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washington square news Vol. 40, No. 11
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2012
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Hawk cam soars into educational role
New law to raise minimum wage
NYU plans to reinstate the Hawk Cam, according to the university spokesman John Beckman. A camera called the Hawk Cam began streaming the activity of two red-tailed hawks outside Bobst Library last spring. To monitor the birds and their eggs, the camera was placed near the nest of Violet, named after NYU’s school color, and Bobby, named after Bobst. The live feed from the Cam was available on livestream.com. However, it shut down in August because the birds were no longer living in the nest. Beckman said the university would like to take this opportunity to learn more about the red-tailed hawks. “We’ve actually been talking with prominent wildlife and bird organizations about coming in as partners,” Beckman said. “Experts [can] do Q and As on-site and do feature pieces or blog posts about behaviors that you expect to see from red-tailed
New York State Assembly speaker Sheldon Silver proposed a new bill to raise the state minimum wage from $7.25 to $8.50 per hour last week. The 17 percent increase would make New York’s minimum wage the third highest in the country, after Washington and Oregon. The bill would also raise the minimum cash wage for tipped servers from $4.60 to $5.86 an hour. “Corporate profits of low-wage employers are soaring while the wages of working people remain stagnant or are eroding in value,” the Manhattan Democrat said in a press release, citing the latest Census data that almost one in two Americans have fallen into poverty. For CAS sophomore Dylan Iannitelli, who makes $7.25 an hour as a lab assistant at the Biology Department, his part-time job is
By Emily Smith
R HAWKS continued on PG. 3
By Justina Lee
Liam Cotter for WSN
New Yorkers rally to save Tibet Chants and song filled Union Square as 500 protesters gathered in solidarity of the Free Tibet movement yesterday. Dubbed the #tsamparevolution, the movement advocates against China’s controversial occupation of Tibet. The latest stage of the protests ignited when a young Tibetan monk set himself on fire yesterday in China. Word spread quickly on Twitter, and activists gathered in support of Tibet’s large-scale demonstrations. — Hanqing Chen
Professor recognizes Gay novelists By Nicola Pring
Gallatin professor Christopher Bram describes his new book, “Eminent Outlaws: The Gay Writers Who Changed America,” as a happy accident. With nine fictional novels under his belt, Bram said beginning his first non-fiction book was quite different. He didn’t known where to start. “One day, a friend of a friend called me, asking for some information on the literary history of gay writing in the 1950s and ’60s,” Bram said. “I gave him a kind of Gay Lit 101 talk, and he said, ‘This is great stuff. Where can I read it?’ I realized no such book existed.” Bram began to research and write about some of the most prominent gay writers from the World War II era through the end
of the 20th century. Among the featured writers are James Baldwin, Truman Capote, Allen Ginsberg and several other novelists, playwrights and poets. “It’s interesting how many of them knew each other,” Bram said. “Some were friends and some were enemies, but their paths would cross.” Bram’s publisher at Twelve Publishers, Cary Goldstein said, “What distinguished this book for us was Chris’ ingenious decision not to write a work of literary criticism, but to use his skills as a novelist to weave these disparate lives into one dramatic, unfolding narrative that utterly reframes the way we think about gay writers and writing.” Bram began work on the book just after he joined the faculty parttime at NYU’s Gallatin School of Individualized Study in 2008. He con-
ducted most of his research at Bobst Library, where he read the work of the writers he was studying, as well as biographies, magazine articles and book reviews. He taught a Gallatin advanced writing course called Lives in Brief for the first time just before he started his research. The class teaches students the art of writing short biographies in different forms. “[The class] was almost like preparation for this book,” Bram said. In addition to Lives in Brief, Bram teaches a class called Writing About Film. “I like Gallatin because the students are really interesting,” Bram said. “They write well. [My students] are self-starters. They have their own ideas and drive, and they’re
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‘In Darkness’ respects its characters with style By Jeremy Grossman
“In Darkness,” Poland’s submission for Best Foreign Film at the Academy Awards, is undeniably reminiscent of “Schindler’s List.” Both are Holocaust-centric films about men who grow out of their selfishness in order to rescue a persecuted group. Despite the similarities in plot, “Darkness” is boldly directed with style that feels less like a retread and more like a tribute to films that challenge the norm. Director Agnieszka Holland takes her audience deep into the sewers of Poland, where sewage worker Leopold Socha (Robert Wieckiewicz) risks his life to protect a group of Jewish runaways.
via sonyclassics.com
‘In Darkness’ moves audiences around the world. R DARKNESS continued on PG. 4
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7 p.m. | Thursday, Feb. 9 | 154 W. 18th St.
Friday, Feb. 10 | 75 9th Ave.
10 a.m. to 6 p.m. | Saturday, Feb. 11th David Zwirner Gallery | 525 W. 19th St.
2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. | Sunday, Feb. 12 Joyce Theatre | 175 8th Ave.
Lazzoni
Stop by Lazzoni for a pop-up art event celebrating beauty, art and fashion. Score tips from celebrity makeup artists D’angelo Thompson and Juliet Silva-Yee as they try to revive the energetic style of downtown New York that has been absent in the past decade.
Chelsea Market
In commemoration of International Women’s Day, the Chelsea Market is featuring Harvest, Sustenance and Survival: A Photography Exhibit of Women and Food from Around the World. The exhibit also previews the upcoming education center Mercy Corps Action Center to End World Hunger, which focuses on global issues.
Doug Wheeler’s “Infinity Room”
Stop by the David Zwirner Gallery to witness a mind-blowing art installation called “Infinity Room.” Painted a super-clean white, this exhibit plays with light and color and even features a night-into-day lighting cycle with colors changing from dark blue to white.
