WEEDING OUT HEMP HATERS | PAGE 4
HANNAH ROARS FOR THOR | PAGE 3
TECH SCORES FIRST OVC WIN | PAGE 5
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Volume 97 | Issue 8 | Free in single copy | November 15, 2013
Advisers say not to worry about registration issues Freshman Senate leads charge for progress By RACHEL KERR & CASEY WOODARD Beat Reporter
Advisers said students should not stress if they do not get the classes they need during their allotted registration time during the week of Nov. 11, but this has not curbed student concern. Due to previous experiences, several students said they are concerned with registration difficulty. Rising senior Chelsea Watkins is one student who voiced her concern.
“I’m an exercise and physical wellness major and my biggest concern, especially when I was an underclassman, was not being able to get into the classes that I needed,” Watkins said. “When you’re a freshman and sophomore, everyone is required to take certain classes, and these core classes only have a certain number of available time slots. When there are only so many spots, it can seem overwhelming, but everyone is more than likely to get into the classes they need.” James Alexander is a freshman computer engineering major who
experienced a graduation setback because of restricted registration. “One of the classes I needed was only offered in the fall,” Alexander said. “It set me back a semester or two.” If students do not get all the courses they need during registration, they should set up an appointment with their adviser to see alternative options for classes they need. Russ Witcher is an adviser for communications students. “My advice is the student should have a couple of back-up courses to take in case they can’t get all their
courses,” Witcher said. “If a course has more than one section, they need to be willing to take an alternate section of the course that is still open.” Harrison Hinton said he worries about the alternative options he might be forced to take, instead. “[Registration] was terrible,” Hinton said. “I have to be let into physics or take it online and cry myself to sleep because I don’t know physics.” Registration began Monday at 8 a.m.
New fitness facility could cost students more than just sweat
The addition of a new Intramural Sports and Fitness Facility to campus could raise student fees $100 per semester. A student vote is to occur Nov. 18-20 to decide if the fee will be implemented.
By WILLIAM SHECKLER Beat Reporter Students will be able to vote Nov. 18 through Nov. 20 to accept or decline the $100 fee Tech would add to student bills to fund a new fitness center. SGA unanimously passed the “New Fitness/ Intramural Facility Act of 2013” Monday, Nov. 11. With the bill enacted, a student referendum will take place next week on the Tech voting server. There are informational locations in the RUC from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and all day inside the Fit to help students understand the fee and its purpose. The building project is designed to accommodate for the student enrollment that has been steadily outgrowing the current facility every semester. Because the intramural programs are growing, there is also a need for more room. “I think it’s great,” Kimberley Knotts, graduate assistant for the Fitness center, said. “We are ever expanding, constantly getting new students in and we’re running out of room. If the building goes through, we can be more versatile, add more programs and accommodate every student, not
just certain types.” Samuel Foster, a mechanical engineering major, said, “The idea of updating the fit is a good idea but I don’t feel like we need to build an entirely new facility. The Fit has everything has everything that we need and there are enough places on campus to play sports. “ The construction of the new facility will either be on the corner of 7th Street and Willow Avenue, where the GI Depot is currently located, or University Drive and Willow Avenue, where Tech Village is located nearest Sherlock Park. If accepted, the University will charge freshmen and sophomores $100 a semester
until it’s finished. Alumni will be able to pay a similar fee for its use after graduation. Students that paid but did not get to use the facility by its projected completion can use the complex for free. Chandler Pecora, a senior journalism major, is undecided about the new facility. Pecora said he thinks it’s good for students that use the Fit but thinks students should not be forced to pay for it in their tuition. Tyler Crow, a junior human ecology major, said, “I support it because the current Fit is too small for the campus population, but there are a lot of students that don’t use the fitness center compared to
Will Sheckler Leon Nurmomade lifts weights at the Fit Thursday night. Nurmomade could have a larger weight room to occupy if the student vote passes. people that do.” Director of the Fit David Mullinax think the new complex would add value to campus. “I think it will be a good shining star for Tech and will be good for recruitment because students come for more than education,” Mullinax
said. “There’s a life outside the classroom.” For more information about the new Fit plans, visit http://www.tntech.edu/recreation. The website features a 3-D walkthrough, blueprint overview and images of what the building would look like once complete.
Michael Brady Inc. Michael Brady Inc. was contracted to design the new sports and fitness facility potentially coming to Tech’s campus if the student body votes for a fee increase during the student referendum Nov. 18-20.
