NYU’s Daily Student Newspaper
washington square news Vol. 40, No. 32
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
nyunews.com
OWS relocates to Union Square
Restaurant grading sees more criticism By Josie Raccuia
By Emily Yang
Though the New York City Department of Health recently attributed a 14 percent decline of salmonella poisoning in the city to its letter-grading system, city residents are becoming more critical of the methodology. Since 2010, the Department of Health has required restaurants to post letter grades showing sanitation inspection results. The system grades its restaurants on a point scale at least once a year. Restaurants with a score between zero and 13 points earn an A, those with 14 to 27 points receive a B and those with 28 or more receive a C. According to the department’s website, the points for a particular violation — public health hazard, critical violation or general violation — may depend on the risk it poses to the public. An executive chef at a restau-
Union Square is the new Zuccotti Park. The Occupy Wall Street movement announced their newly relocated base to Union Square after their re-eviction from Zuccotti Park last Saturday. Kavy Davis, a 21-year-old protester from Philadelphia, relocated in Union Square with about 20 other members of the movement on Saturday night. “I think it came to a consensus to come here,” he said. “It seemed like a logical spot with a lot of foot traffic and a lot of dialogue that can be open as opposed to Tompkins or Washington, which has a curfew at midnight.” The movement celebrated its sixmonth anniversary on Saturday by attempting to re-occupy Zuccotti Park. They were initially evicted last November.
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Justice delivers show to sold-out crowd
The French electronic duo’s signiature glowing cross was positioned below the musicians as they played on an elevated stage to an energetic audience at Terminal 5.
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Guilt-free chocolate returns to NYU dining By Michelle Lim
For everyone with a sweet tooth, you can take “guilty” out of guilty pleasures. Kopali Organics is reentering the NYU dining halls with their healthy and environmentally friendly dark chocolates that will surely satisfy sweet cravings. When co-founders Zak Zaidman and Stephen Brooks lived on a Costa Rican permaculture — an organic and fully sustainable farm — to support local farmers, they learned that many big plantations were using copious amounts of pesticides that were damaging to the environment. The pair realized if local farmers who were growing organic foods were not supported, they would soon be out of business
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and overtaken by commercialized, chemically intensive farms. “Every time you buy organic you are supporting a way of growing food that does not use chemicals that are known to be harmful not only to humans, but to the ecosystems that support all life,” Zaidman said. “And every time you buy fair-trade you are supporting farmers, their families and their communities.” Kopali’s dark chocolates are 100 percent pure, natural and organic. They are also fair-trade certified, enforcing honest and ethical business practices. “You can enjoy chocolate and feel good about it because you
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Helms, Segel discuss film challenges By Clio McConnell and Jeremy Grossman Ed Helms and Jason Segel evoke memories of their classic comedy work — Helms for his memorable roles in “The Hangover” and NBC’s “The Office,” and Segel for his shtick in last year’s “The Muppets” and CBS’ “How I Met Your Mother.” However, these comedians are more than capable of breaking into the dramatic sphere. “Jeff Who Lives at Home,” by brothers Jay and Mark Duplass, directors of the film “Cyrus”, affords them the opportunity to prove they can tackle more serious roles. Both actors are aware of the change and are more than willing to take on the challenge. “It’s more of an honest look at
dysfunctional people than most work I’ve done,” Helms said. In “Jeff,” Helms and Segel play troubled characters who must deal with different life crises. Jeff, portrayed by Segel, is an unemployed 30-year-old who spends his days smoking weed in his mom’s (Susan Sarandon) basement. Helms plays Pat, Jeff’s older brother, who is trying to work through his unsuccessful marriage while continuing to pick up after his baby brother. Though “Jeff” contains numerous dramatic beats, it certainly does not wont for humor thanks to the strength of its actors. As Helms succinctly put it, this film “wasn’t always about finding the laughs ... it was about finding realism and authenticity.”
COURTESY OF PARAMOUNT VANTAGE
Helms and Segel star in “Jeff Who Lives at Home.” Mark Duplass made a point of emphasizing how he and his
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Washington Square news | tuesday, march 20, 2012 | nyunews.com
on the side
Compiled by the
WSN staff
STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS “Journey” “Journey,” which only lasts for about two hours, perhaps provides one of the best gaming experiences in years. There is little gameplay — you simply push your character onward towards a mountain in the distance. But it is a journey that occurs throughout beautiful landscapes to the tune of a powerful soundtrack. The game will leave players emotionally moved and ready to immediately replay this powerful adventure. — Jonathon Dornbush
cuteoverload.com If you like looking at incredibly cute animal pictures (and who doesn’t?), then this website is for you. Updated daily with a charming array of visuals of all sorts of species, soon you will constantly be “oohing” at the computer screen. Honorable Mention goes to pictures featuring different species cuddling together and dogs in Halloween costumes. — Ana Luisa Crivorot
“Gatz” This seven-hour telling of “The Great Gatsby” is probably the best theater piece you’ll see all year. Back for a second run at the Public Theatre at 425 Lafayette St., the Elevator Repair Service theater troupe fantastically falls from their modern setting into F. Scott Fitzgerald’s brilliant world of words with such sincere dedication that it’s impossible not to get emotional. — Bethany McHugh
IFC’s Week of Bad Women This entire week the Independent Film Channel is playing movies about dangerous women with whom you should be terrified to cross paths. Uma Thurman seeks the deadliest revenge ever in “Kill Bill.” Ellen Page tortures an internet predator in “Hard Candy.” Sigourney Weaver battles space creatures in “Alien.” Let these actresses remind you that there’s always more to just a pretty face. — Jeremy Grossman
Washington Square News Editor-in-Chief amanda randone Managing Editor
jaewon kang Deputy Managing Editor
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
itliong, jessica schultz investigative feiye wang music josh johnson film stefan Melnyk entertainment jeremy grossman books/theater clio Mcconnell dining hannah borenstein beauty & style shannon
loughran sports John axelrod, cole
riley ALL IMAGES VIA FLICKR
TODAY
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12:30 - 1:30 p.m. | Wasserman Center for Career Development | Presentation Room B
7 - 8 p.m. | 1 Washington Square North Student Lounge
Résumés & Cover Letters that Work
Wasserman experts will help you learn how to write strategic resumes and cover letters. RSVP on CareerNet.
