The Vista June 28, 2007

INSIDE Page 3: DDR fights obesity Page 4: LibertyFest Events Page 6: Sports www.thevistaonline.com

The Student Voice of the University of Central Oklahoma Since 1903

June 28, 2007

Rose State College to offer bachelor's degree through UCO

by Lyndsay Gillum Copy Editor

by Vista photographer Chris Albers

Director of UCO Academic Programs at Rose State College, Callie Lee, poses with a field banner she uses to boost enrollment for the program Wednesday, June 27.

UCO has now made it possible for students to earn a Bachelor of Science in General Studies at the Rose State College campus, which will begin in the fall semester.

Offered through UCO's Department of Occupational and Technological Education, this will be the third bachelor's degree offered by UCO on the RSC campus. The two other degrees already being offered are Bachelor of Science in Nursing and a Bachelor of Business Administration in General Business.

"The Occupational and Technology Education department exists to provide quality undergraduate and graduate programs that enable individuals to develop competencies necessary for success as a professional in the industry or the disciplines of Career-Tech Education," the OCTE mission statement read.

UCO and RSC's partnership is available to provide educational opportunities for citizens

in the Rose State College service area. It is also a continued effort to make it more convenient to earn a four-year Bachelor's Degree.

For the new program in General Studies, students will take courses online and in class at the newly remodeled University Center on the RSC campus. Courses in the fall will include Human Resources in Training Development and Consulting Skills in Training and Development. Spring 2008 courses will address topics such as ethics, leadership and communication skills needed by supervisors.

"The Occupational and Technology Education Department at UCO is very pleased to participate in this initiative by RSC and UCO to offer top-notch, studentfriendly classes," said Robin Lacy, chairman of the OCTE Department at UCO. "We hope this will serve the needs of students living in the MidDel area or working at places like Tinker Air Force Base."

Christopher Bray is the UCO

professor primarily in charge of teaching the Supervision courses for the new UCO B.S. degree program at RSC. According to a press release, Bray has a Masters in Business Administration and soon will complete his experience as a supervisor with Pfizer Pharmaceuticals, where he helped launch national promotional campaigns for new products such as Lipitor and Viagra.

Any student who completes theirAssociateofArtorAssociate of Science degree will meet the general education requirements for any B.S. degree from UCO, which requires students to complete 124 credit hours.

For more information, contact Callie Lee, director of UCO Academic Programs at Rose State College, at (405) 733-7455 or online at UCOAdvisor@rose.edu .

Lyndsay Gillum can be reached at lgillum@thevistaonline.com .

West Africa receives support LibertyFest shows off its colors from UCO to strengthen media

by Andrew Knittle Staff Writer

by Lyndsay Gillum Copy Editor

journalism is supposed to be."

Some news organizations are taking steps to train and attract minorities to the field of journalism. For example, the Freedom Forum, an international foundation committed to free speech and a free press, has established an institute for Newsroom Diversity in Nashville, Tenn., where their mission is to bring people of color into the profession and then train them for the professional world.

Mali is immensely poor and literacy reaches no higher than 30 percent of the popu-

with Oklahoma journalists to learn how the free American press works. The education and training they will receive will enable them to continue efforts to help their people through their own media.

"It is my belief that unless we Africans can tell our own story within context and show an Africa that has not been seen before the West will continue to throw their hands up in despair believing that our continent is full of a bunch of confused savages that is now beyond salvation/redemption. The only way

UCO journalism professor Dr. Terry Clark participated for two weeks -in March in "Nurturing the Fourth Estate," a project made possible by the U.S. State Department. The project was setup to help the professional development of media specialists in the Republic of Mali, West Africa.

Clark joined several other professors and Oklahoma journalists in Bamako, Mali. He said the need for more professional journalism training was a significant issue emphasized by Malian media specialists on the basic elements of a democratic press system, and to contribute to the selection process of Malian applicants who will participate in an exchange internship this July.

In an article titled "The Fading Complexion of the Fourth Estate," many journalists of color feel their talent and skills are not valued and that their employers are not committed to nurturing their professional growth.

Photo provided "The radio stations and newspapers remind me of what Dr. Terry Clark and Mali residents take some time to pose for the camera community newspa- during 'Nurturing the Fourth Estate' in March. pers were 100 years lation. The average birth rate the West can understand and ago in our state and country, in Africa is 4.3 percent; the treat us seriously is to hear the with multiple voices and lower average death rate is 1.3 per- African story first hand from circulations, depending on sub- cent. Therefore, the population the African perspective rather scribers and local support for grows by about 3 percent every than the usual white version existence," said Clark, chair- year. Western Africa has an - so why not take the risk if man of UCO's Department area of 2.5 million square miles that can help turn things around of Mass Communication, in a and an estimated population for our continent," Sorious press release. "Ask them their of 250 million. Mali, in par- Samura was quoted, who propurpose and they will say it ticular, has 12 million people. duced the documentary about is to help the people of the Malian media profession- Sierra Leone, which follows the country and maintain their als selected for the exchange fate of three characters and the freedom. Their media have a into the United States next passion and purpose for what month will work one-on-one see MALI, page 3

7th Annual LibertyFest Car Show June 30th 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.

For a complete list of events. see page 4

UCO will host LibertyFest's annual fireworks display July 4 to celebrate Independence Day, capping off a week's worth of festivities in the Edmond area.

June Cartwright, marketing and publicity director for LibertyFest, said UCO has been the home of the fireworks show for decades.

