The Oklahoma Daily

FRIDAY JANUARY 22, 2010

THE UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA’S INDEPENDENT STUDENT VOICE

ANYTIME AT

SATURDAY’S Men’ Basketball Men’s travels to Lubbock trave to face fac Texas Tech Saturday, on Sa see ppage 7.

See which OU student is asking for your vote in the Norman City Council race, see page 3

Read The Daily’s picks for the best films of 2009, see page 5.

Weather

58°

50°

OUDAILY.COM » BECOME A FAN OF THE OKLAHOMA DAILY/OUDAILY.COM ON FACEBOOK FOR UPDATES, STORIES, VIDEOS AND ALL YOUR DAILY FAVORITES.

FORMER CONGRESSMAN’S SON ARRESTED ON CAMPUS Chad Istook charged with concealing stolen property, false impersonation after traffic stop CASEY WILSON Daily Staff Writer

The son of former U.S. Congressman Ernest Istook was arrested on campus Tuesday.

Chad Allen Istook, 33, was arrested and charged with knowingly concealing stolen property and false impersonation after OU police stopped him for running a stop sign, OU police officer Rodney Sanders stated in an affidavit.

Sanders stated OU police officer Cory Sutton pulled Istook over at 1st Street and Asp Avenue.

Sutton was on bike patrol at the time.

Istook told the officer he did not have his wallet and his

name was Earnest “Butch” James Istook III. Officers discovered the license plate on the 1999 Ford Taurus Istook was driving had been reported as stolen, Cleveland County Court documents stated.

“Upon further investigation it was determined that he was actually ‘Chad Istook,’” Sanders stated.

Once in police custody, officers learned Norman Police Department had confirmed two outstanding warrants for Istook’s arrest.

Court documents stated Istook was arrested and taken to the Cleveland County Detention Center.

Istook also was charged with failure to stop at a yield sign, driving with a license that is canceled, suspended or revoked; failure to carry proof of insurance, and operating a vehicle with an expired or improper license plate, according to court documents.

Istook appeared in court Wednesday and pleaded “not guilty” to the charges against him. Istook’s bond was set at $5,000.

According to court records, Istook was found guilty of driving under the influence and driving under a suspended license in August 2009.

Former Rep. Ernest Istook Jr., R-Warr Acres, represented Oklahoma’s 5th Congressional District from 1993 to 2006.

CHAD ALLEN ISTOOK

STUDENT CONGRESS MUST ACT TO BAN SMOKING

MARCIN RUTKOWSKI/THE DAILY

Abed Wahesh, University College freshman, lights his cigarette Thursday evening near the Couch Center.

More accurate reflection of opinions is needed before decision is made JONATHAN BROU Daily Staff Writer

Last spring’s UOSA referendum indicating student interest in a campus-wide smoking ban may go up in smoke if the

UOSA Undergraduate Student Congress does not act.

A referendum passed last spring with 49 percent of the students voting in favor of a ban on smoking, 29 percent voted for a partial ban and 22 percent voted for no change. A total of 2,486 students voted on the referendum.

Although the referendum is not legally binding, it indicates general attitudes among the student population.

For a ban to occur, Student Congress would need to act

on the referendum by forging an agreement between the Undergraduate Student Congress, Graduate Student Senate, the Executive Branch, the Faculty Senate and the Staff Senate, then getting approval by the Board of Regents, which controls university policy.

Matthew Gress, vice chairman of Undergraduate Student Congress, said the Problems and Projects Committee met with OU staff about the possible ban.

BAN CONTINUES ON PAGE 2

State employees ban from texting while driving

OU Students compete for House seat

Lawmakers hope to see texting-while-driving ban expanded for all drivers RICKY MARANON Assignment Editor

CHARLES WARD Daily Staff Writer

Two more OU students are entering the Democratic side of the race for what will be an open seat in Oklahoma State House of Representatives District 44.

Emily Virgin, first-year law student, said a family history of serving in political office motivated her to seek the office being vacated by Democrat Bill Nations, who cannot stand for re-election because of term limits.

“When you grow up around something, that’s what you end up loving,” she said.

“It’s really what I feel called to do. It’s my CANDIDATE CONTINUES ON PAGE 2

FREE — ADDITIONAL COPIES 25¢

MARCIN RUTKOWSKI/THE DAILY

Emily Virgin, first-year law student, is the third OU student to announce his or her candidacy for Oklahoma House District 44.

Lawmakers hope a ban on texting while driving for state employees is just the first step in curbing the dangerous practice statewide.

Saying he hopes it will be an example to all Oklahomans, Gov. Brad Henry signed an executive order Thursday that prohibits state employees from text messaging while driving state vehicles. Some lawmakers are hoping that a ban on all drivers is in the making.

“This is a great start,” State Sen. Debbie Leftwich, D-Oklahoma City, stated in a press release. “Studies have PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY MICHELLE GRAY shown texting while driving can be as dangerous as drunk driving — but this executive order only applies to state employees.”

Leftwich stated she will push for the passage of Senate Bill 900 that would ban teenagers from texting behind the wheel. Leftwich filed the bill last year, but it was never given a hearing.

Support for Henry’s ban is bipartisan.

“I think this is a wonderful step forward,” State Rep. Sue Tibbs, R-Tulsa, stated in a press release. “This will help us gain momentum for an important public issue.”

