The Optimist Print Edition: 11/13/2009

Optimist the

Vol. 98, No. 24

Close Your Eyes

PAGE 5 1 section, 8 pages

Friday, November 13, 2009

acuoptimist.com

BREAKING NEWS, VIDEOS, PHOTOS, DISCUSSION AND EXCLUSIVE CONTENT

STUDENT GOVERNMENT

INTERNATIONAL

Budget drained for ‘Iron’ concert Chelsea Hackney Copy Editor

HEATHER LEIPHART Staff Photographer

Dressed as characters from the animated film Madagascar, students “Jump Around” during the Madagascar 3: Lost in Abilene act.

CULTURAL MENAGERIE The International Students’ Association welcomes audiences with a colorful celebration of the wildly different traditions of the “Ethnos Family.”

Laura Acuff Features Editor Through dancing, singing and musical performances, ACU’s international students will offer the community a taste of foreign cultures in the International Students’ Association’s culture show, Ethnos.

This year’s production, entitled Ethnos Family: The Culture Show, will take place in Cullen Auditorium 7:30-9:30 p.m Friday and Saturday, according to the Facebook event page, which already boasts more than 340 confirmed guests.

HEATHER LEIPHART Staff Photographer

Above: SHADES Step Team stomped the stage during The Graveyard. Right: Polynesia! celebrated Hawaiian and Tahitian dance.

Doors will open at 6:45 p.m., and musical performers Adrian Chew and Jeff Paxton will conduct a preshow performance, beginning at 7 p.m.

Tickets, which cost $3 each, may be purchased in the McGlothlin Campus Center from 11:30 a.m-2:30 p.m. Friday or at the door beginning at 6:45 p.m. Ethnos T-shirts also are available for purchase in the Campus Center.

The production features performances by students from across the globe, showcasing countries such as China, India, Japan and Madagascar.

Kelsey Young, senior biochemistry major from Pago Pago, American Samoa, led a group of women in learning a Polynesian-style dance. Young said she has been dancing for at least seven years, and she wanted to teach the dance for Ethnos in order to share her culture and background.

“One of the most awesome things

HEATHER LEIPHART Staff Photographer

see CULTURE page 4

A typical Students’ Association Congress meeting does not overflow with spectators. The agenda of Wednesday’s meeting, however, brought in a record-breaking 30 nonmembers.

They were there to support a bill to purchase 100 balcony tickets to Iron and Wine, a popular indie folk group coming to Abilene in January. After much debate, the bill in question, Bill 87.03, passed with a 23-5 vote.

The bill, proposed by Tony Godfrey, SA vice president and junior political science major from Burleson, met with noisy approval as students – Congress members and spectators alike – pounded on the table. Godfrey spoke briefly on the merits of the bill, saying many students had already shown support for the idea. In two days, he said, 125 students became fans of the Facebook event.

However, when Godfrey stated the bill set aside $1700 for tickets, murmurs of concern rose above the excitement – SA Treasurer Luke Cochran clarified the amount would leave $253.55 in the budget for the rest of the semester. Although only five students opposed the bill in the end, several more argued during the debate period the cost was too high. see SA page 4

STATE

LOCAL

Press fire delays Abilene, Shooting unnerves ACU San Angelo newspapers students with area ties Sondra Rodriguez

printing The Optimist when the crew reported Managing Editor smelling smoke and seeThe Abilene Reporter- ing flames coming from News building caught the press units. The crew fire last Friday at 3 a.m., tried to put out the fire delaying San Angelo and with a fire extinguisher Abilene’s printing capa- but soon had to call the bilities through Saturday Fire Department.

Hall said the fire did night.

Mike Hall, vice presi- not get hot enough to dent of operations at the set off sprinklers in the Abilene Reporter-News, press room, but flames said the press had just did reach the paper webs been shut down after - sheets that feed through

Forecast Fri

82° 57°

the press for publications.

“The fire hit those, they caught fire and the whole building filled with smoke,” Hall said.

The Fire Department arrived within five minutes and doused the flames with about 100 gallons of water, Hall said.

“It was still burning but was mostly the rubber see FIRE page 4

Colter Hettich

Belton, learned of the shooting at about 1:30 Editor in Chief p.m. Her mother works The recent shooting at Fort as the special educaHood shocked those living tion curriculum director in the community and U.S. for Killeen ISD, and she military around the world. spends one day a week For many students, the at the Meadows and Vegeneral sense of disbelief nable Village elementary was overshadowed by fear schools on base.

“I was getting text as they awaited news of messages, and it never family members’ safety.

Leah Payne, senior crossed my mind that advertising and public was the day she would be relations major from on base,” Payne said.

Inside Sat

70° 52°

Sun

73° 46°

WILDCAT BASKETBALL opens its 2009-10 season against Bible Baptist on Nov. 17. Find out which hardwood warriors to keep an eye on this season.

Page 8

When she turned on the television and saw the news coverage, it occurred to her that her mother might be on base, and Payne immediately called her back. Her mother said as soon as she entered the base she began hearing announcements ordering everyone to seek shelter in the nearest room without windows. see TRAGEDY page 4

Online REVIVING WATERBALL is one of several changes that have enhanced student intramurals. The intramural office listened to students.

This change is good.

Page 6

LOUDandCLEAR

PHOTO

Which intramural sport would you add? a. Archery b. Sheep shearing c. Hot-dog eating ETHNOS

Visit acuoptimist.com to join the discussion.

2

Campus Day Friday, November 13, 2009

CALENDAR AND EVENTS

13

FRIDAY

Last day to withdraw from a class 11 a.m.

Senior Academic Honors Chapel and Reception 7:30 p.m.

Ethnos Family: The Culture Show

14

SATURDAY

8 a.m.

Garage sale at the Southern HIlls Church of Christ

15

About This Page 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.

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.

SUNDAY

12 p.m.

Christmas in November at the Abilene Civic Center

11 a.m.

Downtown Dayz 12 p.m.

ACU Football vs.

Midwestern State NCAA DII Playoffs

Chapel Checkup

Credited Chapels to date: Credited Chapels remaining:

59 12

7:30 p.m.

Ethnos Family: The Culture Show E.T. at the Paramount Theatre

Police Log

Announcements The premiere of Mauritius will take place at 7:30 p.m.

