01 29 2004

WWWMDB?

’Cats go the road

Bobcat basketball to face competition in Louisiana/Sports/Page 13

THURSDAY

Sick AND twisted

Animation festival turns cartoons on their head/Trends/Page 7

Where would the Weapons of Mass Destruction be?/Opinions/Page 5

VOLUME 93, ISSUE 46 www.universitystar.com

CLEANING HOUSE

JANUARY 29, 2004

Project engages students in civics

T E X A S S TAT E U N I V E R S I T Y- S A N M A R C O S

By Jennifer Warner Senior Reporter

Andy Ellis/Star photo James Studer, vice president of Student Affairs, addresses a large group of local press members Wednesday afternoon. The press conference was called to announce the firing of Athletic Director Greg LaFleur and football coach Manny Matsakis.

S

NCAA violations lead to the removal of football coach, athletic director

By Jason Orts Sports Editor tudent Affairs Vice President James Studer relieved Athletic Director Greg LaFleur and football coach Manny Matsakis of their duties Wednesday after the discovery of 12 NCAA violations in a 13-month span.

The recent Texas State NCAA

NCAA Violations 1. NCAA Bylaw 13.6.3 — A prospective student athlete on an unofficial visit was provided transportation by a current student athlete from the Austin-Bergstrom Airport on Friday, March 28, 2003.

2. NCAA Bylaw 13.1.1.3 — During May 2003, an assistant football coach had numerous impermissible phone contacts with a student athlete at another NCAA institution without receiving a release from that institution.

3. NCAA Bylaw 13.1.3.1.1 — During May 2003, an assistant foot-

Compliance Group investigation of alleged violations revealed infractions beginning shortly after Matsakis was hired to replace former coach Bob DeBesse in December 2002. The latest infraction occurred Jan. 17.

“This has not been a pleasant day in the history of Texas State athletics, but I believe we needed to make these changes so the athletics pro-

ball coach exceeded the permissible one phone call per week to a prospective student athlete twice within a period of two weeks.

4. NCAA By law 13.11.8 — The head football coach released information to a member of the local media regarding a four-year college prospective student athlete prior to the signing of a written offer of financial aid.

5. NCAA Bylaw 17.1.1.5.1 — Between Sept. 1 and Oct. 21, 2003, the football team exceeded the NCAA limit of four practice hours per day. During this eight-week period, the team exceeded the 20-hour

weekly limit by a total of 26.25 hours.

6. NCAA Bylaws 17.02.13 and 17.11.6 (2) (b) — University conducted a summer conditioning program with the coaching staff being informed of attendance of student athletes. Also, several players exceeded the eight-hour weekly limit for these activities.

7. NCAA Bylaw 17.1.5.4 — On approximately two occasions, three football players were denied a day off from practice activities in that they were forced to run at 6 a.m. on their days off.

8. NCAA Bylaw 17.1.5.5.1 — On

gram can reach the potential that I believe it has,” said Texas State President Denise Trauth in a press release. “With a new coach and new leadership along with new cooperation among the athletics staff, the university administration, students and Bobcat boosters, I am confident we will have an athletics program that is exciting and one that will reach new heights.”

Oct. 30, 2003, approximately 23 football players missed classes beginning at 12:30 p.m. as a result of the coaching staff scheduling a meeting. Practice activities cannot be conducted when student-athletes have classes scheduled.

9. NCAA Bylaw 16.12.2.1 — Family members of two student-athletes received a $10 reduction in a room rate at the San Marcos Holiday Inn Express on several weekends of home football contests. A total of five nights of lodging was involved for a total discount of $50 dollars and is considered an extra benefit.

Studer, held a press conference to formally announce the changes in the athletic department.

Studer cited 12 NCAA violations during Matsakis’ short tenure along with management issues associated with the football program as the reasons he was relieved of his duties.

“The alleged violations, when taken g See COACH, Page 14

10. NCAA Bylaw 17.11.6 (a) (2) (b) — A player who did not sign a National Letter of Intent or grant-inaid was allowed to compete in summer conditioning program. Only those who have signed National Letters of Intent can participate in this program.

11. NCAA Bylaw 14.01.1 — A student athlete practiced and played for Texas State while ineligible. He was eligible by NCAA and university requirements but had transferred from a two-year community college and because of a delay in receiving appropriate materials, was not certified at the beginning of the year.

12. NCAA Bylaws 13.1.2.1 and 13.1.2.1.1 — On Sat., Jan. 17, 2004, football coaching staff allowed a strength and conditioning coach and two football student support groups to have an in-person, off-campus contact with a recruit and his father at a local restaurant during the prospect’s unofficial visit.

All in-person, off-campus recruiting contacts with a prospect or prospect’s relatives or legal guardian(s) is authorized only by authorized staff members that have been certified on an annual basis to have knowledge of applicable recruiting rules.

Members of the Texas State community are working to raise the level of civic engagement among students as part of a national effort including more than 170 universities.

A committee made up of students, faculty and administrators has been researching the American Democracy Project, which aims to get students involved in the community through service.

“The underlying goal is to try to create an intellectual understanding of civic engagement in this country,” said Academic Robert Gratz, Affairs vice president and committee chair.

The American Association of State Colleges and Universities and The New York Times jointly sponsor the ADP. It has been in the planning stages for a year and a half, and it is intended to last a minimum of three years. Part of the committee’s job was to look at service projects that have already taken place on campus.

“On the Texas State campus, we already have a strong foundation,” Gratz said. “We think this is an opportunity to tie those projects together.”

The program hopes to get undergraduate students involved. ADP’s Web site describes this as “working to make a difference in the civic life of our communities and developing the combination of knowledge, skills, values and g See CIVICS, page 3

San Marcos joins Main Street Cities

By Cris Skelton News Reporter The Texas Historical Commission and the National Trust for Historic Preservation recently recognized San Marcos as one of the 53 National Main Street Cities.

The city received official Main Street designation from the THC in 1986 after beginning the program independently in 1984. Main Street is a developmental program designed to capitalize on the unique character of the downtown commercial district.

Programs and projects are developed to address the specific needs of downtown San Marcos. The program’s success is based on a comprehensive strategy of work called the Main Street Four Point Approach, which

“Our National Main Street Cities have worked really hard to achieve this distinctive honor.”

— Kim McKnight Texas Main Street Program State Coordinator focuses on broad areas of organization — design, promotion and economic restructuring — all of which are in the context of historical preservation.

The program has assisted more than 130 Texas communities since its implementation in 1981.

“Our National Main Street Cities have worked really hard to achieve this distinctive honor,” said Kim McKnight, Texas Main Street Program state coordinator, in a press release. “Establishing and maintaining an active and successful Main Street Program is a great accomplishment and we are proud of the cities that achieved national recognition.”

San Marcos was honored, along with several other Texas Main Street Cities such as Luling, New Braunfels, Huntsville, Georgetown and Beaumont, at the recent Texas Downtown Association/Texas Main Street Conference in Austin.

Texas cities will be honored by the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s g See CITY, page 4

Competitive program offers geography endowment

By Amber Conrad News Reporter

The National Geographic Society has pledged to match the Texas State Development Foundation’s pledge of $500,000, creating the $1 million Grosvenor Center Geography Education Fund.

The endowment will provide graduate students in the

geography doctoral program with the opportunity to serve fellowships with the National Geographic Society as Grosvenor Scholars.

The highly competitive program enables a student to go to the National Geography Society headquarters in Washington, D.C., to research and write their doctorial dissertation.

“We are most definitely proud of this,” said geography chair Lawrence Estaville.

“It is a huge endeavor began by Richard Boehm, who was the one to make the proposal to the National Geographic Society, and they loved it. Boehm has full credit for making it, and Mary Ellis helped us in most significant ways in securing the help and

funding from the Mitte foundation,” he said.

The Development Foundation’s contribution was provided by the Roy and Joann Cole Mitte Foundation, Sid W. Richardson Foundation, W.S. Benson and Company, Inc., the Dodge Jones Foundation, Richard G. Boehm and Denise g See FUND, page 4

Andy Ellis/Star photo The Main Street project has helped revitalize San Marcos, which has led to the city being recently recognized as one of 53 National Main Street Cities in Texas.

I N S I D E

Arts............................9 Classifieds...............12 Crossword...............11 Music.......................10 News......................2-4 Opinions.................5,6 Sports..................13,14 Trends.....................7-9 Film..........................11

Today’s Weather

High: 59 Lo w : 42 AM Rain/PM Clouds

Wind: From SE at 6 mph Precipitation: 50% Max. Humidity: 83% UV Index: 3 Low Friday’s Forecast Partly cloudy 66/44

NEWS

2 - The University Star Alcohol Awareness Class meets at 9:30 a.m. in LBJSC, Room 3-5.1.

Pre-registration is required.

SWAT operates from 11 p.m.-3 a.m.

Calendar of

EVENTS Thursday

Public Relations Student Society of America meets at 5 p.m. in the LBJ Student Center, Room 310.1.0 Southwestern Writers Collection presents “Texas As The Scene of The Crime” from 6-9:30 p.m. on the 7th floor of the Alkek Library.

Chi Alpha Christian Fellowship meets for worship at 8 p.m. in Old Main, Room 320.

Friday

Texas State Alcohol and Drug Resource Center classes meet from noon-1 p.m. in LBJSC, Room 4-1.9. Pre-registration is required.

Alcohol Awareness Class meets at 6 p.m. in LBJSC, Room 3-5.1. Preregistration is required.

Monday

ART AND ARTIST

Career Services offers a seminar for undecided students at 5 p.m. at LBJSC, Room 5-7.1.

Wednesday

Sexual Assault & Abuse Services meets at 4:30 p.m. at the Texas State Counseling Center. For more information, call 245-2208.

Dealing with Dysfunctional Families meets at 5:15 p.m. at the Texas State Counseling Center.

American Marketing Association meets at 5:30 p.m. in LBJSC, Room 3.1-4.

Motivational Speaker Dr. Lee James presents “Black Men United” as part of Black History Month at 7 p.m. in the Evans Liberal Arts Building Auditorium.

College Republicans meet at 7 p.m. in LBJSC, Room 3-13.1.

Crosstalk meets at 8 p.m. in the Alkek Teaching Theater.

Andy Ellis/Star photo

Calendar Submission Policy SWAT, the organization that provides free rides back to campus, operates from 11 p.m.-3 a.m.

Saturday

Calendar submisions are free. Send submissions to Calendar of Events Manager Paul Lopez at TexasStateCalendar@yahoo.com or call 245-3487 for more information. Notices for weekly meetings need to be submitted once. The University Star reserves the right to refuse entries or edit for libel, style and space purposes. Deadline: Three working days prior to publication.

Hours of Operation

Albert B. Alkek Library Monday -Wednesday 7:30 a.m. - 1 a.m.

Thursday 7:30 a.m. - midnight Friday 7:30 a.m. - 10 p.m.

Saturday 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Student Recreation Center Monday - Thursday 6 a.m. - midnight Friday 6 a.m. - 10 p.m.

Saturday 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Sunday Sunday 1 p.m. - 1 a.m. noon - midnight Golf Course Open daily 7 a.m. - dusk

Faculty Senate reviews Faculty Perceptions surveys Star Staff Revisions to the Faculty Perceptions of Administrators Survey were made at the Faculty Senate meeting Wednesday.

The Senate decided to drop a question from the survey that would make it easy to identify who was filling out the survey. They also decided to pre-code the Scantrons used for the surveys with department names. Publishing comments from the surveys were also approved with six in

favor, five against and one abstention.

The university’s honor code was discussed in brief, with the Senate deciding to bring it up at next week’s President Academic Affairs Group meeting.

The Senate also addressed issues surrounding merit and performance cycle data that it has requested. Senate Chair Bill Stone said the information regarding the Academic Affairs division would be made available to the Senate

by Feb. 11.

Jason Scull, sculpter of John C. “Jack” Hays, paints over the engraving at the request of the City of San Marcos. The statue of Hays was installed at the corner of Hopkins and LBJ streets Nov 2001.

U.S. Presses for Osama Hunt near Pakistan Border

By Josh Meyer and John Hendren Los Angeles Times WASHINGTON — Determined to capture or kill Osama bin Laden after two years of fruitless searching, U.S. troops are mustering for a spring offensive along Afghanistan's border with Pakistan, Defense Department and other officials said Wednesday. The new operation comes as the administration debates whether to press Pakistan harder to allow the United States to take the fight into its territory.

Defense officials said the offensive, first reported by the Chicago Tribune, will resemble military operations launched in spring 2003 and 2002 to capture or kill Taliban and al-Qaida fighters leaving winter bivouacs.

The terrorist leader and some of his top aides are believed to be operating out of Pakistan's Waziristan area or nearby in the mountainous border region between the two nations with the assistance or protection of tribal leaders in areas that are essentially off-limits to Pakistani law enforcement officials.

That poses a dilemma for the administration: How to press the hunt for bin Laden and al-Qaida without putting Pakistani

News Briefs

Thursday, January 29, 2004

President Pervez Musharraf, a key ally in the “war on terror,” at further risk.

According to two administration officials, some senior Pentagon officials are pushing for an aggressive hunt for alQaida inside Pakistan, while some officials at the State Department and in the National Security Council argue that Musharraf's already fragile regime, under growing pressure from Islamic hard-liners, would be further destabilized if he allowed foreign troops to operate on Pakistani soil.

Musharraf survived two assassination attempts in recent weeks and has said he suspects al-Qaida was behind the attacks.

As fundamentalist factions gain support in Pakistan, Bush administration officials fear another attempt or a coup could lead to a new regime more hostile to American interests and more supportive of the Taliban and al-Qaida. stressed U.S. officials Wednesday that no military operations would be carried out inside Pakistan without Musharraf's approval. At a news conference at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, last week, the Pakistani president ruled out such operations.

Civilian casualties rise in hotel bombing

BAGHDAD, Iraq — As civic and religious leaders debated whether Iraq is stable enough for elections this spring, U.S. military officials said that a 500-pound bomb — hidden inside a truck disguised as a Red Crescent ambulance — was used in a deadly suicide attack early Wednesday at a Baghdad hotel.

The blast at the Shaheen Hotel — frequented by Iraqi government officials and Westerners — killed at least three people, according to U.S. officials. Iraqi police on the scene said four died.

Local hospitals reported more than a dozen injuries.

