11.12 Updated

vanguard

the

Happy Thanksgiving!

“If it matters to the USA family, it matters to us.”

nov 21, 2011

JagTran will reroute in January

vol. 49, no. 17

USA Football: Jaguars finish season 6-4 after being defeated by Cal Poly 41-10

By Patrick Herring Staff Reporter SGA plans to propose another redrawing of JagTran routes in January.

Coleman Wolf, SGA Chief Justice, will be among those to bring these proposed plans to the transportation department on campus.

Some of the changes he is proposing are to cut down on the number of stops along the routes and also to decrease the total number of routes.

Currently there are four routes with about 30 combined stops. Wolf would like to cut that to three routes with about seven or eight stops because many students complain that there are too many stops on the current routes.

One route would run through the residential area and make stops at housing, Greek Row and the Grove. Another would go by academic buildings, such as see JAGTRAN, page 4

weaver / senior reporter

Over 18.000 people attended the final game of the Jaguar football season on Saturday. The Jags may have gone out on a loss, but Quarterback CJ Bennet and Coach Joey Jones believe they will learn and improve. “They kicekd out knees out.” Linebacker Jake Johnson said at the press conference after the defeat. The Jags will open up their next season September 1 against San Antionio at home.

National Book Award Jesmyn Ward

USA ranks 109 in Trojan list Trojan’s annual sexual health survey ranks USA low

by Carey Cox Copy Editor

Courtesy of public relations

USA Faculty member and Mississippi coast native Jesmyn Ward took took top honors from the National Book Foundation. Winner of the 2011 National book award for fiction, Ward said in her acceptance speech that she “wanted to do something that had meaning” in honor of her brother. Ward is an assistant professor of creative writing.

find us on Facebook search “The Vanguard USA”

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USA ranked 109th out of 141 colleges and universities on this year’s Trojan Sexual Health Report Card, jumping up two ranks from last year’s report card.

The Trojan Sexual Health Report Card is an annual ranking of the sexual health resources and information available to students on 141 major campuses nationwide.

The focus of the study is not to measure sexual health because it “can’t be measured accurately,” according to the head of the independent research firm that fielded the study, Sperling’s Best Places (SBP).

SBP researchers collected data via student health center representatives, along with follow-up secondary research on

check out our digital edition thevanguardonline.com

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those centers and students on campus.

Student health centers were graded on services across 13 separate categories, including HIV and STI testing, convenience of health center, website usability and outreach programs.

Sperling, who has done the research for all six of the annual report cards, said student health centers also receive a questionnaire to fill out as part of the project.

Beverly Kellen, director of the Student Health Center (SHC), is not sure where Trojan collected the data for South Alabama and is not sure how valid the information is, because she never spoke to Trojan about the information collected in the survey.

“I’ve had no one from Trojan call me, see trojan, page 4

in this issue (pg 6): Life (pg 13): Opinion /(pg 10): Sports

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vol. 49, no. 17 / Nov. 21, 2011

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vol. 49, no. 17 / Nov. 21, 2011

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vol. 49, no. 17 / Nov. 21, 2011

Trojan survey Rerouting JagTran ‘incomplete’ trojan, from page 1 and none of my staff has been interviewed.

They must go to the website to get information,” Kellen said.

Kellen says no appointment is necessary at the health center and drop-ins are more common. SHC is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

SHC provides gynecological services to women, and students can come to the SHC and get tested for HIV and sexually transmitted diseases for $10.

The health center does not distribute contraceptives because they do not have an on-site pharmacy, but condoms are available.

SHC provides an outreach program called the SEX TEAM, which consists of USA students committed to educating fellow students on issues concerning sexual health and facilitating open, informative programs regarding sexual awareness, sexual communication, sexual assault/ rape, dating skills, sexually transmitted diseases, HIV/AIDS, birth control, pregnancy and sexual orientation. The SEX TEAM could not be contacted for any other information about the program.

In last year’s Vanguard article about the 2010 Trojan survey, College of Medicine Public Relations Associate Director Paul Taylor said he feels that because the study isn’t conducted scientifically and only examines certain aspects of schools’ sexual health programs and resources, it lacks qualities necessary for being a reliable measuring stick.

“The bottom line on this survey is that it’s interesting and an opportunity to talk about this issue,” however, it’s still an incomplete collection of data, Taylor said.

JAGtran, from page 1 MCOB, Humanities and Allied Health.

The final route would be for UCOM and the Student Health Center, because they are so far out of the way for those who don’t need to go there.

Chris Willis, director of facilities management, thinks that the proposed ideas are interesting and would cut down on costs.

That being said, he does find some issues them. He doesn’t believe cutting the number of stops represents the majority opinion of the student body.

“We get quite a few requests to have additional stops and sometimes receive complaints about the distance to be walked to a current bus stop,” Willis said.

The transportation department will vote on the proposed ideas after the January meeting. Any changes wouldn’t take place until the following fall semester.

Police blotter will return December 5.

weather forecast >> November 21 - Nov. 28

mon

79 61

tue

80 58

wed

71 44

thu

69 46

fri

72 53

sat

75 50

sun

60 42

We will be watching two systems very closely this week. The start of the school week will be warm and beautiful with mostly sunny skies and highs near 80°, lows will be near 60°. The first system we’ll be watching arrives on Tuesday. A cold front will move through bringing us the chance for thunderstorms. Some of which may be strong.

Highs will be near 80° and lows in the upper 50s.

On Wednesday, thunderstorms (which still could be strong) will move through in the early part of the day and we should become mostly clear later on that evening. Highs will be in the lower 70s with overnight lows in the mid 40s. Thanksgiving Day and Friday will be mostly sunny with highs near 70° and overnight lows in the mid 40s to low 50s on Friday. Saturday is Iron Bowl day. This is also the day we’ll be watching our second system. Another strong cold front will move in bring thunderstorms some which may be strong to severe. Highs will be in the mid 70s with lows near 50°. Sunday will be cool and breezy with highs near 60° and lows in the low 40s. Don’t forget, you can get weather alerts sent to your phone by subscribing to SMS on our Facebook or Twitter pages. for the latest on your forecast, severe weather updates, and what’s going on in the tropics, find us on Facebook search “StormTeam4Gamma9Wx” you can follow us on Twitter, too search “stormteam4g9wx” and find Patrick on Twitter search “metwxpatrick”

correction The intial article in the sexual assault special edition was by William Brett, not Brett Williams. Darleen Dempster was also misquoted; she is a counselor.

“University of South Alabama’s Student Voice”

editorial editor in chief associate editor senior reporter copy editor life editor opinion editor sports editor web editor

Cassie Fambro Genny Roman Matt Weaver Carey Cox Bailey Hammond Imran Mohiuddin Jayson Curry Naquita Hunter

distribution distribution manager Johnny Davis

advertising advertising manager Wesley Jackson graphic designer Brittany Hawkins advertising sales Mohammad Al-Zarrad

management

adviser James Aucoin accounting Kathy Brannan

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: The Vanguard University of South Alabama P.O. Drawer U-1057 Mobile, Ala., 36688. or editor.in.chief@usavanguard.com 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, Associate Editor, Copy Editor, Senior Reporter, 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 editor.in.chief@usavanguard.com.

