10.09.18

WWW.REFLECTOR-ONLINE.COM

@REFLECTORONLINE

Green Week

Humanization of

Page 4

Page 3

PETS

Football’s consistency Page 5

pays off

TUESDAY OCTOBER 9, 2018

134th YEAR ISSUE 12

THE STUDENT NEWSPAPER OF MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIVERSITY SINCE 1884

Suspect arrested in Starkville Labor Day Murders case KATIE POE

NEWS EDITOR

After a lengthy investigation spanning 28 years, police have arrested who they believe to be responsible for the Starkville Labor Day Murders, in which Betty Jones and Kathryn Crigler were killed after answering a knock at the door.

The Starkville Police Department arrested Michael Wayne Devaughn,

51, of Baldwyn, Saturday on felony charges of capital murder and sexual battery.

In June, Devaughn was also arrested in Tishomingo County for possession of controlled substance, according to the Tishomingo County Sheriff ’s Office.

Devaughn’s bond is $1 million for sexual battery and $10 million for capital murder.

In 1990, friends Betty Jones and Crigler sat at home during Labor Day weekend when a knock came

to the side door between 8 and 10 p.m. Betty Jones answered the door, and was killed. The perpetrator then went into Crigler’s room and raped her. Crigler, who had recently undergone a leg amputation, survived the initial attack, and crawled into the kitchen to call 911.

She was transported to Oktibbeha County Hospital, where a sexual assault kit was performed. She later died in a nursing home shortly after the attack.

The rape kit for Crigler

provided DNA evidence for the police, but had not been matched until now.

SPD submitted the suspect’s semen to Parabon, a DNA Nanolab, which resulted in a detailed description of what the suspect may have looked like in the 90s. The lab made a second description, which was age-progressed and shows what the suspect could look like today, at roughly 50 years old with fair skin and light brown hair.

SPD also sent the DNA to Scales Biological

Laboratory, where they developed a semen-based DNA profile.

During a press conference on Monday, Starkville Mayor Lynn Spruill said modern technology helped move the case forward.

“Technology has done a wonderful thing for us.

It has made us very able to solve things that are long since thought of being cold,” Spruill said. “So, I am delighted that Starkville has pushed through and gotten the resolution.”

ARREST, 2

Michael Devaughn

Congressman Greg Harper presents papers COURTNEY CARVER STAFF WRITER

Congressman Gregg Harper announced he would gift Mississippi State University with his congressional papers documenting everything he has done over his last decade of service on Nov. 30, 2017.

Harper donated his papers at a formal ceremony Oct. 5 held in Old Main’s Turner A. Wingo Auditorium. His papers will be housed in the congressional and political research center in Mitchell Memorial Library.

“Students, faculty, scholars and researchers will be able to go through this voluminous material for better insight to a very pivotal time in our nation’s history,” MSU President Mark Keenum said. “These documents will be among a very distinguished collection of our political papers–the late John C. Stennis, the late G.V. (Sonny) Montgomery and others. It is a very impressive collection that we take great pride in here at our university.”

Harper was elected to serve Mississippi’s third congressional district for the House of Representatives in 2008. Harper served in

Congress for 10 years as a member of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, chairman of the Joint Committee on the Library of Congress and as a chairman of the Committee on House Administration.

“The connection between the two of us is: I was selected by the IHL Board of Trustees to be the 19th president the very day after the national election in 2008,” Keenum said. “Like Congressman Harper, I, too, took on my responsibility here the first week of January 2009. We began our life together in this public service road that we are now performing together, and we have been working very closely together for the past decade on critical issues that are important to this university and also to the state of Mississippi.”

Harper feels MSU is where his papers should be because the university has played such an influential role in his and his family’s lives.

“I don’t know how to say enough about what Mississippi State has meant to our family,” Harper said.

“We knew long ago that we were going to donate our papers to Mississippi State University. We just made Dean (of Libraries) Frances Coleman work for it for a

Fraudulent job emails flood student inboxes NICOLE RIGSBY

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Many fraudulent job emails have been sent to students during the past few months, according to the Mississippi State University Career Center.

Many of these emails come from people claiming to be doctors or artists who need a personal assistant for a weekly pay of $500.

Usually, it is easy to spot a scam, but these phishing attempts have gotten more deceiving, even calling some job postings Mississippi State University positions. The emails will have a subject line stating, “MSU Work Study,” or “MSSTATE PAID JOB OFFER.” The message might state the reason for contacting a student is because of their financial aid status.

If students do not know what factors to look for to determine whether an email is legitimate, it is easy to fall victim to the scam.

Courtney Carver | The Reflector

Congressman Greg Harper gifted his congressional papers to MSU Friday, which documents his service to the state over the last decade.

little while, and I will say she was consistent and persistent.

I don’t think I ever saw her where she didn’t say, ‘We really want your papers.’”

Alongside Harper at the ceremony were his wife, Sidney Harper, and his children, Maggie Harper Bailey and Livingston Harper.

Both Bailey and Livingston are MSU graduates.

