What to eat, see and do in SLO this week
ARTS, pg. 5
A WHOLE NEW LOOK Plan in works to renovate Mott Athletics Center SPORTS, pg. 8 Wednesday, March 13, 2013
Volume LXXVII, Number 81
Sequesters 101 From unappealing contingency plan to an inevitable reality, the topic of sequestration has launched a surprise range of budget cuts on the United States. But how exactly will this national issue affect Cal Poly?
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UPD called to library Student alarmed by man watching porn on computer
SEAN MCMINN
smcminn@mustangdaily.net
The sequester: a scary word for some, simply confusing for others. The end of the world, maybe, or a political dance move. Somewhere between political exaggerations and party blaming lies the truth about exactly what effect the $85 billion in federal cuts ordered earlier this month will have for Cal Poly students. But two weeks later, experts still say not much is certain. What is the sequester? Though the sequester was originally devised as a series of cuts so unappealing Congress would have no choice but to find a way to avoid them, it became a reality after political gridlock stalled real action. The sequester cuts, which were split equally between defense and non-defense programs, came after Congress failed to agree on a way to cut $1.5 trillion in a span of 10 years. Republicans refused to accept a plan that included increased taxes, and Democrats said they would only agree to cut spending if it was coupled with tax increases. Neither was willing to budge. With little movement from lawmakers near the end of February — despite pressure from President Barack Obama — Congress let its deadline pass on March 1 and triggered the sequester. Technically, Congress could still vote to replace funding in the areas cut by sequestration, but there does not appear to be a plan emerging; Republicans and Democrats are already preparing for another political battle later this month. Despite conservative legislators’ accusations that the president exaggerated the sequester’s scope to gain political leverage, Obama criticized Republicans in the hours after Congress’ deadline passed. “We shouldn’t be making a series of dumb, arbitrary cuts to things that businesses depend on and workers depend on, like education, and research, and infrastructure and defense,” Obama said at a White House press briefing. “It’s unnecessary. And at a time when too many Americans are still looking for work, it’s inexcusable.” The sequester’s implications span the country’s federal programs, from airport security to military research to higher education. Like with many other across-the-board cuts, no official announcement has been made on exactly how much funding higher-education programs will lose. But a January report by the Student Aid Alliance, a coalition of 77 organizations that support
Our students will have hundreds of thousands of dollars less to spend on education. That’s less money to spend on books, housing, things like that. — LOIS KELLY CAL POLY DIRECTOR OF FINANCIAL AID
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Economics junior Derek Rieger posted the above photo on his Facebook wall, after he noticed the man looking at a dating website featuring nude women. MUSTANG DAILY STAFF REPORT
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Police escorted a man from the third floor of the Robert E. Kennedy Library on Saturday after a student notified them of a suspicious individual viewing pornographic material on a library computer. The male was looking at a dating website that had pictures of naked women, which students found disturbing, University see LIBRARY, pg. 2
Sexual assault report filed near campus MUSTANG DAILY STAFF REPORT
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San Luis Obispo police are investigating a report of sexual assault near Cal Poly’s campus earlier this month, but the department is reluctant to release information because of the involvement of a minor. Police received a sexual assault report during the afternoon of March 1 from the 100 block of Grand Avenue, according to police logs. Lt. John Bledsoe said detectives have not yet determined if a see REPORT, pg. 2
see SEQUESTER, pg. 2
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federal student aid, estimated the country’s most needy students could lose nearly $900 annually from reductions in government support. The majority of these losses come from losses in federal work-study, which the report says could cost some students $583 per year. What does this mean for Cal Poly students? Because of previous decisions at Cal Poly to limit the amount of federal grants the university applies for, director of financial aid Lois Kelly said programs such as federal work-study and the low-income Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant will remain untouched. The cost to take out a loan, however, will almost certainly increase. More than 25 percent of Cal Poly students rely on loans for themselves or their parents, Kelly said, and will see the sequester’s impact through an increase in administrative fees. As of March 1 — when Obama was forced to sign the sequester into law — fees on student loans increased from 1 percent to 1.05 percent, and fees on parent loans went from 4 percent to 4.2 percent. “Our students will have hundreds of thousands of dollars less to spend on education,” Kelly said. “That’s less money
to spend on books, housing, things like that.” But even with the federal order to increase those fees, Kelly said the Department of Education has not yet provided Cal Poly with a framework to carry it out. Kelly said she expects hundreds of students and their parents to borrow federal money during the remainder of the academic year, but cannot assess the additional fees until the Department of Education updates administrative fees from its computers. The Department of Education did not return a call inquiring when the fees will be assessed. Because of the confusion with loans, Kelly said Cal Poly’s Office of Financial Aid could be contacting students who have taken out loans since March 1 in the coming weeks to inform them they will receive less money than was previously offered. “I don’t know what the impact will be,” Kelly said. “I don’t know if they will have to pay against their loans, or renew their loans. We’re just kind of flying blind.” During the sequester’s first year of implementation, federal Pell Grants will not be affected. The increases in loan fees could hit students particularly hard following years of California State University tuition increases. The university system saw tuition rise nearly 250 percent during the past 10 years, and some campuses also implemented additional fees, such as Cal Poly’s Student Success Fee.
