NYU’s Daily Student Newspaper
washington square news Vol. 39, No. 30
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2011
nyunews.com
OWS protesters take over Halloween By Emily Yang
A giant puppet of a fat, rich man smoking a cigar with “1%” stamped on his hat and a team of “Corporate Reign” horse puppets occupied the end of the Village Halloween Parade on Monday, along with other costumed members of Occupy Wall Street. While “Occupy Halloween” used the OWS movement’s trademark people’s microphone and signs, the group’s march with the parade was more spirited than defiant. Preparing for the march, OWS protesters practiced choreographing puppets’ movements, admired each other’s costumes and posed for pictures at Juan Pablo Duarte Square. A very dead-looking Marie Antoinette held a “Vive le 1%” sign, while a 19th century bread peddler offered free bread to a Emma Pliskin/WSN
Occupy Wall Street protesters joined the annual Greenwich Village Halloween parade to parody the “1 percent” of wealthy Americans.
Old Delhi brings Indian street food at an affordable price By Jessica Littman As food carts continue to take over the city, Old Delhi (101 E. 27th St.) is bringing street food into the restaurant. With a small and simple menu that is vegetarian-friendly and keeps prices below $10, Old Delhi is a great option for street-style food made right. The front of the shop actually looks like the restaurant serves only street food. There is a counter and kitchen area along with two bar stools facing the window, and the entire shop is small. But down a staircase at the back is a larger restaurant-style area. Place your order at the upstairs counter, go downstairs to enjoy your meal in the more intimate basement dining room and pay at the counter on your way out. Inspired by street food from India, Old Delhi specializes in small dishes called chaat which generally consist of a pastry-type shell with chickpeas, potatoes, onions and various other vegetable and spice combinations inside. The best dish to start with is a
samosa, a fried pastry shell filled with potato, onions, peppers and spices. Old Delhi serves them with three different dips: a delicious sweet-and-spicy red sauce, a simple yogurt dip and a somewhat bland green sauce. An appetizer to avoid is the aloo papri chaat. This dish consists of potato-chip type wafers with potatoes, chickpeas, chutney, yogurt and spices. I expected the dish to be warm, and the ingredients suggest that it would be interestingly savory and sweet. But it was freezing cold, and this kept the flavors from reaching their full potential. The bulk of the Old Delhi menu consists of roti rolls, chutneyfilled flatbreads that come in five vegetarian iterations and six meat options. The vegetarian chickpea roti roll tastes just the way Indian food should: spicy and perfectly savory. The chutney is excellent, and there are no extraneous ingredients. This is a simple but perfect dish. The waiter recommended the
R DELHI continued on PG. 4
R PARADE continued on PG. 3
50 Cent tries but comes up short in new book By Charles Mahoney An intrepid hip-hop fan might get of déjà vu when they first see “Playground,” Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson’s first foray into young-adult fiction. When 50 Cent debuted his first movie, the critical and commercial disaster “Get Rich or Die Trying,” it was advertised as 50 Cent’s fictional autobiography, his version of Eminem’s “8 Mile.” Similarly, “Playground’s” tagline is, “The mostly true story of a former bully.” While the violence and gunplay is dialed down, the promise is the same: You’ll get to learn what created this prolific, all-star rapper. But much like “Get Rich,” the complexity of 50 Cent’s upbringing is painted over and made more digestible. While “Playground’s” story of desperation can be compelling, its inability to focus on anything grander than a few punchy emotions make it simplistic and trite. It is a fascinating book, but not because of its bland characters, generic story or achingly strained writing
style. In fact, it’s only interesting because it allows the reader to see 50 Cent trying, and failing, to come to grips with his past. Our protagonist is 13-year-old Butterball, an overweight African-American boy from Harlem who moves to the suburbs of Long Island with his recently divorced mother. His dad is a ridiculous stereotype of an African-American father with late-child support payments, gross displays of machoness and complete contempt for the law to boot. I’d call him a racist caricature if 50 Cent weren’t the author. Distraught by the oppressive ennui of white suburbia, Butterball finally snaps and beats his only friend Maurice with a tube sock filled with D batteries. Now he’s forced to see “some out-of-touch lady therapist” to work through his issues and find a way to come to terms with his past. You’ve probably heard this story of redemption before, but that’s not the real problem. Unfortunately, “Playground’s” paper-thin characters deny the reader an emotional entry
via amazon.com
point. Everyone in the novel has a singular identity built upon a simply irony. Butterball’s mother is hard-working, and therefore absent, because she cares about him. His psychiatrist is a square because she has a deep knowledge of the system. His love interest, Nia, is unattainable because she has a strong moral compass. These characters are not onedimensional so much as they
R PLAYGROUND continued on PG. 5
2
Washington Square news | TUESDAY, November 1, 2011 | nyunews.com
on the side
Compiled by the
WSN staff
THIS WEEK IN HISTORY IMAGES VIA WIKIPEDIA.COM
OCt. / NOV. Washington Square News
31
Editor-in-Chief JAYWON ERIC CHOE Managing Editor
KELSEY DESIDERIO Nov. 1, 1765 The British Parliament enacts the Stamp Act.
Deputy Managing Editor
RUSSELL STEINBERG Assistant Managing Editor
01
KIRSTEN CHANG Creative Director
TERKA CICELOVA Oct. 31, 1517 Martin Luther nails his famous 95 Theses to the door of the Castle Church in wittenberg, Germany.
senior staff
Nov. 2, 1966 “Friends” Star David Schwimmer is Born
02
03
Nov. 3, 1941 The Japanese fleet receives orders Pearl Harbor is to be bombed in 34 days.
university JAEWON KANG city/state AMY ZHANG arts CHARLES MAHONEY features AMANDA RANDONE sports JAMES LANNING multimedia LAUREN STRAUSSER enterprise ARIELLE MILKMAN special issues FRANCIS POON brownstone JAKE FLANAGIN copy jack brooks senior editors elizabeth gyori,
amanda shih
deputy staff
university gentry brown, julie
devito, susannaH griffee city/state hanqing chen, brian
tam, emily yang music parker bruce film/books stefan Melnyk entertainment jonathon
dornbush
Nov. 4, 2001 The Arizona Diamondbacks defeat the New York Yankees in Game 7 of the 2001 World Series.
theater ERIC SHETHAR features EMILY MCDERMOTT dining SARAH KAMENETZ fashion CARRIE COUROGEN sports SANCHAY JAIN production MERYLL PREPOSI multimedia DAVID LIN copy MAXIMILÍANO DURÓN,
04
JESSICA LITTMAN
TODAY
1 5:30 to 7 p.m. | Wasserman Center, Presentation Room B
Creating a Unique and Authentic Personal Brand
2 6 to 7 p.m. | 35 W. Fourth St., 13th Floor
7 p.m. | Barnes & Noble, 33 E. 17th St.
