November 7, 2012

Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2012

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Vol.107, No. 49

Projected Winner: Another Four Years

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Jordan Re-elected, Plans to Foster Relationship With UA

Reporting by Shelby Gill and Saba Naseem

Concluding a hotly contested Fayetteville mayoral race, incumbent Mayor Lioneld Jordan was elected for another term last night, defeating opponent and former mayor, Dan Coody, for a second time.

Jordan lead the race 62 percent to 38 percent at the time of press.

Watch party goers for both candidates were anxious to know the results, attendees at both parties said.

Mayor Jordan entered Mexico Viejo with the sound of applause from more than 100 supporters.

“I am very excited right now--the early voting has come in and we’re ahead,” Jordan said. “Of course that’s always a great feeling--you put a lot of work into a campaign and when the results come back you’re excited.”

Dan Coody stayed busy at Café Fresco between the press and about 50 supporters while awaiting results.

The environment was laid back, but positive.

Obama was the projected winner in the 2012 presidential race, with 274 electoral votes as late as 10:30 p.m., Tuesday night.

UA students all across campus had tuned into news television stations, joined watch parties and stayed plugged-in to social media to follow the 2012 elections.

UA Senior Bridget Spencer ran down the halls, screaming and dancing to express her excitement when she saw the news.

“I’m so excited because at one point, I actually thought Obama wouldn’t win.”

Twitter exploded with #4moreyears, #Obama2012 and #forward hashtags.

“This is definitely what I expected, and I’m not just saying that as a voter. The oddsmakers had him winning all along and they’re

usually not wrong. Swing state performances doomed Romney in the end,” said Caleb Rountree, a senior journalism major.

On Dickson Street, students sat at checkered tables scattered across the basement of U.S. Pizza, talking, enjoying the fare but most importantly closely analyzing the 2012 election.

When election results were announced, they hugged and congratulated each other.

The watch party was the culmination of the lectures in 2012 presidential election colloquium class taught by professors Angie Maxwell and Pearl Dowe.

Pizza and refreshments were provided to the students while they tuned into CNN “Projection” and predicted the outcome of the election.

The class learned about the Electoral College and the history of the presidency and how it has transformed,

see PRIZE page 3

The Power of Laughter in Politics

A profile on the UA Professor and author of Debateable Humor, an in depth look at the use of humor in political debates Full Story, Page 5

Miranda Campbell Staff Writer

“The race is 50/50,” Coody said. “If I lose tonight I won’t run for public office again.”

Sustainability won’t receive the attention it deserves if Jordan remains Mayor, Coody said.

“Fayetteville was once a leader in sustainability nationally--now it is not even the leader regionally. Fayetteville is not focusing on the arts and music either,” Coody said. “It is time for

my wife and I to focus on making the world a better place in different ways.”

The campaign has been a team effort, Jordan said.

“These are volunteer, folks who have worked on the campaign,” Jordan said.

“They have worked really, really hard. There is one thing that you learn — you can not do anything alone.

We work as a team and a family. It’s just a real great group of folks to work with.”

Paula Marinone, a supporter and member of Jordan’s campaign committee was at the watch party to support the mayor and be with friends, she said.

“We kind of wanted some place where it could just be us,” Mariononi said.

“We’ve really worked closely on this. A lot of friendships have been made with people just pitching in what they

see JORDAN page 3

Miranda Campbell Staff Photographer Mayor Jordan and supporters celebrate during his watch party at Mexico Viejo, Tuesday, Nov. 7.

Does What You Wear Reflect Who You Are? An analysis of this election’s outfits.

Full Story, Page 5

Today’s Forecast

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Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2012

Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2012

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The Arkansas Traveler Newspaper

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Students Get Out to the Polls

Social Media Changes Elections For Students

Haley Markle Asst. Sports Editor

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119 Kimpel Hall University of Arkansas Fayetteville, AR 72701

Ashley Swindell Staff Photographer Fayetteville locals line up at Central United Methodist Church Tuesday, Nov. 7 to cast their votes.

Jannee Sullivan Staff Writer UA students and Fayetteville residents alike waited in lines Tuesday to cast their general election ballots.

Compared to the hours-long lines that some voters grappled with in battleground states like Florida and Ohio, as well as polling difficulties in regions affected by Hurricane Sandy, lines in Fayetteville’s polling places weren’t too bad, voters said.

“It only took me 20 minutes from the time I walked in to the time I walked out,” said sophomore Julie Isenhower, food sciences major. “I tried to go to early voting Monday at the courthouse but the lines were too long and I didn’t have time to wait. My boyfriend voted in Farmington around 10 this morning and he was in line for

over an hour before he even got a ballot.”

Poll workers in Fayetteville, however, saw no such delays.

“We’ve seen a pretty good turnout so far,” one volunteer said. “But they’ve been moving pretty quickly in and out. When it really gets crowded is when people start coming home from work, around five and after.”

Early voting turnout in this election surpassed the early turnout in the 2008 election, with more than 420,000 early votes cast during early voting, according to 40/29 News.

“Honestly, I think it seemed more crowded yesterday (Monday), during early voting when everyone was all crammed into the courthouse, instead of all over town,” said Macy Dunham, a senior childhood education major. “It only took me about 30 minutes totally, and that didn’t seem too bad.”

Students said they voted on a variety of different national issues, but most agreed with the majority of U.S. voters in the biggest issue of this election: the economy.

“The most important issue for me was the economy,” Isenhower said. “I always vote for whatever allows the most freedom in this country. Government dependence isn’t freedom and taxing the rich at 40 percent isn’t freedom.”

Dunham agreed that economy was important, but social issues were important in this election as well, she said.

“I think that the economy has been a big deal for everyone, and I’m worried, of course, about getting a job after I graduate,” she said. “But I also think that things like educational funding and social justice are important. I voted based on a balance between those issues,

because they all matter and they’re all kind of related, you know? Like, the economy is affected by the amount of social equality we have in the US.” Dunham also said that she was less informed about local issues than national issues, which affected her votes for local offices.

“After being bombarded with all the news coverage on the presidential election, it’s hard to remember that there are also a lot of smaller offices that need to be filled. I just tried to vote my best with the information about the candidates I knew,” she said.

Other students agreed that local offices seemed to take a backseat to the presidential election.

