The Optimist - 11.08.13

Departures Ethnos Culture Show begins this weekend

vol. 102, no. 22

INSIDE SPORTS Women’s basketball team starts their season today in Moody

Page 6

NEWS KACU’s fall pledge drive partners with non-profits to fundraise

friday, november 08, 2013

Arts Page 5

1 SECTION, 6 PAGES

Obamacare to cost ACU $204,000

SINK OR

SWIM

abbigail runnels student reporter Beginning next semester, ACU will have to pay about $204,000 in additional benefits to employees under the Affordable Care Act. Stacey McGee, associate chief financial officer, said she is working on adjusting the university’s budget to accommodate additional costs attributable to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. The act, more commonly referred to as ObamaCare

Intramural waterball games begin with a rule change

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“

SPORTS Wildcat volleyball travels to Incarnate Word this weekend

This past summer ACU had to pay the first taxes related to the Affordable Care Act.”

Stacey mcGee Associate chief financial officer

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to touch the wall in the sub zone first, then they will be allowed to come in,” said Kyle Pinson, director of Intramural Sports.

The change is expected to lessen the amount of stops and allow the game to f low better.

“I believe this will allow substitutions to go more smoothly and offer less confusion during the subbing process,” said Molly Bagley, director of Aquatics and Events.

“It’ll be faster, allow swimmers in and out of

or the Affordable Care Act, was signed into law

by President Obama in March of 2010, and portions of it went into affect Oct. 1.

“This past summer ACU had to pay the first taxes related to the Affordable Care Act, and starting in January, we will have to provide additional benefits to our employees,” McGee said.

“These expenses are from taxes that ACU now has to pay and additional benefits that we are required to provide to our employees.”

It is likely that these costs will rise in the future, but because the laws are continuing to be changed, when or how much they will change is unclear, McGee said.

The ACU budget office is working on reevaluating the budget to avoid cutting funding in other

see waterball page 3

see obamacare page 3

SPORTS Cross country team finishes up their season strong behind new coach Page 3

mandy lambright chief photographer

Intramural waterball began Thursday with fourteen teams signed up. Waterball season lasts until Dec. 6.

OPINION

daniel zepeda

The editorial board talks about a bullying incident that caused a player to quit the NFL

Page 4

NEWS Students organize a 5k walk to raise funds for diabetes awareness Page 3

sports editor The waterball intramural season began Thursday as nine men’s and five women’s teams dove into the pool for their opening games, but not without a twist.

The intramural directors put a new rule into effect that has impacted the way players are able to come in and out of games.

“From now on, during a substitution, before a player on the side goes in, they must wait for the other player coming out

Abilene welcomes new restaurants, cafe opened on Sept. 30 and was so busy the first month, they broke company records said manThree new restaurants in ager Ben Tirado. By early the past six weeks have January, an additional opened in Abilene. Fran- location is scheduled to chises like Fuzzy’s Taco open next to the CVS on Shop and McAlister’s Deli Judge Ely. have opened across town “No date is set in stone while the new locally- yet because they are owned The Coffee Shack still in the construction on the Hill opened less phase,” Tirado said. than a mile from ACU Fuzzy’s Taco Shop campus. opened on Oct. 29 after The new McCalister’s renovating and moving Deli on Clack street into a space behind the

madeline orr

SPORTS

managing editor

The men’s basketball team starts their east coast tour in Pittsburgh Page 6

OPINION Madeline Orr raises the question – what if Google ran the government?

Page 4

ONLINE NEWS Red Mango leaves United with no explanation

VIDEO Watch highlights from the ACU vs. New Mexico State on The Ken Collums Show

Mall of Abilene; what used to be Rack Daddy’s Bar and Billiards.

The Coffee Shack on the Hill renovated the space next to the Subway on Judge Ely after it was vacated for eight months.

They opened on Nov. 1 and hope to appeal to the college student crowd said owner Elaine Marez.

“We wanted to have a place for university kids to come and hang out,” said Marez. “This weekend was our first week-

end and we had karoke out on the patio. A lot of kids like to sing and play guitar and we want to invite them to come and do that.”

The Coffee Shack on the Hill also has a DJ on Saturdays and offers an Open Mic every night starting at 7:00. They serve coffee, smoothies, bagels, and promotes many gluten free options.

Niknud LLC, a Lubbock based franchise group, plans to develop Dunkin Donuts restaurants and Dunkin Donuts/BaskinRobbins combination units throughout western Texas in Abilene, Amarillo, Lubbock and San Angelo. Niknud spells Dunkin backwards.

The Abilene Reporter News reported that

contact orr at mco10b@acu.edu

Season of Caring offers chance to give back Allison brown

of Ministry and Service, shared about the four different branches of Season ACU’s Season of Car- of Caring. First, ACU will ing is set to kick off on partner with Love and campus next week as the Care Ministries and their holidays draw near. Over Mission Thanksgiving the remaining weeks this project. From November semester, students, fac- 13-22, a delivery truck ulty and staff have sev- will be on ACU’s cameral different opportuni- pus for students to drop ties to pour back into the off donations of toys, Abilene community. clothes, food, blankets, Bob Strader, Director and any other gift they staff reporter

ACUOPTIMIST.COM

would want to give to Love and Care.

Strader said that typically, we have filled about a third of the truck.

“The truck seems too big for us, but we want to fill the whole thing. We are a part of the community that we live in and we want to join in what’s going on,” said Strader.

On the 22nd, the truck will be driven across town

The Optimist

acuoptimist.com

Abilene Christian University

to Arrow Ford, where the community wide portion of Mission Thanksgiving occurs.

While Mission Thanksgiving is going on, Turkeys for Taylor and Adopt and Angel will both be taking place.

Turkeys for Taylor’s goal is to collect money to purchase Thanksgiving dinners for students at ACU’s next door neigh-

@acuoptimist

bor, Taylor Elementary.

The money collected will provide a great Thanksgiving dinner to 70 students and their families who need and appreciate them the most. SALT and Body and Soul primarily lead the initiative on campus.

