The East Texan: March 11, 2010

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Mane Event brings new students to Commerce

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The cafeteria offered special dinners Feb. 4 and 24

Alice in Wonderland goes deeper into the rabbit hole

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The East Texan S TUDENT NE WSPAPER OF TE X A S A& M UNIVERSIT Y- COMMERCE SINCE 1915

XCIV, No. 19, 8 pages

www.theeasttexan.com

Thursday, Mar. 11, 2010

Suspect killed at Walmart Jessica Rush managing editor

A police chase ended with a shoot-out between an off-duty officer and a gunman in front of the Commerce WalMart Mar. 7, according to Commerce Police Department spokeswoman Marty Cunningham.

Earlier that morning, Greenville officers responded to reports that a man in a red Ford Mustang was firing shots at a bridge off of Wesley Street. He resisted arrest and made his way toward Commerce on State Highway 24/50, where Commerce police intercepted

29-year-old Artenio Rodriguez.

At this point Rodriguez pointed his gun at Commerce officers and the two parties fired at each other before the gunman continued on to the Commerce Wal-Mart. He abandoned his car at the front of the parking lot and entered the front doors with a long gun and pistol.

He was confronted by an off-duty officer, and the two fired shots at each other as Rodriguez tried to flee. The gunman was shot and killed, and off-duty officer Paul Robertson was shot in the side and later airlifted to East Texas Medical Center in Tyler.

See GUNMAN page 3

GABY ESTRADA / THE EAST TEXAN

Police officers cover the body of the dead suspect. There were several different precincts involved in the incident, including Greenville police and state troopers.

Mane Event draws future Lions

BECCA WHITT / THE EAST TEXAN

Student Government Association President Michelle Tolbert addresses those who were in the meetings attendance.

SGA takes no stance on Morriss comments adam troxtell sports editor

The Student Government Association held a meeting in the Pride Room of the Sam Rayburn Student Center from 6 p.m. to about 6:30 p.m.

Topics discussed included challenging the proposed tuition increase, the current situation involving the theft of editions of The East Texan, and the theme for SGA’s involvement with Relay for Life.

Senator Adam Sparks said it would not be appropriate for SGA to assume anything about the thefts, as the investigation is ongoing.

“We cannot assume all football players are criminals,” Sparks said. “It’s under investigation.”

Senator Brittany Edwards then suggested SGA take action against the athletic referendum, which was passed last fall and is designed to give the athletic department its own funding.

“We need to reduce it or take it away,” she said.

“I know it’s for everyone,

all of the athletic department, but I know they get a huge chunk. Since they get so much, and they are getting most of the money, they’re going to have to reduce it or do something. I was trying to bring that up to all of us.”

SGA President Michelle Tolbert disagreed, and said it would be wrong to do anything about the athletic referendum, as it is not just used by the football program.

“That’s something that goes to the entire athletic department,” Tolbert said.

“You can’t try to take that away just because one group might have done something inappropriate. That’s going to other organizations that are a part of the athletic department, so why would you want to take that away just because one group might have made a mistake?”

Senator Adam Haney suggested to the members of SGA that the organization release a statement on the comments made by head coach Guy Morriss, See MOTION page 3

BECCA WHITT / THE EAST TEXAN

Student Government Association member Taylor Fore discusses the booths of Mane Event with some of the students who were in attendance. Mane Event is held once a semester and is geared toward potential incoming students talking with groups on campus.

For the full story on Mane Event turn to page four.

City Manager put on suspension by council alyson smith staff writer

Commerce City Manager Dion Miller was suspended for an indefinite period with pay after a 3 -2 decision was made during t he Mar. 4 Cit y Council meeting.

Mayor Pro Tem Billie Biggerstaff requested the meeting, but because of the sensitive nature of the public hearing, Biggerstaff requested to adjourn to an executive session.

Com merce Mayor Quay Throgmorton gave

Miller the option to have a public meeting or a private session. Miller chose to remain in the council chambers to conduct business, as it was a full room and a public meeting.

“Well, it’s a public hearing; people are here so maybe we should just keep it public,” he said.

Biggerstaff had a list of grievances against Miller she had prepared to share with the council and members of the community.

“I called this meeting because I’m not just very concerned, I’m extremely

concerned with the direction the city is going,” Biggerstaff said.

Biggerstaff called for the immediate suspension of Miller with pay for indefinite period of time.

According to Biggerstaff, she was asked before the meeting to give names and specific times regarding the grievances brought up in the meeting.

“I a m not goi ng to name names so people can be singled out or questioned,” Biggerstaff said.

“I’m just finding a pattern here of problems that the

THE EAST TEXAN IS DAILY ONLINE

city shouldn’t have to deal with. I really would prefer not to get into it unless I’m absolutely pushed to it.”

Throgmorton said the issue was already in the public eye and needed to be discussed.

Biggerstaff ’s list detailed that her goal was to establish a pattern in behav ior wh ic h would explain why she believed the city of Commerce was having trouble. “[Miller] has shown a propensity for putting everything off. I don’t know

Monday - Friday news stories, photos, polls, video and information will be posted online Don’t wait for Thursday for your campus news Log on to theeasttexan.com to get up-to-date information every day

See COUNCIL page 3

OPINION

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Thursday, Mar. 11, 2010

www.theeasttexan.com

Above the Law Editorial: University Classes get Second Life online

JOSH LAW STAFF WRITER Have you ever wanted to get away from your hectic life, but lack the time or money to be able to? Just about everyone I know has had this issue at one time or another. One company has come up with a solution for this need, and has spawned a whole list of other options to its users.

Second Life is a virtual online world where users can log in and quite literally live a second life.

The service is totally free to use, though there are options if you wish to pay money for a subscription that allows you to own more land and have more money in the world.

The user’s avatar can be anything. Some users choose to look like themselves, and others choose to be an animal or plant.

Some of the applications of the virtual world are for social networking, working, shopping, art exhibitions, live music shows, live theater, sports and gaming. There are many other uses for this virtual world, but the most interesting one to me is its application for education.

The U.S. military has a space on Second Life where they have their own island in the virtual world to assist in training for their pilots.

Entire countries have service through Second Life where they have established virtual embassies that allow users to speak

with a representative of the country about visas or any other questions they have.

There are over 300 universities currently teaching courses through Second Life as well. In this virtual world, professors meet in given areas of the world with their classes and actually teach lessons through this service.

A&M-Commerce has space on the servers for Second Life where students can meet with their professors for “online” classes.

I believe this adds a more personal touch to the online class format. I also believe it helps with the interaction between students and the professor and really grabs the student’s attention in ways that the normal online class formats do not.

In addition to the many uses already mentioned, there are even people out there who have made Second Life a source of income for themselves. According to Linden Lab, the creators of Second Life, “about 64,000 users made a profit in February 2009, of which 233 made more than $5,000.” In March 2009, it became known that there are a few Second Life entrepreneurs, whose profits are in excess of $1 million.

Some people see Second Life as nothing more than glorified “Dungeons and Dragons,” but there are applications we can all use available to us there.

In this technological world that we live in today, it was only a matter of time before this virtual world spilled out into our mainstream lives. The technology is here and we have the ability to embrace it and allow it to make our lives easier and more connected, so I believe we should.

Random quotes out of context “If I was twenty years younger, I’d gnaw their bones,” Jared Watson, Online Editor “Grass skunk?” James Bright, Editor “That’s always a problem in relationships: I want to watch midget wrestling,” Megan Carey, Art Scene Editor

The The East East Tex Texan an Established 1915 The East Texan, official student newspaper of Texas A&M University-Commerce, is published 12 times per semester during the Fall and Spring by students in reporting and editing classes. Content is solely the responsibility of the student editors and writers. The comments and views expressed in The East Texan do not necessarily reflect the beliefs of other students, staff, faculty, administration, or the Board of Trustees. The East Texan is located inside the Journalism building on the east side of campus in room 113. Single copies are available in Journalism 113 for an additional 25 cents.

Letters to the Editor are welcome and should be limited to 250 words. They will not be edited for spelling, grammar and libelous or malicious statements. We reserve the right to refuse publication. Letters should be typed or e-mailed and must include a signature, classification (grade level) and telephone number. Mailing address is The East Texan, P.O. Box 4011 Commerce, Texas 75428.

JAMES BRIGHT Editor JESSICA RUSH Managing Editor

JARED WATSON ONLINE Editor

ADAM TROXTELL Sports Editor

BECCA WHITT Photo Editor

CHANCELLOR MILLS CAMPUS LIFE EDITOR

MEGAN CAREY ARTS SCENE Editor

MELISSA ARCHER STAFF CARTOONIST

CONTACT News Desk 903-886-5985

facebook.com/pages/TheEast-Texan-Online twitter.com/TheEastTexan ADVERTISING CHANCELLOR MILLS 214-564-0633

Fred Stewart Faculty Adviser

Web site: www.theeasttexan.com

E-mail: theeasttexan@gmail.com fred_stewart@tamucommerce.edu

offers unique classes When you register to retake college algebra for the third time, it can seem like classes at Texas A&M University-Commerce can be pretty monotonous. However, if students choose to explore the course catalog a little, they can see the efforts the university is taking to move past typical classes, something we wholeheartedly support.

