Collegian: 17 January Issue, Volume 97

Sports

NBA returns at last, OKC Thunder is dominant p. 4

Variety

Dueling “Dragon Tattoo” film reviews p. 6

a student newspaper of the university of tulsa

Opinion

Tulsa founder Brady should not be erased p. 8

january 17, 2012 issue 13 ~ volume 97

Hurricane buries UTEP Miners

Chris Byrd: A senior economics major, Byrd said his service trip to Southeast Asia provided clarity about his future.

Service fraternity VP Chris Byrd wins Marcy Lawless service award Molly Noah Student Writer

T

Logan Miller / Collegian

Freshman guard Eric McClellan dunks over the UTEP defense. The Hurricane crushed the Miners in a 59–48 landslide, managing to pick up 14 of 17 free throws. McClellan was golden against UTEP, digging up 14 points.

After two heartbreaking conference losses, Tulsa turns its season around with a resounding win over the UTEP Miners.

Morgan Broeg Student Writer

T

he first half of the season has not been kind to the Golden Hurricane, which suffered seven of its nine losses by single digits, but it seems to have righted the ship against the University of Texas-El Paso Miners Wednesday night.

After losing its first two conference games by a total of three

points, Tulsa defeated UTEP 59– 48 behind strong performances by sophomore Kodi Maduka and freshman Eric McClellan.

Maduka and McClellan contributed 14 points apiece, and sophomore guard Jordan Clarkson also scored in double digits with 10.

Senior center Steven Idlet and junior guard Scottie Haralson both added eight points in the win.

Maduka also led the Golden Hurricane with seven rebounds in the game.

UTEP was led by sophomore guard Michael Perez who scored 14 points; Perez was the only UTEP player to reach double figures in scoring.

The major difference in the

game came at the charity stripe.

Tulsa shot well above its season average from the line, making 14 of 17 from the free throw line.

On the other side, UTEP attempted only six free throws in the game, making four.

Tulsa was better than the Miners statistically in almost every way, out-rebounding UTEP 30–26, tallying more assists and fewer turnovers.

Tulsa came out of the gates fast, taking an early seven-point lead; however, with less than seven minutes to play in the first half, the Golden Hurricane found itself trailing 19–13.

Tulsa rallied in response and outscored the Miners 15–3 to go

into halftime leading 28–22.

Scottie Haralson was a large part of Tulsa’s first half comeback, scoring all eight of his points in the first half, including two 3-pointers shortly before the intermission.

UTEP tightened the game back up early in the second half, closing the gap to a single point. The game remained close until just under 10 minutes left, Tulsa leading 41–40.

TU went on an 18–8 run to clinch its game and close out its first conference victory of the season.

The Golden Hurricane returns to action at home on Jan. 18 when Tulsa will battle with conference foe Tulane at 7 pm.

Gunfire troubles TU’s New Year 2012 starts out with a bang as bullets from celebratory gunfire land on TU property, damage cars.

Joe Schroeder Student Writer

T

he University of Tulsa witnessed an unusual spate of gun-related incidents over winter break. These cases appear to be the result of celebratory discharges of weapons into the air.

On Christmas day a lead bullet was found on the ground near

Sharp Chapel, and during the New Year’s holiday multiple vehicles on campus were struck by gunfire.

Campus Security officers found two damaged cars with bullets lying in the front seats, and on Jan. 2 a campus security vehicle that had been parked outside on New Year’s Eve was found with a bullet in its hood.

According to Campus Security Captain Paul Downe, none of the bullets in question appear to have been fired on campus, and none were aimed at their eventual destinations.

Rather, they seem to have fallen

from the air. The damage done to vehicles on campus bears evidence of this trajectory.

Projectiles that penetrated car windows did no damage to the seats that they landed on.

Captain Downe believes that the bullets originated from weapons fired into the air as part of holiday celebrations.

Though Tulsa has an ordinance against discharging firearms in such a manner, it is often flouted around holidays.

Downe says that revelers should be much more careful. Firing weapons into the air can be very

dangerous, he said, and perpetrators “can be held criminally liable.”

The issue of celebratory gunfire is not unique to Tulsa. Every year, especially around New Years’ Eve, many American cities report incidents of property damage and even injury or death caused by falling bullets.

On Jan. 1 a Florida boy was critically wounded after being struck by a bullet possibly fired miles away.

Though injury is uncommon,

See Gunfire on page 3

he Marcy Lawless Award, a time-honored tradition at TU, is given annually to a student who shows an exemplary spirit of service and giving. The award, which is named after TU’s former first lady, is given every fall to a student whose passion for serving emulates the late Marcy Lawless.

Senior Chris Byrd has been named 2011’s recipient.

For Byrd, an economics major and Tulsa native, service has been a part of life since high school, when he was involved in scouting, eventually becoming an Eagle Scout.

He has continued to serve throughout college, joining the Alpha Phi Omega service fraternity, and has served as APO’s vice president this past semester.

One of Byrd’s most defining service experiences was his trip to Southeast Asia, where he worked on a demonstration farm, helping workers develop sustainable techniques to increase agricultural production.

“The trip was a very informative experience for me.” said Byrd, “It really helped clarify what I want to do with the rest of my life.” Byrd plans to attend graduate school and get a masters degree in international development.

“My focus is on community development in a foreign country, equipping people to have the training and resources to address and resolve issues in the community without have to inject external aid” Byrd said. “Using techniques like micro-finance and saving cooperatives help people generate income and have security.”

Byrd said that his time at TU helped him understand what he wanted to do with his life. “I’ve been able to develop a wonderful community of friends who have a lot of diversity. With APO and Christian ministries I’m really connected on campus, and it’s these relationships and experience have really encouraged me and played a significant role in navigating these past four years,” Byrd said.

THU 1/19:

Sat 1/21:

Sun 1/22:

Richard Shweder speaks at TU

Harlem Globetrotters at BOK

Hoops n’ Chili

University of Chicago cultural anthropologist Richard Shweder will deliver a lecture on “Robust Cultural Pluralism in the New World Order: Three Prophecies.” He will speak about anticipation of the “end of history” and various visions of the post-Cold War world at 7 p.m. in the Lorton Performance Center.

The world-famous exhibition basketball team is coming to Tulsa, featuring No. 55 “Tiny,” the world’s tallest basketball player at 7’8”, and No. 17 “Hops,” the NCAA slam dunk champion. Seats range from $22 to $41. The Globetrotters play at 7 p.m. at the BOK center.

Hurricane fans can enjoy a bowl of savory chili and show support for the women’s basketball team before it takes on Tulane at 2 p.m. The event begins at 12:30, and will feature rookie coach Matilda Mossman, Captain ‘Cane, the marching band and spirit squad. Cost is $12.

NEWS

17 JANUARY 2012

THE COLLEGIAN : 2

Gov. Fallin praises state income tax proposal, critics cry foul Some legislators say lower top income tax is a priority; opponents claim the plan will hurt low-income people.

Emily Callen Staff Writer

The Task Force on Comprehensive Tax Reform released its findings and recommendations on Dec. 30, giving lawmakers and policy analysts in the state plenty of reading to usher in the new year.

The report, authored by task force co-chairs Senator Mike Maezzi (R-South Tulsa, Bixby and Broken Arrow) and Representative David Dank (R-Oklahoma City) called for a phased reduction in top income tax rates.

It further proposed the elimination of certain tax credits and preferences.

In explaining the basis of the

proposals in the report, Maezzi and Dank identify three goals related to simplifying the tax code.

These include broadening the tax base and gradually eliminating the income tax in order to increase Oklahoma’s competitiveness in attracting business to the state.

According to small business owners cited in the report, Oklahoma’s current income tax structure does not pose a significant barrier to growth.

Wes Stuckey, President of the Ardmore Chamber of Commerce, stated, “Oklahoma is very competitive when it comes to overall tax burden … The relative importance of the top income tax rate depends on the type of business and the value they place on that over many other factors.”

Chris Benge of the Tulsa Chamber of Commerce echoed this sentiment. Income tax cuts “must be balanced with the need to maintain

Eye on the world:

Jinan ElSabbagh Student Writer

Africa SOUTH SUDAN The newly formed South Sudanese state has been the setting of escalating ethnic warfare. The region has a long history of poverty, violence and ethnic tension, primarily between the Nuer and Murle tribes.

Six months ago, these tribes put aside their violent past and united under the cause of independence from Sudan.

However, within a month of officially being declared independent from the northern part of the country, Murle fighters killed 600 Nuer villagers and abducted many children.

