November 15, 2010 by The Vanguard

Vanguard The

VOLUME 48, NUMBER 16

NonDiscrimination Resolution Passes in SGA

Alex Whalen

ASSOCIATE EDITOR alexwhalen@gmail.com

The SGA has passed the “Revision of the Non-Discrimination Policy Resolution” with only two votes against. This vote represents a big step in the SGA’s effort in amending USA’s Non-Discrimination Policy to include sexual orientation and gender identity. Business Senator Chris Jones, who has led the group that drafted and proposed the resolution, had the opportunity to speak to his fellow senators at last Monday’s Student Government Association (SGA) meeting. Jones said the group examined the nondiscrimination policies of 24 benchmark universities; only two of those universities did not have a clause similar to this in their non-discrimination policy. “This policy is us playing catch-up,” Jones said. “Having this [clause] in the policy brings peace of mind of students who feel like the University won’t offer protection.” Jones also mentioned the recent college student suicides that have resulted from harassment, adding this clause could help ensure the “equality and acceptance of everyone at the University.” SGA President Kim Proctor wondered aloud what the SGA could do if this resolution either didn’t pass or wasn’t approved by USA administration. Jones responded by saying that the senate can’t go into this project with a fear the resolution won’t be passed. Senator Paige Perry said she thought the SGA could still play an important role, even if the resolution was ultimately unsuccessful. “We can’t take ‘no’ for an answer,” Perry said. Much of the conversation during the meeting was trying to clear up exactly what impact this change to the Non-Discrimination Policy would have in a legal sense. Dean of Students Michael Mitchell was there to field questions as best he could; the hope was that a representative from the University’s Legal department could attend the meeting, but no one was available.

Serving USA Since 1965

November 15, 2010

Students Shine in Beaux’ Stratagem

To read the review, turn to page 6.

STILL UNDEFEATED! Admin Talks CAMPUS

Thursday’s 31-14 victory against Arkansas-Monticello was the last stop on USA’s way to a second unbeaten season, 17-0 all time. To read the full story, turn to p. 10.

International Student Numbers Cal Thomas

SENIOR REPORTER vanguardaande@gmail.com

Colin McGee | Photo Editor

Freshman wide receiver Jereme Jones reels in a touchdown pass from C.J. Bennet during the second quarter. The Jags dominated Arkansas-Monticello Saturday at Ladd-Peebles Stadium in a 3114 win that marked the end of USA’s second unblemished season.

One might walk around campus and notice the large number of international students that attend USA – after all, Mobile has become a bustling international hub. But not many people know where the students come from. USA has historically had about 100 countries represented in the international student population each year – and the top countries remain relatively the same. This year, about 229 students hail from India, 153 from Saudi Arabia, and 65 from Nepal, Gordon Mills, director of Institutional Research, said. “There are about 1,000 international students total,” he said. “That’s roughly 7 percent of the student population, but we’re not growing exponentially. It stays relatively constant.” The fact that there are 65 students from a country as small as Nepal may seem a little peculiar when compared to bigger countries – like the 28 students from China or 10 from the Russian Federation. “Even prior to this year, we have had quite a few students from Nepal,” Associate Vice President of Enrollment David Stearns see INTERNATIONAL | 5

see SGA | 15

Inside

Police Blotter p. 2

Correction:

In one of last week’s articles, student Sean Ramsey was incorrectly reported as being enrolled in the Chemical Engineering program at USA. He is actually a Mechanical Engineering major. The Vanguard apologizes for this error.

Arts & Entertainment p. 6

Brooklyn Band Rasputina Reﬂects Dramatic Flair in Pensacola See Arts & Entertainment p. 7

Sports p. 10

Opinion p. 12

Baseball’s Media Policy Killing the Game See Sports, p. 11

Distractions p. 14

Would Taking Away Toys in Meals Curb Child Obesity? See Opinion, p. 13

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Vanguard The

University of South Alabama’s Student Voice Mission The Vanguard, the student-run newspaper of the University of South Alabama, serves its readership by reporting the news involving the campus community and surrounding areas. The Vanguard strives to be impartial in its reporting and believes firmly in its First Amendment rights. Submission and Editorial Policies Send letters and guest columns to: Opinion Editor, USAVanguard.editor@gmail.com or The Vanguard, University of South Alabama, P.O. Drawer U-1057, Mobile, Ala. 36688. Letters and guest columns must be received by 7 p.m. on the Wednesday prior to the Monday publication. Submissions should be typed and must include the writer’s name, year, school and telephone number. All submissions become the property of The Vanguard. Unsigned letters will not be published. The Vanguard reserves the right to edit letters and guest columns for length and clarity. Letters will be limited to 300 words. Letters and guest columns are the opinion of the writer. The Staff Editorial represents the consensus opinion of the Editorial Board, which is composed of the Editor-in-Chief, Managing Editor, Associate Editor, Copy Editor, and Opinion Editor. All members of the Editorial Board have the same weight during weekly Editorial Board meetings. The Vanguard has a commitment to accuracy and clarity and will print any corrections or clarifications. To report a mistake, call the Editor-in-Chief at 251-460-6442 or e-mail USAVanguard.Editor@ gmail.com. The Vanguard is a member of Collegiate Presswire and U-Wire, which syndicates to a national audience.

P LICE BL TTER

11/6- Burglary, 3rd Degree/Public Intoxication/Criminal Trespassing, 3rd Degree A non-student was arrested at Research Park Building 3 for the listed crimes. According to the report, the suspect’s clothing is listed only as “underwear.” 11/8- Theft of Property, 3rd Degree A bike was reported stolen from the Delta 4 dorms. The item was valued at $100.

The Vanguard is published Mondays during the academic year, except for exam periods and vacations, and is published twice each summer. The Vanguard is supported in part by an allocation from student activity fees and operates in the Student Media Department of the Division of Student Affairs. Issues are available at most University buildings and select off-campus locations. The first copy is free. Additional copies are $1 each.

ADVERTISING STAFF Advertising Manager: Wesley Jackson Advertising Representative: Regi Allen Advertising Representative: Daniel Fordemwalt Graphic Designer: Brittany Hawkins MANAGEMENT Adviser: Jim Aucoin Accounting: Kathy Brannan

Phone Number (251) 460-6442 Article XIV, Section 8 of The Lowdown: The editors of the student publications shall be free from any type of censorship and shall be responsible for the form, content and staff of the publication. SPLC Statement: The Vanguard recognizes and affirms the editorial independence and press freedom of all student-edited campus media. Student editors have the authority to make all content decisions and consequently bear the responsibility for the decisions that they make.

11/9- Theft of Property, 3rd Degree A student reported that an HTC Hero cell phone was stolen from the Student Recreation Center on 11/8 between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. 11/9- Fraudulent Use of Credit/Debit Card A known subject fraudulently used a student’s Jag Card at

the Market between 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. 11/9- Theft From Public Building A Blackberry Curve phone was reported stolen from the Student Recreation Center between 7 p.m. and 7:15 p.m. The item was valued at $400. 11/10- Theft of Property, 3rd Degree An HTC phone with a broken touch screen was reported stolen from the Life Sciences Lecture Hall. The item was valued at $75.

What You’re Saying About “The Rant: CROSSWALKS AND OTHER IGNORABLE THINGS” by Etc. Editor Laura Beth Calcote

DISTRIBUTION Distribution Manager: Johnny Davis

Mailing Address The Vanguard University of South Alabama P.O. Drawer U-1057 Mobile, Ala. 36688

11/9- Theft of Property, 2nd Degree An asphalt cutter was reported stolen from the construction site at Stadium Boulevard. The item was valued at $1,400.

Jag Growl

EDITORIAL STAFF Editor-in-Chief: Daniela Werner Managing Editor: Matthew Peterson Associate Editor: Cameron Adkins Copy Editor: Genny Roman Etc. Editor: Laura Beth Calcote Arts & Entertainment Editor: Cal Thomas Opinion Editor: Alex Whalen Sports Editor: Matt Weaver Photo Editor: Colin McGee Webmaster: Rodney Thompson

Website: http://www.usavanguard.com

November 15, 2010

Like to get your USA news on the Web? You can get our RSS feeds. Visit www.usavanguard. com, select “Options” and click on “RSS Subscribe.”

