See WOMEN, page 12

Letter to the Editor: Response to “Call for more spirit”

page 10

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Gas Prices: The political rhetoric and reality page 12

10 Viewpoints

the current

April 6, 2012

My big fat gay column

The Mets need a few more players

By Max Martinez Managing Editor

In the middle of what would be his tenth consecutive all-star season, New York Mets catcher Mike Piazza cemented his baseball legacy by becoming the first Major Leaguer, and perhaps the first athlete ever, to hold a press conference specifically to discuss his sexuality.

“I’m not gay,” said Piazza in June 2002, as reporters’ cameras flashed away. “I’m heterosexual.”

Piazza’s awkward declaration came on the heels of a New York Post article that suggested a prominent Mets player was getting ready to come out. A year earlier, Brendan Lemon published a letter in “Out” magazine, of which he was the editor, revealing he was in an ongoing relationship with a “pro baseball player from a major-league East Coast franchise.”

To this day Lemon has never disclosed the identity of his mystery MLB man-candy, and no player has admitted post-retirement that it was he all along. Piazza remains married to a woman, but the phrase “oh, he plays for the Mets,” is still shorthand for “he’s gay.”

Ten years later, the race to be the first major sports league with an openly gay player continues. All four leagues, the NFL, NBA, NHL and MLB, have retired players who have come out, but active players remain silent.

What’s most telling about Piazza’s “I’m straight” saga is that despite 12 all-star appearances, 10 silver slugger awards and a career .308 average, he will always be remembered in part for being the player that might have been gay but held a press conference to say he wasn’t.

If it had turned out to be true, his sexuality, not his solid career numbers, would have been his legacy.

That’s the reality any athlete must face when they come out in a major sports league: they will be the first openly gay athlete in their sport, and regardless of the support they receive, a stigma will come with it. Not necessarily in a negative way, but in a career-defining way. They will always be “the gay quarterback,” or “the gay catcher,” in Piazza’s case (third time this year: no pun intended).

As the epitome of male athletic machismo, the NFL seems an unlikely place to find gay players, but they certainly still exist. A number of ex-NFLers have come out once their career ends, including former Redskin Dave Kopay, whose coming out ranks as Outsports.com’s all-time most important moment in LGBT-sports history.

Last July, Cincinnati Bengals running back Cedric Benson was arrested for “assault causing bodily injury to a family member,” according to gay blog Queerty. The man Benson assaulted turned out to be a longtime male roommate (you know, because with a $7 million contract, splitting rent is really necessary). With Benson about to become a free agent, the buzz surrounding the story faded before any media outlets dug deeper. Would they have outed the first active, gay NFLer? Not one to be outdone, the MLB responded last week with a new “is he or isn’t he?” controversy. Carl Pavano, a former Yankees pitcher who is currently the Twins’ opening day starter, is being blackmailed by a high school friend threatening to publish a book detailing a three-

year physical relationship the two shared way back when.

The case may be one of extortion (the man contacted Pavano’s sister demanding “a heartfelt apology and a navy Range Rover with tan leather” according, once again, to Queerty), but the man stood by his claims in a statement to the AP and said the relationship was “wellknown to my close friends and family.”

The NHL is a different story, and will most likely be the first league to have an active player come out.

Players like Sean Avery, formerly of the New York Rangers, have voiced their support for gay players, and after the death of Brendan Burke, the openly gay son of Toronto Maple Leafs’ GM Brian Burke, the hockey community rallied around his goal of ending homophobia in sports. Team USA wore Brendan Burke dogtags at the Olympics and USA Hockey now has an internship in Brendan’s name.

When the Chicago Blackhawks won the Stanley Cup in 2010, the cup itself made an appearance in the Chicago Pride parade, floating down the street with defenseman Brent Sopel and his wife.

An ESPN the magazine poll in 2010 found that 42 percent of NHL players said they had or believed they had a gay teammate. They weren’t saying that they would theoretically be OK with it, or that they thought hockey was ready for a gay player. No, they were saying they believe or know that somebody else in their locker room played for the Mets.

I credit hockey’s Canadian roots for the tolerance; our neighbors to the north are notoriously more open-minded than we are (medical marijuana and gay marriage are legal in Hockeyland). But even then, it says a lot that the only sport where refs will let players throw fists in the middle of the game is also the most gay-tolerant major sport.

If a player can hold his own on the rink, the gridiron, the court or the diamond, what he does in the bedroom is of little significance, and a lot of athletes have said roughly the same thing when asked about the prospect of a gay teammate. Even as he shot down rumors, Piazza was comfortable enough to say he felt the MLB was ready for a gay player, that it wouldn’t be as big a deal as we make it out to be.

The hard truth is there are plenty of out athletes already. While this column has dealt with the four major pro leagues, I have failed to mention that soccer, tennis, golf and even rugby leagues around the world have had prominent players come out. These players are as courageous as any we’ll see in the NHL or MLB, but the media and fan scrutiny the big four leagues receive make coming out exponentially more difficult and intimidating than in a UK soccer league, or the PGA. Change is going to start at the college level, and that change is well underway. There have been openly gay college hockey players, lacrosse goalies and even footballers. In a 2009 ESPN poll given to a group of 85 division I football players, 49.4 percent said they believed they had at least one gay teammate. In the Pac-10 conference, it was 70 percent.

At Eckerd, I know we have gay athletes. I don’t say that just because odds dictate that at least one of our student athletes must be gay; some are out, some aren’t, and that’s their choice.

So guys (and girls, but let’s be honest, I’m writing about the guys), speak up. The Mets need a few more players.

Letter to the Editor: #Amusing Response to “Call for more spirit” Dear Viewpoints Editor, In the last issue of The Current, there was an article calling out to the Eckerd community for more spirit. The article expressed disappointment with Eckerd students in their failure to attend sporting events, and act spirited while there. While attendance at sporting events is an issue, and clubs like the Triton Tribe are valuable assets to the Eckerd community, they are not the sole measure of spirit at our school.

I came to this school under no false pretenses. I did not imagine myself in a large student section or tailgating before the big game.

I came to this school for the sense of community I felt from a simple campus tour. It was obvious to me that my tour guide loved this place, and that the people he interacted with along the tour did as well. One of the most important things I came away with was that above all Eckerd values their students and creates a community so that they value each other.

Eckerd spirit cannot be confined to the measures of an athletic scale. Eckerd spirit can be found all across campus. The spectrum of spirit here is so vast, it is almost impossible to account for all of the ways in which our community represents and reveres

Eckerd. Standing on a stage as hundreds of people cheer my team on at Another Man’s Trash, I feel the Eckerd spirit. Watching rugby players on Kappa Field attract swarms of people, witnessing the support for the Eckerd College Dance Company, seeing clubs like lacrosse form and flourish within a semester, seeing copies of The Current being rapidly scooped up and discussed at the pub, spending a day at the Waterfront, the huge involvement in Service Learning, Kappa on a Saturday night, Nu vs.

Omega parties, Spring Ball, Kappa Karnival, talking to Big Dog at the pub, long-boarding and running the Gauntlet - it is through these and countless other experiences that the Eckerd spirit roars louder than any student section ever could.

The passion and community displayed by this school are something that we should be proud of, not chastise. Our job as students to bring school spirit to Eckerd is not as simple as face paint and a creative cheer; it is deeper than a mascot. Eckerd sprit is achieved through a constant give-and-take of our teachers, administration and most importantly our students.

Spiritedly yours, Colleen Rast

Musings

Sitting in class and your professor says something funny? Tweet it to @TheECCurrent and include the hashtag #AmusingMusings Physics Professor This is like sex. These guys want to get at each other. They want to jump. #Electrons Biology Professor I don’t communicate with tweets or texts or vibes through the ether. I send emails. #CheckingEmail Anthropology Professor You can’t make yourself more ergonomically designed. #HumanEvolution

Physics Professor What are the rules and who made them? Some people say God, but... (points to himself) me. Follow my rules. #RulesOfPhysics

Creative Writing Professor Pitchers at 4:30, awards at 7... we’ll all be schnockered. #RealLife Political Science Professor I hope I’m not going to get misquoted in The Current.” #RealLife

Revisiting “Three Cups of Tea” scandal

By Carver Elliot Lee Asst. Viewpoints Editor It has been nearly a year since one of our country’s most renowned authors and humanitarians was accused of being a liar and extortionist.

Greg Mortenson, humanitarian, founder and executive director of the non-profit organization Central Asia Institute (CAI) was originally accused by Jon Krakauer, author of “Into Thin Air” and “Into the Wild,” of fabricating key details and entire stories in the New York Times bestseller “Three Cups of Tea,” which he co-authored.

Since the accusation, Mortenson and CAI have received two potentially career-ending blows: a civil suit and an investigation by the Montana attorney general.

After Krakauer and 60 Minutes released the results of their investigations, the Montana attorney general announced that it too would look into Greg Mortenson and CAI due to “allegations of improper financial benefit to Greg Mortenson through the royalties, speaking fees and travel reimbursements associated with the books Mr. Mortenson wrote.”

In the civil suit Pfau v. Mortenson, plaintiffs naming Mortenson, CAI, Penguin Publishing and a few others are aiming for a class-action status. Mortenson is being charged with fraud, racketeering and a handful of other similar terms as a result of made-up stories in “Three Cups of Tea.” Unlike any legal action that may result from the attorney general’s investigation, this lawsuit isn’t about mismanagement of funds within CAI or Mortensons role in the organization but about people angered by Mortenson’s trickery. “The enterprise’s fraudulent scheme was to make Mortenson

promotional photo

into a false hero,” says the original complaint.

As of right now, it seems pretty clear that Mortenson has some explaining to do about the validity of his stories. The attorney general is well justified in their reasoning for launching an investigation. The results of their investigation should bring justice.

So why do some find it necessary to bring up their own lawsuit and seek repayment for personal damages? As Penguin Publishers said in their preliminary pre-trial statement, the only injury that these plaintiffs suffered was not enjoying the book as much as they originally thought.

I was upset when I found out about Mortenson’s lies, but my first reaction was not to sue to a handful of people because I felt I had wasted $15 on a book. In fact, I was still happy that I had bought the book and participated in several fundraising events for CAI. Mortenson might have been doing some unethical things that I don’t agree with, but he was also still building schools. He was still

standing up and fighting for a cause that I believe in.

Since the organization’s founding, they have assisted over 314 projects ranging from school construction, maintenance and operational fees, community centers, flood assistance, road-building, teacher training workshops and a variety of other projects that all make the path to education easier.

As a nation, we’re quick to pick out heroes and place them on a pedestal and ignore what goes on behind the scenes. People aren’t going crazy over the fact that the American Red Cross spends over 50 percent of its revenue on salaries, employee benefits and other compensation. That’s because it’s easy to rationalize away these crazy statistics because we, even I, can point down the road and see the help that the Red Cross has provided after devastating tornadoes.

However, when these heroes are doing work abroad, we put our blind faith in them and hold them to an unreasonably high ethical standard. I’m not saying this is bad; high standards are what drive us to be better.

But we can’t keep up this routine of picking out a hero then taking it personally when they let us down.

We’re all human and we all make mistakes. If you’re not going to be happy when somebody mishandles your financial charitable donation, then don’t give it to that person.

Get up and donate your time by volunteering.

Just because you were duped by a well-told yet not 100 percent accurate, heart-wrenching story, don’t think it is okay to attack an organization, especially when they do far more to better the world than you do by sitting at home on the couch reading books about other people’s accomplishments.

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the current

April 6, 2012

“Slacktivism” at its finest

By Hayden Johnson Asst. Quickie Editor “Slacktivism” in itself is characterized by people taking up causes without having any real impact on them. One of the earliest forms of slacktivism has been idealistic bumper stickers. The ones that let you know that the person stopped at the light in front of you is freeing Tibet by driving around.

The Internet has been a buzzing hive of slacktivists posting statuses and tweets expressing their stands on causes. An example of this is someone who says “like this status if you’re against” usually followed by some horrible disease or humanitarian atrocity that anyone would agree is bad. This brings me to Kony 2012.

Over the past few months the Kony 2012 video has received over 80 million hits on YouTube. The campaign focuses on the capture of Joseph Kony who has allegedly kidnapped children and forced them into his army. There has been a lot of scrutiny toward the campaign. Some claim that the video misrepresents the state of Uganda. Even Ugandan Prime Minister Amama Mbabazi made a response video stating that Uganda is now a peaceful and developing nation. He continues to state that Kony and LRA forces have not been in the country since 2006. The term “slacktivism” has been brought up by critics to describe the movement.

What makes me skeptical of the Kony 2012 campaign is not only the fact that the war in northern Uganda is over, but the kits this campaign features. On the website, for the convenient price of $30 you can buy a kit of posters and bracelets instead of or in addition to giving a donation. According to charitynavigator.org, the Invisible Children organization ranks four stars financially but two for transparency and accountability. To me, the kit seems like the worst example of slacktivism. Russell’s kits seem to be capitalizing on a global conflict. Even more confusing to me is what exactly wearing Kony shirts and spending April 20 putting up posters all over streets will actually do toward capturing him.

