NYU’s Daily Student Newspaper
washington square news Vol. 40, No. 33
wednesday, march 21, 2012
nyunews.com
Renowned bioethicist to join Langone
National comedy students square off By Hanqing Chen
NYU and Columbia comedians faced off in a battle for laughs last night at the Gotham Comedy Club. “We’re looking for the funniest people around,” said Bonnie Puckett, an organizer of the New York branch of the National College Comedy Competition. As part of the first stage in the NCCC sponsored by TBS and Wendy’s, two teams of NYU and Columbia students shared the stage in a live showcase judged by local professional comedians including Jermaine Fowler, Hy Bender and Reid Faylor. This showcase is the first in several rounds of competition. In February, TBS toured college campuses nationwide to select comedians. At their New York stop, NYU and Columbia’s rivalry was revived. This year, 32 colleges from
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Wendi Liu for WSN
NYU and Columbia students competed for V.I.P. trips to Chicago’s “Just For Laughs” festival.
By Eric Benson Renowned bioethicist Arthur Caplan from the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine will lead the new Division of Medical Ethics in the Department of Population Health at the NYU Langone Medical Center beginning in July. A renowned educator and researcher, Caplan is currently the Sidney D. Caplan professor of bioethics and professor of medicine, philosophy and psychiatry. He began working at Penn in 1994 and chaired the Department of Medical Ethics from 2002 through 2009. Before joining Penn, he taught at the University of Minnesota, the University of Pittsburgh and Columbia University. He will begin his career at NYU this summer by conducting research and aiding the development of the Medical Ethics Division and will likely begin teaching in January of 2013. The courses he will
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Shins surpass five-year hype with ‘Port The Morrow’ By Daniel Fuchs Five years between albums will inevitably create hype. New fans build up while old listeners grow nostalgic. When the band in question has put out three of the past decade’s best albums, the bar of expectations is certainly set high. On “Port of Morrow,” the Shins not only surpass those expectations but also create a classic album in its own right. For Shins fans who fell in love with “New Slang,” “Morrow” may come as a bit of a shock. The songs feel like hybrids of the band’s past two albums, “Chutes Too Narrow” and “Wincing the Night Away,” employing the former’s shiny folkpop and the latter’s grandiosity. While James Mercer is the only
remaining original member of the band, its fundamental sound remains intact. The album’s opener, “The Rifle’s Spiral,” starts things off on a high note with a jangly production reminiscent of a Broken Bells song. The album’s first single, “Simple Song,” is a powerful ballad with pianos chiming under massive guitar riffs. “It’s Only Life” slows the album down tonally, and the acoustic “September” uses simple, modest arrangements that help to accentuate the brilliant songwriting. By contrast, “No Way Down” is a lush piece full of twanging surf-rock guitars over a full bass-line. The highlight of the album, “40 Mark Strasse,” falls somewhere in between modest and massive, using layered vocal harmonies, an infectious chorus
and smooth instrumentals to craft an unforgettable track. Yet no matter how mellow or grand the arrangements are, the flow of the album is never disrupted. The album feels like a total package, a truly emotionally complex experience. If nothing else, “Port of Morrow” dazzles in its concise, resonant songwriting. James Mercer delivers perhaps the best lyrics of his career. “Simple Song” details childhood dreams of love and fear with infectiously feelgood lyrics like, “I know that things can really get rough/ When you go it alone/ Don’t go thinking you gotta be tough/ And play like a stone.” “September,” one of the more somber tracks on the album, features its most complex lyrics, conveying such imagery
as, “Into this strange elastic world/ Pontus kindly gave up a pearl/ Of his eternal stone and mud/ Ain’t she lovely bone and blood.” Mercer is at his most emotionally vulnerable and profound level on “Morrow.” In a way, “Port of Morrow” feels like the next logical step in the Shins’ catalog. “Wincing The Night Away” was on the verge of brilliance, and with this latest album, the Shins thrust that concept forward, borrowing from the past but still crafting a wholly enjoyable piece of music. While the hype might cloud some listeners’ interpretations, “Port Of Morrow” is an emotional, brilliant album not to be missed. Daniel Fuchs is a staff writer. Email him at arts@nyunews.com.
via theshins.com
James Mercer is the lead singer behind the Shins.
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Washington Square news | wednesday, march 21, 2012 | nyunews.com
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TODAY
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2 p.m. | Kimmel Center for University Life | Room 606
5 p.m. | 100 Washington Square East | Jurow Lecture Hall, Room 101
5 p.m. | 20 Cooper Square, 5th Floor
Dance Workshop — Women Orishas
CAS Scholars Lecture Series: Denis Pelli
This Nigerian dance workshop will explore feminine symbols in dance. All experience levels are welcome.
Pelli, a professor of psychology in the College of Arts and Science, will discuss how we see and interpret the world around us.
