The Optimist Print Edition: 02/03/2010

Optimist the

Vol. 98, No. 34

Another Man’s Treasure

PAGE 5 1 section, 8 pages

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

BREAKING NEWS, VIDEOS, PHOTOS, DISCUSSION AND EXCLUSIVE CONTENT

acuoptimist.com

CAMPUS

Soulforce to return to campus Colter Hettich

questioning people,” will visit campus for the second time in four years An organization that ad- this semester. Soulforce vocates for the rights of members will travel for “lesbian, gay, bisexual, almost two months on transgender, queer, and their tour of 13 univerEditor in Chief

CULTURE

sities in more than a dozen states.

Dr. Jean-Noel Thompson, vice president for Student Life and dean of students, said Soulforce contacted the university

and requested permission to stop at ACU on Apr. 9 as part of the 2010 Equality Ride.

“This is an opportunity for us to really communicate our core

values, and talk about their concerns and needs while showing the love of Christ,” Thompson said. “And this is a university. Our students should be able to deal

with tough issues.”

ACU policy prohibits students from engaging in sexual activity outside of marriage, see ADVOCACY page 4

LOCAL

Cuisine for a Cause

Students support women in need Chelsea Hackney Copy Editor

The week, which runs from Monday to Feb. 12, will offer a variety of events, guest speakers and forums. Peer Health will present students’ artistic expressions, including works of poetry, photography, sculpture and dance, during the Night of Talent & Truth on Monday.

Students can stop by the McGlothlin Campus

Students in the Social Work Association are taking their education to the streets Saturday for a service project with Christian Homes and Family Services, a nonprofit agency that provides maternity care for women with unplanned pregnancies.

The volunteers will meet at 9 a.m. Saturday to paint and prepare apartments for women in the community who have sought maternity help from the agency.

“Christian Homes provides a place to live and offers food, clothing and medical help. They will also connect women with adoption agencies so they have an alternative to abortion,” said Abby Rix, president of the SWA. “It’s a safe haven for women of all ages.”

Although Christian Homes sought out the Social Work Association, SWA Vice President Molly Mulholland said it was a good opportunity for students to make a positive impact on the community.

“It’s something college kids can do,” said Mulholland, senior social work

see HEALTH page 4

see JUSTICE page 4

HEATHER LEIPHART Staff Photographer

See Huang, junior English major from Malaysia, serves spicy salad to April Lyons (’07) from Denton. International students prepared dishes from their respective cultures to raise money for victims of the recent earthquake in Haiti. Students cooked more than 40 pounds of rice for the dinner.

STUDENT LIFE

Relationships week to focus on love, respect Abby Anderson

The Love & Respect theme is guided by the Bible verse, Romans 12:10: “Be devoted to one Contributing Reporter another in brotherly love. Honor one another On Monday, ACU will launch its ninth an- above yourselves.”

Sacred Relationships Week, sponsored by nual Sacred Relationships Week, focusing on this year’s theme Love & Respect. the ACU Counseling Center and Peer Health Students, faculty and staff, as well as the Educators, strives to initiate a loving and reAbilene community, are invited to partici- spectful awareness of every type of relationship people encounter in life. pate in the week’s activities.

WEATHER

Rain, freezing temperatures keep students guessing Jeff Craig Sports Editor A week of extreme weather came to a climatic end Friday, with icy conditions and a frigid north wind postponing classes until 10 a.m.

Temperatures on Jan. 22 reached a near-record high of 85 degrees in Abilene; temperatures on Friday struggled to reach the freezing point, prompting university officials to delay

safety, and we see what TXDOT crews and city street Couple the rain with freezing temps, crews are doing.” and it’s a recipe for disaster every time.

Ellison emphasizes that DOUG WRENN the decision to delay the Assistant Chief of the Abilene Police Department start classes is not solely his own. He says that discoveries of ice, Abilene should be postponed. the start of classes.

“In this case we start Independent School DisACU Chief of Police Jimmy Ellison and his depart- monitoring local and outly- trict delays and input ment work in conjunction ing roads at 4:30 a.m. We from other offices all play with the offices of the pres- look at the conditions of a role in the decision to ident and provost, the vice streets, as well as bridges delay start times.

Torrential downpours president of student life and overpasses because KELSI WILLIAMSON Chief Photographer and human resources to they ice up quicker,” Ellison Heavy rains caused the water level of Cedar Creek to rise, determine whether classes said. “We look for travel see FLOOD page 4 flooding Hair Street in Will Hair Park on Friday.

Forecast Wed

40° 37°

Inside Thu

40° 37°

Fri

55° 36°

Online

WILDCAT SOFTBALL, defending LSC South champion, begins its season against Texas-Permian Basin at home Thursday. Get our conference break-down.

Page 8

PRESIDENT OBAMA opposed the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy in his State of the Union address Wednesday. This vital policy must stay in place.

Page 6

PHOTO

LOUDandCLEAR

Did you watch the NFL Pro Bowl? a. Yes, I always watch it. b. No, it’s a bunch of guys avoiding injury. c. ‘Lost’ started last night. Nothing else exists.

The Week in Photos

Visit acuoptimist.com to join the discussion.

2

Campus Day Wednesday, February 3, 2010

CALENDAR AND EVENTS

3

WEDNESDAY

11 a.m.