“...There are rules for pedestrians to adhere to, like acknowledging that an already-oncoming car has the right-of-way, but cars must likewise be on the lookout for oncoming pedestrians. I would also like to point out to drivers that even if a sidewalk breaks and does not have a crosswalk to fill the gap, the pedestrian still has the right-of-way. -vbic

“...The problem lies ultimately with the drivers who do not stop at crosswalks or inch past a person walking on one and speed off. While some pedestrians do disobey the crosswalks and cross in the street, it is ultimately the driver’s responsibility to always be alert because a pedestrian always had the right of way.” -Vigilant Walker

(comments taken from usavanguard.com)

November 15, 2010

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Students: ‘Junk the Jungle’ Stirs School Spirit

Alex Whalen

ASSOCIATE EDITOR alexwhalen@gmail.com

Cleanup for the SGA’s Junk the Jungle is all but finished, and compared to last year, the campus is much cleaner. Much of the relative success of the cleanup was due to the SGA restricting where decorations would be placed. “Last year, there was toilet paper and junk all over campus,” Chris White, a junior elementary education major said. “This year, it still looked trashy, but at least it was just the [traffic circle].” Much of the student response to Junk the Jungle, however, was quite positive. Many students said they enjoyed the decorations

Alex Whalen | Associate Editor

The Vanguard took some before (above left) and after (above right) pictures of the traffic circle, which was SGA’s target during “Junk the Jungle,” part of Homecoming week.

and felt the event was a nice way to bring students together. Computer Information Sciences Senator Justin Schneider helped lead the cleanup effort. “We were out there all night Thursday until 2:30 Friday morning,” Schneider said. They also spent much of Friday night and Saturday afternoon cleaning and, with the help of the Mobile Fire-Rescue Department’s hoses, got much of the toilet paper out of the trees. Ashley Johnston, chair of the Homecoming Committee, expressed disappointment at many of the senators’ level of involvement for Homecoming events and cleanup. see JUNGLE | 4

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News in Brief

USA Mathematics Professor Passes Away

Dr. Satya Mishra, a mathematics and statistics professor, died Oct. 21 after a three-year battle with cancer. During his time at USA, Mishra helped develop the statistics wing of his department and served on hiring, promotion and tenure committees. He also served as assistant to the chair from May 2001 through March 2009, directing all course scheduling in the department and serving as acting chair. He retired Oct. 1. Mishra is survived by his wife, two children and two grandchildren. His funeral was held Oct. 23. Glass Arts Building Officially Open USA’s newly built Glass Arts Building officially opens today. A four-day program celebrating the state-of-the-art, climate-controlled addition to the Visual Arts Building Complex at USA will happen today through Nov. 18, featuring two artists: Visiting artist Professor David Keens from the University of

Jungle from page 3

“Only one-quarter to one-third of the senate was at attendance at Homecoming,” she said at last Monday’s SGA meeting. “That makes us look really bad.” In a phone interview with The Vanguard, Schneider also commented on the low attendance during cleanup. “There could’ve been more people, but I didn’t have high expectations. Nobody likes to clean up,” he said. But Schneider acknowledged that it’s the SGA’s obligation to clean up after events that it puts on, which is why they spent so much

Texas at Arlington and Assistant Professor Rene Culler, USA’s leader of the new glass art program. The program includes lectures and glassblowing sessions where students and guests can watch Keens and Culler create glass art. For more information, call the Department of Visual Arts at 251-461-1438.

USA Baldwin County Director Retiring USA Baldwin County (USABC) Director Dr. Phillip Norris will retire Nov. 23 after 33 years of service to the University. Norris will be succeeded by Dr. Cindy Wilson, who has been appointed interim director after serving as associate director of USABC since 2001. Wilson, who earned her doctorate in counselor education at the University of Alabama, began in 1993 as an assistant professor and assistant director of USABC. Norris currently serves on boards of the Eastern Shore Chamber of Commerce and the Weeks Bay Foundation.

time cleaning up. The Vanguard took a walk around the Jungle last Monday to examine the SGA’s cleanup efforts. Sheet signs were still hanging or laying on the ground, entire rolls of toilet paper were still on the ground, and streams of tissue were draped along the ground and in trees. Despite these shortcomings, the long-term effects of Homecoming decorations have been much less severe than last year. Chris Willis, director of Facilities Management, said that clean up wasn’t a terrible problem, although there was still some paper in the trees as of Friday.

November 15, 2010

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USAPD Officers Catch Gator at The Grove

Courtesy of USAPD

USAPD Corporal Rodney Miller (left) and Officer Michael Rowe (right) hold a four-foot alligator they caught at The Grove Thursday night. Miller said USAPD got a phone call around midnight Thursday from a student returning to her apartment at The Grove when she spotted the alligator walking around a back parking lot. Other USAPD officers assisted in the capture, which involved getting a dog-catching pole around the alligator’s neck and pinning it down to secure its jaws with a rubber band, Miller said. Officers transported it to USA’s Brookley Campus and released it into Mobile Bay waters.

International from page 1

said. “We have seen the number grow over the past four to five years, but this year it has stabilized because more students are having visa or financial problems. There are just fewer students leaving home.” Even these problems, though, have not put a damper on the USA’s attractiveness to the international population. Stearns said that the cost of tuition at USA has given it an advantage over several other universities – as well as the arrangement of Meisler Hall. “It is convenient,” USA Communication senior Tinashe Nyatanga, from Zimbabwe, said. “But I only really go to Meisler Hall if I need anything from Admissions. I’m not too concerned about it.” The fact that international students can get almost everything they need in one office is a tremendous benefit – and in addition, the office of International Student Services can help with everything from other scholastic affairs to visa work/school extensions. “There is a lot to the community outreach here,” said Donna Pigg, Director of International Student Services and Admissions. “For example, for Indian students, there is the India Association of Greater Mobile – and there are many other international organizations on campus to help the students adjust.” International Student Services even offers a pickup service from the airport to take the students to their assigned housing and help them get acclimated. “If you have friends and family, people from your country that live here, it’s simple,” Nyatanga said. “But if you’re new to the area they help out. “There’s even a man – Jim Mather – that

helps out with international students and runs a Bible study group.” The group is called Friends of Internationals, and it is comprised of both international and American students. USA sophomore Communication major Sarah Wraight said she attends these meetings on Tuesday nights. “It’s at Jim’s home across from South,” she said. “There are always different people there – the same basic group is there but there are always new faces from all over the world. “And it is not strictly Christian – they don’t force anything on you and you can express doubts, worries, anything. It’s very open.” Once a lot of these international students are acclimated, they enroll the colleges of Engineering, Computer Science, or Business. “There are a sprinkling in Nursing and Allied Health,” Stearns said. “For many of these countries there is a lot of emphasis on science and technology.” “We appreciate [the international students] being here,” Pigg said. “Something that helps them the most is having international organizations and friends that are deeply involved – that help them on campus and in the area.” Wraight said that there are many international students around campus who seem well adjusted – but at Friends of Internationals she has met many who would not have been as comfortable without the group. “The University has a lot of respect for international students, and they do what they can,” Wraight said. “But some of the students here have preconceived judgments about international kids and it just seems to create a barrier.” Students interested in joining an international student organization can call the Office of International Services at 251-460-6050.