“Unfortunately, I didn’t pay as close attention to the local issues,” Isenhower said. “I only heard from my mom that Lioneld Jordan kept us in the black.”

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Social media sites played a new, more pronounced role in this election, and had the potential to divide the public even more, a UA professor said.

With the rise of social media in elections, voters could choose which candidates or issues they want to follow. In the past, television advertisements would likely ensure a candidate good exposure to most voting citizens.

Social media has the capability to “make politics even more divisive,” said Janine Parry, a professor in the political science department at the UA. Senior sport management major Jason Coffman said he

thinks Obama won the last election because of his effective use of social media.

However, Coffman does not allow what a candidate puts on twitter affect his decision.

“I read a variety of sources to get a balanced opinion,” Coffman said.

The day before this year’s election, President Barack Obama had 21,739,153 followers on Twitter while Gov. Mitt Romney had only 1,683,394 followers.

Similarly, Obama had 31,788,173 likes on facebook and Romney had 11,917,484 likes. Romney had a quarter of the combined likes and followers that Obama did.

It would seem that social media would only increase the level of voter interest, but sophomore journalism student Will Bowden said it really depends on how the can-

Leding Re-elected to State House

Bailey Deloney and Hunter Hawk Staff Writers

District 86 voters reelected Democrat Greg Leding to serve a second term in the State House.

Tuesday, Leding defeated Republican Brian Scott in the race to represent District 86. Since 2011, Leding has represented District 92. The district was redrawn following the 2010 census.

As District 86 includes the UA and the surrounding area, Leding vowed to support the university. A 2001 UA graduate himself, Leding said that his main focus will be the local economy, improving education and finding university funding in

his speech at the Washington County Democratic Watch Party.

“I’m truly grateful for all of my supporters,” Leding said at the Democratic party on Tuesday night. “In my second term, I promise to continue to represent their district and work to better this community.”

Enrollment at UA continues to grow and Leding said it is his goal to make sure the university has the resources and funds it needs. The university is also important as far as being a resource to create jobs across the state, Leding said.

“We want to create jobs all across Arkansas and here in northwest Arkansas,” Leding said. “The community, here in Fayetteville, has really prospered and the Uni-

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didates conducts themselves.

“I love it when it increases connectivity with the public,” Bowden said, “but when it is used as another form of attack advertisement it can really make me think negatively of the candidate.”

Social media use in elections is too new to have done a lot of solid research on it, but the goal is for it to have a mobilizing effect, Parry said.

According to the US Census Bureau, only 49.3 percent of 18-20-year-olds and 56.2 of 21-24-year-olds were registered to vote in the last presidential election. Almost ten percentage points fewer in each category actually voted.

The hope is that social media will lead to a higher rate of voting by people in these age categories, Parry said.

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versity of Arkansas has a lot to do with that.”

Leding said he hopes to make sure there are enough job opportunities to keep UA graduates in the area, instead of leaving Arkansas in search of work in other states.

Research shows that beginning education earlier improves students’ performance. Expanding the Prek program is another goal that Leding said he hopes to achieve. By investing in the K-12 public schools Leding said he hopes this will better prepare students for college.

Among other objectives, Leding also said he will work to lower taxes.

In anticipation for this election, Republicans had said they believed they would have a chance at taking control of both the senate and the house this year, for the first time since 1874.

Republican Brian Scott ran in the heavily Democratic district distancing himself from the Republican Party and not taking stances on key issues like the DREAM Act. “The campaign process was pretty exhausting but at the end of the day, going door-to-door and using every resource possible to gain supporters was worth it,” Leding said. “None of this would be possible without my family, friends and supporters.”

Collins Ahead in State Representative Race As of press, state representative Charlie Collins of the 89th district was ahead of his opponent Adella Gray, with 51 percent of the vote to Gray’s 49 percent.

Collins is running for reelection and if he wins, his bill that would allow fulltime UA faculty to carry concealed handguns on campus would be re-introduced.

Only faculty members who have a license would be able to carry a concealed weapon, however.

Collins has been vocal about other initiatives he thinks will help UA, and Gray described herself as a university supporter on her website.

Gray said she would like to see more research projects paid for by private partnerships.

The race between Gray and Collins is expected to be close, but the Republican Victory Watch party had a large turnout with supporters of all ages.

Check UAtrav.com for an update on this story.

Reporting by Sarah Villegas

Woods Ahead of First Latina to Run for State Representative

As of press, state representative candidate John Woods was ahead of Diana Gonzale Worthen 66 percent to 34 percent.

Woods is running won the race to represent District 7, which encompasses much of Springdale. He ran for the same position in 2006 and lost, but said he is hopeful for this year’s election.

Woods ran against Gonzales Worthen, the first Latina to run for a state representative position in Arkansas. Gonzales Worthen is also a faculty member at the UA. Her win could mean big changes for the university, in regard to lobbying for the DREAM Act. Northwest Arkansas has a Hispanic population of more than 30 percent compared to the state’s Hispanic population of less than 5 percent, according to the US Census Bureau. With a Latina state representative, Arkansas and northwest community could see a push for more recruiting initiatives geared toward Hispanics.

Woods said he does not support the DREAM Act. Reporting by Sarah Villegas

Medical Marijuana Issue Still Close

Jannee Sullivan Staff Writer

Arkansans for Compassionate Care raised and spent significantly more than their opponents on TV advertising. The group reported that they raised $419,000 in October alone, most of which was donated by the Marijuana Policy Project in Washington and spent on ads running in favor of the issue.

Overall the ACC raised more than $708,000 throughout its campaign, nearly 90 percent of that money coming from the MPP, according to records.

The Family Council Action Committee reported raising about $37,000 in the month of October, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.

The Coalition to Preserve Arkansas Values, the group which brought the lawsuit to the Arkansas Supreme Court in September seeking to strike the issue from the ballot, only raised and spent the $9000 they used for legal fees in their suit. The money came from two of the group’s members: the Families First Action Committee and the Arkansas Faith and Ethics Council, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.

In the past few weeks, ACC has pulled out all the stops in campaigning for

this act, with the most recent polls showing that about 53 percent of Arkansans polled were opposed to the act, according to the Arkansas poll.

