NYU’s Daily Student Newspaper
WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS Vol. 41, No. 74
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2013
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MTA rolls out Bus Time for Manhattanites By ANN SCHMIDT
The Metropolitan Transit Authority expanded its Bus Time program to Manhattan on Oct. 7, informing commuters about bus schedules depending on their borough and taking the stress and uncertainty of waiting for a bus out of the equation. The program, which is also available in the Bronx and Staten Island, is expected to expand to Brooklyn and Queens by April 2014, according to the MTA. Bus Time is available through three mediums — users can request information through text messages to the Bus Time number, check the Bus Time website or scan quick response codes posted at each bus stop with a smartphone. The variety of options opens the door for anyone to receive information, regardless of whether they have a
smartphone or not. “The goal is to make [Bus Time] useable for all customers,” MTA spokesman Aaron Donovan said. “It makes waiting for the bus easier and helps reduce or eliminate the need to spend a lot of time waiting for the bus.” Sarah Kaufman, a research assistant at the NYU Rudin Center for Transportation and a previous employee of the MTA, said the trouble with Bus Time is the “digital divide,” or the split between those who have cell phones and those who have smartphones. “While it’s fair to say that most bus riders have cell phones and can use this system, some people may not wish to incur the data costs of the text messages or the web lookup from their cell phone carriers,” Kaufman said.
BUS continued on PG. 3
HANNAH LUU FOR WSN
Washington Square Park plays host to breast cancer awareness events NYU’s Colleges Against Cancer club used chalk to write facts and sentiments about breast cancer. Club representatives stood in the park and handed out fliers with more information about the disease in an effort to inform the public.
STORY ON PAGE 3
Golf captain aims high, scores low By MICHELLE TRAN
On the golf course, captain Kyle Demshki has shown he is a true force to be reckoned with. Demshki, a Stern senior, has earned two first-place tournament wins and a pair of UAA Player of the Week honors. Demshki’s knowledge of the game influenced Todd Kolean, the head coach of the NYU men’s and women’s golf teams, in his decision to make Demshki a team captain. “[Demshki] is an intelligent player who just knows how to consistently play the game with steadiness,” Kolean said. After growing up in Calabasas, Calif., Demshki’s family immersed him in a sports-
oriented atmosphere. With a mother who played tennis, a father who played water polo and a sister who played softball, Demshki claimed golf as his own. “I think I was 2 or 3 [years old] when my dad put a club in my hand, and I guess that’s when my golfing career really started,” Demshki said. For Demshki, golfing gradually evolved from a childhood hobby into a mature, challenging commitment. “Golf is such a challenging sport because it is not as physically draining as it is mentally,” Demshki said. “You are playing against yourself the entire time.”
DEMSHKI continued on PG. 8
Tom Hanks, Paul Greengrass astound with masterful ‘Captain Phillips’ By SHAWN FLANAGAN
If you are only going to see one movie this weekend, or this year for that matter, “Captain Phillips” should be that movie. Based on the harrowing true story, the film recounts the 2009 hijacking by Somali pirates of the U.S.-flagged MV Maersk Alabama off the coast of Somalia. Despite expertly and courageously dealing with the hijacking and protecting his crew, Captain Richard Phillips (Tom Hanks) is taken hostage in a lifeboat by the pirates and left floating at sea with them for days. Few movies have achieved the sense of immediacy and realism present in this film and even fewer have been able to seam-
lessly blend drama and fact so well. “Captain Phillips” is masterfully crafted by director Paul Greengrass. Utilizing his signature semi-documentary style, Greengrass builds tension to nearly unbearable levels. Audiences follow Hanks for the whole ride, and he who delivers a career-best performance. He brings an unparalleled tenderness to the role. Few moviegoers will ever be tested to the extremes of the film, but Hanks’s undying will to survive shines through in a way rarely captured so well on film. An Oscar nomination, and quite possibly a win, is in the bag for Hanks. Newcomer Barkhad Abdi, who plays the leading Somali pirate
Muse, also delivers an engrossing performance. Amplified not only by his total lack of previous acting experience but also by how obviously personal this story seems to be for him, Abdi’s performance evokes a heartbreaking piece of humanity. He plays Muse as a man who does not want to do bad things but does not know how to do anything else. One of the most brilliant aspects of “Phillips” is the balance between how much we root for Phillips’ safety and how much we sympathize with Muse’s situation. This quality is due in large part to screenwriter Billy Ray’s excellent writing.