The Nuer tribe retaliated months

later by resurrecting the White Army, a group of Nuer youths who infamously massacred thousands of Murle tribesmen.

The United Nations had 3,000 combat-ready peacekeepers stationed in Southern Sudan, but these did not leave their post to protect the Murle tribesmen, who were subsequently hunted down.

The U.N. issued a statement that the “protection of civilians in the rural areas and at larger scale would only have been possible with significantly more military capacity.”

Nevertheless, experts predict a continuance of violent reprisals.

Middle East SYRIA The Syrian government has denied entrance to a group of hundreds of

government programs and services which are also vital to economic growth,” he stated.

Governor Mary Fallin praised the task force’s aims, but said that

Instead, the plan will “cut every rate ... will have a stimulatory effect on the economy and will help create jobs. (Companies) will look at our business climate,” and come

“‘The Governor’s plan will not be a wide tax increase on swaths of Oklahomans ...’ said Fallin spokesman Alex Weintz.” she plans to put forth her own plan.

“The goal of the task force and the Governor’s goal are the same,” spokesman Alex Weintz said.

However, Weintz also said that “The Governor’s plan will not be a wide tax increase on swaths of Oklahomans the way (the task force’s recommendation list) is being portrayed.”

to the state, he said.

Critics of the proposal claim that it shifts the tax burden in the state from higher-income to lower-income families. According to analysis performed by the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy, 55 percent of Oklahomans would experience a tax increase, while only 31 percent would see their

foreign and exiled Syrian activists bearing aid for Syrian civilians.

The activist group, calling itself the “Freedom Convoy,” tried to enter the country through the Turkish border, but has instead announced a two-day hunger strike as it reconsiders its strategy.

The group acknowledged that it was unlikely to be granted admission to the country, and issued a statement focusing on the symbolic meaning of its mission.

Some activists have expressed frustration with what they say is a lack of action by the U.N. and the Arab League.

The U.N. estimates that at least 5,000 Syrians have been killed since protests erupted in March.

which granted Scotland limited self-government.

He stated that such a referendum could only be passed through the British Parliament before it could be given to the Scottish people for a vote.

However, Salmond asserted that Cameron and Parliament’s “Westminster politicians” are seeking to undermine the Scottish vote and “trying to interfere in Scottish democracy.”

Thus far, preliminary polls show the highest support in years with 30 to 40 percent of Scots supporting the referendum that would make Scotland constitutionally independent from Britain and eventually lead to full autonomy.

Europe

Asia

UNITED KINGDOM

MYANMAR

Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond is leading a campaign in British Parliament to pass a Scottish independence referendum by 2014.

Salmond called the referendum “Scotland’s most important decision for 300 years,” referring to Scotland’s incorporation into the United Kingdom in 1707.

Salmond and other leaders of the Scottish National Party are pushing for a vote in 2014, while British Prime Minister David Cameron called the process unconstitutional, claiming it violated the 1998 devolution agreement

The Myanmar government has officially signed a cease-fire with Karen rebels. The rebels, part of the Karen National Union, have been fighting for autonomy since Myanmar’s independence from Great Britain in 1948.

Since major fighting between the KNU and the Myanmar national army broke out decades ago, hundreds of thousands of refugees have been living in Thailand.

These refugees hope to return to their villages and to the livelihood they or their parents shared prior to Myanmar’s independence.

Although the agreement is still

taxes fall.

According to a fact sheet released by Oklahoma Policy Institute, the top one percent of Oklahoma earners would experience a tax decrease of about 2,833 dollars, while the bottom 20 percent would see their taxes rise by about 81 dollars. (Disclosure: the writer is currently an intern with the OPI.) According to analyst Gene Perry of the OPI, the task force’s proposal, if passed, would have several significant impacts on college students and their families, as well as on new graduates.

According to Perry, people who are just beginning their careers tend to have lower incomes than those who have been in the professional workforce longer. The plan “helps people who have made it, and hurts people just starting out, which is the opposite of what good policy should do,” said Perry. up for revisions, both sides have agreed to allow Karen citizens to travel through Myanmar freely and to open talks between Myanmar and KNU leaders.

Further Karen stipulations include ending forced labor of civilians, a release of hundreds of political prisoners and an enforcing body that could ensure the maintenance of a peace agreement.

South America BRAZIL The Brazilian government will finally grant work visas to thousands of Haitian refugees who have been traveling across South America in search of jobs after a deadly earthquake struck the island nation in 2010.

The Brazilian government will provide visas to 100 Haitian nationals per month, in addition to offering visas for the thousands of refugees already in Brazil or waiting in border towns.

However, Justice Minister José Eduardo Cardozo announced a relaxation of the visa quota to due to the demand for manual labor as Brazil readies itself for the 2014 World Cup and the 2016 Summer Olympics.

Despite this change, Cardozo also promised that border patrol will heightened next to countries such as Bolivia, Peru and Colombia, which Haitians must cross in order to reach Brazil.

Shuttle service expands to include Gilcrease, North Campus Added routes will provide students with weekday access to TU-owned locations across the city.

John Lepine Staff Writer

As the University of Tulsa’s holdings have expanded, so have its shuttle services. TU shuttle buses will now ferry students to the Gilcrease Museum and North Campus Drill Building properties, University officials announced last week.

Shuttles will run weekdays at no charge to students, faculty, staff or visitors. Buses will depart from Keplinger Hall for the Drill Building at 9 a.m., 11:30 a.m. and 5 p.m., while return trips will leave the North Campus at noon and 4:30 p.m.

Bayless Plaza, site of the Kendall Bell, is the point of departure for those wishing to visit the Gilcrease. Shuttles leave TU at

10:30 a.m., 1 p.m., 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. Those coming back from the Gilcrease can catch the bus at 10 a.m., 11 a.m., 1:30 p.m., 3:30 p.m. or 5:20 p.m.

The Gilcrease Museum, which boasts one of the world’s foremost collections of art and artifacts from Native American cultures and the American West, has been managed

by TU since July 2008. Admission is free to all TU students, and the Restaurant at Gilcrease, with a stunning view of the Osage Hills, accepts dining dollars as payment.

TU’s North Campus, located at 2450 E. Marshall Street, was donated to the University in 1965 by the Humble Oil and Refining Company (later consolidated as part of Exxon). The site, just two miles north of the main campus, features the Drill Lab, a machine shop and the ALPINE House, home to the TU Artificial Lift Projects.

At the time of its donation, the North Campus contained a fullsized enclosed drilling rig and a

research laboratory for drilling.

For the entirety of its history, it has been the base of operations for Tulsa University Drilling Research Projects (TUDRP). TUDRP, directed by Professor Stefan Miska, is a “non-profit cooperative industry-university research project ... for the advancement of drilling research.”

“When I was a student in the seventies, the North Campus was mainly focused on petroleum engineering classes,” said one TU alumnus. “I took a night calculus course there, but it’s the only class I had to commute to the North Campus to take during my years as a TU student.”

The expanded shuttle service will ease the commute that students faced decades ago. Travel between the University of Tulsa and its satellite facilities will take approximately 15 minutes. Service is discontinued on University holidays.

Lucas Forsythe / Collegian

A TU student peruses the news while waiting for a Shuttle Bus. The Shuttle’s routes now take it away from campus to the west and north, to Gilcrease and North Campus.

After racial controversies, TU offers multicultural events The university seeks amends for some racial provocation by offering a series of multicultural seminars.

Emily Callen Staff Writer

Last year, a series of racially charged incidents spurred a campus-wide discussion of race and privilege. A forum last spring drew 120 attendees, and the University’s Equal Access and Opportunity Committee discussed how to better educate faculty and students.

According to Laura Allen, Director of Multicultural Student Programs, when people talk about white privilege, they are talking about “those rights and privileges we’ve been given by virtue of who we are.” Allen also stated that instances of overt racism are rare.

Instead, she said, problems tend to arise from institutional racism.

Giahna Glasco, President of the Association of Black Collegians, agreed with Allen. “TU is not a hostile environment,” she said. Instead, problems that arise usually stem from a lack of awareness.

“It’s really hard to reach everyone on campus,” Glasco stated, “and

She also highlighted the distinction between intent and impact.

“‘It’s really hard to reach everyone on campus,’ Glasco stated, ‘and privilege is kind of a taboo thing.’” privilege is kind of a taboo thing.

How do you attract someone who doesn’t see the big deal?”

Usually, people do not intend to be hurtful, Glasco said, but people bring their own histories and

cultural backgrounds to every situation. She also said that when people claim that they are “color blind” they tend to deny those histories. “There is a lot of identity that comes with race,” Glasco said, “by saying we’re post-race, you’re voiding or devaluing a part of someone’s identity.”