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Arts & Entertainment

Comedian Lightens Homecoming Mood

Cal Thomas A & E Editor

vanguardaande@gmail.com

November 15, 2010

Beaux’ Stratagem Strikes Again

Stand-up comedian Josh Wade performs at USA to the delight of hundreds. Mary Beth Lursen

STAFF WRITER mel904@jaguar1.usouthal.edu

On Nov. 3, Jaguar Productions brought in well-renowned stand-up comedian Josh Wade as part of Homecoming week festivities. Wade has opened for many people, including Peter Yorn and Coldplay. He’s appeared on Saturday Night Live, Comedy Central and National Public Radio. Recently, he made an appearance in a new pilot for an upcoming MTV show, “Room Raiders.” He has also preformed at celebrated comedy clubs, such as the Laugh Factory, The Ice House and Comedy Time. Wade has also appeared on many colleges, and he regularly tours universities, always earning terrific reviews. He has been regarded as one of the best up-and-coming comedians for colleges all over the country. With this impressive resume behind him, the students were in for a treat. Wade talked about experiences everyone in the crowd could relate to easily, from stupid things guys do to his crazy neighbors (although his are in Hollywood and not in Mobile), to lessons learned as a college freshman – Wade made the audience burst into laughter over and over again. Wade started off his act with, “So my girlfriend just broke up with me.” While all the women in the crowd awwed over this, he went on to say the reason she broke up with him was because he was immature. And instead of defending himself, he continued to say that all guys are immature. Well, that wasn’t expected. It must have paid off, because he went on to list a few of the immature things that he had done recently. Like trying to open a Capri Sun with a pair of scissors, ending up in the ER in need of stitches. He didn’t just run through a repertoire of old jokes either. He poked fun of members of the audience and interacted with the crowd. “Josh Wade is like one of your friends,” said sophomore English major Emily Melvin. “And not all of his jokes are scripted either. He made some of it up on the spot!” This was just the tip of the iceberg with the many ways that Wade made the students laugh until their sides hurt. His wit and humor made homecoming week that much more enjoyable. Be sure to catch all of the JP events in the coming weeks!

Colin McGee | Photo Editor

USA’s Department of Dramatic Arts brings show-goers ‘The Beaux’ Stratagem,’ a mischievous comedy starring USA students.

‘Stratagem’ brings old-school comedy back to USA’s theatre stage. Laura Beth Calcote

ETC. EDITOR vanguardetceditor@gmail.com

If you know theatre, you know that a good play continues its run. “The Beaux’ Stratagem,” by George Farquhar, has been in theaters around the world since 1707. And you wouldn’t think that a play written so long ago would still be so socially relevant today. Do the words “drunk,” “gambling,” or “sugar mama” mean anything to you? Tom Aimwell (played by Joshua Welch) and his drinking buddy, Jack Archer (played by Andrew Willis) have gambled and drank away their money, so they do what any drunk gambler would do when he’s out of cash: get a sugar mama. Or two. And quick. Enter Mrs. Kate Sullen (played by Caitlin Jennings). She’s got money, that’s for sure; and a husband. I’ll leave the plot at that, for now, but you can also expect a significant amount of scheming, a highwayman masquerading as a Catholic priest (played by Evan Wilson), quite a few dirty jokes and some very impressive swordplay. On top of that, or despite all of that (if you consider yourself more of an “Our Town” kind of theatre-goer), you can be sure to expect some excellent writing; writing that has survived the years because it’s just that biting. Also expect beautiful costumes, visually pleasing set design and more wigs and

Colin McGee | Photo Editor

‘The Beaux’ Stratagem’ boasts gorgeous costumes, an eye-catching set and more wigs and hairpieces than you can count.

hairpieces than you can count. Jean Galloway directs, and in her 20th year at South as an adjunct professor and veteran director, she brings the focus back to comedy. She said, “Three hundred years later and the same topics are still funny. It is a face in its truest sense.” She also said, “It’s always interesting to see students develop comedic timing.”

And develop it they have. Willis said that his character “is a rogue. He’s just out for a good time.” Pair that comment with his counterpart’s, when Welch said that his character “is just trying to get a sugar mama,” and you can see how these two bring a little of themselves to the characters. Jennings, on the other hand, says that her character’s seductive quality has been more of a stretch for her. Jennings said, “She’s very outspoken, and very seductive … very unlike me!” But don’t worry. She pulls it off nicely. If room would allow, each cast member could be equally mentioned, as each is spot-on in their character choices and hilarious to the core. Under Fulton Burns’ fight direction, the sword is the weapon of choice, so if you’re a typical guys’ guy who thinks that “to be, or not to be” is a line originally from Family Guy, you really won’t mind your girlfriend dragging you with her to this play. Correct me if I’m wrong, but there’s nothing quite so satisfying as the clank of metal on metal in a good swordfight. “The Beaux’ Stratagem” runs Nov. 18, 19, and 20 at 7:30 p.m., and you can reserve your tickets from the box office by calling 251-460-6306. And go ahead and schedule an appointment with your doctor for a surgery after the show; your side’s going to be split.

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November 15, 2010

Unfamiliar Faces of Rock: Rasputina Plays Pensacola

The Airborne Toxic Event Contaminates Disney Philharmonic Orchestra

Tinashe Nyatanga

STAFF WRITER tbn601@jaguar1.usouthal.edu

Cal Thomas | A&E Editor

Catie D'Amica and Melora Creager play at the Vinyl Music Hall. Cal Thomas

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR vanguardaande@gmail.com

Not many people would recognize the name Rasputina, but the band is far from underground. The name itself conjures mental images of cold Russian winters and grey skies, distant and depressing buildings – and their dark cello-based music reflects this dramatic flair for which they have become known. Rasputina, an eccentric three-piece rock band from Brooklyn, New York, has played with bands ranging in style and notoriety from Nirvana and the Pixies to Marilyn Manson. Melora Creager, the vocalist and first cellist, began looking to form the band in 1989 while she was in art school. “[Rasputina] came out of a performance art project in school,” she said. “I played the cello with other rock bands at a professional level so my naïveté really helped me in the beginning. I never thought Rasputina was a weird band or thought anything was difficult.” But Creager admitted that the first issue they had was hardening themselves for people that were there to hear Marilyn Manson. “We were playing for Manson’s audience. They’re big and nasty – we had to learn to hold our own,” she said. “For a few years people just wrote us off as a goth has-been. And with the new album we’re getting lots of respect from the press about being a good artist rather than just a fashion statement.” But the “goth” label that has been affixed to Rasputina for some time seems to have set a stylistic precedent for their songs. “I haven’t been as influenced by rock bands in my music as I was by my cello exercise book, history, architecture,” Creager said. “There’s a lot going on in the music. It can be really heavy, tender, and fragile within the same song.” And the influence of tragic history on Rasputina’s music is evident in Creager’s lyrics. Thanks for the Ether’s first track, “My Little Shirtwaist Fire,” is the story of an employee watching the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory burn in March of 1911 – where the workers had been locked in overnight to keep them working. The newly-released Sister Kinderhook is no exception to this trend. It explores a range of events and subjects that complement one another and successfully disturb the listener, should they seek more information. “Snow-Hen of Austerlitz,” one of the most haunting tracks Rasputina has produced, describes a feral child – raised by her mother, who kept birds, as a bird herself, much like the fictional story of Mowgli in the Jungle Book. Rasputina played a concert at Pensacola’s Vinyl Music Hall on Oct. 28 – and the cohesion with which they play had not been dampened by years of lineup changes. Second cellist Daniel DeJesus and drummer Catie D’Amica filled out the band after a host of intermittent members. The passionate performance left all in attendance stunned and Rasputina returned for three encore pieces, including a cover of Pink Floyd’s “Wish You Were Here” and The Smith’s “How Soon is Now?” Rasputina are currently touring in Detroit and Cincinnati. You can find out more at their website, www.rasputina.com.