PHILLIPS continued on PG. 5
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WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS | THURSDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2013 | NYUNEWS.COM
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WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS Editor-in-Chief JONATHON DORNBUSH Managing Editor
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news EMILY BELL, NICOLE BROWN,
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I love illustrating concepts with my photos, and have been shooting everything I can for the last six years. I put my idea above all else, and just try to do my best to communicate it in a new way. I’m intrigued by the different things we all assume about each other. My project took on two viewpoints — an empathizer and a devil’s advocate. First, I would approach strangers and ask them if they felt like they ever had things assumed about them. I would ask them to write that assumption in a defensive statement on a sign. Having them write it added a personal touch that spoke more to their defense. I contrasted the pictures with a second set that were as close to polar opposites as I could create, shooting the second with unflattering light at night, contrasting the former shot with flattering light at sunset. I took the strangers’ defensive statements and flipped them into offensive statements others would assume about them. I wrote these out on signs of the same size as the original and took the pictures in front of people that stereotypically fit the statement, placing the sign in the frame. My hand was visibly holding the sign, providing a feeling of involvement for the viewer, and hopefully causing reflection upon their participation in prejudicing.
CLAIRE MAHANY
SALES REPRESENTATIVES
ARIANA DIVALENTINO, ETHAN JACOBS
ADVISING DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS
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JAEWON KANG, DAVID LIN, AMANDA RANDONE, EMILY YANG
About WSN: Washington Square News (ISSN 15499389) is the student newspaper of New York University. WSN is published Monday through Thursday during NYU’s academic year, except for university holidays, vacations and exam periods.
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BUS continued from PG. 1
Bus Time aims to bring locals up to speed on bus schedules
However, the alternative to Bus Time would have been countdown clocks, similar to those in the subway system. “[Countdown clocks] would cost millions of dollars to deploy at the city’s 14,000 bus stops,” Kaufman said. “That cost would be reflected in the fare box, so riders are better with opt-in information systems.” Although this convenience is new in Manhattan, Kaufman said she is not convinced the program will affect the number of people who ride the bus. “The buses in Manhattan may not see the ridership increase as on Staten Island because the buses in Manhattan are some of
the slowest in the country, due to traffic congestion,” she said. Dehidanin Cuevas, a Steinhardt junior and Queens resident, said she will use Bus Time when it expands to Queens. “I think [Bus Time] will be a wonderful tool considering Queens is large,” Cuevas said. “And the bus transit system can be very confusing.” For many commuters, the app will allow them to follow a clear schedule. “[Bus Time will] take the wondering out of waiting,” Donovan said. Ann Schmidt is a contributing writer. Email her at news@nyunews.com.
VIA FLICKR.COM
Bus Time intends to make travel on the MTA in Manhattan easier.