Andy Shoniker offers a free master class in percussion studies.
Joan Didion will give a lecture on her new book, “Blue Nights,” and do a book signing at the Union Square Barnes & Noble. Be sure to arrive early to beat the crowds.
Musical Morse Code System
Attend a workshop with Carlos Monteagudo, executive recruiter for JPMorgan Chase, on how to make yourself stand out from the crowd. RSVP through CareerNet.
3 Joan Didion
opinion page
opinion editor JOHN SURICO deputy opinion editors ATTICUS
BRIGHAM, MARIA MICHALOS
advertising business manager
REBECCA RIBEIRO sales manager
Stefanie Yotka
SNAPSHOT
CORRECTION In the Oct. 31 issue, WSN inaccurately reported that Zach Feldman said the budget cut will affect the NYU Vocaholics’ ability to purchase uniforms, go on tours and record an album. In fact, he said a capella groups face these problems under normal budget allocations. WSN regrets this error.
ON THE WIRE
Fist pump 101
Jersey Shore has entered uncharted waters with the latest addition to the franchise: an academic conference. The University of Chicago held a conference on Jersey Shore studies on Friday. Organized by junior undergraduate David Showalter, who says the show is “exceptionally good to think with,” the conference drew students and professors and focused on the impact of the show on Italian-American identity. During the conference, keynote speaker Candace Moore pointed out the homosocial relationship between Vinny and Pauly D, describing it as “Guidosexual.” Many of the presenters “outed” themselves as Jersey Shore natives, but few seemed to be “Guidosexual.” — The New York Times Jack-o’-lanterns light up the night in celebration of Halloween.
PHOTO BY Rosalie Tinelli
GOT SOMETHING TO SHARE? EMAIL US AT TIPS@NYUNEWS.COM
University of Maryland
Students ‘occupy’ the campus — The Diamondback
circulation manager
MEagan Driver
university sales coordinator
Emilia Mironovici sales representatives
Kaitlyn O’Brien, MICHAEL RYAN, Melissa Ynegas
advising DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS
MICHAEL SUMMERS editorial adviser
keith leighty EDITOR-AT-LARGE
KATIE THOMPSON 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 Kelsey Desiderio at managing@nyunews. com or at 212.998.4302.
nyunews.com
nyunews.com | TUESDAY, November 1, 2011 | Washington Square news
One small step for commuters this UVL
By Julie DeVito and Cici Chen
When Tisch senior Thais Francis hit the first beat on her Ghanaian djembe drum, last Tuesday, all eyes in the auditorium of the Kimmel Center for University Life were on her. That night, Francis would become the first commuter to win a spot in NYU’s annual Ultra Violet Live talent show. Back in her bedroom in Brooklyn last Saturday, she soulfully played an original song called “Our Little Secret” on her drum. “It’s an honor to be the first anything,” Francis said. “The first man to walk on the moon, the first president of the United States [and] the first student to represent commuters — it’s a great legacy to follow.” Francis said she wanted to perform in UVL because it would be her last opportunity to do so — when she won, she felt absolute bliss. Although she captivated the UVL Commuter audience last week with her music, she eventually wants to become an actress. While growing up in Trinidad, she used to watch a show called “Scouting for Talent,” which opened her eyes to the art of performance. But for her, acting isn’t just about the glamour of television. “I don’t know if glamour appeals to me,” she said. “I think in my artistry, I always try to tell the truth.” Francis and her family moved from Trinidad to Maryland
when she was around 10 years old. After the move, she began taking ballet class, dancing at a local church and taking acting classes. Stern senior Tylan Cunnigham has known Francis since the 11th grade, and they now share an apartment in Brooklyn. To Cunnigham, Francis is a rock of emotional support and an activist for many different causes. “She was an environmentalist,” Cunnigham said. “She was always speaking about some sort of global issue. [One] year, she put on a domestic violence assembly. And I wonder if she’ll ever go back to Trinidad and be an activist.” Though she has only recently started taking vocal lessons, Francis’ first time playing djembe was in the 2010 NYU Reality Show when she wrote a skit where she played a girl from the Congo who was raped. Francis said she feels compelled to share with the audience what is normally unspoken. “Once I started playing [the djembe], I felt like it was in my heart beat — I felt like I had some kind of connection with my ancestors in Africa,” Francis said. Her djembe beats come from reggae and go-go fused with pop artists like Pink and Katy Perry to create her unique medleys.
Children celebrate with spooky style in Washington Square By Rita Solomon
Julie Devito/WSN
Tisch Senior Thais Francis “It was really inspiring for me to be on stage and perform and then inspire people or allow them to make a change in their lives,” she said. As for the UVL competition in February, she plans to prepare as best she can but has not decided what she’ll be performing or how she’ll rehearse. “There are so many unspoken sentiments,” Francis said. “I want to use my art to raise awareness. I’m a rebel without a cause. I’m like a unicorn, because I’m mystical and freespirited. I’m the color of burnt orange and bronze and brown.” Cici Chen is a contributing writer. Julie DeVito is a deputy university editor. Email them at university@nyunews.com.