Adopt an Angel partners with Treadaway Kids

OPTIMIST@ACU.EDU

see season page 3

friday 11.08.13

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09

friday

10

saturday

6 p.m. Distance for Diabetes 7 p.m. Ethnos Culture Show

11

sunday

2 p.m. ACU Football vs. University of Incarnate Word

monday

8:30 a.m. Camp Ozark Information Session

9:45 a.m. Pancake Bar at Southern Hills Church of Christ

11 a.m. Veteran’s Day Chapel

3 p.m. Trumpet Choir Concert

3 p.m. Spring 2014 Registration: Sophomores

7 p.m. ACU Barn Dance

Announcements

Chapel checkup To date:

2

Remaining:

79 21 @acuoptimist The Optimist

Camp Ozark is hosting information sessions from 8 a.m. 4 p.m. on Nov. 11 - 13 in the Campus Center.

A Distance for Diabetes Walk will be conducted at 6 p.m. on Nov. 8 on the Lundsford Trail. Registration is in the Campus Center. For more information, contact aac10a@ acu.edu or jrd10c@acu.edu.

ACU will begin offering a Spanish for Healthcare Professionals course in the spring 2014 semester.

The International Students’ Association presents Ethnos 2013: Departures at 7 p.m. on Nov. 8 - 9 in Cullen Auditorium. Tickets may be purchased for $7 online at ethnos2013.eventbrite.com or at the door for $10.

Weekend Campaigns are traveling to Oklahoma City the Nov. 22- 24 to distribute Thanksgiving goods. The trip is free. For more information, email weekendcampaigns@ gmail.com.

The ACU Medical and Counseling Care Center is offering flu shots for $17. No appointment is necessary and students may use their ACU Banner account, cash, check or debit card.

The James Project, a suicide outreach program, is holding an interest meeting at 1 p.m. on Nov. 9 at Jacob’s Dream.

For more information, contact Mallory Snowden at mas13a@acu.edu.

Season of Caring is partnering with Taylor Elementary School to donate money to low-income families. Students are invited to donate money at www.facebook.com/seasonofcaring or at the front desk of the Campus Center by Nov. 16.

The Summit Student Committee is holding an interest meeting from 11 a.m. - 12 p.m. on Nov. 8 in room 250 of the Onstead-Packer Biblical Studies Building. Chapel credit will be offered and there will be refreshements.

optimist@acu.edu Police Log Police log SELECTED ACUPD CALLS FOR THE WEEK 10/31/2013 11:26 p.m. Police responded to a noisy party involving ACU students in the 700 block of EN 14th involved.

11/02/2013 5:05 p.m. A student’s bike was stolen from the front porch of Mabee Hall.

11/03/2013 11:10 p.m. Police responded to noise violation in the 2500 block of Madison Ave. 10/27/2013 9:05 p.m. A student was found in possession of marijuana in a Nelson Hall dorm room.

Weekly Stats For Week of Oct. 29 - Nov. 05, 2013- Total Events: 332

ABANDONED VEHICLE 1 ADMINISTRATIVE ACTIVITY 8 ALARM 3 ARMED SUBJECT 1 ASSIST 3 BARRICADES 7 BOOT/UNBOOT VEHICLE 4 CIVIL DISTURBANCE 1 CRIMINAL TRESPASS WARNING 1 DOMESTIC DISTURBANCE 3

FINGERPRINTING SERVICE 1 INDECENT EXPOSURE 1 INFORMATION REPORT 2 INVESTIGATION FOLLOW UP 8 NOISE VIOLATION 4 PARKING LOT PATROL 9 PARKING VIOLATION 11 PATROL VEHICLE: MAINTENANCE 7 PATROL VEHICLE: REFUEL 7 RANDOM PATROL 7

REPORT WRITING 10 SPECIAL ASSIGNMENT 1 STAND BY 1 SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY 1 SUSPICIOUS PERSON 4 THEFT (NON VEHICLE) 6 TRAFFIC STOP 2 TRAINING 3 WELFARE CHECK 3

Police Tip of the Week: A growing number of people have begun the practice of extending Thanksgiving Day gratitude to the entire month of Novemeber.

If you are one of those people, find one of the ACUPD officers and thank them for their protection, car unlocking, battery charging and other things they do for you everyday. They will appreciate the expression of thankfulness.

Volunteer Opp0rtunities Friends for Life is seeking volunteers to help with both elderly residents and independent living elderly. Nursing home service opportunities include visiting, playing games, reading to the blind and assisting in arts and crafts. Independent living service opportunities include mowing lawns, grocery shopping and changing light bulbs. To volunteer contact Cecilia Barahona at 325672-2635 or cecilia@friendsforlife.org.

The Noah Project is seeking volunteers to help with tasks such as answering phone calls, providing child care and doing maintenance and housekeeping. To volunteer call 325-676-7107.

Love and Care Ministries is looking for volunteers to help with sorting clothing, stocking their food pantry, assisting in prayers in their prayer room and serving food to the homeless. For more information call 325670-0246.

Volunteers are needed at the BCFS Abilene Transition Center for event planning and setup, assisting in teaching life skills classes, accompanying transport,visiting homes and/or assisting in construction of facilities for assisting in the betterment of male and female youth ages 15 - 25. This opportunity is open each morning Mondays through Fridays. Students interested must contact Johnny Nguyen at 325-692-0033 or jnguyen@bcfs.net.

The Betty Hardwick Center is seeking volunteers for the Human Resources Center to help with filing and organizing. This job requires someone with attention to detail who wishes to learn more about Human Resources. The job is open Mondays through Fridays from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. If you are interested please contact Martin Walker at 325-690-5235 or mwalker@ bhcmhmr.org by Aug. 31.

House of Faith is an organization that seeks to take Jesus to neighborhood children. Volunteers are needed to help with the various programs they do throughout the week. Backyard Bible studies are hosted Mondays and Wednesdays and a youth program takes place on Thursday evenings. The organization is seeking volunteers who can commit to a specific day a week.

House of Faith lasts from 3 - 5:30 p.m. To volunteer or gain more information, contact Amy Jeffers at abj09a@ acu.edu or call 832-331-5324.