For example, the current sociology course “Rock Music in Context” gives students a chance to examine a subject they would normally never encounter in an academic setting, in this case rock music. Classes like this can spice up what can otherwise be a boring schedule and give students something to look

forward to after a day of poring over statistics and research findings.

A couple of years ago, the English department offered the “Children’s Literature: Beyond ‘Bunnies and Flowers’” course, which added popular works like Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone and The Tale of Despereaux to other more familiar children’s fare.

In addition, subjects such as comic books and film have also been studied, all in an attempt to add variety to the class lineup.

Of course, if students feel a change of scenery is needed, the university can provide that as well.

The International Studies Program offers students the chance to study in places such as London,

Spain, Jamaica and other locales around the world.

In addition to furthering your education, the program also allows you to experience more of the world and take a little vacation while you learn.

Our only issue with programs like these is we feel they could be more widely advertised. The International Studies Program is generally well

known, but we were not made aware of the “Rock Music in Context” class until well into the semester, long after anybody could register for it. We think classes like these are great ideas, and more students would take advantage of them if they knew more about them.

Note: These opinions reflect the editorial board of The East Texan.

Surviving Schwarzenegger is unlikely proposition

CHANCELLOR MILLS CAMPUS LIFE EDITOR Let’s face it; in the world of cinema, Arnold Schwarzenegger is a beast.

There is no doubt about it, his movies are the crème de la crème of action and adventure blockbuster films. Something else you should know if you have ever seen an Arnold film is he always wins. He always kills the bad guy and anybody else that gets in his way.

Having said that, here are some quick tips – for both young henchmen in

training and aliens sent from an advanced civilization bent on human conquest – to surviving a Schwarzenegger flick.

Actually, I must make it clear that there is no conceivable way to survive a Schwarzenegger movie, so, rather, these are some quick tips on how to go about dying in a way that doesn’t make Arnold seem like such a beast.

Tip number one: Never engage or anger Arnold.

This includes, but is not limited to, killing his family, stepping on his toes, kidnapping his daughter, cracking a “yo mamma” joke, kidnapping his wife, breathing your coffee breath in his general direction, etc. Leave the Arnold alone.

Tip number two: So, it is now 20 minutes into the movie and you now have Arnold “right where you want him.” Time to relax, right? Wrong. Now is the time for you to run. Run

away as fast as you can.

That man could escape, without a scratch, from the inside of a vat of acid.

He will escape from whatever “corner” you’ve got him in, he will find you, and he will kill you in some horrific and punning fashion – like dropping you into a pool of liquid nitrogen as he tells you to “Chill out.”

Tip number three: Never tell Arnold that you’re going to “kick his ass.” It’s not going to happen. You know it. Arnold knows it. Also, this tip counts doubly for Green Berets.

Everybody knows that Colonel John Matrix eats Green Berets for breakfast, and he’s very hungry.

Tip number four: We’re down to the last half hour of the movie now. You and eight or nine of your fully armed, thuggish friends have Schwarzenegger pinned down in a bunker, tool shed or out-house.

Time to open fire, kill

Arnold and ride off into the sunset on a mighty steed as an Aerosmith ballad begins to play and the credits start to roll. Right?

Sorry, wrong again. Never forget that Arnold can easily kill you and your mates with a tissue, two rubber bands, a paperclip and the sweat of his brow.

Tip number five: You have made it almost all the way through this 97-minute thrill ride and now there are only 5 minutes left. My final caution to you at this point: do not, and I repeat, do not challenge Arnold to a fight to the death. However, if you feel the unyielding desire to kill him, do try to pick a location that does not easily facilitate Arnold making a play on words as he kills you. For instance, do not fight Arnold in a sauna or boiler room.

This would only set him up for the cheesy “Blow off some steam” line as he puts an end to your pathetic existence.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Dear Editor, I wish to commend the staff of The East Texan for their exemplary, professional behavior in the past weeks. I have admired your restraint and commitment to factual reporting, as well as your efforts and graciousness in working toward the solution of some very sensitive issues. I consider the students and faculty involved in production of The East Texan to be outstanding citizens of the College of Arts and Sciences, and I very much appreciate your good citizenship.

--Dr. Chris Evans, Dean College of Arts and Sciences Dear Editor, Look at it this way. Say your brother/son/daughter/sister/ect commits a crime and it is going public, would you not try and reduce the publicity? These football players spend many many hours together they become family and as you should they are trying to protect their family . This is human nature and if you wouldn’t do the same for a brother then I wouldn’t want you as a friend.

--Joe Whinery Dear Editor, People keep talking about it being a free paper.

It’s not a free paper. It’s a One Copy is Free paper with the whole thing being on the honor system.

That’s the price stated in the paper whether anyone

agrees with that or not.

I don’t particularly agree with the Dallas Morning News being fifty cents, but if I decide to take a bunch of them out of the rack without paying, that’s not a policy dispute. It’s theft plain and simple by the letter of the law.

It’s been my experience that people in this part of the country are generally advocates of following the law. If we refuse to hold these students accountable for their admitted violations of the law, aren’t we saying that because these guys are athletes, they deserve to be considered above the law?

I’m a graduate of A&MCommerce (Master of Science in 2006, Master of Business Administration in 2008). In my years at the school, I managed to get through without breaking the law. We should expect the same from these kids (who, I am sure, are probably fine, upstanding individuals the vast majority of the time who have just happened to make a bad choice and engaged in criminal acts).

And, in the end, it all boils down to the fact that if you don’t want you name in the paper in a negative light, you should probably not commit a crime. Blaming the messenger for these kids deciding to get involved in drugs (and then theft to try to cover it up) is just trying to deflect blame from their own criminal behavior.

I know one thing for

sure, though. I got a letter just today from the Alumni Association asking for money. Until I see that the University is willing to treat these kids who have committed a crime the same as they would any other student who commits a crime, I’m certainly not going to be writing any checks to the University.

--Ryan Paige Dear Editor, I think this whole thing would have stayed on the down low if the athletic department had made a statement like this to our student body in the beginning. Admitting you are wrong and apologizing goes a long way.

--John Tabblebrook Dear Editor, Does anybody have a problem with drug trafficking in front of the FAMILY HOUSING or is that not a big deal either?

I’m sure the kids will not mind that they live by DRUG DEALERS! --Marvin Warren Dear Editor, First of all, I am an A&M-Commerce journalism alumna so I do have a vested interest in this.

For those who say campus newspapers aren’t a money making operation check out The Battalion (A&M College Station’s student newspaper) which makes more than a million a year in ad revenue. While The East Texan does not

make that kind of money, it is still a money making operation. This fact in itself is beside the point.

Ever heard of a little thing called the first amendment, Freedom of Speech? When football players and coaches think they can stop the press by stealing the news, they violate the first amendment.

The East Texan staff has done an outstanding job of covering this issue and I am very proud of them. It takes a lot of courage, dedication and hard work to follow with a story such as this and as students who are still learning, maybe even a little scary.

As a former journalism student, I can remember the incredibly long hours and hard work that goes into a college newspapers. Often on Tuesdays I can remember seeing both the sunset and sunrise because of the long hours. East Texan staff (at least when I was there three years ago) got paid a very little amount and do it for their love of the written word.

To those who say that journalists are simply the kids who didn’t get picked for the team, I say, I did get picked for the team and I’m on the team that reports the truth regardless of the consequences.

The coach should be fired and criminally prosecuted. The players should be kicked off the team and out of the university.

Good job East Texan.

--Wyndi Veigel

www.theeasttexan.com

news

Thursday, Mar. 11, 2010

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...council under current investigation by mayor CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

if it’s procrastination, or it’s an inability to make a decision… but they just lead to the pattern and show what’s been happening,” Biggerstaff said.

One issue Biggerstaff spoke of was the water rate prices in the city. Once Biggerstaff finished, Throgmorton called on the council to see if any other members wanted to speak.

City Council member Richard Hill motioned that he would l i k e a t u r n , a nd ex pr e s s e d his concerns.

“I t h i n k one of t he most serious problems we have now facing this city is the criminal acts that took place at our waste water system,” Hill said.

According to Hill, there was raw sewage being dumped in the river, which is not only a criminal violation of the TCEQ (Texas Commission on Environ mental Qualit y), but t he people who did it are criminal, and having knowledge of all this was going on without going public is a criminal act.

“It was not even brought to us until a city employee used a whistleblower act to bring

this to our knowledge, so the council would know what was going on,” Hill said. “After that happened, less than 36 hours later, more raw sewage was dumped into the river when we miraculously had a break-in and evidence was stolen from the waste water plant.”

Each member of t he Cit y Council was given an opportunity to speak whether they were for or against the removal of Mr. Miller, and was asked to share what their reason or reasons were.

“I’m not one of many words, but I’ll tell you straight up, I’m not happy,” Council member Tony Henry said. “I don’t like the direction we’re going in, our leadership in my opinion isn’t as strong as it needs to be and morale is dow n and t hat ’s a d i rec t i n f luence of our leadership.”

A member of the community followed this statement by asking if Miller could address the Council since it was his job in question. Miller stood at the lectern, addressed the City Council, and explained his part in the incidents in question.

