DT 070910

WHAT’S INSIDE:

Rainfall totals approach

Voting should be based on

all-time record

substance, not impulse

See Page 2

See Page4

Daily Toreador The

FRIDAY, JULY 9, 2010 VOLUME 84 N ISSUE 153

Serving the Texas Tech University community since 1925

www.dailytoreador.com

twitter.com/DailyToreador

New parking garage aims for convenience STAFF WRITER

With the 2010 football season just around the corner, Texas Tech students and fans have more than just the games themselves to look forward to.

Developer Clayton Isom of Tao Development Company said the new parking garage — called Raider Park and located north of Jones AT&T Stadium — will be completed and operating in time for the Red Raiders’ season opener against Southern Methodist University on Sept. 5. Tao Development Company is based in Lubbock.

Isom said that after breaking ground in November, construction has progressed well.

“We are ahead of schedule, actually,” Isom said. “Everything has been wonderful. We’re about oneand-a-half floors away from being done with the concrete.”

According to Isom, upon completion, the mixed-use structure will have 11 floors, 10 of which will be devoted to parking. The garage will have 1,500 parking spaces and 16-17 exterior RV spaces with hookups.

It will cost fans $1,500 per year to reserve a parking space and $5,000 per year for an RV space, Isom said.

Students can expect to pay $350 for the fall and spring semesters and $50 per summer session.

Bill Dean, executive vice president of the Texas Tech Alumni Association, said the alumni association and Red Raider Club have formed a partnership to sell the spaces for the game days. A portion of the revenue from the spaces will benefit students.

“We will be paying the developer the bulk of that revenue,” Dean said.

“The rest will go to our programs — scholarships and things of that nature.”

The term mixed-use structure is fitting for the garage. Isom said retail spaces and a sports bar will be placed PHOTO BY PAUL HAILES/The Daily Toreador on the bottom floor. The 11th floor THE NEW PARKING garage, which is set for completion in time for football season, consists of 11 floors and will not have parking spaces, but will be home to retail stores, two sports bars and 1,500 parking spaces. instead a rooftop bar that is open

to the public, easily accessible and ing around the garage. According overlooks the stadium. to Isom, recycled material is being “The bottom sports bar area will added to all structural concrete. have a back hallway to elevators that Construction Enterprises, Inc. will go up to the bar on the 11th has been contracted by Tao Defloor,” Isom said. velopment for the construction According to Isom, the first floor of the garage. The company was bar will hold about 200 people and introduced to Isom by Asset Plus, the rooftop bar will have a capacity a developer that is in the construcof approximately 700. tion stages of the 25 Twenty student The ability for fans to park and housing complex next door to the socialize is a welcomed opportunity garage. for some.

According to Barrett Kirk, senior “The garage should draw for at- vice president of development and tention to that acquisitions area and influfor Asset Plus, ence people ground was to park there. broken on the I always hate 249-unit projwalking what ect in May. seems like six The commiles to the plex will contain game,” Amanmany studentda George, a friendly amenisenior social ties, including work major a 180,000 galfrom Panhanlon resort-style dle, said with pool, a theater, a laugh. “And private study aryou can stop eas and a virtual and get a drink, golf simulator. too. I don’t see 25 Twenty anything wrong will have a cawith that.” pacity of 562 Students alresidents that ready have the will use the new CLAYTON ISOM opportunity to parking garage.

Developer reserve parking There will be a Tao Development Company spaces in the sky bridge that garage. These connects the spaces will be two structures. available in the spring, and the adResidents will have the opportuditional parking should help shorten nity to reserve parking spaces close the waiting lists for the Flint Avenue to the sky bridge for a monthly fee or Parking Garage and commuter park- park in any space in the garage during ing areas that consist of about 4,500 the week for free. and 1,800 students, respectively, Leases will be available for fall Isom said. An exact price for the 2011 beginning this December. Kirk new garage was not confirmed. said the project should be completed The garage will also contain two by next June. features that have been designed “This is going to be something with the environment in mind. spectacular for Lubbock,” Kirk Two cisterns will collect all of the said. “I think we’re going to do rainwater that comes off of the struc- well with the students. We’re ture, Isom said. The cisterns hold just trying to give them what around 40,000 gallons, all of which they want.” will be used to water the landscap- ➤➤evan.jansa@ttu.edu

“

We are ahead of schedule, actually.

Everything has been wonderful.

We’re about one-and-a-half floors away from being done with the concrete.

“

By EVAN JANSA

Russia-US spy swap appears to be in motion amid arrests

BY LARRY NEUMEISTER AND TOM HAYS THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

NEW YORK (AP) — The largest Russia-U.S. spy swap since the Cold War appeared to be in motion Thursday, with a Russian convicted of spying for the United States reportedly plucked from a Moscow prison and flown to Vienna. Defense lawyers in the U.S. said they hoped for an immediate resolution for their 10 clients accused of spying for Russia.

A swap would have significant consequences for efforts between Washington and Moscow to repair ties chilled by a deepening atmosphere of suspicion.

Ten people accused of spying for Russia were expected to appear in New York federal court Thursday afternoon, and many were expected to enter guilty pleas to charges that could set deporta-

INDEX Classifieds..................3 Crossword..................2 Opinions......................4 Sudoku.................4

WEATHER Today

Attorney Robert Krakow, who represents defendant Juan Lazaro, said Thursday that Lazaro’s actions Thursday would be motivated by a desire to be with his family. An attorney for defendant Anna Chapman, Robert Baum, said late Wednesday, “There’s a good possibility that the case will be resolved at the initial court appearance tomorrow.”

An attorney for defendant Donald Howard Heathfield, who was arrested in Massachusetts, said Wednesday, “if they can resolve the case, great,” when asked why his client was being transferred to New York.

Special riot police had beefed up security around Moscow’s Lefortovo prison early Thursday and a gaggle of TV cameras and photographers jostled for the best position to see what was going on. A convoy of armored vehicles arrived at the prison, thought to be the central gathering point for people

Scattered Thunderstorms

78

Saturday

convicted of spying for the West, including Sutyagin.

Police cars and prison trucks left the prison all morning, but it was unclear whether they carried any passengers.

“A swap seems very much on the cards. There is political will on both sides, and actually by even moving it as far as they have, Moscow has de facto acknowledged that these guys were spies,” intelligence analyst Pavel Felgenhauer said Thursday.

Five of the suspects charged with spying in the U.S. were ordered to New York on Wednesday, joining five others already behind bars there, after Sutyagin was transferred from a forlorn penal colony near the Arctic Circle and spilled the news of the swap.