"The fireworks began at the rodeo grounds at 300 N. Kelly, then moved to the UCO campus in 1976," Cartwright said. "Fireworks were first viewed from Wantland Stadium, then due to construction on the campus, moved to the Broncho Lake area."

LibertyFest, which was officially incorporated in 1987, has been celebrated – in one form or another – since 1923's July 4 festival at Stephenson Park, Cartwright said.

And with Oklahoma's Centennial running through 2007, this year LibertyFest promises to be the biggest show to date.

"This year LibertyFest has celebrated our Oklahoma Centennial with the rededication of the Statue of Liberty on the corner of Second and Boulevard," Cartwright said.

"The parade is even bigger and better, with a military fly over to honor our troops, and there will be twice as many fireworks at UCO this year to celebrate the centennial," she said.

Cartwright said she expects around 50,000 revelers for the fireworks show at UCO and noted the important role the university plays in the annual event.

"UCO is imperative to the success of LibertyFest and Parkfest at UCO, and the fireworks celebration," Cartwright said. "UCO radio station 90.1 plays the music for the fireworks display and the UCO police department is critical to the success of the event."

In addition to the fireworks display near Broncho Lake, UCO

AP

LibertyFest celebrates Independence Day with several events throughout the week. For a list of events, see page 4.

will also host a concert tonight at 7:30 in Mitchell Hall Theater.

A car show, which is open to anyone willing to pay a small fee, will be hosted on campus June 30. The Miss Edmond / Miss LibertyFest scholarship pageant will be held later that evening in Mitchell Hall beginning at 7 p.m.

As for UCO, police chief Jeff Harp said the school is making the annual preparations for LibertyFest.

"We're expecting a larger than normal crowd because of Centennial," Harp said. "We're

having to make some changes on how we manage parking lots around the Liberal Arts Building, but those classrooms will still be accessible to students."

Harp said he doesn't expect I— too much trouble, considering LibertyFest is a family event, but added, "anything is possible."

For more information about the various LibertyFest events and activities, go to www. libertyfest.org or call 340-2527.

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Andrew Knittle can be reached at aknittle@thevistaonline.com.

Science is the great antidote to the poison of enthusiasm and superstition.

-Adam Smith THURS. 67/75 FRI.

68/79

OPINION June 28, 2007

rrHEVIsrrA Editorial

Photography

Steven Reckinger, Editor in Chief Aaron Wright, Managing Editor Lyndsay Gillum, Copy Editor

Chris Albers, Photographer Chris Often, Photographer

I'M GONNA 60 OUT ON A LIM AND SAY THAT TNT

Advertising Megan Pierce, Ad Director Aaron Pettijohn, Ad Designer

News Nathan Winfrey, Senior Staff Writer Andrew Knittle, Staff Writer Justin Langston, Staff Writer Abha Eli Phoboo, Staff Writer

DROUGHT IS OVER,

Cartoons/Illustrations Zachary Burch

Secretary Tresa Berlemann

Sports Adviser

Jeff Massie, Sports Editor

Mark Zimmerman

The Vista is published as a newspaper and public forum by UCO students, semi-weekly during the academic year except exam and holiday periods, and on Thursdays only during summer, at the University of Central Oklahoma, 100 N. University Dr., Edmond, OK 73034. Telephone: (405) 974-5549. The issue price is free for the first copy and $1 for each additional copy obtained.

EDITORIALS Opinion columns, editorial cartoons, reviews and commentaries represent the views of the writer or artist and not necessarily the views of The Vista Editorial Board, the Department of Mass Communication, UCO or the Board of Regents of Oklahoma Colleges. The Vista is not an official medium of expression for the Regents or UCO.

LETTERS The Vista encourages letters to the editor. Letters should address issues and ideas, not personalities. Letters must be typed, double-spaced, with a maximum of 150 words, and must include the author's printed name, title, major, classification and phone number. Letters are subject to editing for libel, clarity and space, or to eliminate statements of questionable taste. The Vista reserves the right not to publish submitted letters and does not publish anonymous letters.

Address letters to: Editor, The Vista, 100 N. University Dr., Edmond, OK 73034-5209, or deliver in person to the editor in the Communications Building, Room 107. Letters can be e-mailed to editorial@thevistaonline.com .

Cartoon by Zachary Burch STAFF EDITORIAL

Stem-cell research, ethical or an attempt to play god?

Opinion 1 :._. When President Bush issued his second veto of a measure lifting his restrictions on human embryonic stem cell experiments, he made a huge mistake by impeding on vital medical research. Not only this, but he has brought about an even more heated debate on the scientific and ethical issues surrounding the research into the 2008 presidential campaign.

Stem cells are immature cells, created shortly after conception, which have the ability to turn into any kind of tissue in the body. These immature cells could provide breakthroughs in the treatment of debilitating diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.

But, unfortunately, because of the obstinacy of one man — President Bush — these people suffering from these atrocious diseases, will go on suffering while they wait for treatments and the wishes of a cure.

"Destroying human life in the hopes of saving human life is not ethical, and it is not the only option before us," Bush said at the White House. Well, I find this statement a tad contradictory. It's wrong for medical researchers to make possible treatments and possibly cures for patients on their deathbeds, when Bush made the statement "I will not allow our nation to cross this moral line. Advances

must be pursued in a way that Stem-cell research has been respects human dignity and a large target for these activupholds our moral values." ists, because it treads on the By vetoing stem cell research, _grounds of playing god. Despite we as a nation are not upholding the chances of curing cancer, our moral values or respecting human beings have resorted to human life. We are causing a uncivilized manner by experiset back in research that could menting with precious life itself.