Cloud Gate 2
For $10, attend a dance show by theater company Cloud Gate 2 that fuses dance from Eastern and Western cultures. Making its debut at the Joyce Theatre, the performance will feature famous international choreographers.
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Correction In the article titled “Violets on best start in 19 years” from Feb. 8, WSN incorrectly reported that the men’s basketball game against Emory University will take place at Coles Sports Center. In fact, the game will take place in Atlanta. WSN regrets these errors.
Boston College
BC compelled to offer contraceptive services —The Heights
Northwestern University
The silhouette of the Statue of Liberty is seen in the distance from the High Line.
PHOTO BY Lauren Strausser
Northwestern continues to add more e-book titles — The Daily Northwestern
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jaywon choe kelsey desiderio russell steinberg KIRSTEN CHANG francis poon terka cicelOVa About WSN: Washington Square News (ISSN 15499389) is the student newspaper of New York University. WSN is published Monday through Thursday during NYU’s academic year, except for university holidays, vacations and exam periods. Corrections: WSN is committed to accurate reporting. When we make errors, we do our best to correct them as quickly as possible. If you believe we have erred, contact managing editor Jaewon Kang at managing@nyunews.com or at 212.998.4302.
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nyunews.com | THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2012 | Washington Square news
NYU Dentistry provides new tool kit to help smokers quit
HAWKS continued from PG. 1
NYU to reinstate Hawk Cam
By Elizabeth Maguire
File photo by Amy Zhang
NYU’s Hawk Cam was shut down last August. hawk at certain points in the nesting and hatching and fledging,” In late December, Violet died due to complications from surgery at a Long Island wildlife rehabilitation center. On Christmas Eve, shortly after Violet was captured, the Bobst nest saw the arrival of a new female named Rosie. According to The New York Times’ City Room blog, Bobby has been bringing Rosie to the nest, but they do not currently live there. Emily Rueb, who covers the hawks on City Room, said that ornithologists and the scientific community had unique opportunities to watch the birds at rest and at night through the Hawk Cam. “New Yorkers and people
around the world became interested in wildlife and were able to watch this urban hawk family trying to make it in New York City,” Rueb said. “The New York Times is committed to turning on the camera.” CAS sophomore Jane Chen said she was excited to hear that the university is reinstating the camera. “The Hawk Cam built a lot of community as people bonded over waiting in anticipation for the hawks to hatch,” Chen said. “They have become almost like mascots for us, and I’m sure a lot of people would still be interested in seeing what they’re up to and following their actions.” Emily Smith is a contributing writer. Email her at university@nyunews.com.
Smokers who have escaped the clutches of their physicians will now face pressure from their dentists to quit smoking. The NYU College of Dentistry announced last week the release of an online tool kit designed to help dentists council their patients en route to quitting smoking. According to Donna Shelley, a clinical associate professor at the NYU Dentistry, dentists are in a surprisingly good place to provide health care assistance to smokers. Shelley said people might not expect their dentists to be a resource to help them quit smoking. But the fact is, dentists can deduce a lot about overall health by looking in a patients’s mouth. Dentists at NYU began this project intent on increasing access to smoking cessation resources for patients who may not regularly visit a physician. The tool kit, which includes slides, pamphlets, print-outs and resources, helps equip dental professionals with the resources to refer and assist their patients who are smokers. It also gives examples on how to talk to patients about tobacco use, how to treat nicotine addiction and how to increase motivation to quit smoking. Researchers at NYU Dentistry have been testing the kit since 2007. In one study, they found a 9 percent decrease in smoking rates. Mark Wolff, chair of the Department of Cardiology and Comprehensive Care at NYU Dentistry, highlighted another benefit of the tool kit. Because people
are more likely to see the same dentist on a regular basis than the same doctor, a dentist is able to keep track of their patients over a greater period of time. According to a 2008 study that Shelley participated in, 23 percent of Americans who did not visit a doctor in 2008 did pay a visit to the dentist. “Few people think of a dentist in terms of how they can assist patients in things other than dentistry,” Wolff said. “We are looking to do similar things with diabetes, general health and nutrition. There are many diseases where [the symptoms] are central to the mouth.” Diana Zraik, program coordinator for the Manhattan Tobacco Cessation Program, also talked about the importance of dentists in health care. “Dental providers tend to spend more time with their patients during their appointments [than] medical providers,” Zraik said. “This time can provide an opportunity to discuss quitting options and even refer out to external smoking cessation programs if need be.” However, not everyone thinks dentists should judge their patients’ overall health. “A dentist doesn’t know anything about my physical being,” MTA service worker Martin Caldwell said. “It would bother me to have a dentist tell me to stop smoking if I don’t want help.” Nevertheless, dentists say the tool kit is useful. According to Nora Odingo, a certified tobacco treatment specialist and professor at SUNY Stony Brook’s department of general dentistry, there is already a smoking cessation protocol in place. Still, Odingo found the NYU Dentistry
New law to allow supporters to text political contributions By Sarah Skirmont
Soon with just a tap, click and slide of your finger, voters in New York City may be able to become more politically active by simply sending a text message loaded with a financial donation. Last week, a new bill was introduced into legislation by New York City Council member Gale Brewer, which would allow for political contributions up to $100 by text message to citywide office candidates. According to Brewer, who is considering running for Manhattan borough president in 2013, the bill aims to facilitate engagement with average citizens. A donor would text a given code to the candidate’s contribution phone number and would be automatically charged the amount on the next cell phone bill. “New York City needs to explore new ways to involve average citizens in electoral politics,” Brewer said. Bills about text messaging donations to campaigns have also been passed in Maryland and California. Currently donors can also text money to organizations including the United Nations Children’s Fund and the American Red Cross.