Nov. 19 in The Culp Theatre.

Call 674-2787 to purchase tickets. Tickets are also available online at www.acu. edu/theatre and at the Box Office in the Williams Performing Arts Center, open from 1-5 p.m. MondayFriday.

Nov. 22 at the Abilene Civic Center. Tickets can be bought in advance for $18.50 or $23 at the door.

Groups of 10 or more can purchase tickets for $15 each. Tickets can be bought at Beltway Park Church, Lifeway and Mardel Stores, or online at www.iTickets.com.

Skillet’s Awake & Alive tour with Hawk Nelson will take place at 6 p.m.

Jazz Night will take place at 8:30 p.m. Nov. 17 at Monks Coffee Shop. The

event is free and will feature the ACU Jazz Combo.

2:30 p.m. during the week of the show.

Wharton’s Jelly Art Show

by Sarah English is on display in the Virginia Shore Art Gallery until Nov. 13.

The Music in the Park Concert Series will continue at 7 p.m. Nov. 14 at Play Faire Park. Tickets are $5 for adults, $4 for ages 6-12 and free for ages 5 and younger. S’mores will also be available. Admission price includes the concert and a game of mini-golf. Call 672-2977 for more information.

Ethnos Family: The Culture Show will take place at 8:30 p.m. Nov. 13-14 in Cullen Auditorium. Tickets are $3 and will be available in the McGlothlin Campus Center from 11:30 a.m.-

Abilene Adult Day Care needs volunteers to help call Bingo. Volunteers are needed every Monday at 1:30 p.m., except the third Monday of the month, when volunteers

are needed at 10:30 a.m.

Contact Donna at 7933519 for more information.

The First Baptist Church needs volunteers to reorganize and rearrange supplies and educational materials in the children’s department. Volunteers are needed 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

Oct. 12-31 at the First Baptist Church at 1333 N. 3rd St. Contact Cassie Irwin at 675-8106 for more information.

Meals on Wheels is looking for volunteers to deliver hot meals to

seniors and adults with disabilities each week.

Volunteers may work once a week, Monday-Friday, between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Contact Elisabeth Rodgers at 672-5050 for more information.

The International Rescue Commitee needs volunteers to set up apartments before refugees arrive. This includes shopping for household supplies, assembling furniture and putting away kitchen and food items.

All volunteers are required to attend an IRC volunteer orientation and must be available during weekday afternoons. Reliable transportation and ability to perform minor physical labor also required.

Nov. 3 6:59 p.m. Complainant reported a dead deer lying in a yard in the 2100 block of Campus Court.

Subject was contacted, and he said was washing out the chest cavity prior to taking the animal to a processing plant.

Nov. 4 4:21 a.m. ACUPD officers assisted APD with an intoxicated subject passed out in the 1200 block of North Judge Ely Boulevard.

Volunteer Opportunities Love and Care Ministries needs volunteers for its annual Mission Thanksgiving from 7 a.m.-1 p.m. Nov. 20 at Arrow Ford. Volunteers will take donations and put them in trucks. Volunteers are also needed at 8 a.m.

Nov. 21 to unload the donations at the Love and Care Ministries location at 233 Fannin St.

Police continue to receive complaints of large latenight parties in the ACU neighborhoods. Act responsibly: Keep noise levels down, guests indoors and at a reasonable limit.

Police enforcement efforts will be increased in the area.

Christian Service Center needs volunteers to fill requests for clothing, bedding, kitchen utensils, etc. from the donation center. Volunteers may work Friday or Saturday from noon-4 p.m. Contact Jim Clark at 673-7531 for more information.

Breakfast On Beech Street needs volunteers to prepare and serve breakfast to homeless and low-income members of the Abilene community.

Breakfast is served from 6:30-7:15 a.m. Volunteers must arrive at 5 a.m.

Tuesdays and 5:30 a.m. during the rest of the week. For more information, visit the Web site at www.fccabilene.org/outreach.html.

2:09 p.m. A traffic stop for speeding occurred at the corner of East North 22nd Street and Campus Court.

Subject was issued a written warning.

Nov. 5 1:10 p.m. ACUPD officer placed an immobilization device on a vehicle due to numerous citations and inability to identify owner.

Friday 1:15 a.m. Complainant reported an unknown person rang her doorbell in the 200 block of East North 13th Street. Officers checked area and were unable to locate anyone.

Saturday 1:45 a.m. Received call of a noise violation in the 500 block of East North 22nd Street. Officers talked to tenants, and they were in compliance on departure.

Sunday 2:45 a.m. Received call of loud music in the 2100 block of North Judge Ely Boulevard. Officer responded to call and found vehicle with its radio playing. Officer advised owner to turn down their music. Subject complied.

3:45 p.m. ACUPD received a call about a male exposing himself behind Don H. Morris Center.

Officer banned this subject from all of ACU property.

Tuesday 1:10 a.m. ACUPD contacted three students with alcohol in their possession in the 1600 block of Campus Court. Subjects were identified and issued citations.

Campus News

November 13, 2009

Page 3

STUDENT GROUPS

Women’s honor club inducts 70 members Mary Garvin Page 2 Editor The W Club will shower more than 70 women with roses at the W Club Induction Ceremony at 2 p.m.

Sunday at the University Church of Christ.

The W Club is a women’s honor club that seeks to inspire young women to mature spiritually and academically. Founded in 1920, it is the second oldest organization on campus.

“The W Club is a great opportunity for like-minded women to come together as a community,” said Dr. Caron Gentry, W Club sponsor and associate professor of political science.

At the ceremony, inductees will light candles with current and former club members.

The event will feature scripture reading, and about 100 guests are expected to attend.

About one-half of the women invited to join the club are inducted each year. This year, the club will consist of about 200 members.

To be inducted, Gentry said, the candidates must maintain a 3.5 grade point average and have completed 30 hours of coursework, in addition to two letters of recommendation and a membership fee of $20. Inducted members

The connections I’ve made and sisterhood I’ve formed with the women are indispensible.

MELANIE KIRKLAND Co-secretary/treasurer of the W Club and junior political science major from Lubbock

participate in multiple fundraisers, weekly Chapel meetings and luncheons. Members also are able to run for officer positions in the club, including president, vice president, historian, and treasurer/secretary.

