DAILY 49ER California State University, Long Beach
Vol. LIX, Issue 865
Diversions
www.daily49er.com
Wednesday, April 29, 2015
Photos
by
Michael Ares | Daily 49er
Laughing with Lopez The Latino comedian told the audience that he would give half of his night’s earnings to CSULB. By Madison Moore Contributing Writer
T
wo Hollywood humorists sat in an office for hours, dreaming up a television show that would feature a Latino as the star. Fifteen years ago, this night in San-
OPINION
Hackers on airplane mode
dra Bullock’s office was the first time someone gave George Lopez an opportunity. Lopez told the California State University, Long Beach audience that he questioned the possibility of being a central focus for a sitcom. Lopez spoke to hundreds of CSULB students at the Carpenter Performing Arts Center on Tuesday, making them laugh while encouraging them not to fear failure. “No one should be able to tell you whether you can succeed or fail but you,” Lopez said. “I never imagined myself having a television show because no one made me believe that I could do something that was unimaginable.”
The “George Lopez” show has filmed more than 120 episodes and is still on air today. Lopez greeted the roaring audience, saying that CSULB is now predominately Latino. “It’s about time!” Lopez said, laughing. Lopez, the first Latino to host a late-night talk show, spoke about his strict upbringing by his grandmother and his experiences as a Latino in Hollywood. “The hardest part in any occupation is to be unprepared,” Lopez said. “Colors have nothing to do with it, preparation does.” Senior Chicanos studies major at CSULB Sebastian Ortega said he can relate to Lopez and the
Dirtbags upset No. 2 Bruins
Contributing Writer
See HACKERS, page 6
News 2
See LOPEZ, page 4
Baseball
Robert Guerrero
Today cell phones are highly sophisticated gadgets that have the ability to surf the Internet, call friends, play music and even take out 737 airplanes. With smartphones and technology evolving, so should airline security. Researcher Chris Roberts was not allowed to board a United Airlines flight from Colorado to San Francisco on April 18 because of a tweet that Roberts made days earlier. Roberts tweeted that he was able to drop the oxygen masks with his phone. According to an article by the Associated Press, Roberts founded One World Labs, which finds airline security risks before others are able to exploit the problems. United Airlines and other commercial airlines need to take initiatives to address the security problems that researchers such as Roberts are trying to raise. Ever since the events of 9/11, airlines have taken the proper steps to ensure the safety of not only passengers, but civilians. Background checks for security officers have been implemented, stronger law enforcement presence, baggage checking, passenger screening and other techniques are now being used to prevent another catastrophe. Roberts’ tweet was meant as a joke, but he also wanted to get United Airlines’ attention. According to Roberts, his company
struggles that Latinos sometimes experience. “The lack of resources that [Latinos] have and are provided with contribute to how successful we are,” Ortega said. “It’s always good to see someone you can relate to doing big things.” Lopez’s grandmother did not allow him to go many places or do much when he was young. When Lopez’s grandmother saw her role play out on “George Lopez,” she commented, “You made me nice!” Lopez said that as he became older, he realized
Bobby Yagake | Daily 49er
Long Beach State player Luke Rasmussen swings at a pitch during Wednesday’s matchup against UCLA at Blair Field. The Dirtbag’s pulled out a 2-1 victory after 13 innings.
The Dirtbags needed just two runs and extra innings to steal the game from UCLA. By Eddie Rivera Staff Writer
Freshman designated hitter Brock Lundquist’s game winning hit in the bottom of the 13th carried the Long Beach State baseball team past No. 2 UCLA in a 2-1 win at Blair Field on Tuesday night.
Diversions 4
“[I was] trying to hit the ball up the middle or somewhere in the gap,” Lundquist said. “I shortened up a little bit and took a two strike approach there.” Junior right-hander Ryan Cruz allowed only one run in eight innings of work. Bruins (31-9, 16-5 Pac-12) junior right-hander Cody Poteet matched Cruz when he allowed only one base runner through his first four innings. Both starters delivered one shutout inning after another until the Dirtbags broke through in the fifth inning. Freshman outfielder Tristan Mercadel was the second Dirtbags’ base runner after a hard hit shot to shortstop forced a fielding error.
Opinions 6
Mercadel advanced to second off another error by the Bruins and sophomore catcher Daniel Jackson brought him when he singled to the right side to give the Dirtbags the 1-0 lead. The Dirtbags threatened to score again in the sixth inning when freshmen left fielder Luke Rasmussen and designated hitter Brock Lundquist were each hit by a pitch. Senior first baseman Alex Bishop went down swinging and LBSU was unable to capitalize. Cruz’s shutout ended in the eighth inning when he walked UCLA second baseman Trent Chatterton and pinch runner Brett Urabe stole second. Two straight wild pitches allowed Urabe to make his way home and knot it up at 1-1. “We had a little bit of trouble pushing the fastball down in the strike zone,” head coach Troy Buckley said. Junior righty Tanner Brown replaced Cruz on the mound to begin the ninth inning. The Bruins had an opportunity, but failed to take the lead when sophomore first baseman Luke Persico reached third off a base hit to right field from senior third baseman Chris Keck. Junior righty Logan Lombana replaced Brown with two outs and escaped the inning unscathed, leaving Persico stranded on third. The Dirtbags went down quietly in the ninth, and the game headed to extra innings. Lombana gave up a single and a walk in the 10th inning to put a runner in scoring position. A grab and throw by sophomore shortstop Garrett Hampson ended the scoring threat. The Dirtbags failed to get another man on base until the 12th inning. The Dirtbags let another scoring chance get away when junior second baseman Zack Domingues grounded out with runners on second and third. Freshman righty Darren
See UPSET, page 8
Sports 8