The question remains: are possibly treat or maybe even cure Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, embryos even alive during that juvenile diabetes and other stage? Can we realailments. Shouldn't we be ly classify it fighting to save those on earth as murder who are struggling to survive? if the

Opinion

the wellbeing of our world.

Scientists tend to dignify themselves with the advancements they discover and this,,,is no exception. But if they're limited on what they can test, then there's not much pride to be had.

Stem-cell research is a major issue, one that heavily balances on the scale between what's right and wrong.

The beauty of democracy

2

One of the biggest factors in human casualty today is contributed to disease, whether it's a viral infection that eats away at the body or a malfunction in the physiology of the individual. For as long as the earth remains intact, it's inevitable that disease will always be the leading cause to our end.

Scientists have persisted to finding new methods of treating disease to the best of their ability. This means destroying a human life to save another.

Makes sense, doesn't it? For years, needing to take a little to give a little is straightforward advice. Wars followed it in the past and the outcomes proved beneficial in the long run.

But voluntarily cloning human embryos for the sake of science sounds a little morbid. At least that's what a lot of pro-life movements believe.

for this research, and now we have another proposal that not surprisingly -gets rejected. This one man bases his judgment by his own convictions, not fully thinking about the potential this research may have on the population. If this research is utilized efficiently and morally and not to create a massive race of parasitic creatures that will become the downfall of us all, then let the scientists have their Petri dishes and microscopes.

Without financial support, scientific research cannot progress and without progression, the human race is left without a clue. Just like the structure of democracy. But that's a different subject altogether.

Opinion 3

embryo is too early to substantiate whether or not it's a living entity? With all the science available to us, it's impossible to fully understand the cycle of development. Does the embryo have an intellect?

Who can really say? Except President Bush, that is.

Here we have another bill recently vetoed by Old George himself, and one that affects

means that on some issues, the president is the only one that really has a say in it. Producing stem cells for health reasons is something that should be addressed to the entire country, not just one man whose conservative, religious views get in the way of far too many decisions.

Bush already vetoed one bill concerning expanded funds

I find it hard to fathom that Mr. Bush (I don't recognize him as president) has the ability to differentiate which lives are more sacred than others. But that's what he did, for a second time, when he vetoed the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act passed on by the senate. Bush, along with plenty of other conservatives, finds it okay to send American soldiers off to a questionable war to kill and be killed, but lays down an iron fundamentalist Christian fist when it comes to performing medical research on "poor little aborted embryos."

Also, it amazes me the

amount of people I have spoken with that either do not know anything about the potenfiat of embryonic stem. cells, or do not have an opinion.

It might surprise some people that the stem cell discussion has been going on since the 1960s, and great leaps have already been made since then. On the website, Stemcellresearch.org, there is a list of 73 different diseases that have been successfully treated using medical findings derived from adult stem cell research. The list includes many forms of cancer, Parkinson's disease, immune system deficiencies, spinal cord injuries and many more. If the bill for embryonic stem cell research were passed, we might be able to double, or triple that list. What happen to the greater good?

Thank you, Mr. Bush, because as the death toll rises in Iraq, I can at least be assured that no innocent little aborted embryos will be surrendered to the doctor's scalpel. It eases my mind to know they will continue to be thrown in the dumpster out back where they belong.

The Vista editorial staff can be reached at editorial@thevistaonline.com.

CAMPUS QUOTES: Compiled and photographed by Chris Albers and Chris Otten

"What is your opinion on embryonic stem cell research?"

"Stem cell research is promising, but embryonic stem cell research is unethical."

"If it's gonna help save lives, it's a great thing."

"If our government , allows abortion, I

I think we should utilize the cells to save lives."

can you value a potential life when you don't value actual life? People are starving and we do little to help them."

"How

David Morgan

Selena Etzler

Clint Howell

Nico Brawdy

Pre-flied graduate

Geography sophomore

Biology [undassifiel

Public relations junior

NEWS

BCM inspires students with rock and Scripture

Getting into medical school proves challenging for international students

by Justin Langston Staff Writer

by Vista photographer Chris Albers

A student watches as members of the Baptist Collegiate Ministries perform at the BCM concert on the lawn event June 12, 2007.

by Abha Eli Phoboo Staff Writer The Baptist Collegiate Ministry has started "Concert on the Lawn," 7 p.m. every Tuesday, as its summer program for UCO students. The event combines a cookout, music, and Bible Study for those interested.

"In the summertime, we usually meet once a week for fellowship and prayer," said Charles Lillard, director of the BCM. "This summer, we decided to Meet out on the lawn and haVe a concert too. That way UCO students who are still around in the summer can take time to come and enjoy the cookout and concert too."

Kris and Lisa Leininger perform gospel songs at each "Concert on the Lawn." Kris also plays an acoustic gui-

MALI from page 1 quest for a rare pink diamond.

Clark was nominated to participate in "Nurturing the Fourth Estate" by his former studentturned-OSU professor Dr. Shelly Sitton. "Nurturing the Fourth Estate was designed to help develop media in this stable, Muslim democracy. They needed an old newspaperman to go along, and I'm double qualified," Clark stated in a press release.