A season for change: Residential Life hosts Tech for Tots By SARAH REESE Beat Reporter Tech’s Residence Hall Association is hosting Tech for Tots, a Toys for Tots campaign, Nov. 11 through Dec. 3. Lauren Johnson, assistant coordinator of Pinkerton Quad, said the Residential Life service committee is planning and coordinating the event. “We wanted something for the Christmas season,” Johnson said. “We decided to do Toys for Tots, but we are doing a change drive instead
of a toy drop.” Johnson said the campaign will involve all residence halls but is open to students across campus. “There will be donation tins in each of the RAs’ offices for students to drop loose change in,” said Johnson. “There will also be booths in the RUC lobby where students can donate.” Resident assistant offices are open from 7 p.m. to midnight. The donation box is available in the RUC during class hours. Johnson said the service committee chose to do
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a change drop rather than a toy donation to both encourage participation and help Toys for Tots complete wish lists. “When I spoke with the area Toys for Tots coordinator, Freddy Duncan, he said there are two age groups that seem to get covered the least,” Johnson said. “By donating change, he can take that money and buy the toys and things they are missing to fill the wish lists.” Duncan has been the Putnam County Toys for Tots coordinator for four years. He said Tech organizations
have participated every year but this is the first change drop to be organized. “Babies and teenage girls are the two age groups that we have trouble filling the wish lists for,” Duncan said. “A change drop helps us cover those areas.” Johnson said the RHA has set a goal for the campaign. “We want to raise $1000,” Johnson said. “We have over 2,000 students living in residence halls. Our goal is 50 cents per student.” “That much money could go a long way,” said Duncan. Duncan said he encour-
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ages students to become involved and volunteer outside of Tech for Tots. “We will be hosting several donation days at WalMart and we need students to help us raise awareness and gather toys,” Duncan said. “If students want to help us, that would be icing on the cake. We have plenty of need for volunteers.” Those interested in volunteering with Toys for Tots this holiday season can contact Freddy Duncan by phone at 931-526-9500 or by email at duncanfreddy@gmail.com.
By SARAH TOWNSEND, CAITLIN JARED, AND MELISSA EDWARDS Beat Reporters Two freshman senators are not leaving the proposals solely to upperclassmen this semester. Nick Russell and Will Gabelman proposed extensive bills with campuschanging potential at Tuesday’s SGA meeting. Deemed the “Volpe Library Standing Desk Act of 2013”, freshman senator Nick Russell proposed the bill in response to the health risks students may face associated with sitting for long periods of time while they study. “Sitting for a long time can cause cardiac disease. A study was done by Johns Hopkins Medicine showing that people who sit for long periods of time have higher chances of obesity or cardiac problems,” Russell said. He also mentioned research regarding how standing affects the habits and moods of individuals as they study. “There was another psychological study done. Whenever you stand up, you have more confidence and you’re more involved. Standing has been scientifically proven to change your physiology and increase study effectiveness,” he said. A model currently retailed by Focal Upright Furniture influenced his proposal for the desk’s design. After further discussion, the bill passed unanimously. Students can expect the library to implement at least four standing desk stations equipped with a white board and motorized height adjustments by next semester. Senator Gabelman’s proposal of the “Utilization of the Information Access Act of 2013” did not pass. His bill would have required professors to use either the available technology such as iLearn and Dropbox rather than requiring students to pay extra fees for alternative software programs. Professors would still be able to use the outside technology such as Tophat Monocle, OWL and My Math Lab but would have to make a note of this fee prior to student registration. “Some of these hidden fees were up to $300” Gabelman said, “Students plan for buying expensive books but access fees cannot be avoided if they’re needed to take tests.” Gabelman is currently working on a similar followup bill with necessary adjustments.
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NEWS Page 2 | November 15, 2013
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Runway project celebrates fifth year events
CRIME BRIEFS: - Nov. 8- 2:00 Classification: Liquor Law Violation Location: Jere Whitson Building Disposition: Closed. Subject arrested. Notes: None.
By WILL SHECKLER Beat Reporter
- Nov. 1- 3:00 Classification: Open theft Location: Foster Hall Disposition: Open case. Notes: Theft of banner. - Nov. 1 - 7:15 Classification: Destruction/Damage/Vandalism Location: Evins Disposition: Open case. Notes: Pellet gun shot through the small window above the emergency door. No known subjects or witnesses. - Nov. 1 - 8:40 Classification: Disorderly conduct Location: West stadium Disposition: Closed. No further action. Notes: Altercations on field and in stands during high school game.
Up to date campus crime information at: tntechoracle.com
The Women’s Center original Project Reality Runway event returns Tuesday for its fifth annual celebration of Love Your Body Day. Students and faculty will model in clothes that express their individuality as veteran WTTU DJs Ariel Marlow and Drake Fenlon emcee the show. The emcees will give factoids and introduce each model. “I like taking people who aren’t really happy with the idea of doing the runway but want to do it because they want to make a statement,” Diana Lalani, secretary of the Women’s Center, said. “Then, after they do it, I like watching them light up and feel empowered by the experience.” Audience members are encouraged to wear things that make them feel best, as well. Lalani said the audience’s important role is supporting the PRR runway models. “We all have something we give ourselves grief about, but the truth is we’re all miracles and this is just a way to help us
realize that,” Lalani said. “We incorporate not only feeling good about yourself and your body, but also we incorporate diversity and recognize the beauty in everyone. People are more than their bodies.” Erica Dial is a Women’s Center student worker. She said the show has changed her perspective. “I enjoy getting to show off my body and the things I love about it, as well as realizing that the parts I’m not so fond of are beautiful, too,” Dial said. “Project Reality Runway has definitely enabled me to see the beauty not only in myself, but in the people I am surrounded by.” The event starts at 11 a.m. Nov. 19 in the RUC. Audience members are invited to come earlier to enjoy snacks, listen to music and read the informational displays offered by the Women’s Center. At the end of the event, there will be a group shot with all the models and audience members that will be used on the BEYou-Tiful display outside the Women’s Center in Pennebaker, a portable display in the RUC and on Facebook.