Glasco and Allen both cited the classroom as a potential venue for expanding awareness and fostering discussion. While the Office of Multicultural Affairs puts on a

See Privilege on page 3

NEWS

THE COLLEGIAN : 3 the resident of the apartment and all guests were asked to leave. A total of 40 guests were escorted out of the apartment.

Dec. 7

3:53 p.m.

Officers responded to a non-injury traffic collision that had occurred between a fork lift and a parked shuttle bus near Stephenson Hall.

The shuttle was parked in a designated area and was assigned to a construction route. A driver of a fork lift was attempting to drive around the shuttle but was blinded by the sun and struck the side of the shuttle with the forks. There were no injuries.

Dec. 8

11:02 a.m.

Officers responded to Oliphant Hall to the report of some stolen books. Upon arrival, officers met with the reporting party who stated that he had numerous books stolen from his office. The subject stated that he habitually leaves his office door propped open if he is gone for a short time, and the books must have been taken during one of these times.

11:10 a.m.

Officers were conducting parking enforcement and impounded a vehicle parked in violation of the University Parking Regulations.

After the vehicle had been seized, the tow truck driver was leaving the area. A student aggressively pursued the tow truck and cut the driver off with his vehicle, blocking the road. The student exited his vehicle and was irate with the driver and the parking enforcement officer.

Dec. 15

12:35 a.m.

Officers responded to a noise complaint in the USA-West apartment complex. Upon arrival, officers could overhear loud music and a large group of people in the 1200 building. Contact was made with

11:35 a.m.

An officer took the report of a stolen leaf blower. A grounds keeper was performing lawn maintenance near 11th and Harvard Ave. and left a leaf blower on the ground.

Witnesses stated a white truck with two white males pulled up grabbed the leaf blower and left.

The serial numbers are recorded.

Dec. 17

12:06 p.m.

An Officer on patrol was flagged down by a driver who was leaving the parking lot. The driver was attempting to leave and his vehicle snagged a barricade chain.

The chain damaged three other vehicles. All of the owners of the damaged vehicles were contacted and insurance information was exchanged.

Dec. 18

5:46 a.m.

An Officer on patrol was flagged down by two female pedestrians that stated that a male had exposed his genitals. The witnesses gave a description of the male and officers began a search of the area.

Officers were able to locate a male matching the physical and clothing description provided by the witnesses. When officers attempted to contact the subject, he fled on foot.

TPD was contacted and the search continued. A short time later, security officers relocated the suspect a short distance from the first sighting. Officers again attempted to contact the subject and he again fled. Security officers pursued the man on foot. A short foot chase ensued and Campus Security Officers were able to apprehend the subject. TPD arrived and the subject remained uncooperative. The subject was placed in TPD custody and transported to TPD sex crime division. The subject was banned from all TU property. Campus Security was contacted by the Tulsa Police Department Sex Crimes Di-

17 JANUARY 2012

vision. The suspect was positively identified.

port has been sent to the Physical Plant.

Dec. 19

Dec. 31

10:59 a.m.

An officer was dispatched to take the report of a stolen bumper.

Upon arrival, the officer met with a construction worker that stated on 16 Dec. she arrived on campus and her vehicle was intact. At the end of the day, she drove home and then noticed her bumper was missing off of her truck.

Dec. 21

8:46 a.m.

While on routine patrol, an officer was driving north on Columbia.

The officers spotted three black males in hooded sweatshirts in the park at Kendall Whittier, near campus. As the officer got closer, he observed what appeared to be one of the males draw a gun and point it towards another. The man fled on foot. The officer neared and the two remaining males spotted the patrol vehicle and ran into an alley. TPD was contacted. The officer was able to give enough detailed description of the individuals and the direction of travel to assist TPD in locating all three individuals.

Dec. 22

12:36 a.m.

Officers on patrol observed a large group of people outside of the Kappa Alpha Fraternity House.

Officers verified that there was not an authorized party. Officers made contact with fraternity members and were instructed to shut down the party. Officers were able to assist in the removal of guests not willing to cooperate.

Dec. 29

5:05 p.m.

While on routine patrol an officer was flagged down on TU property by North Campus. A business owner adjacent to TU’s vacant lot reported that his fence had been cut and scrap metal appeared to have been taken. A copy of this re-

LET’S CHANGE OUR CITY.

1:33 a.m.

While on routine patrol an officer was flagged down at near North Campus. The witness stated he could hear a “hissing” sound coming from a nearby building and believed it to be gas leaking from a tank. Upon closer inspection, the officer could visually see a rupture in the side of a tank. Oklahoma Natural Gas was contacted. The ONG worker ordered the fire department hazmat team to be called.

Upon their arrival, they were able to determine that the tank was not a hazardous gas but a compressor tank with an odor detector. The scene was cleared and the Engineering Department was contacted to shut off the compressor.

Jan. 4

5:00 a.m.

An officer on patrol observed a suspicious person near John Rogers Hall. Contact was made with the person. The subject was acting suspicious and not complying with officer’s orders. A TPD officer arrived and after a brief verbal exchange the suspect fled on foot.

The TPD officer attempted to taser the suspect but was unsuccessful.

As the suspect retreated, officers witnessed the man drop a bag of marijuana. The suspect escaped into a residential neighborhood off campus.

Jan. 5

1:15 a.m.

An officer on patrol located a suspicious person in the parking lot of USA West. Upon contact, officers determined that the female subject was not a student. The subject appeared intoxicated and verbally confirmed the officers suspicion.

She stated that she had been drinking in an apartment with friends and left alone. The subject stated that her mother was a professor of the University. Officers contacted the mother and Security released custody a short time later.

From Gunfire on cover victims of celebratory gunfire are more likely to be struck in the head than are most gunshot victims, compounding the danger.

Captain Downe notes that gunrelated damage is very rare at the University of Tulsa, but he advises those outside on New Year’s Eve to be cautious.

“What goes up must come down,” he said.

From Privilege on page 2 series on race and privilege, Allen said that “the challenge is that (these events) tend to draw people who are already interested in the topic.”

Glasco, who is a marketing major, described her experience in some of her predominantly white, male classes: “You go into a classroom or business setting and it tends to be very divided. All of the people of color end up at one table.

I don’t even know how that happens.”

Glasco said that sociology classes should not be the only place on campus where students learn about race and privilege.

The Office of Multicultural Student Programs has several events planned. It will continue its race and privilege series, beginning with a forum on the biracial and multicultural experience. The event will take place at 6:30 p.m. on Feb. 7 in ACAC. The office will also continue its monthly Cultural Connections program. The first event of the semester will be held at noon on Jan. 27 in ACAC. In addition to promoting cross-cultural understanding, these lunches feature delicious food.

The Association of Black Collegians will host a series of events in conjunction with Black History Month.

The group will screen a series of films and will host lunches on Feb. 1, 15, 22, and 29. Each of these events will be held in ACAC.

LET’S SERVE

TULSA. FEB. 25

SERVICE DAY2012

SIGN UP YOURSELF OR SIGN UP YOUR TEAM AT UTULSA.EDU/SA TODAY.

Sports

17 JANUARY 2012

M. Basketball Tulane* W. Basketball at Houston M. Tennis W. Tennis M. Basketball W. Tennis Indoor Track Indoor Track

Jan. 18 Jan. 19 Jan. 20

Stanford at Yale Bulldog Kickoff

Jan. 21

at Rice at Yale Bulldog Kickoff at J.D. Martin Invite at Iowa State Open

Jan. 22

M. Tennis North Carolina W. Basketball Tulane W. Tennis at Yale Bulldog Kickoff

Reynolds Center

7 p.m.

Houston

7 p.m.

Case Tennis Center New Haven, Conn.

5 pm TBA

Houston New Haven Conn.

Norman, Okla.

Ames, Iowa

7 p.m.

TBA All Day All Day

Case Tennis Center Reynolds Center New Haven, Conn.

Noon 2 p.m.

TBA

Alabama defeats LSU in SEC showdown Despite low viewer excitement, the BCS national championship provided an interesting struggle between two defensive-minded SEC teams.

Phillip Fischaber Student Writer

The Louisiana State–Alabama BCS championship game was the second least watched title match in the history of the BCS, posting slightly better television ratings than the 2002 Miami–Nebraska matchup. This low viewer enthusiasm may have stemmed from the fact that LSU had defeated fellow Southeastern Conference member Alabama in a less than exciting 9–6 victory earlier in the season.