Livingston, born with

Fragile X Syndrome, graduated from MSU’s ACCESS program, which is Mississippi’s only federallyapproved Comprehensive Transition Post-Secondary program for students with intellectual disabilities. The Harper family fully supports all families who have children with disabilities.

“If I had to say what is the number one reason that

Mississippi State University stole our heart, it would be the creation of the ACCESS program,” Harper said. “It began with one student, Katherine; she was the very first student in the program.

The first two graduates were Katherine and Livingston.

They began with one student not too many years ago. Now, they have 22 students this year.”

PAPERS, 2

Read more at reflector-online.com

CHANGES COMING TO STUDENT LOGINS, EMAILS

Students to get new email domain KATIE POE

NEWS EDITOR

In order to distinguish student emails from faculty, future Mississippi State University students will receive a different email domain instead of @msstate. edu.

MSU’s Information Technology Services said the change will take place through a phase-in system, meaning the current domain will still function for some time.

ITS is working with the Student Association to come up with the new domain. Last week, the SA created a poll on myState where students could vote on their option. “(ITS) thought that students should have a say in their email domain,” SA

TUESDAY HI: 86 LO: 73 SKY: Partly sunny POP: 25

President Mayah Emerson said.

The options on the poll included @student.msstate. edu, @1878.msstate.edu, @ dawgs.msstate.edu and @ maroon.msstate.edu. These ideas came from SA members, Emerson said.

Chief Information Officer Steve Parrott said the change comes at a time when faculty email hardware is due for an upgrade, so ITS decided it was also time for a differentiation between professors and students.

Parrott said the email will still begin with students’ netID, and they will still use Gmail as their platform.

Parrott said he does not know when the change will take effect, but it will not happen overnight.

WEDNESDAY HI: 82 LO: 64 SKY: Rainy POP: 60

THURSDAY HI: 74 LO: 47 SKY: Partly sunny POP: 25

“It’s not going to be one day where one stops and one starts, it’s going to be a lapping over time,” he said.

Gerhard Lehnerer, director of Information Technology Infrastructure, said the phase-in should not negatively impact students with the @msstate.edu domain who are applying for jobs or graduating.

“You’ve got it on resumes, especially the ones that are graduating soon, and we certainly don’t want to do anything that’s going to negatively impact their ability to graduate or to get information,” Lehnerer said.

“So, your email will work for a year or more probably.”

Editor’s Note: Staff writer Dylan Bufkin contributed to this article.

Two-factor authentication required by 2019 KATIE POE

NEWS EDITOR

By next semester, all students will be required to use a two-factor authentication method because hackers continue to compromise student accounts, according to MSU’s Information Technology Services.

In just one month last year, there were more than 300 break-ins after a successful phishing scam, said Tom Ritter, ITS security and compliance officer.

“This is the problem that I was trying to resolve,” Ritter said. “Over the last few years, we’ve had a steady break-in rate. Most of these break-ins were associated with phishing attacks. They

FORECAST: This week will have varying temperatures, starting on Tuesday with a high of 86. On Wednesday, there is a chance of rain and thunderstorms. However, more fall-like weather comes at the perfect time, starting off fall break and the weekend with moderate temperatures.

Courtesy of Accuweather

Rosalind Hutton

would send a fake email message, and they would get someone to click on it.”

These hackers have developed from their old ways of stealing information, however. Ritter said they can create fake websites

that look almost exactly the same as a real one.

Ritter said one hacker even created an identical copy of MSU’s website hosted in the Netherlands, with the only difference being its url.

AUTHENTICATION, 2

Readerʼs Guide: Bad Dawgs Life&Entertainment Puzzles Classifieds

2 3 3 3

Opinion Contact Info Sports

4 4 5

Policy: Any person may pick up a single copy of The Reflector for free. Additional copies may be obtained from the Henry Meyer Student Media Center for 25 cents per copy.

2

THE REFLECTOR TUESDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2018

@REFLECTORONLINE

ARREST

BAD DAWGS Friday, Oct, 5, 2018 Employee reported losing a university iPad on Sept.

24, 2018.

Student was issued a parking violation for a bicycle being illegally locked to a fire suppression pipe in Magnolia Hall.

Student reported a softball shattered her car window while parked in G1 parking lot.

Non-resident/visitor was arrested in Sessums Hall for trespassing.

Saturday, Oct. 5, 2018 Gameday worker reported his vehicle was scratched while parked in D9 parking lot.

Non-resident/visitor arrested in Davis Wade Stadium for public drunkenness.

Student arrested in Davis Wade Stadium for public drunkenness.

Non-resident/visitor reported losing his keys in Davis Wade Stadium.

Keys were later found.

Non-resident/visitor arrested behind Dorman Hall for public drunkenness, simple assault and disorderly conduct.

Non-resident/visitor reported losing his keys in Davis Wade Stadium.

Keys were later found.

Non-resident/visitor arrested on Fraternity Row for careless driving and first DUI. Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018 Student arrested on Fraternity Row for first DUI and possession of marijuana in motor vehicle. Referral issued.

Non-resident/visitor reported a suspicious male approached him in the Junction carrying a weapon.