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.

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vol. 49, no. 17 / Nov. 21, 2011

LGBT update: Harrassment and discrimination confusion by genny roman Associate Editor

universities and colleges, highlighting several necessary items every public university must be in compliance with.

Associate Dean of Student Affairs and One year after being presented with an SGA resolution to include sexual orienta- USA’s Title IX coordinator Robin Jones tion and gender identity and expression said the University now has a global Sexual in USA’s Non-Discrimination policy, the Harassment and Sexual Violence policy in administration has changed the sexual compliance with Title IX regulations. The harassment policy to include sexual ori- language used in the sexual harassment entation but left the Non-Discrimination policy prohibits harassment based on “individual gender-based characteristics, policy unchanged. or sexual orientation.”

The addition “Adding sexual Jones believes that this of sexual orientaaddition to USA policy tion to the Sexual orientation...is helps the University Harassment and completey different...” take a stand Sexual Violence “We’re able to now policy comes with have policy behind us the University’s that says sexual oricomprehensive – Dr. Jane Brazy entation should be review of their Associate Professor protected and will be policies to reflect protected … it’s a recogthe Office of Civil Rights’ interpretation of Title IX, which nized form of discrimination,” Jones said.

Jones clarified that sexual harassment prohibits discrimination on the basis of is a form of sex discrimination. She also sex in public education.

In April 2011, the University received a said that the addition of “individual genDear Colleague letter from the Department der-based characteristics” is open to interof Education, sent to all publically funded pretation.

Legally, harassment and discrimination are different. Discrimination protects the civil liberties of individuals from being violated, and in the context of the University, this protects individuals from discrimination in employment matters (hiring, promotions, etc.), admission and access to programs and services.

The University’s sexual harassment policy defines sexual harassment as “verbal or non-verbal conduct that is intimidating, demeaning, hostile, or offensive with inappropriate focus on sex, sexual history, individual gender-based characteristics, or sexual orientation; unwelcomed verbal or physical advances; attempts to subject a person to unwanted sexual attention or to coerce a person into sexual relations; and/ or retaliation for refusal to comply with sexual demands.”

At the Student Government Association meeting on Nov. 14, a discussion was held about last year’s SGA resolution to include sexual orientation and gender identity and expression to the USA NonDiscrimination policy. After a few senators expressed confusion as to what the issue with the Non-Discrimination policy was,

Dean of Students Mike Mitchell explained last year’s initiative to include that language to the University’s policy. The discussion ended on the note that the change would be “symbolic,” and some senators said the change might not be necessary because the policy already covers federally protected groups.

According to Dr. Martha Jane Brazy, associate professor of history and director of the gender studies program, the NonDiscrimination policy and Sexual Harassment and Sexual Violence policies are different.

“Adding [sexual orientation] to the sexual harassment policy is completely different and not the same as adding it to the Non-Discrimination policy,” Brazy said.

She also said “there is nothing in federal law that prevents the University or a private company, a public entity or a private company from adding it to their discrimination policy.”

According to SGA President Colin AlGreene, USA’s Faculty Senate is addressing the issue of employment and discrimination.

The Megabus: A dollar really does get you to Atlanta The Megabus recently debuted in Mobile as a new mode of transportation to Atlanta, a travel hub to other major cities. The cost advertised is one dollar, and many wondered if it was too good to be true. The Vanguard investigated and found out that is indeed a low-cost option for travelers. by matt weaver Senior Reporter

With winter break looming large on the horizon, many students have the added stress of planning trips back home for the holidays. It’s a daunting task, especially when placed against finals and Christmas shopping.

One company just made long-distance travel a much more affordable, safe and convenient option and that company is Megabus.

Megabus opened a stop in Mobile that plans to run continuous shuttles back and forth from Mobile to Atlanta. From Atlanta, the travel map really opens up allowing customers to book trips from Atlanta to 10 regional cities including Charlotte, Orlando, Birmingham, Jacksonville and Memphis.

Each of those cities leads to other regionally-centered destinations.

You may have seen the ads for Megabus in The Vanguard and wondered just how a shuttle service offering $1 tickets can remain a profitable and sustainable business option.

According to company CEO Dale Moser, Megabus has remained prof-

itable by keeping its overhead costs low and offering quality travel in an age where the costs to do so have begun to spiral out of control.

“We’re a large company that does so much more than shuttle buses,” Moser said. “CoachUSA is an internationally-known quantity, and we’re publicly traded on the London Stock Exchange. We have no full-time sales people, and we keep our other costs low, allowing us to pass the savings onto our customers.”

Megabus has been so successful that they’ve even began converting their entire fleet to double-decker touring buses, capable of seating up to 81 guests. Moser hopes that their entire U.S.-based fleet will be converted to double-deckers by May. “Our buses have technology that most passenger bus companies haven’t begun to install,” Moser said. “We’ve installed seatbelts even though it’s not government mandated. We have onboard diagnostic tools for our brakes, GPS monitors. We’re very cutting-edge and very safe.

“We’re a publicly traded compa-

ny. We can’t afford to skip on safety.”

With 81 seats, the double-decker bus has the potential to remove 81 automobiles from the highway and has become the most energy and fuel-efficient way to travel.

As for cash-strapped college students, Megabus claims that the 18to 30-year-old student demographic makes up over 50 percent of his company’s business.

“We’ve created a market for our services because it brings value for our customer’s money,” Moser said.

“Out of our 72 hubs, many of them make up college cities. We have stops in Ann Arbor, State College, Ohio State and that’s just the tip of the iceberg.”

Mobile’s stop can be found at the Holiday Inn - Mobile Airport at 3630 Springhill Memorial Drive South and has continuous runs back and forth to and from Atlanta. The Atlanta stop can be found at the MARTA Tran stop in downtown.

When asked what message he would deliver to South Alabama students planning to travel, Moser

Courtesy of Megabus

suggested Megabus and praised his fleet’s safety and convenience ratings.

“We’re safe, reliable and affordable,” Moser said. “That’s the three main reasons to choose Megabus.”

jaglife

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Bailey Hammond, jagLife Editor life.editor@usavanguard.com vol. 49, no. 17 / Nov. 21, 2011

Valerie depalma Contributing Writer

‘10 Things’ seminar summary As an English major, one of the most common questions I get asked is, “So, what are you going to do? Teach?”

There are many job options available to those who pursue English, but not even English majors are always aware of all the ways they can utilize their degree.

In fact, there are a lot of questions in general that English majors have that don’t always get answered until after graduation.

Freshman composition teacher Elizabeth Butt designed, organized and implemented an instructional seminar titled, “10 Things I Wish I’d Known about Being An English Major” in order to answer these questions.

Butt mentioned that before going to graduate school she took off time to work and said, “During that time, I often ran into situations where I’d think, ‘Wow, if only I’d taken this or that class or gotten experience in that field as an undergraduate, I would have been so much better prepared now.’ I had, in essence, a list of things I wish I’d known as an undergraduate, things I wish my advisor had stressed that I do or think about. That list got longer when I went back to graduate school.”