Come to the Quiet

4

THURSDAY

11 a.m.

Small Group Chapel will take place in various locations on campus. For more information, go to www.acu.edu/chapel.

5

Equine Assisted Psychotherapy is now available to staff, faculty

and students through the Counseling Center.

For more information, call 674-2626.

place at 9:15 p.m. Feb. 25 in Moody Coliseum.

Attendees will receive three Chapel credits.

Tim Wise, a nationally known anti-racism author and activist, will speak at 7 p.m., March 2 in Moody Coliseum.

Wise will address racism and other topics, which students can find at unitedbyfaithabilene.com.

ACU Today magazine is now available online.

Students can access the publication at www.issu. com/abilenechristian or blogs.acu.edu/acutoday.

The Call, a student-led worship, will take place Wednesday nights in the McGlothlin Campus Center Living Room. All students are welcome to attend.

An Invisible Children Chapel forum will take

To ensure an item will appear on time, the announcement should be sent at least 10 days before. The Optimist may edit items for space and style.

Corrections and clarifications of published news articles will be printed in this space in a timely manner.

11 a.m.

Praise Day with Bryan Elrod

Chapel Checkup

Announcements

The Rabbit Hole, ACU Theatre’s Winter Drama, will be performed at 7:30 p.m., Feb. 11-13 and Feb. 18-20 in the Culp Theatre in the Williams Performing Arts Center.

For more information or to buy tickets, go to www.acu.edu/theatre or call 674-2787.

The Optimist maintains this calendar for the ACU community to keep track of local social, academic and service opportunities. Groups may send announcements directly to optimist@jmcnetwork. com.

FRIDAY

8-9 p.m.

The Permian Basin String Quartet will perform in the Williams Performing Arts Center.

The Chapel Office is still accepting donations for the Haiti relief effort. Students can bring cash or check donations to the Chapel Office located in the basement of the McGlothlin Campus Center.

About This Page

A Chapel forum will take place Monday from 2-3 p.m. in Cullen Auditorium. Dr. Emerson Eggerich will give a lecture titled, Love and Respect.

Attendees will receive two Chapel credits.

Jazz Night at Monks will take place every Tuesday from 9:30-11 p.m. For more informa-

Credited Chapels to date:

Credited Chapels remaining:

17 56

Volunteer Opportunities tion, call 674-8274.

ACU’s 54th annual Sing Song will take place at 8 p.m. Feb. 19 and at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Feb. 20. For more information or to buy tickets, go to www.acu.edu/singsong.

The Virtuous African Heritage Sisterhood bake sale will take place from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. on Feb. 8, 10 and 12 in the McGlothlin Campus Center. Proceeds will go to the Spring Break Campaign to Atlanta, Ga.

The Abilene Empty Bowls Project, a community initiative to end local and global hunger, will take place from11 a.m.-7 p.m. Feb. 20 at Highland Church of Christ. For more information, call 673-5295.

The Noah Project needs volunteers to cover the domestic violence crisis hotline between 6 and 10 p.m. Monday-Friday. For more information, call Yvonne Myers at 676-7107.

Love and Care Ministries needs help with its clothing ministry and street feeds at 9 a.m., 1 p.m. or 5 p.m. MondayFriday. To schedule a

time, call Terry Davis at 670-0246.

The Abilene Cultural Affairs Council needs volunteers for Gator Country, an animal preserve and rescue operation from Beaumont , on Feb. 27 at the Abilene Civic Center. Volunteers will prepare breakfast, assist with two performances, serve as ushers and direct visitors through the Nature Trail.

For more information, contact Angie Cook at 794-4426, or e-mail her at angie.cook@cjc.edu.

Volunteers must sign up

by Feb. 15.

Campus News

February 3, 2010

Page 3

HAITI

Fashion show raises money Shea Rattan Contributing Reporter The Bean will serve more than food this spring.

Students who head to the Bean to attend the annual spring fashion show, sponsored by the Office of Multicultural Enrichment, will have a chance to serve by donating clothing to help earthquake victims in Haiti.

“People want to find a way to help but may just not know how,” said assistant producer Preston Watkins, sophomore advertising/ public relations major from Manassas, Va. Admission for this year’s fashion show, titled A la Mode..., isn’t monetary; students are only required to bring two or more items of clothing. Producer Whitney Puckett, junior public relations major from Melbourne, Fla., said many people have already given money, but she wanted to give them a chance to donate something personal.

“I don’t want $5 in a bucket,” she said. “I want the shirt off your back.”

The show will be in three parts; the first will be what Watkins calls “formal with a twist,” the second will be selected items from The Campus Store, and the third will be donated clothing. The student models will

donate their own items and combine them with items donated by audience members to create new outfits, so those who attend should bring new or gently used clothing, Puckett said.

Rather than donating the clothes directly to Haiti, the OME will sell the donations in a “yard sale” sometime after the show. The OME has partnered with Aramark and the nonprofit agency Mobile Medical Disaster Relief to raise and deliver the proceeds to Haiti. Also, one-third of proceeds from sales of the selected Campus Store items will be donated.

Students who want to be more involved with the show can volunteer to do hair and makeup, help set up or clean up.