Following the Arkansas Supreme Court ruling in favor of keeping the initiative on the ballot, the ACC has been active in bringing in medical marijuana activists, physicians, patients and even celebrities to endorse the measure, which is the first of its kind in the South and therefore has drawn national attention.

Talk show host, Montel Williams made an appearance in Little Rock on Oct. 18 supporting the act and accusing the act’s opponents of using racist imagery in ads run against the act, according to the press release.

The Family Council Action Committee paid around $1000 for the 30-second advertisement to which Williams took offense. The ad showed an African-American man depicted as a drug dealer “sitting at a table with guns and filling bags with marijuana,” according to the Associated Press.

Issue five was brought the Arkansas general election ballot after ACC volunteers, including UA student volunteers, submitted more than 69,000 signatures valid signatures -- about 6,000 more than were required to get the measure on the ballot, according to the ACC website.

Non-Traditional Student National Recognition Week November 4-10, 2012 The University of Arkansas recognizes non-traditional student success on our campus!

Undergraduate students who meets one or more of the following criteria: 24 years or older Single parent Returning to school Married Possesses a G.E.D. Has dependents Works full-time Financially independent Part-time student “Learning is not attained by chance, it must be sought for with ardor and diligence.” Abigail Adams Off-Campus Connections

Statewide Highway Tax Approved The highway tax proposition on this year’s ballot for the state of Arkansas passed with 60 percent of voters, as of press, approving the new tax.

This half-cent increase to sales tax will support highway construction projects and provide money to every city in Arkansas for road improvements.

The temporary ten-year tax is expected to bring in $230 million annually. It will not be applied to groceries, medicine or gasoline.

Reporting by Casey Freeman

Benton County Now Wet Benton County voters approved a new law with 67 percent approval, as of press, that will allow the sale of alcoholic beverages countywide. The process of getting a proposition on the ballot for Benton County to be a wet one took a lot of time and effort.

The group Keep Dollars in Benton County began collecting signatures for a petition at the beginning of this year, and successfully got 56,000 people to sign by July, enough to put the issue to a vote.

Reporting by Casey Freeman

WATCH continued from page 1 Dowe said.

In addition, the class also pulled information from the Federalist Papers and analysis of the first 100 days in office of modern presidents.

When asked their predictions, the students replied unanimously in favor of President Barack Obama getting re-elected.

“The students are very split on who they like, but they’ve spent all semester studying the paths to the Electoral College and they are very familiar with the probabilities and the statistics,” Maxwell said.

And sure enough, as many of them had predicted, Obama won another four years in the Oval Office.

JORDAN continued from page 1 can and we wanted to continue that camaraderie and be here for Lioneld and all his supporters.”

Sue Miller Payton was Cafe Fresco hoping for a Coody win, she said.

“I think Fayetteville is a great place to live and someone with Dan’s vision is an exciting opportunity for the city,” Payton said. “I like the improvements to the city he made when he was mayor and there is a lot more he can do to help us.”

Lioneld Jordan ran against Dan Coody, the incumbent, in 2008, unseating Coody who was mayor from 2001 to 2008.

Jordan will continue to foster a beneficial relationship between the city and the university, he said.

“We have a great relationship with the UA as it is, but now with the town and gown committee,” Jordan said.

“We’ve pulled seven representatives from the UA and seven citizens and city members--so we’ve got 21 members there to discuss how we can foster city growth together. I think we are really going to enhance and advance the UA.” Jordan plans to continue sustainability efforts, he said.

“I have always been a strong supporter of sustainability ,” Jordan said. “What we’re looking at right now is a connection with Fort Smith-which is huge--if you look at water trafficking up the Arkansas river from New Orleans to Fort Smith. That cuts back on CO2 emissions from the trucking industry.”

Contributing Reporting from Clint Wray and Mason Carr and Greg Tavarez

Opinion Editor: Joe Kieklak Page 4

The Arkansas Traveler Newspaper

Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2012

Support our Nation, President

Ashley Flippin Staff Columnist Today, we have a new president. For months, Republicans, Democrats and every political party in between have argued, named-called, rallied, donated and voted to support their candidate.

But now, the 2012 presidential race has come to a close.

President Obama will be ours for the next four years: support him.

What is the next move for the arguing, name-calling, rallying, donating voters whose candidate did not win the presidential election? To rally behind their new leader.

Our nation has a strong presidential history, and yesterday’s election is no exception.

Neither are the four years that our next president will face.

However, no matter our country’s difference in opinion, we must remember that the office of the President is the highest position in the land. Obama is our chief executive of the federal government and Commander in Chief of the armed forces.

These positions are not to be taken lightly. While there are millions of Americans feeling disappointed that their candidate did not come out victorious in last night’s election, the time for partisanship is over.

Today marks the beginning of respect and acknowledgement of our President and the system that put him there.

As Americans, we all value our freedom of speech. This is an essential part of what makes America the free, strong democracy that we love and cherish. However, it is also imperative that we respect the office of the president, no matter who holds the position. I am not saying citizens should not voice our opinions on the performance or political views of our chief executive. However, we must recognize the difference between respectful disagreement and hateful criticism.

Negative words or actions are not going to change the fact that President Obama is also our leader. Partisan prejudice will not turn back the time to make another candidate the victor. Therefore, as a nation,

we must be pro-president and throw our support behind the one president we do have. It is time to celebrate our democracy.

By doing so, we will create a more united America.

We have seen how powerful a truly united United States can be. Think the aftermath of 9/11, Hurricane Katrina and now the devastating Hurricane Sandy. The solidarity displayed

by Americans in times of great need are what remind citizens that we are all Americans: “One nation, under God,” which is something we tend to forget.

During times of crisis, we do not look to the president because he is a democrat or a republican. We admire our leader, not our party.

In 1941, Americans were stunned by the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. This devastating assault on our country united Americans like never before, largely because of the leadership of President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

“Hostilities exist. There is no blinking at the fact that our people, our territory, and our interests are in grave danger.

With confidence in our armed forces, with the unbounding determination of our people, we will gain the inevitable triumph — so help us God,” said Roosevelt in his famous Dec. 8, 1941 speech.

Here, it is clear that Roosevelt was not speaking to only Republicans or Democrats, but the American people as a whole.

More recently, Americans looked to former President George W. Bush after the tragedy that was Sept. 11, 2011.