@ tech November
15 9 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Santa’s Workshop Hyder Burks Ag Pavilion
6 p.m. - 8 p.m.
FAB Friday for Kids& Families: The Amazing Human Body STEM Center
7 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. Women’s Center
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Santa’s Workshop Hyder Burks Ag Pavilion
2 p.m. - 3 p.m.
Women’s Center Shiana Greive (top) and Lindsey Reed (bottom) showcase their individuality for the crowd at the Project Reality Runway event.
Campus Stache shaves profits for charity
By SARA SHANKS Beat Reporter
Campus Stache is back on campus to supply students with customized clothing and accessories and well as make a contribution to charity. Brittnee and Andrew Robinson, a brother-sisterduo, started the brand a little over a year ago right in their own home. The pair came up with the idea at the beginning of last summer and launched the website Aug. 8 of the same year. “We just thought it would be a cool thing to do, we had never seen it before,” said Brittnee Robinson, creator of Campus Stache custom pockets. “We just thought about idea of completely customizing your front pocket, why not, you know?” Brittnee said the idea of the pocket came from visits to the fabric store where she saw different sample fabrics that she liked. It was the start of a business. Campus Stache released 20 different types of pockets. Brittnee makes all pockets by hand, as well as the company’s other customized items. She has also designed some of the patterns the company uses for their pockets, making the designs exclusive to Campus Stache. “At first, we just thought T-shirts,” said Brittnee Robinson. “Then we expanded that to tank tops and sweatshirts. Now, we have a children’s line along with a
golf line.” Along with T-shirts and their children’s line, the pair has also created a line of bow ties, backpacks, key chains and hats. “Our over-reaching goal from the get-go, kinda going along with the name ‘Campus Stache’ is to meet your campus needs,” said student Andrew Robinson, co-creator to Campus Stache. “Tablet cases, make-up bags, phone cases, things like that. We are just trying to branch out to meet all the needs of students.” Andrew said they are currently trying to expand their “Campus Woof” collection also by adding dog leashes. Campus Stache has also partnered with the Blood: Water Mission in order to help others who are in desperate need of help cleaning and purifying their water supply. “When we were deciding what organization to partner with, it was between two,” said Brittnee Robinson. “We picked Blood: Water Mission because they give all the their donations to those who need them, not keeping any for themselves.” They chose this organization due to the fact they are locally based in Nashville, which is near where the siblings’ hometown. “There is so much they can do with just little amounts that we given to them,” said Andrew Robinson. “I heard on the radio that only $1 will
Trombone Studio Recital Wattenbarger Auditorium, Bryan Fine Arts Building
Gretchen Demonbreun, horn, Senior Student Recital Wattenbarger Auditorium, Bryan Fine Arts Building
3 p.m. - 4 p.m.
Erin Bandle, bassoon, Senior Student Recital Wattenbarger Auditorium, Bryan Fine Arts Building
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Santa’s Workshop Hyder Burks Ag Pavilion
1 p.m. - 2 p.m.
Amy Reid, flute, Senior Student Recital Wattenbarger Auditorium, Bryan Fine Arts Building
2 p.m. - 3 p.m.
Damian Cheek, saxophone, Senior Student Recital Wattenbarger Auditorium, Bryan Fine Arts Building
3 p.m.- 4:30 p.m.
TTU Flute Choir and Studio Recital Wattenbarger Auditorium, Bryan Fine Arts Building
7:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Jordan Robinson, Percussion Recital Wattenbarger Auditorium, Bryan Fine Arts Building
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TTU Fall Trumpet Festival Wattenbarger Auditorium, Bryan Fine Arts Building
Kim Biggs Mustachioed students gather in the Tech Pride Room Monday night for Campus Stache’s first Stache Bash. Guests at the event were asked to purchase a $2 mustache before gaining entry to the event. provide fresh water to a family for a month. That is just incredible.” For every purchase that is made, Campus Stache donates 15 percent of the profits to the Blood: Water Mission in hopes of impacting as many people as they can with their donations.
“Further along, we hope we can one day make some face to face contact,” said Andrew Robinson. “We hope that eventually down the road, we can actually go to Africa and help dig a well and meet some of the people we have helped over the years.”
St e p s f o r S u c c e s s 1. L i s t e n t o WTT U. 2 . B e H a pp i e r.
The pair has linked their company website the Blood: Water Mission for anyone who may be interested in donating or learning more about the Blood: Water Mission. All Campus Stache products are available online at campusstache.com.