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Students chalk up park for breast cancer awareness
By GIANNA COLLIER-PITTS
NYU’s Colleges Against Cancer chapter hosted its second annual Chalk It Up event in Washington Square Park to spread awareness about breast cancer for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The event, previously scheduled for Oct. 7 but postponed to Oct. 9 because of rain, was part of the Paint the Campus Pink campaign and featured facts about breast cancer written out in pink chalk around the central fountain in the Square. Written in chalk were facts like, “29 percent of all new diagnosed cancer is breast cancer.” Organizers handed out flyers with additional information to passersby. Colleges Against Cancer is working with NYU’s Relay for Life team to organize several events this month, including fundraisers and walks. “The most important thing to realize about cancer diagnosis in general is that cancer doesn’t discriminate,” said CAS sophomore Saman Marji, the advocacy chair of Colleges Against Cancer. Marji said they chose the park because of the volume of people walking through every day. “We have the opportunity to meet strangers from across the country who relay every year and believe in our message,” Marji said. Originally, the club had planned to involve multiple student groups and academic programs on campus, but the date change left a total of four students to run the event. Many people in the park walked over the chalk statements without looking at them, but Marji
HANNAH LUU FOR WSN
Facts scrawled in the park draw awareness to breast cancer. said the main goal of the event was to make at least one more person on campus aware. “I was happy when one person said ‘Oh, it’s actually Breast Cancer Awareness Month?’ ... That was the point of this whole thing,” Marji said. “It’s not just to tell people what’s happening, but to make sure that the people who don’t know now know.” CAS junior Alyssa Vigliotti, the president of NYU’s Colleges Against Cancer club, said that although many individuals are aware of breast cancer, few are aware of concrete facts about the disease. “I think, specifically, everyone knows about breast cancer in terms of the pink ribbons, but I don’t think people realize how se-
vere it is or the statistics,” Vigliotti said. “I think something else that a lot of people don’t realize is that men can get breast cancer, too.” LSP sophomore Jasmine Luo was at the park during the event. Although she said she does not think the event will make a huge difference in curing breast cancer, it is important to call attention to the issue. “I think [the event] will make more people know more about breast cancer.” Luo said. “People will pay attention to [breast cancer] patients and their own bodies and health situation.” Additional reporting by Su Sie Park. Gianna Collier-Pitts is a contributing writer. Email them at news@nyunews.com.
Game Center, IndieCade partner to create scholarship By BILLY RICHLING
The NYU Game Center, in collaboration with the international game festival IndieCade, will be offering a $25,000 scholarship program for its MFA program in game design, according to a recent announcement from the Game Center. Students are eligible for the scholarship if they have created a game that has been selected for inclusion in IndieCade. Students who are interested in applying must complete an essay explaining why they deserve the scholarship. Once the essay is completed, students submit with their application to the MFA program. One candidate will be selected each year. “We’re very interested in creating revolutionary games,” Game Center coordinator Dylan McKenzie said. “We feel that IndieCade is one of the best organizations for finding that and highlighting it, so we definitely thought it made sense to pair up with them.” Stephanie Barish, president of
IndieCade, said the NYU Game Center has been a partner of the festival for many years. “Faculty and student games have been official selections, nominees and award-winning IndieCade games over the long course of our history,” Barish said. “We are delighted that NYU Game Center has recognized the caliber and promise of IndieCade participants with the opportunity for this scholarship.” NYU’s Game Center, part of the Tisch School of the Arts, was established in 2008. The MFA program is now in its second year. The Game Center also offers a minor in game design for undergraduates. McKenzie said the growth of the center is exceeding his expectations. “There’s so much to be gained when you’re here,” McKenzie said. “The students are doing a lot to shape the curriculum, so it’s been a shared experience.” McKenzie also said the time was right for the growth of the center because video games are becoming more culturally relevant. “People as a culture, not just
game players, are starting to see that video games have more to offer than male power fantasies or pop culture,” McKenzie said. “There’s really expression going on there. Also, game creators no longer require an expensive computer, which
means the democratization of the means of production.” Shoshana Kessock, a student in the MFA program, said the scholarship would open new roads for IndieCade participants. “For those that have shown or won at IndieCade, it’s a re-
ally great opportunity to come to the Game Center and continue their education in design,” Kessock said. Billy Richling is deputy news editor. Email him at brichling@nyunews.com.
FILE PHOTO BY NATHAN HO FOR WSN
NYU students and faculty discuss games and design at the new MAGNET Center in Brooklyn.