South African government officials said Wednesday that one of its citizens was among the dead.

The bomb cast a pall over a previously scheduled “town hall” meeting elsewhere in Baghdad hosted by the U.S.led Coalition Provisional Authority to promote and explain its Nov. 15 agreement to turn over sovereignty to a new government this summer.

About 200 Iraqi political leaders, academics and clerics attended the forum, including Dr. Adnan Pachachi, current president of the U.S.backed Iraqi Governing Council. Similar meetings are being held across the country to encourage Iraq's transition to a democratic society.

“Terrorists must stop targeting innocent civilians,” said Governing Council spokesman Hamid Kifaee during the event. “They cannot intimidate the Iraqis.”

As has frequently happened in previous terrorist attacks, the hotel blast took the heaviest toll on Iraqi civilians.

Magazine says Jackson hid wine in boy’s coke can Michael Jackson gave wine to the 13-year-old cancer patient at the center of the molestation charges he's battling but concealed it inside a Coke can, according to a story in the March issue of Vanity Fair.

The incident reportedly occurred during a February flight from Florida, and partially explains the charges of “administering an intoxicating

agent with intent to commit a felony” that the beleaguered pop star is also fighting in Santa Barbara County, Calif., court, according to writer Maureen Orth.

Orth reports that Jackson refers to white wine as “Jesus juice,” and red wine as “Jesus blood,” and usually drinks them out of soda cans so that nobody around him will know he's consuming alcohol.

Calls to Jackson's attorney Mark Geragos were not immediately returned.

Orth, citing the singer's former business manager, Myung-Ho Lee, writes that only Jackson's “inner people know” his code names for the beverages, adding that it “tells you that the boy spent ‘quality time’ with Michael.”

Blair cleared on WMD intel claims LONDON — A judicial inquiry cleared Prime Minister Tony Blair on Wednesday of allegations reported by the British Broadcasting Corp. that he and his aides had intelligence exaggerated claims about Iraq's access to weapons of mass destruction and drove to suicide a British weapons expert who raised questions about those claims.

While exonerating Blair, Lord Brian Hutton blamed the BBC for broadcasting what he called “unfounded” allegations last May that the government had published a “sexedup” intelligence dossier claiming that Iraq could launch such weapons within 45 minutes of an order despite knowing it was probably not true.

After the inquiry findings were issued, the BBC chairman, Gavyn Davies, submitted his immediate resignation.

Hutton ruled that BBC editors did not adequately scrutinize the allegations before they were broadcast and that editors and senior officials — including the BBC's board of governors — had failed to investigate sufficiently after Blair and the government heatedly denied the report.

The BBC, one of the largest and most respected news organizations in the world, issued an apology for inaccuracies in its original report last May 29 but insisted that most of its reportinghad been accurate and in the public interest.

Briefs are from wire reports.

CIVICS: Students encouraged to get more involved with community Thursday, January 29, 2004

they will be involved in those projects.” motivation.”

The committee was formed “It’s to create better citi- in early fall and includes two zens,” said Ernie Dominguez, faculty members, two staff Associated Student Gov- members, two students and ernment president and com- Gratz. mittee member. “If you have In February, The New York better citizens within a com- Times will be hosting a confermunity, you’ll have a better ence for student newspaper democratic process.” editors to discuss how to proThe second goal of the proj- mote civic engagement in their ect is to show policy makers newspapers. and national leaders the civic The University Star Editor value of colin Chief Gelege. nevieve M a n y Klein, also a things Texas member of State is alrthe commiteady doing tee, will attmeet the proend the evgram’s qualient Feb. 20 fications for in New York civic engageCity.

The ment, includguests of the ing last fall’s ymposium — Robert Gratz swill Bobcat Build, have an Academic Affairs vice president opportunity the Civic Responsibility to experiTeam in student affairs, voter ence The New York Times registration drives and campus newsroom. speakers. All forms of commuDominguez feels that stunity service through the uni- dents have changed in the last versity are considered to be few years and are no longer as civic engagement. However, if interested in community servthe program is completely ice. He said ADP will be a adopted, students will do com- good thing for campus. munity service relating to their “I worked orientation two own majors. years ago and what I noticed is Dominguez said the service that the students are a little work would tie directly into different than the ones that what students are studying. He came in when I was a freshgave the example of a student man,” Dominguez said. “They in a special education major are not as interested in combeing required to go to a local munity service or voting. I high school and help with the personally feel like it would be special education program. a good thing, but some com“A lot of students come in mittee members are still kind and they want to give back to of skeptical.” the community, but they don’t Dominguez also said that a know where to go or who to problem with this could be the talk to,” Dominguez said.

“We’re doing some of the leg- appointment of a new provost vice president of work for them and putting and Academic Affairs. Currently them in the right place.”

A Service-Learning Team Gratz is in charge of the comwas formed to study ways that mittee, but Dominguez did not would encourage service know if the new provost would learning in classroom curricu- take over or not. lum. Gratz said they spent Gratz sent out a memo more than a year researching recently to invite faculty and this topic. administrators to come up with ADP is currently underway other projects that will meet at 174 campuses nationwide the program’s goals. including Texas State and “As a committee, we don’t reaches at least 1.6 million want this to be just another students. The project was forproject,” Gratz said. “We want mally initiated last summer with several full-page ads in this to be an opportunity to tie together many efforts that are The New York Times.

“Each campus has commit- already going on and identify ted to planning activities of other opportunities to encourcivic engagement,” Gratz said. age civic engagement in our “In the second and third years, students.” g Cont. from page 1

“The underlying goal is to try to create an intellectual understanding of civic engagement in this country,”

Got a comic idea?

Come to Old Main Rm.320 at 2p.m.

Sunday. We’ll be done in time for the Super Bowl, we promise.

NEWS

The University Star - 3

Kay Calls for Probe on Iraq WMD Intelligence

By Walter Pincus and Dana Milbank The Washington Post

WASHINGTON — The outgoing chief U.S. weapons inspector in Iraq said Wednesday that there should be an independent investigation into flawed intelligence about Saddam Hussein's weapons capability, fueling a partisan feud over the failure to find weapons of mass destruction in Iraq.

In testimony before the Senate Armed Services committee, the former inspector, David Kay, said it is “important to acknowledge failure.”

Responding to questioning from Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., he said: “I must say, my personal view, and it's purely personal, is that in this case you will finally determine that it is going to take an outside inquiry, both to do it and to give yourself and the American people the confidence that you have done it.”

The testimony, in which Kay repeated his previous assertions that weapons stockpiles likely did not exist in Iraq, widened a rift between Democratic lawmakers and the White House and its GOP allies in Congress that promises to color this year's elections. The White House dismissed the notion of an outside investigation, saying that the U.S. inspectors in Iraq need more time and that the ouster of Saddam was justified regardless of the state of his weapons programs. And Democrats suggested that the problem went beyond failed intelligence to an administration that exaggerated the threat Saddam posed.

In an extraordinary five days since resigning as head of the Iraq Survey Group, Kay has provided a series of interviews and testimony that have returned the Iraq weapons issue to the center of the national debate. The White House, caught off-guard

by Kay's sweeping denunciation of the intelligence used to justify the war, has sought to postpone the issue by refusing to acknowledge in public any flaw in the intelligence or a conclusive failure to find weapons in Iraq, urging that more searching is necessary.

Privately, White House officials are now acknowledging that there is a gap between their prewar claims about Iraq's weapons program and the findings, essentially accepting Kay's assessment. They have directed the ISG, under the new leadership of Charles Duelfer, to switch its emphasis from finding weapons to discovering how the weapons were disposed. And they plan a broad internal review of intelligence-gathering practices, scrutinizing the CIA and other U.S. intelligence services to determine what new structures and methods must be used to prevent the same misjudgments from being made in other

Nikki Kahn/KRT Photo David Kay, former adviser to the director of the Central Intelligence on Strategy Regarding Iraqi Weapons of Mass Destruction Programs, testifies before a U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday, January 28, 2004.

closed, totalitarian societies.

Some in the administration favor a frank public acknowledgment that the Iraq intelligence was wrong, but that is not yet the prevailing view. National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice is scheduled to appear Thursday morning on news shows, where she is expected to continue calling for more time to search.

Both supporters and opponents of President Bush say this public strategy — delaying a judgment on the weapons while

report before the November elections.

Still, even some hawks who backed the administration in Iraq said it is not credible for the administration to deny that there was an intelligence failure. “I would acknowledge that it hasn't turned out, say we were surprised there were not active weapons of mass destruction deployments and he wasn't as far along as we anticipated,” said former Reagan arms control official Kenneth Adelman, who serves on a Pentagon advisory

“We put the analysts under tremendous pressure, and the tendency is to over-analyze limited data ... They should have said get me more data ... but in the wake of 9/11, believe me, that is difficult to do.”

— David Kay Chief U.S. Weapons Inspector justifying the war on other grounds — is risky. By postponing a reckoning on the weapons, Bush is gambling that the news in Iraq will improve so that the American public is not concerned about the weapons, that a weapons discovery will be made or that the ISG will not finish its work until after the November election. But Bush's strategy, they say, also allows the matter to linger as part of the presidential campaign and raises the possibility of the issue coming to a boil just before the election.

An aide to one of the Republican senators on the Armed Services committee said the White House strategy is to “just kick the can down the road.” “The administration views the WMD issue as a liability only in the context of what the events are on the ground in Iraq,” the aide said. “If this situation improves in Iraq this question will be a dead letter.” The aide said it was “unlikely” Duelfer would complete his

panel. By postponing judgment, “the harm is it keeps the story in the air for all too long.”

In October, Kay said it would take another six to nine months to complete the search in Iraq, and he has in the past week said the work of the group is 85 percent complete. But White House press secretary Scott McClellan said that was not necessarily the schedule under Duelfer.

McClellan dismissed the notion of an independent inquiry, saying the CIA is already investigating its intelligence gathering. “Before we can draw firm conclusions, we need to let the Iraq Survey Group complete its work,” he said.

In his testimony and his interviews, Kay provided some ammunition to both sides. He agreed with Democrats that

there should be an independent inquiry, and that any remaining ambiguity about Saddam's capabilities should not be an excuse for delaying an investigation into an obvious intelligence failure.

But he also said the blame belonged solely to the intelligence community and said there was no sign that the administration pressured intelligence analysts to exaggerate the threat.

Kay said the U.S. intelligence effort was hobbled in part because it depended too much on high-tech surveillance methods and foreign intelligence services, and didn't have enough informants in Iraq telling them what was happening. In addition, the CIA had been criticized after the 2001 terror attacks for not drawing proper conclusions from the information it had, creating pressure on analysts to connect dots.

“We put the analysts under tremendous pressure, and the tendency is to over-analyze limited data” that they had on Iraq weapons programs, Kay said.

They should have said “get me more data,” he said, “but in the wake of 9/11, believe me, that is difficult to do.”

Kay continued Wednesday to knock down many of the allegations that were central justifications for the war in Iraq. In an interview last week with National Public Radio, Vice President Dick Cheney said the discovery of two semi-trailers in Iraq were “conclusive evidence” that Saddam “did in fact have programs for weapons of mass destruction.” But Kay said Wednesday that “the consensus opinion is that when you look at those two trailers, while they had capabilities in many areas, their actual intended use was not for the production of biological weapons.”

Chairman John Warner, RVa., who led the committee Republicans' defense of the president, suggested that Saddam “posed an imminent threat” because there were findings that research was being done on ricin poisons and work on new missile systems. Kay agreed that “the world is far safer” with the Iraqi leader's removal, but because his regime after 1998 was “totally corrupt” and individual Iraqis “out for their own protection” might sell weapons.

Minutes later, under questioning by Sen. Carl Levin, DMich., the ranking Democrat, Kay said the inspectors had not found evidence of small stockpiles, but “we have got evidence that they certainly could have produced small amounts.” Kay also said it was possible that small weapons caches are in Iraq “and we never find them.”

CITY: San Marcos joins the National Main Street list 4 - The University Star

g Cont. from page 1

National Main Street Center in Albuquerque at the 2004 National Town Meeting on Main Street May 9-12.

“We’re delighted that we have been recognized for the outstanding work that Main Street is doing for the city,” said Melissa Millecam, San Marcos communications manager. “You have to live up to a difficult set of standards to get this award and we are very happy to receive it.”

Downtown San Marcos has had a long and eventful history.

The Hays County Courthouse, nestled in the center of the town square, has been rebuilt four times in its history as a result of arson and shifting foundations because of underground springs.

“At the time the program was started downtown was in a bad state of deterioration,” Millecam said. “A lot of businesses were leaving and many of the old buildings, some of which are more than 100 years old, were very dilapidated.”

The old state bank building, on the corner of Hopkins and Guadalupe Streets, was robbed in

NEWS

1923 by the infamous Newton Boys, who accidentally used too much dynamite to blow the bank’s safe and rained money down on the streets of San Marcos.

A company that plans to restore the historic architecture of the building recently purchased the long-time-abandoned structure, along with the Rogers Building on the corner of LBJ and Hopkins. The ground floor of the bank building will be converted into a retail/restaurant establishment and the upstairs will become apartments.

“Downtown represents the city’s identity,” Millecam said. “Downtown San Marcos has an interesting night life that is a completely different experience from its day life. The city’s history is reflected through the downtown area, and preserving downtown helps to preserve the community’s soul.”

Since its inception in San Marcos in 1984, the Main Street Program has organized 206 rehabilitation projects costing a combined total of $11,797,508. It funded 15 new construction projects, sold 54 buildings and created 602 jobs during the course of its 20-year existence.

Pet

Thursday, January 29, 2004

f the week

Linda Smith/Star Photo Sasha is a beautiful, brindle greyhound and all she needs is a home. If interested, call the San Marcos Animal Shelter at (512) 393-8340.

FUND: Geography foundation gets boost g Cont. from page 1

Blanchard-Boehm and Mr. and Mrs. Bob Cooper, among other individual donors.

“We’ve been working on this project for about three years,” said Carroll Wiley, Texas State Development Foundation executive director.

“First of all, you’d have to give the geography department a lot of credit for developing a relationship with Grosvenor, who had been the head of the National Geographic Society for a number of years,” Wiley said.

“We’ve been working on this project for about three years ... you’d have to give the geography department a lot of credit for developing a relationship with Grosvenor...”