PARADE continued from PG. 1
OWS protesters take over Halloween
Before the infamous Greenwich Village Halloween parade hit Sixth Avenue last night, a more family-friendly crowd gathered in Washington Square Park for candy and festivities. Community Board 2 and NYU co-hosted the 21st Annual Children’s Halloween Parade yesterday afternoon. The event kicked off with a march around the park led by the Soul Tigers Marching Band from the Brooklyn Arts Council. The parade included live performances by musical group Shira and Friends, the NYU cheerleaders, face painting by the Alpha Sigma Tau sorority, a carousel, various bouncy castles, balloon stands, candy and popcorn. After circling around the park, the 1,500 participants walked over to LaGuardia Street. The first Children’s Halloween Parade was first hosted 21 years ago by former Community Board 2 district manager Arthur Strickler to offer a child-friendly alternative to the annual Village parade. Since then, it has expanded every year and has accommodated a growing number of attendees. The event featured three parade Grand Marshals: Brandon del Pozo, deputy inspector of the NYPD’s sixth precinct, Maria Skouras, former senior policy analyst of NYU’s Office of Government and Community Affairs, and Honi Klein, former executive
In costume, Occupy Wall Street members joined the annual Halloween parade. group of men dressed as Guy Fawkes. An “Occu-Pie” walked around looking delicious, and a penguin-suited protestor bore an “Occupy the Earth” sign. “I came out here tonight, first and foremost, to have some fun,” said regular Occupy Wall Street supporter Mason Sullivan, who was dressed as Jesus and bore a sign that said, “Speaking out against greed and avarice since 15 AD.” “And I came with my sign here to kind of remind peo-
ple that there are things in our society that are wrong but still legal.” Nikolay Korotkov, a Brooklyn resident, said the Wall Street protesters didn’t affect his, or anyone else’s, parade experience. “They didn’t have booming loud music or flashing lights,” he said. “They did not stand out in any significant way from any of the others.” Emily Yang is a deputy editor. Email her at eyang@nyunews.com.
director of the Village Alliance Business Improvement District. Shira Koben, an NYU Tisch alumni and founder of the children’s entertainment group Shira and Friends, helped liven up the event with a selection of children’s songs. “It’s really exciting to be back at NYU and performing,” Koben said. The face-painting booths were especially popular with the kids. “Our sorority does this every year,” said Ashley Reidy, CAS sophomore and AST sorority member. “It’s always lots of fun. There are more people every year. It’s our way of giving back.” In addition to co-hosting the festivities, NYU also held a design contest for the cloth trick-or-treat tote bag for the first time in the parade’s history. Mary Sievert, a Tisch graduate with an MSA in costume design, won the contest with her design. Klein said the children’s parade is an excellent alternative for parents to celebrate Halloween with their children. “When I first came to the Village 40 years ago, the Greenwich Village Halloween Parade was narrow and represented the community,” she said. “Today, it doesn’t do that anymore. The children’s parade provides an alternative, a way for Halloween to become a community event.” Rita Solomon is a contributing writer. Email her at university@nyunews.com.
Law student tries to take the mystery out of Fantasy Football By Daniel Amitay
ALEXANDER JAGENDORF FOR WSN
3
New York City startup numberFire is bringing in-depth statistical analysis to football fans everywhere. Founded and run by NYU Law J.D. candidate Sean Weinstock and Nik Bonaddio, an alumnus of the Carnegie Mellon School of Public Policy and Management, the service provides projections and statistics to track the performance of professional NFL players. Specifically, it allows Fantasy Football players to make more informed and accurate decisions when preparing their lineup. Initially funded with money that Bonaddio won on “Who Wants to be a Millionaire,” the website was launched in 2010 after Weinstock and Bonaddio met at InSITE, a collaboration for New York City entrepreneurs. Weinstock, the company’s chief operating officer, said being in New York City and at NYU played a role in numberFire’s success. Since then, the two have taken full advantage of the resources New York City provides as a media epicenter. Weinstock said numberFire was founded because they felt most experts were providing “qualitative, touchy-feely analysis” and “no one was providing smart, dataoriented analytics.” At the end of the last football season, the
website had 30,000 users. Since then, they believe their users has grown five-fold. “We’ve had growing pains like every startup,” Weinstock said. “There is always the difficulty of figuring out the market and how the product fits, [but] we haven’t had tremendous problems.” This summer, the duo participated in the Entrepreneurs Roundtable Accelerator this past summer and received an earlystage investment fund that gave them access to expert mentorship and venture capitalists. Fueled by positive results — they have out-predicted Yahoo! and ESPN experts 70 percent of the time — they are focusing on growing their team and their user base. Anthony Best has been using the website for two seasons. “They helped me win my league last year and [I’m] hoping for same result this year,” he said. “This site has some of the most knowledgeable people on here compared to other sites. It is also very easy to use.” Todd Cash, another numberFire user, appreciates that statistics are the basis of the predictions. “It has helped me make plenty of decisions, and the feedback from others is great and appropriate,” Cash said. Daniel Amitay is a contributing writer. Email him at university@nyunews.com.
4
Washington Square news | TUESDAY, November 1, 2011 | nyunews.com
FEATURES
edited by AMANDA RANDONE features@nyunews.com
Foods to avoid to keep your waistline slim
1
1 Iced Lemon Pound Cake from Starbucks Everyone’s favorite coffee accompaniment may be just a little too good. At nearly 500 calories, this cake packs in 46 grams of sugar — more than the average donut. Instead, try one of the many healthie altenatives Starbucks has to offer, including bananas and mixed nuts, to get you off to a better start. 2 Chick-fil-A Waffle Potato Fries with Chick-fil-A Sauce It’s no surprise that fries make the list as one of the most unhealthy food on campus. Chickfil-A’s are no exception, even
By CLAIRE ZAJDEL It’s a blessing and a curse: At NYU there are lot of fast food options readily available for the hungry student. But if you’re worried about the freshman fifteen, then there are a few menu options that you might want to steer clear from.
2
3
though they only contain three grams of saturated fats. This tasty little side holds up to 660 calories when paired with the Chick-fil-A sauce.
thing, then try the DDSmart menu, which offers ham, egg and cheese English muffins with half of the fat and calories.
3 Sausage, Egg and Cheese Bagel from Dunkin Donuts Dunkin Donuts is on top of the growing breakfast-on-the-go trend. However, some choices may be better than others when you’re looking to get your day started. The sausage, egg and cheese bagel provides over 80 percent of your recommended daily intake of cholesterol. Although cholesterol isn’t on every student’s mind, this sandwich is also 690 calories. If Dunkin breakfast sandwiches are your
4 Tuna Melt from Quiznos The Tuna Melt from Quiznos masters the classic grilled tuna sandwich, complete with tuna salad and chipotle jack cheese. However, it also manages to add about 14 grams of saturated fats with almost no fiber benefits to speak of. This whopping melt has about 1,000 calories if made on the standard Italian white bread for a regular-sized sandwich. The next time you choose to walk over to Weinstein, choose the Honey Bourbon Chicken sandwich, the Turkey Ranch and Swiss or some-
4
5
thing from the salad bar. 5 The Nachos with Beef from Habañero’s (Kimmel Market) If you have a craving for Mexican, Habañero’s is a good place to go because of its convenient location in the Kimmel Market. But with 3,376 grams of sodium, the nachos with beef are more than a little on the salty side. Loaded with beef and cheese, these nachos contain up to 1,110 calories per plate and nearly 70 grams of fat. It might be better to say adiós to your cravings. Although these foods are quick and tasty, it may be smarter to avoid making them a part of
your daily diet. Adjusting your fast food intake isn’t as difficult as it may seem, according to Marion Nestle, an NYU nutrition professor. “Really, eating healthfully is not all that complicated,” she said. “My advice always is to eat less (if you are worried about gaining weight), eat your fruits and veggies, don’t eat too much junk food and enjoy what you eat.” According to dietician Dara Bergen, “Brown bagging your meals can be a much healthier option and will save you money too.” Ultimately, choosing healthier options isn’t hard to do and it will help you save money and cut weight.
