2007-09-17

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THE BG NEWS Monday

September 17, 2007 Volume 102, Issue 21

CAMPUS

WWW.BGNEWS.COM

Funeral planned for University student Services will be held today for Jordan Shirey, who was found dead in his house Thursday | Page 3

WORLD

Channel project sets off heated debate in India Shipping plans get tangled in religious disputes over who created the sand to be dredged: Mother Nature or the Hindu god Rama | Page 8

Bush selects attorney general By Deb Riechmann The Associated Press

WASHINGTON — President Bush has settled on Michael B. Mukasey, a retired federal judge from New York, to replace Alberto Gonzales as attorney general and will announce his selection today, a person familiar with the president’s decision said yesterday evening. Mukasey, who has handled terrorist cases in the U.S. legal system for more than a decade, would become the nation’s top law enforcement officer if confirmed by the Senate. Mukasey has the support of

some key Democrats, and it appeared Bush was trying to avoid a bruising confirmation battle. The 66-year-old New York native, who is a judicial adviser to GOP presidential hopeful Rudy Giuliani, would take charge of a Justice Department where morale is low following months of investigations into the firings of nine U.S. attorneys and Gonzales’ sworn testimony on the Bush administration’s terrorist surveillance program. Key lawmakers, Democrats and Republicans alike, had questioned Gonzales’ cred-

ibility and competency after he repeatedly testified that he could not recall key events. The White House refused to comment yesterday. The person familiar with Bush’s decision refused to be identified by name because the nomination had not been officially announced. Bush supporters say Mukasey, who was chief judge of the high-profile courthouse in Manhattan for six years, has impeccable credentials, is a strong, law-and-order jurist, especially on national security issues, and will restore confidence in the Justice

FORUM

By India Hunter Reporter

It’s important to remember the lessons we’ve learned, but also to move on, columnist David Busch writes | Page 4

It’s important to seek an education, not just a grade or degree, guest columnist Conrad Pritscher writes | Page 4

SEXUAL ASSAULT STATISTICS ■ One out of every four college women

Falcon volleyball wins tournament at home

SPORTS

In the Best Western Invitational in Anderson Arena, BG topped Valparaiso in all three matches this weekend | Page 5

Tennis takes four titles in BGSU Invitational The team took two singles titles and two doubles titles in the two-day event at home | Page 5

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polled was sexually assaulted during their four years of college. Every 2 1/2 minutes, somewhere in America, someone is sexually assaulted. One in six American women are victims of sexual assault. About 44 percent of rape victims are under the age of 18, 80 percent of rape victims are under age 30. In the past five years, an average of 59 percent of sexual assaults have gone unreported to police. The most commonly used strategy for protecting oneself from rape is a combination of screaming and physical resistance. 84 percent of women who are raped know the assailant. 57 percent of rapes occur on a date. 75 percent of male students and 55 percent of female students involved in a date rape case had been drinking or using drugs.

Statistics were taken from the Rape Abuse and Incest National Network’s Web site, http://www.rainn.org/statistics/, and from the University police department’s Women’s Self-Defense Training pamphlet.

WEATHER

PEOPLE ON THE STREET

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY JORDAN FLOWER

Self-defense sessions cultivate confidence

What’s your favorite microwaveable dish?

By Scott Recker Reporter

JACQUELYN LOVELADY Sophomore, VCT

“Cheesy potato casserole.” | Page 4

TODAY Sunny High: 74, Low: 50

TOMORROW Sunny High: 81, Low: 58

Department. Bush critics see the Mukasey nomination as evidence of Bush’s weakened political clout as he heads into the final 15 months of his presidency. It’s unclear how Senate Democrats will view Mukasey’s credentials, but early indications are that he will face less opposition than a more hardline, partisan candidate like Ted Olson, who was believed to have been a finalist. Mukasey has received past endorsements from Democratic Sen. Chuck Schumer, who is from Mukasey’s home state. And in 2005, the liber-

Michael Mukasey Newly appointed attorney general from New York al Alliance for Justice put Mukasey on a list of four judges who, if chosen for the Supreme Court, would show the president’s commitment to nominating people who could be supported by both Democrats and Republicans.

See MUKASEY | Page 2

Ceremony celebrates Latino achievements

America needs a change six years after Sept. 11

‘Training’ not best option for those who want to learn

ESTABLISHED 1920 A daily independent student press serving the campus and surrounding community

The University holds several women’s selfdefense workshops every year to teach women how to get out of potentially dangerous situations and boost their self confidence. Campus Police Sgt. John Shumaker has been in charge of these sessions for approximately 20 years and said he believes self-defense workshops help women in several different ways, including learning to defend against a forceful attack when they’re alone and how to get out of uncomfortable social situations. Even though powerful strikes are taught as defense mechanisms, Shumaker said the workshops teach women that their first priority should be to avoid dangerous situations. Shumaker said women who participate in these workshops will learn a plethora of beneficial, long-lasting skills. “It’s something they are going to learn and take because they are not going to stay in Bowling Green the rest of their lives,” Shumaker said.

