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Childers arrested in Broken Arrow Friday night • Former student accused of attacking professor LEIGHANNE MANWARREN The Oklahoma Daily

Photo provided

Micheal Joseph Childers’ police mug shot. Childers was arrested on Friday for allegedly attempting to kidnap Japanese instructor Mano Yasuda.

WHAT’S INSIDE Members of the OU community didn’t receive an emergency message from OU President David Boren until two hours after a former student with a gun had left campus. Page 2. A new program could raise almost $1.5 million for OU’s general scholarship fund by selling bronze statues made by local artists. Page 5.

LIFE & ARTS Passions ignited this weekend as OU Lab Theatre presented “Anna in the Tropics.” Read about it on page 12. From top chefs to top actors, this is a big week for the small screen. Check out The Daily’s TV recommendations on page 11.

SPORTS The women’s basketball team travelled to Kansas on Saturday to take on the Jayhawks. The Sooners took home the road win to stay perfect in conference play, but the way the Sooners got the victory was diﬀerent than usual. Page 7.

TODAY’S INDEX L&A 5 Campus Notes 11,12 Classiﬁeds 10 10 Crossword Horoscope 11

News 3,5,6 Opinion 4 Police Reports 5 Sports 7, 8,9 Sudoku 10

WEATHER FORECAST

TODAY LOW 32° HIGH 53°

TUESDAY LOW 43° HIGH 60° Source: Oklahoma Weather Lab

A former OU student allegedly pointed a gun at a professor in an attempted kidnapping on campus Friday afternoon and was arrested in Broken Arrow the same night. Michael Joseph Childers, 27, allegedly attacked Mano Yasuda, a Japanese professor, on the second floor of Kaufman Hall. After being arrested by Broken Arrow law enforcement, OU Police Department detectives traveled to Broken Arrow to interview Childers. He was booked at 5:20 a.m. Saturday and is being held without bail. OU President David Boren said Childers would probably be transferred Tuesday to the Cleveland County facilities where the state will file charges of attempted kidnapping, unlawfully pointing a firearm and possessing a firearm on a campus.

The alleged attack caused temporary chaos as students and faculty on the second and third floors of Kaufman said they heard screams in the hallway around 3 p.m. Friday. They emerged from their classrooms and offices to find a woman struggling with a young man dressed entirely in black. The man appeared to be attempting to throw her down the stairs, witnesses said. As students and other faculty members approached the struggling pair, the man fled. Rob Clark, sociology professor, said he was in his office on the third floor of Kaufman about 3 p.m. when he heard a woman screaming. He walked to the second floor and the struggling pair, which was quickly surrounded by students and other faculty members. Clark immediately went back upstairs to call police. Childers, who was charged with a computer crime against Yasuda in 2007, was identified as the suspect in an e-mail sent to OU students and faculty by Boren about two hours after the attack. The e-mail said Childers was not a danger to the general university community. It said the incident was considered “a domestic dispute between two individuals,” but Boren said Saturday there is no evidence of romantic involve-

ment between the two. Yasuda is a former professor of Childers’, who according to his Facebook profile studied economics and Japanese and was scheduled to graduate in 2008. According to court documents, Childers illegally hacked into one of Yasuda’s computer accounts in 2007. He gained access to her OU 4x4 account and bought products online, which he had shipped to her house “as a means to harass and intimidate Yasuda.” Childers was charged with violating the Computer Crimes Act, a misdemeanor. Boren said after Childers was convicted of cyber crimes, the university dismissed him from school. “[OUPD and University officials] have had this individual on our radar screen for approximately two years,” Boren said. A Web site listed on Childers’ Facebook profile displays eight poems, two of which refer to “Mano,” police and law enforcement. University legal staff counseled Yasuda in September 2008 after Childers allegedly tried to talk to her friends

CHILDERS Continues on page 2

Campus groups unite to ‘Raise the Roof’ • Students build home for fatherson duo ASHLEY BODY AND DALENESIA KENDRICK The Oklahoma Daily Joseph Johnson and his 6-yearold son will soon be living in a house built by the OU Greek community and Habitat for Humanity. The Greek community joined Habitat for Humanity for their first “Raise the Roof” ceremony Saturday. Students helped construct the Johnsons’ new roof and celebrated the efforts they had made toward the house. In May, Johnson and his family will move into the house. Johnson and his son JoJo were chosen to receive the home because of the financial difficulties facing them. JoJo was born with Down syndrome and was diagnosed with leukemia in June 2006. He is currently in remission and will end treatments in September. Due to the medical expenses and hospital trips, Johnson lost everything and had to move them into temporary housing. Johnson said the temporary housing agency, Community Action, suggested he apply for a house built through Habitat for Humanity. Johnson said he was excited when he found out he had been chosen from 100 potential applicants. “I really didn’t think I would be chosen whenever I signed up, especially with the way my luck had been going lately,” he said. Ground was broken for the Johnsons’ home during winter break and its construction began Feb. 6. The home is expected to be complete in May.

Chelsea Garza/The Daily

Members of Lamda Phi Epsilon raise the roof with the soon-to-be homeowner Joseph Johnson pictured in the red hat, Saturday morning in Norman. Various greek organizations teamed up with Cleveland County Habitat for Humanity to help build a house for a deserving homeowner. “As I see [the house] get further along, the more I can’t believe it,” Johnson said. “As a father, it’s great because I can watch my son have fun in our backyard and not have to be cooped up in an apartment.” The house was tweaked by a design and interior decorating team from the OU College of Architecture, said Josh Carson, construction manager for Habitat for Humanity and construction science junior. Carson said he has gotten the chance to know Johnson and said he has done what he can for those helping him. “I’m learning more and more about [Johnson] every day, he’s a great guy, always out here willing to work,” Carson said. “It’s so

ool to get to work hand in hand with the people who will be living here.” “Raise the Roof” is the first philanthropic event the entire Greek community has been a part of, said Caitlin Williston, Panhellenic Association student representative and advertising sophomore. She said the community is excited to do something that allows them to work together and build relationships. Bill McManus, chairman of construction committee for Habitat for Humanity, said the most difficult part of the project was raising the money needed for Chelsea Garza/The Daily the house. The Greek community Members of Lamda Phi Epsilon help build a roof Saturday morning in Norman. and the OU Habitat for Humanity

Various greek organizations teamed up with Cleveland County Habitat for HOME Continues on page 2 Humanity to help build a house for a deserving homeowner.

Unexpected dorm room birth catches mother, roommate off guard • Mother noticed no signs of pregnancy until labor RENEÉ SELANDERS The Oklahoma Daily EDITOR’S NOTE: Although The Daily has a policy that prohibits using anonymous sources in most circumstances, editors decided it would be appropriate to grant anonyminity to a freshman who gave birth in the dorms Thursday in order to protect the young woman’s privacy. An hour and a half of labor pains was all the warn-

ing one University College freshman received before she gave birth to her baby in Walker Tower Thursday morning. The mother, who asked to remain anonymous, said she did not know she was pregnant until she was delivering her baby in the resident’s shared suite bathroom. She said there were no noticeable changes in her weight or her menstrual cycle that would indicate she was pregnant. At around 4:10 a.m. Thursday, the mother woke in pain. Her roommate said she woke when she heard the mother’s painful gasps. The mother went to the bathroom, where she stayed alone until about 5:30 a.m., when the roommate went into the bathroom and discovered the mother giving birth.

“The child wasn’t completely born when I walked in,” the roommate said. The roommate said the baby was born at 5:38 a.m. After unwrapping the umbilical cord from around the baby’s neck and clearing its throat, the roommate said she handed the newborn to its mother and called 9-1-1. The paramedics arrived by 6 a.m. “It took, I thought, way too long for the paramedics to get here,” the roommate said. The roommate said though they made a lot of noise, no other residents from the hall came to see what was going on. She said the resident adviser did not know anything was happening until the mother and her baby were wheeled out on a stretcher to the ambulance. The mother, her baby and the roommate were

taken to Norman Regional Hospital, where the roommate stayed with the mother until her family arrived. The roommate plans to become an obstetrician physician’s assistant, and said the experience, though scary, helped her realize she has a passion for the work. “I had never experienced anything like that before,” she said. “It just confirmed that was what I want to do.” Her first patient said she supports her roommate’s decision to pursue a career as a physician’s assistant. “I think she’d be great at it,” the mother said. The mother and baby are at home with the girl’s family. The mother said she is unsure of her plans for the remainder of the semester.

News

Monday, Feb. 16, 2009

Kaufman incident raises concern over campus safety

Home Continued from page 1 chapter tackled the problem by raising money through a series of fundraisers and donations by fraternity and sorority members, said McManus, construction management professor. Since fall 2007, the Greek community and the OU Habitat for Humanity chapter have raised $39,250 of the $47,000 needed for the project, and are still looking for sponsors to help reach their goal, said Jema Castleberry, executive director of the Cleveland County Habitat for Humanity chapter.