— Carroll Wiley Texas State Development Foundation executive director

“When he retired, we wanted to do something to honor him, so we talked to National Geographic, and they said they would put up $500,000, and the foundation then had to match it.”

Various prospects were used to raise the funding, including grants and private donations.

The Gilbert M. Grosvenor Center for Geographic Education was originally created to promote geographic research and offer leadership guidance in an effort to further the educative benefits of the Texas State program.

OPINIONS

OPINIONS CONTACT Scooter Hendon staropinion@txstate.edu (512) 245-3487

THE UNIVERSITY STAR Defending the First Amendment since 1911

We removed their leader, now what?

Thursday, January 29, 2004

Page 5

THE MAIN POINT

T

he recent reports may have been what we were all expecting — we were unable to locate weapons of mass destruction in Iraq, and faulty intelligence was the cause of the misjudgment, reported The New York Times Wednesday.

It has been circulating that given this report and recent events back in the United States, there is a chance that we are going to turn around and say “see ya” to those who Bush claimed were in such dire need of our attention and

assistance about 20 months ago.

If that were to occur, where would we leave these people? We stripped them of their leader, who was arguably a cruel dictator but the only one they knew, and left the country in a state of extreme vulnerability.

To sum up what has been brought upon these people recently, many have been affected by violence from not only their normal Taliban enemies but also from those American soldiers sent to protect and rebuild.

Now we are not completely disregarding the fact that the troops have made improvements in some of the areas such as building roads, rebuilding homes and business and schools and helping improve the living environment for the Iraqi citizens. The problem with that is most of the repairs are not new improvements; many times the army is rebuilding things that the war destroyed.

And even if we decide to do what the president has said and instate a traditional democratic

government, is it really practical to implement this government in a country with no idea of how democracy works when its history of government was a series of religious leaders and tyrants?

What the U.S. government has done in Iraq has not proven to be a humanitarian operation. All we have achieved with this war is ridding the people of a tyrant and replacing the fear of him with the fear of abandonment and an ever more terrible tyrant to take his place.

Thhe Main Point is the opinion of the newspaper’s editorial board. Columns are the opinions of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the full staff, Texas State UniversitySan Marcos Student Media, the department of mass communication or Texas State University-San Marcos.

Letters policy: E-mail letters to starletters@txstate.edu. Letters must be no longer than 350 words. No anonymous letters will be printed.

We reserve the right to edit for grammar, spelling, space and libel. We reserve the right to refuse obscene, irrelevant and malicious letters. All emails must include the name and phone number of the letter writer.

Students should also include their classifications and majors.

Letters to the Editor Second-rate ideas from a second-rate student

A look into the campaign future of little George W.

Chris Sipes/Star illustration

future. However, his motivations George W. Bush will win the behind promoting this are all wrong.

2004 election.

Instead of harping on Bush’s shortNot to discourage any anti-Bush activists or other Democrats looking comings, let’s examine some of the things he might do to keep the to oust the current president from United States looking “the other the White House, but give me a way” for the next nine break. Let’s slide polling months. aside for a moment and look at what I believe his Scooter Hendon February: France plan will be in the next becomes the next counnine months leading to the try in the cross hairs. elections.

Despite being a peaceSince 9/11, Bush has ful nation, Bush declares the country to kept something on his be anti-American and in agenda at all times. Once turn a terrorist nation. the search for Osama bin Nevertheless, he refuses Laden started to fade and Managing Editor to act on these accusait looked like the country was running after an elutions, so as not to lose votes in Louisiana. sive target that would never be found, he moved on to his father’s March: Bush makes friends with former nemesis — Saddam Hussein. the Irish Republican Army in a coup Bin Laden remains at large and to sway Irish-American voters. Bush no one seems to care anymore. declares March to be Fun and When one cause seems like it’s Drinking Month in accordance with dying, tack on another and call it by St. Patrick’s Day and seeks to sway the same name — the fight against the college vote in the same breath. terrorism. Now that everyone had Bush becomes much happier since moved on from the bin Laden snafu he can now party again without (by the way, distraction tactics do catching flack. Despite the new work on a national scale), a full-on party month, the fun won’t include strike against terrorist nations began, any cocaine parties since it’s too and Iraq became Bush’s main focus. expensive in Washington, D.C. Now that we have him, albeit in an April: On the first of the month, anticlimactic and totally non-gloriBush declares war on China. He ous manner, Bush needs another then laughs his ass off later in the item to keep him looking busy. day claiming it was all an April Bam! Here we come Mars!

Fools’ joke. The world laughs and Don’t get me wrong, space the media frames Bush as a jokeexploration is something that should loving huckster who just can’t withbe looked into further, and sending stand a good practical joke. China earthlings to Mars is obviously the now hates us, but it doesn’t matter. next step in developing new techBush labels them terrorists and nologies and branching out into the Americans nod in agreement.

The University Star 601 University Dr., San Marcos, TX 78666 Phone: (512) 245-3487; Fax: (512) 245-3708

May: Bush visits Iraq to show he actually gives a damn about its people. A non-televised poker game follows later in the evening. Bush thinks he wins with a full house whe his hand is immediately taken down by the newly created M.O.A.B card that Donald Rumsfeld throws down.

They all laugh heartily at the irony of the situation.

June: It gets hotter outside, but Bush proves he can do hard work by going out and getting sweaty with some underprivileged children doing manual labor to help keep their parents’ farm afloat. He leaves and gives some corn and eggplant he jacked from the field to some rich guy in the next town.

July: It’s time for Independence Day and Bush sets a record for having himself photographed more times than anyone else in a single day. However, a ban on fireworks is enforced because Bush says they encourage children to use weapons of mass destruction. Eight children are put on trial for terrorist acts after throwing Black Cats at each other.

August: Bush looks confused when John Ashcroft places a ban on all nude beaches and starts requiring a sash as the legally allowable limit of clothing. Despite Bush’s disagreement with Ashcroft, he hides his objections and reaffirms his stance against “all the nakeds of the world.” Naked people are labeled as terrorists.

September: Since it starts to get a little cooler, Bush returns to Texas for a few days to relax and show he still cares about his mom and dad.

Big George is photographed giving

Editor In Chief..............................................Genevieve Klein, stareditor@txstate.edu Managing Editor.......................................Scooter Hendon, staropinion@txstate.edu News Editor...........................................................David Doerr, starnews@txstate.edu Assistant News Editor........................................Kassia Micek, km1018@txstate.edu Sports Editor.........................................................Jason Orts, starsports@txstate.edu Entertainment Editor...........................Terry Ornelas, starentertainment@txstate.edu Assistant Entertainment Editor................................Jeff Greer, jg1201@txstate.edu

his son a hug and congratulating him on the capture of his sworn enemy. Off-camera, they start making plans to become the new Kennedys, except “without all the liberal bull-crap.” Jeb is suggested as the best next presidential candidate from the family but they both laugh because he lives in Florida, which George W. remarks, “Dad, that dang thing looks like a penis.”

October: It’s time for the World Series, and Bush passes a bill to get the Texas Rangers into the series despite their stinky performance throughout the season. Bush makes Alex Rodriguez Honorary President for a Day (for an undisclosed sum of money). Bush’s income triples for the year while A-Rod’s diminishes by 0.03 percent.

November: It’s election month and it’s time to buckle down. If all this great stuff hasn’t worked so far, nothing will. Oh wait; there is one thing. Three days before the election, Bush reveals the capture of Osama bin Laden. Holy crap!

Americans are shocked. A crowd of Marines carries Bush on their shoulders into the distance — a la the end of the Super Bowl. All democrats are summarily labeled terrorists and Bush wins in a landslide ahead of Weak Democratic Candidate A. “Oh boy, I won! And it was all about the issues,” Bush says. “Now I can take a rest for a bit and watch the economy flush. But it’s all good; my April Fools’ joke will go down in history!”

Hendon is a mass communication senior.

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I would like to respond to Rugh Cline's opinion column from Jan. 28. His opinion is that Texas State is a "second rate" school because of its lack of accomodations in comparison to other Texas schools. Obviously he did a little research for the article but did he actually put any thought into his opinion? No. Keeping the library open 24 hours and on holidays requires money to pay electricity, security and librarians. I really do not want to add those costs to my ever-rising tuition fee so that Mr. Cline and one or two other people can go study in the library at 3 a.m. The same goes for keeping the Rec open longer. At larger Texas schools, there would be more people needing those accomodations, thus making them worthy expenses. By the way, the library was open 24 hours during finals. There were signs posted on the doors for a week announcing that fact.

Apparantly Mr. Cline is not as studious as he likes to think he is, or he would have known. Texas State has only one library because it needs only one library. All our resources are in one place, making it convenient for students trying to study multiple subjects at once. It's a shame that Mr. Cline needs such obscure books that he has to order from ILL, but I wonder if he realizes that even the Library of Congress does not own every single book in the world. A&M and UT order books from us every single day.

The killer part of this article was Mr. Cline's repeated statements that Texas State encourages its students to drink by not having 24 hour facilities. It seems that Mr. Cline has nothing better to do with his time than get drunk and make uneducated, poorly-formed opinions. If Mr. Cline believes Texas State is a second-rate school, he should strive to overcome that misnomer and become more than a second-rate student.

Kate Koen English junior

Terrorists hate America; it’s not Bush’s fault

It’s the same story week after week. President Bush is evil, the war on terror is not working and we should leave Iraq because the terrorists will leave us alone. After all, the only reason they hate Americans is our Middle East policy, right? Wake up! There are far greater reasons the terrorist hate Americans, and sorry to say this Mr. Miner, it is not because George Bush is our president.

Miner’s recent column outdoes even his hero Michael Moore’s opinions in the absurdity department. We should cut funding and support to Israel? Are you out of your mind? Take a look at the geopolitical situation in Israel.

Their enemies surround them. I must say, by cutting support to Israel, there will be peace in the area because Israel will be eradicated and there will be no more fighting. Surely Mr. Miner can’t wish this upon the Israeli people? The Jewish population would be furious. We already turned our heads once when Hitler was exterminating them. How can it be said the “war on terror” is not having success?

Libya has pledged to give up its support of terrorism and its goals to obtain WMDs due to the invasion of Iraq and interdiction methods by the U.S. and its allies.

The “war on terror” is, and continues to be successful. Finally, that brilliant idea to leave Iraq. As I have written before in response to another columnist, leaving will not create peace but more mistrust and havoc.

Remember Mr. Miner; they crashed planes into us here at home. By leaving that region we only create the image of being defeated, and Al Qaeda is full of impressive media spinners.

Aaron Barton communication studies senior

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Visit The University Star online at www.UniversityStar.com

The University Star is the student newspaper of Texas State University-San Marcos published Tuesday through Thursday during the Fall and Spring semesters. It is distributed on campus and throughout San Marcos at 8 a.m. with a daily circulation of 8,000. Printing and distribution is by the New Braunfels Herald-Zeitung.

Copyright January 29, 2004. All copy, photographs and graphics appearing in The University Star are the exclusive property of The University Star and may not be reproduced without the expressed written consent of the editor in chief.

What most people tend to miss

6 - The University Star

share the uncommon experience NEW YORK — The Departof war. Even as individual memoment of Defense claims that since ries fade, these bonds are never the start of the war, 21 Americans eradicated. have committed suicide in Iraq.

For me, Operation Iraqi That figure is misleading. As a Freedom was a double-edged young American, former Marine, sword. Despite the horrors and and combat veteran of Operation anxieties of war, since I returned Iraqi Freedom, I refuse to be home there has been a nostalgia silenced on this issue. What the that eats away at my life. department fails to disclose is the numKevin Kennedy I think about the war every day. Here, howevber of “pending” U-Wire Columnist er, there is no one with deaths that are Columbia U. whom to share a cigarette described as nonor whisper at night. My hostile in nature, a life is ruled by the images and figure that could include many unease of the past. suicides.

In Iraq, even in the anomalous In addition, the department has atmosphere of war, it was easy to not taken into consideration the feel normal. At night we would soaring suicide rate of veterans sleep like packed sardines in a returning to the States, unable to two-man tent in the middle of the adjust to normal life.

Mesopotamian desert. We’d wake The DoD should invest more only to the echo of Scud alarms of its big-guns budget in dealing and the reverberations of explowith the postwar problems facing our troops. We did the grunt work, sions. We would live in constant fear of an imminent chemical or and we deserve some attention biological attack as we opened our now that we’ve returned from the front lines. It’s time for the depart- eyes each morning to view the sunrise through the foggy lens of ment to become more proactively a gas mask. involved in combating mental illBut this wasn’t just my realit ness among veterans before more — it was everyone’s reality, and needless deaths occur.

To do so, veterans and civilians that made it normal. As incredible as it sounds, normalcy is somealike need to engage in open dialogue. America must acknowledge thing we lost when we returned home. sacrifice we soldiers have made People here in the States fail to and provide mandatory psychorealize that we soldiers return logical assistance for every Marine and soldier returning from home alienated from our former Iraq. Even if some soldiers are too lives. All of our perceptions of proud to admit it, they need coun- “normal” become tainted and distorted. We see things in different seling. Most of all, America terms, through the clouded filter should listen to what we have to of our wartime experiences. We say so that they can learn about see ourselves as Marines, as solsome of the facts missing from diers, and most of all as anommost coverage of the war. Let me alies. Others see us differently as tell my story. well. We are inevitably seen There are unspoken bonds that through the lens of the mythical grow in the hearts and minds of image of soldiers on the battlemen at war. They are found in the field. These are shoes that none of sweat that moistens the loose dirt us want to fill. of a freshly dug foxhole as two We are what the war made us: Marines sit to rest. They are found callous, bitter and out of place. in the smoke of a freshly rolled cigarette, as we pass it around and We deserve a better readjustment plan: individual sessions with psytalk about hearts we wish we had chologists and professional mental never broken. They are present in healthcare that involves more than the whispers of fear as we fall a Navy chaplain and a prayer asleep at night and lie in our tents card. There are too many dreaming of cold beer and a hot Americans dying in Iraq from meal.

DoD orders. It is also the departYet even as our eyes close, the ment’s responsibility to ensure smoke dissipates, and the whisthat more veterans don’t die in the pers silence, we find that we still have each other, the only ones that States.

OPINIONS

“

My president was born to run move up the economic ladANN ARBOR, Mich. — der over their lifetimes. ...