Claire Zajdel is a contributing writer. Email her at dining@nyunews.com. PHOTOS: unhealthy1 - via starbucks.com; unhealthy2 - via chick-fil-a.com; unhealthy3 - David Lin/WSN; unhealthy4 - via quiznos.com; unhealthy5 - via flickr.com
A twist on soul food at Three Hens
By Katya Barannik
After 20 minutes spent trying to hail a cab in the pouring rain, stepping into the Flatiron district’s newly-opened Three Hens (115 Lexington Ave.) eatery was an absolute blessing. This warm, candlelit space with its genuinely kindhearted staff makes it the perfect spot for an intimate date night, family dinner or any occasion to sit back and unwind. Mixing modern and industrial elements with touches of country and nature, the decor is just as unique and comforting as the food. Three Hens also supports sustainable agriculture, small farm initiatives and is dedicated to using only top quality ingredients. The price range is in the teens with only a select few entrees over $20 — it is hard to find prices as good as these
presents
for such top quality food anywhere else. Three Hens presents each dish so beautifully that guests feel as though they have swapped places with the judges on “Iron Chef.” The Crispy 5 Minute Egg is the ultimate soul food. It consists of a fresh salad topped with a fried egg, sprinkled bacon bits and a bacon vinaigrette drizzled on top. The egg had a perfectly crunchy outer layer that, once sliced open, gives way to a gently flowing yolk. The yellowfin tuna with chard, purple yam puree and a tomato vinaigrette was filling without being heavy. The tender tuna was accented with faint grill marks and fell apart easily when cut. The smooth and delicate yams complemented the tenderness of the tuna perfectly. While chard can sometimes
be bland, Three Hens’ was surprisingly rich with flavor. The blueberry pie with cream was soft and airy. Despite its lightness, this dessert was still loaded with a deliciously rich, blueberry flavor. Three Hens’ inventive twist on American classics is also evident in its wide array of cocktails — flavors include rosemary, cinnamon, apples, oranges and chrysanthemums. Three Hens even puts a twist on the classic rum and coke by using spiced cola, which includes mint and frenzo chili peppers, for an extra kick. After dining for over two hours, listening to Carla Bruni and Kaskade playing in the background, it was a struggle to leave behind this newfound haven. Katya Barannik is a staff writer. Email her at dining@nyunews.com.
NYU’S Most Influential Students
Each year, we profile 15 NYU students who have had a positive impact on NYU and the surrounding community for our Influential Students Issue. We are currently accepting nominations for our 2011 issue which will be published in December. We would greatly appreciate it if you could nominate an
exemplary student who has had a profound impact on the NYU community. To submit a nomination, please email the student’s name, year, school, contact information and a 150-word statement about why the student has been nominated to influential@nyunews.com by Nov. 11.
DELHI continued from PG. 1
Old Delhi offers affordable Indian street food
chicken kali mirch roti roll as well, but this turned out to be disappointing. The flavors are interesting, but the dish was spicier than the first bite revealed. After several bites, the spiciness set in and revealed why the waiter placed a pitcher of water on the table at the start of the meal. While the black bean and chicken flavors in the roll were good, they were hard to distinguish because of the overload of spice. This is a good dish for those who are used to such intensity, but those who have a low tolerance for spice — like myself — should beware. Thoroughly drenching the roll in the yogurt sauce helped, but it did not fully counteract the spiciness. Unfortunately, the emphasis on street-style food means that most Old Delhi dishes come in street-style portions. A samosa, an item from the chaat menu and a roti roll together make a good meal — don’t rely on just one or two for your entire dinner. Overall, Old Delhi is worth trying, especially since six menu items, including the samosa, are only 99 cents. Just make sure to order a mild dish unless you’re used to intense spiciness. Old Delhi is located at 101 Lexington Ave. and is open from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. seven days a week. Jessica Littman is a staff writer. Email her at jlittman@nyunews.com.
nyunews.com | TUESDAY, November 1, 2011 | Washington Square news
ARTS
edited by CHArLES MAHONEY ARTS@nyunews.com
John Darnielle tops night of music with Harding’s Cabinet of Wonders By Josh Johnson On Friday night, the City Winery hosted John Wesley Harding’s Cabinet of Wonders, a variety show featuring musical performances by The Hold Steady’s Craig Finn, The Walkmen’s Hamilton Leithauser, John Darnielle of The Mountain Goats and Rosanne Cash. Each artist played three songs, using the opportunity to experiment with covers and debut new material. Anyone who has seen The Hold Steady live knows that Craig Finn is a handsfree performer. His guitar usually hangs motionless from his neck while he snaps his fingers, claps his hands and flaps his arms. Finn certainly has the talent to use his instrument more often, but to do so would detract from what makes him such an entertaining performer. And he has guitarist extraordinaire Tad Kubler by his side to supply The Hold Steady’s signature riffs. At his City Winery set, Finn played two songs from his upcoming solo debut. The songs certainly had Craig Finn themes: One was about falling for a girl whose husband or boyfriend was in jail, and the other described a guy seeing his girlfriend cheat on him after he went out to get some cigarettes. Still, because Finn was busy playing the guitar, he couldn’t do any expected Craig Finn things. In fact, he was awkward and shy without the support of his band. However, after he performed his two solo songs, he was joined by Harding and his band to play a cover of Mick Jagger’s “Evening Gown,” which allowed Finn to put down the guitar and savor lines like “People say I’m a drinker, but I’m sober half the time.” The Walkmen’s Hamilton Leithauser subdued his usual anthemic howl for his set, which included three covers. His voice instead had a very Bob Dylan-esque quality.