I find it very puzzling and distasteful to make a celebrity out of Kony. The campaign has people putting the name of a man who harms children all over city streets. I fail to see how buying merchandise will aid in military operations against the few remaining LRA forces in Uganda’s neighboring countries. If we had put Osama bin-Ladin’s name all over posters and shirts, I highly doubt that U.S. armed forces would have found him earlier. There are better ways I can spend my time on April 20 other than shelling out $30 to make Kony famous.

The cause itself also seems targeted toward the Internet generation, young people with Facebook and frequent YouTube viewers. The video ends with Russell explaining the plan to cover cities on April 20 playing “I Can’t Stop” by Flux Pavilion. Throwing in popular music with a plan to be carried out on 4/20 seems like a definite way to capture the ears of a younger audience. A foothold with the youth may prove helpful in selling kits and bracelets as they may be too naïve to look up how complex global conflicts really are.

Pretentious, smug and self-righteous are words that I think of when it comes to slacktivism. It keeps my faith in humanity alive knowing that there are a lot of people who are against harming children. Nonetheless, it is also important for people to get to know the facts and all angles on an issue. My generation, the Internet generation, has grown up with the World Wide Web and I think it’s time to realize how misleading all forms of media can be. Disease, poverty and war are all things that we can agree are bad. Activism has been a great method of social change and I feel proud to know students who take time out to make an effective difference. Slacktivism can even cover-up or overshadow real activism with issues. What it all really comes down to is that the Internet is a profound media outlet, but we should always remain analytical toward what we see, hear and read.

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Kony video not all bad “Kony 2012 is a film and campaign by Invisible Children that aims to make Joseph Kony famous, not to celebrate him, but to raise support for his arrest and set a precedent for international justice,” says the Invisible Children website. Appearing all over the web at the beginning of March, the video has aquired 17.8 million views on Vimeo and more than 86 million on Youtube.

Invisible Children is a non-profit organization that claims, “We exists to stop the LRA violence and support the war-affected communities in East and Central Africa.”

Invisible Children has three methods for achieving its mission: 1) “Make the world aware of the LRA. This includes making documentary films and touring them around the world so that they are seen for free by millions of people.”

2) “Channel energy from views of IC films into large-scale advocacy campaigns to stop the LRA and protect civilians.”

3) “Operate programs on the ground in LRA-affected areas that focus on protecting communities, supporting LRA victims and post-conflict reconstruction.”

To see the video visit www.Kony2012.com

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By Carver Elliot Lee Asst. Viewpoints Editor While I’m not sure if I agree with selling $30 Kony Action kits, the Kony 2012 video seems to be a viable approach to the issue. It may not be the most effective, but it’s hardly worth the hostility it’s been receiving.

The most commendable thing about the video and Invisible Children, the organization responsible for it, is how IC has handled the reaction. Instead of ignoring the critiques or trying to discredit them, they are welcoming and addressing them on their “Critique” page.

One aspect of the video that has everyone riled up is that it seems to claim that Kony and the LRA are still operating in Uganda. Criticizers are quick to point out that this is not the case. Under the heading of “Is the LRA in Northern Uganda?” on its site IC posts, “No. The LRA left Uganda in 2006 when the Juba Peace Talks began. The KONY 2012 film makes this clear (at 15:01), but perhaps not clear enough.”

This specific moment in the film shows a map with Northern Uganda highlighted and labeled LRA. With the narration saying, “and as the LRA began to move to other countries,” the highlighted area shifts from Uganda to South Sudan and DR of Congo. IC admits to not being as clear as possible, but as stated at the beginning of the video, they were trying to put it in the simplest terms.

Another common argument is that wearing T-shirts and posting giant pictures of Osama bin Laden wouldn’t have helped us find him any sooner, so why would it with Kony?

It’s not that IC expects somebody to see Kony’s face on a shirt then recognize him walking down the streets of New York; it’s about awareness. Everyone knew whom Osama bin Laden was, the government didn’t need to hear us shouting about him to know that finding him was the right thing to do. The Kony 2012 campaign is about making Kony a household name.

Whether or not you agree with the method, you heard about Kony 2012 from someone or something, then you went and watched the video and learned about a man on the International Criminal Council’s most wanted for crimes against humanity list. You are now free to do whatever you think is necessary to bring Kony to a stop; you’re not required to wear his face on your clothes.

Along with wearing T-shirts and hanging posters, critics are calling Kony 2012 and other similar social media campaigns “slacktivism.” They say that liking a Facebook status or wearing a bracelet just encourages kids to feel good about themselves without actually having to do any work.

New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof addressed this issue saying, “It’s true that indignation among Americans won’t by itself stop Kony. Yet I’ve learned over the years that public attention can create an environment in which solutions are more likely.”

Kristof goes on to quote Anthony Lake, former president Clinton’s national security adviser during the 1994 Rwandan genocide, saying that a similar video could have made a difference in the Rwandan and Darfur genocides.

“Shining a light makes a lot of difference,” 1999 Secretary of State Madeleine Albright told Kristof.

The Kony 2012 campaign’s challenge is that it’s a different kind of cause than people are used to, so the campaign is one of the first of it’s kind. It’s not a cause that raising a huge lump sum of money can make a difference for. The Kony kits are not the equivalent of buying a bracelet, a token of your monetary donation to a cause, it’s a product that you are buying to help spread the word.

We can’t all hop on a flight and go track down Kony, but we can urge our own and other governments to get involved in the search. The more people spread the word, the more the world will hear it.

Female characters in movies and television need to step up their game Women from page 9

fight with each other for no reason like on “Bad Girls Club” or “Jersey Shore.”

I will admit, there are characters out there that are paving the way for more multi-dimensional characters in film. Look at the box office today and you’ll see “The Hunger Games,” with its strong female lead Katniss Everdeen. Katniss isn’t like other characters. She’s strong, independent and is anything but the girly-girl type.

However, she’s still able to keep the feminine quality that tomboyish characters tend to be robbed

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of in the media. She may have two guys yearning for her affection, just like Bella Swan, but you can tell that she doesn’t need it to be happy.

On top of that, “The Hunger Games” has broken records at the box office. The film made approximately $166 million in the U.S. alone on its opening weekend, $19.5 million of that coming from the midnight release.

Another strong character about to hit theaters is Princess Merida in Pixar’s “Brave,” the company’s first female protagonist in its 28-year history. She’s not like Disney’s Cinderella or Snow White either.

This fiery Scottish princess loves

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archery and adventure. What she doesn’t want is a husband.

In an already released preview of the film, we see several suitors shooting at targets for Merida’s hand in marriage. While her parents are focused on the men, she sneaks away only to reappear on the shooting range, declaring “I’ll be shooting for my own hand.” She then proceeds to hit all three targets and outshine her suitors.

Professor Daniel Vilmure, a creative writing professor with a background in screenwriting, suggested a final example. “I think a movie that empowers women is ‘Bridesmaids,’” Vilmure said. “It not only

redefines the ‘gross out’ comedy, but explores the life of a young woman looking for a meaningful relationship in a society that seems to discourage meaningful relationships.

I think it’s a penetrating study of a solidary woman looking for connection. Unfortunately, it’s a rarity.”

There does seem to be an improvement in the way women are portrayed on screen, but we still have a long way to go until we see more well-rounded female characters. Hopefully, the introduction of more female power figures behind the scenes will translate into more powerful characters on the screen.

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April 6, 2012

Gas prices:

Friendly Fire:

Gun Laws

Ethan Packey Junior

Gun rights have been debated throughout American history, even within the colonies, but a clear standard was set in the United States Constitution with the Second Amendment.

Originally passed by Congress and ratified by the states, the text of the Amendment states, “A well-regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.” Therefore, the text of the Second Amendment does give a reason for an American’s right to gun ownership: being in a militia. However, the reason it gives for gun ownership, the security of a free state, does not limit that right to militia uses only; it serves as a constitutional defense of gun ownership for self-defense.

Both reasons are in use today. The National Guard is the closest modern incarnation of the state militias. State governors can mobilize the National Guard in cases of emergency to help with rescue operations and providing basic enforcement of the law if civilian mechanisms have failed. The self-defense argument has also come to light recently in two Supreme Court Cases: District of Columbia v. Heller (2008) and McDonald v. Chicago (2010). Heller was the more important case where the Supreme Court affirmed the individual’s right to self-defense in overturning D.C.’s ban on possessing handguns within the home. McDonald v. Chicago simply extended this protection to state law via due process in the Fourteenth Amendment.

First off, I would like to say that the right to own a gun is sacred. Our founding fathers included the right to bear arms in the Constitution for several reasons. While selfdefense is certainly one of them, a more important reason is that a self-armed citizenry is necessary in case of a foreign invasion or the rise of an oppressive regime insidiously planting itself within our halls of government.

That being said, we can’t ignore the fact that firearms are designed for killing purposes, and that humans, while rational, are also capable of making fatal mistakes. While the Founding Fathers were right to include the Second Amendment in the Constitution, times have changed. Individuals now have access to weapons far more lethal than the average 18th century musket.

In my opinion, gun laws should be tailored to the environments guns are used in. Obviously guns are equally valid for self-defense in urban as well as rural areas. But rural areas are not likely to experience violent crimes, and urban areas are not prone to dangerous animal encounters. Gun laws should remain local as long as they don’t ban gun ownership outright, which is where I would disagree with your two legal examples.

Sean Lawlor Senior

Personally, I don’t logically see how there would be less violent crime per capita in rural areas than in urban population centers. And as for your concern about the types of guns available, the Supreme Court addressed that in D.C. v. Heller case (2008) that I mentioned before. They explicitly said that the right to gun ownership is limited to possession for lawful reasons, i.e. self-defense and for sport (hunting). Also, the Supreme Court remanded questions of regulating gun ownership back to the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals after deciding on McDonald v. Chicago (2010) to make a decision on that matter. To this extent, the Supreme Court didn’t hold to an unlimited Second Amendment, and I agree with their decisions on the matter. Should there be gun control laws that license people to have guns and to conceal them on their person? Yes, but the process should only be used to ensure public safety as opposed to what liberal politicians use gun control laws for, as a means of preventing ownership.

The political rhetoric and reality

By Sean Lawlor Staff Writer I’ve never done this before, but for once I think it’s appropriate. I would like to apologize to the Bush administration for believing it was wrong and misinformed.

Why? Well, all you need to do is look across 54th Ave. South at the rising numbers on the 7-Eleven gas station price index.

Not too long ago, shortly before the 2008 election, gas prices hit their highest point in history with a national average of $4.21 a gallon. Being the angst-ridden teenage liberal that I was, the Bush administration was the primary culprit in my mind, and just like the Newt Gingrich and Rick Santorum, I got up on my partisan soap box and projected the blame for rising gas prices on a branch of government that really couldn’t do anything about it.

Now that the same rhetoric is being thrown at the Obama administration, I feel like the Kool Aid guy after someone bursts through his living room wall. From the other side, that’s really annoying.

I realize now that both sides of the partisan divide are guilty of this practice. In an election year, high gas prices serve as an opportunity to accuse the incumbent leadership of irresponsible economic policies. Candidates lead voters to believe that these unbearable gas prices can all go away if you would just vote for them.

On NBC’s Meet the Press, Newt Gingrich pitched his promise for $2.50 a gallon gasoline under his administration. “I think with $2.57-a-gallon gasoline, and with an American energy plan designed to give us independence from the Middle East, no American president will ever again bow to a Saudi king.”

Besides being a common cultural custom practiced by Democrat and Republican presidential candidates alike, the idea that a change in partisan power could bring down the price of gasoline is a Disney-like fantasy According to The Boston Globe, a 36-year analysis by the Associated Press compared inflation-adjusted gasoline prices and U.S. oil production but found no correlation.

GOP politicians consistently accuse the Obama administration’s failure to increase domestic production, such as the political Keystone XL Pipeline stunt, as the cause for rising gas prices.

But increases in domestically produced energy have little to no effect on gas prices because the price of crude oil is a globally set standard.

For example, U.S. oil production began to steadily decline in 1986 and didn’t begin to rise again until the mid-2000s. In March 1986, gas prices dropped below $2 and stayed there until 2004. If gas prices had to do with internal production amounts, which are af-

fected by the government, then gas prices should have drastically risen in the late 80s and 90s as opposed to remaining fairly constant.

Likewise, they should have dropped when production began to increase again in the mid-2000s. But more domestically produced gasoline means more gasoline for the global market, not the U.S. What does cause the price of gasoline to rise? There are several factors: instability in the Middle East, price speculation and just simple supply and demand. We can check off instability in the Middle East with the Arab Spring, economic sanctions on Iran and the threat of Iran closing the Straits of Hormuz to international trade.