However, the final – and simplest – way to get involved is by showing up, Puckett said.

“We just like people there,” she said. “We like people being a part of a good cause.”

The show is scheduled to start at 6 p.m.

March 1 in the Bean.

contact Rattan at

optimist@jmcnetwork.com

KELSI WILLIAMSON Chief Photographer

Thursday’s downpour was followed by icy temperatures on Friday.

COMMUNITY

Old meets new at My Sister’s House Whitney Puckett Contributing Reporter Clean, cute, and current are the three C’s at the semiannual consignment sale, My Sister’s House.

ACU alumnae Summer Walters and her sister Kate Stover established the upscale consignment business after noticing the lack of shopping options in Abilene.

The store is for shopping lovers who want to “update their wardrobe without breaking the bank,” Walters said.

The sale resembles well-known consignment businesses throughout the state, for example, Dittos for Kiddos and Buffalo Exchange. My Sister’s House is a semiannual consignment sale that

gives shoppers the option of selling higher-quality clothing and furniture.

Consignors receive 65 percent of the profit made from the items they sell, while 35 percent goes to the operating expenses of the business. Those who sign up to volunteer will receive 70 percent of their profits and will get to shop first. All university students are invited to bring their college IDs and shop the pre-sale March 25 at 7 p.m. and the half-price presale March 26 at 9 p.m.

“It’s a really good idea, especially for the college crowd,” Walters said. “It also adds to the character of Abilene.”

The idea for My Sister’s House came together while the two were in college.

Walters said they have al-

It’s a great way to get money for the nicer clothes you want to give away.

SYLVIA TUCKER Senior accounting and finance major from Houston

ways shared clothes and furniture.

The sisters wanted to start a trade that benefits shoppers who appreciate quality clothing and furniture at a reasonable price.

“I wish I had something like this [when I was] in college,” Stover said.

Sigma Theta Chi, Ko Jo Kai and Alpha Chi Omega are three social clubs on campus who have chosen to volunteer and help consign for the sale.

“It’s a great way to get money for the nicer clothes that you want to

give away,” said Sigma Theta Chi member Sylvia Tucker, senior accounting and finance major from Houston.

The sales will be March 25-27 at 181 Pine St. For times, consigning requirements and other detailed information, please visit www.mysistershousesale.com.

contact Puckett at

optimist@jmcnetwork.com

From Front

Page 4

February 3, 2010

WEATHER

Flood: More rain to come Continued from page 1 all day Thursday preceded Friday’s icy conditions.

Nearly 2.5 inches of rain were recorded at Abilene Regional Airport yesterday, closing roads and flooding campus. The Abilene Police reported road closures on Treadaway Boulevard and several wrecks around the city.

“When it rains there are certain intersections that always maintain water,” said Abilene Assistant Police Chief Doug Wrenn.

“Couple the rain with freezing temps, and it’s a recipe for disaster every time.”

National Weather Service Meteorologist Mark Cunningham said recent conditions could be attributed to the weather phenomenon El Niño. The NWS reports that Abilene typically sees 3.8 inches of snow in a regular winter, but an average of 7.4 inches of snowfall can be expected during an El Niño winter.

“Abilene has already seen more than 5 inches of snow, so that’s already above average for a normal winter.”

Winter weather is probably over, at least for a while, Cunningham said. He said the next weather front to move into the Big Country likely will be a rain event because of warmer conditions. The NWS calls for a chance of rain Wednesday and Thursday. contact Craig at

jrc07d@acu.edu

CAMPUS KELSI WILLIAMSON Chief Photographer

Dakota Cooper, sophomore information systems major from Fayetteville, Ark., debates which dessert to choose from the Sigma Theta Chi Dessert Raffle. All proceeds of the raffle will go to support aid efforts in Haiti.

LOCAL

Justice: Opportunities arise Continued from page 1

major from Roanoke. “We have a lot of energy and time, not necessarily a lot of money, so painting is something we can do.”

The SWA is a group of mostly social work students who, in partnership with faculty in the School of Social Work, introduce students to agencies and organizations where they can serve.

“Since there are already so many service opportunities on campus and in the community, rather than creating more, we try to connect students with

opportunities that are already available,” said Rix, senior social work major from Tinton Falls, N.J. Although the project with Christian Homes is orchestrated by the SWA, students in any major are welcome to participate, Rix said. That goes for any of their service projects throughout the year, she said.

Those efforts have included volunteering at the Empty Bowls Project and participating in the support group organized by the School of Social Work for children with Type I diabetes.

“As social workers,

we try to be focused on achieving social justice,” Rix said. “We’re all about providing opportunities to be social change agents. We’re looking for anyone who has a passion and a heart to serve their community.”

For students interested in volunteering Saturday, a caravan will meet at 8:40 a.m. Saturday in the parking lot between Mabee Hall and the Brown Library.

Students can also go directly to the Woodcrest Apartments at 3450 State St. Work begins at 9 a.m. contact Hackney at

ceh05c@acu.edu

Advocacy: Discussion is key Continued from page 1

whether heterosexual or homosexual in nature, but Thompson said the university addresses infractions with an “umbrella approach.” Thompson said the administration follows the philosophy of discipline, which is outlined in the student handbook, handling each incident confidentially and on a caseby-case basis.