Leithauser’s set contained the most eclectic group of covers of the night. He began with a Beach House cover followed by a Frank Sinatra song. Leithauser concluded with a version of The Kinks’ bouncy “Strangers” with Harding and his band. The next musical guest was John Darnielle, who, aside from Finn, received the most enthusiastic reception from the crowd. He deserved it, too, as his set was the highlight of the night. Darnielle has a talent of mixing biting, sarcastic remarks with moments of pure sincerity, all with a giant smile across his bespectacled face. “You Were Cool” was especially affecting. Not many singers other than Darnielle can pull off the line, “People were mean to you/ But I always thought you were cool,” with the amount of authenticity and unaffectedness he displayed. He concluded his set with Harding and his band, just as Finn and Leithauser did before him. Led by Darnielle’s contagious energy, the band backed him in a vigorous rendition of the Mountain Goats’ normally somber “High Hawk Season.” Rosanne Cash, daughter of legend Johnny Cash, was the final musical performer of the Cabinet of Wonders. After playing a cover of a Bob Dylan song, she and Harding performed two duets. To close out the show, Harding invited all the musicians who had performed onstage to play “Religious Experience (Singing a Song in the Morning).” Overall, the Cabinet of Wonders was an entertaining show, but the three-song limit made the individual sets feel incomplete. If the show had just decided to focus on one “wonder,” especially if it had been Darnielle, then it might have felt a lot more focused. Josh Johnson is a staff writer. Email him at music@nyunews.com.
New Metallica-Lou Reed collaboration lacks merit By Thomas Collins Almost two years ago, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame celebrated its 25th anniversary with a two-day concert series at Madison Square Garden. In the middle of the concert right out of left field, Lou Reed performed classic Velvet Underground songs — backed by Metallica. Most wrote off this odd couple as a one-time deal, speculating that the two must have paired together because their individual styles meshed even less with the other performers. But, Lou Reed later suggested that the two bands take the next step into absurdity by collaborating on an album based on two plays by German playwright Frank Wedekind. These were the beginnings of “Lulu,” a concept album on multiple levels. There is the story of Lulu, a small-town girl who, I think, runs away to the city to become the classic femme fatale. Reed’s stated intention was to understand the psychology of Lulu, who is portrayed on the album cover as a mannequin severed at mid-torso with no arms, purple eyes and a harsh haircut. More interesting is the juxtaposition of two artists of widely disparate styles. Who before has combined thrash, violins, spoken word ramblings and a section that sounds like “Colors of the Wind” from “Pocahontas?” In a recent interview, Reed said that this is the best he’s ever been. This is a striking claim from Reed, who has released some of the most influential music of all time throughout his career. But going into the album, I decided to take him at his word. Instead of making some timeless, genre-less mess, however, Reed and Metallica have produced music so unlisten-
Aging Pixes play less than their best at Wellmont Theatre By Thomas Collins
I love everything about the Pixies album “Doolittle” — from the loud-quiet dynamics and Frank Black’s tortured screams to the lurid Biblical references and Kim Deal’s plodding bass lines. When I heard Pixies were touring and playing “Doolittle” in its entirety, I jumped at the chance to see the show, knowing I had been born about twenty years too late, and that I might not have too many more opportunities to see one of my favorite bands. That said, I had a few serious reservations. Would the Pixies be too old? Would the audience be too old to enjoy it? Before the band took the stage at the Wellmont Theatre in Montclair, New Jersey, a large screen displayed scenes from “Un Chien Andalou,” a short surrealist film co-written by Salvador Dalì that inspired Doolittle’s opener “Debaser.” There was a fair amount of couples with children in the crowd, but they seemed to be enjoying the show. When the Pixies took the stage, the audience erupted in cheers. Kim Deal announced “B-Sides!” and the band broke into four songs that maybe five people knew. Before the fourth, Kim said, “This song is so obscure we don’t
5
even know it yet!” These songs fell a little flat and the crowd looked disinterested, but it came to life with the first notes of “Debaser.” Though the older crowd members were still enthusiastic, it became clear on the first song of “Doolittle” that Frank Black is too old to perform up to standard. When he screamed, “I want to grow up to be a debaser,” it just didn’t carry the same vehemence as the 1989 recording. While he delivered the mid-tempo songs with sufficient feeling, the fast, punk-influenced songs like “Crackity Jones” did not work. Maybe it’s hard for anyone to sound crazed at 46. Unlike Black, Kim Deal was incredible. Her snarky banter between songs was on point, and she appeared entirely intent on crumbling the back walls of the theater with heavy bass, contorting her body as she played. She looked like a classic rockstar, chugging from multiple bottles of Beck’s at any opportune moment. While there were some flaws — and I expected more — I’m glad I saw this show. Even though the Pixies probably aren’t as tight musically as they were two decades ago, it’s a good thing that they’re touring. The young audience members that love classic indie rock finally got to
able that it’s on the same level as Ashlee Simpson or Crazy Frog. Opener “Brandenburg Gate” begins, benignly enough, with light acoustic guitar strumming, but then Lou Reed softly croaks, “I would cut my legs and tits off when I think of Boris Karloff and Kinsky in the dark of the moon/ Oh, wouldn’t it be lovely?” This overblown lyricism is not an exception; Reed produces lyrical oddities like these throughout the album. It seems the concept of a “small-town girl” turned femme fatale was abandoned pretty quickly in favor of Reed alternately speaking and yelling the first thoughts that came into his head. Funny? Yes. A story? Well, not one with development, structure or a plot. As for the instrumentation, it sounds like modern-day Metallica, slightly slower than their early work. The whole project is very by-the-numbers. In every song, Lou Reed spews crazy talk over Metallica riffs. Some of the songs start and end with violin, and James Hetfield sometimes attempts to sing. It’s not quite as bad as Ashlee Simpson, but the novelty wears thin after three songs or so — and the album is almost 90 minutes long. Maybe I’m missing something. In 2010, journalist Jason Hartley published a book called “The Advanced Genius Theory.” He argued that certain musicians advance past the level of understanding of the general public because they are true geniuses. He cited Lou Reed as a prime example. This, than, is the true question: Is “Lulu” so great that the public can’t ever understand it, or so terrible that they shouldn’t even try? Thomas Collins is a staff writer. Email him at music@nyunews.com.