CONCEALED CARRY DEBATE INTENSIFIES Friday’s alleged attack on an OU Japanese professor in Kaufman Hall has reignited the debate about concealed carry legislation in Oklahoma. Last year, lawmakers were defeated in their attempt to pass a bill that would have made it legal for concealed carry license holders to have handguns on Oklahoma college campuses. This year, they renewed their attempts. They suffered a setback last week when a new concealed carry bill was defeated in the state Senate, but a House version is still alive and active. Friday’s events are only expected to intensify the debate surrounding the idea. OU President David Boren said Saturday that the incident illustrated the importance of keeping guns off campus, even if they would be in the hands of people with concealed carry licenses. “It makes the point that it’s best to keep the threat to anyone making this kind of threat with the professionals,” Boren said. “What would have happened if other people in [Kaufman Hall] had started pulling out guns? As it was, no shots were fired.” In a discussion that emerged Saturday on an OUDaily. com message board, several students gave spirited defenses of the idea of legalizing concealed weapons on campus, arguing students and faculty who are victims of attack should have the ability to defend themselves. —MEREDITH SIMONS/THE DAILY

• Assessment of emergency threats performed by Boren, committee CLARK FOY The Oklahoma Daily After Michael Joseph Childers’s alleged attack on Japanese professor Mano Yasuda at about 3 p.m. Friday, students didn’t receive information from OU’s emergency information system until approximately 5:30 p.m. because officials did not think students were in danger, according to OU President David Boren. Boren said he and other members of the Threat Assessment Review Committee believed Childers was not a threat to the general university community. “We felt it was not [an emergency] because he had fled the campus and because we had a lot of information developed over a number of years,” he said. Boren said TARC has collected information on Childers since he was convicted of tampering with Yasuda’s OU 4x4 account in 2007. TARC continued to monitor Childers even after he left campus. In September 2008, Yasuda notified the university that Childers had tried to contact her via e-mail, and OU’s legal staff counseled her and TARC continued to monitor information on Childers. Boren said the committee’s information indicated that Childers was not a danger to anyone except Yasuda, so when he left campus on Friday, committee members were

Zach Butler/The Daily

OUPD escorts a Japanese language instructor away from Kaufman Hall at 3:45 Friday afternoon. convinced that everyone on campus was safe. “Part of our early warning system is having TARC stay on top of people we think could be a threat of any kind, even if they are no longer on the campus,” Boren said. “We felt a high level of confidence that this was a dispute between two people, that his sole focus was on one person.” Boren also said the committee received information soon after the incident that indicated Childers had left Norman and was on his way to Broken Arrow, where he lives. “We had incredible cooperation, not only from Norman and OUPD, but from Broken Arrow police very early in the incident,” Boren said.

“We contacted Highway Patrol and after he was seen running off campus, our police began to get reports that he was on his cell phone and he was telling various people that he was headed to Broken Arrow.” Broken Arrow police had Childers under surveillance for hours before he was arrested, Boren said. The delay was needed to secure a warrant for Childers’s arrest, but once it was procured, the suspect was arrested and booked into the Tulsa County Detention Center. Boren said despite the alleged attack, Childers never represented a threat to the general university community, and as a result, OUPD Chief Liz Woollen recommended against locking down the campus.

Childers

OUR COMMITMENT TO ACCURACY

Continued from page 1 and contact her through e-mail but did not attempt to physically contact her at the time, he said. Kody Hastings, Childers’ friend and former classmate, told a Daily reporter at 6:25 p.m. that he had talked to Childers after the attack. “I just can’t believe he would do some-

He said the e-mails, text messages and voice mails sent at about 5:30 p.m. were intended as informational messages, not emergency alerts. They were designed to counteract false rumors and aid law enforcement officers who were searching for Childers. Boren said the emergency system worked well. The emergency system was able to call 70 percent of those on the contact list in 15 minutes, and e-mail 89 percent of the list within the same amount of time. He said 89 percent of all calls went through. Some of the calls did not go through because some faculty and student information was out of date.

thing like this, that’s why I called him to see what happened and see if he was a danger to himself,” Hastings said. Around 7 p.m., Childers logged on to his Facebook from an unknown location and began adding friends and changed his status. His updated status read, “Relax folks. This is post-VT paranoia at its worst.

I am a peace-loving goblin.” Police ultimately arrested Childers at 8:17 p.m., about 135 miles northeast of Norman, in his home in Broken Arrow. Boren said though Childers was under surveillance after the attack, officials could not arrest him until after they obtained a warrant.

“FINDING A JOB WITH ANY MAJOR”

Other former classmates and professors said Childers was nice in class, regularly participated in class activities and was well liked by his professors. ZACH BUTLER, CLARK FOY, LAUREN STALFORD, DANE BEAVERS AND MEREDITH SIMONS CONTRIBUTED TO THIS REPORT.

The Daily has a long-standing commitment to serve readers by providing accurate coverage and analysis. Errors are corrected as they are identiﬁed. Readers should bring errors to the attention of the editorial board for further investigation.

ERROR SUBMISSIONS e-mail: dailynews@ou.edu phone: 325-3666

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Campus News

Monday, Feb. 16, 2009

Norman establishments crack down on fake IDs • Counterfeit card carriers face serious consequences CLARK FOY The Oklahoma Daily Bars and restaurants on Campus Corner and around Norman are cracking down on checking IDs after being contacted by the City of Norman. Jeff Stewart, manager of O’Connell’s Irish Pub & Grille, said city officials went to different places on Campus Corner and told them there would be a stricter policy. The bar is now taking around 10 to 15 fake IDs every weekend, Stewart said. “We have seen more and more police officers coming in and making nightly checks,” Stewart said. The police aren’t the only ones cracking down on underage drinkers. Bars and restaurants on Campus Corner have started checking IDs more thoroughly, and have been asking for follow-up IDs, Stewart said. “False IDs are certainly a huge concern to the police department,” OUPD Lt. Bruce Chan said. “Students don’t realize that presenting a fake ID is a felony and can involve prison time.” Norman lawyer Dave Stockwell said most fake IDs typically have a real picture of the person with fake information from a different state. Stockwell, a lawyer in Norman for 19 years, said punishment varies with each case. Some result in felonies and others might receive a mis-

Clark McCaskill/The Daily

Thunderbird Liquors displays confiscated false identification cards in its store to discourage people from attempting to use fake IDs to purchase liquor. “For starters, they are going to have a strike demeanor. Some students might not realize how much problem at OU,” Stockwell said. After getting a strike, those who are found it could cost if they are caught with a fake ID. In most cases, the citation will cost more than either using or in possession of a fake ID could $1,000, excluding lawyer fees, Stockwell said. also face a citation fine of $50 to $750, court fees

of approximately $300 to $400 and also could have their driver’s license revoked for 30 days by the Department of Public Safety, Stockwell said. Stockwell said, in his experiences, if the person is rude, drunk, disorderly or resists arrest, then charges usually become more severe than if the person was polite and composed. Joey Andrews, Thunderbird Liquors night manager, has seen his share of ploys and fake IDs after checking them for 10 years. “People want alcohol bad enough that they will try anything,” Andrews said. “In seconds, I can tell whether a hologram is off, spelling errors, as well as the overall quality, feel and texture.” He said sometimes he can tell whether a person is underage by how they are acting. “They try and talk and distract me by asking questions about how to make certain drinks or about sports; basically anything to distract me from looking at the terrible picture of them on the front of the license,” Andrews said. Andrews said he started drinking around the age of 19 years, and said he understands the lure of drinking. He said catching kids is nothing personal, but the consequences for serving them underage are steep for him too. Knowingly serving alcohol to someone underage or not checking an ID can result in a hefty fine, and the vendor could get its liquor license revoked, Andrews said. There really is no need to have a fake ID, Stockwell said. “If you really want alcohol, just have somebody of age buy it,” Andrews said.

Sooner forensic teams host ‘sweet’ debate tournament • OU hosts weekend-long speech and debate tournament LESLIE METZGER Contributing Writer The OU forensics team partnered with West Texas A&M to host a nationally ranked speech and debate tournament with a Valentine’s Day twist over the weekend. John Greenert, OU forensics team president, said the tournament prepared the team for national championship competitions and attracts top competitors including teams from the University of Texas, Kansas State University and Cameron University. “A lot of schools that are very heavy in [individual events] bring a lot of competitors down for this tournament because it is a good national

warm-up,” said Greenert, psychology senior. “It is a little precursor to nationals but also having fun with the holiday season so to speak.” This annual event is held around Valentine’s Day every year and carries a different theme each time. This year’s theme was “Sweet and Spicy.” OU hosted Friday and Saturday’s “Sweet” portion of the tournament, and West Texas A&M hosted Sunday’s “Spicy” portion of the event in the Physical Sciences Center. Competitors said part of the competition’s tradition is wearing fun costumes. Greenert dressed in all black and wore the name tag “Bitter Sweet” as his costume for Saturday. Along with heart stickers on signs and people, the teams wrote Valentine’s messages for each other and put them in bags hanging on the wall. “One unusual thing you will see is college students filling out Valentine’s Day cards like the ones you would see in high school,” he said. “It sounds juvenile but it’s a lot of fun.” Putting school rivalry aside, Austin Wright, a senior at the University

of Texas, said the tournament went well. “OU always does a good job when they are hosting the Sweetheart,” Wright said. Chrissy Biondo, a student from Kansas City Kansas Community College, said she enjoyed watching all the events. “We all get along really well and it’s a really fun time for everybody, win or lose,” Biondo said. “It’s ultimately not about winning but about personal growth.” Biondo placed first in her division on Saturday. The tournament’s Valentine’s theme shone through all weekend. Discussion topics on Saturday dealt with the concepts of love and insanity or love and beauty. Greenert said that although the event was a nationally ranked tournament, their biggest goal was to have fun and enjoy the holiday. “We are competitive and we do get things done, but we don’t take ourselves too seriously,” Greenert said. “We try to have fun, try to have a good time.”