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WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS | THURSDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2013 | NYUNEWS.COM
FEATURES
EDITED BY JONATHAN KESHISHOGLOU FEATURES@NYUNEWS.COM
Recently naturalized Tisch professor recounts life story By UTPALA MENON
When Tisch professor Kenneth Dancyger and his wife Ida stepped up to be naturalized as U.S. citizens Sept. 17, one could barely notice the groundbreaking history behind that moment. Dancyger, who has been a professor for the Tisch School of the Arts since 1991, is a Holocaust survivor. He was born in 1945, within the military barracks of a German concentration camp, Bergen-Belsen. Less than two years later, Dancyger migrated to Canada with his parents. The family of three, along with a few other refugees, lived in a community of survivors in Montreal for nearly five years before leaving the area and assimilating into the Canadian community. Known as the “miracle baby,” Dancyger lived among holocaust survivors until he was eight years old, with barely any exposure to the Canadian way of life. Dancyger’s Jewish upbringing, however, did not ensure his knowledge of where he came from and the conditions into which he was born. “I think what needs to be said is that the survivors didn’t really talk to their children [about the Holocaust],” Dancyger said. “As a child, you picked up on certain
things. You knew it was different because you didn’t have any aunts and uncles or grandparents, and the world was different, but you didn’t know why.” Among the things Dancyger learned were small yet powerful stories, such as his father becoming a barber in a steam bath and his mother working for the Germans so she could acquire additional rations to survive. Only recently has Dancyger learned details and pieced together his story. While applying for a green card in Montreal, the Dancygers faced rejection because they lacked birth documents. This rejection led his wife to start communicating with the local museum at Bergen-Belsen. The authorities provided them with a list of German survivors as of September 1945, which included Dancyger and his parents. “We kept digging until 2009, when I was invited to BergenBelsen for a commemoration of the start of the war,” Dancyger said. “They showed me the daycare center, the hospital ... and it was amazing, just amazing.” “Then I asked, ‘How could I have survived for the month?’ For I was born in a month when 18,500 people died in the camp, including Anne Frank, who died a week after
I was born,” he said. Dancyger primarily identifies himself as Canadian, but he is enthusiastic about the naturalization process because it gives him a choice — something his parents never had. Shortly after arriving at NYU in the early 1990s, Dancyger became the chair of the Institute of Undergraduate Film and Television. Although he is not in the position anymore, he is still a fulltime professor at NYU and has authored a number of books, such as “Broadcast Writing,” “Alternative Scriptwriting,” “The Technique of Film and Video Editing” and “Writing the Short Film.” Dancyger’s journey to learn about his family’s past has affected not only his personal ideals but also his goals and skills as a professor. “I always try to give my students a clear sense of information. How you overcome obstacles is to feel that empowerment, and empowerment comes from information,” Dancyger said. “I try to empower the writers, producers and directors because that’s the way to overcome the small injustices of the world.” Utpala Menon is a staff writer. Email her at features@nyunews.com.
HANNAH COHEN/WSN
Tisch professor Kenneth Dancyger started at NYU in 1991.
Day in the Life: Miriam Wickman Resident Assistant Miriam Wickman juggles two jobs and a full courseload. In our continuing series highlighting a day in the life of students from around the university, Wickman walks WSN through a day of her hectic schedule as she describes her responsibilities and passions. CORALINE WANG FOR WSN
READ THE FULL STORY ON NYUNEWS.COM
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EDITED BY JEREMY GROSSMAN ARTS@NYUNEWS.COM PHILLIPS continued from PG. 1
‘Captain Phillips’ delivers one of 2013’s most engrossing film experiences
“Phillips” closes on one of the most beautiful scenes in recent film memory, resolving all of the built-up tension in an appropriate and satisfying ending. Most directors would have likely ended the film with the classic sentimental return home we’ve all become accustomed to, and expect from a film like this. Instead, without revealing the film’s masterful wrap-up, what we watch in “Captain Phillips” is pure emotional truth that will leave you speechless well into the credits. Greengrass and Hanks deserve Oscars for these five minutes alone. Shawn Flanagan is a contributing writer. Email him at film@nyunews.com.
VIA CAPTAINPHILIPSMOVIE.COM
Tom Hanks portrays the title character in the film “Captain Phillips.”
