The Vista April 20, 2010

Campus Quotes

Democratic Socialist Series

Murrah Bombing Tribute

Sports Feature

Monday is the 15th anniversary of the OKC bombing, what do you remeber about the date?

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UCO faculty hosts a series of events, discussing politcal sterotypes of socialism and its ideology.

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University of Central Oklahoma’s faculty and staff discuss the bombing and its impact on the state.

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Ryan Lopez speaks about his career and his “Ultimate Fighter” expierence.

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students voice since 1903.

WEATHER

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TODAY

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More weather at www.uco360.com

DID YOU KNOW? While at Havard University, Edward Kennedy was suspended for cheating on a Spanish exam.

Campus Economy

NEW UCOSA PRESIDENT ELECTED PHOTO BY GARETT FISBECK

Matt Joe Blubaugh became the 13th president of the UCOSA on April 12, getting 859 of the 1,400 votes. Ashkaan Bahreini and Tular Claypool were elected vice president and treasurer.

By Anuj Srivas & Prashanti Ganesh / Staff Writers Matt Joe Blubaugh became the president of the UCOSA April 12 when the results were announced in the UCOSA office in the Nigh University Center.

With a victory of 859 votes out of the total 1,400 cast by students of University of Central Oklahoma, Blubaugh is now the 13th president and responsible for the student government and all the decisions that goes with its running.

Ashkaan Bahreini and Tylar Claypool were elected the vice president and treasurer respectively.

“It feels really good. I’m excited and will give 100 percent to achieve all my goals,” Blubaugh said.

“We are responsible for over 11,000 students. We found from surveys that approximately 88 percent of the students aren’t even aware of UCOSA. I want to get the students to be more involved with their lives.”

Beth Marcotte finished second with 465 votes.

“It is pretty intense,” she said. “Life happens for a

reason. All the candidates put in lots of work for this election.”

Inspired from a Thunder game, Blubaugh wants to provide his students with a service where they can text the UCO police in case of emergencies like a fire or violence to be able to get faster help.

“Central Alert is also something I want to work with,” Blubaugh said. “We have only 1,200 people involved with it, and I want to make it full-fledged by the end of this year.”

Blubaugh’s priority is to bring more safety to the UCO campus. “With the help of the Campus Involvement Budget I want to bring in safe-walk boxes on campus,” he said. “We have eight now, and by the end of this year, we can get three more in vital locations around campus.”

Blubaugh, being the third president to be elected from his fraternity house, wants to effectively fill in the shoes of his predecessors. “I want to encourage planned spending of the money we have and follow transparent finances,” he said. “The students should know where their money is going.”

“Students can come to us and get their scantrons, blue books, stationery and maps without having to wait in lines and looking for exact change,” Blubaugh said.

Being a part of the UCO track and field team, Blubaugh also plans to help out the Athletic Department, which is currently running on deficit, by bringing in outside vendors to support it.

“Matt is extremely responsible and disciplined in his life,” Tim Taylor, Blubaugh’s campaign manager, said. “He worked very hard and deserves this win. We knew from the beginning that we should have a generic target base, and instead of concentrating on just the Greek students, we tried to reach out to the entire student body.”

Blubaugh said UCOSA is here to help students.

“This is your campus,” Blubaugh said. “We are here for you with open hands to help you all out in any way. Be responsible for your own lives, and be involved,” he said.

International

EXTREMIST GROUP KILLS 75 IN INDIA

By Rahul Preeth & Harish Murali / Staff Writers On April 6, Maoists, a left-wing Indian extremist organization, killed 75 law enforcing personnel in Northeast India.

The Central Reserve Police Force, a paramilitary troop of India, was deployed to fight against the outlawed organization and fell easy prey to a trap laid by the same group while the forces were returning back to their camp after a search in the forest of Dantewada in Chhattisgarh, an eastern Indian state, based on an intelligence tipoff.

The forces were attacked at dawn when more than 500 rebels outflanked their convoy and fired constantly, threw grenades and set off explosives. The forces were surprised by the pre-emptive strike and were kept at bay. Rescue teams were rushed to the spot, but they also walked into the trap as the rebels had the advantage of firing from an aerial position, which increased the death toll.

A massive military operation christened “Operation Green hunt” was launched a few months ago to eliminate Maoists in the forests of Indian states like Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh and Orissa. About 100,000 security personnel from various wings of Indian Defence Forces have been deployed, with another 20,000 to be sent in the coming weeks.

These forces were part of the operation that was the vision of the home minister of India, P. Chidambaram.

“The Communist Party of India People’s War,” referred to as Maoists, was formed as a political party in India September 21, 2004. They are a

group of people who are not satisfied with the current political structure and administration existing in India and are inclined to overthrow the ruling government to bring in their own governing system. In that system of rule they envision a higher priority to farmers and downtrodden sections of the society. They recruited people to their army to oust the government, muscled with illicit weapons and black money.

Maoists, when deprived of their basic needs, are impacted in their thoughts and deeds by resorting to violent protests. This is bad for the society, professor Venkat Pulapaka, a former journalist, said to the Indian Express, an Indian newspaper.

In 2005, 52 policemen were ambushed in three different encounters in the central part of India. On February 28, 2006, the group killed 25 anti-Maoist campaigners in Madhya Pradesh, and on March 25, 13 civilians were killed in a bomb blast set by the Maoists targeted for security forces. The same year, 37 security personnel were killed in various places in attacks by them.

In 2007, more than 100 civilians and policemen died in a spate of bomb blasts, gun battles and ambushes scattered across central India by them.

Through these years, the Indian government shuttled diplomacy with the Maoists to ease the prevailing situation of uncertainty. Momentary cease fires and peace accords were never brought to fruition in the long run.

The government should include people in planning, decision making and policy implementation. They

PHOTO BY AP SERVICES

ATLANTA — U.S. airlines have never met a fee they didn’t like — until now, it seems. Five major carriers promise not to charge passengers for carry-on bags, a fee many feared would catch on after a small Florida airline became the first to try it.

This is no change in strategy, however: The larger airlines probably will continue adding every fee they can to keep base fares low, but they didn’t feel the public was ready for this one.

KANDAHAR, Afghanistan — The Taliban are moving fighters into Kandahar, planting bombs and plotting attacks as NATO and Afghan forces prepare for a summer showdown with insurgents, according to a Taliban commander with close ties to senior insurgent leaders. The Taliban commander, who calls himself Mubeen, tells The Associated Press that if military pressure becomes too great, the militants will simply leave the city and return when the foreign forces are gone.