When it comes to price speculation, the reason prices dramatically dropped as President Obama came into office was the recession. Now that the economic picture is more positive, it makes sense that prices would rise to reflect the economic reality. Energy purchasers keep an eye on this daily.

As for supply and demand, while Americans have been consuming less over the past few years, that doesn’t mean rising economies such as China and India are cutting back.

China added 10 million cars to the road in 2010.

According to a New York Times article written in 2007, “the International Energy Agency warned that demand for oil imports

by China and India will almost quadruple by 2030 and could create a supply ‘crunch’ as soon as 2015 if oil producers do not step up production, energy efficiency fails to improve and demand from the countries is not dampened.”

If you really want to know what’s causing rising gas prices, don’t look at Obama or Bush, look to the blackened skies of New Delhi, Beijing, Saigon, Mexico City and Cairo.

Ultimately, it’s irrational to blame rising gas prices on one person or one party’s policies. But you can still blame the person in the mirror, the person filling up at the pump, the person willing to pay the outrageous price to drive a car instead of riding a bike or walking to one’s destination.

Real solutions to this crisis require community initiatives like a viable public transit system or high-speed rail. These solutions would increase the incentive to walk or ride a bike, like the Pinellas Trail or Eckerd’s walking campus initiative. Even the yellow bike program serves as a monument for progress.

If you really can’t stand the price of gas, stop yelling at the president, the speculators, China and the Middle East. Pick up your walking shoes, bike or longboard and fight the good fight for energy independence once and for all. That’s a refreshing message that would get my vote.

True, rural areas are still susceptible to violent crimes. But urban areas have a history of gang violence and organized crime, largely because people are likely to get more agitated by being so close together. I’m not saying that a store-owner shouldn’t have the right to have a firearm under the cash register in case of an emergency, but I certainly don’t think individuals should be able to walk around with a concealed automatic weapon in a public urban center. I don’t see it as a violation of someone’s Second Amendment rights by ensuring that children can walk home from school safely. I see that as common sense.

What doesn’t make sense to me is the view of some that a firearm owner should not be accountable for their weapon. For example, Governor Rick Scott signed into law a bill that would prohibit pediatricians from asking the parents about gun ownership. This bars trusted physicians from informing parents on how to secure their firearm to ensure their child’s safety. While the N.R.A. has dubbed this a victory for privacy, I see it as a victory for irrationality. Furthermore, Florida’s Stand Your Ground Law gives shooters the legal benefit of the doubt in an accident where the victim appears to pose a “reasonable threat.” Laws like this downplay the severity of gun ownership and use. Guns may be an American right and privilege, but they are not toys.

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April 6, 2012

ENTERTAINMENT

INSIDE ENTERTAINMENT Matt Squared

Comedy duo “Tim & Eric” takes on the silver screen

By Hayden Johnson Asst. Quickie Editor

revenue $1 billion for its owners. The two decide to restore the mall along with its strange inhabitants, such as Taquito (John C. Reilly), in hopes of paying Schlaaang back.

For most viewers, the comedy in “Tim and Eric’s Billion Dollar Movie” is outlandish and absurd. However, outlandish and absurd is what won over their devout fans in the first place. “Tim and Eric

“Tim and Eric’s Billion Dollar Movie” brings the comedy duo of Tim Heidegger and Eric Wareheim to the big screen with their first feature length film.

The movie starts off with Heidegger and Wareheim owing $1 billion to the Schlaaang Corporation after wasting the money producing an awful film.

The two see an advertisement from Damien Weebs (Will Ferrell) that offers the rundown S’wallow Valley Mall that could

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Starkid Theater Co.

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Events calendar

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Obscure liquer - Kinky

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Sex on the beach

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Awesome Show, Great Job!” has been one of my favorite shows for a while. Even as a fan, I would say that the movie might not appeal to everyone who watches Tim and Eric’s show because of the rough transition from an 11 minute running time to over an hour.

Heidegger and Wareheim’s bizarre comedy gets thinned out while trying to keep the plot together. The short time span of the show allowed the viewer to get hit with abnormal humor in brief comedy skits, but the film scarcely kept aspects from the show. None of the signature characters such as the Beaver Boys, Spagett, Dr. Steve Brule nor Chippy

made an appearance in the film.

There were some redeeming qualities to the movie. The movie itself does keep some disgusting and deadpan humor that Tim and Eric have mastered. One example of this is how Tim casually takes in the son of the used toilet paper store’s owner as his own.

At one point they even break the fourth wall to explain a joke they just made. Other film reviewers will probably slam this as a crude film, but mostly because they have not seen Tim and Eric’s body of work.

I would only recommend “Tim and Eric’s Billion Dollar Movie” to fans of the show.

They may not be entirely pleased, but it’s definitely worth at least one viewing.

“Tim and Eric’s Billion Dollar Movie” is available through online streaming and at select theaters throughout the country.

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Domo Arigato, Mister Rollbotto

“4evaNaDay”

Downtown Sushi restaurant knows how to roll one up

By Kaitlyn Granger Contributing Writer

Big K.R.I.T.’s latest free online mixtape envisions new direction for Hip Hop promotional photo

By Aaron Levy Contributing Writer Meridian, Miss.—based rapper Big K.R.I.T bears no musical resemblance to Tyga, Drake or any of the other hip-hop artists you’ll hear on the radio these days.

With an already established and respected catalog of free releases, he isn’t out there to make a quick buck either. He makes music with a concept, music that has a clear idea behind it. The eyes of the hip-hop world are once again turning to the south.

Take the southern funk of Outkast, mix it with the swagger of Texas’ U.G.K., and you’ll start to have an idea of the sound King Remembered In Time is creating.

A singer, rapper, producer and engineer all in one, K.R.I.T. stands out among his peers. He doesn’t rap about selling drugs, senseless violence or gang activity. He tells his story. His songs, from the jams to the deep cuts, resonate with the story of a country boy from humble beginnings, raised by his grandmother, who yearns to tell us about life from his point of view.

No one in hip-hop is doing what this country-raised MC is doing in the studio.

Following up last year’s criticallyacclaimed free mixtape, Return of 4eva, K.R.I.T. serves up 4eva N A Day, also with no price-tag, as an appetizer for his first major, widely distributed release expected to drop in stores later this

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year, tentatively titled Live From The Underground.

Fully experiencing a K.R.I.T. project like 4eva N A Day means taking time out of your day to run it top to bottom.

Throw it on the iPod and listen to it over breakfast in the morning, or, to truly do it justice and listen to it as he intended, throw some gas in the car and just cruise to it.

The project documents a day in the life of the K.R.I.T. from the inside out. “Yesterday,” the third track on the mixtape, is an honest and emotional ode to his late grandmother, a frequent subject of K.R.I.T. tracks. Listen to this and remember mornings sitting at Grandma’s kitchen table eating breakfast.

The personification of country, K.R.I.T.’s romantic, warm delivery invites all to enjoy his music.

A few tracks later is “Me And My Old School,” a track built for cruising to. Paying homage to the southern rap legends he grew up listening to, this is a song about driving candy-painted, bass bumping Chevys and Cadillacs. Many rappers talk about driving around and being seen, but K.R.I.T. does it justice.

This is about as superficial as his music gets, but anyone fond of driving and jamming can relate.

A little further down the album is the standout “Red Eye.” Opening with a recorded voice mail from an unsatisfied lover tired of doing everything to

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maintain their relationship, K.R.I.T. jumps in voicing his side of the story.

Balancing music with relationships is extremely difficult, even - and especially when - making the music so therapeutic and personal to K.R.I.T. I keep coming back to this one, and I’m sure anyone whohas ever had a relationship deteriorate before their eyes will too.

It is here, about halfway through the album, where you’ll start to see his huge potential for crossover appeal. Look at Jay-Z, who made it to the big time with his ability to switch flows up between hard gangster and pop anthems, just as Big Boi and Andre 3000 were able to make Outkast a household name by making soul albums with pop-rap appeal.

K.R.I.T. is similarly blazing his own trail.

“Temptation” is a candid, dreamy track ready for those midnight cruises around town during the warm nights of summer.

An honest look at female temptation in the context of a mind-clearing trip to the strip club, K.R.I.T. does his thing over one of the highlight beats of the mixtape.

The following track, “Handwriting” is hands down one of the lyrical highlights of K.R.I.T”s entire musical catalog. Just listen to this song.

Rounding out the album is the third to last track, “Insomnia.” For me, this is the best song on the project. K.R.I.T.’s talent for composing melody and beats perfectly suited for his accent-heavy See K.R.I.T., page 16

If you have a craving for sushi and $10 to spare, Rollbotto Sushi restaurant in downtown St. Pete is a good place to get a quick sushi fix. Rollbotto is like the Burrito Boarder of sushi, assembly line ordering and all.

My first impressions of Rollbotto were great. There is plenty of open seating with some couches in the back, making this place a great spot to eat when you’re in a hurry or just don’t like waiting for tables. The mod decor and music in Rollbotto create an upbeat and fun environment. I ordered my food while listening to The Killers’ “All These Things That I’ve Done.” Need I say more?

The process of ordering is quite simple. While in line, you have time to look over the menu posted on the wall.

They make it easy to decide what you want in your roll by splitting the menus and choices of ingredients into sections.

First you choose the “wrapping,” which is a 10—piece seaweed roll with white or brown rice. There is even a salad bowl option. Next, you choose your meat(s), vegetable(s) and “texture(s)” (i.e. cream cheese, sesame, tempura). Once your creation is all rolled up, you See Rollbotto, page 14

Photo courtesy of Kaitlyn Granger Current writer Kaitlyn Granger enjoys her meal at Rollbotto.

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Construct your own sushi at local resturant downtown From Rollbotto, page 13

photos courtesy of Kaitlyn Granger

have a great list of sauces to choose from.

They also have a list of basic specialty rolls if trying to choose your own ingredients is too overwhelming.

They also have a selection of sides like miso soup and salads. For those who are of legal drinking age, there is an abundance of sake and other beers on their menu.

For me, the process of watching my sushi get made was entertaining and fun. Once finished, I was excited to sit down and dig into my recipe of spicy tuna roll with cucumber, avocado, cream cheese, and spicy aioli sauce.

But after my initial excitement over the decor and music, I was a bit disappointed with my sushi. To be fair, I should mention that I am a huge sushi fan, possibly making me a bit of a “sushi-snob.” The seaweed was oddly chewy, but that wasn’t enough to keep me from scarfing down the whole roll by any means. My friend really enjoyed his roll, so it definitely boils down to how picky you are about your sushi.

Overall, I was impressed with the environment and had a fun time. The roll and miso soup I ordered ended up being a little bit over ten dollars.

Leaving full and satisfied with a dinner that cheap puts Rollbotto Sushi on my list of go-to restaurants when I want to eat of campus and am tight on cash.

Local band featuring Eckerd students “Matt Squared” performs at Chattaway’s

By Ian Lindsay Asst. Entertainment Editor

for the dinner crowds on select nights. March 15 was Matt and Matt’s second time playing Chattaways.

“I give them each twenty bucks plus their tips, and Matt and Matt, a band consisting of two musically they can eat and drink for free,” says Kito.

However, the Matts both commented that they’re inclined sophomores who began playing open mic nights at Triton’s Pub, have started professionally not playing music for the money. “We just do it for fun,” says Austin. And they do have fun. “This one playing gigs off campus.

The duo, Matt Flynn and Matt Austin, played time at Café Bohemia we had a local blues musician their sixth gig on March 15 from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. come off the street and come play with us because at the local burger joint Chattaways at 358 22nd Ave he heard us playing blues. His name was Lemon,” S. The Matts, who share a major and love for music says a chuckling Austin.

“It feels awesome,” says Flynn, who relates his as well as a name, also go by the stage name Matt Squared, with the squared symbol appearing after jamming to telling a story. “Music is a language for us pretty much. The way I see it, words can describe their name.

“We’re a fusion of a lot of genres,” says Austin. anything. If you use music, you can describe things, Flynn handles lead vocals and strums his Scheter but in a different way. You can express emotions Corsair guitar while Austin jams on his Fender more. There are all kinds of emotions people Stratocaster to create a sound the two call jazz funk associate with different sounds both rhythmically fusion. Being a jam band, the two rely on their on- and melodically putting them together in something like a sentence.” stage chemistry From the start, for improvisation, these two students which keeps their seemed destined to songs from all perform great music sounding the same. together.

“We’re They list bands both named Matt like Phish, The and we both play Grateful Dead, guitar,” says Flynn.

Perpetual Groove “We pretty much and the Flecktones started jamming as inspiration. together the first day The show at of freshman year and Chattaways was we roomed together a causal affair. so it just seemed The band played natural.” outside on a small, Even though the elevated stage Matts both clearly that had been love music, they decorated with photo by Ian Lindsay both have a practical red Christmas tree Matt Squared performs at Chattaway’s. view toward it as lights. A Koi pond marine biology majors. and Banyan trees surround Chattaways’ outside eating area, creating “I see myself pursuing my musical passions for the a relaxing ambience and a great place for Matt and rest of my life,” says Austin. “As far as that will take Matt to jam their covers of famous Bob Marley me is out of my hands.”