Rescue the Animals is seeking volunteers to work at the adoption center performing a variety of tasks, from playing with the animals to working in the office. For more information visit their website at http://www.rescuetheanimals.org/volunteer.

The Abilene Zoo is looking for volunteers to help with general labor such as grounds cleanup and painting any weekday at any time between 12 - 4 p.m. The Zoo is located at 2070 Zoo Ln. Contact Joy Harsh at 325-676-6487 for more information.

Breakfast on Beech Street is seeking volunteers to help set up, prepare and serve breakfast to homeless/lower income folks any Monday, Wednesday, Thursday or Friday at 5:30 a.m. or Tuesdays at 5 a.m. B.O.B.S. is located at First Christian Church on 3rd St. and Beech St. Service times must be scheduled in advance. To serve on Mondays contact Jody Depriest at 325-669-3312 or jody.depriest@ gmail.com. To serve on Tuesdays contact Allen Daugherty at 325-660-6949 or ale.al@suddenlink. net. To serve on Wednesdays contact Jane Harvey at 325-695-0092 or jharvread@aol.com. To serve on Thursdays contact Margaret Beasley at 325-692-4149 or mbeasley5@suddenlink.net. To serve on Fridays contact Rachel Brown at rdb08a@acu.edu.

The National Center For Children’s Illustrated Literature is looking for volunteers to greet patrons, assist with art activities, sell books and make visitors feel welcome. Help is also needed for special events like Artwalk and exhibit openings. The NCCIL is located at 102 Cedar St. For more information on times and dates contact Debby Lillick at 325-673-4586 or visit http://www.nccil.org/index.htm.

The Center for International Education is looking for English speaking students to be paired with international students for English practice, conversation and cultural learning. Partners meet for one hour each week at a time and place determined by their partners. To volunteer contact Laura McGregor at laura. mcgregor@acu.edu.

Volunteers are needed to help with daily activities organized by the staff at Chisholm House. This could involve playing board games, helping with arts and crafts and helping with a walking club. For some of these tasks, volunteers may be asked to lead a group or work along side a staff coordinator. Volunteer opportunities are from 2 - 4 p.m. or 6 - 8 p.m. daily.

Contact Larissa Blankenship at 817-578-9296.

The International Rescue Committee is seeking volunteers to work with refugees who recently moved to the U.S., teaching English, helping with homework and mentoring. Contact Susanna Lubango to make an appointment at 325-675-5643.

The Christian Service Center is seeking volunteers to help with filling requests for items such as clothing and bedding from the donation center, sort and organize donations and occasionally pick up donated items. Volunteers are needed every weekday and the first Saturday of each month between 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. and 1 - 4 p.m. For more information contact Roberta Brown at 325-673-7561 orrobertabrown51@ hotmail.com. For more information on the program visit http://www.uccabilene.org/ministries/csc.htm.

The Food Bank of West Central Texas needs volunteers to help sort and stock food and other items any weekday Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. - 3 p.m.

The Food Bank is located at 5505 N. 1st St. For more information contact Janice Serrault at 325-695-6311 or abfoodbk@camalott.com.

The Salvation Army is looking for volunteers for a variety of needs such as sorting and pricing items in the thrift store, helping in the kitchen and/or doing yard work. Times are flexible, and volunteers are needed Monday - Saturday. The Salvation Army is located at 1726 Butternut St. For more information contact J.D. Alonzo at 325-677-1408 or visit www. satruck.com.

Ogra Negra Chapter of American Business Women’s Association needs volunteers to work the concession stand at the Abilene Civic Center on Nov. 8 - 10.

Each shift will be 3 - 4 hours. To volunteer contact Debbie Hunt at debhunt1@suddenlink.net or 325701-4356.

West Central Texas Aging and Disability Resource Center needs six volunteers to help with a symposium from 8 a.m. - 2 p.m. on Nov. 14 at the Region 14 Service Center. Volunteer opportunities include set up, registration and handing out lunches. For more information contact Kathleen Hewes at khewes@ wctcog.org or 325-796-8440.

Christian Ministries Food Pantry needs volunteers to help with tasks such as cleaning up, stocking shelves and bagging flour. It is looking for students who can make a commitment of 1 - 3 hours a week. For more information contact Becky Almanza at 325-673-5295 or balmanza7@sbcglobal.net.

For additional volunteer opportunities visit: www. acu.edu/campusoffices/ccsl/ministry-service/volunteer-opportunities/

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news

friday 11.08.13

KACU pledge drive gives back to Abilene linsey thut page 2 editor KACU Abilene Public Radio kicked off its 2013 Fall Membership Drive this week, donating books to local charities in the process.

“Tell Me a Story” was this year’s pledge drive theme.

“We all grew up reading a story, and there’s a whole lot of kids in the area who will never have a story read to them,” said J.C. Patrick, membership director at KACU. The station, which broadcasts on 89.7 FM, partnered with the National Center for Children’s Illustrated Literature and Toys for Tots.

When listeners call and give a donation they will also be donating a book to a child in need.

“

It helps the community more, you know, than just playing music and news. It cares about the people in the community.” nancy ndekwe sophomore business management and interior design major kigali, rwanda

“Instead of getting another tote bag or coffee cup or whatever stuff you don’t need, let your donation go to support another organization as well this holiday,” Patrick said.

Caleb Robinson, director of business and traffic, said he’s glad KACU gets a chance to donate to more than one charity.

“In the past, we partnered with The West Texas Forestry Service to give trees to local organizations and also Meals on Wheels to give meals,” Robinson said.

“This drive, since we’re working with the NCCIL and Toys

for Tots, we feel like more non-profits are involved.”

Lydia Miranda, student announcer at KACU and junior elementary education major from San Antonio, said she is very passionate about making sure as many children receive books from the pledge drive as possible.

“Being an education major, I think children having books is probably one of the most important things in a child’s life,” Miranda said.

Guests for the event included Abilene Mayor Norm Archibald, the superintendent of the

Abilene Independent School District and Phil Schubert.