VALLETTA, Malta — With tears in his eyes, Pope Benedict XVI promises a group of clerical sex-abuse victims that the Catholic Church will seek justice for pedophile priests and implement “effective measures” to protect the young. It’s Benedict’s first meeting with victims since the worldwide clerical abuse scandal engulfed the Vatican this year, and his most personal and forceful statement on the scandal since a letter to Irish faithful a month ago.

LINCOLN, Neb. — It’s been called a groundbreaking law, but a measure approved in Nebraska last week that changes the rationale for abortion bans probably won’t go into effect anytime soon — if ever. Instead, abortion opponents are hoping it will become the most important case on abortion to reach the U.S. Supreme Court in recent memory.

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THE VISTA

UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL OKLAHOMA’S

FROM THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

APR 20,2010

Wife Kanchan Yadav wails near the body of Ranjit Yadav, one of the Indian government soldiers killed in Tuesday’s April 6 rebel attack as the same is brought to Dalitpur village, in Pratapgarh district, Uttar Pradesh state, India, Thursday, April 8, 2010, India pushed ahead with an offensive against Maoist rebels despite the death of 76 government troops in an ambush by insurgents in the east.

should also be open to constructive criticism. Similarly, the victims should realize if the government is not doing what it’s supposed to do, then, instead of taking up arms, people should do take up development initiatives themselves, Pulapaka said.

According to the former President of India, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, In-

dia will become a developed nation by 2020. President Obama espoused this vision and testified the growth of India. But still national security is compromised, in spite of spending the majority of the country’s total budget into its defence.

OPINION

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STAFF

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CAMPUS QUOTES

Monday was the anniversary of the OKC bombing. What do you remember about that day?

BRANDY WILSON

Early Childhood Education-Freshman

MEGAN ADDINGTON

Undecided-Freshman

ANGELINE SATCHELL

Biology-Freshman

Point of Clarification In the last issue of The Vista, we reported several faculty members attended a convention in Las Vegas. While this is true, it should be clarified that neither the college of Liberal Arts nor the University of “I just remember my mom tellCentral Oklahoma contributed to any of ing me that it happened.” the costs incurred by those attending the convention.

“Honestly, not much. I was three.”

“I lived in Altus, and I remember seeing explosions on TV but not much else.”

ERIC MCADOO

ISAIAH BLACKSHEAR

ALBERT DROCK

Philosophy-Freshman

Psychology-Freshman

Biomedical Engineering-Junior

As the school year comes to an end, what is your main focus?

Let us know at twitter.com/uco360.

“My father was right beside the building. The force of the explosion knocked him down, but he went and helped with the rescue. It was a sad day. “

“I’m from Texas. I heard about it from a friend and visited the memorial.”

“I was in Africa. We didn’t hear much about it there. I visited the memorial last year.”

NEWS

APRIL 20, 2010 Opinion

Politics

DEMOCRATIC SOCIALIST SEEKS TO EDUCATE PUBLIC Staff Writer

University of Central Oklahoma Democratic Socialists kicked off their series of free lectures on Monday and will continue until April 23 in Room 117 of the Liberal Arts building from 3:30-5 p.m.

The Democratic Socialists recently came back together this spring semester. Faculty adviser Dr. Jeff Plaks, who teaches European history, said it originally formed about five years ago, but due to students graduating, it slowly died down. Thanks to new students who are interested in breaking down the stereotypes, the Democratic Socialists have been able to come back to life at UCO during the beginning of the spring semester.

“The current officers have been doing a superior job,” he said. “These series of lecture will give us the opportunity to start the conversation going about socialism and show that there are other options besides the current two popular parties.”

The lectures started on Monday and will continue on for the rest of the week.

Feature guest lecturers will include the following professors: Dr. Mark Silcox, Dr. John Springer, Dr. Kenny Brown, Dr. Rudi Nollert and Plaks. Discussions will range from Oklahoma roots to socialism, as well as “The ABC of Marxism.”

“We want to have academic lecturers about socialism,” Plaks said. “We want to let people know what is socialism and to break away from the stereotype.”

Plaks said socialism isn’t as different to the Democratic Party. As defined in Webster’s dictionary, socialism is “a theory or system of social organization that advocates the vesting of the ownership and control of the means of production and distribution of capital, land, etc., in the community as a whole.”

Current Democratic Socialists President Anish Peringol, senior history major, said he is excited for the symposium.

“We all grew up thinking capitalism is the right way,” he said. “But I began to question my views and was exposed to other options. I realized that socialism was the way to go.”

Peringol said when he spoke with pro-

Dr. Mark Silcox speaks at the first Democartic Socialist series of the Spring semester. The group was founded five years ago, but had become inactive due to decreasing membership. The group has become active on the UCO campus again due to students who have expressed intrest in the group.

fessors and classmates, he found there were others who believed in the same political views.

“When you think of Oklahoma, you may think of it as a conservative state,” he said. “But there are plenty of political options to choose one.”

According to Peringol, the series of lecturers will allow other UCO students to be exposed to the meaning and background to socialism.

“We want to inspire change,” he said.

“I believe socialism provides a better living of life than capitalism.”

Currently there are about 30 official members in the organizations.

“It feels really good to know that there are others who are thinking outside the box,” Peringol said.

Peringol said although there will be individuals who will be apprehensive in attending, all students are welcome to attend and listen to what the speakers are saying and become aware.

Peringol said he hopes the series will open the minds of UCO students and be an opportunity to welcome others to the organization.

“We are excited to have the organization back,” he said. “And we hope to continue to grow. We are still pretty new this semester, but we are figuring it as we go,” Peringol said.

Lectures to be held on the UCO campus this semester includes: April 19 - “Socialism and Human Values” by Dr. Mark Silcox, professor of philosophy.

April 20 - “Theorizing Ideology: Marx, Gramsci and Althusser” by Dr. John Springer, professor of English/film studies.

April 21 - “The ABCs of Marxism” by Dr. Jeff Plaks, professor of history April 22 - “The Red State: Oklahoma s Socialist Roots” by Dr. Kenny Brown, professor of history.

April 23 - “Walter Benjamin: Marx and the Messianic” by Dr. Rudi Nollert, professor of German language studies.

ENDING THE NICOTINE ADDICTION University of Central Oklahoma’s summer transition to a smoke-free campus will change the lives of countless students. Mark Brennaman, a UCO Success Central and Success Strategies instructor, wants to help students transition to smoke-free lives as well.