Flynn shares that sentiment. “In the future, to tunes like “No Woman No Cry.” “We have people groovin’ and havin’ a good time,” survive, [it’s] marine biology, but nothing really can says Chattaways Bar and music manager Greg Kitto compare to music.”

Matt and Matt will be playing their seventh off “The vibe is nice.”

Kitto, who has worked at Chattways for 25 years, campus gig at 6:30 p.m. on April 23 at Johnny Reno’s recently hired the Matts to provide entertainment in the Pier downtown.

Chicago-based theater company gaining popularity online, across the nation

By Hailey Escobar Staff Writer In 2009, “A Very Potter Musical” popped up on YouTube as a way for a couple of college kids to share their work with family and friends who couldn’t attend the performance.

This sparked the interest of Harry Potter fans throughout the world and became an Internet phenomenon in its own right.

Since then, the University of Michigan native theater company Team Starkid has produced three more original musicals, including “A Very Potter Sequel.” You’ll hear their dedicated fan base say phrases such as “Totally Awesome” or “Supermegafoxyawesomehot.” Fans also carry around Red Vines and wear blue sweatbands.

A few of their founders have even shot up to fame, most notably Darren Criss, who went from writing the musicals’ score to staring on the hit television show Glee.

In November, the group delighted fans across the U.S. by organizing a last-minute concert tour across the country called the SPACE Tour, accompanied with their songstress friend Charlene Kaye. The tour was made up of some of their most popular members: Joey Richter, Joe Walker, Lauren Lopez, Jaime Lyn Beatty, and Dylan Saunders.

The soundtrack for the tour was

promotional photo

released on iTunes, quickly making its way up to the top ten albums list.

In February, the theater company made fans even happier by announcing the upcoming opening of a new musical, “Holy Musical B@man.” Obviously inspired by the popular superhero series, “Holy Musical B@man” had only four live performances in the theater group’s current home-base in Chicago, but will be posted online on April 12.

The group and theater-goers have remained rather quiet about any specific details about the show, other than it being written by Matt and Nick Lang (the minds behind most of their shows) with music by Nick Gage and Scott Lamps. The cast boasts a mix of Starkid veterans and new comers.

Whether you are a Harry Potter fan, a Batman lover or a member of Starkid’s large following, this is one theater troupe that people should keep an eye on. With such amazing talent coming out of this team, there is no telling what’s going to come from them next. Check out Holy Musical B@man along with the troupe’s other shows on YouTube.

WINNER A C A D E M Y

A W A R D S

®

BEST PICTURE

©A.M.P.A.S.®

BEST DIRECTOR BEST ACTOR BEST COSTUME DESIGN BEST ORIGINAL SCORE MICHEL HAZANAVICIUS

JEAN DUJARDIN

MARK BRIDGES

LUDOVIC BOURCE

Artist A DISTURBING IMAGE AND A CRUDE GESTURE

NOW PLAYING AT THEATRES EVERYWHERE Check Local Listings for Theaters and Show Times.

Visit us online at www.theonlinecurrent.com

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the current

April 6, 2012

Friday

Saturday

Sunday

6

7

8

Events Monday

Tuesday

9

10 6 p.m.

Your Food, Your Cafe, Your Eckerd Main Cafe Patio

First Friday 4 p.m.

End of Eckerd Easter Egg Hunt

13 7 p.m.

Chico and Rita Miller Aud.

14

15

2 p.m. - CPS Dark Story or Stories for Boys Bininger Theater

2 p.m. - CPS Dark Story or Stories for Boys Bininger Theater

April 6-19

Wednesday

Thursday

11

12

5 p.m. - CPS Etiquette Dinner Triton Room 8 p.m. - CPS Dark Story or Stories for Boys Bininger Theater

18

17

16

7 p.m. - CPS Why Feminism Matters Fox Hall

11 a.m. - CPS Career Fair Fox Hall 12 p.m. - CPS Earth Fest Hough Quad

8 p.m. - CPS Dark Story or Stories for Boys Bininger Theater

Entertainment 15

5:30 p.m.

John Blair Poetry Reading Triton Room 8 p.m. - CPS Dark Story or Stories for Boys Bininger Theater

19 7 p.m.

Christian Identity in a Multi-Faith World Fox Hall

7:30 p.m. - CPS Know Your Rights Miller Aud.

To advertise your event with The Current, contact Current Entertainment at currententertainment@eckerd.edu

The St. Pete Sampler: Lunch Break on 34th St.

Obscure Liqueur: Kinky

In this issue’s St. Pete Sampler, we’re taking you out for lunch. Here you’ll find some of the best luncheon spots closest to Eckerd College, right on 34th Street South. Whether you have ten minutes or an hour, The Current has the spot for you!

By Emily Cohen Staff Writer

o

Kinky Lemon-Lime 2.5 oz.Kinky 2.5 oz. lemon-lime soda (such as Sprite) Mix and serve over ice

hot

al p

tion

Recipes:

mo

Note: All of the ingredients in the following recipes except Kinky Liqueur can be found at Triton’s Pub.

Price $-$$$$ ($ = <$5.00 per meal $$$$ = $20.00+ per meal) Food Quality (1-5 stars)

pro

Are you looking for a great new drink for a girls’ night? Look no further than Kinky Liqueur.

The bright pink bottle just screams girl’s night. This vodka is five times distilled and infused with mango, passion fruit and blood orange liqueur, giving it a very sweet and slightly tangy flavor with 17 percent alcohol.

“It had a bit of a kick to it,” said Senior Christine Twete. “I was surprised at how strong the flavor was.”

Kinky is just as flavorful chilled and drank straight as it when used in a mixed drink. One of the cocktails that was met with enthusiasm was Kinky Lemon-lime.

This mixed drink is very simple, but tastes sweet and bubbly.

Kinky may not become something that you drink every weekend, but it is great for those special occasions when you need something extra fun or extra kinky!

Kinky sunrise 2 oz. Kinky 4 oz. Orange Juice Mix together and garnish with a strawberry (optional)

Bartending on a budget

By Christine Twete Staff Writer

Cocktails are delicious, but multiple drinks in a night start to add up. Here are a few drinks you can indulge in without worrying about calorie counts. As always, everything but the liquor can be bought at Triton’s Pub. Go-Go Vodka 3 oz. Vitamin Water Zero, GoGo flavor (mixed berry) 1 oz. vodka (most fruit flavored vodkas work in this recipe) Mix with ice and put it in a cup.

Calories: ~75 (this can vary based on the alcohol content in the vodka)

Mimosa 2 oz. sparkling wine 2 oz. orange juice Pour in cup and serve.

Calories: 75 Vodka Sprite courtesy of wikimedia 3 oz. diet sprite 1 oz. vodka Mix with ice, pour, and enjoy.

Calories: ~75 (this depends on alcohol content in the vodka) If you have found a unique drink combination at the pub that you love, let The Current know by emailing currententertainment@eckerd.edu with your recipe.

courtesy of wikimedia

Note: The beverages and reecipes on this page are intended for consumption only by individuals who are 21 or older. The Current does not promote underage drinking. When combining alcoholic beverages with caffeinated beverages, it is important to be aware of the potential side-effects and limit your consumption accordingly. Drink responsibly, our friends.

Visit us online at www.theonlinecurrent.com

A.Skyway Jacks 2795 34th St S 5 stars 8 mins from campus $$ Daily 5am-3pm No Alcohol B. Beef O’ Bradys 4775 34th St S 3 ½ stars 7 mins from campus $$ Mon-Sat 11:00 am11:00 pm Sun 11:00 am- 10:00 pm Beer and Wine Only C. Brewburgers 4195 34th Street S 3 Stars 7 mins from campus $$ Daily 11:00 am-12:00 pm or later Beer and Wine Only D. China Wok 5055 34th St S 4 stars 6 mins from campus $ MonThur-Sun 11:00am-10:00pm FriSat 11:00am11:00pm No Alchohol courtesy of google maps

16 Entertainment

the current

April 6, 2012

Big K.R.I.T.’s latest release tears down the house with original lyrics, beats From K.R.I.T, page 13

voice takes center stage on the song’s chorus: “It’s getting late but I’m not gonna creep, been a while since I heard you speak, hard to rest when I’ve been on this road, all I want is you next to me...You help me sleep...you help me sleep...you help me sleep...you help me sleep.”

K.R.I.T. repeats this several times, notably declaring, “I talk about p---y a lot and getting money when I get unfocused...”

Another universally relatable track, “Insomnia” brings someone different to mind for everyone who listens to it. Featuring a beautiful, hypnotic guitar backbone

by Mike Hartnett, this track is nothing short of magical.

He absolutely, 100 percentcertified slaughtered this track.

As you can probably tell, I think Big K.R.I.T. is a genius, and I don’t think you have to be from the South to understand that this guy is doing something really cool and meaningful with music. He’s bringing an element of musicianship and lyricism to a genre that desperately, desperately needs it. He is everything that is great about hip-hop and everything that hiphop needs all at once.

For all the project’s strengths, it has its weaknesses

too. In fact, when it comes to the album’s musical arranging and producing, the weaknesses are debatably also the strengths. K.R.I.T. undeniably has a style all his own when it comes to designing beats and melodies, but seeing as he produced the entire mixtape track for track, there isn’t much variation in production. All of the up-tempo tracks have really similar beats, and all rely heavily on hip-hop’s staple 808 drum sample. It’s a minor complaint, but getting a little more experimental with beats would’ve served him well.

Easily album-worthy material, this latest effort will probably be the best free download of the year. It’s honestly a crime that material like this will put no money in K.R.I.T.’s pockets.

The beauty of his projects lies in their incredible cohesiveness.

Each track compliements the others. As multi-dimensional as they come, Big K.R.I.T. is inventing a sound all his own, and we all get to witness him start from the bottom, just as artists like Kanye, A Tribe Called Quest and Outkast all once had to do themselves. Don’t sleep on this dude. He’s a force to be reckoned with.

Anyone interested should also check out Big K.R.I.T.’s first two releases, Krit Wuz Here and Return of 4eva.

A Call to the Artists of Eckerd College: We want your works! Do you have a picture of life on campus, an interesting take on the palm trees of south beach, a painting for class that you’re especially proud of, or a unique view of the buildings ? What about photos from a recent trip to an Aquariam or Botanical gardens? Send them to us at currententertainment@eckerd.edu along with your name and class rank to see if your photo makes it into our next issue! We will be open for submissions until April 25.

The Current is also actively seeking photographers and graphic designers who’d like to join our award-winning staff. Meetings are above the Cobb gallery every Monday at 7 p.m. Pizza will be served.

Illustration by Cait Duffy

“An honest look at female temptation in the context of a mind-clearing trip to the strip club, K.R.I.T. does his thing over one of the highlight beats of the mixtape.”

Viral Video Update

“Barack Obama Singing Sexy and I Know It by LMFAO [Official]” Uploaded by barackdubs on Mar. 26 Views as of April 1: 5,475,254

“Will The Real Mitt Romney Please Stand Up (feat. Eminem)” Uploaded by hmatkin on Mar. 19 Views as April 1: 2,927,522

courtesy of youtube.com

courtesy of youtube.com

By Lance Focker Contributing Writer He motioned for me to join him on his bed that hot March afternoon. The rays of sunshine crept through the window-blinds.

I edged closer to him and his eyes scrutinized my every movement.

Let’s call him V, for anonymity’s sake.

Back then, my infantile curiosity was marred by a fear of perversion, a belief that a slow, tactful approach would result in affection.

We ended up in nothing but our underwear kissing each other.

V was a former fling of mine, in my earlier days of high-winded homosexual courtship. After that dangerous liaison, we never spoke again.

College romances usually end up like mine. Fleeting passions have only the strength to endure a night of love-making. Often these passions die out in favor of academia, career-related pursuits or simple dissatisfaction, which begs the question: should we even be thinking about love at an age like this?

When you consider the disproportionate ratio of heterosexual to homosexual individuals, without even touching upon fluid interpretations of sexuality today, love can be rather disappointing.

In a University of Texas study done in 2007 called “Of Sex and Romance,” data showed that by age 18, two-thirds of boys and over three-fourths of girls have been in a romantic relationship that lasted at least 18 months. The results of this study indicated that heterosexual relationships are common, but same-gender relationships are rare.

Only 2 percent of boys and fewer than 4 percent of girls who had a romantic relationship reported that it was with someone of the same gender.

What does this mean? Firstly, teens do find our interest in love increasing as we grow older.

Secondly, crippling problems arise for teens with varying sexualities who wish to find love just like their peers.

Many young LGBT teens, like me, seek help in finding romance.

An unlikely starting point is technological applications for iPhones and other mobile devices.

One of these applications is Grindr.

A location-based application to help find other guys almost sounds like a dream that is “[u]nlike other dating or social network sites,

Grindr is meant to be mobile. And it uses GPS technology to instantly locate guys in your area,” as described on the main site.

