NYU’s Daily Student Newspaper
washington square news Vol. 40, No. 20
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
nyunews.com
Study finds possible cure for AIDS
Protesters object debt and expansion
By Nitasha Maindiratta
By Sarah Skirmont
Scientists may be one step closer on the path to finding a cure for the millions of people living with AIDS worldwide. This month researchers found that the protein SAMHD1 can slow or stop HIV growth by removing cells that form the virus. NYU Langone Medical Center, the University of Rochester Medical Center and research groups from France have worked together for five years to look into the role of SAMHD1 in contracting AIDS. Most recently, they discovered building blocks of HIV virus disappeared when the anti-viral protein SAMHD1 was placed in an AIDS-infected cell. As a result, DNA components of the virus replicated slower or stopped replicating. Nathaniel Landau, an NYU professor and one of the main
R AIDS continued on PG. 3
EMMA PLISKIN/WSN
Music and chanting emanated from Gould Plaza as protesters gathered for a heated discussion about student debt and NYU 2031 yesterday. Organized by Occupy Student Debt Campaign, NYU for Occupy Wall Street and Graduate Student Organizing Committee, the event drew about 75 to 100 protesters and included students in NYU4OWS, professors and community members. One of the main topics of complaint was the NYU administration’s ambiguity regarding how students and different departments of NYU will pay for the $6 billion expansion. “NYU4OWS is opposed to the university being run like a corporation, putting growth above all other concerns, including affordability or education,” said
Students and residents rallied in Gould Plaza yesterday against debt and NYU expansion plans.
R PROTEST continued on PG. 3
South African director revamps 1961 play, ‘Blood Knot’ By Christopher Gellert
“Blood Knot” serves as an uncomfortable examination of race, class and family in apartheid-era South Africa. Opening at the Signature Theatre Company’s new location, “Blood Knot” is a fitting tribute to director Athol Fugard’s 1961 play as he directs the new version. The South African director, known as much for his outspoken criticism of apartheid as he is for his work as a playwright, is a masterful interpreter of his own work. “Blood Knot” is no political creed, rather it approaches the issues of racism and economic inequality with a deft hand. The contentious topic, however, does not upstage the raw characteristics of the actors. In the first half of the production, a pair of brothers, Morris (Scott
Shepherd) and Zachariah (Colman Domingo) wile away several evenings after Zachariah returns from work. In a series of vignettes, their daily life is revealed. These scenes might be unremarkable were it not for the disparity between the two brothers — one of race. While they share the same mother, Morris and Zachariah have different fathers. Because Morris’ father is white he can pass as such, unlike Zachariah, whose dark skin makes this impossible. However, their differences extend beyond varying skin colors. Morris is literate and obsessive, allowing his life to be ruled by a wind-up alarm clock while Zachariah is uneducated and more interested in physical realities than Morris’s dreams for their future on a twoman farm in the wide open spaces of Africa.
This conflict between an imagined future and harsh reality comes to a head in Zachariah’s desire for a woman. Morris suggests a pen pal instead. All of the exposition about this subject and the introduction of the pen pal work as a slow build to the second act’s emotional explosion. This act makes the play — as it brings Zachariah’s resentment for his brother and Morris’ sense of entitlement — and the shared titular blood knot into high relief. The end of the second act is the most emotionally charged moment in “Blood Knot,” but there is something ultimately distancing about the piece. In some ways, Fugard’s work has not fully reached a visceral level. This is actually a positive aspect of the show; it saves the play from
via signaturetheatre.org
Athol Fugard directed the initial version of “Blood Knot” in 1961. melodrama and allows the audience a certain amount of subjectivity. It gives the spectators a chance to think about the play rather than feel some marginal impact from it. “Blood Knot” is playing through
March 11 at the Pershing Square Signature Center at 480 42nd St. Tickets are $25. Christopher Gellert is a contributing writer. Email him at theater@nyunews.com.
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Washington Square news | wednesday, february 22, 2012 | nyunews.com
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Amy zhang Assistant Managing Editor
james lanning Creative Director
selena chen senior staff
university Julie devito city/state emily yang investigative hanqing chen arts jonathon dornbush features jessica littman sports daniel hinton multimedia david lin copy maximilíano durón senior editor jack brooks,
BRIDGETTE DORAN
deputy staff
university eric benson, eliza-
beth maguire city/state tony chau, kristine
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“I w mmon all co .” — ish U-hChojar, CASs was Reena sop warmre homo
via flickr
TODAY
investigative feiye wang music josh johnson film stefan Melnyk entertainment jeremy grossman books/theater clio Mcconnell dining hannah borenstein beauty & style shannon
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1:30 p.m. | Office of International Students and Scholars | 561 LaGuardia Pl.
8 p.m. | Third Avenue North residence hall 75 3rd Ave. at 11th Street
3:30 to 4:30 p.m. | Health Promotion Office 726 Broadway, 3rd Floor
The goal of this free event is to create dialogue between the music world’s most significant and inspired artists and students from the NYU Jazz Studies program. The programs will feature director David Schroeder and Kenny Werner on piano.
Stressbusters will give free backrubs at the Student Health Center for five to seven minutes each.