I’ve been on an electoral The best economy in 30 rollercoaster lately. I abanyears did little to get doned the Howard Dean America’s vaunted upward train after a disappointing mobility back on track.” loss in Iowa. I’ve also been O’Beirne is impressed with right about one Gen. Wesley Ari Paul thing. The governClark's intellect ment has spent and unassailU-Wire Columnist billions in welfare able patriotism, U. of Michigan during the past 40 but without the years. The governpolitical machinery he’s useless. And ment has given away tax incentive after tax incentive while I like the idealistic to suburban developers and platform of Dennis corporations, keeping them Kucinich, let's get real.

This columnist is making on the teat of the American people while the industrial, a political endorsement. In urban poor and working the Michigan Democratic class were completely forcaucuses, I will vote for gotten. Where she goes John Edwards. wrong is when she says that Kate O’Beirne of the the “Other America” doesNational Review recently n’t exist — it has merely opined, “Edwards has been sidelined by the govadopted the portrait of ernment. So to the estabwidespread, dire poverty lishment and the mainfamously depicted in stream media, this “Other Michael Harrington’s ‘The America” is perceived not Other America,’ without to exist. checking its publication Edwards is the only candate. ... Over 40 years, and hundreds of billions in wel- didate adequately focusing on this growing gap fare spending later, between rich and poor Harrington’s, and now America. He is also the Edwards’, ‘Other America’ only candidate with a realdoesn't exist.” istic chance of success who Oh really, O’Beirne? has actually lived through Perhaps you need to do the American nightmare of some fact checking. Fortyworking-class isolation. five million Americans are Other candidates are trywithout health care covering to go after President age. Social programs are being closed and unemploy- George W. Bush on Iraq. I say focus on the economy; ment is still a plague.

Iraq will crush Bush from Business Week, hardly within. It’s one thing for known for its liberal bias, anti-war protesters to say commented last month that that the weapons of mass we're currently seeing “an erosion of one of America’s destruction don’t exist, but now a former weapons most cherished values: givinspector and Secretary of ing its people the ability to

CAMPUS QUOTES “Lieberman, because he was fourth in New Hampshire, and last in the previous caucuses.”

Thursday, January 29, 2004

”

Forty Five million Americans are without health care coverage. Social programs are being closed and unemployment is still a plague.

State Colin Powell have publicly cast their doubts.

Iraqi elections are going sour and the Shiites are getting restless. Bush will screw this up himself.

I also like Edwards because he revealed that his favorite album of all time is The Essential Bruce Springsteen. This may sound like petty cultural favoritism (Clark is automatically out of the running after announcing his affinity for Journey. Bleugh!), but this yields important insight into Edwards’ understanding of the American economic landscape.

The Federal Government has been subsidizing middle- and upper-middle class development in the Sunbelt suburban wastelands of Arizona, Nevada and Southern California for decades turning a blind eye to the Rustbelt, workingclass cities of Detroit and Cleveland. Springsteen used this tragedy as the inspiration for his art. Edwards was “born in the U.S.A,” in America's forgotten working class, as Springsteen famously mused.

Edwards has several traits that logistically make him the best choice for the Democrats. Many analysts have asserted that in today’s political landscape, a candi-

date needs to appeal to Southern voters if he or she wants to come out on top in the Electoral College.

Edwards could not only win his home state of North Carolina, but he could appeal to voters in poorer Southern states like Kentucky and West Virginia. If the Democrats run an establishment Yank like Dean or Kerry, they can kiss the South, and the election, goodbye.

Also, it is clear that Edwards has a good shot of winning Midwestern, bluecollar states like Michigan and Wisconsin if he continues to play the class card.

That, plus key Southern states, plus coastal “blue” states equals a Democratic victory. No other candidate has the credentials to replicate this formula.

Unlike Dean or Kerry (or Bush for that matter), Edwards has actually lived the Horatio Alger tale of pulling himself up by the boot straps. America needs an American president, not some artificial production of the establishment elite.

Working America needs a candidate who understands class issues, but has the talent and charisma to win enough electoral votes.

America needs John Edwards.

Compiled by Alissa Shilander and Linda Smith

“Edwards, he just doesn’t have the pinache.”

— Homer Tristan English junior

“Lieberman, because he doesn’t have the backing or the money the other candidates have.”

— Melissa Zader pre-physical therapy junior

— Rick Koch marketing senior

“Howard Dean. I just don’t think he’s being taken seriously anymore, because of the way the press is spinning him, even though he was second in New Hampshire.”

— Adam Stone communication studies senior

“Lieberman, because…well did you see the look on his face?”

— Spike and Mike promoter in The Quad

WHICH

“Lieberman, since he was last will probably drop out first.”

— Connie Brashear psychology senior

DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE DO YOU THINK WILL DROP OUT OF THE PRIMARIES NEXT? WHY?

happenings

SAN MARCOS Cheatham Street Warehouse TONIGHT: River Train FRIDAY: TBA SATURDAY: Larry Joe Taylor

Triple Crown TONIGHT:Elizabeth McQueen (6 p.m.), Goodbye Lo-Fi, Fluffers Union (9 p.m.)

FRIDAY:Callous Taoboys (6 p.m.), Molly & the Hatchets, Amplified Heat (9 p.m.)

SATURDAY: Inda’groove (10 p.m.)

NEW BRAUNFELS Saengerhalle FRIDAY: Great Divide (9 p.m.)

BY JEFF GREER ASSISTANT ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR AUSTIN — The Alamo Drafthouse downtown has been overrun by sex-crazed, sadist, bloodstarved perverts.

But that’s a good thing.

Spike and Mike’s Sick and Twisted Festival of Animation is back at the Drafthouse with 21 new animated shorts. The shorts are devoid of social graces, family values or anything that might get in the way of a good time.

If you saw the guys in The Quad wearing polyester and obscenely large cowboy hats, you will recognize them at the show. Randall Petsold, one of the polyester cowboys, has been with Spike and Mike’s as a graphic designer since 1999.

“I like the work because of all the whipped cream,” Petsold said.

“The big hats and the whipped cream.”

If you haven’t been to the show, you’ll just have to find out what he’s talking about. But just as a caution, Spike and Mike crowds are not like other audiences.

They’re loud, rowdy and thirsty for blood. Cartoon blood, that is.

Many of the animated shorts contain violence at a level that could not be easily produced in reality. A crowd and personal favorite is the Happy Tree Friends from creators Rhode Montijo and

What are the Star staffers listening to?

Scooter H. — Shellac David D. — Magnetic Fields Terry O. — Ainjel Emme Mando F. — Siouxsie and the Banshees Brad S. — Sublime Amanda R. — Sarah McLaughlin Genevieve K. — Amanda singing Sarah McLaughlin Ben S. — Hi-Tek Matt R. — Wolfsheim Bonnie A. — De La Soul John B. — Nick Drake Andy E. — James McMurtry

SATURDAY: Honeybrowne (9 p.m.)

AUSTIN Emo’s TONIGHT: I Love You but I've Chosen Darkness, Octopus Project, The Mona Jane FRIDAY: Neil Hamburger, Les Messieurs du Rock SATURDAY: Sea of Thousand (Outside Stage). Kylesa, Complete Control, Damage Case, Signal Lost

The University Star

TRENDS

Spike &Mike’s strike

Kenn Navarro.

This running series features cute little furry animals being mutilated in disgusting yet innovative ways.

One such short, titled Flipping Burgers, features Flippy, a cuddly bear who happens to be an exGreen Beret, having a post-traumatic war flashback in a burger joint.

Another highlight of this year’s festival is My First Boner, by Patrick Mallek of Might Fudge Studios in Boulder, Colo. This cartoon is in the vein of the old Schoolhouse Rock, but with a special difference. Maybe next year we’ll see Erectile Dysfunction Junction.

One of the more impressive shorts as far as quality animation is concerned is How To Cope With Death, a cartoon by Ignacio Ferreras, featuring an old woman’s struggle with a winged grim reaper.

This French import has detail and shading like you might find in a good graphic novel.

Breehn Burns and Jason Johnson of California created a hilarious short titled Here Comes Dr. Tran. 3-D glasses are provided for this creative spoof on blaxploitation-style movie previews.

Spike and Mike veteran Bill Plympton has a new short titled Petting in the Park, featuring a man and a woman in the park with a dog and a cat respectively. As they reach over to pet the other’s, some-

again

thing very special happens.

Ninjews by Josh Bass is a claymation short starring the baddest Jewish ninjas this side of Tel Aviv.

The signature weapons of the Ninjews include a razor sharp menorah and six-pointed throwing Stars of David.

The Classic Festival of Animation was founded in 1977 by Craig “Spike” Decker and Mike Gribble in response to a growing audience for animated shorts.

Their company, Mellow Manor Productions, promoted underground bands in the ’70s with retro-animated shorts. They also ran cult films, which were accompanied by the shorts. Eventually, people became more interested in the animation and the festival became a reality.

It wasn’t until 1990 that Sick and Twisted was born. Animation shorts that were too revolting or adult in nature were given their own home, so people with a lessrefined sense of taste could get their fill. The festival has become a staple of alternative pop culture in cities around North America.

In its many prestigious years, many important people in the industry have been a part of or been influenced by the festival.

Several animators from the festival have gone on to the Oscars winning in the Animation Short category.

Animators Tim Burton, Bill

Thursday, January 29, 2004 — Page 7

Plympton, along with Pixar’s Pete Doctor and Andrew Stanton have all had entries in the Classic festival. Sick and Twisted was the birthplace of Mike Judge’s Beavis and Butthead and has featured work by Southpark’s Matt Stone and Trey Parker and Eric Fogel, creator of MTV’s Celebrity Deathmatch.

Spike and Mike has been featured at the Sundance Film Festival, Cannes International Film Festival, Australia’s Flickerfest Short Film Festival and the International Festival of Animation in Annecy, France.

If you are upset about missing past festivals or want to revisit the old shorts, Full Frontal and Unprotected are two DVDs that are now available featuring the very best of 2001, 2002 and 2003 festivals. In addition, Viacomm’s SpikeTV has agreed to host a latenight Spike and Mike’s Sick and Twisted segment on its man-oriented programming.

Though Gribble passed away in 1994, Spike has continued the grotesque tradition of the festival.

The festival plays in more than 50 cities across the United States and Canada. They will be at the Drafthouse downtown until Feb.15.

It will then play at the Lake Creek Drafthouse Feb. 16-19. For more information on Spike and Mike, show times and ticket availability, visit www.drafthouse.com.

TRENDS

Tattoos: Where to go, what to know

8 - The University Star

BY JEFF GREER ASSISTANT ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR

A young couple walks into the large surgical-white room. She is 19 and he is 20 and they’ve been together for three years. They are getting identical tattoos low on their hips, sans-names to prevent any future embarrassment.

As he lies down on the table, they hold hands and exchange nervous smiles as he is prepped for the procedure.

While the two seem a bit nervous, the tattoo artist is totally relaxed.

Much like a dentist or a surgeon, the artist sets out her tools methodically, laying out everything she will need for the procedure.

When the actual tattooing begins, the boyfriend winces a little but seems to settle into the pain. The needle works much like a sewing machine, barely breaking the surface of the skin while inserting the ink underneath. After a small amount of time the stencil has been traced over, leaving the outline of a small bird.

Though the technology in this country hasn’t changed much in the past 100 years, the industry has come a long way since the stereotypical dirty back rooms or sweaty bikers taking shots to steady their hands.

For the most part, the term “tattoo parlor” has been replaced with shop or, more appropriately, studio, and most of the people that practice the tradition prefer to be called “tattoo artists.”

Though many tattoo artists express that low standards are a disappointing reality in some shops, the majority of artists say that sanitary conditions are the top priority of the business.

Meredith McMahon Booth, owner of the San Marcos tattoo and piercing studio Steel Angel, takes health standards very seriously.

“Steel Angel has been contacted and is constantly contacted by many (resident assistants) on campus to come and do informational lectures to their students,” Booth said. “It’s

something that we believe in greatly so that the student population can be educated on how to safely choose a piercing or tattoo.”

Tattoo and piercing studios are regulated by the Texas Department of Health. According to its Web site, it requires “any business which is in the practice of producing an indelible mark or figure on the human body by scarring or inserting pigments under the skin using needles, scalpels or other related equipment” to register with TDH. In addition, “any business which is in the practice of creating an opening in a person’s body, other than the individual’s earlobe, to insert jewelry or another decoration” must also receive a license from TDH. TDH’s rules and standards are enforced by its Drugs and Medical Devices Division. It visits 400 tattoo and body piercing studios a year to ensure that TDH standards are met.

Any violation of the regulations is a class A misdemeanor, and TDH can temporarily confiscate the studio’s equipment on site.

Most TDH regulations involve sterilization procedures for the protection of both patrons and artists.

reviewed.

On the other end, it is also important that someone looking to get a tattoo or piercing find the right studio and artist.

Many studios will have samples of work done in the studio and portfolios of the artists’ work. A tattoo artist for Classic Tattoo & Body Piercing, referred to as “Sox” by his friends and coworkers, said that personality should also be a factor James Apel/Star illustration when choosing an artist.

“What’s really Studios are also required to provide information about taking care of tat- important to consider for a qualificatoos and piercing after the proce- tion is (that the person is) persondures. Anyone under the influence of able,” Sox said. “Because if you go alcohol or drugs should be turned in and talk to somebody, and they away, and minors are required to may be an excellent artist, and if have parental consent, unless the tat- they’re really shy and they don’t come across as being confident, or too is to cover a pre-existing tattoo.

Consent of a parent or guardian (they are) overly confident or abracan be given in one of two ways: The sive, somebody getting (his) first tatminor can bring a notarized consent too won’t trust them. There has to be to the studio containing the name, a happy medium.”

To say that each studio in San address, telephone number and signatures of both the minor and legal Marcos has a certain pride and repuguardian, with the location of the tation it likes to project would be an body that is to be altered; or if the understatement. In a small market adult is present at the studio during like San Marcos, the competition is the procedure with identification and evident, and inevitably the gossip signs statements swearing the validi- will fly.

But as this is not a gossip column, ty of their relationship.

In either case, the minor must the details of these comments will be provide a valid government-issued excluded. More importantly, anyone identification card with a photograph looking to get a tattoo or piercing should shop around not just for and date of birth.

Though the legal regulations are prices, but also for safety and sanithe same across Texas, each shop has tary concerns.

If a studio doesn’t want to discuss its own standards of reviewing prospective clients. The patron’s its sanitation routines, look for health is a large concern; anyone another studio.