Many ACU students who experience same-sex attraction have met together

weekly with Dr. Sally Gary, assistant professor of communication, for the past seven years.

“It does a lot of good to open the conversation and be willing to listen to people’s hearts, and the pain that’s behind a lot of this,” Gary said.

Gary, founder of CenterPeace, said the issues surrounding Soulforce’s visit cannot be solved in a day, but the university is moving in the right direction by welcoming the organization and offering constructive, respectful dialogue.

“The fact that I am fulltime faculty but I also work with an independent ministry that ACU supports, that is a great reflection of where we are,” Gary said.

Soulforce will spend Apr. 7-8 on Hardin Simmons University’s campus before arriving at ACU. Jason Groves, assistant vice president for marketing, said officials from the two universities have met and are discussing possible collaborative efforts. contact Hettich at

clh05d@acu.edu

STUDENT LIFE

Health: Relational growth Continued from page 1

Center for popcorn and relationship-centered dis-

cussion Wednesday, and the Counseling Center and Peer Health Education will also be sponsoring a Love & Respect card-creation workshop Feb. 11.

Dr. Emerson Eggerichs, internationally renowned public speaker on the topic of male-female relationships and the developer of the Love and Respect Conference, will be the guest speaker during Chapel on Monday.

He will partner with his daughter, Joy Eggerichs, for a Chapel forum later that afternoon in Cullen Auditorium.

Steve Eller, certified EAP therapist and counselor at ACU, said with SRW running so close to Valentine’s Day, people often think the week’s focus is dating and marriage. Eller said this is not “romance” week but about building and strengthening healthy, lasting relationships.

Eggerichs, whose ministry primarily provides resources and teaching

for couples in marriage, will be shifting his focus toward relationships in general and modifying much of his material to better suit the goal of ACU’s Sacred Relationships Week.

“We feel [Eggerichs’s] ministry can reach anyone striving to live at peace and in harmony with everyone,” Eller said.

As attention turns to the upcoming week, students are beginning to show interest in how it will benefit them.

Mary Catherine Cook, sophomore elementary education major from Abilene, said she will be interested to see “if I can really learn something from all of this and if this week will change how I interact with different relationships in my life.”

contact Anderson at

optimist@jmcnetwork.com

Arts

February 3, 2010

Page 5

DENS OF ANTIQUITIES Right: Rust and Roses is one of Abilene’s newest antique shops and is located in a renovated auto repair shop on South 1st Street.

Below: Made from Scratch on Hickory Street offers a wide range of antique knick-knacks. Photos by KELSI WILLIAMSON Chief Photographer

Beki Hamilton Contributing Reporter

W

hen students move into their first dorm, apartment or house, they often find themselves emptying their pockets just to furnish or decorate their homes. But with endless antique and secondhand stores in Abilene, students can purchase fashionable furnishings without the large price tag.

Ambler Plaza, which is just a short drive from ACU, is a dealer mall with 13 merchants. Each dealer has a small collection of unique pieces, ranging from antique furniture to cute collectibles.

The manager, Kathy Middlebrooks, said dealers get merchandise from all over, including auctions and garage sales.

“Those that know us come and check for anything they’re looking for because it may be in here,” Middlebrooks said. “I think what’s unique about us is if we don’t have it, we’ll find it for you or send you where you can get it.”

Another great feature of Ambler Plaza is its discounts.

“We tend to discount at any given moment.

Most of the time you’ll get a discount if you ask,” Middlebrooks said.

Middlebrooks immediately makes customers feel at home with her small-town Texas accent and easygoing personality. She has an extensive knowledge of antiques and sells many items of her own in Ambler Plaza.

“It’s a lot of fun,” she said. “It’s kind of like a treasure hunt on a daily basis. Either we’re hunting for the treasure or the customer is.”

Rust and Roses is another antique store in Abilene.

Just past Bike Town on South 1st Street, it is one of Abilene’s newest and cutest locations for great vintage merchandise. The owner, Sandra Hopper, has been in the business for years but just opened Rust and Roses in October in what was previously her husband’s body shop.

“What sets us apart is quality. It’s not your standard junk shop,” Hopper said. “We have everything from things we dig out of barns to European pieces.”

Hopper has a picker in London who selects items she might want for the store; she travels to London every three months to get the pieces. Several large wardrobes and buffets in her store are from Europe.

She also carries a wide variety of chandeliers, which are always popular with her customers.

Rust and Roses also offers several great benefits and discounts. College students don’t have to pay tax on any item purchased there, and every three months, the shop holds a drawing for a piece of furniture.

Customers just have to go to Rust and Roses and register. Past giveaways have included a wardrobe from England and a vanity from France.

Even with so many quality pieces, Rust and Roses maintains reasonable prices and doesn’t sell anything for more than $1,000. They also keep a want book for customers looking for a particular item. Hopper takes the book with her on pickups so she can be on the lookout for pieces the customers are looking for.

Made from Scratch, located on Hickory Street, is run from a house listed in the Abilene Register of Historic Properties that is more than 100 years old. The two women in charge of the antique store have been working together for many years and share a passion for antiques and collectibles. Made from Scratch is known for making alterations on items such as sweaters and baby quilts.

