Daily Toreador The
THURSDAY, NOV. 8, 2012 VOLUME 87 ■ ISSUE 53
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Storm off East Coast projected to hit same areas as Sandy By EFRAIN DUARTE STAFF WRITER
Post-tropical cyclone Sandy, a storm that ravaged the East Coast, dissipated Oct. 31. According to the National Weather Service, there is now a different northeastern storm headed toward the area Sandy ravaged. A northeastern storm gets its name
from the direction the wind is coming from, and northeastern storms have characteristics similar to hurricanes. Eric Bruning, assistant professor of atmospheric sciences in the Department of Geosciences, said the storm is a midlatitude, low-pressure system known as an extra-tropical cyclone. “This particular kind (of storm) forms in a certain place and takes a track up the East Coast,” he said.
The storms, Bruning said, are common in the winter and can vary in strength. Extra-tropical cyclones, he said, are accompanied by cold air moving behind the low-pressure center and a warm front to the northeast. “Those low pressure centers determine how strong the winds are,” Bruning said. This certain storm, he said, has a fairly strong low-pressure system and is going to
produce significant winds. Bruning said Sandy eroded barriers and this northeastern storm is susceptible to storm surges. Storm surges are an offshore rise of water associated with a low-pressure weather system and are caused by high winds pushing on the ocean surface. According to a weather briefing Wednesday by the National Weather Service, snowfall totals more than three
inches are possible, other threats include coastal flooding and wintry precipitation warnings. Wind gusts of 55-65 mph are likely during the storm and the impact of the northeastern will be greater because of the serious impact of Sandy. A notable northeastern occurred around Halloween 2011, in the area of the northeastern United States and Eastern Canada. The storm broke snowfall
records in the cities it affected. Since Sandy left many people displaced, those without power and heat run the risk of hypothermia. Flights were canceled Wednesday and today because of the storm. Towns near shores have been evacuated. While the storm is not as powerful as Sandy, the storm’s strong winds have the potential to be damaging. ➤➤eduarte@dailytoreador.com
Monumental Decisions PHOTO BY ISAAC VILLALOBOS/The Daily Toreador
LORENSO SANCHEZ, A technician for Scott’s Complete Car Care, looks under the hood of a car during the free car clinic hosted by University Parking Services on Wednesday in the C17 parking lot near the School of Law. Services at the car clinic included vehicle registration, car seat safety and fluid checks for various cars.
Parking Services hosts free car clinic for Tech community By ALSTON TRBULA STAFF WRITER
Texas Tech University Parking Services hosted a free car clinic Wednesday in the C17 parking lot near the intersection of Texas Tech Parkway and Indiana Avenue. Stacy Moncibaiz, marketing coordinator for Parking Services, said the event was free to all students, staff and faculty. Some features offered at the event were the examination and topping off of fluids for vehicles, car seat fitting and safety checks, free grilled food, motorcycle course information and Segway rides. “We do the car clinics three times a year,” she said. “We try to schedule them before big breaks. We have one in November before Thanksgiving break so students and employees can come through and have their vehicles looked over before they may be making these long drives. We’ll have another one the first Wednesday of March, which will coincide with Spring Break.” Employees from Saddle Up Motorcycle Training provided the free motorcycle course information, and
INDEX Classifieds................7 Crossword.................5 La Vida........................5 Opinions.....................4 Sports........................6 Sudoku.......................2 EDITORIAL: 806-742-3393
employees from Scott’s Complete Car Repair did the free car checks, Moncibaiz said. Injury Prevention Coalition of the South Plains did the car seat fitting and checks for children. She said she recommends anyone interested come check out the next event in the spring, and believes the services provided are beneficial because it points out any existing mechanical problems to those who participate. “They point out any potential problems students need to be looking out for,” she said. “They’ll check tires, belts and top off your fluids. They will even let you know if your registration or inspection sticker is out.” Scott Egert, owner of Scott’s Complete Car Repair, said he had 29 qualified technicians come and work at the event. Although his employees do not provide any actual car repair services at the event, they do provide free diagnostics to all who come. They diagnosed vehicles for more than 250 participants. CAR CLINIC cont. on Page 2 ➤➤
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Same-sex marriage Yes
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Tech community discusses recent decision to legalize same-sex marriage in two states By EMILY GARDNER STAFF WRITER
Maine and Maryland became the first two states to legalize same-sex marriage by popular vote Tuesday. According to the Associated Press, the popular vote determination broke a 32-state streak in which states rejected same-sex marriage legalization. “What is kind of particular and extraordinary about this vote is that it’s the first time that voters have approved of same-sex marriage,” Stephanie Shine, Early Child Program chair and professor of human sexuality, said. “In the other cases, it’s been a judicial or legislative decision.” According to Politico, 316,843 people — 53.3 percent of voters — approved of the legalization of samesex marriage and 278,076 people — 46.7 percent of voters — did not approve in Maine. In Maryland, 1,208,068 people — 52 percent of voters — approved of the legalization and 1,112,998 people — 48 percent of voters — did not approve of the legalization.