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TTU Percussion Ensembles Concert Wattenbarger Auditorium, Bryan Fine Arts Building
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The University Orchestra Wattenbarger Auditorium, Bryan Fine Arts Building
ENTERTAINMENT tntechoracle.com
Page 3 | November 15, 2013
‘The Neighbors’ is a hidden hit ‘Thor: The Dark World’ smashes into theaters
By JAKE THREET Entertainment Editor
I love an underrated television show. I love it maybe more than anything else on TV. Currently airing on Friday nights on ABC, ‘The Neighbors’, is the most underrated show on television. It’s a show that many aren’t watching, though they should be, and that’s not their fault but I will touch on that later. It is a strongly written show, even brilliantly written at times. The series provides as many laughs, sometimes more, than most of the big-name comedies on TV right now. It is the perfect mesh of two very different families bonding, building a relationship, and learning from one another in ways that are out of this world funny, pun intended. Now, why is it so underrated and not given the acclaim and credit it is due? Well, first, viewers may be inclined to eye roll the basis of the show, which is about Marty (Lenny Venito) and Debbie (Jamie Gertz) Weaver who move their family to a wealthy gated community composed entirely of aliens in human form. They move next door to Larry Bird (Simon Templeman) and Jackie Joyner-Kersee (Toks Olagandoye), the BirdKersee family who have all taken on the names famous sports players. The show revolves around the Weavers and the BirdKersee family, along each family’s children, as they face life in their newly formed relationship. ‘The Neighbors’ did an excellent job of detailing how the aliens learn to be more human and the Weavers learning to accept their new neighbors for whom they are during the
By HANNAH BENJAMIN Entertainment Critic
Courtesy of Awkward Geeks
“The Neighbors” currently averages 4 million viewers an episode, down from over 6 million last season.
shows first season. The entire first season was a fun time. It was the perfect combination of laugh-outloud fun and moments that really tugged on the heart. Now into its second, the two families are still learning from one another, but now they are doing it as friends. The chemistry between the four main leads is impeccable. It has never faltered. It is really something special when it all clicks and this becomes a special show. Another reason people are missing out on the show is because of ABC’s bad scheduling with its comedies. After a show finds its niche and groove in a timeslot, the network decides to move it, i.e. ‘Happy Endings,’ which I have yet to forgive them for. Last season, ratings for ‘The Neighbors’ did much better when airing after ‘Modern Family’. This season it airs on Fridays after Tim Allen’s ‘Last Man Standing’. The two shows just do not feel right together and the combo
is odd. Reba’s ‘Malibu Country’ was a much better fit, but they cancelled that. Whatever. ABC has completely screwed up the twohour comedy block on Wednesdays. The correct solution and perfect schedule would be to air ‘The Goldbergs’ and ‘Trophy Wife’ in the 7 o’clock hour followed by ‘Modern Family’ and ‘The Neighbors’ in the 8 o’clock. Bring ‘Suburgatory’ back and put it and ‘The Middle’ on Tuesday nights. Now, they didn’t ask me for my opinion, but there it is and they should take note. I love this show and I will watch to the end, whenever that shall be. I hope people get around to watching it on Fridays or ABC finally realizes its mistake. This show is too well written, too well acted, and too damn funny to be cancelled. I can only hope viewers and the network will feel the same. ‘The Neighbors’ airs Friday nights at 8:30/7:30 central on ABC.
In the aftermath of the wildly successful “ T h e Avengers” and “Iron Man 3”, “Thor: The Dark World” holds up to the rest of the Marvel universe and gives audiences exactly what they pay for. Following the incidents of New York in “The Avengers”, “The Dark World” picks up with Thor (Chris Hemsworth) and his Asgardian friends restoring balance to the nine realms while his brother Loki (Tom Hiddleston) sits in a prison cell. An evil presence called the “aether”, an anti-matter substance capable of great destruction, awakens the evil Malekith (Chris Eccleston) and possesses Thor’s love interest, Jane Foster (Natalie Portman). Malekith wants to use the aether to destroy the universe and return it to the darkness that it once was. “The Dark World” is heavy in mythological backstory, and seems a little too complex for its demographic at first. But as the film progresses, the storyline makes much more sense and becomes the riveting superhero movie as expected. The film seems to have something for everyone, with some sci-fi intricacies about quantum physics and portals to new dimensions, a reunited romance with Thor and Jane, some witty humor, and brilliant sass from everyone’s favorite villain, Loki. The detailed effects in 3D are impressive, especially in the Asgardian realm. The entire cast shares such a chemistry that no lines or actions seem out of place and the scenes flow together really well. The best example of this is when Thor
Miley Cyrus continues her fall from grace
By KIMMY MANNING Entertainment Critic
Excuse me while you’re still washing your eyes clean of Miley Cyrus’ “ Wr e c k i n g Ball” video, but I think you may want some extra soap. Cyrus is continuing to release her teen angst as she revolts all social norms. Last Sunday night, Miley publically smoked what appeared to be a joint on stage after her accepting her award for Best Video. “I couldn’t fit this award in my bag, but I did find this,” she said, seconds before pulling a supposed joint from her bag. After her performance, Cyrus tweeted, “’Sometimes in life you just gotta decide to not give AF,’ presumably in response to all the attention following her controversial acceptance speech,” said Entertainment News the next day. Though Amsterdam was not only the host of this awards of event, but the originators of the marijuana-dispensing coffee shop, Cyrus does not have a good enough
Courtesy of Music Mafia
Miley Cyrus smokes a joint after winning the Video of the Year for “Wrecking Ball.” Cyrus’ daring outfit was the same one she wore for her performance of the song.
reason to be lighting one up on stage. No matter how outrageous and independent of a mold she’s trying to recreate, she is always going to have the Disney stigma of 12-yearold girls aspiring to be her. Cyrus’s angst was said to be so controversial according to “MTV bosses that it was edited out of the show when it was aired in America,” said Daily Mail, a UK daily news magazine. However, “a 35-second clip of Miley lighting up later appeared on YouTube, giving US
fans a chance to see the controversial moment.” Not only did Cyrus walk away with Video of the Year, she also performed twice during the telecast. She opened the show with “We Can’t Stop” and later in the show performed “Wrecking Ball”. During her latter performance, she caused quite a stir with her risqué outfit choice. Cyrus was nominated for only one other award that night, Best Female Artist. She ended up losing to Katy Perry.