Student arrested in D5 parking lot for first DUI. Employee reported his vehicle keyed while parked on Buckner Lane.

Non-resident/visitor reported his generator missing from Lot 28.

Student issued postarrest citation and referral for possession of marijuana in E10 parking lot.

Notable Traffic Citations: One MSU citation was issued for speeding 39/20 on Lee Boulevard.

Two MSU citations were issued for disregard of traffic device on Stone Boulevard.

MSU citation issued for failure to yield right of way on Bailey Howell.

Dave’s DArk Horse Tavern @davesdarkhorse

Tuesday

Dollar Night $1 Well Drinks $1 Bud Light Draft From 9-12

The police arrested Devaughn in Starkville on Oct. 6.

In the press conference, SPD gave credit to Sgt. Bill Lott, who was the investigator on the case.

SPD Police Chief Frank Nichols said Lott was so passionate about the cold case that he offered to work on it after hours without getting paid.

“It was that kind of dedication that he was driven to make sure that this person was brought to justice,” Nichols said.

Lott said Devaughn’s arrest comes after years of hard work.

“It’s been a long journey,”

CONTINUED FROM 1

he said as he teared up.

District Attorney Scott Colom said if it were not for Lott’s passion for the case, it might have never been solved.

Colom’s office will persecute the case when it comes to trial.

“We’re going to do everything in our power to prosecute to the full extent of the law as fast as we possibly can,” Colom said. “It’s already been too long, so we’re prepared to do everything that we can to help (the family and community) through this process and make sure that justice is finally received.”

Betty Jones’ grandson, Jason B. Jones, was young when his grandmother was

killed, but he said Devaughn’s arrest feels like a resolution.

“We’re emotional and we’re blown away, and we are so incredibly grateful for the Starkville Police Department for their dedicated service to this case,” Jason said.

“We are proud that all of this has finally resulted in hopefully justice for Betty and Katherine.”

About a year ago, to keep the story of these two women alive, Jason and his brother, Simon Jones, started a podcast investigating the case. About a month ago, they completed its last episode.

“I would have never dreamed in a million years that something would have

come to the surface so quickly,” Jason said.

Simon said he is still processing what the arrest means and how he should feel.

“I guess all that darkness of a person just goes away and you just see that he’s just a guy who’s been on the low end of life, with a recent drug charge, and just looks kind of sad in the photos and videos,” Simon said. “I’m still processing that transition where it goes from a figure that hides in the shadows and under the bed like the boogeyman, to now he’s just this ordinary guy who took so much away from you. He’s not a monster, he’s just a fear.”

AUTHENTICATION The spam emails have escalated into cyber attacks, like identity theft and stealing bank information.

“What we started noticing last year is what they were actually doing changed some,” Ritter said.

“They started trying to login to banner and look if they could change direct deposit information.”

About a year ago, at least one MSU employee even lost their paycheck due to a hacker logging in and changing the information for

CONTINUED FROM 1

direct deposits.

To help prevent this problem, last year, all faculty and staff are required to use Duo, MSU’s two-factor authentication program.

After users login, they are sent a notification on the Duo app, where they can see where the login attempt is coming from and either accept or deny it. Users can also get a code sent to their phone number.

If users do not have a smart phone, ITS will give one security token per person

for free. If a user presses the button, a six digit code will pop up.

Since the amount of student account compromises are still high, Ritter said the two-factor authentication will help reduce this number.

In addition, online hacking is not the only way students can have their information stolen. Ritter said plug-in keystroke loggers can catch every stroke put into a keyboard, thus making it easy for hackers to get passwords. R itter said one

student was charged with a felony for doing this exact thing.

“Go plug that in to locations around campus and it will log every netID and password of everyone who used it,” Ritter said.

Chief Information Officer Steve Parrott said students will soon have a warning screen pop up on their login page, asking them to sign up for Duo. He said a “Continue to myState” option will be available until the spring.

PAPERS The spam emails have escalated into cyber attacks, like identity theft and stealing bank information.

“What we started noticing last year is what they were actually doing changed some,” Ritter said. “They started trying to login to banner and look if they could change direct deposit information.”

About a year ago, at least

FOLLOW US ONLINE!

CONTINUED FROM 1

one MSU employee even lost their paycheck due to a hacker logging in and changing the information for direct deposits.

To help prevent this problem, last year, all faculty and staff are required to use Duo, MSU’s two-factor authentication program. After users login, they are sent a notification on the Duo app, where they can see where the login attempt is coming from and either accept or deny it.

Users can also get a code sent to their phone number.

If users do not have a smart phone, ITS will give one security token per person for free. If a user presses the

button, a six digit code will pop up.

Since the amount of student account compromises are still high, Ritter said the two-factor authentication will help reduce this number.

In addition, online hacking is not the only way students can have their information stolen. Ritter said plug-in keystroke loggers can catch every stroke put into a keyboard, thus making it easy for hackers to get passwords.

Ritter said one student was charged with a felony for doing this exact thing.

“Go plug that in to locations around campus and it will log every netID and

password of everyone who used it,” Ritter said.