PLAYGROUND continued from PG. 1
Searching for meaning, 50 Cent falls short in new book
see the real thing, instead of one of the countless bands that imitates the style of their forebears. For the older crowd, it is a chance to relive its youth, to see their musical heroes one more time. Maybe it’s lame, and maybe people should have moved on, but it’s what everyone wants. And it could have been a lot worse. But don’t expect The Pixies to stick around Rolling Stones-style.
are two-dimensional: simplistic with the veneer of complexity. In one of the most touching scenes in the novel, Butterball begins crying to his psychiatrist as he explains how difficult it is to grow up poor with no one to relate to. If this scene is meant to be autobiographic, it explains a lot. There is no indication in “Playground” that 50 Cent knows how to see people as more then a collection of broad outlines. 50 Cent is trying so hard to engage with his past and find a bit of hope to latch onto, but he can’t translate it into anything other then a trite morality tale. And when the book’s third act hits and everything that Butterball ever wanted drops out of the sky, it’s easy to feel more depressed than glad. The only way Curtis Jackson can come to terms with his past seems to be by shriveling it into nothingness.
Thomas Collins is a staff writer. Email him at music@nyunews.com.
Charles Mahoney is arts editor. Email him at cmahoney@nyunews.com.
Alaina Berry/WSN
Frank Black showed his age at the show.
6
Washington Square news | TUESDAY, November 1, 2011 | nyunews.com
The New York Times Syndication Sales Corporation 500 Seventh Avenue, New York,times N.Y. 10018 The new york crossword & daily sudoku For Information Call: 1-800-972-3550 For Release Tuesday, November 01, 2011
Edited by Will Shortz Across
34 One working with checks and balances, for 5 Walk short ungracefully 35 *Braided floor 11 Nick, say covering 14 Rights advocacy 37 *More than grp. enough 41 “___ the season” 15 This point forward 42 Play about Capote 16 Bon ___ 17 *Area in front of 43 Bosnian, e.g. 44 Larklike bird a coop 47 Ore-Ida parent 19 Grand Canyon company part 49 Language suffix 20 Cornfield call 50 *Elemental parts 21 Sea eagle of human nature 22 Some Saturns 53 Posh 23 *Modern school 54 Letter from memento Homer? 55 ___ v. Wade 28 Beatle lover 56 Former White 29 More clever House press 30 Wee, informally secretary 31 Baseballʼs Blue Fleischer Moon 57 *Discover to be fibbing 33 O.R. figures 1 Medicine holder
ANSWER TO PREVIOUS PUZZLE S H A Q
P E R U
A S I A
A B H O R
D U A N E
M E L E E
F U D D
U S E R
L A N A
T S A R T H I R N O F B I D E O L M I N T I Y S
I N H E R E
T E A R S
B L O O R R E N E T E L L
C H I P F O O L S A S E A
H I L O U S L U A R D P Y F P A L J A I S T M A
S C O N E
L O A D E D D R I A C I E S A C R A B
A P S E
S T I R
H O S S
A U N T S
T A C I T
E L E N A
K A M A
E R I C
T A S K
62 Bee follower 63 Opposed (to) 64 Hobbling, say 65 Actors Burns and Wynn 66 Guardian Angelsʼ toppers 67 Event with booths Down 1 Hoover or Oreck, for short 2 German “I” 3 Noted 1964 convert to Islam 4 Susan of soaps 5 Character in a Beatles song 6 Wine: Prefix 7 They may be hard to find at a tearjerker 8 More loved 9 “___ Doone” 10 Knock off 11 Strand 12 Some acids 13 Composer ___Korsakov 18 Kit ___ (chocolate bars) 22 Metal supports in skyscrapers 23 Opportunity, metaphorically 24 ___-European 25 Sticky stuff 26 When repeated, a noted panda 27 Takeback, briefly 32 Break from responsibilities, informally 34 Sovereign lands … or what are hidden in the answers to the six starred clues
1
2
3
4
5
14
6
9
10
11
18
24
26
32
35
40
60
61
27 30
33
34
36
37
41 45
39
22
29
31
13
19 21
25
28
12
16
20
44
8
15
17
23
7
No. 0927
38
42
46
43
47
50
51
53
54
48
49 52
55
56
57
62
63
58 64
59
65
66
67
Puzzle by Peter A. Collins
36 “Lovely” Beatles girl
37 Baseball Hall-ofFamer Speaker 38 Actor Baldwin
39 Creator of the G.O.P. elephant
40 The “Y” in Y.S.L. 42 Like a small farm, perhaps
44 Franceʼs Élysée, for one 45 Hardened 46 Fairies 47 One getting lots of doubles and home runs, say 48 The Jewish people 51 It might be taken by a sailor
52 Author Zora ___ Hurston 57 Request inside (or outside?) a wine bar 58 Pres. when NATO was formed 59 Loosey-goosey 60 Mischief-maker 61 Fair-hiring inits.
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: Todayʼs 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.
Read us online nyunews.com
nyunews.com | TUESDAY, November 1, 2011 | Washington Square news
OPINION
edited by JOHN SURICO opinion@nyunews.com
Staff editorial
Bloomberg must end rampant cheating In recent New York City public school news, an independent investigator’s study showed that the cheating allegations surrounding the state’s Regents Exams are much more extensive than previously thought. The complaints, a landmark of Mayor Bloomberg’s educational policy, have tripled
7
since Bloomberg took office in 2002. Now, about 7 percent of the city’s public schools are being accused of cheating, compared to only 1 percent less than 10 years ago. One of the main foundations of the scandal, according to the investigation, is the responsibility
of the teacher to grade his or her own students’ exams. The WSN Editorial Board believes that the enormous conflict of interest that arises from this and all the cheating accusations must be looked into immediately. Also, we recommend several options to combat an issue that is all too prevalent in our school systems. First and foremost, a third-party figure with no relationship to the school whatsoever should be in charge of grading the Regents Exams, akin to the College Board, which grades Advanced Placement exams. This will break the intimate relationship that can
grow with teachers grading their own students’ exams. Second, a state-wide committee with local counterparts must be formed to inspect and oversee the administration of the exam. By creating an educational watchdog agency, transparency can be ensured in the grading process, and measures can be taken to eradicate corruption in our schools. Third, with Mayor Bloomberg’s office in charge of the largest urban public school system in the country, problems of accountability will naturally arise. Therefore, some sort of checksand-balances system is necessary
to ensure this concentration of responsibility is equally distributed and guarded more closely. Additionally, the issue of standardized testing must be mentioned. Instances of cheating and of principals telling teachers to grade unfairly should not be a problem in the first place; this situation results from our dependence on a standardized intelligence evaluation conducted with tests like the Regents Exams. If parents, teachers and principals are all involved with and promote this type of behavior in the classroom, what example are we setting for future generations?