Malian journalists will spend three weeks training in Oklahoma with internships in radio, television and newspaper. Oklahoma media and organizations participating in the exchange internship include the Oklahoma Farm Bureau, KOSO radio, the Stillwater News Press and the Tulsa World.

"I came back with renewed inspiration, actually proud to be a journalist in the real

Put Yourself to the Test...

Do you have the ddlls and knowledge to challenge one of our exams? We have approximately 45 nationally standardized exams and 158 tests developed here at UCO that you can take to earn college credit to benefit your degree.

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tar, while the audience eats and talks, or just listens.

The group has about 14 members. The organizers say that the emphasis is on connecting.

"We make it a point to meet everyone who comes and we discuss various topics. Our first topic was relationship," said Lillard. The second week's topic was "Anger," and visitors were encouraged to participate in analyzing why people get angry and to see if there was such a thing as righteous anger.

According to Lillard, they will be exploring other topics such as worry and depression in the coming weeks. "We want to encourage believers to live their lives and connect to each other in order to grow," he said.

Abha Eli Phoboo can be reached at aphoboo@thevistaonline.com . sense of the word — keeping a daily journal and discovering as much about journalism and freedom and a special people, telling stories to others with purpose," Clark said. "I learned far more about journalism than I ever tried to teach."

Clark is a professor of journalism and photography at UCO and has had 20 years experience with newspapers, including owning the Waurika News-Democrat and working part-time at the Oklahoman as a copy editor, wire editor and headline writer. He is both a member and coordinator of the Oklahoma Journalism Hall of Fame, as well as a board member of the Oklahoma Newspaper Foundation and Freedom of Information Oklahoma.

For more information, contact Terry Clark at (405) 9745122, or for more information about Mali, visit www.state. crnv/r/na/pi/harIOSOR htm

Lyndsay Gillum can be reached at Igillum@thevistaonline.com.

June 28, 2007

The OU Medical School is something that's extremely difficult to get into. In addition to requiring a 3.0 GPA and an average score of 7.0 on the MCAT test, students must also be U.S. citizens or have a permanent visa. Because of this, it makes it very difficult for international students to get into med school, not just at OU, but also throughout the country.

"It's not an issue of regionalism or elitism," said Nancy Hall, a David Ross Boyd professor of Pathology at OU and an associate dean of Academic Affairs.

"But we want to give our graduates a chance to serve the state."

The University of Oklahoma's medical college, one of Oklahoma's few state sponsored medical colleges, makes a point of accepting primarily Oklahoma residents for the purpose of their graduates serving the state.

A maximum of 15 percent of students may be out of state residents and all of the applicants must be permanent residents of the United States.

The reasoning for this is that the school hopes to keep many of its graduates in the state. In fact, according to the College of Medicine's website, the mission statement is to "educate medical students and resident physicians for the people of Oklahoma."

Since the state and the taxpayers are paying for the majority of a medical student's training, it makes sense for wanting to keep the graduates in the state.

This is not something that's limited to OU and the state of Oklahoma. Most of the rest of the country follows this pattern.

But what about the international students who have come to America and want to be trained as doctors? After all, the training program for doctors in America is often considered the best in the world, and more doctors are needed.

Anne Ewing, assistant professor of biology and health professions adviser at UCO, has dealt with international students attempting to apply for medical school and has few solutions, although not every one is available for all students.

The first is to recommend pri-

vate schools. Since they are not petitive. One advantage they state financed, private schools have is that some Caribbean do not have any particular duty schools are attempting to make to train physicians specifically their medical students certified for the state. However, private world-wide, since the rest of the schools are highly expensive world trains doctors in a different and many require students to method than the United States.

The final solution is for interhave the money up front in an ESCRO account prior to entry. national students to simply return This can cost upwards to home. In some cases, it might nearly $500,000 in some be possible for them to start instances. Since international over and begin training in their students cannot qualify for fed- home country. However, many eral aid, as they lack U.S. citi- other countries train doctors in zenship, students who cannot a more vocational way than the afford the tuition immediately United States, which means the will have to find someone who students could be attempting will co-sign a loan for them. to join the program too late.

Even if a student were able There are no quick and easy to afford the cost of the high answers for international stutuition, getting into one of the dents looking to train to become private schools is extremely dif- doctors in the United States. ficult. The spots in these schools As more and more internaare often limited, and the top tional students begin to apply students all over the country are at schools, things may change, also competing to get into them. but for now, there are few Another possible solution answers and fewer solutions. is to get into one of the offshore schools in the Caribbean.

However, a lot of these schools have many of the same difficulties as the private schools in the states. These schools Justin Langston can be reached at are expensive and highly corn- jlangston@thevistaonline.com .

Dance to the rhythm on your TV screen "The advantage of using [Dance Dance Revolution] at any age is adding a fun factor to cardiovascular activity."

-Debbie Traywick

by Justin Langston Staff Writer Techno beats pulse from the speakers affixed to an oddly shaped arcade cabinet. Two metal pads with four arrow buttons jut out from the bottom of •the cabinet like feet. This is "Dance Dance Revolution," or DDR, a popular arcade game from Japanese developer Konami where the players must move their feet to the beat of the music simulating dance moves.

DDR first appeared in America in August of 1998, and in the past nine years, its popularity has exploded. The game has been the centerpiece of parties, competitions, arcades and more recently, physical education classes.

"DDR is an aerobic exercise," said Debbie Traywick, UCO's Physical Education curriculum coordinator. "Doing it will get you into a cardiovascular zone."