“I love doing this,” he said. Brennaman, who ended a 35-year nicotine addiction seven years ago, offers a free 45-minute smoking cessation class on demand to anyone who expresses interest. He taught one such class Friday, April 16, in the Business building at UCO. Above all, Brennaman emphasized positive methods to motivate quitting.

“Avoid pictures of mouth cancer, lip cancer,” he said. “We’re not anti-tobacco, just pro-ourselves. Don’t try to scare yourself out of it.” He also warned against the influence of negative friends

WITH

“Cash rules everything around me. C.R.E.AM. – get the money. Dolla dolla bill, ya’ll.”

Health

By Rachel Williams/ Contributing Writer

THE RAMBLE RYAN CROFT

P H OTO BY K AT H L EEN WEL L S

By Jenefar DeLeon/

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and family members. “Your job is to keep your self-esteem high,” Brennaman said.

Preparation is one of the most significant aspects of positive methods, according to Brennaman. More knowledge of the effects of nicotine use and the benefits of quitting yields better success rates. For example, Brennaman said that 20 minutes after the last cigarette smoked, the smoker’s nerve endings begin to repair themselves.

Similarly, Brennaman pointed out that although most smokers refer to smoking as a calming activity, “nicotine is actually a stimulant. It is not calming.

He recommended http://whyquit.com and 1-800-QUITNOW as sources for information. “Preparation is the most important step,” Brennaman said.

Part of preparation lies in making plans to combat issues that plague quitting smokers, like irritability and cravings. Brennaman said those considering quitting should plan how they will face

stressful situations that could cause cravings and plan a positive, healthy way to release that pressure.

In his session, Brennaman addressed the psychological implications of quitting an addiction and put forth various methods of dealing with them, especially for those who have attempted to quit multiple times.

“Don’t concentrate on what you’re quitting,” he said. “Concentrate on what you’re starting.” Brennaman also said noticeable tobacco addictions can be an off-putting factor in a job interview or any professional situation.

Anyone on campus can contact Mark Brennaman and set up a class by e-mailing him at mbrennaman@uco.edu.

Brennaman encouraged firm, researched commitments to quitting. “If you have the confidence in yourself, you can do anything,” he said. “Whatever you hold in your head, you hold in your hand,” Brennaman said.

- Wu-Tang Clan

The rain has finally died down from a throaty roar to a lethargic, haphazard drizzle. The wind has picked up a little but not enough to sweep away the wet, week-old grass clippings still sprawled in clumps across my yard. It’s hard to remain mad or even cynical on a beautifully overcast day like this. But somehow I manage to press on in the face of such adversity to find another gripe I’d like to bring to your attention.

This week’s ramble concerns a subject that has nagged at me for a while now. “Nagged” is really too subtle a word.

Poked, pricked, hen-pecked and incessantly rat-a-tat-tatted at the soft spot in the back of my head – where the skull curves down to meet the spine – is more like it.

We college students are born and bred to focus on one thing more than any other in this entire universe – our future. At the beginning of the fall 2009 semester, I was convinced I had an early leg up on mine. A friend and I had started a company in an up-and-coming field. We knew we were destined for success. Despite my best intentions, at almost exactly 12 a.m. April 6, 2010 – my 23rd birthday – I found myself telling my friend-and-business-partner that he could take the company name, equipment, debt and every last bit of its future and do with it what he pleased.

There are many reasons why I left, but they pale more than an albino with a hangover in comparison to the causa de facto. I had become so tautly wrapped up in this company (so that I could achieve my dictionary definition of success) that I had completely lost sight of the world around me. The whole idea behind this company was that my friend and I were creative people and we would combine our collective creativities to make one heaping helping of success.

Yet, the more I focused on the business and making it profitable, the less I found myself able to create anything worthwhile. Trying to conjure up even the smallest amount of inspiration was like trying to pull a tooth from a great white shark with my bare hands. The harder I pulled, the more bloody and painful it became till I had severed every last muscle and tendon and no longer had the strength to even grip the damned thing.

From an outsider’s perspective, I am now where so many college students end up after graduation – waiting tables and selling bone marrow on the black market to pay bills, with no definite job prospects and no guaranteed track to success. Then again, if the past few years and this hell ride of an economy taught us anything, it’s that there’s no such thing as guaranteed success.

Why then do we wrap achievement like a chain around our necks and anchor it to this Everest-sized mountain we call our future? The more you struggle to pull that massive mount along, the tighter your chain will squeeze till it suffocates the very life out of you.

I’m not saying we shouldn’t strive to attain our goals. I mean, that’s why we’re in college, right? Study hard and work hard but for chrissakes, don’t enslave yourself to some terrible standard of accomplishment that keeps you from everything else in your life.

As for me, I have ambitious, perhaps even more lofty plans for the future. For now, I’m as content as a restless mind can be waiting tables and writing verbose ramblings for your student newspaper. Most importantly, I’ve taken that chain of achievement from around my neck and hold it firmly in my hands. I haven’t breathed this easy in months.

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NEWS

APRIL 20, 2010

Remembering a Tragedy

Governments’ Role in the Midst of Tragedy Often, the government plays role in state and national affairs after an act of terrorism happens. Ferrell-Lynn spoke about the government’s role after events such as the Murrah Bombing and 9-11.

“The federal government is entrusted with ensuring that those responsible for tragedies such as Oklahoma City and 9-11 be brought to justice,” Ferrell-Lynn said.

“Sadly, a lack of information and past history when the federal government acted illegally and secretively, lead some to believe that the government is not being totally honest in ‘closing the book’ on these tragedies. This is what gives life to conspiracy theories.”

“Lessons are learned from these tragedies, and we should expect that all levels of government, not just the feds, should incorporate these lessons into their operations.”

“We expect a great deal out of our federal government because (1) we have to trust that its members will do their best to protect us --- they have the resources and the legal authority, and (2) because the government basically tells us to expect so much from them and at times promises to solve every problem.”

The government is either praised or criticized, depending how a crisis such as the Murrah bombing is handled.

“One of the great stories of the Oklahoma City Bombing is how local, state, and federal employees and officials and everyday citizens worked constructively to ‘take back our city and our lives.’ The Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum and the Memorial Institute for the Prevention of Terrorism are excellent examples of this.”

Historical Perspective of the Bombing If roads could be re-traveled and moments relived, events that have been analyzed and recorded in history books as accurate may bear a different meaning for people who lived during those times.

