Sept. 13 issue by Student Media George Mason University

Following a strike of Sodexo workers on Wednesday and Thursday, George Mason University administration announced Friday that they would investigate workers’ complaints against Sodexo. PG. 3

George Mason University’s Student Newspaper

See page 4 for clarifications and corrections to last week’s front page article “Riding in cars with boys.”

September 13, 2010

Volume 87 Issue 3

www.broadsideonline.com

FIFA comes to Mason Soccer facilities to be used if US receives World Cup bid

Photo by John Powell

FIFA oﬃcials came to George Mason University’s Patriot Stadium last Tuesday to see Mason’s soccer ﬁelds, which might be used in the 2018 World Cup if the United States receives the bid to host the tournament.

John Powell Sports Editor At 5:45 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 7, FIFA officials came to look at Patriot Stadium to see if it could be used as a practice facility for the 2018 World Cup. U.S. Soccer has submitted a bid to host the famous world soccer championship in either 2018 or 2022. However, they seem to be focusing on the 2018 bid. They are competing with England, Russia, Belgium and the Netherlands, who have submitted a joint bid, and Portugal and Spain, who have done the same. Indonesia and Mexico have dropped out of the running. As part of the process, FIFA officials have visited prospective countries since July 19, looking at practice fields as well as host stadiums. This is where George Mason University comes in. The university’s soccer facilities were used for the 1994 World Cup as they may be in 2018. “It’s a visibility issue. It would be great for the students to know that the university is on a world scale. Now, in 1994, it was a practice site and we got great exposure. So I think for the students to have that type of feeling is great for the university,” said Mason’s Assistant Vice President and Director of Athletics Tom O’Connor, who is confident that the

facility will be used if U.S. soccer receives the bid. After University President Alan Merten and O’Connor welcomed the officials, Head Coach Greg Andrulis and his team followed suit, giving them some small tokens of appreciation including scarves and cups. The team even let some officials shoot on one of the team’s goals. The officials scored, of course. “I think we have a lot of things going for us: certainly the fields we have, not only the game field but the practice field, and the seclusion that we can give to the teams if they would like to have closed practices, plus, the distance between here and D.C. and quite frankly the distance between the Mason Inn and here. People didn’t know about the Mason Inn until they came today and we told them about it. There are many, many plusses for us to have it that year,” said O’Connor. FIFA will announce which country will receive the right to host the 2018 and 2022 World Cups on Dec. 2, giving them months to decide after inspections end on Sept. 17.

Photo by John Powell

George Mason University President Alan Merten was at Patriot Stadium along with Tom O’Connor, assistant vice president and director of Athletics, Greg Andrulis, men soccer’s head coach, and the men’s soccer team to greet FIFA oﬃcials as they viewed the ﬁelds.

C mmuting to campus Patriots weigh in on rift between commuter and on-campus students Erin Powell Student Life Beat Writer For years, George Mason University has been acclaimed for being one of the most diverse schools in the nation, bridging the distance between local and international students. Yet with each new semester, there seems to be a growing divide between two particular types of students — those who live on-campus and those who commute. “When you're a commuter, the only time you spend on campus is car-park-walk-class-walkcar-drive-home. You don't hear or see that much,” said junior Becca Marshall, who drives about a halfhour from her home in Reston to Fairfax for classes. This new divide is creating a social rift between commuters and on-campus residents, where interaction is limited. “Besides classes I wouldn't say there is that much [interaction],” said Marshall. “Everyone has their friends, and I'm sure some commute and some don't.” Living at home with parents or family members can be a hassle, especially if a curfew is involved.

“The people who live with their parents don’t have the nightlife like on-campus residents,” said sophomore nursing major Tina Hughes, who resides in the Chesapeake residential neighborhood. “There’s not a lot of opportunities to meet people.” Many commuters have a good reason for not living on campus. Most have the responsibility of a job or are trying to save money, especially with the cost of tuition skyrocketing. “It felt silly to pay so much more money to live 30 minutes away,” said Marshall. For many upperclassmen, choosing to rent a house or apartment with friends off-campus is common, but still not as convenient as living on-campus. “Because I lived on-campus prior to this semester, I probably know more on-campus residents than commuters,” said senior biology major Aaron Phillips, who commutes about five miles to campus via bicycle. “I miss being able to wake up 15 minutes before class starts and walking in right on time for the lecture. Everything I do now has to be worked out and arranged beforehand. Still, I really like living off campus and having a place [mostly] to my own.”

Parking Pains ‘We don’t have a parking problem . . . The problem comes in how close to your building you can park.’ Gregory Connolly Asst. News Editor With 5,400 students living on campus and many more who commute, the 12,400 parking spaces at George Mason University’s Fairfax campus see their fair share of use. “We don’t have a parking problem,” said Mason Press Secretary Dan Walsch. “The problem comes in how close to your building you can park.” Walsch said the number of spaces available throughout the day — though some may be in a less convenient location than others — meets the needs of the university community. “I understand the inconvenience people may feel if they cannot park as close to where they need to go,” Walsch said. Carola Sierra, a junior athletic training major, characterized the parking situation on campus as “horrible.” “I once had to park at University Mall by McDonald’s,” Sierra said. “Every time I come to campus I have to drive around for 10 minutes to ﬁnd a space. I’m always running and it’s a pain.” “With a university this size, they [parking] does a good enough job,” said Patrick Graham, a senior sociology major, “but good enough can still make it diﬃcult for the individual.” Graham said he knows there are complications with the logistics of parking in a school the size of Mason. “I don’t mind walking 10 minutes to class,” he said. “Some people, though, may have trouble with that.”

Although Mason is one of the largest universities in Virginia with over 18,000 undergraduate students, only about 5,000 live on campus. For many students, the beneﬁts of living on-site outweigh

the negatives. “You have so many more resources [on campus] — oﬃce hours, the library … you’re just around people more,” said Hughes.

Walsch said the money from permit sales goes to maintaining parking facilities and paying the salaries of the workers who populate them. Mason parking keeps a separate account for money brought in by the permits. As for the future construction of more parking spaces, Walsch said nothing is set in stone. “There’s potential that we may build another garage,” he said, “or that we may add additional parking in the southwest part of campus.” Walsch said there are too many unknown variables at this point to comment on what such a project would cost or where the funding would come from. He said university oﬃcials consider the growth of the institution when new buildings are under consideration. “We’re always looking at ways to make our facility more workable for students, faculty and visitors,” Walsch said. He said the Fairfax campus attracts millions of visitors each year. “If a garage were constructed, it would have ample space,” Walsch said. “The cost would determine the size of the facility.” He said revenue-generating structures such as a parking garage are typically funded from a variety of sources, including the state of Virginia, student fees and revenue bonds. As the garage generates income, some of that money goes to recoup construction costs while some goes toward general upkeep of the garage, including the salaries of the workers who keep the building running.

However, even if there was increased interaction among these students, there will always be some who like to remain more secluded from university life. “I know plenty of social com-

muters, and I know plenty of reclusive on-campus residents. You’re going to be the same person you’ve always been, regardless of where you’re living,” said Phillips.

News Event Calendar

Broadside

60-70

The number of Sodexo workers who participated in a strike of the food corporation Wednesday and Thursday.

Monday, September 13, 2010

Getting High at Mason

Tuesday, Sept. 14, 2010 Azucar Salsa Dance Lessons JC, Dance Studio 6 - 8 p.m.

Wednesday, Sept. 15, 2010 Support Group for Working Mothers at Mason JC, Room 240 noon - 1 p.m. Showcase of Graduate Studies JC, Dewberry Hall 6 - 8 p.m.

Thursday, Sept. 16, 2010 Is There An Obama Doctrine? JC, Cinema 3 p.m. Program Board Film: Shutter Island JC, Room 228 9 - 11 p.m.

Photo used with permission from www.edgeatmason.com

The Alpine is just one attraction oﬀered by The Edge, a teambuilding and organizational development training provider, who has set up shop at the Experiential Education center on George Mason University’s Prince William Campus.

Vertical obstacle course offers free climb Gordon E. Day Broadside Correspondent

For more events and activities, check out: today.gmu.edu

Sept. 7

Trespass Warning Eisenhower Hall A non-GMU student was issued a trespass warning after found wandering around Liberty Square. (27/Feliciano)

Sept. 9

Grand Larceny Johnson Center Complainant stated they left their purse unattended. Upon return, their wallet was missing. (27/Feliciano)

Sept. 8

POLICE FILES

Lost Property Eisenhower Hall Victim reported property was lost at Ike’s Restaurant. A black and grey Adidas wallet with their GMU ID and numerous credit cards were taken. Estimated cost of lost items are unknown. (38/Parker) Assist Other Agency Fairfax City George Mason University Police officers assisted Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control agents with an underage drinking party. Charges are pending. (10/Ganley)

Sept. 10

Found Property Northern Neck Hall Marijuana was found outside of Northern Neck Hall. Property is unclaimed and stored at Police Headquarters. (50/Issa)

Public Drunkenness Cue Bus Stop Juan Cruz, 21 (GMU student), of Williamsburg, VA was arrested for being Drunk in Public. He was transported to the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center and held. (45/Arnold)

Fraudulent Decal Rappahannock River Deck Parking services reported a decal that was fraudulent. This case is under investigation by GMUPD. (38/ Parker)

Police Files are taken verbatim from www.gmu.edu/police. Broadside does not make any changes to public records.

If you have got an urge to get vertical – way vertical – and a way to the George Mason University Prince William Campus on Thursday, there is a chance to take part in an open climb through the 3-D obstacle courses oﬀered by The Edge. The Edge, a team-building group that specializes in outdoor ropes courses of varying height, will oﬀer a “free climb” at the Ex-

periential Education Center between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. on Thursday, Sept.16, at the Prince William campus, where the group set up shop last September. “We want the student body to know what we have [at the Prince William Campus],” said Mike Swiryn, a program manager at The Edge. The Edge’s certiﬁed facilitators and trainers will be there to coordinate activities. Swiryn said the event oﬀers Mason students a chance to push themselves while also having a bit of fun.