Contrary to popular belief, her fan base was not as supportive this time. Regarding her ambition to be too controversial, the majority of her Twitter fans were, “lambasting her for the decision to light up on stage.” Cyrus has received continuous negative feedback this week from fans and followers that are disproving her lack of class. Just when we thought Miley’s bag of tricks were empty, she continues to pull out more, unfortunately.
Courtesy of Geeks of Doom
“Thor: The Dark World” opened in first place at the weekend box office, taking in over $85.7 million domestically.
and friends are attempting to sneak Jane Foster out of Asgard, and the action cuts back and forth from planning and executing the escape seamlessly. “The Dark World” handles much like every other Marvel film with some predictability, but still manages to keep fresh and tell a new story. However, it still follows the archetype of CGI action fight scenes and an epic final battle complete with a race against time. Like “Iron Man 3,” the film acknowledges the incidents of New York and The Avengers incredibly well without letting it overshadow the film, giving the audience subtle references to appreciate. The film moves slowly at first, but once Loki is introduced, the ball really gets rolling. Hiddleston
delivers completely, portraying the misguided brother with the same wit and precision that we know and love. “The Dark World” is a respectable sequel to the original Thor, and a decent follow up to the rest of the Marvel universe. There IS a scene at the end of the credits, along with a promise that Thor will return. The film was released in other countries a couple of weeks before it arrived to American theaters. “The Dark World” has since made more than $240 million at the worldwide box office and more than $345 million all together. “Thor: The Dark World” is rated PG-13 for some intense sci-fi action and violence, and some suggestive content.
OPINION
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Page 4 | November 15, 2013
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A salute to our veterans SARAH DINGWALL Opinion Editor
This week is very special to me. This week we celebrate our veterans. It is an honor to be able to celebrate the freedoms for which they fight and it is, especially, an honor to salute them. My family is filled with veterans, beginning with my grandfathers and my great uncles and now with my own brother, Chris. I have been given the honor of singing every year on Memorial Day for the Overton County Veterans of Foreign Wars and American Legion since 2002. My heart is with the veterans. It makes me sad, however, to see the government take away the freedoms for which these men and women fought. They fought for freedom from oppression, freedom to speak freely, and, most of all, for the freedom of religion. I hate seeing what our leaders in this country are doing to the freedoms the pilgrims came to America to have. These freedoms have
been fought for since the tant family member. Our day America became a men and women fight for British colony. Our found- freedom still today. But what are we doing ing fathers wrote a constitution, a bill of rights, and to preserve these freedoms a declaration, declaring us they die for? Nothing. We are asleep as a free from tyranny, taxation without representation, nation and our governand one nation under God. ment is taking our freeFrom the American doms away one at a time. Revolution to the Civil War, I am not playing the blame freedom was fought for game between the political and won at a costly price. parties here; I am blaming Men died for the right to all of us. We were and still are a be free. World War I was nation framed fought to free on the basis of countries being “And I proudly overrun by other STAND UP next to C h r i s t i a n i t y and now we countries greedy for wealth and you and defend her are throwing still today, cause away the very power. The U.S. entered World there ain’t no doubt thing that startWar II to give I love this land, God ed this nation, freedom of rethe Japanese a bless the U.S.A.” ligion, freedom “what for” for to worship killing innocent soldiers on our home turf, God how they saw fit. We took prayer out of schools Hawaii. Multiple wars and ru- because of one complainmors of wars were fought ing Jezebel and now we in the last 50 to 60 years are taking God out of this because of freedom. In the country. WAKE UP, America! last 10 to 12 years alone, one war, the war on Terrorism, We are losing ourselves in has been fought and many this “let’s make people feel have died, including a dis- good” stupidity and we
Sarah Dingwall
The TTU R.O.T.C. Cadets honor our nation by training for the military while in college.
aren’t taking up our flag of freedom. We are tossing aside the very rights so many people died for and are still dying for today. This is a call to arms, wake up and look at the reality of what our nation is going through. This is our sign to get up and do something. We need to stand up and fight. Fight with prayer, fight with your votes, fight and don’t give up.