Dmitry Sutyagin said his brother remembered only one other person on the Russian list of spies to be exchanged — Sergei Skripal, a colonel in Russian military intelligence who in 2006 was

Scattered Thunderstorms

81

65

67

BUILDER

EDITORIAL: 806-742-3393

RESUME´

c

tion proceedings in motion. An 11th person charged in the case is a fugitive after jumping bail in Cyprus.

Igor Sutyagin, a Russian arms control analyst serving a 14-year sentence for spying for the United States, had told his relatives he was going to be one of 11 convicted spies in Russia who would be freed in exchange for 11 people charged in the United States with being Russian agents. They said he was going to be sent to Vienna, then London.

In Moscow, his lawyer, Anna Stavitskaya, said a journalist called Igor Sutyagin’s family to inform them that Sutyagin was seen walking off a plane in Vienna on Thursday. However, she told The Associated Press she couldn’t get confirmation of that claim from Russian authorities.

Russian and U.S. officials have refused to comment on any possible swap.

ADVERTISING: 806-742-3384

BUSINESS: 806-742-3388

sentenced to 13 years on charges of spying for Britain.

A spokesman for British Prime Minister David Cameron would not confirm or deny a possible London tie to the spy swap. “This is primarily an issue for the U.S. authorities,” spokesman Steve Field said.

Defense lawyers in Moscow and New York have expressed confidence that their clients’ fates would be settled very soon.

The 11 suspects were formally charged in a federal indictment unsealed Wednesday in New York.

All were charged with conspiring to act as secret agents; nine were charged with conspiracy to commit money laundering. The indictment demanded that those accused of money laundering return any assets used in the offense.

“Of certain events tomorrow that might occur, the fact the indictment

is minimal makes perfect sense. This is a crazy situation,” Krakow said Wednesday.

Prosecutors released a copy of the indictment as federal judges in Boston and Alexandria, Va., signed orders directing that five defendants arrested in Massachusetts and Virginia be transferred to New York. All were charged in Manhattan.

The defendants were accused of living seemingly ordinary lives in America while they acted as unregistered agents for the Russian government, sending secret messages and carrying out orders they received from their Russian contacts.

All are in U.S. custody except for a man identified as Christopher R. Metsos, who is charged with being the spy ring’s paymaster. Metsos, traveling on a forged Canadian passport, jumped bail last week after being arrested in Cyprus.

DO YOU THINK $1,500 PER YEAR IS AN APPROPRIATE PRICE FOR A SPOT IN RAIDER PARK ON GAME DAYS? TELL US @ DAILYTOREADOR.COM.

FAX: 806-742-2434

CIRCULATION: 806-742-3388

1. Visit www.dailytoreador.com.

2. Click on The DT ad.

3. Apply online to a part of our staff.

4. It’s that easy!

E-MAIL: dailytoreador@ttu.edu

2

JULY 9, 2010

NEWS

WWW.DAILYTOREADOR.COM

Storm brings near-record July rainfall totals

By TRISTIN WALKER

in pace.�

One of the main factors for this change in weather, Pritchett said, was After a two-and-a-half-day storm Hurricane Alex making landfall in that brought up to eight inches of rain Mexico. It began to work its way up into in parts of Lubbock, leftover flood West Texas, and a lot of the moisture waters threaten to cause further dam- in the air caused heavy rain. Pritchett age as more rain is expected during said Lubbock has a large high pressure the weekend. system to the East currently holding Andrew Pritchett, meteorologist the moisture. for the National Weather Service of Richard Johnson and his wife, SanLubbock, said the official total rainfall dra Johnson — who have been in Lubon record this July is 6.12 inches — a bock for 12 years — both said they were figure which was obtained at the Pres- shocked by how much rain Lubbock has ton Smith International Airport. gotten over the last week.

Last July, rainfall reached a total “The rain just kept coming and PHOTO BY PAUL HAILES/The Daily Toreador PHOTO BY JUSTICE RICE/The Daily Toreador of 1.96 inches, which is lower than coming,� Richard said. “You couldn’t Lubbock’s average of 2.13 inches. even see 10 feet in front of you while THE PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT located in Maxey Park sits in WADE NEWTON AND his daughter Lillian Newton, both of Lubbock, However, this July is the second driving.� near-foot-deep flood water Wednesday afternoon. attempt to catch catfish Wednesday at Maxey Park. wettest on record, second only to 7.2 The family’s 4th of July weekend was inches in 1976. interrupted by the rain, and Richard “The total rain so far has made this said he now owes his two sons some the second wettest July on record,� fireworks, Pritchett said, “and we are only a few “Our outdoor barbecue turned into days into the month.� an inside chili-fest,� Richard said, “and Pritchett said some areas in south our firework night turned into a movie LAREDO, Texas (AP) — Mexi- trouble getting their animals to a person of work against people of her clients, said she nearly went out of Lubbock received up to eight inches of marathon.� can rancher Isidro Gutierrez watched market. Farmers who once toiled crime,� said a cattle rancher who business when Laredo’s cattle-import rain. Garza County collected 14.5 inches Lubbock residents were not the only with disgust as federal inspectors long hours in the fields now fear be- spoke on condition of anonymity business shut down. Since imports of rain and the Post area collected 11 ones that were affected by last week’s here chalked a long stripe on his ing attacked in the dark. Some are because he feared retaliation. “In resumed, she has regained only a few inches of rain. rainfall. Starbucks Coffee Company, steer’s hindquarter. The animal could even being forced to pay protection Tamaulipas, ranchers and farmers, clients.

Looking toward the upcoming week- located at the intersection of 82nd Street She used to import 15 to 20 not be imported because its breed money to keep from being kidnapped we don’t have security with what end, Pritchett said Lubbock will certainly and Quaker Avenue, suffered the failure or having their harvest stolen. we’re doing. We don’t know if to- truckloads of cattle per week, but in a can be vulnerable to disease. see more rain and a cold front. of its flat roof due to the weight of the If inspections were still being “There are thousands of produc- morrow we’ll be able to keep work- four-week stretch spanning May and done across the Rio Grande in ers who work all year to harvest the ing, or if tomorrow we’ll even come June, she’s imported none. Baeza has “Compared to last year,� Pritchett rain.

Starbucks management declined laid off staff and cut hours for those Mexico, routine rejections like that fruits of their labor, and it is the home from work.� said, “which was fairly hot and dry Tamaulipas is a key point of entry who remain. She joined a Mexican would be just an inconvenience. only income they have for the year, with the temperature reaching 107 to comment.