3 7 - 8:30 p.m. | 16 Washington Mews
Military Culture & Practice Initiative Student Group Meeting This new club aims to bring awareness to military and family members in the Silver community. This will be the club’s first meeting.
Cinéma et Histoire
Antoine de Baecque, professor of History and Cinema Studies at Université de Paris-X Nanterre, will speak in French regarding French film and film history.
special issues kristina bogos multimedia james kelleher copy jordan melendrez social media agent nicole gartside
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
Using panda poop for tea
Chinese businessman An Yanshi used giant panda dung to grow organic green tea that he plans to sell for $200 per cup. He gets the excrement from panda bears living in nearby breeding centers and plans to donate some of the profits to an environmental fund. The first batch of the tea will be sold in 50 gram increments for 22,000 yuan, or $3,500. Three grams of tea typically makes one cup. An claims the tea will be the world’s most expensive tea. He also said the fertilizer helps makes the tea healthier because pandas eat bamboo, and their excrement retains a lot of the nutrients contained in the food they eat. — Reuters
University of North Carolina
New social media outlet Balloonduck to launch at UNC — The Daily Tar Heel
A man rests along the pier at Coney Island over spring break.
PHOTO BY rachel kaplan
University of Texas at Austin
UT female student assaulted inside taxi — The Daily Texan
sales representatives
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 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 | tuesday, march 20, 2012 | Washington Square news
NYU Law purchases condo for faculty By Julie DeVito Last week NYU announced the purchase of a new 2,600-square-foot apartment for the increasing Law School faculty. Michael Orey, director of Public Affairs for NYU Law School, said NYU and other universities providing assistance with faculty housing, including purchasing properties to lease to professors, is not a new phenomenon. Housing in a city such as New York can provide incentives for professors to apply for and accept a job. “NYU Law competes for talent in a national market,” Orey said. “Our location in New York City is one of our greatest assets, but obviously real estate here is expensive.
To attract and retain leading scholars, the law school — like many others around the country — may assist faculty with housing.” The $3.6 million dollar facility located on the Upper West Side will be owned by NYU, which will rent the space out to faculty. According to the listing, the apartment has a central gallery, a kitchen with a stainless steel refrigerator, limestone countertops, wood cabinets and four bedrooms. This purchase came shortly after a purchase of a $3 million dollar apartment complex at 166 Perry St. in lower Manhattan in June 2011. NYU Law also owns a $5.2 million dollar facility on the Upper West Side. Orey said NYU Law’s faculty has grown from 83 to
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NYU real estate gives faculty more housing options.
107 over the last 10 years, thereby increasing the need for housing. Although some of the housing units are not on campus, many are, which is convenient for faculty. NYU professor Sylvia Law has lived in her NYU-owned condo at 3 Washington Square Village for 10 years. When she first began teaching at NYU she owned her own house, but had to sell it a few years ago. “[The condo] helped enable me to be able to stay at NYU,” Law said. “It’s a very tight housing market. It’s a great thing that they do this and help with affordability for housing.” Law said the university subsidizes the condos and also helps provide them with lowinterest loans to buy condos not owned by NYU. She also said the dean has control over who receives some of the condos, but professors and administration can apply to be on a waiting list for the housing. “[The only negative is] if at the end of the day, students are going to pay the bills for it,” she said. Julie DeVito is university editor. Email her
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Grading system raises concerns rant in the Flatiron District, who wished to remain anonymous, disapproved the system because of its lack of specificity. “The grading is very subjective, and the inspector always seems to find 5,000 violations,” the chef said. “When the inspector comes in it kind of seems like you’re getting pulled over by a cop who is hung over and has just been dumped by his wife.” In one instance the chef said an inspector insisted that a peppercorn was a mouse dropping. When the chef said he would eat it to prove him wrong the inspector refused to believe him. According to the chef, the inspector also gave seven points for a skewed ceiling tile in the kitchen. A seven-point violation is more than the halfway mark towards a B and includes a fine. The system, however, may have little impact on where some New Yorkers choose to eat. Joanna Harkins, a Steinhardt sophomore, said the grades do not influence her ultimate dining choices. “I’m pretty much going to always make my own decisions based on my own judgment and what I’ve heard from my friends,” Harkins said. “Also, the government’s standards are usually extremely high, so if a restaurant gets a B that doesn’t mean it’s dirty.” “I think overall [the system] is a
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Restaurants have been required to post letter grades since 2010. necessity because it forces restaurants to always maintain a certain standard,” she said. Fina Behling, a resident of Princeton, New Jersey, said there is no rating system in New Jersey. “It doesn’t matter what the reviews [say] ... we form our own opinions,” Behling said. But Liv Arden, a resident of Greenwich Village, said the system persuades her decisions about where to eat. “Anything less than an A is questionable, even if you’ve been going there for years,” Arden said. The Health Department declined to comment about the effectiveness and future plans of the grading system. Josie Raccuia is a contributing writer. Email her at cstate@nyunews.com.