On Dec. 9, 2009, The Airborne Toxic Event was given a rare chance to play at the prestigious Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles alongside the world famous Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra. It was an opportunity that bands usually never get. The 2,265-seat concert hall was sold out, but those who could get seats for this special event were treated to the release of the live DVD, which included a behind-the-scenes on Sept. 28 2010 titled “All I Ever Wanted.” Jon Danovic was the brains behind the video production and served as the director. The storytellers behind the cameras did an amazing job in capturing the moment. Those involved in filming weren’t just there for that one day, but several before and many after. “The original plan had us delivering much sooner, like within a month of the show,” said Brian Girard, the executive producer of Wheel House Creative. Wheel House Creative oversaw filming and production of the DVD. Disney is known for being protective over its property, and gaining access to film the event at the concert hall was the biggest challenge the production team faced. “They have pretty strict rules about filming there, and we had some hoops to jump through just to get them to write off on our being there,” Girard said. Upon watching the DVD one is presented with the band as it prepares for the performance. This footage is shown

in black and white while the main concert footage is shown in color. The interesting thing about the footage is that we aren’t shown the preparation in the first half and then the performance in the second half. Rather, it is all edited together so we see some preparation and then performance back and forth. “All the documentary footage was shot single camera, typically just Jon and I in the room with the band,” said Girard. For the day of the show they had nine cameras in the performance hall. Danovic is known for recently switching over the production of “The Carson Daily Show” to Canon HDSLR cameras and Apple Final Cut editing software. “The major advantage is the look: you essentially have a 35mm film camera in your pocket,” Girard said. 35 mm cameras were essentially what every aspiring film maker wanted to shoot on, as it was what the professionals filming motion pictures used. Now we have digital cinema cameras that all strive to replace 35 mm. As for lessons learned from this project, Girard said, “Anything is possible with good communication and a fair amount of talent. And The Airborne Toxic Event is one hell of band.” Upon ending the interview, Girard had some words of wisdom for production students: “Don’t wait for permission. Shoot first, ask questions later. No one will ever work harder for you than you; don’t wait around, and always be creating.”

Discover Mobile: The Alabama Music Box Timothy Borland

STAFF WRITER trb903@jaguar1.usouthal.edu

If Mobilians wish to discover music off the beaten path, they need look no further than the Alabama Music Box, located at 455 Dauphin St. The Music Box is exactly how its apt name implies, a square room with music. This venue could well be considered the CBGB’s of Mobile with off-kilter unfamiliar bands reverberating through the venue. This building was made for parties, if not well suited for acoustics. The stage resides in the left corner of the front of the building with a bar along the adjacent wall. The upstairs wraps around a wooden railing allowing the audience a unique perspective of bands performing down below. From the second floor, one can walk out onto the New Orleans-style balcony area for a breath of fresh air safely above the wobbly drivers below. There is also a back porch area on the first floor with an outside bar that offers many seats and benches for those wishing to escape the chaos inside. This combination of environments allows the Music Box to be a unique experience; a performance can be viewed from many angles, visited, left and returned to all without leaving the venue space. Many of the Music Box’s acts are local. Crowd favorites TKO and Super Nice Bros. perform often, as well as other local and independent bands. This is not to say that well known acts do not make stops as well; MC Chris and Glitch Mob, among others, have also made recent appearances. Ultimately, the Music Box is meant to function as a small venue for bands to gain more recognition on their way up. If your band wants a shot at the stage, contact the owners via their website at www.alabamamusicbox.net and convince them you can pull a crowd. The Music Box formerly hosted open mic nights, a tradition that is sorely missed and will likely return in the future. Another function of the Music Box is as a convenient after-party location for events happening at the Soul Kitchen. The Soul Kitchen is only a few blocks’ walk

Colin McGee | Photo Editor

The Alabama Music Box brings bands like Zoogma (above) to Mobile. For more information on the venue, call 251-4418934.

past Cathedral Square. When Ghostland Observatory performed to an eager crowd at the Soul Kitchen last month, all attendees were granted free admission to the after-party at the Music Box where the music and merrymaking continued well into the morning. For more information about the Alabama Music Box, ticket sales, and upcoming events, call 251-441-8934.

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November 15, 2010

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November 15, 2010

Letter to the Editor

‘Junk the Jungle’ Not So Bad Editor,

I understand that most of your staff disapproves of the recent “Junk the Jungle” event and I personally believe that the horse has been beaten to death with the plethora of articles printed in the Vanguard. I am writing to relay something that happened at our work place that parallels closely the “Junk the Jungle” situation. In an attempt to improve moral an individual went our of their way to plan, design and implement many events and ideas in an attempt to promote comradery and lighten spirits. Each attempt was met with cynicism, resistance, and rejection. After many well intentioned attempts this person resigned themselves to allowing the company to wallow in derision and strife. It seems to me that the same could be said about the constant resistance to the universities attempt to conduct moral and bonding activities such as “Junk the Jungle”. I agree that currently (3 days after the jungle was supposed to be cleaned up) the mess left behind this event is unsightly but, considering the fact that South Alabama is a commuter school whose students are disjoined at best, I applaud the attempt at improving the esprit de corps. Do not simply disparage the universities attempts at comradery, offer

constructive alternatives only tread lightly. I would rather a university’s clumsy attempts than apathy and no attempt to improve our great university. Michael A. Casallo c/o 2005, 2008

Where Is Laci Gagliano’s Next Tea Party Being Held? $ I am simply flabbergasted after reading Laci Gagliano’s article “Rhetoric and Propaganda”. As I read her submission I saw through her thinly veiled attempt to parade her right wing propaganda reverse psychology shenanigans. It is clear to me that her article was designed to slander our current administration and our hope of a progressive government. For example, re-read a portion of her article with italicized replacements which demonstrate her right wing conspiracy attempts: “Passions are high, but is this current apple of America’s eyes here to stay? I wager that once the excitement from the recent elections dies down and the handful of Obama supporters, a.k.a. Democrats, settle into their newly obtained offices,

the movement will sink below the media’s required hyper-sensational level and become apparent as nothing more than the cinders of a well-orchestrated, massive left-wing campaign flame. Polarized political discourse generally has a media-induced excitement threshold, and a low one at that. Once this threshold is exceeded, people generally spill over from rational reasoning to reactionary fervor. The Obama movement is a prime example. The image the Obama movement has garnered for itself has long since been detached from any associations with tactful expressions of belief. Obama movements abound, and these events are often replete with everything from derogatory and racist name-calling to hopelessly misinformed comparisons of Bush to Hitler, and even emotionally charged physical intimidation.“ I could continue but I believe that the above example clearly demonstrates that Laci is a Tea Party plant intent on harming the current administration – she should be ashamed of herself and her blatant attempt at derision. $ “At times one remains faithful to a cause only because its opponents do not cease to be insipid.” Friedrich Nietzsche Michael A. Casallo c/o 2005, 2008

Send your Letters to the Editor to USAVanguard.Editor@Gmail.com.

Sports

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Matt Weaver Sports Editor jmatthewweaver@aol.com

November 15, 2010

Listing The Worst Mascots In College Sports Jayson Curry

SPORTS COLUMNIST jayson-curry@hotmail.com

With the UC-Davis Agriculturals, Henderson State Reddies and Monticello Boll Weevils on the 2010 South Alabama football schedule, I started thinking about the absolute worst mascots in college athletics. College athletics have virtually anything to choose from and yet we still get mistakes and oddities like the three mentioned above. It’s granted that not everyone can be a lion, tiger or bear, but some programs have to step it up. The research is in, and this is going to be a two-part column. So, try to hold the fluid out of your nose. First up is number ten: 10. St. Johns College Los Libros Yes, St. John’s mascot roughly translates to “The Books” in Spanish, and you must undoubtedly be wondering why. Well the curriculum at St. Johns College is based off the reading of epic books. Every semester, students are required to read roughly 15 books varying from The Odyssey to The Bible. So in that regard, I get it. But in making this your athletic mascot, I don’t. And why are they bilingual - Who knows? But this may be, by far, the worst mascot in college athletics. 9. The Webster University Gorlocks The Gorlock is the mythical creature fabricated by the student body of Webster University. The Gorlock is said to have the paws of a speeding cheetah, the horns of a fierce buffalo and the face of a trustworthy St. Bernard. The name Gorlock stems from the two streets that intersect Webster. The streets are Gore and Lockwood. Despite a hearty explanation, I still have zero clue what these guys were thinking. 8. Arkansas Monticello Boll Weevils I referenced these guys before. This isn’t anywhere close to an acceptable mascot. A boll weevil is an insect that eats the buds and flowers of cotton. For fairness sake, there are plenty of hornets and yellow jackets in college athletics, and at least those bugs cause mad pain. I’ve never been concerned with making a boll weevil mad. And judging from Thursday’s 31-14 victory over Monticello, neither were the Jaguars. 7. UC Santa Cruz Banana Slugs This bright yellow and slimy shellless mollusk is found on the floor of redwood forests. The slug began its career as the unofficial mascot of Santa Cruz but when a school president tried to change the team’s mascot to a sea lion, the student body protested and brought back the slug. That’s borderline disgusting. 6. Providence College Friars see MASCOTS | 11