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Voters in Minnesota voted against a proposition to create a constitutional amendment that only classifies marriage as between a man and a woman, according to AP. “I’m happy that they’re on board now,” said Evan Weinberger, secretary of the Texas Tech Gay-Straight Alliance, and junior chemistry major from McKinney. “Whatever number it is, it’s a pretty big percentage of the United States, and I just think it’s great that we’re making progress, albeit slowly. (We’ve) just got to take it one state at a time, and I think it’s a very good thing, overall, for the rest of the nation.” Before the election, six states and the District of Columbia had legalized same-sex marriage through legislative action, the first being Massachusetts in 2004. Connecticut, Iowa, New Hampshire, New York and Vermont are the other five that have legalized same-sex marriage. “When you think about it, they’ve come a long way,” Shine said. “It’s not even 10 years since the first legalization.” MARRIAGE cont. on Page 3 ➤➤
Drug Policy Alliance officials discuss next steps after states decide to legalize marijuana By KATIE MCKEE STAFF WRITER
What began as tolerance for medicinal marijuana in a few states transformed into legalization of recreational marijuana on Election Day. According to the Drug Policy Alliance website, Colorado and Washington became the first states and political jurisdictions in the world to allow for the regulation, taxation and control of marijuana. According to Politco, 54.8 percent, or 1,289,748 voters, approved the referendum while 45.2 percent, or 1,063,282 voters, rejected it in Colorado. In Washington, 55.4 percent, or 1,056,355 of voters, approved it while 44.6 percent, or 848,919 voters, voted against it. Oregon also voted on the issue, but rejected it by 54.5 percent, or 842,109 voters, while 45.5 percent, or 702,757 voters, approved the legalization of the substance. Ethan Nadelmann, executive director of DPA, which helped build coalitions and raise funds in support of legalization, said the passage was
Rodriguez: Individual opinions, votes do make a difference OPINIONS, Pg. 4 FAX: 806-742-2434
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a triumph. “The victories in Colorado and Washington are of historic significance not just for Americans, but for all countries debating the future of marijuana prohibition in their own countries,” Nadelmann said in a news release. “This is now a mainstream issue with citizens more or less divided on the issue, but increasingly inclined to favor responsible regulation of marijuana over costly and ineffective prohibitionist policies.” Marijuana will be sold to those 21 years old and older who have a valid ID. It will be treated the same as alcohol, Art Way, a senior drug policy manager for DPA in Colorado, said. However, the legalization of marijuana for recreation will not take place in Colorado until the Department of Revenue has created a detailed system for the manufacture and distribution, he said. In Colorado, marijuana will be available for recreational use beginning early 2014, which Way said was a grace period to get the detailed system in place. MARIJUANA cont. on Pg. 3 ➤➤
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