TDH provides information about with skin disorders, immune system problems or blood disorders such as licensed studios and their respective hepatitis B or C should be closely histories at (512) 719-0237.

Where to get your tattoo on Classic Tattoo & Body Piercing (512) 392-0938 267 N. LBJ Drive

Mystic Marks Tattoo Co Cosmetic Studio (512) 392-8141 316 N. LBJ Drive

Sharp Things (512) 353-1170 109 E. Hopkins St.

Steel Angel (512) 396-8288 718 E. Hopkins St.

Thunderstruk (512) 754-9341 169 S. LBJ Drive

Thursday, January 29, 2004

Local venues offer frugal alternatives for students

BY JENNIFER WISNOSKI TRENDS REPORTER As soon as classes begin, students make plans for going out. Going out can be expensive, but there are alternatives that will allow a good time on a tight budget.

For those of you who are movie buffs, the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema in Austin allows students into all shows for only $5.

The Drafthouse has three locations in Austin: The Original (downtown in the Warehouse District on Colorado Street), Village (Anderson Lane at the Village Shopping Center) and Lake Creek (183 and Lake Creek Parkway).

The Drafthouse also offers specials on food and drinks such as $2 domestic bottles on Tuesday nights. For more information visit www.alamodrafthouse.com.

For those who want cheaper movies, take your own videos to Boko’s Living Room on the first floor of the LBJ Student Center on Tuesday nights. It’s first-comefirst-serve beginning at 7 p.m. Boko’s also offers CD stations for your listening pleasures.

If sleeping is your form of entertainment, Boko’s even has blankets and pillows so you can catch some Zs comfortably.

Styx, also in the LBJSC, offers pool tables and other indoor sports to students at discounted rates. There are 12 tournament pool tables, table tennis, air hockey and an arcade. There’s also chess, checkers and dominoes available to play for free.

Rates for students are $2.40 an hour for pool and $1.80 an hour for table tennis.

Besides the cool choice of entertainment, the Styx specials really make this spot worth visiting.

Ladies play for free from 6 to 9 p.m. on Wednesdays and there’s even a Cheap Date Night on Thursdays (dates are free beginning at 6 p.m.). Check out www.lbjsc.swt.edu for more information.

Melinda Herrera, class of 2002, said she took advantage of the discounts offered by IHOP and Luby’s.

“Both restaurants give discounts to students with IDs. It isn’t much, but it helps out,” she said.

Most clubs also offer discounts to students, especially to see bands.

In Austin, Antone’s (Fifth and Lavaca) typically offers student prices for shows like Troy Dillinger and Guy Forsythe.

Discounts range anywhere from $1 to $5, depending on the show.

“It’s always worth it to pick up a Chronicle and find out who’s got student pricing,” said Eric Cannon, art senior.

“I’ve been able to see a lot of great artists and save a few bucks for drinks in the process.”

The time to take advantage of the discounts is now.

“I still wish I got the student discounts,” Herrera said. “The real world can be expensive, and if I had to do it again, I’d take my ID with me everywhere and ask if they gave (student) discounts.”

So the next time you’re bored and are low on cash, whip out your student ID and go have a good cheap time.

The Other Side of Radio plays:

EVERYTHING YOU WANT TO HEAR.

TRENDS/ARTS Open mics give beginners a chance to shine

Thursday, January 29, 2004

BY BRANDON COBB TRENDS REPORTER

Got an opinion?

Then send a letter to the editor at the address going up and down the sides of this ad. Go on, you know you want to.

starletters@txstate.edu • starletters@txstate.edu

starletters@txstate.edu • starletters@txstate.edu

It’s come down to this: You’ve been practicing your barred chords for months, feeling the calluses on your fingertips harden with each day’s session.

You move effortlessly between chords now and your voice has improved greatly with all the shower singing you’ve been doing lately.

You’ve finally used your Internet connection for something other than downloading porn and found the guitar tabs for a handful of songs you like.

And despite your roommates’ repeated threats to have you killed if they “have to hear you play ‘Brown Eyed Girl’ one more time,” you’re ecstatic because they actually recognize what song you’re playing. With brand new strings on your Martin acoustic guitar, you sit in a lonely corner of the bar wiping the sweat from your palms, waiting to hear your name called over the P.A. All of the mind-numbing practicing, all of the long hours spent playing along with CDs in your room, all of the death threats have led you to this one moment. You are about to step on stage and play in front of people for the first time at an open mic, and all you want to do is vomit into your guitar case.

For many fledgling singer/songwriters, poets and wannabe rock stars, an open mic experience is much like this — their first foray into the world of performance art. It’s the perfect consequence-free environment to work out all of the nervous jitters that come with taking the limelight, and a few drunken hecklers aside, the open mic crowd is generally supportive.

Applause is often only a courtesy at open mics, but to the beginning performer it is the highest accolade. On stage, sweating in front of a room full of strangers under the burning glow of the lights, many feel that first surge of adrenaline associated with performing.

After a particularly good performance, they often beam with satisfaction, radiating pride from every pore.

Inexperienced performers

are not the only participants in the open mic scene, though.

More-seasoned artists use it as a proving ground for new material. In fact the variety of musical talent and wide array of performers, from spoken word artists to hipster musicians, is part of the allure of an open mic. To quote Forrest Gump, “You never know what you’re going to get.”

Central Texas is a hotbed of musical talent and the open mic scene in San Marcos attracts its share of regular performers as well as firsttimers.

So to those brave souls feeling the need to perform for a crowd, here is a list of open mic venues around town.

BY ARMANDO FLORES SENIOR REPORTER

Sunday night: Triple Crown (206 N. Edward Gary) T h e T r i p l e C r o w n begins the week with a happy hour from 6 to 9 p.m. and welcomes all musicians, poets and anyone else with an itch to perform beginning at 9 p.m. All levels of performers you can think of participate, so this is the ideal venue for someone just starting out. Signup begins 30 minutes before performances start, so get there early for your shot of liquid courage.

Monday night: Cheatham Street Warehouse (119 Cheatham St.) Monday nights at Cheatham Street are Jam Band nights, featuring the house band and a host of performers who sign up to perform songs with the band.

While not exactly an open mic, this is a great opportunity to experience the power of performing with a live band.

Tuesday night: Joe On The Go (312 University Drive) Probably the most intimate setting for open mic in town, San Marcos’ finest coffeehouse plays host to a variety of poets and the occasional musician on Tuesdays. This is definitely the place to go to be heard or simply enjoy some great local poetry.

Sign up begins about 6:30 p.m.

1.877.467.2723 www.ParadiseParties.com

Beyond Therapy offers local comic relief

The University Star - 9

Helpful hints for first timers n Anything by the Beatles or Willie Nelson is a big hit. In fact, anything popular enough to facilitate a sing-along will generate a great response, and take some of the pressure off you. n Don’t worry about being nervous; people will understand. Take a deep breath and relax. n Tune up BEFORE you get on stage. There is nothing worse than listening to someone playing “the tuning song” for 15 minutes. n Stick around and listen to other performers. It’s a simple matter of courtesy, and an important one. n Whatever you do, never play “Cheeseburger in Paradise.”

Someone will find you afterward and beat the living crap out of you.

The River Pub & Grill (701 Cheatham St.) During winter, the River Pub suspends its Tuesday night open mic but plans on reviving it sometime in late February.

This outdoor venue attracts a great deal of spectators and talented performers who enjoy the beautiful outdoor setting and great drink specials.

Wednesday night: Cheatham Street Warehouse Songwriter Circle is the granddaddy of all open mics in San Marcos. $1 pints of Bud Light and $1.50 pints of Dos Equis draw plenty of spectators,

while the camaraderie and support of fellow musicians attract some of the area’s finest singer/songwriters. While all performers of all skill levels are welcome, the beginner may feel a bit intimidated by some of the more polished and experienced musicians.

Interested parties should arrive early, as the signup sheet tends to fill rather quickly.

Happy hour is 4 to 7:30 p.m.

Signup begins at about 7:30 p.m., and the first performer goes on at about 9 p.m.

Strict etiquette is enforced to keep the noise down in the bar so attention is focused strictly on the performers. Consider yourself warned.

If making fun of psychoanalysis is your thing, then Beyond Therapy might be right up your alley.

The theatre and dance department’s presentation of Christopher Durang’s comedy, directed by Lucy Van Goethem, is comical at best, predictable at worst. Beyond Therapy follows the introverted Prudence (Bridget Farias) and overly sensitive bisexual Bruce (Steve Bennett) as they go through the motions of meeting each other and getting not-so-great advice from their respective therapists. Prudence had an affair with her therapist Stuart (Matthew Albrecht), while Bruce’s therapist Charlotte (Breanna Stogner) is scatterbrained and forgetful, and a little too touchy-feely.

Set in the 1970s, apparent from the costumes and music, the play starts off well when Prudence meets Bruce after answering his personals ad. They end up throwing their drinks at each other after several insults, but soon after compliments and subtle pedophilic jokes are made. Bennett and Farias truly get the blind-date awkwardness down, replete with rambling, random eye contact and inappropriate manners.

The rest of the play follows how Bruce and Prudence are somewhat “jinxed” to be with each other, however comical it may be, especially with Stuart, Charlotte and Bruce’s male lover Bob (Matthew Haynes) along the way.

There are some truly memorable scenes throughout the play, such as Bruce and Bob’s off-stage gay spat and Charlotte going Tourette’s-y on Bob and shouting “c***sucker” while chasing him around her office. Not to mention when Prudence orders a steak from the waiter (Matthew Haynes) at gunpoint, and he turns out to be one of Charlotte’s patients.

Of course, there’s the horrible advice that Stuart and Charlotte give their patients, such as it’s OK to be promiscuous and it’s all right to express your anger by threatening someone in a restaurant with a fake gun. How about Charlotte saying that the song “Someday My Prince Will Come” is a “crock of s**t?”

The commentary within the play itself is humorous.

Prudence makes that Bruce’s furniture looks like furniture in other places she’s been during the play, which can be seen as a joke that it’s a stage production and furniture gets used in several scenes or goes into her alleged psychosis as fodder for therapy. There’s also the subtle humor in the parable of Prudence writing an article about Joyce DeWitt of Three’s Company.

The play also wins with some great lines, such as, “How many nights would you give to David Berkowitz?” and, “Everyone’s stupid, so you’re just like everyone else.”

In an unrelated yet funny note, Albrecht appeared to have stage presence, or it could have just been that his pants didn’t fit too well.

Off-beat lines and social commentary aside, there are a few drawbacks. Haynes’ Bob comes off a bit too much like Jack from Will & Grace. And while Albrecht’s Stuart should be oozing with sleaziness, one can’t help but think that he was overacting just a bit. The blocking is a bit off also, with some of the actors having their backs to the audience at several instances.

All points aside, this production of Beyond Therapy is a good stab at the play and should be seen for the script’s comical brilliance.

Performances of Beyond Therapy begin at 7:30 tonight and run through Sunday at the Studio Theatre, located in the Theatre Center. Admission is $7 for the general public and $5 for students. The box office opens at 6 p.m. on the night of performance.

MUSIC

‘Why Can’t I’ find respect for Liz Phair?

10 - The University Star

M83 has much to say

Thursday, January 29, 2004

Stereolab’s latest creates own legacy

Shannon McGarvey Music Columnist

The sexy librarian.

The liberated lesbian tendency.

The promiscuity that was OK if you were safe.

The woman who went from having boy toys to being a boy toy.

Liz Phair used to be an Indie sub-culture darling, a role model for young girls who couldn’t or wouldn’t fit into the societal standards prescribed to them. She was, to me, what Tori Amos has been to so many high school girls in choir, to all the teeny boppers who cut themselves, to all the theatre dorks who sang RENT verbatim and cried every time they heard “Me and a Gun.” Granted, Amos was a wonderful template for empowerment, but she never had the impact on me that Phair did.

With my introduction to her album, whitechocolatespaceegg, she single-handedly made everything I questioned OK. Lesbian tendencies? Big deal, Phair is secure enough to sing about experimentation! Heartache? No problem, she is strong enough to embrace her weaknesses and know that, even in moments of fatigue, the human spirit persists, moves forward in calculated rhythms resembling heartbeats.

She wasn’t afraid to say, “Yeah, sometimes I like to be slapped around,” because she showed in submission there’s always subtle dominance. With Exile in Guyville she unabashedly proclaimed her promiscuity, her desire for something more, her need to be free — issues every young and single woman must face. “F*ck and Run” was so brutally honest it made me cringe. But it’s that honesty that people crave — it’s that very honesty that made Phair so brilliantly beautiful. It’s there I found comfort, in her words; in the chorus: “F*ck and run/even when I was 17, f*ck and run/even when I was 12.”

Damn — cringe — did she really just say that?

But it’s that very stuff that makes people listen, allowing us to be affected. Who wants to be a zombie while chords and drumbeats clumsily slip through our ears?

She’s the woman who other girls envy, the man-stealing bitch who stabs her best friend in the back after confidences are confided. She’s the enigmatical force that busts its way into the bar room — the girl we love to hate because we feel threatened. But we’d never admit that, would we? We don’t have to, because Phair is the type of woman who brings insecurity surface level and makes it well-justified to boot (only, of course, when she runs off with your man).

She used to affect change in people, specifically me at 16 years old, and the fact that her new album is so blatantly the antithesis of everything she’s ever done as an artist truly saddens me.

Liz Phair is a cheapened, dolled-up version of everything I used to love about her.

It’s a 40-year-old Avril Lavigne minus Canadian ties, plus slut attire and massive over-production. She wails about being “Extraordinary, if (we) ever get to know (her),” but the fact of the matter is that we, as fans, did think we knew her (or at least

her music) and have since been extraordinarily let down. She has sacrificed artistic integrity in the worst way.

In the straddle of her trusty guitar, in the trite mass-distribution of NOW That’s What I Call Music, vol. 7768 and in her painted-up exterior that ultimately compensates for what her new album lacks, can we find what is left of the late, great Liz Phair?

Before she passed as a musician, I had the pleasure of being able to catch her last July at Stubb’s with the Starlight Mints and the Flaming Lips. I was greatly surprised to see her touring without a band.