Off-Campus Survival Q&A
The Off-Campus Services will have representatives available to answer questions about moving off-campus and how to navigate the complex rental market.
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NYU Jazz Master Class Series On Campus
Free Backrubs on Wind Down Wednesdays
opinion page
opinion editor olivia gonzalez deputy opinion editor ATTICUS
BRIGHAM, SANCHAY JAIN
advertising business manager
REBECCA RIBEIRO circulation manager
chloe coffman
university sales coordinator
Emilia Mironovici
SNAPSHOT
ON THE WIRE
Test-Tube Burger
Consumers may be able to enjoy a unique kind of burger — one made without slaughtering animals. Led by physiologist Mark Post, scientists in the Netherlands have grown meat from bovine stem cells. The $330,000 project, funded by an anonymous donor, aims to ease the environmental impacts of traditional animal-rearing methods in the meat industry. Time Magazine reported at a conference in Vancouver on Sunday that Post predicted growing meat in a lab “could reduce the energy expenditure by about 40 percent.” Although the meat has received approval by PETA, scientists are unsure of how it will taste. — Time Magazine
Northwestern University
PHOTO BY PRIYANKA KATUMULUWA
Kaitlyn O’Brien, MICHAEL RYAN, Melissa Ynegas
advising editorial adviser
keith leighty EDITORS-AT-LARGE
jaywon choe kelsey desiderio russell steinberg KIRSTEN CHANG francis poon terka cicelOVa
Northwestern to decrease acceptances for incoming freshmen
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.
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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.
— The Daily Northwestern
Two students sit down to work on homework in the library at NYU’s study abroad site in Paris.
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As minority, College Republicans celebrate own diversity — Columbia Spectator
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nyunews.com | wednesday, february 22, 2012 | Washington Square news
AIDS continued from PG. 1
PROTEST continued from PG. 3
Research finds possible cure to AIDS researchers of the study, said the discovery will lead to new understandings of HIV. “It may lead to mechanisms or ways to boost the immune systems response,” he said. “It will not cure somebody, but it will allow the immune system to control the violence [of AIDS].” But Landau said these new findings cannot be seen as a cure for HIV. “This tells us how the immune system tries to fight the virus and how the virus tries to escape from the immune system,” he said. “Now we have to think about how to prevent the virus from escaping. A cure for HIV will not be coming up soon.” However, Landau said the group will research further to understand the idea of attacking the HIV infection. Pablo Tebas, director of the adult
AIDS Clinical Trials Unit research site at the University of Pennsylvania, said the study is an interesting mechanism to fight against viral infection. “The cells of the body have developed multiple mechanisms to fight viral infections and prevent the virus for taking over,” Tebas said. “It seems that the investigators identified another protein that is part of that system.” Sita Awasthi, a researcher of Infectious Disease Division at Penn, said finding the function in relation to HIV infection was groundbreaking. “[The] HIV-1 field will [now] be exploring therapeutic potential of this [SAMHD1] finding in controlling HIV-1 infections,” she said. Nitasha Maindiratta is a staff writer. Email her at university@nyunews.com.
Students protest escalating debt Stuart Schrader, a NYU4OWS member and a GSAS doctoral candidate. “The university is opaque on issues such as how the project will be funded, what burdens it will place on students in the future financially and otherwise.” Steinhardt professor Mark Crispin Miller said there are many faculty members who openly oppose the issue, as well as quieter opponents behind the scenes. “There are several hundred people who have threatened resignation,” Miller said. Another topic broached at the discussion was NYU’s placement as a university with one of the highest student debts in the nation. “I am here today because I am questioning NYU’s use of an increasingly gigantic student debt load to fund capital expansion projects that directly contribute
Contestant Caroline Getz brings disinct voice to UVL
julie devito/wsn
Caroline Getz will represent Gramercy at UVL this Thursday. By Julia DeVito For CAS sophomore Caroline Getz, there is no better feeling than sharing music. Tomorrow, Getz will compete as the representative from Gramercy Green residence hall in Ultra Violet Live by expressing herself through song. For her audition, Getz sang an original song called “She Said,” which she wrote when she was 16. “I tried to communicate the experience of feeling life pass by too quickly, of wanting to take time to appreciate things like reading books, drinking lemonade, sitting on the front porch, being in the country,” Getz said. Getz, whose mother is a
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singer, has been playing the piano and singing for as long as she can remember. In the third grade, she wrote her first song, which was a theme song for an imaginary TV shows. She said she is inspired by Kanye West, Neil Young and Sara Bareilles, among others. For UVL, she is covering one of her favorite songs: “Thinking About You” by Frank Ocean. “My favorite thing about this song is the contrast between the verse, where the singer sounds confident in his relationship, and the chorus, where he shows that he has very human doubts and insecurities about love,” Getz said. “I love the duality of feeling and the way perform-
ing allows you to express all the facets of human emotion through music.” A comparative literature major with a focus on English and Spanish literature, Getz came to NYU because of its location. “The music scene here is like nowhere else in the world,” Getz said. “There are so many opportunities to perform — at small venues, open mics and shows like UVL. There are so many talented students here. “It’s been great to meet and collaborate with my fellow students on music-related projects,” she added. Peforming is a cathartic experience for Getz, who has been preparing for UVL with helpful feedback from her suitemates. “I think the hardest part about performing in something like UVL is that you only get one shot to say everything you want to say,” Gertz said. “You have to express to the audience how you feel— and hopefully touch something in them that will allow them to feel too.” Maya Hubbard, a Tisch sophomore and Getz’s roommate, said watching Getz on stage is a relaxing experience. “The best part about watching her perform ... is that you feel like she’s singing directly to you,” Hubbard said. “And sometimes she looks up and she smiles and it’s like she can only see you. She just has such amazing confidence and sweetness on stage.” Julia DeVito is university editor. Email her at jdevito@nyunews.com.