Owner Nancy Emery said they have recently been emphasizing “green crafts.” This includes recycling linens and saving old textiles to make into new items.

“No one else in Abilene does fabric restoration. We do lace and crochet work,” Emery said.

Made from Scratch runs sales several times throughout the year. The most recent gave buyers half off all items, excluding furniture. Between the sweet ladies who run the antique shop and the wide variety of adorable, fun merchandise, Made from Scratch is sure to please.

KELSI WILLIAMSON Chief Photographer

KELSI WILLIAMSON Chief Photographer

Above: Many of the items offered at Rust and Roses are imported from England and other European countries.

Next time you’re in the market for new furniture or home decor, try any of these three antique stores.

You’re sure to leave with a few charming treasures that will brighten up any room.

contact Hamilton at

optimist@jmcnetwork.com

KELSI WILLIAMSON Chief Photographer

Top: Made from Scratch offers antiques as well as handmade dolls and children’s clothing. Above: Made from Scratch owner Nancy Emery mends a quilt in her workroom.

Opinion

Page 6

EDITORIAL

Februrary 3, 2010

Obama’s military policy raises problems policy in 1993 to follow through on promises to allow homosexual and bisexual people to serve in the military. The policy prohibits recruiters and officers from asking servicemen and women about their sexual orientation. It also prohibits servicemen and women from engaging in homosexual sex acts or announcing their sexual orientation publicly.

Many stigmas and stereotypes, including those against homosexual individuals, are harmful. “Don’t ask, don’t tell” allows homosexual and bisexual individuals to serve, while

messy and complicated.”

Of course the president never suggested he could write legislation, vote as every congressman and sign it into law. What he did “suggest” was that he had the drive and the ability to lead those legislators and representatives to bipartisan solutions. His address to the nation left his holster full of the change Americans hope they can believe in.

One particular item on Obama’s agenda should trouble the American people. Former President Bill Clinton introduced the “don’t ask, don’t tell”

In his first true State of the Union address, President Barack Obama revealed the state of our union is ironically similar to its state one year ago – minus some economic speed bumps.

Obama rebuked Republicans and Democrats for obstructing change, accusing Democrats of “running for the hills” and Republicans of voting against everything because they can.

“Remember this – I never suggested that change would be easy, or that I could do it alone,” Obama said. “Democracy in a nation of 300 million people can be noisy and

prohibiting their sexual orientation from being an issue.

A combat situation is not the appropriate place to attempt to weed out the overwhelming bias in the military against the LGBT community. The physical, emotional and mental strain of warfare is terrible enough, without the additional tension that would inevitably arise if sexual orientations were made public. The policy should not be seen as a slight to homosexuals, bisexuals, transexuals, heterosexuals or asexuals. It is a goodfaith attempt to promote cohesion among teammates – a cohesion that

Mac-n- Tex

By Aaron Cavitt

THE ISSUE

In his first State of the Union address, President Barack Obama called for change in the “don’t ask, don’t tell policy.”

OUR TAKE

As far as military changes are concerned, eliminating the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy would only cause more tension among troops. could make the difference between life and death.

The eyes of the world are – and have been – on our military since the Iraq invasion in 2003.

We have enough unresolved military issues.

If the LGBT community is still struggling to find a comfortable place in peaceful society on the

home front, how many more obstacles must servicemen and women overcome in a war zone?

How much more dire would the consequences of dissension in the ranks be?

Email the Optimist at:

optimist@jmcnetwork.com

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

President scatters undeserved blame Dear Editor: On Wednesday evening, we saw something extraordinary. We saw a president who has lost the confidence of the American people blame everyone but himself. He lectured the Supreme Court justices, complained about Senate procedure and pointed the finger of blame yet again at his predecessor. But the most disturbing lack of leadership was when he, as one of the biggest spenders in American history, gave the country a lecture about the dangers of spending too much.

COLUMN

Texas secession would cause disaster Self–Examination Ryan Self Could and should Texas secede from the Union?

It’s an incredibly bogus question, and yet not one but two gubernatorial candid a t e s are prop o s Self ing the idea.

“There’s a lot of different scenarios,” Perry said.

“We’ve got a great union.

There’s absolutely no reason to dissolve it. But if Washington continues to thumb their nose at the American people, you know, who knows what might come out of that.”

Medina has been more blunt. According to the Dallas Morning News, “She says she won’t rule out pulling a page out of Civil War history with a move to secede from the nation.”

First of all, Texas does not have the au-

thority to secede on a legal basis. As the Associated Press points out, “According to the Texas State Library and Archives Commission, Texas negotiated the power to divide into four additional states at some point if it wanted to but not the right to secede.” There is no provision in either the Texas or the U.S. Constitution allowing Texas to legally secede from the Union. Could Texas secede by force?

Yes. It was called the Civil War, and that little experiment did not end well for those who attempted it.

However, it is an interesting question. If the State of Texas became the Republic of Texas, who would become our new president? Why, Chuck Norris of course.

“I may run for president of Texas,” Norris wrote on his blog in March of last year. “That need may be a reality

sooner than we think. If not me, someone someday may again be running for president of the Lone Star State, if the state of the union continues to turn into the enemy of the state.”