“Our country is strong,” said Bush. “A great people has been moved to defend a great nation.

Terrorist attacks can shake the foundations of our biggest buildings, but they cannot touch the foundation of America. These acts shatter steel, but they cannot dent the steel of American resolve.”

His powerful message resulted in millions throwing their support behind the president and enlisting in the armed forces to fight for our beloved country.In both instances, citizens became united under the fact that we are all Americans.

All different and opinionated, but Americans nonetheless who came together to rally behind, look to and respect their President in times of need.

Let us remember that today, as Americans, not as partisan citizens, that we support President Obama above beyond party lines.

Ashley Flippin is a staff columnist. She is a senior English- creative writing major.

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Katherine Kortebian Staff Columnist For at least the last 15 years, advocates have been trying to get the Arkansas Medical Marijuana Act on the ballot. Arkansas ballot Issue 5 called for “the medical use of marijuana legal under Arkansas state law” and “established a system for the cultivation, acquisition and distribution of marijuana for qualifying patients through nonprofit medical marijuana dispensaries,” according to the ballot proposal’s text.

It is not surprising this law was so contentious in Arkansas. Not so surprising that a similar issue passed in Massachusetts.

There are multiple arguments for and against marijuana and countless studies to discover the different effects.

Lioneld Jordan, Mayor, City of Fayetteville Jordan Defeats Coody in Mayor Race, Page 1

Kelsey Cline Staff Columnist

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It is a shock that the proposal for this law even made the ballot this year considering how conservative Arkansas’ culture is and how far it is from the more liberal Western states that have accepted this change some time ago, UA political science professor Janine Parry said.

The life of Issue 5 was dramatic at best after 53 percent of likely voters were opposed to Issue five before voting, according to the Arkansas Poll.

Parry believes that because there was at least 40 percent of voter support for the proposed law, she “strongly suspects we will see it again soon,” she said.

Though she thinks that there may be some stricter regulations on the dispensaries in order to make it an “easier sell” to citizens who support the idea, but still have some reservations, Parry said This issue will come up again, especially because our generation will likely have even more registered voters in 2016 and the issue of legalizing marijuana is one of the major controversies we have been introduced to in recent years.

It is something that most people our age have been exposed to in some way, whether in person or simply through television and music. Our generation is much more accepting of the idea of people smoking now that it is much more present in our culture. The host of Chelsea Lately, a show on the E! network, Chelsea Handler often references the fact that she smokes marijuana both on her show and in her books. The popular rapper, Lil Wayne, talks about smoking marijuana in many of his songs. Of all the debated issues in modern culture, I find this one the most ridiculous. I see no drawbacks to it being a legal drug, especially when it can help so many people, such as those going through chemotherapy or even people who merely suffer from severe anxiety.

As a nation, we should just start the process and at least legalize the use of medical marijuana because I think that will be the end result in the next decade. So why fight it?

Katherine Kortebein is a staff columnist. She is a junior English- creative writing major.

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Thus far, results have shown that of all recreational substances, marijuana is one of the safest available. It is not physically addictive, although according to the National Institute of Drug Abuse, it could possibly be psychologically addictive.

It can also negatively affect the immune and respiratory system and impair the memory. However, it does not have the same damaging effects as tobacco.

Yet, a lot could be said for the fact that marijuana can be used for medical purposes, as that shows it actually improves health in many patients. One of the biggest arguments for legalizing marijuana, or at least the use of it in medical situations, is the industry. The marijuana industry makes between $10 billion to over $120 billion a year, according to CNBC. Either way, this is a billion dollar market that could help American reduce debt profoundly. As we have legalized alcohol and cigarettes, it is time to legalize marijuana. It does less damage to the body than either of these legal substances, is less addictive (if at all) and could promote American economy immensely.

Now that the elections are over, the students of Associated Student Government, the College Republicans and the Young Democrats can finally breath a sigh of relief.

An ample amount of aid has come from these wonderful campus organizations and governments throughout the school year, which we should greatly appreciate.

ASG was kind enough to sponsor shuttle vans to transport registered student voters to the courthouse where they were able to vote early. This plan, known as

“Motor Voter,” was carried out on Oct. 31 and again on Nov. 1.

This was a tremendous privilege given to the students at the university.

Our student leaders know how important it is to vote and get our voices heard, and by offering services like the “Motor Voter,” we are encouraging our student body to make a difference.

Our campus Democrats and Republicans lent a helping hand to the student body by encouraging positive involvement with the election.

UA College Republicans continually used their Facebook page to urge students to vote. They also raised money by selling College Republicans and Mitt Romney t-shirts.

Many members of the College Republicans club went door to door to promote Brian Scott for state representative as well as inviting all members to watch the Ryan-Biden vice presidential debate at US Pizza.

UA Young Democrats also encouraged students to

get out and vote by holding a voter registration on campus as well as offering an informational table in front of the Arkansas Union.

Another successful idea carried out by many members of the Young Democrats was the Students For Obama Phone Bank, where calls to North Carolina were made to help in the reelection of Barack Obama.

“I called about 750 undecided voters,” said freshman Lauren Dowell.

As for the first presidential debate, the Young Democrats and College Republicans, as well as ASG, co-hosted a debate watch party Wednesday, Oct. 3 at Old Main.

Whether working together or separately, these groups are all for getting the student body involved, no matter what party one is associated with.

These various groups at UA pushed for more involvement with the election held on Tuesday and because of them, students were able to volunteer, register to vote and make their voices heard.

It is clear. UA Young Democrats President Matthew Seubert and UA College Republicans President Grant Hodges did just what these students groups dream to do each election year. They lead their organizations to mobilize voters and they did it beautifully.

Having groups like these on our campus is a luxury that should never be taken for granted. We all have the privilege to vote and belong to any group we chose and because of that, much admiration goes out to these groups that pushed students into action. These students were invaluable to the organization this year.

As we anxiously await the results of this year’s election, know that groups like the ASG, College Republicans and Young Democrats worked hard not only for their preferred candidates, but for our university’s student body as well.

Kelsey Cline is a staff columnist. She is a freshman European studies and international relations major.

Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2012

The Arkansas Traveler Newspaper

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ACROSS 1 Dash, e.g.