“A l mo st f ive a nd a h a l f

mont h s ago, o n S e p t . 15, 2 0 0 9, I a p proved for this Council, in this c h a m b e r, t o respond and be held accountable for allegations regarding pol ic ies a nd procedures,” M i l l e r s a id .

“I a n swered those allegacommerce-texas.com tions. I believe Standing (left to right) City Manager Dion O. Miller, Council Member Bob Monday, Council Member Tony Council Member Richard Hill, City Attorney Jim McLeroy I provided all Henry, Seated (left to right) Mayor Pro Tem Billie Biggerstaff, City Secretary Marty Cunningham, Mayor Quay Throgmorton the proper doc u mentation to show that I was follow“I’m not happy, I hope the into breach of city personnel ing policies and procedures. folks out there aren’t happy,” administrative policies by city At that time, the City Council Throgmorton said. secretary, police chief, assisdidn’t take action at the end In accordance with section tant police chief, director of of that public hearing, but yet, 27:28 of the city charter, Throg- administrative services and the tonight, I’m faced with some of morton called for an investi- city attorney. those same allegations, similar gation of Biggerstaff, Henry Throgmorton said he will allegations that Mrs. Bigger- and Hill for breach of the City hold a public executive session staff has brought forth. I don’t Manager’s contract, for charges outlining all the charges and understand that.” in violation of the city’s charter details of those charges.

Th rog morton a n nounced and for violation of the city of “ We w i l l b e h i r i n g a n his feelings regarding the sus- Commerce Administrative pol- o u t s i d e c o n s u l t a n t t o i n pension of Miller at the end of icies. In addition, Throgmorton v e s t i g a t e t h e s e m a t t e r s ,” the meeting. c a l le d for a n i nve st igat ion Throgmorton said.

...motion put down in Wednesday SGA meeting, Relay for Life discussed CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

flicker.com/photos/tamuc Head coach of the football team Guy Morriss released a statement Mar. 8 apologizing for his comments about the thefts of The East Texan, which advocated his players actions.

Morriss aplogizes for comments Texas A&M Un iversity-Commerce football coach Guy Morriss apologized to the university and to the editor of the East Texan Friday for the behavior of his team, and his quoted statements.

“I do not condone theft or any criminal offense on t he pa r t of me, my staff, or the members of my team,” Morriss said.

“The comments I made

regarding the removal of the school newspapers as a ‘team building exercise’ were made facet iously, not to be taken seriously or literally.”

According to Athletic Director Carlton Cooper the football program has offered to pay for the reprint of the missing edit ion of t he East Texan, with players and coaches distributing it to the cam-

pus newsstands.

“I am appreciative and sincerely grateful for the support of President Dan Jone s a nd members of the administration who know me personally, and k now t he t r ue content of my character,” Morriss said. “I apologize for making light of actions t hat showed a lapse in judgment. For that I am truly remorseful.”

Jones responds to Morriss comments As a scholar of the media and former journalist, I learned long ago the difference between accuracy and truth. In recent days, a number of statements have been circulating in the media surrounding an unfortunate and embarrassing episode that occurred on our campus last week: the theft of an entire press run of our student newspaper, The East Texan, from distribution stands throughout the university.

The lead story in the missing edition concerned the arrest of two students who had been charged with drug possession, one of whom was currently a member of the football team. This was certainly a newsworthy event, and was fully covered in the East Texan article.

As soon as the newspaper theft was discovered, a police investigation was lau nc hed. A rev iew of surveillance video suggested that members of t he football team were involved. However, the evidence was insufficient to prosecute and the Uni-

ver sit y Pol ic e De pa r tment has closed the case, referring it instead to the university’s internal processes for resolution.

During the course of the police investigation, statements were gathered from a number of individuals, including Head Football Coach Guy Morriss. Coach Morriss, frustrated by his players’ actions and in a misguided attempt at humor, characterized the theft as a “team-building exercise,” appearing to make light of a serious incident.

Th i s i s t he poi nt at which accuracy and truth diverge. Coach Morriss’s st ateme nt s, a s r ecorded in the police report, were accurately quoted and widely circulated in numerous news stories that ran both locally and n at ionw ide. However, his unfortunate remarks did not convey a larger t r ut h: t hat he is a seasoned professional who is deeply committed to, and concerned for, building the character of students through athletics.

Our own internal in-

vestigation revealed that Coac h Morriss did not c ondone or e nc ou rage the theft of the papers, ac ted qu ic k ly to identify those who were resp on sible, a nd i s putting in place appropriate disciplinary measures.

However, he is going beyond simply punishing those who stole the papers. He is working with experts in the university – facult y members and counselors – to provide support, education, and guidance for student-athletes so that they may be better equipped to make good decisions – as members of both the university community and of society – that will contribute to positive change.

I am personally embarrassed by what took place, but am determined that as a university, we will learn from our mista kes. We w i l l emerge from this incident with a better understanding of one another, and with a renewed commitment to our vital mission of transforming lives and shaping futures.

which are making national media headlines. He motioned that this statement be decided and voted upon at the meeting, but Tolbert shot him down.

“We’re not going to vote on that at this moment,” Tolbert said immediately after Haney suggested the motion.

“What we’re going to vote on, I need to discuss with the appropriate people.”

Haney said he does not agree with how Tolbert handled the situation. He said he felt Tolbert was out of order.

“I think that’s completely inappropriate and not in keeping with parliamentary procedure,” Haney said.

Tolbert later explained her actions, explaining this was not a typical situation SGA was dealing with.

“I did that because this is something that’s bigger than just in a student government meeting,” she said. “When I said I needed to speak with the appropriate people, I am not referring to administration or anything.”

Tolbert also insisted she was not operat ing outside of parliamentar y procedure that night.

“I made the statement to not follow through with it before it was seconded,” she said. “Since there was no second on the motion, I was within parliamentary procedure.”

In a video of the SGA meeting submitted to The East Texan, after Haney moved to vote on an SGA statement in regards to Morriss’ comments, the man next to him says “I second that.”

Upon bei ng contacted about t he video, Tolbert said she would have to see it first before making any comment.

She went on to clarify “appropriate people” refers to her executive board,

which includes vice presidents Sharin Vora and Farha Habeeb. Tolbert also said she understands where Haney is coming from.

“I can understand how he might feel that way, but I know I need to sit down with my executive board and make this decision and then we bring it to the body and vote upon it,” she said.

Tolbert explained consulting her executive board meant talking with her vice presidents about how to best approach the situation based on what they know has occurred. After this, they would then present this to the senators who would give input and vote on a final decision. She also said this executive decision-making could involve gaining student input.

“I didn’t feel it was appropriate prior to research,” Tolbert said. “Student government is the voice of the student body, not just those people in the room.

[Senators] are capable of good decisions, but this is something that needs to be taken seriously.”

Haney said he still believes SGA has a duty to fulfill when it comes to the comments made by Morriss.

“The two issues I see are separate,” he said. “The ongoing investigation we may comment on in the future, but we don’t know. As far as the statements that were made in the paper, I do think it is the responsibility of student government to speak out and condemn those statements.”

SGA did make a decision regarding their theme for Relay for Life, which will be “Life Savers”, in reference to the popular candy. SGA members involved in the Relay for Life will wear bright colored clothing as a part of the theme.

...gunman killed outside Walmart CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

One Walmart employee, Ci ndy Tr u l l, who wa s working at the front of the store when the Rodriguez entered, heard the off-duty officer identify himself and ask the man to lower his weapon. Trull said she yelled to customers to run to the back of the store for their own safety, even though the alert could have drawn attention from the gunman.

“I was just concerned

about the customers, getting them in and getting them safe,” she said.

Erin Ballotti, who was s h o p p i n g i n Wa l m a r t when the shooting took place, said she heard several gunshots.

“A bunch of kids were s c r e a m i n g ,” s h e s a id.

“They started screaming, ‘he has a gun,’ and they were just yelling and running. My heart just jumped into my throat.”

Ballotti ran with several other customers through

the warehouse and out the back to escape the gunman.

They remained outside the store for a short amount of time until some employees came out and announced that the store was safe to come back inside.

No other injuries were reported, although two customers were taken to a local hospital with complaints of chest pains.

Log on to theeasttexan. com for video of this story and others.

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Ca mpus Life

Thursday, Mar. 11, 2010

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Cultural Affairs office hopes to bring Commerce residents together JASMIN BROWN STAFF WRITER

High school juniors and seniors came to learn about Texas A&M University-Commerce as well as enjoy the fun and games at the Mane Event on Mar. 6, 2010.

Mane Event attracts new students CHANCELLOR MILLS CAMPUS LIFE EDITOR In order to attract prospective students, Texas A&M University-Commerce held its biannual Mane Event on March 6.

Every year, the Mane Event is one of the university’s opportunities to invite high school juniors and seniors to Commerce and showcase the various departments and social clubs on campus.

Starting out the day, prospective students and their parents were allowed to wander about the Sam Rayburn Student Center, walking from table to table hearing representatives talk about their respective organizations. In a conference room upstairs, visitors were encouraged to get their picture taken with

A&M-Commerce mascots, Lucky and Lucy the Lions, while listening to the Pep Band, and enjoying orange juice and donuts provide by the president’s office.