“Everything from the president of our university to the mayor of our town to the curators of our local museums—everyone’s a friend of KACU,” said Meagan Freeman, the director of news and operations.

Freeman, who started working at the station at the beginning of the semester, said this pledge drive is the first time all the new staff members have gotten to work together with the new general manager, Nathan Gibbs.

“Now our family is complete and we are kicking off a new era of KACU,” Freeman said. “We’re so excited for things to come from covering more local news to getting out in the community.”

Nancy Ndekwe, student announcer and sophomore business management and interior design major from Kigali, Rwanda, said working at KACU has helped her achieve her dreams.

“As a little child, I always wanted to work on the radio. Knowing that someone knows my voice and hasn’t met me, I felt like I was a part of someone’s life already,” she said.

She said she is proud to work at a radio station that steps out to care for those in the community.

“It’s not an ordinary radio station,” Ndekwe said.

“It helps the community more, you know, than just playing music and news.

It cares about the people in the community.”

Nathan Gibbs, new general manager at KACU, said he looks forward to

reaching out to people in the community through KACU. “I think we all want to make a difference, bottom line, and to me it’s really an honor to be in charge of a station like KACU because it brings public media to Abilene,” Gibbs said.

He said students should take advantage of the informational programming the station offers.

“If you haven’t listened, f lip the channel on and pay attention to it.

It’s a really unique thing,” Gibbs said.

KACU’s goal for the fundraiser is to raise $40,000. As of Wednesday afternoon they were at $11, 245. contact thut at lct10a@acu.edu

Obamacare: ACU adjusts 2014 budget from page 1 areas, such as alumni relations or scholarships, she said.

“The Affordable Care Act will cause us to adjust our budget,” McGee said.

“However, for fiscal year 2015, we will be able to absorb these costs in our current budget for benefits.”

Part of the platform President Obama ran on in 2008, the bill was heavily debated and still faces much opposition around

the country. It was the biggest change to America’s healthcare system since the laws creating Medicare and Medicaid were passed in 1965.

The aim of ObamaCare is to extend health insurance to more Americans, especially the disabled and unemployed, who previously would not have been able to afford it. When looked at long term, the Congressional Budget Office found that ObamaCare is projected

to lower the federal deficit and Medicare spending in the future.

New taxes have been created to encourage people to sign up for insurance as new regulations are starting to go into effect around the country.

In addition, existing plans are required to offer a minimum level of coverage in many areas. contact the optimist at jmcnetwork@acu.edu

Season: Mission Thanksgiving returns from page 1

Garon Goodspeed Staff Photographer

Senior Patrick Dumas, biochemistry major from Abilene, plays in a roller hockey game at Cal Young Park.

to provide Christmas gifts and for a Treadaway student. There will be a tree set up in the campus center for ACU students to pick a name off of to purchase the gift.

Mingle and Jingle is the last part of the Season of Caring. This fun and festive night isn’t just about Aaron Watson’s great music. Students and guests at the event are asked to bring an unwrapped toy as admission to the concert for Love and Care Ministry’s Christmas on the Streets. Mark Hewitt,

Diabetes walkers raise awareness rachel fritz staff reporter An ACU student is organizing a Distance for Diabetes Walk to raise awareness and funds for treatment and research for diabetes. There is no registration fee for participants, but donations are strongly encouraged.

Ariel Combs, junior biology major from Waco, took it upon herself to organize the walk because of personal experience with the disease.

“I have several family members that are diabetic, so I have been around it my entire life,” said Combs. “Because of that, and the fact that it is not a well-known problem in America, is the reason I

got involved in the first place.”

Combs’ passion for health also plays a role in her activism.

“I’m also very passionate about health – I am pre-med and a nutrition minor - which also drives me to bring awareness to this problem and help to find a cure,” said Combs.

Combs began the fundraiser with a specific goal of money to raise and is steadily approaching it.

“We are $500 away from our goal of $4,000,” Combs said. “We’ve had about 25 people sign up so far and we’re hoping for a lot more.”

Joshua Day, junior youth and family ministry major from Katy, has partnered with Combs to make the event a success.

My girlfriend, Ariel, has always wanted to be a part of something big and help bring a difference to people’s lives,” Day said.

“She found out about hosting a community walk and brought it to me and asked me if I thought it was a good idea to pursue. I have mainly just been support for Ariel as she has pursued this dream of hers.”

The walk is sponsored by the American Diabetes Association, but Combs and Day were responsible for providing a location and took on the responsibility of providing Tshirts to raise money.

“The American Diabetes Association lets people do community walks, which is what I’m doing, so they sent me some f ly-

Waterball: Rule changes to sport make no splash from page 1 the water in a safe manner and protect the individuals who are playing in the deep end.”

The risk of injury was the main reason for the change.

“We are definitely hoping to have fewer dislocated shoulders this season,” Bagley said.

This has been the second consecutive year that the waterball season has begun with a new rule change. Last year, the “no contact rule” was put into effect before the season began.

“The no contact rule was established last year and it states that you are no longer

allowed to wrestle or pin an opposing player who does not have possession of the ball,” Pinson said. “Whenever someone doesn’t have the ball, they are not allowed to be held down like they have been in the past.”

The change seemed to have gone over well. The biggest impact was on the players, but it also affected those officiating the game.

“With that change, the refs had to focus on not watching just the ball all the time,” Pinson said. “They had to see everything else that was going on with players that were not near the action. We set it up to where one referee would watch the

ball while another would scan the pool to make sure no one was involved with non-ball wrestling.”

Even with the changes, waterball promises to remain one of the most popular intramural sports offered.

“We want to make the game safer without having to take away the things that make it fun,” Pinson said.

“We want students to continue to actively participate in all sports offered here, but our upmost importance will always be safety.”

contact zepada at djz11a@acu.edu

ers and banners to get it started,” Combs said.

“We got some shirts made on our own and we’re selling them for $6.”

“It’s free for everyone, but donations are strongly encouraged,” Combs said.

The Distance for Diabetes Walk is not affiliated with ACU and will be held on the Lunsford Trial on Friday at 6 p.m.

contact fritz at ref11a@acu.edu

executive director of Love and Care ministries, is hoping for 800 toys this year.