“Being a part of the W Club has been one of my favorite things to be involved in here at ACU,” said Melanie Kirkland, co-secretary/treasurer and junior political science major from Lubbock. “The connections

I’ve made and sisterhood I’ve formed with the women are indispensible.

Being in the club is an honor and a privilege.”

contact Garvin at

mkg09a@acu.edu

FILM

Student producers create WWII documentaries Linda Bailey Opinion Page Editor The Historical Documentary Production class is producing a set of six documentaries about WWII to be given to museums scattered around central England.

Dr. Vernon Williams, professor of history and director of public history, teaches the class and will travel to England to present the documentaries during a program at the University of East Anglia in Norwich, England, on Dec. 11.

Williams said the purpose of creating and delivering the documentaries is to preserve the history of the area and give residents a glimpse into what life was like at the time. In the past, the documentaries have gone to museums and

been used in educational programs.

The documentaries will not be finished until the end of the semester, but Williams said he is pleased with what he has seen so far.

“They’ve got enough of it done that I can see that this is going to be a very bright class, and the films that I take are going to be very well received,” Williams said.

The class is offered only every other fall semester, and it is open to juniors and seniors of any major.

“It really doesn’t matter what your major is in terms of using this tool for your career,” Williams said. “A video-production capability will allow you to make all types of videos and promotional materials, no matter what you are doing.”

QUICK FACTS Any students interested in narrating a documentary should contact a student in the class.

Jimmie Jackson Jamalin Harp n Sandra Amstutz n Rebecca Lana n Mel Brannon n Chris Allen n n

Williams said students from different majors each bring a variety of skills to the table and work together to enhance the quality of each other’s films.

Jamalin Harp, senior English and history double major from San Antonio, said having students from other fields in her class improved her documentary about Clark Gable.

“It is a good way for majors to interact with one another, and I think that’s always good to get different angles,” Harp said.

Williams said he has spent the past 10 years traveling through England collecting photos and interviews for use in the documentaries.

Sandra Amstutz, junior electronic media major from La Féria, said students in the class use the material Williams collected but are still responsible for researching their topic, writing the script, editing the whole thing and putting it all together.

Williams said the students are also responsible for learning how to create a press kit and writing press releases to promote the documentary. Williams said the class is treated almost like a film production company to give students experience in more than simply creating a film. Students

come to class with parts of their documentary and let other students watch and make extensive critiques.

Amstutz’s documentary is about the Women’s Land Army in Britain during WWII. She said the documentaries are an important and

engaging way to learn about history.

“I think it makes those pieces of history just a little more real in your mind,” she said.

contact Bailey at

ljb07a@acu.edu

From Front

Page 4

NATIONAL

LOCAL

Fire: Color unit in flames Continued from page 1

JOZIE SANDS Chief Photographer

Veterans were recognized during the Veterans Day Tribute in Chapel on Wednesday and were asked to stand when their branch song was played.

Tragedy: Hits home Continued from page 1

“She didn’t tell me at first; she didn’t want to scare me,” Payne said. “They didn’t know where they were in relation to what was happening.”

Fort Hood authorities allowed traffic to leave the base at about 8:30 p.m., after Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan was incapacitated and taken into custody.

Brian Escochea, ’09 graduate from San Antonio, was text-messaging his uncle, an Army sergeant who has been stationed at Fort Hood for 17 years, at the time of the shooting.

“Later on, after I talked to him, I found out there was a shooting,” Escochea said. “I texted him back, and he didn’t respond.”

His uncle returned this month from a yearlong tour in Iraq

November 13, 2009

and was on leave. Escochea was not worried, because he knew the unlikelihood his uncle would be on base. His uncle texted him back the next day, apologizing for not being able to respond but did not mention the incident.

“He didn’t seem to be phased or anything,” Escochea said. “He’s a pretty relaxed guy. He’s been in for 17 years.

He’s seen a lot.”

Alyssia Ambrose, junior interdisciplinary elementary education major from Killeen, received an unexpected phone call between 5 and 6 p.m. on her way home from student teaching.

“My sister called me, frantically saying that I needed to get a hold of my dad,” Ambrose said.

Her father’s job requires him to make frequent deliveries to the

base, but Ambrose was able to relax when he answered her phone call.

Her aunt and a cousin work on base as civilians, and Ambrose did not learn of their safety until that evening.

Grant Boston, senior English major from Belton, knew his parents were in Killeen when he heard about the shooting, but he did not hear from them until late that afternoon. Boston later learned his father once hired attorney John Galligan to prepare a defense against the threat of losing some land he owned.

Galligan was recently announced as the acting attorney for Hasan.

contact Hettich at

clh05d@acu.edu

rollers within the unit,” he said. Hall said it was several hours before employees were allowed to return to the building, because the fire marshal had to ensure carbon monoxide levels were safe. This caused the publication delay that stretched into Saturday night. The building reopened at 6 a.m., and the crew returned to work.

“Saturday’s paper was late, and that was because it just took us quite some

time before the fire marshal allowed us to start the press again,” Hall said.

“The biggest problem was for Saturday’s publication for both San Angelo and our newspapers.”

The cause of the fire is unknown, but Hall said the most likely source is an electrical short. Lt. Clifton Morrison, investigator in the Abilene Fire Department, is in charge of the investigation and said he will continue looking for the cause.

No one was injured in the fire, only a color press

unit. The press operates on four color units, but Hall said the crew is managing with three.

“We hope to have it back in about two weeks.”

Hall said the crew is still cleaning up from Friday’s fire.

“We stil have to repair the press and mitigate some other smoke damages, but we’re back to our normal running schedule,” he said.

contact Rodriguez at

sar06g@acu.edu

INTERNATIONAL

Culture: Ethnos preparation Continued from page 1

about Ethnos is that there’s people from all around the world teaching each other,” Young said.

“It’s just a really good opportunity to connect with international students from all over and to really share each other’s cultures. It’s really a blessing to partake in.”

Even American students may participate in the show, Young said, and the hours of rehearsals benefit students by developing community and bonding students together as they work toward a common purpose.

“I think it’s a fantastic thing,” Young said. “It’s a great reflection of just how diverse and also how unified the student body here at ACU really is.”