But drug violence in the border so we have to prevent extortion,� for Mexican produce and livestock, delegation to Washington last month 108 degrees, this is definitely a change ➤➤tristin.walker@ttu.edu

region has chased American cattle said Eugenio Hernandez Flores, with major border crossings in Mata- to ask USDA officials to provide a

)+ ($#&#+ %'#+ %&/ *)++.)*" ,00&# inspectors back to the U.S. side, so the governor of Tamaulipas, the moros, Reynosa and Nuevo Laredo. full-time inspector and to move the +- *$#(#- &)#- &(1 ,+--0+," .22(# -2=.- +B #2,1 8;;2< *7- 8B,. .@2< Gutierrez has to pay brokers in both Mexican state bordering Texas from The areaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s top crop is sorghum, a inspections back to Mexico.

16A21 /F &605 "<??6@ .;1 <F02 2D6@

grain used primarily for animal feed.

Not only do rejected steers have countries and hire a truck to take Brownsville to Laredo.

7-2*7 =2=5. 8/ In late 2007, the Mexican mili- Other large crops include corn, okra to be re-imported to Mexico, but the back rejected animals.

<::.;1 A< ;.<9.,= '5.82@=2.?2

E B 2/. 87 =1. ones that make it through are worth â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s cheaper to kill him here,â&#x20AC;? tary tried to curb violence by enter- and cotton. ?26 1<B/921 2<=F ,862,

-- :<;2F ;2//27 ing urban areas along the eastern end For six weeks this spring, gang less because they have lost weight, Gutierrez said.

6A 0<9920A6<; 8@5.;G<

<::2;A /23<?2 ,1*55.70.

The drug violence along the of the border, a region prized by drug violence closed U.S. cattle inspec- Baeza said. The temporary inspection . @D6: :.F/2

!

U.S.-Mexico border is now spill- traffickers for its valuable smuggling tion stations in Reynosa and Nuevo site in Laredo does not have food

+<B?@ ? #./;*27 /;86

J(52 52??6;4 .A2 <270270 *+8>= * Laredo. That forced Mexican ranch- or water, so the cattle spend several ing into the regionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s agriculture, routes near Tamaulipas. :F 5<:2D<?8 K /*;6 2 4

8@ +>-0.= ers to transport their animals more hours in transit to the scales without The stepped-up military presence threatening the safety of ranchers

&2@A?.6;6;4 <?12?

9;./2A &<92 3<? .??6@<; ;*/= 92,4 pushed more traffickers onto ranches than 100 miles to the northwest. The anything to eat or drink. In a busiand farmers, slowing down what was

B/60 :2A2? $.,87- 68<= J'.F D5.A K expected to be the best harvest in and farms. In February, the fighting inspection sites reopened in May at ness that pays by the pound, that cuts 989>58>< ,2=B 27

682 ?.5:@L@ 2,120*7 into ranchersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; already slim margins, years, and raising the risk that some intensified after two allied gangs split temporary locations in the U.S. 'F:=5<;F "<

8= /8558@ * /2A. "B:/2? <; . ;8>=. she said.

Karla Regina Baeza, an import crops will rot in the fields. and went to war with each other. /.4 <3 D.9;BA@ 87<2-.; .@2@ <BA ;8 ,8>7=.;9*;= broker who counts Gutierrez among Elsewhere in Tamaulipas, farmers â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s you against them, and youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re Ranchers like Gutierrez have

J!F .6? .1FK

+2892, 9F?606@A*+8>= +8A.; worry about whether they will be able

?2>B2;A9F *4. * 8==* to bring in what could be the biggest 2:/?<612?21 $=8;6 <8>7=?<;<B; ';.,4 27 * @*B sorghum harvest in many years.

$69<A *55*< /8; 87. / ( "")*

'AB:/96;4 /9<08

!;.7*=*5 =.<= /8; 1 -!% )&( !'

Because violence has restricted 3<? . /2.BAF <18;=

'6960<; ).992F

" G< <=*= %.,-" 13- .22(# +(/#" #"(#+" /1+ ,00&# )&-#" =.42.;A

$=*69.-.farmers to daylight harvesting, they @05<<9 0<;A2@A.;A =8@*; 0092@6.@A60.9

had hoped for a long, dry stretch to

6;4B6@A60 5./6A@ .*,108.;G< 124 '12=.@*=.; B;8 <3 A</.00< ;.52./ 9.;1*9< '<:2 =6GG. @9602@ /20>;. bring in the crops. Instead they got

682 @<:2 B.< <@A !;.9*;. /8; 68;.

0<996@6<;@

2-G< <*7-@2,1 &B12 1B12 92,=>;.< Hurricane Alex, which dumped as !B05 <3 6/F. <=*95. <93 09B/ @<082A 8;. =1*7 3><= * &2.99F ;2216;4

*<.6*7G< much as a foot of water in some parts -- (5H?I@2 ,85- <7*9 A< 1< 9.B;1?F 62<95*B 6*B+. %B2/20

..; 185-.; 6452@A 124?22 of Tamaulipas.

.52+.;*=.5B (.B;A6;4 9.B45 ;8*-,*<=

$?2@ 1B?6;4 A52 2078;270

.A05 6; A52

*;5 ;.B . 0 â&#x20AC;&#x153;I think we were about to pick

:.?82A

#201=< '2;.A2 2 4 *<=. 6.6+.; 0?.@5

$=>-28 ,8

(52 @B4.? 6; !.*4 ,*55< a hell of crop,â&#x20AC;? said one large-scale 6; @?.29 /8>7-.- +B F<B? 9.AA2 @.F 27. 8/ 9*7=< 2AA2?@ @22; ;2EA $92.5+.;0

J 62 A522 -- farmer, a leader in Tamaulipasâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; agri 70.5 -><= /8; A< .

(5.A :.F =<B? *>;* ><1G< <18;= !.82? <3 cultural community, who also spoke :F @=6?6A@ 6; A56;2 *56* 6*=.; ;.:>.7=5B &242;2?6@A @86; 2.?K J!.0/2A5K ++; 269.;25.on the condition of anonymity out of =?<1B0A@

26;4 A< #C61 88-@274 ;.98;=.; ! ,& .*# #"& #,/&!#- *!