For the first two hours of the event, the Club housed the information tables of several campus social clubs and Greek organizations. For some newer clubs, the Mane Event was an opportunity to get their name out there. This was the hope for English graduate student Jordan Burkhart of Sigma Phi Phi, the sci-fi club on campus.

“We’re looking for new members primarily,” Burkhart said. “We’re a completely new organization on campus and we’re open to new members.”

While some organizations were at the Mane Event in an effort to gar-

ner new recruits, some were there simply there to highlight the rewarding aspects of a department.

Junior theater major Alesa McGregor spoke to the benefits of the Department of International Studies.

“It will literally change students’ lives,” McGregor said. “I went to Spain last year and it was easily the most beneficial thing I’ve done in my life. Period.”

After a short period of guests and parents learning about the various organizations, President Dan Jones made a brief speech welcoming guests and giving a brief history before sending them off to scheduled tours of the campus and different buildings.

By 1 p.m., everybody had gathered at the Student Access and Success Center

for the final stretch of the event. It was here that faculty and staff, like Dean of Enrollment Management and Retention Stephanie Holley, were able to see the results of their efforts for the event.

“We had a beautiful day and over 1000 beautiful people on our campus today,” Holley said. “It has been great to just be able to expose these prosective students to the finest parts of our university.”

At the end of the day, a drawing was held over a dozen students were awarded with prizes ranging from an A&MCommerce alarm clock to a scholarship of up to $1000 should they decide to attend the university next year.

COURTESY PHOTO

Proceeds from the ANGLS bake sale will benefit SAAVED (Set Apart Aiming Victoriously to Eliminate Diseases), an AIDS research and awareness organization.

ANGLS hosts bake sale to fund research CAITLIN MASON STAFF WRITER The Association for the Needs of Gay and Lesbian Students (ANGLS) will host a bake sale on Mar. 10 in the Sam Rayburn Student Center atrium at Texas A&M University-Commerce.

The bake sale will consist of an assortment of baked goods, prepared by the members of ANGLS, and will be sold from 11am-2pm.

“Members of ANGLS, as many as possible, will buy supplies for baking and bake the items themselves that will be sold in the bake sale,” junior photography major and ANGLS Secretary/ Treasurer Ferne Carr said.

This is the first bake sale ANGLS has hosted. The members are hoping the proceeds from the bake sale will help fund the drag show they host in April that benefits Set Apart Aiming Victoriously to Eliminate Diseases (SAAVED).

According to the SAAVED website, saaved.org, they have

had extensive experience in educating individuals about HIV/AIDS. It says they combat the spread of the disease “by targeting people who are more likely to contract the HIV.” The website continues to say they “offer them a way of practicing a positive behavior so we can eliminate this deadly disease.”

This is the second year that ANGLS has donated to SAAVED. “When looking for an organization to donate to this year, we were trying to find one that prevented hate crimes,” Carr said. “The officers of ANGLS got together and decided since we had previously established a relationship with SAAVED we would donate again.”

Last year ANGLS relied on its members to pay for decorations, food and advertising for the drag show and the participants in the drag show were kind enough to donate their time.

“All organization funds last year had to go solely to pay the UPD officers that

were at the drag show,” senior public relations major and ANGLS president Morgan Corley said. Flyers and other forms of advertisement came out of the member’s pockets, not dues.

ANGLS will also host a silent auction on Mar. 3 to help with the expenses of the drag show.

“The silent auction and the bake sale will help greatly with the expenses of the drag show, which will be held April 7,” Carr said.

The silent auction will be held at the Sam Rayburn Student Center in Conference Room B. Pottery, books, massages, University Playhouse tickets and Dominos Pizza certificates, all of which have been donated by the university and the Commerce community, are some of the items that will be auctioned off.

ANGLS was lucky enough to start off in a better financial situation than last year.

“Usually we don’t start out the year with any money,” Corley said. “We rely solely on

people paying their dues. This year we were lucky enough to start out with money from contributors and support from the university.”

Members of ANGLS are hoping that by hosting the bake sale and silent auction it will bring awareness to students, faculty and staff at A&M-Commerce and in the community about the drag show and the SAAVED organization.

“It’s good to go into an organization that is prepared,” theater graduate student Gerald Taylor said.

“Awareness of SAAVED and transgender, transsexual and homosexual individuals will help establish equality among differences in people.

I wouldn’t say a drag show is the best or worst way to raise awareness but it does raise awareness and get attention.”

For more information on ANGLS and donating to SAAVED or ANGLS contact ANGLS President Morgan Corley at mcorley@leo.tamucommerce.edu.

The Commerce Office of Cultural Affairs (COCA) is a non-profit organization designed to facilitate communication between community residents and Texas A&M University-Commerce through cultural projects.

Former interim head of the department of art and senior lecturer at Texas A&M University-Commerce Michael Odom began organizing COCA about one and a half years ago.

In January 2009, Odom made a proposal to the city council that his group organize an office of cultural affairs for Commerce. COCA was granted non-profit status in November and is independent of Commerce’s city government.

Odom said COCA had its origin in a group of community and university members who gathered at his home to discuss ways to “improve the interaction of the community and the university,” which he said has “historically” been a missed opportunity.

“There are plenty of people who work at the university who are individually involved with the operations of various departments in the city,” Odom said, “but we were looking at things we could do to improve the quality of life in this town.”

Odom said many A&MCommerce faculty members choose to live outside of Commerce because of its lack of social, community events.

“I know that many new hires among faculty have determined that they would rather live in a town that has something more going on in it than what Commerce does,” he said.

The founding of the Commerce Community Garden is an already successful community project that materialized through cooperative efforts between COCA’s founders and other community members. According to Odom, the Commerce Community Garden Association (CCGA) is being organized as a separate nonprofit entity under COCA. COCA has a standing committee on music, which includes local singer and songwriter Brad Davis, whom Odom described as a “local treasure.”

Davis organized Songwriter’s Showcase, a monthly music event held downtown every third Thursday at Cowhill Express Coffee Company. Odom said performers are required to write their own songs and are welcome to perform two or three selections.

The event draws singers, songwriters and musicians from among A&M-Commerce students, faculty and staff, Commerce residents, and visiting artists from as far as Oklahoma, Arkansas and Kentucky.

Odom said although Davis organized Songwriter’s Showcase prior to COCA’s founding it is exactly kind of event COCA is interested in fostering.

“I think Commerce is missing out on young talent, both among students and faculty,” he said. “Brad and I are talking about maybe offering cash prizes at least once a year to the best original song or the best performers, to use that as a springboard to beef up and enrich those evenings,” Odom said.

Sign-ups begin at 7 p.m., immediately followed by

performances at 7:30. Space is limited to 15 performers.

Further information can be found at cowhillexpress. com/explore/articles/songwriters-night.

In addition to music, COCA also has a standing committee on visual arts comprised of community and university members who have “overlapping interests.”

Odom said COCA began displaying works by various artists in the windows of the former J.C. Penny’s building located on the corner of Main Street and Washington Street last November.

Looking forward to a more permanent arrangement, COCA has plans to set up an art gallery and performance space downtown.

According to Odom, Commerce mayor Quay Throgmorton has offered COCA a building he owns on the square as a location for the gallery, on the condition that COCA fund any necessary repairs.

Odom said ideally such an art gallery would serve as a “home base” for COCA, while still remaining on the local tax roles.

“We’re in negotiations and we’re working towards developing a budget that will show us what we need to pull together,” he said. “These things are very attractive and very alluring, but it might not be in the current financial situation to make it possible.

So we’re trying to figure out the best way to go with it.”

Junior art major Val Curry is enthusiastic about the opportunities a dedicated off-campus art gallery would offer students and the community at large.

“If it could happen, I definitely think it would be a good idea,” he said. “I think its something that would be almost imperative for the (art) program, and it would even be good for downtown Commerce.”

Odom said during his career at A&M-Commerce, he knew many senior students who had never ventured downtown.

Vice President for Student Access and Success Dr. Mary Hendrix is a COCA committee member. Hendrix said the need to improve Commerce by increasing city resources both to retain current residents and students and to attract new ones, motivated her to get involved in COCA. “We have to make Commerce a destination,” she said. “In all aspects, it will be an improvement for our university and for our students.”

Odom recognizes the need for COCA to expand it outreach in order to thrive.

“We’re expanding our board to include more local businesspeople and more people within the university community as well,” he said.

“Right now, what COCA is, is a whole bunch of possibilities,” he said. “There’s a lot of potential, but there’s not a lot of communication and we want to be able to facilitate communication working with the Chamber of Commerce, the city government and with the university.”

Odom said although COCA does not yet have a fully organized financial system, several people have expressed a desire to make donations.

Anyone interested in further information on COCA projects, meetings, or making donations may contact Odom at michael@michaelodom. net.

www.theeasttexan.com

Ca Campus mpus Life Life

Thursday, Mar. 11, 2010

Page 5

Incumbents contend for Precinct 4 office TIFFANY BAILEY STAFF WRITER

As part of their curriculum, students of the Rock Music in Context class focus on the musical contributions of rock icons like Jimi Hendrix.

Students get to rock out in trial class BRIANNA JACKSON STAFF WRITER A new course, Rock Music in Context, is being offered on the campus of Texas A&M University-Commerce.

A special topics course that is currently only being offered for the Spring 2010 semester, it is in the curriculum for the department of sociology and criminal Justice.