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OWS moves to Union Square When the park closed the police forced protesters out and arrested scores of people who remained on Saturday, according to The New York Times. Dan Abel, a 23-year-old OWS member, was among those arrested on Saturday night. He immediately returned to Union Square after his release on Sunday night. “I guess they have to beat us because we’re not leaving or listening to them,” he said. “So either they can stop following stupid orders and kicking us out, or they can beat the crap out of us and put us all in jail.” But Davis thought the arrests were unnecessary. “I don’t have a problem with individual cops,” he said. “But it seems like they are developing this gang mentality which is ‘I can shove’ or ‘I can do whatever I want.’” New York City council members and protesters held a press conference in Zuccotti Park at noon on Monday, denouncing the aggressive behavior of the police on Saturday. According to Lieutenant Grimple from the New York Police Department’s Office of the Deputy Commissioner, Public Information, the OWS members are allowed to be in the square as long as they follow park rules. The New York City Department of Parks & Recreation website states that protestors are not allowed to camp out at night with tents and tables, however, blankets and sleeping gear are allowed. Though it is unclear how long OWS members plan to stay, Rami Shamir, 31, thinks the movement is doing “superbly,” and that occupiers are not giving up.
CAROLINE ERRICO FOR WSN
About 20 members of Occupy Wall Street set up in Union Square last Saturday. “I’ve seen these people starve, put on the street, made homeless and everyone is still fighting,” Shamir said. “No one is quitting, and the fact that we’re not quitting after six months shows we’re not going to quit.” Howard Cordray, a CAS sophomore who lives in Carlyle Court residence hall, said the occupiers do not seem like the same movement as before because it is much smaller. “Right now, [OWS] doesn’t really bother me,” Cordray said. “There’s always stuff going on in Union Square so I’m used to it.” Emily Yang is city/state editor. Email her at eyang@nyunews.com.
Brittany door shattered during OWS protest By Julie DeVito Shortly after 1 a.m. on Sunday morning, the door to Brittany residence hall was shattered while the Occupy Wall Street protest was celebrating its sixmonth anniversary. Ashlie Smith, a 26-year-old occupy protester, witnessed her friend, a medic with American Red Cross identification, being slammed against the door. “He was helping, and then all of a sudden you see cops just take him from both sides and slam him up against the door,” Smith said. “He got arrested, but all the charges were dropped. Then he was screaming out for an ambulance, and the cops just refused.” Tisch sophomore Francisco Sanchez participated in the Zuccotti march on Saturday prior to its arrival at Brittany. According to Sanchez, the protest began around 7 p.m. when members of Left Forum, a two-day left-wing political conference, marched to Zuccotti Park. He said police began exhibiting violence in their attempt to keep the protest from the streets. After a few hours at Zuccotti, Sanchez said the police came into the park and announced it was closed. Smith said once the protestors were evicted they began marching wherever the police were not blocking them. The protest
made its way to Tenth Street Brittany resident Nisha Bolsey watched the coverage of the and Broadway around 1 a.m. NYU spokesman John Beckman protest on a live feed camera said the university is aware of the and also witnessed the arrest. “I think that the police brutaldamage to the door and will report it to their insurance company. He ity has been absurd throughout added that no one from the NYU the protest and I think it would be nice if NYU would address community was injured. Global Liberal Studies fresh- it,” Bolsey said. “I feel like if I’m man Riley Rennhack was caught fearing anyone, it’s the NYPD outside of Brittany waiting to who have proven that they’ll meet a friend for St. Patrick’s day stop at nothing to repress us.” when the protest began losing control. She said she was horri- Julie DeVito is university editor. Email her fied, scared and felt trapped. “As I was crossing the street, at jdevito@nyunews.com. one of the cops on the border grabbed my arm and asked me where I was going and if I was a part of the protests,” Rennhack said. “I tried to explain that I live in the building and another officer nodded at the one holding me to let me go. I crossed the street and sat against the garage waiting for the noise and beatings and arrests and cries to subside. It [was] weird to think that one of the most terrifying experiences I’ve ever had while living in New York City was jonathan tan/wsn a result of NYPD presNo injury was reported at Brittany ence and violence.” GLS freshman and residence hall after last Saturday.
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Washington Square news | tuesday, march 20, 2012 | nyunews.com
Dining
edited by HANNAH BORENSTEIN DINING@nyunews.com
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Chocolate company returns to NYU know you are putting only pure and natural ingredients in your body,” Zaidman said. “You are also helping to support the organic farmers who grew those ingredients.” Currently, Kopali Organics produces five different chocolate-covered treats: bananas, espresso beans, mulberries, goji berries and cacao nibs. In addition to being nutritious and ethical, Kopali’s chocolates are also extremely tasty and flavorful. “As you enjoy, you can really feel good about yourself, what you are eating and that you are having such a great, positive impact,” GLS freshman Heidi Wipf said. “Kopali reaches so many with this sweet and important message of conscientious and responsible consuming.” Kopali is making its exciting return to NYU dining halls after being removed last semester. “Because they are packaged for on-the-go enjoyment, you can carry Kopali with you wherever,” Zaidman said. “I recommend you eat them whenever you get a craving for something sweet. But eat them slowly and mindfully, really allowing yourself to fully enjoy the rich chocolaty taste.” Kimmel Marketplace and Downstein
Nutritionist’s Notebook Cooking Chicken
Marion Nestle is the Paulette Goddard professor of Nutrition, Food Studies and Public Health at the Steinhardt School of Culture, Education and Human Development. She is the author of “Food Politics” and most recently, “Why Calories Count: From Science to Politics.” Each week she will answer student questions about nutrition, health and food.
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Kopali’s chocolates are 100percent pure, natural and organic. have had the chocolates, which cost $3.99 per bag, since Feb. 27. Hayden dining hall will have them starting March 22. Palladium food court and U-Hall dining commons will have their shipments in soon, so keep your eyes peeled for these carefully crafted, vegan, glutenand dairy-free organic treats. Michelle Lim is a staff writer. Email her at dining@nyunews.com.