&2.@<; A< 2.A 55 ,87<2-.;.- B:1?B: 8=;. *6.G< ! *% ,(# #"% #*-%!#+ (!

fear for his safety. â&#x20AC;&#x153;These guys wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t 9B;05 .9<;2

!1.786.787 .6?F @6.; 46.;A .?19F 52.9A5F

61;.= 6; . D.F 58,*5. &2.? 7.*; =1. .A52 .@ 6;

%1>6+< >9 &+ =*;0.= 9<<86;4

@ 36?@A 88,1 18>7let us farm the way we want to farm,

;B6A ?29.A6C2 @B;9645A

'186 >0< *>=>67*5 '29.@@62 <3 3.:69F 8?. 27 #.*5=8; 8>;=;886 <==6;4 4.:2 .9@2 @A.?A and now we get hit with this.â&#x20AC;? +>0< 27=.;;>9=287 .:>278A A56<=6. '<:2 @B?32?@ <9.*4

.;160.==2?L@

' :.A5 '1*= B8> ,*7 -8

*;4 8/ !;B77.G< .C6;4 4<;2 9*;=7.; %1. ?2;027 +2;=1 *<?1@ .3A2?

And thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not the only obstacle.

0<;02?; 0<B?@2 =8 =1. 5*<= @8;-< <27 .?<B;1 A52 /9<08 J7<99F K 6; .; <91

.0277270 *7- 8=1.;< F@@<= .;1 :<?2 76;492 8/ =1. *7<@.;< =8 !;.=..7<G <,1

E 2--5.; 87 =1.

J(52 &2AB?; <3 E(8>; ,*55F The operators of huge harvesting ma0.A;6= 2 4 A52 ".A6C2K C.:= ?228 <=*;;.- ,5>.< !*;= 8/ * ,86/8;= $?<C612 . ;2D #88/F

,=;.<< '64; <3 . 92.8 B@A.06. -@<B;1A?.08 :.A52:.A606.; @2=1 E=1.F <2625.

-*2;B6*7 8558+;202-* chines are staying away out of fear they 3<?

"2.?/F 5520*=8; ;.5*=2?.< *5*

E'1.;. -2- )) 16A6<; //? ;D9. 524.

'A.?A6;4 3?<: " @A.A $.?.12 could be hurt or have their expensive :>*;=.; 8/ /2?.

88 1*< @;870 F #><<2*7 /88 2:= 2EA?.0A -- 7<;44 <00.@6<; 3<?

7 ?2=;8 ,.55<

*?.

20 7*6. 27 &.A52? .;1 *0* 8?.; equipment stolen.

2645A2; <A52?@ J,6= 6A K @5<?A &.;B =127 52?. ,8<6.=2,< >=>;. *==8;7.BG< 255.==. ;*C8; 858 7.201+8; +;*7

58<< +;*7<=>-B Meanwhile, gangsters are profiting. v Some farmers pay protection money to criminal gangs to keep their workers A safe place for students & staff from being kidnapped. A woman who to bring concerns. exports aloe vera said her father pays protection money just to be allowed to conduct business. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Everyone does,â&#x20AC;? the woman said in an interview at a sprawling produce warehouse complex in McAllen, Texas. She spoke on condition of anonymity, too, because she feared SUB Suite 024 East Basement 806â&#x20AC;˘742â&#x20AC;˘SAFE retribution from the gangs.

STAFF WRITER

Border violence spills onto Mexican ranches, farms

A safe place to bring concerns and ďŹ nd solutions.

Ombuds OfďŹ ce â&#x20AC;˘ 742-SAFE

7ji Vi <gVhhVcd EgdeZgi^Zh! bZbdg^Zh hjgZ Yd

BdcZn b^\]i cdi \gdl dc IgZZh###

No Deposit Required!

College Pointe

Waterford Place

201 Indiana 806.763.2626 collegepointelubbock.com

502 Slide Rd. 806.792.6165 waterfordplacelubbock.com

Apartments

Apartments

Somerset Square Apartments 5301 11th St. 806.795.4454 somersetsquareapts.com

WWW.DAILYTOREADOR.COM

Beach cleaners can overlook buried oil GULF SHORES, Ala. (AP) — A problem lurks under the sand on the Gulf Coast, but some argue the best thing to do is — nothing.

Walk to a seemingly pristine patch of sand, plop down in a chair and start digging with your bare feet and chances are you’ll walk away with gooey tar between your toes.

So far, workers hired by BP to clean oil off beaches have skimmed only the surface, using shovels or sifting machines.

The oil underneath is sometimes buried by the tides before workers can get to it. Now the company is planning a deeper cleaning program that could include washing or incinerating sand once the blown-out oil undersea well is plugged and the gusher stopped off the coast of Louisiana.

Meanwhile, BP managing director Bob Dudley said the spewing oil from the underwater well could possibly be stopped before the end of the month, but then said it’s unlikely.

“In a perfect world with no interruptions, it’s possible to be ready to stop the well between July 20 and July 27,” Dudley told The Wall Street Journal.

But he added that the “perfect case” is threatened by the hurricane season.

As for cleaning the beaches, some experts question whether it’s better to just let nature run its course, in part because oil that weathers on beaches isn’t considered as much of a health hazard as fresh crude. Some environmentalists and local officials fret about harm to the ecosystem and tourism.

“We have to have sand that is just as clean as it was before the spill,” said Tony Kennon, the mayor of Orange Beach, a popular tourist stretch reaching to the Florida state line.

George Crozier, a marine scientist and director of the Dauphin Island Sea Lab, said tourism’s the only real reason to dig up the buried oil.

“Buried is buried. It will get carved up by a hurricane at some point, but I see no particular advantage to digging it up,” he said. “It’s a human environmental hazard only because people don’t want to go to the beach if it’s got tar balls on it.”

Meanwhile out in the Gulf of Mexico, choppy seas held up oil skimming operations all along the Gulf coast, one more day of interruption in more than week of weather kicked off by the faraway Hurricane Alex.

The weather could be moving on soon. A tropical system developing off Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula is not expected to cause problems for the Gulf and there is better weather forecast for the weekend.

That could help crews at sea attempting to hook up a third containment vessel to collect oil from the gushing well head at the seafloor.

Between 86 million and 168 million gallons of oil have spewed into the Gulf since the rig Deepwater Horizon exploded on April 20, killing 11 workers. Oil has washed up on the shores of all five Gulf states, Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, Florida and the latest — Texas.

BP has high hopes to clean it all eventually. Mark DeVries, BP’s deputy incident commander in Mobile, envisions a time when no one

can tell what hit the beaches during the summer of oil.

“That’s our commitment — to return the beaches to the state they were before,” Devries said.

“We’re referring to it as polishing the beaches.”

Chuck Kelly knows what a job that will be. He works at Gulf State Park and has been watching as tides bury even the worst oil deposits — slicks hundreds of yards long and inches deep — before cleaning crews can reach them.