The Wisdom of the Humanities: Building Meaningful Lives and Successful Careers Five alumni of humanities undergraduate programs will discuss their different career paths and offer advice.
special issues kristina bogos multimedia james kelleher copy jordan melendrez social media agent nicole gartside
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ON THE WIRE
World record bridal train
A hot air balloon floated over downtown Bucharest, Romania yesterday, carrying a model wearing what is now regarded as the world’s longest bridal train. The 1.85mile-long ivory bridal train spread out over a main boulevard in the country’s capital. The gown was recognized Monday by the Guiness Book of World Records, beating the previous record held by a Dutch designer. The event was organized by the artifact’s creators, the Andree Salon fashion house and the organizers of this year’s biannual Wedding Fair in Bucharest. The train took 100 days to create. The lace was imported from France, and the taffeta and other fabrics were purchased from Italy. It cost a total of 5,580 euros. — The Associated Press
Syracuse University
Despite warm weather, air conditioning in campus buildings will remain off until April 15 — The Daily Orange
A lone rambler strolls through a tunnel on his way to the Hudson River Park.
PHOTO BY JAMES KELLEHER
Ohio University
Bursar’s email error raises privacy concerns — The Post
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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 | wednesday, march 21, 2012 | Washington Square news
COMEDY continued from PG. 1
NYU, Columbia students face off in comedy competition around the country are involved in the competition. Four winners of the overall competition will win V.I.P. trips to TBS’s “Just For Laughs” festival in Chicago. Members of the Columbia and NYU teams were given chances to entertain the audience with their own individual five-minute standup comedy acts last night. Each of the eight members on these teams was preselected by TBS in smaller events on each respective campus through online applications. At the end of the competition, four members from Columbia and NYU moved up to the next round of competition. NYU’s Eli Shapiro, Gabriel Laks, Gibran Saleem and Tony Grayson advanced to regional competitions. NYU comedians have taken part of this competition since its inception in 2007, but this is Columbia’s second time participating. Many of the comics warmed up the crowd with their own unique stories. “It’s weird because I lived in a suburban town, and with my thick rim glasses, I thought, ‘I’m an individual,’ ” Tisch senior and comic Gabriell Laks said.
“And I moved to New York and I realized, I come in every color of the rainbow. Provided it’s a white rainbow.” Grayson said he enjoyed performing. “I don’t think anyone expected [to win]. It was a really fun show, people did really well and I was impressed it,” he said. Some comics like Columbia winner Orli Matlow proved to be an old hand at comedy, comfortably poking fun at the show’s sponsors in her act. “TBS has been such a big influence on my comedy,” she said with false sincerity on stage. “I mean, Wendy’s, fat people and gingers.” In the next round of the competition, videos will be put on the TBS competition website for the general public to vote on between April 4 and 7. “Many of the comics I find funny are pretty old, so it will be interesting to see what 18 to 20 years of experience can do,” Kyra Bloom, a freshman at Barnard Woman’s College of Columbia, said. Hanqing Chen is investigative editor. Email her at hchen@nyunews.com.
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Community groups demonstrate support for NYU 2031
By Charles Cochin de Billy
The Building and Construction Trades Council of Greater New York, the Greenwich VillageChelsea Chamber of Commerce and construction unions are now making their voices heard in support of NYU 2031 — the university’s plans to expand by six million square feet in 19 years. Following months of opposition to the plan, the demonstration of support has come at a pivotal moment before Manhattan borough President Scott Stringer issues his recommendation independently of the Local Community Board. “A large circle of local businesses depend on NYU residences, and NYU’s growth strategy would secure the financial future of these small businesses,” Tom Gray, executive director of GVCCC, said. “It is these businesses that are so essential to the character of Greenwich Village as we know it, and NYU’s plans would allow them to thrive and grow.” Last Tuesday, about 40 business owners, union leaders and construction workers gathered in front of the City Hall steps to
demonstrate their support for NYU 2031. The university says the plan will create an estimated 18,200 new construction jobs and 2,600 long-term employment opportunities. NYU spokesman John Beckman said the university is grateful for the support. “We understand that there are those who disagree with our plans, but it’s important for everyone to know that there are many supporters who believe a strong university is good for the city,” Beckman said. But Andrew Berman, executive director of the Greenwich Village Society of Historic Preservation, has been a highly vocal opponent of the Greenwich Village-based expansion plan and dismissed the demonstration as irrelevant. Berman said there was a remarkable imbalance between the thousands actively opposed to the plan and the 50 or so who turned out last week. “Most construction unions would support any proposal for the sake of jobs,” Berman said. “However, most also acknowledge that more economic ac-
tivity would be created were NYU’s expansion to take part in other neighborhoods.” However, members of the GVCCC insist 2031 would benefit small businesses in the area and create thousands of jobs — a feat they believe is important in a time of high unemployment rates. Opponents have also argued that other neighborhoods, such as the Financial District, are viable alternatives to Greenwich Village and in far more need of economic development. Wayne Conti, proprieter of Mercer Street Books and Records across street from the Coles Sports Center, said he thinks the construction will be bad for business because it will keep customers away. “Sullivan Street was closed when NYU was building a law school building. It was closed way longer than predicted,” Conti said. “My understanding is the businesses there didn’t recover. It’s going to be noisy and awful [here]. It will be an unpleasant and narrow street, like Wall Street. You will feel cramped.” Charles Cochin de Billy is a contributing writer. Email him at university@nyunews.com.