"Dance Dance Revolution" is a purely physical activity, requiring the player to move his or her body in order to succeed.

Since the game can be quite an intensive workout, players can burn up to 300 calories with 15 minutes of continuous play on the medium difficulty.

PE classes throughout the country have begun using the game as a fun way of keeping children fit and teaching them about personal fitness. In fact, Traywick said that UCO has implemented DDR in its physical education teacher training program.

While it may seem that children would primarily use the game, DDR is a good workout for all types of people.

www.thevistaonline.corn

by Vista photographer Chris Albers

August Brown, arcade enthusiast, dances the night away at Tilt in Quail Springs Mall.

"The advantage of using [DDR] at any age is adding a fun factor to cardiovascular activity," Traywick said.

The idea that DDR can add fun to exercise is one of the primary factors in adding the game to physical education curriculums nationwide. In order to combat childhood obesity and to keep children to maintain a sufficient weight level, many PE teachers see DDR as a covert way of getting their students to exercise and continue to do so.

Already, PE classes have seen results from using DDR to get children to exercise. In a study

Chamber music goes to camp

by Nathan Winfrey Senior Staff Writer

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conducted by Casey Hester, an 25 percent of these students assistant professor of pediatrics used that money to purchase and a general pediatrician at their own copy of the game.

The Children's Hospital at the Outside of overworking oneOU Medical Center, showed self, there are very few downthat children between the ages sides to playing DDR instead of 12 and 18 who played the of doing more traditional pergame dropped clothing sizes sonal exercises, such as runand had lower cholesterol lev- ning or jogging. While a quick els after six weeks of play- run or jog might be a good ing the game. The children warm-up before playing, DDR being tested would come in and can be used as a way of stayplay three times a week. Other ing in shape just as effectively than some initial hesitation, as a morning run, all with the the children took to the game benefits of air conditioning. quite well. The children in the study were given money as an Justin Langston can be reached at incentive to do the study. Over jlangston@thevistaonline.com.

UCO's Central Community Music School will hold the 4th annual Chamber Music Summer Camp for elementary, middle and high school students interested in learning chamber music and how to play in an orchestra.

The camp will be July 9 through July 13 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Music Building, and is for aspiring musicians, ages nine through high school, who can read music and have at least one year of playing experience.

Campers will hone their skills in string quartet, trio and other chamber ensemble settings where they will learn group play-

ing and rehearsal skills. Each training day will be capped with a recital, where participants will have the ability to show off the skills they have learned.

"The goal of the camp is to give Oklahoma City area middle school and high school students opportunities to get together in small groups and play chamber music," said Dr. Hong Zhu, music professor and camp director. "The UCO Chamber Music Summer Camp also has chamber orchestra, master classes and private lessons."

Pre-registration and chair auditions will be held June 30, but students who miss that deadline will still be able to participate in late auditions July 9.

Those who wish to participate in the auditions should prepare a 2-3 minute piece for the judges.

"In the last three years, there were 53 to 57 students each time. We hope to have about the same amount of students this time," Zhu said.

Tuition for the chamber music camp is $175, with a $25 registration fee.

Scholarships are available.

For more information, or to sign up, call the UCO School of Music ^t (4n5) 074 5004 or visit www.camd.ucok. eduimusichnusic_ccms.html.

Nathan Winfrey can be reached at nwinfrey@thevistaonline.com .

4

NEWS

June 28, 2007

What Nathan Thinks

by Nathan Winfrey

Omgz ur lyke so rite i luv and more a fashion statement. fob they rool go pete wentz is Yet ironically, "text speak" is hawtt!!!1!...aftur this song im not only thriving, but is findgunnalisten 2 my fay son...itt ing its way into places it was seemz like it iz nuttin but as never needed, such as message boards, chat rooms, instant mesufa datt.

If you understood the above sages and even song titles.

I doubt anyone's forgotten "sentence," chances are you are either 13 or wish you were. Avril Lavigne's 2002 single These phrases of "text speak" "Sk8ter Boi," and the only way gibberish were taken from to ignore Fall Out Boy's curseveral posts from a message rent hit "Thnx fr th Mmrs" is to board I stumbled across in my bry ur hed n da snd. And what research for this column, and do they mean by "Mmrs?" are a pretty fair example of the Mammaries? Is the song about boobs? worst offenders.

I can see why We've all shortened a few words while texting in the car they would shorten or during a movie, but using "thanks," "for" and nonsensical acronyms and inde- "the," because cipherable mutations of the those words are English language as a standard so complionline modus operandi, and then cated. It's expecting everyone who reads it ridiculous to understand the bizarre net- to expect scrawl, is simply arrogant and someone to make three whole keystrokes while lazy.

Let's back up a bit. When text Googling the song or searching messaging began, the amount of for it on LimeWire.

That brings me to another characters users could type in a single message was very lim- form of Internet/hacker slang ited, so it made sense to take that has tiptoed into our lives. vowels out of words and take If you look around, you'll see other shortcuts to pare down many examples of medial capithe length of the message as tals, or "CamelCase," named so much as possible, while leaving because of the hump formed in it decipherable to whomever the the center of the combined word by the second upper-case letmessage was sent to.

These days, the texting field ter. Companies like FedEx and is usually much larger and things RadioShack have adopted the like predictive text and tradi- style in the last decade or so, as tional, miniature keyboards on well as bands like OutKast and cell phones are making the use even street names.