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
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Because of sequester cuts, fees on student loans increased from 1 to 1.05 percent on March 1. Fees on parent loans went from 4 to 4.2 percent. The Department of Education has not yet provided schools with the framework for these changes, however. “Cuts in education, and in research in general, are counterproductive to achieving our goals and improving the nation’s economic prosperity,” CSU spokesperson Liz Chapin said. “Whether they’re flexible or across-theboard, they’d be divesting in the programs that will help our country’s economy.”
Cuts in higher education, however, might be as far as sequestration extends for Cal Poly students. Steve Hamilton, chair of the university’s economics department, said though the cuts will decrease the number of government jobs, the kinds of privatesector jobs Cal Poly graduates tend to seek won’t see as large of an impact. “If the sequester came two
LIBRARY continued from page 1
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Police Department (UPD) Sergeant Robert Eckrote said. UPD did not have enough cause to make an arrest or press any charges on the male, Eckrote said. However, since the male was not affiliated with Cal Poly, UPD exercised the right to prohibit the man from returning to campus for seven days under Penal Code 626.6, which gives police the power to remove an individual from a university campus if the person “is committing any act likely to interfere with the peaceful conduct of the activities of the campus or facility.” The male was middle-aged, had brown hair that was beginning to gray and was
years ago, I think it could have created a downward spiral,” Hamilton said. “(But) the job market will continue to improve, even with the sequester.” Exactly how these cuts in government programs will impact the job market is still up for debate among economists, Hamilton said, but he doesn’t think it will be noticeable for students as they begin looking for employabout 180 pounds, according to economics junior Derek Rieger, who contacted the librarian about the incident. Rieger was on the third floor of the library when the male sat in front of a library computer and adjusted his screen to allow for privacy, Rieger said. He said he thought the man appeared awkward, but he did not think anything of the situation until obscene pictures began to appear on his screen. What was even more disturbing than the pictures was the man’s body language Rieger said. “His legs were wide open, his whole demeanor was fidgety and he was starring at the women around him,” Rieger said The people nearby seemed to notice his odd behavior, but Rieger said he was the only one able to see the computer screen and understand the situation.
REPORT continued from page 1
crime occurred, but said a 14-year-old was involved in the incident. “It’s still being investigated, we haven’t even determined if a crime has been committed,” Bledsoe said. Bledsoe would not say in what capacity the minor was involved. University Police Department (UPD) Chief George Hughes, who is out of the office until Thursday, wrote in an email that university police were unaware of the incident. This is the second case since October in which a sexual assault was reported near campus to the San Luis Obispo Police Department (SLOPD) and university police learned about it through media reports. In October, SLOPD received a call reporting a sexual assault at a Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity house. Minutes later, officers labeled the investigation as unfounded because they could not make contact with the woman who made the original report. University police learned about the pre-Halloween weekend report from media
ment. There is, however, confusion among experts about exactly where funding will be reduced, and who, if anyone, will benefit. “The biggest problem is there’s not a lot of transparency of how this is going to happen,” Hamilton said of the sequester. “These are just sort of being mandated and people are trying to pencil it in after the cuts.” “I wasn’t sure if I should call him out or tell someone, because I didn’t know what UPD could do about the situation,” Rieger said. “I ended up posting a status on Facebook along with a picture of the man.” The post received a lot of attention on Facebook and had a variety of comments from his friends, some merely mocking the situation, while others took the situation more seriously and expressed their concern. Eventually, Rieger decided to notify the librarian of the incident. The librarian contacted UPD and the officers escorted the man off of the premises. “It wasn’t until the police showed up that everyone became aware of the situation,” Rieger said. “Everyone seemed disturbed by it and a lot of people thanked me for doing something about it.” Sara Natividad contributed to this staff report.
reports and later contacted San Luis Obispo police. Student Life and Leadership also launched an investigation, but did not find any evidence that a sexual assault occurred at the fraternity house. San Luis Obispo police told Mustang Daily in October that they were not sure telling the university or fraternity about the alleged sexual assault was the best thing that could have been done at the time. San Luis Obispo Police Sergeant Fred Mickel said generally SLOPD will inform campus police of cases in the immediate area around Cal Poly. “Most cases, especially if they involve students from campus, we’re generally going to involve UPD because they work hand in hand with them,” Mickel said. “Especially so they can get additional information out to campus to help with safety.” Mickel said SLOPD could share info with campus police even if a minor were involved in a case, but neither organization would typically put out a press release or a campus announcement in that instance. Sean McMinn contributed to this staff report.
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Wednesday, March 13, 2013
WORD ON THE STREET What are your plans for spring break?