5 Head-hanging emotion 10 Altoids alternative 15 Fan favorite 16 Earthling 17 Absorbed the loss 18 Tropical headgear 20 Passover ritual 21 Dix halved 22 Calendar abbr.

24 Prior to, in verse 25 Low-tech note taker 27 Deal-closing aids 30 Unblemished 31 Line winder 32 Baking by-products 33 Creative enterprise 34 On the fence 35 Six-stringed instrument, usually 36 Urbana-Champaign NCAA team 41 Two pages 42 “Zip-__-Doo-Dah” 43 Tram car filler 45 Totally absorbed 48 Hon 49 Pontiac muscle cars 50 Powerful pin cushion?

52 “It __ hit me yet” 53 Mao follower?

54 Scientology’s __

Hubbard 55 Sushi bar soup 56 Cook-off potful 58 False 63 Mixer for a mixologist 64 Boyfriends 65 Couple in a rowboat 66 Run through a reader, as a debit card 67 Footlocker 68 Sandstorm residue DOWN 1 Split 2 Org. concerned with crowns 3 Mozart works 4 Pal of Jerry Seinfeld 5 Retired seven-foot NBAer 6 “Say that again?”

7 “I __ Rock” 8 Fisher-Price parent company 9 Follow logically 10 Potluck staple 11 Summer on the Seine 12 Turn in for cash 13 Spain’s __ de Campos 14 Underline, say 19 Trio on a phone keypad 23 Online shopkeeper

25 Place for pampering 26 Area of expertise 27 Calligrapher’s flourish 28 Question of time, to Telemann 29 __ me tangere 31 Barbecue spit, e.g.

34 “Every Breath You Take” band 35 “Myra Breckinridge” author 37 Tickled pink 38 Scottish Celt 39 “As of yet, no” 40 Pressing need?

44 Inexact fig.

45 Throws out 46 Reservation waster 47 Spiral pasta 48 One of Dancer’s partners 49 Far-from-efficient vehicle 51 Reservations 52 Best-seller 55 Perfumery scent 57 Blistex target 59 Frat house letter 60 Flee 61 The Rams of the NCAA’s Atlantic 10 Conf.

62 D-Day vessel

“Making Your Journey Worthwhile�

Page 8

Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2012 The Arkansas Traveler Newspaper

Companion Editor: Nick Brothers

Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2012

The Arkansas Traveler Newspaper

Page 7

Did Chia Pets Predict the Election?

The Effect of Consumption on Voter Opinions Antony Wanjala Staff Writer

In a country where presidential elections are governed by the people, would it be so ludicrous to assume that voters’ opinions are also influenced by the products they buy?

According to Mark Huffman, news reporter for ConsumerAffairs, the answer may be yes. Consumer interests may have played a large part in election results between presidential candidates Barack Obama and Mitt Romney. For example, recently released Chia Pets that take on the visage of each respective candidate have breathed some new life into the debate between which candidate voters fancy more. Would a Chia poll be an adequate represen-

tation of the voter pool’s opinions? “We may as well begin placing bets on the video games that the two candidates find most appealing,� said R. J. Morris, freshman kinesiology major and member of the UA football squad. Morris’ assertion isn’t too far-fetched considering Chia pet mogul Joe Pedott’s decision to produce products resembling the

recognizable faces of these two politicians.

This set of circumstances begs the question: Do other forms of consumable media have a say in how the election will play out?

Taking one look at the long list of followers that Obama and Romney have garnered on Twitter over the course of their campaign is testament enough to the power of

social media in the election. With smartphones at the helm of this driving force, it goes without saying that technology has kept a larger percentage of the general populace more up to date with the goings on of our nation’s presidential candidates.

Let’s not leave Facebook out of this debate just yet. Though many individuals have

Courte

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made the permanent jump to Facebook’s main competitor, Twitter, the social media goliath still had some kick in its step as we approached the climax of this presidential campaign. Both the Romney and Obama campaign offices have made powerful commitments to keep their supporters, haters, friends and family alike up to date as they traversed the campaign trail.

It truly is a sign of the times when we can keep “in touch� with the very same individuals who may or may not be running our country in due time.

Less than a decade ago, the influence of social media would have been negligible to say the least; however, the past few months have proved that the two campaign squads are vying for the popular vote in any way they can.

see CHIA page 8

PROFILE

Does What You Wear Reflect Who You Are? Election Clothing Analyzed Justin Bryant Staff Writer

Courtesy Photos Patrick Stewart’s book, Debatable Humor, which was published in 2012.

The Power of Laughter in Politics Alex Golden Staff Writer

While watching a presidential debate or the news, viewers usually pay attention to what the candidates say about their policies and objectives, and, sometimes, they even get a straight answer.

But what can voters infer when a prospective White House resident cracks a joke? That’s what Patrick Stewart, UA assistant professor of political science, strives to discover and share.

His new book, “Debatable Humor: Laughing Matters on the 2008 Presidential Primary Campaign,� uses examples from the 2008 presidential primary campaign to show that humor used by politicians and the resulting laughter are an important part of politics. “What they joke about tells us (about) their values and intelligence,� Stewart said. He said that

see STEWART page 8

The power suit is not a new concept, but the theory behind how you choose one is.

With every piece of clothing you put on, you are sending a message, whether it is conscious or not. Even the smallest choice, like deciding to wear an athletic-fit shirt versus a standard-fit one, can say, “I’ve been working out and I want to proudly display my results.�

Those same thoughts and choices were made when it came to the clothing worn by the 2012 presidential candidates. Although their suits may seem simple and by the book, I will venture to delve deeper and interpret the pieces worn by both men.

In men’s fashion, there is a limited amount of options when it comes to suits, but we have more choices today than we ever have before. The first and most important aspect in wearing a suit is fit, with choices including traditional, standard, executive and Italian-tailored. The traditional and standard fits are the most popular because they are versatile, can be worn for any occasion and are flattering on any body type.

Governor Mitt Romney wore a black traditional-fit suit to the first presidential debate Oct. 3. The traditional-fit suit is usually favored by the more conservative, “traditional� man. Usually, this all-American guy is family-oriented and holds strong to the core values of what manhood is defined as. Although this suit is popular and versatile, it is a security blanket to protect from actually trying to make any fashionable statement.