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ARTS Page jumps into video game acting in ‘Beyond’ By JEREMY GROSSMAN
Oscar-nominated actress Ellen Page can add an exciting new entry to her resume. Best known for her roles in “Juno” and “Inception,” she has taken on a performance unlike anything she has ever done before. Page stars as the playable protagonist of “Beyond: Two Souls,” released on Tuesday, Oct. 8 for the PlayStation 3. Players control Page’s character, Jodie Holmes — a young girl being followed by a mysterious supernatural entity — and make decisions for her in a manner reminiscent of a chooseyour-own-adventure story. “Beyond” may not resemble most blockbuster games, as it unfolds akin to something more like an interactive novel or film. In a phone conference with WSN, Page elaborated on playing such a unique role, not just for her, but for the gaming industry in general. “It’s weird,” she said. “I just wouldn’t have expected that [being in a video game] was going to happen [in my career]. If you had told me that three years ago, I would’ve been like, ‘You’re drunk.’” Page explained what led her to take on this particular project. “It was the same as choosing to do any job, quite frankly, the material and the character and the director that you’re going to work with,” she said. “And so I wasn’t looking at it as like, ‘Oh, I wanna explore the video game world,” Page said. “It really was, ‘What the hell? A video game?’ And then, ‘Oh wow, this is actually really compelling and really intriguing, and this protagonist is so incredible, and what a great role and what a great opportunity, and I totally want to do this.’” Page credited “Beyond” director and
VIA FACEBOOK.COM
Ellen Page plays Jodie Holmes in the videogame “Beyond: Two Souls.” writer David Cage for providing her with a complex, multifaceted character to play. “I think it’s really, really incredible that the female protagonist that he’s written is so strong and smart, but also very vulnerable and has an incredible amount of sadness, and is ultimately a very, very complex and very real character,” Page said. “Let’s face it, I think we can all agree … I do not look like Lara Croft, and I think it’s cool that there’s a character in this game who, to me, is a vision of what a woman can be that isn’t kind of in the … narrow gaze that we’re used to seeing,” she said. “Not just in the video game world, in the film world as well, so I’m just grateful to David for writing
such a great role for a woman.” As for what other turns Page has in mind for the future of her career, the actress mentioned producing. “I’m starting to produce, and that is something that I’m really, really enjoying,” Page said. “So I think that starting to focus more on the developing side of things, and sort of having that control is something that’s really exciting and really making me feel super inspired.” With such a diverse range of experience under her belt at the young age of 26, it will be fascinating for audiences to see where Page’s career is headed next. Jeremy Grossman is arts editor. Email him at jgrossman@nyunews.com.
UP-AND-COMERS | ARMEN PAUL
SHAWN PAIK FOR WSN
Armen Paul hopes his music can stand out among the crowd. By JAKE FOLSOM Music can be a treacherous business. Too often, young artists are lured into shady deals and crooked contracts with the hopes of success and fame. But NYU student and musician Ar-
men Paul has managed to steer clear of these pitfalls. Like many, Paul became interested in music at a young age through choral groups at school. At 16, he started private lessons and began recording songs. It’s a familiar start but, unlike
many young artists, Paul is business-minded. He is a sophomore at the Stern School of Business studying fine arts management. Paul is well aware of the pitfalls for new artists and knows the importance of business savvy in a tough industry. The time for Paul to apply his business sense is drawing near. Following a September appearance on the Long Island audition episode of “The X Factor,” the rock musician has been garnering buzz on the Internet even though the judges did not advance him to the next round. While a Simon Cowell endorsement may have meant everything in years past, Paul noted that, in 2013, there is another way for artists to make it big. Paul’s audition was held in front of an audience of 4,000. The crowd cheered for his performance, and they booed loudly when the judges turned him down. “To succeed in music, the best recipe for success is putting yourself out there,” Paul said. “Even after a letdown it is important to remember you might be
what someone else is looking for.” Following his “X Factor” appearance, Paul has lived by those words. His music has attracted attention online via his own website and social media, as well as the blog BroBible. “You might score a record deal with Universal and have a flop album,” Paul said. “What’s working for artists today is advertising and sharing music online.” Paul has stayed busy on this front, uploading demos and sharing new music online. His folksy rock sound can be heard on singles “Mother Medusa” and “Pen in My Hand,” posted on his Facebook page, his
website and his YouTube channel. “If you want to be a musician, it’s important to get really comfortable with doing music,” Paul said. “You have to get to the point when it becomes a habit.” Paul plans to release several new projects in the coming weeks, including a demo, and a new single, the cheekily titled “Birthday Suit.” “So much of music sounds the same these days,” Paul said. “I’m trying to move things in a new direction.” Jake Folsom is music editor. Email him at jfolsom@nyunews.com.