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Opinion

Monday, Feb. 16, 2009

OUR VIEW

Ray Martin, opinion editor dailyopinion@ou.edu phone: 325-7630, fax: 325-6051 For more, go to oudaily.com.

COMMENTS OF THE DAY

Warnings came too late

In response to the news story about Michael Childers’ alleged attack on an OU professor

A former student allegedly held a professor at gun- Broken Arrow. point in a campus building Friday afternoon. Shortly When Daily reporters tried to interview faculty afterward three professors were escorted away by OU members on the first floor of Kaufman, the professors, police. instructors and graduate students hadn’t heard about The administration didn’t inform students until two the situation. Employees should know immediately if hours after 27-year-old Michael Childers fled from a man with a gun was recently in their building, espeKaufman Hall. cially if they’re in a room with numerous This response wasn’t prompt enough. students. Everyone on campus should have known If administrators lacked complete inforOUR VIEW there was a situation almost as soon as the mation, they could have sent an initial warnis an editorial administration did, regardless of whether or ing followed by updates. Or, they could selected and debated by the editorial board not administrators had what they thought have referred people to oudaily.com, where and written after a were adequate details. reporters posted the story long before any majority opinion is Though Childers fled west, off campus, emergency contact texts and e-mails were formed and approved after people on the second floor of Kaufman by the editor. Our View sent. heard screams from the Japanese professor Many can be informed in a matter of secis The Daily’s oﬃcial opinion. he is accused of trying to kidnap, the adminonds in this digital age. But administrators istration had no way of knowing whether didn’t take advantage of this technology. or not he would return and put others in Instead, they assumed Childers would not danger – despite its claim that Childers was only a return to campus, and waited to tell the OU commuthreat to one person. If Childers is unstable enough nity about the incident. to hold someone at gunpoint in the middle of the We understand the attempt to keep the OU commuafternoon, he’s likely unstable enough to return to nity from entering a state of panic. But with situations campus. It wasn’t until after he fled from Kaufman that involving people with guns, administrators should be administrators learned he was in a car on his way to pessimistic, and act with a sense of urgency.

Let’s say five people in the vicinity are licensed to carry a concealed weapon on campus for just this sort of scenario. A guy sees the attacker, realizes this could be his big chance to be a hero, fires his weapon, possibly killing the attacker, possibly injuring innocent people. Let’s say another licensed person walks in at this moment, sees the “hero” with a gun, and fires his weapon at the new attacker. I know this is a hypothetical situation, but I really don’t think this is outside of the realm of possibility. Who knows how many people could be injured or killed in such a frantic mess. Seeing a gun on campus will trigger all sorts of reactions.

It is false to phrase this debate as “guns on campus,” vs. “no guns on campus.” In fact, we already have guns on campus. Has anyone noticed that the OU Police carry sidearms? The moderate viewpoint is that we need more of the right sort of people carrying weapons, and fewer of the bad sort. - POSTED BY BRIAREUS AT OUDAILY.COM

I’m amazed that you think that this situation could have somehow been improved by allowing students to concealed carry. You could mention several hypothetical scenarios where students with concealed carry could save the day, but this one is not one of them. - POSTED BY DRFUEGO AT OUDAILY.COM

- POSTED BY MFHAYES AT OUDAILY.COM

Given the hundreds of thousands of people with concealed carry permits, I’m sure you can cite an example of this happening oﬀ-campus, yes? Or is this just speculation, playing unlikely probability against unlikely probability, unfounded by any evidence whatsoever? - POSTED BY DAVE AT OUDAILY.COM

YOUR VIEWS Evolution controversy is social, not scientific I was surprised the Daily staff supported the ‘academic freedom bill’ and took Dr.’s Rich Broughton and Vic Hutchison to task for defending science education. I was surprised, that is, until I learned Ray Martin, editor of the opinion page, is also president of OU’s IDEA club, a student offshoot of the intelligent design movement. The roads leading to the “academic freedom” bill, Senate Bill 320 and IDEA club’s across the country can be traced back to the Discovery Institute, a think tank that fuels the myth of a “scientific controversy” over evolution. The “controversy” is a purely social one. Just think about it. Modern physics and chemistry are as “God-less” as modern biology (for which evolution is the unifying theory), not because science requires that one be an atheist, but simply because science only advances by seeking natural explanations for phenomena. The “intelligent designer” fails as a scientific mechanism, and hence is beyond scientific inquiry simply because no ID proponent has suggested any testable hypothesis to explain how the “designer” created anything {except social controversy}. Not surprisingly, the ID movement has produced no new knowledge about the natural world since William Paley first published on the topic in 1802. Martin and others ignore the real controversies that abound in

evolutionary biology in favor of vague “weaknesses”, which any high school student with an excellent biology education can easily counter. If passed, the “academic freedom bill” will make it harder for OU to find such applicants. - OLA FINCKE, PROFESSOR OF ZOOLOGY

Local bonfires are bad ideas A.J. Lansdale’s suggestion that readers should have a Valentine’s Day bonfire is not only irresponsible, but also possibly dangerous. In addition, campus, which is located in Cleveland County, is included in the current burn ban. Individuals who attempt to torch their “hated” Valentine’s garbage may also face charges by the fire marshall if they followed through with A.J.’s ill-advised suggestions. Daily staff members should be more responsible when writing their columns. They should ensure they are not advocating unsafe ideas to their readers. - MACY J., OU STAFF

Editorial missed truth about evolution “controversy” The Feb. 11 editorial “Professors show need for academic freedom bill” is dead wrong. The “strengths and weaknesses” the anti-evolu-

tionists constantly talk about turn out to be distortions of science, out-of-context quotes and outright falsehoods. Contrary to your claims, the bill is all about attacking evolution for purely religious reasons. The Daily’s editorial staff is probably too young to remember the bills the creationists pushed on America in the 1980s. The arguments for them were the same as what you used. The editorial cited Sen. Randy Brogdon’s bill’s claim not to be about religion. The creationist laws struck down in the 1980s also explicitly claimed to be not about religion. These disingenuous disclaimers have been inserted into creationist-inspired legislation for decades. You cited public opinion polls to support your position. The polls, likewise, supported the creationist “balanced treatment” bills of the 1980s. And since when do we use polls to determine what is science? That you share a common ancestor with an eagle and an oak tree is not controversial in science, and the bill is an attempt to make kids think it is. I oppose this bill for the same reason why I would oppose a bill demanding the strengths and weaknesses of the Holocaust or the germ theory of disease be taught. - MICHAEL HOPKINS, NORMAN RESIDENT

STAFF COLUMN

Friday a near miss for university Around 4:30 p.m. on Friday, I was in the Union making Valentine’s Day hearts. A friend received a text from his friend about a man on campus with a gun. I heard this news and had a minor freak-out session in my head, but within seconds, calmed myself with the thought that if it were a serious or credible threat, I would have received a nifty text message from the university by now. I continued on my merry arts and craft activity. I took solace in the fact that our university had instituted an emerKAYLE gency communications system in BARNES the spring of 2007. It was only around 5:00 p.m., when I was leaving the Union, that I received a text message referring me to a Web site. I went to the Web site and listened to a voice recording informing me about the situation. Judging from the content and the diction, the situation wasn’t that serious. The alleged offender didn’t pose a direct threat to anyone else besides the instructor. I talked to friends

over the weekend about the situation, some of who true that telecommunications have evolved in the hadn’t received one text or the other. Some students last couple of years, not everyone can, or chooses to, didn’t know about the emergency communication utilize the Internet on their cell phones. It shouldn’t have taken several hours for me to system. hear credible information about the incident. Nor This is a problem. It’s easy to play the “what if” game after a situation should the information have been conveyed in an illogical manner. has passed, but it’s also necessary. This situation is an unfortunate, but useful remindThe system, while imperfect, is definitely benefier that if you haven’t, it’s imporcial – when it works. But that’s tant to update your emergency only when all of the pieces are contact information with the working together. This means Update emergency contact university. It’s also a reminder current contact information in info at: that this system cannot be conthe emergency communication sidered complete until it works system and university officials https://webapps.ou.edu/pass effectively each time it needs doing a better job of conveying to. important information in timely I know the administration and logical manner. It makes no sense in a situation that merits such and police officials worked hard and admirably a text message for people to be referred to an e-mail Friday to keep us safe, but I think more could have with more information. It’s important to have several been done to keep us smart. I’m thankful the incident was not an emergency. means of communication to relay important information, but mixing two mediums in this instance But it could have been a lot worse. What made it even more confusing is how the situation was was not the best course of action. Not everyone checks his or her e-mail everyday, deemed an incident and not an emergency. An e-mail or Web page to OU faculty, staff and let alone on Friday afternoon. Secondly, while it is

students explaining the criteria that goes into using the emergency communication system would be very beneficial. Not akin to a threat-o-meter, but a simple explanation on how the decision is made to use the system. Friday’s situation was not as serious as it could have been. In the words of former President Ronald Reagan, in emergency situations it’s important to “trust, but verify.” Yes, it is believed the alleged offender was not a threat to anyone but the instructor. But until a confession and conviction come down, it’s better to proceed as if it is a matter of importance. It’s not practical to lock down the university or send a text message every time an odd situation pops up, nor should we. After all, it was only about two years ago that an alleged gunman, who was actually carrying a yoga mat, was seen on campus. But when it comes to the safety and well being of lives, it’s always better to err on the side of caution than to have to explain mistakes. Kayle Barnes is a professional writing senior.