“I’m going to San Diego with a group of friends.” • Katie Sculley graphic communication senior
Black smoke, no pope ALVISE ARMELLINI NICK RIGILLO McClatchy Newspapers
The first day of a secretive Vatican conclave ended Tuesday with black smoke billowing out of the Sistine Chapel chimney, signaling that cardinals had yet to decide on a new pope. Smoke emerged shortly after 7:40 p.m. before the large crowd assembled in St. Peter’s Square to watch the spectacle. Giant screens were installed to allow them to have a better view of the small chimney high above them. The smoke is produced by the burning of the cardinals’ ballots, with chemicals added to alter its color. Whereas black means an inconclusive vote, white smoke is used when a new leader for the world’s 1.2 billion Catholics has been elected. The Catholic Church’s 115 cardinal electors were due to resume voting on Wednesday, with two rounds in the morning followed by another two in the afternoon. The winning
candidate needs to secure a twothirds majority: at least 77 votes. Most Vatican experts expect the process to be completed by week’s end. The conclave started around 5:30 p.m., when the master of ceremonies called the “Extra Omnes” (everybody out). All non-voting individuals were led out of the chapel, and its doors were locked. The red-clad cardinals arrived in the chapel in a procession. Once seated under Michelangelo’s famous frescoed ceilings, they sung a hymn to invoke the Holy Spirit’s guidance and took an oath of secrecy. Speaking in Latin, they pledged to maintain “secrecy regarding everything that in any way relates to the election of the Roman pontiff and regarding what occurs in the place of the election, directly or indirectly related to the results of the voting.” While the process is highly secretive, and there are no formal candidates, papal watchers say this election is much more open than
the one in 2005 that turned German-born Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger into Pope Benedict XVI after just four rounds of voting. The shortlist of “papabili” (papal candidates) includes Italy’s Angelo Scola, Brazil’s Pedro Odilo Scherer, Timothy Dolan of the United States, Marc Ouellet of Canada, Peter Turkson of Ghana and Leonardo Sandri of Argentina. The race is portrayed as a clash between reformists and “curiali,” those loyal to the Roman Curia — the equivalent of the Vatican’s government. “My guess is that we’d have a new Successor of St Peter by Thursday evening, with a hoped-for inaugural mass on March 19,” Dolan wrote in a letter to his priests in New York, according to U.S. broadcaster ABC News. “I don’t think it (the conclave) will be long,” Cardinal Norberto Rivera Carrera had earlier told Italian daily La Stampa. MCCLATCHY-TRIBUNE “There are differences of opinBlack smoke rose out of the chimney of the Sistine Chapel ion, but we will find an agreeon Tuesday, signifying a new pope has not yet been chosen. ment very soon.”
‘Cannibal cop’ guilty JOHN RILEY Newsday
“I’m going to Zion National Park.” • Michael Antoine biological sciences senior
MCCLATCHY-TRIBUNE
Hackers more dangerous than terrorists KEN DILANIAN Tribune Washington Bureau
“I have an interview set up for an internship over summer.” • Kim Quant business administration sophomore
“I’m going to race in a triathlon.” • Matt Hudson mechanical engineering junior
“I’m going back home to Seattle and spending time with family.” • Dom Porcincula mechanical engineering sophomore
Cyber attacks and cyber espionage pose a greater potential danger to U.S. national security than al-Qaida and other militants that have dominated America’s focus since Sept. 11, 2001, the nation’s top intelligence officials said Tuesday. For the first time, the growing risk of computer-launched foreign assaults on U.S. infrastructure, including the power grid, transportation hubs and financial networks, was ranked higher in the U.S. intelligence community’s annual review of worldwide threats than worries about terrorism, transnational organized crime and proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. The startling reappraisal comes a day after President Barack Obama’s national security adviser, Tom Donilon, complained of “cyber intrusions emanating from China on an unprecedented scale” and said China-based digital attacks on U.S. businesses and institutions had become “a key point of concern” for the White House. “The international community cannot afford to tolerate such activity from any country,” he warned in a speech at The Asia Society in New York. He urged Beijing to “take serious steps to investigate and put a stop to these activities.” Appearing Tuesday before the Senate intelligence committee, James Clapper, director of national security, said Russia and China are unlikely to launch a devastating cyber attack against the United States outside of a military conflict or crisis that they believe threatens their vital interests. But according to Clapper’s written statement, computer hackers or organized groups “could access some poorly protected U.S. networks that control core functions, such as power generation” although their ability to cause “high-impact, systemic disruptions will prob-