to student’s educational experiences at NYU,” GSAS student Ariel Acosta said. NYU spokesman John Beckman said as a tuition-dependent university, NYU has always been mindful of the impact these projects have on student’s tuition. He said if the university did not believe projects were affordable, they would not pursue them. Protesters also questioned the distribution of student tuition throughout the university. “It is an expensive school, and there is great faculty here, but how much of the money that they are spending goes to educational resources like small class sizes, and how much is going towards expansion projects?” Acosta said. The protest, however, was not just about the expansion’s consequences on students and professors, but also on community members including SoHo resi-
dent Andrea Swan, 64. “This expansion is a part of a vanishing city, the whole new city is globalization, an attack on established communities where we have no say,” Swan said. “I have been attending meetings trying to counteract this expansion plan since early January.” But Beckman said NYU 2031 will balance long-term academic space needs with the concerns of its neighbors. “It seeks to maximize the use of NYU’s existing footprint for new development by using land NYU already owns — rather than purchasing new properties in the Village — and by developing considerable space (nearly half) below grade, all while avoiding tenant dislocation and the use of eminent domain,” he said. Sarah Skirmont is a staff writer. Email her at cstate@nyunews.com.
NYC students rally for better public education By Hanqing Chen
“K through CUNY, education is a right,” read the banners across City Hall as CUNY students convened in front of the building for the State of the Students address on Monday. Organized by Students United for a Free CUNY, the State of the Students address press conference mirrored other public official addresses like the State of the Union. Conducted by multiple students, the speech pinpointed issues facing the New York public education system. Topics ranged from the poor preparation of K-12 students for college to the rising economic burdens that public university students within the CUNY system face. “We’re not looking for handouts,” CUNY student Kenneth Cruz said. “In fact, we’re looking for a hand up so we can rise to the challenge of moving this nation forward. If the next generation is not educated, there is no way we can solve the problems that are impacting our society.” Speakers emphasized that public education funding had taken a back seat in budget priorities and that they were tired of hearing the empty rhetoric of public officials. “They say there’s no money, but there is money,” CUNY graduate student Jamie Yankovitz said. “If we took the stock exchange tax, and take a little bit and funnel that to CUNY, then that’s enough.” But Yankovitz added that it is not all about the money: “Teachers are completely overwhelmed, and students have no incentive to learn,” Yankovitz said. She said the New York public schools must continuously look for more inventive ways to inspire students. But the structure of the education system prevents teachers from doing so, she said. NYU Stands with Occupy Wall Street representative Christy Thornton, who was also in attendance at the press
conference, said NYU students should stand in solidarity with CUNY students even though they are private university students. She said NYU-affiliated officials were directly involved in causing tuition hikes at CUNY universities. “Members of NYU’s Board of Trustees are actively involved in making CUNY less affordable and less accessible for our brothers and sisters in two-year and four-year CUNY colleges,” Thornton said. According to Thornton, five members of the NYU Board of Trustees sit on public advocacy groups that advocated for the slashing of CUNY public funding. But NYU spokesperson John Beckman challenged Thornton’s logic. “CUNY has its own board that makes its own decisions about CUNY’s finances,” he said. “It seems like a significant and unlikely intellectual reach to try somehow connect NYU trustees to CUNY decisions because some of them may or may not belong to the Citizens Budget Commission, which is a civic group that is independent of NYU, CUNY and the city government.” He added that the rising cost of public higher education is a complex subject. “It does demonstrate that there are pressures on both public universities and private universities that cause tuition to rise, ranging from cuts in public subsidiaries to the rising cost of energy to the rising cost of medical insurance,” he said. The conference culminated in the signing of a pledge against further slashing of public education funding. City councilman Charles Barron was present to sign and show his support as a member of the New York legislature. “I’ve been so impressed by this presentation,” Barron said. “Everybody in the city must respect and protect our students.” Hanqing Chen is investigative editor. Email her at hchen@nyunews.com.