Despite the low television rankings, game did have several interesting points about it. This time around, Alabama managed both a shutout, the first in BCS championship history, and was able to score in the double digits. It is also Alabama coach Nick Saban’s third BCS title, the most of any coach.

The Alabama defense was superb, allowing the LSU offense to cross the 50-yard line only once and limiting it to just five first downs throughout the game.

Although LSU’s defense also put up a good performance, Alabama was able to gain 21 first downs, providing the Crimson Tide key field possession that dictated the tone of the game.

Overall, the matchup was truly a defensive battle, demonstrating why the SEC is consistently known for outstanding defenses.

Alabama was able to complete five of its seven attempted field goals and score a rushing touchdown late in the fourth quarter, giving it a dominate lead over the scoreless Tigers.

With both title contenders from the SEC, the conference retains its hold on the majority of BCS national championships, with eight titles out of the 14. The conference also extends its BCS championship winning streak to an unprecedented six consecutive titles.

Alabama’s victory, which leaves the schools at 1–1 against each other on the year, has ignited

a good deal of controversy within the college football community, as many wanted to see third ranked Oklahoma State or fourth ranked Stanford have an opportunity to play LSU in the final.

With its win, Alabama has received criticism for being crowned national champion despite failing to win either its conference or its division.

Partly as a result of the controversy surrounding this season’s national championship game, some conferences that have previously refused to discuss a playoff are now open to considering changes to the BCS system.

Most of the discussion is now centered on the creation of a plus one system, in which the top four teams would face off in a mini playoff to determine the title game participants.

However, if any changes are made, they will not take effect until the 2014 season, opening the door for yet another year of college football championship controversy.

THE COLLEGIAN : 4

Comeback attempt falls short as Tulsa falls to No. 14 Cal

Logan Miller / Collegian

Senior Ashley Walting returns a serve Friday as the Golden Hurricane, ranked No. 23, took on the No. 14 Golden Bears from the University of California at Berkeley. After falling down 3–0 early, the Hurricane stormed back to tie the match. Although the Bears were able to capture the final point, Tulsa should be hopeful as it proves that it can match up with perennial tennis powerhouses. This confidence will be imperative as No. 6 Stanford and No. 20 North Carolina visit the Case Tennis Center on Jan. 20 and 22 respectively.

Lockout ends, Thunder dominates revitalized NBA Kyle Bowers Student Writer

On Christmas Day, NBA fans nationwide got the present for which they had been waiting: the end of the six–month lockout.

Even though the lockout caused nearly two months’ worth of games to be cancelled, a compressed 66– game schedule was devised for each team in order to fit in as many games as possible before the regu-

Captain ’Cane gets makeover The University of Tulsa’s very own weather-themed superhero, Captain ’Cane, received a makeover during winter break.

Hopefully his new suit will assist him in leading the Golden Hurricane to victory throughout this semester. What do you think? Email your opinions about Captain ’Cane’s new getup to collegian@ utulsa.edu; subject line: Captain ’Cane.

The best responses will be published in our next issue.

Allie Stewart / Collegian

larly scheduled time for playoffs.

This grueling new schedule has teams playing many more back-toback games and even some backto-back-to-back games, requiring coaches to be much more strategic with managing minutes for their players.

The Oklahoma City Thunder is currently handling the compressed schedule better than most teams, as evidenced by its recently finishing 5–0 on a stretch of five games in six days.

The team is off to an overall great start, and is competing with the Chicago Bulls for the best record in the league at 11–2. The team that just three years ago started out 3–29 and trudged to a 23–59 finish is now considered a heavy favorite to win the Western Conference.

As of last Wednesday, it finished up its brutal stretch with a 95–85 win against the Detroit Pistons.

Kevin Durant showed no signs of weariness down the stretch, finishing with 29 points, 10 rebounds and four blocks. Russell Westbrook added 22 points and seven assists, and James Harden pitched in 14 points off the bench.

“It feels good to get five wins,” Durant said after the game, “It’s very encouraging that we can get through something like this.

On the other hand, the reigning NBA champion Dallas Mavericks have struggled early on this season. They have lost some components of their championship squad, including Tyson Chandler, and are still trying to integrate new players Lamar Odom, Vince Carter, and Delonte West. As a result the Mavs limped out to a 1–4 start, but have since rebounded to a respectable 8–5 record.

The runner up to the Mavericks in last year’s final, the Miami Heat, has started off this season the way many people thought that the team would perform last year. While the Heat eventually warmed up last year after a sluggish 9–8 start this season, they are already emerging

See NBA on page 5

THE COLLEGIAN : 5

Sports

Scoreboard:

Hurricane looks to future after challenging season

Dec. 28 M. Basketball Mercer W 68–62 Football

Dec. 30 vs. BYU L 24–21

Dec. 31 M. Basketball at TCU W 74–66

W. Basketball

W 68–57

Jan. 7 M. Basketball SMU L 57–55 W. Basketball

Jan. 8 at Marshall

L 63–57

Jan. 11 M. Basketball UTEP W 59–48 W. Basketball

Jan. 12 at UTEP

L 67–56

Jan. 13 M. Tennis UC-Berkeley L 4–3 M. Basketball

Jan. 14 at East Carolina

W 70–67

Jan. 15 W. Basketball Rice W 69–42 W. Tennis UALR W 7–0 W. Tennis Oral Roberts W 7–0

After a rough season the Golden Hurricane hopes to build on its respectable 8–5 finish as it looks ahead to next year.

John Lepine Staff Writer

Jan. 4 M Basketball at Houston L 70–69(OT) Jan. 5 Southern Miss

17 JANUARY 2012

The Golden Hurricane football season started hard and ended hard, with lots of little triumphs in between.

After bruisings by the pre-season consensus No. 1 team in the country (OU), the eventual winners of the Fiesta Bowl (OSU) and the winningest quarterback in college football history (Kellen Moore of Boise State), Tulsa bounced back with gusto, reeling off eight convincing wins before closing the season with a loss to then-No. 8 Houston and Case Keenum, the most prolific passer in NCAA history.

Impressed with the Hurricane’s grit and 8–4 record, the Armed Forces Bowl invited Tulsa to face the Brigham Young University Cougars before a crowd of 30,258 on Dec. 30. Despite leading BYU for most of the game, a fake-spike-turned-touchdown-pass

by Riley Nelson with 11 seconds on the clock proved fatal to Tulsa, who dropped the decision 24–21.

Dexter McCoil intercepted Riley Nelson twice in the Armed Forces Bowl, and Kinne, 17-of-32 in passing attempts, was the more efficient quarterback (Nelson completed just 42.5 percent of his passes). But the Cougars outgained the Hurricane 344 yards to 272, and were productive when it counts: BYU went 2-for-2 on fourth downs, scored on every trip to the red zone, and converted more third downs than TU. Senior Curnelius Arnick posted 17 tack-

Women’s basketball creams Rice

les, followed by McCoil with 10. Tight end Clay Sears, playing his last game in gold and blue, caught for 31 yards and a touchdown.

Sears, who originally came to Tulsa in 2008 as a quarterback, took one snap, passing to Ricky Johnson for 21 yards.

Johnson, a junior, caught the first touchdown pass of the game himself. Tulsa’s other score belonged to junior Bryan Burnham, who led Tulsa in receiving yards with 113 of his own.

Despite the disappointing conclusion, TU’s season should be considered a success.

Tulsa’s only losses come to teams ranked in the top 25 in the country by the USA Today Coaches Poll. During Bill Blankenship’s first year as a college football head coach, Tulsa had to face the preseason suspension of C-USA’s most electrifying player (Damaris Johnson), a game played entirely after midnight with an injury that could have ended G.J. Kinne’s season, and the deaths of three recent TU players (Wilson Holloway, George Clinkscale and Anthony Germany).

The Hurricane’s 8–5 record is the thirdbest in the C-USA. Tulsa finished ninth in the country for fewest penalties and 12th in the country for field goals, completing 15 out of 18 attempts (including 51 and 52– yard completions by senior Kevin Fitzpatrick). Most impressively, Golden Hurricane defensive back Dexter McCoil was sixth in the nation for most interceptions (6), while middle linebacker Curnelius Arnick finished second for solo tackles (99) and total tackles (159).

Over the past decade, the tradition of winning has returned to Tulsa football. The 2011 season was no exception, but according to head coach Bill Blankenship, it is not enough: “[8–5] is not what I expected. I expected more. Is it acceptable? Probably for some people. It’s not acceptable for me.”

From NBA on page 5 as a top team in the league with a solid 8–4 record.