Shumaker said he hopes the workshops will build confidence and make the women better able to defend themselves. “I would like to think that they have a little more confidence,” Shumaker said. “Hopefully, somewhere, somebody has used what we have taught them to get out of a situation.” The workshops are based on the National Self-Defense Institute program, which is based out of Florida. According to NSDI’s Web site, its women’s self defense program is called S.A.F.E., and it emphasizes that “90 percent of self defense is awareness, risk reduction and avoiding confrontation, and only 10 percent is physical.” Senior Nicole Billington said the program will not only make her feel safer, but also help with her career. “It’s going to help me with my criminal justice career, and it will be useful for training purposes,” Billington said. Shumaker will be holding free workshops 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday in room 314 of the Union. He advises participants to wear loose, comfortable clothing.

Students were honored for their academic achievements and contributions to the Latino community during the 18th annual Diamante Community Awards Friday night. Family, friends, students and dignitaries gathered in the Union Ballroom for the awards ceremony. The Diamante Awards were created in 1989 by IMAGE, a chapter of a northwest Ohio Latino nonprofit organization, in order to recognize Latino contributions in the Toledo area and raise scholarship funds. Four Diamante awards and 40 scholarships were presented to students from BGSU, the University of Toledo, Owens Community College and Lourdes College. These four universities form a partnership, and awards are given annually to students from these colleges. “Tonight signifies an opportunity to recognize outstanding students and the Latino community,” said University President Sidney Ribeau. Among the students honored was senior Naomi Valdez, who received the Diamante award for Latino Youth Leadership for her service to the Latino community. Valdez said she believes giving back is important and also helps the growth of personal development. “Volunteering helps you to understand yourself; it is a part of who you are,” Valdez said. Valdez assisted with the Hurricane Katrina relief effort in Alabama, supports diversity programing with the Center for

Multicultural and Academic Initiates and is the student chair of the Latino Issues Conference. Other students to receive scholarships were Michelle Bologna, Jacqueline Hernandez, Nathaniel Olmeda and Jonathan Visalden. Students were selected for awards based on several criteria, including leadership, grade point average, financial need, and dedication and commitment to the Latino community. One of the scholarship recipients, Ryan Garcia, said he believes events like the Diamante Awards are necessary to promote the Latino community in a positive way. “There is not enough information out there that shows Latinos as leaders, so it’s nice for people to see that there are Latinos doing good things in the community,” Garcia said. Rebecca Aguilar, University alumna and award-winning reporter for a FOX affiliate station in Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas, served as the keynote speaker for the evening’s ceremony. Aguilar encouraged students to embrace opportunities, take risks and be dedicated to their work. “If you don’t have passion for your job, then you won’t succeed,” Aguilar said. She also urged students to make a difference in the world. Marcy Kaptur, U.S. congresswoman for Ohio’s ninth district, also spoke during the evening, The event included a dinner, silent auction and entertainment from the University’s Graduate String Quartet and Tejano music from Jesse Ponce of Toledo.

Man to be tried for holding girl in underground bunker By Meg Kinnard The Associated Press

COLUMBIA, S.C. — A year after he was taken into custody, a man goes on trial this week on charges that he held a 14-year-old girl captive in an underground bunker until she summoned help with a cell phone text message. Pretrial publicity prompted the judge to move the trial of Vinson Filyaw nearly 200 miles, from Kershaw County northeast of Columbia to the state’s southern tip. The case gained national attention when the girl saved herself after being held more than a week. Jury selection was to begin today after the court handles some pretrial issues. Filyaw, who has been held without bail, faces 10 counts of criminal sexual conduct, which each carry a potential sentence of up to 30 years in prison. He also is charged with kidnapping, impersonating an officer and possession of

an incendiary device. The cavity, covered with plywood and leaves, contained a hand-dug privy, a camp stove and crude shelves fashioned out of branches and canvas. Authorities said Filyaw, 37, brought the girl there after dressing up as a police officer and leading her away from a school bus stop. The girl waited until Filyaw fell asleep, then used his cell phone to text message her mother. “Hi mom,” the message read. “I’m in a hole across from Charm Hill where the big trucks go in and out. There’s a bomb. Call police.” Investigators found the girl early on Sept. 16, 2006. The cell phone signal and her reference to “big trucks” led them to the wooded area near a quarry, less than a mile from her home. Once in the area, they heard her cries. Early the next morning,

See BUNKER | Page 2

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