In contrast, President Barack Obama wore a navy executive-fit suit to the first presidential debate. This style suit is the epitome of a businessman at his finest. Cut broadly in the shoulders and slim in the waist, it creates a tall, powerful silhouette.

The Italian-tailored suit is rarely used in a professional setting, and I wouldn’t suggest it because of its sharp, harsh lines. It features every physically marketable area of the male physique. Cut slim in the shoulders, back and waist, and accompanied by a straightleg trouser, this type of suit would be an amazing choice for the inaugural ball.

STEWART continued from page 7 politicians can use humor to emotionally engage the audience and tell them what is right and wrong.

When Mike Huckabee joked, “We’ve had a Congress that’s spent money like John Edwards at a beauty shop,� for example, that showed him to be personable and brought him closer to his audience, Stewart said.

He studies laughter in part by measuring how long the laughter lasts and whether it ends in applause, because applause represents support. Stewart has observed, “If you’re a front-runner, the audience is more likely to laugh at your jokes and for longer.�

In other words, if a person already has a likeable reputation, people are more likely to laugh at what they say and for a longer period of time. Stewart pointed out that many nonverbal expressions are contagious, including laughter. Yawning, for example, is a sign of empathy, and more empathic people tend to yawn when others do, he said. “What makes for life being really wonderful is humor, and it makes politicians more accessible to us,� he said. Stewart said politicians can relate to people through their sense of humor and that it connects individuals when they find the same things funny. “Mitt Romney is an interesting case because he doesn’t have a common touch,� Stewart said. “He’s avoided the evening talk shows because he doesn’t relate to the average person.�

The nature of politicians’ humor can provide insight into how they view themselves and others, Stewart said. He called self-deprecatory humor a form of “conspicuous consumption� because it says that the candidate is confident and has so much status that they can afford to make fun of themselves.

This brings them closer to their audience because it utilizes the “I’m just one of y’all� tactic, he said.

Stewart works primarily with graduate students, including Tung Do, who walked into Stewart’s office in Old Main and discussed the research he is doing with Stewart. They are observing camera angles and close-up shots on candidates and their effects on voter reception. They hypothesize that candidates who get more close-up shots are received differently and that candidates who look down at the camera are demonstrating authority. “People with higher status are more likely to interrupt — but it also makes people less likeable,� he said. “Leaders can interrupt, but they can’t interrupt too much.�

Stewart has seen the impact of laughter in his personal life. He said the fact that he and his wife share similar ideas of what is funny is a cornerstone of their relationship. “My friends look at us and go, ‘You guys are really weird,’� he said.

As assistant coach for Arkansas State University’s rugby team, he saw how a group that liked to laugh and have fun together made for a successful team. “Guys brutalize each other with humor, but it says, ‘I know your weak points, but we’re okay,’� he said. “Everyone was bonded together.�

The emotional bonds that reflected the rugby team’s success was in the back of Stewart’s mind when he wrote “Debatable Humor,� he said. “Laughter does matter,� Stewart said. “What matters more for leaders is what their followers think, because leaders are nothing without followers. Without followers, leaders are just mentally ill.

It can make us a better nation and better people to understand the importance of humor.�

MUSIC

Celebrity Musicians on the Campaign Trail Evan Barber Staff Writer

The amount of campaigning power that a celebrity endorsement can yield should never be underestimated. As Governor Romney and President Obama moved into the final stages of their election campaigns, several popular and not-so-popular-anymore musicians performed in support of their candidate of choice. Generally speaking, Romney’s recruits played largely to the older generation, with endorsements from Meat Loaf and Alabama vocalist Randy Owens, while much of Obama’s musical entourage played to the younger, sexier millennials, with artists like Katy Perry and Jay-Z. On Saturday, Nov. 3, Katy Perry appeared at the presidential rally in Milwaukee, Wis.; a headline for the Daily Caller reads, “Katy Perry wears skintight dress, wants you to vote for Obama.� But this completely omits half of her wardrobe.

She came on stage first in a comparatively loose-fitting red, white and blue dress, belting a cover of Al Green’s “Let’s Stay Together� into a microphone shaped like the Statue of Liberty’s torch: “I’m so in love with you / Whatever you want to do is alright with me / ‘Cause you make me feel so brand new / And I want to spend my life with you.�

Then, when she disrobed — as of course she would — underneath was the blue minidress with the glittery Obama “Forward.� printed up and down her side.

Reverend Green’s song — as Obama referred to him at another fundraiser in January — is apparently one of the president’s favorites. Perry has performed the song at several rallies, including one in Las Vegas (wearing a dress printed up like an Obama/Biden ballot), and at the Los Angeles “30 Days to Victory� concert fundraiser, which also featured performances by Jon Bon Jovi, Earth Wind & Fire, Jennifer Hudson and Stevie Wonder.

On Monday, Nov. 5, Bruce Springsteen performed at Obama rallies in Madison, Wis., and Columbus, Ohio, armed with a custom campaign song called “Forward,� though acknowledging it wasn’t the

best song he had ever written. Also at the Columbus rally, Jay-Z showed his support for Obama, rapping confidently (as always), “I got 99 problems, and Mitt ain’t one.� “They tell the story of what our country is,� Obama said, regarding the two performers, “but also of what it should be and what it can be.�

That’s quite an endorsement for the commander in chief to make. At least part of it may be better understood in light of the massive fundraiser thrown by Jay-Z and Beyonce at Jay’s 40/40 Club in Manhattan.

At $40,000 per ticket, the September event raised $4 million for Obama’s re-election campaign. All else being equal, obviously Obama will think highly of Jay. Again, Romney’s draw of musical endorsements were of a different caliber, including not just Meat Loaf and Randy Owen, but American country duo Big & Rich, as well as Kid

CHIA continued from page 7

In addition to Twitter and Facebook, a distinct increase in the utilization of YouTube and the like has led to the general public not only having a stronger grasp of the main events that have hit the campaign trail but also the minor mishaps and hiccups that have befallen all presidential contenders along the way.

Take, for example, YouTube’s live airing of the

Courtesy Photos Now that the reasoning behind the candidates’ suit choices have been observed, let’s dive deeper into separates. Both candidates wore white T-shirts, although the length of President Obama’s shirt seemed to not provide for cuff links. This lack of a cuffed shirt sends a message that he desired a more casual look and feeling from his attire that evening. Governor Romney, in comparison, wore a cuffed white shirt will silver cuff links.