GUEST COLUMN

Childers incident shows need for guns on campus

I N D E P E N D E N T

S T U D E N T

able to acquire weapons. No matter how many law-abiding citizens are restricted in their natural right to self-defense, criminals will still be able to cause harm. Why? Criminals, by definition, are not law-abiding citizens. A common argument against concealed carry on campus (or any environment for that matter), is that such measures are unnecessary due to the presence of trained law enforcement officers who are in our midst to protect us. Again, this event shows the fallacy of such arguments. I am not in any way deriding OUPD or any police department. But Childers made his assault and his getaway on campus, and was not apprehended until he traveled 135 miles to Broken Arrow. This time, thankfully, no shots were

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handgun has been mentioned in the announcements sent out by President David Boren, as well as in news coverage of the event. Yet the implications of his actions have been conveniently overlooked. The story perhaps could not have ended any better – no one was hurt, the gun was not discharged and the suspect was arrested the same day. But the fact remains that he successfully carried a gun into a gun-free zone. Once he entered this gun-free zone, he was likely the only civilian among thousands carrying a weapon. Had he chosen to fire it, likely no one, other than police officers, in the vicinity would have been able to shoot back. No matter how many anti-gun laws are passed, criminals will always be

Something remarkable happened at the OU campus on Friday. As impossible to believe as it may be, someone brought a gun into a gun-free zone. Michael Joseph Childers allegedly confronted and attacked a female OU professor in Kaufman Hall when he threatened her by drawing a pistol. He then allegedly attempted to throw her down a flight of stairs. COLTON When he was WILSON approached by students and faculty who had heard the commotion, he fled the scene. The fact that he was carrying a

fired and no injuries were sustained. But how long are we willing to hold our breath, hoping such good fortune continues? In no society is there a law enforcement large enough to adequately protect everyone. This is why it is our right and duty to equip ourselves for self-defense. In fact, the right to self-defense is such a fundamental right of human society that Aristotle declared, “Those who bear arms are the citizens.” Jesus Christ (often falsely accused of being a pacifist) said, “Let him who has no sword sell his robe and buy one.” Our founding fathers included it in the Bill of Rights, because keeping and bearing arms allowed them to “secure new guards for their future security” and to

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replace those who tried, “to reduce them under absolute despotism.” On Friday, a man carried a gun into a university gun-free zone and never fired a shot. On April 16, 2007, another man carried another gun into another university gun-free zone, and did fire it. He fired it enough times to kill 33 people. Are we really naïve enough to think OU is exempt from the same kind of danger as Virginia Tech? How long are we willing to retain our campus’ gun-free status, and thus prohibit our self-defense? We will find real security only when we take advantage of our rights to self-defense and demand that our authorities uphold those rights. Colton Wilson is a civil engineering sophomore.

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Sunday through Thursday, in 160 Copeland Hall. Letters can also be submitted via e-mail to dailyopinion@ou.edu. Guest columns are accepted at editor’s discretion. ’Our View’ is the voice of The Oklahoma Daily. Editorial Board members are The Daily’s editorial staff. The board meets Sunday through Thursday in 160 Copeland Hall. Columnists’ and cartoonists’ opinions are not necessarily the opinions of The Daily Editorial Board.

News

Monday, Feb. 16, 2009

Sooner schooner sculptures go on sale to benefit general scholarship fund • Nearly 200 bronze schooner pieces available for sale SARAH DREW Contributing Writer The University Development office is selling 24-inch bronze sculptures of the Sooner Schooner and its ponies to raise money for academic and athletic scholarships. This is one effort from OU President David Boren’s Campaign for Scholarships, which has doubled the amount of available scholarships since 2005.

“With support from President Boren, OU artist-in-residence Paul Moore donated his expertise and time to create the sculpture so it could be utilized as a fundraising initiative,” said Jill Hughes, University Development director. With 190 statues available at $7,500 each, the project could raise almost $1.5 million, which will go into the university’s general scholarship fund. The situation is ideal, Hughes said, describing Moore’s talent and the huge gift bearing the iconic OU symbol. The sale of the schooner sculptures follows a similar sale of miniature Seed Sower statues a few years ago, she said. The 12-foot bronze Seed Sower statue stands on all three OU campuses, and Moore decided to donate several minia-

SOONER SCHOONER FACTS • The Schooner has been OU’s oﬃcial mascot since 1980. • It is pulled around Owen Field at football games by ponies Boomer and Sooner after OU scores. • It is a scaled-down model of the Conestoga wagon form the Land Run of 1889. • The Conestoga wagon measured 21 feet long, 11 feet high and 4 feet wide.

To purchase a Sooner Schooner statue, contact University Development at 325-3701.

POLICE REPORTS Names are compiled from the Norman Police Department and OUPD. The records serve as a record of arrests, not convictions. Those listed are innocent until proven guilty.

POSSESSION OF MARIJUANA Dustin Wayne Argo, 19, 84th Avenue NE, Thursday Malcolm C. Dillman, 58, Interstate 35 north of Main Street, Friday, also possession of a controlled dangerous substance David W. Dulin, 54, Interstate 35 north of Main Street, Friday, also possession of a controlled dangerous substance Stanley Allen White, 24, 1200 E Robinson St., Saturday

POSSESSION OF ALCOHOL Cameron Roy Musch, 19, 2808 Frost

Lane, Saturday Travis Colwell Sheperd, 19, 800 W Lindsey St., Friday Kristen Marie Walden, 20, 2657 Classen Blvd., Saturday

PUBLIC INTOXICATION Daniel Robert Duarte, 24, 2200 W Main St., Thursday Chalum Ray Hershey, 19, 2132 W Main St., Thursday Colt Wesley Lemmon, 19, 1319 12th Ave. NE, Thursday Megan Rae Fite, 20, 747 Asp Ave., Saturday, also possession of alcohol

“We wanted to make sure that no qualified, hard-working student is ever turned away from our university because of financial need.” OU President David Boren ture versions of the statue, which were sold to donors for scholarship money. The first statue’s fundraising success prompted University Development’s decision to partner with Moore for a second work of art, Hughes said. “It’s helped my parents out a lot,” said Amanda Truitt, astrophysics sophomore. “Now we only pay a couple thousand a year for out-of-state tuition instead of God knows how much. A lot.” Another scholarship recipient, Spanish sophomore Nicole Massey, said she would not have come to OU if she had not received a scholarship because other schools she had considered were less expensive. Helping students in similar situations is the Campaign for Scholarships and the Sooner Sculpture fundraiser’s goal. “Through the Campaign for Scholarships, we wanted to make sure

DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE Michael Richard Veloz, 21, 1207 Dakota St., Friday, also failure to carry insurance and no valid driver’s license Kevin Gregory Johnson, 22, East Lindsey Street, Thursday Brandon Micheal Adams, 18, W South Highway 9, Saturday, also possession of marijuana and carry firearms Randy Lynn Nichols, 23, East Robinson Street, Saturday, also driving without a license James Alexander Young, 19, College Avenue, Saturday

PETTY LARCENY

AGGRAVATED DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE Krysti D. Calton, 35, East Alameda Street, Friday

Tiffany Deann Matkins, 29, 3499 W Main St., Friday Krizia Arre Payne, 28, 3499 W Main St., Friday Vilma Suyapa Fuentes, 35, 2110 24th Ave. NW, Thursday

that no qualified, hard-working student is ever turned away from our university because of financial need,” Boren said at a Board of Regents meeting last June. University Development hopes to raise a large sum of scholarship money depending on how many sculptures are sold, Hughes said. The scholarships will be available through the OU financial aid office. The 24-inch Sooner Schooner sculptures are $7,500 each, and a 48-inch piece is available to corporate donors for $20,000. The schooner symbol was selected for the sculpture because it represents OU’s pioneering spirit and victory, Hughes said. “It’s a way to not only show school spirit, but to also support students,” Hughes said.