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According to Tara Stock, the legislative coordinator at the California Fair Political Practices Commission, their text messaging regulation “gives the green light for committees and these private entities to develop text message contribution programs if they choose to.” Brewer’s proposal has yet to pass the hearing, which is scheduled for next week. Zachary Taylor, president of the NYU College Democrats, said he believes that if passed the bill would produce increased participation in elections. “The intent seems to be to increase citizenship participation in campaign financing,” Taylor said. Another possible factor of this proposed bill is the effect it could have on a younger demographic of voters, particularly students. “I’d imagine that younger people would be more likely to use this method of endorsement,” Taylor said. However, other students are reluctant to participate. “[It] is just like texting for ‘American Idol,’” LSP freshman Nicole Enuwa said. “Just because it is available doesn’t mean I am going to use it.” “Personally I don’t have money to donate for things like that,” Stein-
hardt freshman Elaine Jen said. “They already get a lot of money from big corporations.” Brewer said candidates are constantly looking for small donations to their campaigns. She said she believes more politically involved citizens could result in more donations. “With this [legislation] on texting, only a $100 can be sent,” she said. “That is a good way to get small donations for candidates not taking in large amounts of money.” However, Steinhardt associate professor of communication Ted Magder put more emphasis on the amount of money donated than the method of donation. “The legislative issue concerning campaign financing should focus on how much, not how,” Magder said, “We should care about the limitless volume of money pouring into the electoral process, not whether it’s better or worse to transfer funds by check, credit card or PayPal.” Further questions on payments, billings and whether phone carriers would comply will be discussed at the hearing next week. Sarah Skirmont is a staff writer. Email her at cstate@nyunews.com.
File photo by Kelsey Ledgerwood
Test found a 9 percent decrease in smoking rates. tool kit both comprehensive and wellpresented. “[I] found that it contains additional resources that I would be interested in using,” Odingo said. “I would also recommend it to our part-time clinical faculty for use with their private practice patients.” This tool kit is currently being released to dental students and dentists across New York state and the rest of the country. It will also be developed along with changes in health and dental care. “I have never considered going to a dentist to quit smoking,” GSAS masters student Yunke Li said. “Maybe it would be helpful, but quitting smoking is very hard. It might be something I will try in the future.” Elizabeth Maguire is a deputy university editor. Email her at emaguire@nyunews.com.
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Silver proposes bill to raise minimum wage quite critical to his daily finances. Iannitelli said the raise would be helpful and enable him to save more for future loan repayments. “Based on the fact that the yearly salary under the [current] minimum wage is less than $15,000, it is completely unlivable, at least in New York City,” he said. “I think $8.50 is a good start.” Dean Skelos, State Senate majority leader and a Republican, said the raise could be a “job killer.” His concerns are shared by small business owners like Anatasi Hairatidis, who owns a deli, dry cleaner and restaurant in the West Village. Although very few of his employees are paid the minimum wage, he will have to adjust all wages accordingly to maintain the pay structure. “I’m not going to bear more costs. [So] you do the job with two people instead of three,” he said. “To have labor costs increase during a recession — that’s the weird-
est thing I’ve ever heard.” But NYU economics professor Christopher Flinn, who specializes in labor economics, said the small increase will have minimal effects on the state economy or income distribution. “Some of these jobs are lost, some of them are bumped up to minimum wage,” he said. “[There are] lots of outcomes, but the main thing is that it’s not a lot of additional income.” For students like Tisch junior Max Mellman, who is paid $7.85 an hour as a theater usher, the bill is a step closer to a dream. “I think that it would definitely improve how much money I’m making by a considerable amount,” Mellman said. “I’m thinking of making my own movie. I’m trying to save for that, but I only have $300 saved right now.” Justina Lee is a contributing writer. Email her at cstate@nyunews.com.
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Washington Square news | THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2012 | nyunews.com
ARTS
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Play denounces Apple integrity By Olivia George In his Public Theater monologue, “The Agony and the Ecstasy of Steve Jobs,” Mike Daisey exposes the morally compromising practices of Apple Inc. In the wake of the passing of the company’s beloved co-founder and CEO, Daisey’s tirade takes on even more significance. The play lasts just under two hours and Daisey delivers a fiery and impassioned account of his own experiences in Shenzhen, China, a city he says manufactures over half of the world’s electronics. Daisey’s speech follows a very engaging path. His performance begins comically with relatable lines concerning the obsoleteness of Apple products almost immediately after their groundbreaking releases, promptly outdone by newer versions. But the show soon takes a more serious turn, as his jokes become commentaries on the dangerous amount of power that the late Jobs had — and that his company still possesses.
via broadway.com
Public Theater production questions morality of Apple Inc.’s practices.
Daisey often refers to Apple product consumers as users. He suggests that our addiction to iAnything is no better than an addiction to cocaine. For Daisey, Jobs is essentially a drug lord. In Shenzhen, China, there is a factory owned by a major technology corporation called Foxxcon where, according to Daisey, laborers as young as 12 are making our iPhones and iPads, working shifts that can extend up to 36 hours. Daisey frequently calls to the audience, “You, out there in the darkness.” While on a literal level he is addressing the audience members who are physically sitting in a darkened area, the call takes on a new meaning by the end of the show. There is so much we don’t know, so much we don’t bother to ask questions about. Daisey strives to enlighten his audience members. “The Agony and the Ecstasy” is an extremely introspective show. While so many people use Apple products every day, those who bear witness to Daisey’s performance will no longer be able to live in blissful ignorance. They may very well find the incentive to do their own investigating of Daisey’s claims. “The Agony and the Ecstasy of Steve Jobs” is playing now through March 4 at the Public Theater, located at 425 Lafayette St. Student Rush tickets are available for $25. For more information, visit publictheater.org. Olivia George is a contributing writer. Email her at theater@nyunews.com.