Email the WSN Editorial Board at editboard@nyunews.com. Editorial Board: John Surico (Chair), Atticus Brigham (Co-Chair), Maria Michalos (Co-Chair), Emily Franklin, Nicolette Harris, Stephanie Isola, Katie Travers and Lauren Wilfong.
international affairs
BOROUGH BELIEFS
Kotsaridis’ death gives face to Greek protests
Sexual assault claims against Herman Cain unsubstantiated
By Alexandra Koutsali The death of Mohamed Bouazizi, the street vendor who set himself on fire in December to protest the corruption of the Tunisian bureaucracy, was a catalyst for the Tunisian revolution. His death became symbolic of the frustration thousands of Tunisians felt toward their government, the economy and their living conditions. Bouazizi not only became both a martyr and the face of the revolution, but he also gave people the courage to fight Tunisian president Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali’s 23year oppressive regime. For several months, Greeks have been protesting the austerity measures taken by the government to pay the nation’s debt. Already some of the protests have turned violent, as Syntagma Square often resembles a war zone — cloaked in tear gas and complete with blazing garbage bins and broken store windows. Following the 2009 global financial crisis, in which Greece’s national debt was estimated to be €262 billion, the International Monetary Fund and the European Union urged the Greek government to accept a rescue package. In 2010, after Prime Minister George Papandreou admitted that Greece’s economy was in need of help, the IMF and the EU agreed to grant Greece a €110 billion bailout package over the course of the next three years. As part of the agreement, the government agreed to impose a series of austerity measures that would cut public-sector jobs, decrease pensions and increase taxes. The Greeks responded with a series of nationwide strikes and demonstrations. Last week, Papandreou’s government approved another series of tough austerity measures to appease, and thus secure, the government’s relationship with the IMF and the EU. The newest
SUBMITTING TO
measures call for further wage and pension cuts and layoffs of about 3,000 workers from the public sector. According to media reports, over 70,000 people took part in protests last week outside the Greek parliament in Athens’ Syntagma Square. Dimitris Kotsaridis, a 53-year-old father and unemployed construction worker, was protesting against the government’s newest austerity measures on Oct. 20 when he was unfortunately caught in the crossfire between provocateurs and riot police. According to witness’ reports, after inhaling the tear gas fired by the police at the protesters, Kotsaridis told bystanders he was not feeling well. He was rushed to a nearby hospital where he died hours later of a pre-existing heart condition aggravated by the toxic fumes. Unlike Bouazizi’s death, Kotsaridis’ was accidental. But both men shared similar stories. They provided for their families, came from modest backgrounds and were frustrated with their governments. Until that day, the Greek movement was faceless — but now it has a face. Just as Bouazizi’s death incited a widespread Tunisian revolution against Ben Ali’s regime, perhaps Kotsaridis’ death will fuel a similar reaction. For many Greeks, his death might be viewed symbolically to incite further violence against the riot police, as anti-police attitudes are popular throughout Greece. Or perhaps Kotsaridis’ unfortunate death will make people realize that to avoid more casualties, the violence should subside. After all, it is inconceivable for a country that is a member of the European Union to have such violent protests be a part of daily life. Alexandra Koutsali is a contributing columnist. Email her at opinion@nyunews.com.
By Atticus Brigham Yesterday, it came to the attention of the nation that Herman Cain, in his tenure as head of the National Restaurant Association, had been accused of sexual assault. Shortly after, NBC News confirmed that a woman received a settlement from the association after accusing Cain of making inappropriate sexual advances. The accusations, though vague, seem to be damning to the presidential candidate’s success. Such an event may also have political motivations, as Herman’s detractors in the liberal media and his conservative opponents’ parties have plenty of incentive to take him out of the running, given his recent success in the polls. Yet this phenomenon is not new — other prominent black men have been denounced and undeniably discredited. The other, most prominent black conservative example in Washington, D.C., Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, has been forever marked since his vicious 1991 Senate Confirmation hearings, which he himself termed “a lynching” when it occurred. Herman’s newfound campaign hurdle follows a similar trend in the pattern of the scandalous allegations. The Kobe Bryant case is another similar example. These damning persecutions are no better than the witch trails from our Puritan days of yore or the systematic persecution of blacks in the Reconstruction Era. What is shocking is the silence and malaise from the public in response to these trials as opposed to taking the side of the accused, as Atticus Finch did for Tom Robinson in “To Kill A Mockingbird.” One should question what substance these claims have before taking them as a problem or dent to the integrity of the accused. For example, in the case of Cain’s first accusers, it was revealed that while Cain was at a conference, he once invited the accuser into his hotel suite. This only serves to show
that they were on speaking terms, not necessarily that it was a sexual invitation. That she would soon thereafter come forward with a formal grievance against him within the National Restaurant Association only shows that she may release the financial opportunity she served in gain by exploiting Herman’s invitation. Neither of these accusations have been proven at this point. The same principle serves for all accusations, regardless of their nature. While the identity is not always apparent — as in the case of a robbery of property damage — the identity of the accused should always be made public. There are two principles behind this. The first is the concept that if there is no victim, no crime has been committed. Though one can argue that there are such insignificant violations such as jay-walking that fall under the category of victimless crimes, I believe that all of these crimes, underage alcohol possession being a more familiar example of another one in states such as Pennsylvania, can be abstracted to the point of being a blow to the moral fiber of society and thus a blight to all. But if no prosecuting body can name a single actual plaintive, this is no grounds for such to cases ever being brought to trail. This problem cannot be changed so victimless crimes will always be defined by the cultural norms of the times in which they occur. Secondly, as all on the Internet know, the protections of relative anonymity encourage a latitude for exaggeration and dishonesty on account of a loss of accountability through the exposure of their identity. Such limited exposure, to the point of the press being legally censured for revealing her name, allows a degree of latitude intolerable to the conscious of the public. Atticus Brigham is deputy opinion editor. His column, “Borough Beliefs,” is about law, ethics and the city appears every Tuesday. Email him at abrigham@nyunews.com.