TEXTING CONTINUES ON PAGE 2

© 2009 OU PUBLICATIONS BOARD

VOL. 95, NO. 83

2 Friday, January 22, 2010 Caitlin Harrison, managing editor dailynews@ou.edu • phone: 325-3666 • fax: 325-6051

Ban

Jonathan Vann, chairman of the Problems Continues from page 1 and Projects Committee, said members of congress discussed with the staff how they might enforce a ban, costs of enforcing a ban and effects a ban may have on other areas, like whether smokers may just relocate to Campus Corner. “The complicated problem right now is ... we are trying to find the best solution for everyone, because we don’t want to just say we’re banning smoking and then just have all the smokers just have tough luck, because

OUDAILY.COM Âť CHECK OUT A VIDEO OF THE OU ANIMATION SOCIETY.

we do need to take care of them,� Vann said.

But the referendum may not indicate accurate campus-wide attitudes, as faculty and staff did not vote. The Problems and Projects committee is trying to put together a survey to better judge the opinion of all people who use the campus, Vann said.

Different options currently under discussion are a complete ban of smoking on campus, a partial ban with designated smoking areas, a new attempt to enforce the current state law in an effort to appease those offended by smoking and to do nothing at all. “Right now, I could see some kind of ban.

Whether it’s a full ban or a partial ban, I don’t know,� Vann said.

Tibbs stated she has been working on legislation that Continues from page 1 would allow cell phone use while driving but only when hands-free devices are used.

Tibbs said she has tried for the past three years to move forward with legislation limiting the cell phone use while operating motor vehicles, but the bills have died in committee each year.

Students’ reactions to a potential textingwhile-driving ban are mixed. “I have mixed feelings when it comes to the issue,� Ross McNamara, University College

Enforcing a ban would not be practical, said Kim Cole, a smoker. “We don’t have the manpower,� said Cole, University College freshman. “You would have to have the campus cops do absolutely nothing except walking around enforcing the smoking ban, and it’s a waste of resources and a waste of personnel. It’s a waste of their time. They have more important things to be doing.�

Current state law imposes restrictions on smoking at least 25 feet from all building entrances. There are full bans on smoking at Oklahoma State University and at the OU Health Sciences Center.

Bryan Moyer, another smoker, said he

freshman, said. “I know that it will make the roads less dangerous and probably save lives, but at the same time, we’re all going to text and drive.�

One student who said she does not text and drive said she nevertheless finds the potential ban ridiculous. “If you have to text and drive, pull over to the side of the road,� said Jessamine Dumanas, University College freshman. “But if there is an emergency, you should be able to send a quick message without feeling you are breaking the law.�

Psychology senior Dami Akande, who admits to texting and driving, said the ban would be hard to enforce and would not make much of a difference.

Texting

LAW WINS HONOR

OBAMA PRESENTS AWARD TO NORMAN SCIENTIST

Students from the OU College of Law won various honors, including 2010 Chapter of the Year, at the National Black Law Students Association Rocky Mountain Region meeting Jan. 14 to 17 in Baton Rouge, La. Jasper Abbott and Candice Simmons were first runnersup in the Thurgood Marshall Mock Trail Competition, which earns them a spot at the national competition in March.

The duo also earned the award for Best Petitioner’s Brief. Abbott was honored as Best Oralist and third-year student Kyle Therrian earned OU’s third-consecutive Best Advocate award.

The competitors’ effort did not go unnoticed by their coaches. “The team members gave up their holidays and semester break to prepare for the competitions,� said Cheryl Wattley, associate law professor, in a press release.

The OU chapter will compete at nationals against the winners from five other regions.

President Barack Obama awarded two Norman scientists the 2009 Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers Jan. 14 at the White House.

The award is the highest honor presented by the government to promising and outstanding young professionals in the beginnings of their research careers.

Meteorologists Pamela Heinselman and Michael Coniglio work to improve tornado forecasting and study new weather radar systems. “These extraordinarily gifted young scientists and engineers represent the best in our country,� Obama said in a press statement. “With their talent, creativity and dedication, I am confident that they will lead their fields in new breakthroughs and discoveries and help us use science and technology to lift up our nation and our world.�

Heinselman and Coniglio were awarded up to a five-year research grants to continue studying critical government missions.

Coniglio analyzes data for forecasters and researching numerical weather models. He helped set up the VORTEX2 Operations Center and joined scientists in the field for the largest experiments to explore tornadoes.

Heinselman has led the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Weather Radar Testbed Phased Array Radar Demonstration Project for several years. She researches using radar data to improve tornado-warning lead times. She also mentors several graduate and undergraduate meteorology students. “This award means a great deal to me,� Coniglio said. “It’s great to be recognized among outstanding scientists in the government from around the country.�

-Caroline Perryman/THE DAILY

understands why people would want laws restricting smoking in front of buildings.

Moyer said he is willing to accommodate for those non-smokers who are bothered by cigarette smoke, but he would be bothered if there was a complete ban on smoking.

But Cole said she believes a complete ban on smoking would be too extreme. “I would have no problem with designated smoking areas, provided that there were a sufficient number of them,� she said. “I mean you can’t just have two on a campus this size, but I think banning smoking on the campus entirely is a bit ridiculous.�

“I drive to Texas all of the time, and one of the first signs you see says ‘Please Don’t Text and Drive,’ but sometimes you just have to do it,� Akande said. “I can understand where people are coming from who want the ban, and it can make the roads safer, but you can easily hide a phone when you text and drive so that the police can’t see it.�

Akande said she has heard news reports in which law enforcement officials in other states with texting and driving bans have said it is hard to enforce the law because people can easily hide their phones from the view of officials.