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WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS | THURSDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2013 | NYUNEWS.COM
The New York Times Syndication Sales Corporation 620 Eighth Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10018 For Information Call: 1-800-972-3550 For Release Thursday, October 10, 2013
THE NEW YORK TIMES CROSSWORD & DAILY SUDOKU Crossword ACROSS 1 Belief system founded in China 7 Dessert wine … also what can fill the square at the crossing of 50-Across and 51-Down 11 Baseball Hall-ofFamer Roush 14 G.M. navigation system 15 Eins und zwei 16 Negative conjunction 17 Spark 18 ___ shui 19 Shade provider? 20 Relied (on) 21 “The Governator” 23 Explorer John 24 Shot out diffusely 27 Reds, for short 29 One putting off retirement as long as possible? 31 Bogotá bears 33 Warring, say 34 Not tacitly 38 Pie piece?
40 Emphatic confirmation 41 Brain tickler 42 Gush (over) 45 Critic Richard 46 Game with scouts and miners 49 Three-time Hart Trophy winner 50 Bumbled verbally 53 Standard 55 Biblical land 56 Kitchen gadgets 59 Furthermore 60 ’Vette roof option 63 Maupassant’s first novel 64 The Tigers of the N.C.A.A. 65 Western tribe 66 Gomez of “Ramona and Beezus” 67 Discernment 68 Comedian Sahl … also what can fill the square at the crossing of 1-Across and 1-Down 69 Downers, in brief
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54 What’s on the fast track? 56 Sign of neglect 57 Milieu of 49-Across 58 Vast expanses 61 The Who’s “Love, Reign ___ Me” 62 Sea-Tac setting: Abbr.
For answers, call 1-900-285-5656, $1.49 a minute; or, with a credit card, 1-800-814-5554. Annual subscriptions are available for the best of Sunday crosswords from the last 50 years: 1-888-7-ACROSS. AT&T users: Text NYTX to 386 to download puzzles, or visit nytimes.com/mobilexword for more information. Online subscriptions: Today’s puzzle and more than 2,000 past puzzles, nytimes.com/crosswords ($39.95 a year). Share tips: nytimes.com/wordplay. Crosswords for young solvers: nytimes.com/learning/xwords.
NYUNEWS.COM | THURSDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2013 | WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS
OPINION
EDITED BY RAQUEL WOODRUFF OPINION@NYUNEWS.COM
MEDICINE STAFF EDITORIAL
Antibiotics fail to be best cure for impatient patients By JOHN SANTUCCI III Prescribing antibiotics continues at high rates despite repeated studies showing the dangers of over-usage. Each year, 60 percent of sore throats and 73 percent of bronchitis cases are treated with antibiotics even though most of these cases are caused by viruses. It has been suggested that only 10 percent of sore throat cases warrant antibiotic usage. This issue is more complicated than merely doctors’ negligence — it is the consequence of a complex assortment of factors including patients’ expectations, insufficient tests and time limitations. The rise in antibiotic use might be the best indicator of what little patience remains in 21st century doctors and patients. However, if patients show restraint and do not immediately use antibiotics, they may find an even better cure through their patience. The frequently misinformed general public influences physicians to make unprofessional decisions. The traditional belief that bacteria are the sole cause of infection neglects viruses, which are an equally likely cause. Antibiotics work to destroy bacteria, but they have no
effect on viral infections. Thus, when a patient is sick, there must be an understanding that an antibiotic will not always be of aid. But this does not keep some patients from begging doctors for these prescriptions, and doctors often attempt to quell their patients’ concerns. “It’s a lot easier to write a prescription than to have a five-minute conversation about why antibiotics aren’t necessary,” said Jeffrey Linder, a researcher at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston. Overbooking, walk-ins and other unexpected occurrences do not allow time for this conversation — the unfortunate and often forgotten part of the medical field is that it is indeed a business. As doctors choose not to forfeit valuable time explaining to patients antibiotic consequences, patients demand an