Football Stays Undefeated Jaguars Move to 17-0 All-time After Defeating Arkansas-Monticello Matt Weaver

SPORTS EDITOR jmatthewweaver@aol.com

The fans’ mantra is “Still Undefeated.” The team likes to call it 17-0. But however you look at it, the South Alabama football team has completed two flawless and unblemished seasons since undertaking football in the fall of 2007. This was especially the case after South Alabama’s 31-14 victory over ArkansasMonticello on Thursday night at LaddPeebles Stadium. Coutney Smith set a school record 10 catches and Justin Dunn completed seven tackles on the way to sending the first senior class of USA football out in style on Thursday. Following the game, the seniors were carried off the field, and fans were allowed to celebrate with the team. It was an appropriate ending to a college career where the fans have meant so much. Senior Linebacker Charlie Higgenbotham was amongst the first to commit to the program. Despite his vision, he was still awed at where the team stands two short years later. “I didn’t know what to expect when I first came here,” Higgenbotham said. “Looking back on it, it’s the scariest day of my life. I didn’t know anyone here. “It’s been such an amazing experience and it’s a sign that something really special is happening here. We’ve really came together in two years, and I challenge them to keep it going.” Smith is the highest profile senior and has an outside shot at making the Senior Bowl. Smith’s ten catches for 141 yards set a school receptions record, but head

Colin McGee | Photo Editor

Junior TE Paul Bennett delivers a vicious blow to an Arkansas-Monticello defender in Thursday’s 31-14 victory for the Jags.

coach Joey Jones insisted that the team was not trying to feature the wide receiver. “We weren’t trying to force him the ball,” Jones said. “Courtney has been the face of our program in many ways, and that’s a reflection on his abilities and character. It’s great that he was able to go out that way. He’s a leader and a true team captain.” Freshman quarterback C.J. Bennett threw for two touchdowns on 222 yards

on 16-of-29 passing. Was he trying to feed passes to Smith? “Courtney had a big game for us and it was good to send him off the right way,” Bennett said. “He always finds a way to get open and pick us up when we needed him to. “All of our seniors are leaders, and they’ve brought so much to the program.” A second consecutive undefeated seasee FOOTBALL | 15

Men’s Basketball Starts Season on High Note Matt Weaver

SPORTS EDITOR jmatthewweaver@aol.com

If Friday night’s 81-53 season-opening victory is any indication, South Alabama men’s basketball should be one of the more athletic Jaguar teams of the past decade. In the same respect they’re also quite possibly the most aggressive and energetic team the Mitchell Center has ever seen. Sophomore guard Martino Brock crashed into approximately 12 chairs and two tables and still managed to score 16 points on a bewildered badger defense. But is Brock’s style, which has rubbed off on his teammates, a hindrance? “We’re an aggressive team,” head coach Ronnie Arrow said. “We can’t go in to games thinking about injuries because that’s when you’re the most likely to get hurt. “You’re more likely to get hurt standing still than you are playing at the highest level.” South Alabama (1-0) will face the highest level in the coming weeks as the Jags travel to Hattiesburg Wednesday, Nov. 17 to face their strongest test yet in Southern Miss. “Things are about to get real tough and we’ve got to get our guys ready to play night-in

Colin McGee I Photo Editor

Sophomore Martino Brock goes in for the break-away slam. The men’s basketball team next home action is Nov. 20th versus Central Michigan.

and night-out,” Arrow said. After playing Southern Miss, the Jags return home on Saturday, Nov. 20 to face Central Michigan. But the level of play will get tougher after Central Michigan as South Alabama has scheduled road matches against the University of Alabama, Alabama-Birmingham and Louisville. The Jags will then be welcomed home by the LSU Tigers who visit on Sunday, Nov. 28 for the annual Coors’ Basketball Classic at the Mitchell Center. South Alabama’s practice will focus heavily on free throw shooting after shooting only 45.7 percent from the charity stripe on Friday. Arrow expects seniors Tim Williams and Raymond Sims to lead the team in each statistical category. But if Brock can be the player he was on Friday, the Jags will have a legitimate shot at winning the Sun Belt. “I thought Martino played the way we needed him to,” Arrow said. “He is a guy that cannot play without energy, and we need to get him near the ball for maximum efficiency.” The Jags resume play on Wednesday against Southern Miss. Live updates can found on Twitter @USAVGSPORTS.

New Orleans Saints

Williams Is Saints Man Behind The Curtain Josh York

SPORTS COLUMNIST jdy601@jaguar1.usouthal.edu

Sean Payton is an offensive guy. He’s paid to offend defensive coaches. He’s creative, very difficult to stop and can design plays that have the defense going one way and the offense going another. Under Payton, the New Orleans Saints have led the league in total offense three of the last four seasons. But make no mistake. Defense wins championships. This year’s Saints have been more like the Dome Patrol of the early 1990’s and less like the modern Greatest Show on Turf that we have come to know. Defensive Coordinator Gregg Williams has made sure that if the team struggles, it wasn’t going to be at the fault of his defense. These New Orleans Saints are hitting hard. They’re not missing tackles, and they’re pressuring the quarterback, forcing turnovers. And the most important factor of all is that they have not given up over 300 yards of total offense in six straight games and are currently ranked fifth in points allowed at a shade over 16. Defense wins championships. The Saints are currently ranked first against the pass, and they are doing it against some of the top quarterbacks in the league. Week 1: Brett Favre Week 3: Matt Ryan Week 8: Ben Roethlisberger These quarterbacks only have three Super Bowls and 12 Pro Bowls between them.

www.greenascot.com

New Orleans Saints defensive coordinator Gregg Williams talks with FS Darren Sharper..

Again, defense Wins championships. In the storybook 2009 Season, the Defense allowed 22 points a game, meaning the Saints were going to have to win a shootout to survive. This puts an immense amount of pressure on the shoulders of the offense, and at times it can be downright disheartening. But the 2010 Saints have had little to worry about on that front, and Gregg Williams has made sure of that. The Saints go into a bye with a 6-3 record; one and a half games behind the division leading Atlanta Falcons. The Falcons own the tie-breaker for now after beating the Saints 27-24 in week 3. That contest was the only game of the

The

Vanguard Sports Poll LAST WEEK:

THIS WEEK:

Will USA Football Win

Does Courtney Smith Deserve

the Sun Belt by 2020?

a Senior Bowl Invitation?

No Yes

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November 15, 2010

* Yes * No

“USA is already dominating every other statistical category in the Sun Belt - Attendance, Sagarin Ratings and of course, wins! It’s just a matter of time before South Alabama football transcends the Sun Belt.” -Kenny Mohren, USA alum

Vote Now!

year in which the Saints defense made a misstep. A quick glance at the schedule would reveal two teams having scored 30 against the Saints, the Cleveland Browns and the Arizona Cardinals. But that was aided by four defensive touchdowns en route to the two losses. Subtract those two mirages and the Saints could be sitting at 7-1. And with the Browns recent victory over the New England Patriots, the Cleveland loss stings just a little less. So remember, defense wins championships. The most astonishing thing about the Saints dominance on defense is that nearly three-fourths of the secondary has been out for much of the season. Starting linebacker Jonathan Casillas went down in the first game of the season. Starting free safety and turnover expert Darren Sharper sat out the first six games while rehabbing a knee injury. Starting short safety Roman Harper has been nursing injuries all season. Cornerbacks Jabari Greer and Tracy Porter have missed much of the season, both nursing leg injuries. And yet the 2010 Saints defense hasn’t missed a step. Now if only the offense can return to its dominant form, the Saints are quite possibly poised to make yet another run at the championship. With the week 10 returns of Pierre Thomas and Reggie Bush, the sky could be the limit. Couple that with a defense that is only allowing 16 points-per-game and you might just have a winning formula. And it’s all because defense wins championships.