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Washington Square news | wednesday, february 22, 2012 | nyunews.com
BEAUTY AND STYLE
Red-carpet trends set stage for Oscars
Kristin Wiig in Balenciaga
Jessica Chastain in Calvin Klein
By Julie Zhang The upcoming 84th Annual Academy Awards will indubitably be a time to shine. Not only is the prestigious ceremony an opportunity to praise the actors, directors and writers for their contributions to the film industry, it is an arena for fashion designers to show off their latest red carpet spectacles. The 18th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards and the 69th Annual Golden Globe Awards have set the style tone for this year’s season of ceremonies. At the Golden Globes, esteemed designer brands Gucci, Armani and Versace were a hit with A-listers Jessica Alba, George Clooney and Angelina Jolie, respectively. Their elaborate long gowns and tailored suits dazzled the red carpet. While the nominee lists for the SAG Awards and the Golden Globes are usually similar, the fashion of the red carpet certainly differed. At the SAG Awards, Brad Pitt and Kristen Wiig both sported Balenciaga, showing the versatility of the brand’s established designers. Jessica Lange and Jane Lynch stole the spotlight wearing David Meister, proving his popularity at red carpet events. While designer gowns and precious jewels are not for everyday wear, red carpet trends can certainly be translated into any wardrobe. Accessories are a fundamental addition to the styling and aesthetic of an overall outfit. Departing from the excessive state-
Brad Bitt in Balenciaga & Angelina Jolie in Jenny Packham
ment necklaces and large cuffs, this award show season emphasizes the minimal look. Simple studs and bangles in gold or silver create a sleek, clean-cut look. Bejeweled clutches may be appropriate for a nighttime event, but for daytime opt for the on-trend oversized clutch. Large enough to hold a day’s worth of supplies, the clutch provides elegance with ease. Another trend seen on celebrities this season so far are bright, solid colors. As Tilda Swinton — in a Haider Ackermann periwinkle dress — and Natalie Portman — in a Lanvin magenta gown — demonstrate, it is time to welcome spring with radiance and shake off the dark and gloomy winter weather. Stand out like red carpet celebrities by experimenting with these bright colors. With the Oscars approaching, excitement brings expectation and anticipation for any fashionista. “I want to see more Donna Karan or Zuhair Murad,” CAS junior Sidrah Syed said. “I want to see more newcomers such as Altuzarra in the spotlight,” said Tisch freshman Brinda Dixit, who prefers lesser-known designers. To see which designers and trends walk the red carpet, the Oscars will air live at 7 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 26 on ABC.
Tilda Swinton in Heather Haider Ackermann
Julie Zhang is a contributing writer. Email her at bstyle@nyunews.com.
Reese Witherspoon in Zac Posen
Natalie Portman in Giambattista Valli Haute Couture
ALL IMAGES VIA STYLE.COM
Student flaunts fashion with Swagger internship
By Blima Gottlieb
CAS sophomore Susan Cheng has an eye for swagger. Last year, she began interning for fashion website Swagger New York, which focuses on the street styles of New York City. Sian-Pierre Regis, a Bostonian who started the site’s Paris counterpart in 2009, launched Swagger New York in 2010. Swagger New York is a hub where trendsetters come together to share their personal styles in fashion and music. What makes Swagger New York different from other fashion sites? In Cheng’s words: “I think we’re a little more daring.” The Swagger New York team pounds the pavement in search of swagger.
“I find inspiration when I spot somebody wearing something unique, that even I wouldn’t dare to try to pull off,” Cheng said. “If I see someone and think that, then it’s like a red flag.” Though Cheng has a keen eye for spotting red flags, she says that it is not innate. “I had to learn this at first, it’s not just what looked good to me,” she said. “Sometimes it’s more so about who is breaking the rules and attempting something different than who is keeping up with trends.” Swagger New York is a fast-growing website. At the start of 2011, it had 90,000 followers on Facebook. Three months later, the number had reached 120,000. Cheng said she believes this
growth is only the beginning. Swagger New York is expanding its horizons by incorporating aspects of lifestyle and culture. Recent changes have included adding sections devoted to technology, celebrity and fashion news, music exclusives and local hot spots. Swagger New York strives to be an interactive website as it seeks to reach out to their followers. It held a competition last year among schools in New York City, including NYU, The New School and the School of Visual Arts. In the contest, the website sought students with swagger, and their pictures were posted on the Swagger New York website. Followers had the chance to vote for their favorite fashionistas.
Cheng’s responsibilities as an intern include administrative tasks and editorial work. But her favorite part is interviewing the trendsetters she finds on the street. “I never would have talked to the people I had to interview if I passed them on the street,” Cheng said. “This allowed me to meet so many people. It’s crazy because I’ll think these people are native New Yorkers but they’re from all over the world.” The Swagger site has gone global, and with New York at the helm, the possibilities are limitless. Log on, join the commotion and see what all the noise is about. Blima Gottlieb is a contributing writer. Email her at bstyle@nyunews.com.
RACHEL KAPLAN/WSN
For Susan Cheng, Swagger emphasizes unique style.