immediate fix. Up to this point, viral and bacterial testing has lagged behind other medical advances. New tests continue to be unveiled that promised quicker blood tests to evaluate the immune response and subsequently the cause of infection, which address the previous problem of false diagnosis. As symptoms of bacterial and viral infections tend to closely mimic one another, symptoms alone make it difficult to determine the cause of infection. Waiting for the results of lengthy tests, and in the meantime, suffering from an ailment destroys patient satisfaction and heightens their desire to seek medical advice elsewhere. But that waiting period may be more beneficial than they realize. Doctors are not and will not be our ultimate healers. Allowing for nature to run its course must be accepted as an alternative to doctors writing prescriptions or for patients seeking a quick remedy. Sometimes the best care is, in fact, what seems to be no care at all — natural healing. In some cases, no fancy prescription drugs are needed, but a happy dose of patience will be the cure. John Santucci III is a contributing columnist. Email him at opinion@nyunews.com.
GOVERNMENT
Policies toward Guantánamo sustain terrorism By NINA GOLSHAN
President Barack Obama has been criticized for many things, especially for the slow recovery of the economy and his universal health care act. However, his failure to close the Guantánamo Bay detention camp, a promise he touted during his 2008 campaign, has not been criticized enough. It is commonly asserted that most of these prisoners are terrorists — a claim that is entirely untrue, former Secretary of State Colin Powell’s Chief of Staff Col. Lawrence Wilkinson affirmed. Lawrence admitted in the Al-Jazeera documentary series “Fault Lines” that the detainees, “weren’t guilty of anything except having been in the wrong place at the wrong time.” Congress has voted more than once to cut funding to close the facility and has prevented detainees from being brought to U.S. courts for trial. Obama’s adminstration should have been focusing on the reason for detaining prisoners if less than 20 of them could actually be prosecuted with the evidence the U.S. government had against them. Of the 166 men currently being held at Guantánamo, 89 of them are from
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Yemen. Of the 86 men who have been determined innocent and cleared for transfer, 56 are Yemeni. Many are kept from transferring because of actions directly attributed to Obama. First, in January 2010, Obama placed a personal moratorium on transferring detainees back to Yemen. Then, in 2011, Obama signed an executive order broadening the right of the U.S. government to detain prisoners under the laws of war. The logic that these men cannot be released until we settle foreign conflicts is flawed, and it is this type of behavior from the United States that propagates terrorism in conflict zones in the Arabian Peninsula. AlQaeda’s support has skyrocketed in Yemen. In 2009, there were 200 to 300 people, and today there are a few thousand fighters. The extrem-
ist group is gaining a foothold in Northern Africa, partly because of Obama’s failures in counterterrorism. Covert drone strikes in Yemen have killed countless civilians and, the Obama administration has frequently refused to comment. Obama is also perpetuating the awfully similar terrorism he claims to be trying to fight against. By detaining innocent Yemenis and by increasing drone strikes that frequently kill civilians, anti-American sentiment grows, and people who otherwise do not share al-Qaeda ideologies join in retaliation. In response to the hunger strike carried out by more than 100 detainees, Obama lifted the moratorium on transfers in May of this year. Obama has the executive power to transfer innocent detainees out of Guantánamo and has no excuse for prioritizing other legislative issues when inhumane practices are continuing and fundamental rights are taken away from every person who does not receive a fair trial or is subject to torture. Nina Golshan is a contributing columnist. Email her at opinion@nyunews.com.