The transition from state to country would unlikely be a smooth one. On a local level, all students at ACU from out of state would have to apply for a study visa, and visiting relatives outside the boundaries of Texas would require a passport. A new currency would have to be printed and distributed, which would likely be a painful changeover. Besides, the map of the United States would suddenly look really awkward.

While struggling to create a new infrastructure for the new republic, taxes would likely skyrocket because Texas would no longer receive federal funding.

MSNBC reports FEMA alone has sent nearly

Editorial and Letter Policy

Unsigned editorials are the opinions of the Optimist and may not necessarily reflect the views of the university or its administration.

Signed columns, cartoons and letters are the opinions of their creators and may not necessarily reflect the viewpoints of the Optimist or the university.

The Optimist encourages reader response through letters to the editor but reserves the right to limit frequent contributors or to refuse to print letters

containing personal attacks, obscenity, defamation, erroneous information or invasion of privacy.

Please limit letters to 350 words or fewer. A name and phone number must be included for verification purposes.

Phone numbers will not be published.

Address letters to: ACU Box 27892 Abilene, TX 79699 E-mail letters to: optimist@acu.edu

$3.5 billion to the state since 2001 with another billion from the federal government to help with Hurricane Ike. That would come out of the state budget.

NASA, which provides 26,000 jobs in the Houston area, would relocate, along with many U.S. military bases across the state, costing thousands of jobs and several billion dollars no longer flowing into the Texas economy.

It makes a catchy bumper sticker, but the reality of Texas becoming its own country would likely be a disaster. When it comes to secession from the union, we can only hope the proposition turns out to be nothing more than an empty campaign promise.

Of course, President Obama won’t do any of these things because he’s not serious about controlling spending. He won’t do it because he’s not a businessman and does not understand how the marketplace works.

I have been in small business for 38 years, and I know in business you can’t spend more than you make. That is why I would call for a reduction in spending to preObama levels. This reduction, in addition to a new round of tax cuts, would generate growth in our economy, which will generate revenue for our government.

The key to recovery is for the president and this administration to unleash our greatest asset – the drive and creativity of the American people.

These are simple concepts, widely understood by small business leaders and mainstreet Americans. But they are not well understood by politicians and lobbyists in Washington. That’s why if we want real change in Washington, we need to send real business leaders who will pursue national policy that makes sense and saves dollars.

Respectfully,

ROGER WILLIAMS 105th Texas Secretary of State and Candidate for United States Senate contact Self at

rcs06g@acu.edu

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Incredible! After President Obama increased domestic spending by 24 percent from the last Bush budget, he now claims he’s found religion and wants to control spending. If he were really serious about slowing down spending, he would cancel his $1.2 trillion nationalized health care plan. He would also cancel his cap-andtrade plan that will raise costs on every homeowner in America, and he would rescind his efforts to increase the debt limit to its highest level in history.

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From Sports

February 3, 2010

Page 7

SOFTBALL

Success: Gregoire leads talented pitching staff Continued from page 8 all-American catcher Jessica Shiery, who led the nations in wwalks last season. Despite the loss of Shiery, Wilson anticipates a more balanced team in 2010, with a combination of youth and experience.

“We did lose Jessica Shiery, who was a two-time all-American for us and a tremendous hitter,” Wilson said. “However, I think we’ve become stronger throughout our lineup and become a betterhitting team.”

Additionally, the Wildcats will have to lean heavily on transfer talent. The Wildcats will be stronger up the middle this season with the additions of Shawna Barrow and Andi Anti.

Barrow and Anti were teammates at Palomar College in San Diego County, Calif., before

transferring to ACU for this season.

“Transfers will play a key role for us this season,” Wilson said.

“Shawna Barrow and Andi Anti played together at their junior college, and they will come in and play second and shortstop for us. They are talented and good leaders.”

The Wildcats’ lone returning infielder is all-LSC third baseman Nancy Sawyers. In 2009, Sawyers finished third on the team with a .333 batting average and was second in home runs with 10. The Wildcats will also return two outfield starters in seniors Caitlin Nabors and Jenny Culp and reserve Erin Fudge.

A talented pitching staff will complement the Wildcat offense in 2010. The team returns two star players in Jacque Gregoire

and Kim White but will count on contributions from others like freshman Shelby Hall. Gregoire will again be the staff ace after compiling a 22-6 record in 2009.

Gregoire led the Wildcats in innings pitched and strikeouts.

Despite the skills her team possesses, Wilson thinks the intangibles make her group unique, intangibles she thinks have Wildcat softball headed in the right direction.

“This is one of the hardest working teams I have ever been a part of,” Wilson said. “They come out and give 100 percent every practice.

When we get into games, they won’t freeze under the pressure; they’ll come out and be ready to play.”

contact Craig at

jrc07d@acu.edu

MEN’S BASKETBALL

ZAK ZEINERT Staff Photographer

Freshman Shelby Hall delivers a pitch during practice Jan. 25.

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

Layup: Team loses heartbreaker MSU: Wildcats shoot 38.6 Continued from page 8

“We had 25 turnovers that we overcame, and if we box out and get that last rebound, it is a big win for our program,” Copeland said.

The Wildcats have dropped their last five games and stand at 7-13 overall and 0-5 in conference. MSU improved to 19-1 overall and 4-1 in conference.