Mascots from page 10

This could have only been more sacrilegious had they named the team “The Fighting Friars”. Priests are even less aggressive and intimidating than books and weevils. The Providence mascot began as a Dalmatian named Friar but after going through four Dalmatians over the course of several seasons, the school designated an actual Friar to be the official mascot. How sad. Bonus: The Trinity Christian College Trolls There is more than one explanation for this name but neither makes a troll a serviceable college mascot. One story is that “TROLL” is an acronym. The “TR” comes from Trinity, while “OLL” is from College and “S” is from students. The other story is that a former university president’s wife was looking for an appropriate alliteration. She eventually settled on “Troll.” Trolls were said to have had supernatural abilities, and the wife said that God would have to give Trinity powers in order to be a competitive program. Two points for inspiring a fan base. This is the end for now, but remember to come back next week as we review the second half of our list for worst mascots.

Charging the Mound

Baseball’s New Media Policy is Killing the Game Matt Weaver

SPORTS EDITOR jmatthewweaver@aol.com

Let’s say you and a friend set off to start a podcast devoted to your beloved Atlanta Braves. It sounds really fun and exciting until Major League Baseball Advanced Media (MLBAM) catches wind of it. Apparently, they don’t want your free publicity at the risk of you using their names and colors. That’s exactly what happened to the guys at cubscast.com, who were issued a cease-and-decist letter after podcasting about the Chicago Cubs since 2004. Earlier in the year, the team of Sheps and Lou began a similar podcast for the Minnesota Twins, appropriately called, Twinscast. It was Twinscast that called the attention of MLBAM, who sent a legal notice to the duo demanding them to stop podcasting and hand over their domain names, website and fan forums to MLB. It’s just another example of how clueless Major League Baseball and Commissioner Bud Selig are about new and social media. Where does it stop? There are thousands of baseball blogs and podcasts that use the colors and names of baseball clubs. Can Baseball legally claim to own the colors of a team, especially in regard to a not-for-profit podcast? Legalities aside, this is bad business for Major League Baseball. The league is literally dying for a younger fanbase, and their aggression against tech-savvy fans is the exact reason why. The truth is that MLB hasn’t figured out this new media thing. While the NFL and NASCAR dance circles around them, Baseball still has antique TV contracts and an out-of-market television package from the 1970’s. Unlike every other professional sports league, Baseball doesn’t allow you to imbed their media on your website. It has to be linked to theirs. What other business in America tries as hard as Baseball to limit its own exposure to fans and potential consumers? Media has evolved, and baseball has failed to evolve with it. MLB has nothing to gain by shutting down one of the most beloved podcasts of one of their more beloved teams. It’s a public relations nightmare, and Baseball deserves it. Someone has to fight this because newspapers are dying. They’re facing the same problems that Baseball is facing with Cubscast. It’s either adapt to the changing times of social media or go the way of the dodo. And judging from the status quo, extinction is winning.

Opinion

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Alex Whalen Opinion Editor AlexWhalen@Gmail.com

November 15, 2010

OUR VIEW

An Issue of Morality

ongratulations to the SGA for passing the Non-Discrimination Policy Resolution – even if it was for all the wrong reasons. It has become clear through our investigations that including sexual orientation and gender identification in the Policy will afford virtually no legal protections not already guaranteed by existing state and federal laws. If this conclusion wasn’t clear before last Monday’s SGA meeting, then the discussion during the meeting should have made it clear. We’re not suggesting that the SGA shouldn’t have passed the resolution – far from it. But the senators who voted in favor must understand the actual impact this change to the Non-Discrimination Policy will have if adopted by the University. The issue is about morality, not legality. USA has an obligation to ensure the well being of its staff, faculty, and students – even against threats that are only perceived. Maybe people really are worried about nothing. Maybe discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identification is already as protected as it’s going to be. These maybes don’t get around the issue, though, of USA needing to make a statement. To see this, just look at USA’s Mission Statement, or its Vision Statement.

With broadly sweeping ideological language, these statements offer very little substance to anyone. Of course USA is committed to things like promoting global leaders and providing the best education. What university isn’t? The substance of these statements is not in what they say, but the fact that they’re said in the first place. By publicly acknowledging a goal or some other commitment, a university also takes on a visible social responsibility of carrying out that goal. This is the kind of assurance supporters of this resolution should be hoping for, and it’s precisely this kind of assurance a change in the Non-Discrimination Policy could provide. With the decision now in the hands of USA’s administration, we hope they keep these concerns in mind. While they’re at it, the administration should also consider the politics game that goes along with this. Ideological statements are about the statements themselves and what they portray to an entire community. If USA wants to be seen as a progressive, proactive school that supports the rights of all its students, then approving this resolution is clearly a good choice.

We’ve been talking a lot about the SGA’s “Junk the Jungle” an event where senators and students decorate the traﬃc circle. Here are some of your thoughts on the event. I think it’s nice to have the campus decorated for activities. It’s nice to have the campus brighter as you drive around. Activities like this where different people can participate also helps school spirit. Aileen Arshad Freshman Biomedical Sci.

I really don’t care for it. Maybe other students should go roll other parts of campus. I guess the SGA is doing this to control stuff like that. It does increase school spirit, though, by getting everyone out there together.

WikiLeaks: Bringing Accountability to the War A former computer hacker who studied both physics and philosophy turned messianic whistleblower - funny how life works indeed. If one were to take an initial gander at Julian Assange, it would be beyond belief that such a single Justin man could command the Herrington attention from those with the highest seats of power - seats that include the Department of Defense, Pentagon, corporations and various sycophantic news outlets. In the case of Germany, Australia, China and many others, entire governments are obsessively fixated on this lone man and his organization, WikiLeaks. But it is interesting, for instance, that both U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Mike Mullen would hold a press conference July 29, nosily clamoring to the public that the 90,000-plus Afghan war documents that both Assange and WikiLeaks released were treacherous acts against the Breadbasket of Freedom. Even more interesting is the amazing amount of intellectual loopholes that Admiral Mullen exploited in the same press conference when he relinquished this diatribe rife with doublethink against Assange and WikiLeaks:

“…the truth is [WikiLeaks] might already have on their hands the blood of some young soldier.” Just sit and think about that one for a second. An extremely high-ranking military official (higher than any general, in fact), who has continuously perpetuated enormous amounts of bloodshed, both Iraqi and American alike, putting forth a claim that some whistle-blower “might” have blood on their hands. Not only is that line of thinking fallacious, it’s also vile and macabre. And so on Aug. 11 it had to have been pretty embarrassing for the Department of Defense to admit to The Washington Post that it was unable to find any correlation between the documents that were released from WikiLeaks and any harm that inflicted on anyone in Afghanistan. Nonetheless, did Assange’s brethren, the media, come to aid him on the proverbial white stallion? Well, that all depends on where one goes for their information, but it’s pretty safe to assume that most traditional media left and continues to leave both Assange and WikiLeaks out in the field, only to be slaughtered by pundits. Or better yet, the Pentagon slaving to have news organizations ignore (or at least downplay the credibility of) WikiLeaks altogether, courtesy of Pentagon spokesman Col. David Lapan on Oct. 18, which was a pre-emptive strike against the imminent release of the Oct. 22 Iraq War Logs:

“News organizations should be cautioned not to facilitate the leaking of classified documents with this disreputable organization known as WikiLeaks.” The question then becomes “What information within these documents would cause the DoD, Pentagon and JSOC to take up in arms against an organization that the average citizen has probably never heard of ?” In all honesty, it was nothing more than the official confirmation of what most people already knew, especially those living in Iraq, in the form of day-to-day field reports. These reports reveal a frightening picture: 15,000 civilian deaths that had been previously unaccounted for that would total for a staggering 100,000-plus death count that included civilians, insurgents, Iraqi and American forces, with the Iraqi civilians taking the largest slice of the pie at nearly 70 percent. Other reports have details of the U.S. largely ignoring detainee abuse even when alerted to it; nearly 700 civilians were shot for coming too close to U.S. checkpoints; an Apache gunship fired on surrendering insurgents; even U.S. troops reportedly changed deaths from civilian to enemy combatants. Perhaps the best known case of this was the two Reuters photographers being mowed down by helicopter gunships on July 12, 2007. But there are so many other accounts of abuse, neglect and a general sense of disregard for human life that it boggles the mind. see WIKILEAKS | 15

Kent Nugent Sophomore Business

I thought it was pretty cool. I came in late to campus one night and saw it. It reminded me of Toomer’s Corner [in Auburn], and it was awesome. Emily Willingham Junior Political Science

This was my first time helping to [Junk the Jungle] so I enjoyed it. I think it helps with school spirit. Everyone gets a chance to come out and participate. Ashley Blevins Freshman Biology

Want a soapbox? Well, here you go! Just e-mail your campus thoughts, complaints, or ideas to usacampuspulse@gmail.com and we’ll print them right here!

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November 15, 2010

POINT COUNTERPOINT San Francisco Introduces ‘Sad Meals’

Editor’s Introduction: Fast food restaurant like McDonald’s and Burger King will no longer be allowed to include a toy with their kids’ meals in San Francisco - at least no without some drastic changes to the food in those meals. The San Francisco Board of Supervisors voted 8 to 3 on Nov. 2 to ban the inclusion of toys in meals that aren’t deemed “healthy” by ordinance standards. For a meal

Toys Are Just a Bargaining Tool

to be considered healthy, it must have fewer than 600 calories, fewer than 640 milligrams of sodium, and a serving of either fruits or vegetables. Are actions like this the cure for America’s obesity epidemic? Or does change need to come in the form of making the right decisions? Perhaps our society simply isn’t capable of making these decisions for themselves.

Teach Healthy Eating, Don’t Mandate it

Ever since I can remember, and parenting articles would be Obesity is an epidemic. Many are tity. Large entities are able to address fast food outlets have been pushout of a job. working hard to find solutions; an external behavioral signs, not the ing themed toys with kid’s meals. McDonald’s has both. McDonexample can be found in a newly deeper issues such as motivation or Companies like McDonald’s ald’s also has what kids are crying instated ordinance in San Francisco, cultural heritage. and Burger King hock toys that over at Walmart: toys. Calif. The idea is that because What the Board of Overseers of usually tie into a popular movie With the intense media blitz McDonald’s so effectively entices San Francisco is up against is not that’s out or a toy fad. My favorthat Hollywood puts out for a children through their Happy Meal a mere inability of parents to help ite was always getting the mini movie, kids are aware before you toys, to associate said toys to an their children resist the tempting Beanie Babies. are that there will be an eighth unhealthy meal is irresponsible. siren’s song of the McDonald’s Much has changed since even princess movie coming out this It is now illegal for a McDonald’s Happy Meal. Instead it is a strong I was little though. Portion sizes year and that Mickey D’s will be restaurant in San Francisco to put culture of convenience where speed, Cassie Tory have doubled, with McDonald’s the only a child’s toy price and access trump patience, Fambro Albertson health and quality. for instance making “Mightyplace to get in a Happy Kids” meals that double and the limited Meal above Instead of enabling smaller almost triple caloric intake. edition dolls and acparticular standards. organizations with a passion for educating The word “mighty” insinuates to chilcessories that kids can It so happens that this and providing access to healthier lifestyles, dren, especially boys, that the tougher you pin on their backstandard eliminates any this governing body has chosen to restrict the are, the more food you should be able to packs. combination of Happy choices available to their constituents by dehandle. The same advertisements work for Kids go to school Meal components curciding what is best for them and then forcing Hungry Man brand box dinners, reaching and see everyone else rently available on the a corporation other than themselves to carry out to male machismo and making massive with Ariel and Belle, menu; even chicken the burden of enforcing this. food consumption a sign of superiority. but they only have nuggets, apple slices, and This is a case where not only are the McDonald’s especially markets its Cinderella. They beg low fat milk. people not being taught to fish, the fish they Happy Meal to children under three, and their parents to go We clearly have a are being given is limited to one specific there are special toys for children that age. back because everyproblem of epidemic “healthier” cut. Parents take their children to these fast one else has Ariel and scale with obesity in this It must be noted that McDonald’s is not commons.wikipedia.org food restaurants because a lot of times Belle. nation. Whether this the only franchise or organization within the A typical happy meal complete with a box solution is an effective parents are too tired to cook. Corporate food industry or retail to use a “special gift” and toy promoting the latest hit movie. But is one is much less clear. I Working, picking up kids from soccer enterprises like to help sell the actual product. Individuals on the price future leaders are paying in terms of applaud this attempt by and putting up with obligations at home McDonald’s thrive their own and parents with children are free health worth it all? like cleaning and bills, parents can’t always off of this, showSan Francisco’s Board to avoid such establishments, or enter at their be expected to cook a meal for their kids. ing commercials of of Overseers to make own risk prepared to deal with their own Swinging by the drive-through on the ever-politically correct multiracial children positive moves toward that solution; however, temptations or the pleas from their children. way to tee ball is a quick and easy fix. Any playing in the yard or random urban street this particular method is inappropriate. In many cases, people frequent a business parent knows that kids stick to the places with all of the offered toys. The cool kids Large organizations and/or governments because the product or service provided is they like. are doing it. face a significant difficulty when solving a what they prefer. Those are the places kids will mention, Psychologically, these companies have problem, the answer for which disallows a There are neighborhoods cited by supask, and beg to go to. Kids typically like their hooks in children. They are truly no universal blanket solution. This is the case porters of this San Francisco Ordinance that two things: hamburgers and chicken nugbetter than Philip Morris. They are using with obesity. are poor and surrounded by fast food chains gets. If that weren’t the case, then half of gender stereotypes, peer pressure and ofThe issue is a deep one having to do with with few, if any, other options for food access; the people who write children’s cookbooks lifestyle, ideology, genetics, culture and idensee TEACH | 15 see BARGAINING | 15

Clearing the Air By Alex Whalen alexwhalen@gmail.com

Glowing Green

I got to drive a Toyota Prius a few weeks ago. It wasn’t a good car at all, but it was cute; plus I could silently run over people if I kept it under 5 mph. Even though electric and hybrid cars are absolute crap to drive, I’d put up with it if they helped the environment. But the simple fact is – they don’t. A primary goal for environmentalist movements, at least in the short term, should be to decrease our dependence on fossil fuels. Besides the obvious environmental reasons, there

are also political and economic reasons for doing everything we can to move away from an energy source that is becoming scarcer every day. Electric cars still depend on fossil fuels for their power – it is coal-fueled power plants that provide the electricity to charge these cars batteries. And even if hybrid cars do use fewer fossil fuels per mile than a regular car, the difference isn’t enough to get us over our dependence. I was going to use this article to argue for the glories of hydrogen-powered cars. I was going to point out that they use as fuel the most abundant element in the universe, and that their only emissions are heat and water. But then I wondered: where does this hydrogen come from? Is it just floating around for us to grab and put into hydrogen cells to fuel these cars? Well, surprise surprise, it takes energy to extract hydrogen from whatever it’s attached to (usually oxygen). And that energy comes from coal-fueled power plants.