This, the fact that she was touring alone, I thought was even more evidence to further her image as an “empowered female” and, even though I found her new material to be lacking in substance, I still thought that she was doing a great job of carrying on the “Indie darling” torch. Great enough to even let the 16-year-old in me take over, momentarily, amidst the heat and dehydration of a summer day in Texas to yell, “I love you Liz!” and graciously have her respond accordingly. All of this before I heard her on the radio. All of this before I saw her new video. All of this before I was handed a Phair “Why Can’t I?” hologram upon leaving the venue. Even after holograms, radio and video, I still thought that it was kind of cool that after all these years she's finally getting some recognition.

Little did I know that it was a lot of recognition and for all the wrong reasons.

I haven’t heard or read one mainstream article about her new album that doesn’t

focus on the fact that she’s turned to selling sex or that she doesn’t look her age or that Avril Lavigne’s producer is going to make her into a huge bright shining star. At first, this fact alarmed me but I soon came to realize why no one is saying anything about her new work. It’s terrible! The Indie magazines held memorials and mourned her decline while mainstream magazines like Spin, Rolling Stone and Maxim congratulated her descent as a rite of passage into the pop world.

Phair has turned from proving she is more than the sum of her parts to embracing the fact that she now solely consists of her parts. What is puzzling about this is the fact that she still, at times, wishes to preserve the posthumous guise of being Indie.

Sadly, she forfeited this rite when she let Matrix produce her and simultaneously catapult her onto ultra-mega-mix stations around the world. Her recent addition to the 2004 South By Southwest bill is even more perplexing, as SXSW has traditionally been a venue for cutting-edge artists who prefer to preserve integrity rather than sell it.

In a time where young girls seldom have empowering role models to look to without being bombarded with images of butt-less chaps or girl-on-girl sport kissing, Phair was perhaps the last of the great mid-’90s feminists. With her sold, sad to say, that little 16-year-old piece of me that still clung to the idealized version of her was sold also.

Julieta Venegas provides more Latin alt-rock goodness on Si

Who knew that Julieta 10 straightforward, catchy Venegas, the frowning music songs — all either written high-priestess of Latin altor co-written by her. With rock, had it in her to R E V I E W this album, the alt-rock make an album of cheer««« barbarian storms the ful, funky, danceable pop Julieta Venegas gates of the pop kingdom Si and shows the natives songs? In Si, there is no BMG US Latin trace of the severely that great songs can be introspective lyrics and crafted within the limitaintricate melodic explorations of her tions of straight-up romantic pop. previous work. Instead, she packs Venegas, who plays several

instruments, including guitar and accordion, also has a few lessons to teach pop divas who attempt to sound seductive by smudging songs with heavy breaths and faked moans. She delivers flirty, playful and coy interpretations through judicious inflections of her voice over an otherwise unadorned, earthy singing style.

In the finger-snapping, hipswiveling “Alguien” she declares “Basta ya de vivir en la melancholia” (Enough living in melancholy)

and in “Oleada” she vows to let a new wave carry her to an unknown place to begin anew. Then there’s the cryptic “si” she sends to one lucky Juan “con todo mi amor” in the CD booklet, which is plastered with kittenish pictures of her in a wedding dress.

Ultimately, it may not matter much whether this Julieta is Romeohappy or afflicted. Either way, Venegas strikes the right chord.

— Juan Carlos Perez Rodriguez (KRT)

Whatever you want to say about the French, it’s virtually impossible to assault, with any justification, their music influence R E V I E W on the arts. «««« They’ve M83 been behind Dead Cities, Red Seas several of and Lost Ghosts the most inLabels fluential movements, and, with their firm pro-excess stance, they’ve always managed to commit lots of resources to artistic production as a culture.

Even though France’s status as an imperialist power may have waned in the past century or so, they’ve continued to influence the arts quite a bit, most recently with a few excellent forays into electronic music by French nationals. Perhaps best known is the band Air, with its lounge-inspired first album, Moon Safari and its bizarre and sinister second album, 10,000 Hz Legend.

However, it may be that M83 will soon assume its place as de facto musical ambassadors. Its recent sophomore release, Dead Cities, Red Seas and Lost Ghosts makes a strong case for just that.

On this album, it seems that M83 has limited itself to a fairly small range of musical tools for the construction of the 12 songs. The most consistent elements are a synth evidently configured to “Mythologically Proportioned Wall of Sound” mode and a vintage drum machine that faithfully renders perfect ’80s-style beats.

Make no mistake, though, this is not a band that goes in for kitsch. Songs like “Cyborg” and “Run into Flowers” prove that this band is about more than wallowing in the past. The sound of the music is a massive, highly stirring mélange of drone and movement, melody and dissonance.

The highlight of the whole experience is the song “0078h” near the end of the album. This is a song that totally envelops the listeners and begs to be listened to at unwholesome decibel levels.

Before even 30 seconds of the song have passed, every bit of aural information you take in is consumed by static-laden synths and choppy, computerized vocals.

The album as a whole is quite a statement by the band. Its sound is original without being awkward or unhistorical. Its raison d'être experimental but not inaccessible. And best of all, like its Gallic forefathers, it just makes ridiculously good art.

— Nate Hendrix

As a longtime Stereolab fan, I tend to think of myself as having something in common with members of the Eastern Orthodox Church. For us, the objects of our music respective R E V I E W adoration «««« split with the Stereolab mainstream Margerine Eclipse long ago and Elektra have basically followed their own paths since.

Stereolab, unlike the Eastern Orthodox Church, has changed tremendously since its founding.

Vintage Stereolab is characterized by its droning guitars and static sound; it’s often pretty difficult to tell one song from another.

Many fans say Stereolab hit its creative zenith in the mid-’90s, especially with the album Emperor Tomato Ketchup. The albums from this era had fairly steady beats but drew from a wider instrumental palette and actually had chord changes, too.

With its copiously titled 1999 release, Cobra and Phases Group Play Voltage in the Milky Night, it broadened its sound once again to encompass more complex musical ideas and mellifluous melodies.

Stereolab’s newest album, Margerine Eclipse, continues firmly in this tradition, but contains more electronic experimentation than any prior album in its discography. The electronic influence is so heavy, in fact, that upon first listen there were several jawdropping moments.

The album starts with the excellent track, “Vonal Declosion” — a busy, groovable song that combines such disparate elements as classical guitar, record scratching and multi-track French vocals. “Need To Be,” the next track, begins with sweet sounds of a harpsichord and bleeping synth, but before the song is finished a heavy bass beat adds to the mix and the previously breathy vocals turn bold.

The highest point on the album is the trinity of “Margerine Rock,” “The Man With 100 Cells” and “Margerine Melodie.”

The first features the biggest rock-out session that Stereolab has recorded in a long time and a melody that gets stuck in your head like you wouldn’t believe.

The latter two are more subdued, but no less wonderful, with complex arrangements and great melodies.

Margerine Eclipse is an album of contrasts, but not conflicts.

This band has taken the untimely death of member Mary Hansen as an indication to change direction.

Instead of paying homage to past music, it seems now set on creating its own legacy within the usually ephemeral world of pop.

— Nate Hendrix

www.UniversityStar.com

FILM

Surprises dominate Oscar nominations

Thursday, January 29, 2004

BY PHILIP WUNTCH THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS

Surprises dominated the 76th annual Academy Awards nominations, with audible gasps heard as Sigourney Weaver and academy president Frank Pierson read the lists at 7:38 a.m. Tuesday.

As expected, The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King led the pack with 11 nominations. However, the secondplace rank of another colonimprinted, high-budget adventure Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World was something of a surprise. The critically praised seafaring drama had the stigma of a box-office disappointment, which often influences voters.

But the most notable surprise was that Cold Mountain was left out in the cold, being snubbed in the best picture, best director and best actress categories. This led to idle speculation that one of Hollywood’s most famous ex-couples, Nicole Kidman and Tom Cruise, could be sending each other consolatory e-mails.

Cruise had been deemed a possible nominee for The Last Samurai, but Kidman was considered a certainty as Cold Mountain’s wistful Southern charmer.

A reaction against Cold Mountain grew in recent weeks, but Kidman seemed a more likely choice than Jude Law’s reticent soldier. But Law rather than Kidman made the final five. The Civil War epic also failed to dominate the technical categories, as expected.

Other no-shows included Scarlett Johansson for both Lost in Translation and Girl With a Pearl Earring, Jennifer Connelly for House of Sand and Fog, William H. Macy for both The Cooler and Seabiscuit, Russell Crowe and Paul Bettany for Master and

Commander and Maria Bello for The Cooler. In the best foreign-language film category, Afghanistan’s Osama, which won the Golden Globe award Sunday night, was not among the five Oscar contenders.

But there were plentiful reasons to celebrate. Sofia Coppola’s best-director nomination for Lost in Translation was a history-making victory.

The daughter of The Godfather chieftain Francis Ford Coppola, she is the third woman to be nominated in the directing ranks and the first American-born woman. Previous nominees were Lina Wertmuller for 1976’s Seven Beauties and Jane Campion for 1993’s The Piano.

Neither won.

Coppola’s nomination also signals the first parent-child duo in the directing ranks.

Thirteen-year-old New Zealand-born Keisha Castle-Hughes, nominated for Whale Rider, also made history as the youngest performer to be nominated in the best-actress ranks.

The nominations reflect the global appeal of films as well as the peaceful co-existence of independent and mainstream movies. Lost in Translation was the only indie nominated for best picture, but In America, Monster, 21 Grams, Whale Rider and Thirteen dotted other major categories. Sadly, the heartfelt The Station Agent emerged as the indie answer to Cold Mountain, being similarly left out in the cold.

The University Star - 11

Teacher’s Pet takes cartoon back to Disney roots

Disney has finally come out with a movie that looks like it was drawn by actual artists again.

Based on the now defunct and syndicated Disney television cartoon series Teacher’s Pet, the movie by the same title takes the audience into the strange world of a boy and his dog.

The dog is no ordinary dog. His biggest dream in life is to become a boy.

Lane is the voice for Spot Helperman. Spot is his master Leonard Helperman’s (Flemming) dog while at home, but during the school day he dresses like a little boy named Scott Leadready II. Leonard’s mom is their teacher and Scott/Spot is her favorite student. This all comes out at the beginning of the movie as exposition for those not familfar, but there really is a lot to like about this iar with the cartoon.

The movie focuses on Spot’s obsession film.

The humor is bizarre and there are little with becoming a boy, and there are several things that you can catch in the rather humorous references to the tale of background of the scenes that are Pinocchio. just funny in that stupid, silly sort Spot sees an ad for a crazy scientist film on television named Dr. Ivan Crank R E V I E W of way.

The funnier parts happen (Grammer). Crank claims to be able to ««« toward the second half of the change animals into humans, and Spot Teacher’s Pet Dir.: Timothy movie, but there is no sense in givsets out to seek his services.

Björklund ing them away.

As is the case in almost all cartoons, Stars: Nathan If you have to see a movie with Spot sets out on an epic adventure and Lane, Kelsey a child or just feel like seeing a many perilous things happen to him.

Grammer, Shaun fun little flick, check this one out.

And they sing about it.

Flemming Rated PG All the voices for the characters Some of the songs are not very good are done well and the animation but it doesn’t seem like they were meant to be. It was refreshing that they didn’t throw has a quality that brings back the old days of in some inappropriate Elton John or Randy Disney cartoons. You know, when they used to be funny.

Newman song.

— Jeff Greer So, this review doesn’t seem too positive so

Think comics are funny?

Then read the Amusements page Tuesdays in The University Star.

Lionel Hahn/KRT photo Sigourney Weaver and Academy President Frank Pierson announce the nominees for best actress for the 76th Annual Academy Awards at the Samuel Goldwyn Theatre in Los Angeles on Tuesday.

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12 - Thursday, January 29, 2004

announcements

Fraternities-Sororities-ClubsStudent Groups Earn $1,000-2,000 this semester with a proven CampusFundraiser 3 hour fundraising event. Our free programs make fundraising easy with no risks. Fundraising dates are filling quickly, so get with the program! It works. Contact CampusFundraier at (888) 923-3238, or visit www.campusfundraiser.com (2/12)

automotive

$500! Police impound! Honda, Chevy, Jeep, Toyota, etc. From $500. For listing: (800)719-3001, ext. 7462.

(2/3) ____________________________ 1986 Mercury Grand Marquis. excellent condition/ all the extras.

Call: 830-629-3218 or 512-245-2358 (2/5)

for rent

Sublet 1 bdr apt. $400 plus deposit. Call Amanda 754-0218.

(2/11) ____________________________ Sublease in a 4br/4ba, all bills paid except electricity. $450/month.

393-8500.

(2/5) ____________________________ Move in today! University Club Apts. 1b/1ba, w/d, free cable and internet. $410/mo. Will pay $210 towards 1st mo.

512-294-1168.

(2/12) ____________________________ Country home on 5 acres. 2 bed/ 2 bath. Central heat and air. 6 miles from San Marcos. $750/mo.

Call 512-357-6271 or 830-379-9682.

(1/29) ____________________________ Take over my lease. Looking for female at Windmill Townhomes.

Walking distance from school.

Rent $367.50, no deposit, move in immediately. Contact april 972-342-0468.

(2/12) ____________________________ FOR RENT: Efficiency apartment, suitable for one person. Quiet location, near Martindale. Call 357-6297 for more information.

(2/5) ____________________________ Take over my lease 1/1 no rent until March. Free deposit, 20 inch Flat screen and water, on bus route, walk to HEB. 512-665-9505.

(2/12) ____________________________ Designer apartment, beautifully appointed, high ceilings, stained concrete floors, private garden patio, 2/2 located on manicured 400 tree pecan grove, 5 min. from downtown. 357-1235 or 557-8356.

(2/5)

for rent

1 bd/1.5 bth. Shalamar Townhome, available for 7 month sublease in Jan, $495/m. Call Derrell @ 512-619-6115.

(2/12) ____________________________ Pre-lease Today For 5/20 or 8/20/04 MOVE-IN!!! 3 blocks from TxState. $785/mo. 2br/2.5ba TH. $300/dep., Full size w/d, FREE ROADRUNNER & HBO. No dogs 396-4181 or windmilltownhomes.com (4/29) ____________________________ Martindale. Unique 3/2 tiled, fenced, privacy, 1 blk to river, w/d, dishwasher, alarm, $800 + dep.

Sam 512-443-3290.

(1/29) ____________________________ 1b/1b next to Tx State. no parking or shuttle hassles. Low price, includes all bills paid.