If time could be forwarded, the perspective of the Murrah Bombing may render a different picture than what it is currently considered to be half a century from now.

“As a traditional historian, I do not like to project into the future; I deal with the past. This means fifty years need to go by, before we can make a fair historical assessment of the event,”Dr. Jessica Sheetz-Nguyen, UCO’s director of history education program, said.

“But...I think the Oklahoma City bombing on 19 April 1995 will be taken as an event of the worst type of terrorism, domestic terrorism.”

“I hope it will not be indicative of a wider era, one in which Americans reached the point of despair in respect to their government.”

“Whether this is a correct assessment will be the subject of many analyses completed by future historians.”

A small crowd gathers at the Oklahoma City National Memorial on April 19, 2010 to remember the 168 people killed in the Murrah building bombing.

We come here to remember those who were killed, those who survived and those changed forever. May all who leave here know the impact of violence. May this memorial offer comfort, strength, peace, hope and serenity.

have taken my Intersession students to the Memorial and MIPT (Memorial Institute for the Prevention of Terrorism) for a unique tour of those facilities and meetings with staff.”

“The powerful images of the Murrah Building’s implosion have an effect on some students,” Ferrell-Lynn said.

Legislation has been passed and will be signed into law by Governor Brad Henry during a ceremonial procedure at the 15th anniversary of the Murrah bombing. The legislation requires the Murrah Bombing to be a part of history curriculum taught to high school students. The measure will take affect starting Fall 2010. Ferrell-Lynn expressed her thoughts on the legislation.

“I applaud the Oklahoma legislature for requiring the incorporation of the history of the Bombing into the PASS curriculum,” she said.

“My students were 2 - 3 years old on April 19, 1995, and most have no knowledge of the Bombing.”

“It is shameful that we have not passed this legislation before now. I hope to write a companion reader that incorporates lessons from the Bombing that apply to topics taught in high school government courses,” Ferrell-Lynn said.

Ferrell-Lynn is one of several in the Central community who will be attending the Murrah bombing anniversary. For her, the affects of the Oklahoma City Bombing were personally felt.

“My cousin, Susan Ferrell, died in the Bombing,” FerrellLynn said.

“I have had to deal with considerable stress and the pain of losing someone I love in such a horrible way, but I have also been tremendously inspired by courage and compassion shown by other family members, survivors, rescue / recovery personnel and total strangers.”

“I still communicate with a young man, now 21, whose letter I received after the Bombing,” she said.

Ferrell-Lynn spent more than 10 years on the Memorial Board of Trustees from which she recently retired. She maintains a seat on The Education and Outreach and Conscience committees, which is comprised of family members, survivors, and rescue / recovery personnel.

Also, Ferrell-Lynn become one of several people who played a key roll in providing support for some of the families who were also affected during the 9/11 tragedy.

“I was one of several family members who traveled to New York City in Oct. 2001 to accompany 9-11 families to Ground Zero, and I still correspond with some of the people I met,” Ferrell-Lynn said.

“I learned that it is possible to overcome a tragedy and offer strength to others,” she said.

PHOTO BY JIM ARGO

Little description is needed for many to remember April 19, 1995. At 9:02a.m. chaos and panic ensued as families gathered and waited First Christian Church. The aftermath of the Murrah bombing left 168 men, women and children dead; more than 600 injured and countless other suffered from the death of close family members and friends. The damage was estimated to have been $652 million.

April 19, 2010 will mark the 15th anniversary of the Alfred P. Murrah federal building bombing. Many from around the nation will gather at the Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum to celebrate the courage and the hope that has continued to live on, including members of the University of Central Oklahoma community.

Deb Ferrell-Lynn teaches American National Government and periodically, State and Local Government. She has also taught an intercession class titled Politics and the College crowd.

The Oklahoma City Murrah Bombing is one among many events incorporated into the curriculum of Ferrell-Lynn and taught in the class.

“I discuss the local, state, and federal response to the Bombing as an example of governmental cooperation, a benefit of the federal system,” Ferrell-Lynn said.

“Students learn about FEMA’s response as part of the chapter on the federal bureaucracy. I show a very informative but powerful video given to me by the Oklahoma Office of Emergency Management that shows how the Federal Response Plan was first used in response to the Bombing.”

“I want students to see government officials succeeding in their tasks, “Ferrell-Lynn said. “Learning about the relationship between federal and state court jurisdictions in these high profile trials helps students understand how the system works.”

“I also incorporate the McVeigh and Nichols trials in discussions of the dual court system and civil liberties,” she said.

“Since civil liberties deals with attempting to balance individual freedom with governments’ obligations to protect life, liberty, and property, McVeigh’s action is an excellent example of extremist action that is afforded no protection under the Constitution and Bill of Rights.”

“I contrast his violent deed with criticism of government and demonstrate that one can (and in a free society, is obligated to) challenge government action when it is abusive, but that extremist violence is totally unacceptable when legitimate methods of holding government accountable still exist,” Ferrell-Lynn said.

“I include an extra credit option that involves visiting the Memorial and Museum and writing about civil liberties and

PHOTO BY GARETT FISBECK

By Tiffany Brown

In this April 19, 1995 file photo, an Oklahoma City fireman walks near explosion-damaged cars on the north side of the Alfred Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City after a car bomb blast. More than 600 people were injured in the attack and 168 people were killed. Timothy McVeigh was executed in 2001 and Terry Nichols is serving multiple life sentences on federal and state convictions for their convictions in the bombing.

At times, people speak about certain events which may have the capacity to change the course history. Whether the Murrah bombing is considered to be one of those events is yet to be seen.

“It all depends on whether or not this event is one amongst many others of similar magnitude, or whether larger and more devastating attacks take place,” Sheetz-Nguyen said.

“That is to say - this event may be cast as Americans attacking other Americans in protest against government actions of which they do not approve.”

“In my humble opinion, I think there is a need for Americans - all Americans to be better educated about their history and the roles, rights, and responsibilities of citizens and their government as articulated by the United States Constitution and Bill of Rights,” she said.

“It is when these concepts are misconstrued that we see the occurrence of such unfortunate events. Vigilantes taking ‘justice’ into their own hands, rather than trying to work through the system shows a lack of trust and faith in the principles that the widest majority of Americans endorse,” Sheetz-Nguyen said.

“I anticipate, although I cannot be sure, because I cannot project into the future, that the OKC bombing may be characterized as[a]series of events that takes April 19th as its anniversary date.”

“Surely, historians will connect the violence begets more violence frame of analysis,” she said.

