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Wednesday, April 18, 2012 Issue 63
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Video game event to benefit cancer research Emily DeLanzo Design Editor Video games are known to have negative side effects: lower grades, sleep deprivation and hostile, jealous girlfriends. One organization on campus is working to justify spending hours with a game controller through a tournament to benefit cancer research. On April 20 and 21, students are welcome to play their favorite video games to show off their mad skills and benefit a good cause. The Apartment Residence Tenants’ Association (ARTA) will host the Frag for a Cure event with help from companies like Sony, EA Games and Ubisoft. This event is not limited to UT students; anyone may participate. Josh Campbell, junior in mathematics and vice president of ARTA, gathered inspiration to organize this event from personal experiences. “During my junior year of high school, I lost two close uncles to cancer,” Campbell said. “It was a really rough time for me personally and experiencing this made me wonder how hard it must have been like for families whose children have cancer. As a result, I ended up wanting to try to help those families out. Frag for a Cure will be the perfect opportunity to make a difference.” ARTA asks for a $5 donation from each participant per tournament. All proceeds will go to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Several video game companies and representatives will be at the event to promote new products and give away prizes. On Friday, the event will start in the UC Down Under at 5 p.m. and will continue until midnight. The Down Under will have nine Xboxes and several PlayStations and a Wii for tournament use. On Saturday, the tournaments will resume at noon and will continue until completion of all games. Featured games include “Halo Reach” (4v4), “NCAA Football ’12,” “Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3” (4v4), “Super Smash Brothers Brawl” (Solo), “Starcraft II” (1v1), “Ghost Recon: Future Soldier” closed Multiplayer Beta and “MLB: The Show Home Run Derby.” “I am excited about Frag for a Cure and grateful that UTK Ubisoft could come take part in this event,” T.J. Stephenson, a senior in anthropology and the student representative of Ubisoft, said. “I hope that having the exclusive ‘Ghost Recon: Future Soldier’ closed Beta at Frag for a Cure will help bring out people and raise a lot of money for St. Jude so they can continue to help children.” This is the first video game tournament at UT striving to benefit a charity. Campbell stressed the importance of students coming together to benefit St. Jude while enjoying themselves. “We’re here to have fun and help children in need for families that may not have the money for treatment,” Campbell said.
Campaign highlights bullying rience.” “oUT of One, Many” began by symbolizing the theory that out of one small idea, something great can emerge. He lowercased the “o” Lauren Kittrell of “oUT” to highlight UT, and make it specific News Editor to the community. “Teen suicide is an issue that should not be “oUT of One, Many” has a mission. overlooked,” Azariah Parfite, freshman in aniIts goal is to bring awareness to the issue of mal science, said. “I am glad that someone is bullying and youth suicide. taking a stand and trying to make a differRoger Curry started the campaign to ence.” protest a current bill in the Tennessee state The campaign, adapted from the Trevor legislature that is referred to as the “Don’t Say Project (the leading nonprofit organization Gay Bill.” Curry feels the bill will essentially providing crisis intervention and suicide premake it legal for children to be bullied in vention services to the LGBTQ community), schools as long as they requires signatures stating are being bullied for relithat individuals will help gious beliefs. spread awareness about “The fight against teen the issue. Thus far, the suicide is a very real campaign has collected issue for youth in our over 760 hand-written sigcountry and my goal for natures and 1,200 online the awareness campaign signatures from students, is to simply highlight the faculty and staff across issue,” Curry said. “I campus. hope someone gets some Curry hopes to take the small benefit from the signatures to UT adminiscampaign I have started. tration to be used as a To anyone struggling, we symbol of progress UT want to send the messtudents have made in sage to never give up. It bringing awareness to the does get better.” issue of teen bullying and In December 2011, suicide. 18-year-old Jacob Rogers “I feel strongly that killed himself as a result bringing awareness to the of bullying. Fourteen• Photo courtesy of Rick Curry issue is the first step in year-old Phillip Parker A screen shot of Rick Curry’s “It creating change,” Curry hung himself in January said. “If enough people Gets Better” video. after complaining of conrecognize how serious the stant bullying. After issue is, they will demand more from their these events, Curry began to wonder if he local and state politicians. They will also do could make a difference by highlighting the more to help others who may be impacted by issue. bullying. If everyone remains silent, the issue Curry believes teen bullying and suicide has will continue with America’s youth killing risen due to the usage of social media. themselves because they feel they have no “When I was growing up and being bullied, hope of their lives getting better. By refusing to the bullying stopped when I got off the school remain silent, we can change that.” bus. I had the safety of my home to run to. Curry wants to continue the campaign in Now, that’s no longer the case,” Curry said. the fall and even have some focus groups of “Thanks to Facebook, Twitter, etc. … the bullystudents, staff and faculty on campus. ing follows the kids home. They no longer To get involved, contact Rick Curry at rcurhave any space safe from the reach of those ry4@utk.edu or view his “It Gets Better” bullying them. I really think this adds to the video at itgetsbetter.org. feeling of hopelessness that many youth expe-
Taylor Mcelroy
Staff Writer
Tia Patron • The Daily Beacon
Anna Clark, freshman in studio art, examines pottery for sale during the semi-annual pottery sale Thursday. The public sale is held by the UT ceramics club every semester in the Art & Architecture Building.
Mulch fire rages along I-40 The Associated Press KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Dozens of firefighters directed streams of water onto piles of mulch burning near downtown Knoxville for a third day Tuesday. The local health department issued a warning that the smoke was unhealthful for anyone in the immediate vicinity. Knoxville Fire Department spokesman Capt. D. J. Corcoran said a half-dozen pieces of fire equipment and 25-30 firefighters were at the site overnight Monday. Firefighters periodically put a clip on their fingers to monitor their pulse rate and carbon monoxide levels. High readings would mean the firefighter would be taken from the area to recover.