The game saw nine lead changes; ACU had an 11-point lead at one point. Thompson led all

scorers with 26 points.

He shot six of seven from behind the 3-point line, just two away from the school record.

The Wildcats played solid defense and outrebounded the Mustangs. However, ACU committed 25 turnovers that led to 26 points for MSU. Giordan Cole recorded a double-double, scoring 12 points and grabbing 11 rebounds. Dustin Heiman and Kevin White were also in double digits for the Wildcats, scoring 10 and 13, respectively.

Riley Lambert led the team in assists with four.

He said the tough loss had some positive aspects.

“It just let us know that even though our record is not flashy, we can play with anybody,” Lambert said. “It showed us that, throughout the game, every little box out and free throw really matters, whether it is early or late.”

contact Cantrell at

jrc07f@acu.edu

ZAK ZEINERT Staff Photographer

Guard Dustin Heiman handles the ball during the Wildcats loss to Midwestern Saturday.

percent from field in win Continued from page 8

we had our past couple of games.”

Although the Mustangs are 0-5 in conference play, they have proved to be a tough opponent for good teams.

Midwestern took a 4-1 Texas A&M-Kingsville team to overtime, and the trend continued against the Wildcats.

The trio of Jamie and Jody Meyer and Kat Kundmueller stuffed the stat sheet for the Wildcats in their 16thstraight Lone Star Conference South win at Moody Coliseum. Jamie led the Wildcats with 20 points, while Jody posted her 12th double-double of the season with 19 points and 12 boards. Kat continued her dominant play at point guard with 7 points, six rebounds, nine assists, a block and a steal.

“Kat did a much better job attacking on Saturday, creating some things for some other people,” Lavender said. “Anytime she is putting up those kind of numbers, it

NUMBERS GAME

20.1

Jamie Meyer’s points-pergame scoring average, which puts her first in the Lone Star Conference.

means we are scoring a lot of points.”

The Wildcats made a few runs to keep a lead throughout the game, but the Mustangs managed to keep it close until the end.

“We made some adjustments at halftime, and we finally found our rhythm in the second half,” Lavender said.

Taking a 32-31 lead into halftime, the Wildcats widened the margin to seven after scoring the first 6 points of the second half. That lead grew to 11 (48-37) after a 3-pointer by Kundmueller, but the Mustangs came back to make it a 3-point game at 52-49 midway through the second half.

However, the Wildcats answered with a 10-0 run to put the game out of reach and take home the win.

The win is a big one for the Wildcats, improving their record to 13-7 overall and

3-2 in conference. Every home game in the conference is a mustwin with so many good teams in the LSC South, and the Wildcats have taken advantage of every chance to play at Moody Coliseum.

“You have to try to steal a few games on the road,” Lavender said. “I’d love to finish the season with only two or three losses in the conference.”

contact Gwin at

agg07a@acu.edu

Sports

Page 8

STANDINGS MEN'S BASKETBALL Ovrl.

Div. Team Tarleton St. MSU Angelo St. WTAMU ENMU TAMU-K ACU

5-0 4-1 4-2 2-3 2-3 1-4 0-5

17-3 19-1 12-8 11-9 7-12 11-9 7-13

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL Ovrl.

Team Div. WTAMU Tarleton St. TAMU-K ACU Angelo St. ENMU MSU

4-1 4-1 3-2 3-2 3-3 1-4 0-5

20-2 16-4 16-4 13-7 10-10 6-14 6-12

SCORES

February 3, 2010

TRACK AND FIELD

Sparks posts nation’s best triple jump Sam Bartee Sports Reporter This weekend was a successful one for the Wildcats' track and field team.

Ramon Sparks posted the best collegiate triple jump mark in the nation Saturday, winning the event at the New Mexico Invitational at the Albuquerque Convention

Center. He also finished sixth in the long jump.

Sparks' winning triple jump was 53 feet, which automatically qualified him for the NCAA Division II indoor national championship meet. The mark is also the nation's best collegiate triple jump this season. The previous best collegiate mark this season was 52-8

1/4 by Kyon Foster of Michigan State.

Desmond Jackson won the 60-meter with a time of 6.79 seconds.

Andrew McDowell finished third in the 60-meter hurdles in 8.07, after qualifying for the final with an 8.00 in a preliminary heat.

Nick Jones finished second in the shot put with a mark of 54-2 1/2.

Jackson is on his way to a second-place finish in the 200 meters.

Wanda Hutson and Elizabeth Buyse posted provisional qualifying marks for the indoor championships in the women's 60 and pole vault, respectively. Destinee Nixon finished fourth in the triple jump, while Hutson was fourth in the 200.

The men's and women's teams also competed in the Lobo Challenge in Albuquerque on Friday, and both added more qualifiers. ACU will be back in action next weekend at the New Balance Collegiate Invitational in New York City.

contact Bartee at

skb09a@acu.edu

SOFTBALL

Ready for the next step Lone Star Conference South opening rankings

TUESDAY Women's Basketball ACU 59, Texas A&M-Kingsville 55

Men's Basketball

No. 1 Angelo State

ACU 79, Texas A&M-Kingsville 72

The defending conference champions top the preseason polls, receiving 14 of 20 first-place votes. ASU has won three straight LSC titles and went 50-10 last season. The Rambeles advanced all the way to the national semifinals in 2009.