Therefore, when the International English Honor Society Sigma Tau Delta decided to sponsor an instructional seminar last year, she as the historian at the time decided she would pull from the questions she had from her experience and create the seminar.

This year’s seminar was held on Nov. 16 at the Humanities building and was sponsored by Sigma Tau Delta and the English department.

At the seminar there were 10 different topics presented by five speakers. Besides see TEN page 9

jake Howell / jaglife writer

A children’s choir sings at Mobile International Festival in front of a crowd eager to experience different cultures.

Broadening cultural horizons in Mobile Mobile International Festival through the eyes of a festival newcomer.

Jake howell JagLife Writer Walking into the Mobile Civic Center on Saturday, Nov. 19, I was immediately besieged by a wall of culture clash. It was like someone took the entire world, tossed it into a blender, hit puree and called it the Mobile International Festival.

This was the Festival’s 28th year of exposing thousands of people, many of whom have never left U.S. soil, to cultures as far away as China and as unfamiliar as Benin. Where else could you glimpse medieval knights, armor and all, chatting with dancers from India?

Over 65 countries from Argentina to Uruguay were represented with booths displaying native clothing, jewelry and crafts. Information cards were plastered on backdrops and tables, giving passersby a glimpse into the rich history the booths represented.

Each booth was unique in what it offered, many choosing to integrate aspects of American or English culture with their own. Switzerland, for example, had an entire wall dedicated to Harry Potter, complete with translations of quotes and familiar words. Their translation of death eater: Todesser.

In Israel, I was able to have my name written in Hebrew and listen to the He-

brew translation of “A Whole New World” from Aladdin. There was even a pirate booth, which wouldn’t have been complete had an incredible Jack Sparrow impersonator not been in attendance.

Aside from the language and craft aspects of the booths, many countries had representatives perform on one of the three stages in the Civic Center. Egypt offered belly-dancers while the McGuire’s Irish Pub Band played the National Anthem.

Even students from the University of South Alabama displayed their pride.

Surabhi Vinod, a sophomore biomedical sciences major, and Mihika Batavia, a junior biomedical sciences major, peformed dances from Bollywood that had everyone in the audience tapping their feet.

The most spectacular acts, though, were from the LIU International Shaolin Institute and the Kenyan Acrobats. The students of the Shaolin Institute displayed their prodigious skills by performing various types of kung fu and also performing with weapons.

The Kenyan Acrobats, who perform throughout their native country, astounded the audience by doing handstands on a

tower of chairs, playing an extreme game of limbo and creating human towers.

Perhaps the best way to experience the cultures represented at the Festival, though, is to try the food. Forty food booths throughout the Civic Center offered an incredible array of tastes and smells.

Gyros and baklava from Greece seemed to be a favorite of most people in attendance, including this writer. If Mediterranean isn’t your style though, booths from Taiwan, Indonesia, Costa Rica, Jamaica and many others were just waiting to tantalize your taste buds.

Even things most people would find in grocery stores here in the United States had a cultural twist to them. Smoothies from Laos, a great way to wash down Greece’s gyros, were extremely different from the thick, fruit-packed American versions we enjoy. You could even try Persian ice cream from Iran or gelato from Italy.

The Mobile International Festival is truly one of Mobile’s highlights of the entire year. If you haven’t yet experienced this amazing form of culture-shock, next year’s Festival will be the perfect opportunity.

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vol. 49, no. 17 / Nov. 21, 2011

Giving the gift of care bailey hammond JagLife Editor If you want to help out the less fortunate but don’t necessarily have the time to go to a soup kitchen, there are options.

This holiday season, the Physician’s Assistants (PA) class of 2013 is heading a campaign title “Letters for the Holidays.”

The purpose of this drive is to collect letters written by members of the community to send to our troops overseas.

PA students are encouraging fellow USA students to donate their time to write letters and help make a soldier’s holiday a little brighter.

It doesn’t take much to write a nice letter, and you may just put a smile on the face of a service man or woman who cannot make it home for the holidays.

Any letters can be delivered to the Department of Physician Assistant Studies( HAHN 3124) located in the Health Services building.

The drive will run through Dec. 2, so if you wish to participate, please be sure to have all letters turned in by that date.

The Social Work Student Organization is hosting a “Canned Goods” and “Personal Hygiene Items” drive this year in order to provide needed supplies for families during the holidays.

Canned goods will be collected until Nov. 21, and personal hygiene items will be taken until Dec. 5.

Any donations can be brought to the Humanities building lobby and placed in the donation boxes there.

Hygiene items needed are deodorant, soap, detergent, toothbrushes, toothpaste, diapers (adult and children) and baby wipes.

Any other items of that nature are welcome as well. All hygiene items will go to South Alabama Cares.

These are just a few of the many charitable projects going on this holiday season, and any small contribution that you can make will make a difference in someone’s life.

Whether you take the time to write a letter or donate a can of soup, you will be making someone’s holiday better.

Mobile Symphony in brief Timothy borland Contributing Writer The Mobile Symphony returned to Mobile’s Saenger Theater Nov.12 with an annual tradition.

The Beethoven and Blue Jeans performance is viewed as a perfect opportunity for new ears to discover the wonders of a symphonic experience.

The concept is simple; the centerpiece of the performance is usually a Beethoven selection, and attendees, as well as the symphony themselves, are encouraged to wear blue jeans.

Beethoven is chosen because his compositions are accessible favorites among musicians and the general public. The casual attire is appealing to an audience of all ages and socio-economic backgrounds.

The most recent incarnation of the annual tradition did not disappoint. In keeping with the contemporary theme of the night, the first composition was from the twentieth century.

The Christopher Theofanidis composition “Rainbow Body” is designed to imitate the acoustic effect of music reverberating against cathedral walls. Instruments shadow the one another creating the illusion of an echo.

Next was a performance of the Strauss piece “Till Eulenspiegel’s Merry Pranks.”

Maestro Scott Speck related the musical story to the audience before proceeding.

Eulenspiegel was a trickster in German

folklore, and Strauss intended the music to convey the character’s mischievous nature as well as suggest the possibility of Eulenspiegel facing the ultimate punishment at the gallows for his pranks.

The centerpiece of the night was Beethoven’s “Concerto No. 5, Emperor.”

This performance featured guest pianist Awadagin Pratt.

He is the first African-American pianist to win the Naumberg International Piano Competition. This accomplishment lead to Pratt performing for the New York Philharmonic, Sesame Street and multiple U.S. Presidents.

The brilliant pairing of Pratt and the Mobile Symphony brought the audience to its feet.

In a rare occurrence for a symphony performance, there were two encores.

Those present at the show were treated to a Franz Liszt transcription of a Schumann composition.

Few are aware that Jaguar Productions, located in the old recreation center beside the tennis courts, provides $5 tickets to USA students for every Mobile Symphony and Mobile Ballet event.

An evening at the Saenger can be a classy date or a fantastic way to broaden your knowledge of the fine arts.

The Mobile Symphony will return December 10-11 to perform familiar holiday standards in their annual “Home for the Holidays” program.

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vol. 49, no. 17 / Nov. 21, 2011

Paolini’s ‘Inheritance’ graces shelves at last An overview of Christopher Paolini’s Inheritance Cycle by your local bookaholic. bailey hammond JagLife Editor It’s been four years, but the wait is finally over.