The Red Cross opened a shelter for residents who could not keep the smoke out of their houses. A fish kill was found in a creek bordering the nine-acre brush-shredding operation. The Knoxville News Sentinel (http://bit.ly/IEi8mK) reported a berm had since been repaired, directing runoff from firefighting away from Third Creek. Firefighters had been pumping 90,000 gallons of water per hour onto the burning mulch since shortly before noon on Sunday. The runoff of tainted water into the creek deprived fish of oxygen. Few flames were visible Tuesday, but thick smoke continued to rise and early morning commuters on Interstate 40 could see patches of a red glow. See MULCH FIRE on Page 3
2 • The Daily Beacon
InSHORT
Rebecca Vaughan • The Daily Beacon
Lance Drane, senior in music, plays the bassoon during his junior recital Monday. The next music performance will be Project Trio, performing Wednesday in the James R. Cox Auditorium at 7:30 p.m., sponsored by the Cultural Attractions Committee. Students tickets are $5 and general admission is $20.
1961 — JFK denies U.S. military intervention in Cuba President John F. Kennedy heats up Cold War rhetoric in a letter responding to Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev’s claim that the U.S. was engaging in armed aggression against the communist regime in Cuba. Kennedy denied the allegations, told Kruschev he was under a serious misapprehension and stated that the U.S. intends no military intervention in Cuba. However, Kennedy insisted that he would support Cubans who wish to see a democratic system in an independent Cuba and that the U.S. would take no action to stifle the spirit of liberty. In fact, the night before Kennedy wrote this letter, approximately 1,200 Cuban exiles, supplied and trained by the CIA, landed in Cuba’s Bay of Pigs with plans to overthrow Castro. Kennedy was fully aware that the invasion was underway; he had authorized it three days earlier. CIA documents released in 2000 indicated that Kruschev had also learned of the plans for a CIA-led invasion well in advance and had passed the information on to Castro via the KGB, Russia’s secret police. Early on April 18, Kruschev sent a letter to Kennedy warning the president to stop the little war against Cuba or risk an incomparable conflagration with the Soviet Union. Privately, Kennedy dismissed as hypocritical a lecture on intervention coming from a Soviet leader who had supported communist-led coups in Europe and Asia. In his official
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
response, Kennedy warned Khrushchev not to use the U.S.’s support for Cuban rebels as an excuse to inflame other areas of the world and told the Soviet Union to stay out of the Western Hemisphere’s internal affairs. The Bay of Pigs invasion quickly fell apart when it became apparent that the CIA had gravely miscalculated the willingness of Cuba’s military to join the exiles in a coup. Castro’s forces quickly put down the rebellion, killing approximately 200 of the exiles and capturing the rest, except for a few who managed to escape and report back to the CIA. On April 24, 1961, Kennedy accepted sole responsibility for the botched invasion. The Bay of Pigs failure did not stop Kennedy from supporting subsequent covert plans to overthrow Castro. 1775— Revere and Dawes warn of British attack In Massachusetts, British troops march out of Boston on a mission to confiscate the Patriot arsenal at Concord and to capture Patriot leaders Samuel Adams and John Hancock, known to be hiding at Lexington. As the British departed, Boston Patriots Paul Revere and William Dawes set out on horseback from the city to warn Adams and Hancock and rouse the Patriot minutemen. By 1775, tensions between the American colonies and the British government approached the breaking point, especially in Massachusetts, where Patriot leaders formed a shadow revo-
lutionary government and trained militias to prepare for armed conflict with the British troops occupying Boston. In the spring of 1775, General Thomas Gage, the British governor of Massachusetts, received instructions from England to seize all stores of weapons and gunpowder accessible to the American insurgents. On April 18, he ordered British troops to march against Concord and Lexington. The Boston Patriots had been preparing for such a British military action for some time, and upon learning of the British plan Revere and Dawes set off across the Massachusetts countryside. Taking separate routes in case one of them were captured, Dawes left Boston by the Boston Neck peninsula, and Revere crossed the Charles River to Charlestown by boat. As the two couriers made their way, Patriots in Charlestown waited for a signal from Boston informing them of the British troop movement. As previously agreed, one lantern would be hung in the steeple of Boston’s Old North Church, the highest point in the city, if the British were marching out of the city by Boston Neck, and two if they were crossing the Charles River to Cambridge. Two lanterns were hung, and the armed Patriots set out for Lexington and Concord accordingly. Along the way, Revere and Dawes roused hundreds of minutemen, who armed themselves and set out to oppose the British. Revere arrived in Lexington shortly before Dawes, but together they warned Adams and Hancock and then set out for Concord. Along the way, they were joined by Samuel Prescott, a young Patriot who had been riding home after visiting a friend. Early in the morning of April 19, a British patrol captured Revere, and Dawes lost his horse, forcing him to walk back to Lexington on foot. However, Prescott escaped and rode on to Concord to warn the Patriots there. After being roughly questioned for an hour or two, Revere was released when the patrol heard minutemen alarm guns being fired on their approach to Lexington. — This Day in History is courtesy of History.com.
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
MULCH FIRE continued from Page 1 The department placed air quality monitors throughout the city and was monitoring hospitals for any increase in respiratory cases that could be related to the mulch fire. “It’s a really big wood fire,” said Dr. Martha Buchanan, Health Department director. “It does put out smoke that doesn't smell good.” The fire was at Shamrock Organic Products, which has the city contract to dispose of yard
NEWS
The Daily Beacon • 3
waste. Because of storms last year, about 20,000 tons more than usual of shredded brush is at the facility. Officials expected the fire to burn for days, despite rain predicted for Tuesday in the city. Authorities said Shamrock passed inspections in March. David Brace, director of public service for the city, said the company, owned by Randy Greaves, is insured as is required under city contract. “It’s not a good scene right now,” Brace said. “He’s provided 18 years of service and we kept a lot of waste out of landfills.”