Nineteen states and the District of Columbia have banned texting while driving.

JENKINS AVENUE CLOSING Jenkins Avenue and its sidewalk will be closed beginning Monday for various construction projects. “Motorists who currently travel Jenkins Avenue through the campus should be prepared to take alternate routes,� stated Jay Doyle, university spokesman, in an e-mail. “The sidewalk along the west side of Jenkins between Lindsey and the Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium east side will be closed to pedestrians [as well].�

Doyle said the sidewalk will close Jan. 25 and Jenkins Avenue will close Feb. 15. “Work will begin on a utility tunnel that will provide chilled water, steam and electricity for new buildings, including Devon Energy Hall, Gaylord Hall Phase II, Old Science Hall and the Student Academic Services Center,� Doyle stated. “In addition, a storm sewer serving the Lindsey Street area will be replaced. Sections of Lindsey Street between George Street and Jenkins Avenue will be reduced to two lanes beginning Feb. 8.

Two-way traffic will be maintained, but turning lanes will be closed.�

Doyle said Jenkins Avenue will be closed from West Brooks Street south to East Lindsey Street and remain closed until approximately April 16. The Switzer Center’s exhibit area will close Jan. 25 for the duration of the project, which is scheduled to be completed by football season. At this time, the intersection of Jenkins Avenue and East Lindsey Street will remain open.

-Daily Staff Reports

Candidate Continues from page 1 passion.�

Virgin’s grandfather is George Skinner, a Cleveland County commissioner representing District 3.

Virgin received a bachelor’s degree in political science from OU in 2009.

She worked as an equipment manager for the OU football team while an undergraduate.

Isaiah McCaslin announced his candidacy for the Democratic nomination on Monday. He is a public policy junior.

McCaslin moved to Los Angeles when he was 18 to work with the Assemblies of God Dream Center, a program offering drug counseling, homeless outreach and food assistance. From there, he engaged in other humanitarian efforts in East Africa before coming to Norman in 2004 to attend OU. “My history has been as a community organizer up to this point,� he said. “I’ve worked with a lot of organizations over the last many years, doing different things in different areas ... but I see an opportunity, a window of opportunity right now, to bring a different perspective to the Capitol.�

McCaslin is currently a private first class in the Army Reserve. Locally, he has worked with the Norman Sustainability Network, OnTrac- a group advocating for Oklahoma rail transit- and Bike Against Hunger.

The pair joins history senior Matthew Hecox, who announced his candidacy for the seat Jan. 12.

District 44 covers much of Norman, including the OU campus. It stretches from Tecumseh Road in the north to Highway 9 in the south, I-35 in the west and Porter Avenue and Classen Boulevard in the west.

The primary election is July 27, with the general vote set for Nov. 2.

-Ta’Chelle Jones/ THE DAILY

some of the f e a t u r e s t h a t s e t u s a pa r t

THE

COTTAGES

-

Exclusive Student Neighborhood Resort Style Amenities Alarm Systems in Each Unit Optional Furniture & Utility Package Private Bedroom & Bathrooms Pet Friendly Minutes from Campus Live in Your Own Cottage!

BACK TO SCHOOL MEAL DEAL! Buy One Breakfast Wich, Get One Free!

10am-12pm

THECOTTAGESOFNORMAN.COM | 405.366.1900

fac e b o o k . c o m / t h e c o t tag e s o f n o r m a n

1 6 0 1 E . I m h o f f Roa d | No r m a n , O K 7 3 0 7 1

Friday, January 22, 2010

3

LAW STUDENT CAMPAIGNS FOR CITY COUNCIL SEAT Graduate Matthew Zellner addresses concerns about availability of councilmen CASEY PARVIN Daily Staff Writer

An OU student wants to know what Norman citizens care about before he reaches city hall.

Matthew Zellner, a full-time OU law student in his first semester, is campaigning for the Ward 6 city council seat against current councilman James Griffith. Zellner said he is currently door-knocking and speaking everywhere he can to get his name heard before the March 2 election.

“I realize that without a question I would be able to do it,” Zellner said. “If the race was last August, I wouldn’t have done it just because I wouldn’t have had time, but now I know that I do have time.”

Zellner said he waited to make his final decision to run after seeing how he handled his first semester of law school, but began considering running after spending the summer in London as a Dunham Scholar with the Price College of Business.

“I go just like 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.,” Zellner said. “In a lot of respects, I have a less restrictive schedule than even more full-time adults do.”

Zellner is not the first law student to run for office before graduating. John Jordan ran for District 47 State House Representative when the seat opened up in summer 2008.

“I felt I had a lot to offer since I came in with a legal mind,” said Jordan, now an attorney. “There is a difference between ‘went to law school’ and ‘being in law school.’ It is a difference when it comes to people’s perceptions.”

The question of his age, 23, has surfaced once in Zellner’s campaign, and he said it was not negative.

“I have been extremely surprised that only one time did someone actually bring up my age and that was someone supporting me,” Zellner said. “Once people realize the credentials I have, I think that the questions are answered about my ability. They see the education I am receiving,

the fact that I’m born and raised here, the fact that I care about what’s going on, the fact that I actually do pay attention on issues and I want to represent the people.”

In contrast to Jordan’s run for state representative, Zellner said the cost of a city council campaign is significantly lower.

“One of the good things about city council is that it’s not nearly on the grand scale of what House and Senate campaigns are,” Zellner said. “I aspire to do that some day very soon, but right now while in school I don’t feel like I’m ready to undertake a campaign or an office that grand yet.”