ably be limited.” “It’s hard to over emphasize (cyber’s) significance,” Clapper told the committee. Clapper testified alongside CIA Director John Brennan, FBI director Robert S. Mueller III, Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn, who heads the Pentagon’s Defense Intelligence Agency; Matthew Olsen, who heads the National Counterterrorism Center; and Philip Goldberg, who heads the State Department’s Bureau of Intelligence and Research. The downgrading of the terrorist threat came with notable qualifiers. As was clear in the lethal attack last Sept. 11 on U.S. diplomatic and intelligence compounds in Benghazi, Libya, al-Qaida’s local affiliates and sympathizers in the Middle East and North Africa still seek to harm U.S. interests. Officials warned that despite setbacks, al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula, the affiliate based in Yemen, aims to carry out attacks on U.S. soil and it “continues to adjust its tactics, techniques and procedures for targeting the West.” But aggressive counter-terrorist operations, including using drone-launched missiles to kill individuals and small groups in northwest Pakistan, “have degraded core al-Qaida to a point that the group is probably unable to carry out complex, large-scale attacks in the West,” Clapper said. Al Qaeda and its affiliates played little or no role in the popular uprisings across the Middle East and North Africa in 2011. But the fragile new governments in Egypt, Yemen and Libya, and ongoing unrest in Syria and Mali, “have offered opportunities” for what Clapper called “unpredictable” attacks by established or aspiring terrorist groups on U.S. facilities and allies. In response, Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., the committee chair, noted that “the terrorist threat has receded” because of a broad array of U.S. efforts. She said they in-
clude criminal prosecutions, noting that 438 people were convicted of terrorism-related charges in American courts between 2001 and 2010. In a separate hearing at the Senate armed services committee, Gen. Keith Alexander, who heads the Pentagon’s new U.S. cyber command, which conducts military operations, as well as the National Security Agency, which carries out digital espionage overseas, said the number of cyber attacks is growing. “It’s getting worse,” he said, citing more than 140 attacks on Wall Street over the last six months. Last August, he added, a computer intrusion at Saudi Aramco, the Saudi Arabian national oil and gas company, destroyed data on more than 30,000 computers. Outside experts blamed both sets of assaults on Iran, and Alexander was asked if the Obama administration had considered retaliation. “I think this gets to the heart of ... when does the defense department step in to defend the country?” Alexander replied, saying he could not address specifics. Defense experts have struggled to define precisely when and how U.S. military or covert action should be taken to prevent a potential cyber attack, especially when many appear all but impossible to trace. On other fronts, Clapper warned that congressionally mandated budget cuts under the so-called sequester would create numerous problems for intelligence collection and analysis. The overall budget for the 16 U.S. intelligence agencies has grown sharply over the past decade and now is about $75 billion. “We’ll reduce human, technical and counterintelligence operations, resulting in fewer collection opportunities while increasing a risk of strategic surprise,” he said. The intelligence assessments of most danger zones around the globe changed little from last year.
A federal court jury on Tuesday convicted accused “cannibal cop” Gilberto Valle of a kidnapping conspiracy, stunning Valle, his family and a defense team that expected a different result after relentlessly arguing he had only engaged in online roleplaying fantasies. Valle, 28, a six-year NYPD
they planned to appeal and believed that jurors had been unable to get over the graphic, explicit words and images found on Valle’s computers about tormenting women. “The case involved things that were unusual, and bizarre and very ugly,” defense lawyer Julia Gatto said. “The jury couldn’t get past that. But we don’t prosecute people for their thoughts.”
People can be prosecuted for their thoughts, and convicted. That’s very dangerous. ROBERT BAUM DEFENSE LAWYER
officer, flinched and then lurched forward and held his head when jury foreman Ceasar Monitto responded, “Guilty.” His mother, Elizabeth, her face soaked with rain and tears as she left court, declined to comment, but said she was “shocked.” “Why am I shocked?” she barked at one reporter outside federal court in Manhattan. “Did you attend that trial? That’s why I’m shocked.” Valle faces up to life in prison. He was convicted of plotting in Internet chats with three men to abduct, abuse, rape and cannibalize women he knew, and with misusing a police database. But no one was hurt, and prosecutors presented almost no evidence that he tried to execute any of the plans. Valle’s defense team said
Defense lawyer Robert Baum said the decision of U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara to prosecute a case based predominately on Internet chats set a worrisome precedent. “People can be prosecuted for their thoughts, and convicted,” Baum said. “That’s very dangerous.” Gatto said Valle, who has been held in jail since his arrest on Oct. 24, was “very emotional.” He will be sentenced June 19 by U.S. District Judge Paul Gardephe, who will first hear motions to overturn the verdict. Jurors, who were advised by Gardephe to not talk to the press, left the courthouse without commenting. They reached the verdict on their fourth day of deliberations, after about 13 hours altogether. The trial lasted seven days.