The choice to wear cuff links presents the image of seriousness and formality. These slight differences in decision may seem irrelevant, but when viewing the perspective of the candidates in the debate, a viewer could find a correlation in the clothing and the candidates’ presentations.

Accessories are the accents that bring individuality to any suit, like throwing paint onto a blank canvas. Ties are the main accessory that show who you are in an outfit,

whether it be a bold statement or a more subdued one. Governor Romney wore a candy-red silk tie with a diagonal pinstripe tied in a slim Windsor knot. Although his color choice was associated with his allegiance to his political party, other details within the tie can be evaluated. The choice to wear a pinstripe tie in a diagonal design sends a message of being relatable and approachable. This was a good choice from a publicity standpoint since he is running for a public office.

A cerulean tie with horizontal ruching tied in a large double Windsor knot was President Obama’s choice. The double Windsor is the tie style endorsed ironically by the one and only Donald Trump. This style is advertised as a key tool used by power players in corporate America and the executive

presidential debates. For the college student who may struggle finding time to tune into such things, it strikes them as an incredible convenience to have access to this content on the go, at any time and at any place.

This changes the campaign landscape moving forward, especially when considering that minor blunders may become the latest and greatest Internet meme. Vi-

ral videos like Gangman Style may one day have to contend with presidential candidate X’s statement during the latest debate.

It’s hard to imagine that technology and apps won’t have a strong foothold in the political landscape as we move forward. Expect to hear a lot more references to popular Internet phenomena from our future politicians.

Media Services Technician

THIS

Central United Methodist Church has a part-time position open for a Media Services Technician. This position is expected to work 10-12 hours per week including Sunday mornings. Primary responsibilities will involve working with the new church online ministry, operating audio/visual equipment, video editing, and online platform administration.

Interested persons may submit a resume and letter of interest to Cindy Alphin by email at calphin@centraltolife.com.

Please contact: Cindy Alphin 479.442.1801 calphin@centraltolife.com

ELF.

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see CLOTHING page 8

Walton Arts Center is located at 495 W. Dickson St., Fayetteville

Rock, whose groundbreaking single “Born Free� was used several times by Romney as a campaign song. “I have to say thank you to Kid Rock,�

Ann Romney said. “We love Michigan. We love Kid Rock. We love that he stood up for us and helped us out for all this time.�

At another Republican rally in Defiance, Ohio (what a name for a city, right?), Meat Loaf stumbled on stage for what the Los Angeles Times called a “wild and meandering endorsement of the Republican candidate.� Meat Loaf said he decided to endorse Romney, in part, because Obama didn’t share Romney’s view that Russia is the “number one geopolitical foe of the U.S.�

He denounced Obama’s debate remark to Romney that “the Cold War was over,� and that “the 1980s want their foreign policy back,� and went on to make several obscure comparisons between the political climates of the Middle East, China, Asia and Europe with storm clouds and hailstorms.

Also during the rally, he joined Owens and Big & Rich for a rendition of “America the Beautiful� that Rolling Stone called “strained,� writing that “America ain’t so beautiful when she’s sung about like this.�

Courtesy Photos

Assistant Companion Editor: Shelby Gill

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CLOTHING continued from page 7 world alike. In adherence to that theory, for someone whose position is being challenged, a strong yet relaxed stance seemed to be the way to go.

Lastly, pins aren’t marketed to men frequently, so both candidates’ decision to wear one was very interesting. President Obama wore a small pin proportionate to the size of his lapel, while Governor Romney opted for a larger, more lapel-dominate pin.

These decisions in pin wear furthermore encouraged the attitudes and messages being exhibited by their attire.

Regardless of the suit’s fit, type of cuff, tie color and pin size, the understanding is the same: Everything you wear sends a message about who you are and what you stand for just as much as what you say.

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Sports Editor: Kristen Coppola Assistant Sports Editor: Haley Markle Page 6

The Arkansas Traveler Newspaper

Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2012

CLUB SPORT

Spirited Racquetball Club Seeks New Members Cameron McCauley Staff Writer

There may not be many sports that can rival the competitiveness of racquetball. Playing one on one in an enclosed court brings out the competitive spirit in everyone, regardless of who the opponent is.

T h e Arkansas racquetball club embodies that competitive spirit.

For those who do not know, racquetball is an interesting sport that is a fast paced mixture of tennis and wall-ball.

Players hit the ball against the wall and it has to bounce back behind the short line, the line behind the server, when the other player volleys it back. Competitors play to a specific amount of points, either 11 or 15.

The history of the racquetball club dates back only a few years, when now team president Calvin Godw i n’s

The club practices in the HPER, where there are courts and free equipment rental for any student that would like to give the sport a try.

brother founded the club.

“After he graduated, the club kind of fell apart, and so when I got up here last year as a freshman I took over the presidency,” Godwin said.

Since then, the club has been in a rebuilding stage, but has a strong core of members

that really enjoy the sport.

The racquetball club is looking to expand its number of members, especially after losing a large number to graduation last year.

The team is down from 15 last year to four this year, but each of the members have some kind of prior experience. Godwin himself has been playing as long as he can

In Godwin’s tenure as the club president, the team has attended five tournaments in Arkansas and St. Louis. The team hosted a tournament in the HPER last year, giving it the title of Razorback Classic.

“I think we brought in 50 to 60 guys from Missouri, Kansas and Arkansas that played in the tournament.

We raised a lot of money for that,” Godwin said.

remember.

“I’ve been playing my whole life, and one other girl has been playing since high school, and two began playing last year as freshmen,” Godwin said.

“I started playing because my dad got me into it. Ever since I could walk I have been playing racquetball,” he added.

The money raised from the tournament helped alleviate some of the costs of traveling to tournaments, paying for hotels and tournament

fees.

As of right now the club doesn’t have any dues, as the main goal at the moment is to increase membership.

If the club can gain more members, it will more than likely be able to host the Razorback Classic again this season.

The club is affiliated with Arkansas Racquetball as well as United States Racquetball Association. They plan on sending members to the 2013 National Collegiate Racquetball Championships in California.

“It depends on how many members we get, but right now we do have enough to send a few members to nationals in C a l i f o r n i a ,” Godwin said.