ISA President and Ethnos Production Manager Ken Lake, senior accounting major from Tokyo, Japan, said the show’s family-oriented theme shows in the script, which was written first to tie together all the acts.

Lake said he hopes audiences leave with a better sense of the ACU community’s diversity.

“That’s like a no-brainer if you watch the show,” Lake said. “I think the big part is how much this international group at ACU, how much they’re really connected to each other – how much they’re giving and receiving. They gave a lot being in the show, and I think we also receive a lot, being over here in America.”

The sense of community surrounding ACU’s international students should be obvious to Eth-

nos viewers, Lake said.

“They get to see that in the spirit of this show, too, how much we love each other and how much we appreciate each other and how much we are so bonded together,” Lake said.

Young said Ethnos offers the ACU community a window of understanding into one of its most diverse student populations, allowing participants to share aspects of their homes and histories.

“It’s really on display for everyone to see, and I hope that people can have a better appreciation of what the students here at ACU are made of and what they can do,” Young said.

contact Acuff at

lka06a@acu.edu

STUDENT GOVERNMENT

SA: Free tickets for students Continued from page 1 The majority of the discussion was, in fact, not about the bill itself, but an amendment proposed by Keri Gray, sophomore political science major from Longview. Gray’s amendment would have set aside only $1250, enough to purchase 74 tickets.

“The first and foremost thing was that we have something left in the budget after the bill,” Gray said. “There is time left to do something for the student body. This was a compromise.”

Other members agreed, including Jared Perkins, who said 100 students represent only five percent of the student body.

“To spend 87 percent

of our budget on 100 students is seemingly unfair,” said Perkins, sophomore environmental science major from Waco.

Students in favor of the bill argued that with two weeks left in the semester, the money left in the budget would more than cover any unexpected costs. But Godfrey articulated the main argument.

“We want to show, as a community, support for this artist who is internationally renowned,” he said.

“Once that connection’s built, we can get all kinds of artists here in Abilene.”

Eventually, the debate ended and the yeas won the evening. The bill passed with one amendment – SA members are not eligible for free tickets.

Godfrey said tickets will be

distributed using a lottery system, although he had not nailed down details.

He also said the Campus Activities Board granted SA an additional $655 to purchase 15 more balcony seats and 13 seats on the floor. Students who want tickets can get details by joining the SA fan page on Facebook or following SA on Twitter at www.twitter. com/ACUStudents, Godfrey said.

“The students showed Congress that ACU students are passionate about music and events in the Abilene community,” he said.

contact Hackney at

ceh05c@acu.edu

Arts

November 13, 2009

MUSIC

Page 5

It’s Victory for Close Your Eyes Paul Knettel

Contributing Reporter Close Your Eyes, an Abilene-based hardcore band, made its Victory Records debut Saturday night in a concert at the Rose Park Activity Center in Abilene.

Victory Records, which touts bands such as A Day to Remember, Bayside and Hawthorne Heights, officially signed Close Your Eyes just a week ago on Nov. 2.

Brett Callaway, who plays guitar and sings background vocals for the band, said Victory asked them to come to Chicago to play a showcase for the label, during which one of the panel members jumped up on stage afterward and shouted, “I’m sold!”

The band had a contract within a few days and signed a couple of weeks later.

Callaway said since then, the label has been moving quickly to help promote and support the band.

“It’s amazing how fast things go now,” Brett said.

Close Your Eyes will be entering the studio Nov. 16 to begin recording for their upcoming album, tentatively titled Hands and Feet, which will be available in March 2010.

Swing the Lead, four-piece pop-punk band from ACU, kicked things off at the Rose Park concert with their highenergy style, reminiscent of an early Brand New or Blink-182.

Next on the bill was A Bullet for Pretty Boy, a melodic metalcore band – think Underoath or Memphis May Fire – from Longview. This six-piece ensemble had a very mature, full sound, with in-your-face screaming set off by choruses of beautiful vocal melodies and intense, thrash-inducing breakdowns.

Entertainment Ethnos Family: The Culture Show, sponsored by the International Students’ Association, will take place Friday in Cullen Auditorium from 7:30-9:30 p.m.

Hardin-Simmons University will be presenting Alice in Wonderland at 8 p.m. Thursday and Friday 2 p.m. and Saturday. Tickets cost $3 for students.

Call 670-1405 for more information.

Music Scene Swing the Lead, Fair Forms, My Epic, and Harvard will perform

at Rose Park at 6 p.m.

Wednesday.

ANDY MUNOZ Contributing Photographer

Close Your Eyes lead singer Shane Raymond gets up close and personal with fans at the concert at Rose Park on Saturday.

ZAK ZEINERT Contributing Photographer

Andrew Rodriguez, guitarist for Close Your Eyes, will travel to Houston next week with the band to record at the Ivory Tower Studios.

Close Your Eyes played next, and it was immediately apparent everyone in the house was there for this band, dancing like crazy and singing along to all of the songs. The band did a great

job of interacting with their adoring audience, with lead singer Shane Raymond stepping into the crowd during almost every song, dancing with them and letting fans sing parts of the songs into the microphone.

The band’s message is one of hope, which is evident in its uplifting and inspiring songs, with titles such as Song for the Broken and Something Needs To Change. Callaway described the band’s style as “a hardcore band that doesn’t sound mad all the time.”

While the musical riffs exemplify the hardcore and punk sound, Close Your Eye’s vocal melodies have some pop influence in them, with lyrics that are positive and encouraging.

The next two bands, Protagonist from Boca Raton, Fla., and Take It Back! from Fayetteville, Ark., continued

in the hardcore vein, with shouted lyrics and amazing drumming from both groups.

Finally, Four Letter Lie, now label-mates with Close Your Eyes on Victory Records, closed out the night with another solid set of hardcore tunes.

Overall, it was an energetic show. The entire lineup of bands inspired the audience to dance, thrash, run around and sing and shout along.

Matt Tate, bassist and background vocalist for Swing the Lead, said he was pleased with everyone’s performance.

“I thought it went really smoothly,” he said. “We played well and had a blast, and the other bands were really cool guys.”