Holly Rene Hays, 24, 3499 W Main St., Friday

NUISANCE PARTY John Frederick Hughes, 19, 2808 Frost Lane, Saturday, also possession of alcohol

MUNICIPAL WARRANT Travis Daniel Embry, 26, West Main Street, Thursday Peter Ivan Hess, 21, North Flood Avenue, Thursday Whitney Ann Mahaffay, 32, 201 W Gray St., Friday Barry James Decordova, 50, 120th Avenue NE, Saturday Steven R. Klingler, 26, East Lindsey Street, Saturday Kevin Deshone Miller, 32, Alameda Street, Saturday

COUNTY WARRANT Jerry Martinez Moore, 32, West Main Street, Thursday Robert James Bebout, 24, Lindsey Street, Thursday, also possession of a controlled dangerous substance and possession of drug paraphernalia Krizia Arre Payne, 28, 201 W Gray St., Thursday Matthew Dewayne Gregson, 26, 3001 Oak Tree Ave., Friday Mason Reed Womack, 25, North Flood Avenue, Friday

TRESPASSING Katie Teresa Ackels, 18; Amy Lynnae Austin, 20; Lanie Marie Bishop, 19; Barrett Alexander Bufkin; Greer Marguerite Colton, 19; John Kevin Driskill, 18; Timothy Craig Endicott, 19; Parker Joseph Fulton, 19; Lauren Elizabeth Oakley, 20; Emily Brook Payne, 20; Trey

CAMPUS NOTES TODAY CAREER SERVICES Career Services will host presentations about selecting a major at 12:30 p.m., how to get a job at 2:30 p.m. and an interviewing workshop for journalism majors at 2:30 p.m. in the Oklahoma Memorial Union. SCHOOL OF MUSIC The School of Music will present a Sutton Concert Series performance at 8 p.m. in Catlett Music Center.

TUESDAY CAREER SERVICES Career Services will host interviewing workshops for engineering majors at 11 a.m. and for construction science majors at 11:30 a.m. in the union. ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY The Zoological Society will host a meeting at 7 p.m. in Richards Hall. DEPARTMENT OF SOCIOLOGY The Department of Sociology will host a symposium about aggression in young women at 7:30 p.m. in the Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History.

Scott Peck, 18; Tyler Matthew Quance, 19; all 2300 24th Ave. SW, Friday

ASSAULT AND BATTERY Jeffry Michael Bryen, 45, 201 S Creekdale Drive, Thursday Donald F. Gray, 62, 201 S Creekdale Drive, Thursday Cory Michael Behara, 21, 770 Copperfield Drive, Saturday

DISTURBING THE PEACE Cory Lee Stewart, 23, 1876 W Robinson St., Thursday Charles Allen James, 35, 1421 Rebecca Lane, Friday

INDECENT EXPOSURE Ami Lynn Young, 45, 908 E Main St., Friday

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News

Monday, Feb. 16, 2009

Pakistan truce includes enforcement of Islamic law ISLAMABAD — Pakistani officials reached a peace deal with a Taliban-linked group Sunday that could lead to the enforcement of Islamic law in a part of the country that is supposed to be fully under government control. Militants in the Swat Valley responded by declaring a 10-day cease-fire as a goodwill gesture. The agreement is expected to be formally announced Monday. Several past deals with militants have failed, but Pakistan says force alone cannot defeat alQaida and Taliban fighters wreaking havoc in its northwest and attacking U.S. troops in neighboring Afghanistan. The United States has said the deals merely give insurgents time to regroup. Regaining the Swat Valley from militants is a major test for Pakistan’s shaky civilian leadership. Unlike the semiautonomous tribal regions where al-Qaida and Taliban have long thrived, the former tourist haven is supposed to be under full government control. But militants have gained power since a peace deal last year collapsed within months, and violence has increased. Provincial government leaders confirmed they were talking to a pro-Taliban group about ways to impose Islamic judicial practices in the Malakand division, which includes Swat. The Swat Taliban’s version of Islamic law is especially harsh. They have declared a ban on

female education, forced women to stay mostly indoors and clamped down on entertainment. Taliban spokesman Muslim Khan said the militants would adhere to any deal reached with the group if Islamic law is implemented in the region. He also announced the 10-day cease-fire. “We reserve the right to retaliate if we are fired upon,” he said. “Once Islamic law is imposed, there will be no problems in Swat. The Taliban will lay down their arms.” Khan also said militants had freed a Chinese man held captive for nearly six months. Provincial law minister Arshad Abdullah said the deal would require the pro-Taliban group to convince the militants to first give up violence. Then existing laws governing the justice system can be amended or enforced, he said. “They have to succumb to law,” Abdullah said. “They have to put down their arms.” Past deals required militants to stop fighting but eventually unraveled amid militant complaints that the government was not meeting their demands. The pro-Taliban group — known as the Tehrik Nifaz-e-Shariat Mohammedi, or the Movement for the Enforcement of Islamic Law — is led by Sufi Muhammad, who Pakistan freed from custody last year after he renounced violence. Muhammad is the father-in-law of Maulana Fazlullah, the leader of the Swat Taliban. Muhammad, who has long agitated for Islamic law in the region, said that after the formal announce-

ment he will go to Swat and ask Fazlullah and his men to lay down their arms. A broad peace deal reached last year with Fazlullah’s militants effectively collapsed within a few months, and Pakistani security officials blame that agreement for the militants’ gains in Swat since then. The deal was supposed to let religious scholars advise judges in the courts, but the agreement encountered obstacles, said Mian Iftikhar Hussain, information minister for North West Frontier Province. An Islamic judicial system is a concession to the insurgents, but it is also a long-standing demand of many civilians in the conservative region who are dissatisfied with the inefficient secular justice system. Pakistan has tried to avoid negotiating directly with militants, often using tribal elders as intermediaries. Deteriorating security in the nuclear-armed country has included a string of attacks on foreigners. U.N. officials said Sunday they were still trying to establish contact with the kidnappers of an American employee seized Feb. 2 in the southwest city of Quetta. On Friday, John Solecki’s kidnappers threatened to kill him within 72 hours and issued a 20-second video of the blindfolded captive.

— AP

Baby-faced dad, 13, raises public fears of ‘broken Britain’ secretary to former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, told the Associated Press that people from across Britain’s political spectrum are in despair over the country’s social breakdown. “It’s an indication that we’ve lost our way, that people don’t know the difference between right and wrong,” he said of young Alfie. “The plain fact is society can’t proceed on this basis. I think this is an indication of broken Britain.” Ingham said Britain’s binge drinking and youth violence reflect the same fall in standards and discipline. “I think in time there will be a swing against this permissiveness,” he said, noting a shift from British debauchery in the 18th century to Victorian straight-laced standards 100 years later. Binge drinking has produced a rise in liver disease among Britons in their 20s and the unpleasant reputation of British “lager louts” at holiday resorts across Europe. On any given night, London residents can see drunken teens staggering through the Underground subway system. Usually their friends help

“The plain fact is society can’t proceed on this basis. I think this is an indication of broken Britain.” Sir Bernard Ingham, one-time press secretary to former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher them, but sometimes collapsed teens are left on their own until police or transit staff intervene. The rise in knife crime harkens back to the 1950s “West Side Story” era in the United States. The number of robberies carried out with knives rose 18 percent for the third quarter of 2008 compared to the year before, according to government figures released in January. Too often now, public disputes have ended in teen stabbing deaths. Rob Knox, an 18-year-old actor in a “Harry Potter” film, was killed in May, while Ben Kinsella, the 16-year-old brother of a television soap actress, was stabbed to death in June. Both

were trying to break up fights. All this was bemoaned, but the final straw came this week, when Britain’s tabloids focused on the young, clueless Alfie. Alfie’s daughter Maisie was reportedly conceived when he was 12. Chantelle’s parents let the lad spend the night with their daughter, 14 at the time, at their public housing unit 70 miles southeast of London. Alfie told The Sun he plans to look after his newborn daughter. But in a heartbreaking interview, the boy admitted he didn’t know what the word “financially” meant and that he doesn’t even get an allowance.

Obama approves assistance for 3 Okla. counties OKLAHOMA CITY — President Obama approved Oklahoma’s request for disaster assistance to individuals in three counties hit by deadly tornadoes last week, Gov. Brad Henry announced on Sunday. Henry said approval for individual assistance was granted for Carter, Logan and Oklahoma counties. “I am extremely pleased that President Obama moved quickly to deliver aid to Oklahoma storm victims,” Henry said in a statement. “This assistance will be a great help to Oklahoma families as they try to put their lives back in order.” Several twisters tore through Oklahoma on Tuesday, killing eight people and injuring dozens more. More than 300 homes and business statewide were damaged and destroyed in the storms. The designation ensures federal assistance for housing repairs or temporary housing and low-interest loans for individuals and businesses to repair or replace damaged property. It also provides disaster unemployment assistance and grants for serious needs and necessary disaster expenses not met by other programs.

Stimulus signing, foreclosure aid on agenda WASHINGTON — Keeping the economy front and center, President Barack Obama heads west this week to sign the $787 billion stimulus bill and tackle the home mortgage foreclosure crisis. The direct appeals for public support follow scant GOP backing in Congress for his agenda and increasing partisan bickering. Passage of the stimulus measure — unprecedented in its cost — was a major triumph for Obama as he struggles to lift the country from a ﬁnancial nosedive unseen since the Great Depression of the 1930s. Top aides said Sunday the skyrocketing unemployment rate would fall once the money begins to ﬂow. But they also said the economy will continue its downward spiral in the short term. “I think it’s safe to say that things have not yet bottomed out,” press secretary Robert Gibbs said. “But this is a big step forward toward making that improvement and putting people back to work.” The stimulus package, which passed with no GOP support in the House and three Republican votes in the Senate, aims to save or create as many as 3.5 million jobs through massive government investment while boosting consumer spending through modest tax cuts.