SATURDAY Women's Basketball ACU 73, Midwestern St. 66

No. 2 Abilene Christian

Men's Basketball ACU 77, Midwestern St. 78

The Wildcats won a team-record 43 games in 2009 and look to build on that success in 2010.

The Wildcats collected five of a possible 20 first place votes in the preseason polls and will lean heavily on their pitching staff this season.

HOME GAMES LISTED IN ITALICS

UPCOMING

No. 3 West Texas A&M The Lady Buffs enter 2010 projected to finish third in the South and No. 22 in the nation. West Texas had its best season ever in 2009, winning 35 games. The team has 14 returnees from their talented 2009 squad.

THURSDAY Softball ACU vs. UTPB, 7 p.m.

No. 4 Tarleton State

FRIDAY Men's Tennis ACU vs. Oklahoma Christian, 9 a.m.

ACU vs. Trinity, 6 p.m.

Softball ACU vs. TAMU-Int'l, 11:30 a.m.

ACU vs. East Central, 1:45 p.m.

Track and Field ACU at New Balance Collegiate ACU at Texas Tech Invitational

SATURDAY Men's Tennis ACU vs. Midwestern St., noon

Women's Basketball ACU at TAMU-K, 2 p.m.

Men's Basketball ACU at TAMU-K, 4 p.m.

Baseball ACU vs. Harding, 2:05 p.m ACU vs. Harding, 5 p.m.

Softball ACU vs. SE Okla. St., 2 p.m.

ACU vs. Incarnate Word, 4 p.m.

HOME GAMES LISTED IN ITALICS

BRIEFS n Junior guard Eddie Thompson was named LSC South Player of the Week for the first time in his career Monday. n The football team earned the No. 8 spot in the season's final d2football. com poll. n Lineman Tony Washington was named first team all-America by d2football. com. Aston Whiteside and Tony Harp were named to the second team.

ZAK ZEINERT Staff Photographer

Senior outfielder Caitlin Nabors takes a swing during practice on Jan. 25. Nabors hit .307 as a junior and was tied for the team lead in stolen bases with seven steals.

’Cats look to repeat 2009 success Jeff Craig Sports Editor The cold winter is starting to thaw, and the softball team opens its season Thursday – a sure sign spring is fast approaching.

The Wildcats are coming off the most successful season in school history and are eager to take the next step. The 2009 season saw the ’Cats win a team-record 43 games en route to a second-consecutive NCAA regional appear-

ance. They also captured the Lone Star Conference South Division; however, they have yet to win an overall LSC title.

Preseason polls pick the Wildcats to finish second in the LSC South, with Angelo State as the preseason favorite. Head Coach Chantiel Wilson is entering her seventh season as coach, and she thinks her team has the tools and the grit to compete in a stacked LSC field.

“The LSC is an extremely competitive con-

The TexAnns are projected to finish fourth in the LSC South following a disappointing 26-22 record in 2009. TSU has nine new players and 11 returning players. Tarleton finished with an 8-11 record in conference play last season.

No. 5 Texas A&M-Kingsville

Texas A&M Kingsville is projected to finish fifth in the conference. The Javelinas will be led by ference,” Wilson said. Cassie Anderson who was picked as LSC South “We know that we’ll have Preseason Player of the Year. She set an LSC reto go out and play every cord with a 26-game hitting streak last year . game like it's our most important game of the season. We are going to go out there and try and win the South just like we did last year.”

If the Wildcats want to win the LSC this season, they will have to do it without some familiar faces. The team has only four seniors, after losing some key players to graduation, including see SUCCESS page 7

No. 6 Texas Woman's The Pioneers finished 26-25 last season but had just a 6-12 record in LSC play. TWU batted .291 as a team last season while holding opponents to a .262 average. TWU also drew the secondfewest walks in the LSC South last year.

No. 7 Eastern New Mexico Eastern New Mexico finished last in the LSC South last year and are projected to do so again this season. ENMU finished only 2-15 in LSC South play in 2009. However, the Zias finished with a winning record last year at 24-23

WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

MEN'S BASKETBALL

Wildcats show grit Wildcats hold off MSU in last-second loss Austin Gwin

Assistant Sports Editor

Ryan Cantrell Assistant Sports Editor The Wildcats fell just seconds short of upsetting 10th-ranked Midwestern State, who scored as time expired to escape with a 78-77 victory Saturday.

Eddie Thompson hit a 3-point shot with 2.8 seconds left in the game to give the Wildcats a 1-point lead. The ensuing inbounds pass was

deflected out of bounds, leaving two seconds left on the clock. MSU had one last chance and put up a shot that missed but was tipped in by the Mustangs as time ran out.

Head Coach Jason Copeland said he thought the team did a lot of things right and had a good chance to win the game.

The Wildcat women pulled out a muchneeded win at home Saturday to snap a twogame losing streak.

ACU did enough to secure a victory, 7366, against a Midwestern State team that wouldn’t quit.

“We stepped up our game,” said Head Coach Shawna Lavender. “We played a lot better Saturday than

see LAYUP page 7

see MSU page 7

ZAK ZEINERT Staff Photographer

Danielle Hartley backs off a Midwestern defender Saturday.