Reigning MVP Derrick Rose has led the Chicago Bulls to a 12–2 start and looks to challenge the Heat for the Eastern Conference this season. Derrick Rose has been recently dealing with a sprained toe, but returned for Friday’s win against the struggling Boston Celtics.

With all of the action that has happened in the short amount of time since Christmas Day, this promises to be an exciting season of basketball.

Interested in writing sports?

The Collegian is looking for sports writers!

No experience necessary.

Allie Stewart / Collegian

Email jchristopher-proctor@utulsa.edu for more information.

Sophomore guard Taylor Hooker breaks away from the pack in Tulsa’s 69–42 rout of the Rice Owls. Led by new head coach Matilda Mossman the Hurricane is now 7–1 at home and 2–2 in conference play. After a rough season last year the team hopes to surge as it makes its way into the heart of conference play in the coming weeks.

It’s a beautiful day in the

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Project Warmth:

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Drop off at TBN Volunteer Center.

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Mentoring a child can change a life forever. Learn about more opportunities at the TBN Volunteer Center.

Community Service Work Study:

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Emergency Food Pantry:

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Office of Public Affairs and Ecenomic Development

17 JANUARY 2012

variety

THE COLLEGIAN : 6

Swedish and American “Tattoo” international success The Swedish cinematic version of “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” proves to be a typical thriller.

Esbjörn Edvinsson Guest Writer

The late author Stieg Larsson’s dark trilogy is a modern Swedish classic and proved not only a domestic hit, but an international success as well. Sweden has a long history of producing intriguing criminal mysteries and takes great pride in the worldwide attention the “Millennium” trilogy has been receiving.

Considering all of this, the expectations of the Swedish cinematic take on the first book, “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo,” were as high as they could get. Many Swedish citizens were worried because Danish director, Niels Arden Oplev, was given the responsibility of directing the movie.

Because the Danish are considered some-

bites off more than he can chew surrounding the disappearance of a young girl.

The differences between the Swedish version of “Tattoo” and the American one are obvious. Nygvist is the opposite of the sexy, buff Daniel “James Bond” Craig. Personally, I would prefer a bit more personality from the Swedish version of the characters, especially for a main character like Mikael Blomkvist, but this is typical of Swedish movie making: “let the story shine, not the characters.”

However, the Swedish version of Lisbeth Salander is a welcome surprise, as a character like hers is something never before seen in Swedish movie history. She takes a strong woman to the next level, especially in a particular scene of violent revenge.

The main story of the movie begins when Mikael, awaiting his prison sentence for tampering with evidence, gets a job offer from Henrik Vanger (Sven-Bertil Taube) who wants Mikael to discover the truth about the disappearance of his niece Harriet,

The American version of “Tattoo” is an entertaining success full of powerful characters that delve into the darkness of the human mind.

Kyle Walker Opinion Editor

“The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo,” based on the novel by Stieg Larsson, is not for the faint of heart. The imagery, implications and

hest of a Swedish industry magnate. Blomkvist is asked to investigate the murder of the magnate’s niece Harriet, who disappeared years before the time of the film. As more and more details of the events leading up to her disappearance become clear, Blomkvist and Lisbeth are sucked increasingly into a twisted network of criminality and genealogical neurosis.

The film often explores the darker sides of human psychology, but it does not go out

Photo courtesy Anomalousmaterial.com

Mikael (Daniel Craig) introduces the mystery behind Harriet’s disappearance to Lisbeth (Rooney Mara), in hopes that she may be able to give him insight into what happened to the young girl.

Photo courtesy Liveforfilms.com

Mikael, played by Mikael Nyqvist, develops a—sort of—romantic relationship with his assistant Lisbeth (Noomi Rapace) during their investigation into the disappearance of a young girl over 40 years ago.

thing of archenemies, it was difficult for some to accept the fact that a Danish director would direct the cinematic version of a Swedish novel. It would be as if Sherlock Holmes allowed Doctor Moriarty write his biography.

Fortunately for “Tattoo” lovers however, Oplev paid respect to Larsson’s material and created a setting for the story that stays true to the book.

The infamous character of Lisbeth Salander, played by Noomi Rapace, is not only a fittingly dark and brooding detective, but she also establishes herself as badass early in the film when she fights a gang of teens that try to assault her.

Mikael Blomkvist, played by Mikael Nyqvist, is the investigating journalist who

who vanished over 40 years ago.

During the investigation, Mikael eventually meets and receives assistance from Lisbeth, and the two develop an unusual relationship. The mystery around Harriet’s disappearance grows deeper as the movie progresses, and Mikael and Lisbeth discover many more murders that somehow also revolve around Harriet.

Unfortunately, the movie follows a typical Swedish formula for criminal thrillers. If it had not been for the character of Lisbeth Salander, this movie might as well have been part of any other Swedish movie franchise like “Beck” or “Wallander.” The movie does end well though, with an unexpected twist that also sets the audience up for the next film in the series, “The Girl Who Played with Fire.”

plot twists are often horrific, gritty or disturbing, but they definitely add more to the story than happy-go-lucky scripting would add.

Following the investigations made by dishonored journalist Mikael Blomkvist (Daniel Craig) and his eccentric assistant, ward of the state Lisbeth Salander (Rooney Mara), “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” takes a successful stab at a hybrid genre.

The film often has the feel of a thriller, but it is also dominated by elements of mystery and family tragedy.

Lead by powerful characters, the film crafts its own elegant and complex microcosm. The principal personalities of the film are painted in broad brushstrokes, covering a broad range of emotional states.

Blomkvist and Lisbeth become engrained in a sensitive family investigation at the be-

of its way to avoid exploring fulfillment as well as torment. The developing relationship of Blomkvist and Lisbeth, as well as their respective outside relationships, provides an effective emotional anchor to ground the experiences of the characters.

The possibility of rewarding human relationships shines a light onto the darkness of the film’s events, and ensures that the viewer feels genuinely involved in the characters’ trials.

Despite, and often because of, its frequently dark outlook, “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” is a fantastic piece of cinema, marked by effective cinematography, scoring, writing, acting and directing.

With the minor complaint that the central mystery is, perhaps, too straightforwardly discovered, “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” excels in nearly every category.

“Tinker Tailor” demands concentration

“Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy” strips away the common conception of the life of a secret agent.

Jack Welch Student Writer

ing leaps through space and time, that it has received criticism from audiences for being too difficult to follow.

Modern movies do not often demand such complete concentration from moviegoers, but it is that complexity which makes this richly-detailed Cold War thriller so absorbing and, ultimately, rewarding.

The film follows George Smiley (Gary Oldman), a retired British intelligence officer, who is persuaded to investigate the Service for a Soviet mole that Smiley’s

College Lifehacks: study tips Need help surviving the treacherous ups and downs of college life? Allow College Lifehacks to hack your life and increase productivity.

John Lepine Staff Writer

It is a new year, welcome back, have a syllabus, blah blah blah. By now you should be past all the beginning-of-semester rigmarole and into the swing of every University of Tulsa student’s favorite pastime: getting snowed under by schoolwork.

You might be a freshman fixing to be reality-checked by your first rigorous course or a senior working feverishly to finish graduation requirements so you can get a job and—whoops!—get snowed under by student loans. Whatever your situation, College Life Hacks is here to help boost your productivity as you navigate the turbulence of life in the eye of the Golden Hurricane.

Maybe you are a good student. Since you made it to TU, we assume that you can at least fool people into thinking you are. But Achilles had his heel, and even good students have their vulnerabilities.

It could be Pinterest. It could be “SportsCenter.” It could be your blasted social life. It is probably Pinterest, but whatever—you need to change. You may have thought something of the sort on Jan. 1, and College Life Hacks is going to hold you accountable to that. So what do you do?

Did you know that during the Vietnam War, 20 percent of U.S. enlisted men self-identified as heroin addicts? It was a big problem; Richard Nixon made grave speeches about it. Every soldier was tested, and addicts were kept in Vietnam until they had beaten the addiction.

Relapse rates for servicemen returned to the U.S. were astonishingly low: right around five percent. For context, relapse

rates for domestic heroin addicts at the time were closer to 90 percent. Why were the former servicemen so much less likely to go back to their old ways than your run-of-themill junkie?

Psychologists suggest that a big part of changing addictions, habits and everyday behaviors involves changing your environment. The enlisted men were used to being addicted to heroin in Vietnam, but when they got back to the States, they were living entirely different lives before: different place, different friends, different job, different stresses, different everything.

Now, what in Stead’s name does this have to do with you and your GPA? Easy—if you have bad study habits, the key to breaking them may be changing your environment.