Question: What are some cheap and healthy ways for students to buy and cook chicken? What are the health differences between chicken breast, legs, etc.? Answer: Chicken is a good source of protein and other nutrients. Most of the nutritional differences between one part and another are too small to bother mentioning. The one useful difference is that dark meat has a bit more saturated fat and cholesterol than white meat. Even so,
Xe May eatery opens in St. Marks by Angel Chang Davis Ngo and Alan Woo, owners of St. Marks’ sandwich shop Xe May — meaning scooter or moped in Vietnamese — have known each other for approximately 13 years. They have built a place that serves tasty sandwiches for the hungry and smaller tacos for those who want to eat before going drinking — representing St. Marks’s emphasis on food and drink. Ngo, who is Chinese and Vietnamese, explained the foundation of their current twomonth-old food venture and partnership. “We’re both big foodies. We have big appetites. I grew up eating sandwiches, and we love sandwiches,” Ngo said. Woo said, “We’ve traveled a lot before settling down with the shop — Thailand, Canada, Peru, among other places — and our eating experiences on those travels have definitely influenced menu items.” Glancing at the menu, which is chalked onto a floor-to-ceiling blackboard and bordered by brick walls, one can identify various choices inspired by southeastern Asian flair. There are elements such as pineapple, coconut and curry in many of their dishes. With names inspired by motorcycles and bikes, Xe May sandwiches include the Super Cub Classic, a sweet and sour toasted roll with BBQ pork, headcheese and pork roll; the Hog, which is filled with grilled pork, scallion oil and fried shallots; and the Pilot, a lemongrass chicken creation. All sandwiches are served on a baguette with cilantro, pickled carrots, daikons, cucumbers and chili mayo. “We have many regular, loyal customers,” Woo said. “Lots of NYU students come around here too, and we’ve catered at a student event before.” Woo studied photography and worked as
an advertising producer for five years. Davis, on the other hand, has more of a restaurateur background. “I used to work at a more traditional shop with my family in Chinatown, but we closed down later on,” Ngo said. “After that, I had nothing to do. Alan didn’t either, so that’s really how we decided to start a sandwich shop.” And they have started one that requires a lot of work — 115 hours per week, starting at eight in the morning until well past 11 at night. Even though it’s a form of work that limits their freedom, it’s one that has been a rewarding experience. “Cooking is a great form of art,” said Woo. “We serve good food, and we have great customers,” Ngo said. The most important thing of all is “the sense of accomplishment,” Ngo said. The shop’s is open from noon to 11 p.m. Monday through Thursday and from noon to 1 a.m. Friday through Sunday. Angel Chang is a staff writer. Email her at dining@nyunews.com.
most of the fat in chicken is in the skin. Worried about fat? Remove the skin. The important nutritional differences result from preparation. If you add fat during preparation you are also adding calories. Fat has nine calories per gram as compared to four for protein or carbohydrate. The healthiest way to cook chicken is to bake it in the oven or stir fry it with vegetables. Put the meat in a baking pan, rub some olive oil on them and surround them with plenty of garlic, lemon, carrots or whatever you like. Bake at 350 degrees until brown. Buy whole chickens, so you aren’t paying someone else to cut it up for you. Cutting a chicken is easy, and YouTube has plenty of videos that explain how to do it. The cheapest chicken is industrially produced, meaning the chickens are raised in huge flocks, indoors, under crowded conditions and treated with
COURTESY OF MARION NESTLE
antibiotics to prevent illness and promote rapid growth. They are ready to slaughter six weeks after hatching. If you don’t want to eat chicken raised this way you should look for birds that were raised free-range without antibiotics and are certified organic, kosher, or halal — if you value such things. You will have to pay more for such meat, but it will taste better. You will be supporting a food system that is healthier for chickens, people and the planet. Marion Nestle is a contributing columnist. Email her questions at dining@nyunews.com.
Diner destinations By Rachel Sanderson Whether you are wandering the streets at 2 a.m. or are looking for an easy, satisfying brunch spot at 10 a.m., New York City has a plethora of diners that offer classic, filling fare fit for all hours of the day. From familiar to brand new, the City That Never Sleeps serves flavorful foods at these five delectable restaurants.
1. Veselka (144 2nd Ave.) Veselka is a longstanding, Ukrainianowned restaurant in the East Village. It is bustling with customers who can order from a menu that features breakfast food all day long. Established in 1954, this restaurant offers classic breakfast items and traditional Ukrainian cuisine. Try the Challah french toast or blintzes — a Ukrainian style crepe. If you’re not in the mood for breakfast food, try one of their seven pierogies — Ukrainian style dumplings.
2. Diner (85 Broadway, Brooklyn) This Brooklyn restaurant is worth the trip — even for the Manhattanites who rarely venture off the island. Diner, in South Williamsburg, is a quaint restaurant that attracts a sizeable, hip crowd due to items like their grass-fed burgers and bread pudding. The more sophisticated atmosphere provides an appropriate setting for their extensive wine menu.
plays up-to-date, popular music while visitors dine on classic dishes such as Southern fried chicken and macaroni and cheese.
4. Tom’s Restaurant (2880 Broadway) Established in the ‘40s, this GreekAmerican family-owned eatery has become an American icon because of its appearance on the TV show ‘Seinfeld.’ Located on the Upper West Side, close to Columbia University, the restaurant houses hoards of college students sipping on Tom’s famous milkshakes and gnawing on gravy fries throughout the night and well into the morning.
5. Bowery Diner (241 Bowery) Situated on the Lower East Side close to NYU, Bowery Diner is a newly opened restaurant that is serving up delectable diner foods all day long. If you want a tasty milkshake look no further — here you can create your own. Try a Cherry Jubilee Brandy Vanilla Mint milkshake, or the house special — an Orange Marmalade Pistachio Whipped Cream milkshake with chocolate sauce. Rachel Sanderson is a staff writer. Email her at dining@nyunews.com.
3. The Diner (44 9th Ave.)
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The new sandwich shop offers southeast Asian cuisine.