The organization works not only with Mason students, but also with corporate leaders, members of the global community and local schools. The Edge’s courses reside on 10 acres of forested land. One of their more well-known attractions, the Alpine Tower, rises 50 feet in the air and forms a triangular structure that allows up to nine climbers to participate simultaneously, according to The Edge’s website. The Tower has the appearance of a vertical maze featuring

obstacles with names like “the Beanstalk,” “The Floating Poles,” and “The Diabolic Seesaw.” “Obstacles on the ropes courses force participants to work together to succeed,” said Swiryn. Swiryn estimated that there are 57 diﬀerent routes and challenges available to both individual climbers and groups. Groups on Wednesday will be instructed every half hour that the free climb is available and then will be allowed to use the course for the rest of the afternoon, Swiryn said.

Event Preview:

‘Is there an Obama doctrine?’ Journalist talks foreign policy

Gordon E. Day Broadside Correspondent Noted political commentator and journalist Peter Beinart is giving a talk on President Barack Obama’s foreign policy at 3 p.m. Thursday in the Johnson Center Cinema. Beinart is a member of the New America Foundation, a contributor to Time, a for-

mer editor of the New Republic, an associate professor at the City University of New York and the senior political writer for the blog, The Daily Beast. Beinart’s opinion column on The Daily Beast has covered topics ranging from Israel, the war on terror, the politics of the Obama Administration, and most recently, Park51, the proposed mosque located near ground zero in New York City, according to The

Daily Beast website. “He is a provocative commentator. We want students to get a very fresh take on the Obama international outlook,” said FitzGerald. FitzGerald said that Beinart was suggested as a speaker by George Mason University International Aﬀairs faculty member, Colin Dueck, who studied with him while at Oxford University.

Hispanic Heritage Month is here Kick-off, meet-and-greet on Wednesday Aisha Jamil Broadside Correspondent Hispanic Heritage Month begins Wednesday with an 11:30 a.m. meet-and-greet event, Bienvenida Latina, at the North Plaza. Students can mingle and learn about Hispanic student organizations on campus, as well as enjoy free food and music. National Hispanic Heritage Month, which runs through Oct. 15, is a time when Hispanic Americans’ contributions are recognized and commemorated. It was started in 1968 by President Lyndon Johnson. “Hispanic Heritage Month is the most beautiful month of the year because it gives people the opportunity to celebrate their roots and traditions,” said Adriana Bonilla, a senior government and international politics major with a minor in Spanish. “It also gives the

opportunity to other individuals from diﬀerent backgrounds to learn more about the Hispanic Culture.” “When I look into the mirror, I see all of my ancestors, and I also see all those that will become future leaders in our community,” Bonilla said. Bonilla is of Salvadorian and Columbian ancestry and is the 2010-11 president of the Hispanic Student Association (HSA). “Being Hispanic means so much more than how we look, how we speak and how we act,” Bonilla said. “Being Hispanic is being a part of such a long, diverse history of culture, tradition and pride.” “It’s not just a term. Being Hispanic means much more. It is my culture, my identity and my lifestyle,” said Cristian Pineda, a junior communication major and also HSA’s public relations

spokesperson. For many others, using the term Hispanic may not do justice. “I prefer the term Latino,” said Gladys Abreu, a senior conflict analysis and resolution major. “It is a word we gave ourselves, unlike Hispanics, which others gave to us.” HSA is working with other organizations to put together Hispanic Heritage Month events. Other events include the Nuestro Orgullo Latino art exhibit, a comedy jam featuring The Real World: New Orleans’ Eric Patrick and a dance party to finish the month. For more information regarding Hispanic Heritage Month, contact Jennifer Crewalk, Assistant Director at the Office of Diversity Programs and Services, or visit their website at www.odps.gmu.edu.

Special events this week for Hispanic Heritage Month Wednesday, Sept. 15 Bienvenida Latina North Plaza 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 16 ODPS Common Grounds: “Language, Power and Identity” JC, Gold Room 7:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 17 EFF Reite! Comedy Jam JC, Dewberry 7:30 p.m. Everyday this week: Exhibit Nuestro Orgullo Latino JC Gallery 123 Monday - Friday, 9 a.m. - 9 p.m.

Broadside

News

Monday, September 13, 2010 |

Mason admin steps in after protests Photo by Matt Snyder

Following a strike against Sodexo on Wednesday and Thursday, George Mason University’s administration announced they would investigate workers’ complaints against their employer. File Photo

Will investigate dining workers’ claims of mistreatment Matt Snyder News Editor With members of George Mason University’s dining services on strike and the heart of campus spotted with purpleshirted protestors, Mason’s administration announced Friday that they would investigate dining service workers’ complaints about their employer. Workers employed by the Mason dining services contractor Sodexo have said the company provides poor wages and benefits and have alleged injuries on the job like cuts and burns due to unsafe working conditions. After being lobbied by GMU Students for Workers Rights, Mason administration met with workers Wednesday and later announced that their Office of Internal Audit and Management Services would look into individual worker claims and analyze the competitiveness of workers’ wages and benefits. The protests erupted on campus Wednesday and Thursday and gathered over 80 participants, including Mason students, out-of-state Sodexo

workers and the Service Employees International Union. Of Mason’s more than 530 dining employees, Sodexo reported approximately 60 to 70 workers attended the strike on Wednesday and Thursday, which matched the rough visual count of protestors in the North Plaza and at the speak-out in the Johnson Center Cinema on Thursday. The protest had a tightly organized quality, featuring a megaphone, organized chanting and enlarged color pictures on placards of worker injuries, including a grease burn and a badly cut ﬁnger. Organizers from the Service Employees International Union helped run the event and marched with workers, and about nine Sodexo workers from other states including Georgia, Pennsylvania and Ohio also joined the march, said SEIU spokesman Matt Painter. The protesters also attended the speak-out at the JC Cinema. Workers including Andres Ujueta and Cristela Morano, who have been with Sodexo for two years and 21 years respectively, claimed poor treatment

by Sodexo management. Ujueta said that Mason was a great place to work, but that he was fed up with poor treatment by management. “It is time for us to stick together for our rights,” said Ujueta. “We are not in the shadows no more, we know our rights.” Morano, whose badly cut ﬁnger appeared on a placard, spoke through a translator and said her ﬁngertip was cut working a machine and that Sodexo only gave her one mesh glove when she said she needed two. She said management told her a second glove would cost her $25, and that one of them “screamed” at her after the injury. In response to Morano, Sodexo resident director Denise Ammaccapane said she was familiar with Morano’s injury and that the cheese grating machine she worked only requires one mesh glove, for the cutting hand, and that Morano admitted at the time she wore it on the wrong hand. Ammaccapane added that employees who want two gloves get two and they never charge for the gloves. She denied anyone screamed at Morano.

Members of Sodexo management have repeatedly denied providing unsafe working conditions. Blue fliers circulated Thursday by Mason Dining on JC tables argued the SEIU is conducting a “smear campaign” and one member of management has said they are coaching the hourly workers. The flier said workplace hazards are addressed at monthly meetings and that health inspectors passed the dining facilities without concern as recently as Tuesday. It reiterated statements by management that all employees are trained in safety and must sign paperwork proving they are and that proper equipment is provided. Virginia State Senator Dave Marsden (D-37) also addressed workers at the speak-out. “I have a great deal of confidence with [Mason] administration, that they will sit down with management,” Marsden said. He hoped the administration and management would ensure a safe work environment. He reiterated the workers’ rights to organize a strike.

Photo by Matt Snyder

Andres Ujueta was one of approximately 60 to 70 Sodexo workers who attended a strike of Sodexo on Wednesday and Thursday. “It is time for us to stick together for our rights,” said Ujueta.

Photo by Matt Snyder

Sodexo workers, students and members of the Service Employees International Union gathered in the Johnson center Cinema Thursday for a speak-out, which included a speech by Senator Dan Marsden (D-37).

Opinion Broadside

Monday, September 13, 2010

Broadside

George Mason University’s Student Newspaper

COLLEGE TUITION:

Emily Sharrer, Editor-in-Chief Sonya Hudson, Managing Editor Monika Joshi, Copy Chief Matt Snyder, News Editor Gregory Connolly, Asst. News Editor Justin Lalputan, Opinion Editor Elizabeth Perry, Asst. Opinion Editor Patrick Wall, Style Editor Ramy Zabarah, Asst. Style Editor John Powell, Sports Editor Cody Norman, Asst. Sports Editor Peter Flint, Photography Editor Christina Salek-Raham, Copy Editor Benjamin Shaﬀer, Copy Editor

A NECESSARY EVIL

Marine Jaouen, Copy Editor Liz Milligan, Designer Ala Yaktieen, Designer Michelle Buser, Designer Randy Urick, Photographer Stephanie Knapp, Photographer Dylan Hares, Staﬀ Reporter Scott Miller, Advertising Director Catherine Kutz, Advertising Representative Jacques Mouyal, Business Manager Kathryn Mangus, Faculty Adviser David Carroll,Tech Adviser

Editorial Policy The letters, columns and views expressed on this page are solely those of the writers. They do not reflect the views of Broadside or its staff, unless otherwise noted. Broadside is a weekly publication printed each Monday for the George Mason University and surrounding Fairfax community. The editors at Broadside have exclusive authority over the content that is published. There are no outside parties that play a role in the newspaper’s content, and should there be a question or complaint regarding this policy, the editor in chief should be notified at the information given above. Broadside is a free publication. Limit one copy per person. Each additional copy is 25 cents. © 2007 by Broadside . All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the written permission of the editor in chief.