Box Office Stats (In millions) Disney’s A Christmas Carol Weekend Gross: $30.1 Total Gross: $30.1

Michael Jackson’s This Is It Weekend Gross: $13.2 Total Gross: $57

Men Who Stare at Goats Weekend Gross: $12.7 Total Gross: $12.7

Fourth Kind

Weekend Gross: $12.2 Total Gross: $12.2

Paranormal Activity Weekend Gross: $8.3 Total Gross: $97.1

Box

Weekend Gross: $7.6 Total Gross: $7.6

Couples Retreat

Weekend Gross: $10.6 Total Gross: $77.7

contact Knettel at

optimist@jmcnetwork.com

PREVIEW

Fans flock to ticket booth for Iron and Wine Lizzy Spano Arts Editor For those indie folk fans who weren’t waiting to purchase tickets at the Paramount Theatre on Monday, there is still time to secure a seat for the Jan. 23 Iron and Wine concert.

Nationally renowned singer and songwriter Samuel Beam, better known as Iron and Wine, will perform as part of the Live at the Paramount series, to the delight of many young adults who appreciate his predominantly acoustic and vocal-rich sound.

Iron and Wine - a name inspired by a vitamin bottle Beam found, labeled Beef Iron & Wine – entered

the industry with a few self – recorded tracks and has since become a beloved artist with a musical quality comparable to alternative artist, Sufjan Stevens, or an old favorite, Simon and Garfunkel.

Beam’s music has been featured on numerous television shows and movies, including Garden State, Grey’s Anatomy, One Tree Hill, House M.D., The OC and Twilight. He has released five albums since his first self-promoted music endeavors and composed many recognizable songs, such as Boy With a Coin and Naked as We Came.

Betty Hukill, executive director at the Para-

mount, said Iron and Wine was invited in an effort to appeal to younger listeners and the student population in Abilene.

“We haven’t had anyone recently with the national notoriety that he has,” Hukill said. “He’s kind of moving us up into a bigger league of artists.”

Tickets, which range from $17 to $35, have been available at the theatre since Monday, and Hukill said many people have called, purchased tickets and expressed interest in the concert.

“For the money, this is going to be the best amount of entertainment you can get,” Hukill said.

“The Paramount is perfectly suited for an inti-

mate concert, and even if you’re on the back row, you feel like you’re very close to the artists.”

Season passes for the Live at the Paramount music series, which Hukill said will display a variety of musical interests for all age groups, may also be purchased at the theatre.

Johnny Dee & the Rocket 88, a rock and roll nostalgia band, will perform Dec. 19 at the theatre, and western swing band Hot Club of Cowtown will take the stage Feb. 27.

Photo Courtesy of EW.COM contact Spano at

eas07a@acu.edu

Solo artist Samuel Beam (Iron and Wine) will perform at the Paramount Theatre in January.

MUSIC

Wishing Well show to liven up the living room Beki Hamilton Contributing Reporter Wishing Well will be live from the Living Room on Tuesday night during a benefit event to raise money for wells in African villages without access to clean water.

The night will include a performance

by Seekers of the Word and two student bands, Thus Far and Blinded by Bears Seekers of the Word, a campus drama ministry, will perform several short skits, original works written by group members. All 18 members of Seekers will be involved in performing about 12 skits.

“This is our first event with Wishing Well,” said Seekers president Emily Jorgenson, senior advertising and public relations major from Parker, Colo. “It’s always fun performing on campus. We like to show the campus what we do, and it’s a good ministry opportunity.”

Thus Far, which has performed on campus several times before, will be playing at the event.

Michael Perkins’ solo music effort, Blinded by Bears, will also play a 30-minute set. Perkins, who just released an EP, labels his music indie acoustic.

“It’s just me and my guitar,” Perkins said. “It’s a lot of picking.”

Perkins and Thus Far will be selling their CDs at the event, and a portion of the profits will go to Wishing Well.

“This event will be very beneficial to Wishing Well,” Perkins said. “I’m looking forward to being involved.”

TOMS and Handbags of Hope will also sell their merchandise at the event.

In addition to shoes, bags and music, students can buy desserts, coffee and other drinks. Several ACU students are donating baked goods, and the Southern Hills and Westgate Churches of Christ are also contributing. All profits will directly benefit Wishing Well.

David McMichael, junior English major from Abilene, is organizing the concert. He said people are welcome to come and go throughout the night, and he doesn’t expect people to stay the whole time.

“Just buying a simple dessert really helps out,” McMichael said.

contact Hamilton at

optimist@jmcnetwork.com

Opinion

Page 6

EDITORIAL

November 13, 2009

Intramural rules not out of bounds the opposing team for possession of the ball. At any given moment in the pool, someone is pulling, splashing, pushing, holding, lifting or throwing.

Regardless of the intensity, people keep playing and even more people are watching.

It is easy to see why waterball was discontinued; however, watching the fans and teams get so committed to the sport shows why it was brought back. Waterball is a unique game that attracts students from all areas of campus. It is exciting to watch friends give their all for the unrelenting sport, and it is always a

waterball that seem to provide a compromise in the waterball controversy. For those who think the game is too dangerous, the intramural office changed the rules to promote safety, but the game still provides an entertaining experience for fans and players.

In a scene comparable to the gladiators in the Roman Coliseum, fans shout at both male and female players as they fight for points attained only when a player holds the yellow or red ball on the edge of the pool. Grimaced faces show the pain of treading water and the exhaustion from wrestling with

Three nights a week, whistles and cheering can be heard outside Moody Coliseum. Fans gather in the hot and humid room above the pool and the smell of chlorine permeates the air. Visibility is limited – especially if you want to see the scoreboard. Despite all of these conditions, students are still showing up in droves.

After a long year with limited weeknight entertainment, waterball is back, and we appreciate it – and other changes made to intramurals this year.

The intramural office created new rules to

THE ISSUE

The intramural office made many changes to intramurals this year, including bringing back the popular sport of waterball.

OUR TAKE

Intramural changes are positive because they have increased visibility and awareness and brought back a sport many students enjoy. great conversation starter around campus.

This is not the only change to intramurals we appreciate, though.

Compared to last year, the number of advertisements seen before Chapel, on myACU and in the kiosk has greatly increased. Deadlines for team signups and ways to get more information

Ataraxia

By Jordan Blakey

about a sport are posted weeks ahead of time to ensure everyone who wants to participate can have the chance to register. The intramural office has even organized promotional events targeted at anyone who desiresto be involved.