Yes, needlessly shortening of this rebus less of a necessity

every word or phrase in sight certainly seems to be en vogue these days, much like how our parents sported bell bottoms and fawned over John Travolta.

Why not settle the age-old "your and you're" confusion by coming up with the catch-all "ur?" Just hope the ancient Mesopotamian city with the

same name doesn't fire back with a lawsuit.

And whose idea was it to abbreviate the word "at?"

The @ symbol existed long before the Internet called for its usage as an e-mail directive.

Of all the words in the English language, why trim that one?

Who, after typing those two letters on an old typewriter, was so exhausted that they said aloud, "That's it! ! I'm shortening that sucker!"

Does shortening words really save that much time? Does it give busy, important teenag ers extra hours to sit around and watch the second season

of "Laguna Beach" on DVD? Is there someone out there writing the great American novel with all this new free time? Curing cancer? If so, I'm all for it.

If not, I'm more than a little annoyed.

With all of these consonantonly versions of the words poor Daniel Webster spent so long compiling, it's got to be harder and slower to train your brain to leave out the vowels and insert numbers than it would be to just write out the whole word. Users of this language are turning the rest of the world into amateur cryptologists, whether we like it or not.

To take it further beyond the realm of "they're not hurting anybody, just let them do it," Internet slang has made its way into the spoken word. I hear people say "1°1" instead of actually laughing and `VW?" used by people who would never utter its full meaning. Is it supposed to be cute? Ironic? Hip? Postmodern?

Is this a logical step in the progression of human existence?

After all, these days we all have wires coming out of our ears and the Internet in our pockets. It would make sense that a culture so permeated with technology would begin speaking and writing like the computers we've practically implanted into our bodies.

Either that, or this is something we'll all look back on with embarrassment in 10 years when Andy Dick makes fun of it on "I Love the 00s."

LibertyFest Events Celebration with traditional patriotic music Thursday June 28 7:30 p.m.

UCO Mitchell Hall Theater

7th Annual LibertyFest Car Show Saturday, June 30th 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.

UCO Campus Parking lot on 2nd Street

Miss Edmond & Miss LibertyFest Scholarship Pageant Saturday June 30 7:00 p.m.

UCO Mitchell Hall Theater

KiteFest: A Celebration in Mitch Park Saturday, June 30th Sunday, July 1 9:30 a.m. - 5 p.m., Mitch Park Saturday only After Sundown Lighted Kite Night Flight

LibertyFest's "A Taste o Edmond" Sunday, July 1st 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Downtown Edmond LibertyFest Road Rally

Sunday, July 1st 12 p.m.

Festival Market Place west of Broadway on 1st street

Chalk it Up for LibertyFest Tuesday, July 3 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

At The Festival Market Place First Street, west of Broadway downtown

July 4th LibertyFest Parade Wednesday, July 4th 9:00 a.m.

Downtown Edmond

Celebrate your family's 4th of July on the beautiful UCO campus Wednesday, July 4 5:00 - 9:30 p.m.

UCO Campus

LibertyFest Fireworks Rodeo Saturday & Sunday June 30 & July 1 8:00 p.m.

300 N. Kelly

Wednesday, July 4 Fireworks start at 10:00 p.m.

UCO Campus

Nathan Winfrey can be reached at nwinfrey@theyistaonline.com .

'Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer,' not so fantastic

by Steven Reckinger Editor in Chief -

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Summer usually means big blockbuster movies. Whether it's a couple of pirates swashbuckling their way through a horde of grotesque sea creatures, or a spandex-clad superhero swinging from rooftop to rooftop to defeat the latest villain, one thing's for sure, the summer is all about visual spectacle than intelligent storytelling.

"Fantastic Four: The Rise of the Silver Surfer" is no exception.

Here, we have a sequel to one of the most disappointing comic book adaptations of the last 10 years, and yet the public continues to feed off these secondrate versions of popcorn titles that inhabit the intestinal walls of American movie theaters.

Thankfully, "Rise of the Silver Surfer" is a much improved rendition of its predecessor. The story, scripted by Don Payne ("My Super ExGirlfriend") and Mark Frost ("Twin Peaks"), tells the origin story of the Silver Surfer, an extraterrestrial slave to a powerful entity called Galactus, or "The Devourer of Worlds," who feeds on planets for energy.

Surprisingly, the film is stays true to the source material, created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby

in thes , 1960s. Cops,idering the Silver Surfer was introduced in "The Fantastic Four" comic series, it seems appropriate to establish his character in the film.

The film begins two years after the first one, with Sue Storm and Reed Richards planning their wedding and the rest of the team indulging in the publicity spotlight. After receiving countless signals of cosmic phenomenon across the globe, the U.S. military turns

Film Review

to Richards to investigate the matter. Soon, the team discovers the cause of the interference is the Silver Surfer, who is scouting the planet for Galactus to consume. What transpires is your usual good vs. evil structure where the heroes attempt to save the world.

Victor Von Doom (a.k.a. Dr. Doom) makes a return as a third villain, except his character is less developed than the first film. If anything in the storyline desperately needs a revision, it's him. The brilliant scientific mind that's almost

parallel to Richards' is reduced to a standard thug that creates another conflict for the team as they try to resolve the Galactus issue. Doom is a prominent figure in the "Fantastic Four" mythos and he's treated like nothing more than a stand-in.