With the city council elections more than a month away, Zellner said his focus is reaching out to the citizens of Norman to hear their concerns.

“It’s really not how much money you make,” Zellner said. “It’s the message that you get out to people and people will listen if they feel like you NICOLE ROGERS/ THE DAILY actually care. One hundred percent, without a Matt Zellner, law student, answers questions during an interview on the first question, I want to represent the people of my floor of Gaylord Hall on Thursday afternoon. ward.”

“He is engaging and very personable,” Ghosh said. “He Zellner said of all the people he has spoken with, not one came to class prepared and has great people skills. He will has ever met or spoken to his or her current councilman. do very well.”

“One of the first calls I made was to an elderly couple here Zellner said he decided to run for city council after lots of in Norman,” he said. “They had literally watched me grow thought and listening to what citizens had to say about the up in church, and I was talking to them saying, ‘You’ve been current state of city council. around for a long time. What are some of the issues you guys “I had contemplated many months before deciding to really really care about?’ The thing that they said was, ‘We run, ” Zellner said.

“This was not on a whim or in response to turn on channel 20 and we watch the city council meetings, something I saw or heard.

As soon as people starting calling and we get so frustrated with some of the things they’re doing, the citizens ‘they’ and not ‘we, ’ we have a problem.” and we have to turn the TV off because we know that there’s nothing we can do about it.’”

ZELLNER’S TOP THREE ISSUES One of Zellner’s main issues he wants to address is the availability and communication of councilmen and the - More conservative spending in Norman citizens of their wards, he said. Zellner is giving out his e-mail address to Norman residents so he can hear their ideas and - Short- and long-term water solutions take them to council meetings.

Dipankar Ghosh, executive director of the MBA program - More accessibility to councilmen at Price College of Business, worked with Zellner while he was a graduate student.

POLICE REPORTS The following is a list of arrests and citations, not convictions.

The information given is compiled from the Norman and OU Police Departments. At times, the Cleveland County Sheriff’s Department and the Oklahoma City FBI will contribute to these reports. All those listed are innocent until proven guilty.

ASSAULT AND BATTERY Victoria Marie Chavez, 22, 1205 E. Lindsey St., Tuesday PETTY LARCENY Angela Dawn Dillard, 27, 601 N.E. 12th Ave., Wednesday

DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE Justin Daniel Genson, 29, E. Franklin Road, Wednesday Cody Bill Hass, 25, Emelyn St., Wednesday, also possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia Jordan K. Monroe, 22, 200 E. Boyd St., Wednesday

MUNICIPAL WARRANT Douglas Blaine Lambert, 38, 1076 E. Constitution St., Wednesday

DOMESTIC ABUSE John David Green, 39, 805 Goshawk Drive, Wednesday

PETTY LARCENY Cheryl A. Nilsson, 21, 601 N.E. 12th Ave., Tuesday

ASSAULT AND BATTERY ON POLICE OFFICER Christopher Charles Gregg, 44, 1161 N.E. 12th Ave., Tuesday

DISTURBING THE PEACE David Lee Reamy, 23, 1300 Creekside Drive, Wednesday

PUBLIC INTOXICATION Kenneth James Matchen, 43, 901 N. Porter Ave., Wednesday

YOU ARE INVITED!

DEDICATION Devon Energy Hall 1 p.m.

Tuesday, January 26 110 W. Boyd St. For accommodations on the basis of disability, please call the Office of Special Events at (405) 325-3784.

The University of Oklahoma is an equal opportunity institution.

4

Friday, January 22, 2010

COMMENT OF THE DAY »

Max Avery, opinion editor dailyopinion@ou.edu • phone: 325-7630 • fax: 325-6051

In response to Casey Parvin’s article on Boren’s income YOU CAN COMMENT AT OUDAILY.COM

“If there is ever a whisper of Boren considering leaving his post as President, I sure hope OU would quickly do everything in its power financially to ensure he stays. He has played a large part in the rebirth of this campus.”

-jssooner4

STAFF COLUMN

OUR VIEW

THE RISE OF POLITICAL STUDENT ACTIVISM Three of the four candidates for District 44’s seat in the State House are OU students. We could not be happier.

OU students could potentially represent the district in which OU students live, meaning we could finally be governed by our peers.

We could finally have both taxation and representation.

The candidates are Isaiah McCaslin, public policy junior, Emily Virgin, first-year law student and Matthew Hecox, history senior.

As students, these three will be able to legitimately represent Oklahoma students. They will be able to offer a different perspective and from a unique position to promote student issues.

This news is refreshing considering the talk of apathy among our generation. We have a

well- deserved stereotype of complaining about the wrongs of the world but not standing up and taking action. But these students are doing both.

If one of these students is elected, we encourage him or her to truly bring up student issues and be our voice instead of playing along with the same-old-same-old.

Rumor has it this is the year of standing against the establishment. It seems at least some of OU are doing their part.

The very fact they’re running for the position means they’re challenging the gerontocracy that seems to govern so much of this country.

These students have also set a fine example for the rest of the student body.

Now our question is: What are you going to do to rise to the challenge?