IKEA to sell LED TVs integrated into its furniture The Associated Press STOCKHOLM — Already the one-stop shop for smart and compact home furnishing, IKEA is venturing into the world of technology — with the IKEA TV. The new furniture range, named UPPLEVA, the Swedish word for experience, integrates an LED TV, a sound system with wireless bass speakers, an internet connection and CD, DVD and Blu-ray players — all in one self-assembly piece. Although the TV and the other electronics are made by Chinese manufacturer TCL, IKEA has built everything around them, hiding the masses of cables that can be a nuisance and make a living room look shabby. To further simplify things, IKEA and TCL have combined all the controls into a single remote. The furniture surface is especially designed to allow the remote’s signals through, so the devices can remain hidden from view. The TV screens are available in four different sizes, from 24 inches to 46 inches, and in a range of colors including gray, black and blue. Users are also able to plug in their iPods or other MP3 music players. Like most IKEA furniture, the UPPLEVA is purchased in a flat-pack and is ready for assembly at home for those handy with screwdrivers and other tools. The furniture comes in three designs and will be sold first in Sweden, France, Poland, Germany and Italy in June, with a few more markets due to launch in the
second half of the year. By the first half of next year, it will be available worldwide, with the cheapest costing about 6,500 Swedish kronor ($955). To test market appetite for its latest innovation, IKEA had a survey conducted by pollster YouGov. The poll showed that three out of four people want less visible cables in their living rooms and 50 percent wanted to reduce the amount of electronics lying about. The study, done in five countries with more than 5,200 respondents between Feb. 29 and March 15 this year, also showed that 60 percent of the people asked have between three to four remote controls at home. “We’ve realized that people are watching more TV and are using electronics in their living rooms more and more,” IKEA spokeswoman Ylva Magnusson said. “We came up with this because we found that people want to get rid of the cables and they don’t want those mountains of remote controls either.” Martin Rask, a 38-year old from Stockholm, said the all-in-one concept sounded interesting but wondered how it could keep up with new technologies. “The furniture is a tempting idea — I’m wrestling with a bundle of cables at home myself at the moment — but the problem is that so many new things are released all the time,” he said. “I’ve had three different Internet suppliers in the past year for example, and imagine if you had an old VHS player built into your furniture that no one is watching.”
Tia Patron• The Daily Beacon
Mitchell Riggleman, senior in architecture, views the artwork of Emmy Lingchelt’s MFA thesis show “Salvage” on April 12. Each year the MFA students show their work in the Ewing Gallery of Art & Architecture.
4 • The Daily Beacon
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
OPINIONS
Editor’sNote Check for efficacy in poll results Blair Kuykendall Editor-in-Chief Campaign issues are swirling and excitement is building around 2012’s race to the White House. News affiliates and survey organizations have deluged the public with statistics on voter preference, all set along a gradient of reliability. Voters must be able to contextualize poll findings and their potential impacts to cast informed ballots. It is first important to acknowledge that data reported by various news organizations, polling services, and interest groups do not always comply with standards of the industry. The ever-growing pool of surefire election predictions often turn out to be off base, if not completely unreliable. Fortunately, the polling industry has several respected organizations that extend membership to only independent and responsible outfits. The American Association for Public Opinion Research and the Council of American Survey Research Organizations are two valid sources to trust. News outlets and interest groups in particular are notorious for advancing poll results beneficial to certain advertisers, prominent supporters, or even specific ideologies. Kathleen Gore of HillBuzz.com cited one MSNBC poll taken after a Republican debate in September. MSNBC’s poll asked who was winning the debate, and took voters’ opinions. At one point in the debate, Ron Paul was winning with 42 percent of the vote, followed by Mitt Romney who had received 22 percent. Due to the computer programming behind the chart, however, the bar graph pictured Romney’s bar to be the same length as Paul’s. Though the numbers were different, cursory perusal of the graph led the public to assume the candidates were virtually tied. Polls are notorious for garnering skewed results simply by posing leading or incendiary questions. For example, a poll that asks, “Do you believe in cutting defense spending to balance the budget?” will receive very different feedback than a poll that asks, “Do you believe the government should reduce funding for military personnel and homeland security?” One Fox Business poll was cited by DailyFinance.com for erroneous
findings about Obama’s health care legislation. The poll depicted a large majority of Americans were outraged by the bill’s passage, but failed to provide an option for voters to select declaring support for lawmakers who had passed the health care act. A poll’s integrity is also highly dependent upon the nature and size of its sample. While there is no absolute standard for sample size, most researchers consider any findings with below 800 participants to be suspect. Some political polls will engage thousands of participants, but this process is extremely costly and time consuming. Beyond the size of the poll, a sample must include representatives of all parties relevant to the issue at hand. An article written by Nate Silver of the New York Times alleges that a CNN election poll taken in December declared Romney the leader in Iowa without a comprehensive foundation. Silver pointed out that this poll took into account only the opinions of registered Republican voters, ignoring the opinions of independent and Democratic voters. This was a crucial oversight as many voters often register Republican at caucus locations within the state simply to participate. Always consider the thought process required by respondents in answering poll queries. In many cases, participants are likely to give the answer they think they should give, opposed to the choice they might actually make in a voting booth. Internet polls may increase the general level of efficacy, but when results are collected over the phone or in person, respondents often have an interest in saving face. They tailor their answers, detracting from reliability. Some polls are being outpaced by the valuable contributions offered by social media tools like Facebook and Twitter. Media analysis firms are springing up, offering their expertise in consolidating and analyzing the flurry of feedback available online for corporations and products manufacturers. Candidates are quickly learning how to harness these outlets for their political advantage. All in all, polls do pose some advantages in taking the pulse of public opinion. However, they are far from an authoritative predictor of election outcomes. Most importantly, voters should never allow polls to discourage their participation in the election process. Everyone’s opinion counts; be sure not to let the sample speak for the majority. — Blair Kuykendall is a junior in the College Scholars Program. She can be reached at bkuykend@utk.edu.