757-1943.

(2/5) ____________________________ Female roommate. Next to SWT, don't worry about parking or shuttle, own bedroom , $320.

757-1943.

(2/5) ____________________________ Quiet male student. Live next to SWT. Don’t worry about parking or shuttle, own bedroom, $300.

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(2/5) ____________________________ ON A BUDGET? So am I. That’s why we have Langtry Apartments. 205 Craddock Ave., Waiting for you. 2 bedroom 2 bath apartment homes with washer/dryer ready for you to move-in today. Only $650 per month. Who said living in San Marcos had to be expensive?

Langtry Apartments 396-2673.

(4/29) ____________________________ TWO BEDROOM FOR THE PRICE OF A ONE! That's right!

Rent a two bedroom for the price of a one bedroom. You pay only $575.00 a month. Move in today to West End Condominium # 3.

1221 West Hopkins.

VJE Realty Group 353-3002.

(4/29) ____________________________ Skinny Dippin! In the middle of Winter! Our Skinny prices are dippin even lower! One bedroom now only $575.00. Washer/Dryer, microwave, free high speed internet with no dial-up and resort style amenities. Call the Metropolitan 393-6000.

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Stadium view apartments has a few 1 bedroom 1 bath homes for you. Fireplaces, ceiling fans, PRIVATE outside storage and covered parking await you.

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(4/29)

for rent

Wide Open Spaces. 3 bedroom 2 bath home with carport, features hardwood floors and a large backyard 1002 Earle St. No maintenance headaches or problems, we guarantee it! Call VJE Realty 353-3002. (4/29) ____________________________ Seeking the perfect match! 3 bedroom 2 bath home 308 Keystone Loop. Kyle, Texas. Features full size washer/dryer, fenced yard, hardwood floors asking $1095. It only takes a call. Too good to be true!!! VJE Realty 353-3002.(4/29) ____________________________ Ready & Waiting! Nice, 1 bedroom , 1 bath studio home.

1642 Post Road. lot’s of storage and yard area. VJE Realty 353-3002. (4/29) ____________________________ 3/3 parking, w/d, short or long term, 396-1520. (2/4) ____________________________ Spacious and private 2 bedroom 1 bath duplex w/ pool near campus and bus route. Call 787-5156.4/29) ____________________________ 1 bd APT. $395/mo. 353-5051. ____________________________ 3/2 condo, practically on campus.

Beautiful wooded area, small yard, washer/dryer, paid cable and trash, pets welcome. Available February 7th $999/month 393-3300. (2/5)

for sale

Wooden signs, letters, paddles, ap desks, names, custom, don’t pay retail (512)665-5617. (3/2) ____________________________ 4 shelf bookcase, $45, 4 drawer heavy pine chest, $65, computer desk, $45, oak entertainment center, $65, old style drafting table, $68, 3 drawer file cabinet, $28, grey love seat, $68, white Boston rocker, $75. Partin's Furniture.

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FREE DELIVERY. (1/29) ____________________________ 16x60 2b/2b, clean, deck, storage unit, $13,900 o.b.o. 512-751-6104, 817-249-7592. (1/29) ____________________________ Mobile Home For Sale 1983 Fleetwood, 14x80, 3/2 gas heat, A/C, full appliances. Good Condition, $5000 (830)303-2354.

(1/29) ____________________________ HP Monitor with speakers. Great condition. $40. 754-6893.

(1/29)

help wanted

Wanted: 4th year or graduate photography student needed to take some pictures. Great money.

Please contact 557-2542 for info. ____________________________ MODELS WANTED-All Sizes-All Shapes. Teens/College Students/Parents/Grandparents.

Footed pajama internet business-.

Please NO CALLS Apply online: http://www.kozykomfy.com/ modelapp.htm (2/25) ____________________________ Athletic, outgoing students for calendar greeting cards, etc. $50 - 150/hr no exp needed.

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(4/29)

help wanted

Sales people needed.

805-9074.

(1/29) ____________________________ Camp Counselor positions available at camp Weequahic, a co-ed children’s camp in northeastern Pennsylvania.

We will be at the University Camp Day Thursday, February 12th to conduct on-campus interview. Positions available for all areas of sports, waterfront, and hobby specialists. Salary starts at $200/week plus room, board, and travel expenses.

Please visit our website at www.weequahic.com for information and online application, e-mail us at newsweeq@aol.com, or call and leave a message at 1 (866) 206-3323, PIN # 7944.

We will contact you prior to the 12th to set up an appointment.

(2/11) ____________________________ Web-Site Designer WANTED. JavaScript knowledge preferred.

Footed pajama internet business-. Part-Time-Ideal job for a Student http://www.kozykomfy.com CALL 512-585-9100-Ask for Mark .

(2/25) ____________________________ Responsible college student wanted for babysitting and light house cleaning. Please call Tracy at (512)357-2714.

(2/5) ____________________________ SUMMER CAMP JOBS IN COLORADO --- Make a difference in the life of a girl at Girl Scout overnight camps in the mountains SW of Denver. General Counselors, Program Specialists (Western horseback riding, backpacking, crafts, nature,sports/ archery, challenge course, farm, dance & drama)and Administrative Positions. Late May – early August. Competitive salary, housing, meals, health insurance, travel and end-of-season bonuses.

For an application, e-mail campjobs@gsmhc.org or call 303-607-4819.

(4/29) ____________________________ Web programmer wanted for p/t contract labor HTML/PHP/SQL knowledge required. Apply online at www.cedsn.com/apply (TN?) ____________________________ WANTED: Part-time experience house keeper. Moderate lifting and stair climbing. Weekends required.

Must provide references. $9/hr.

Call The Inn Above Onions Creek @ 512-268-1617.

(2/26tn) ____________________________ Have the summer of your life at a prestigious coed sleepaway camp in the beautiful Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania, 2 1/2 hours from NYC. We’re seeking counselors who can teach any team & individual sports, tennis, gymnastics, horseback riding, mt. biking, theatre, tech theatre, circus, magic, arts & crafts, pioneering, climbing tower, water sports, music, dance, science, or computers. Kitchen and maintenance positions also available. Great salaries and perks.

Plenty of free time. Internships available for many majors.

On-campus interviews on February 12th. Call 800-869-6083 between 9 and 5 eastern time on weekdays for application, brochure, & information. www.islandlake.com info@islandlake.com (2/5)

help wanted

Extend-A-Care for Kids. Do you enjoy sports, board games, science, snacks, and weekends off?

Apply today to be a role model working with elementary age children. Starting pay $8.75/hr. Sites at 63 elementary schools. Hours 2:15-5:45/6:30pm Monday Friday. Extend-A-Care for Kids.

55 north IH 35, 472-9929 x264. www.eackids.org (1/29) ____________________________ University Club Beach Club looking for Sales Reps to post Spring Break flyers. Earn Free Trips and Extra Cash. Call 1-800-BEACH-BUM. (1/29) ____________________________ Math tutoring. San Marcos Academy. $8.50/hr. Contact Margo. 753-8062. (1/29) ____________________________ MOVIE EXTRAS/MODELS NEEDED, Local And Statewide Productions, No Experience Required, All Looks, Minor And Major Rolls. UP TO $300/DAY, 1-800-818-7520. (1/29) ____________________________ Clear Springs is now accepting applications for daytime servers and hostesses. Experience necessary, apply in person at 1692 Hwy 46 South in New Braunfels. (1/29) ____________________________ Arabian Horses: several open positions:Ranch in SM, close to campus, flex hrs.

1.hoof trimmer hrly $ or trade.

2.temp ranch hand $6hr.

3.serious/exp trainers--negot pay.

4.good riders who love to ride-$open!

5.attractive models who ride well--trade photos.

6.secretary--coordinate, manage, research--open$ *Riding lessons available.

Project: Got 14 horses and more foaling. And a website (texasarabianhorses.com).. working on photos/text to showcase, market, and sell 11 horses in 6 months.Experience and time are negotiable commodities.Pay you in cash when possible or trade when agreeable ..!Email resume , aspirations, services to:Nabil@Haysco.net.

However, if imperative my cell 210-367-7842 and 353-3477 ranch.

(4/29) ____________________________ Bartending $300 a day potential, no exp. necessary, training provided 800-965-6520 x157.

(4/29) ____________________________ Make Money taking Online Surveys. Earn $10-$125 for surveys. Earn $25-$250 for Focus Groups. Visit www.cash4students.com/swtxsu (2/26) ____________________________ Are you a dynamic, compassionate, motivated individual looking for the EXPERIENCE OF A LIFETIME? If so then Horizon Camps is the place for you.

Horizon Camps is made up of three OUTSTANDING co-ed summer camps, seeking AMAZING staff to work with INCREDIBLE kids ranging in age from 7 to 15. Located in NY, PA, and WV, positions are available in the areas of group leading, athletics, theatre-arts, water sports, outdoor education, and so much more. For more information and to complete an application please contactus.. .www.horizoncamps.com 1-800-544-5448.

(4/29) ____________________________ Bartender trainees needed. $250 a day potential. Local positions.

1-800-293-3985 ext. 316.

(2/19)

roommates

Roommate wanted ASAP to share 2 bdr/ 2 bath apt. on University Tram Route. $299/mth + 1/2 of utilities, water and waste paid for.

(956) 286-0791. (2/5) ____________________________ Roommate needed. 3 bedroom/ 2 bath on an acre and a half. <None>350 a month. plus 1/3 of utilities. Call 512-738-7147 or 512-353-4320. (2/11) ____________________________ Roommate needed, 3/2, w/d, backyard, walking distance from campus, $283 + bills, 754-0593. (2/12) ____________________________ Female roommate needed! 2-2/ $275 + 1/2 bills, bus route. For more info call 512-787-5948. (2/5) ____________________________ Female roommate needed to share house w/ 3 great girls. Next to campus, walk to class, corner of Alamo and Sessom. Sublease my room $393. 512-293-8125. (1/29) ____________________________ Need Roommate to fill 3/2 home.

Cheap rent. Pref. female. CH/A, furnished. Call 512-878-1894, 512-557-4941, 254-498-6388. (1/29) ____________________________ One female roommate needed. $233/mo. plus 1/3 bills. Call 512-557-3992. (1/29) ____________________________ Sublease room at University Club $365 a month. Call Kristen 210-269-5899. (1/29)

travel

SPRING BREAK Cancun, Acapulco, Jamaica, Florida & South Padre. Free food, parties & drinks! Our students seen on CBS’ 48 hours! Lowest prices! breakerstravel.com 800-985-6789. (2/26) ____________________________ Spring Break 2004! Travel with STS, America's #1 Student Tour Operator to Cancun, Acapulco, and Florida. BIGGEST PARTIES, BEST CLUBS! Call for group discounts.Information/Reservations 1-800-648- 4849 or www.ststravel.com (3/4) ____________________________ SPRING BREAK Beach and Ski Trips on sale now! Call 1-800-SUNCHASE today! Or visit www.sunchase.com (3/5)

services

aplusapts.tv why waste time when you can shop online! Or stop in at 325 E. Hopkins. (4/29) ____________________________ Do you need dependable, efficient, affordable housekeeper. Call Lacey 512-557-0860.

(1/29) ____________________________ myGOLDresume.com 866.290.3030.

(4/22)

wanted

Wanted: Used cars, trucks, and motorcycles. Any condition, running or not. If you have something to sell, please call Willis Mitchell at 353-4511.

(12/4) ____________________________ Athletic Males wanted for photography. $25-$100/hour. Call Wu in Austin at (512)927-2226.

(4/29)

S PO RT S Women to face SLC MATSAKIS: Bobcats say goodbye to coach leaders on the road

The University Star - 13

Thursday, January 29, 2004

g Cont. from page 14

By Lindsey Roberts Sports Reporter Three wins in four games have come just in the nick of time for the Texas State women’s basketball team, which travels to face the top two teams in the Southland Conference.

Texas State (3-12, 3-2 SLC) is in a tie for third place in the SLC going into a crucial road trip.

Thursday’s tip-off is set for 5:30 p.m. against the University of Louisiana-Monroe (9-8, 5-1 SLC), the second-place team in the SLC. ULM is in the middle of an eight-game home winning streak that will be put to the test when the Bobcats step on the floor.

The Bobcats swept the season series last year behind center Tori Talbert’s average of 20 points and 14 rebounds in two games.

Talbert is the league’s top scorer with 15.7 points per game and is one of the SLC’s best rebounders, averaging 8.6 per contest.

Texas State will have to take advantage of Talbert’s inside presence. It will also need to block out and not allow ULM second chances.

The Lady Indians are the league’s best when it comes to getting on the offensive glass, averaging better than 17 per game.

Texas State is still averaging more than 20 turnovers per contest, while ULM is stingy to say the least, averaging a league-high 12.5 steals.

ULM guard Nina Randle, who is the Indians’ leader on the floor, recorded a career-high with 15 rebounds last week against Stephen F. Austin State University.

She is ninth in the league with 12.5 ppg and 7.9 rpg and is the SLC’s most proficient pick-pocket, stealing the ball on average 3.47 times per game.

On Saturday, the Bobcats will face Northwestern State University (13-4, 6-0 SLC), the league’s only unbeaten team at 2 p.m.

The Lady Demons control the all-time series record with the Bobcats at 26-14 and was the only

Ashley A. Horton/Star file photo Aleise Johnson, senior forward, shoots over Lamar University’s LaToya Carlson Saturday at Strahan Coliseum.

SLC team to sweep the season series from Texas State last season.

Northwestern State has only lost one game at Prather Coliseum all season.

In conference play it is the best three-point shooting team at 40 percent, blocking the most shots per game, 7.67, and only averaging 13.2 turnovers a game compared to dishing out 17.8 assists.

The Lady Demons have a high-powered offensive attack where four players average double-digit scoring and as a team, have been putting up about 75 ppg.

La’Terrica Dobin, SLC Player of the Week, personified precision in an 81-61 win against Sam Houston State University handing

out an unheard of 19 assists.

The senior guard and floor general stands at 5 foot 4 inches, and along with her 19 dimes, scored 11 points for her fifth double double on the year. She flirted with a triple-double for the fourth time this season, also recording eight steals.

Dobin is the team’s third leading scorer in conference play, averaging 15.2 ppg.

Amanda Bennett, junior forward, is the Demons’ leading scorer at 17.2 ppg, while junior guard Diamond Cosby scores 16.7 a game. Freshman guard Chassidy Jones is chipping in 10 ppg.