Bob Strader, though, has even bigger dreams for this year’s event.

“Hewitt wants 800. Last year we gave around 500.

But this year, I want to give 1000.”

With big goals and an even bigger heart behind it, Strader brought to mind the story of the rich man and Lazarus in Luke chapter 16 in thinking about this upcoming season. In the story, a man with more than everything he needed ignored the needy man

right outside his house.

“I don’t want to ignore the people right at my doorstep,” Strader said.

Strader and other members of administration want the ACU community to consider the same thing going in to the Thanksgiving and Christmas season.

Their vision is not just to do something on campus, but be part of something bigger than ourselves with the people that we share this city with.

contact the optimist at jmcnetwork@acu.edu

Opinion

Friday 11.08.13

4

editorial

Bullying is not something we outgrow the issue Miami Dolphin Richie Incognito was suspended from the team for allegedly bullying teammate Jonathan Martin.

our take Bullying occurs in the adult world too, and is just as dangerous as bullying among children.

The NFL offensive line just got a little more offensive.

Players of late have hurdled over the line of scrimmage so many times, with everything from murder charges to fake girlfriends, that the league of old is nearly unrecognizable.

Are we keeping up with the latest in sports or the newest reality TV show?

The latest incident takes it

to a whole new level. Miami Dolphin Richie Incognito’s not-so-subtle verbal and emotional attacks on fellow teammate Jonathan Martin has resulted in a media frenzy. News feeds are filled with the back-and-forth of whether or not a 25-year-old man can still claim bullying, or if he just needs to toughen up his skin and deal with it.

Martin was being paid

Column

DAILY doodle dosage

an absurd amount of money to do what he loves: play football. He was living every young boy’s dream.

What kind of torment would a person have to go through to be willing to walk away from that life?

This is not a matter of one guy pushing another guy off of the monkey bars, or taking his lunch money, or being picked last for dodgeball. If that were the case, then sure, we would agree that maybe Martin needs to buck up.

As we age, bullying takes on new, much harsher forms.

“Yo momma” jokes and wedgies graduate to death threats and racial slurs. This type of harassment should not be endured in any ca-

pacity, by any human being, whether he’s a small child or a 300-pound offensive lineman. It’s unacceptable. And yet sadly, it’s all too common.

But the real question is, as a society, are we enabling this behavior?

We thrive on drama.

We crave real-life soap operas. So often, good deeds take a backseat to the latest scandal in pop culture.

Take Mr. Incognito for example. His Jekyll and Hyde personality is so fitting.

Most people who are current in the sports world know this is not dear Richie’s first offense in the league. His affinity for penalties saw to his release from the St. Louis Rams in 2009 and then from

the Buffalo Bills after only three games. It’s not surprising he was voted the Dirtiest Player in the NFL in 2009.

What most people aren’t aware of are his more positive achievements. Incognito was given the “Good Guy” Award during the 2012 Pro Bowl for his winning personality, and was a part of public service announcements to fans about good sportsmanship.

But there’s no drama in that, no entertainment.

It hardly makes a splash.

Why focus on the good, when we can feed the fire?

We’re taught from kneehigh-to-a-grasshopper that children who bully other are just crying for attention.

Well, that doesn’t change

Ben Todd

contact The Optimist at jmcnetwork@acu.edu

Column

Reading the Bible as poetry

If Google ran the government There’s no denying that the Oct. 1 rollout of the federal healthcare exchange under the Affordable Care Act has been a debacle. As Americans struggle to register for Obamacare, they find themselves wondering, how could it be so hard for the government to build a website? Why didn’t they just hire some of the big guns at Google to build it for them?

Some might argue if Google just ran the government altogether, it would probably be managed more smoothly, productively and even more colorfully.

So, let’s look at some of the ways our country would work if the search engine conglomerate took over.

First, no more stiff, wooden chairs in the House of Representatives or Senate chambers. Instead, congressmen would be bouncing on large Hop N’ Bops and exercise balls of all colors.

Not only would it improve their posture, but it would make C-SPAN exponentially more interesting to watch.

Google never ceases to find a reason to redesign their homepage logo and neither should the government. Everyday would be a national holiday. Every government-owned operation would want to decorate according the significant occasion of the day. Can’t you just imagine mailmen dressed up as Vincent Van Gogh every March 29?

Standing at the ballot boxes on Election Day would be a thing of the past. No need to visit your local elementary school or the church around the corner on Super Tuesday; just fill out the Google survey the government will have shared with you from the comfort of your own home.

with age. And we’re giving them exactly what they want: our undivided attention.

There is no denying this issue needs to be addressed. It needs to be talked about. It warrants attention. But it needs the right kind of attention.

Bullies, in all walks of life, need to be made aware this behavior will not be tolerated. No person should be made to feel uncomfortable or unsafe in their surroundings, be it a school, a home, an office or a football field.

It’s time we stand up and take our lunch money back.

KNOCK ON WOOD ALIKAY WOOD ARTS EDITOR

THE ORRACLE MADELINE ORR MANAGING EDITOR

Though Google wears many hats, their specialty will always be the search engine. Think how convenient it would be for anyone to find the information they are looking for within

the 4.2 billion pages of government documents that exist. Penal code? Court opinions? EPA regulations?

No problem. It’s all there behind one search box.

However, one potential

I haven’t read my Bible in almost a year. It glares at me, mocking me from its dusty spot on my nightstand, but no matter how many Church services I attend or how large my internal conviction grows, I cannot bring myself to open it.

An intrinsic cynicism, years of my own questioning and two years of intense Bible classes have left me disillusioned with this idea of the Bible as a sacred, f lawless text.

I don’t feel safe structuring my life around a document that I do not feel is 100 percent accurate.

My faith in God is in no way reliant upon my faith in the Bible. However, almost every belief I have about God ties back into the Bible and, without this cornerstone, I struggle to find reasoning for the most basic of my beliefs. I was at a stalemate in this internal debate until this semester when I took a class on poetry.