Chief Information Officer Steve Parrott said students will soon have a warning screen pop up on their login page, asking them to sign up for Duo. He said a “Continue to myState” option will be available until the spring.

Parrott said this authentication method may seem like a hassle, but it is only beneficial for students.

“This is a great thing for students,” Parrott said. “Yeah, it’s going to be one more thing they have to do when they login every time, but it’s protecting them.

@Reflectoronline

@reflectoronline

Ladies 21+ get in free $1 Jumbo slices

@reflectoronline

*7-12 Every tuesday

Dave’s DArk Horse Tavern @davesdarkhorse

@reflectoronline

Tuesday, October 16 7:00 p.m.

Bettersworth Auditorium General Public - $30 Faculty/Staff/Senior Citizen - $25 Child (3yr-12yr; School ID or Uniform) - $12 MSU Students – FREE w/ Vaild MSU ID

THE REFLECTOR TUESDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2018 @REFLECTORONLINE

LIFE & ENTERTAINMENT

3

MSU Office of Sustainability brings Green Week to campus COURTNEY CARVER STAFF WRITER

In honor of campus sustainability month, Mississippi State University will participate in Green Week Oct. 15 through Oct. 20.

Christine Lashley, MSU’s sustainability coordinator, said this is the second year MSU has hosted Green Week events, and is hopeful about student involvement.

“I feel the more that students appreciate the earth and what it can give you, the more they will be proactive in protecting it,” Lashley said. “If you don’t appreciate something, you are not going to want to keep it around, so we just want to increase awareness and appreciation of the earth.”

The week will be kicked-off with the ribbon cutting ceremony for the community garden with MSU President Mark Keenum behind Landscape Architecture at 11:30 a.m.

Oct. 15. The proposal for the garden was brought up at the Student Association’s proposal competition, and has been an ongoing project for students and faculty members over the last two years.

Using funding allocated from Keenum, the SA’s green initiative proposal competition, which mirrors MSU’s Green Fund, has

CLASSIFIEDS The deadline for Tuesday’s paper is 3 p.m. Thursday.

The deadline for Friday’s paper is 3 p.m. Tuesday.

Classifieds are listed at $5 per issue. Student and staff ads are listed at $3 per issue, pre-paid. Lost and found items: Found items can be listed for free; lost items are listed at standard ad cost.

Come and Shop at the COCO Flea Market Nov.

been in action every spring semester since 2017. Both semesters, community garden proposals have won the competition. elaney Gillespie, codirector of environmental affairs in SA, said the application for SA’s Sustainability Proposal Competition will open at the end of Green Week on Oct. 18.

“This competition is how projects such as the garden and the new library bottle-filter stations have been funded and implemented,” Gillespie said. “The application will go live Oct. 19 and stay open into the spring semester.”

Cory Gallo, associate professor of MSU’s landscape architecture, is the coordinator for the community garden and works diligently to incorporate volunteer work and class activities to help expand the garden.

“It kind of landed on me to take it from an idea to getting realized and built,” Gallo said. “I have been coordinating the construction of the garden, as well as the organization of the garden, which is the membership, getting people involved and creating classes.”

Gallo said he is excited to celebrate the progression of the garden and all of the hard work gone into making it so successful.

3, 2018 at COCO Center, 7 a.m. to noon, located at 13608 MS Highway 182, Starkville, Mississippi.

Booths are available, call 662-312-2484.

CLUB INFO The deadline for Tuesday’s paper is 3 p.m.

Thursday. The deadline for Friday’s paper is 3 p.m. Tuesday.

MSU student organizations may place free announcements in Club Info. Information

“After a very long push, we are coming to a point where we can say it is done,” Gallo said. “It is first of all celebrating what we have done, but also letting everybody know it is here for you to use.”

Gillespie said SA’s environmental affair cabinet will host a discussion panel in Fowlkes Auditorium at 5 p.m. Oct. 16 as a part of the continued Green Week events.

“We’ll be hosting the ‘Climate Talk,’ which will

may be submitted by email to managing@reflector. msstate.edu with the subject heading “CLUB INFO,” or a form may be completed The Reflector at office in the Student Media Center. A contact name, phone number and requested run dates must be included for club info to appear in The Reflector.

All submissions are subject to exemption according to space availability.

Stay in the know!

reflector-online.com Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram @reflectoronline Don’t forget to check out our new life, sports and opinion podcasts on our website!

feature a panel of professors who will discuss the effects climate change has on their research,” Gillespie said.

“The professors are from a range of departments, including biology, plant and soil sciences, anthropology, sociology and geosciences.”

Gillespie said she is equally excited about the other Green Week events, particularly the recycling sort in front of McCain at 2 p.m. Oct. 17.

“McCain recently got new recycling bins, and we

will be sorting and weighing trash from the building to see how successful the new program has been,” Gillespie said. “It is a volunteer event, and people can sign up on Orgsync.”

As the week comes to an end, Lashley said she is excited for the organization fair on the Drill Field from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Oct. 18, which will provide opportunities for students to learn about 16 campus organizations for which students can join once

Green Week ends.