SCRAMBLED EGGS • Alex Cline
THE Great Mash Up• Liz Newnam
Columns of The Daily Beacon are reflections of the individual columnist, and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Beacon or its editorial staff.
Racial profiling problem persists Ac orns and Other Seeds by
Anna-Lise Burnnette Though not all of you may have noticed, yesterday the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee held a hearing called “Ending Racial Profiling in America.” (At the time this article was written, the hearing had not yet been webcast, but some preliminary information was available online). The fact that such a hearing was arranged definitely says something about the state of race relations in the United States, and here it is: We are far, far from solving our issues with race in this country. Four years ago, when President Barack Obama was still Sen. Obama, many people thought that his victory would usher in an unprecedented era of racial understanding and equality. But, as everyone now knows, having a president whose father was Kenyan doesn’t exactly ensure the development of a post-racial society. In fact, it’s questionable whether it did anything at all to help ease tension between racial and ethnic groups. But perhaps what it did do was draw our attention to this ongoing problem. In the wake of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, President George W. Bush issued this statement, saying that racial profiling “… is wrong, and we will end it in America.” His words, taken out of context, could have been said by any modern-day president, but the fact that he made this promise to the public almost a decade ago belies the reality of racial stereotyping that continues to plague minority groups. The Department of Justice later issued a “Racial Profiling Fact Sheet” filled with quotes from thenAttorney General Ashcroft and “helpful” examples of what is and is not appropriate action on the part of law enforcement. But anyone who glances through this 2003 document can see clearly that the line between appropriate and inappropriate use of racial or ethnic appearance is blurred. Whether the fact sheet was intentionally written to be filled with loopholes or whether it is simply a result of the complex nature
of the problem seems unclear to me — but whatever the case, the distinction is definitely fuzzy. For example, “reliance upon generalized (racial or ethnic) stereotypes continues to be absolutely forbidden” according to the DOJ’s issuance. But in the case of investigating potential terrorist attacks, “federal law enforcement must guard against uncertain threats,” sometimes resorting to what most people would consider to be racial profiling. And that’s because, in our post-9/11 world, the Department of Justice ruled that “acting on specific suspect identification does not constitute impermissible stereotyping.” The real problem comes in the implementation of these guidelines. Though in theory our law enforcement officers are under no circumstances permitted to allow racial stereotypes to color their judgment, there’s not a fool in this room who believes that police or security officers are unbiased. Indeed, none of us is unbiased when it comes to racial or ethnic differences. So it should come as no surprise that these yes/no/maybe stances have led to a lot of confusion and have led to a certain amount of leeway when it comes to deciding who’s on the right side of the law. But what really gets me is this: The government clearly doesn’t want to actually ban racial profiling, but it wants to pay lip service to the idea that racial profiling is an injustice. At least that’s certainly the way it seems to your average civilian who isn’t privy to secrets of national security. The government has to keep a certain amount of information under wraps when it comes to matters of security, there’s no denying that. But that very need for secrecy might very well be the cause of (at least some of) the seemingly inexplicable and unnecessary targeting of certain ethnic groups. Add to that the high probability that law enforcement officers have their own ingrained or subconscious notions of who “looks suspicious” and we’ve got a genuine quagmire on our hands. So what’s the country to do? Well, a start is to host hearings like the one that was just held. Representatives from across the nation, a law professor, law enforcement officials and civil liberties reps helped ensure that our lawmakers are making reasonably informed decisions. We still have a long way to go, but at least it looks like someone’s trying. — Anna-Lise Burnette is a senior in interdisciplinary studies. She can be reached at kburnet7@utk.edu.
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The Daily Beacon is published by students at The University of Tennessee Monday through Friday during the fall and spring semesters and Tuesday and Friday during the summer semester.The offices are located at 1340 Circle Park Drive,11 Communications Building, Knoxville, TN 37996-0314. The newspaper is free on campus and is available via mail subscription for $200/year, $100/semester or $70/summer only. It is also available online at: www.utdailybeacon.com. LETTERS POLICY: The Daily Beacon welcomes all letters to the editor and guest columns from students, faculty and staff. Each submission is considered for publication by the editor on the basis of space, timeliness and clarity. Contributions must include the author’s name and phone number for verification. Students must include their year in school and major. Letters to the editor and guest columns may be e-mailed to letters@utdailybeacon.com or sent to Blair Kuykendall, 1340 Circle Park Dr., 11 Communications Building, Knoxville, TN 37996-0314. The Beacon reserves the right to reject any submissions or edit all copy in compliance with available space, editorial policy and style. Any and all submissions to the above recipients are subject to publication.