Christopher Paolini’s final book in the Inheritance Cycle has been released, and now the patient and impatient fans alike are digging their eager minds into the great green bulk.

If you aren’t familiar with this series, here’s a recap.

Eragon, a 15-year-old boy, finds a dragon egg when he’s hunting one day in the Spine, and then a series of events unfolds that thrusts him into all sorts of dangerous adventures across the land of Alagaesia.

There are elves, dwarves, Urgals (menlike creatures with horns), sword fights, magic duels and, of course, dragons.

The first three books in the cycle are called “Eragon,” “Eldest” and “Brisingr,” respectively.

Each of the book covers features the portrait of a dragon, and the final book, “Inheritance” sports a pensive green dragon.

You may have seen them in bookstores.

They’re pretty hard to miss.

This series is quite large and covers a lot of ground plot-wise, which is why Paolini found it necessary to change the series from a trilogy to a cycle of four gigantic novels.

Courtesy ladygeekgirl.wordpress.com

The dragons gracing the covers (in cycle order) are original pieces of art by John Jude Palancar and contribute to the uniqueness of the series. Each of the dragons play an important role in the books.

Trying to review “Inheritance” without any spoilers is quite difficult, but for those fans out there who haven’t picked up a copy of the book or for those who may read this and decide to give Eragon a try, I will attempt to do just that.

Taken as a whole, “Inheritance,” otherwise titled “The Vault of Souls,” does a thorough enough job of tying up loose ends.

This fan can’t complain.

It has been so long since the previous book in the cycle came out, that it’s simply a relief to finally know ‘what happened.’

Looking back along the journey within the novel, it’s easy to see that the main characters did a whole lot of growing up.

Christopher Paolini starting writing “Eragon” when he was 15 years old and was thrust into the literary spotlight at only 19

and has practically grown up along with his characters.

There are numerous fan sites set up for fans to discuss the books, and even a movie based on the first book that is also called “Eragon.”

I say based because it differs in many ways from the actual book plot, but I digress.

There are a lot of dramatic moments in this final book, and also a lot of moments that seem to drag a little, but those are also necessary for certain other things to happen.

With a book over 800 pages, odds are high that not everything is going to be battles, blood and gore, although a great deal of the book is.

“Inheritance” is a tale of family, love, identity and duty, but most of all, equality.

There are issues within the story between the different races about who or what is better and should be in charge; however, it is through Eragon’s journey that these problems are brought to light and addressed once and for all.

So, there is a lesson to be learned from the story about dragons and their riders, but it is up to the individual to embrace it for him or herself.

If you find yourself without anything to do over the holidays, the Inheritance Cycle is certain to entertain you for a while.

Seriously, the books are huge.

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vol. 49, no. 17 / Nov. 21, 2011

Going mobile in Mobile with Google Google descended upon Mobile to help boost the mobile capabilities of local businesses.

Joel Ponce Contributing Writer Just in case you haven’t noticed, mobile is a trending topic. This may be like saying water is wet, but bear with us for a second.

Consumers (the user) are spending a growing amount of time on mobile devices for an ever increasing number of activities.

These devices along with the evolving technology are empowering individuals.

Google has taken notice and has decided to do something about that here in Alabama.

Obviously, the play on words of the event title, “Mobilizing Mobile,” seemed too exciting to pass up.

Google partnered up with Duda Mobile to set up mobile sites for at least 500 small business owners from Nov. 15 to 16.

What is a mobile site?

A mobile site is a version of the original desktop site in a mobile-optimized format.

Simply stated, it is a site that is made for a smaller screen and is easy to use.

Because they are on a mobile device, they are also capable of enhancing the user experience in ways a desktop site can’t.

For example, when you are on the road trying to decide what restaurant to eat, at what do you do?

“These devices along with the evolving technology are empowering individuals.”

No one pulls out a laptop. You simply search for restaurants close to you or for a certain type of restaurant in your area on your phone.

Let’s take that example a step further.

Assume you find a few places nearby that sounds good; you click one and soon end up frustrated because you can’t find

joel ponce/ contributing writer

Red Square Agency helped with the Google initiative here in Mobile and got into the Google spirit.

the information you want and trying to pinch and zoom while driving is not easy (or a good idea).

What do you do?

Move on to the next option.

That simple example shows small business owners the importance of being mobile optimized.

So what would a mobile optimized site have?

Let’s continue with our restaurant example. A mobile-friendly site for a restaurant would have a click to call option, map and directions, possibly a takeout option, etc.

The point is to use these devices and the technology they have to enhance the user experience.

During the event, small business owners had many questions. Most of these revolved around the ad words product by Google.

Google ad words are a way for small business owners to pay for ad campaigns online that will hopefully stir up business.

Small business owners have the abil-

ity to set up multiple campaigns targeting specific groups, products and/or locations.

The beauty of this is that you only pay for the ads that someone clicks on, impressions are free. Google makes billions of dollars annually on ad words, but rightfully so.

There are countless case studies in which small business have benefited from using the product.

Ad words can be a little overwhelming because of all the possible options and then the tracking you do with Google Analytics, but it is set up in an easy-to-use format.

It takes a little bit of time and effort, but the payoff could be huge.

This event will prove to be successful to everyone.

Google wins by promoting its suite of products, specifically ad words.

Small Businesses win by creating a better experience and being more relevant in searches to the consumer.

But above all, the user wins.

‘10 Things’ seminar TEN cont. from page 6 Butt, Heather Wilkins, Emily Singh and Natalie Cochran-Murray also presented topics.

The first two topics covered tips in how to choose classes when registering and discussed the requirements for undergraduates in the English department.

There was also a discussion on the English honors program and the thesis requirement for it.

The next three topics covered the resources available for students when writing papers, how to write a literary analysis and the proper way to analyze materials when writing papers.

The next topic gave an overview of some of the most prevalent schools of literary criticism and their importance.

The final three topics focused on life after graduation. The first two covered career opportunities for English majors and gave tips on how to build up a resume and portfolio for the job search. The last topic covered the application process for graduate school.

Most of the students in attendance were either English majors or minors, and several of the professors from the English department, including the department chair Dr. Steven Trout, sat in on the presentation as well.

At the end of the presentation, Butt opened the floor for questions, and several students and professors asked questions.

The professors seemed impressed by the presentation and decided it would be a good idea to start holding it every semester instead of once a year.

Therefore, English majors or minors that missed this semester’s presentation can look forward to another presentation in early spring 2012.

thevanguardonline.com

sports

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jayson curry, sports Editor sports.editor@usavanguard.com vol. 49, no. 17 / Nov. 21, 2011

Matt Weaver

South Alabama quarterback C.J. Bennett takes a snap in the first quarter of Saturday’s 41-10 loss to California Polytechnic at Ladd Peebles Stadium.

Jag Football falls to Cal Poly 41-10 South Alabama struggles on both sides of the ball in first home loss jayson curry Sports Editor Before the kickoff of Saturday’s football game, The Jags had never lost at home at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. Before the 2011 season started USA had never lost a game and only came close to losing one against UC Davis last season.