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Renowned bioethicist to join NYU Langone in July teach at the university have not been decided. “I am excited at the prospect of finding ways to continue to build bridges between medicine and the health sciences and other parts of the university — the scope and depth of resources at NYU present opportunities few other universities possess,” Caplan said. Robert Grossman, dean and CEO of NYU Langone, said Caplan’s experience and passion will be very valuable in enhancing NYU’s ethics and bioethics programs and as a resource for staff. “Under Dr. Caplan’s leadership, the Division of Medical Ethics is poised to play a critical role in informing these and other debates and in advancing sound policy during a period in our health care system’s evolution when clarity and depth of analysis are more important than ever,” Grossman said. At Penn, students and faculty have expressed a great sense of loss after hearing of the transfer. Penn professor Jonathan Moreno, who has known Caplan since 1974, said he is disappointed to see Caplan leave. “I have known him since 1974, and it has been the most rewarding experience of my career,” Moreno said. “He has an idea every 30 seconds, works like hell and is totally unpretentious. NYU is so lucky to have him.” Steve Miller, a fourth-year medical student at Penn, said working with
New iPhone app transforms city maps into social tools
By Kayana Jean-Philippe
via Wikipedia
Arthur Caplan will lead NYU’s new division of medical ethics. Caplan has been the best mentorship experience of his life. “On several occasions, I have come to him with an insoluable problem, and by the end of our 10minute meeting, I have a clear path to a solution,” Miller said. Caplan spoke of some challenges that will come with the transfer. “Over the years bioethics has become a key theme within the Penn environment, and it is difficult to leave that behind,” Caplan said. “But the caliber of students at the medical center and throughout the rest of the NYU community promises to be richly rewarding. And mostly I will miss the colleagues in bioethics I had mentored and worked with for many years at Penn.” Eric Benson is a deputy university editor. Email him at ebenson@nyunews.com.
While Google Maps is typically used only for directions, iPhone users can now use maps as social tools on their phones. CityMaps, a new app for the iPhone and upcoming app for Android devices, shows a detailed map that provides the location of retail stores, franchises, restaurants and subway stations. The Beta website of CityMaps was founded in 2010 and featured a map of New York City. Earlier this month, the company released its official app and announced to add two new locations: San Francisco and Austin, Texas. The Android version is expected to come out in a few weeks. “We can see anything about the city from businesses to what friends are doing and what events are going on,” Elliot Cohen, the app’s co-founder, said. “We wanted to create a platform to let people explore the city and share it.” When the user clicks on the stores, the address and phone number become available. Clicking on movie theatres allows viewers to see the show times and trailers and purchase tickets. Student discounts are also available on the app. “In the future, we want to move toward a much more social map, providing information on what all your friends are doing and where they have been going,” Cohen said.
via citymaps.com
CityMaps gathers information from thousands of businesses and has integrated with over 20 sites including Twitter, FourSquare and Fandango. For instance, CityMaps pulls tip data from FourSquare’s Application Programming Interface that enables FourSquare’s software to interact with other softwares. Foursquare representative Laura Covington said their API is open for use, and the company currently has over 20,000 developers building on the platform. “We are always excited to see our data used in many different ways,” Covington said. Small businesses may find that CityMaps will help in their success. Richie Tiryaki, manager of Nutbox on East 8th Street, said he thinks the app will boost the store’s business. “It might bring in new customers,” he said. “It’s about the marketing.” Dara Scraper, representative of Dashing Diva salon, also found the app very convenient. “It’s great that CityMaps shows
the location of the store easily and accurately,” she said. Steinhardt freshman Jakeline Bedoya said the app was consumerand social media-friendly. “I’ve had New York City maps, but none like this one,” he said. “I like how it shows tweets nearby and any shopping or restaurant location.” However, Jayson Dorsett, a CAS freshman and Android user, was not convinced by the features CityMaps offers. He compared it to the Google Places app, which he favors because of its accuracy and rating system. “I do not see enough distinctive features in CityMaps to persuade me to switch from Google Places,” Dorsett said. “A more accurate search engine, a better rating system and a labeling system that differentiated different types of food ... would probably get me to make the switch.” Kayana Jean-Philippe is a contributing writer. Email her cstate@nyunews.com.