I finished browsing Wednesday’s major news outlet headlines, and I really wanted to throw up. At the top of MSNBC’s page, in between updates of that fistpumping, trigger-happy Norwegian lunatic, sat the headline “Romney rakes in cash during spring break.” Fratty, I’ll give him that. But contemptible in the worst way. Also included in the top leads on CNN and ABC: “Pro-Obama Super Pac puts Romney’s wealth in spotlight,” “Obama campaign, DNC raise $53 mil,” and my favorite, “Obama re-election team increases fundraising haul.” I bet these guys’ Friday night tabs could stun elephants and asses in their tracks. I’m disgusted with each of the presumptive nominees’ thirst for cash, but after researching the numbers, there is really just one who stands alone. Mitt reps a competently inordinate $76 million in campaign contributions, but he can barely hold a candle to our fearless incumbent, who has thus far cha-chinged a robust $350 million since the beginning of the election. And according to the aforementioned CNN headline, he is apparently just now putting a concerted emphasis on his campaign’s fundraising efforts. (Aside: When I was offered this column late last semester, I promised myself I wouldn’t let it become some crazy-partisan, weekly Obama rant about how my commander-in-chief is ripping my country apart and I’m one more Spanish soap bill away from indulging my constitutionally-guaranteed right to (redacted). And I think I’m doing pretty well on that promise. After all, I resisted the urge to pan the indefinite detention legislation, and I barely even touched on the birth control mandate controversy. But campaign finance reform is one of my hot buttons, and even though Barry has not broken any laws or even broken any fundraising records, it’s still early. And $350 million is just absurd.) Chances are, Obama raised the large bulk of that money legally. It’s just the sheer amount that sickens me. That any candidate would need $350 million in the preliminary stages of an election is ridiculous, yet another red flag signaling the need for some cripplingly strict campaign
finance reform. It’s an incontrovertible truth at this point — presidential campaigns are directly dependent on their treasure chests and while there have always been strong efforts to curb moneyed interests’ influence in Washington, they just always seem to fall short. Truth be told, the existing FECand FECA-stipulated limits on contributions are actually pretty reasonable. But for all their pure intentions, they incorrectly assume two things: a) that dollar amount caps on contributions are actually enforceable, and b) that people, PACs and corporate partnerships will play strictly by the rules, which they don’t, because finding loopholes in reform legislation is about as easy as falling off a log. I hope it’s clear I’m doing my best to hate the game, not the player. I know it’s not really Barack’s fault. After all, you need money to win a campaign. Cash translates directly to ad space, staff salaries and exposure, and if people wanna cough up dough for that, why stop them? The other guy would take it in a second! Thus, our problem. Reform fails so consistently because in the campaign swelter, the competitive impetus always wins. Money is political capital and the more you got, the better. Further, campaign finance reform’s trend of failure has historically been fixed around the idea that we should limit how much supporters and PACs and corporations can give, when in reality we should be limiting how much candidates can receive. I’m talking about creating a truly level financial playing field — one in which bottomless piggy banks would be obsolete and the only dollar amount Obama would need to worry about is the one he can’t legally exceed. I’m dead serious. How’s $10 million sound? Can you imagine what a fascinating election that would be? Candidates would be forced to be creative! They might even invest themselves in televised debates or public policy. Well … maybe not that last one. As it now stands, per the ruling of Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission, corporations can give unlimited amounts of money to independent political broadcasts — a ruling based on the law’s qualification as “free speech.” Yes, just like flag-burning and certain kinds of bulk-mailed porn, the First Amendment now securely protects a corporation’s right to funnel unlimited cash into any “electioneering communication” efforts. Let’s not let this be the precedent. Rather, let’s heed Thoreau and simplify. Things might even get ethical along the way. Oh, and vote Buddy Roemer. — Sam Ellis is a senior in English and political science. He can be reached at seelis11@utk.edu.
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
The Daily Beacon • 5
ARTS&CULTURE
UT Opera puts new spin on old tale Preston Peeden Managing Editor Opera carries many stigmas, such as singers belting out minute-long solos and formally-dressed onlookers. UT Opera Theatre breaks with this stereotype in its modernday interpretation of Mozart’s comedy, “The Marriage of Figaro.” The group’s spring production will take Mozart’s classic tale of a day in the life of the Sevillian barber Figaro and give it a mid-20th century feel by inserting characters like Elvis Presley, Marilyn Monroe, Jackie Onasis (the widow of President John F. Kennedy) and musician Liberace. At first glance this combination may seem to be a missmatch of cultural anachronism, which could only produce confusion among not only the audience but also the performers themselves. This, however, is not how the cast members view their final product, as they see the changes as allowing for less distance between the show and the viewer. “This is the brainchild of our director James Marvel,” said masters in music student Kevin Dougherty, who plays Figaro. “He wanted to set it different, and, honestly, the characters work out. Figaro is like a high-energy jack-of-alltrades, and the character Figaro is like the ‘Elvis’ of opera. He is that iconic figure. ... He wanted to make it relatable to the audience and a new generation of opera-goers.” The cast’s primary motivation is to make the production more accessible to its audience. Natalee McReynolds, who plays Figaro’s wife-to-be Susanna, said the new setting makes the play more applicable. “It makes you far less removed from the action,” McReynolds, a masters student in music, said. “When I’m playing the character, I’m feeling real emotions that this
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EMPLOYMENT Babysitter/ nanny with household choirs. 5 minutes from campus. Call 637-3600. Camp Counselors, male/ female, needed for great overnight camps in the mountains of PA. Have fun while working with children outdoors. Teach/ assist with A/C, Aquatics, Media, Music, Outdoor Rec, Tennis, & more. Office, Nanny & Kitchen positions available. Apply online at www.pineforestcamp.com. Camp Positions Available! Now hiring instructors for swimming, arts & crafts, and climbing tower. Lifeguard certification provided for aquatics staff. Located on Cedar Bluff Road in W. Knoxville. Call Tate’s Day Camp (865)690-9208, funjobs@tatescamp.com, or apply online at www.tatescamp.com. Got Morning Summer Classes? Be an afternoon camp counselor. Shifts beginning at 2:30 PM. College-age coworkers, outdoor setting, experience with children. Call Tate’s Day Camp (865) 690-9208, funjobs@tatescamp.com, or apply online at www.tatescamp.com. Handy person to do light construction and yard work. 10 to 16 hrs/wk. Flexible schedule. 5 miles from UT. 573-1507 or 389-4717.