The more the merrier for the racquetball club, as they sincerely encourage any and all students to join the racquetball club. There are flyers for the club in the racquetball courts in the HPER, and students can also check them out on Twitter, @RazorbackRB.

FOOTBALL

Week 10 Produces Expected Outcomes in SEC Jessie McMullen Staff Writer

After week 10, it is even more evident which teams are true contenders in the Southeastern Conference and in the BCS rankings.

Arkansas picked up a good nonconference win against Tulsa on homecoming. The Hogs were down by three going into the fourth quarter when a touchdown by senior running back Dennis Johnson gave them the 19-15 lead that would become the final score.

Arkansas was led by Johnson and senior quarterback Tyler Wilson. Wilson threw for 272 yards and Johnson rushed for 109 yards on 22 carries and two touchdowns.

No. 1 Alabama was put to the test for the first time this season but pulled out a 21-17 victory over LSU to remain the top team in the nation.

LSU scored in the fourth quarter to take a three-point

lead, but an Alabama touchdown by T.J. Yeldon with 51 seconds left gave Alabama the win.

No. 16 Texas A&M and No. 15 Mississippi State squared off this weekend. The Aggies came up with a huge 38-13 win. Both teams are now 7-2 on the season.

The Aggies led 31-0 until the third quarter when the Bulldogs finally found the end zone. Freshman quarterback Johnny Manziel led the Aggies with 311 yards. Senior Ryan Swope was on the receiving end for most of those yards, with nine receptions for 121 yards.

The victory moved the Aggies into the No. 15 spot in the BCS rankings and the Bulldogs fell to No. 21.

No. 6 Georgia picked up a conference win over Ole Miss, 37-10. The Rebels hung around for the fist half and then were held scoreless in the second. Georgia quarterback Aaron Murray led the team

with 384 yards and four touchdowns.

No. 7 Florida survived a possible upset against Missouri, 14-7. Missouri held Florida scoreless in the first half, but Florida responded and scored 14 unanswered points in the second half.

Both Georgia and Florida moved up a spot in the rankings to No. 5 and No. 6, respectively.

Vanderbilt shut out the Kentucky Wildcats, 40-0.

Quarterback Jordan Rodgers led Vanderbilt with 220 yards and two touchdowns.

It was announced Sunday that Kentucky’s head coach Joker Phillips will be replaced after this season.

Auburn picked up their second win of the season in a nonconference game against New Mexico State, 42-7. Tre Mason led Auburn with 22 carries for 152 yards.

Tennessee pulled off a close win against Troy, 55-48. Tennessee trailed in the fourth

Photo Courtesy of Associated Press quarter until Justin Hunter scored with 2:54 left to tie the game. The Vols then scored on a 9-yard run from Marlin

Lane with 1:25 left to get the win.

This week in the SEC there were a few nail-biters but not

many surprises. As the season comes to a close there are five SEC teams in the BCS top 10, which also isn’t a surprise.

COMMENTARY

Passion of Hog Fans Undeterred by Losing Season

Liz Beadle Staff Writer Yesterday, a Razorback fan site posted a call for Arkansas fans to explain how and when they became a fan and why they would remain one in a season like this, so here’s my take on it: I don’t think I could ever point to an actual day in which I became a Razorback fan. I have an early memory of a Sunday in the early nineties when we were playing

Kentucky in basketball. We got home from Mass and my mom gave my sister and me an assignment: find everything blue in the house and hide it.

We did. And we were told to answer the phone “Go Hogs” which we still do on game days to this day. If we answer the phone “hello” my mom will hang up and keep calling until we answer it “go hogs.” This even still applies to my sister, who is a student at Florida.

I remember doing a parade around the circle I lived on in Little Rock after we beat Tennessee in football in 1999, giving special attention to the Volunteer fan who lived across the street.

I remember despising the one Oklahoma fan in my grade at school. I remember actually waiting on the paper to get there on Monday

mornings so I could see the new rankings, no matter how good or bad we were. I was a strange eight year old girl.

Since my childhood of excessive late-night overtimes and my parents leaving for mysterious weekends in midMarch, being a Razorback fan has become an even more prominent part of my life.

I finally understood that this wasn’t just about my family one night when we were hosting what we had always called a “hog party.” Arkansas went to six overtimes with Tennessee that night and I was the only one left inside, glued to the TV as even my dad had abandoned the cause. Then of course there was the time I missed an allimportant cotillion to watch the horrendous ArkansasGeorgia SEC championship game in 2002.

Since then I have lived in

Chicago, Washington D.C. and Prague. I spent my freshman year of college at a Jesuit institution in Chicago. One of the first things I did was email the Arkansas Alumni Club in Chicago and got on their email list.

I told them I was not a graduate of the school, but I was an Arkansan—and that was enough. My first fake ID was used to get into bars where the club watched Razorback football that season.

Going far away has always been what has let me know that coming back home is what matters. After everywhere I’ve been, I will get my bachelors from the UA in May and I could not be more proud of my school and its athletic department.

Arkansans feel differently about their team than almost anyone else. There are no interstate rivalries. To be

Arkansan is to know how to call the Hogs—it is a culture all its own.

I have often said I must have recognized Paul Eells’ voice as well as I recognized my mother’s when I came out of the womb. This was not a plight that I chose. And it is not one that many would have chosen if given the choice, because it’s hard and sometimes it is downright miserable.

I was born into it, just like my kids will be. To be a fan of something else would feel foreign and strange. Even my sister the Gator cares more deeply and truly about the Hogs than she ever could about Florida.

Seasons like this make me want to turn it off—to just stop caring, to make it all go away. Life is easier when you don’t care. But that’s not an option for Arkansas fans. I’m

not sitting here caring about something that is separate from myself. It is within me.

It always has been and always will be.

This past semester, I studied abroad in Prague. In the dorm we lived in, there were about sixty Kansas State students also living there.

Although far away in the cold of the Czech Republic, I’m sure no one is too surprised at how many times the words “how bout that Cotton Bowl” came out of my mouth in the course of the semester.

You can take the girl out of Arkansas, but you can never take the Arkansas out of the girl.

Liz Beadle is a staff writer for The Arkansas Traveler.

Her column appears every other Wednesday. Follow the sports section on Twitter @ UATravSports.