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Washington Square news | wednesday, march 21, 2012 | nyunews.com
BEAUTY AND STYLE Street Beauty: Freshman shares tips for spring
Students share easy, natural
By Hannah Orenstein
Gone are the days when women slept in curlers. Today, some of the best hairstyles a
Tisch freshman Chloe St. Etienne rocks a shaved hair style beautifully. “I had a big fro, and I just spontaneously shaved it off for spring break,” she said. “I cut it, then my boyfriend cleaned it up a bit.” With literally no styling required at all, this cut is the definition of wash-and-go. To switch up the look, slip on a headband or hat.
Third-year Tisch graduate student Brooke Goldfinch wears a bob that suits her perfectly. “I had bangs for years but grew them out because I thought they were going out of style,” Goldfinch said. “I realized I look better with bangs, so I just had them cut again.” She uses Kiehl’s Super Thick Volumizer Spray and runs a flat iron through her hair to finish the look. The moral of the story? Find a look that works, and stick with it.
Wendi Liu for WSN Sydney Wu for WSN
Freshman Jordan Grace uses a bronzer for a natural glow. Wendi Liu for WSN
By Sydney Wu Bringing you the best fashion tips, Street Beauty shares the beauty routines of students around campus. This week highlights CAS Freshman Jordan Grace. Question: What is a spring beauty trend you are excited about? Answer: Bronzer. It gives you a sun-kissed glow before long-awaited sunny days. Both MAC Cosmetics and Clinique offer bronzers for people with sensitive skin. They both have a nice array of shades, so you don’t end up looking like an Oompa Loompa. Make sure your bronzer isn’t too dark for your skin tone. Also, be sure to get a recommendation from a makeup professional to find out what shade is best for you. Q: What is your favorite beauty product? A: I love Springsheen Blush from MAC. It’s a gorgeous, light coral powder blush. Q: Do you have a secret to making sure your skin looks flawless? A: I used Clinique Almost Makeup with SPF 15, but they discontinued making it, so now I use Clinique Superbalanced Makeup. They’re great foundations that aren’t too heavy and look very natural, which is very important to me. For powder, I use Sally Hansen Cornsilk Face Powder. It’s my mom’s secret. Q: What would you recommend as a quick beauty routine for those who do not want to wake up too
early in the morning just to do their makeup? A: This is perfect for me because I don’t like to spend more than 15 to 20 minutes on my entire beauty routine in the morning. Never forget mascara and moisturizer if you have dry skin. Even if you’re on-thego and have five minutes to do your makeup, mascara and blush literally take a minute to do. Q: Do you have any beauty tips? A: Putting on makeup in the spring and summer should be super easy and effortless, yet still fun, bringing out your best attributes. Keep your makeup light and natural. An easy way to really make your eyes look dazzling is by choosing the correct color liner. MAC Eye Kohl pencil eyeliner in Teddy, a copper-brown, goes wonderfully with green eyes. For people with brown eyes, I recommend the MAC Powerpoint Eye Pencil in Bordeauxline. The purple color really makes brown eyes stand out. For blue-eyed gals, MAC’s Technakohl Liner in Greyprint looks fabulous.
High fashion gets a kick of casual by sneaker trend By Clara Yang
To mimic the vibrant, fun look seen at Marc Jacobs Spring/Summer 2012 runway, choose a pair in bold, bright colors. Take sneakers up a notch by choosing a printed pair inspired by the exotic prints on Giuseppe Zanotti’s snake-printed high-top sneaker, which cost much more what the average student can afford. Instead of prints on shoes, go for glitter. Guys need not be shy; spring’s glitter sneakers can be glamorous for both men and women. From Jimmy Choo to Vans, many footwear designers are using jewels, gems and metals to adorn their sneakers.
For ladies who want a more feminine style, wedged sneakers are the answer. With their platforms, these sneakers give that extra feminine touch. Chloe’s hightop wedge sneaker and Ash’s wedge sneaker come in a variety of classy and fun colors. Aside from wedge sneakers, Lanvin’s cap-toe sneaker and Zara’s cap-toe high-top sneaker are also great for a cute, casual look. Look to shoe retailers like David Z. and Designer Shoe Warehouse for affordable options. Topshop offers a fashionable high-top style, and Forever 21 provides an array of sneakers in bold hues. From feminine to sporty, there is a sneaker style for everyone this spring. Clara Yang is a staff writer. Email her at bstyle@nyunews.com.
Q: What is the most important thing to you about beauty and feeling your absolute best? A: Be confident in yourself because that really shines through in a person. Confidence is most important. Beauty is as much about what’s on the inside as it is on the outside. Don’t put on makeup to cover up, rather, put on makeup to enhance the beauty God gave you. Sydney Wu is a staff writer. Email her at bstyle@nyunews.com.