The intramural office listened to student comments and made some

meaningful changes. In response to this privilege, students should make responsible decisions in the pool, on the court and on the field.

Email the Optimist at:

optimist@jmcnetwork.com

COLUMN

Computer game offers life lesson Self–Examination Ryan Self

COLUMN

Written word requires consideration Conscientious Conjecture Laura Acuff Just 350 words. That’s it. After working in journalism for six years, y o u ’ d think I c o u l d write 350 words a b o u t carpet texture, and cerAcuff tainly 350 words on a topic of my choice.

But almost weekly, I am assigned to write a column. And almost weekly, I face the same challenge: writer’s block, that accursed affliction stumping writers of all ages, writing styles and creeds.

And it always seems to resurface at the most inopportune times – when embarking on a 10-page research paper, a 2-page book report, a cover letter and, yes, even a measly 350-word column.

It should be simple – a 10-minute conversation probably surpasses 350 words easily. And we talk all the time. One visit

to the library commons proves many of us spend vast amounts of time talking, even while attempting to be productive.

Probably, we talk too much. As one of my teachers used to say, “God gave you two ears and one mouth for a reason.” Yet, most of us probably speak much more frequently than we listen.

We’ll say just about anything. We’ll discuss shoes, the latest gossip, the newest Jon & Kate scandal. I’ve even had whole conversations about chewing gum brand preferences.

I don’t know that this is necessarily bad. We’re communal beings. We like being in relationship with others. We like to communicate our feelings and opinions, even if in regard to the most menial and meaningless of topics. It’s healthy.

So why do such communicative beings so frequently struggle with the written word? Why do so many students complain about English classes and essay assignments? Why can’t I sit down, type a 350word stream of consciousness and call it a day?

The difference may simply be thought.

We open our mouths and let fly countless opinions and unwarranted advice. Often, it does no harm. Often, it contributes to building a relationship with whoever we happen to be conversing. But sometimes, it’s devastating.

The phrase, “sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never hurt me,” indicates our desperate denial of the power of words. In reality, a lightly offered word can alter our lives drastically.

We all try to shrug off the hurtfulness of negative input. None of us succeed 100 percent of the time.

Maybe that’s why we struggle with written communication. When we write, the words stare back at us from the page or computer screen, daring us to mean what we say. Our thoughts become immortalized in publishing. The implications of expressing our opinions and making statements becomes more real than in oral communication, in which words seem

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

to float away from our own beings, whether or not they stick, perhaps damagingly, to their intended recipient.

Written communication forces us to reckon with our assertions.

Imagine the transformation that would occur if we all considered the words we speak as carefully as the words we write. We would experience fewer miscommunications. We would learn to be more effective, accurate communicators.

Our words would carry more weight, be more deliberately chosen. Our communication, and relationships as a result, would be more real.

Oral communication, by nature can never be as deliberate as its written counterpart. But simply working to be more genuine and sensitive in conversation, choosing our words more carefully – even remaining silent and simply listening could speak volumes.

contact Acuff at

lka06a@acu.edu

Optimist the

Published by the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication Newsroom (325) 674-2439

Sports Desk (325) 674-2684

Like many of my peers, (at least that’s what I told myself growing up), I spent much of my free time in front of a computer screen playing The Sims.

P e r haps it was a need to Self feel I was in control of something.

Maybe it was because I wanted to live vicariously through the lives of my Sims. Or maybe, it was because I wanted to see how much mayhem would ensue if I made two Sims get into a fight. Whatever the reason, looking back it seems there were a lot of life lessons to be learned from the Sims.

As with any game, there were plenty of cheats. Yes, it was always fun to gain as many Sim dollars or “Simoleons” as possible and build ridiculous houses and build a lifestyle the envy of all the other Sims in the neighborhood. Still, it just wasn’t the same as starting the game from the beginning and having the Sims live day in and day out earning money and gradually building the Sim house of their dreams. The same may be true about life. Being handed everything in life hardly compares to the satisfaction of working hard to earn the funds to pay for the things you want in life.

I will not say The Sims taught me a lot about relationships – that would be sad. But, several ideas still apply. If two Sims don’t spend time together, their “relationship meter” starts to decline. Sometimes, things

the Sims would do, (or I would make them do), would hurt the relationship. As with any relationship, real or animated, friendship requires effort and investment.

I wish all it took in real life were a few mouse clicks and a couple of well placed “hugs” and “jokes” to mend a friendship. In real life, however, sometimes the consequences are much more dire than your “friend count” dropping.

You can’t get a job without some necessary skills; the same was true for the Sims. To progress to the next level, you had to put in the hours to hone your skill level. It is difficult to imagine anyone who has not taken the time to develop their gifts and abilities will get very far in life. Practice makes perfect, and natural ability alone is nothing without work. A runner loses endurance if he avoids exercise for too long. A singer will never reach greatness without long hours of practice.

How will you become a level-10 “Captain Hero” on the Law Enforcement career track if you don’t spend time loading up on those charisma skill points?

Perhaps the analogy is a bit of an exaggeration.

Life is not really like the Sims. It is not as predictable or controllable as a computer game. Growing up and going to college has taught me life rarely turns out like you wished or planned. Yet, it is what grows out of that unpredictability that makes life so much more enjoyable than a computer game. contact Self at

rcs06g@acu.edu

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From Sports

November 13, 2009

Page 7

BASKETBALL

Hope: Clean slate for ’Cats Continued from page 8 the Wildcats were slotted to finish in fifth out of six teams in the LSC South Division.

“I think we can exceed expectations this year,” said Head Coach Jason Copeland. “Preseason rankings don’t mean a lot. It’s based on how you finished last year, and we didn’t have a great finish. We should finish higher than fifth.”

The rankings predicted Midwestern State will win the conference for the second straight year.

Midwestern is followed

by Angelo State, Tarleton State, West Texas A&M and Texas A&MKingsville. ACU and East New Mexico round out the LSC South.

The team will look different this year. Only three players with significant playing time are returning; center

Kendrick Johnson and guards Riley Lambert and Kevin White.

“We have a lot of new guys this year,” Copeland said. “We are going to try to get some kids different looks at different spots. We are also going to do some new things defensively.”