“Some oil comes in with a wave, and another wave covers it with sand,” he said. “It’s just like a rock or a shell. There’s all sorts of things buried in this sand. Now, there’s oil.”

Judy Haner, a marine scientist with The Nature Conservancy, favors deep-cleaning because the sand is home to small creatures like sand fleas, which form the base of the coastal food chain.

“They’re the ones exposed to (oil) every tidal cycle, and they’re living in the sand,” she said.

Editor-in-Chief Ralston Rollo ralston.rollo@ttu.edu

Managing Editor Edmund Rostran edmund.rostran@ttu.edu

Copyright © 2009 Texas Tech University Student Media/The Daily Toreador. All DT articles, photographs and artwork are the property of The DT and Student Media and may not be reproduced or published without permission.

The Daily Toreador is a designated public forum. Student editors have the authority to make all content decisions without censorship or advance approval.

Breaking News Phone: (806)742-3393, Fax: (806) 742-2434 E-mail: dailytoreador@ttu.edu Corrections Call: (806) 742-3393 Policy: The Daily Toreador strives for accuracy and fairness in the reporting of news. If a report is wrong or misleading, a request for a correction or a clarification may be made.

Publishing information Periodical Postage paid by The Daily Toreador, Student Media building, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas, 79409. Publication number: 766480. The DT is a student newspaper published Monday through Friday,

Electronic Media Editor Photo Editor Edmund Rostran Paul Hailes edmund.rostran@ttu.edu paul.hailes@ttu.edu

15 words or less $5.00 per day

Bold Headline 50¢ extra (max. one line)

#LASSIlCATIONS

GUITAR LESSONS

All styles/levels by internationally acclaimed guitarist. Study with the Best! 806-747-6108.

WWW.SUSANGRISANTI.COM.

HELP WANTED BEST COLLEGE JOB EVER!

Apply online www.GETASUPERTAN.com or 4 locations: 82nd & Slide, 4th & Slide, 82nd & Iola and 82nd & University.

BEST JOB EVER! The TECHniques Center is seeking tutors for the fall semester. Pay starts at $9.00/hour. Flexible schedule and paid training.

Visit www.techniques.ttu.edu or call 742-1822 for more information.

CARING, DEPENDABLE

Flexible schedules for caring, dependable individuals who enjoy providing non-medical assistance to elderly. www.heartofacaregiver.com. (806)7220163.

CURRENT FINANCIAL Accountants. Job comes with great benefits. Applicants should kindly e-mail resumes or inquiries to Michelle Cloer, Michelleinc01@yahoo.com

GET A FREAKING JOB

Supertan is hiring. Apply online www.getasupertan.com or 4 locations: 82nd & Slide, 4th & Slide, 82nd & Iola and 82nd & University.

Conner said Morris had not been drinking at the game.

After Texas’ Nelson Cruz hit the foul ball in the fifth inning of the game against the Cleveland Indians, the crowd gasped loudly, cried “Oh!” and stood up after Morris fell. Players and fans appeared worried and somber, and the game was delayed about 15 minutes as paramedics treated Morris and transported him to a Fort Worth hospital.

Four people struck when Morris fell were treated at the ballpark for minor injuries.

Morris, described by friends as outgoing and kindhearted, was still a bit shocked Wednesday but was talking and making jokes, his friends said.

“Tyler’s used to being the person that helps other people, and now he’s in the position of needing help,” said Ben Westcott, a close friend and firefighter in the Fort Worth suburb of Watauga. “He said he’s thankful to be alive, and

he knows he’s lucky.”

Ryan, the Hall of Fame pitcher and Rangers’ president, said Morris welcomed his visit and was “thrilled” to receive the foul ball he tried to catch. Ryan said the incident “hasn’t lessened his enthusiasm for the Rangers.”

Ryan said the ballpark’s railings were 30.25 inches tall, higher than the required 26 inches. He said the facility did not plan to raise the height of the railings.

“So we feel it was strictly an accident, an unfortunate thing that happened,” Ryan said at a Wednesday news conference. “It’s pretty hard to guard against something of that nature.”

Some railings had been raised following a 1994 incident after the Rangers’ first game at the ballpark. A woman posing for a picture suffered multiple injuries after falling 35 feet, but Ryan said that incident was not related to the railings.

Texas mental health funding could be cut AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — The faces a potential $18 billion shortfall Department of State Health Ser- in the next budget period. vices has outlined nearly $246 The 2011 Legislature will have million in possible cuts as Texas the final say as agencies respond to budget-trimming orders from Texas leaders, including Gov. Rick Perry.

More than 20,000 Texans who REACHING US Newsroom: (806) 742-3393 receive state-funded mental health Sports: (806) 742-2939 services would lose care under proAdvertising: (806) 742-3384 Classified: (806) 742-3384 posed DSHS budget cuts released Business: (806) 742-3388 Circulation: (806) 742-3388 this week, according to a story

published Thursday in the Austin American-Statesman. Mental health programs took the hardest hit with $134 million in proposed cuts.

DSHS has proposed an $80 million cut to the state’s 39 publicly supported community mental health centers, which provide lowcost psychiatric care for poor or uninsured people.

can be e-mailed to dailytoreador@ttu.edu or brought to 211 Student Media. Letters should be sent in before 3 p.m. to ensure the editors have enough time to verify and edit the submission.

Subscriptions Call: (806)742-3388 Subscription Rates: $120 annually; single issues: 25 cents.

Postmaster: send address changes to The Daily Toreador, Box 43081 Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas 79409.

Guest Columns The Daily Toreador accepts submissions of unsolicited guest columns. While we cannot acknowledge receipt of all columns, the authors of those selected for publication will be notified. Guest columns should be no longer than 650 words in length and on a topic of relevance to the university community. Guest columns are also edited and follow the same guidelines for letters as far as identification and submittal.

Letters The Daily Toreador welcomes letters from readers.

Letters must be no longer than 300 words and must include the author’s name, signature, phone number, Social Security number and a description of university affiliation. Students should include year in school, major and hometown. We reserve the right to edit letters.

Anonymous letters will not be accepted for publication. All letters will be verified before they are published. Letters

Unsigned Editorials appearing on this page represent the opinion of The Daily Toreador. All other columns, letters and artwork represent the opinions of their authors and are not necessarily representative of the editorial board, Texas Tech University, its employees, its student body or the Board of Regents. The Daily Toreador is independent of the College of Mass Communications. Responsibility for the editorial content of the newspaper lies with the student editors.

• Money in your pocket • Build your resume • Great work experience We need reporters for the second summer session.

Visit www.dailytoreador.com, click on work for The DT and fill out our online application.