All play-by-play action for both games can be heard on KTSW 89.9 or on the Internet at Boostercast.com.

es with the abilities and credentials to lead the program out of its current position have already been snatched up by other programs.

Another reason this is a difficult job to fill is the possibility of NCAA sanctions on the Matsakis infractions. While the university is saying the rule violations are minor, expecting no major penalties, the NCAA has a history of being unpredictable in matters like this.

One of the main reasons the opening might look frightening can be found in the recruiting department.

Wednesday, high school football players must sign their nation letter of intent and announce which school they wish to play for.

Even if the school selects a coach by Wednesday (which is highly unlikely) the new coach would have the Herculean task of keeping Matsakis’ recruits committed to the maroon and gold.

So let’s assume the worst: Suppose this off-season recruiting class is most disappointing. One look at the current roster; things do not get much better.

Nowhere on the list will you find a tight end, blocking back or decent interior defensive linemen. These absences are all part of the Matsakis’ master plan. Within his scheme, the team had no use for players that who productive at these positions.

If the school chooses to buck last year’s trend and hire a “normal” coach, he would be left with a team of wide outs, defensive backs and superbacks, most of which transferred in when Matsakis got the job.

So to recap, whoever gets this job is looking at a school two years behind on the recruiting front. Not a pleasant task.

So who would be a good candidate? A good candidate

would be someone with enough experience to lead a team with many problems, someone who has become available fairly recently and someone who is an outstanding recruiter. No, someone who is an outstanding recruiter IN TEXAS. Look north to Austin for the answer, my friends. Every year around this time Mack Brown is heralded as the best recruiting coach in the nation. But Brown can only do so much.

Have a look at Brown’s coaching staff last year and you’ll notice that his defensive ends coach also doubles as the staff’s “recruiting coordinator.”

Hardee McCrary has been at the University of Texas for six seasons in this capacity. He resigned last Wednesday after Brown changed defensive coordinators.

McCrary has coached high school football, as well as at UT and Rice University, where he served as defensive coordinator for Ken Hatfield.

While McCrary does not have any head coaching experience at the college level, he is considered to be one of the top candidates for the head coaching position at Southern Methodist University, which Phil Bennett was given two years ago.

McCrary’s first job in the coaching ranks was as secondary coach at Angelo State.

“I remember when I coached at Angelo State,” McCrary said. “We would play Southwest while Coach Wacker was over there winning national championships. I have a lot of respect for the Texas State community.”

Very few coaches with McCrary’s pedigree are still out there, especially with such a familiarity with Texas recruiting. From connecting with high school coaches to knowing what area schools to target, McCrary knows not only what to do, but how to do it … things Matsakis never was able to get a grasp on.

Men’s basketball attempts to push SLC mark to 7-0

By Lindsey Roberts Sports Reporter

The last time a Bobcat men’s basketball team had this stellar of a showing (5-0) to open conference was during the 1778-79 season as part of the Lone Star Conference.

Two Bayou squads, the University of Louisiana-Monroe (8-12, 4-2 SLC) and Northwestern State (7-9, 5-1 SLC), will be fighting to shorten Texas State’s stride as they enter this pivotal road-trip.

“We feel like these next two games are momentum shifters,” said senior guard Roosevelt Brown. “They could separate us (from the rest) or put us right back into the thick of things.”

Thursday’s opponent, the ULM Indians, have found success as of late in their last two Southland Conference matchups on the road by just three points combined.

They squeaked by Stephen F. Austin State University by a basket, 60-58, and then guard Mark Keith nailed a 15-foot baseline jumper with 26 seconds remaining to knock off Nicholls State University by one, 73-72, Saturday.

The regular-season series was split last year, but the Bobcats pulled through in the first round of the SLC tournament with a 94-85 win against the Indians at Strahan Coliseum.

Going up against a team similar to your own presents a challenge, one that will be faced head at 7:45 p.m. Thursday

inside Fant-Ewing Coliseum.

ULM is a veteran team with quickness and size at every position, which is why Bobcat coach Dennis Nutt knows that “paying attention to each little detail” is a must to come away with a win.

The Indian bench runs deep and is effective at that, having outscored the opposition’s nonstarters its last seven consecutive games.

Their bench largely contributes to the fact that no ULM player averages more than 10 points on the season.

John Andrews, 6-foot-4-inch senior guard in his second season at ULM by way of Chipola Community College in Florida, is leading the team in scoring during conference with 12 points per game.

He is better known, however, for his defensive intensity and will likely be matched up with Brown, who also takes on the role of premiere perimeter defender for Texas State.

Tony Helton, junior transfer from Western Nebraska Community College, takes on the role as the Indian’s primary go-to-guy from the outside. He is shooting close to 50 percent from the three-point arc in SLC play, having connected on 10 of 21 attempts.

The Bobcats will also have to pay attention to 6-foot-4-inch, 220 lb. forward DeAndre Alexander, the team’s leader on the glass, bringing down almost seven rebounds per game.

Keith, in his senior season for ULM, also has the ability to

score at the guard spot. Nicholls State held him to only four points last Saturday, but in the win at SFA he led the team with 12.

The Bobcats will then travel to Natchitoches to face the Demons of Northwestern State University at 4 p.m. Saturday.

“We take the same intensity and mental capacity we use at home and take that on the road,” Brown said. “Winning (at Northwestern State) would be huge.”

This SLC showdown features a team in Northwestern State that has been a surprise, as it enters the game with a 5-1 record. “(Northwestern State coach) Mike McConathy does an outstanding job with the talent that they have, and they do have a lot of talent,” Nutt said.

The Demons are also a team that plays with quality depth.

“They have weapons at every position that we must be prepared for to be successful on Saturday,” Nutt said.

Forward LeRoy Hurd and the University of Texas-San Antonio halted the Demons five-game SLC winning streak Saturday as they fell from the ranks of conference unbeaten.

Hurd exploded on his home floor for 31 points and 12 boards alongside Anthony Fuqua’s 16 and 14. Justin Harbert’s clutch three with 22 seconds left in overtime gave UTSA the 84-82 win.

The Demon arsenal led by guard Jermaine Wallace, who is averaging 15.3 in the SLC, rang

up his career-high of 27 points in the UTSA loss.

The upset Northwestern State suffered in San Antonio will do nothing more than add fuel to the fire Saturday afternoon for the Demons, winners of three straight at Prather Coliseum.

The Demons could possibly be without their second leading scorer (12.3 ppg) and leading rebounder (7.6 rpg), 6-foot-7inch forward Clifton Lee, after he re-aggravated a sprained ankle with just more than eight

minutes to play at UTSA. Texas State has the opportunity to propel itself to 7-0 in the SLC in the next two games, which will be a true test as to where the Bobcats stand as a team thus far.

“You separate yourself from the rest of the league when you can win on the road and our guys are extremely excited about taking the next step,” Nutt said.

The games can be heard on KTSW 89.9 FM or on the Internet at Boostercast.com.

Texas state

S tandings SLC WOMen’s BBall Standings Teams

SLC

Northwestern St. Louisiana-Monroe Texas-Arlington McNeese State TEXAS STATE Sam Houston Texas-San Antonio Stephen F. Austin Southeastern La. Lamar Nicholls State

W 6 5 3 3 3 3 2 2 1 1 0

Overall

L 0 1 2 2 2 2 3 3 4 4 6

PCT 1.000 .833 .600 .600 .600 .600 .400 .400 .200 .200 .000

W 13 9 9 5 3 3 6 2 8 4 1

L 4 8 8 11 12 13 10 13 7 11 16

PCT .765 .529 .529 .312 .200 .188 .375 .133 .533 .267 .059

PF 74.7 68.2 63.3 55.1 54.1 54.2 55.0 59.5 61.5 54.5 54.3

PA 68.8 65.2 60.8 65.6 74.1 66.6 60.2 81.2 65.1 70.5 71.1

Tx State WOmen’s bBall Schedule

January

29 at La. Monroe............. 5:30 p.m.

31 at Northwestern St.........2 p.m.

February

5 Host Southeast. La....5:30 p.m.

12 at Lamar.............................7 p.m.

14 Host LA-Monroe................4 p.m.

SLC Men’s BBall Standings Teams

SLC

TEXAS STATE Northwestern St. Southeastern La. Louisiana-Monroe Stephen F. Austin Sam Houston Texas-Arlington Texas-San Antonio Lamar McNeese State Nicholls State

W 5 5 4 4 3 2 2 2 1 1 0

L 0 1 1 2 2 3 3 3 4 4 6

Overall PCT 1.000 .833 .800 .667 .600 .400 .400 .400 .200 .200 .000

W 10 7 12 8 12 7 7 7 7 5 5

L 6 9 4 12 4 9 9 11 10 11 12

PCT .625 .438 .750 .400 .750 .438 .438 .389 .412 .312 .294

PF 69.9 73.2 71.1 68.3 72.0 78.6 69.7 68.5 78.9 72.9 66.3

PA 68.6 76.2 63.9 71.9 57.9 78.6 71.0 69.9 77.2 74.8 75.5

Tx State men’s bBall Schedule

January

29 at La.-Monroe........... 7:45 p.m.

31 at Northwestern St.......4 p.m.

February

5 Host Southeast. La..7:30 p.m.

11 at Lamar..........................7 p.m.

14 Host La.-Monroe......6:30 p.m.

19 at Sam Houston........7:45 p.m.

21 at UT-Arlington...............4 p.m.

25 Host UT-SA.................7:30 p.m.

Southl and Conference Preseason Baseball Polls Coaches Poll 1-Lamar (5) 2-UT-Arlington (3) 3-Northwestern St. 4-LA-Monroe 5-TEXAS STATE (1) 6-McNeese St. (1) 7-Sam Houston St. 8-UT-San Antonio 9-Southeastern La. 10-Nicholls St.

74 71 62 56 53 40 34 24 23 13

SIDs Poll 1-Lamar (6) 93 2-UT-Arlington (2) 86 T3-Northwestern St. (1) 69 T3-TEXAS STATE 69 5-LA-Monroe (1) 62 6-McNeese St. 52 7-UT-San Antonio 45 8-Sam Houston St. 38 9-Southeastern La. 25 10-Nicholls St. 15

Tx State baseball Schedule

January

31 at UT-Pan American.......7 p.m.

February

1 6 7 8 13 14 15

at UT-Pan American........ noon Host A&M-Corpus.... 6:30 p.m.

Host A&M-Corpus.......... 3 p.m.

Host A&M-Corpus...........1 p.m. at TexasChristian..........7 p.m. at TexasChristian..........3 p.m. at TexasChristian..........1 p.m.

Tx State softball Schedule

February

6-8 Texas State Tourn..........TBA at Baylor.......................6 p.m.

11 13-15 at Fiesta Bowl............... TBA 20-22 at NM St. Tourn.............. TBA 25 at Texas (2)............ 5/7 p.m.

28 Host Nicholls St (2)..1/3 p.m.

BASKETBALL: BOBCATS VISIT LOUISIANA-MONROE TODAY, WOMEN-5:30 P.M., MEN-7:45 P.M.

Spo r t s

Page 14 - The University Star

SACKED Matsakis era comes to an end after 13 months

By Travis Summers Sports Reporter The Manny Matsakis era at Texas State has come to an end after just 13 short months. The only things Matsakis accomplished here was to continue the roadlosing streak and give us that great new logo, the “Super Cat.” The head coaching position is now open. James Studer, Student Affairs vice president, announced at a press conference that four hours after a press release was sent out, 30 individuals had contacted the school about the position.

My question is: Who wants the job?

A year ago, Bob DeBesse was fired immediately after the end of the Bobcats’ regular season. Even before DeBesse was officially reassigned last year, actions had already been taken to find a replacement. Many coaches were tempted with the possibility of leading the San Marcos football team.

The school had enough time to find a replacement that would allow the proper time to set up a recruiting base in San Marcos.

With an unusual number of transfers, Matsakis, in less than two months, was able to put together one of the best recruiting classes Texas State had seen in quite some time.

But 13 months later, the situation is not as appealing for prospective coaches. Now Texas State finds itself looking at “left-over” candidates. Any coach-

?

Thursday, January 29, 2004

g See MATSAKIS, page 13

COACH: Texas State looks for replacement to fill Matsakis’ shoes Photo courtesy of Media Relations and Publications

g Cont. from page 1

each by themselves, are not of a large magnitude, but the number of reports in a short period of time is troubling,” Trauth said in the press release. “These reports and our concerns about the management of the football program called for this action.”

The most significant violation involves the NCAA’s 20-hour rule, which states that a team is not allowed to practice for more than 20 hours per week or four

hours per day during the season.

Between Sept.1 and Oct. 21, the Bobcats held practices of more than four hours a total of 14 times, more than 26 hours in violation.

“It’s sad to see both LaFleur and Matsakis leave the university,” said Justin McGarry, Associated Student Government vice president. “Both played an integral role in bringing fans to football games this season. But the administration found NCAA violations during its investigation

and (Trauth) is looking out for the integrity of this university.”

During his one season, Matsakis posted a 4-8 record and managed to raise attendance by an average of 732 people per game.

Studer said the athletic department needed to start fresh and move in a new direction, which was the reason LaFleur, who was hired in 2001 to replace the late Jim Wacker, was let go.

Both Matsakis and LaFleur will be reassigned to another post

within the athletic department until May 1, when their employment will be terminated. Because of the NCAA violations, no buyout of either contract will be necessary.

Associate Athletic Director Dana Craft, who has served in the Texas State athletic department since coming to the school as its women’s basketball coach in 1977, has also been reassigned.

The timing of the dismissals could have a negative effect on

recruiting, as National Signing Day is scheduled to take place next Wednesday.

“The timing for football couldn’t have been worse,” Studer said. “I wish it was different. But when we had more and more issues that were revealed, we felt we had to take action.”

Studer said there is no timetable for hiring a new coach, but a nationwide search would begin immediately. He did say he would like to hire an interim athletic director within two weeks.

“We’ve already received 30 inquiries about our head coaching vacancy, so we don’t think we’ll have a problem filling that position,” Studer said. “But issues of integrity and a focus on the student before the athlete will have great impetus when we decide who we’re going to hire.”

While none of the assistant coaches have been removed, they will all have to interview with the new coach, who will be allowed to form his own staff, Studer said.