Copeland brought in three transfers to help boost the ACU squad. NCAA Division I transfers Preston Davis, (Stephen F. Austin), and Abby Kabba, (New Hampshire), as well as junior college transfer Eddie Thompson, (Paris JC), will help bolster a lineup that aims to be more up-tempo than last year’s.

Two years ago, the Wildcats made a run for the LSC semifinals.

Copeland wants the Wildcats to return to that style of play. Point guard Justin Heiman’s

JOZIE SANDS Chief Photographer

The Wildcat basketball team practices in advance of the 2009 season. They open the season against Baptist Bible on Nov. 17. quick and speedy play will be the driving force of the new offense.

Another factor that should help the Wildcats is their schedule. The Wildcats are slated to play 16 home games this

season, as opposed to only 13 last season.

“Anytime you can play at and get used to that friendly environment, it’s a plus,” Copeland said.

“We need to get in here and play and let the chips

fall where they may.”

Moody Coliseum has indeed been a friendly environment for the ‘Cats.

Last year, ACU went 8-5 at home, while going 2-11 on the road. Eight of the first 10 games will

be in Moody, beginning with the season-opener against Baptist Bible College at 7 p.m Tuesday.

contact Gwin at

agg07a@acu.edu

OPINION

Veterans: Idolizing the wrong American heroes Continued from page 8 freedom in World War II. We recognized their sacrifice.

On Wednesday, the nation was supposed to stop to honor those who have served our country so diligently, yet their sacrifice was not recognized as it should have been.

Unfortunately, all too often it takes a tragedy to capture our attention; it takes a disaster to make us truly appreciate those who serve our country.

Arizona Cardinals safety Pat Tillman caught the attention of America in 2002 when he traded in his cleats for a pair of army boots. Tillman would serve his nation for two years before dying in Afghanistan.

Tillman would have celebrated his 32nd birthday last week, but it was only upon his death that sacrifice was dutifully noted.

Tillman’s deployment and ultimately his death were media fodder for weeks on end, but why was his deployment special? Why did he get all of the coverage?

Tillman was a return to the way things used to be. During the world wars and the wars in East Asia, professional athletes in the military were not out of the ordinary.

Baseball superstars Ted Williams and Joe DiMaggio served in the United States Armed Forces during World War II, as did scores of other athletes.

NFL prospect Bob Kalsu was well on his way to a

We immortalize the athlete, yet we disregard the soldier. stellar career in the pros.

In 1968, he was the Buffalo Bills Rookie of the Year.

In 1970, he was a casualty of war. Slain in Southern Vietnam, Kalsu could have made millions; instead his journey was cut short.

The professional athlete has all but disappeared from the military scene.

Tillman was the last of a dying breed heroes, and we recognized his sacrifice.

This year, the New York Yankees were hailed as heroes, showered with ticker tape and praise. This year, the streets of New York have also been filled with protesters demeaning the courage and sanity of the

American soldier.

We as a society have become tragically confused.

We immortalize the athlete, yet we disregard the soldier. Most who serve in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan will return with their lives. They will come home to pomp and pageantry, but they will soon be forgotten.

Thousands of Vietnam War veterans are forced to beg on the streets of America’s cities - the same streets that celebrate their heroes and their titles.

An athlete dies, and it makes national headlines.

A soldier comes home broken, and it is just another proverbial day at the office.

We can lie to ourselves and make ourselves think we honor our veterans, but we do not. It is a tragedy that in order to be honored by society, you must yourself be a tragedy.

Thousands of soldiers will return from the Middle East this year, and their scars will not be visible. They will be shaken, disturbed and broken by a conflict that seemingly has no end. Yet, their sacrifice will not be recognized.

Every day, five U.S soldiers try to kill themselves, but we never hear of this condition. Contrarily, a boisterous wide receiver accidentally overdoses on pills, and it becomes a national headline. America has a “hero perceptionw disorder,” and we are not actively

FOOTBALL

Rematch: Wildcats look for payback against MSU Continued from page 8

sacks and six hurries. Eskridge completed only one of his last 11 attempts, ending 14/24 for a perfect 11/11, throwing for the game. ACU will need to push 197 yards and a touchdown, as hard through all four quarters to he led his team to 15 points in slow him and the MSU offense down Saturday. The Mustangs the quarter.

The Wildcats finally began will be looking to return the fato put pressure on Eskridge in vor by targeting Mitchell Gale. the second quarter, forcing five The young quarterback has made

some mistakes this season under heavy pressure. MSU will be looking to pressure Gale defensively to leading to defensive stops giving the ball back to the offense.

Offensively, the Mustangs are looking to protect Eskridge and establish a running game early to open the passing attack for him.

They will also try to get BeeJay

Mathis going, something they failed to do last week when the Wildcats held him to 21 rushing yards on eight attempts.

The game will kick off at noon Saturday, students can call the MSU ticket office to purchase tickets. contact Cantrell at

jrc07f@acu.edu

pursuing a remedy. Pat Tillman had it right; he understood what sacrifice meant. We immortalize the wrong crowd.

In the end, it is not the touchdowns we catch or the tackles we make that define us. We attain hero status only when we give of ourselves. That’s what sacrifice is all about. May we remember those who have given their lives for our nation, but may we also remember those who come home alive. We have to redefine what a hero is.

This Veterans Day weekend, may we stand up and recognize sacrifice.

contact Craig at

jrc07d@acu.edu

Sports

Page 8

Standings

PLAYOFF DÉJA VU

FOOTBALL Ovrl.

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

TAMU-C Central Okla.

NE State ENMU SW Okla.

East Central

7-2 7-2 7-2 6-2 5-3 5-3 4-4 4-4 3-5 2-6 2-6 2-7 0-8

November 13, 2009

9-2 9-2 9-2 8-2 6-4 5-5 6-4 4-5 3-7 2-8 2-7 2-8 0-10

VOLLEYBALL Ovrl.

Div. Team WTAMU ACU Angelo St. TAMU-C Central Okla.

SE Okla.

TAMU-K TX Woman’s MSU Cameron East Central Tarleton St. SW Okla.