Plane that crashed near Buffalo on autopilot BUFFALO, N.Y. — The commuter plane that crashed near Buffalo was on autopilot until just before it went down in icy weather, indicating that the pilot may have violated federal safety recommendations and the airline’s own policy for flying in such conditions, an investigator said Sunday. Federal guidelines and the airline’s own instructions suggest a pilot should not engage the autopilot when flying through ice. If the ice is severe, the company that operated Continental Flight 3407 requires pilots to shut off the autopilot. Automatic safety devices returned the aircraft to manual control just before it fell from the sky, the investigator said. The plane rolled to the left at 46 degrees, then snapped back to the right at 105 degrees — 15 degrees beyond vertical. The plane crashed belly first on top of a house Thursday night, killing all 49 people on board and one person on the ground.

—AP

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LONDON — Ahhh, Britain. The land of Shakespeare and the Beatles, Churchill and the Queen. Rolling green hills, groovy London shops, hip plaids splashed over raincoats and umbrellas. Cut to the reality of 2009: the highest teen pregnancy rate in western Europe, a binge drinking culture that leaves drunk teens splayed out in the streets and rising knife crime that has turned some pub fights into deadly affairs. Ahhh, Britain. In the latest symbol of what some are calling “broken Britain,” 13-yearold Alfie and his 15-year-old girlfriend Chantelle became parents last week. The news sparked a flurry of handwringing from the media — and even ordinary folk admitted it didn’t help that Alfie barely looked 10 as he cradled his newborn daughter. Alfie’s father, who reportedly has nine or 10 children of his own, gamely promised to have a “birds and the bees” chat with his son to prevent him from producing a second child before he grows facial hair. Somehow that was not reassuring. Sir Bernard Ingham, once press

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Sports Women’s Basketball

Orlin Wagner/AP Photo

Senior center Courtney Paris, left, and Kansas forward Nicollette Smith, right,battle for a rebound during the second half of Saturday’s game in Lawrence, Kan. Paris scored 9 points in OU’s 69-54 win over the Jayhawks.

Sooner supporting cast comes up big in 69-54 win the floor, Kansas was unable to sag off any one player and when they did, the Sooners made them pay for it. “They beat us in transition,” Kansas guard Sade Morris said. “They’re a really, really good team in transition. That’s what killed us. We can’t let ANNELISE RUSSELL The Oklahoma daily that happen.” The only thing keeping Kansas in the game was Women’s basketball at OU for the past four the number of opportunities the Sooners gave years has largely been defined by the success of them due to turnovers and lost rebounds. OU’s new found balance is one of the many its All-American senior center Courtney Paris. things they have develGames were won and oped this season and it lost down low and the will be vital in the final Sooners looked content three weeks of Big 12 riding the shoulders of play. their post player. “To be able to win in Paris is well into her double-digit fashion on senior season and poised the road in the league to become the national on a sub-par night is big player of the year, but the time,” Coale said. “I think Sooner image is rapidly it shows the talent level shifting away from the 6 for our team, and not just - 4 center. with our starting five but OU faced the unranked with our bench as well. women of Kansas this weekend and took home — Junior forward Amanda So I’m really happy with the win.” an expected 69-54 win, their 11th straight, over Thompson The OU ensemble gets their next test Tuesday the struggling Jayhawks. on a road trip to face the However, the way the Texas Tech Red Raiders. Sooners got the victory was somewhat out of the ordinary. A typical OU win means double figures for Paris and potentially another person getting hot from outside or knocking down jump shots, but The Sooners have six games left before the Big 12 the win over Kansas proved the Sooners are no longer playing a typical game. tournament begins. So far, OU is 10-0 in conference In the win over Kansas, the Sooners got into play and looking to stay undefeated. Here’s a look at the early foul trouble and couldn’t get their feet Sooners upcoming games. underneath them. This prevented the offense from establishing Tuesday: at Texas Tech, 7 p.m. any sort of flow. Saturday: vs Baylor at Lloyd Noble Center, 2 p.m. In previous seasons, the Sooners would have Monday: at Texas A&M, 6:30 p.m. continued to push the ball into the paint and wait Saturday, Feb. 28: vs. OSU at Lloyd Noble, noon for Paris to stuff it in or get fouled. Saturday night when the Sooners struggled, head coach Sherri Coale took out her starting guards sophomore Danielle Robinson and freshman Whitney Hand to bring in freshman guard Jasmine Hartman and sophomore guard Jenny Vining. The Sooners built up a five point lead and the OU reserves did more than just keep pace with Kansas until Coale felt comfortable putting her starters back in. She did not need Paris in there to take a low-percentage shot when Vining could knock down the open three or junior forward Amanda Thompson could hit the quick jumper. “We’ve done a really good job of extra passing when we’ve gotten into the lane,” Coale said. “So the points in the paint came a little differently than we’re accustomed to.” Thompson, who had most recently been in a shooting slump, finished the game with 16 points and was the only Sooner to make it into double -digits. “I just had to take what I learned from last (the last game I played) and react to it,” Thompson said. “It felt good to make some shots today and play like I can.” Thirteen Sooners not only made it into the game, but were able to put points on the board. Thompson led the scoring, followed by Paris who posted 9 points, sophomore guard Nyeshia Stevenson and senior forward Ashley Paris both had 8. Robinson and Hand finished with 6. Orlin Wagner/AP Photo The supporting cast that had always been Junior forward Amanda Thompson shoots during the there to back up Courtney now formed a united second half of the game against Kansas in Lawrence, Kan., ensemble capable of putting the ball in multiple Saturday. Thompson, who is averaging 7.1 points per players’ hands. By finding point production from all spots on game, scored 16 points in the Sooners’ victory.

• OU reserves score 24 in Big 12 win over Jayhawks

“I just had to take what I learned from (the last game I played) and react to it. It felt good to make some shots today and play like I can.”

WHAT’S NEXT?

Monday, Feb. 16, 2009

Sports

Monday, Feb. 16, 2009

Steven Jones, sports editor dailysports@ou.edu phone: 325-7630, fax: 325-6051 For more, go to oudaily.com.

Men’s Basketball

Griffin goes off against Texas Tech Knight said. “They got everything you need. They got the full deal right now.” Adding to his record-breaking performance, Griffin notched his school-record-setting 22nd double-double of the year, something he credited to his teammates. “I think it’s attributed early on to my teammates finding me inside,” Griffin said. “When I ERIC DAMA was in good position they allowed me to score. The Oklahoma Daily They made it easy on me.” Davis also said his teammates were the main All hands were on deck for the Sooners reason he had the shooting success he did Saturday. Saturday. Career performances “It’s always a big confrom both sophomore fidence boost to have a forward Blake Griffin game like that,” Davis and sophomore guard With his performance on Saturday, Griﬃn became said. “And that’s creditCade Davis, along with the third player in OU history to have a 40 point, 20 ed to those guys inside. a dominating second rebound game. Here’s a look at those performances. Blake found me several half, helped push OU to 1974-75 season, Alvin Adams: 43 points, 25 rebounds times off a rebound and a 95-74 rout of Texas against Iowa State kicked it back out to Tech at the Lloyd Noble 1983-84 season, Wayman Tisdale: 61 points, 22 me. I can’t do that withCenter. out those guys.” rebounds against Texas San Antonio Griffin finished with Davis was Saturday’s Saturday, Griﬃn: 40 points, 23 recareer-highs of 40 points example of how the and 23 rebounds, while bounds against Texas Tech Sooners have somebody Davis hit five threedifferent step up each pointers en route to game. scoring a career-high 17 points. Head coach Jeff Capel said it was evident “They have everybody in every position that can do something,” Texas Tech head coach Pat against the Red Raiders his players are buying into the team concept. “If you really communicate and [are] talking on the floor, that helps you lose yourself into the team,” Capel said. “You’re not worried about you. It should be we, us, our. Roles change throughout the year, and everybody on our team has an important role on our team, and we need them to do it at a very high level.” Many of the players that fill those roles come off the bench like Davis, who was the main contributor off the pine on Saturday. The Sooner reserves scored 24 points in Saturday’s win despite getting just 2 points from junior guard/ forward Juan Pattillo. “[Capel] has faith in all of us that are coming off the bench,” Davis said. “He knows we can do the things we’ve shown throughout the year. He doesn’t tell us not to do something. He wants the game to come us.” With blow-out victories like Saturday’s, some wonder whether or not the Sooners can remain motivated. But because anybody can be a huge contributor for OU on any given night, the players haven’t had too much trouble keeping their focus. Tyler Metcalfe/The Daily “I think we’re motivated about getting better,” James Cornwell/The Daily Capel said. “This team understands that we’re Sophomore forward Blake Griffin puts up a shot attempt against Texas Tech senior forward Michael Prince in Saturday’s Senior forward Taylor Griffin dribbles by several Texas Tech in the midst of a chance to be special and that 95-74 victory. Griffin scored 40 points and pulled down 23 rebounds in the win. Both were career-highs, and Griffin became defenders in the Sooners’ 95-74 win on Saturday. should motivate them. We’re hungry.” the third player in OU history to score 40 points and grab 20 rebounds in a game.