Assistant Professor of Liberal Studies Dr. Brad Klypchak is teaching the course.

“I was offered the chance to teach the course,” Klypchak said. “I thought it was a wonderful opportunity to do something that falls outside of the traditional curriculum.”

The class is a type of course known as a hybrid course that only meets only once a week.

“Half the class is con-

ducted online, and half is in the classroom,” Klypchak said. “We meet Wednesdays which are largely discussion days, and I put up an online lecture.”

The format of the class has so far proven beneficial to students of the class, such as senior sociology major John Huizar.

“It’s very helpful to have all our readings and copies of assignments online so we can access them anytime from anywhere,” Huizar said.

Another plus of the class seems to be the small class size, crowning at only 16 students.

“If it was any larger, there would be people that would be marginalized, who wouldn’t get a chance to be heard,” Huizar said.

Member of the class junior sociology major Kerry

Hendricks agrees.

“The people in there are serious about the class, and everyone has something to bring to the table,” Hendricks said.

Klypchack said the students study different facets of music and pop culture and the class is more than just entertainment and listening to songs on the radio.

“There’s a lot more to it than you would originally guess,” Hendricks said.

“It isn’t an easy, blow off class for just anyone to come in and take. It gives me the opportunity to take what I have learned in sociology and apply it to rock music.”

Huizar was at first skeptical about taking the class.

“I had been worried it would be a blow off class where people just talk about how much they like music,” Huizar said. “I like the fact that

Dr. Klypchak did make this academically rigorous. We have numerous projects relating to music but it all ties in to academics.”

Since Rock Music in Context is a special topics course, it is not part of the regular curriculum and may not be offered in the future, but if it is Klypchak said he would be willing to teach it again.

“I would love to have the opportunity to do this again,” Klypchak said.

In order to have the course offered again, there must be interest expressed to administration from several students. Huizar said he would be in favor of the continuation of the course.

“I think they should offer it each semester, if possible, to students,” Huizar said. “You’ll never look at music the same way again.”

The Nov. 4 election for Hunt County Precinct 4 commissioner provides Texas A&M UniversityCommerce students with two candidates to choose between: incumbent Jim Latham, Democrat, and Frank Janda, Republican.

Latham is serving his second four-year term.

“I don’t believe in term limits,” he said. “I think that the electorate is capable of determining the length of the term of any elected official.”

Janda’s view on term limits differs from Latham’s, which is part of the reason he decided to enter the race.

“One reason for running for office is my belief in term limits,” Janda said.

“Part of the reason our country is in the mess it’s in right now is because after a few years in office, opportunities for corruption arise and the officeholders lose interest in serving their constituents.”

He said the position of county commissioner is not meant to be a “career opportunity.”

Latham had a hand in starting “The Big Event,” an annual Commerce event designed to engage the City of Commerce and A&M-Commerce in community service.

“A few of us wanted to come up with something that would bring the university and city closer,” Latham said.

“The Big Event” has been taking place for 11 years.

“A couple years after ‘The Big Event’ had started, the former commissioner Alan Martin approached me, told me he was retiring and asked if I would be interested in running for commissioner,” Latham said. “At first my response was “No way,’ but since then I have become entrenched in it. I feel ownership, and I really like doing my job.”

Janda owns the local paper Giggle and Grins and decided running

for commissioner was something else he wanted to do.

“The interest in the future of Hunt County is my motivation,” Janda said. “I would like to see our commissioner be more than just an overseer of our roads. The county commissioner needs to be a leader and an advocate for his constituents in making sure that Precinct 4 is not left out of the economic planning.”

Whoever is elected Precinct 4 commissioner will have the potential to reach out to A&MCommerce students.

“As it stands today, I would say that the commissioner does not have much impact on A&MCommerce,” Janda said.

“As your next commissioner, I would like to open up a new relationship between the commissioner’s court and the university.”

One issue Latham and Janda agree on is the need for grants to improve the condition of county roads.

“It’s the county roads that the commissioner is responsible for, and yes, there are other sources of funding that can be utilized for county roads and infrastructures that are not currently being used,” Janda said. “These include federal dollars, grant money, corporate money and sometimes even private money.”

Latham said he would “love to use grant money for the improvement of roads,” but has found through experience that it is nearly impossible to obtain such grants.

“We are always looking for ways to improve our roads,” Latham said.

“I have heard that my opponent has mentioned that his platform would be to get grants to improve the road programs. I hate to inform him that the eight years I have been here there is no one offering grants to improve county roads. It’s a nice thing to say, but it just doesn’t happen.”

Students get chance to treat themselves MEGAN CAREY ART SCENE EDITOR

At the “Always...Patsy Cline” gala performance, members of the audience enjoy complimentary snacks and beverages during intermission.

Patsy Cline gala benefits Ray Price Scholarship JOSH LAW STAFF WRITER Ted Swindley’s musical theatre production “Always… Patsy Cline” has played in theatres all over the world since its release in the ‘90s, and on Sunday, March 6, a gala performance of the musical was held at the University Playhouse at Texas A&M University-Commerce.

“Always…

Patsy Cline” chronicles actual events which took place in Houston, Texas in 1961. Housewife Louise Seger (Samantha Grace) befriended Patsy Cline (Lou Ann Petty) at a show at the Esquire Ballroom and soon began corresponding through letters with Mrs. Cline. At the end of every letter, Mrs. Cline would sign “love always… Patsy Cline”, thereby becoming the inspiration behind the name of the production.

The fact that the show

is based around actual events has given one member of the cast special reasons for performing.

“I think it is a very interesting story,” Rob McWhorter, an actor in the production, said. “It is from the fan’s perspective, which you don’t normally, see and I like that about it. I think [Patsy Cline’s] influence on music is something that you forget about until it is brought up.”

The gala event featured the regular production of “Always…Patsy Cline” and an encore where the cast and crew from the theatre department got on stage and performed songs of their choice for the audience. All proceeds from this production went to the Ray Price Texas Culture Scholarship.

The Ray Price Texas Culture Scholarship is a scholarship currently being vested on for A&MCommerce students and

the director of “Always…

Patsy Cline” feels strongly about making it succeed.

“I don’t know if we made enough money with the show to pay everything off, but we made half of what we needed with the Hank Williams play we put on before,” Jim Anderson said. “We are asking people to make donations on the A&MCommerce website, or to send checks made payable to the Ray Price Texas Culture Scholarship to the university.”

During the matinee and encore, there was a lot of interaction with the audience, which is atypical for most shows. There were opportunities for the audience members to come on stage and dance to the music and another portion of the show where the audience was led in a sing along. This interaction was one of the show coordinator’s favorite parts.

“The level of interaction in the production just goes to show you the closeness the students [in the theatre department] have with the locals and students who come to see our shows,” Coordinator of Mass Media and Theater Activities Sheri Humphries said. “It made me feel good to see that interaction.”

During the intermissions, snacks and refreshments were provided in the lobby in the form of alcohol and finger foods.

All refreshments were complimentary with the purchase of a ticket.

In addition to simply being an event, the “Always… Patsy Cline” gala was an opportunity for a bridging between the local community and Texas A&M-Commerce.

“The Bodacious Bobcat Band” was comprised entirely of local musicians who came together solely for this production.

Sodexo dining services began offering the semimonthly Reward Yourself program at the beginning of February to students who wanted to eat something a little different.

“We wanted to offer the students a monotony breaker, something a little more premium,” Sodexo General Manager John Offerle said.

The meal includes a vegetable and a protein, meat, of some kind.

The costs of the meals will vary depending on what type of meat is being served, the highest thus far being a steak meal costing $5.

“It won’t always cost $5,” Offerle said. “It’s more expensive because of the steak. The vegetarian meal may cost $3.00, but it’ll always be a round number. We’re not trying to make money, we’re just trying to break even and not lose any money.”

The first Reward Yourself meal in February was a success with approximately 35-40 meals sold; however, the second meal in February sold only about 20 meals.

“Students didn’t have as much disposable income,” Offerle said. “I was disappointed with

the second one, because we had the advertisement out there.”

The advertisement for the Reward Yourself program was successful, and many students were aware of its existence.

“I went to the cafeteria when they had it one time, and they offered it to me,” sophomore design communication major Kevin James said.

The monetary aspect, however, is what seems to plague students..

“Well I would [pay for it] if I ever had the money when they do it. I love steak!” James said.

Sodexo’s program is in place to please students and offer them a choice out of the ordinary.

“If [students] don’t have the money, I can’t fault them on that,” Offerle said.

The program is a part of the Sodexo experience at Texas A&M UniversityCommerce as well as other schools. The next Reward Yourself program opportunity is Tuesday, March 23.

“We don’t want to disrupt the students, because there are some [students] who don’t like it when we try to change things up and take away the pizza,” Offerle said. “We don’t want to take away their creature comforts.”

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Art Art Scene Scene

Thursday, Mar. 11, 2010 www.theeasttexan.com

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The Dropkick Murphys played at the Palladium Ballroom to a rough and rowdy crowd ready to leave behind any other thoughts other than music.

Dropkick Murphys leave fans bruised STAFF REPORTS  Concert-going is not an experience for the faint of heart, especially one involving a Bostonbased Celtic punk band whose most famous songs involve bar room brawls and drunken sing-a-longs.