EMPLOYMENT Make over $2600 a month with FasTrac Training. Find out why students who intern with us get great job offers after graduation. Call (615)403-7445. Mellow Mushrooms on Cumberland Ave is now taking applications for all positions. Daytime availability a must. Fill out application at www.mellowmushroom.com or at our Cumberland Ave. location. N. Knoxville Health and Fitness Center seeking WSI certified swim lesson instructor to teach children and adult swim lessons. Associated Therapeutics, Inc. 2704 Mineral. Springs Rd., Knoxville, TN 37917. Ph: 865-687-4537; Fax: 865-687-5367; e-mail: mthompson@associatedtherapeutics.com. Now hiring for after school childcare center in West Knoxville. A super fun job! Call Robert 454-1091. PT employment: Mathnasium, the math learning center, is seeking instructors for elementary through high school level math, starting now and continuing through the summer. If you enjoy working with kids and understand the math we?ll teach you the rest! Ability to tutor calculus and/ or physics not required, but a plus. E-mail Mike O’Hern at westknoxville@mathnasium.com. PT Receptionist in West Knox medical office. Afternoons in school year and increased summer hours. Great opportunity for flexible, long-term employment. Previous office experience, computer and phone skills desired. Send resume: office@northshoregroup.com THE TOMATO HEAD KNOXVILLE Now hiring dish and food running positions. Full and part-time available, no experience necessary. Apply in person at 12 Market Square or apply online at thetomatohead.com.
person felt 300 years ago. And that doesn’t change.” To convey the opera’s comedic elements, the performers worked hard to universalize its humor through their own physical actions. “If there was no sound, this show would be entertaining — that’s the honest truth,” said Ryland Pope, a masters student in music, who plays the Count. “With the comedy, you don’t have to know the language. They could be singing gibberish up there and people will still understand.” To further break down the fourth wall that plagues most classical performances, UT’s “Marriage of Figaro” will be performed as an interactive play, encouraging the audience to participate, as opposed to just sitting and watching. To help this along, the Friday and Saturday shows will feature pre-performances from the Rockabilly-Ska band Demon Waffle, which plans to play hits from the era. “People are going to be up on the stage dancing, and it’s going to be a great time,” Dougherty said. “That’s the leadin to the opera. Whoever wants to come and get on the dance floor and rock it out for a little bit, that’s who we want to come.” Ultimately, the message of UT’s production of “The Marriage of Figaro” is that this opera was made for everyone. “You don’t have to know anything about Mozart or opera,” McReynolds said. “... With this, anyone can enjoy it. There are no prerequisites.” Show times are 8 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday, with a 2:30 p.m. matinee on Sunday at the Carousel Theatre. Tickets are $5 for UT students, $10 for faculty, staff, seniors and non-UT students, and $15 for the general public. They are available for purchase at the Clarence Brown Theatre box office, online at www.knoxvilletickets.com, or by phone at 865-974-5161. Tickets are also available at the theater on the evening of the performance.
EMPLOYMENT Staying in Knoxville This Summer? Need a Fun Summer Job? Camp Webb day camp, in West Knoxville, is now accepting applications for full-time summer camp counselor jobs! Positions: general camp counselors, lifeguards, and instructors for Archery, Arts & Crafts, Drama, Swimming, Ropes Course, Nature, Sports, & some leadership positions. Part-time available. www.campwebb.comto apply. The Children’s Center of Knoxville, Inc. is looking for a special May graduate to be our next Family Services Coordinator. BS in Child and Family Studies or related field preferred. Full time position with excellent benefit package, including meals, paid time off and insurance. Interested applicants should send resume to ccknoxville@bellsouth.net. EOE. THE TOMATO HEAD MARYVILLE Hiring all positions Full and part-time. No experience necessary. Apply in person. 211 W. Broadway, Maryville, TN (865)981-1080 or online www.thetomatohead.com. Want to get paid to play? Looking for PT job with a flexible schedule? Try Sitters on Demand. Start immediately. Experience with children required. Contact Kendyll at (423)650-9056 or sittersondemand@gmail.com. Wholesale bakery seeks bakers willing to work all shifts. Experience desired, but willing to train. Some college education or culinary skills training also desired. Must have flexible schedule, reliable transportation and clean driving record. Must be conscious of food safety concerns, capable of strenuous physical labor and possess basic math skills. Bakers will begin as part-time, with full-time and health plan becoming an option with advancement. Please send cover letter and résumé verdadybelleza@gmail.com
Tara Sripunvoraskul • The Daily Beacon
Alison Fox, senior in sculpture, works on a mold during a day for hot iron pour on Saturday.
EMPLOYMENT
FOR RENT
Wholesale bakery seeks delivery drivers willing to work all shifts. Some college education desired. Must have flexible schedule, reliable transportation and clean driving record. Must be conscious of food safety concerns, capable of strenuous physical labor and possess basic math skills. Drivers will also assist in bakery clean-up after deliveries. Drivers begin as part-time, with full-time and health plan becoming an option with advancement. Send cover letter and résumé to verdadybelleza@gmail.com.
2BR/ 1BA apt. for rent. 10 min. walk to UT campus. Open floor plan.. Available September 1. $650/mo. plus utilities. Call (865)776-4281.
UNFURN APTS 1BR apartments available beginning in summer. One block from campus. Call between 9 AM and 9 PM. (865)363-4726. South Knoxville/ UT downtown area 2BR apts. $475. Call about our special (865)573-1000.
FOR RENT 1 BR CONDOS Security/Elevator/Pool/Pkg 3 min. walk to Law School. $520R, $300SD, No app. fee. 865 (4408-0006 , 250-8136).
AVAILABLE FOR FALL 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5BR units in the Fort. No pets. Call now for best selection. Leave msg (615)300-7434 (865)389-6732. 16th PLACE APARTMENTS 3 blocks from UT Law School (1543- 1539 Highland Ave.) 1BR and 2BR apts. only. Brick exterior, carpet, laundry facility on first floor. Guaranteed and secured parking. 24 hour maintenance. No dogs or cats. 32st year in Fort Sanders. www.sixteenthplace.com. brit.howard@sixteenthplace. com. (865)522-5700.
1BR apartment. 1412 Highland Ave. Extra Large. Free parking. No pets. $485/mo. Summer lease for one year lease available. Atchley Properties (865)806-6578.