Yellen will likely keep Fed status quo
On Oct. 9, President Barack Obama nominated Janet Yellen to succeed Ben Bernanke as chairperson of the Federal Reserve. Yellen’s nomination comes after Obama’s first pick, former White House economics advisor, Larry Summers, withdrew his name from consideration after intense opposition from Senate Democrats. In her confirmation speech, Yellen pledged to promote maximum employment and meet the great responsibilities entrusted to her by Congress. Given her past statements supporting the view that the Federal Reserve can stimulate the economy, there is some hope she will take a more active approach than her predecessor. Although her political leanings, gender and age have garnered significant media attention, they are of little relevance to her performance. Rather, her academic portfolio and economic philosophy will ultimately determine her policy-making. In her position as vice chairwoman of the Fed, Yellen displayed the utmost concern for regulating unemployment. As an academic, she conducted extensive research on the causes and implications of America’s jobless population. She influenced the Fed’s reductions in interest rates as a way to combat unemployment while also keeping the annual inflation-rate increase goals at a low 2 percent. Although Yellen was not Obama’s first choice, she is expected to proceed with necessary caution on policies implemented by Bernanke to guide the nation into economic recovery and decreasing unemployment. It also cannot be denied that Yellen’s gender makes her nomination noteworthy. If confirmed by the Senate, she will be the first female in the Fed’s 100-year history to serve as chair. Female nominees are rarely tapped to head financial institutions, especially one of this magnitude. Despite the fact that 45 percent of Fed employees are women, female visibility in senior roles remains rare. Yellen’s nomination could help bridge the gender gap in economic appointments, as well as alter deeply entrenched perceptions that women are better suited for social rather than financial posts. With strong support from Democrats and only marginal opposition from Republicans, Yellen will likely be confirmed, and rightfully so. Still, reservations remain. As The New York Times aptly noted, “a liberal central banker is something different from — and more conservative than — a liberal politician.” Although her rhetoric reveals a more progressive stance on economic issues, it seems unlikely that a major shift in policy will occur.
Email the WSN Editorial Board at editboard@nyunews.com. EDITORIAL BOARD: Raquel Woodruff (Chair), Edward Radzivilovskiy (Co-chair), Peter Keffer (Co-chair), Harry Brown, Marcelo Cicconet, Nicki Sethi, Nina Golshan, Omar Etman, Christina Coleburn
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NYUNEWS.COM | THURSDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2013 | WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS
SPORTS
EDITED BY FRANCISCO NAVAS SPORTS@NYUNEWS.COM
DEMSHKI continued from PG. 1
Stern senior reflects on his collegiate golf career, focus on leadership, progression
In his first year at NYU, Demshki struggled in the fall season to solidify a starting position. During the next spring season, however, things turned around for the eager freshman, as Demshki claimed his first collegiate tournament win at the McDaniel’s Cup in Pennsylvania. “He has refined his skills and his game has certainly improved since freshman year,” Kolean said. But for Kolean, it was more than just Demshki’s skills that made him a clear leader on the course. “Like his golf game, Kyle is just a steady, smart and very personable human being, ” Kolean said. “His leadership combined with his kindness is what makes him such a well-rounded captain.” “He is a real go-getter when we are golfing, but he is also the most giving person I’ve ever met,” CAS junior and teammate Matt Gjonaj said. Speaking to what guided him in balancing his life on and off the golf course, Demshki said he looked up to idols such as professional golfer Tiger Woods and John Wooden, the former basketball coach for the University of California, Los Angeles. “I look up to Tiger because he shows how a focused mindset is important to winning,” Demshki said. “I also look up to Wooden because he emphasized more of the character of the athlete and how things do matter more than just winning.” As Demshki looks ahead to his future after graduating from Stern with a degree in finance, he hopes to secure a corporate position in either New York,
Los Angeles or San Francisco — all while keeping a bag of golf clubs nearby. Michelle Tran is a contributing writer. Email her at sports@nyunews.com.
COURTESY OF KEITH ALLISON
Red Sox show potential to advance to the World Series With the start of the Major League Baseball playoffs, the Boston Red Sox look poised to make it to the World Series. With returning veterans and major changes to the roster and management, the Red Sox have a strong chance of becoming this year’s world champions.
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INFORMING YOU FIRST CAROLINE COLLINS FOR WSN
Kyle Demshki has golfed since he was young.
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