If you zone out of class to text, give your habit a punch in the face by sitting in the front row.

If your work desk has become your Pinterest desk (or Facebook desk, or ESPN. com desk, etc.), re-arrange your room—and make the new room your work room.

If your brain thinks of Friday night as “black-out drunk night,” you probably cannot save your liver while going to the same parties and bars and hanging out with the same friends. That is the environment that you already psychologically associate with making terrible choices.

If you want to quit smoking, you should go into Kep through the back door. Walk through the front door and your brain will say, “Hey! Hey! This is the spot where we smoke, remember?”

If you cannot crack a textbook without your fingers itching to text, switch to texting with your left hand only. It breaks the pattern and helps you stop and think, “Wait, is 160-character gossipping really better than having a job some day?”

Study harder, live longer, trick yourself into being a better person. Hack your life.

Photo courtesy Cbsnews.com

The withered face of George Smiley, played by Gary Oldman, is not what audience members may have had in mind for a typical secret agent; “Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy” is anything by typical.

One cannot simply see “Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy,” Tomas Alfredson’s film adaptation of John le Carré’s classic spy novel; you have to really watch it. So labyrinthine is the story, with its pile-up of details and dizzy-

deceased superior (John Hurt) believed to have penetrated its upper echelons.

See Tinker page 7

Mission: impossibly entertaining

Latest “Mission” movie lacks decent dialogue, yet is full of amazing action sequences.

Anna Bennett Student Writer

I admit: I have never been a Tom Cruise fan.

In my mind, there are plenty of other actors who are more attractive, more hard-core or more talented. But I also admit that the latest “Mission: Impossible” was awesome.

It is hard to believe Cruise is as old as he is; he is still jumping out of buildings and outsmarting bad guys with as much ease (and no less camp) as he did in 1996, and I have no doubt that the “Ghost Protocol” sequence or Cruise swinging from the Burj Khalifa will become as iconic as the sus-

pended-spy scene in the original “Mission: Impossible.”

The fourth installment in Cruise’s extraordinarily successful franchise is fantastic in all the ways an action flick should be: non-stop action, ridiculously high production costs, spy intrigue and some of the greatest stunts I have ever seen.

But it was definitely a “movie,” not a “film.” The dialogue was not exactly Tarantino-worthy, and the characters were all good-looking pawns in a plot designed to set up the most ridiculous action sequences possible. Yet I found myself too entertained to care. Thus, the movie served its purpose: high-budget escapist entertainment with broad appeal.

The original “Mission: Impossible” will always be an action classic. But let’s face it; spy gadgets have become far less dorky than the brick phones and chunky laptops (and audio tapes—oh my goodness) Tom Cruise was rockin’ back in ’96. That dates the film even more than the mega-star’s age.

Still, I doubt that I’ll be jumping out of buildings when I am almost 50. Give the man a medal. And some Bengay.

Variety

THE COLLEGIAN : 7

17 JANUARY 2012

El Rio Verde? Me gusta!

By Cory Bys

Movies to Look Forward to in 2012 1. “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey”— Mark it down. Dec. 14.

Fans looking for something to do until then can pass the time by watching the mind-blowing production videos.

2. “The Dark Knight Rises”—It is worth going to see “Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows” just to see the trailer on the big screen. This will definitely be the most epic summer blockbuster of the year.

3. “The Avengers”—The fact that “Firefly’s” Joss Whedon is directing is enough reason to be excited. With a huge lineup of Hollywood stars this has potential to be Marvel’s best film.

4. “The Great Gatsby”— With Leonardo DiCaprio playing Jay Gatsby, this modern re-make of an American classic has a lot of potential.

5. “The Grey”—Liam Neeson is like the grandpa everyone wishes they had.

A movie with him fighting wolves with makeshift glass bottle knives just makes him all the more awesome.

6. “Kung Fu Joe”—I honestly could not find much on this one, but the name is intriguing. It is not likely to be earth shattering, but undoubtedly hilarious.

7. “The Amazing SpiderMan”—The only thing this movie really needs to do is erase the memory of the recent “Spider-Man” movies. Hopefully it will not be a repeat.

8. “Dr. Seuss’ the Lorax”— Although the preview seems to suggest an environmentally charged plot, the artistic style and goofy characters make this one worth seeing.

9. “Act of Valor”—Witty romantic comedy, tender moments and hilariously awkward dates are just some of the things this movie is not likely to have.

This testosterone-filled movie includes real Navy Seals doing epic things.

Guys, get excited.

10. “The Hunger Games”— When immensely popular books get turned into movies they usually do not come out too well. Movies like “Eragon” come to mind. If done well, it is sure to be one to remember.

El Rio Verde may be nearly impossible to find, but the food is definitely worth it.

Anna Bennett Student Writer

El Rio Verde is Tulsa’s quintessential hole-in-the-wall, a restaurant whose delicious and authentic Mexican fare is undoubtedly familiar to many students already.

Anna Bennett / Collegian

The enormous wet burrito is filled with cheese, refried beans, rice and choice of meat.

It is then topped with sour cream and guacamole.

der dish? No sweat. The selection on the menu leaves nothing to be desired; but chances are you have never had your chicken enchiladas

the prices on the menu—all but a handful of entrées are under $10, and guests get plenty of pow for their peso. Only the most bottom-

“Horchata ... is unusual, but the taste is quickly acquired, and addiction ensues” quite like this.

The food is definitely the star of the show here, but what goes great with a wet burrito? Horchata, that’s what. Finally, diners can understand what Vampire Weekend was making all the fuss about.

Horchata is a spiced, rice-based drink; it is unusual, but the taste is quickly acquired, and addiction ensues.

Hungry and broke college students everywhere will rejoice at

less and voracious could finish a wet burrito unsatisfied, and many of the other dishes feature large portions.

Although El Rio Verde is certainly thrift-friendly, it is not uncommon for its gravel lot to be filled with BMWs and MercedesBenzes on a Saturday night. Simply put, this fantastic local restaurant cannot be beat. Students will love it—if they can find it.

From Tinker page 6 but armed with dogged cunning.

and windows, freezing them in poses of composition, as surfaces for display; these are people who are trapped in place and perpetually mask their true natures and feelings.

But the more that “Tinker Tailor” strips away the fictional allure of espionage to reveal the painful emotions underneath, the more fascinating it becomes.

As Smiley tracks down leads and ferrets through clues, manipulating his allies and concealing his secrets and emotions, the man and the mystery weave together to form an intricate whole. This is one of the best films of 2011—a film to get lost in.

But for newcomers or natives who do not get out much, here is a word of advice: go there.

Finding this tucked-away joint at Trenton and Admiral is a bit of a treasure hunt, but the spoils are well worth it. Ignore the bars on the windows, for within is a modest and cheery dining space that boasts the best wet burritos in town.

Got a favorite south-of-the-bor-

The suspects, Smiley’s former colleagues, are identified by four code names, taken from a British nursery rhyme: Tinker (Toby Jones), Tailor (Colin Firth), Soldier (Ciarán Hinds) and Poor Man (David Dencik). But which is Spy? That is the mystery at hand, but the film’s real subject is written on the lined, weary faces of these actors, especially Oldman, who conceals bitter disappointment and deep resentment beneath his impeccable poker face.

Smiley is the anti-James Bond: reticent, mousy, bespectacled, abandoned by an unfaithful wife

Oldman is at his very best here, playing a man who is every bit as enigmatic as the mystery he is investigating. In his own ways, Smiley is as ruthless and conniving as his enemies; it is his greater intelligence, rather than his nobility, which makes him the hero of the story.

The film thoroughly deglamorizes the life of a secret agent; spying in this movie is all about desk jobs, low pay, thwarted ambitions, sexual frustration, the crushing tedium of constant paranoia and an aching nostalgia for better days.

The visual style obsessively frames characters within doors

Opinion

17 JANUARY 2012

THE COLLEGIAN : 8

Marines’ actions reflect immorality inherent in war Video showing U.S. Marines urinating on Taliban corpses is unlikely to be an isolated incident and reflects the brutality, evil and corruption of war.

Lily Clough

Student Writer

A recently released video containing footage of U.S. marines urinating on three dead Taliban soldiers surfaced during a critical time in the peace negotiation process between the United States and the Afghan government.

The military and government of both countries have strongly condemned the actions, but it seems unlikely that this is an isolated incident of cruelty on the part of the U.S. military.

According to The New York Times, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid commented, “This is not the first time we see such brutality. We know that our country is occupied.”

This incident does nothing to calm critics of the various wars America has waged in the Middle East.