As we emerged after the show was over, soaked in sweat and beer (tossed on us by a five foot nothing tub of lard who thought that it would be funny), bumped, bruised and mostly deaf, we undoubtedly resembled men stumbling away from an alley fight. At least, we felt that way.

That is, of course, the way you know that your concert was good. And the Dropkick Murphys were very, very good.

Their March 1st appearance at the House of Blues in Dallas was memorable for numerous reasons.

The venue itself is beautiful, an excellent mid-sized place that was big enough to accomodate the masses within, but small enough that you could still reach out and grab the lead singer, if you felt so inclined (and didn’t mind a few jabs in the ribs).

The Dropkick Murphys’ opening band, Larry and His Flask, were hardly anything special, save for their Geico caveman looka-like guitarist and crazed bassist.

But they performed their duty as an opening band and got the crowd rowdy and drunk.

The set change between Larry and His Flask and the Murphys was perhaps the worst thing about the concert. It stretched on much longer than most

set changes, past the time when making fun of the guy in front of you is still entertaining, and much past the first “Man, this is taking forever” comment. When the stage lights finally dimmed, we endured five minutes of a random Celtic song before the Murphys finally took the stage.

When they started playing, though, all was forgiven. Impatient sighs gave way to pumped fists and hoarse cries as the hundreds of audience members began to pound each other in the same way the Dropkick Murphys pounded their ears.

The band played an endless amount of songs in their hour and a half set, including all of their hits. The constant barrage was sadly uninterrupted by any audience or interband interaction beyond

the occasional “Dallas, Texas!” from lead singer Al Barr or bassist/vocalist Ken Casey. However, what the Murphys lacked in showmanship they made up for by allowing first females, and then drunken concert members, to come on stage during their songs.

As we watched the display of stretched blouses and sagging blue jeans in front of us while the Murphys enchanted the audience with “Kiss me, I’m ****faced,” we couldn’t help but feel like we were in an old bar with a bunch of friendly strangers, drowning away the worry of the past week. $35 may sound like too much to you for such an experience, but for the right to stagger and push against a mass of humanity to the beat of Celtic punk, it was just right.

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Mia Wasikowska shines as Alice Kingsley who has her second go around as inhabitant of Wonderland at age 19 when she tumbles down the rabbit hole.

Alice in Wonderland whimsical, not wonderful MEGAN CAREY ART SCENE EDITOR

mother of his children.

Although all the actors who are a part of the film  were wonderful in their

roles, especially newcom The story of Alice in er Mia Wasikowska as Wonderland has taken Alice, Depp’s Mad Hatter on many embodiments and Bonham Carter’s over the years, all of them Red Queen serve as two strange and whimsical, extremely well portrayed and Tim Burton’s 2010 ren- characters in terms of their dition continues the legacy screen presence and the of quirkiness. humanity the actors impart Technically, Alice in on their behalf.

Wonderland (2010) is like Burton is said to have no other film adaptation found all the other Alice before it, because it goes in films to be unfeeling with a a totally different direction, lack of connection between though not necessarily a Alice and the other chargood direction. Audiences acters. For this reason, the become too drawn into film is considered to be a the fantastical world with work influenced by Alice the flimsy, unbelievable in Wonderland, not necscenery and too many essarily a remake, but a CGI characters: two rab- sequel; however, he may bits, one mouse and a have gone too far in the caterpillar with Severus other direction.

Snape’s voice.

Either the characters hate Burton brought along Alice upon sight, claimtwo popular actors for the ing she’s not the “right” ride in his newest film. Alice, or they fawn over Johnny Depp with whom her like the Mad Hatter in he’s has a 20-year film rela- an almost tender way. At tionship and also Helena the conclusion of the film, Bonham Carter, who is the when Alice is about to go

back to the real world, the Hatter asks Alice not to leave, and there’s a bit of a romantic mist in the air as Alice chooses Earth rather than the Wonderland. It was creepy.

The film begins with a young Alice interrupting her father’s business meeting after she awoke from a “dream;” however, she doesn’t realize she just visited Wonderland for the first time. Thirteen years later and now 19, Alice is an odd duckling whose father has just passed away and whose mother is trying to pair her off with a family friend’s son.

This perennial, universal struggle of women everywhere and across generations, although typical, fits the film well, as she conveniently chases the rabbit with the pocket watch into a hole in the ground.

From there on, Alice seems to be overly confused and strangely affectionate with most characters. She has her definitive moments where she

becomes her own person and doesn’t let anyone tell her what to do as she wishes she could do in her life back home, but in the end she does what she was destined to do from the beginning. She slays the Jabberwocky (and I’m not talking about the placeholder text).

A testament to the film’s success, it opened to $116.3 million this past weekend, are the actors attached to the movie and the option to see it in 3-D. Although I did not see it in 3-D, I can see the appeal in having the Cheshire Cat’s glowing eyes float out into the audience as he splits a huge grin.

Honestly, the film was appeasing and I’m not upset I saw it; however, I’d recommend not wasting well-earned money on a film on which the storyline is pretty cut and dry from the preview. Just wait until the DVD comes out, apparently it’s being released in a mere twelve weeks. Now that’s good business sense.

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Brooklyn’s Finest hosts a trio of “fine”, well known actors, but they don’t perform up to far.

Film portrays police with no moral fiber JAMES BRIGHT EDITOR 

Nowadays, cop films with a fresh take on the world of policing are pretty rare. After watching Antoine Fuqua’s recent debut, Brooklyn’s Finest, I’m still left searching.

The film is riddled with big name actors that in no way help the movie’s progression. It follows the story of three police officers who are all at different stages of their careers.

All three work in the same precinct but have little interaction and even less in common. The only thing the three have in common is their incredible lack of morals. Even this is different though, as each officer is terrible in his own way.

The movie progresses with three story lines that momentarily intersect at the end of the film.

Although I’m a fan of movies with multiple story lines, it doesn’t work here.

None of the characters lives are really interesting, and it seems like hours pass before any kind of real plot twist or climax occurs. The film just randomly jumps between the three cops, identifying each of their personal issues. This left me feeling little connection to the characters and even less sympathy for what they were going through.

The issues themselves were cliché. Eddie, Richard Gere, is at the end of his career and is just trying to

survive his last few days on the job. Kind of like Danny Glover’s character in Lethal Weapon 3, except Eddie was just sort of sad and defeated.

Tango, Don Cheadle, is an undercover narcotics officer who has started to question which team he plays for. He develops personal relationships with his suspects and starts to have sympathetic feelings for his boss drug dealer Caz, Wesley Snipes.

I can’t count how many times this plot has been used. I found no reason to pay attention to the film when Cheadle was on the screen.

Lastly, there was the poor cop character Sal, Ethan Hawke, struggling to make enough money for his wife and kids. The movie never really told you how many kids he had. There was a just a new child introduced every time Sal had a scene at home, and his wife was pregnant with twins. The simple solution to his money woes is to invest in condoms, but no, Sal spends an hour-and-ahalf of this movie debating whether or not he will take drug money instead.

The last 20 minutes do have some redeeming qualities. The three stories intersect, which is always nice to see, and every character embraces a new way of life. This doesn’t make up for the rest of the film, which is less entertaining then actually being arrested.

Editors’ Picks

Adam Troxtell Movie: O Brother, Where Art Thou?

Band: The Kooks TV Show: Seinfeld

Jessica Rush Movie: Couple’s Retreat Band: Shinedown TV Show: King of Queens

Jared Watson Movie: Tyson Band: Tom Waits TV Show: Tosh.0

Chancellor Mills Movie: I Hope They Serve Beer in Hell Band: Owl City TV Show: Burn Notice

James Bright Movie: 2012 Band: Candlebox TV Show: Fox 4 News

Megan Carey Movie: Law Abiding Citizen Band: Tegan and Sara TV Show: Dexter

www.theeasttexan.com

SPORTS

Thursday, Mar. 11, 2010

Page 7

Anderson Timeline 1993: Graduated from UCLA, where she was a prominent figure.

Not only was she a Naismith Award candidate her senior year, which is given to the top player in the nation, but she also, to this day, ranks in the top five for UCLA career steals and assists. Anderson was also named one of the 15 best players in UCLA women’s basketball program history.

1993-1999: Coached the women’s basketball program at Francis Parker High School in San Diego, Calif. Under her coaching, the team went to three state semi-finals and was ranked third in all of California.

2000-2004: Assitant coach at the University of San Diego and San Diego Stat University. Also named head coach of the Univerity of New Haven. At all three schools, she was heavily involved in recruiting.

2004-2009: Recruiting coordinator and assistant coach at Division I Long Beach State University. She served a similar role at Hoop School, of which she is the founder and CEO. The school, located in Long Beach, Calif., is a community basketball center for youths.

2009-present: Head Coach for the A&M-Commerce women’s basketball program.

Nicole Anderson (left) presents honors to senior Ashley Murphy, along with assistant coach Adelina Gentry and athletic director Carlton Cooper during Senior Night.

Community a major focus for Anderson ADAM TROXTELL SPORTS EDITOR When Nicole Anderson was named the women’s basketball head coach for Texas A&M UniversityCommerce in October of 2009, she arrived with plenty of experience.