Raking in the green: Legalize hemp in Tennessee LYDIE-CLAIRE BROWN Assistant Opinion Editor
Believe it or not, I am not inherently antiRepublican. I’m anti-Tea Party and firmly against neo-liberal economics, two imports that have taken the Republican Party hostage (Eisenhower would be aghast). So, far be it from me to suggest that Republican ideals do not equal progress. Color me pleasantly surprised when I learned it is a Republican member of the Tennessee state Senate who is formulating a bill to legalize hemp. Rep. Frank Niceley (R), from Strawberry Plains, TN, is currently formulating a bill to legalize the growth and industrialization of Hemp. Niceley believes it would revitalize the Tennessee agricultural industry: by growing hemp, farmers would be able to diversify their crops and crop products,
THE
as well as grow a plant highly suited to the acidic soil and high water table of Tennessee. YES. I cannot agree more emphatically. Growing industrial hemp is a great idea for Tennessee farmers. Hemp is one of the single most productive crops known to man. Hemp can naturally produce paper, plastic, and dietary protein. It’s been used for cordage, food, fuel and paper since its discovery, and, starting in the 1980s, French scientists learned how to make building blocks out of it -- Hempcrete! Its carbon footprint is NEGATIVE, and it involves minimal pesticide usage. It also requires significantly less water and time to grow than timber, producing four times as much pulp per acre, per year, than a full-growth acre of timber. Currently, products
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Hemp is illegal in 39 states and Tennessee imports it to produce products.
made from hemp are imported into the United States from China and Europe, and now Tennessee can import hemp products from the 10 states that legally raise hemp -- against federal regulation. As the Tennessean quotes Nicely, hemp products are commonly found throughout the country, and “it’s only illegal for a farmer to raise it.” I’m inclined to agree that this regulation is unfair. It discriminates
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against farmers, and it hurts Tennessee’s overall productivity. In fact, one could argue that the law against hemp -- not even marijuana, but hemp -- is oppressive against farmers. Hemp was first targeted by the Marihuana Tax Act of 1937 (that’s right, Marihuana with an H), because Cannabis sativa, the plant species that includes both marijuana and hemp, was a threat to the economic status quo. Pharmaceuticals,
If we sit and do nothing, we void the sacrifice these men and women made. We sell ourselves short and, in the end, we will be no better than communist East Germany before the wall came down. We will be no better than communist China. Honor the men and women who have died in the 200 plus years we have been a nation by not giving up. Don’t take a back seat
and rest on your laurels. It is time to do as Lee Greenwood once sang, “I am proud to be an American, where at least I know I’m free. And I won’t forget the men who died and gave that right to me. And I proudly STAND UP next to you and defend her still today, cause there ain’t no doubt I love this land, God bless the U.S.A.” Stand up and don’t quit standing.
lumber, and even the burgeoning nylon hose industry felt threatened by a plant. Hemp has such a variety of uses that farmers could know their crop is going to be used, and most likely in an innovative way. Niceley admits that there will be trouble convincing his colleagues to vote for his bill. My favorite of his given quotes, as reported by WBIR, is “Their biggest fear is…people will think they support marijuana…that’s a cousin of hemp, but cornbread is a cousin of moonshine.” Good temperate Christians haven’t stopped eating cornbread because of its relations, have they? Didn’t think so. There’s also concern about aligning with federal regulations, which still prohibit the growing of C. sativa. It hasn’t stopped marijuana growers in California or Colorado, or hemp farms in Kentucky or North Dakota. If enough states pass laws legalizing the production of hemp, it is entirely possible that cannabis products would be exempted from the Controlled Substances Act, the law that incorporated the Marihuana Tax Act of 1937. Already, Washington exhibits support for changing federal laws, including Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, whose
home state of Kentucky is one of the states in which hemp is already legal. What does this bill mean for Tennesseans, and why should it pass? A simple answer: JOBS. According to the Tennessee Department of Labour, as of August of this year, Tennessee had an unemployment rate of 8.5% - 1.2% higher than the national average. I agree, we have markedly improved over rates from the height of the recession in 2009 and 2010, but there is still room to grow. I fervently believe that if we legalize the production of hemp, we will see growth in the industrialization of hemp and our state employment opportunities. Hemp can be made into many different things, but who’s to do the making once the product is grown? This bill is not just good for farmers who grow the crop, but also for the industrialists who will make it into something. Hire people to work the land, hire people to work in the factory – all working around a sustainable, high-yielding crop. The legalization of hemp underscores the idea of the triple-bottom line: good for people, good for business, and good for the environment. Green is good, and it’s time to rake it in.
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SPORTS tntechoracle.com
Page 5 | November 15, 2013
ROLLING STONE
Football throttles SEMO for first OVC win By JUSTIN MATHENEY Beat Reporter
For the first time this season, the Tennessee Tech (4-7/1-5 OVC) football team notched an OVC win. The Golden Eagles defeated Southeast Missouri University (2-8/1-5 OVC) 41 – 16 Saturday. The win snapped Tech’s six game losing skid in the conference. “It gives us some confidence,” head coach Watson Brown said. “We looked like we did earlier in the year before Darian got hurt.” Junior quarterback Darian Stone had his best game of the season thus far on Saturday. Stone rushed for 162 yards on 29 carries, including three touchdowns. Stone also was 13 – 22 passing for 135 yards. To go along with his out-
standing performance on Saturday, Stone was named OVC Offensive Player of the Week by College Sports Madness. Stone and the Tech offense wasted no time getting things on track Saturday. Stone scored his first of three rushing touchdowns from 2-yard line. The drive was highlighted by a 36 yard scramble by Stone on second and 16. On the first play of the second quarter, the Redhawks attempted a 29yard field goal. Junior cornerback Tevin McDermott gave the ball back to the Tech offense at the 20-yard line when he blocked the attempt. Tech took advantage of the opportunity, taking the ball 80 yards in five plays and finding the end zone again. Stone scored from four yards
out, giving the Golden Eagles a 14 – 0 lead. On the second play of SEMO’s next series, sophomore linebacker Jay Rudwall picked off SEMO’s quarterback. Rudwall returned the ball 38 yards before he was tackled at the 2-yard line. Junior running back Stephen Bush plunged into the end zone on first down for the Golden Eagles giving them a 21 – 0 lead with just over 13 minutes to play in the second quarter. The Tech defense surrendered a field goal on SEMO’s next possession. The Golden Eagle offense responded with a 14 play, 71-yard drive. Bush again found his way into the end zone, this time from seven yards out, giving Tech a 28 – 3 advantage with four minutes to go before halftime. Tech and SEMO traded
punts and turnovers to end the half. Junior linebacker Tra’Darius Goff tipped a pass in the air which was intercepted by redshirt junior Marty Jones. Goff leads the OVC in tackles with 96 and is followed closely by Jones who has tallied 91. Jones racked up five tackles, a forced fumble, and an interception for the game. For his efforts, Jones was awarded the OVC Defensive Player of the Week by the conference. Each team scored 13 points in the second half making the final score 41 – 16 in favor of the Golden Eagles. Tech has a much needed bye week coming up this weekend before hosting in-state rival Austin Peay on Saturday, Nov. 23.