nyunews.com | wednesday, february 22, 2012 | Washington Square news
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edited by shannon loughran BSTYLE@nyunews.com
By Keerthi Harishankar
Street Style: Student talks beauty routine
Seoyoung Jang, CAS freshman
Question: How are you keeping your skin moisturized this winter? Answer: I moisturize with snail cream. I know people are protesting against it, but my friend got it for my from Chile and it’s great for skin repair. After I’ve let that sit, I put on Clinique moisture cream and Biotherm sun block. Q: What is your beauty routine? A: I get up two hours before class, which means 7:30 every morning, to do my makeup. As I let my hair air dry — I don’t blow dry because it’s bad for your hair. And after I’ve mois-
turized, I apply a Laura Mercier foundation. Sometimes it can get pretty thick, so I like to mix it with my moisture cream. I like to spread it with my fingers. You could use a brush for that but if you do it can leave brush strokes, and I’m too busy to fix that in the morning. For class I don’t do a mascara, I usually just use a curler for my lashes. For my eyes I use MAC eye shadow in Honey Lust, it has a nice natural look to it. I like finishing my eyes with the cat eye trend. I use Makeup Forever’s brown waterproof eyeliner because black can sometimes go on too strong. Q: Do you have any makeup application tips? A: When I mess the cat eye up, which is often, I dip a cotton Qtip into my moisture cream and
then just go over it. I like to use waterproof eyeliner because it doesn’t smudge as much as the regular ones. I still haven’t perfected the eyeliner. It’s hard to master. When I use a bronzer to highlight for my face, it’s really easy to apply if I just pucker my face and highlight the parts that stand out. Q: How do you adjust your routine for acne? A: If I have blemishes I still use my normal foundation, but then I use a pencil foundation to cover the acne because it’s more precise. Q: What spring beauty trends do you want to try out? A: I want to try some color. This winter I’ve been doing a lot of neutral tones. For spring I think I’ll try out yellow eye shadow and
KEERTHI HARISHANKAR FOR WSN
Seoyoung Jang moisturizes skin using snail cream from Chile. maybe also gold and silver. I feel like silver is the new color for spring. Just a pop of silver eyeliner I think will really stand out.
Keerthi Harishankar is a contributing writer. Email her at bstyle@nyunews.com.
Skin care tips for winter By Hilary Presley
The combination of outdoor winter winds and heat at home combine to wreak havoc on your skin. The number one savior this winter is moisturizer. Winter sucks all the moisture right out of skin, leaving it cracked, chapped and all-around dry. Here are the top five products that will save, replenish and revive skin to create that healthy glow all year round.
1. Kiehl’s Ultra Facial 24-Hour Moisturizing Face Cream ($26)
2. Lush Breath of Fresh Air Toner ($20)
3. Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment SPF 15 ($22.50)
Braving the cold and wind takes a toll on a delicate face. Revive skin with this lush moisturizer that will leave you hydrated without feeling weighed down. Apply it in the morning, and it will work all day to keep you looking visibly well-balanced and refreshed.
A spritz of this sea salt toner will have you instantly revitalized and soothed. The seawater works to refresh dry, tired skin as it softens and hydrates — a key function for the winter. Use after washing your face or throughout the day for a little skin pick-meup. This toner will leave skin dewy and oh-so-soft.
Lips need attention, too. Harsh winds leave lips dry, cracked and peeling. The gentle sugar crystals in this lip balm work to exfoliate chapped skin. A blend of oils and waxes go beyond your basic chapstick, leaving lips delectably moisturized and kissable.
VIA KIEHLS.COM
VIA LUSHUSA.COM
VIA FRESH.COM
4. Lush Oatifix Soothing Oat and Banana Mask for dry skin ($20) Pamper your irritated skin even more with an all-natural facemask with calming oats and exfoliating ground almonds to slough away flaky skin. Fresh bananas also help the skin retain moisture throughout the day. Use after cleansing your face, and finish with a spritz of toner to lock in moisture.
VIA LUSHUSA.COM
5. Kiehl’s Crème de Corps Body Lotion ($11-72) There’s a reason this body crème is so wildly popular. Dry, cracked skins begs for this densely rich, hydrating, unscented body moisturizer. Slather on every inch of your body after a shower to really stay moisturized.
VIA KIEHLS.COM
Bonuses: Jojoba Oil This all-natural oil is most similar to naturally produced skin oils and provides all-day moisture. Just a few drops added to any facial moisturizer will create a powerful super-moisturizer, combating flakiness and leaving skin super soft without weighing it down. VIA WIKIPEDIA
Lemon Butter Burt’s Bees Cuticle Cream ($6) Don’t forget about your nails. Even cuticles and nails get dry and frail in the winter. The sweet almond oil and cocoa seed butter will replenish and soften cuticles and brittle fingetips for healthy nails. VIA BURTSBEES.COM
Hilary Presley is a staff writer. Email her at bstyle@nyunews.com.
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Washington Square news | wednesday, february 22, 2012 | nyunews.com
ARTS
edited by JONATHON DORNBUSH ARTS@nyunews.com
‘Pineapple Grenade’ takes readers on wacky adventure By Jammy Su
In a frenzy of political conspiracies and international espionage, “Pineapple Grenade” takes readers on another wacky adventure with protagonist Serge Storms — a patriotic lunatic, fearless Florida vigilante and, this time, self-proclaimed double spy. In Miami, where the sun is never too bright and the cover stories never too outlandish, a series of miscellaneous events takes place as the city prepares for an international summit between the United States and Latin American nations. A carjacker is found dead with his chest cavity inexplicably hollow, a mysterious arm shows up in the stomach of a dead shark thrown in the streets by local fishermen and a fireball blooms near the Miami International Airport. Meanwhile, the Department of Homeland Security holds multiple press conferences to raise the national
Storms’ plans to manipulate the workings of security systems is at first difficult to buy as they seem to be too grand for an amateur. As the story develops, the reader’s doubt will gradually increase. All of Storms’ schemes work according to plan, with every other dim-witted character jumping into the pits Storm has dug for them. The element of surprise is one of the story’s main sources of dramatic momentum. But those surprises fall flat. The plot is possible only because characters other than Storms are extremely idiotic in their actions. Overall, “Grenade” is a good read when used as an escape from everyday life. Though for anyone who thinks the CIA deserves to be regarded with much respect, it’s best to avoid this one.