Not only was she named one of UCLA’s 15 greatest players in program history, but she coached Division I basketball at the University of San Diego as well as at Long Beach State University.

“I do believe my experience at the Division I level has helped me tremendously, but that’s all my coaching experiences,” Anderson said. “I’ve done this for 16 years, and now, being at this point, I believe all of those experiences, both good and bad, contribute to what is my coaching philosophy now.”

She admitted to not really knowing much about the town of Commerce but liked what she saw when researching the university.

“I knew nothing about Commerce, had no idea about exactly where it was,” she said. “One thing in particular was the fact that a lot of the students who attend school here were first generation college students, and that’s me. So, that really attracted me immediately when I was doing my online research of the university.”

When she arrived on campus for an interview, Anderson said she was shocked by the look and feel of the campus.

“When I arrived for my interview, I was pleasantly surprised, first off, by the size of the campus,” she said. “I didn’t expect it to be as large as it is, I didn’t expect the facilities to be what they were, and I was really impressed actually.”

Anderson also said Athletic Director Carlton Cooper’s plans for the athletic department contributed to her joining the Lions’ basketball program.

“I could see the vision of what Mr. Cooper had

for the program,” she said.

“I really trust that he’s doing the right thing, and he has a huge vision for this university and a huge vision for athletics as well.

That was very instrumental in my decision to come out to Commerce.”

One aspect of basketball Anderson enjoys the most is using the game to impact the community.

This is another reason she came to A&M-Commerce.

“We are not only one of the faces of the university, but people read about our program,” Anderson said. “They listen to our program on the radio constantly, so I like to have our kids and our players immersed into the community. If you do that, they come out and support you as well.”

Anderson emphasized the importance of her team contributing to the community. She said it was always a big deal when anyone involved in basketball spoke to her while she was in elementary school, and she wants her team to have the same

impact.

“We constantly talk about not just being takers, but givers in this program, givers to this community, and givers to young people especially,” she said.

“I know how important it was and how excited I was when anybody came into my classroom when I was in elementary school and definitely a basketball player. So, to have that chance, to have our young ladies giving back to the community, and just to give is really special.”

Her first season, statistically speaking, was not one to remember. The team finished 4-22 overall, and 1-13 in the Lone Star Conference.

Anderson said, despite the end of season record, she can take positives from her team’s play.

“We got better, as I expected,” she said. “Of course, we struggled with winning ball games, but one thing in particular is I know that we did the things that I told the community we would do. We would play an up-tempo

style of basketball, we would play a pressure defense which would cause a lot of havoc for our opponents, and we put an exciting product on the floor.”

As she served as a recruiting coordinator during her time with Long Beach State, and was involved with recruiting at other universities, Anderson is looking forward to using the postseason to build toward, what she sees as, a bright future.

“I absolutely love Commerce, and I have no intentions of going anywhere,” she said. “I want to see this thing explode, and I really feel like the athletic department as a whole is about to go into another level of extreme success very soon. I feel very confident and very comfortable in my position here. I’m pleased with our recruiting, I’m pleased with the foundation that is being made, and I am also very pleased with the young ladies who will be returning to this team.”

Laing Bonilla deals with hurdles on track, in life JESSICA RUSH MANAGING EDITOR

man’ middle-of-nowhere, Texas,” he said. “You have to be here to actually know what people are talking about when they say, ‘it’s really a cool place to be.’”

Bonilla won the discus and shot put events at the Lone Star Conference (LSC) Championships in his first track season at A&M-Commerce in 2008, and he finished seventh overall in the decathlon.

He continued to improve, moving up to third place overall in the decathlon at last year’s LSC Championships and winning several events.

Despite his accomplish-

ments on the track, Bonilla may have to compete unattached this spring. His coaches have petitioned the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) to re-evaluate his eligibility, but they are still waiting to hear back if his sophomore year can be considered a “red-shirt” season.

“It would just be kind of a waste to just call it quits, because they said I couldn’t do it,” Bonilla said.

His friends and coaches know him as a hard worker, but he has a comedic side that comes out in the form of practical jokes.

“He’s a very outgoing guy,” senior marketing major and teammate Leslie White said. “He can make a bird noise—he gets people all the time.

One time he had coach thinking there was a bird in the locker room, and he was trying to find it. It was pretty funny.”

Junior pre-veterinarian major Renesa Whitman, who works with Bonilla at the Morris Recreation Center, said he is extremely friendly.

“He’s a really happy person,” she said. “He’s a very welcoming person, always has a smile on his face.”

Men’s golf grabs fifth at first spring tourney

Crawford-Wade Invitational, Team results: (team; day one, day two, total)

Individual Results (top 20): (player, school, scores)

To look at senior decathlon competitor Dean Laing Bonilla, his physique might cause him to blend in with his graceful running peers. Yet this construction science major’s story stands out as an athlete who watched his future slip away and chose to rebuild it on the track one step at a time.

Born and raised in Honduras, Laing came to America having never experienced true organized sports. He started with track in ninth grade at Bellflower High School

KARLTON BROOKS STAFF WRITER The Texas A&M University-Commerce men’s golf team finished 5th at the CrawfordWade Invitational at the Tanglewood Golf Resort & Spa in Pottsboro, Texas.

The team was just eight shots back from winning this, their first tournament of the spring.

A&M-Commerce freshman Tyler Duffy shot a 76 on Tuesday for a team best 36-hole total of 154 (78-76). He finished tied for 7th along with fellow teammate senior Eric

in Bellflower, Calif., and was named the team’s Most Valuable Player four years in a row. He also stood out in football, earning the title of the team’s Best All-Around Athlete as a senior.

With his coach’s recommendation, he went to Cerritos Community College winning recognition as an All-American football player and scholarship offers from the University of Southern California (USC), University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), and the University of California, Berkeley.

During the last home game

Westerman.

On Tuesday, Westerman improved his Monday score by six strokes and shot a total of 154 (8074).

Both Duffy and Westerman were only five spots back from a first place finish. Junior Dustin Gideon also finished in the top 15 with a total of 157 (79-78).

The Lions had the most birdies in the tournament with 15, with Duffy and Gideon sinking four apiece. The team also led the tournament in par five scoring, averaging 5.17 shots per hole.

Coach Louie Bledsoe

of his sophomore year at junior college, he watched his dreams of playing football for a Division I school fracture with a devastating arm injury.

“I lost every single scholarship I had, because nobody wanted to recruit an injured athlete,” Bonilla said.

He made the choice to come to Texas A&M University-Commerce, a decision he admits was misguided. Bonilla said he thought there was only one A&M University (College Station) in Texas.

“At first when I came here I felt like I was being punished, like, ‘aww,

said he was impressed with how the team played over the weekend, and felt like it was a good way to start the spring season.

“Considering how bad the weather was, I was very pleased with them,” Bledsoe said.

East Central University won the tournament, as they finished the tournament with players in first and second. Travis Keeley shot a five over par 149 (74-75), and Zac Pool finished just two shots back.

A&M-Commerce freshman Ryan Gornto finished tied for 27th with a 159 (79-80). Fellow freshmen

T.J. McColl and Darren Whitehouse also competed. McColl shot back-toback 81 for a total of 162, tying him for 35th, while Whitehouse finished 62nd with a 177 (88-89).

Senior Danny Jun was unable to participate in the tournament because of a wrist injury. He was forced to drop out, and he got an MRI done. According to Bledsoe, it seems to be nothing serious.

The next tournament for A&M-Commerce is the Midwestern State Invitational in Wichita, Texas, on March 21-23.

1. ECU; 316, 303, 619 2. St. Mary’s (Tx.); 312, 312, 624 3. Oklahoma Bap.; 316, 308, 624

4. Henderson St.; 312, 314, 626 5. TAMU-C; 318, 309, 627 6. Harding Univ.; 322, 312, 634 7. Ouachita Bapt.; 325, 310, 635 8. MSU; 325, 311, 636 9. Ark.-Fort Smith; 331, 309, 640

10. SE Okla.; 344, 313, 657

Travis Keeley, ECU; 74, 75 Zac Pool, ECU; 77, 74 Chase Lindsey, OBU; 73, 78 Ben Cuzen, HSU; 73, 78 Clement Batut, OBU; 77, 74 Chris Truesdale, SE Okla.; 75, 76 Will Fogleman, Ft. Smith; 84, 70 Bryeson Lance, ECU; 78, 76 Eric Westerman, A&M-C; 80, 74 Tyler Duffy, A&M-C; 78,76 Matt McKown, Ft. Smith; 77, 77 Jeff Rein, St. Mary’s; 78, 77 Sam Jernigan, St. Mary’s; 78, 78 James Grant, St. Mary’s; 77, 79 Mitch Molen, MSU; 82, 75 Dustin Gideon, A&M-C; 79, 78 Dax Demaree, Ouachita; 80, 77 Bruce McMullen, Harding; 82, 75 Daniel Francis, HSU; 79, 78 Lewis Jackson, Harding; 81, 77

Page 8

sports

Thursday, Mar. 11, 2010

www.theeasttexan.com

LSC Basketball Tournament Final Results Women Quarterfinals, March 4: TWU 66, *Tarleton State 71 A&M-Kings. 76, *N’eastern 85 ACU 105, *UCO 111 SE Okla. 62, *W.T. A&M 75 Semifinals, March 6: *Tarleton 62, *N’eastern 74 *UCO 70, *W.T. A&M 83

That Sports Thing?