ENMU

13-0 12-1 10-3 8-5 7-6 6-7 6-7 6-7 6-7 5-8 5-8 4-9 3-10 0-13

31-3 27-5 18-13 24-9 16-15 22-14 17-12 16-16 10-24 17-12 14-21 10-21 6-28 6-23

WOMEN’S SOCCER Div. Ovrl.

Team WTAMU Central Okla.

TX Woman’s MSU ACU TAMU-C SW Okla.

Angelo St. ENMU East Central NE State

7-2-1 7-3 6-3-1 6-4 5-3-2 5-5 4-5-1 4-6 4-6 3-7 1-8-1

14-2-3 14-6-2 8-9-2 13-5-2 10-7-2 10-8-1 7-10-2 10-9 9-10 6-8-2 5-11-1

Upcoming FRIDAY Soccer NCAA Quarterfinals

Volleyball LSC Semifinals

JOZIE SANDS Chief Photographer

The Wildcat line attempts to protect kicker Morgan Lineberry as he kicks a field goal in last weekend’s 15-13 loss to Midwestern State.

FOOTBALL

’Cats ready for rematch Ryan Cantrell

College football teams rarely play each other Assistant Sports Editor twice in the same seaThe Wildcats will get son, much less in consomething Saturday secutive weeks. ACU many sports teams can and MSU will enter the only dream about: a sec- game well prepared afond chance. ACU will ter playing each other return to Wichita Falls just last week.

This game will come for its second-straight week to play the Mid- down to execution. For western Mustangs. This the Wildcats, this means time around, however, finishing drives and the winner advances in putting points on the the playoffs, while the board. ACU’s offense has struggled with inloser’s season is over.

consistent drives; if they can correct that and rely on a solid defensive line, the Wildcats will be in a good position to win the game.

The defense will need to raise its level of play again in order to stop quarterback Zack Eskridge. Eskridge picked apart the Wildcats’ defense in the first quarter last week. He was

OPINION

Expert Predictions Sports experts from Abilene and Wichita Falls make their predictions for Saturday’s first-round playoff matchup between ACU and Midwestern State Nick Gholson: Wichita Falls Times Record News If ever there were a more dead even matchup, it is MSU vs. ACU. This one is really too close to call, but Midwestern knows it can beat ACU. The Wildcats don’t know they can beat MSU. Mustangs win in a squeaker, 20-17.

Gholson

Tyler Edwards: KRBC-TV NBC in Abilene

see REMATCH page 7

SATURDAY Football ACU at Midwestern State, noon

Volleyball

Edwards

LSC Championships

ACU’s defense will be key once again in trying to keep the national leader in passing efficiency in check. Mitchell Gale will get his opportunities on play action if the Wildcats can establish a consistent running game with the likes of Daryl Richardson. If ACU can make two or three big plays, they will win, 20-16.

Soccer NCAA Semifinals

SUNDAY Soccer NCAA Championships HOME GAMES LISTED IN ITALICS

Briefs n Wildcat kicker Morgan Lineberry was named Lone Star Conference South Special Teams Player of the Week after converting two field goal attempts of more than 50 yards.

Lineberry has made seven of his nine attempted kicks this season, including all three of his kicks from beyond 50 yards. n The ACU volleyball team was honored with six players being named to the Lone Star Conference allConference team. Shawna Hines, the nation’s leading blocker, and setter Ijeoma Moronu were named to the first team. Jordan Schilling and Jennie Hutt were named to the second team, and Lauren Leone and Michelle Bacon were given honorable mention. n Middle blocker Shawna Hines was named to the 2009 LSC all-Academic team as voted by the league’s sports information directors.

Joey Richards: Abilene Reporter-News

KEY PLAYER: Linebacker Emmanuel Bagley has proven to be a driving force on the Mustang defense. The reigning LSC Defensive Player of the Week picked up 10 tackles and collected a sack against ACU last week. Bagley also forced a Dennis Campbell fumble.

Expect him to be in ACU QB Mitchell Gale’s face throughout the game.

KEY PLAYER: The Wildcats will need a big performance from WR Edmund Gates. Last week against MSU, Gates hauled in only four passes for 17 yards.

He leads the Wildcats in both receiving yards and receiving touchdowns on the season and must open up the passing game for QB Mitchell Gale.

KEY MATCHUP: The MSU defensive line must put pressure on the ACU offensive line early to prevent the Wildcats from gaining momentum. If the ACU offensive line gets comfortable, that could spell trouble for MSU, as the holes for Reggie Brown and Daryl Richardson will only widen as the game progresses.

KEY MATCHUP: The ACU secondary has done an excellent job this year in coverage, picking up 14 interceptions.

They will again have their hands full with MSU QB Zack Eskridge. Eskridge has completed 71.1 percent of his passes this season, while tossing 28 touchdown passes against only five interceptions.

The offense finally starts clicking, and the defense does what it has done all year – play great. However, it still comes down to Morgan Lineberry, who kicks a 60-yard field goal as time expires. ACU 24, Midwestern State 21

Richards

Bryan Keating: KTXS-ABC TV in Abilene

Veterans Day: A time to remember

New season brings hope Austin Gwin Assistant Sports Editor

see HOPE page 7

Keating

OPINION

BASKETBALL

The Wildcat basketball team has high hopes, despite a low season last year.

Due to injuries and a tough schedule, the Wildcats finished 1016 last season, but a lot of fresh faces will give ACU a chance to get back into the habit of winning.

The Lone Star Conference released its preseason rankings and

ACU hasn’t scored fewer than 27 points in the playoffs in the Chris Thomsen era, and they haven’t lost four of five games since his first season on the Hill. The ACU defense will have to carry the load, but that’s going to happen, ACU 20, MSU 10.

Jeff Craig Sports Reporter

JOZIE SANDS Chief Photographer

Wildcat guard Eddie Thompson participates in practice at Moody Coliseum on Thursday.

A world away, in Iraq, more than 4,000 American soldiers have paid the Sacrifice is a hard thing ultimate price. We recogto grasp until it is forced nized their sacrifice.

More than 400,000 upon us in tragic and terrifying ways. This week, American soldiers perthe country watched in ished in the name of freehorror as a man driven dom in World War II. We by evil, in an act of rage, recognized their sacrifice.

On Wednesday, the robbed Americans of their fundamental right to life. nation was supposed to Their sacrifice was duly and painfully noted. see VETERANS page 7