threat level to unprecedented degrees. Storms, with his drug-addict sidekick Coleman, hops into a green and orange Plymouth Road Runner to take part in every burning incident that is about to wreak havoc on the city of Miami. Though the plot of “Pineapple Grenade” is interesting enough, the story displays an impression of Miami grounded in the evening news, where crime and danger seem to thrive beyond actuality. Non-Florida residents should not take the frantic assertions in the narrative too seriously, and real Floridians may find this dramatic device unbearable. The story is a mix of dirty humor, eccentricity and comical descriptions of spies, CIA agents and armed rebels with Florida’s atmosphere at the forefront of the novel. It serves as a major component of Storms’ quirky patriotism, as evidenced when he spews his inner passions for the Sunshine State.
Jammy Su is a contributing writer. Email him at books@nyunews.com.
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Edited by Will Shortz Across 1 Places for flocks 5 Some sporty cars 8 Sandbox retort 13 Pizza topping 15 Wide shoe spec 16 Like a perfect game, of a sort 17 Nabisco wafer 18 Monopolist’s clothing accessory? 20 Teen idol Efron 21 Like a poor attendance 23 Crewman on the Jolly Roger 24 Designers for Microsoft Windows? 27 Blow it 28 “Do Ya” rock grp. 29 Blow it 31 Refs. for Web site newbies 34 Brewer’s equipment
38 Oil well firefighter Red ___ 41 What Martian invaders may be intent on? 44 Martian, e.g. 45 Viral phenomenon on the Web 46 Assemble-ityourself chain 47 Sleepaway, e.g. 49 Young ’un 51 Really get to 53 What the backer of a failing business may do? 60 License prerequisite, often 62 “Take your time!” 63 ___ chi 64 Trunk item … or what has been put on 18-, 24-, 41- and 53Across?
66 Moves first 68 King who had the Labyrinth built 69 Trail the pack 70 “Love Train” singers, with “the” 71 Become, eventually 72 That, in Toledo 73 Cause to roll in the aisles
Down 1 Schemer called to mind by the Madoff swindle 2 Univac I predecessor 3 Word after “roger,” to a radioer 4 G, in the key of C 5 Insinuate 6 Country singer Clark 7 Dr. for kids 8 Tiny colonist 9 Pitchforkwielding groups 10 Disney ANSWER TO PREVIOUS PUZZLE development M I F F B A T H E A P E S 11 Gretzky, for many years O D O R A F O O T D R A W T A L E N O N O S V O T E 12 Bewhiskered frolicker T H I C K R E S B I P E D 14 Like some S O C K E Y E E Y E S O R E French vowels L Y E A G A T E S 19 Where props are seen M E R E S T N O W A D A Y S A B A W O W L E T 22 Bit of math homework O B T R U D E S F L O S S Y 25 Lipton S A B I N E R A N competitor V I N C E N T V A N G O G H 26 Beanery side O N A I R S S E K O R E A dish W A K E M O U T H I D E S 30 Emphatic assent E W E S E L I T E N E S T 31 Monk’s title L E S T T O T E M G R E Y 32 WWW giant
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No. 0118
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Puzzle by Chris Handman
33 Stuff that can give you a sinking feeling? 35 ___ Inside (store sign) 36 That ship 37 “Tiny” boy 39 ___ de la Cité 40 Nutritionist’s fig. 42 Words of generosity
43 Hawks 48 Huff and puff 50 It may elicit a blessing 51 Words after a knock 52 Adjust, as a corsage 54 Upholstery fabric 55 Polonius’s hiding place
56 “Hasta ___” 57 Item at a 95% markdown, say 58 Country singer Tucker 59 He-man’s opposite 61 Drop ___ (moon) 65 Eerie gift 67 Sleepover attire, for short
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 | wednesday, february 22, 2012 | Washington Square news
OPINION
edited by olivia gonzalez opinion@nyunews.com
international
U.S. perpetuates injustice in the West Bank, Gaza Strip By Glen Pine Israel’s occupation of the Palestinian West Bank and Gaza Strip is not a complicated, far-away conflict. It is a straightforward injustice facilitated by the U.S. government and U.S.-based corporations. Americans at an elite U.S. university like NYU have a responsibility to take a firm stance against oppression committed in our name. Mainstream human rights organizations have meticulously documented the occupation’s brutality, and the International Court of Justice has deemed it illegal. But despite 45 years of Palestinian resistance and near-universal global condemnation, the occupation persists — because of U.S. support. Without continued backing by the United States as a global superpower, the occupation would be crippled and quickly ended. The ongoing U.S. and Israeli economic and physical blockade of the Gaza Strip has rendered it an open-air prison, with 70 percent of the population living in poverty. Israel actively prevents the 1.7 million Palestinians in Gaza — including roughly 800,000 children — from obtaining enough drinking water, let alone equipment to build an economy. During Operation Cast Lead, Israel’s most recent major action in Gaza, the Israeli military killed 1,397 Palestinians, mostly civilians. Palestinians killed three Israeli civilians during the operation.