The old justification for the wars—the idea that America, as a democracy, is charged with defending freedom and morality in the world—rings sickly hollow, for American soldiers have effectively displayed the same incivility and brutishness of which the American government has accused Saddam Hussein and others.

It is an act of hypocrisy to declare that it is our responsibility, and even our right, to purge the world of people like them.

The idea that American troops conduct themselves with high moral standards at all times during war-time confrontations is ludicrous.

Citizens of both the U.S. and

Afghanistan should demand to be informed of the circumstances surrounding the death of the Taliban fighters and their identities.

It would not be the first time a U.S. soldier committed murder in this war, and similar acts of disrespect are known to have occurred

of what actually occurs during war, we would likely be confronted with more of the same gory and unjustified death (and the mocking celebration of such death).

There are no noble wars—war is an ugly and inhumane atrocity that robs humanity of its human-

“There is nothing noble to be found in consciously taking the life of another human being.”

in Vietnam as well.

Unfortunately for the image of the military, its aggressive pursuit of uniformity has created the idea that each soldier is representative of the military as a whole.

As of last Wednesday, then, the world witnessed the U.S. military collectively desecrating the bloody and mutilated bodies of its defeated enemies in the sands of the Afghan desert.

If the public were to be informed

ness. There is nothing noble to be found in consciously taking the life of another human being.

War is bloody and impossibly dirty. The controlled murder of other people is perhaps as close as a human action can come to embodying the definition of evil.

The blind patriotism that many Americans cling to has effectively ensured that wars such as these are supported and even applauded. Patriots proudly quote “America the

Beautiful” and light fireworks.

These actions are deceptive, however, because this ridiculous faith in the unwavering good and wholesomeness of America creates a powerfully false picture of how America conducts itself during war. In reality, as the released video shows, American soldiers can easily be just as cruel as “the enemy”—they are just as violent, and just as blindly certain that they are doing the right thing.

The public is also to blame because we talk about freedom, liberty and democracy while we send 19-year-olds into the desert armed with machine guns only to murder and be murdered.

These soldiers are young adults who have been indoctrinated with the empty and underdeveloped ideas of preserving liberty and delivering justice, which are starkly black and white terms that exist only in the imagination, for we inhabit a world of grays.

War is not the answer to the world’s problems, and it never will be.

Notorious namesake does not stain Tulsa’s identity The actions of W. Tate Brady, notorious namesake of the Brady Historic District, do not obligate municipal re-branding.

Connor Fellin

Student Writer

Dear Students, Welcome back to school for the spring. We at The Collegian hope everyone had a restful break and is excited for the new semester, especially if (like me), this is your last.

We had a lot of positive feedback last semester about our new look. We hope to keep improving our look and feel, and we welcome suggestions from the students and staff of TU. Anyone who is looking for employment should take a look at the various ads in our pages this week; The Collegian is hiring for several positions­—and not just writers and photographers. Business and other communications majors should also consider applying to fill our open positions.

As always, we seek to serve the student body in a way that is ethical, informative and unbiased. Do not be afraid to tell us how we are doing. Did we run a piece with an error? Alert us! Did we publish an opinion with which you disagree?

Let us know! And of course, if you see something on campus that you believe merits our attention, please tell us. We rely on you to alert us to the issues that you are passionate about.

I hope everyone has a wonderful semester, and that The Collegian will be a part of it.

Best, Catherine Roberts Editor-in-Chief

Seeking part time staff members! Great paid experience for anyone studying English, Communication, Design, Advertising, and many more. Email collegian@utulsa.edu to learn more about applying for:

- Photo/graphics Editor - Business Manager - Advertising Manager

A Tulsa native discovering the racist activities of Tulsa businessman W. Tate Brady—the namesake of such Tulsa landmarks as the Brady Arts District and the Brady Theater—might aptly recall the observations of Nathaniel Hawthorne’s Young Goodman Brown when he recognizes among the participants in a black mass “faces that would be seen the next day on the council board of the province.”

Literature, as well as history, teaches that the people whose names make the monuments are seldom the pure heroes we believe them to be.

If moral purity were required for name recognition, then Amer-

ica would lose many of its heroes indeed, from the genocidal imperialist celebrated on Columbus Day to the thousands of corrupt politicians with highways and bridges carrying their names.

Yet the way we name our city influences the way we view ourselves as a people. No German politician would have the bad taste to name a city Hitler, Germany.

When a name becomes more than a name, when it becomes a symbol for bigotry and injustice, then it becomes insensitive and delusional to hallow it within the national cannon. Does Brady’s case cross this line?

A member of the Ku Klux Klan, Brady helped organize the Tulsa Outrage, a tarring and feathering of members of the Industrial Workers of the World, and participated in the Tulsa Race Riot.

He later used his role within the Tulsa Real Estate Exchange in an attempt to prevent the victims of the Race Riot in the Greenwood district from rebuilding destroyed properties.

But does Brady’s name taint the identity of Tulsa as a city? I do not believe it does.

I had never heard of Brady before I came to the University of

Tulsa. None of my friends from Tulsa knew him as more than the namesake of certain Tulsa landmarks.

As much as this argument may seem to amount to the simplistic “what Tulsa doesn’t know can’t hurt it,” it is precisely because of general indifference that “Brady” has become a disembodied name, no more meaningful than “LaFortune” or “Chapman.”

The name Brady, not the bigoted acts committed by that man, is what has shaped Tulsa’s identity.

By the end of Nathaniel Hawthorne’s “Young Goodman Brown,” its hero has let his encounter with the corruption of the authority figures in his village consume him.

He has become a recluse, participating only halfheartedly in church, village life and even marriage out of disgust for the people that make up these institutions.

Yet, for those of us who cannot remain innocent of the crimes of our community’s founders, the newfound knowledge can serve not as a fatalistic token of hopelessness, but rather as a reminder that all public heroes should be honored with a healthy caution.

GOP resists eliminating waste ployees who retiree or voluntarily leave their positions are not replaced as their jobs are consolidated.

To turn this consolidation plan into a reality, Obama must first be J. Christopher granted consolidation authority

by Congress, a power last held by Proctor Ronald Reagan.

Sports Editor This would give Obama the power to propose large changes to the structure of the federal government and would force Congress to vote on any proposed changes 90 This week, President Obama pro- days after they are submitted.

Thus, for any of Obama’s sugposed the consolidation of six gestions to become reality—beseparate government agencies sides upgrading the Small Busidealing with business into one allness Administration to a Cabinet encompassing entity. level position—he must receive The plan would effectively two separate majority votes by combine many of the primary Congress, each requiring the supfunctions currently being carried out by the Commerce Department, port of the Republican controlled the Small Business Administra- House and the backing of enough tion, the Office of the U.S. Trade GOP senators to block a likely filiRepresentative, the Export-Import buster.

With multiple Republican Bank, the Overseas Private Investpresidential candidates promising ment Corporation and the Trade to cut entire departments and all and Development Agency. promising to consolidate governPresident Obama has also anment to make it less “wasteful,” it nounced that he is planning to seems as if the GOP would jump upgrade the Small Business Adat an opportunity to eliminate up ministration to a Cabinet level poto six government agencies and $3 sition, a largely symbolic gesture billion in government spending. that is intended to signify the fedHowever, in a move that is beeral government’s commitment to coming all too characteristic of protecting small business interests congressional Republicans, nuin the coming years. merous GOP House and Senate The plan, according to Obama, members have already condemned will save $3 billion over the next the president’s plan.

While some 10 years, and will shed 2000 have criticized the plan for giving government employees through attrition, a process by which em- too much power to Obama, oth-

GOP criticism of Obama’s government consolidation indicates hypocrisy and unwillingness to cooperate.

ers have attacked it for not going nearly far enough in cutting waste.

Furthermore, others have voiced their discontent with the plan solely on the grounds that Obama is currently seeking an extension of the debt ceiling to keep the government funded after Congress’ multiple failed attempts to reduce the deficit spending last year.

These arguments, like most of the quibbling we have seen in Congress over the past few years, are a childish attempt to appeal to a reactionary Tea Party base whose condemnation of compromise has ground our political system to a screeching halt.

Are there legitimate questions that need to be asked when considering how to consolidate and reorganize the federal government?

Sure. But refusing even to allow Obama to make the proposal is highly hypocritical of the Republicans and may prove dangerous to their re-election chances.

A few months ago the Republicans were blocking a middle class tax cut, and now they are trying to block an effort to help small businesses, cut administrative red tape and eliminate wasteful government spending.