Alluring tale of ‘Amalur’ By Kai Zheng The cornerstone of any great role-playing game developed in the West has always been a gripping story with endearing and diverse characters. Games like “The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim” and “Mass Effect 2” exemplify this design philosophy’s strengths and its primary weakness — gameplay is often average at best. “Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning” seeks to remedy this weakness by delivering an experience immensely satisfying both in its narrative and in its combat. Fighting in “Reckoning” initially appears simple, with a weapon or spell mapped to a particular button much like the wellreceived, albeit elementary “Fable II.” “Reckoning” elevates its seemingly basic mechanics with a smart combo system. Melee attacks, ranged attacks and spells flow smoothly into one another, making the player feel as powerful as the appearance of the character’s actions. This engagement in combat is crucial, as how the player
fights will alter the character’s destiny within the game world. Yet this impressive combat would not justify purchasing “Reckoning” if that world and its story fell flat. Big Huge Games and 38 Studios enlisted New York Times best-selling author R.A. Salvatore to craft the lore of Amalur. To be exact, he helped create 10,000 years of fiction for the world, and “Reckoning” takes place in a mere slice of that expansive history. Storytelling not only contains the same scope as developer Bioware’s titles, but it also employs a similar branching conversation system, allowing the player to choose how their character responds during conversations. “Reckoning” puts players in control of a recently revived individual devoid of a fate or destiny. This is a major concern because the concept of fate is intricately woven into the culture of Amalur’s citizens. Everyone in the world of Amalur knows his or her fate and must make peace with it.
Without fate, the player can change the outcome of the predestined events in others’ lives. One of the most drastic examples is when the hero is tasked with helping a general retrieve a spear that could shift the tide of a major war. Before the player’s intervention, the general was predestined to fail in her quest for the spear, but players can prevent the general’s death and grant the general the power to win the war. With countless opportunities to alter the destinies of others, “Reckoning” combines engaging storytelling with active and satisfying combat options. “Reckoning” shines even among the glut of quality Western role-playing games. Despite small issues like lip syncing, occasionally imprecise collision detection with objects in the world and some freezing, “Reckoning” is a welcome start for a franchise that will hopefully continue for years to come. Kai Zheng is a contributing writer. Email him at entertainment@nyunews.com.
Reynolds, Washington can’t save ‘Safe House’ By Daniel Fuchs
February is an awkward time in the scheduling of movie-releases. It is two months too late for Oscar candidacy, yet two months too early to rank among summer blockbusterss. As a result, studios generally release an odd assortment of family, horror and action films. “Safe House,” directed by Daniel Espinosa, is part of that nebulous February pool as a thriller chock-full of car chases, shoot-outs and espionage. Sadly, none of these elements redeems the movie from being uneven and uninteresting. The film follows a relatively standard action plot. Matt Weston (Ryan Reynolds) is a CIA agent in charge of a South African safe house meant for Tobin Frost (Denzel Washington), a CIA agent turned traitor. When the house is attacked, it is Weston’s job to prevent Frost from escaping, even as mysterious assailants and shadowy villains chase them down. It is a predictable, cookie-cutter story arc, and the eventual twists and revelations feel overly trite. The mundane tale aggravates even further with the exhausting action sequences, which feature such shaky and frantic camerawork that the film becomes physically tiring to watch. The dull, often hackneyed script heightens this exasperation. The film is strictly plot-driven, and the audience
via nooneissafe.com
“Safe House” fails to excite in a dull month for movies. is never given an opportunity to connect with the uneven character work onscreen. Reynolds’ character is ostensibly hesitant about killing though he nonetheless mows down countless rogue agents without a second thought. We are similarly introduced to Reynolds’ girlfriend, Ana (Nora Arnezeder), whose interactions with Reynolds are limited to the occasional clichéd exchange. When the relationship inevitably hits a breaking point, the audience is left with no reason to feel sympathetic. The CIA powers-that-be, played by Vera Farmiga, Brendan Gleeson and Sam Shepard, come off as stiff and unoriginal. Not even Washington can make us care about Tobin Frost. In one moment, the character is a crafty, joking rogue; yet in another, he attempts to be a mentor to Reynolds.
What is truly frustrating about “Safe House” is the ultra-serious tone that the film takes toward its subject matter, desperately trying to be relevant in the era of the War on Terror. Whereas films like “Crank” or “Drive” revel in being delightfully overthe-top, “Safe House” feels so self-important that it becomes almost laughable. In one scene, Tobin tries to wax poetic on the significance of duty in the CIA, but we care so little about neither him nor Weston at this point, that any kind of meaning is lost to the audience. Perhaps it was wise to release “Safe House” at a time of year when there is little else to see, but that does not make this uninspired film worth watching. Daniel Fuchs is a staff writer. Email him at film@nyunews.com.