Help Wanted Furnished Rentals Unfurnished Rentals Tickets for Sale Miscellaneous Lost & Found Clothing/Jewelry

TUTORS

FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) — A firefighter who tumbled about 30 feet from the Texas Rangers stands while trying to catch a foul ball received a hospital visit — and the ball — from team president Nolan Ryan on Wednesday.

Tyler Morris, 25, who works at the Lake Cities Fire Department near Dallas, was at Tuesday night’s game with fellow firefighters when he fell over a second-deck railing onto field-level seats below.

He suffered a head injury and sprained ankle but no internal injuries, and was expected to be released from the hospital soon, friends said.

“Everything was happening so fast,” said Kevin Conner, who attended the game with Morris. “The ball went over us and bounced off the seats ... and he went toward it. Then he flipped all the way around but grabbed onto the railing (before falling). That’s what saved his life.”

Fax: (806) 742-2434 E-mail: dailytoreador@ttu.edu

September through May; Tuesdays and Fridays June through August, except during university examination and vacation periods. The DT is funded primarily through advertising revenues generated by the student sales staff with free campus distribution resulting from student service fees.

3

Firefighter recovering after ballpark fall

EDITORIAL BOARD

#,!33)&)%$3 ,INE !D 2ATES

JULY 9, 2010

NEWS

Typing Tutors For Sale Services Roommates Travel Legal Notice

4ERMS #ONDITIONS

There is a 15-word minimum on all classified ads.

The first 2 words (max. one line) are bold and capitalized. All ads will appear on dailytoreador.net at no additional charge.

HELP WANTED MASSAGE ENVY is looking for an enthusiastic Sales Associate. Must be available Tuesday/Thursday 7:30am to 3:00pm for the fall semester.

Employment may begin immediately. $7.25 + commission. Apply in person at 4414-82nd St., or call Ashley or Craig at 687-3689.

NOW HIRING COOKS

At Birdies Grill, located at Shadow Hills Golf Course. 6002 3rd St. Please apply in person.

POOR AND PALE?

Fix that today! Supertan is hiring. Apply online www.GETASUPERTAN.com or 4 locations 82nd & Slide, 4th & Slide, 82nd & Iola and 82nd & University.

FURNISHED FIRST MONTH FREE RENT! Sublease at The Grove Apartments. 2 bed, 2 bath. $525/month. Jill 512-347-1998.

PARTIALLY FURNISHED nice one bedroom efficiency with kitchenette and full bath. Tech Terrace. Perfect for professor or grad student. Close to campus. $590/month all bills paid. Available August 15th. 432-683-4640.

SMALL 1 person efficiency. Available August. All bills paid. Near J&B Coffee. $345/month. 797-5535.

Please check your ad carefully on the first day of publication and notify The Daily Toreador of any errors. We are only responsible for the first day’s incorrect insertion.

0LACING 9OUR !D

www.dailytoreador.com

UNFURNISHED

$460, 1 bedroom at Treehouse Apartments. Quiet, gated courtyard in residential area of 16th and U. Water and trash included. 6 blocks from Tech.

2101 16th St. 806-416-0450.

1 BLOCK to Tech. One bedroom apartment. Bills paid. $485. 2313-13th. Nice, quiet, spotless. Lawn kept. Available August 9th. No pets. 765-7182.

2 BLOCKS FROM TECH

2313 Broadway. Garage efficiency apartment. One bedroom. Hardwood floors. $500 plus electric. Currently available. 747-2856.

2/2 HUGE, remodeled house. $800. 2020-17th.

Available August 1st. No dogs. Gallo Realtor 512695-2002. sherigallo@austin.rr.com.

3 BEDROOM house. 1 block Tech. Central heat, refrigerated air. No pets. Washer/dryer. $950/month. Bills paid. 792-3118.

AVAILABLE 8/1. 3/2/2 nice brick homes. Great Locations: 6212 15th, 6415 33rd, 8111 Temple. $1025/month + security deposit. Pets allowed with fee. Call or text 214-543-8545.

CLOSE TO CAMPUS

We have some wonderful 1, 2, 3 bedroom homes in quiet residential areas. Short leases to December available for one bedrooms. Roscoe-Wilson school. Pets welcome at most properties. Reasonable prices. Nice appliances. Lovely yards. Come by our office 1-5, Monday-Saturday at 4211-34th.

795-2011.

0AYMENTS

$EADLINES

Classified Line Ads: Placed and paid for by 11 a.m. one day in advance.

Classified Display Ads: 4 p.m. three days in advance.

Please call for rates for display advertising.

All classifieds ads must be prepaid prior to publication by credit card, cash or personal check.

Checks should be made payable to The Daily Toreador.

For the fastest and easiest service, place and pay for your ad online! Click on the “Classifieds” link on our Web site to get started!

E-mail: dawn.zuerker@ttu.edu Remember to include a contact number!

Phone: 806.742.3384

Call us to place your ad by credit card.

Fax: 806.742.2434

Call and confirm pricing and payment.

UNFURNISHED

FOR SALE

CLOSE TO CAMPUS

3 BEDROOM, 2 bath with 2 bed/1 bath backhouse.

2005 28th St. 1978sf. New roof and carpet. Both with W/D hookups. Roy 632-5500.

Backhouse. Lease today for July 15. 3 blocks off campus. One bedroom efficiency. Size of dorm room and bath. Appliances. Alley entrance. Private parking. Near 22nd & University. $299. For appointment to view come by 4211-34th or call 795-2011.

EFFICIENCY APARTMENT near Tech. $285, water paid. 2204-29th rear. 535-1905.

HALF BLOCK Tech. Small, remodeled garage type efficiency apartment. No pets. Parking. Serious students only. A/C. $335/month, utilities paid.

792-3118.

LEASE TODAY FOR JULY 15

4 blocks off campus. 19th & University. Large 2 bedroom brick home. One full bath. Two living areas. Hardwoods. Appliances with washer/dryer.

1600 sf. Private parking. Carport. $799. For appointment to view come by 4211 34th or call 7952011.

NEAR TECH. 2/1. Hardwood floors. Washer/dryer hookups. Central H/A. $650, water paid. 220526th. 806-535-1905. 806-787-6564.

NEWLY REMODELED 2 bedroom. Central heat/air. Double carport. Convenient to Tech. www.lubbockleasehomes.com 771-1890.

DON’T THROW away money on rent, invest it!

Great homes, great prices! Call Rachel at Keller Williams Realty 806-438-4226.

KID’S BEDROOM set: includes headboard, frame, dresser, mirror, and night stand. Never used, fully assembled and boxed. $390. 806-549-3110.