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Wednesday, March 13, 2013
goDEEP
Self service: a handy how-to
Julianne Roth is a journalism senior and Mustang Daily sex columnist. The iconic sex educator Betty Dodson once said, “Orgasms have been very important to my life. I’ve always really depended on them. In a bad mood? Jerk off. Confused? Masturbate.” In order to get the creative juices surging up from my loins to my brains, I also had to manually come before I wrote this column. Perhaps you could say Betty and I are cut from the same titillating cloth — we even share the same birthday. When I talk about my vagina,
my clitoris or any other part of my lady anatomy, it’s like I would talk about my arms or feet — my genitalia are just another part of my body. Women and men ought to have a competent grasp of how their bodies properly function. I’ll admit that since I was a child, I’ve stood in front of the mirror stark naked and checked out the intricate nooks and crannies of my body for minutes on end. My boyfriend makes fun of me now for doing this before we take a shower, but I just can’t help it. Staring at our vaginas is no different from staring at our
tummies and thighs. So, ladies — I urge you, take a hand mirror and explore your vulva (the outside folds of the vagina). I promise, it usually won’t bite. Get to know your unique set of features and your vagina. How can you let anyone explore your delicate center before you do?
Some women want to masturbate, but don’t know where or how to begin. Others have no problem with the act, but are hung-up on negative selfjudgments that ultimately cause harsh waves of cognitive dissonance. Masturbation is completely natural and carries most of the benefits consensual, safe sex does (except for the obvious ones that include a partner). Plus, you can jerk and jerk all day with absolutely zero possibility of pregnancy and disease transmission — unless you didn’t wash your hands. However, studies show women in relationships and marriage actually masturbate more. According to WebMD, women who masturbate engage in more sexual activity with their partners as well. I’m definitely one of those people. Masturbation also contributes to sexual and overall confidence. There’s nothing sexier than a woman who knows what she wants and how she likes it. I geared this column toward women specifically, because I have more than a few close friends who are befuddled by their vaginas and dubious about their self-pleasuring skills. I’ll admit I was a late bloomer. At the age of 16, I started “flicking the bean,” compared to the lucky women who began jerking off before they could
speak coherent sentences. At the age of 18, my friend Emily and I visited our nearest adult store and bought dildos for each other’s birthdays; we’re both Virgos, oh the irony. Don’t get me wrong — I love my little orange vibrating clitoral magician; however, err on the side of caution with dildos. Besides a few impeccably stunning exceptions, I’m a heterosexual female, so I try not to masturbate solely with an object my partner could never mimic with his penis, mouth or hands. However, incorporating toys into the bedroom is an entirely different adventure of its own. Your partner can strategically rub the vibrator on your clitoris, while going in and out of your vagina with fingers. Also, watching your partner touch themselves erotically can be visually and physically exciting, maybe because it’s hot that they know what they like. If you’re going to use a vibrator on your clitoris, try to stimulate your G-spot simultaneously. From my extensive anthropological research, (AKA prodding into all of my close and not-so-close friends’ sex lives), I’ve found that the G-spot is often overlooked in female masturbation. The G-spot is on the inner wall of the vagina, right underneath the clitoris, about two to
three inches in. To find your Gspot, turn your palm up, slide however many fingers you’re comfortable with inside and gently curve them upward. Based on my experience, it is easy to find her after you’ve already orgasmed. Once inside yourself, stroke up and down, until you come across a portion of your vaginal wall that is a bit rougher. Bingo. Some say rubbing your Gspot in tandem with your clitoris can heighten pleasure, but either orgasm on its own is firework-worthy. If you’re stalled before you even start, try relaxing in the shower or bathtub. As my close friend of six years Corina said, “ ... three very important words: removable shower head.” If you’re like me, you’re not as lucky as Corina, so you may have to rely on your hands. Run your fingers softly up and down your stomach and thighs. Stroke your breasts and the sweet outer edges of your labia. Many women can reach an orgasm by breast stimulation alone. I find it’s easier for women to become vaginally ready once they’re mentally tranquil. And one last thing: Ladies don’t have a refractory period. That’s why I was able to have nine orgasms in a row the other day. Can you top that?
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EAT, SEE, DO Wednesday, March 13, 2013
MUSTANG DAILY STAFF REPORTS arts@mustangdaily.net
East Bay band will bring pop-punk energy to SLO
DAVID JANG/MUSTANG DAILY
American-style ‘Eatz’ hit downtown scene New downtown San Luis Obispo restaurant, Eatz by Dezign, opened three weeks ago on Feb. 18 and serves pizza, soups, sandwiches and salads. “Our concept is really based on providing simply delicious food of a really high caliber and quality really quickly and affordably,” executive chef Johnny Jantz said. “So, ‘slow food fast’ is our motto.” The restaurant uses local farmers’ produce as much as possible for fresh ingredients in wholesome dishes, he said. Jantz even shops at Farmers’
Market on Thursdays to buy fresh vegetables and fruits. The menu is seasonal and changes almost weekly. One of the most popular dishes is the “pizza of the moment.” Customers design their own meal, guided by the chefs. “It’s another option for students to get a wholesome, balanced meal at a price that they can afford and their mamas would be proud of,” Jantz said. The restaurant is located on 849 Higuera St. in a historic San Luis Obispo building.