The “Lorax,” an animated film including vocal work from Taylor Swift and Zac Efron, will be shown at 8 p.m. Oct. 19 on the Drill Field to conclude campus-based Green Week events.

However, the Soil and Conservation Society will host a creek clean-up at Catalpa Creek.

Those interested in the clean-up will meet at 9 a.m. Oct. 20 at Fresh Foods.

Gillespie said she has dedicated much of her time to promoting sustainability on campus, and feels students need to prioritize sustainability in their own lives as well.

“In a changing world, it’s important for us to all become more aware of our impact on the environment around us–both on an individual level and on an institutional level,” Gillespie said. “Green Week is important because it gives students the opportunity to reflect on where they can lessen their own environmental impact– whether it’s carrying a reusable water bottle or choosing to carpool. It also gives us the chance as students at MSU to recognize how our university is prioritizing sustainability, and consider how we can improve our environmental consciousness going forward.”

4

THE REFLECTOR TUESDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2018 @REFLECTORONLINE

OPINION

Detention centers deny Corporations are replacing our government our ‘unalienable rights’ JANE KENT

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Over the past year, there has been a prevailing issue with immigration—particularly speaking about the children.

Since late spring of this year, the detention centers holding migrant children have been nearly bursting at the seams.

“Shelter capacities have hovered close to 90 percent since at least May, compared to about 30 percent a year ago. Any new surge in border crossings, which could happen at any time, could quickly overwhelm the system, operators say,” according to Caitlin Dickerson of The New York Times.

Despite the U.S.’ consistent negative overtones toward immigrants, these children, usually without any adult’s assistance, persist and illegally cross the border in hopes of escaping their countries and living a better life.

Here is the thing: the founding principles of our country were based on life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. This idea perpetuated, albeit hypocritically, by Thomas Jefferson applies to all people.

Just to be clear, all people covers, you know, all people.

No matter the gender, race, age, ethnicity or class, each individual should be guaranteed these inviolable rights.

So, as illegal as it is, these children have the God-given right to pursue a life which is better for them outside of whatever country they came from. Our own Declaration of Independence even says these rights are “unalienable.”

How ironic.

But as peachy as this sounds, the life awaiting them while they travel is not the American life. These children, many who are teenagers, are at high risk of being taken advantage of by smugglers and human traffickers. Girls are at an especially high risk.

These kids are considered fresh pickings–fresh meat to be crass.

You could make the

argument these detention centers function as a safe haven of a sorts for these children while they wait for their parents to go through the proper legal channels, which is an entirely different issue directly impacting these children’s lives. However, they operate as more of a junior prison.

Many of these kids have acquired PTSD from their experiences, a disorder which none of them have the ability to handle in a healthy manner, and likely do not possess the money nor resources to deal with it on a professional basis through therapists. Some children have even come forward about horrific abuse within the detention centers. “(H)e was sometimes kept in handcuffs and then tied to a chair with a restraint placed over his face with holes so he could breathe. This punishment was described in at least five other declarations from children, including one who said he was left naked, strapped to the chair for more than two days,” according to Blake Ellis, Melanie Hicken and Bob Ortega of CNN, who detailed the experiences of anonymous migrant children.

As a particularly traumatizing experience, these children are moved from one detention center to another under the cover of the night “because children will be less likely to try to run away. For the same reason, children are generally given little advance warning that they will be moved,” according to an anonymous center worker, as reported by Dickerson.

These children are going through hell. They traveled away from hell, as some of the most dangerous countries in the world are in northern South America and Central America, only to come into an entirely new one.

Instead of the American dream, they have found their worst nightmare. These children traveled thousands of miles to pursue a better life, and our country, on the basis of human kindness and respect, should extend every helping hand we can.

“This is really going to boost sales!”

ZACHERY ABUNEMEH

Domino’s

is a senior majoring in political science.

Contact him at opinion@reflector. msstate.edu.

You do not need me to tell you about how our American government is currently in disarray.

In the last decade, we have experienced all sorts of governmental constructs.

We have seen a Democratcontrolled government, a Republican-controlled government, a mixed House and Senate, and a Republican legislator with a Democrat executive.

Coming this November, it is likely we will see either a mixed House and Senate again, or possibly a Democratic legislator and a Republican executive.

Basically, we have seen nearly all the possible shapes our government can create in the last decade, yet we are still stuck with the same thing: frustration.

John Haltiwanger of Newsweek reports, “approval of Congress is at 16 percent…

The last time the approval rating for Congress was lower was in July 2016.” Additionally, according to Gallup, Congress has not had an approval rating over 30 percent since 2009.

Congress has not even passed roughly 400 bills, the historical average for any given two-term Congress, since 2007, according to Govtrack.

To put it in layman’s terms, our government has sucked for about a decade.

Unfortunately for Americans, we still need our government to do their jobs, yet it has failed us time and time again.

Our government is so inefficient Americans have turned toward other avenues for aid and assistance. One troubling trend is the reliance on big corporations to replace our government.