Final, March 7: *N’eastern 59, *W.T. A&M 66

Will the Rangers win 92 games?

JARED WATSON SPORTS EDITOR

STAFF REPORTS

New Texas Rangers minority owner Nolan Ryan’s prediction that the team will win 92 games this season may seem shocking, but the freeagent additions to the Rangers’ roster and the shakeup of several teams in the A.L. West mean not only is such a lofty goal possible, I would say it is likely.

We all know the Rangers can hit. Top to bottom, the team has one of the top three most dangerous lineups in the American League. Youngsters Elvis Andrus, Julio Borbon and Nelson Cruz will get the chance to improve on their solid seasons last year, and Josh Hamilton will get the chance to bounce back from a disappointing 2009 and get back to his All-Star form.

In addition, the Rangers decided to stop letting Vladimir Guerrero kill them at the plate and brought him in to serve as the full-time DH, hoping he can keep up his ridiculous career numbers at the Ballpark in Arlington when he calls the stadium home.

The team’s Achilles heel for many years has been starting pitching. To combat that, the Rangers signed the fragile but dominant Rich Harden from the Cubs, hoping that he can be the staff ace the Rangers have lacked since Ryan himself was wearing a uniform. Harden certainly has the talent. He has averaged over nine strikeouts per nine innings for his career, and the fact that he is a power pitcher means he will be affected less than most by his new home ballpark, which is a notorious hitters park.

This year should also be the year the Rangers’ young arms will get to shine. Derek Holland and the fireballer Neftali Feliz are both in the running for rotation spots, and both are poised to take big steps forward in their second year in the majors.

On top of all this, the A.L. West is more unstable this season than it has been in any season in recent memory. The L.A. Angels are almost certain to lose their perennial perch as kings of the West, as they lost Vlad to the Rangers, ace pitcher John Lackey to the Boston Red Sox, and third baseman Chone Figgins to the Seattle Mariners.

The team can’t take that many hits and expect to keep dominating.

The Mariners improved greatly, adding Phillies postseason hero Cliff Lee in addition to Figgins, but the team is juggling infield positions, trying to move starting second baseman Jose Lopez to third and Figgins to second. The instability should work in the Rangers favor.

The Rangers played last year with the idea that they were one year away from contending. That would make this their year, and I see no reason why they can’t make that happen.

The American League West is changing, that’s for sure. With perennial power the Los Angeles Angels no longer a threat to win and the Oakland A’s merely a shell of the team that won or contented for division titles in the early 2000s, the West is the Rangers for the taking.

Unfortunately, the Rangers don’t really have a history of rising to the challenge. Texas has only won the AL West title three times, all in the late 90s, all which resulted in first round losses to the New York Yankees.

They’ve won one playoff game... in 38 years.

True, this Rangers team is a bit different. On offense, there’s plenty of young, developing talent.

Shortstop Elvis Andrus is coming off of an impressive rookie year, third baseman Michael Young is consistently effective, first baseman Chris Davis is an all-out slugger, and second baseman Ian Kinsler is one of the best in the league.

Of course, there are also glaring weaknesses.

Davis is a strikeout king.

If he hadn’t been sent to the minors last season, he probably would have set the single-season record for strikeouts. Andrus is at least a season away from being a consistent contributor on offense. Michael Young is a year older and a step slower, and Kinsler is a streaky offensive player.

At catcher, the Rangers are shallow.

Taylor Teagarden and Jarrod Saltalamacchia are both unproven as major league players, and Saltalamacchia was disappointing last season when he was given opportunities.

The Rangers’ outfield is also unpredictable. Nelson Cruz led the Rangers in homeruns with 33 last season, but only managed to knock in 76 RBIs. RBI leader Marlon Byrd is no longer with the team, and his replacement in the field, Julio Borbon has only played in 46 games in his whole career. The kid could be great, or he could be a mediocre outfielder with average power.

Centerfielder Josh Hamilton had a great 2008 season, but his 2009 effort was subpar: he ended up with only 10 homeruns and a .268 batting average.

True, he was injured for much of last season, but since Hamilton has only really had one good year, there’s not a whole lot of history to rely on here.

Texas has always had poor pitching, and, while this year’s rotation is better than previous seasons’, there’s not a strong enough core to really guarantee a 90 win season. Rich Harden is an upgrade over Kevin Millwood, but he’s also rather fragile. Scott Feldman is coming off of a career season, but he’s still only a mediocre pitcher at best, striking out only 113 batters in 189 innings and posting a 4.08 ERA. Tommy Hunter, Derek Holland and Brandon McCarthy don’t exactly strike fear into the heart of AL batters.

Men Quarterfinals, March 3: Angelo State 58, N’eastern 66 SW Okla. 65, *Midwestern 77 TAMU-C 76, *Tarleton 83 W.T. A&M 80, *UCO 79 Semifinals, March 5: N’eastern 64, *Midwestern 74 *Tarleton 82, W.T. A&M 68 Final, March 6: *Tarleton 55, *Midwestern 74

Junior Tyris Dowell goes up for a dunk in the men’s last home game against Southwestern Oklahoma.

*Picked for NCAA Div. II South Central Regional Tournament Information gathered from lonestarconference.com.

Texans dump Lions from tournament SPORTS INFORMATION

Tarleton State scored the final six points in regulation and outscored Texas A&M UniversityCommerce by a 19 to 12 margin in overtime to post an 83-76 win over the Lions in the quarterfinals of the Lone Star Conference Tournament in Bartlesville, Oklahoma.

A&M-Commerce (18-10) held Tarleton State to just 34.8% shooting from the field. Four Lions scored in double figures including a team-high 16 from freshman Preston Whitley. Senior Cardell

Hunter added 13, juniors Tyris Dowell and Brian Singleton scored 11 and 10 points, respectively.

Tarleton State (21-6) overcame its poor shooting from the field and made 31 free throws in the win. The 31 made free throws made by Tarleton are the most by an A&MCommerce opponent since Abilene Christian hit 33 on January 12, 2008.

Corin Henry led the Texans with a game-high 29 points and eight assists.

He was joined in double figures by the double double performances by Devon Hills, who had 15

points and 11 rebounds and Jeremiah Wilson, who had 12 points and 10 rebounds.

The Lions’ Cardell Hunter made one of two free throws put the Lions ahead 64-58 with 1:56 to go. The Texans scored on its next three possessions and took advantage of two A&M-Commerce turnovers to force overtime. Hills made one of two free throws to cut the deficit to five for TSU. Next, Henry came up with a steal and the Texans converted with a Donta Smith lay-up. On their next possession, Effran

Bryant took advantage of an A&M-Commerce miscue and hit a 3 pointer to tie the game for the first time since 28 with 18:48 to go earlier in the half.

Both teams failed to convert on their final possessions to send the game into overtime. A&MCommerce went into its first overtime game of the season.

To start the extra stanza, the game was tied on three more occasions.

Tarleton came back to go on an 11-1 spurt to go in front for the remainder of the contest.

Senior Danny Jun tees off at the Crawford-Wade Invitational on Monday, March 1. Jun is hoping to, one day, return to his native Vancouver.

Top golfer’s Canadian heritage runs deep BRIAN BOYNTON STAFF WRITER Danny Jun is an accomplished student athlete both in the classroom as well as on the golf course.

Before coming to Texas A&M UniversityCommerce, Jun was named to the Dean’s List his freshman year at Missouri Valley College.

If he was forced to choose between golf and school he would say being a student comes first and foremost.

Jun chose to transfer to A&M-Commerce because he wanted a change from the Missouri winters.

“I wanted a place I could practice all year long,” Jun said.

Jun is a senior economics major with a minor in finance and hopes to pursue a master’s degree.

In 2008-2009 he was named to the Lone Star Conference Commissioners Honor Roll for his classroom efforts.

“He is a leader by example whether it be in the classroom or on the golf course,” golf head coach Louie Bledsoe said about Jun. “He is always willing to help his teammates, both men and women with their games.”

Before going after his master’s, Jun said he wants to test himself against the best in his sport. He plans on trying to make it in the professional ranks, and if it doesn’t work out

for him he will go back to school.

“I spent twelve years of my life playing this game,” Jun said, “I might as well give it a try.”

He credits his dad with introducing the game to him when he was ten, despite the fact that he may not have liked it at times.

“As I started getting better at it I was hooked on the game,” Jun said.

Jun was the Lions’ top finisher in all three tournaments he played in last semester, including backto-back rounds of under par at the Charles Coody West Texas Intercollegiate for his third top-ten finish to start the season.

However, when he’s

not playing golf, Jun likes to stay active and relax.

“I like to hang out with friends, and during the right seasons I spend a lot of time snowboarding and playing hockey,” Jun said.

Jun is not like most student athletes at A&MCommerce in that he is not a naturalized American citizen. He was born in Langley, British Columbia, Canada and wants everyone to know that he is a proud Canadian. In fact, his greatest sports moment was playing for Team Canada in Scotland.

Before deciding where he is going to play golf or continue his education, Jun plans on moving back to Vancouver.