DARKNESS continued from PG. 1
‘In Darkness’ deserves Oscar consideration Holland transforms a setting so dreary and morbid into a place of humanity. “Darkness” certainly looks and feels like a horror movie, and in many ways it is — danger lurks around every corner, and the characters’ worst fears are brought to life. Because of these characters, the film transcends any simplistic label. The Jewish characters are authentic and likable, as Holland portrays them as people capable of reflecting the best or succumbing to the worst of mankind. This motley group of individuals has been bound together despite devastating odds. Characters shout and hiss; some become so overwhelmed by the claustrophobia that they abandon the group, and one man even cheats on his wife. With such believable characters, it is all the more effective that the audience feels that they, too, are trapped in the sewers with everybody else. “Darkness” lays on the claustrophobia and forces the viewers to abandon their comfort zone. And yet, in all the ways that “Darkness” takes on a spooky, unique personality of
its own, it shares one brilliant aspect with Spielberg’s 1993 masterpiece — a respect for color. “Schindler’s List,” filmed almost entirely in black and white, emphasizes color when it is used. “Darkness” is not filmed in black and white, but it might as well be, as the majority occurs in a bleak, shadowy environment. So when Holland pulls back the restraints and allows for color to shine through, it hits the audience with a lush grandeur. While “A Separation” seems to be the frontrunner as this year’s Best Foreign Film winner, “Darkness” deserves the same appreciation. It is one of the rare films where all of its elements work harmoniously, both in its style and its attention to character. In the end, however, what makes “In Darkness” so inspiring is how the good of man can come to light in even the darkest of times. Jeremy Grossman is entertainment editor. Email him at jgrossman@nyunews.com.
nyunews.com | THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2012 | Washington Square news
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Racing comes first for NYU student By Matthew Novian Most NYU students get their driver’s licenses at 16 or older. Even then, new drivers sit behind the wheel anxiously abiding traffic laws and trying to find their driving groove. Gallatin freshman John Edwards, however, won the Red Bull Driver Search at age 13, the Star Mazda Championship at age 17 and several races sponsored by the Grand American Road Racing Association. After winning the Red Bull Driver Search in 2004, he moved to Italy. A few months later, he caught another big break. “Red Bull fired a driver, so I got the call to move up to Formula Renualt,” Edwards said. At 14, Edwards was gunning down the racetrack at 140 miles per hour, competing against older drivers — some of the most talented racers in the world. The difficult move from Louisville, Ky., to Italy involved making sacrifices that most people face much later in life like leaving his family for up to eight months at a time. “I wouldn’t trade that experience for high school,” Edwards said. Edwards was able to complete his high school curriculum while racing by taking online classes. He
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is continuing his academic pursuits in sociology and business at NYU. While most university students come to NYU to focus solely on their studies, Edwards’ mind is primarily geared toward racing. “School comes second to racing,” Edwards said. “I want to race as long as I can. I want to continue making a living in this.” After taking the regular 16 credit course load in the fall, Edwards is taking only eight credits in the spring due to an intense racing schedule. Edwards also focuses attention and determination his focus and determination to his DNA. His father Michael also races in his spare time. The younger Edwards credits much of his inspiration and success to the guidance his father provided. However, the paternal relationship is not all business — the two manage to have some fun along the way. “Every now and then I’ll hop in and race against him just for fun,” Edwards said of spending time with his father. His teammates also see Edwards as having a mature mentality that combines drive and a love of the sport. “John is a huge asset to any team,” said Matt Bell, one of Ed-
Insider tips to top shows By Katya Barannik
Courtesy of Juha Lievonen
John Edwards has been racing competitively since age 13. wards’ racing teammates. “He has an excellent balance to his personality. He likes having fun and when we’re both kind of goofing around we usually do the best.” Edwards has gained some fame for doing what he loves. “It’s a cool feeling when you go to the autograph sessions and you have people wanting your signature,” Edwards said. But his commitment to racing has very little to do with the fame that comes along with success. Between schoolwork, physical training and races, Edwards’ eyes are on one prize. “I don’t dream of being famous,” he said. “I just want to win races.” Matthew Novian is a contributing writer. Email him at features@nyunews.com.
Jealous when you hear your friends talking about how they went to a taping of The Daily Show with Jon Stewart or Jimmy Kimmel Live last weekend? Why not go yourself? Here are three tips to snag tickets to your favorite show: Camp out and wait in line : Your best bet is standby tickets. Check online to find out times tickets will be given out — usually the day before or the morning of the taping. Get there early. Then, come back the night of the taping and wait in line again. Camping out can be a hit or miss. Sometimes, simply charm and style can get you far. Parsons sophomore Ginny McNulty scored front row seats at Saturday Night Live. “[My friend] told me to get there at least an hour early,” McNulty said. “He told me if you want floor seats you should dress nice, bring a small bag and act excited...We did exactly what he advised and ended up sitting in the front row.” But Steinhardt freshman Sammie Singhal and CAS freshman Sarah Branch were not as lucky. After camping out for 12 hours in 35 degree weather, both were quite miserable. However their night was not a complete disappointment. “My friends and I went back to the entrance of NBC studios at around 1 a.m. once the show was over,” Singhal said. “At that time,
all of the SNL cast comes out to greet fans.” Check online: For CAS freshman Tessa Gaffney, getting tickets to The Colbert Report was much easier. “I just went on the website and clicked on the Tickets tab,” Gaffney said. “Sometimes they’re available immediately, and sometimes you’ll have to enter your email address for notification when they become available. You can reserve up to four at a time under one name every six months.” Tickets for the Anderson Cooper show are equally as easy to snag online. Check for posters in your dorm and your NYU email: Keep a lookout for emails from your RA and fliers hanging around your dorm, which may have emails or phone numbers to call for ticket inquiries. Singhal said she had been to the David Letterman Show twice with the help of her RA. Also, join your dorm’s Facebook group. If someone has tickets but can’t go for some reason, they will most likely try to give them away through Facebook. Although getting tickets for live tapings is mostly a game of luck, it can be well worth the effort. Besides, if you are successful in getting them, they’re usually free. Katya Barannik is a staff writer. Email her at features@nyunews.com.