STAFF CARTOON

STAFF COLUMN

University bookstore needs online rating system for used books Like many students who hate trust the used books the bookstores to show up to the first day of class give us will be of decent quality. without the required textbooks, I Otherwise, we might as well buy like to buy my books online from from some cheaper, but less dethe University Bookstore. Normally, pendable, seller. this works for me. I buy them a However, as frustrating as it can couple weeks early through the be to get one of these poor-quality Web site and pick them up the day texts when you’re not expecting it, before classes start, saunthe bookstore shouldn’t nectering past rows of frantic essarily retire them. After all, students elbowing one let’s face it: If we only need a another for the last copy book for a week or two, we’re of whichever book they not always too concerned absolutely have to have with what it looks like. before tomorrow.

We shouldn’t have to pay That didn’t work so well the same price as we would this time around. This for a used book with all the semester, when I opened pages.

BECCA SKUPIN my bag of textbooks, I was If the university wants shocked to find many of to resell us textbooks that the books I’d bought used should probably be left to rewere actually falling apart. tire with a little dignity, they need to For example, currently sitting implement a rating policy like those forlornly in the corner of my room of eBay and Half.com. These comis a medium-sized paperback that panies require sellers to rate used I swear looks like tiny, literature- books on a scale going from “like hating badgers chewed on it before new” to “very used,” and then adjust the university found it God-knows- the prices accordingly. where and sold it back to me for the This is a much more honest policy full used price. than the bookstore’s simple choices I think at one point it was intend- of “new” and “used.” It would give ed to be Vonnegut, but all I can see students more control over the is “Vonne—” before the rest of the quality of the books they received cover was obscured by a mysterious and save everyone the trouble of rebrown goo I’m not brave enough to turning and then replacing the same investigate further. items over and over again.

I’m not alone. Walk into any class With the addition of a simple on campus this semester you’ll see rating system, students can keep students with books that have miss- the convenience and certainty of ing covers, pages ripped out and buying online from the university. scribbles over all the text. These Everyone wins and no one has to books aren’t “used.” These books pay for the mystery goo — which are “demolished.” may support life. However, I’m not This is a pretty low blow to stu- peeking over to check. dents who take advantage of buyBecca Skupin is an English sophomore. ing their textbooks online. When we buy them this way, we have to

Mark Potts is a Broadcast Graduate Student

Our personal ‘Brave New World’ In his novel “Brave New World,” Aldous Huxley envi- over again. and it looked back at us with equal apathy, it is not pretty. sioned a dystopia where people became slaves to their own We have become so immersed in the technology that Huxley feared humans would become predictable, their willful ignorance, while narcissistically flaunting egotism as claims to liberate us, imprisoned within the machines that core values, essence and behaviors mapped and distilled a virtue. promised a revolution, we have forgotten what it means into a couple variables, symbols, and formulas, such that by Huxley’s characters were so desensitized and removed to experience life. We keep our cell phones in hand so we knowing one of us you know us all. He feared society would from the natural they lost their capacity to feel. Nature was have an excuse for introversion; we walk to class wearing become so obsessed with efficiency, goals, labels and numcolonized by machines that moved at rocket-speed, progress headphones, apparently unstimulated by sounds of nature bers that the journey and process would lose meaning. was narrowly confined to technological evolution; and the and disdainful of small talk; we turn the television on so we He feared a world much like ours, where a 4.0 grade point biological rhythms that once tethered humans to don’t have to think and drown out the background average gleaned from reading abstracts, SparkNotes and the natural world were subjugated in favor of pills, of reality. test prep materials is more important than learning itself— drugs and gadgets.

Every day we pull the wool over our own eyes, not where an easier class is a popular one. Where a single numModern transportation allowed people to travel out of coercion, but because it’s easier to have some- ber imparted by the LSAT, MCAT, or GRE is more important across the country without having to take their eyes body else think for us. We don’t want to wake up from than the sum of one’s academic career, personal experience off a television screen. The incessant droll of music this dream because it would mean confronting a re- and ambition; mindlessly regurgitating the teacher’s lesson and hypnotic sounds masked the natural rhythm ality without the illusion of self-importance, without is more important than speaking your mind; a résumé rife of the environment; special massage machines the mirage of grandeur and without the convenience with inconsequential organizations, self-congratulatory were the only ways by which people could relax; of an artificial world that is crafted to our liking. clubs and awards obtained for participating in the former chewing gum was required to artificially induce EVAN DEFILIPPIS We are living the lives of Huxley’s characters, so two categories are more important than selfless charity, unlibido; and psychoactive drugs became necessary bored with reality that we inundate ourselves flashy documented munificence or sincere altruism; good grades replacements for a “dull” reality. colors, familiar faces and instant gratification, any- mean a good life; education itself has become a mere comEvery day there is a near infinite number of posthing to cease the burden of thought. We’ve become modity, valued only insofar that it provides employment sibilities — a mind-boggling number of people to meet, paths so inebriated with the enchantment of opportunities. to cross, books to read, habits to adopt and things to create. technology, the allure of modernity, that It is said it is called a public school not beYet, we sit at our computer screens, living in a constant loop, we’ve forgotten how much we’ve lost in “We have stared into cause universities provide a social good, but waiting for the thrill of a new message, a red notification box, the interim. because they actively create a public that has the technological a response on a forum post.

We can’t even go two days without our abyss, and it looked the power to dictate the future.