Someone will say “that’s creepy” but creepy sure has a way of working. Grindr is registered in 92 countries and averaging 45,000 users per second. On top of that, CEO Joel Simkhai stated June 10, 2011 that the application had hit 2-million users.

Simkhai also introduces, Blendr which strays away from Grindr in that it includes women as well and is meant for ‘social purposes’ rather than for dating. It keeps the winning GPS formula.

The problem I always encountered is that the guys on these applications were there predominately for sex or hookingup. A term that has evolved rapidly throughout recent history, hooking-up denotes some sort of ephemeral, physical-based connection. But after falling for those tricks a couple times, I realized that it was not really how you found love.

Yet my peers seem to prefer hooking up. People are satisfied with the emotional feeling they get during an intimate session.

Many would say “Well, duh!” Our age is seeing a lot more people with rising demands. The twentysomethings of yesteryear are not getting married until at least they are thirty-somethings, so there is no need to find love in an early age.

Despite going out and being social, I, along with teens across the United States, are disappointed with how hooking up becomes the preferred alternative to real attachment.

A Howard University student in an Institute of American Values Report on going to a college party stated “To be honest [when] everybody is coming in they just hook up like ‘oh my God.’” Even when hooking up is commonly understood to be sexual, there are still feelings underneath.

The same report stated that for two days after a hook up, 27 percent felt, to a degree, “empty” and “exploited” by the hook up, in hopes that it would turn into something more.

So should we give up and just wait until we are older? Probably not. While the odds seem to be quickly turning against us, love itself is complex and can rush into our lives at any moment. So this editorialist would like to say that no matter how hard you look, be sure to never give up.

Visit us online at www.theonlinecurrent.com

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the current

April 6, 2012

CThe quickie

crossword by Will Skinner

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Visit us online at www.theonlinecurrent.com

The Quickie 17

There’s always enough time for a quickie DOWN 1 NCAA football playoff alternative 2 Circle part 3 Thrift store option 4 Twist 5 Combine 6 Sailboat feature 7 2005 Grand Prix of St. Petersburg winner and posthumous honoree this ACROSS year 1 Captures 8 Eckerd’s representative in the US 5 Rolls-Royce parent company Senate 8 Captures 9 Famous cookie 12 Photoshop task 10 Eckerd’s “Young” representative in 13 Fah, soh, ___ the US House 14 Radiate 11 Canine command 15 Director of “Hugo” 16 One of Earth’s foci 17 1970 hit by the Kinks 19 The Emerald Isle, in its native 18 Without fear tongue 20 Universal remote button 22 Ozzy’s Black Sabbath replace20 Bold ment Ronnie James 21 Stone or Thomspon 23 Infamous Ugandan dictator Idi 24 Prof. at the heart of a tenure 24 Eckerd’s representative in city dispute council, an alumnus 25 And the rest 28 Shirt size 26 Glare 29 Anatomical prerequisite for 27 Permits courage 29 Droppings 31 Driving spot 30 Loudest critics of filmic novel 32 Eight tablespoons adaptations 34 Law and Order: SVU actor 33 Eckerd’s representative in the 35 Rowing need mayor’s office 36 Astaire’s partner 34 Set off 38 What you could be to 24-across, 36 Eckerd’s representative in the US 8-down, 10-down, 33-across, and Senate 36-down 37 Poetic contraction 42 Entity 38 Swear 43 AA aim 39 “I’ll take care of the situation.”

46 Wave type 40 Atmospheric phenomenon which 47 Legend of Zelda force? can lead to a busier hurricane season 48 Walked 41 Unable to make a decision 49 Asterisk 44 Toddler 50 Snoopy ___-cone 45 1 mi. = 1760 ___ 51 Consumes

18 The Quickie

the current

April 6, 2012

Hang ten at Lenny’s Surf Shop

By Carver Elliot Lee Asst. Viewpoints Editor Lenny’s Surf Shop has everything a surfer needs to catch a wave.

In their laid-back local shop on St. Pete Beach, customers can find an array of outdoor adventure supplies, from bike supplies to bikinis. With bikes and surfboards hanging from the ceiling and even more lining the walls, Lenny’s shop makes you want to buy everything in sight and spend the rest of your life outside.

The selection of longboards and skateboards is one of the best in town and they have all the accessories and parts you need to go from a beginner to longboarding around campus like a pro.

After relying on Lenny’s for all your adventure gear while at Eckerd, you can also rely on them when it’s time to graduate.

Whether you want to sell, trade or keep your gear, Lenny’s can always help.

Lenny’s Surf Shop is located at 7517 Blind Pass Road on St. Pete Beach running from 10-6, Monday through Saturday and 11-4 on Sunday.

photo by Carver Elliot Lee

photo by Carver Elliot Lee

Semester by the Sea at Stony Brook Southampton Two unique undergraduate residential programs for Fall 2012

THE ARTS

THE OCEAN Immerse yourself in marine studies as you explore Long Island’s bays, estuaries, salt marshes, beaches and open ocean in this full-semester program at one of the nation’s premier oceanographic institutes.

Free your muse this fall in our “study abroad” college arts program right in the heart of the Hamptons. Got a great idea for a play? Itching to make a movie?

Offered by Stony Brook’s School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences, it ranks sixth among U.S. graduate programs in marine and atmospheric sciences by the National Research Council.

In 10 weeks you will write, stage and perform a play or write, shoot and edit a film — all while earning 15 college credits. You will work closely with top-notch creative writing, theater and film faculty of Southampton Arts.

HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE

GREAT GEAR, GREAT CAMPUS

You will work side by side with Stony Brook University’s worldrenowned faculty on our research vessels and in our waterfront lab facilities, and you can earn up to 15 credits.

Filmmakers, you will be trained with state-of-the-art equipment.

Playwrights, you will stage your work in the 400-seat Avram Theater. Throughout your 10 weeks you will work in small groups, with plenty of personal attention.

WALK TO THE ATLANTIC OCEAN Take advantage of the unique campus location on the shores of Shinnecock Bay for direct access to the Atlantic Ocean and nearby marine and coastal habitats.

GREAT LOCATION

Program runs August 27 to December 14

Program runs September 11 to November 18

The cultural legacy of the Hamptons is rich with noted playwrights and filmmakers, from Tennessee Williams to Steven Spielberg.

Registration begins April 9, 2012 To register or for more information visit www.stonybrook.edu/sea

Stony Brook University/SUNY is an affirmative action, equal opportunity educator and employer. 12031253

Visit us online at www.theonlinecurrent.com

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the current

April 6, 2012

CHEALTH & FITNESS

Health & Fitness 19

Workout Playlist

Counting calories at the Triton Pub

By Kelly Coston Asst. H&F Editor

Have you ever wondered how many calories you consume in just one trip to the Pub? Here is a breakdown of the calorie count for some of the most popular items ordered at your very own Triton Pub.

From the iPod of Mike Geibel

From the Grill: Chicken Fritters (per 2 pieces)

300 calories

Chicken pita (no cheese)

470 calories

1.“Breathe in, Breathe Out” by Ali 2.“Thunderstruck” by AC/DC 3.“B.O.B.” by Outkast 4.“Ashes in the Fall” by Rage Against the Machine 5.“No Mo Play in GA” by Pastor Troy 6.“Millionaire” by Queens of the Stone Age 7.“I Against I” by Mos Def & Massive Attack 8.“Judith” by A Perfect Circle 9.“Who Run It” by Three 6 Mafia

Grilled chicken on bun 480 calories (no cheese) Side of fries

300 calories

Side of chips

320 calories

Philly steak (meat)

280 calories

Philly Chicken (meat)

140 calories

Sandwich Station: Ham (3 oz)

100 calories

Turkey (2 oz)

100 calories

Spinach wrap

310 calories

Tomato wrap

310 calories

Garlic wrap

310 calories

Breakfast: Croissant

340 calories

Sausage

220 calories

Bacon

311 calories

Cheese: Bread: White (per slice)

60 calories

Whole wheat (per slice)

50 calories

Honey wheat (per slice)

70 calories

Multi-grain (per slice)

70 calories

American (2 slices)

110 calories

Cheddar (2 slices)

226 calories

Provolone (2 slices)

295 calories

Swiss (2 slices)

213 calories

Pepperjack (1 oz)

90 calories

On a liquid diet?

By Kelly Coston Asst. H&F Editor In honor of alcohol awareness month, here is a calorie guide.

Calories per 12 oz. bottle: Shocktop Heiniken Coors Corona Guiness Budweiser Miller Bud light platinum Bud light Bud select Michelob Ultra

168 150 149 148 146 145 143 137 110 99 95

Average cheeseburger Average hotdog Average slice of pizza Milk choc. Hershey’s bar Coca-Cola (12 oz.)

Sprite (12 oz.)

450 300 290 210 150 140

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10.“Warrior” by Disturbed

Photos by Alex Zielinski

Meals from the Pub.

Triton Trot: another successful year

By Allie Sartori Contributing Writer A symphony of beeping stopwatches followed by the sound of a gun signaled the start of this year’s second annual Triton Trot.

The event, which took place April 1, was hosted by the Eckerd College Athletic Department and sponsored

by George Canizares, of General Orthopedic Surgery and Sports Medicine and Saint Pete MRI. It included a 1 mile fun run for kids followed by a 5K. Proceeds from the race benefit Eckerd College’s student athletes and are put towards athletic scholarships and other athletic improvements such as equipment and uniforms.

The race is a growing success with roughly 160 participants (up from the 100 of last year) who ran, trotted, or

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promotional photos, courtesy of wikimedia commons

Visit us online at www.theonlinecurrent.com

walked their way to the finish line after following the weaving course around Eckerd’s campus.

The course did not disappoint, as Eckerd College Freshman Kira Tangney, who runs a number of community races every year, says, “The Triton Trot had a great loop and the finish line in between the row of trees was the best I’ve seen.”

Eckerd’s student athletes were not underrepresented as they studded the course and offered cheers of encouragement to runners passing by. The race did not lack in community spirit.

Participants included Eckerd students and alumni and runners from the local community.

The post-race party took place un-

der the GO-pavilion where runners and spectators enjoyed music while replenishing with complementary hot dogs, hamburgers and, of course, beer.

Awards were presented to the top three overall and age group finishers.

Travis Irwin, race founder and director, hopes to see a bigger turn out every year and based on the success of this year’s race, he will.

Official race results will be posted on coolrunning.com. Look for the announcement and registration opportunity for next year’s race at eckerdtritons.com.

April: Alcohol Awareness Month Press Release

Tampa, FL - Drinking too much alcohol can lead to many serious health problems, including alcohol poisoning and increased risk of heart disease. But did you know that drinking alcohol in excess increases your risk for cancer? If you didn’t, you aren’t the only one. Many people are unaware of this fact.

During Alcohol Awareness Month, Tampa Bay Radiation Oncology encourages Bay Area residents to educate themselves about the dangers of alcohol and its risk for cancer.

“Being aware that alcohol does increase the risk of cancer is so important for people to know,” says John M. Koval M.D., “We can utilize preventative measures to help avoid cancers, including controlling our alcohol consumption.”

In recent years, alcohol has been associated with an increased risk of a number of cancers. Studies published by the International Journal of Cancer have shown that 3.6 percent of all cancer cases and 3.5 percent of cancer deaths worldwide are attributable to consumption of alcohol. In women, breast cancer has been linked to alcohol consumption, according to the National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.

Alcohol intake that is attributed to other

types of cancers are: mouth, esophagus, pharynx and larynx, colon, liver, stomach, and ovarian cancer.

“Most people don’t realize how a few extra glasses of wine at dinner can increase your risk for cancer,” says John M. Koval M.D., “We need to educate the public so they can act and practice prevention.”

The American Cancer Society recommends people who drink alcohol limit their intake to no more than two drinks per day for men and one drink a day for women. While limiting drinks is something we can all do, also keep in mind serving and portion size.

Here is a helpful guide to go by when consuming various alcoholic beverages: Below are the recommended servings: Beer: 12 ounces of beer or 1 bottle/can of beer Wine: 5 ounces of wine or just under a 1/2 cup 80 proof liquor: 1.5 ounces of liquor or 1 1/2 shots Jennifer Vickery National Strategies Public Relations For more information please visit: www.tbropa.com or call (866) 652-0333.

20 Health & Fitness

the current

April 6, 2012

9 Most Dangerous

Get off the couch and into summer shape

Health Foods

By Mike Geibel Asst. Web Editor The summer beach season is slowly creeping into the minds of students eager to shed those excess winter pounds. One of the best ways to get in shape and drop a few sizes is to start a fitness program that involves regular jogging. Several websites including coolrunning.com advocate “Couch to 5k” programs, designed to take anyone interested in working out and work their way from no regular exercise program up to a 5K race within 9 weeks. Running builds cardiovascular endurance, burns calories and can help tone the body. The program, designed to push beginners into more physical activity, may not be as difficult as you think.