Set in the heart of the Meatpacking District, this newer eatery is often host to a bevy of hip diners winding down after a late night of clubbing. Modeled after an old-time diner, this restaurant offers a relaxed and retro atmosphere while maintaining an air of modernity. An in-house DJ
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The Diner offers classic diner dishes with a modern twist.
nyunews.com | tuesday, march 20, 2012 | Washington Square news
ARTS
edited by JONATHON DORNBUSH ARTS@nyunews.com JEFF continued from PG. 1
‘Jeff’ challenges actors with dramatic material brother are obsessed with ensuring poignant performances. Taking inspiration from documentaries, the brothers look for characters falling into the pantheon of “lovable losers.” “I’m constantly drawn to people who, despite the fact that all the odds are stacked against them, are going for glory in their lives,” Duplass said. “It just inspires me and makes me laugh too, particularly when they are ill-equipped to achieve that glory like Jeff is.” And “Jeff” is definitely about that kind of personal struggle, even going so far as to tackle the weighty concept of destiny. At his core Jeff is a guy who is waiting for a sign, according to Segel, and that is something the “Muppets” star can sympathize with.
“I had a really unpleasant out-of-work period from like 22 to 25 where I was just waiting around, as well,” Segel said. “I think I related back to this time where you’re kind of bopping around, and you have a sense that your destiny is to do something. Mine was to be an actor, but I was kind of waiting for the world to present that opportunity to me.” Duplass insisted that “making an entertaining film is almost impossible.” But with such stellar cast members, who are prepared to handle the acting challenged placed in front of them, “Jeff” appears destined to succeed. Clio McConnell is theater/books editor. Jeremy Grossman is entertainment editor. Email them at arts@nyunews.com.
New ‘Sims’ expansion incorporates online content By Chris Saccaro “The Sims 3: Showtime” is the latest installment of the critically acclaimed computer game series. Much like its predecessor, “Superstar,” this expansion pack allows players to enter the world of show business. “The Sims 3: Showtime” puts a unique spin on previous incarnations by incorporating social networks like Facebook and Twitter, as well as online gameplay. This effort to modernize “The Sims” franchise is a noteworthy step, but perhaps not enough to compete with the rest of the progressive gaming industry. The most significant introductions in “Showtime” are the new entertainment-themed career paths: singer, magician and acrobat. One may wonder their effectiveness given the strange nature of the career choices. However, as players help their character hone in on their talents and networks to get gigs, the game is unabashedly addictive, despite its repetition. Additionally, the player is given complete power over stage decoration and venue location, allowing gamers to tell whatever stories they can imagine with their Sims.
Along with new career options, the fame-hungry Sims can travel to a new town called Starlight Shores. Thematically based on Hollywood and Venice Beach, Starlight Shores introduces a variety of different Sims with unique back stories and goals. “Showtime” also introduces a myriad of new online gameplay elements that allow players to connect with their friends. Players can send their Sims to a friend’s game to perform a gig through “Simport.” This is one of the first steps into the online realm for “The Sims” since the franchise’s ill-fated “The Sims Online” in 2002. While the social interaction is a great idea in theory, implementation is poor effort. Players can not travel with their Sims to see the performances, instead they must wait patiently as their Sim returns from the other game. “Showtime” also introduces online achievements akin to those on iPhones. Players can share their progress, as well as countless other occurances in the game, with friends using a built in Facebook and Twitter update feature. The online features are definitely a step in the right direction for “The
Dardenne brothers bring love to industry
COURTESY OF IFC FILMS
Brothers Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne directed “The Kid with a Bible.” By Jeremy Grossman For many directors it may be enough to make a movie about kindness and the goodwill of men, and live a life of indifference. This is not the case for Belgian brothers Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne. As their movies illuminate the best of humanity, so do they. The duo bring such heart to their work and everyday life, making them rebels in what can be a cold industry. The brothers’ newest film called “The Kid with a Bike,” which opened last Friday, focuses on the love and compassion given, or denied, to a child. “All kids, even if they have fabulous parents, have had the sense of being abandoned at some point in their life,” the
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brothers said. . One character named Cyril, played vigorously by first-time actor Thomas Doret, is in foster care after being abandoned by his father. Cyril’s only comfort is his bicycle. As the brothers explained, a bicycle draws connections to childhood and is a way for a child to obtain their first sense of freedom. Cyril’s story, however, does not come from the brothers’ own lives. The inception of the character comes from a trip to Tokyo when the directors were promoting their 2002 film, “The Son.” While there, the Dardennes met a judge who worked with an orphaned boy. The boy’s father told him that he would come back for him, but never returned.
An unexpected parental figure is presented to Cyril in the form of a hairdresser named Samantha. Played by Cécile de France, Samantha is a woman who spends her weekends with Cyril even though his outlandish behavior makes it increasingly difficult to open her home to Cyril. Samantha’s motivations for serving as a mother to Cyril are unclear, but her care is genuine. The Dardennes were not interested in giving a subtext to her actions. As they pointed out, people are never shocked to hear about someone doing something bad. But when somebody does something good it is truly a surprise. “So at the end of the movie, we would like the viewer to say, ‘I don’t know why she did it, but I’m glad she did it,’” the brothers said. Such simple character behavior remains revolutionary when told through the eyes of the Dardennes. Their bold storytelling earned them the Grand Jury Prize at last year’s Cannes Film Festival, as well as a Best Foreign Film nominations at this year’s Golden Globe and Independent Spirit Awards. For the Dardenne brothers, the acclaim has been an unexpected but “beautiful surprise.” But more importantly, the acclaim is a sign that their positive outlook on life is exactly what the world needs. Jeremy Grossman is entertainment editor. Email him at entertainment@nyunews.com.
VIA THESIMS.COM
“Showtime” introduced new entertainment-themed careers. Sims” as a series. In recent years, online play and social interaction have become staples in nearly all popular titles. Unfortunately, it may be too little too late if the series cannot continue to modernize and keep up with other titles. Chris Saccaro is a contributing writer. Email him at entertainment@nyunews.com.