Over the past two seasons, blowout wins have become normal for the USA football team. When you see the score of 41-10 at Ladd, especially on senior night, you just assume USA has won again. Unfortunately for the Jags, Cal Poly was the team with the 41 points.

“You never want to go out on a losing note. It leaves that bitter taste in your mouth,” USA linebacker Jake Johnson said. “I feel bad for the seniors who have been here for three or four years. I feel bad for them that they are going out on this note, but we can capitalize on this in the weight room and during the offseason. We can focus on why we got beat and that will make us train that much harder.”

The Jags struggled to stop the Mustangs triple-option offense, an offense USA head coach Joey Jones said “is the

best offense ever created.” South Alabama struggled not only on defense but on offense as well.

“They’re a good offense. When you play a team that runs the triple option and spread option, it’s going to be tough.

You have to play assignment football every play,” USA linebacker Jake Johnson said. “We played our hearts out, but we had five or six busts and those busts were big plays. It was a hard game to play, they are physical, but you have to get up and keep playing. We never gave up.”

The Mustangs scored first in the game on a 16-yard run by Deonte Williams, and they never looked back. USA was able to cut the lead to four points after an offensive drive stalled and kicker Jordan Means made a 32-yard field goal.

After that field goal, the Mustangs scored 31 unanswered points before USA scored with just 27 seconds left in the game.

Cal Poly outrushed USA on the night with 226 yards compared to the Jags 60.

The Mustangs’ Mark Rodgers gashed the USA defense for 118 yards on 14 carries and a touchdown. Cal Poly also had four rushing touchdowns with USA’s only

touchdown coming on a pass from C.J. Bennett to Corey Besteda.

Cal Poly’s triple-option rarely calls for passing plays, but the Mustangs completed nine of 13 passes for 150, with one touchdown pass and one interception. USA’s C.J. Bennett completed 22 of his 40 passes for 216 yards with the one touchdown pass and three interceptions.

The Jags Lamontis Gardner had a game high of seven catches for 78 yards.

Bryant Lavender was second in receptions for the game with 6 for 65 yards.

“They were getting a lot of pressure on us; their defensive line did a good job,” USA quarterback C.J. Bennett said. “We had some drives, but we just couldn’t sustain them and that was probably our biggest problem right there.”

USA’s leading rusher on the night was freshman J.J. Keels, who had only four rushes or 33 yards. Kendal Houston added 7 for 22 yards and quarterback C.J. Bennett rushed for 26 yards on 11 carries.

The USA defense was led by linebacker Jake Johnson and Safety Charles Harris. Both players finished the game with 14 tackles. The Jag defense also had two sacks, a forced fumble and an intercep-

tion.

“We knew going in we had to play really good to beat them. And we didn’t play as good as we needed to play. That offense was very hard to defend. Our offense sputtered, and we didn’t protect the passer very well,” Jones said. “It was just one of those nights; I don’t know what else to say. We didn’t play very well, and they exposed us.”

USA ends the season with a 6-4 record after Saturday’s loss. The football program is now 23-4 all time after never losing a game in the first two seasons. This season was considered by many the year the Jags would suffer their first loss after scheduling two FBS opponents with N.C. State and Kent State.

Next season will be the last before USA is a full on member of the Sun Belt conference in football and FBS team. They open the season on September 1st against UTSA followed by Nicholls State the next week. The Jags then go on the road to N.C. State and Mississippi State in back to back weekends and will end the season against Hawaii on Dec. 1.

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vol. 49, no. 17 / Nov. 21, 2011

USA Basketball season starts up hannah blackburn Sports Reporter

jayson curry Sports Editor

Tuesday night, the Lady Jags grabbed another win making their record 2-0. In their 57-44 win at the Mitchell Center over Southern, the Jags once again trailed going into the second half but managed to rally back for the victory.

Camille Reynolds who came off the bench in the first game to help lead the Jags to a win, stepped up once again and had another successful night. She led offensively by putting up 14 points, all of which came in the second half. She was 6-8 on shooting and was perfect behind the arc making two of two. Reynolds also grabbed four boards and dished out three assists.

Also stepping up to help grab that win was true freshman Breanna Hall. Hall came off the bench to help fuel the Jags’ fire by adding eight points, which included two three-pointers. Just like in their first game against UCF, the Lady Jags’ reserves outscored Southern University reserves 31-6.

The Jags were also 8-of-20 or 40 percent from long-range, and were also 23of-62 from the field at 37.01 percent. Defense also played a big role as USA held SU to only 5 of 21 in shooting in the second half. USA also forced SU in to turning the ball over 14 times in the final period. This win makes USA perfect in Mobile against Southern with a 9-0 record.

On Friday, the Jags traveled to Ole Miss to try to keep an undefeated record. Unfortunately, however, due to cold shooting by the Jags and great rebounding by Ole Miss, USA fell short with a score of 54-45.

Ole Miss held a 16-rebound margin while USA shot a season low of only 25.8 percent from the field making just 17 of 66, and from behind the arc they only made 7 of 26. The Jags’ defense did their job by holding Ole Miss to just 28.1 percent, 18-

This season has already had some ups and downs for the USA men’s basketball team. On Wednesday night the Jags faced off with the University of Mobile.

The Rams came to play and led the Jags at half time after Christian Salinas hit one of his five three-point shots as the clock ran out in the half.

The Jags went to the locker room trailing 43-41. In the second half, it was a different story. The Jags outscored the Rams 33-20 and finished with a 74-63 win.

Mobile’s Salinas made 5-7 three-point shots and led the rams with 20 points.

Mobile shot 44.6 percent from the field.

One key to the Jag win was preseason conference player of the year Augustine Rubit, who finished with a double-double. Rubit scored 18 points and added 14 rebounds.

USA’s Xavier Roberson added 17 points on the night, going five for five on free throws. Also the Jags Mychal Ammons scored 12 points and brought in seven rebounds.

Another key to victory was the ability to get rebounds. In the game, the Jags had 46 rebounds, almost doubling Mobile’s 24.

The Jags also shot 36 free throws, making 29. The Rams only took 11 shots from the free throw line, making only five.

One problem USA will need to fix if they want to succeed this season is on the turnovers. Against Mobile the Jags had 18 turnovers led by point

Jayson Curry/ sports editor

Guard Camille Reynolds during game against Southern in the Jags’ 57-44 win.

of-64, and allowed them to make only one three-pointer. Ole Miss made just seven out of their 31 attempts in the second half, which was only 22.6 percent.

Taylor Ammons led the Jags against the Rebels. She put in eight points and grabbed five boards. Kierra Johnson was a huge help off the bench; she recorded six points and had a team-high eight rebounds in the loss. Camille Reynolds, who is the leading scorer for the Jags, averaged 22.5 points per outing and was only able to put up five in the game.

Ole Miss also outrebounded the Jags 58-42, and performed better behind the charity stripe making 17-for-21. This was Coach Pietri’s first loss against the Rebels, and this improved Ole Miss to 3-2 in the all-time series. On Monday, The Jags will be hosting Northwestern State at the Mitchell Center.

guard Trey Anderson’s six.