Words have always moved me. My notebooks are covered in quotes and I mindlessly doodle phrases that have gotten stuck in my mind on every writing surface at my disposal. I admire the work of poets because their work has resonated for hundreds, sometimes even thousands, of years.

Poetry is raw and beautiful. It says things about life that I believed without being able to articulate.

It has occurred to me that the Bible, regardless of my personal opinions

problem some might foresee would be a reenactment of this summer’s NSA scandal. If citizens are worried about how much information the U.S. government knows about us, they might wet their pants if they saw how much Google knows about us. Don’t believe me?

Just Google your name. contact ORR at MCO10B@acu.edu

“

When reading the Bible as poetry I don’t question the spiritual authority of the author or whether this is really God’s incarnate word...”

about its spiritual authority, has stood this same test of time. The words within its pages have been the blood of people’s morality and belief since they were first written.

When reading the Bible as poetry I don’t question the spiritual authority of the author or whether this is really God’s incarnate word, I simply look for the truth and beauty within the words.

I realize that this is not a foolproof solution. It is in no way grounded in theology and does not offer long term solutions for how the Bible should be interpreted. But for the first time in a year I can hear scripture without f linching or going on the defensive. When I read the Bible as poetry, I find beauty instead of contradictions, I find truth instead of manipulation and I find God instead of manmade hypocrisy. It’s not perfect, but I consider anything that leads me to God to be a step in the right direction. contact Wood at AKW10a@acu.edu

hashtagACU Nov. 6 11:29 a.m.

Nov. 5 8:37 a.m.

Nov. 6 11:41 a.m.

*pretending to scroll through twitter while listening to an intense conversation in the bean*

@sara_calvin

Nov. 5 7:52 a.m.

I’m pretty that half the girls on campus don’t own real pants. #yogapants #acuprobs #investinsomejeans

@cork_95

Nov. 5 11:00 p.m.

The one time I get to sleep before misnight, some jerk decides to pull the fire alarm. #acudifference

@lieutenantdan16

Nov. 6 9:54 p.m.

I guess the couple laying outside the Hardin building thinks catching pneumonia is worth getting some alone time together.

@sydneycherie

Fire alarm on the fifth of November. Coincidence... I think not! #acudifference

@DillonReed21

@Lincoln_Woods

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Nov. 6 10:03 a.m.

Nov. 6 11:14 a.m.

Nov. 7 4:15 p.m.

Nov. 6 1:49 p.m.

Talking about ring by spring in Core.. #ACUdifference @overheardACU

@TaylorPowers1

Nov. 6 8:35 a.m.

ACU, this is not high school. Get rid of any attendance policy whatsoever. #weneedsleep

@TFlo1213

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I might have accidentally “flamed in” to Foster this morning #oops

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Listening to a guy @ ACU hit on an uninterested girl. His best line?

“I’ve got fast passes for Six Flags is you’d ever want to go together.”

@jimadavis

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Apparently, Britney Spears’ favorite book is “anything by Max Lucado.” Is it appropriate to put a “#Moonies” in response to this news?

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5

arts

friday 11.08.13

ETHNOS TAKES OFF

This Week Friday, November 8 Paramount Film Series presents “Raiders of the Lost Ark” Friday at 7:30 p.m. Admission is $5 for students.

Geocaching - West Texas Style invites people to attend a Geocaching gathering beginning at 6:00 p.m. at Abilene State Park.

Admission is $5 per person.

ISA presents “Departures” at 7:00 p.m. in Cullen Auditorium. Tickets are $10 at the door.

Saturday, November 9

Jarred Schuetze Staff Photographer

Dancers from Omega Dance Company practice their performance for Ethnos.

Ethnos showcases diversity Richard Lyne arts reporter The International Students’ Association will be putting on a their annual production tonight, combining drama and dance to broaden student horizons.

The annual Ethnos Culture Show merges skits with a variety of ethnic dance routines.

Some performances highlight Indian, Thai and Korean cultures; various Hispanic nationalities and the African Students’ Association will also be represented alongside other dance groups such as Sanctify and

Shades. ISA wants to emphasize not only foreign traditions, but also aspects of American life. In the spirit of diversity, the various dance routines are open to students of any nationality. The Indian dance team, for example, is made up of students of many different racial backgrounds.

Last year, the “Culture Shock” show examined what it’s like to experience a foreign country for the first time, while this year’s “Departures” will explore the idea of leaving one’s home.

“It’s about leaving your home culture, going to a different country, what that’s like.

Even coming from your home to ACU, it’s about embracing the journey,” said Public Relations officer Adrian Patenaude, a senior who grew up as a missionary child in Thailand. Both she and her brother, Lucius, senior multimedia major from Thailand, have di-

rected the show in previous years.

“Ethnos showcases ACU’s growing diversity and lets you see your peers in a new light,” said the director, Jennifer Valenzuela, senior psychology major from El Paso. “It’s kind of like ISA’s Sing Song. You form relationships with a diverse group of people, which is kind of the point.”

Ethnos is showing tonight and Saturday at 7 p.m. in Cullen Auditorium. Tickets can be purchased for $7 from the Campus Center, for $10 at the door, or for $8.13 (fees included) online at ethnos2013.eventbrite.com .

contact lyne at arts@acu.edu

ABWA hosts “Christmas in November” at the Civic Center from 10:00 a.m.

-7:00 p.m. Admission is Downtown Abilene hosts the Veterans Day Parade Tuesday, November 12 Ballroom With a Twist comes to the Abilene Civic Center. Tickets range from $20-$45 a seat and the show starts at 7:00

OUT

NOW BOOKS

Champion Marie Lu

Rated PG-13

112 min.

Thor

MUSIC jarred schuetze Staff Photographer

Students from across campus will participate in dances representing different cultures for the Ethnos Culture Show.

ALBUM REVIEW

AM

Perry’s Prism proves see through alikay wood arts editor

Katy Perry gave herself a difficult task in attempting to eclipse the astounding success of her hit album “Teenage Dream.” Arriving in the wake of her extremely publicized divorce from Russell Brand, it was inevitable that her sound and message would need to evolve. The result of this effort was “Prism,” a genuine, if shallow, effort to create an album that was simultaneously pop-esque and emotionally engaging.