And we sit and sit and sit, as if looking for excuses to jus- laptops, cell phones or MP3 players beIf our experiences were distributed on a bell tify this listless existence that we refuse to acknowledge. We fore we feel vulnerable and disconnect- back at us with equal curve, the memories we cherish the most would watch our YouTube videos, tweet, update our profiles, mes- ed. Yet it is precisely these devices that apathy; it is not pretty.” lie on the end, while the average experience — sage our friends, watch TV and the day will end. Wash, rinse, cause discontinuity, have decentralized the video games, the Facebook, the text messagrepeat. Our experiences can be summarized by just a few and alienated social interaction and have ing — would lie in the dead center. If you want a URLs, a couple television programs, some thoughts, triviali- exposed the emptiness in ourselves that we desperately try remedy, you’ll find it amongst the outliers — in the unpaved ties and routines. to fill with products. path, the deserted playground, the unkempt field, the road The technological medium of today allows us to send But the fact is these devices have removed us from nature. not taken. We can continue refreshing our inbox, hoping anything, at light-speed, to any person in the world, at any The technology that once had made life easier has become for a message that validates our egotism, or we can shut the time of day, yet we find ourselves watching the same videos, life. Technology is no longer an extension to us, but we are an computer off and open our eyes. It’s your choice. playing the same games, talking to the same people over and extension of it. We have stared into the technological abyss, Evan DeFilipis is a political science, economics and psychology junior.

T=: O@A6=DB6 D6>AN Jamie Hughes Caitlin Harrison Ricky Maranon Lisa Phan Max Avery Michelle Gray Marcin Rutkowski

contact us

Editor-in-Chief Managing Editor Assignment Editor Presentation Editor Opinion Editor Photo Editor Assistant Photo Editor

Renee Selanders, Amanda Turner News Editors James Lovett Online Editor Mark Potts Multimedia Editor Aaron Colen Sports Editor Joshua Boydston Life & Arts Editor Judy Gibbs Robinson Editorial Adviser Thad Baker Advertising Manager

160 Copeland Hall, 860 Van Vleet Oval Norman, OK 73019-0270

phone: 405-325-3666

e-mail: dailynews@ou.edu

The Oklahoma Daily is a public forum and OU’s independent student voice.

Letters should concentrate on issues, not personalities, and should be fewer than 250 words, typed, double spaced and signed by the author(s). Letters will be cut to fit. Students must list their major and classification. OU staff and faculty must list their title. All letters must include a daytime phone number. Authors submitting letters in person must present photo identification.

Submit letters Sunday through Thursday, in 160 Copeland Hall. Letters can also be submitted via e-mail to dailyopinion@ ou.edu.

Guest columns are accepted at editor’s discretion. ’Our View’ is the voice of The Oklahoma Daily.

Editorial Board members are The Daily’s editorial staff.

The board meets Sunday through Thursday at 4:30 p.m. in 160 Copeland Hall.

Columnists’ and cartoonists’ opinions are not necessarily the opinions of The Daily Editorial Board.

Friday, January 22, 2010

Joshua Boydston, L&A editor dailyent@ou.edu • phone: 325-5189 • fax: 325-6051

5

ONLINE »

Check the multimedia section at oudaily.com to listen to “Fanboy Fridays,” a discussion on the year’s best video games at oudaily.com

TOP 20 FLICK PICKS OF 2009 12. “THE HURT LOCKER” (KATHRYN BIGELOW) Action director Bigelow Bigel gives us a pure shot of adrenaline filmmaking, distilling h her talents down to the best possible product.

ul for cinema, but audiLast year wasn’t especially bountiful lunked down into theences lapped up the slop Hollywood plunked ox office grossers being aters all the same with the top two box two of the worst films of the year.

The idiocy that was “Transformers 2” speaks for itself, but the golden calf that iss “Avatar” featured characters that were justt as flat, dialogue that ed and effects that were was just as hackneyed far more skillful, but just as forgettable. he Academy is going In a year where the to have to stretch to fill its newly minted 10 Best Picture slots (impeccable timing, folks), only a handfull of mainstream films he nomination. are really worthy of the DUSTY Fortunately, theree are gems to st audiences SOMERS be found where most ear. never treaded this year. eir U.S. All films made their theatrical debut in 2009.

11. “TWO LOVERS” (JAMES GRAY) Joaquin Phoenix’s potential pote swan song to acting features his surrounde by a textured and moving character best work ever, surrounded portrait by Gray.

10. “FANTASTIC MR. FOX” (WES ANDERSON) Stop-motion animation seemed a perfectly logical career step for Anderson, and his bl blend of twee design and mopey characters with father issues translates wonderfully across mediums.

9. “LORNA’S SILENC SILENCE” (JEAN-PIERRE AND LUC DARDENNE) The Dardenne brothers offer yet another humanist sucker punch, di digging through the dirt of despair while be hinting at the beauty aboveground.

20. “MOON” (DUNCAN JONES) Sam Rockwell gives a riveting tour de force perted piece of formance in this beautifully understated lo-fi sci-fi.

EM 8. “BROKEN EMBRACES” ALMOD (PEDRO ALMODÓVAR) m It’s a masterful melodrama about filmmaking ing, two things that Almodóvar does better th than almost everyone.

19. “(500) DAYS OF SUMMER” (MARC WEBB) It’s the rare romantic comedy that takes ading a slave vantage of structure without becoming to it, and this film features the best use of split screen since Brian de Palma’s “Sisters.”

7. “GOODBYE SOLO” (RA (RAMIN BAHRANI) Unsentiment and immensely moving, “Goodbye Unsentimental Solo” features th the best performance of the year from Souleymane Sy Savane Sa as a cabbie who becomes interstran looking to end his life. twined with a stranger

18. “35 SHOTS OF RUM” (CLAIRE DENIS) easured ode to Denis directs a rhythmic and measured family and interconnection.