Spring is finally here, and with winter weather far behind, so too is the need for heavy winter boots. Comfortable and warm, boots may have been the perfect choice for the snowy season, but sneakers are the ideal replacement for spring. In the form of many different styles on the runways, sneakers are a key item for spring. For a classic, sporty look, many designers from Rick Owens to Aldo have opted for high-top sneakers.
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edited by shannon loughran BSTYLE@nyunews.com
l five-minute hairstyles
are the simplest. Four stylish NYU students show us how they do their hair in under five minutes: Second-year CAS graduate student Katie Molinaro uses Devachan conditioner and gel to enhance her curls. In the morning, she spritzes her hair with water to give her curls definition and clips back sections with small butterfly clips. “I don’t want to wake up any earlier than I have to to do my hair,” Molinaro said. For other five-minute quick fixes, tie a scarf into your hair, wrap the ends of your hair around a curling iron for a slight wave or twist a section of hair away from your temple and secure with a bobby pin.
Wendi Liu for WSN
Wendi Liu for WSN
Spring’s hottest outerwear styles
CAS alumnus Kaela Jensen keeps her styling to a minimum. “I just comb it — that’s it,” she said. Long hair allows for experimentation with all sorts of styles, but leaving it down and embracing your natural texture always works. To spruce up your look, opt for subtle highlights, like Jensen’s.
Hannah Orenstein is a staff writer. Email her at bstyle@nyunews.com.
New jelly footwear is fashionably functional By Rachel Sanderson São Paulo-based shoe brand Melissa brought its undeniably fresh footwear to New York City with the opening of a new SoHo gallerylike shoe store this past February. As you walk into the innovative Melissa boutique, you are transported to what feels like a modern art museum. Situated upon pedestals, the shoes are pieces of art dispersed throughout the store. Not only is the art gallery setting a modern marvel, the shoes themselves defy ordinary footwear. Melissa’s signature plastic shoes are made from 100-percent recyclable Polyvinyl Chloride. Wendi Liu for WSN
Wendi Liu for WSN
However, these environmentally friendly shoes are not your average jelly sandals; the shoes range in both style and color. Melissa offers surprising styles for jelly shoes like sneakers, oxfords, gladiator sandals and the recently popular smoking slipper. Vibrant hues and quirky prints add a special touch. The Melissa Virtue smoking slipper comes in seven different options varying in color and embellishment. For this spring, check out the Melissa Confessions jelly boat shoe in bright yellow or classic navy. Designers such as the iconic Vivienne Westwood, Alexandre Herchcovitch and well-known designer Jason Wu are collaborating with the brand to create fashionable and affordable footwear. The Vivienne Westwood collaboration primarily offers high heel styles with ankle straps perfect for a more formal occasion. Melissa and Jason Wu collaborated on two styles that perfectly combine fashion and functionality. The Melissa Jean and Jason Wu is ballet flat with intricate cut-outs and comes in seven colors. The Melissa Moon and Jason Wu penny loafer style is the perfect choice for a professional setting yet the bright colors keep them fun. Melissa’s shoes range from $78-150. In addition to the reducing pollutants, customers also avoid burning a hole through their wallets. Melissa Shoes is located at 102 Greene St. at Prince Street. Rachel Sanderson is a staff writer. Email her at bstyle@nyunews.com.
via urbanoutfitters.com
By Heather Mundinger April showers bring May flowers, as well as a major climate transition. Though this past winter may not have been one of New York’s most brutal, the rising temperatures cannot be ignored. If you are getting tired of overheating while walking at city pace in your fully lined down jacket, it may be time to consider a slightly less insulated alternative. This should not pose an issue, as this season’s outerwear styles will make for a fashionably functional look, providing both a chic appearance while protecting against the elements. A heavy cardigan can do just the trick. Whether they are of the grandpastyle or librarian-chic variety, cardigans can provide guys and girls with a warm outer layer while providing a far less bulky appearance than a typical winter jacket. To keep the motifs of both fall and spring relevant, look for ones in Ikat and Navajo prints or a colorblocked option. Fear not vintage junkies, it seems that this past winter’s letterman jacket is not graduating just yet. Keep the ’80s teen movie vibe alive by opting for bomber jackets in lighter materials, such as silk, linen or cotton. Whether you get your own or steal one out of your boyfriend’s closet, this jacket works for anyone. Of course, it seems that a simple blazer never goes out of style with the inventive blazers this spring has to offer. As an alternative to the more structured, neutral blazers of fall, this season offers more vibrant and laid-back options. With a host of different textures, prints and bright pops of color, this season’s blazer means anything but business.