"FF: ROTSS" is not all bad, however. The CGI special effects have vastly improved from the original and most of the performances are done quite nicely to accommodate whatever character they're portraying. Doug Jones ("Hellboy") does the motion work for the Silver Surfer, while Laurence Fishburne provides the voice, creating a dramatic effect for the popular comic book character. All the original actors from the first film reprise their roles as the Fantastic Four, adding a charming, but campy tone.

There also remains a controversial issue among comic fans involving Galactus himself. Depicting the planet-eater as a massive storm cloud was intended to avoid the whole "giant guy in a purple suit" routine. Although it seems understandable why the filmmakers went this route, it ended up disappointing many true fans of the series. Nevertheless, the cloud does look decent enough and its ambiguous

design allows fans to form their own traditional Galactus appearance in all that debris.

The "PG" rating definitely suits the younger generation with its exaggerated violence and few hints of innuendo that most children wouldn't pick up anyway. Not since the original Superman movie has a comic book film achieved the status of "PG," so that should be

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like they always say, third time's a charm. Let's hope director Tim Story can mature enough as a filmmaker to show just how fantastic this team can be.

Steve Reckinger can be reached at sreckinger@thevistaonlinacom.

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For diehard comic fans, it's unlikely this film will quench the thirst of those wanting to see a good version of "The World's Greatest Comic Magazine."

Its story, although an authentic revision of the Silver Surfer's background, seems too simplistic and formulaic for a comic series that helped open the gateway to superhero mania. But

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Prices: Classified ads cost $6/ day for the first 20 words and $.10/word thereafter. PAYMENT IS DUE WHEN AD IS PLACED. Classified Display ads (one column boxed ads on classified page) have same deadlines and prices as regular display ads. Call 9745549 or 974-5918 for additional info.

Edmond Language Institute, conven. located on the UCO campus, offers English as a second language classes for intern. students/ individuals. A specially designed program with: Strong emphasis in listening and speaking Highly inter. classes, Comprehensive TOEFL program. Enjoy small classes and the campus facilities. Contact us @ (405) 341-2125 or www. thelanguagecompany.com .

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NEED STUDENT PART-TIME to clean my office, home & vacant apartments. M-F, 1:00-5:00. Near UCO. Must have positive attitude, be dependable, trustworthy & do quality work. Call Connie 341-9651

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No experience is needed we will train. Business is located at 1417 NW 150th St in Edmond. Call 879-1888 to set up an interview. Ask for Hannah McMahan.

New Horizons Computer Learning Center is looking for a part-time operations assistant to work 20-35 hours per week. Duties include checking in students, inventory once a week and book orders. Must be professional, reliable and have excellent attention to detail. Please e-mail resume to: ashleyR@NHORC.comNHOKC.com

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1. Pretentious talk.

5. Handle of a scythe snath.

10.0wed as a debt.

15. Pain made easier to bear.

16. Not widely distributed.

17. Serving to separate into parts.

19. Opposed to.

20. Skilled practice of a practical occupation.

21. Appear to one's own mind.

22. Atmosphere of a place and the effect that it has on people.

23.Town in central Kansas.

25. Capacity for rational thought.

27. Eat a snack.

29. Hairdo formed by braiding hair.

32. Sudden sharp feeling.

35. Gum trees found in swampy areas of North America.

39. Platform surrounding the head of a lower mast.

40. Acronym for European Technical Approval.

41. Republic in West Africa on the Gulf of 42. Part of a golf club head farthest from the shaft.

43. Lump of slimy stuff.

44. Conducive to peace.

45. Cause to go somewhere.

46. Enthusiastic kiss.

48. Clay deposited by a river.

50. Plural of thesis.

54. Speech of violent denunciation.

58. Foretell.

60. Relating to the axil.

62. Uncommon.

63. Acronym for Association de Liaison Etudiants Entreprises.

64. Quality of being energetic, determined and enthusiastic.

66. Equipment needed for a particular sport.

67. Common name for a one-celled organism.

68. Verbalization that encourages you to attempt something.

69. Without.

70-4Tited man considered unassertive.

71: Language of Gael descendants in the highlands of Scotland.

Down 1. Charles Herbert _, discovered histaminase.

2. Drama set to music.

3. Green part that form the calyx of a flower.

4. Line of text serving to indicate what the passage below it is about.

5. Beverage made by steeping tea leaves in water.

6. Blue Nile's second album.

7. Flexible twig of a willow tree.

8. Barrier constructed to keep out the sea.

9. Swelling from excessive accumulation of serous fluid in tissue.

10. Person who delivers a speech.

11.Light, four-wheeled carriage.

12._ McKeown, folk singer.

13. Etherly _, village in County Durham, England.

18. Donald Wesley _, bluegrass musician.

24. Moving with much excitement.

26. Ancient Greek architectural portico.

28. Unusually great in size.

30. In the near future.

31. Past tense of speed.

32. Small markers inserted into a surface to define locations.

33. Smallest component of an element having the chemical properties of the clement.

34. Ancient Arab Palestinian kingdom.

36. Enclosure for confining livestock.

37. Sister of Ares.

38. Sanctioned by law.

41. Winged goddess of victory.

45. Not known before.

47. Debut album for rapper Obie Trice.

49. Turkish money.

51. Long detailed report.

52. Fragrant resin used as incense.

53. Satisfy an appetite fully.

55. Feelings of great warmth and intensity.

56. Edgar _, French artist.

57. Remove soil.

58. Droops.

59. Request for help from someone in authority.

61. Acronym for Resident Utility Billing System.

65. Give something to somebody in return.

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LAST WEEKS SOLUTION

SPORTS USA volleyball; take your seats

6 June

„,„,

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IEVISTA

tant coach Denise Van De Walle of Bowling Green University said. "We're young, and we need international competition."