Lopsided body counts are normal for the occupation. This fact is not surprising given the stark power imbalance between the parties involved. Operation Cast Lead also featured extensive damage to Palestinian infrastructure, including hospitals and schools. Importantly, Cast Lead occurred against a relatively unarmed population already starving under the blockade. Israel faced almost no resistance. In the West Bank, Israel is involved in the long-term project of destroying indigenous Palestinian communities and replacing them with illegal Jewish-only settlements. Aided by U.S. corporations like Motorola Solutions, Israel couples these settlements with an extensive system of controls over the basic freedoms of Palestinians. The occupation impacts all aspects of the lives of Palestinians living in the West Bank, from going to school to getting married to putting food on the table. The United States facilitates Israel’s militarism, using Israel to extend and deepen control over the neighboring region. The U.S. treats Israel like a giant American military base strategically located in the heart of the Middle East. As paymaster and political enabler, the U.S. exercises significant leverage over Israel’s military decisions. Meanwhile, the U.S.-Israeli relationship siphons billions of our taxpayer dollars to corporations — like weapons manufacturer Northrop Grumman — that provide the tools for Israel’s ag-
gression. Cynically, U.S. government and corporate officials who benefit from Israel’s militarization posture that Israel is perpetually on the defensive. This charade provides cover for Israel as it expands its occupation. Misinformation abounds in the U.S. about the occupation precisely because the population is so strategically well-positioned to end it. But with enough pressure from people like us on our government and the implicated U.S. corporations, the occupation will have little chance for survival. This fact places a heavy moral burden on privileged Americans to take action. There are limitless ways to help, from simple actions like informing your friends of labor-intensive actions like becoming a campaign organizer. Speaking out against the occupation does not mean taking the side of one people over another; it means taking the side of justice over injustice. As NYU community members, we cannot be neutral on this issue. Our own government and corporations are profoundly implicated, and they are using our money and acting in our name. We must use our education and privilege to speak out against this injustice. Glen Pine is a doctoral candidate in the sociology department in the Graduate School of Arts and Science and an organizer with NYU Students for Justice in Palestine. Email him at opinion@nyunews.com.
health care
Universal health care will hurt current situation By Liz Beras
In a country where 16.3 percent of the population is uninsured, it is no wonder Americans have such a negative perception of their health care. Blame is usually directed toward the health care system or health care providers; the problem, however, lies neither in the system nor in the providers but rather in the government. The worst part of this current health care debacle is that the Obama administration is attempting to mend the problem by instating universal health care — a program that will simply worsen the current situation. America prides itself on being diversely innovative; this is no different in the field of medical care. Americans are responsible for a significant number of health care advancements: The top five hospitals in the United States conduct more clinical trials than all the hospitals in any given developed country. Not to mention, Americans on average spend less time waiting for care from specialists than their counterparts in places like Canada or Britain with nationalized health care systems. But Americans have a higher mortality rate for common cancers than individuals in Europe. The quality of
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care in America is unarguably one of the most exceptional in the world; however, this care is incredibly expensive and inaccessible to many. Individuals in the United States most likely obtain medical insurance through their employers. Companies offer their employees insurance plans as a benefit; employees can elect a plan and put forth contributions from their compensation. Having insurance makes health care virtually affordable with manageable paycheck deductions and copays for prescriptions. The problem in America is that health care is contingent on many factors, one being that the individual is employed by a company large enough to offer health care benefits. With an unemployment rate at a low 8.3 percent, it seems health care is not a feasible option for many. It is much easier to critique our current health care than to look at it critically. America has some of the best health care providers in the world, but the availability of health care is contingent on having insurance. This is not a flaw of the health care system but rather a problem of the economy that has impacted the medical industry. If there was more job creation, individuals would have access to insurance plans. Despite public belief, universal
health care is not the solution. Individuals are different, and a uniform health care system will not tailor treatment to all. Even if the system is able to accomplish multifarious care, it is not socially and economically sustainable. Americans do not pay uniform tax rates and thus higher-paid individuals will be paying more for care than individuals with lower incomes. In addition, universal health care would put America at risk for abuse of the medical expertise in the country. Individuals who do not pay taxes could take advantage of the health care by returning to the U.S. solely for free medical care. If all Americans were employed or were in a country with ubiquitous healthy food options, for example, health care would not be a great concern. Individuals would have access to affordable care, and certain health conditions could be avoided. Overall, American health care is one of the most exceptional in the world. Do not blame the health care system. Blame the politicians and those in power who have failed to evolve it with the ever-changing circumstances of our time. Liz Beras is a staff columnist. Email her at opinion@nyunews.com.