Clarifications and Corrections: In the Sept. 7 issue of Broadside, there was reported reader confusion in the story “Riding in Cars with Boys,” which appeared on the front page. Jacob Dilles, the driver of the car, had not smoked marijuana and was not high during the incident in the article. Quotes in the first section of the article, from two freshmen girls, were in reference to separate instances that the girls had while riding to fraternity parties this year. Also in “Riding in Cars with Boys,” freshman Ashley Blue’s name was incorrectly printed as Lindsey Blue. The quotes from Ashley Blue and MistyDawn Forester had nothing to do with the Feb. 6, 2009 incident involving Dilles. Regarding the same article, it should also be noted that the claim by Lindsey White** that Dilles was operating a shuttle for Alpha Epsilon Pi fraternity the night of the incident has not been confirmed and therefore whether or not Dilles was representing Alpha Epsilon Pi fraternity in any official capacity the night of the incident is also unconfirmed.

Quote Week: of the

“The cure for boredom is curiosity. There is no cure for curiosity.” — Dorothy Parker

The rush begins A look at Mason’s fraternities and sororities Rose Peterson Contributing Columnist What’s the rush about? Nope, it’s not trying to get to class on time. It’s that time of year when girls go giddy, and guys go jerky. It’s Greek life recruitment. This happens twice a year, the beginning of each semester, where fraternities and sororities look for new recruits. You know, you would think that I’d have a mouthful to say about this whole ordeal – which I do, but it’s a pleasant mouthful. I think the whole idea of having a strong social network in college is great. Having a group of “brothers or sisters” is a warm idea. It is just unfortunate that most fraternities and sororities tend to use the term “social bonding” as a cover to throw outrageous parties and live the “Greek life.” Don’t misunderstand me: Not all sororities and fraternities are like this. But come on. We’ve all heard the rumors, and most of us have seen the rumors up close and personal. Nonetheless, let me give you a brief—and I mean brief—tutorial of on-campus Greek life. You have The Interfraternity Council (IFC), which consists of Alpha Epsilon Pi, Alpha Kappa Lambda, Chi Psi, Delta Chi, Kappa Alpha Order,

Kappa Sigma, Phi Kappa Sigma, Phi Kappa Theta, Phi Sigma Kappa, Pi Kappa Alpha, Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Sigma Phi Epsilon, Tau Delta Phi, Tau Kappa Epsilon and Theta Chi. Their purpose, as stated on the George Mason University Student Involvement Greek page, is “to govern and regulate the fraternities while encouraging a community focused on scholarship, service, leadership, and brotherhood.” I’m not trying to insult them, but why do I hear more about their parties than I do about their community service? Or why is it when I think about leaders, I don’t think, wow, I want to be just like those Tau Delta Phi boys? And why am I not calling any of those Theta Chi guys to tutor me? Then we have the Panhellenic Council. They consist of the following sororities: Alpha Omicron Pi, Alpha Phi, Alpha Xi Delta, Chi Omega, Gamma Phi Beta and Zeta Tau Alpha. Their description on the Student Involvement Greek page states, “Panhellenic organizations focus on academic excellence, philanthropy, leadership, and sisterhood. Each organization works together to help contribute to the success and growth of the Greek Community.” That’s what she said –

well, one of the girls in this council, at least. I can’t come down so hard on the girls because I see that they focus a little more on academics and philanthropy than IFC does. But, the whole “we work together” shtick seems to be a little wide of the mark. In my experience, the Panhellenic sororities all have a competition among themselves – variations on who has the prettiest girls and such. This is not what the founders of these organizations had in mind when they established them but, sadly, it has come to play a large role in sorority life. Then there’s the National Panhellenic Council. Their description on the Student Involvement Greek page states that they are “the governing and coordinating body of historically African American fraternities and sororities. NPHC serves to unite and coordinate all organizations on campus dedicated to commitment of community service and scholarship.” This council consists of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc., Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. and Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. It seems that this council lives truest to their mission

statement. Although not without fault, this council places strong emphasis on its morals. Last, but certainly not least, we have the Multicultural Greek Council. Their description on the Student Involvement Greek page states that they are “the governing council of all Multicultural fraternities and sororities. These organizations foster a commitment to community service and academic excellence.” This is personally my favorite council. The members are Kappa Phi Gamma Sorority, Inc., Kappa Phi Lambda Sorority, Inc., Lambda Pi Chi Sorority, Inc., Lambda Theta Alpha Latin Sorority, Inc., Chi Upsilon Sigma National Latin Sorority, Inc., Lambda Upsilon Lambda Fraternity, Inc., Sigma Beta Rho Fraternity, Inc. and Lambda Theta Phi Latin Fraternity, Inc. I have friends in many of these organizations, and I’ve witnessed their dedication to excellence. From an all-day study session to multiple volunteer projects, it seems that MGC is the place to be, but this remains my personal opinion. So, that’s the brief on Mason Greek life. Here’s my piece of advice: If you’re going to rush, ride smoothly, and don’t get caught up in it. Happy hunting.

Why does anyone honestly care? We need to stop giving the spotlight to attention-starved lunatics Justin Lalputan Opinion Editor There are a lot of crazy people in America. I don’t think that anyone would deny that. If left alone, they are generally harmless, but when the media starts giving them attention, things can get out of hand. A great example of this is the “Burn a Quran day” that was planned by Pastor Terry Jones. In order to send a message to terrorists, Jones and his congregation wanted to burn copies of the Quran on the anniversary of 9/11. When I ﬁrst heard about what Jones wanted to do, I was

outraged. I couldn’t believe that he wanted to do such a stupid thing. Then, after I calmed down and read more about it, I wasn’t mad, just disappointed in myself for allowing Jones to get me so riled up. Jones thinks that burning books sends a message to Islam. It doesn’t, all it does is piss people oﬀ. See, that’s just what Jones wants: to evoke controversy and get his name in the spotlight. However, as college students, we have an obligation to dig deep and ﬁnd the truth. The truth is that there isn’t

anything important happening, just a crazy pastor and his 50 followers. Sometimes, we get so inﬂamed and self-righteous, that we forget that there are some things that we should just let go. Is burning of the Quran offensive? Of course it is, but that doesn’t mean the Muslim Student Association, or anyone else for that matter, should get up in arms about it. If the media had never reported on this issue, I would have never knew about it, and I would have been no worse for that lack of knowledge.

Want to share your opinion? Submit your letter to the editor or artwork to: opinion@broadsideonline.com

Note: Letters to the editor are welcome and are printed on the basis of space, quality and timeliness. Letters to the editor must be no longer than 350 words. All submissions are the property of Broadside and may be edited for brevity, clarity and grammar. Material containing libel, racial slurs, personal attacks or obscenities may be edited or rejected.The author’s name, class year (and/or title where appropriate), major and daytime phone number must be included for veriﬁcation of authenticity.The deadline for submission is Thursday by 10 p.m.

As students, we should actively question the media, and sometimes we need to ask the question, why should I care? I know a guy who thinks that Christianity is a corrupt religion. Should CNN go interview him? There are certain people who simply do not deserve our attention. Why do I care about the ranting of a man who isn’t important in any way? If Barack Obama was the one who wanted to burn the Quran, then that would be something the media should report on, but I honestly could not care less about Jones and his lunacy.

Editorial Board: Emily Sharrer, Editor-In-Chief Monika Joshi, Copy Chief Sonya Hudson, Managing Editor Justin Lalputan, Opinion Editor Elizabeth Perry, Asst.Opinion Editor

So what can we do? Simple. We can voice our opinions and get all the facts about an issue. People love to read a headline and go oﬀ half-cocked, without knowing the truth about the issue. To make matters worse, Jones is not an isolated incident. There have been people who have stated that even if Jones doesn’t go through with the burning of the holy books, they will. Our country is ﬁlled with lunatics like these, and even if others don’t realize that they should be ignored, we here at Mason should know far better than to let

All unsigned staff editorials are written to represent the view of the Broadside staff, a diverse set of opinions determined by the members of the editorial board. Letters to the editor, columns, artwork and other commentaries strictly represent the opinions of the authors and do not represent the ofﬁcial opinion of the newspaper.

religious fanatics and other generally crazy people bother us. Remember Brother Micah from last semester? The guy who stood outside of Robinson A and told everyone they were going to hell? I was proud of the response that Mason gave him: some people just ignored him, but the rest stood and laughed. That’s the same thing that we need to do with people like Pastor Jones. Lunatics like him aren’t worth our time. They should not be on the news, and all we should do when we hear them is point and laugh.