Each workout should be done three times per week and preceded by a brisk warmup walk. Participants should not feel pressured to move on to the next week if they do not feel ready. Weeks can be repeated or skipped as necessary to achieve the best results for each individual runner. Below is an example of the program listed on coolrunning.com,

visit the website for the complete workout list.

Week 1: Alternate 60 seconds of jogging and 90 seconds of walking for a total of 20 minutes Week 2: Alternate 90 seconds of jogging and two minutes of walking for a total of 20 minutes.

Week 3: Do two repetitions of the following: •Jog 200 yards (or 90 seconds) •Walk 200 yards (or 90 seconds) •Jog 400 yards (or 3 minutes) •Walk 400 yards (or three minutes) Week 4: Jog 1/4 mile (or 3 minutes) •Walk 1/8 mile (or 90 seconds) •Jog 1/2 mile (or 5 minutes) •Walk 1/4 mile (or 2-1/2 minutes) •Jog 1/4 mile (or 3 minutes) •Walk 1/8 mile (or 90 seconds) •Jog 1/2 mile (or 5 minutes) Week 5: Jog 1/2 mile (or 5 minutes) •Walk 1/4 mile (or 3 minutes) •Jog 1/2 mile (or 5 minutes) •Walk 1/4 mile (or 3 minutes) •Jog 1/2 mile (or 5 minutes) Week 6: Jog 1/2 mile (or 5 minutes) •Walk 1/4 mile (or 3 minutes) •Jog 3/4 mile (or 8 minutes) •Walk 1/4 mile (or 3 minutes) •Jog 1/2 mile (or 5 minutes) Week 7: Jog 2.5 miles (or 25 minutes) Week 8: Jog 2.75 miles (or 28 minutes) Week 9: Jog 3 miles (or 30 minutes)

Protein Bars

Club members with Planned Parenthood President Cecile Richards.

courtesy of Eckerd VOX club

Student voices for Planned Parenthood

By Rachel Beck Staff Writer Student Voices for Planned Parenthood (also known as VOX), has burst onto the club scene as an advocacy group in support of the mission of Planned Parenthood. Founded in September of 2011 by Senior Ashley HansBarrientos, the group raises awareness about sexual health and reproductive rights.

“What we want to do is raise awareness about reproductive rights and the larger reproductive justice movement,” said Co-president Hans-Barrientos. “This means that in addition to fun campus events, we also do petitions and talk about legislation that is being introduced that might infringe on our reproductive rights.”

The club also recognizes the stigma around the organization, especially in light of recent controversies.

“One of our definite missions is to remove the stigma that people have about Planned Parenthood,” Alie Pickard stated.

The club members come from all different backgrounds and were drawn to the club’s mission for different reasons.

“I’m a registered Republican and I wanted to show that you can be a Republican and support Planned Parenthood,” said Freshman and club member Elyse Warren.

The club’s members have gone through “sexpert” training with Planned Parenthood, enabling them to act as advocates for the organization. Through their training, they learned about birth control, STDs and the history of Planned Parenthood, in addition to other topics.

The club has participated in on-campus events such as Breasts and Bagels. At the end of first semester, they also raised awareness about the need for contraception services at Eckerd through a video inspired by Wesleyan University called “I Have Sex @ Eckerd College.”

One of SVPP’s biggest challenges came through their campaign against the Personhood Amendment that originated in Mississippi last year. According to the Huffington Post, this amendment would have created a

challenge to abortion rights by stating that life begins at fertilization, ultimately banning contraception such as birth control pills.

To stop the passage of this law, SVPP raised money through a bake sale to send to Planned Parenthood as well as phone banking to spread awareness about the amendment. “To prevent that amendment, we raised $300, almost.” said Hans-Barrientos. Planned Parenthood’s goal was realized when voters rejected the law.

SVPP’s work hasn’t gone unnoticed. The club members were recognized at the Annual Planned Parenthood dinner as exceptional volunteers, where the president of the organization recognized them. The club also received the Planned Parenthood College Chapter Volunteer Excellence Award.

A controversy arose in February over the attempt by the breast-cancer awareness organization, the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation, to try and defund Planned Parenthood. This created a public outcry against the loss of much-needed funds for services such as cancer screenings. “A lot of people donated (to Planned Parenthood) in response to it”, said Hans-Barrientos.

In response to the pressure from the public, Komen promised to continue funding Planned Parenthood. Despite the near loss of Komen’s funds, the club has a positive view of the controversy.

“I think the response was really wonderful actually, and in a way, I’m glad that this all happened because it really showed, not only Komen, but many other bodies and institutions that are trying to defund Planned Parenthood that there is widespread support for Planned Parenthood,” Hans-Barrientos said.

The club will continue fighting for reproductive rights in spite of the controversies and challenges to Planned Parenthood.

“We right now are educating people that are going to get older and are going to become the policymakers,” said Pickard. “We are only going to get stronger if we just inform people about what’s going on. We are the future.”

SVPP meets every Sunday in the faculty lounge at 7 p.m. and welcomes all new members.

How can you protect yourself against STDs?

By Megan Coy Coordinator of Health Promotions April is Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD) Awareness Month. It’s important to learn about getting tested, talking to your partner and talking to your health care provider, as well as the best way to reduce your risk for disease transmission if you are sexually active. Condoms are the only contraception that provides protection against STDs and pregnancy.

We’ve all seen the aisle in the pharmacy with the various types of condoms. It can be difficult to

figure out which is best for you, so you may want to try different brands and styles until you find one you and your partner like. The main thing to keep an eye out for is what the condom is made of, and you should look for latex or polyurethane condoms. Polyurethane condoms are a great option if you or your partner is allergic to latex.

We have several different types of condoms available oncampus for free from the Office of Health Promotion in Brown Hall, or from the basket inside the door to Counseling & Health Services.

Latex-free/polyurethane condoms and female con-

doms are available by request from the Office of Health Promotion. You can also purchase condoms from the bookstore on campus.

Be sure to store condoms properly in a cool, dry place and not in your car, wallet, or pocket for long periods of time. Before using a condom, make sure you inspect the condom package for any holes or tears, and then carefully open the package, not using teeth or scissors.

Make sure you use a water based lubricant like K-Y jelly or Astroglide with latex condoms.

Oil based lubricants (like vegetable oil or petroleum jelly) can

damage latex.

For more information about sexual health, condom usage, and getting tested for STDs, you can come by the Office of Health Promotion in Brown Hall to pick up brochures and handouts, or check out websites such as GYTnow.org or PlannedParenthood.org.

Be sure to “like” the Eckerd College Office of Health Promotion page on Facebook, as during STD awareness month we sometimes hear of opportunities for free or reduced-cost testing days in the St. Petersburg area that we will post there and send out via email.

Lisa Moskovitz of Nutrition Energy, a sports performance nutrition center in New York City, said that protein bars are basically vitamin and protein-infused candy bars, and can contain more than twice the amount of fat and carbs than a chocolate brownie. To stay on the safe side, try to avoid protein bars that are more than 180 calories and under 5 grams of fat.

Dried fruit Contains more than 100 calories per ¼ cup serving. Try fresh or frozen fruit as an alternative.

You will be able to eat a larger amount while consuming fewer calories.

Yogurt Some brands contain as much fat and sugar as a jelly-donut, according to Moskovitz. Choose plain, low-fat options and flavor them yourself with fruit. Greek yogurt contains twice the amount of protein and half the carbs as regular yogurt. Go greek!

Margarine Though margarine and original butter have the same calorie content, margarine has more trans fat than a regular stick of butter. Try whipped butter. It is less dense, therefore containing fewer calories.

Reduced-fat peanut butter Reduced-fat may have less fat, but has double the amount of carbs and the same amount of overall calories as regular peanut butter. When the fat is taken out, it’s replaced by sugar, so it’s better to just stick with the original.

Bran muffins The average muffin has around 400 calories, with most of the calories coming from sugar and refined flour.

Fat-free salad dressing “In just two measly tablespoons of fat-free Italian dressing, you take in up to 500mg of bloodpressure-raising sodium,” Moskovitz says. That is more than a third of the amount of sodium you should consume in an entire day.

Turkey burgers The average restaurant turkey burger contains 600 calories alone, not including the bun or toppings. When ordering a burger, don’t worry about the type of meat so much as the portion size.

Sushi Some sushi rolls can contain 500 calories or more. Rolls that contain tempora, cream cheese or spicy mayo are by far the most calorie-packed.

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April 6, 2012

Sports 21

CSports Castroneves wins Wheldon's home grand prix in St. Petersburg

By Colin Casey Staff Writer To the racing world, October 16, 2011 still feels like only yesterday.

That was the day that two time Indianapolis 500 winner Dan Wheldon died in a multi-car crash in the Izod Indycar season finale race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

In the time since, the tributes to Wheldon have come from across the world from NASCAR and American sports to European Formula One races. But no area was more affected than the city of St. Petersburg.

Florida is not an open wheel racing destination by any stretch of the imagination. Instead, its connection to the tragedy is far more personal. Wheldon moved his family to north St. Petersburg in 2005.

In the time since, Wheldon had grown to love the area treating it as a second home to his native England. These factors led into the season opening race on the Streets of Saint Petersburg bayfront course.

The Grand Prix of St. Petersburg has opened the Indycar Series for the last two years. This year was originally supposed to be no different than any other season, but Wheldon’s tragic death changed that plan. Memorial plans for the weekend began taking shape early on in the calendar year with the track’s construction along the water. One of the first tributes made was renaming Turn 10 of the course to “Dan Wheldon Way.” It was this corner that Wheldon made a crucial last lap pass for the win in 2005.

The marker was a simple green road sign clung to the catch fence.

St. Petersburg Mayor Bill Foster and Grand Prix Chairman Timothy Ramsberger have also announced further plans for a permanent me-

The Eckerd Tritons baseball program has hit a rough patch in the conference portion of their schedule after an 11-4 start.

After dropping two of three to

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Scoreboard

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Sports calendar

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Alex Sasso profile

back cover

March Madness

back cover

By Mike Geibel Web Editor

courtesy of Wikimedia Commons Helio Castroneves pays tribute to his fallen friend Dan Wheldon following his victory in the Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg.

morial. The two have announced plans for two markers on opposite sides of Bay Shore Drive Southeast behind the Dali Museum. The first plaque will immortalize the winners of the Saint Petersburg Grand Prix from the beginning years of the race, to the present. The second plaque will be located across the street next to the harbor. This will serve as a memorial to Dan Wheldon and will list his career statistics and highlights.

The race itself also contained a more subtle reminder of Wheldon’s contributions to Indycar racing.

During his time off after the 2011 Indianapolis 500 he assisted in the

development of the new Indycar chassis which made its debut at the Saint Petersburg race. The new chassis, manufactured by Dallara, was primarily designed to increase safety. The most striking feature on the new car are the two wings on the side designed to increase downforce. Increasing downforce will decrease the likelihood of the car getting airborne in a crash. The chassis has been named in Wheldon’s honor and will be used by all competing teams in the Izod Indycar Series from now on.

This year’s incarnation of the St. Petersburg Grand Prix was dominated by the front row. Three time

Nova Southeastern, falling to Ave Maria in a non-conference matchup, and getting swept in a 3-game series at Florida Tech last weekend, the Tritons have fallen below the .500 mark for the first time all season at 13-17 overall (2-10 in SSC play).

Senior third basemen Dan Capra says their record is not indicative of their potential. “Our losses in the conference for the most part have been close usually one or two runs,” Capra said. “We are right there. We just need to get the hitting, pitching, and fielding all going at the same time.”

The Tritons have received strong hitting from Alex Del Monte and Lee Spinelle, both of whom are hitting above .300, along with Capra who is hitting .279.

But despite quality starting pitching, the Tritons are struggling to put wins together.

“Our starting pitchers are keeping us in the game and giving us a chance to win,” Capra said. “ We have guys who can hit, it’s just a matter of when courtesy of eckerdtritons.com we hit. We need to

Senior infielder Kevin Rea drove the Tritons’ offense in their doubleheader against Florida Tech.

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Wrestlemania

Men’s rugby eyes exciting sevens format

Indianapolis 500 winner Helio Castroneves dominated the event from start to finish to win the first race of the season.

But the emotional highlight came at the very end of his victory lap as Castroneves performed his signature victory celebration: climbing the catch fence. The stunt is usually performed at the flagstand but Helio instead stopped in Turn 10 and climbed next to the “Dan Wheldon Way” sign, pumping his fist and tapping the sign as he looked skyward.

While the tragedy of Wheldon’s death never will be forgotten, the memories that he has given the racing world and his legacy will live on from now until eternity.

Heartbreak losses put baseball down but not out

By Greg Reilly Asst. Sports Editor

INSIDE SPORTS

Visit us online at www.theonlinecurrent.com

be more productive with guys in scoring position. Errors have cost us a lot of runs. We need to focus and not become complacent in the field. When everyone is playing their best, we are a tough team to beat.”