On days when the weather is looking gloomy, it is important to carry a protective outer layer. Instead of the standby trench, this season’s hottest raincoat comes in the form of an anorak. With a military chic vibe and total versatility, anorak jackets are the perfect accompaniment to your rain boots and umbrella. And because they are often cinched at the waist, they complement any shape. Whatever outerwear you opt for this spring, have fun with it. Before you know it, the only outerwear you will have to worry about is a bathing suit cover up. Heather Mundinger is a staff writer. Email her at bstyle@nyunews.com.
via topshelf.com
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The New York Times Syndication Sales Corporation The york times crossword & daily sudoku 620new Eighth Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10018 For Information Call: 1-800-972-3550 For Release Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Edited by Will Shortz Across 1 They may be kept on you 5 Massenet opera 10 Memo subject header 14 Stationery shade 15 “Care to?” 16 “Way cool!” 17 Capping 18 Herr Schindler with a list 19 Start of some carrier names 20 Manufacturers 22 Dangerous place 24 Tide competitor 25 “Apollo and Daphne” sculptor 26 ___ Marino 28 Three-way joint 30 Research aids 33 Beehive State player 34 Was out 37 Choir accompaniment
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67 Botanist’s concern 68 Salinger title girl 69 Scottish Gaelic 70 Aligns, briefly 71 Gym count
Down 1 ___ U.S.A. 2 ___ fool (be silly) 3 Possible reason for [see shaded letters] 4 Apartment 1A resident, perhaps 5 Infrequently seen bills 6 Suffers from 7 Place for an electronic tether 8 Where there are “bombs bursting,” to an anthem singer 9 Polynesian wrap 10 All tangled up 11 Possible reason for [see shaded letters] TO PREVIOUS PUZZLE P S H A W A N O D E 12 Like a blue lobster E P O C H D I V E R 13 School attended S A N T A M O N I C A by King’s E R S T A E D I T Scholars T E S R A P 21 “Peanuts” A M A S L A M M E R S expletive E N T I T Y L E O 23 Robert De ___ N D I M L O V E R 25 Geoffrey of D A R N I T N E S T fashion A M A T T R E S S E S 26 “Poison” shrub K A S O L E 27 Producer of the N U S J I T N E Y 2600 game M A S A M A T I D O console E M A I N E G A Y 29 Musician/record T C R A S S H M O producer Bobby
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No. 0215
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Puzzle by Peter A. Collins
31 Stereotypical K.P. item 32 [So boring!]
35 High degree 36 “Hurry up!”
39 Liqueur served with coffee beans 41 Pewter component
44 Essen expletives 46 Son of Seth 49 Leaves a 0% tip 53 Ninth-inning excitement, maybe 54 OH- or Cl-, chemically 56 Truck rental company
57 Climber’s goal 58 Zoo sound 59 H.S. supporters 60 Rope material 61 Verb with “vous” 64 Reactoroverseeing org.
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nyunews.com | wednesday, march 21, 2012 | Washington Square news
OPINION
edited by olivia gonzalez opinion@nyunews.com
Foreign Affairs
Time to repeal Jackson-Vanik Amendment By Richard Zhang Decades ago, we were dedicated to fighting the Russians through economic sanctions. Today, is it really valuable to keep the same toughness with the former communist country? Apparently the Obama administration says it is not, as it recently called for the repeal of the Jackson-Vanik amendment — a Sovietera law that barred favorable U.S. trade with the Soviet Union. The amendment was to punish the communist country for restricting emigration for its Jewish citizens and to add more pressure to the already stagnated nation back then. Despite the urgent request to repeal the law from the Obama administration, the top Republican on the Finance panel Senator Orrin Hatch still harshly criticized the president’s move. “The president would have Congress pass [the normal trade relation with Russia] and ignore Russia’s rampant corruption ... [and] poor human rights record for a market that amounts to .05 percent of U.S. exports,” Hatch said. If we were still in the Cold War, the senator’s words would probably earn him standing ovation. Now, that no longer seems to be the case. Russia is about to enter the World Trade Organization during the sum-
mer. With the WTO membership, the U.S. export to Russia can potentially increase from $9 billion to $19 billion. The increased trade with Russia may help achieve Obama’s goal of doubling America’s total export to $3.14 trillion by 2015. So the U.S. export to Russia is definitely not a small percentage. Under the terms of WTO, Russia would cut its tariff from 9.5 to 7.5 percent. With the low duties, the country would attract numerous companies from Japan and China as well as other European countries. None of these countries imposes any trade barrier on Russia. Therefore, the United States that does it unilaterally would soon, as Senator Max Baucus said, “Lose out to competitors in China, Europe and the 150 other members of the WTO.” That is not to say that we do not care about the human rights issues in Russia. We still do. But U.S. Trade representative Ron Kirk said, “When it comes to Russia’s entry into WTO, it’s equally important that we lift the JacksonVanik restrictions so that our farmers, ranchers and businesses aren’t put at a competitive disadvantage.” The human rights issues and the trades with Russia must be dealt with in the two parallel tracks he mentioned. Compared to Russia,
China has much more serious human rights abuses. But when the country entered WTO in ’90s, the U.S. removed China from the coverage of the Jackson-Vanik. The message is quite clear: Human rights issues must be paired with an equally strong concern for our competitiveness in the world’s market. In addition, we have to realize who we are facing. We are no longer dealing with the imbecile Nikita Khrushchev or the outgoing Dmitry Medvedev. The situation is going to be tricky with Czar Vladimir Putin in Kremlin for the next six years or longer. Putin is infamous for not playing by rules. When the gas dispute between Ukraine and Russia was unresolved, Putin completely cut off the natural gas supply to the West, resulting in an energy crisis in Europe. If we do not repeal the Jackson-Vanik amendment, he can potentially keep the U.S. from the advantages that are granted to other nations — or even do something worse. While I am not suggesting that we should yield under the autocratic rule of Putin, we definitely need to be very careful with Putin’s fascist foreign policy. Repealing JacksonVanik can only expand our exports and establish steady political and economic relations with a fast-growing Russia. Richard Zhang is a staff columnist. Email him at opinion@nyunews.com.