“We have kind of brought the historic aspect of downtown San Luis and combined it with sort of the modern, contemporary edge,” he said. The back dining room features a skylight, and the restaurant walls are lined with photos of local farms whose ingredients are used in the meals. Dishes range from $3 to $9. Eatz by Dezign is open from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Kelly Trom contributed to this staff report.
Skate down to Grover Beach It may be against the law to skate at Cal Poly, but don’t toss away the boards just yet — the South County Skate Park is reopening after more than a year of closure, and under the San Luis Obispo YMCA, it’s said to be better than ever. Located in Grover Beach, the now YMCA-run outdoor skate park is more than 13,000 square feet and features deep cement bowls, a pyramid and rails for skaters to practice on. “They don’t really have a skate park in SLO, it’s just a small little park with a couple of ramps,” South County YMCA youth sports coordinator Jerome Jones said. “But here, even if you’re a beginner, intermediate or advanced skater — the park is great for everyone.” While the park itself has not changed since its original debut in 1999 under the city of Grover Beach, Jones said the “brand and philosophy” behind the skate park is very different. “Now there are skate camps and summer series,” Jones said. “And we hired some
great gentlemen. It’s just a fun time where you can meet new friends and skate.” Jones said since the reopening on March 1, the park has seen 25 to 30 skaters a day, but expects that number to go up after the grand opening on March 23. At the grand opening, there will be a disc jockey, free giveaways and free skating — normally $5 for each threehour session. “It’s really affordable,” Jones said. And with plenty of restaurants and the beach within a few blocks of the park, “a lot of kids come down from Cal Poly, skate for a few hours, eat with new friends, then go hang out at the beach. It’s like another adventure. It’s something new to do around here that’s outside SLO, like going to Avila or Pismo,” Jones said. Art and design junior Evan LaForce created the park’s new logo design to represent the park’s new vibe in a contest held by the San Luis Obispo YMCA.
LaForce said the palm tree in the logo “represents California and the area we live in,” and the logo contest was a “good opportunity” for him as a former skater to “help out that skating community.” “I used to skate a lot, so I knew what young skaters would like,” LaForce said. “I wanted to portray the sport in an exciting way to draw people in.” While LaForce has not yet been to the skate park, he said skating (he does shortboard and longboard) “is really good recreation, fun exercise and a cool sport.” “It’s a good break from studying and to get away from it all,” LaForce said. LaForce plans to attend the grand opening, “but whether or not I decide to skate will be up in the air — I’m a little rusty.” Currently, the park is open Friday through Sunday, but Jones said more days will be added soon. Allison Montroy contributed to this staff report.
Five-piece pop-punk band The Story So Far is making a name for itself, having performed at Vans Warped Tour UK and toured with New Found Glory. Now, the band, which appropriately takes its name from a New Found Glory song, will make its San Luis Obispo comeback on Thursday by headlining SLO Brewing Co. (SLO Brew). “(Touring with New Found Glory) was great,” drummer Ryan Torf said. “We all have been listening to New Found Glory since we were in middle school. It was really cool to look back on the past and see how much we had accomplished. They’re really cool guys and it was cool hanging out with them and hearing what they have to say.” Torf describes the band’s sound as energetic and aggressive. These qualities carry through onto the band’s new album, “What You Don’t See,” due out March 26 on Pure Noise Records. The Story So Far has released three songs from the record to stream — “Empty Space,” “The Glass” and forerunning single “Right Here.” Based on these tracks, the band is coming back stronger,
COURTESY PHOTO
cleaner and more developed. “(‘What You Don’t See’) sounds a lot more mature,” Torf said. “The qualities that define us are just more defined (in the album).” While the album isn’t set to release until later this month, a low-quality version recently leaked online. In response to the leak, the band issued the following statement on its Facebook page: “To all who have downloaded our new record, sorry the quality blows, someone blew it. Thank you for listening, but we have the real mix
available. Download it, buy it, steal it, etc., please find a way to get the high quality version and listen to the record the way it was intended to be heard. Album is out 3/26, we are selling vinyl on tour now!” The show begins at 6:30 p.m. Tickets can be purchased via SLO Brew’s website. Man Overboard, Tonight Alive, Citizen and The American Scene will also take the stage. “(Fans can) expect a ton of energy,” Torf said. Kassi Luja and David Liebig contributed to this staff report.
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Wednesday, March 13, 2013
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IN DEFENSE OF CHRISTIE
Ashley Pierce is a political science freshman and Mustang Daily political columnist.