DJ duo Justice leaves masses wanting more By Dania Duran Over 3,000 spectators packed into Terminal 5 this past weekend to witness the funk grooves and electronic disco of French disc jockey duo Justice. And the twosome did not disappoint, except for the show’s 80-minute length. Pumped up by another French DJ, Busy P, Justice opened with a tribute to their American fans with a synth version of “The Star Spangled Banner” in electronic style. After saluting the crowd, the speakers burst with the iconic blaring horns and rising bass of “Genesis,” a perfect showcase of the concert’s escalation. With undertones of the first single off of their second album, “Civilization,” the show continued with a mash-up of “Helix” and “Phantom” which was solid, but lacked anything unique in its live incarnation. But the buildup broke and gave way to a piano-accompanied version of “D.A.N.C.E.” Justice had the audience singing and hanging onto every gentle piano chord. Unfortunately, the show had dull moments. Because of the choppy transition into “Horsepower,” the crowd seemed to lose its enthusiasm. Thankfully, the pinnacle of the night, “Stress,” crushed the dreariness. Clocking in at almost six minutes, the frantic, high-pitched,
melodic buzz and roar of sirens sent three floors of fans into a frenzy. The duo followed up “Stress” with a moment of silence as they stood with one hand in the air and stared into the cheering crowd. The last leg of the show combined “Waters of Nazareth” and “Audio Video Disco.” The repetition of “Audio audio, video, disco” from both of the amps and the crowd provided a fitting send-off. The sounds of organs complemented the cross that stood front and center in a religious scene, as hands and voices rose together and faded slowly into silence. Three thousand voices filled the quiet by chanting, “We are your friends/ You will never be alone again/ Come on/ Come on.” The encore, which coupled “We Are Your Friends” with “On’n’On” and “Newjack,” was short-lived but solid. The duo’s clear talent left fans satisfied and hopeful that they will dive into new waters to experiment more with bass beats and samplings. But in the end Justice overcame what could have been a sophomore slump and left its fans curious and wanting another taste of their unique brand of electronic disco. Dania Duran is a contributing writer. Email her at music@nyunews.com.
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Eighth Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10018 The620For new york times crossword & daily sudoku Information Call: 1-800-972-3550 For Release Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Edited by Will Shortz Across 1 TV shopper’s channel 4 Quaint “Oh, don’t be silly!” 9 Cathode’s counterpart 14 Part of AT&T: Abbr. 15 Period in history 16 Examiner of sunken ships, perhaps 17 Glass of “This American Life” 18 Neighbor of Venice 20 Some makeup 22 RR stop 23 Tweak some text 24 Western Indians 26 Kanye West’s genre 28 Cocktails made with Southern Comfort, sloe gin, amaretto and orange juice
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68 What “cheese” produces 69 New Brunswick neighbor 70 Merry 71 Sign of availability 72 Indelicate 73 Medical plan option, for short
Down 1 Common makeup applicator 2 Florida’s ___ Beach 3 Crab serving 4 Old Spanish coin 5 “I’m tired of your lies” 6 Baby doll 7 Takes steps 8 “Guess ___?” 9 Hubbub 10 School night bedtime, maybe 11 Poet banished by the emperor Augustus 12 Prefix with bel TO PREVIOUS PUZZLE 13 Quod ___ O A M F M M E M O demonstrandum L B O O P I R A N 19 The Marquis de D D O U G H S O N Y Sade delivered B I A S R A D I O his eulogy A R R Y T R U D E A U 21 United Arab T E D O V I D Emirates A D E N I R A member I N G F O R G O D O T 25 Actress Bullock T A R T S E A M 27 ___ nitrate S A U C A E S A R S 28 100 O N B R A N D O 29 Time off K O R E G A P O 30 Oil from flower R E A R W I N D O W petals U G L I E R A S E 31 Time in the M O D E R A M E N service
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32 Boundaries
33 “The Lord of the Rings” race 34 Pee Wee of baseball
35 Does some prelaundry work 40 Fargo’s state: Abbr. 43 First stage
46 Big appliance maker 47 Paris and Hector, e.g. 50 “Hot” dish 51 They hold power 54 Partner of hard 55 Cannonballs and such 56 Make muddy
58 “The Few, the Proud …” grp. 59 Coal-rich region of Germany 61 Approaching 62 Cheese coated in red wax 63 Fad item of 1962 65 Bumped into 66 Hamm of soccer
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nyunews.com | tuesday, march 20, 2012 | Washington Square news
OPINION
edited by olivia gonzalez opinion@nyunews.com
Israel
Memo to UCSD marginalizes students
By Richard L. Cravatts
In February, student groups at the University of California, San Diego, led by Students for Justice in Palestine, introduced for the third time an initiative aimed at divesting university funds from “U.S. companies that profit from violent conflict and occupation.” This year, the divestment call was aimed specifically at General Electric and Northrop Grumman, firms that “produce parts of Apache helicopters used by the Israeli Defense Forces against Palestinians.” This happened on two earlier occasions at the UCSD campus when a similar divestment initiative was presented, the proposal was roundly defeated in a 20-13 vote, stunning its supporters and leading them to accuse opponents of creating a “hostile campus climate ... for students of color,” who are now “hurt, [and] feel disrespected, silenced, ignored and erased by this university.” What is more, these victimized students and faculty self-righteously proclaimed in a letter to the UCSD administration, the pro-Israel faculty and staff who spoke against the resolution at the meeting should not even have had a voice in the proceedings. “The fact that they can state whatever they like at public meetings,” the memo said, “because of academic freedom but while also
using their positions of authority as professors or staff for power and intimidation is not acceptable.” The language of the whining memo to the UCSD administration, like the language of the divestment resolution itself, is revealing. They both are laced with the tired, Marxist, post-colonial vocabulary depicting a Manichean world view, in which Israel is the brutal oppressor, and the Palestinians are the innocent, thirdworld oppressed victims. That same designation of victims obviously became a tool for Students for Justice in Palestine, other students groups and faculty members who wrote the scolding entreaty to UCSD administrators. Nowhere in their accusatory memo did they address the central point of the resolution. That is whether it had any merit at all and whether the vote to defeat it was handled transparently and fairly, which it obviously was. Instead, their reaction to losing the vote was not to look at the vacuity of their campaign, but rather to make themselves into victims who now feel badly and uncomfortable on campus because of the rejection of their ideas. In other words, feelings trump ideas on campuses today. Is it possible that support for the divestment resolution on campus from pro-Palestinian professors and staff could have intimidated students
who wanted to defeat the motion? Might not Jewish and non-Jewish supporters of Israel have themselves felt marginalized and harassed by the recurring, blatant anti-Israel sentiment that has infected the UCSD campus for years? Those pro-Israel, anti-divestment individuals on campus who speak back to pro-Palestinian organizations promoting divestment do so not to suppress criticism of Israel but to contribute to the debate about it; academic freedom grants students and professors the right to spew forth any ideologies they wish, but it does not mean that they can do so without being challenged over the content and accuracy of their thoughts. The signers of the memo to administration claim that they feel “silenced and erased” by having their views debated, but their real intention seems to be to create a comfortable climate on campus by having only their side of the discussion be heard — without the uncomfortable necessity of hearing other, dissenting views. Richard L. Cravatts Ph.D, professor at Simmons College in Boston and the author of “Genocidal Liberalism: The University’s Jihad Against Israel & Jews,” is president of Scholars for Peace in the Middle East. Email him at opinion@nyunews.com.