politics
Defining socialism in the 21st century By Sameer Jaywant PARIS — Last year, Newt Gingrich published a book called “To Save America: Stopping Obama’s Secular-Socialist Machine,” in which he chided Democrats for pursuing a “secular-socialist ideology that is alien to America’s history and traditions.” Rick Santorum recently postulated that President Barack Obama wants to send every child to college — or the indoctrination mills as he calls them — to convert them into socialist elitist snobs with no religious (and therefore moral) convictions. Even Mitt Romney has caved to the S word on the campaign trail in recent months, claiming that Obama socialism ruined the economy. Pay particular attention to exactly what presidential candidates say on their campaign stump, and you will realize the meanings of words that are sometimes key to a candidate’s platform are merely distorted and misleading definitions caused by insular and buzzword-heavy political rhetoric. I am not an Obama 2012 supporter, but in these days of highly charged political debate, there is something to be said about challenging a political figure based on rational and substantive arguments rather than inanely inundating the American electorate with deceptive words, hoping we blindly believe the ill-conceived logic behind them.
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Nowhere is the ridiculousness of this so-called Americanized socialism more evident than in France, where the dominant party of the left is the Parti Socialiste. Recently, NYU Paris hosted a current socialist député in the National Assembly, Jean-Louis Bianco, to give a brief discourse about his experience in politics and his perspective on the upcoming French election. He cited decreases in the corporate tax rate for mid-sized and small businesses, new ways to invest in cleaner energy, a reversal of the 80,000 jobs that were recently lost in the education sector and a balanced budget as among the key issues for the socialists. At no point during the discussion did I hear anything about nationalization, secularism, government intervention in the markets or an increase in redistributive — or entitlement — programs as part of the socialist platform. In fact, Bianco mentioned the infeasibility of an across-theboard general increase of wages for public sector workers, a traditionally socialist policy point. During the question and answer portion, I asked Bianco what he would say to an American who told him socialism is the enemy of modern conservatism and advocates a growing government monopoly over domestic affairs and the free-market system (the American socialism definition). He said this conception of socialism is outdated, espe-
cially when considering the French model. He told me that a few years ago, the PS adopted new principles of declaration, recognizing the free market and the essential role of privatization in the economy and reformulating the ideology of the party to a more modern party of Democracy with a strong emphasis on voter turnout. Most interestingly, he said the internal struggle of the socialists between the Jacobins and Girondins — a reference to the French Revolution — “has been won by the Girondins and their argument of decentralization and local power.” If there is anything I have learned from all of this, it is to never take what a politician says at face value. Nonetheless, even the French Right-wing has stopped attacking the PS for being state monopolists, implicitly acknowledging its moderate platform. Why, then, has it become so widely accepted for Republican candidates to call Obama a socialist and get away with it? Because most people do not take the time to look up or think about what the word means today, as opposed to 200 years ago. It is up to us, the American electorate, to call these clowns on their overextension of political rhetoric into the domain of factually incorrect, meaningless buzzwords. Sameer Jaywant is a foreign correspondent. Email him at opinion@nyunews.com.