The album as a whole is a disappointment. There is no cohesiveness between blatant club tracks like “This Is How We Do” and attempts at serious ballads like “Unconditionally.” Thrown in among the synthesized pop track, all “Walking On Air” needs

is to be lowered two octaves and it’s a perfect hit for Justin Beiber. There’s nothing essentially “Katy” about these songs. They appear more like cheap imitations of others than an expression of Perry’s character.

The pop songs are fun but they lack the boldness of early hits like “I Kissed A Girl,” or the pure fun of “Last Friday Night.” Her attempts to be provocative fall short when compared with the brashness of Miley Cyrus, whose album has succeeded despite her controversial image. Although controversy is not a sign of quality, Perry’s album lacks the emotional spark necessary to make her tracks truly memorable.

On the other hand, the songs that do attempt to detail the emotions of dealing with her divorce feel shallow and forced.

The hooks are catchy and the beats are pop-esque and synthesized to perfection, but the lyrics are empty and Perry’s vocal

talents are overshadowed by the emotional hollowness of her songs. There is no substance to the album and, although it looks as if Perry is attempting to shed her frivolous image, the only good parts of the album are those the most like cotton candy.

The album has already been a success.

Fans will not be disappointed with Perry’s work, but they will not be excited either. In an industry filling up with young artists willing to do anything to make themselves stand out, Perry risks fading into oblivion if she does not step up her creative game.

James Blunt Moon Landing

MIA contact wood at akw10a@acu.edu

Matangi

sports

friday 11.08.13

Cross Country concludes Div. I year emily Seidel sports reporter Three new coaches, 15 new runners and a move up to Div. I don’t seem like the typical building blocks of a successful season. Nonetheless, in all six competitions this fall, ACU’s Cross Country team managed to make a statement.

Cross Country is one of the legacies of Wildcat athletics, known as a dynasty with its long history of conference and even national titles at the Div. II level.

The 2013 team looked to make a smooth and competitive transition to Div. I with new head coach Keith Barnier, assistant coach Drew Graham, a former AllAmerican distance runner at Adams State and graduate as-

sistant coach Ray Walker, who recently finished his cross country career at Notre Dame College in South Euclid, Ohio.

“Our assistant coaches have been awesome,” said freshman standout Landa Dowdy. “They are both pretty new at coaching, but they were both phenomenal runners not too long ago, so they can connect with us in a way coach Barnier can’t.

And coach Barnier brings us his experience of success that the other young coaches don’t have yet, so it’s a great partnership.”

This experience of success has helped lead the Wildcats to some solid performances, including those seen last Friday at the season-ending Southland Conference Championships in Lake Charles, La. The women’s team fin-

ished seventh overall out of 14 teams, while men took tenth place; however, several individuals achieved seasonbest times in the meet, including senior Chloe Susset (21:29.4) in the women’s 6K and junior Daniel Block (27:06.9), a transfer from the University of Saskatchewan, in the men’s 8K. Freshman Diana García Muñoz finished No. 19 overall in the women’s 6K out of 102 runners with a time of 22:27.2.

“I think the team did great,” Susset said. “It was a great last season meet for all of us.”

Susset, a two-time Southland Conference Runner of the Week, led the women’s team all season in its impressive Div. I debut. On Sept. 7, she took the title at the McMurry/Bill Libby Invitational.

A week later, she came in second place at the Texas Tech Red Raider Open in Lubbock, only five seconds behind the lead runner; a month after that, she earned another first place spot at the Incarnate Word Cardinal Invitational in San Antonio. Last Friday, she came in fifth in the championship meet, ending her ACU cross country career on a fantastic note.

“It was a very fast race for me. Right before the race, I thought that was my last chance to be bright for ACU and be part of our historic cross country legacy,” Susset said.

While not every meet of the season was triumphant for the Wildcats, some of the highlights include the women’s second-place finishes at the McMurry/Libby Invitational and the University of

standings Men’s basketball

Incarnate Word Invitational, Div. as well as their third-place Team ACU 0-0 spot at the Red Raider Open.

0-0 Men’s cross country earned SFA 0-0 fourth-place ranks at the Mc- ORU Murry/Libby Invitational and SELU 0-0 the UIW Invitational.

Nicholls St. 0-0 The Wildcats are only SHSU 0-0 looking forward, optimistic Lamar 0-0 about their progress throughNSU 0-0 out the season and the talent UCA 0-0 of the 15 freshman who have HBU 0-0 held their own in such a hisUIW 0-0 torically dominant program.

MSU 0-0 Div. I competition has 0-0 proven to be difficult to adjust TAMU-CC to, but the challenge is read- NO 0-0 ily accepted by the ‘Cats, who hope to soon restore the ACU cross country program to its woMen’s basketball former reference as a dynasty Team Div. in college athletics.

ACU 0-0 SFA 0-0 ORU 0-0 contact seidel at SELU 0-0 eks13b@acu.edu Nicholls St. 0-0 SHSU 0-0 Lamar 0-0 NSU 0-0 UCA 0-0 HBU 0-0 any one of the teams we’ll 0-0 face. Our main goal and pri- UIW 0-0 ority is to get everyone play- MSU ing ACU style basketball, TAMU-CC 0-0 which is defense, hustle NO 0-0 and execution.”

The Wildcats will look to defense this year as their Volleyball anchor. Last year, they held Div. opponents to 67 points a Team 14-0 UCA game during the season in 12-2 which they went 12-14.

NSU “We want to make sure ORU 11-3 that no matter where we SHSU 11-3 play that we do what we do TAMU-CC 11-4 best,” Tanner said. “If we do HBU 7-7 that, then no matter what 6-7 UIW the outcome, we’ll be ok.”

6-8 SFA Duquesne put up a 166-8 MSU 15 overall record, while they 6-8 Lamar were just 7-9 in their own 4-10 conference. The Dukes de- SELU 2-11 fended their home court as ACU they were 10-5 when play- NSU 2-13 ing in Pittsburgh.