Leanna Garfield of Business Insider reports, “Domino’s announced

d

ck R a j k

c Bla

Rosalind Hutton

that it has started paying construction crews to fill potholes in towns across the US.” In 2018, in the most wealthy and powerful country the world has ever seen, a pizza company is fixing our roads because our government refuses to pass a substantial infrastructure bill.

Kristina Swallow, the president of the American Society of Civil Engineers, states, “The trend that is troubling is that companies… and citizens feel compelled to pick up the slack on this government responsibility,” as reported by Garfield.

Infrastructure is not the only area our government is failing our country. Issues such as “healthcare, affordable housing, and fresh food access” are all services which are “usually heavily funded by the government rather than by corporations,” Garfield explains.

GoFundMe is used to help people pay for medical bills, Google is constructing affordable housing, grocery stores and restaurants are donating fresh foods to food banks, and NASA is selling ad space on rockets and satellites

to help offset budget cuts.

Companies have replaced our government.

The problem with this concept is the underlying truth: the government is supposed to work for us, and companies only work for themselves.

Companies need to make a profit either by hook, or by crook. Everything they do to aid or support communities is somehow connected to their bottom line.

Domino’s, for example, is paving roads to help their delivery drivers.

Companies have no incentive to help anyone but themselves, unless it can make them a quick buck.

Public service and charity work can go a long way in building a good reputation.

A good reputation which can hide other secrets and encourage customers to shop guilt free.

Companies do not, will not and cannot care about you, your family or your friends.

They do, will and can only care about their customers.

We cannot trust companies the same way we are supposed to trust our government.

On the other hand, the

government is supposed to function for all of us. The U.S. government is one of the people, by the people and for the people.

If the government refuses to serve us as Americans, then who do they serve?

What is the point of having a representative government if it does not succeed in its ultimate goal of serving the voters?

Our political leaders have a duty to work for the American public, but on a more basic level: it is their job.

How can we have congressmen and women who stay in Washington for countless amounts of decades doing nothing we beg them for?

This November, regardless of party or beliefs, we should all agree this is unacceptable.

We cannot allow our frustration to be normal. We should not turn to companies because our government is terrible. We should turn to a new government. We should turn to new leaders.

Please vote this November because while it may seem big businesses can do everything, we do not want them voting for us.

The humanization of pets is detrimental to our society

CHRIS LOWE

is a senior majoring in business information systems. Contact him at opinion@reflector.msstate.edu.

For some people in my age group, pets, namely dogs and cats, have become all but a replacement for human children.

This pet humanization, or as some might call it, “pet worship,” is a disturbing trend in our society, and one I believe should be looked at to find out why it is happening.

I believe the level of normality we associate with obsessing over our pets has become a bit too much, and honestly, I think it will do much to hurt humanity’s prospects at establishing meaningful relationships with each other.

Pets are fine, and certainly have a place in our lives.

However, there are far too

many people who insist on inserting their animals into every social situation and generally base their entire lives around the pet’s needs.

Many of those who fall into the pet-worship category will aggressively defend their lifestyle and will not accept situations where their “fur babies” are unwelcome.

They will also bring their untrained animals in public, and expect everyone around them to feel comfortable with it.

This amount of disregard for others is more than a little worrying. The sad thing is those who are deep into humanizing their pets are likely to hold a higher opinion of animals than human beings.

April Pedersen of The Humanist, does a great job outlining the mindset these people have.

“I have quite a collection of misanthropic utterances from dog lovers, most along the lines of ‘I’ll take dogs over humans any day,’ and ‘dogs love without having an agenda!’… Then there’s the CEO who said he doesn’t trust clients who don’t have

Such a sweet baby.

Woof!

Rosalind Hutton

pets. How sadly similar to the religious who say they don’t trust nonbelievers,” Pederson details.

People who feel almost obsessed with their pets are doing nothing but stifling their

CONTACT INFORMATION Editor in Chief/Emmalyne Kwasny 325-7905 editor@reflector.msstate.edu

life@reflector.msstate.edu Photography Editor/Lindsay Pace

managing@reflector.msstate.edu news@reflector.msstate.edu

Online Editor/Josh Beck multimedia_editor@reflector.msstate.edu Advertising Sales/Johnson Cooke

Opinion Editor/Mia Rodriguez

325-2374 advertise@reflector.msstate.edu

opinion@reflector.msstate.edu

Graphics Editor/ Rosalind Hutton

Sports Editor/Hunter Cloud sports@reflector.msstate.edu

possibility when I sit down to eat somewhere, or enter a store to shop.

It seems logical a pet owner should have to prove they need emotional support before they receive a free pass to bring animals inside.

In what way is all this necessary? Why is it worth going through this much trouble?

The answers to these questions elude me. There is just no sense at all in relying so heavily upon animals and having them around constantly, and the fact those who do are being increasingly accepted is a little frightening.

Even worse, with the ubiquity in which we find loving pet owners, it stands to reason with increasing acceptance, some of those people will fall further down the proverbial rabbit hole and enter the mentally unhealthy lifestyle of a pet humanizer.

This will not be good news for our society if it happens, and as somebody who could take or leave pets in general, it is just plain annoying.