Send mail to: 838 Broadway, fifth floor, New York, NY 10003 or email: opinion@nyunews.com WSN welcomes letters to the editor, opinion pieces and articles relevant to the NYU community, or in response to articles. Letters should be less than 150 words. All submissions must be typed or emailed and must include the author’s name, address and phone number. Members of the NYU community must include a year and school or job title. WSN does
not print unsigned letters or editorials. WSN reserves the right to reject any submission and edit accepted submissions in any and all ways. With the exception of the staff editorial, opinions expressed on the editorial pages are not necessarily those of WSN, and our publication of opinions is not an endorsement of them.
8
Washington Square news | TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2011 | nyunews.com
SPORTS
edited by JAMES LANNING SPORTS@nyunews.com
Handing out the hardware midway through the NFL season When Week 8 wrapped up last night in Kansas City, the 2011-12 NFL regular season officially reached its midpoint. WSN’s John Axelrod looks at this season’s biggest breakouts and busts, while Ryan Gilmore hands out his mid-season awards for the most valuable player, rookie, as well as each conference’s top offensive and defensive players.
Awards halfway through
Breakouts and busts
VIA WIKIPEDIA.ORG
OFFENSIVE PLAYER AFC: Fred Jackson (RB, Buffalo) Jackson has proven to be a threat every time he touches the football. He leads all primary backs in yards per carry, at 5.5, in addition to having rushed for 721 yards and six touchdowns. He is also averaging over 100 yards per game and has yet to fumble the football. Jackson’s running game has been an integral part of the Bills’ first-half success.
COURTESY OF KEITH ALLISON
BREAKOUTS
Honorable Mention: Tom Brady (QB, New England) NFC: Adrian Peterson (RB, Minnesota) “AP” has been the entire Vikings’ offense, leading the league in total rushing yards with 798 and touchdowns with nine. While his team has been less than impressive because of trouble under center, it is hard to overlook the fact that Peterson is on pace for over 1,600 yards and 18 touchdowns. Honorable Mention: Calvin Johnson (WR, Detroit)
DEFENSIVE PLAYER AFC: Darrelle Revis (CB, New York Jets) Revis has shut down every top receiver he’s faced this year, including Dez Bryant, Wes Welker, Brandon Marshall and Vincent Jackson. He’s holding quarterbacks to a paltry 2.2 QB Rating when throwing at him — by far the lowest in the league — and he’s had four critical interceptions, one for a touchdown. Honorable Mention: LaMarr Woodley (OLB, Pittsburgh) NFC: Jared Allen (DE/LB, Minnesota) Allen has quietly had an outstanding year, leading the league in sacks at 12.5 and tied for the league lead with three forced fumbles and three recovered fumbles. He is an important part of the Vikings’ defense, which is ranked fifth against the run. Unfortunately for him, Minnesota’s secondary has left a lot to be desired. Honorable Mention: Demarcus Ware (OLB, Dallas)
ROOKIE Cam Newton (QB, Carolina) It really is incredible what Cam Newton has done so far. He has a total of 2,393 passing yards, making him second only to Drew Brees and leading all qualified rookies with a QB rating of 87.1. He’s also thrown for 11 touchdowns and rushed for another seven. Newton has put the Panthers on his back for the first half of the season, something unexpected from a rookie quarterback. Unfortunately for Newton, the Panthers aren’t quite a complete team, but the future looks bright. Honorable Mentions: AJ Green (WR, Cincinnati), Andy Dalton (QB, Cincinatti)
MVP Aaron Rodgers (QB, Green Bay) Is there really any question about this one? Rodgers has posted a first half QB rating of 125.7, he leads the league in touchdown passes and he has a completion percentage of over 71 percent. Most importantly, Green Bay remains the only undefeated team in the season.
Fred Jackson (RB, Buffalo) Last season, Fred Jackson was not expected to be the Bills’ starting running back — that job was supposed to go to draft pick C.J. Spiller. However, Jackson ended up starting 13 games last season and had modest production, running for just under 1,000 yards. This season, Jackson has been on an absolute tear and is the main reason why Buffalo is tied for first place in the AFC East. In seven games this year, he has already racked up 721 rushing yards and six touchdowns. He has gone from being a fringe starter to having the secondhighest rushing yards per game average of 103. Jackson is a solid receiving option out of the backfield, compiling 353 receiving yards for the year. Jackson’s stellar play combined with Buffalo’s early season success should earn him MVP consideration. Jimmy Graham (TE, New Orleans) Second-year tight end Jimmy Graham is quietly having a phenomenal season. He is tied for second in the league in receptions, fifth in receiving yards and is tied for fourth in receiving touchdowns. He has put up the best numbers of any tight end by far and is the top target in a prolific Saints office that features several playmakers. With 713 receiving yards on the year, he has almost 200 yards more than the second-highest receiving tight end. Graham is one of the main reasons why quarterback Drew Brees leads the NFL in passing yards.
DISAPPOINTMENTS Chris Johnson (RB, Tennessee) The biggest disappointment of the 2011 season has to be Chris Johnson. Johnson, who refused to attend training camp until he got a six-year, $56 million contract, was expected to be one of the league’s premier running backs. Yet he has done absolutely nothing to earn that paycheck, running for only one touchdown and averaging a meager 2.8 yards a carry, one of the worst averages in the league. Despite receiving the 16th most carries of any running back, Johnson has only rushed for 302 yards, 34th in the NFL. Johnson may have just lost his starting job as well. He and former backup Javon Ringer split carries last week against the Colts, yet Ringer outplayed Johnson and could get most of the carries going forward. Joe Flacco (QB. Baltimore) Despite having a top-tier running back and multiple receiving options, Joe Flacco has posted a substandard passer rating of 75.4, good for 27th in the league. Baltimore has the league’s best defense and enough firepower on offense to win a Super Bowl. But Flacco has held the team back; he has missed open receivers and taken sacks because he could not get rid of the ball. At 5-2, Baltimore is still competing for the playoffs. The Ravens will not accomplish this goal, let alone the ultimate goal of winning the Super Bowl, if their quarterback doesn’t get on track. Flacco doesn’t have to play like Joe Montana. All he has to do is play smart. He has seven interceptions and six fumbles this year. He cannot continue to be so careless if he wants his team to be a legitimate contender for the Vince Lombardi Trophy.