Camouflage jerseys for Military Appreciation Day By SARAH REESE Copy Editor
Norm Ritland
Junior Darian Stone accounted for 297 yards in the Golden Eagles’ 41-16 win over Southeast Missouri. Stone also earned College Sports Madness’ OVC Offensive player of the Week honors after his perfomance.
The Golden Eagles football team will honor veterans in its final home game with camouflage uniforms on Military Appreciation Day Nov. 23. Tech will wear the uniforms when the team hosts Austin Peay. Kickoff is set at 1:30 p.m. “I am so excited to have this day,” said head coach Watson Brown. “I don’t know that there’s enough to say or do for the people who fight for us. I don’t know that words do it. We are going to wear our uniforms in honor of them.” “It’s a small tribute to our military, and it’s one
that everyone in the program is excited about doing,” Brown said. All active and retired members of the U.S. military and their families are invited guests of the Golden Eagles. Those who work in public safety fields and as first responders are also invited by Tech Athletics to attend. Brown said the players are also excited about the uniforms. “They love it,” Brown said. “They think it’s awesome and they’re ready to wear them.” The head coach said the uniforms have become a tradition for the Golden Eagles. “We will do this every year,” Brown said. “As long as we have Military
Appreciation Day, we will wear these uniforms.” Brown said the players are ready for every aspect of the game Nov. 23. “It’s also Senior Day and Scout Day, as well as Military Appreciation Day,” said Brown. “[Austin Peay] is an in-state school, which makes it a pride game. We’ll win it. .” The Golden Eagles will recognize the team’s 12 senior players in pregame introductions. Leveda Dexter, director of corporate sales and marketing, said Tech Athletics is making special arrangements for Nov. 23. “We are currently working with the ROTC department on campus for unique
items to be displayed in the 98.5 Kiss FM Tailgate Park,” said Dexter. “The tailgate park opens at 10:30, and our Golden Eagle Football team will continue its newest tradition of the Golden Eagle Walk at 11:15. We have a few tailgating spaces open and would encourage everyone to come out to tailgate with us.” Dexter said there is also a ticket special being offered to fans. “Each individual with a ticket to the football game on Nov. 23rd also gets a free ticket into the basketball game that night when our men’s team host Milwaukee at 7:00 p.m.,” Dexter said.
Men’s basketball wins home opener against Loyola
By JAMAL FERGUSON Sports Editor
The Golden Eagles men’s basketball team defeated the Loyola Chicago Nov. 12 for its first win of the season. “The game itself was a big game because we needed to get a win and couldn’t start the season 0-2,” said senior guard Jeremiah Samarrippas. Senior Dennis Ogbe would lead Tech with 13 points and nine rebounds. Samarrippas contributed with 10 points of his own along with a key assist to Ogbe in the final two minutes to stretch the lead and clinch the win. There was also strong play for the Tech bench by JC transfers Ladon Carter and Ty Allen, both finishing with double figures
Weekly Roundup This week’s sports stories at a glance First half struggles cost women’s basketball at Akron
For the second season in a row, the Golden Eagles women’s basketball team (11) suffered the season’s first loss at the hands of the Akron Lady Zips (2-0), 118-71. The Golden Eagles traveled to the James A. Rhodes Arena, home of the Lady Zips, Nov. 12 for their first road test of the 2013-2014 campaign and as if it were déjà vu the match up ended with Akron at 2-0 and the Golden Eagles at 1-1. Tech kept the game close, even leading at the 17:06 mark 8-7 after a made field goal by junior Diamond Henderson, but the Lady Zips pulled away with some help from foul shots and limiting the Golden Eagles’ second chance points. They were almost on fire from behind the arc, going 7-11. They would finish the first half with 60 points. Tech struggled to find its
in points. Carter finished with 12 points and seven rebounds. Allen added his 11 points going 7-8 from the free throw line in the 32 minutes he picked up off the bench. “Shirmane (Thomas) and Josiah (Moore) came in the game and picked up pressure on the on the ball and provided late energy to keep us in the game,” said Samarrippas. The Golden Eagles won the battle on the boards out-rebounding Loyola by double digits. On the offensive glass, Tech was outrebounded by six but what was pulled down on offense was cashed in for 18 points. Defensively, Tech’s 24 boards limited the opposition to just six second chance points and was almost more than Loyola totaled for the entire game.