The New York Times Syndication Sales Corporation 500new Seventh Avenue, New York, times N.Y. 10018 The york crossword & daily sudoku For Information Call: 1-800-972-3550 For Release Thursday, February 09, 2012
Edited by Will Shortz Across 1 Year in a voyage by Amerigo Vespucci 4 Business card abbr. 7 Top of a ladder, maybe 12 Resident of Mayberry 14 “That was funny!” 17 Results of some cuts 18 Turkey’s home 19 ___ B. Parker, Theodore Roosevelt’s 1904 opponent for president 20 What you might break into 22 Medical drips 23 Ending 24 Captivates 27 Biddy 28 Figure of a Spanish count?
29 White 30 “The ___ of March are come” 32 Gut reaction? 33 Grammy winner Elliott 34 With 21-Down, catchphrase that provides a hint to eight answers in this puzzle 37 Org. featured in 1983’s “WarGames” 39 Actor Stephen 40 Marshal ___, cold war leader 44 French city near the Belgian border 45 Swedish manufacturer of the 90, 900 and 9000 46 Early gangsta rap group featuring Dr. Dre 47 Crowns 49 Zenith product
ANSWER TO PREVIOUS PUZZLE O N E D O W N
B E L U S H I
S A L A R I E D
S W I R T I C C H
B A N J O S
R I E A E H A N N A L O S P U S T S G L E S H E E T
L O M O O V E N S A W A N E C I F S I X S A I D E L M I N K C A N T A M C D R Y A Z E D S I N J T A R T E D O W E A D O R
S P I N S M A R I N O T I C E G S H E J E E Z B O S S Y R A A D A L O X N D I V E E D G E R E T H R O D T U X L E S E E D E S
51 Quagmire 52 Minuscule lengths 53 Quick snacks 54 Like some movie versions 57 Stupefied 59 Jane who wrote “In the Shadow of Man”
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62 Blues org. 63 Acid
Down 1 Book after Zechariah 2 Fought à la the Three Musketeers 3 Set up, as software 4 Schoolyard game 5 Time o’ day 6 ___ two evils 7 00s, e.g. 8 “Deal with it!” 9 Rocky peak 10 Suffragist ___ B. Wells 11 Shells of shells 13 Spanish uncles 15 Spirited 16 It may be thrown in a ring 21 See 34-Across 25 Picnic spoiler
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60 Much of northern Israel 61 It’s nice to be out of them
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Puzzle by Dan Schmiedeler
26 Opening 28 Ratted
37 “You’re doing it completely wrong!”
45 Some jungle gym exits
31 Singer/songwriter 38 Get too big for McLachlan 41 Fixed 33 Kingdom in
48 Alter
35 Retreat
43 Cereal grain
55 Trouble
36 Move to a new position
44 Clean up, as a program
58 “Prob’ly not”
ancient Jordan
42 Plucks, in a way
49 Certain steak
50 Part of a Caesarean trio
56 As well
For answers, call 1-900-285-5656, $1.49 a minute; or, with a credit card, 1-800-814-5554. Annual subscriptions are available for the best of Sunday crosswords from the last 50 years: 1-888-7-ACROSS. AT&T users: Text NYTX to 386 to download puzzles, or visit nytimes.com/mobilexword for more information. Online subscriptions: Today’s puzzle and more than 2,000 past puzzles, nytimes.com/crosswords ($39.95 a year). Share tips: nytimes.com/wordplay. Crosswords for young solvers: nytimes.com/learning/xwords.
nyunews.com | THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2012 | Washington Square news
OPINION
edited by olivia gonzalez opinion@nyunews.com
sports
Super Bowl fanaticism exemplifies group dynamics By Marc Simon In the last five minutes of Super Bowl XLVI, Patriots wide receiver Wes Welker flubbed a catch that could have clinched a win for his team. In the final minute as the Patriots were down by four points, Deion Branch goofed a crisp pass from Tom Brady putting New England in a rough position. Then Aaron Hernandez goofed another, and New England was hosed. I hope Welker, Branch and Hernandez were spared bad dreams that night. I also hope they’ve been spared threats on their lives, a hope demonstrating that sports have fallen subject to the human’s penchant for taking decent things and besmirching them. I’m serious about my hope for Welker, Branch and Hernandez. The intersection of sports and death has its history. Earlier this season, the San Francisco 49ers receiver Kyle Williams was threatened after two critical fumbles in the NFC Championship. After Sunday’s game, a SWAT team patrolled Northeastern University because a college student died in a riot in Boston following the 2004 World Series. Okay, perhaps this talk of death is a little exceptional. Nonetheless, it sparks an argument for the less than kosher intermingling of sports and the human psyche. Sports provide catharsis for some
primal human instincts — the first of which is the tribalist desire to join groups and to exhibit solidarity with your own group — and hostility for others. Sports symbolize and showcase this hostility so entertainingly, that it is rare for one to reflect upon the possibility that sports are more indoctrinating than they are entertaining. If I were to have gambled through the streets of the Village this past Super Bowl Sunday, clad in britches, stockings and a Patriots jersey, there’s a good chance I would have been harshly wedged or at the very least pelted with various food items. In New York, people like their Giants. It seems simple until you really delve into the question of why. The initial answer is, well, because they’re New Yorkers. Follow that up by asking why that matters, and things start to get tricky. Identification with a team because the identifier and team share a particular location is arbitrary, as arbitrary as assuming that all residents of a poor neighborhood are a bunch of drug addicts. This sort of phenomenon relies on the ability to automatically support and conclude without considering merit or otherwise thoroughly investigating. The definition of a good sports fan is one who sticks by his team through the glorious wins, embarrassing losses and team members’