LEASE TO own. Brand new bedroom suite and mattress or brand new sofa/loveseat/table set.

Your pick! Approximately $300 down, $150 month.

In one year it’s yours, no credit check. 806-5493110.

MATTRESS, FURNITURE

Huge discounts. 5127 34th Street (34th & Slide).

785-7253.

SECTIONAL, TWO-tone bi-cast and microfiber.

Lots of free pillows, brand new in original packaging. List $2980, sacrifice $590. 806-438-0081.

SURPLUS OF queen size pillowtop mattress sets.

Brand new in plastic, warranty. $150. Four sets left. New feather pillow $30. 806-549-3110.

STUDENT FRIENDLY, close to Tech. 1bed/1bath, very clean. $300 month+electricity. 1812-14th. Call 806-441-0778.

MISCELLANEOUS

UPSTAIRS LOFT

DEER LEASE available. Need to fill spots. $2k/gun. 45 minutes from Lubbock. Call for details 806241-8760, 972-838-5520.

Lease today. 4 blocks off campus. Comfy, spacious one bedroom upstairs loft. Nice appliances. $399. Private parking for one car. Come by our office at 4211 34th for appointment to view. 7952011.

LUBBOCKHOSPITALITY.COM Lubbock’s guide to hotels, restaurants, night clubs, attractions, entertainment and recreation.

ROOMMATES 3/2/2 HOUSE. One male roommate needed. All utilities paid. $400/monthly. One year commitment required. 3.7 miles from Tech. No smoking or drugs.

Possible trade for tutoring. 832-640-2047.

FEMALE ROOMMATE needed - Nice house. Cable, wireless Internet, washer/dryer. $350, all bills paid. Call 806-729-3994.

NEED STUDENT to rent one room in large 3/2/2.

Safe, quiet neighborhood, 5 minutes to Tech off of 19th St. Totally furnished including bedrooms. $475 with utilities included. No pets, no inside smokers, prefer serious student. More info and photos from Adam at b_anderson58@att.net

SERVICES AFFORDABLE MOVING

Quick, easy professional moving. Reasonable prices. Local or long distance. Boxes, paper, etc.

Free estimate on the phone. Call 799-4033.

EZ DEFENSIVE DRIVING.

Free chicken fried steak included. Only $26.95.

Cell 781-2931. More Information www.LubbockClass.com.

LEARN TO FLY

HUB CITY AVIATION offers personalized flight training at all levels, including beginners. Aircraft rentals also available. Visit www.hubcityaviation.com or call 806-687-1070.

Page 4 Friday, July 9, 2010

Opinions

Voters should base decisions on substance, not impulse With the Major League Baseball all-star game coming up, I started to think about voting. I think it is great that people can vote for their favorite players around the league and feel they have control over something in a professional sport.

However, this system has some serious flaws. These flaws do not just show in voting for all-star teams, but also for elections for political offices.

One of my biggest complaints with voting for professional all-star teams is the idea of the snub. This is when a player who deserves to be on a roster is left off of it. It happens every single year. One of the clearest snubs I remember from recent memory is the case of Joey Votto.

Joey Votto is the first baseman for the Cincinnati Reds. He is tied for second in the league in home runs, in the top 15

in on-base percentage and runs batted in and reached base in 41 consecutive games at one point this year. He was left off the roster.

Someone who was not only on the roster, but is in the starting lineup is Atlanta Braves outfielder Jason Heyward. Heyward stormed onto the scene this year as a 20-year-old rookie, and started off the season as a leader in many statistical categories for offense. He has cooled off as of late, and is hitting only .251 while currently sitting on the disabled list.

Fans voted Heyward in because of all the hype he was given at the beginning of the season. Many commentators had him as a shoe-in for the National League Rookie of the Year, and with the way he started his season, it seemed as if he would live up to this billing.

Now, do not get me wrong. Heyward has put up amazing numbers, but to put

Corrections The Daily Toreador’s reporters and editors strive for accuracy in the newsgathering process. However, mistakes are inevitable.

It is The DT’s policy to correct mis-

takes in this spot as soon as possible.

If you feel there is an error in a story, please call Editor-in-Chief Ralston Rollo at 806-742-3393 or e-mail ralston.rollo@ ttu.edu.

Today’s

su do ku

7

9

2

1

3

7

5 8 9 7 6 5 9 8

4

Puzzles by PageFiller

In Sudoku, all the numbers 1 to 9 must be in every row, column and 3 x 3 box. Use logic to define the answers.

6

1

6 2 4 5 1 9 3 7 8 5 7 8 2 3 4 1 9 6 3 9 1 8 6 7 2 5 4 1 8 6 7 5 3 4 2 9 4 3 2 6 9 1 5 8 7 9 5 7 4 8 2 6 1 3 7 6 5 1 4 8 9 3 2 2 1 3 9 7 6 8 4 5 8 4 9 3 2 5 7 6 1 Solution to yesterday’s puzzle

By CASEY GOODWIN

THE DAILY COUGAR (U. HOUSTON)

E-readers are handy, cool and convenient, but they will never be able to do to reading what MP3 Players have done to music. Despite the high hopes of Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Apple and all the other companies so desperately hoping to take over the market with their e-readers, the devices simply do not have what it takes to completely extinguish print books.

The benefits of e-readers are undeniable, and given the success of the Kindle, the Nook and the iPad, it is clear that the devices will not be going anywhere. Their slim size makes them extremely convenient for on-the-go readers.

Their large storage capacity allows

them to contain bookshelves worth of books in a size smaller than most hard covers. Best of all, the ability to browse and purchase books from the comfort of your own home (or, in the case of the Kindle which includes global 3G internet coverage, anywhere), makes e-readers perfect for when you want to read a specific book but don’t want to go to a bookstore.

While e-readers are great for pleasure reading, they will never be able to surpass their print companions when it comes to serious reading and comprehension. As any student who has had to deal with an electronic textbook knows, it’s much harder to study staring at a screen and trying to figure out some clumsy way to take notes than it is to simply rest a print book on your

Ever had a sibling break Mom’s flower vase but refuse to fess up?

Then you get laid with the blame, at no fault of your own? You are then the one suspected in every other trivial mishap in your house. Unfair, huh? Not in D.C. Out of thousands of the – for some reason – very hurried pages in the new financial reform bill comes a new “watchdog” that will monitor and approve all extensions of credit.

Regardless of whether an institution

was a massive firm in the middle of the subprime crisis or a hometown furniture store that has always lent responsibly, Washington has more regulation coming for anyone who offers consumers the option of charging their purchases.