“McVeigh knew enough American history to correlate his designs with the first shots fired against the British at Lexington and Concord in 1776, marking the beginning of the American Revolution. And, he claimed he was stressed by the FBI/ ATF attack on Ruby Ridge in Idaho and against David Koresh, in which the leader of the Branch Dravidians died at Waco, Texas on 19 April 1993,” Sheetz-Nguyen said.

“The horrors of the Oklahoma City bombing should not be repeated. But, I think it takes students, teachers, and professors working together to educate ourselves about concerns faced by all.”

“To do this, we need to be educated and to reflect on what it means to be a committed American citizen; and we need to be on guard against such serious transgressions against our human dignity,” Sheetz-Nguyen said.

NEWS

APRIL 20, 2010

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PHOTO BY GARETT FISBECK

cede with their lives, she said.

“The choice is theirs as to how involved and how much they invest in the process, for how long. In the end, taking care of people is a part of the process that is far more important than the end product,” Watkins said.

“The act of terror is just that, meant to create fear and anxiety in their lives.

“There has to be some amount of ‘reliving’ the experience to have the compassion and feelings that they must have felt. It is their experiences that can change your life,” she said.

The Media’s Role During and After Tragedy

Individuals personally affected by the Murrah Federal Building bombing on April 19, 1995, pay tribute to those lost, during the 15th annual Oklahoma City Bombing Memorial Commemoration at the memorial site.

Working with Survivors and Families

P H OTO BY K AT H L EEN WEL L S

Kari Watkins is the executive director of the Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum.

“For the past 14 years, I have worked closely with family members, survivors and rescue workers,” she said.

Watkins discussed how events such as the Murrah bombing could be memorialized without intruding in the lives of victims, survivors and others who have been impacted by events

such as the Murrah bombing, which have resulted in a significant loss.

“You work with the families, survivors and rescue workers and make sure there is a trust built so that you have a mutual trust for moving forward, just as in any other relationship,” Watkins said.

“You set your goals together and make sure as you work to memorialize the innocent lost, you are bringing honor to their loved ones or to their personal story of overcoming an act of evil.”

Part of helping individuals to cope with unfortunate events involves giving them the choice to decide how they will pre-

Watkins also discussed the role the media played in covering the Murrah bombing.

“The media was a critical part of this story. They watched the horror turn to hope in many cases firsthand,” she said.

“The media can and usually does put a face to the victims. In this case the media helped us humanize the act of terror. Terrorism doesn’t affect nameless, faceless people, and the media helps connect and tell their story.”

“I hope the community will look around and be so proud of how we defeated evil,” Watkins said.

“When the perpetrators sought to divide us, they in actuality united this country. We need more of that sense of unity today. The terrorists didn’t win in Oklahoma City. We figured out how to move on, remember, educate and move forward and still teach the lessons of respect, resilience and responsibility.”

A National Media Symposium took place 1:30 p.m. April 19, as a part of the Murrah bombing memorial. Mark Halperin, editor-at-large for TIME, was the moderator. Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano and visiting professional professor at the University of Oklahoma, Mike Boettcher, discussed, “The Public’s Right to Know?” The event was to give the public insight on how news is delivered. Napolitano was the keynote speaker. She spoke about the department’s efforts to combat and protect against evolving threats of terrorism and combating homegrown terrorism.

The Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum features 168 chairs in nine rows made especially for the victims who died. Nine rows represent the number of floors that crumbled after it was bombed. Each chair bears the name of the victims. The smaller chairs represent the children who died. Also, the reflecting pool filled with shallow waters has become an important part of the memorial symbolizing a peaceful place for quiet thoughts reflecting the image of individuals who visit the site

Paying Tribute Moving Forward

and

To commemorate the 15th anniversary several events were held, family members, survivors and rescue workers were given the opportunity to privately gather at the Memorial Museum to reflect on the event on April 17. Also other events were held including: the third annual Memorial Motorcycle Run was on the same day.A 15th Anniversary Memorial Concert was scheduled to be helA 15th Anniversary Memorial Concert was scheduled to be at the First Christian Church where many families gathered inquiring about their loved ones shortly after the bombing occurred 15 years ago. The Oklahoma Master Chorale, Schola Cantorum and the First Christian Church cathedral choir were scheduled to perform.

The 10th annual Memorial Marathon, which is the memorial’s largest fundraising event, took place. More than 23,000 runners were expected to take part in the Memorial Marathon.

In the past, individuals came from as far as Canada to participate.

The anniversary was also remembered in other states. A special exhibit titled “Leadership in a Time of Crisis: President Clinton and the Oklahoma City Bombing” has been opened in Little Rock, Ark., at the William J. Clinton Presidential Center. The exhibit will showcase artifacts for the Oklahoma

City bombing, including photos and videos comprised by the Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum.

The exhibition was established as a partnership between the William J. Clinton Foundation, National Archives and Records Administration, and the Oklahoma City National Memorial.

According to the memorial website, “the exhibit focuses on President Clinton’s leadership during what was one of the country’s darkest hours.” The exhibit will be open until June 1.

On April 21, at the Special Event Center at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, Clinton will be honored by the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum for his contributions to the state following the bombing.

He will receive the Reflections of Hope Award, which according to the memorial website “honors a living person or active organization whose conduct exemplifies in an extraordinary fashion two core beliefs of the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum: that hope can survive and blossom despite the tragedy and chaos of political violence and that, even in environments marred by such violence, peaceful, nonviolent approaches provide the best answers to human problems.”

On April 16, 2010, President Barack Obama signed a proclamation declaring April 19, as National Day of Service and Remembrance for Victims and Survivors of Terrorism. Included in the proclamation were these words: “There is no greater evil than willful violence against innocents. On this National Day of Service and Remembrance for Victims and Survivors of Terrorism, we pause to remember victims of terrorism at home and abroad, we honor the he-

roes who have supported them, and we redouble our efforts to build the kind of world that is worthy of their legacy.

“Fifteen years ago, terrorists bombed the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City, killing over 160 men, women, and children, and injuring hundreds more. Even before the dust settled, heroes had emerged. First responders, medical professionals, clergy, relief organizations, local leaders, and everyday citizens stepped forward to help victims and their families. Again, when terrorists struck on September 11, 2001, and thousands of Americans − and scores of foreign nationals − perished in New York City, at the Pentagon, and in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, Americans made a historic effort to assist all those affected. The dignity of those who were attacked − and the courage of those who came to their aid − reaffirmed the strength of our nation, and the human spirit.” The entire proclamation can be read at www.oklahomacitynationalmemorial.org/uploads/documents/2010_Presidential _Proclamation.pdf.