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Broadside

Opinion

Marriage isn’t gay Both sides need to show respect during the debate Curtis Kalin Contributing Columnist Same-sex marriage has come up again and again over the past few years. This is a topic that lends itself to sound-byte answers and diametric choices. But I think we must truly and honestly analyze the real and complex issues this topic engenders. Last month, a federal judge denied California’s right to ban gay marriage for a second time. Across the nation, every referendum that opposes gay marriage has passed. None have failed. The only states that have legalized gay marriage have passed it through state legislatures and have had it judicially imposed. The Commonwealth of Virginia defined marriage as between a man and woman in 2006 via referendum by a vote of 57-43 percent. In 2009 the District of Columbia’s city council passed and the mayor signed a law legalizing same-sex marriage by a vote of 11-2. Here at George Mason University, diversity is a core institutional tenant. This includes groups for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) students to have accepting groups in which to congregate. In the 2009 Virginia Gubernatorial race, both candidates opposed same-sex marriage. Many students believed that this limited their choices on the key issue. This was expressed in an October of 2009 story on the Mason Votes website. Using that as a reference, I would guess that if George Mason University were a state, same-sex marriage would be legal. Coming from a more conservative point of view, I have lobbied hard to oppose same-sex marriage as part of the social conservative consensus. While I respect both sides of this contentious issue, it’s time someone examines it with a fair and impartial view. Marriage is, at its core, a religious institution. It is the joining of two into one. While the rate of divorce in this country is alarming, there still remains a semblance of honor and respect for this intimate institution. That being said, the decision to marry two men or two women must be decided in the particular church and not by any higher governmental authority. The government’s role in marriage is largely symbolic. It grants two people the right to jointly own a home, car and bank account. The day-to-day affairs of their personal lives are private. The definition of marriage in a religious, societal, moral and governmental context has always been a one man-one woman relationship. It has been that way for all of recorded history. The institution of marriage predates the institution of government. With that in mind, my opinion is that the definition of marriage should remain one man and one woman. However, that’s just me. My beliefs may not be those of others, and I have no right to impose my view on them, no matter my position in government. In a narrow sense, I oppose the effort by some to change the definition of marriage to two men or two women. In that context, I support the 2006 ban in Virginia and oppose the district’s law. The term “marriage” has already been defined. However, in a governmental context, I see no issue with two men or two women jointly owning a home, or car, holding a joint bank account or having visitation rights. To deny them that right isn’t treating them fairly. Therefore, I hold the position that if a state so chooses, they should be allowed to create a process of civil unions for those samesex couples. Let me be clear, this should be done on a state-by-state level, unless and until a constitutional amendment is ratified. Furthermore, each church should retain the right to accept or deny wedding a couple based on their values. I suspect this issue will remain a point of contention for decades to come, but in the debate both sides must be fair, honest and respectful toward their political adversaries.

Monday, September 13, 2010 |

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Response to Peterson’s defense of Sodexo managers In last week’s Broadside, Rose Peterson asked, “Since when has anyone believed something so readily?” She was referring to students supporting Mason Dining and Sodexo workers’ claims of poor working conditions and inadequate pay. She then used her experience as a Sodexo employee to argue that every single accusation against its corporate management is false. My apologies, Ms. Peterson, but I’m not ready to believe you. Now, I’m not disputing your experiences. I’m sure you never had a problem with your pay and never saw a true safety concern. However, I don’t believe your conclusions about Sodexo’s hundreds of workers across 27 dining locations at George Mason University simply because you “actually worked at both the Johnson Center … [and] Southside.” Anecdotal evidence proves nothing. However, Ms. Peterson’s column is reﬂective of the entire Sodexo debate. Every party, from Sodexo to student groups to organized labor and beyond, has decided that they are 100 percent correct, and refuses to give even the slightest bit of credence to their opposition. Take, for example, the controversy over work-related injuries. Workers claim that they are caused by unsafe working conditions; Sodexo contends that the workers did not follow proper safety protocols. Is either allega-

tion correct? I don’t know. I’ve never witnessed a worker being injured at Mason. But I do know that, in any situation, either one of them (or a combination of both) could be the cause of a workplace injury. Maybe 60 percent of the injuries are the fault of workers, or maybe 70 percent are the fault of the management. These numbers are arbitrary of course, but the point remains: neither side has provided convincing evidence to prove who was at fault in these situations. As such, we ought not believe either story when we cannot possibly know with certainty who is correct. And yet, each party acts like they own the truth. The Student Senate Dining Committee’s press release this past spring vehemently supported Sodexo without interviewing a single worker. (Full disclosure: I resigned from the Student Senate for this reason). On the other side, the newly formed GMU Students for Workers’ Rights delivered a letter to President Alan Merten demanding the university remove Sodexo from all university operations—without discussing their issues with the corporation’s management. Worse, both the SEIU and Sodexo have stopped appealing to facts entirely, and instead are seeking to discredit each other with claims of coercion and worker intimidation. None of this helps resolve the dispute. In fact, these disruptive third parties have helped

to entrench workers and management in their ideological positions, virtually closing off all forms of communication between the parties. We need a new paradigm for resolving this conflict. I propose that the university investigate a number of workers’ claims, and act as a mediator between workers and Sodexo. After all, Mason is at the forefront of the burgeoning field of conflict analysis and resolution; surely one of our professors could use a case study in workplace conflict. Plus, an impartial third party could bring both sides to the table and may even find a consensus. Regardless of what happens within Sodexo, I hope we as students keep our minds open. It’s easy to demonize “union thugs” or “profit-obsessed corporatism” (I’ve heard both statements from students in the last week) without knowing the truth. But to blindly accept either side’s claims without substantive evidence is foolish and irrational. Ultimately, Peterson hit the nail on the head—we shouldn’t readily believe everything we hear. Instead, we should withhold judgment until the facts are apparent. Only then can we fight for justice.

Dominic Pody Government and International Politics

Secularism is the devil A poison that destroys America from the inside out On any college campus in the S U.S. you will find E many clubs and N organizations that I can be classified from diverse to O outright bizarre. Opinion R At George Columnist Mason University, you can join a club that celebrates belly dancing or another that practices medieval sword fighting. There truly is something for everyone but there is one club that takes the spirit of these activities to a disappointing new level: the Secular Student Alliance. This devotion to secularism is not confined to this campus and reflects a disturbing trend in our society. As I perused the website of the Secular Student Alliance I was constantly reminded of the South Park episode where Eric Cartman freezes himself and wakes up in the year 2546. He finds a world filled with atheist members of colorful groups like the Unified Atheist League who wear pointy hats and constantly proclaim colloquialisms like, “Oh my Science!” and “What in the name of Science?” Let me be clear that if you claim to be an atheist, I do respect your decision. There is nothing that can stop your lack of religious convictions and I respect your God-given right to deny God. I poke fun at the SSA because they have shown no qualms about ridiculing Christian-

Alan Moore

ity, and yet on the surface they claim to strive for “mutually respectful relationships between theists and nontheists.” The hypocrisy of this group and of similar liberal organizations requires correction. Liberals tell us to be tolerant of all religions yet they constantly antagonize Christians. To wit, last semester the SSA sponsored a “Flying Spaghetti Monster” pasta dinner. Very amusing indeed, but the intention is much more sinister than a harmless poke at Christianity. In an attempt to denounce intelligent design, the founder of this “Flying Spaghetti Monster” internet parody mean-spiritedly mocks Christians for no apparent reason. When Liberals decry religious bigotry, they exclude their own prejudices. Such childish behavior isn’t an isolated incident; it’s an increasingly used Liberal tactic, stemming from the Marxist leader Saul Alinsky’s fourth rule of power tactics for radicals: “Ridicule is man’s most potent weapon.” President Barack Obama, a champion of secularism himself, uses this tactic on a daily basis against his opposition. In relation to the national SSA, it’s truly a sad state of aﬀairs when the president of the U.S. invites a faithless organization like them to a meeting at the White House on behalf of “interfaith” community service on college campuses. The SSA, in accordance with other leftwing organizations, oddly claims to defend “separation of church and state” and “religious freedom.” It’s odd because those two things are dia-

metrically opposed. The Founding Fathers of this great nation laid the basis of our society on Judeo-Christian values. They understood that the power of diverse faiths would inspire men to make this nation great. While Liberals would have you believe the Constitution expressly prohibits any mingling of religion and state aﬀairs, this is false. The First Amendment contains the only mention of religion found in the entire document. “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion,” it says. There is nothing forbidding the teaching of intelligent design, praying in public schools, putting a copy of the Ten Commandments in a federal courtroom, or even celebrating a National Day of Prayer. The Constitution only forbids the establishment of a state-sponsored religion, nothing more. Our culture is deﬁned by faith, and secularism threatens to destroy it. If society overwhelmingly has faith in a divine being who is manifested by peace, love and respect, then mankind will strive to emulate those attributes. If society overwhelmingly only has faith in the undisciplined self that is manifested by strife, greed and sin, then we shall perish from this earth. Secularism must be defeated at all levels for the sake of civil society and this great nation. The Founding Fathers understood this principle. It’s time we all did, too.

Mason theft is unacceptable ‘George Mason University reminds me of the Oklohoma bus station’ Brandon Minster Contributing Columnist A number of years ago, I took a bus trip from Los Angeles to Kansas City. I thought it would be a fun way to see the country. My parents reminded me that my grandmother once took a bus from Pittsburgh to Dayton to visit us and then insisted that they buy her a plane ticket home. “Oh, she was just over-reacting,” I thought. “It can’t be that bad.” My friends, it can be that bad. Each bus stop was ﬁlthier and more crime-ridden than the last. Also, one peculiarity of bus travel I was not previously aware of was

that passengers spend a lot of time in bus stations. A good rule of thumb is to expect to spend as much time sitting in a bus station as sitting on a bus. Phoenix was worse than LA. Albuquerque was worse than Phoenix. Amarillo was worse than Albuquerque. But it wasn’t until we were pulling into Oklahoma City that the bus driver made the announcement, “This bus station is in a bad neighborhood.” Evidently it would not be enough to keep your bags next to you; it was strongly recommended that we have our bags in hand the entire time. I thought, “That must really be saying something.”

Thumbs up to one dilligent reader, who, for now, will remain unnamed, that read Broadside’s entire first issue and wrote an angry letter to Broadside editors this week. Get back to us, reader, we want to print your email as a letter to the editor, so everybody can read about how much we suck! Thumbs up to George Mason University’s soccer fields for being a potential host of 2018 FIFA games. See the full story on the front page. Thumbs up to Justin Bieber for his sensational performance on the MTV Video Music Awards. If only we were 16 again...