religion
The illusion of religious choice By Joseph Rauch I used to be very smug about my atheism. I thought it was my naturally strong self-determination and spirit of non-conformism that led me to become an atheist. However, as I spoke with hundreds of other atheists in person over the years, I realized I was mostly wrong and that we generally had one thing in common: Our families did not frequently speak about religion in front of us and did not make us — or even strongly suggest — we partake in any spiritual or religious activities or beliefs. They didn’t tell us or order us to be atheists, they didn’t take us to church or read us substantial amounts of religious literature, they didn’t tell us there was a God and they didn’t tell us there wasn’t a God. In general, we learned morals, but were blank slates as far as spirituality was concerned. Thus, we had more consciousness about our religious choices, and it seemed that we all had more of a disposition to atheism than anything else. I do not think raising a child without religious values bears more merit than raising a child with religious values, but the development is certainly worth looking into. I believe the majority of people
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who label themselves as Christians did so during their childhood because it was comfortable and easy for them to conform to their family’s atmosphere, not because they had any sort of intrinsically strong faith or spirituality. These people then grew up, but by the time they became mature enough to question their faith, it just didn’t seem worth it. They had already become complacent in a sense of community. Ultimately, labeling themselves as part of a religious community while rejecting the parts their faith’s philosophy that did not suit them was easier than asking tough questions as to what they really believed and removing the label altogether. I’ll give some references for this idea by citing philosophers and psychologists such as Sartre and Rollo May who call this “Bad Faith” or “Shrinking of Consciousness.” I’ll just let you Google these terms rather than spend my whole article explaining them. I thought of this issue while following President Barack Obama’s proposed mandate to have religious organizations make contraception available to women as part of their healthcare. Prominent members of the community were outraged even though a myriad of polls show that roughly 98 percent of Catholic
women currently use contraception. Thus, the mandate would not actually produce much change even if it did force women to use contraception as opponents falsely claim. I realize that one can call him or herself Catholic without subscribing to every single tenet of the faith. However, contraception is a pretty important tenet, and it seems that if one really wanted to be devoted to Catholicism, that person would follow the rule of not using contraception. I believe the stark contrast between the number of Catholic women who use contraception and the number who don’t supports my theory that the vast majority of Americans do not have a disposition towards choosing to be faithful. When I think of the 98 percent of these Catholic women, I wonder if they would have chosen to be atheists if their parents had not religiously influenced them. I wonder if Christianity would dominate our country for another century if the majority of American children were raised as blank slates regarding religion and if they had a real choice rather than the illusion of choice. Joseph Rauch is a contributing columnist. Email him at opinion@nyunews.com.
STAFF EDITORIAL
Motive behind Florida killing remains unclear With nothing more than a mere claim of selfdefense, George Zimmerman shot Trayvon Martin dead in a Sanford, Florida neighborhood last month. According to Zimmerman, the seventeenyear-old boy appeared to be on drugs and allegedly exhibited suspicious behavior. But Martin had nothing on his person except a bag of Skittles and a can of iced tea. Zimmerman recounted this during his 911 call that night. This was one of 46 times he had phoned the police with a report since January 2011. Three neighborhood 911 calls were recorded and released providing some account of what happened that evening. By piecing the information in these calls together, it can be concluded that there is no apparent evidence showing reason for confrontation at all between Zimmerman and Martin. Since Zimmerman was self-appointed president of the neighborhood watch, the shooting was an uncalled for attack by a vigilante. To condone the actions of Zimmerman would be to condone a legal system that allows for racial profiling and the misuse of self-defense laws. The controversy revolves primarily around the racial undertones of this particular criminal act. Since no concrete evidence has been found so far to show Martin’s criminal activity, the allegation against Martin may be completely based on a stereotype against African Americans. Family and friends have come forward in Zimmerman’s defense, claiming that he is not a racist. In keeping with their defense, Zimmerman provided racially based evidence such as his own strong relationships with the African-American community of the neighborhood to refute the allegation that this was a case of racial profiling. Nevertheless, this is not an adequate defense. Zimmerman is a serial 911 caller and an unlicensed authority figure who had no right to take the law into his own hands. This situation is symptomatic of a greater problem: society’s insistence on playing the race card in crimes. In this situation, Zimmerman’s intentional or unintentional racism has taken Trayvon Martin as its emissary victim. When the notion of self-defense is used as a shield, members of minority groups are being unfairly targeted. This opens the door for racial profiling and shifts the dynamic of power unfairly towards the authorities. The burden of proof should be higher for a self-defense justification. Florida’s self-defense gun laws, some of the strictest in the nation, bear the slogan, “Shoot First, Ask Questions Later.” Self-defense laws are meant to be used as a final, protective means to ensure that legality never endangers safety. When misused, these laws provide blanket justifications for the carrying out of aggressive crime. Furthermore, Zimmerman lacked any authority in the matter. He wears no uniform or badge. He is a civilian who gave himself the responsibility to protect civilians. 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 | tuesday, march 20, 2012 | nyunews.com
SPORTs