The names of the 168 individuals who died as a result of the Murrah bombing were read during the commemoration.

“Memorials are not cemeteries,” Watkins said. “They are meant to teach and educate. You should come here to learn, to see both sides of a story, and to somehow appreciate and understand that in the end if we come to the solution from two different standpoints, we are stronger because we have met in the middle,” she said.

UCO also paid tribute by making its collection of artwork recovered from the bombing available at http://library.uco. edu/archives/exhibits/murrah/.

6

CLASSIFIEDS

EMPLOYMENT

EMPLOYMENT

APRIL 20, 2010 CROSSWORD PUZZLE

Server Positions Shogun’s Steak Available House Of Japan Pearls Lakeside. within. 748-6113

Apply

Teacher Needed Immediately For Edmond Daycare

FT/PT experience preferred. Competitive wages.

Apply in person @ 24 NW 146th or call Camelot CDC @ 749-2262

Part Time Job

Senior Services of Oklahoma is looking for students to fill part time positions. Several from 9a.m.-1p.m. shifts and 1:30p.m.-5:30p.m. shifts are available for Monday- Friday.

We pay $10.00 per hour for energetic phone work educating senior citizens on healthcare issues. No experience is needed; We will train. Business is located at 1417 N.W. 150th St. in Edmond. Call 879-1888 to set up interview.

Ask for Megan Parris.

Hiring for waitstaff, busers, dishwashers, host, bar tender.

Apply in person at Northpark Mall (NW 127nd N. May) after 5:30 pm. 749-0120

SERVICES

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Conveniently located on the UCO campus, offers English as a second language classes for international students/individuals. NOW FEATURING a specially designed program with: With Strong emphasis in listening /speaking, highly interactive classes , and new Babysitter needed for sum- and improved TOEFL promer and 2010-2011 school gram. Enjoy small classes and year for two boys, (7&4) the campus facilities. Contact Summer: 4 days per week. us at (405) 341-2125 or www.

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Local eye clinic in Edmond 1 bedroom $350 + utililooking to fill a part time po- ties. No Pets No smoking. 31 sition T-F 3:00-6:30 and Sat 1/2 West Hurd Edmond. Call 9-2:00. More hours available Patty 408-8765 if needed. Must have computer skills, social skills, and a friendly attitude. Job includes merchandise sales and front desk responsibilities. Please fax or email resume. 405-4787098 or rpjones@yahoo.com ~Spring Creek of Edmond~ Huge Student Discount!

No application fee or Security Full time/ Part time customDeposit w/ Student ID er service rep position avail341-3932 able for local dry cleaners.

Friendlt, outgoing personality needed. Great Pay, Great Very nice bedroom, large hours for students. Please Call closet, desk, tv, private bath, 842-5400 internet, kithcen privileges, bus services laundry privileges. 1 mile from campus $375/ 1 person $450/ 2 People. 3413276 Lawn maintenance, carpentry, painting. Near UCO. Mist be self-motivated, trustworthy, able to work unsupervised.

641-0712 Female roommate needed to share a 2 year old 4 bed/2 bath house near UCO in a Mature, professional non- family neighborhood close smoking female needed for to Edmond North with 2 nanny services.

Summer female UCO students. Rent hours: Drop son off at camp includes all utilities, basic caat 8:45, and pick up at camp ble, high speed wireless inter@ 3:00. During school year net, onsite washer/dryer, and hours: Mon.-Fri. 8:00 am to off-street parking. The house 5:00 pm (Summer Hours) is completely furnished with 2:45 to~5:15 p.m. for 2010- the exception of the room for 2011 school year (August rent. Rent is $500 a month 13th school start date). Must plus deposit. No smoking or have a safe vehicle and be pets allowed. a safe driver able to pick up If interested in living in a 1 boy (ages 8) from school nice, quiet home please and drive to Edmond home. contact:Keith(405)633-1250 Overview of expectations in- or email lashleyfamily@hotclude: preparing a nutritious mail.com snack, assisting in homework and participating in age-appropriate activities with the child. Salary, competitive will be based on qualifications and 1 BD APT. Gas & Water experience. Please send a re- Paid. No Pets! Near UCO. sume (listing childcare and 1209 N. Roosevelt. $375.00/ other prior jobs) along with Mo. Phone 641-0712 three references to mary.hartman@chk.com.

1, 2 & 3 Bedroom Apartment Homes

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Ranch Help Wanted

Edmond ranch seeks part time help for basic grounds upkeep. 8-16 Hours per week, flexible hours. If interested, email mbtownsend@ swbell.net

Across

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2. Cast 3. “Is that ___?”

4. Monetary unit of Gambia 5. Ancient alphabetic character 6. Networks 7. More, in Madrid 8. Mezzo Berganza 9. Holly 10. ___-tac-toe 11. Emergency airplane seat 12. Equal to 57.2958 degrees 13. Buy-one-get-onefree item?

15. Macho guys 20. “___ Town Too” (1981 hit) 22. Drivel 23. Aroma 24. Commands 26. Carpenter, at times 27. “Your majesty” 29. “___ say!”

30. Big ___ Conference 35. Bombard 36. ___ Today 37. Capable of being broken 38.

“Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice ___ Agin)” (#1 hit of 1970) 39. Fizzy drink 43. Born 44. Monkey’s treat 45. Closer 46. Ceiling 47. Autocrats 48. Still one 49. Kind of jar 53. Balcony section 55. View 57. Driver’s lic. and others 58. Trick taker, often 64. Egypt’s Lake ___ 59. Chit 65. “A rat!”

60. Away 66. Buzzi of “Laugh-In” 61. ___ power 1. Certain herring 5. Engine speed, for short 8. Solution strengths 14. Hawaiian native dance 16. Biblical miracle worker 17. Greeks 18. Ebb 19. Financial page heading 20. Bewitch 21. Cloak-and-dagger org.

22. Aplomb 25. A Swiss army knife has lots of them 27. Antares, for one 28. Office 31. Appear, with “up” 32. Grassland 33. “To ___ is human ...”

34. Aversion 40. ___ gestae 41. Bubkes 42. Long, long time 44. Difference between import/export values 49. Damon of “Good Will Hunting” 50. Benjamin Disraeli, e.g.