So please, love your pets all you want, but make sure to do so like a functioning adult.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Life Editor/Emma Moffett

Managing Editor/Kristina Domitrovich News Editor/Katie Poe

own ability to communicate and foster relationships with other human beings.

This is deeply sad when you really think about it.

Taking it a step further, a trend of registering emotional

support animals simply for the purpose of the ability to take their pet indoors has emerged.

It is not only inconsiderate to everyone else to bring untrained animals in public buildings, but it creates a harder situation for those who genuinely need a pet to help them through psychological issues.

Unfortunately, it is much too easy to fool businesses and institutions of your animals’ legitimacy.

Hal Herzog for Psychology Today did a bit of digging into just how easy it was, and came up with a disheartening answer.

“With absolutely no proof of an animal’s training or abilities, Amazon will sell you vests, leashes, collars, and dog tags indicating that your dog is a ‘Service Dog,’ an ‘Emotional Support Dog,’ or a ‘Seizure Alert Dog,’” Herzog explains.

This means the only necessary thing is a convincing costume for your pet and a willingness to cause a scene if asked to remove said pet.

I, for one, would prefer not to even have this be a

Circulation/Sierra Pruitt circulation@reflector.msstate.edu

Letters to the editor should be sent to the Meyer Student Media Center or mailed to The Reflector, PO Box 5407, Mississippi State, MS. Letters may also be emailed to editor@reflector. msstate.edu.

Letters must include name and telephone number for verification purposes. The editor reserves the right to edit or refuse to publish a letter.

EDITORIAL POLICY

The Reflector is the official student newspaper of Mississippi State University.

Content is determined solely by the student editorial staff. The contents of The Reflector have not been approved by Mississippi State University.

CORRECTIONS

The Reflector staff strives to maintain the integrity of this paper through accurate and honest reporting. If we publish an error we will correct it. To report an error, call 325-7905.

5

THE REFLECTOR TUESDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2018 @REFLECTORONLINE

SPORTS

MSU’s consistency in preparation pays off against Auburn MEGAN TERRY STAFF WRITER

As the sun set over Davis Wade Stadium, the Saturday night lights wrapped Scott Field in victory. The Mississippi State University (4-2, 1-2 SEC) football team beat Auburn University (42, 1-2 SEC) 23-9 and lit the field with bold pink socks and undeniable effort.

From day one, head coach Joe Moorhead was adamant on the need for keeping consistency throughout practices and on game day. His continuous belief in the MSU Bulldogs appears to only grow each game—win or lose.

“I think the kids will buy into the fact that this is a process,” Moorhead said.

“You stick to it and do the things that are necessary, this can be a result. Six games in, we are headed in the right direction.”

Mark McLaurin, senior safety from Collins, discussed the team’s consistency each day on and off of the field.

“Same thing you do in practice, you do in the game,” McLaurin said. “So we always pride ourselves on if you have a great practice, you have a great game.”

Moorhead also explained the team has always kept their confidence, despite the score.

“My confidence never wavered. I lack a lot of things, confidence is not one of them,” Moorhead said. “I think that is what’s great about our team, we didn’t flinch.

We didn’t cower in the face of adversity. We didn’t pout.

We went out on Sunday this week, watched the film from the week before and moved forward.”

Erroll Thompson, a sophomore linebacker from Florence, Alabama, talked about how the team never lost confidence in their abilities or who they are as a team. This identity he spoke about aligns with what Moorhead has repeatedly said.

“We never lost confidence,” Thompson said.

“We knew what we were capable of the whole time, people were going to call it an upset, but we knew what kind of game it was going to be–we knew we were going to come out on top.”

Maurice Smitherman Jr, a junior cornerback from Adamsville, Alabama spoke about the expectations from Moorhead as a new coach, and how the team had to get

past the negativity from the fans.

“Forget all of the expectations, let’s play with this chip on our shoulder,” Smitherman said. “We were reading all of the negativity everybody and the fans was saying, so we just wanted to go to prove out this team still got life in it. We’re still a great team, that’s what we did tonight.”

The team is always working toward their goals and working to improve, no matter the rankings. Seeing Auburn lose on MSU’s home turf was the icing on the cake for many fans who were doubtful of the Bulldogs this season. Even with the fans questioning the outcome of the MSU vs. Auburn game, the team insists they did not.

They came in to do their best and come out with a win.

“It was very challenging.

Auburn did a lot of things that hurt us in the previous two games,” Thompson said.

“Previous two loses so that was the challenging part about it.”

Challenges arise each and every game, and the team works endlessly to face adversity head on and to improve each step along the

2,999 rushing yards

most career rushing yards by an sec quarterback

Rosalind Hutton way. McLaurin gave his take on the Bulldogs and how they keep doing their best, quarter by quarter.

“It was tremendous. Our offense continued to playing,

kept fighting and they scored, and the defense we knew that we just had to keep battling because it wasn’t over, it’s a four-quarter fight,” McLaurin said. “We keep fighting each

and every day.”