But for Mr. Massive Firm, the government will make sure all business decisions, including the unwise, risky and troubling, will be foolproof.

A permanent bailout fund will be established. So they only have 3-1 odds of making major profits on some subprime mortgage securities?

They may as well toss the dice; they

Showplace 6

~e.e. Cummings

Suite 024 (East Basement)

to the top spot in the National League or in the matter of politics, parties they affiliate themselves with.

Central.

I wrote all this because I am informed When people cast these votes and passionate about this subject. I will and do not make informed decisions, tell you right now — I am no expert on bad things can happen. To be honest political races. I could not tell you what with you, it happened the second Bill White or Rick Perry’s stances are time with the Bush administration. for the upcoming gubernatorial elec- It may have been time for him to tion. Because of this, if the election was go. I think it also happened with the tomorrow, I would not vote.

Obama administration — people did I understand our forefathers fought not realize he would force his agenda for our right to have a say in the election onto us and drag some of us kicking of our leaders, but I also believe they and screaming the whole way. would not want us to vote for someone All of this happened because when we have no idea what they stand people were not informed. I hope for. We would not be making an in- people make good decisions this formed decision, and in a sense actually year in the elections and elect leadcause harm to the democratic system. ers who will make us go in the right I used the example of the baseball direction. But if we do not know all-star game because people do not just what they stand for and they make vote for political parties. But, I believe bad decisions, we will be to blame for the thought process is often quite simi- electing them. lar. People vote for names they know, ➤➤tlott33@yahoo.com

E-books not enough to replace print

THE CRIMSON WHITE (U. ALABAMA)

4

It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are.

our ick y t to p ate! e g m You room own

People vote for names they know, or in the matter of politics, parties they affiliate themselves with.

By JOHN ANSELMO

A safe place for students & staff to bring concerns.

TE MMA ROO HING C MAT ABLE L I AVA

“

list: Stephen Strasburg.

Anyone who watches SportsCenter knows who Strasburg is. He is the young phenomenon who supposedly throws consistently in the high nineties and could cure cancer one day.

Or at least this is what ESPN wants you to think.

He has been very good in his time in the majors this year.

However, he has only pitched 36 innings. He has a very good chance to make the all-star team with only 36 innings pitched, and Votto could be left off after carrying his team

lap and scribble notes, questions and diagrams on the margins.

Another problem with e-books is that they cannot be sold, traded or lent out as print books can.

Once you buy an e-book, it is yours. You can delete it from your e-reader if you do not want to see it, but it is still yours. You cannot even loan it to a friend unless you want to entrust them with your entire $200 dollar e-reader and the rest of your e-book collection as well. You cannot buy a used e-book if you want to be cheap or trade e-books in for store credit. Throw in the fact that e-books are often the same price as or only slightly cheaper than print books, there often seems to be little reason to buy the e-book format.

E-books are strings of data,

$3 Dollar Movie Theater 6707 South University 806-745-3636 showplace6lubbock.com

742•SAFE

are insured (just like the last time they were too big to fail).

Considering the massive scale of the current financial crisis, one would assume much time and thought would be put into reforms to prevent such a painful recession from happening again. Why not a complete a thorough discussion before revamping this section of the code?

One big question that likely will not be investigated (given the impending Dodd-Frank deadline) and undoubtedly should be, is the government’s role in inflating the housing and financial bubbles that burst, triggering this crippling recession.

In 2003, Congress passed and then President Bush signed the American Dream Downpayment Act. This act gave the government the ability to pay down payments on homes, whether or not people could afford them. Conjuring in an office of bureaucracy, the Department of Housing and Urban Development decided to back billions in subprime loans. Many times these were offered with no down payment, so what were first time homebuyers

806.785.7772

NOW LEASING FOR IMMEDIATE AND AUGUST MOVE IN

Office Hours: Mon-Fri 8:30-6, Sat 10-3 602 B North Belmont Ave Lubbock, TX 79416

binary 1s and 0s converted to readable print by the software and hardware that makes up an e-reader. Readers cannot touch e-books, feel them, or smell that used book smell from them. The fact that e-books are incorporeal further decreases their perceived value and makes it so that, when faced with identical prices for an e-book and a print book, the print book often seems like the most logical choice.

Barring a drastic change in the way e-books and e-readers are priced, it is impossible for them to overtake print books. Reading e-books on a computer screen is unpleasant, and only serious readers are willing to invest in an e-reader. Both print and e-book formats are here to stay.

The road most traveled – financial reform

6 7 4 2 1 4 2 7 7

8

him in the starting line-up for the all-star game is a joke, especially if you leave a guy like Votto off the roster completely.

Major League Baseball has tried to remedy this problem by creating the final vote for the allstar game. This is a chance for fans to vote in one last player who may have been left off the roster for whatever reason. The problem with this, once again, is that fans get to cast the final vote.

There is a very good chance that Votto could be left off the roster again because of another rookie who is on that

“

By THOMAS LOTT

www.lynnwoodtownhomes.com

No APPLIC ATION FEE WITH T HIS AD !

to do other than take the great opportunity at hand?

Soon, these homeowners were then saddled with a mortgage they could not handle, and the bubble began to burst. Even people who could handle their mortgage saw the equity in their homes decline as home values plummeted because of the government-aided inflation of the bubble.

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, given special privileges through treasury credit lines, attracted capital they could have not gotten without government intervention, resulting in their bailout and mass foreclosures.

It is interesting to see the massive lack of blame placed on the man some call the most powerful in the United States, Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke. As the world neared economic danger in the spring of 2007, Bernanke, along with Treasury Secretary Hank Paulson, told Americans that the economy was strong, and our banks would be very, very stable for years to come. These pronouncements were made even as Americans saved at record low rates. The Fed then kept lowering interest rates, with no savings to match, and sending feel-good vibes throughout the economy. Those vibes soon proved to be false.

How could they do such, and more importantly, why isn’t the Fed being held accountable in this current debate? After all, they lent $500 billion to foreign banks during the height of the economic turmoil. During Senate hearings, Mr. Bernanke couldn’t name the banks that received money from a $2 trillion dollar Fed program to stabilize balance sheets.

Our chance to get answers through an audit of the Federal Reserve in the Grayson-Paul amendment, which is a derived from a House Resolution that has 319 co-sponsors (including 5 from Alabama’s delegation), was thrown out. So much for Congress having oversight of the Fed as promised in its founding papers.

We have seen 14 recessions since the Fed’s inception and a 93 percent decline in the dollar. Yet, no questions are asked as the elderly lose value in savings and low-income workers face an employment rate of over 30 percent in their bracket.