6. “THE IMAGINARIUM OF DR. PARNASSUS” (TERRY GILLIAM) gl “Parnassus” is a gloriously messy film from Gilliam that recalls most of his stre strengths and features 10 times as much imagination as “Avata “Avatar.”

17. “CORALINE” (HENRY SELICK) motion fantasy, A lovingly constructed stop-motion dream and wholly “Coraline” is half nightmare, half daydream enchanting.

16. “UP IN THE AIR” (JASON REITMAN) t, perfectly capturing the Reitman delivers his best film yet, eas feel somewhat less than mood of the era, even if the film’s ideas genuine.

PHOTO PROVIDED

15. “INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS” (QUENTIN TARANTINO) Tarantino restrains the insufferable facets of his filmmaking and releases his inner cinephile to great effect.

14. “TULPAN” (SERGEI DVORTSEVOY) Proving that cinematic references to Kazakhstan don’t begin and end with “Borat,” Dvortsevoy delivers a harshly beautiful portrait of life among the elements.

13. “ADVENTURELAND” (GREG MOTTOLA) Wistful, yet smart, Mottola let down audiences looking for another “Superbad” with this nostalgia trip, but made a much better film.

5. “SUMMER HOURS” (OLIVIER ASSAYAS) Deceptively simple, “Summer “Summ Hours” gets under your skin almost imperceptibly until its final scene with its llook at the connection between family and possessions.

4. “THE WHITE RIBBON” (MICHAEL HANEKE) Haneke fosters an impeccable sense of time and place and provokes a growing unease with his menacing and mysterious film about unknown evil in a small town.

3. “IN THE LOOP” (ARMANDO IANNUCCI)

Wordplay doesn’t get much better than this in one of the funniest and sharpest scripts of the decade that will have you gasping for breath and rewinding often.

2. “A SERIOUS MAN” (JOEL AND ETHAN COEN) A Coen film for the Coen faithful, “A Serious Man” is their most blackly funny and idiosyncratic film yet, filmed with a precision rarely seen.

1. “UP” (PETE DOCTER AND BOB PETERSON) Perhaps Pixar’s greatest achievement ever, “Up” is storytelling at its finest, with cute little block-head cartoons that reveal truth about the human condition and bring you to tears.

Now that’s some great filmmaking.

Dusty Somers is a journalism senior.

PHOTO PROVIDED

Still from the animated film “The Fantastic Mr. Fox.”

CONAN O’BRIEN REACHES $45M EXIT DEAL Thursday, O’Brien and NBC reached a formal buyout plan that guarantees O’Brien will get more than $33M, while his staff will receive the other $12M. Jay Leno will takeover “The Tonight Show” March 1, and O’Brien will be able to pursue other options after Sept. 1.

Both Comedy Central and Fox have expressed some interest in O’Brien.

Friday will be O’Brien’s last show . Tom Hanks and Will Ferrell-O’Brien’s first Tonight Show guest-will appear with musical guest Neil Young.

-AP

PHOTO PROVIDED

Promotional poster for the film “The Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus.”

6 Friday, January 22, 2010 Thad Baker, advertising manager classifieds@ou.edu • phone: 325-2521 • fax: 325-7517

Phone: 405-325-2521 E-mail: classifieds@ou.edu

Fax: 405-325-7517 Campus Address: COH 149A

DEADLINES Line Ad ..................................................................................3 days prior Place your line ad no later than 9:00 a.m. 3 days prior to publication.

Display Ad ............................................................................3 days prior Classified Display or Classified Card Ad Place your display, classified display or classified card ads no later than 5:00 p.m. 3 days prior to publication.

HELP WANTED

BOOKS

r

1/2 OFF 1st Month Rent* $99 Deposit / 6 Month Free Fitness 1 & 2 bed $425-$570 Pets Welcome! Large Floor Plans! *Some Restrictions Apply Models open 8a-8p Everyday!

360-6624 or www.elite2900.com

Textbooks buybacks, multiple buyers gets you the most cash for your books, even no longer used editions. Buy, sell, rent at cheapbooks.com (260) 399-6111, Espanol (212) 380-1763.

PART-TIME LEASING AGENT Needed for MWF and every third Saturday.

Can be exible thru the week. Saturdays mandatory. $8/hr. Call 405-360-7744

SPECIAL! NEAR OU, 1012 S College $295/mo. 360-2873 / 306-1970.

C Transportation

RATES Line Ad

There is a 2 line minimum charge; approximately 42 characters per line, including spaces and punctuation.

(Cost = Days x # lines x $/line) 10-14 days.........$1.15/line 15-19 days.........$1.00/line 20-29 days........$ .90/line 30+ days ........ $ .85/line

1 day ..................$4.25/line 2 days ................$2.50/line 3-4 days.............$2.00/line 5-9 days.............$1.50/line

Classified Display, Classified Card Ad or Game Sponsorship

Contact an Acct Executive for details at 325-2521.

2 col (3.25 in) x 2 inches Sudoku ..............$760/month Boggle ...............$760/month Horoscope ........$760/month

2 col (3.25 in) x 2.25 inches Crossword ........$515/month

POLICY The Oklahoma Daily is responsible for one day’s incorrect advertising.

If your ad appears incorrectly, or if you wish to cancel your ad call 3252521, before the deadline for cancellation in the next issue. Errors not the fault of the advertiser will be adjusted. Refunds will not be issued for late cancellations.

The Oklahoma Daily will not knowingly accept advertisements that discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, religious preference, national origin or sexual orientation. Violations of this policy should be reported to The Oklahoma Daily Business Office at 325-2521.