Staff Editorial
Race-conscious admissions aids quest for equality and diversity Yesterday, the Supreme Court agreed to hear the case of Abigail Fisher who has claimed that her refusal of admission to the University of Texas in 2008 was because of unconstitutional race discrimination. When Fisher, a Caucasian female, applied to University of Texas, she had a 3.59 GPA and a combined math and critical reading SAT score of 1180. At the time, the University of Texas practiced a raceconscious admissions policy. The Courts most recently addressed the issue in 2003 when former Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor wrote for the majority “that student body diversity is a compelling state interest that can justify the use of race in university admissions.” In this case, Grutter v. Bollinger, O’Connor stated that the accommodation was meant to last 25 years — it has only been nine. If the Court were to reverse this ruling, race could no longer be considered as a factor in college admissions. We at WSN Editorial Board posit that not considering race as part of a holistic evaluation of applicants would decrease the percentage of minority students in American universities. While we do not believe that race should in itself be a reason for acceptance or rejection, as it was during the segregation era, admissions offices must look at the student as a whole. Race is only a part of that whole. Given the Supreme Court’s make-up has changed since Grutter was handed down, it is likely that the Court will favor equality in admissions at the expense of diversity in campus communities. Such a reversal ignores race as an aspect of an individual’s identity worthy of evaluation. While the practice of race-conscious admissions is characteristic of the larger problem of racial discrimination in America, it is obviously an effort to solve, not perpetuate, that racial bias. Until harmful stereotypes based on ignorance and bigotry cease to exist, considerations of race in admissions must be made. Yet, while the extent to which racist stereotypes continue to exist is unclear, economic disadvantages are clearly a very significant barrier to some students’ acceptance. The country would be better served if we addressed economic disparities instead of racial inequality. Neither are desirable influences, but the former is a more pressing issue for students today. Email the WSN Editorial Board at editboard@nyunews.com.
Editorial Board: Olivia Gonzalez (Chair), Atticus Brigham (Co-Chair), Sanchay Jain (Co-Chair), Chris DiNardo, Emily Franklin, Matt Kao, Ben Miller and Peter Murphy.
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Washington Square news | wednesday, february 22, 2012 | nyunews.com
SPORTs By Cole Riley
edited by daniel hinton sports@nyunews.com
Pitching remains key on road to Omaha
Pitching was a prevalent theme during last year’s College World Series of Omaha as right-handers Matt Price and Forrest Koumas and left-hander Michael Roth brought the CWS trophy to the University of South Carolina after defeating their Southeastern Conference rivals, the University of Florida. This year the fates of the top college teams will primarily rest again on the successes and failures of their pitchers. The best team in the country still resides in Columbia, S.C. Despite being picked up by Major League franchises in the 2011 draft, Price and Roth returned to campus and will now seek their third consecutive CWS title with the Gamecocks. Price, who was selected in the sixth round by the Arizona Diamondbacks, recorded 20 saves in 59 innings last season with a 1.83 ERA. This year the senior righty will move from the bullpen to the starting rotation, joining star senior Roth, a 31st-round selection by the Cleveland Indians.
Do not overlook South Carolina’s hitters. Last year junior first baseman Christian Walker slugged 10 home runs with 62 RBIs and a .358 batting average in 69 games. Recently, Walker recorded two hits and two RBIs in the Gamecocks’ 13-1 rout of the Virginia Military Institute Keydets last Saturday. Further south, the University of Florida Gators have only improved since their second-place finish last season. Analysts are comparing Florida, currently ranked No. 1 in the nation, to the California State Uni-
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versity, Fullerton team who went 57-9 and won the NCAA championship in 1995. The Gators have seven position players and nine pitchers returning, and 14 players are projected to be drafted in June. Juniors Hudson Randall, who held South Carolina scoreless through 7.2 innings in Game 1 of the 2011 CWS, and Brian Johnson, a first-team All-SEC selection as a designated hitter last year, headline a starting rotation overflowing with talent. Sluggers Mike Zunino, the 2011 SEC Player of the Year, and Preston Tucket (.308 BA, 15 home runs and 74
RBIs in 2011) are also returning to Florida for another run at the CWS title. On the West Coast, the Stanford Cardinal will try to re-establish the Pac-12 as the supreme conference in college baseball. At 6 feet 5 inches tall, starting pitcher Mark Appel is a power righty on the mound and is projected to be picked first in this year’s MLB Draft. Appel’s fastball — which topped 100 miles per hour in the first inning of Stanford’s 2012 opening game versus Vanderbilt University — and his presence on the mound makes him comparable to the 2009 first
overall selection and current Washington Nationals pitcher, Stephen Strasburg. The junior righty (6-7, 3.02 ERA, 110.1 innings in 2011) is a potential superstar despite diminished velocity through seven innings against Vanderbilt and having an inconsistent slider. Meanwhile, junior third baseman Stephen Piscotty started all 57 games last year for the Cardinal and batted a team-best .369 average with 35 runs and 40 RBIs. Head coach Mark Marquess is hoping the Cardinal’s combination of hitting and pitching will lead them back to the CWS for the first time since 2008. However, no team in the country — not even Stanford — can challenge the supremacy of the juggernauts from the SEC. Although pressure looms over both programs, Florida and South Carolina feature too much talent to fall before meeting in Omaha again. Cole Riley is a deputy sports editor. Email him at criley@nyunews.com.