As much as the congressional Republicans seem to enjoy undermining Obama’s efforts to better the country, they should watch out as they run the serious risk of undermining their party’s core values heading into what looks to be a pivotal 2012 election.

opinion

THE COLLEGIAN : 9

17 JANUARY 2012

Israel’s acts unworthy of legitimate state Israel increasingly reminds the West that it is led solely by selfinterest, and is, for the most part, unconcerned with fair play or mutual respect.

Kyle Walker Opinion Editor

Imagine, for a moment, that somewhere in the deserts of the Middle East, there is an extensive foreign false-flag operation, which, for years, has been implicating agents of the West in assassinations, sabotage and militia recruitment directed against a large sovereign, if dictatorial, power.

Imagine that this operation were conducted by agents of a tiny coastal nation, often backed and supplied by the largest superpower of the West, and that these agents were guided by an ideology of national militarism and dedicated to the unfettered expansion of their sectarian power at the expense of both their secular and sectarian global neighbors.

Imagine that the tiny nation itself is held in the grip of a false destiny predicted by a text dating from before classical antiquity.

Imagine that this false destiny dictates that this tiny country has the right to land its

people have not held since the eighth century B.C.E., and that, before then, it took said land by force under the supposed assurances of a supernatural being.

Imagine that this country’s allies align themselves so strongly with this tiny country’s notion of destiny that they often turn a blind eye to covert operations of either a questionable moral nature or which put the ally’s own citizens at risk.

This is not imagination. The tiny coastal country is Netanyahu’s Israel. The dictatorial power is Iran. The ally, of course, is US. An initial disclaimer: in no way are Iran and Israel morally equivalent. Iran is a theocratic power, oppressive to its own citizens.

Israel is not. It is, however, a country hugely influenced by religion­—by the technical definition, also a theocracy.

petrated assassinations, kidnappings and removals of world leaders, democratically elected and otherwise, throughout the Cold War. A recent article by Mark Perry in Foreign Policy illustrates one angle of this similarity.

The false-flag operation referred to above is an actual occurence, according to ranking members of U.S. intelligence and former intelligence aides to the White House.

Israeli Mossad agents recruited members of Jundallah, a Sunni Iranian militia group which opposes the government in Tehran. They did so under the identity of CIA agents, and they did so in an effort to further a covert war against Iran.

The recent assassination of Iranian nuclear scientist Mostafa Ahmadi-Roshan, of which Iran has accused both the U.S. and

nation is unrelated, is not an acceptable way for a legitimate power to conduct itself.

It is, however, what inevitably occurs when nations are guided, not by the cognitive reasoning of its citizens and respect for self-determination, but by grand ideas written down in 2500-year-old books, or by some reincarnation of manifest destiny.

The question here is not whether countries such as Iran should be permitted to develop nuclear power, but whether the methods used by Israel and the U.S. ultimately do more harm than good.

If Israel’s actions further implicate the U.S., if Iran closes the Strait of Hormuz, as it has threatened to do, war is probably as good as declared.

It is not hard to see that the world has been here before. Secret pacts and threats, such as the one recently issued by the U.S. to Iran, covert activities and issues of mistaken identity have all been involved in the genesis of wars big and small.

In this case, however, the stakes for the U.S. may be especially high. Another war is not something the U.S. can afford. The treasury is nearly empty as it is, and the $4 trillion spent in Iraq and Afghanistan are still nowhere to be seen.

Mossad is morally and politically obligated to cease its covert actions. Concerns about Iran’s nuclear program, while legitimate, do not justify political assassination.

Nor do they justify the sort of behavior likely to hasten, if not directly cause, a declaration of war between Iran and the U.S. The last thing the world needs is more lying.

“Israel engages in extraordinarily questionable activities, including extra-judicial covert sabotage. . . as well as illegal civic and military occupation. ” It engages in extraordinarily questionable activities, including extra-judicial covert sabotage and, potentially, assassination, as well as illegal civic and military occupation, but Israel is neither politically nor physically oppressive to its own people.

In that way, Israel is not unlike the United States, which consistently initiated proxy wars and encouraged, supported or per-

the U.K., seems, in the light of Mossad’s activities, more likely tied to Israel, an accusation also leveled by the high clergy.

This is not to say the U.S. does not have a hand in it, which would be in accordance with the United States’ previous activities, though Perry’s sources insist the U.S. is not involved.

This sort of behavior, even if the assassi-

Two primaries down, long haul to the convention

Graphic by Lucas Forsythe

Given recent performances, Mitt Romney is a likely GOP nominee, though he may face challenges in South Carolina, as well as possible upsets coming from Paul, Santorum, or Gingrich.

Nikki Roberts Student Writer

After victories in both Iowa and New Hampshire, it is clear that Mitt Romney has moved into the front runner position. However, the race is still only two primaries in so it is clear that a lot could change as we move closer to the convention.

The next primary is in South Carolina where polls released by American Research Group on Jan. 13 show Romney in the lead with 29 percent of the vote. However, do not be fooled by the early lead; South Carolina will not be an easy win. Not only is Newt Gingrich nipping at his heels with 25 percent, Ron Paul is following closely at 20 percent.

But what these statistics do not show

is the type of voters that are favoring the leading candidates. While the article suggests that Romney is winning with the classic conservative voters, Ron Paul leads the Independent and Democratic voters with 29 percent. Furthermore, South Carolina voters seem to favor Gingrich’s conservative government policy, or the fact that he is from their neighbor state, Georgia. South Carolina is pretty much up in the air.

Keeping in mind that we have only just begun the election season, there are definitely arguments to be made about the overall outcome of the election.

Starting at the bottom of the polling numbers, Rick Perry seems to be fizzling out across the country. While it is to be expected that he will do well in Texas, his inexperience with governing at the national level as well as his relatively poor performances in the Republican debates have proven too much to handle, evidenced by his dive in the polls. Overall, it is fair to say that Perry will have a hard time bouncing back from this terrible start.

Rick Santorum started off strong coming in second in Iowa. Having taken an early leading position because of his strict conservative policies and his involvement in welfare reform, a key ticket item in this primary, many speculated he would have the best chance at beating Obama in the general election.

However, legal problems in Virginia as well as a bad showing with young voters on the gay marriage issue have pushed him out of the spotlight in recent weeks. With the last presidential election fresh in our minds, young voters are going to be key overall.

One candidate doing surprisingly well with young voters is Ron Paul. With disappointment in the GOP showing high, many voters are looking for a more nontraditional Republican nominee.

Polling high in South Carolina and ending well not only in Iowa but also New Hampshire, it is at least arguable that Paul is the candidate to look out for. However, while Paul has started strong, he will face more difficulties in states with closed primaries where he will not receive the votes of Democrats and Independents.

Newt Gingrich has been hit and miss all season long. While he is doing moderately

well in South Carolina, his showing in Iowa left a lot to be desired.

While it is pretty clear that not all the claims against him are true, voters are still turned off by the scandals surrounding him.

So while he might gain some speed later because of his vast experience on Capitol Hill, he will have to overcome a tremendous hurdle to receive the nomination.

Finally, the candidate to beat is Mitt Romney. Coming out in the lead in Iowa and New Hampshire, he is also polling well in South Carolina and Florida.

Though some Republicans feel he is not the truest representative of the conservative platform, name recognition from previous elections makes him ideally suited to beat Obama in the general election. If current trends continue, he is the best guess for the 2012 Republican presidential nominee.

upcoming events at

Sharp Chapel Monday: Lunch with Calvin: Reading and discussion over John Calvin with lunch at 12 p.m. in the upstairs conference room.

Wednesday: WOW (Worship on Wednesday): Uplifting praise music and a chapel service in the main sanctuary at 12 p.m. followed by lunch.

Thursday: Apologetics for Lunch: Reading and discussion over John Scott’s writings with lunch at 12 p.m. in the Atrium.

Gateway Late-Night Worship: Fellowship, a message and great student-led worship at 9 p.m. in the Atrium.

Friday: PLS Lunch: Come learn more about PLS (Presbyterian Leaders and Scholars) and hear a message from a different fellow student each week at 12 p.m. in the Atrium.

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editor-in-chief—Catherine Roberts managing editor—Lucas Forsythe news editor—Kalen Petersen sports editor—J. Christopher Proctor variety editor—Stephanie Hice opinion editor—Kyle Walker photo & graphics editor—Now Hiring!!! staff writers—Emily Callen, John Lepine business manager—Now Hiring!!! advertising manager—Aminat Adeyemi distribution manager—Mary Jessup web editor—Drew Mitchell adviser—Kendra Blevins

17 JANUARY 2012

Opinion

THE COLLEGIAN : 10

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