In Sunday’s game, the Jags faced the #24 team in the country, Florida State, in Tallahassee. The Jags were outplayed in every aspect of the game. The final score was Florida State 80 USA 39.

USA’s Augustine Rubit scored 10 points on four of 16 shooting and added eight rebounds. USA starters Trey Anderson, Xavier Roberson and Mychal Ammons finished with a combined 2-25 shooting.

The Jags finished the game without making a three-pointer going zero for 24.

The Seminoles frustrated the Jags with their size the entire game. FSU finished the game with 14 blocked shots and 42 rebounds. The jags could only bring in 24 rebounds and turned the ball over 16 times.

The Seminole’s defense forced USA to shoot 23.5 percent on 16 of 68 shooting. FSU made 25 of their 48 shots going 52.1 percent from the floor making 5-21 threes and 25 of 30 free throws.

The Seminoles were led by Luke Loucks, who scored 18 points. Also, Deividas Dulkys and Terrance Shannon came off the bench and scored 12 and 15 points respectively.

The Jags next game will be on the road again against Louisiana State. The game with LSU tips off at 7 p.m. and will be televised on ESPN 3 and on the radio at 105.5 WNSP. The Jags then will return home for a game against UAB on the next Wednesday.

Follow@USAVGSports South Alabama’s Javier Carter, Xavier Roberson and Augustine Rubit

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vol. 49, no. 17 / Nov. 21, 2011

Athletics updates JAGUAR VOLLEYBALL HEAD COACH NICOLE KESHOCK RELIEVED OF DUTIES University of South Alabama Director of Athletics Dr. Joel Erdmann announced Friday that the contract of Jaguar volleyball head coach Nicole Keshock will not be renewed. “We appreciate Nicole’s efforts in her time as the head coach of our women’s volleyball program,� Edrmann said. “She is a tremendous person who is a well-respected and inspiring member of this department. Most importantly, she has had a positive impact on the lives of her studentathletes. We wish her the very best in her future endeavors. “A national search for her successor will begin immediately.�

JAGUAR WOMEN’S GOLF ADDS BEEBE FOR 2012-13 University of South Alabama women’s golf head coach T.J. Jackson announced Friday Caroline Beebe signed a National Letter of Intent and will join the program next fall.

Beebe, a senior at Bayside Academy in Daphne, Ala., is a two-time Alabama High School Athletic Association class 1A5A state champion. She won her first title as an eighth grader at Spanish Fort High School and took her second championship in 2011 at Robert Trent Jones’ Magnolia Grove in Mobile after shooting a two-day, 8-over par 152.

Beebe was named the 2011 Mobile Press-Register Girls Golfer of the Year and the Sunrise Rotary Club Golf Player of the Year. “Caroline (Beebe) is first and foremost a really good person,� Jackson said. “When she came on her visit, I was really impressed with the way she spoke and handled herself. I have known about her for quite a long time because she is local.

I have seen her play and seen her game improve over the years, and I am elated to have her join us next year because she is a good person, student and a great athlete.�

FORMER JAG BRISCOE ADVANCES TO FINAL STAGE OF PGA TOUR Q-SCHOOL With a 5-under-par 67 in the fourth round Friday, former University of South Alabama men’s golfer Ben Briscoe advanced to the final qualifying stage of the PGA Tour’s Q-school.

It was the second time in four days that Briscoe, who played for the Jaguars from 2003-05, carded a 67 in the second qualifying stage of Q-school, which was held at the Southern Hills Plantation Club. He finished in a tie for 14th place with a 6-under-par 282 total at the par-72, 7,557-yard course.

-Wire Reports

Top moments in USA Football history Matt Weaver Senior Reporter In last week’s Vanguard, I proclaimed Clifton Crews’ two blocked kicks at Texas San Antonio and Georgia State were two of the most memorable moments in South Alabama’s young football history. This instantly begged the question, “What are the other top moments in Jaguar football history?�

Saturday’s downtrodden loss to California Polytechnic marked the end of three seasons of football at Ladd Peebles Stadium filled with fantastic finishes, close calls and mostly winning. South Alabama finishes the 2011 season at 23-4 all time, approaching its first full-season of FBS football in the Sun Belt Conference beginning next season. (USA will not be eligible for the Sun belt Championship until 2013) In many ways, Saturday marked the end of an era for the Jaguars. It was an era of playing opponents of all three NCAA classifications. It was an era of growth and an era of learning.

While the 2011 season ended on a sour note, Saturday’s loss allowed for a moment of deep reflection of all the positive moments that came before it. Without further ado, here are the top five moments in South Alabama football through three full seasons.

1) First Game and Touchdown Against Hargrave Military Academy On Sept. 5, 2009, the University of South Alabama football team defeated Hargrave Military Academy, 30-13 in the program’s first ever game in front of 26,783 fans. The team completed its first season undefeated at 7-0, outscoring its opponents by a combined score of 321-41. Courtney Smith scored the team’s first-ever touchdown, a 60-yard reception from quarterback Myles Gibbon in the closing minutes of the first quarter.

2) Jaguars Survive 2010 Road Contest Against UC Davis On Oct. 23, 2010, South Alabama football trailed UC Davis for most of the second half, before the Jaguar defense bunkered down, holding the Aggies to a failed game-tying field goal with just two seconds remaining to win 24-21 at Aggie Stadium. Quarterback C.J. Bennett threw a 45-yard touchdown reception to Courtney Smith with 5:29 remaining in the fourth quarter to set-up the game-winning defensive stand. The game was South Alabama’s first long-distance road game and third overall.

3) Budding Rivalry with Georgia State The Jaguars and Panthers traded homeand-home victories over the past two seasons and really developed a passionate and goodnatured rivalry between their players and fans. South Alabama defeated Bill Curry’s GSU squad 39-34 at home on Oct. 30, 2010 before the favor was returned in a 27-20

matt weaver

USA wide reciever lamontis Gardner double-overtime loss at the Georgia Dome on Oct. 22 of this year. The latter game featured Clifton Crews’ second-straight game-deciding blocked field goal that temporarily delayed a Panthers victory and led to the Jaguars’ second double-overtime contest of 2011.

4) Clifton Crews First Blocked Field Goal Against Texas San Antonio In the Oct. 8, 2011 contest versus TexasSan Antonio, the Roadrunners had marched deep into Jaguar territory and were a field goal away from running out the clock and handing South Alabama a third-consecutive loss. The Roadrunners kick was from 16 yards out and was blocked by Crews and special teams’ associate Randon Carnathan. South Alabama went on to win that game 30-27 in double-overtime before a crowd of 32,886 at the Alamodome in San Antonio.

5) South Alabama Football Debuts Against NCAA Division-I FBS Teams The top highlight of the first three seasons of South Alabama football has to be the program’s first games against Football Bowl Subdivision opponents in North Carolina State and Kent State. While both games produced upsetting losses, both the fans and players agree that the experience was a sign of maturation for South Alabama’s young football program. The Jaguars fell to NC State, 35-13 at Carter Finley Stadium and to Kent 33-25 at Kent Dix Stadium. The experience far outweighed the end result.

There’s little doubt that 2012 and will produce even greater moments for South Alabama football. Stay tuned.