FOR RENT
A 2 or 3BR apt for rent in Old North Knoxville. $885/mo includes utilities. Laundry available. Completely renovated apt in quiet historic neighborhood. Available August 3. Call (865)776-4281. Double cabin 50’ coastal cruiser with all amenities at Volunteer Landing Marina. Very reasonable rent. Call Jim 865-414-3321 or 865-577-8970. Hialeah Apartments $390 Student Special! 1BR apt. off Chapman Hwy. Convenient to Busline. Quiet Community - Pool and Basketball. Please call 865-573-5775 HUNTINGTON PLACE UT students! Only 3 miles west of campus. Eff. to 3BR. Hardwood floors. Central H/A. Pets allowed. (865)588-1087. WALK TO CAMPUS Great Specials! 1,2,&3BR Apartments. Available. No security deposits. Prime Campus Housing (865)637-3444. primecampushousingtn.com.
HOUSE FOR RENT
CONDOS FOR RENT
2 level brick home on UT campus. 3BR, 2BA, walk to class. Lots of amenities. $2000/mo. Call Keith Keller 415-246-9985. For more info www.2126TerraceAve.Com. Student Housing in The Fort. 3, 4 and 5BR units still available for Fall semester. Prices starting at $475. Call 521-7324. Studio condo near campus. 17th and Clinch. $475/mo. Available now. Secure building, with pool and laundry. (510)686-3390. Ut area. Studio apartment.2 blocks from campus. Water, Internet included. Pool, laundry. 1700 Clinch Ave. Avail August. $525/mo. www.absolutecom.com/405. 423-956-5551. VICTORIAN HOUSE APTS Established 1980 3 blocks behind UT Law School. 1, 2 and 3BR apartments. VERY LARGE AND NEWLY RENOVATED TOP TO BOTTOM. Hardwood floors, high ceilings, porches, 3BR’s have W/D connections. 2 full baths, dishwashers. Guaranteed and secured parking. 24 hour maintenance. No dogs or cats. www.sixteenthplace.com. brit.howard@sixteenthplace. com. (865)522-5700. Walk to class! 2BR and a 4BR and a 7BR available August 2012. Call for more information (865)388-6144.
CONDOS FOR LEASE ON UT CAMPUS 2 & 3BR units available for lease in popular complexes on UT Campus. Most include internet, cable, W/D, water, sewer and parking. University Real Estate & Property Mgmt., LLC 865-673-6600 www.urehousing.com or rentals@urehousing.com
2 or 3 BR, 1BA Historic house located in old Mechanicsville neighorhood. Available August 3. 10 minute wald to campus. $1050/mo. Lots of Charm! 865-776-4281. 4BR 2BA Large parking area, wrap-around deck. 3 miles from campus. $1,000/mo. Call Rick 865-806-9491,
CONDOS FOR SALE FSBO Student housing, Laurel Station. 3BR/2BA, designated parking spaces, stainless appliances, full size W/D, new flooring, security system, private balcony, cable/ internet included in low HOA fees. 404-824-2291
Houses in the Fort available for Fall. 4, 5, and 7BR, includes appliances and Internet. All have a front yard and parking. Call 521-7324.
TOWNHOUSE, 2BR/ 1.5BA, brick, West Hills, perfect location - 1 block to Kingston Pike bus line to UT and between West Town and soon to be Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s. GREAT opportunity to upgrade to one’s own specification at a low price. $74,000. Call Sandy Robinson, Alfred Robinson Co. 865-414-9698.
West Timbercrest subdivision. 4BR, 3BA, LR, DR, den, 2 porches, cH/A. Available June 1st. Jim at 636-1913.
Read the Beacon Classifieds!
AUTOS FOR SALE
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This space could be yours. Call 974-4931
NEW YORK TIMES CROSSWORD • Will Shortz ACROSS 1 Hit 1942 film with the song “Love Is a Song” 6 Pack (down) 10 Maybe too smooth 14 Starter of a 58-Down 15 Many a cut, eventually 16 Page, e.g. 17 Dagger’s partner 18 Like some sloths 20 Legal deadlock 22 Relatives of aardwolves 23 Pollution watchdog org. 24 Bank list 25 Bookie’s concern 30 Pink-slip 33 Carnival attractions 34 Dissolve with acid, say 35 Acid neutralizer 36 War, famine, etc. 37 They’re crossed by bridges 39 Give a thumbs-up on Facebook
40 Nappers catch them 41 Bobby of the rink 42 Shaved 43 Goof 44 Most stand-up comedy acts 47 Stroked 48 Farm abode 49 Sagittarius, with “the” 52 Bush cabinet member 57 1863 speech opener 59 Do like some birds and bees 60 90° from norte 61 Mop, say 62 Confederate 63 Do some gardening 64 Trick-taking card game 65 Mid-March celebration … or a hint to the starts of 18-, 25-, 44- and 57-Across DOWN
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21 DHL competitor 24 Guinness Book entry 25 Cherish 26 Titan, once 27 Loiterer 28 Lake of cryptozoological interest 29 Violate a peace treaty, maybe 30 Tahrir Square’s locale 31 Catawampus 32 Budget priorities 35 Snooze-inducing 37 Kansas City ___, Negro Leagues team with Satchel Paige, Jackie Robinson and Ernie Banks
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Utah city Get pumped Is in the hole Declare Highest degree Bit of evidence More than one Levitated Buttonlike? “Nessun dorma,” for one Pasta, in product names He wrote “Jupiter from on high laughs at lovers’ perjuries” Greek cheese Long shot, in hoops See 14-Across
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THESPORTSPAGE
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
Reese chose UT over Georgia Ben Daniel Staff Writer When UT’s Hunter Reese broke his wrist in high school, the freshman tennis star felt pressured to stay in touch with college coaches. The then No. 2 prospect in Georgia sent out a number of e-mails but received only one response, and it was from Tennessee coach, Sam Winterbotham. After several visits and conversations, the Peach State native decided not to attend the University of Georgia and instead chose the Big Orange. “I grew up a Georgia fan,” Reese said. “My dad went to Georgia, and I always wanted to go to Georgia, but I used all my time and visits to decide what was the best fit for me, and it turned out this was it.” Reese was due to be a Bulldog, but because of the willingness of the Tennessee coaching staff to show their interest in the star, he graduated from North Cobb High School early and made his way to Knoxville for an early start. He claims that his dad cheers for Tennessee in tennis, but you would not find him wearing orange to any other Georgia sporting events. He also said that others associated with Georgia tennis did not take the news quite as well. “The Georgia coach actually hung up on me when I called and told him I was coming to Tennessee,” Reese said. “He didn’t take it too well. A lot of props go to our coaches here. They made me feel like I was wanted and they beat out Georgia in that factor.” It’s clear as to why the coach was unhappy with Reese’s decision to leave his home state. With a 24-8 doubles record and a 17-13 career singles record, the Vol freshman has played a key role on the court. Just prior to April, he reached his highest ranking in singles at No. 92, and alongside fellow freshman Mikelis