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Gov. Chris Christie of New Jersey was Republicans’ Christ-like figure just last year. He was set to single handedly save the party and bring it back to popular standing amongst independent voters. Christie could do no wrong as he helped to reduce New Jersey’s deficit (Gee, wouldn’t that be nice to do with the $16 trillion the country’s hiking up?). Then the poor guy went and commented on what a swell job President Obama did handling the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy. There were pictures all over the Internet and newspapers of the two of them looking all hunky-dory, talking very seriously in an airplane. It was adorable. Christie’s praises came at a rather bad time though, just a few days before the 2012 Presidential Election. Oops. Obama won, Romney lost and it’s all Christie’s fault — except for the fact that none of it is. While Republicans may be bitter that their once-Superman might have aided in Obama’s win, Christie only did what was right. He didn’t intentionally seek out news reporters to tell them how well Obama handled the crisis. Christie didn’t insist we all kneel at Obama’s throne and kick Romney to the curb. No, Christie merely respond-
ed with what he believed to be the truth when reporters asked, “How is Obama handling the aftermath of Sandy?” If Christie had lied just to undermine the president, would the American public really want another liar as candidate in the 2016 presidential election? We have plenty of those already. If Christie had lied about Obama’s grace when handling the storm, respect for him would, and should, have been lost. Instead, he demonstrated what an honest and truthful human being would do. Isn’t that what we need in office, rather than liars and manipulators? Many in the Republican Party fail to see it that way, as many have cold-shouldered him since. The GOP hasn’t even invited Christie to the Conservative Political Action Convention (CPAC), which is hosted in Washington, D.C. every year and brings together some of the most prominent names in the conservative spotlight to speak and create the party’s agenda for the year. This year’s list of speakers, while full of bright, young conservative journalists such as Katie Pavlich (whom the Cal Poly Republican Club recently brought to Cal Poly to speak) and Steven Crowder (whom I hope the club brings next *hint, hint*), also contains many future hopeful conservative presidential candidates. Among those on the list are Rick Perry, Marco Rubio, Rand Paul (the newest Republican savior), Paul Ryan
and more. Lacking from the list? Chris Christie. The male conservatives were begging him to run for president just last year. When he announced he had no intention of running, tears were shed as conservatives wept. It was a dark day. How quickly the tears dried. Shame on CPAC coordinators for not inviting Christie. This is not a war in which one side of the political spectrum cannot praise the other for a good job. Republicans and Democrats don’t have to agree and can debate for years to come. But if we are so consumed by ideological differences that we ignore a swell job by another party, then we have failed this country. The debates and different views are frustrating, tiring and sometimes seem downright hopeless. But our freedom
to disagree and have such discussions are what keep our country prosperous. Every Democrat, Republican, Libertarian, Green party-er, etc. will have different strengths, whether that’s balancing a budget, domestic policies or foreign relations. It’s ignorant and hateful for one party to fail to see that about a leader from another. Christie’s ability to compliment President Obama even when they disagree on many policies demonstrates maturity and intelligence. So here’s to ending the shunning of Gov. Christie. Conservatives could use the popularity for once. Not to mention the guy is sassy — and everyone could always use more of that (which is totally why Crowder should come to campus soon, what a coincidence *cough, cough*).
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Wednesday, March 13, 2013 Volume LXXVII, Number 81 ©2013 Mustang Daily “NHA HA”
Obama could face tougher press in second term E. THOMAS MCCLANAHAN
The Kansas City Star
Second terms have a habit of being unkind to presidents, and one wonders whether the pattern will apply to Barack Obama, whose treatment by the press has been unusually respectful, to put it mildly. But that may be changing, and a big clue is how the sequester fight between Obama and the GOP has played out so far. In recent days, the administration has drawn jeers for exaggerating the potential effect of the sequester, which requires a 5 percent cut in discretionary spending. Across-the-board spending cuts are a bad way to do business and may well result in significant cost to the economy and jobs. But in the annals of overreach, the White House performance was right up there. Cabinet secretaries trooped before the press to predict long lines at airports or a nation “less safe” because of furloughed Border Patrol agents. Education Secretary Arne
Duncan had to retract a claim that some schools were already handing out “pink slips” because of the mandated spending cuts. Obama wrongly claimed Capitol janitors would get a pay cut. Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano wrongly claimed airport security lines had grown by 200 percent. The administration’s hyperbole led to a “Saturday Night Live” skit in which a woman astronaut intoned, “Thanks to the budget cuts, our space helmets will no longer have glass. So when we go out in space, we’ll have to hold our breath.” Then the Washington Post’s Bob Woodward stirred the pot with an op-ed contradicting the White House line that the sequester had been a GOP idea. Citing reporting he did for his book, “The Price of Politics,” Woodward also said Obama’s demand for more revenue wasn’t part of the deal and amounted to “moving the goal posts.” But that wasn’t all. Before his article appeared, Woodward called White House
aide Gene Sperling to provide a heads up — and Sperling responded angrily. Woodward told Politico that Sperling “yelled” at him for about 30 minutes. Sperling sent Woodward an email offering an apology, but he added that Woodward would “regret” his statement about Obama moving the goalposts on the sequester deal — a remark Woodward called a “veiled threat.” Politico published the email exchange, which seemed surprisingly polite given the controversy. Some in the media accused Woodward of overreacting. But of course we don’t know what Sperling said in that 30-minute rant. This may seem like so much inside baseball, but it suggests the iceberg’s tip of something deeper — a hyper-sensitive White House and a frustrated press. Woodward’s decision to call foul on the White House has opened the door for others to take their own shots. Indeed, Ron Fournier of National Journal chimed in with an account of “abusive language” from an unnamed White
House aide, who also told Fournier he would have cause to regret certain assertions. Obama’s once-worshipful press may be on the edge of a harder line and a less-forgiving narrative. The media may be biased — as press critic Howard Kurtz noted at CNN, “there is little question that they have a social and cultural outlook that leans to the left” — but reporters love a winner and detest a loser. So far, Obama has been able to avoid much of the accountability that normally falls to the chief executive. Even while bashing the White House, Fournier was careful to add: “This can’t be what Obama wants.” But if Obama’s clumsy management of the sequester is a sign of things to come in the second term, re-
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porters may not be as willing to cut him as much slack — boosting the odds that Obama, too, may become mired in the second-term curse.