LaWalker3 Lauren WalkerAbout to get fat off these cookies mom made for me and the team MachineGunHeavy Drew Dearman- Saw a black cat and then my truck wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t start.... Purrrrrfect Kevin_Michael12 Kevin-Michael Helms- Sorry Jag Nation. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s been a pleasure playing in front of a fan base as wonderful as yâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;all. Keep supporting. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m gonna miss it. #Jagforlife bestedaboi Corey BestedaTimeout!!! Was Me and couple of other dudes really number 1 on sportcenter top 10 plays J11Jones Jereme L. Jones- The game i just played << AfroMan_USA JT Crabtree- I may be enemies with Cal Poly today, but man theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve got some hot fans! I wish they could all be California girls!

Haha #SIYM #GOJAGS Kevin_Michael12 Kevin-Michael Helms- Much love for the amazing fans of South Alabama. Yâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;all did so much for me. #blessed UnoDosTrey123 Trey Anderson- Man belly buttons look so weird lol #randomthought crazylegs_1990 Gabriel Loper- This man just said Sponge-Bob is part of the Illuminate!!! Bahahaha #TeamYouSmokingđ&#x;&#x161;­ jgeezy54 jon griffin- @CJBennett15 after seeing heav jr. DOMINATE 3 plates of food n 3 bowls of ice cream im convinced the man vs. Food guy bout to lose his job!

Bj_Scott_1 Bj Scott- That feeling u get when u specifically told them no onion #FML Eazy_E13 Ellis Hill- Now back to reality...gotta get everything better jags...got a long offseason ahead of us...letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s #grind King_Carter32 J.D.C- L is fa learning experience, u only really lose if u donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t learn from ya mistakes and do better the next time. #keepgrindin boys _RusHen_ Rush Hendricks- I woke up an hour and a half ago and now itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s dark missmorgan492 Morgan Motes- Soreness, please go away.

Pranksters, you too. Already late this morning, didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t need to clean vaseline from my car door handle #struggling

vol. 49, no. 17 / Nov. 21, 2011

Chick-Fil-A is anti-gay Jeff gill Writer

It has come to my attention that our school doesn’t accept LGBTQs as real people. I hope this offends you.

As proclaimed in our own Non-Discrimination policy, USA “does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, sex, veteran status or genetic information in admission or access to, or treatment of employment in, its programs and services.” There is nothing about the policy that would include those with a more inclusive perspective of sexuality.

This is especially troubling considering the amount of effort our own on-campus LGBTQ group put into asking for the easy addition of such a simple clause. For more information, read the Vanguard’s own “LGBT Amendment Reexamined” article by Genny Roman.

Aside from this delay of the discrimination policy, the University has contracted Chick-Fil-A as a restaurant provider in the Student Center food court. Though it may seem innocent, this is a major front to the gay community at USA. Chick-Fil-A has been donating to groups such as the Pennsylvania Family Institute, for example, which supports the marriage of man and woman only.

This group, along with FamilyLife.com and Citizens for Community Values, are politically active in reverting gay rights politics in their regions and affiliate themselves officially with anti-gay political groups (American Family Association, Focus on the Family, etc.), according to Back2Stonewall.

In their defense, USA probably did not understand the history of Chick-Fil-A’s anti-gay sponsorship. It is very easy to not see the underhanded donations most corporate services are involved in. This certainly doesn’t excuse USA’s unresponsive stance on the issue of LGBTQ nondiscrimination.

There has been a nationwide motion for campuses to reject Chick-Fil-A’s presence on this basis, which has been fueled by change.org.

So as an alternative, what should you do? My first inclination is to stop USA from continuing or lengthening our contract with Chick-Fil-A, which must start with SGA and grassroots. Since the contract is most likely bidded out, the next bid for the space should be considered as a venue for another, more local chicken joint. It would be foolish not to consider local businesses in favor of a national corporation.

Boycott Chick-Fil-A.

opinion

imran mohiuddIn, opinion Editor opinion.editor@usavanguard.com

UC Davis in the wrong As a college campus, we’re naturally a and the police chief said the officers were melting pot of backgrounds and philoso- cornered. It makes one wonder if they rephies. Parent-taught belief systems and alized cameras are technological devices pre-conceived notions meet education and that record moments as they really hapexperience. pen.

Many are quick to condemn college as Regardless of what you perceive the a time of youthful ignorance. “When you Occupy Movement as, pepper-spraying grow up, you’ll understand.” peaceful college students is not the soluThe recent events at UC Davis made our tion. staff sick. Using USAPD Chief pepper spray Aull told The on non-violent Vanguard in Auprotestors was gust that pepper an abhorrent spray is a last reabuse of power sort, when asked and the antithif students could esis of justice. carry pepper Worse? spray on camThe police pus. who did it are We believe on paid adminit should have istrative leave. been a last reThe protestors sort at UC Davis, sprayed were also. What are sitting down. students supCourtesy of inquisitir.com Lined up, and posed to “grow Students at UC Davis are pepper sprayed as they sit sitting down. up and underby campus police officers.

They were stand?” sprayed like bugs with thick, yellow spray It sure seems the message UC Davis that made many students scream and police were trying to send was that if you other students chant against the police. have a divergent viewpoint, you should be Who polices the police? Paid leave is not a silenced by force. punishment at all for physically assaulting That goes against everything that the students that had every right to be sitting First Amendment was founded upon. In down on the ground and peacefully pro- your lives, take a minute to respect sometesting. one else’s opinion this week. Be grateful UC Davis Chanellor Linda Katehi said for the freedom, USA. she would hire a task force to investigate,

Jag voice >> opinion poll Should we get the whole week off for Thanksgiving?

The way I understand it, we have a shorter Thanksgiving break because we have fall break in early October.

Personally, I like having fall break, and I’m willing to sacrifice a few days of Thanksgiving break for it.

I think it’s really dumb that we don’t have a longer time off for Thanksgiving. The whole point of Thanksgiving is to visit family, and it’s almost impossible to visit family that with such a short break from school, especially if you’re not from the Mobile area.

Joshua Connan Biology Sophomore

Caitlin Glenn Chemistry Senior

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Pay attention to Syria

By Mohammad Ammar Al-Zarrad Advertising Assistant Since March 15, 2001, the Syrian people have been following a peaceful revolution against the power of autocratic government that has ruled over the country for the last 41 years. Since day one of the revolution, brutal repression practices by the security services under President Bashar Al-Assad's authority have been utilized in stopping the uprising.

The uprising quickly became a popular revolution that has been peacefully led by young people dreaming of building a new Syria. This dream is to be of a Syria based on civil law, freedom and dignity for all citizens.

Today in Syria, more than 15,000 Syrians are in the prison cells of the security services solely because of their political opinions. Also, the number of casualties in the protests, according to National Organization for Human Rights in Syria, is 4,200. However, according to sources in the Syrian opposition, the number of Syrians dead since the beginning of the revolution is much higher than that documented by the National Organization for Human Rights in Syria.

The Syrian revolution for democracy is not based on ideology or doctrine of a particular party. It is a popular revolution of the community that has chosen to rise up against injustice, oppression and tyranny in all its categories and components.