0-14 NO “We know they’re a tough team to beat, especially at home,” junior guard Harri- football son Hawkins said. “But we Div. have to make sure that we Team ACU 0-0 play our way and hopefully SELU 4-0 we’ll leave with the win.”

After Duquesne, the MSU 3-1 Wildcats will travel to Ole- SHSU 3-1 an, N.Y., to face the St. Bo- UCA 2-2 naventure University Bon- Nicholls St. 1-3 nies on Monday at 7 p.m. SFA 1-3 The game will be broadLamar 1-3 casted through local radio NSU 1-3 at 98.1 FM.

Wildcats to take on Duquesne Dukes daniel zepeda sports editor The men’s basketball team will travel to Pittsburgh, Pa. to take on the Duquesne Dukes in their season opener tomorrow at 2 p.m. It will be the first ever Div. I game for ACU basketball as they enter the season as official members of the Southland conference.

“It’s been a process in trying to get these guys where they need to be in order to compete,” assistant coach Brette Tanner said.

“These guys are ready to play and we feel good heading into the weekend.”

The Dukes enter the game with a victory already under their belt in a 103-88 win over Clarion. Duquesne had five players reach double figures in points, including 20 points and 10 rebounds from junior forward Dominique McKoy. Their game in Pittsburgh is just one stop of the ten games the Wildcats face on the road to start off the season. The team will travel to New York, Iowa, Maryland and Ohio during the long road trip away from Moody Coliseum.

“During this first month, we’re focused mainly on us,” Tanner said. “We’re not really playing specifically to

collin wieder

ACU volleyball will be playing their final Southland game of the year today. The Wildcats will be heading to San Antonio to face off against former Lone Star Conference rival, Incarnate Word. The two schools moved to the Southland Conference at the same time.

Lexi Mercier says the team wants to play well and get back at Incarnate Word after it lost to them in straight sets over Homecoming weekend.

“I think it will be a battle and we will try to get revenge on them since we played them earlier on this season,” she said.

The Wildcats hit a few bumps in the road along the way this season, but they have competed strongly in every game, giving the Southland Conference a taste of things to

Ovrl 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0

Ovrl 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0

Ovrl.

22-3 16-10 19-5 14-9 17-10 12-14 11-11 14-13 14-14 8-18 11-16 6-15 5-20 3-24

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5-4 7-2 7-2 7-2 5-4 4-5 4-5 4-5 3-6

mandy lambright chief Photographer

Sophomore gurad Parker Wentz goes up for a shot in a game for the Wildcats last season. Paker will play a key role for a team filled with mostly new faces.

contact zepeda at djz11a@acu.edu

ACU wraps up season against UIW sports reporter

6

come. The Wildcats have multiple freshmen and sophomores that received significant playing time this year and should give ACU a solid team for the future. ACU will be bringing in a 6-15 overall record with a 2-11 conference record.

The ‘Cats will be relying heavily on Lexi Mercier, who leads the Southland in blocks per set. They will also rely on sophomore libero Madison Hoover, who averages 4.71 digs per set.

Incarnate Word had played a little better than the Wildcats this year, reflected by their record of 11-11 and 6-7 in conference. They have shown their ability to play well even after making the move to Div. I. Head coach Kellen Mock said Incarnate Word has been impressive so far.

“They are a frustrating opponent because they

ex- factor Bernard Scott was signed by the Ravens.

Scott will be coached by former ACU great, Wilbert Montgomery.

briefings The ACU Student Athlete Advisory Committee is collecting soda tabs as part of a competition with their new Southland opponents.

The proceeds from the “pop-tabs” will go to the P4X foundation in honor of Rex Fleming.

You can help by putting tabs in the collection jars found in dorms and the campus center.

Ann Varner, assistant Paige otway Staff Photographer director of Athletics Senior defensive specialist Caley Johnson looks to set up her teammate in a game at for Academic Services, Moody Coliseum against Stephen F. Austin. is also taking up a are undersized and they part of that is from the carnate Word the last game collection of tabs in her Teague office. look a little bit more like a play of some of their older of the season in Arizona.

Get involved, drink soda, Div. II team, but they play players,” he said. and go ’Cats. big. They fought hard and A win this Friday would they have made a better mean a lot to the ‘Cats, espeshowing in the conference cially since they will play In-

contact wieder at cpw11a@acu.edu

‘Cats start campaign against ‘Dogs reese gwin sports reporter The wait is over; basketball season is here. The ACU women begin their inaugural Div. I. season at home against Texas Lutheran University on Friday. While their opponents, the TLU Bulldogs, are only a Div. III. team, head coach Julie Goodenough expects a tough game.

“They are going to bring their very best, so we’ve got to be ready to defend and execute,” Goodenough said. Still, Goodenough is mandy lambright chief Photographer keeping the primary focus Sophomore guard Whitney West looks to pass for ACU. on her young team.

Upcoming

Volleyball travels to San Antonio to face “We are going to focus Goodenough said, “I the Universtiy of more on ourselves and do- like their hunger to learn Incarnate Word today ing what we do, and doing and get better everyday.” at 7 p.m. it well,” she said.

However, there is still much to be learned about who “we” really is. The starting five has yet to be determined and could change on a game-togame basis. Nine of the Wilcats’ 12 players will be suiting up for their first collegiate action. Goodenough knows there will be a natural learning curve with things like the speed of the game and having a shot clock on offense.

But what the freshmen lack in experience, they make up for with quickness, effort and execution.

The new ’Cats have already had an opportunity to display their ability with some scrimmages. They have grasped the offense and are putting their speed to work in transition.

Nevertheless, Goodenough knows her team will need to raise their intensity for tonight and throughout their entire season.

This is not just another scrimmage or another practice. This one counts; this is Div. I. basketball. contact gwin at erg12a@acu.edu

Women’s basketball hosts Texas Lutheran University today at 7 p.m.

Football takes on Incarnate Word on the road tomorrow at 2 p.m.

Men’s basketball tips off their season in Pittsburgh, Penn. against Duquesne at 2 p.m.