Loyola turned the ball over 14 times, eight of which were caused by steals, which led to 10 points for the Golden Eagles. Though the Golden Eagles did not lead many categories offensively, they did lead in free throw percentage and attempts and also in bench points. Tech’s bench racked up 45 points to counter the performance from the Loyola starters, who put up 64 points in the contest. The Golden Eagles will travel to Texas for a weekend tournament Nov. 15 and return home Nov. 21 for a four game home stand to close out November. “The best teams go undefeated at home, so that a team’s goal this year,” said Samarrippas.
shot in the first half, shooting 28 percent from the field and 58 percent from the foul line. The team also turned the ball over 13 times. Tech finished the first half with just 26 points. The Golden Eagles did not lie down in the second half. Henderson finished with 20 points. Williams had 10 second half points, 4-5 from the stripe, finishing with 15 and 7 rebounds and the team’s only block. Goolsby started the second and contributed with nine points giving her 14 total. The Golden Eagles’ schedule doesn’t get any easier for its next contest as they head to Starkville, Miss. Nov. 21 to face the Lady Bulldogs of Mississippi State.
the Gamecocks (12-18/5-10 OVC) scored the winning points. The final scores were 25-22, 26-24, 25-22. Tech led by four points several times in the first set, leading 18-17 until JSU took off with a 5-1 point streak, reflecting four errors Tech. Kills by Madison Keyes, Ellen Conti and Elise Robertson tied the first match 22-22 shortly before the Gamecocks scored the final three points for a win, two of which Tech gave up in errors. The Golden Eagles would drop the remaining sets in similar fashion. Tech has one match left this season. Saturday the Golden Eagles will take on Southeast Missouri at 2 p.m. Saturday is Senior Day and the team will honor players Natalie Penrod, Ashleigh Hancock and Elise Robertson. “I have mixed emotions about having one game left, I am excited and sad at the same time,” said senior Ashleigh Hancock. “I hope to have influenced the team positively and passionately.”
Volleyball still looking to finish sets The Tennessee Tech volleyball team played Ohio Valley Conference rival Jacksonville State Tuesday night, falling short of a win in all three matches. The Golden Eagles (520/1-14 OVC) led all three matches until the final seconds of each match when
This week’s Weekly Roundup features stories from Sports Editor Jamal Ferguson and Beat Reporter Linsday Blakely.
Jamal Ferguson Ladon Carter throws down an alley-oop dunk during the first half of the Golden Eagles’ home opener against Loyola. Carter would finish with 12 points in the 74-69 win.
NEWS Page 6 | November 15, 2013
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Big Smo sets Cowboys aglow
By ALLISON MILLS Beat Reporter
Jason Hanley BIG SMO GETS LOW- Artists Big Smo and Yung J performed a concert hosted by the brothers of the Tau Kappa Epsilon Fraternity at Cowboys on Wednesday, Nov. 13. During the performance, Smo proposed to his girlfriend in front of an emotional crowd.
The Yung J and Big Smo Concert at Cowboys on Nov. 13 brought in a crowd of over 400 people. The majority of the fans arrived around 7:30 p.m. and Yung J opened for Big Smo around 9:00 p.m. Big Smo’s girlfriend made a quest appearance on stage as he got down on one knee and proposed during the middle of the concert, receiving many cheers from the audience. Tiffany Jones, a Cookeville resident and Big Smo fan, said she was brought to tears when he proposed. “When Big Smo proposed, I literally cried,” Jones said. “It was so sweet that he did that on stage in front of everybody. It really set the mood for the whole night and seemed to make the crowd celebrate even more. Big Smo was amazing. I had a great time and I even bought
a shirt.” Jeremy Raider, a Cookeville residents and attendee, said he thought that the night was a like a big redneck, backwoods party. “It was getting rowdy,” Raider said. “I think all the rednecks from the Upper Cumberland came out to drink and watch Big Smo. Big Smo’s songs are all about whiskey, girls, the country and partying it up. How could you not have a hell of a time?” Morgan Scott, the member of Tau Kappa Epsilon Fraternity who set up the event, said he was very pleased with the outcome of the night. “This was a lot bigger turnout than I expected,” Scott said. “I thought that it would be mostly teenagers but there was more of an older crowd here tonight. I am really excited that this event was so successful. It has been great working with Cowboys
and the artists to put on this concert and everyone who came out seemed to have a good time. I think Big Smo should have opened for Yung J, though. Yung J was getting it.” Miranda Godwin, a freshmen student and friend of Yung J, agrees with Scott and said she thinks Yung J’s performance was better. “I was getting pretty hype,” Godwin said. “It was getting crazy up there. I know Yung J really well and he did so good.” Jonathan Ramsey, an older Cookeville Resident, didn’t particularly like either artist. “Yung J was just plain terrible,” Ramsey said. “I felt like he was out of breath or he forgot his words half the time and Big Smo’s songs all sound the same - loud and in-your-face. Good thing I am only here for the drinks. The beer flows no matter who is up there playing.”
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