It is a revolution that demands freedom and change in order to build the organization of a civil society and enforce the laws of modern justice and equality.

It is a revolution that will bring Syria back to its natural place in the international community, to play a stabilizing and balancing role that will lead to peaceful settlement between the people and nations of the Middle East.

It became imperative for the international community to protect Syrian people from the killing machines of Al-Assad government. The international community should use all their authority, including Chapter VII of the United Nations, to maintain peace in Syria and to help Syrian people obtain their freedom.

This Sectarianism regime has become outdated, and it has no compatibility with the wind of the Modern Era. The departure of President Al-Assad will be the final answer to the suffering of Syrian people who have peacefully rebelled against the walls of silence and broke the barriers of fear.

The success of this revolution is a success for all free nations around the world. It is a success of humanity against repression, tyranny and oppression.

To find us > search “The Vanguard USA”

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point counterpoint

vol. 49, no. 17 / Nov. 21, 2011

Did Joe Paterno deserve to be fired?

Editor’s introduction: With the details of the Penn State sex scandal coming to light, many believe that Joe Paterno was appropriately fired for his inaction. However, others think think the opposite, explaining that Paterno neither broke the law nor violated his contract. The P/CP explains.

Point >>

Justice was served

Penn State football has been dominat- though the details of the 2002 incident ing the headlines lately, but not for its 9-2 involving Sandusky are hazy, it is known record and potential to win the Big Ten. for a fact that Paterno learned about SanInstead, Penn State has been plagued by a dusky’s sexual misconduct. Rather than scandal involving former football assistant alert the authorities, Paterno did nothing coach Jerry Sandusky being charged with more than tell higher school officials, and for that he has been justly fired. sexually assaulting Sure, legally Paterno did all he was eight boys, possibly obligated to do. But since when has that more, over a 15-year been enough for Paterno, the coach with period. the most wins in FBS history, a man who The story goes has been acclaimed for his integrity and that in 2002 a graduhonor by players, coaches, and the entire ate assistant named Penn State family?

Mike McQueray witPaterno had the opportunity to act, nessed Sandusky Shivam Amin to tell the police, to confront Sandusky raping a 10-year-old himself, and he did nothing. When parboy in a shower of ents send their boys the Penn State to play for JoePa, locker room. they envision their McQueray told “He made a mistake, boys becoming men head coach Joe and like anybody else in under his guidance.

Paterno about the How can they incident, who rethis world, he has to pay feel the same way ported it to higher for it.” after learning JoePa school authorities wouldn’t act on beand then dropped half of a 10-year-old the matter. boy?

Nothing hapJoe Paterno is still one of the greatest pened to Sandusky until 2009, when a teenage victim came forth to the police football coaches of all time, and he still possesses the qualities so many of his and set the controversy in motion.

As a result of these allegations, legend- faithful followers dearly admire, but he ary Penn State football coach Joe Paterno, made a mistake, and like anybody else in more commonly known as JoePa, has been this world, he has to pay for it. fired along with the school’s president. Al-

Counterpoint >> He did nothing wrong The controversy surrounding Joe Pa- shaky evidence that came up with nothing, terno’s firing has been misunderstood. The launch a crusade going after Sandusky, a media has, instead of reporting on Coach man he had personally known and trusted Sandusky’s child abuse, decided to open for more than 20 years? If someone tells fire on the moral responsibility of Paterno. you that one of your good friends is sexuStudents at Penn ally abusing children, are you going to State and people around believe them without evidence? the country are obviPedophiles are notoriously difficult ously dissatisfied with to catch - they are expert liars and mathe Board of Trustee’s nipulators. To ask a football coach to decision to can Paterno, catch one is a ridiculous notion. as evidenced by the riots If Paterno had personally seen the and numerous polls that children being abused, we have no reahave been taken counson not to believe that he would not try-wide. have called the police - he would then Grant It goes a little some- DeFrancisco have the moral responsibility. thing like this: an assisJoe Paterno has widely been recogtant tells Joe Paterno that he might have nized as a church-going, moral man that seen Coach Sandusky loved children. sexually abusing a To say that he lacks “To implicate Paterno child, but isn’t exactly moral integrity is utlacking in morals is an terly preposterous. To sure.

Joe Paterno did injustice that should not say that he was trying what the law required to protect his program stand.” him to do: take the inis another illogical arformation presented gument. to him and report it If anything, turning to his superiors. His superiors, the athletic in a pedophile would have only increased director and the vice president, notify the Paterno’s and the school’s prestige, not campus police, who dismiss the claim and damage it. find no evidence of the abuse.

This record-breaking legendary coach‘s Most critics claim that Paterno should reputation will be smeared by this stain forhave called the police. Why? The campus ever unless something is done soon. To impolice already found no evidence and the plicate Paterno lacks morals is an injustice case would have likely been thrown out. that should not stand.

Why would Paterno, who had received

>>> Opinion Editorial: Fight censorship Editor’s addition: The proposed Stop Online Piracy Act itself can be found at http://judiciary.house.gov.

IMran Mohiuddin Opinion Editor I’ll be the first to admit that I spend way too much time on the Internet. Facebook, Youtube, Reddit, Stumbleupon, these sites are a procrastinator’s goldmine. They turn a 30-second search into a potentially hours long random fact binge, allowing me to sift through a virtually endless collection of unique content.

And that’s the beauty of the whole thing. Unlike in print or in television, virtually all content is free game on the Internet; no restrictions limit what a person can see or do.

So while I might go online with the sole

intention of looking up the boiling point of camphor for my organic chemistry lab, it’s undoubtable that the temptations of the net will divert me from my original purpose, and my search can end anywhere from a cleverly photoshopped picture of cats to a summary of the G20 summit.

This uniqueness of the Internet is something that most of us college kids take for granted. Unlike our parents and previous generations, we grew up online, so it’s almost impossible for us to fathom our world without it. The net has grown so large, and its uses are so well-established that it seems like nothing can stop it.

In reality, this is not the case. The Internet is a very fragile thing It only really flourishes when left to its own devices, and it crumbles when subjected to added

regulations.

That’s why if the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) is passed, it would virtually end the Internet as we know it. The legislation, in the pursuit of ending Internet piracy, places a chokehold on the Internet, giving government regulators the power to effectively shut down websites that distribute illegal content. While this doesn’t seem like an unreasonable request, the legislation fails because it holds websites responsible for the actions of users.

For example, take Youtube. Thousands of people upload videos every day, and it’s virtually impossible for the Youtube staff to monitor each submission. Still, if a person were to share a copyrighted song or part of a movie, the site would be responsible and subject to termination under

SOPA. It’s for this reason that some of the biggest forces on the Internet are banding together against this act, with Tumblr, the popular image hosting site, even going as far as to alert all its users with the message, “Congress is holding hearings today and will soon pass a bill empowering corporations to censor the Internet unless you tell them no.”

Ultimately, it’s imperative for us to take a stand on this issue and give an emphatic no to SOPA. The Internet is way too precious for us to give it up without a fight.

vol. 49, no. 17 / nov. 21, 2011

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vol. 49, no. 17 / Nov. 21, 2011