edited by daniel hinton sports@nyunews.com
Health concerns break football boundaries, unite fans By Sara Levy Four minutes before halftime, the English Premier League football match between Bolton Wanderers Football Club and Tottenham Hotspur Football Club on March 18 was abandoned. Medics raced onto the pitch and players started praying — some even began crying. Every fan in Tottenham’s stadium was silent, their hearts in their throats. Bolton’s 23-year-old midfielder, Fabrice Muamba, had suddenly collapsed and laid face-down, motionless on the pitch. He had suffered a heart attack and was rushed to the London Chest Hospital. Since then he has been in critical condition, but statements from both Bolton and London Chest Hospital confirm Muamba “has been able to recognize family members and respond to questions appropriately.” Twitter erupted — #PrayForMuamba was a trending topic in the United Kingdom for the entire day. Every footballer with a Twitter account had a comment dedicated to Muamba, as did nearly all official football club accounts. Before their match later that same Sunday, Real Madrid Club de Fútbol, the leaders of La Liga in Spain, wore shirts that said, “Get well soon Muamba.” Last week, it was announced that FC Barcelona’s starting defender Éric Abidal was anticipating a liver transplant after having a tumor removed from his liver a year ago. In the first game he missed after his tumor removal, every fan in Barcelona’s stadium clapped during the 22nd minute of the game in honor of Abidal, who is number 22. Both Barcelona and their arch rivals Real Madrid wore shirts before their separate matches that urged Abidal to get well soon. Two months later, Abidal was back playing with his team in the Champions League Final against Manchester United. He was given the captain’s armband for the match, usually worn by Carles Puyol. After the game, Abidal was given the trophy to lift in front of the crowd before anyone else on the team. Football fans can be cruel and will defend their club to the end even if that means insult-
VIA WIKIPEDIA
FC Barcelona’s starting defender Éric Abidal. ing and fighting fans of other teams. It is not uncommon to witness or experience physical violence between supporters of rival clubs. But the moment Muamba stopped breathing, the moment Abidal was found to have a tumor on his liver, every color and crest of every team around the world melded into one. Every supporter worldwide stopped caring that Muamba plays for Bolton or that Abidal plays for Barcelona. What mattered the most was that these two men were going through medical crises — serious, lifethreatening health issues. In those moments the health of Muamba and Abidal took precedence over the sport itself. As an ardent football fan this was — and still is — absolutely incredible to watch and be a part of. The entire football community coming together to support these suffering men is no small feat and should not be overlooked. Football fans and hooligans alike have shown that as seriously as this sport is taken, nobody will disagree that life is much more important. Sara Levy is a staff writer. Email her at sports@nyunews.com.
No title for Knicks anytime soon By John Axelrod It has been quite the roller coaster season for the New York Knicks. Despite very high expectations, they got off to an abysmal start. They won just eight of their first 23 games. When superstars Carmelo Anthony and Amar’e Stoudemire struggled to mesh together, head coach Mike D’Antoni was on the verge of being fired. Then, the Linsanity began. Young point guard Jeremy Lin led the Knicks to victories in eight of their next nine games without the injured Anthony. Lin was hailed as the savior of the franchise, and once Anthony returned many predicted they were ready to make the leap into the NBA’s top-tier. But the Knicks went two for eight in the first 10 games of Anthony’s return, and coach D’Antoni promptly resigned. What was truly astounding was that out of all the Knicks’ trios that had played at least 130 minutes together, the combination of Lin, Anthony and Stoudemire were outscored by an average of nine points per 100 possessions — the worst scoring margin of any trio on the team. When Anthony returned, the team scored about 12 less points per 100 possessions, and on defense they also allowed 12 more points. Some of the Knicks’ struggles can be attributed to the increased talent of the teams they played later in the season, but much was amiss in the Big Apple.
The Knicks have played three games since D’Antoni left and have won them all by a wide margin. The pick-and-roll offense D’Antoni ran through Lin has been abandoned by new head coach Mike Woodson in favor of isolation plays designed for Anthony and Stoudemire. For Woodson, it has been successful so far. The offense has been prolific — averaging almost 113 points per game during his short tenure as coach. But I would not be so quick to anoint the Knicks contenders again. It was blatantly evident that D’Antoni was not the right man for the job, and they look like a better team under Woodson. But the grim reality is that the Knicks are three games below .500 and have only a half game lead over the Milwaukee Bucks for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. In my opinion, whether or not the Knicks make the playoffs this season is moot. They will likely make the playoffs only to be jettisoned by a better team in the first round. Under the terrible guidance of owner James Dolan, the Knicks once again find themselves in an unenviable situation. They could have signed Anthony in the offseason and kept their strong nucleus of young talent, but instead they traded everyone away to get Anthony a few months early. Anthony is not good enough to carry the team, and Stoudemire’s best seasons appear to be behind him. It may only be a matter of time be-
VIA FLICKR
Former Knicks head coach Mike D’Antoni. fore his bad knees give out. Both Anthony and Stoudemire’s scoring averages are down, and they have always been mediocre on defense. The Knicks still don’t know Lin’s full potential. In the past few games there have been some moments where Lin has looked decent and others where he has looked awful. My money is on Lin having a solid career, but he isn’t good enough to elevate the team to title contention. The Knicks have few young promising players and no cap room. Barring a miraculous trade, it will be a long time before Madison Square Garden hoists a Knicks championship banner into the rafters. John Axelrod is a deputy sports editor. Email him at jaxelrod@nyunews.com.