Libietis, Reese has reached a No. 7 ranking in doubles. “I feel really good,” Reese said. “Playing high in the SEC is not an easy task and I just try to go out every week and put forth my best effort and keep working in practice every day. I’m still a freshman, so I have a long way to go in my development. I’m really using this time to build a base for the next four years.” Reese has accumulated victories over many top players, ultimately moving from the fourth position on the team to a spot as the No. 2 player on the team. Wins over Mississippi’s No. 98 Jonas Lutjen, Baylor’s No. 82 Roberto Maytin and Auburn’s No. 77 Alex Stamchev have been the keys to securing his spot on the team. As Reese was paired with Libietis to be the top doubles matchup in the spring, the duo went 16-2 before a recent slide. They have lost four of the last six matches but have recently shown some signs of recovery with wins over top-ranked opponents. Against Auburn, the pair was able to take down No. 16 duo of Mies/Stamchev, and this past weekend, they were able to get the only victory of the match for the Vols against the pairing of No. 79 Doumbia/Pieters. Along with his success on the court, Reese is taking on the daunting task of seeking a major in kinesiology. He has the dreams of most college athletes, but he knows what he needs to do here first. “My dream has always been to be a professional tennis player,” Reese said. “If that doesn’t work out, I would really like to be a college coach somewhere. In a perfect world, I would like to be a coach here at Tennessee, maybe take over for Sam, but that’s a long way down the road. For the next four years here, I just want to have the best success we’re cable of. If that means winning the SEC, competing for the NCAA or just winning some matches I want to do whatever I can.”
Tara Sripunvorarskul • The Daily Beacon
Hunter Reese prepares for a drive against Vanderbilt on March 30. Teammate Mikelis Libietis and Reese have reached a No. 7 ranking in doubles this year.
Stricklen, Johnson, Cain selected Bobcats paced for historic low The Associated Press in first round of WNBA Draft Staff Reports Bristol, Conn. — University of Tennessee Lady Vols Shekinna Stricklen, Glory Johnson and Kelley Cain were all taken in the First Round and Vicki Baugh was selected in the Third Round of the 2012 WNBA Draft presented by Boost Mobile, on Monday, April 16 at the ESPN headquarters in Bristol, Conn. It was the best first round showing ever in the draft for Tennessee with three players taken. The Lady Vols had two first round selections in 1997, 1999, 2003 and 2008. In total 15, UT players have been first round WNBA picks on draft day. The first Lady Vol selected was the 6’2” multiposition Stricklen to the Seattle Storm with the second pick overall. Two selections later, Tennessee teammate Johnson heard her name called by the
Tulsa Shock, as the fourth overall pick in the draft. A surprise selection in the first round was Cain who was picked as the seventh player overall by the New York Liberty. Cain, a 2011 UT grad, has been playing in Turkey since January 2012 with Gure Belediyesi of the Turkish League. Baugh, one of the 15 players invited to the draft, made her way to the stage as the 25th player taken overall and the first pick of the third round by Tulsa where she will join Johnson. The Lady Vol head coach Pat Summitt was ecstatic about three Lady Vols going in the first round and four overall. “What a great day
in the lives of these young ladies! I couldn’t be prouder as a coach,” said Summitt. “It’s every player’s dream to go to the next level and play in the WNBA...today they have realized this dream.” Stricklen, a 6’2” guard/forward/center who earned WBCA All-America and SEC Player of the Year acclaim as a junior, spent time playing all five positions as a Lady Vol and finished her career seventh alltime in points with 1,882 and 11th in rebounds with 905. “I am so proud of her,” said Summitt. “Obviously, Seattle saw something in her just like we did when we recruited Shekinna to come to Tennessee.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The dreaded day for the Bobcats is fast approaching: When Charlotte could earn the dubious distinction of becoming the worst team in NBA history. Guard Matt Carroll warned his teammates about it two weeks ago. He knew then if Charlotte didn’t win a game it would risk becoming an historic embarrassment. If Charlotte loses its six remaining games the Bobcats will finish with the worst winning percentage in league history (.106), a dubious honor that’s currently held by the 1972-73 Philadelphia 76ers, who finished 973 (.110.) “We are desperate to get a win,” Carroll said. “No one wants to be known as the worst team in NBA history. I’ve been talking about this with guys on the team for last two weeks telling them we at least need to get one more win. I think guys at first heard it but weren’t thinking it was going to happen. “But now everybody is aware it could hap-
pen, so we better get a win.” It won’t be easy. The Bobcats (7-53) host Chicago on Wednesday. After that they close this lockout-shortened season against Memphis, Sacramento, Washington, Orlando and New York. On paper, Washington, which has the second-worst record in the league, would seem to be the best chance at a win. But the Wizards hammered the Bobcats by 28 points just last week in Charlotte. The Bobcats, who are playing without leading scorer Corey Maggette, have shown no signs of being able to win a game and are mired in a franchise-record 17-game losing streak. On Sunday they lost by 12 to the Boston Celtics even though they rested star players Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen. The following night the Bobcats lost to a New Orleans Hornets team that sat its top two scorers in Eric Gordon and Chris Kaman. So Charlotte’s rallying call has become: Just win one, baby!