Many of the Tritons’ contests have come down to the 8th and 9th inning. Head Coach Bill Mathews says the bullpen needs to step up.

“Once, we go to the ‘pen, the relievers have to come in and throw strikes,” Mathews said.

Despite the slow start, the Tritons still have 13 conference games remaining to gain ground in the standings.

The Tritons are currently in last place, but the postseason is still in sight if the Tritons can beat their SSC rivals. The Tritons begin a three-game set with Rollins today.

“We have come so far from last year,” Capra said (the Tritons finished 5-19 and in last place last season). “We need to focus at practice and just let it happen when it comes game time.”

Now that the men’s rugby team’s playoff run has ended, there are no more regular games within the conference scheduled for the spring. Friendly matches are in the works but in the meantime, the club has switched its focus to the fast-paced game of sevens.

Those familiar with the Eckerd rugby teams will be accustomed to seeing fifteen players per side.

Eight forwards and seven backs battling out the game for a total of 80 minutes.

Sevens is an entirely different game. Seven players per side, seven minutes per half, and a lot of scoring. The sevens game is much faster than the regular version seen on Kappa Field on Saturdays.

Played on the same size field, the reduction of the number of players by more than half means longer runs, quicker passes, and more space to maneuver through the defense.

The switch to sevens isn’t just a conditioning opportunity for the Eckerd men. The game will return to Olympic competition in 2016.

The last time Sevens was played at the Olympics was nearly 90 years ago, where the United States team defended their 1920 gold medal by winning another in 1924.

The current international competition format includes the sevens World Cup and also the HSBC Sevens World Series, which hosts tournaments at venues across the globe in locations such as Dubai, New Zealand, and all over Europe. The series uses a points system to track the results until a winner is crowned at the end of the series.

The USA Sevens weekend is hosted in early spring in Las Vegas and draws a large fan base and media coverage. This years Las Vegas finals saw Samoa narrowly defeat a powerhouse New Zealand squad to win. New Zealand currently leads the standings with only two weekends left on the schedule.

The series will wind down in Scotland the first weekend of May and England the following week to close out this year’s competition.

The Eckerd men’s rugby club is also working to host their own sevens tournament for teams in the area. With teams from different schools and city clubs around Florida, the tournament will be a one day event on April 28. The Eckerd men’s sevens team, selftitled “Senior Sevens” due to the all-senior makeup of the squad, will utilize Eckerd’s outstanding backs and try to use speed and superior tactics to win the tournament in front of the home crowd for one last hurrah before graduation.

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the current

April 6, 2012

Eckerd

Sports Briefly

Lance Kearse named to All-American squad Eckerd College men’s basketball senior standout forward Lance Kearse added to his extensive collection of postseason honors as he was selected to the Division II Bulletin All-American Team in recent history. Kearse was officially named a Fourth Team All-American by the publication following the completion of the NCAA Division II Tournament.

Kearse helped the Tritons finish 21-9 overall on the season, which included a run to the second round of the NCAA Tournament South Regional in Huntsville, Ala. He averaged a team-high 16.2 points and 6.0 rebounds per game while starting all 30 games possible.

Men’s golf ties for third at Panther Invitational

The Eckerd College men’s golf team completed a rapid ascent up the leaderboard to finish the final round of play at the Panther Invitational hosted

by Florida Tech. The Tritons (319-309-305--933) improved their score on the links each round and finished tied for third in the team standings with Brevard Community College after finishing Monday’s 36 holes in a tie for fifth. Callum Georgallides carded a 2-over-par 74 at The Majors Golf Club to collect another top-10 finish in his senior year. He finished tied for the sixth in the field after beginning final-round play in a tie for 10th.

Women’s Tennis struggles continue April is starting off rough for women’s tennis (312). The team was defeated 8-1 by a strong University of New Orleans squad on April 3. Freshman Gipsom Hawn was the lone triton to win her match, clinching a victory in three sets over Manuela Gomez. It was Hawn’s third singles victory this year. Women’s tennis has three more matches left on the season, all against Sunshine State Conference opponents. Their next match is April 11 at 3:30 p.m. against Saint Leo University at the Turley Athletic Complex courts.

Global

“Djoker” strikes again Novak Djokovic once again ruled the court at Key Biscane as he won his third Sony Erickson Open, winning in straight sets over Brit Andy Murray 6-1 7-6(4).

The number 1 ranked player in the world continued his great run in 2012, not losing a set in the tournament and moving to 20-2, he now has a record of 90-8 since Jan. 2011. Djokovic will now turn his attention from the hard surface to the clay court in preparation for the French Open in the end of May.

Cain you believe it?

The San Francisco Giants have signed pitcher Matt Cain to a new contract, making him the highest paid right-handed pitcher in baseball history. Cain signed a five year extension totalling $112.5 million guaranteed including a $5 million signing bonus. The previous record for highest paid righty was Kevin Brown for the LA Dodgers, with a $105 million contract. The 27-year old Cain is a career 69-73 with a 3.35 ERA in 203 starts. He went 12-11 last season with a 2.88 ERA, with 179 strikeouts and 63 walks in 221.2 innings, while being named to his second All-Star team and finishing eighth in Cy Young voting. In 2010 when the Giants won the World Series, he went 2-0 in three starts during the postseason, while not allowing a single earned run in 21.1 innings.

Deck the hall with Don and Miller Five-time All-Star Reggie Miller and Don Nelson, the winningest coach in NBA history, lead the 2012 class into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Joining the Hall alongside Miller and Nelson will be two-time Olympic gold medalist Katrina McClain, four-time NBA champion Jamaal Wilkes, referee Hank Nichols, the All-American Redheads, female version of the Harlem Globetrotters, Nike co-founder Phil Knight, ABA star Mel Daniels, seven-time NBA All-Star Chet Walker, Olympian Don Barksdale, and Lydija Alexeeva, who led the Soviet Union to two Olympic gold medals.

photo by Lincoln Andres-Beck Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson greets the crowd at Wrestlemania XXVIII in Miami.

Eckerd alum Matt Abraham making moves in minors Courtesy of Eckerdtritons.com At the age of five years old, like many youngsters across the country, the dream began for Matt Abraham while playing tee ball.

About 20 years later, that lifelong dream was fulfilled and turned into reality during the 2010 Major League Baseball First-Year Player draft after his random, computergenerated number was summoned by the Toronto Blue Jays organization.

With 50 rounds spanning three days and potentially 1,500 players being selected (teams don’t opt to use each selection) as respective clubs shore up their farm systems, patience is essential.

But when Abraham’s name was called while watching a few of the later rounds with one of his former teammates, Matt Heller, it was a feeling of pure exuberance.

“I just saw my name pop up and my heart stopped -- I was at a true loss for words,” Abraham recollected. “All I wanted was a shot to use an opportunity. I told them I was ready for my plane ticket.”

The Blue Jays’ organization was on the horn with him moments later and events were quickly set in motion that completed the transition from amateur to professional.

After logging a handful of games in two different stints with the Gulf Coast League Blue Jays’ affiliate from 2010-11, Abraham earned a promotion to the Appalachian League and short-season Bluefield (Va.) in 2011.

His roommate at Bluefield with a host family was Yudelmis Hernandez, formerly of Barry University, and the adjustments to minor league life immediately hit home.

“It was a tough transition because I went from playing every day to being a utility guy (playing shortstop, second base and third base),” he said. “The tough part is that it’s a business. One day, some guys are there in the clubhouse, the next day they might be gone.”

“But at the same time, it’s just like the college experience (I had at Eckerd),” he continued. “You get to know the guys and stay close to them. But you can’t take a day off or one guy will move in front of you on the depth chart.”

Even though Abraham can’t pick out the toughest pitcher he’s faced in his professional career, he’s stood in the batter’s box against the likes of fireballer Dustin McGowan and Henderson Alvarez. Former 2006 first-rounder Travis Snider visited Bluefield and longtime respected clubhouse veteran John McDonald made a big impression during a brief trip.

Abraham was also featured in the checklist of Topps Pro Debut, a popular baseball card set featuring rising minor-league prospects.

He was surprised as anyone when he saw his card for the first time and a fan handed him a stack of 100 asking him to sign.

“I didn’t even know I was in the checklist,” he recalls.

Growing up in Worcester, Mass., Abraham was an avid fan of the Boston Red Sox and idolized iconic shortstop Nomar Garciaparra.

Toronto area scout Joel Grampietro knew the Abraham family well and kept tabs on Matt since his prep days at St. John’s High School continuing well into his collegiate career at Eckerd.

“Some guys you need to see more than others; the easiest part of scouting is the physical talent, the toughest being the mental evaluation,” Grampietro said over the phone. “For a guy like Matty, he plays hard all the time and there’s not much guesswork you have to do because we knew his background.

You can never go wrong with a guy like him because he helps your organization.”

Abraham credits his family, specifically parents, Stephen and Mary, for being with him every step of the way. His younger brother, Mike (affectionately known at “Little Abes”), is a freshman catcher on the EC baseball squad and another brother, Brian, also works in the Blue Jays’ front office.

Like every journey, there are a few bumps in the road to overcome along the way. He had heard all the detractors question his diminutive size (listed at 5-8, 165 lb.), but that just added fuel to the fire and his drive.

“I was told I was never going to be able to play in Florida and that I’d be home after one semester,” he said. “That just made me work even harder and want to prove them wrong.”

“It’s everyone’s dream to play for a professional organization, to put on that Blue Jays’ uniform and sign autographs for kids; that’s why you play the game.”

As a senior with the Tritons, Abraham hit .305 with 30 RBI in the same lineup as Chris Clinton, a 23rd-round selection by the Baltimore Orioles. He showed the penchant for dropping down sacrifice bunts (10 ranked eighth in the nation as a junior) and his slick fielding with intangibles/positional versatility caught the attention of many.

Abraham, who obtained his degree in Business Management, has been on the Eckerd campus since March 19, taking ground balls, working out and facing live pitching.

He reports this week to the Toronto minor league complex in Dunedin where he will await his designated assignment for the upcoming year -- and continue to live out his dream.

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the current

April 6, 2012

Sasso in home stretch of senior campaign the game that you played,” she said.

Even so, don’t expect Sasso or any of her teammates to make it easy for opponents. Each of them are playing to compete, and to prove that their program can do so with the best.

They would like nothing more than to see this through. “Winning is winning, you know? It’s great!” said Sasso. Her soft voice erupted into laughter and then became silent.

The Tritons’ schedule for the spring is jam-packed, and like many other students studying marine biology, blocks of free time can at times be few and far between for Alex. However, she does find some time to relax. For example, she likes to spend some of that time listening to country music.

“I really like Zach Brown Band, and I started line dancing awhile ago," she said. "I also enjoy collecting seas shells on the beach, especially because I can identify so many of them now after taking some of the classes.” She also enjoys volleyball, though she hasn’t been able to play with the pressure of her studies and the softball season accounting for the bulk of her daily schedule.

As she begins her fourth and final leg toward home, the throw to the plate imminent, but this season, Alex presses forward with every bit of strength and heart that has propelled across the previous three, come whatever may in that final moment—when she slides into home.

SASSO from BACK COVER

he started bringing me to my lessons, would catch me, so you know he has been a big part of my growth throughout the years.”

Even after a rough start, Sasso reminds us how important it is not to let disappointment hinder true growth and forward progress.

“There are losses that really don’t sit well with you and losses where you just have to tip your hat to the other team. I wouldn’t say I lose sleep when we lose, I think back of maybe what I could have done better, what the team could have done better, but there’s no point to take it any further, what’s done is done. You’ve got to move on to the next game,” she said.

Since the Eckerd softball players do not receive scholarships, it is inevitable that some talent will be lost to programs with a larger budget, and money to burn, but this only makes what the team has done thus far that more impressive. “I’m really proud of our team even if we do lose. There was a game against the University of Tampa last year, they were like number 16 in the country, and I think we might have gone into extra innings with them.

It was just like a battle on the field,” she said.

Her eyes widened and smile stretching ear to ear. Her hands with pointing fingers moved from upright to straight forward to emphasize the word “battle.”

“You show your true character as a team. It’s disappointing when you lose but you have got to be proud

v.

Top-seeded Kentucky takes national title NCAA from BACK COVER

win also snapped a six game winning streak for the ACC tournament champs and sent the Seminoles home short of their Sweet 16 run last year.

The Sweet 16 saw a few upsets take shape for the lower seeds, as well as a few unsurprising results from favorites. The less exciting action included Kentucky beating no.

4 seeded Indiana Hoosiers 102-90, no. 2 seeded Ohio State beat no.

6 seeded Cincy by 15, no. 3 seeded Baylor beat no. 10 seed Xavier, and no. 1 seed UNC beat the Cinderella story, no. 13 seeded Ohio.