• Blake sets career highs in points, rebounds Saturday in win over Red Raiders

40/20

Griffin’s performance stands out in record-setting afternoon for Sooners and the entire Sooner team is playing different. “We haven’t played a team this complete since Pittsburgh,” Knight said. “They have everything a team needs; they have a great The Texas Tech men’s basketball team probably didn’t imagine coach and good players at every position.” In addition to Griffin’s game on Saturday, sophomore guard Cade their Valentine’s Day going quite like it did. Davis scored a career-high 17 points The Red Raiders’ weekend conand hit three straight three-pointers sisted of a five hour bus ride through with less than four minutes left in the the plains of West Texas, only to get first half. smacked around by OU and sent back Griﬃn wasn’t the only player to have a big game on Saturday. But Griffin stole the show even home with another tally in the loss Several big-name players across the country put up huge numbers more than he usually does, racking column, Tech’s eighth road loss of the over the weekend. Here are a few of the memorable performances. up two double-doubles, one for each season. half. That’s what happens, however, Hasheem Thabeet (Connecticut): 20 points, 20 Griffin had 22 points and 13 when sophomore forward Blake rebounds, nine blocks rebounds in the first half and 18 Griffin plays like he did on Saturday. points and 10 rebounds in the second Jodie Meeks (Kentucky): 45 points, seven rebounds “Have you ever seen The for a combined career high 40 points Terminator?” Texas Tech head coach and 23 rebounds. Pat Knight said. “Our players were Griffin’s performance will go down as one of the best in OU like Sarah Conner and it didn’t matter what we did or who we put history. Only two other times has a Sooner scored 40 points and on him, he was going to kill us slowly.” Knight said Griffin has improved tremendously since last year, grabbed 20 rebounds in a game. The other two players that did DANIEL MARTIN The Oklahoma Daily

BIG GAME SATURDAY

SPORTS BRIEFS Wrestlers get non-conference win In their second to last match before the Big 12 tournament begins, the Sooners got a dominating 21-8 win over Michigan State on Sunday. Seven of the Sooners’ 10 wrestlers won their individual match against the Spartans, including No. 7 sophomore 125-pound Joey Fio, who won 9-5 over Michigan State’s Eric Olanowski, and No. 6 149-pound junior Kyle Terry who beat David Cheza 10-3. The Sooners are next in action at 2 p.m. on Saturday in Stillwater against OSU. It’s the last match before the Big 12 tournament begins on March 7. — DAILY STAFF

NEED MORE? For more sports content, go to OUDaily. com. Featured today is a highlight video of Blake Griﬃn’s record-setting performance in OU’s win over Texas Tech on Saturday. Griﬃn recorded career-highs in points and rebounds as he scored 40 points and pulled down 23 rebounds.

“Have you ever seen The Terminator? Our players were like Sarah Conner and it didn’t matter what we did or who we put on him, he was going to kill us slowly.” — Texas Tech coach Pat Knight it now have their jersey numbers hanging in the rafters at Lloyd Noble Center. OU head coach Jeff Capel said he thought from the beginning of the game that Griffin had the potential to put up impressive numbers. “When I saw how they were guarding him I thought it could be a big game for him,” Capel said. “If you don’t double him we feel he is going to shoot a high percentage.”

Sports

Monday, Feb. 16, 2009

STAFF COLUMN

SPORTS BRIEFS Softball goes 2-1 playing in Houston, Texas

Zach Butler/The Daily

Florida quarterback Tim Tebow and the National Championship Gators celebrate on Jan. 8 in Miami after winning the BCS National Championship over the Sooners.

Florida’s celebration carrying on inappropriately

The softball team traveled south for the 2009 Houston Marriott Classic over the weekend, mixing a few games between the storms. The team was coming off a strong performance in Hawaii, where the Sooners won the Hawaii Paradise Classic by out-scoring opponents 58-9 throughout the tournament. Showers and thunderstorms forced the teams to adapt to a constantly changing schedule. The Sooners had two games cancelled and another delayed. The Sooners opened with a 2-1 loss at the hands of North Carolina State on Friday. OU struggled offensively in the game, recording only three hits, all of which were singles. The Sooners stranded eight base runners, scoring their only run on a throwing error by NC St. OU’s next game, scheduled to be against Texas State, was cancelled due to weather. Senior pitcher D.J. Mathis fell to 2-2 on the year after pitching seven innings and allowing two earned runs in the contest. The Sooners resumed play Saturday afternoon after a two-hour rain delay, earning a victory over the Houston Cougars. OU capitalized on several errors by the Cougars, and also got a stronger performance from the offense, recording seven hits in the 5-3 victory. Mathis picked up the win for OU, throwing a complete game on 88 pitches. The Sooners were scheduled to play against Indiana later in the day, but that game too was cancelled because of the weather. OU closed the tournament Sunday with a 3-2 win over Texas State. Freshman pitcher Allee Allen picked up the win for the Sooners, going five innings. Freshman pitcher Kirstee Allen went two innings and got the save. The No. 7 Sooners improved to 6-2 with the victory. They are scheduled to compete in a double-header against Stephen F. Austin in Norman Wednesday afternoon. — AARON COLEN/THE DAILY

Men’s tennis opens new complex with upset win s it fun to rub salt in someone’s wounds? Maybe sometimes, but it’s often uncalled for. I was at the OU hockey game Friday against the University of Central Oklahoma and saw a sign many OU fans would like to forget. What did it say? “Tebow Our Hero.” I had to think to myself. Did I really just see that 15 miles from the OU campus? I glanced away. As I looked around, I couldn’t help but notice the shock in many of the Sooner fans’ faces. It was like reverting back a month, after OU lost 24-14 to Florida in the BCS National Championship Game in Miami. Then I quickly glanced back in that direction of the arena. “Tebow Our Hero,” was there loud and clear in individual, yellow, Styrofoam letters. Someone with an OU shirt standing next to me said, “I hope there’s a Tebow on their team,” knowing full well the meaning of the sign. There was no Tebow on the UCO hockey team. There were only people mocking the Sooner faithful for an agonizing loss. As I approached the situation to observe it more thoroughly, I witnessed several people in the arena wearing Florida football jerseys. They were indeed mocking the Sooner faithful. The next day I was in attendance at the Sooners’ 95-74 drumming of Texas Tech and saw someone with a blue and orange shirt. Yes, as you can guess, it was someone wearing a Florida shirt. Even worse, this person’s undershirt was red.

Ouch. Some things are extremely uncalled for, and I believe this is one. I am hard pressed to believe that one would have found a Sooners’ jersey rolling around near the Gainesville campus, had the Sooners defeated the Gators in Miami. But the celebrations extended into Kentucky, as well. I saw something comical in the Florida-Kentucky JOEY basketball game last week, too. HELMER During play, a fan threw an orange onto the Wildcats’ home floor, surely in response to the Gators’ victory. The only thing one can do is laugh at the situation. For a similar comparison, would an OU fan throw an orange onto Kansas State’s basketball court if the Sooners had beaten Florida? Possibly, but I hope not. Would one have seen “Sam Our Hero” signs flying around at another local college near Gainesville? Possibly, but I hope not; that’s classless and would have been rude to the Florida faithful. I have witnessed behavior that defames any college game. Florida, accept your victory. Hands down, you outplayed the Sooners, but you don’t need to bring your celebration into another team’s environment in another sport. It’s not necessary.

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The OU men’s tennis team has been the home team three times this year, but this weekend marked the first time the Sooners played in Norman. After several matches in Oklahoma City, Saturday was the first time that any Sooner team played in the new Gregg Wadley Indoor Pavilion. The new indoor pavilion is located between Jenkins and Chautauqua next to the Lloyd Noble Center and just south of the soccer fields on Imhoff Road. “It is so loud when we win a point in here,” junior Blake Boswell said. “The facility is amazing, this is our home and we’re excited to play here.” The 55,000 square-foot indoor pavilion has six air-conditioned courts, championship lighting and surface along with 375 seats that sit above the courts. The facility is still under construction as many sections of the pavilion are blocked off, including the courts on the south side of the facility. The facility is set to be fully completed within the next few weeks. In the new pavilion, the Sooners took down the No. 34 TCU Horned Frogs to snap their two game losing streak. The Sooners won the doubles point and were able to win four out of the six singles matches to win the match overall, 5-2. “Our guys were ready to play today,” senior Sergey Avdeyev said. “We won the doubles match and we wanted our first game here to be a win.” The Sooners will look to make it two in a row as they play Pacific University at the Gregg Wadley Indoor Pavilion today at noon. Admission is free. — JAMES ROTH/THE DAILY

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Life & Arts

Monday, Feb. 16, 2009

AP photo

In this Nov. 23, 2008 photo, Chris Brown accepts the artist of the year award at the American Music Awards in Los Angeles.

AP photo

Pakistani men watch a local film in a cinema in Peshawar, Pakistan, Wednesday, Jan. 28. Entertainers in northwest Pakistan face an escalating threat from Taliban-led militants who consider music, singing and other such arts un-Islamic.