MSU has a bye week before they travel to play LSU in Baton Rouge on Oct. 20 at 6 p.m. The game will be broadcasted on ESPN.

Terp sisters part of bigger family as they run cross country HANNAH BLANKENSHIP STAFF WRTER

For sisters Kristy and Carly Terp, Mississippi State University’s cross country runs in their blood. Kristy, a senior biological science pre-med major and Carly, a graduate student studying health promotion, have a friendly rivalry not only between each other, but also with their mom, a former MSU cross country runner.

Head coach Houston Franks, who is also a former MSU cross country runner, testified to the special connection with MSU. “There’s just something about Mississippi State. It just gets in the blood and becomes part of you,” Franks said.

Kristy and Carly’s mom played a key role in shaping the sisters into the phenomenal runners they are today. She encouraged them to try the sport in middle school, and although Carly initially only wanted to play volleyball, her sister’s growing love for cross country eventually won her over.

As the sisters grew older and began their college

searches, they said MSU was definitely on the radar, as it was their mom’s alma mater.

“Since I’m older, I got to pick the school for us,” Carly said, jokingly.

The sisters are very close, and said they enjoy being at the same school and on the same team.

Unfortunately, Kristy suffered a bad hamstring injury from running and just recently had hamstring surgery, a recovery that will prevent her from competing in the 2018 season. Although she cannot compete, Kristy said she still helps out her team in any way she can.

“My (goal for the season) is to get better, but also be supportive and encouraging to my teammates,” Kristy said.

Carly has had one of her best seasons yet, as she is injury free after battling various injuries since freshman year. The sisters joke it is nearly impossible for them to both be at full capacity simultaneously.

“It’s kind of funny, we joke about it: whenever I’m hurt, she’s running well, and when she’s hurt, I’m running,” Carly said.

Carly finished 18th at

the Falcon Classic on Sept.

15, and said this is the first season she has put races together to truly show her talents.

“Carly’s doing absolutely wonderful right now,” Franks said. “She’s very talented and a tough little thing.”

Like Kristy, Carly’s main focus is to help the team succeed and make it to nationals, and she recognizes this goal is accomplished through every team member performing to the best of their individual ability.

“I just want to be able to contribute to my team in a way that is reaching my full potential, and just helping everyone else to push themselves to reach their full potential, too,” Carly said.

“To make it to nationals would be good, too.”

For the Terps, a trip to the NCAA nationals in Madison, Wisconsin, would be a return to their home state.

The sisters said their favorite thing about Mississippi is the food. For Carly, this means specifically Restaurant Tyler’s cheese grits. Kristy appreciates all of Starkville’s restaurants and Mississippi’s mild winters.

Both sisters say the MSU

cross country team is special because so many people from so many different places come together over the sport.

“Something that’s really cool about the team is that we’re all from different places, it’s always been that way. There are (runners from) Wisconsin, Florida, Louisiana, Australia,” Carly said. “So I think that’s really cool. We’re all from different places, but we’re still able to connect.”

Carly, many years removed from her reluctant start to cross country in middle school, said her favorite aspect of cross country is also her least favorite.

“My least and most favorite thing (about cross country) is probably the same: pushing your body to it’s limit,” Carly said.

Franks agreed cross country takes an incredible amount of perseverance and drive. The team competes

THANKS FOR MAKING US #

1

500 Russell stReet ONLINE CODE: PS24FS

$

24

FAMILY SPECIAL

1 Large Specialty Pizza & 1 Large Up to 2 Toppings

Add a 2 Liter for $2.50 ORIGINAL OR THIN CRUST

$ Available online on our website.

ONLINE CODE: PS15OFF

15

%

OFF

ENTIRE ORDER *Only on Regular Menu Priced Items

ExpirEs: 12-31-18

ExpirEs: 12-31-18

12ONE LARGE

ORIGINAL OR THIN CRUST

OPINION PODCASTS!

323-PAPA(7272)

Coupon Required.

Additional Charges May Apply

UP TO 3 TOPPINGS CATCH UP ON OUR LIFE, SPORTS, OR

INDEPENDENTLY OWNED & OPERATED

Coupon Required.

Additional Charges May Apply

ONLINE CODE: PS12

Need some Fall Break listening?

nearly year-round in cross country, indoor track and outdoor track, and the small break they have in the summer is spent running the most miles to prepare for the upcoming cross-country season.

“A lot of people think the more you do this, ‘Oh, it gets easier.’ It doesn’t get any easier for them, they just go faster. It takes a tough physical and mental person to be successful at this.”

Franks said.

LARGE ORDER DISCOUNT!

5 or More Pizzas Large 1 Topping $8 each

Any Large pizza $11 each

Coupon Required.

Additional Charges May Apply

Coupon Required.

Additional Charges May Apply

ExpirEs: 12-31-18

ExpirEs: 12-31-18

6

THE REFLECTOR TUESDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2018

OPIOIDS: What Can You Do? Tuesday, October 9, 2018 6:30 p.m.

McCool Hall Mississippi State University Starkville, MS

Join us for a town hall meeting to discuss the opioid crisis affecting our state and learn what you can do to help!