The upsets for the Sweet 16 all came from the West Region, with no. 4 seeded Louisville beating the first no. 1 seed to fall, the Michigan State Spartans by a score of 57-44, and no. 7 seeded Florida Gators upsetting no. 3 seed Marquette Golden Eagles 68-58 to head into the Elite Eight.

In the Elite Eight, only Kentucky was able to survive of the remaining no. 1 teams in the bracket with a win over no. 3 seeded Baylor Bears by a score of 82-70. no. 4 seed Louisville outlasted Florida to move on and face the ‘Cats in the final four by a score of 72-68. On the other side of the draw, no. 2 seed Ohio State Buckeyes survived the Meloless no. 1 seeded Syracuse Orange to advance to the Final Four where they will face no. 2 seed Kansas who shut down UNC 80-67.

The Final Four match-ups were very tough affairs, Kentucky surviving to beat the low seed of New Orleans, Louisville by 8 points 6961, the Wildcats closest game of the Tournament. In the nightcap Kansas out-dueled the Buckeyes in the battle of no. 2 seed 64-62 and advanced to the championship game against the favored Kentucky Wildcats.

In the championship game Kentucky ran wild, shooting over 41 percent from the field while holding the Kansas Jayhawks to 35 percent from the field as they won 6759. The matchup of the two most winningest programs in NCAA history was pretty one-sided as the ‘Cats took the lead for the last time at 9-7, the paint was dominated by Kentucky as they had five blocked shots.

Kentucky won their 38th game of the year tying the record set

by Memphis in 2008, this was the eigth National Championship for Kentucky, second only to UCLA, who has 11 titles. But UCLA hasn’t won a title since 1995, which was two coaches ago. The last National Championship for Kentucky was in 1998, but they came close last year, losing in the Final Four to University of Connecticut, the eventual champions over the Butler Bulldogs.

The Kentucky Wildcats were led by a trio of one and done freshmen Anthony Davis and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist who are both lottery prospects in this year’s NBA Draft. Alongside them were fellow first round prospects Sophomore

Doron Lamb, Freshman Marquis Teague and Sophomore Terrence Jones. Lamb led the way for the Wildcats with 22 points. Davis had a very productive night despite only scoring six points, but registering 16 rebounds, five assists and six blocks. Teaque scored 14 points for the Wildcats and Kidd-Gilchrist scored 11 points. Coach John Calipari has shown how to thrive under the one and done rule for recruiting basketball players to college, first at Memphis where his team was a perennial no. 1 seed into the tournament and now at Kansas with a National Championship. Calipari has produced nine first-round picks in the NBA Draft in the last 4 years and has at least a couple more coming this year. It may not be a good rule, but Coach Calipari has proved he can work in the current rules of NCAA basketball recruitment.

Kansas had a remarkable run considering they lost four of its five top scorers from last year, but they came together during the season winning their eighth straight conference title, during the tournament they come form behind by double digits in three of their five wins. Tyshawn Taylor was the leading scorer for the Jayhawks, scoring 19 points but also responsible for five of the nine Jayhawks turnovers.

Robinson was the most productive player in his losing effort inside, he scored 18 points and had 17 boards, but Kansas was outrebounded 3439.

Softball

March 23 v. Florida Tech L 6-3 (EC) Sudler 1-3, 2 RBI’s (EC) Mitchell 2-3, 2 Runs

Eckerd Scoreboard Men’s Basketball

Baseball

March 10 v. Uni. of West Georgia W 60-53 (EC) Snodgrass 15 Points, 7 Rebounds (EC) Mack 12 Points, 5 Steals

March 24 v. Nova Southeastern Uni. (DH) W 3-2, L 9-8 (8 innings) (EC G1) Huchro 7.1 IP, 2 ER, 4 K’s, W (EC G1) LaRose 1-3, 2 RBI’s, Run (EC G2) Del Monte 1-3, HR, 2 Runs (EC G2) Spinelle 2-4, 2 2B’s, 2 RBI’s

March 11 v. Christian Brothers Uni. L 60-57 (EC) Kearse 23 Points, 4 Rebounds (EC) Mack 8 Points, 6 Rebounds

March 26 v. Ave Maria University L 8-2 (EC) Rea 3-4, Run (EC) Del Monte 2-4, 2B, Run

Sports 23

March 30 v. Florida Tech L 5-4 (EC) Cuda 7 IP, 4 ER, 9 K’s, 2 BB’s (EC) LaRose 1-4, HR, 3 RBI’s March 31 v. Florida Tech (DH) L 11-2, L 8-7 (12 innings) (EC G1) McLemore 1-4, HR (EC G1) Del Monte 3-4, Run, SB (EC G2) McLemore 4-5, 2B, 2 RBI’s (EC G2) Rea 5-7, 2B, RBI, 2 Runs

March 30 v. Rollins College L 9-1 (EC) Bierchen 1-3, SB (EC) Mitchell 1-3 March 31 v. Rollins College (DH) L 10-0, L 14-0 (EC G1) Sasso 1-2 (EC G1) Jeffares 1-2 (EC G2) Styke 1-2, SB (EC G2) Agnew 0-1. HBP

March 24 v. Florida Tech (DH) L 8-2, L 10-1 (EC G1) Schurr 1-3, 2B, RBI (EC G1) Sudler 2-3 (EC G2) Sasso 2-3, 2B, RBI (EC G2) Schurr 1-3, 2B, Run

Sports Calendar 6

Friday

Softball @ Lynn University (DH) 10 a.m.

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Saturday

8

Sunday

9

Baseball v. Clearwater Christian College 7 p.m.

Baseball v. Rollins College (DH) 1 p.m.

13

Baseball v. Lynn University 7 p.m.

Softball @ University of Tampa 7 p.m.

10

Tuesday

Mens Tennis v. Saint Leo University 3 p.m.

11

Wednesday

Baseball v. Webber International University 7 p.m.

12

14

Baseball v. Lynn University (DH) 1 p.m.

15

Softball @ University of Tampa (DH) 1 p.m.

Visit us online at www.theonlinecurrent.com

16

17

Baseball @ Warner University 7 p.m.

18

Thursday

Womens Tennis v. University of Tampa 3 p.m.

Womens Tennis v. Saint Leo University 3 p.m.

Womens Tennis @ Rollins College 3:30 p.m.

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Monday

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The Official Student Newspaper of Eckerd College

CSports

April 6, 2012

Sasso swings for fences one more time

By David Balough Contributing Writer

photo by Ethan Cooper Senior Alex Sasso up to bat for the Tritons softball team.

For Triton softball, it is the circle of life: seniors graduate, and a new group of underclassman enters.

For the team, it is a new lease on life. For senior utility infielder, outfielder, slugger, and finesse hurler Alex Sasso, the beginning of Spring Semester 2012 is the final leg of an era that has spanned the majority of her life. Make no mistake, mind you; this is not to mean she hasn’t thought about the approaching conclusion of her competitive fast-pitch softball career. It is only to say she has experienced these thoughts in the passing fashion a baserunner considers the call at the plate while rounding third and reaching for home.

That might come as a surprise, but not to those who know her. As I spoke with her in her flat, an Omega suite on the third floor that is the envy of every student on campus, and of which she has had too good fortune of drawing in two consecutive springs during room draws, the starting focus of our conversation was not her at all. She spoke about her team.

She began with the Tritons’ season opening doubleheader against Ave Maria. In a show of physical and mental toughness, the Tritons earned a pair of wins they hoped would set the tone for the rest of the season, showing everyone the kind of season that this one could be. In

the second of the series, she says, “we were actually losing 2-0, I believe, for most of the game,” said Sasso. She saw her teammates continue to battle at the plate. To see them come back “was awesome,” she said, “and a great way to start off the season.”

The only senior pitcher on the staff spoke about how she wished to help her teammates improve. She also has high hopes for a team battling to improve upon previous seasons, and for the first time finish at or above .500 overall. “Hopefully, I can help the younger ones build their confidence. It’s not easy going into some of these game against some of these teams.

You have to be really mentally tough and not let it get you down if they get a good hit off you. You gotta stay in there, stay tough.”

Sasso’s dedication to helping her teammates has not gone unnoticed, or unappreciated. “She’s an amazing teammate," said Emily Wiemken. "She’s stuck with me for four years—we’ve really, really stuck together.

I have a big respect for her because of that. We both feel a great deal of respect for each other and it’s brought us closer as friends.” The rest of that support would come from the comradeship of her teammates. When asked who has inspired her most over the years, Sasso said, “Emily has been with me since freshman year, so it’s really been great to grow and go on with her. We had a senior a few years ago, McKenzie Dawson. She was

a pitcher, and she was a good player, always worked really hard, and you see that work ethic and what it takes to do really well, and sometimes not win too.

She stayed all four years...a lot of people don’t stay all four years on the softball team," continued Sasso. Out of eight freshman from the class of 2012 on originally on the team, only Sasso and Wiemken. "You do it because you love it."

For Sasso, it is almost second nature to show her teammates as much support as possible, because it is what her family has done for her.

“I’m from Long Island, so it’s a bit of a trip,” said Sasso. “My dad will come probably the most, or for the longest time because his schedule allows it.

He’ll travel all around Florida following me. My mom will come down maybe once in the fall when we have some fall games, and once in the spring, (she will) come for like a long weekend, a conference tournament. They have the live webcasts offered this year and they’ll probably be watching on that. They’re very supportive,” she said.

“I’m so lucky for that.”

More than just her support system, Sasso’s parents were instrumental in Alex’s decision to play softball. Her father helped her to start learning to become a pitcher.

“When he felt like I was good enough, he was like, you know, you need to go to a pitching coach. So from there See SASSO, page 23

Kentucky defeats Kansas in march madness finale

By Lincoln Andres-Beck Sports Editor It has been yet another mad March in college basketball as the road to the Final Four concludes.

Looking back over the last couple of weeks there were upsets, comebacks, favorites pulling through, and surprise teams making a deep run, ultimately meeting with two teams who were no big shock to see playing in April, from the South Region the no. 1 seed Kentucky Wildcats and from the Midwest Region no. 2 seeded Kansas Jayhawks.

The first round may have brought the single most surprising game result of the tournament as Coach Mike Krzyzewski and the no. 2 seeded team in the South Region, Duke losing to the no. 15 seeded Lehigh squad who came in as champions of the Patriot League.

Duke lost in the first round for only the second time in the last 16 years, and Lehigh became the sixth no. 15 seed to win a first round matchup in NCAA tournament history.

The seventh no. 15 seed to advance didn’t wait very long either as Norfolk State surprised the no.

2 seeded Missouri Tigers by a score of 86-84, as Pressey missed a last second 3-pointer for the Tigers, sending Norfolk State on to meet the no. 7 seeded Florida Gators.

Other big upsets occurred in the Midwest Region during the first round with no. 12 seeded University of South Florida Bulls winning the play-in game to make the field of 64, then upsetting the Temple Owls, the no. 5 seed, by a 14 point margin 58-44, the solid defense of USF holding the Atlantic-10 regular season champs to a score 20 points below their previous season low.

The Bulls moved on to face another big upset win in no. 13 Ohio University Bobcats who upset the no. 13 seeded Michigan Wolverines by a score of 65-60. The MidAmerican Conference tournament champs had recorded a school record 28 wins this season, and their perimeter defense was ranked 13th in the nation and held the Wolverines to 30% from behind the arc. Ohio coach John Groce is no stranger to

upsets, having surprised the third seeded Georgetown Hoyas just two years ago The early exit was one of many in recent years for Michigan who hasn’t reached the Sweet 16 since 1994 and is 3-9 in March Madness since then.

There were a few more predictable upsets in the first round with Wichita State losing to VCU and the no. 11 seed Colorado Buffaloes from the Pac-12 surprising a no. 6 seeded UNLV squad, but with little more of note the tourney advanced to the second round.

In the second round, the story was the number of low seed teams, leaving easier paths for many middle level teams to reach the Sweet 16. no. 7 seeded Florida crushed Norfolk State 80-54 to reach the second week of the tourney, no. 10 Xavier Musketeers beat the Lehigh squad by 12, winning 70-58, no. 3 seeded Baylor cruised by the no. 11 seeded Colorado Buffalo and stampeded into the Sweet 16.

But there were a pair of major upsets that would impact the second week of the tourney. First, no.

11 seeded NC State Wolfpack upset

no. 3 seeded Georgetown Hoyas by a score of 66-63. Leading by 11 in the second half, the Wolfpack survived a furious comeback from the 24-9 Hoyas after Georgetown’s Jason Clark missed a buzzer-beater 3, sealing the upset for a NC State squad that has faded from the title picture since Coach Jimmy V cut down the nets in 1983.

The second upset game in the no.

6-no. 3 matchup in the East Region that had no upsets in the first round, Cincinnati upsetting the high powered Florida State Seminoles 62-56.

Cincinnati took the lead for good with 1:32 to play courtesy of a Dion Dixon dunk and held on to advance to the Sweet 16 matchup with no.

2 seeded Ohio State Buckeyes. The See NCAA, page 23

promotional image 2012 NCAA Tournament logo

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