Militants threaten entertainers NAHAL TOOSI Associated Press

PESHAWAR, Pakistan — Singer Sardar Yousafzai and his band were driving from a wedding gig when the gunmen burst onto the road, firing without warning. Yousafzai survived, but a harmonium player died and four others were wounded. He is now in hiding — the latest of many entertainers whose lives and livelihoods face an escalating threat from Taliban-led militants in northwest Pakistan. "I am so scared," said Yousafzai, who met with The Associated Press in Peshawar, the region's main city. "I can't go home or to any performance." As Taliban militants gain a stronger hold in this region of Pakistan, they are imposing their view that music, singing and other such arts are un-Islamic. Several entertainers have been kidnapped or killed, while many others have

fled, quit or watched their work opportunities dwindle. Criminal gangs seeking to extort money are also suspected of involvement as overall security deteriorates. The campaign has further weakened a once-thriving cultural scene, despite hopes for a comeback after a secular party defeated an Islamist coalition in elections last year. The austerity also runs contrary to a rich tradition of music, dance, singing and poetry among the Pashtuns, the ethnic group that is dominant both in the area and in the Taliban. "What can I do?" asked Zardad Khan, a popular 4-foot-2-inch comedic actor who has received several telephone threats. "I'm trying to bring smiles to the society and the people, but my life is getting more miserable with each passing day." Khan said he used to have roles in five or six movies a month. But in the last four months, he's had only one — and he had to travel to Lahore for production because it's

too unsafe to film in Peshawar. "If we get killed, no one cares," he said. In the northwest's Swat Valley, a one-time tourist haven, a female dancer was shot dead in early January after insurgents lured her out by pretending to be customers. They displayed her body in a public square, her ankle bells on her chest, said a security official who sought anonymity because of the sensitivity of the situation there. There are also signs the cultural assault is spreading. In the eastern city of Lahore, for instance, a handful of small bombs have detonated near theaters and a cultural complex in recent months, spurring fears of a "Talibanization" of a cultural center. "This menace has now creeped so widely into the society that I do not think that the government will be able to control all this," said Syed Aqil Shah, the provincial minister for culture in the northwest. "I do not know as to

where to begin or where it's going to end." In 2002, a pro-Taliban Islamist coalition came to power in the North West Frontier Province on a wave of voter anger over the U.S. invasion of neighboring Afghanistan. The coalition banned music on public buses, clamped down on entertainment festivals and removed movie billboards with pictures of scantily clad women. Last year, voters tossed out the Islamists, bringing in a secularminded leadership, but by then the militancy had dug deep in the frontier region. It had spread well beyond the tribal areas into cities such as Peshawar and other areas supposedly under full government control. "The entertainer, whether singer or comedian or another sort, they're in trouble, and they don't get any support from the state," said Shah Jehan, a professor at the University of Peshawar.

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Brown regrets alleged attack JOHN ROGERS Associated Press LOS ANGELES — Chris Brown, who was arrested a week ago in connection with a domestic violence investigation, said Sunday he is "sorry and saddened" by what happened and is seeking counseling from his pastor and loved ones. The 19-year-old R&B singer also said much of what has been reported of the incident is untrue, although he did not elaborate. "Words cannot begin to express how sorry and saddened I am over what transpired. I am seeking the counseling of my pastor, my mother and other loved ones and I am committed, with God's help, to emerging a better person," Brown said in a statement issued through publicist Michael Sitrick. "Much of what has been speculated or reported on blogs and-or reported in the media is wrong," he added. But he said he couldn't discuss that in detail until his case is resolved. He also said he has not posted any comments about the incident on Facebook or any other Web site. "Those posts or writings under my name are frauds," he said. Brown surrendered to Los Angeles police on Feb. 8 and was released on $50,000 bail after being booked for investigation of making a criminal threat, a felony. He has not been charged by the district attorney's office, which is still investigating the case.

HOROSCOPE By Bernice Bede Osol

Monday, Feb. 16, 2009 AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) -- Don’t do anything to spoil the fun of those who are involved in an activity that everyone seems to be enjoying. If their activities do not appeal to you, find other pals who share your interests. PISCES (Feb. 20-March 20) -- Having to deal with some intangibles that you can’t feel or touch might leave you feeling lost or empty, so make sure that you engage in the type of activity that enriches your spirit. ARIES (March 21-April 19) -- Conditions should be rather pleasant, but, unfortunately, you could have a tendency to needlessly complicate matters. Keep in mind the old adage: “Too many chefs spoil the soup.”

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) -- You’ll be happy to lavish your wit and charm on almost everyone with the exception of a family member who doesn’t happen to think the same as you. Don’t kid yourself about it being justified. VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) -- As long as you’re the one doing the offering, you will extend yourself beyond the call of duty to help another. Should someone ask for your assistance, however, you might feel imposed upon. LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23) -- If someone to whom you extend the hand of friendship doesn’t respond in kind, don’t be so quick to feel rejected. It’s more likely that this person simply has other things on his or her mind.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20) -Don’t attempt to judge others by the standards or rules you set for yourself. Just because you might be willing to pitch in and lend a hand, it’s not fair to expect the same from everyone else.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 22) -Although your custodial instincts are easily aroused in ways most find admirable, if the object of your concern shows that he or she wants to work things out on his or her own, give this person room to breathe.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20) -That which is easy for you might be difficult for another and vice versa, so express encouragement and help, but don’t criticize those who can’t keep up or do things in a different manner.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23-Dec. 21) -- Attempting to conform to a tight schedule could quickly become frustrating and take away any enjoyment for yourself and others. Keep your agenda light and unrestricted.

CANCER (June 21-July 22) -Someone who is in the position to help you might extend himself or herself on your behalf. Don’t get greedy, however, and demand continuous support. Get out on your own as quickly as possible.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) -- Instead of trying to force yourself on those who aren’t friendly, stick to spending your free time with those who make you feel like king of the mountain. There will be no joy in feeling rejected.

Monday, Feb. 16, 2009

Life & Arts

THIS WEEK ON TV

‘Kath & Kim’ NBC 8 p.m. Monday Kath goes searching for her ex-husband, who we haven’t seen yet. Or heard much about, for that matter.

‘The Mentalist’ CBS 8 p.m. Tuesday A socialite gets poisoned during a cocktail party at a country club.

photo provided

“Anna In The Tropics” is a romantic drama depicting a family of cigar makers whose loves and lives are played out against the backdrop of America in the midst of the Great Depression.

Drama students shine in ‘Anna’ ‘Top Chef: New York’

• OU Lab Theatre brings passion, desire to the stage with performance featuring Hispanic talent

Bravo 9 p.m. Wednesday Emeril Lagasse is a guest judge on the ﬁrst part of the season ﬁnale. Bam!

‘Late Night with Conan O’Brien’ NBC 11:35p.m. Friday This is Conan’s last episode of “Late Night” before he becomes the host of “The Tonight Show” on June 1.

‘81st Academy Awards’

This weekend, the OU Lab Theatre presented five sold-out performances of Nilo Cruz’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play, “Anna In The Tropics.” The Lab Theatre is set in a small room within the Old Science building, recently opened after a long period of renovation. The entire theatre, from lighting booth to backdrop, is no bigger than a midSARAH sized classroom. This was the perfect place to DORN stage Anna. The play is set in the year 1929 in Florida in a cigar factory owned by Santiago and his wife Ofelia, played by drama performance majors David Zamudio and Amy Claire Brown, respectfully. The plot swirls around the arrival of a new lector, an educated man hired to read books aloud to factory workers to distract them from the tedium of their work. The new lector Juan Julian, played by performance sophomore Jordan Matlock, has brought with him Leo Tolstoy’s book “Anna Karinina,” and begins to read it to the workers, whose reactions to the story reveal their life’s struggles. The student actors do well with Cruz’s script,

which seems a simultaneous analyis of Tolstoy’s text and the cultural conditions of these factory workers. The script clearly demanded passion beyond that of each character’s small life, requiring zeal for literary discussion as well. Matlock’s reading of Tolstoy was sympathetic and passionate, revealing the character as still an impressionable young man. His portrayal of the lector allowed the audience to believe how wrapped up these workers would become in the book. The daughters of the factory owners did indeed become wrapped up. Younger daughter Marela, played by Monica Gonzalez, found encouragement for her dreaming in the pages of the romance. Gonzalez’s portrayal of Marela was a bright light among the seriousness of the script. Older daughter Conchita played by Alexandra Gonzales, found desire for an impassioned affair. Not all were as taken by this book as the sisters were. Worker Cheche, played by Marek Lara, half brother to Zamudio’s character, found

it a constant reminder of his wife, who had run off with another lector. Lara’s scowl was almost comic in its ubiquitousness, until he allows all his bitter rage to manifest in the end. The best performances of the night came in a scene between Zamudio and Brown, when the age-old fights of this couple brought them to silence, and only through the framework of the book which they had been hearing could they bring themselves to words and understanding. The scene ran the gambit of emotions; Zamudio and Brown took the audience with them through anger ,tears and affection. “Anna In The Tropics” was a study of the jealousies born of the activation of imaginations and of the healing colloquies literature can create. Thanks to the skillful performances of the actors, this was a study that cannot be quickly forgotten. – S ARAH D ORN IS AN ENGLISH JUNIOR.

ABC 7:30 p.m. Sunday This is Hollywood’s biggest night.This year’s show is hosted by Hugh Jackman.

NEED MORE L&A? CHECK OUT THE BLOGS ONLINE AT OUDAILY.COM

–CALLIE KAVOURGIAS IS A JOURNALISM SENIOR.

BE A PART OF OU HISTORY.

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