Continuing its partnership Van De Walle has been with disabled athletics, the involved with the national team USA women's sitting volleysince it began in Feb. 2003. ball team is playing a week's She hopes the competition worth of matches against the will help the team gain conNetherlands at UCO from fidence, get better and more June 25 through June 29. competitive internationally.

UCO and the Wellness In sitting volleyball, the court Center serve as an official trainis scaled down to a smaller ing and competition site for size and the net is shortened the USA's men and women's to 3.77 feet for men and 3.44 sitting volleyball teams. The feet for women. Typically, the net is about the height of a sitting woman's elbows with her arms extended above her head.

In most circumstances, each player's pelvis must be in contact with the floor, with the exception being a defender trying to reach a stray ball.

Another difference between standing and sitting volleyball is the ability to block a serve allowed during sitting play.

According to Mark Herin, director of the Wellness Center, some of the disabled athletes of team USA are now going to UCO and the games create a national draw that he describes as "exciting."

That draw is exactly what brings disabled athlete Lora

by Vista photographer Chris Otten Webster to UCO from Nebraska.

Kari Miller from Washington D.C. bumps the ball in defense for the Webster has also been a part of the national team since its American team June 25.

by Jeff Massie Sports Editorditor

match against the Netherlands match is the first international competition to be played on campus.

The event is classified as a "friendly," meaning the outcomes of the games do not factor into global rankings or other statistics. The Netherlands recently won the world championship and the USA earned a bronze medal at the 2004 Paralympics in Athens.

"It's a wonderful opportunity to play against a team that has a lot of experience," assis-

by Vista photographer Chris Otten

Brenda Maymon from Charlestown, Indiana moves around the court at the Wellness Center.

beginning in Feb. 2003. She views the matches against the Netherlands as an opportunity for the team to gain experience before departing in July for the Paralympics in China.

"We have a few new girls here. [The new girls will get] the benefit of getting a preview of what they'll see over there [China]," Webster said.

The USA squad consists of players from across the coun-

try, including Puerto Rico.

Compared to the Dutch squad, the American team is made up of what appears to be younger, college-age players. The Dutch team on the other hand is mostly middle-aged women with short, bleach-blond spiky hair.

This will be the last international competition before the team travels to China for the Paralympics. The Paralympics is the biggest competition in dis-

abled athletics and draws competitors from across the globe.

"This [Netherlands] is our tune-up for that trip," Van De Walle said. "We go to China and that's a great opportunity to see how we do with the rest of the teams in the world."

Jeff Massie can be reached at jmassie2@ucok.edu

USA soccer defeats Mexico to win Gold Cup

by Jeff Massie Sports Editor The USA again established its dominance over its neighbor to the south when the men's soccer team defeated Mexico 2-1 on June 24.

This match-up took place during the finals of the Gold Cup, and with the Yankee victory, the USA showed itself as the premier team in the northern half of the western hemisphere. Since the year 2000, the red, white, and blue has not lost a game to Mexico on American soil.

As if we didn't already have enough to be proud of, our nation is now moving to the upper levels of the international "football" rankings.

Think about it, Beckham is coming to America, we have the strongest military, our stock market is reaching new heights, AP photo by Nam Y. Huh unemployment is low, American USA's Landon Donovan, left, celebrates with DeMarcus Beasley philanthropists have donated the after scoring a penalty kick against Mexico during the second half most money to charity in hisof the Gold Cup Soccer game on June 24 in Chicago.

tory, and now we have soccer.

The rest of the world is going to look up to us even more now.

Sports bring people of all different backgrounds together. The bond between teammates is one of the strongest ties between people.

The more opportunities American footballers have to play alongside with the rest of the world, the better.

Seriously, embracing the global game can do nothing but help our image. It's like the whole world has been having a barbecue, but we haven't been invited because we didn't exactly fit in, which is understandable.

Nobody wants to invite somebody to a party and then worry that they're not having a good time. That's not the case anymore. Just draw up teams and let the bonding begin. Kim Jong Ill will be in

goal, you got Kofi Annan at tries and the USA has been invitoutside midfielder and Dubya ed as a guest to the tournament. up top at striker. Who needs Archrival Mexico has been invitthe UN when you got FIFA? ed to compete in the event also.

The stars and stripes are a With the USA's victory in its FIFA division — Confederation huge underdog in this tournaof North, Central American ment that includes international and Caribbean powerhouses, Argentina and Association Football Brazil. Winning the tourna(CONCACAF) — the ment may be a long shot, but team has earned a just putting up a good fight spot in the 2009 is all the team needs to conConfederations tinue its case as a national force.

It's an exciting time for Cup to be played in South Africa. American soccer. We have This tournament players competing in the top features the winners of the six leagues across the globe, our different FIFA confederations, Major League Soccer is enterthe host country and the cur- taining and we are enjoying rent World Cup winner. It will new heights of international serve as a good warm-up for success. The team is no lonthe 2010 World Cup, which will ger the doormat it used to be, also be held in South Africa. and the rest of the world betAlso on the horizon for ter be scared of Yankee socAmerican soccer is the COPA cer come the next World Cup. America tournament, which translates to "America Cup." The tournament is played Jeff Massie can be reached at between South American coun- jmassie2@ucok.edu

Fin al

US A: 2 Mexi co: 1

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