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Wednesday, March 13, 2013
Mott makeover in the works
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Cal Poly alumnus Theo Donn competed in Mott Gym when Cal Poly was an all-male school, and not much inside the gym has changed, he said. The only improvements he’s seen in the compacted gym since 1955 are renewed floors, he said. “It’s not only small, it’s antique,” Donn said. The facility is just 6,500 square feet and holds 3,032 spectators. In the Big West Conference, only Cal State Northridge’s Matadome holds fewer fans. Athletic director Don Oberhelman and his team in the athletic department are working to transform the former Mott Gym into Mott Athletics Center: a revamped gym to give players, fans and future athletes a facility worthy of Cal Poly’s loyal fans and talented athletes, he said. All improvements will be funded by private donors through a capital campaign. “We can’t let our programs backslide, and the way to ensure we still compete for championships, the way we stay competitive, is to keep our great coaches and continue to recruit great kids,” Oberhelman said. “The only thing that is lacking is a quality venue.” During the next three to four years, the athletic department is hoping to rebrand the gym, tidy up the cluttered ceiling and incorporate updated technologies. One particular thing the gym does not have is a video scoreboard. In fact, Cal Poly is the only school in the conference without one, Oberhelman said. While the history of Mott is important to embrace, the building hasn’t changed in 60 years, Oberhelman said. If the athletic department doesn’t make investments now, there is a gamble Cal Poly won’t be able to recruit high quality athletes, Oberhelman said. “I’m looking for advan-
The way we stay competitive is to keep our great coaches and continue to recruit great kids. DON OBERHELMAN ATHLETIC DIRECTOR
tages in terms of recruiting,” Oberhelman said. “When you’re a visiting high school student, you love everything about the school’s environment, except the places you will play in.” Oberhelman said Cal Poly President Jeffrey Armstrong is behind the improvements, and Mott will undergo the modernization, but it will take a few seasons. Many other universities are doing the same as Cal Poly intends to do: updating and upgrading the facility to keep up with technology and seating. “The caliber of competitions we have are top-notch, the students we have competing are top-notch,” Oberhelman said. “I just want to give our fans and players a better experience.” So far this year, men’s and women’s basketball teams have boasted a combined 22-4 record at home. “This tells me we’ve got a really good home-court advantage,” Oberhelman said. “Increasing our facilities will make that even better.” Senior forward Kayla Griffin said the women’s basketball team has lost potential recruits to other teams in the conference with nicer facilities. High school students who receive multiple offers might choose another university with a newer gym, locker room or better equipment. However, Mott’s retro feel isn’t necessarily as much of a disadvantage as it can be a motivator. “I look at it like it’s not a bad thing,” Griffin said. “I feel like we are the underdogs, the bluecollar workers who have to work hard for everything they do.” Junior foward Chris Eversley, who plays on the men’s basketball team, said while Mott doesn’t have shining
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lights and a video board, his team has made the gym its home. The improvements would have the biggest impact on recruiting. “One thing that coach tells us is that the facility doesn’t help you get better,” Eversley said. “He tells us to do our job so people can donate money and then we will see improvements in the facility.” The gym has seen improvements this year by adding new courtside seats for fans, along with new baskets. These additions and all other improvements during the next three to four years are funded by a capital campaign lead by Cal Poly athletics. No finances will come from money allocated by the school. The amount of renovation is dependent on how effective the department is at procuring funds, associate athletic director Ashley Offermann said. Private donors to Cal Poly athletics need to be confident that the projects they donate toward are in efforts to uphold the reputation of Cal Poly sports. “People like to support winners,” he said. “It’s very difficult to raise money for losing programs. It’s the same in academics, it’s the same across the board. People like to associate with things that are looked at as successful.” Still, Cal Poly’s appeals in academics, the campus’ friendly people and coaches can make up for what it lacks in facilities, at least for junior guard Jonae Ervin. Ervin said she hadn’t heard about Cal Poly before she got recruited, but the building she was going to be practicing in wasn’t her deciding factor. “I didn’t look at the gym like it was bad,” she said. “As long as we had a gym, that’s fine.”
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