51. Bristles 52. “Gimme ___!” (start of an Iowa State cheer) 53. Drink from a dish 54. “Ah, me!”

56. Jesus Christ 58. Pregnancy termination 62. Antsy 63. Liquidation sale

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ANSWER FROM APRIL 13

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SPORTS

APRIL 20, 2010

7

MLB Opinion

By Ryan Costello / Staff Writer Last week, we looked at how The Vista expects the National League will shape out in Major League Baseball’s regular season. With the senior circuit dealt with, it’s now time to do the same in the land of the designated hitter, the American League.

American League East The Winners

It would seem as though the Yankees, fresh off a World Series win to cap last season, are primed to once again top the AL East.

The Bronx Bombers look even more like a fantasy team than before, as the Steinbrenner ilk put another pair of stars in pinstripes. A trade with the Braves sent Melky Cabrera to Atlanta, getting strikeout machine Javier Vazquez.

Vazquez had a career year in his only campaign with the Braves, leading the Atlanta club in wins (15, tied with D. Lowe), falling just three short of his highest season strikeout total with 238, and posting best ever marks in ERA (2.87) and WHIP (1.03), all while chewing up his usual stockpile of innings (219.1).

Without Cabrera patrolling the outfield, and with the departure of center fielder Johnny Damon in the off-season, the Yanks would need a new face in the outfield to accompany young speedster Brett Gardner.

The Yankees did get a new face, and it came with quite a bat.

Curtis Granderson came in to the Yankee lineup having hit a career-high 30 home runs in the prior season, his final with the Detroit Tigers. In big fly-prone New Yankee Stadium, there’s not much reason to expect that total will decrease in 2010.

Combine the new additions with the 2009 World Champion Yankees, the Jeter’s, ARod’s, and so on, the boys from the Bronx are in prime position for a repeat performance.

The Rest of the Pack

The Boston Red Sox and those pesky Tampa Bay Rays are likely to finish 2-3 in the AL East, with the Rays the early favorite. As Tampa Bay’s sluggers (Longoria, Burrell) continue to thrive, and Boston’s aging lineup (Ortiz, Varitek) slumps, look for the Rays to finish in second place in the AL East and secure a wild card berth into the playoffs.

Toronto and Baltimore will, as usual, bring up the rear in the East. Baltimore has young phenom catcher, Matt Wieters, and an improving lineup to look forward to, and Toronto has a legion of prospects to manage after trading Cy Young winner, Roy Halladay.

AP P H OTO/K AT H Y WIL L ENS

AMERICAN LEAGUE PREVIEW

American League Central The Winners

The Minnesota Twins showed in the offseason their will to win, signing catcher Joe Mauer to a deal that is literally worth more than the team itself, locking up their young slugger for nearly a decade.

In 2010, that will to win is going to be a requirement if the Twinkies are going to make the leap and win the division in their first season at the brand-new Target Field.

Though the season-ending injury to prized closer Joe Nathan would have seemed to spell doom for the Twins, former Nationals closer, Jon Rauch has gone six for six in his save opportunities this season, allowing just one earned run in the process.

If the Minnesota lineup, including new additions Orlando Hudson and Jim Thome, that early on ties the Yankees for more runs scored can continue to hit, and they have the pitching to match, the Twins should take the Central cake in 2010.

The Rest of the Pack

The White Sox and Tigers both have what it takes to win the Central but will most likely end up just short. Who gets closest will depend on managers Jim Leyland and Ozzie Guillen. If Leyland can make the transition of former Yankee Damon a smooth one in his

New York Yankees starting pitcher Andy Pettitte delivers in the eighth inning against the Texas Rangers in a baseball game at Yankee Stadium on Sunday, April 18, 2010, in New York. Pettitte (2-0) pitched four-hit ball for eight innings in the Yankees’ 5-2 victory. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)

replacement of Granderson, the Tigers could have a shot to make noise in the division.

If Guillen can get a decent batting average to accompany the pop that comes from outfielders Carlos Quentin and Andruw Jones, then perhaps he’ll have a handful fewer profanity-laced tirades in 2010 ... or not.

The Kansas City Zack Greinke’s ... ahem ... Royals, will try to improve in 2010 over 2009, just as they’ve been doing for years. The Cleveland Indians, whose endless struggle seems more inexplicable by the minute with a lineup that includes Travis Hafner and Grady Sizemore, but it’s unlikely they climb the standings after a collective front office yawn in the off-season.

American League West The Winners

The AL West is easily the toughest division to figure in the American League, as is often the case when literally every team is capable of hanging the banner. That being said, there are no division ties, so meet your 2010 AL Central winners: the Los Angeles Angels.

It’s true, it’s never sexy to pick a repeat, but

in this case it only seems proper.

With the addition of pitcher Joel Pineiro, whose achievements were lost in the shuffle of the three-headed monster that topped the Cardinal staff last season, the Angel pitching staff will keep opponents’ bats just quiet enough for new addition Hideki Matsui, who is fast entering “ageless” territory, and friends to pull out the 90 or so wins it will take to win the division.

The Rest of the Pack

Oakland, Seattle, and Texas will all be in the mix for a majority of the season, as usual.

Also as usual, the Rangers’ lack of focus on starting pitching and Seattle’s lack of offense will take them out of the running in the West.

The Athletics, however, have a chance to run for the division. If new pitcher, Ben Sheets, can contribute and stay healthy, it’s hard to say that that the staff that also includes the solid Justin Duchscherer and Chad Gaudin will be unable to hold the runs against a total low enough for a low-power Oakland lineup to keep pace.

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8

SPORTS

APRIL 20, 2010

Sports Feature

By Chris Wescott / Sports Editor Ryan “The Hunter” Lopez towers above most. At 6-foot-1, and 225 pounds of solid muscle, Lopez is an athletic freak and the perfect prototype for a professional fighter.

“He never quits,” Luke Tirey, who has been training Lopez for several fights now, said. “He’s strong, he’s powerful, he’s conditioned with the best of them, and he’s the (most fun) athlete I’ve ever got to train.”

Lopez has appeared on national television, participating in “The Ultimate Fighter” season 8 on Spike TV. Lopez has also modeled for Men’s Health. He has competed in matches all over Oklahoma and now has a record of 12-8 overall.

The professional punisher lost the Rage of Cage title fight this past Saturday night at Paradise City Night Club in Oklahoma City.

If you were to look at Lopez and were told that he used to play football, you would probably guess he played a high contact position. Linebacker comes to mind. However, it is highly unlikely you would believe that Lopez was actually a punter in college, playing for the University of Central Oklahoma.