staff editorial
Relocation of OWS to Union Sq. ineffective
Occupy Wall Street has shifted its base of operations from Zuccotti Park to Union Square Park. After a failed attempt at reoccupying Zuccotti last Saturday to commemorate the movement’s six-month anniversary, protesters gathered in Union Square. The supposed advantages of Union Square are the thousands of people who could potentially join the movement and the absence of a curfew, unlike nearby Tompkins and Washington Square parks. Despite this, the location seems inappropriate. The crowd of commuters, tourists and students surrounding Union Square is much different from Zuccotti Park with its businessmen and investment bankers. The symbolism of Wall Street is lost, and instead of appearing to be a focused offensive against the greed of financial institutions, an occupation of Union Square seems to be a futile exercise with no target in sight. While the organizers of the movement may see Union Square as a potential recruiting hub for young, budding activists, the reality is fewer people have turned out in Union Square than in Zuccotti Park. Most of the people in the area are already familiar with OWS based on their actions in the fall and have had enough time to form their own opinions about whether they support it or not. Eventually, OWS is going to have to come to grips with the realization that if it continues to rehash its tactics, the momentum will deflate and disappear. The organizers need to address previous criticisms, namely the fact that the majority of New Yorkers cannot spend everyday protesting with no end in sight. While people were initially galvanized by this innovative concept, this movement has become stale. At the same time, it has become synonymous with the misguided beliefs of many Americans in the wake of the Kony 2012 movement that clicking a button on a computer or smartphone is championing social justice. At the end of the day, standing in a park with hundreds of other people tweeting to the spambots of the Internet’s cesspool is showboating, not activism. Whatever energy remains must be invested in a new, more accessible plan that expands on the vision of OWS for change to come. 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, march 21, 2012 | nyunews.com
SPORTs
edited by daniel hinton sports@nyunews.com
Dolphins drop ball in Manning sweepstakes By Cole Riley The Peyton Manning sweepstakes officially came to a close on Tuesday when Manning signed with the Denver Broncos for 5 years and $96 million — $18 million guaranteed next season. With Manning off the market, only a few big names remain unsigned. WSN declares the winners and losers of the off-season, as well as the best player remaining in free agency. Winner: Washington Redskins With fans calling for owner Dan Snyder’s head after another disappointing season, the Redskins front office knew they needed to change the direction of the team. Following a 5-11 campaign led by quarterback Rex Grossman who threw 20 interceptions, general manager Bruce Allen sought to acquire a franchise player. Washington went shopping, as they usually do this time of year. Last week the Redskins traded three first round picks — including the sixth overall in this year’s draft — to the St. Louis Rams for the second overall draft selection. Washington is widely expected to select Heismanwinning quarterback Robert Griffin III from Baylor University. Although the cost of the trade may handcuff
Washington for a couple of seasons, acquiring a player like Griffin is an opportunity a struggling franchise cannot pass up, especially at the projected capped price for rookies because of the new collective bargaining agreement. In order to revamp the offense in preparation for a new quarterback, the Redskins signed wide receivers Pierre Garcon (70 receptions, 947 yards and 6 touchdowns in 16 starts last season) from the Indianapolis Colts and Josh Morgan (44 receptions, 698 yards and two touchdowns in 16 starts during the 2010-2011 season) from the San Francisco 49ers. They also re-signed tight end Fred Davis (59 receptions, 796 yards and three touchdowns in 12 starts last season). Washington then turned its attention to the defense by placing their franchise tag on hard-hitting safety Brandon Meriweather (293 tackles and 12 interceptions in five seasons) and signing former Minnesota Vikings cornerback Cedric Griffin (67 tackles, one interception and three fumbles in 16 starts last season). Loser: Miami Dolphins After ending the 2011-12 season on a high note with six wins in nine games, the Dolphins have quickly reversed in the wrong direction.
Not only did the Miami Dolphins miss out on Manning with their half-hearted pitch, but they also traded away their best receiver, Brandon Marshall, who has recorded 1,000 plus receiving yards and 80 plus receptions each season since 2007. Although Miami traded two second-round selections for the star receiver two years ago, Marshall was traded to the Chicago Bears for only two third-round picks in the upcoming draft. Because of the absence of a legitimate wide-out target, Manning passed on seriously considering Miami as his new home. Surprisingly, owner Stephen Ross and general manager Jeff Ireland refrained from making a strong effort to acquire the future Hall of Famer. With Manning in Denver, the Dolphins were forced to quickly find a new starter and desperately signed David Garrard to a one-year deal. Best Remaining Free Agent: Mike Wallace Although a restricted free agent, Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Mike Wallace has the skill and speed to command a salary that Pittsburgh cannot afford. Wallace has been terrific for the Steelers since being drafted in
via Wikipedia/Ceaserscott
Washington is expected to draft Robert Griffin III second overall. the third-round of the 2009 draft. Through three seasons, Wallace has caught 171 passes for 3,200 plus yards and 24 touchdowns. He was consistently the top threat of Pittsburgh’s receiving corps as his speed and reliable hands made him a nightmare for opposing defenses. Since Wallace is a restricted free agent, the team signing him must
surrender a first-round pick to Pittsburgh. For teams looking to draft a receiver this season, that may be too much of a price to pay. The Broncos and the San Diego Chargers, the top two teams in the American Football Conference West, may make a move for the best receiver still available. Cole Riley is a deputy sports editor. Email him at criley@nyunews.com.