shenanigans, right? We live in a world littered with malignancies: religious strife, racism, homophobia and unproductive butting of political heads. All of these demonstrate a remarkable ability to subscribe to a certain group or ideology and fuss, rather than cooperate. If sports aren’t largely responsible for developing this talent, they sure exacerbate it deeply. If you tune into the rhetoric on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, you’ll hear about the humanistic oil and water that characterizes the fanaticism on both sides of the issue. Note as well, we call sports enthusiasts fans, which is just an attenuation of fanatic. A tad fishy if you ask me. Like mayonnaise milk shakes and deep-fried butter at an anti-obesity convention, sports celebrate the things that make us miserable, the things that make us shake our heads while reading the morning paper and jazz our coffee with splashes of certain pungent beverages. Nevertheless, we’ve been rendered impotent in questioning them, as those indoctrinated typically are. Even now, you probably have an impulse to call this article a crock, me a disgruntled kook always picked last in gym class. Can you feel it? Marc Simon is a contributing columnist. Email him at opinion@nyunews.com
Ideology
Necessity of overcoming religious intolerance By Maria Michalos When malevolent acts of violence are carried out, we come to feel incapable of identifying inhumanity. We seek answers that seldom exist. Our minds cannot contrive adequate explanations for irrational, horrifying behavior. Our innate instinct is to wish the world free of hate and destruction, hoping for a day when injustice ceases to subsist. But when our police department, the guardian of our safety and security, becomes entangled in a plot of racial profiling, is it enough to just hope? At a time when relations between the New York Police Department and the Muslim community are already overwrought, nearly 1,500 officers were shown “The Third Jihad,” a detestable and hate-ridden anti-Muslim film. While the Village Voice unearthed and reported on the screening a year ago, the NYPD has refuted its participation in the film’s production. Untruths will all eventually be exposed for their utter deception, and the police department’s testimony of its involvement — particularly of Police Commissioner Ray Kelly’s appearance in the film — is no outlier.
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If the rights of a group of people come under siege, that community will band together and see that justice is served. Representatives from the New York City Muslim community have done just that, gathering at City Hall joined in solidarity with local ethnic and interfaith groups to call for Kelly’s resignation. Together they have demonstrated their unwillingness to allow their fundamental rights to be violated and repressed. Instilling fear and heightening a sense of xenophobia only acts to further divide Americans. We become a terrorist target when our communities are not cohesive, when our neighbors are strangers and when we do nothing to repudiate intolerant ideologies. The Clarion Fund, best known for its film, “Obsession: Radical Islam’s War Against the West,” is the culprit of the documentary’s distribution. Describing itself as a “nonprofit organization that produces and distributes documentaries on the threats of Radical Islam,” the organization has created a bastion of delusion and malice. If we are to be protected from the ills of terrorism, New Yorkers — as
well as our beloved nation — need to garner an unwavering sense of community. That will never exist with the dissemination of such heinous footage as seen in “The Third Jihad.” Inculcating trepidation is the surest way to destroy a people, to dissolve them of their strongest asset, solidarity. By branding Islam as radical, proponents of the film have consciously chosen to fuel the flame that gives credence to hate crimes. Indoctrinating our security force that Islam is the greatest threat to the U.S. and to New York is fundamentally radical. Essential to our livelihood is a peaceful coexistence, acceptance of our fellow man and an ability to depend on one another. If we continue to be bombarded by propagandist images of people we pass on the streets and ride alongside on our daily commutes, the structure of our community will derail and its vitality will be indefinitely lost. As one protestor suggested, “At the end of the day, we are all people, just people trying to get by, trying to live.” Maria Michalos is a columnist. Email her at opinion@nyunews.com.
Staff editorial
Wage proposal will spark debate in Senate
The plunging national debt has small business owners and indebted students feeling the squeeze. But in an unlikely economic move, New York State Assembly speaker Sheldon Silver proposed a bill to raise the minimum wage by $1.25. Even if this sounds like the pocket change you use to buy your coffee every morning, this increase in wages could be just as helpful to laborers as it could be stressful to employers. In addition, the difficulty of the current economic situation makes this issue emotionally charged. The student perspective is obvious— the crushing weight of tuition-loan debts coupled with the imminent prospect of working several summer odd jobs makes this bill particularly attractive to the student population. The helpful boost of minimum wage could make all the difference in ensuring financial stability for today’s students, who will comprise tomorrow’s work force. Herein lies a potential cure to our recession. But despite its obvious benefits to the student community, it may be detrimental to employers if it passes because it would make labor more expensive to acquire. When the proposal hits the Senate’s desk, its members will find themselves at a crossroads. Either reduce the amount of jobs with this pay raise — since employers will have to lay off workers in order to afford labor — or keep the minimum wage low and keep growth at a standstill. This particular question promises to be divisive in the Senate, where Democrats and Republicans may battle it out over this partisan issue. Email the WSN Editorial Board at editboard@nyunews.com.
Editorial Board: Olivia Gonzalez (Chair), Atticus Brigham (Co-Chair), Emily Franklin, Nicolette Harris, Matt Kao, Ben Miller, and Peter Murphy.