Perhaps now you will understand what I mean when I write that George Mason University reminds me of the Oklahoma City bus station. Theft on this campus is rampant and not just limited to items of actual value. As a graduate student with a checkered undergraduate history, I’ve spent a lot of time on a variety of college campuses. However, it wasn’t until I got to Mason that I was confronted with bus station-esque warnings of constant thievery. How can a university so thoroughly fail in a key component of its mission? The reason taxpayers

fund this school isn’t just to help you be a richer adult. It is also to increase the overall quality of life in Virginia by ﬁlling it with a more civil populace. At my undergraduate school, my cell phone fell out of my pocket. Someone found it and turned it in to a worker, who called the most-recently dialed number to tell them to let me know where to get it. A few hours later, it was back in my hand. Last week, I misplaced my calendar. It retails for $3.67 at WalMart and was rendered virtually useless to anyone else with all my scheduled events. The front page

Thumbs Up, Thumbs Down

had my name, address, phone number and e-mail address. Yet a week later, I have not been contacted, and none of the campus lost-and-founds have it. One of three things has happened: some incredibly destitute student who couldn’t aﬀord his own $3.67 planner is now using it; some incredibly merciless student threw it away; or some incredibly creepy student is now stalking me. Why not call me? Why not turn it in? If either of those is too much hassle, why not leave it alone for me to come back to later when I realize it’s missing? Of course, losing my planner

is an inconvenience, but not a horrible thing. But the culture of theft that pervades this campus is a horrible thing. It makes us all feel less secure and lowers the perceived quality of a Mason education. After all, how much good can a university do if it turns out graduating classes full of criminals? We pride ourselves on being more advanced than our ancestors, but by which scale is a hypereducated thief an advancement? Mason students need to get serious about ending theft. I came here to attend a world-class university, not college classes taught in a bus station.

Thumbs down to the bookstore for not having every single book we need for class in stock. Classes are hard enough with books, we can use any help we can get. Thumbs down to MasonLive’s confusing and frustrating activation system. Make sure you read the directions before trying to go through the signup process, it’s a doozy. Thumbs down to Broadside staff members who have had to deliver papers for the past two weeks. Anybody want to be our distribution manager? E-mail esharre1@gmu.edu!

Broadside

| Monday, September 13, 2010

Opinion

CLASSIFIED

Republican or Democrat, it’s all perspective

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Elizabeth Perry Asst. Opinion Editor Someone once told me that the difference between Democrats and Republicans is that Democrats feel and then think, and Republicans think and then feel. To this day, I still have trouble deciphering not only which is better, but also whether or not this statement is true. Certain issues within this country, such as illegal immigration and free health care, undoubtedly demonstrate the desire of Democrats to make life easier and more enjoyable for all people in this country despite their citizenship or financial standing. Republicans, however, believe that certain principles stated in the Constitution should prevent the U.S. from using its citizens’ earnings to benefit the less fortunate and those who dwell illegally in this nation, despite the suffering this may cause them. The issue of whose perspective is more justified, the Democrats’ or Republicans’, is one of the relentless hands tearing apart the unity of the U.S.. Having been raised in a very right wing home, I grew up having certain beliefs ingrained in my mind that I never ques-

tioned until certain circumstances forced me to, namely the presidency of George Bush. Until his decisions began to yield extreme anger and hatred among the American people, I had never realized how brutal the disagreements between parties could be. With each choice Bush made, particularly those regarding our aﬀairs overseas, Democrats hurled more and more insults at him, eventually painting him as one of the most hated and dimwitted leaders this country has ever put in oﬃce. He has become the butt of endless jokes and criticism and when his name is mentioned in a room, there is always at least one person who feels the need to roll his eyes. After the presidency of George Bush, Democrats had undeniably secured a seat for one of their party members as president. Any candidate they chose to represent them was sure to look like a god after the reputation Bush had obtained for himself. But now, after the arguments, abuses and bitterness are set aside, the question remains: can Democrats pull this country out of the turmoil that they blame Republicans for getting us into? Only time will tell.

After considering their differences, it becomes more and more clear that Democrats do indeed care for the well-being and safety of the people in the U.S., while Republicans think first about the rules which were originally established by our forefathers. Which is better? Should citizens, for example, be permitted to keep and bear arms as the Constitution states or has the passage of time caused this right to no longer be necessary or justifiable as it puts our people in danger? When Barack Obama was elected, one of the first and most drastic changes he made was the establishment of The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, nicknamed “Obamacare.” This act was passed on the basis that all people of this nation, be they citizens or illegal aliens, wealthy or impoverished, are entitled to health care and should not be denied it based on their inability to afford it or their illegitimate residence in the U.S. Democrats crafted this act because they felt for the people within the boundaries of their country who were suffering and not being provided proper medical care. Republicans, on the other hand, opposed Obamacare due to our recessed economy, and came to the deci-

sion that the U.S. cannot afford to spend over $1 trillion this decade to provide health care to those who cannot afford it. Is there a right and a wrong or only two different perspectives? Individuals hold true to their beliefs because of their personal experiences. For some, the home they grew up in has determined their political stance. For others, the witnessing of some specific situation has become the basis of their opinions. What we as students often forget is that opposing beliefs are not necessarily produced by ignorance or egocentricity. They are simply the product of a different pair of eyes and ears that have walked a different path, shared different experiences and been shaped by different factors. This country has been in the hands of both Democrats and Republicans in the past and both have had their moments of glory and their moments of shame. Whatever party you associate yourself with, be it the liberals, conservatives or neither, a crucial aspect of being a sensible American is making the effort to think of the people who feel, and feel for the people who think.

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Want to share your opinions weekly? Become a columnist! E-mail opinion@broadsideonline.com

Farmers’ Market back in action this fall Student activism revives the market Nya Jackson EAG Member Last Wednesday, hundreds of new and returning George Mason University students walked through the Student Organization Connection Carnival held at North Plaza to see all the diﬀerent student organizations with which they could get involved. Just a few feet outside of Southside Dining Hall, the return of the Smart Markets, Inc. farmers’ market was a living testimony to the result of student activism at Mason. In fall 2009, Auxiliary Enterprises at Mason decided to bring a farmers’ market to campus. According to Mark Kraner, Assistant Vice President of University Services, “The campus market was always scheduled to be a spring-to-fall market.” Following the low attendance last spring, University Services discussed whether the Mason farmers’ market would return to campus.

While attendance was used as one indicator of Mason’s support for the market, the members of the Rescue the Mason Farmers’ Market Facebook group, which numbers over 900, and numerous student e-mails demanding the return of the campus market showed overwhelming support. When asked about the impact student e-mails had on whether the market would return, Kraner responded, “Hearing from the campus was positive and reinforced the decision that Auxiliary Enterprises made to locate a market for the campus.” The Rescue the Mason Farmers' Market Facebook group was created by sophomore Kyleigh Purks who created the group as, “a way to get the word out. Mason students tend to be outspoken and active, so I ﬁgured that if they knew what was going on, they would try to do something about it.” She was right. One of the many students who took action after joining the Facebook group was junior physics major Jason Von Kundra

who was a frequent shopper at the market last year. When asked how he felt now that the market was back on campus, Von Kundra responded, “I felt accomplished when I saw the market back on campus. Being able to buy fresh, local food right on campus made all the e-mails, phone calls, and meetings with Mason Dining worth it.” Smart Markets, Inc. founder Jean Janssen was excited to hear that students were also working to bring the market back to campus. “Students have great power on any campus, and it can be very easy to wield if they are organized around an objective,” said Janssen. It seems one thing everyone can agree on is that for the campus farmers’ market to be successful, the Mason community will have to use its buying power to show support and its activism to bring the market back. Janseen encourages everyone to “Come shop with us—even if you only spend $5 each week.”

COLUMBIA PICTURES PRESENTS A GARY SANCHEZ PRODUCTION COEXECUTIVE “PRODUCED THE VIRGINITY HIT” MATT BENNETT ZACK PEARLMAN PRODUCER AMY HOBBY PRODUCER OWEN BURKE BY WILL FERRELL ADAM McKAY CHRIS HENCHY PETER PRINCIPATO PAUL YOUNG WRITTEN AND DIRECTED BY ANDREW GURLAND & HUCK BOTKO

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The number of Oscars The Godfather trilogy won. The ﬁrst two ﬁlms each won Best Picture.

Monday, September 13, 2010

MASON JAMMIN’ IT

KID and more CUDI

Photo courtesy of jaimerivera

Office of Student Involvement helps bring the music to Mason Dylan Hares Media Beat Writer George Mason University has recently become a major epicenter of the Northern Virginia music community. Gracing the stages of the Mason community over the past few years have been names like T-Pain, Wayne Brady, The All-American Rejects and Cobra Starship. Making this possible is the university’s student-run organization, the newly-named Oﬃce of Student Involvement. Student Involvement acts as an umbrella organization for several groups such as Student Government, Weekends Committee, Program Board and Film Committee. From weekend movies in the Johnson Center Cinema to Every Freakin’ Friday Bingo Night and even an Evening with Kid Cudi, Student Involvement is here for the students. In determining which events Student Involvement brings to campus, research is key. “We look at any indicator that points towards an artist [who] will be successful on campus,” said program vice president and junior administration of justice major Addison Brown. “Students’ opinions and wants are the basis of any decision, with other factors such as artist availability and such being limiting factors.” Student Involvement looks into what the students want to see at Mason. They do market research, looking into the kinds of acts that would draw students out. With such a diverse community at Mason, Student Involvement has a complicated job on its hands. “It seems that they always have a little something for everyone,” said junior communication major Shannon Dodson.

Not all share the same sentiments, however. “The events on campus just don’t interest me,” said sophomore English major Emma Hull. “None of my friends ever want to go so I don’t either. Seems like stuﬀ geared mainly towards freshmen, and I can usually think of something more fun to do.” It is with this sentiment in mind that Student Involvement prepared to bring in bigger names. “Acts are booked as far in advance as possible. This allows for ample time to make the research component as extensive as possible,” Brown said. The time spent researching and booking Kid Cudi was well spent, as the event sold out in two days after tickets went on sale to the community. “I’m excited about Kid Cudi,” said Dodson. “Judging by the ticket sales, the student body is too.” But fear not, Student Involvement has many upcoming events for those who missed out on Kid Cudi tickets. Comedian Seth Meyers, best known as a cast member on Saturday Night Live, will be coming to the Patriot Center on Oct. 16. Student Involvement’s Weekends Committee sponsors RATurday Night Live every Saturday night at the Rathskeller and Every Freakin’ Friday events every other Friday night. As for the future, Student Involvement has big plans. “We’re already looking towards Mason Day in the Spring,” said Brown. “We’re excited about who we might be able to get.” Brown could not comment on any prospects, but if past events are any indication of what to anticipate, Mason can certainly expect the show to be memorable.