The ultimate source of all our fossil fuel woes are these power plants and their constant coal-burning and noxious emissions. I think that eventually we can get to a point where we can use clean energy sources to produce electricity and fuel cars. But the technology needed to get to this point is simply too far off to meet our short-term needs. All this leads me to the conclusion that what we need, at least for now, are more nuclear power plants. I realize that nuclear power isn’t terribly popular. The public opinion towards them seems to be that they are dangerous – causing cancer and other health problems in nearby towns while constantly looming with the threat of a nuclear meltdown. I suppose this worry is even more salient with the recent BP PLC oil spill disaster, where all the safeguards that were supposedly in place to keep this event from happening were either ignored or ineffective. It’s not that these fears aren’t justified. The history of nuclear technology is short and

violent. But the probability of a catastrophic nuclear meltdown is far less than the certainty of our catastrophic future if we don’t find alternative energy sources. There’s still a very real environmental problem with nuclear energy: the thousands of gallons of nuclear waste this would produce. But finding a solution to this problem is more easily realizable right now than developing an entirely new energy source based on technology that doesn’t yet exist. Converting to nuclear power would possibly entail some serious overhaul to already-existing infrastructure. But so would any conversion to a different power source; hopefully the overhaul could be done in such a way that could facilitate future upgrades. We need to cut our fossil fuel usage and fast. Nuclear power can help us reach this goal by reducing greenhouse gas emissions from coal power plants and giving us precious time to develop safer energy alternatives. Nuclear power is better than “green” technologies - it’s glowing green!

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Vanguard Staff Staff usavanguard.editor@gmail.com

November 15, 2010

Caption Contest

Do hilarious things come to mind when you see this photo? E-mail your funniest caption to usavanguard.editor@gmail.com. The winner will be published next week!

Caption Contest Results

Winner: “I’m not the hero south Alabama wants... I’m the one they need.. I am mardi gras, no shave November, mask man..” -jtl703 Runner-Up: “Can’t read my...can’t read my...no, you can’t read my pokerface.” -Cameron Alidor

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November 15, 2010

SGA

from page 1

One of the points Mitchell touched on was a demonstrated need for a change in the Policy versus a need simply for a statement. “If there are any specific instances [of discrimination on this basis], the University would like to know” Mitchell said. Jones responded by saying the SGA must be proactive. “We don’t to have an incident before there is protection,” he said. But what protection would actually be afforded to students and faculty was a big question at the meeting. All the questions the senators had about particular cases of harassment or discrimination could be addressed by already-existing University policies. The question becomes about specificity and how much is needed in something like USA’s Non-Discrimination Policy. According to Mitchell, there are plenty of ways to discriminate against someone that, while not explicitly prohibited by a particular policy, are still prohibited as a matter of fact. For example, if an employee is terminated for a reason that has nothing to do with his or her job performance, that employee still has recourse for seeking legal compensation. Education Senator Alan Sells recognized

Bargaining from page 13

fering “healthier” alternatives that are really just as harmful. Without toys, these companies lose their bribes, their bargaining tools. Kids can get chicken and hamburgers somewhere else. I am uncomfortable with the idea of rewarding a child with a toy after a meal that has satisfied half of their daily caloric intake and exceeded their sodium limit. I wish that restaurants would provide healthier meals, but that’s a wish, and money here is reality. It’s in the best interest of fast food chains like McDonald’s to spend thirty cents on a toy instead of fifty cents extra on better quality meat. A solution to the entire problem without involving government would be to charge for toys. This enables parents to choose if

Teach

from page 13

and the cost of food is not cheap when trying to buy and prepare full meals for yourself or family. Instead of limiting the businesses and their products, why not find a way to clean up the agricultural industry so that the cost of food goes down? What about allowing the consequences of people’s actions and choices play out, and once things get bad enough for them they become willing to change their lifestyle?

WikiLeaks from page 12

All of this just underscores the importance of what WikiLeaks and other similar organizations/whistle-blowers are trying to achieve: accountability. They try and show us what goes on behind the velvet curtain, not only in the realm of military and government, but also in the realm of the health care, banking, telecommunications, insurance and oil industries. These opposing establishments, both individually and collectively, represent something bigger, something more important than

The

Vanguard this difficulty, but also pointed out that the statement itself could help ease students’ worries. “If the Non-Discrimination Policy explicitly states it, that will make students more comfortable,” Sells said. This debate is not without its historical background, however. In 1992 and ’93, USA’s chapter of the Gay Lesbian Bisexual Alliance (GLBA) requested funding to bring a speaker to campus. The funding was denied because, at the time, Alabama Code prohibited public funds for to be given to a club that “promotes a lifestyle or actions prohibited by the sodomy and sexual misconduct laws of §§ 13A-6-63 to 13A-6-65, inclusive.” Since this case, however, the Alabama Code in question was ruled unconstitutional making the current issue that much more convoluted. Now that it’s passed, the resolution will go directly to Vice President of Student Affairs John Smith. This is contrary to The Vanguard’s report last week that the resolution would have to be approved by Legal Affairs first. The final decision on any changes to the Non-Discrimination Policy will still ultimately fall to USA President Gordon Moulton’s office.

they want to invest in psychologically training their children to associate eating the unhealthy kid’s meal with toys. It makes parents who normally wouldn’t care take a step back and ask themselves if their kid really needs another Hot Wheels. Maybe even kids won’t want to go to those restaurants so much if their reward is not guaranteed. Parents also need to take back the wheel and substitute chocolate milk instead of Sprite, and apple fries instead of real ones. Though, if these companies really cared about children’s health, they would find a way to make healthy eating as cool as their toys are. McDonald’s could even invest in some good PR and the proceeds from toy sales could go to funding medical treatments for childhood obesity. Just like Philip Morris.

What if instead of worrying about the obesity of our nation, our elected governing officials worried about protecting our freedom and ability to make our own decisions. This ordinance will stifle people, businesses, and our culture and burden an already overburdened government. Other cities should and probably will avoid this type of example. It is impractical and, although well intentioned, will in the long run set a precedent more unhealthy than what we already have with obesity.

releasing classified documents to the public. They represent something that is increasingly becoming more demonized, more ostracized, more ruthlessly excoriated in daily discourse and even individuals are being imprisoned for it. They constitute a theme that is integral to the tenets of democracy and a danger to those whose positions are actually pestered by democracy. WikiLeaks, Assange and the countless others represent subversion, dissent, and the truth in the form of data and raw documents.

Football from page 10

son was in doubt for much of the first half as the Jags were held scoreless during the first quarter. It was the first time in 2010 that the Jags were held scoreless in the first and only the second time in program history. “Arkansas-Monticello had a great game plan,” Jones said. “We came out the second half and adjusted. I was real proud of the coaches making good adjustments, and also for the players for not panicking out on the field.” The first of those adjustments came on offense in the second quarter as C.J. Bennett drove South Alabama into Boll Weevil territory and connected with Jereme Jones on a six-yard touchdown pass. The play occurred with 22 seconds remaining in the half and gave the Jags a 7-0 halftime lead. The Weevils kept the contest close for much of the third quarter, following a South Alabama field goal to begin the period. The Weevils near-comeback was highlighted by a 34-yard Greg Taylor touchdown run that kept UAM down by only three with 8:49 left in the third. But quarterback Scott Buisson was the

real threat for the Weevils as the senior recorded 193 yards of total offense for UAM, rushing for a team-high 91 yards on 19 carries while going 6-of-13 passing for another 102. “We knew they had a good option attack going into the game,” Dunn said. “[Buisson] was very athletic and an option attack is all about assignments and we needed to make adjustments to take him down.” A four-yard Kevin Helms touchdown reception all but sealed the victory for the Jaguars as South Alabama never looked back, outscoring the Weevils 2414 en route to the 31-14 victory. “I think it’s tremendous that these young men have put together two seasons like this back-to-back,” Jones said. “It really speaks for their character and work ethic. “My staff has done a tremendous job; they’re a great staff and really know the game and love the players. The biggest thing I see about our team right now is we have a belief in each other. When you have that faith in each other, great things are going to happen. That started a long time ago and it’s gotten better and better.”

The

Vanguard

November 15, 2010