“I played football from ‘01 to ‘05 up there, and that’s all I did was punt,” Lopez said. “I’m just an athlete, you know, that likes to compete, and (fighting) is some other way I can compete.”

The story behind Lopez’s nickname is an interesting one. It has to do with his day job – which is just as interesting as his MMA fighting.

“The reason they call me “The Hunter” is because I’m also a bounty hunter,” Lopez said. “Everybody thought that’d be a good nickname for me: “The Hunter.”

Bounty hunter by day, MMA fighter by night, Lopez has always had a soft spot for fighting. He was kicked off his high school wrestling team for that very reason.

“I wrestled one week in high school and got kicked off for fight-

PHOTO PROVIDED

“THE HUNTER”

Ryan “The Hunter” Lopez poses for a Sports Illustrated photo prior to The Ultimate Fighter season 8 on Spike TV. Lopez was eliminated from the show in the second episode via a rear naked choke by opponent Tom Lawlor in round one.

ing. I actually fought one of my teammates, and they kicked me off the team.

“I’ve liked to fight my whole life,” Lopez said with a laugh. “(Now) I get paid to punch people in the face.”

Lopez’s favorite fight memory

comes from probably his most wellknown moment. Lopez is now a local celebrity, having been on Spike TV for season 8 of “The Ultimate Fighter.” It is from his time there that Lopez’s favorite memory comes.

“My most memorable part was when I was on “Ultimate Fighter”

season 8,” Lopez said. “I fought Tom Lawlor to get into the house. I lost, he choked me at the end of the third round, but as far as experience and all that, that was my favorite memory.”

Although Lawlor’s rear naked choke on Lopez in the first elimi-

nation round sent the former UCO Broncho home from the competition early, it was still a good experience for him.

Lopez labels himself as a freestyle fighter, and Luke Tirey of Tirey’s Training in Edmond, has been training him as such.

“He’s a very intense guy,” Tirey said. “(He’s) one of my favorite guys to train just because we can push him harder than we can push anyone else.”

Tirey has trained, and is training, other MMA fighters. With them, he oftentimes comes up with pre-fight game plans. With Lopez, Tirey is confident he doesn’t have to do that.

“With him, I don’t (need a game plan). He’s such a freak athlete and a specimen that his game is just power, strength and outlasting the other opponent.”

This past Saturday was Lopez’s title fight for the Rage in the Cage Championship.

Lopez started things over quick and within seconds took down Bill Albrecht with authority. The two struggled on the ground for what seemed like an eternity. The fight seemed stationary, until the two backed up into the blue corner. Lopez had the leverage on Albrecht, driving him down into the cage. However, it was Albrecht’s submission prowess that overcame Lopez.

Albrecht wrapped Lopez tightly, and the Edmond native tapped out.

Lopez struggled to rise, clutching his injured arm during the struggle.

Albrecht won by rule of tap out in the first round.

Despite the loss, Lopez is one of the more popular local fighters in the area. The cheer when he walked out of the locker room and toward the cage Saturday night was resounding. It wasn’t his first fight and won’t be his last. Lopez now returns to training, and the former Broncho punter will continue bringing the pain soon enough.

NBA Playoffs

By Ryan Costello / Staff Writer The Oklahoma City Thunder’s playoff debut has come and gone, and young star Kevin Durant is still wondering what happened.

In a hard-fought 87-79 loss to the defending champion Los Angeles Lakers, Durant played in his first game in the NBA postseason Sunday night ... but he didn’t take over it. He just played in it.

After averaging a league-best 30.1 points throughout the regular season, Durant scored a relatively pedestrian 24 points on Sunday night, and the typically efficient Thunder forward took 24 shots to do so.

You could say the Lakers’ defensive specialist Ron Artest was the cause of Durant’s 7-24 shooting performance, but the youngest scoring champion in league history wouldn’t entirely agree.

After an ESPN reporter asked him if Artest’s physical style of defense was the cause of his shooting woes, Durant fell short of saying yes.

“He plays physical every time we go at it,” Durant said of Artest. “I got some great opportunities to make shots, and they didn’t fall. It’s going to be like that all series. I’m looking forward to it.”

When pressed, Durant preferred to put the blame on himself rather

AP PHOTO/MARK J. TERRILL

LAKERS DOWN THUNDER 87-79

Los Angeles Lakers center Andrew Bynum blocks the shot of Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant during the first half of the opening game of a first-round NBA basketball playoff series, Sunday, April 18, 2010, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

than his counterpart’s defense.

“It’s been like that for three years,” Durant said. “Every defender is like that. I’ve learned to adjust to it. But I got to the spots I wanted to get to on the floor, I just wasn’t able to finish the shots.”

Even Thunder head coach Scott Brooks noticed the toll Artest’s nudging, prodding, and shoving had on his young scorer.

“Ron’s one of the better defenders [in the NBA]. If you let him stay close to your body, you’re going to have trouble moving,” Brooks said to ESPN. “We have to do a better job of setting screens, and K.D. is going to have to do a better job of running him off of those screens and making him chase instead of allowing him to play his game.”

As for the game itself, the Thun-

der fell behind in what turned out to be a backbreaking first quarter.

The Lakers led 27-13 after one quarter of play, after Oklahoma City made just two of their thirteen shots from the field, raising questions of playoff jitters for the youngest team in the league.

The Thunder managed to clamp down on the Lakers in the second quarter however, trimming the lead

to just eight points at intermission after forcing 10 Laker misses in their final 11 shots of the half.

Russell Westbrook, the former UCLA star, single-handedly kept the Thunder in the game at some points, scoring eight consecutive Oklahoma City points near the end of the second half, and totaling 23 on 10 for 16 shooting.

Though Oklahoma City would pull within six in the waining moments, a 5-1 run by the Lakers, capped by a Derek Fisher threepoint dagger at the 1:30 mark, sealed the fate of the young Thunder in their playoff debut.

The Lakers’ size turned out to be Oklahoma City’s greatest problem, as the trio of Los Angeles seven-footers, Andrew Bynum, Pau Gasol, and sixth man Lamar Odom, scored 39 of the 87 Laker points and hauled in a total of 21 rebounds.

“When you have Bynum, Gasol and Lamar Odom all in at the same time, I mean it’s a lot of reaching, a lot of hands and that’s a lot of length,” Westbrook said to ESPN. “It’s tough for us, but I think we’re going to continue to play, continue to compete and we’ll have a chance.”

For a team that thrives on heart, competing is all you can ask for.