For information about upcoming events, visit patriotcenter.com and si.gmu.edu

Marc Anthony heats up the Patriot Center

FROM THE VAULT: A ‘family’ classic Liz Perry Asst. Opinion Editor If the game show Family Feud ever includes a category of most loved movies, I would be shocked if The Godfather did not secure an instant position on the list. What is it about this film that tugs so firmly at the strings of our hearts? What sort of phenomenal masterpiece could Francis Ford Coppola possibly have created that would pass the test of time with flying colors and entertain generation after generation just as effectively as it did upon its 1972 release? Last year, I finally decided to find out for myself. To say that I was impressed would be a drastic understatement. I was captivated by the intrinsic messages of this film, and I can safely say that I’ve watched it at least 15 times since first viewing it. What sets The Godfather apart from the majority of modern films is its passionate and complex drama which envelops political, personal and romantic turmoil while also delivering a unique and very appropriate presentation of action. Because of this, The Godfather is one of those unusual movies that can be enjoyed

equally by both men and women. Coppola has included a struggle for power and domination among such characters as Sonny Corleone and Carlo Rizzi in order to appeal to the hearts of his male viewers. But Coppola has simultaneously integrated an element of romance for women’s enjoyment through such scenarios as Kay’s weakness for Michael Corleone, the man she loves, despite her inability to accept him carrying on his father’s work. By providing a perspective from within the walls of crime, The Godfather opened the door to the style of cinematography which has audiences rooting for the “bad guys.” Don Vito Corleone, played by Marlon Brando, sits at the head of a mob family that has made its fortune in crime, yet is beloved to the people of New York. One of the most captivating aspects of the film is that, in many respects, the authority figures are treated as the villains. The corruption on all sides is apparent from the beginning. This transition from respect for authority figures to suspicion of their real motives is embodied through the character of Michael Corleone, played by Al Pacino in

what is considered his breakout role. At the film’s opening, Pacino’s character is presented to us as the innocent son of the Corleone family, having rejected the illicit doings of his father and those working for him. As the film continues, however, Michael eventually becomes a revengeful, power hungry character, eager to carry on his father’s work and seek vengeance on those who betrayed him. And this is just one example. The film is rich with captivating performances by all characters, making it a must-see not only because of its entertaining qualities but also because of social issues it addresses. The Godfather is a truly timeless film responsible for launching the careers of many stars including Robert Duvall, Diane Keaton, and most of all, Al Pacino who continued his affiliation with mob films when he starred in Scarface in 1983. These stars’ exceptional performances made The Godfather a legendary motion picture which has captured the hearts of countless viewers and will undoubtedly continue to do so for generations to come.

Aisha Jamil Broadside Correspondent Saturday night the Patriot Center was filled with the sounds of hot and spicy salsa. Marc Anthony, one of the world’s most famous Latin salsa artists, shook up the stage and brought down the house song after song, entertaining the pumped-up audience. The biggest moment of the night came when Anthony was taken aback by an almost fiveminute standing ovation from the crowd. To show his appreciation, Anthony bowed down to the audience and kissed the stage floor. “Wow,” was all Anthony managed to say with tears in his eyes and his hand on his heart.

“This has got to be the loudest place in the United States right now,” said Anthony to the crowd’s reaction. “Last night, we played Madison Square Garden and it wasn’t even half as loud. You guys pack a punch. Now, I got to go back to New York and tell them to wake up!” Anthony’s stage presence was undeniable. His singing and dance moves captivated the audience. “I love his music, especially the salsa. It’s romantic. It’s sexy,” said Gaby Weissenberg from Maryland. Anthony performed many songs from his latest album, Iconos, released in May 2010 including the most popular

“Abrázame Muy Fuerte” (Embrace Me Tightly.) The album features classic Latin ballads from artists such as José José, Juan Gabriel, and José Luis Perale mixed with contemporary Latin pop and salsa. “Iconos brings me back to the old days. It reminds me of my parents and what they would listen to and I love it because of that,” said long-time fan Marlon Weissenberg from Maryland. From Anthony’s lively and vigorous performances to the crowd’s deafening cries, the night was a huge success for him as well as his audience. The concert was summed up best by Anthony in two Spanish words: “Que lindo” (how beautiful.)

Broadside

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Monday, September 13, 2010 | 9

X-Men Find Zombies Less Loving Christopher St. Jacques Broadside Correspondent

Photo courtesy of istolethetv’s ﬂikr account

Comic books are a historically neglected media in pop culture. But you would be surprised how often they inﬂuence, and are inﬂuenced by, other entertainment mediums such as movies, video games and TV. They also tend to respond to pop culture trends by doing the exact opposite of what is popular in a genre. Take vampires, for example. Vampires used to be feared creatures of the night, stalking their human prey and feeding on blood. Recently, they have become the object of teenage girls’ fantasies.

Obviously this whole vampire fetish has spun out from the Twilight movies and HBO’s True Blood series, the latter of which had its season ﬁnale on Sunday, Sept. 12. In the Marvel Comics’ crossover story X-Men: Curse of the Mutants Saga, the mutant superhero team known as the X-Men ﬁnd themselves up against an army of vampires who want to turn them into bloodsuckers so they will help take over the world. The vampires are led by Dracula’s son, Xarus, who killed his father so he could rally the various vampire factions together and use them to begin his war against humans. Cyclops, leader of the XMen, decides that the only

vampire ﬁghting a teenage werewolf for the love of a teenage girl. Marvel’s vampires are nothing like the pussy romantic Twilight vampires. These vampires are suicide-bombing San Francisco, the current home of the X-Men, to turn humans into their kind. (When they blow up, their blood splatters on humans and infects them.)

way to put a stop to the vampires is to resurrect Dracula (no one stays dead in comics for long) and use him to bring an end to his son’s reign of terror. How is that story not better than the Twilight movies? Okay, maybe it lacks a little depth, but at least it is not a teenage

Even better than vampires attacking humans and mutants is seeing the X-Men kick a little undead ass. One of the greatest parts of the story is getting to see Wolverine slice the heads oﬀ of a few dozen vampires. Marvel Comics and XMen writer Victor Gischler deserve kudos for turning vampires back into bloodthirsty creatures of the night and not continuing to portray them as a teenage girl’s wet dream. X-Men: Curse of the Mutants Saga, issues 1-3 are now on sale.

Photo courtesy of Ezyan Y.’s ﬂikr account

Walking the Line of Fame and Insanity Joaquin Phoenix was once known for being a phenomenal actor, starring in ﬁlms such as Gladiator and Walk the Line. However, according to YouTube and the international press, Joaquin Phoenix is now, more or less, a weirdo. A very hairy, fat and almost inaudible Phoenix sits on David Letterman’s couch, wearing sunglasses and habitually scratching his beard. Letterman tries desperately to get Phoenix to talk about his choice to quit acting and pursue rapping. Phoenix just looks around, awkward and muttering. However, even after Phoenix dropped the “F” bomb and stuck his gum under Letterman’s desk, the audience, and the world, thought he was just playing a strange joke. On Sept. 10, Phoenix’s docu-

Was it well directed? Affleck showed us that he does indeed have talent in what seems like every aspect of the film industry. However, in reality, the film was a compilation of drugs, sex and some mumbled rhymes in between. Did I enjoy it? I was immersed and fascinated in the same way I would be watching a train crash and burn slowly. However, the biggest question still remains: is it all a joke? Was this just one last attempt for a drugged-out actor to get the public talking about him? Or was this Phoenix’s true and honest journey toward becoming the next Lil’ Wayne? Well folks, I don’t have the answer. And after seeing I’m Still Here, I frankly do not care. I'm Still Here will open in limited release on Sept. 17 and will be playing at the Landmark E Street Cinema.

Michatalie’s Guide to the perfect ChipOrgasm Michatalie

The rise and fall of Joaquin Phoenix

Campus Life Columnists Love us or hate us, we’re still an obsession. Warning: If you don’t like or have never tried Chipotle, then STFU (shut the fuck up) and GTFO (get the fuck out), bishes. It’s evident that Chipotle, aka “Chip,” is practically a second home to Mason students. But what does it mean to truly reach the ultimate ChipOrgasm? Michatalie is your guide to pleasing your taste buds and getting more bang for your fuck - we mean buck. We will start oﬀ in order of importance. You must follow this step by step or else you’ll miss out on the heavenly sex-in-yourmouth taste of the burrito bol. Notice how we didn’t say burrito, that’s because burrito bols pwn burritos. If you’re a burrito lover, you’re totes missing out. To start oﬀ your journey, always ask for a lid in order to shake the bol til all the sexgredients are

2005 After starring in several successful films like Gladiator, Phoenix stars as the legendary Johnny Cash in Walk the Line. For the film, Phoenix sang and recorded much of the music. For his efforts, he won a Grammy. Photo courtesy of sheksays

2009 Phoenix surprised many after appearing on The Late Show with David Letterman. On his memorable appearence, Pheonix mumbled incoherantly that he was quitting acting to pursue a career in hip hop. The audience thought it was hysterical. Phoenix did not think it was as funny. Photo courtesy of edenza

2010

nicely tousled. Sweet-talking plays a major role in building up to your ChipOrgasm. There’s a difference between, “Can I get a little bit more ___,” and “Can you add more ____.” Saying, “add” or “extra” leads to less cash in your wallet. When you ask for a little bit of something, it sounds subtler. Ladies, this is where your flirting will come in handy. Fellas, you’re on your own for this one … unless you’re fat they feel sorry for you and give you more. Lucky bishes. Everyone could use a little sprucing in their Chip life. Take a couple lemons and squirt them into your tortilla chips bag until your fingers get so slippery they can’t take it anymore. Michatalie is going to assume that you bought the additional bag of chips because you’re clearly a n00bsauce if you don’t. After you have executed these previous steps, you are ready for the final clear out. The bol is now

empty, yet there is so much leftover jizzle juice aka sour cream(pie). Michatalie is wetting our panties as we speak. But anyway, back to the point. You must lick the bol until it looks cleaner than a 50 percent clearance rack at Nordstrom. In order to gain a sexual eruption (in more ways than one), your Chipotlaway diarrhea has to be within a 30-minute time frame; starting from the second you ﬁnish licking your bol. It’s as simple as this – if you don’t shit, you don’t ChipOrgasm. Do you want your Chip boner to be left hanging? We understand how tedious these guidelines are, but the feeling you get after a ChipOrgasm is better than sex itself. I’m sure anyone that’s followed these steps before would agree. To all the haters: Who’s that walking down the street, it’s Michelle and Natalie. Heads all turn around to say, Michatalie’s coming out to play.