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Washington Square news | THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2012 | nyunews.com
SPORTs
edited by daniel hinton sports@nyunews.com
Fencing falters in final meet
By Sebastien Van Heyningen
By Mary Jane Dumankaya The NYU men’s and women’s fencing teams both went 1-2 against Sacred Heart University, Vassar College and Columbia University at the final meet of the regular season last night. “There were a lot of early close bouts that could have gone for us that would have ended up for a much more impressive day,” team captain Phil Jamesson said. In the first match of the night, men’s foil won 6-3 against the Sacred Heart Pioneers. Freshman Andrew Ark and junior Jamesson added two winning bouts each, as sophomore Christian Vastola and junior Ken Sin added one victory each. Men’s sabre lost to Sacred Heart 9-0. The Violets had a very close match in men’s epee but ultimately lost 5-4. Junior epee captain Ricky Woodward won two of NYU’s four victories. Women’s foil won 6-3 as senior Becca Baird-Remba won all three of her bouts. In women’s sabre, NYU earned a win with a score of 7-2. Junior Jackie Leval won all three of her bouts in sabre. A 9-0 loss in epee ended the Violets’ winning streak. NYU’s sole victory of the night came against Vassar College, the only non-Division I team present. The Violets dominated in women’s sabre, winning all nine bouts. NYU also won foil 7-2, as both Baird-Remba and freshman Audra Fox won all three of their bouts. Women’s epee didn’t complete the sweep, losing 7-2 with both victories coming from junior Christiana Lai. Men’s epee was up by one bout but dropped the last two, losing 5-4, while the foil squad shut out Vassar, winning all nine bouts. Jamesson, Vastola and Ark won three bouts
Courtesy of NYU Athletics
Team captain Phil Jamesson won eight bouts. each. NYU men’s sabre defeated Vassar 5-4. NYU faced the Columbia Lions for the final match. Men’s foil won 5-4 with Jamesson winning all three of his bouts. “I’m pleased with my performance,” Jamesson said. “As a whole, everybody fenced really well.” Men’s epee lost 7-2 with one victory from each of the team’s epee captains, Woodward and freshman David Gustafson. In men’s sabre, Columbia won 9-0. Women’s fencing lost all three weapons to the Lions. The Violets lost in epee, while sabre captain Lisa Verzino earned her squad’s sole victory against Columbia. Women’s foil lost 8-1 with their only victory coming from Fox, who recently received her second athlete of the week award from the University Athletic Association. “I really do like the fact that the team notices and the coaches notice,” Fox said about her award. “My mom and family are very, very proud of me.” Several members of the men’s and women’s teams will compete in the U.S. Junior Olympic National Championships in Salt Lake City from Feb. 16 to 20. Mary Jane Dumankaya is a staff writer. Email her at sports@nyunews.com.
Features BRAM continued from PG. 1
Bram explores works of gay novelists
Courtesy of Twelve Publishers
Bram published his first nonfiction book in February.
Tune in to weekend’s biggest matches
here because they want to be here.” Bram’s first novel, “Surprising Myself,” was published in 1987. He plans to write more non-fiction in the future and is exploring several different subjects for his next book. “It forces me to use a different part of my brain. I’ve always loved to read non-fiction, and I love reading history,” he said. “Eminent Outlaws” hit shelves on Feb. 2. Bram will be promoting the book with several readings in New York and San Francisco in the coming weeks. “At first, I thought of it as just a project,” he said. “I’ve realized it’s something I’ve been preparing my whole life to write.” Nicola Pring is a staff writer. Email her at features@nyunews.com.
Although the 2011-12 NFL season is over, weekends are still busy for sports fans. Weekend watch returns as WSN picks the top three events of the next three days. Los Angeles Lakers vs. New York Knicks Friday, 8 p.m. ET, ESPN/ESPN3/MSG Kobe Bryant, currently the league’s scoring leader, passed former teammate Shaquille O’Neal on the all-time points list on Monday night during a loss to the Philadelphia 76ers. Bryant will have an opportunity to beat his 61 point point at the Garden without having to worry about fellow high-scoring all-star Carmelo Anthony, who is out one to two weeks with a strained groin. The Lakers will have to figure out how to guard Jeremy Lin, the Knicks’ newest starter at point guard. Lin most recently put up a double-double with 23 points and 10 assists against the lowly Washington Wizards and has scored over 20 points in three straight games. Manchester United F.C. vs. Liverpool F.C. Saturday, 7:45 p.m. ET With recent failures in the Champions League and the Football Association Club Cup, United can now turn all of its attention toward the English Premier League and the final stretch of the season. Man. U has a chance to avenge their late-January loss to Liverpool, when the Red Devils were sent home after a
heart-breaking goal by midfielder Dirk Kuyt in the 88th minute. Liverpool, Manchester’s fiercest rivals, is traveling to Old Trafford for a battle of two European titans. Any die-hard soccer fans that don’t have trouble waking up for the early start on Saturday will be treated to an excellent match as Man. U continues its quest to pull ahead of cross-town rivals. Chicago Bulls vs. Boston Celtics Sunday, 3:30 p.m. ET, ABC Boston is in for a tough stretch of games, as reigning M.V.P. Derrick Rose’s Chicago Bulls visit the TD Garden. Chicago is a young, fierce team looking to establish itself as a leader in the Eastern Conference. Tom Thibodeau, who received the coach of the year award last season, will make his fifth return to the stadium he once called home to coach against his former boss Doc Rivers, another former coach of the year. This game will be brutal, as neither team will let up until the final buzzer. Boston fans should watch how point guard Rajon Rondo performs against a top-tier Bulls opponent. Chicago fans should watch center Joakim Noah’s play in the post against aging power forward Kevin Garnett. Both big men have a tense history, and Noah has even taken a few public shots at Garnett to make up for the beating he gets on the floor. Neither team will escape without bruises from this slug-fest. Sebastien Van Heyningen is a contributing writer. Email him at sports@nyunews.com.
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