Any issues and concerns about life, college, sex, money problems, or food? Let Michatalie know on their fan page at www.facebook.com/MICHATALIE.

Phoenix’s brother-in-law Matt Dylan directs I’m Not There, a documentary chronicling Phoenix’s attempt to transition from ﬁlm to the world of hip hop. Photo courtesy of Magnolia Pictures

TONIGHT!

Free Tickets for Mason Students! The Vision Series The Science of Happiness and Meaning in Life Todd Kashdan, speaker Mon., Sept. 13 at 7 p.m. Free/Ticketed CH

Jean Carrington Cook Memorial Piano Scholarship Concert and All-Steinway School Celebration featuring piano faculty and students

Sun., Sept. 19 at 3 p.m. $15 Adults, $10 Seniors CH Limited Free Student Tickets Available Now!

Keyboard Conversations® with Jeffrey Siegel Three Great “Bs” – Bach, Beethoven, and Barber Sun., Sept. 19 at 7 p.m. $38, $30, $19 CH f f Free Student Tickets Available Now! ppd

=Pre-performance Discussion

=Family Friendly

Joel Grey

Sat., Sept. 25 at 8 p.m. ppd $60, $52, $30 CH Limited Free Student Tickets Available Sept. 14

GMU Symphony Orchestra

Wed., Sept. 29 at 8 p.m. $15 Adults, $10 Seniors, Free Students

Visual Voices Series Yee-Haw Industries: 32 Flavors of Gravy Julie Belcher and Kevin Bradley, speakers Thurs., Sept. 30 at 7:30 p.m. Free /Non-ticketed HT

MOMIX: Botanica

CH=Concert Hall

Gregory Koblentz, speaker Mon., Oct. 4 at 7 p.m. Free/Ticketed CH

The Mason Players Studio Series Kimberly Akimbo October 7-9 at 8 p.m. October 9-10 at 2 p.m. $12 adult, $8 Student/Senior BB Limited Free Student Tickets Available Sept. 28

American Festival Pops Orchestra Anthony Maiello, conductor Sat., Oct. 9 at 8 p.m. ppd $46, $38, $23 CH f f Free Student Tickets Available Sept. 28

Sat., Oct. 2 at 8 p.m. Sun., Oct. 3 at 4 p.m. ppd $46, $38, $23 CH Free Student Tickets Available Sept. 21 BB=Black Box

The Vision Series Biosecurity in the 21st Century

HT=Harris Theater

Call 703-993-8888 or visit cfa.gmu.edu/students

OR TH E RF AR

Center for the Arts

TS=TheaterSpace

Broadside Correspndent

mentary I’m Still Here will hit theatres. Unfortunately, the question of whether or not his schtick has all been a hoax will be nowhere near answered. Directed by his brother-inlaw, actor Casey Affleck (The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford), the film is a long look at a man whose life and career are far gone. In the beginning, Phoenix just looks like a washed up actor who wants to find solace in the hip-hop industry, cursing too much and looking like a cross between Big Foot and Nick Nolte. Then, he sits at a computer, choosing which hooker he wants to “order.” This is shortly followed by Phoenix snorting cocaine off of the hooker’s breast. Midway through the film, I wondered if I was watching a movie about an actor becoming an aspiring rapper, or an actor becoming a worthless, drugged-out nobody.

CENT

Kayla Beardsley

20 YEARS 19

9 0 – 2 0 10

Sports

Broadside

The number of goals scored by the women’s soccer team in their onesided contest with VMI.

Monday, September 13, 2010

CAA extends contract with Richmond Coliseum Conference tournament to remain in Richmond through 2014 John Powell Sports Editor In 1990, the 5-year-old Colonial Athletic Association held its conference tournament at the Richmond Coliseum in Richmond, Va. for the ﬁrst time. The previous school it was held at was George Mason University itself, which hosted the tournament at the Patriot Center in 1986. Of course that was when Navy was mid-stride in its threeyear conference domination. The conference moved its tournament to the Hampton Coliseum in Hampton, Va. in 1987, and kept it there for three years. Then came the big move. In 1990 the CAA decided to move its tournament to the Richmond

Coliseum, one year before the conference accepted Old Dominion University to replace the United States Naval Academy. The championship in Richmond has been highly touted. By the numbers, the semiﬁnal games sold out last year, the championship game was televised nationally on ESPN2, there were more than 42,000 fans for the fourth straight year and an estimated $5.8 million was brought to the city due to the tournament. Twenty years after the ﬁrst tournament in the Coliseum, the numbers look great, but it has its problems. The Coliseum is run down and it is in a member school’s backyard. The conference has recog-

Photo courtesy of voobie’s ﬂickr account nized how the Coliseum has deteriorated, but CAA Commissioner Tom Yeager was quoted as saying, “We are also satisﬁed with the city’s commitment to enhance some of the amenities in and around the Coliseum during the on-going decision making process.” The city knows it needs the tournament and is doing everything it can to keep it there. But that is not the only problem. The tournament was being played in Richmond, the stomp-

ing grounds of the university with the city as its name. The Spiders left the conference in 1991, so that issue died down. The conference could allow itself to look at how it was helping rejuvenate the city’s economy and satisfy the need to play in a location that was near the geographic center of the conference. Virginia Commonwealth University changed the landscape of the tournament again when they announced they would join the conference as a one-team expansion in 1995.

Qualified, but cut Championship round rained out Matt Basheda Broadside Correspondent George Mason University’s men’s tennis has officially begun its fall season. The Mason Fall Invitational took place over the weekend. However, it was cut short. Originally scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 11 and Sunday, Sept. 12, the second day was canceled due to rain. In Saturday’s play, it was a home match for the Patriots as they squared off against the Greyhounds of Loyola and Mount St. Mary’s Mountaineers. Mason fared well in the flighted-style tournament. One Mason team member from each of the three flights advanced to Sunday’s championship groupings. Jorge Osuna and Patrick Mulquin advanced from Saturday’s Flight A and Flight B, respectively. Two Mason players won Flight C, which means they would have played each other in the championship round. They are Mike Phaup and Steve Hyre, both freshmen. Two Mason doubles teams also qualified to play in the tournament’s second day, out of three possible. One of those teams is Phaup and Hyre, who would have battled to win their singles group. The other doubles team is McMillen and Borsanyi. According to Head Coach Gary Quam, the missed day of play will not be made up.

In the 15 years since, VCU has done well in the tournament, playing what amounts to a home game every game. When Richmond was in the tournament, it won five of seven championship appearances. VCU has done just as well, winning four of five appearances. On a broader geographic scale, four of the five teams in Virginia have won the tournament at least twice, but George Mason University and UNCW are the best examples of what is wrong with having a tourna-

ment in Richmond. Mason has only won four of 10 appearances, while UNCW has gone four of eight. The furthest schools, such as Northeastern and Georgia State, have not even made it to the ﬁnals. Without another plan, the conference has now signed an extension to keep the tournament in the Richmond Coliseum through 2014. VCU will keep their home tournament for a while. Only time will tell what they can do with it.

Patriots put down the Greyhounds John Kleeb Broadside Correspondent George Mason University’s women’s volleyball team defeated the Loyola Greyhounds in four sets on Sept. 8. The first set was a stalemate with twelve ties and four lead changes. The Patriots ended up winning by a score of 25-21. The Patriots won the second set by a more convincing 2518. In the third set, the Greyhounds were temporarily able to fend off elimination by defeating the Patriots by a score of 25-22, but in the fourth set the Patriots bounced back for a 25-22 win. The win improved the Patriots record to 4-3 on the season and the Greyhounds fell to 4-4. The win was a team effort for the Patriots. Senior middle blocker and opposite hitter Holly Goode led the Patriots with 15 points in the match. Goode also had a team high .244 shooting percentage. Senior setter Fernanda Bartels led the team with 39 assists. Sophomore middle blocker Danielle Cook led the team with six blocks for the match. Junior outside hitter Kelly McCarter also had a big game for

the Patriots. Her 32 digs were two short of the school record set by Lynn Hord in 1998 against San Diego State. The Patriots travel to New Brunswick, N.J. this weekend for the Rutgers Invitational Tournament and will play the Texas Christian University Horned Frogs, the Princeton Tigers, and the hosts, the Rutgers Scarlet Knights.

VOLLEYBALL PREVIEW George Mason University’s women’s volleyball team will be travelling to take on the Stony Brook Seadogs Virginia Cavaliers. The Patriots’ ﬁrst opponent in the Virginia Tournament is the Stony Brook Seawolves. Coach Deborah Matejka-DesLauriers has taken her team to the American East championship ﬁve times during her tenure as Seawolves coach. The Patriots conclude the Virginia Tournament by playing the Cavaliers. The Cavaliers went 12-19 a year ago.

MMA Canceled Cody Norman Asst. Sports Editor

File Photo

The men’s tennis team did well in the Mason Fall Invitational, advancing at least one team member from each of the three ﬂights to Sunday’s tournament. Due to inclement weather, the Sunday championship was canceled and will not be rescheduled.

The Shine Fight Grand Prix Lightweight MMA Tournament at the Patriot Center originally scheduled for Sept. 10 was cancelled because the promoter was unable to obtain a license from the Virginia State Athletic Commission. The license could not be obtained due to concerns over the health of the ﬁghters pos-

sibly going through three ﬁghts in one night. Barry Geisler, general manager of the Patriot Center, said, “Sometimes things like [cancelling the event] happens. It stinks. But it happens.” The bout was moved to an American Indian reservation in Newkirk, Oklahoma and carried on as originally scheduled on Friday evening.

Monday, September 13, 2010 |

Broadside

Sports

Too far from home

Patriots pounce on Wildcats

Mason unable to bring home a win from Rutgers

John Powell Sports Editor Two ﬁrst-half goals helped the Patriots bounce back from a disapointing loss on their way to a shutout of the Villanova Wildcats. Junior Goalkeeper Justin Butcher played all 90 minues in the game for the clean sheet, recording seven saves.

Sophomore midfielder A.J. Sheta, who came in the game late scored the first goal. He shot from the center of the box, receiving an assist from senior midfielder Anthony Han and senior forward Victor Freman. Redshirt senior forward Ernesto Marquez also scored after coming in from the bench. Han was credited with another assist on the goal.

Spider Stompin’ John Powell Sports Editor

File Photo

The Mason women’s volleyball team lost to the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at the Rutgers Invitational tournament on Friday.

John Kleeb Broadside Correspondent The George Mason women’s volleyball team opened up the Rutgers invitational tournament with a loss to the Rutgers Scarlet Knights on Friday, Sept. 10. The Patriots were defeated in ﬁve sets by the host Scarlet Knights. Junior Noelle Fanella had a team high 15.5 points as well a lead with 14 kills. Sophomore Danielle Cook had a team high .571 shooting percentage. Sophomore Lauren Goodell led the team with

31 assists. Freshman Laura Spencer led the team with 3 blocks. Junior Kelly McCarter led with 16 digs. The Patriots battled back from a 2-1 deﬁcit in the match only to lose in the ﬁfth set by a score of 15-10. The Patriots hoped to rebound against the TCU Horned Frogs and Princeton Tigers the following day. The Patriots troubles at the Rutgers invitational tournament continued Saturday morning when they were swept by the TCU Horned Frogs.

Fanella again led the team in scoring, this time with 10.5 points. Fanella also led with 6 kills for the Patriots. Senior Fernanda Bartels led with a .800 shooting percentage. Bartels also led with 19 assists and 18 digs. Laura Spencer again led the team with three blocks. The Patriots troubles in Rutgers continued in the ﬁnale against the Princeton Tigers. The Patriots were again swept by their opponent and fell to 4-6 on the season. Senior Holly Goode and Fanella led the team with 11.5

points. Goode led the team with 11 kills in the match. Spencer had an impressive 1.000 shooting percentage in limited action. Bartels again led the team in assists this time with 30. McCarter led the team with 14 digs. It was a disappointing weekend for the Patriots who led Rutgers without winning a match and lost their last seven sets. The team hopes to rebound next weekend against the Stony Brook Seawolves and Virginia Cavaliers in Charlottesville, Va.

George Mason University’s men’s soccer team will take on the University of Richmond Spiders on Sept. 18 at 7 p.m. at Patriot Stadium. They will be looking for a good game, as it is their last home game before going into conference play at Old Dominion University on Sept. 25. They will have a conﬁdent player in the goal, as true freshman goalkeeper Sean Cote earned himself the Colonial Athletic Association’s Rookie of the Week award, after having to earn the starting job from junior goalkeeper Justin Butcher. George Mason University’s athletic department’s blog, found at www.gomasonblog.workpress.com, has touted that Cote is learning from Assistant Coach John O’Hara, a CAA Rookie of the

Year and second all-time in goalkeeping minutes and shutouts as a former Patriot. As of Thursday night, the Spiders were 1-0-1, with both of their games ending after a double overtime. They will have played three games in five days, from Sept. 10-15, heading into their match with the Patriots. The Spiders went 5-11-2 overall last season, with a 3-6 record in non-conference play. They also had a losing 1-7-2 record away from home. Although they only scored 20 goals, five of them came from now-sophomore midfielder Houston Oldham. Junior forward Ben Brewster was the only other player to have three goals last season. No current player had more than two assists last season. Mason should not have much of a fight against the Spiders and are expected to walk away with a victory.

Mason women shut out Keydets at home Cody Norman Asst. Sports Editor For the ﬁrst time in this young season, the Mason women’s soccer team notched consecutive wins with a 7-0 victory over the VMI Keydets. Redshirt senior midﬁelder Omolyn Davis had two goals and three assists and sophomore forward Tiana Kallen-

News Flash: VA/DC sports are overrated Cody Norman Asst. Sports Editor It is officially football season. It’s the season of touchdown celebrations and post-sack dances. It’s the season of game winning field goals and head-rattling wallops. And, most importantly, it’s the season of over confident Redskins fans who seem a bit too excited for another disappointing, underachieving season – which, by the way, is one of my favorite parts of football season. And that, my friends, is where we are going to begin this week’s installment of the Word: Word on the street is that Skins’ fans are expecting a record that falls somewhere in the

neighborhood of 10-6. Those who are feeling a bit bold are going as far as saying that the Skins will ﬁnish at 10-6 in a worst case scenario. Interesting. Keep in mind the Redskins ﬁnished 4-12 last season. Someone please explain to me how anyone in their right mind can believe that Mike Shanahan and Donovan McNabb are worth six wins. Clinton Portis is bound to be out nursing a hangnail by week three. Albert Haynesworth – the one weapon, outside of Brian Orakpo, that poses any sort of threat to opposing QBs – may be dealt because Shanahan would prefer to hold on to his ego as opposed to keeping around a proven superstar. I’ll give them a 9-7 record.

And that’s only because I’m feeling generous. Feel free to send me as much hate mail as you’d like. I welcome it. In fact, I would completely understand because I’d be upset too if I was a Redskins fan. And I’d be upset if I was a Virginia Tech fan as well. I had this article written much diﬀerently before I sat down on Saturday afternoon and watched as the Hokies got ripped apart by the James Madison Dukes. Yes, you read that correctly. Virginia Tech got waxed at home by a Division I-AA team from the Colonial Athletic Association. I was going to let it slide after they lost to Boise State because, hey, the Broncos were ranked third in the nation be-

Mason men swing into season Matt Basheda Broadside Correspondent The George Mason University golf team is in high gear in the week going into their first tournament. The team is looking ahead to the Maryland Intercollegiate on Sept. 18-19. It will be their first official event of the fall. Hosted by the University of Maryland, it takes place at the River Marsh Golf Club in Cambridge, Md. The players who will represent Mason at the Maryland Intercollegiate will be the ones with the lowest four scores at a practice tournament played the week before. Coach Scott King is highly optimistic. In his blog on the Mason athletics website he says, “all eight on the roster have a chance to make it ... we’re all playing good right now.” The practice tournament will be 18 holes played at the Country Club of Fairfax. There may still be a chance for a ninth member to join the Mason roster depending on the results of another practice tournament. The team, as well as the remaining tryouts, will play

in a 36-hole event the weekend of Sept. 11-12. It will take place at Laurel Hill Golf Club in Lorton, which is a home course for the Mason team. It is the last chance for the remaining tryouts, and the spot they are competing for is still theoretical. “If someone steps up, they’ll secure a roster spot ... if no one posts a good score, then we are set and ready to go for the fall campaign,” said Coach King. The 2010-11 season is an important one for Mason golf. The program is in the midst of a transition. As Coach King describes it, even though several of the tryouts were previously on the team, “With the new direction the program is heading, they have to prove themselves once again.” This fall’s events, then, are crucial. The Maryland Intercollegiate will be tough, because also participating in the tournament is Penn State University, who successfully advanced to the NCAA Nationals last year.

forehand and they’ve got a very good team. But I can’t let this one go. I just can’t. But let’s be completely honest: Whether you’re a Hokie fan or not, you had to have known that Tech was overrated coming into this season. Maybe not overrated enough to get slapped by JMU at home but they were certainly overrated. Face it, Tyrod Taylor is a poor man’s Terrelle Pryor (who, for the record, is a Buckeye). And the thing that I ﬁnd the most entertaining is that, through two weeks in the College Football season, the George Mason Patriots’ football team – or lack thereof – has the same number of wins as a team that rounded out the top 10 in the 2010-11 preseason BCS rankings.

berger added two goals for the Patriots. Junior forward Zoe Doherty had a goal and an assist while senior defender Kimmy Moss and junior forward and defender Zania Barnum contributed two goals to the shutout victory. They will be back in action on Wednesday evening when they travel to UMBC and attempt to tame the Retrievers at 4 p.m.

Peace Corps at GMU The job market is global. You should be too.

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| Monday, September 13, 2010

Broadside

Our employees are free to choose any union they want. SEIU is trying to change that. Our employees should feel safe selecting any union they want. SEIU (Service Employees International Union) doesn’t see it that way, and continues to fight against our employees’ right to secret ballot elections for deciding whether they want a union or not. SEIU does this so they can identify, target, and harass anyone who doesn’t choose SEIU. Check the facts. You’ll find SEIU bullying our employees with motives that are anything but unselfish. So we’ll continue to protect our employees’ right to privacy, and ask SEIU to stop infringing on it.

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