Help Wanted ads in The Oklahoma Daily are not to separate as to gender. Advertisers may not discriminate in employment ads based on race, color, religion or gender unless such qualifying factors are essential to a given position.

All ads are subject to acceptance by The Oklahoma Daily. Ad acceptance may be re-evaluated at any time.

APTS. UNFURNISHED

ENGLISH TUTORS WANTED!!!

Available positions in the OU Athletics Department!!! Junior, Senior, Graduate, and Post-graduate applicants only!!!

Hiring for Spring 2010. Call (405) 3258376 for more info!!!

TM

Payment is required at the time the ad is placed. Credit cards, cash, money orders or local checks accepted.

J Housing Rentals

Textbooks bought and sold, new & used, online buybacks. Buy, sell, rent at cheapbooks.com (260) 399-6111, espanol (212) 380-1763, urdu/hindi/punjabi (713) 429-4981, see site for other support lines

PAYMENT s r

Employment

AUTO INSURANCE

Auto Insurance Quotations Anytime Foreign Students Welcomed Jim Holmes Insurance, 321-4664

Employment HELP WANTED Marshal/Hearing OfďŹ cer (Part-Time) Municipal Court Graduation from college and currently attending law school. Valid Oklahoma Driver’s License and satisfactory motor vehicle record. Knowledge of courtroom proceedings and practices and legal terminology. $10.50 per hour. Obtain application at: 201-C West Gray, Human Resources Dept., CITY OF NORMAN (405) 366-5482, Web: normanok.gov EOE/AA MISAL OF INDIA BISTRO Now accepting applications for waitstaff.

Apply in person at 580 Ed Noble Pkwy, across from Barnes & Noble, 579-5600.

Bartending! Up to $300/day. No exp nec.

Training provided. 1-800-965-6520 x133.

STUDENTPAYOUTS.COM Paid survey takers needed in Norman 100% FREE to join. Click on Surveys.

NOW HIRING for the Darkhorse Grille & Icehouse, Newcastle! Hiring all positions!

Apply in person, 3-6pm, M-F. Phone 3874505 TUTORS WANTED!!!

Available positions in the OU Athletics Department!!! Junior, Senior, Graduate, and Post-graduate applicants only!!!

ALL SUBJECTS!!!

Hiring for Spring 2010. Call (405) 3254828 for more info!!!

TUTORS WANTED!!!

Available positions in the OU Athletics department!!! Junior, Senior, Graduate, and Post-graduate applicants only!!!

MATH - All Levels!!!

Hiring for Spring 2010. Call 325-0554 for more info!!!

Tennis Shop Attendant (Part-Time) Westwood Park Tennis Center Applicant must be at least 16 years of age and have cash handling experience. $7.25 per hour. Work Period: No ďŹ xed schedule. Must be able to work evenings, weekends, and holidays. Application Deadline: Open Recruitment. Obtain application at: 201-C West Gray, Human Resources Dept., City of Norman (405) 366-5482, Web: NormanOK.gov EOE/AA Autographs Sports bar, located inside Riverwind Casino in Norman, OK, currently has COOK, SERVER, HOST and KITCHEN MANAGER positions available. Please apply in person at Traditions Spirits Corporate OfďŹ ce.

Directions: Follow Highway 9 West past Riverwind Casino, travel 2 miles, turn right on Pennsylvania, take an immediate left onto the service road 2813 SE 44th Norman, OK 405-392-4550, or online at www.traditionsspirits.com.

CONDOS UNFURNISHED THE EDGE-1 room avail in 4 bd condo, full ba, walk-in closet, appl, full kitchen, $425 incld internet, cable & util. 4733957

HOUSES UNFURNISHED AVAILABLE IN MAY A short walk to OU, 1-5 blks west of OU, nice brick homes, wood oors, CH/A, W/D, disposal, good parking.

3 bdrm $990-$1,500 2 bdrm $700-$900 1 bdrm $420-$500 Bob, MISTER ROBERT FURNITURE 321-1818

ROOMS FURNISHED

For Sale

PLACE AN AD

,

- .$ /

0

%&'((& )* ++

NEAR OU, privacy, $230, bills paid includes cable, neat, clean, parking. Prefer male student. Call 329-0143.

$5,000-$45,000

PAID EGG DONORS up to 9 donations, + Exps, non-smokers, Ages 19-29, SAT>1100/ACT>24/GPA>3.00 Contact: info@eggdonorcenter.com BEST ENERGY DRINK! AND INCOME FOR LIFE! GO TO: www.myandfriendsfuture.com

J Housing Rentals APTS. FURNISHED 1 bdr furnished apt near campus, $425 + electric, $200 deposit, no pets - 886-6709 $400, bills paid, efďŹ ciency LOFT apartments, downtown over Mister Robert Furniture, 109 E Main, ďŹ re sprinkler, no pets, smoke-free. Inquire store ofďŹ ce.

6 9 6 5 2 2 8 4 1 7 9 9 4 2 5 6 4 3 1 8 8 9 7 4 5

Previous Solution 7 4 1 2 6 8 3 9 5

9 2 5 7 1 3 4 8 6

6 8 3 9 4 5 7 1 2

8 6 7 5 9 2 1 3 4

1 9 4 6 3 7 2 5 8

3 5 2 1 8 4 9 6 7

2 7 8 3 5 9 6 4 1

5 3 6 4 7 1 8 2 9

4 1 9 8 2 6 5 7 3

Monday- Very Easy Tuesday-Easy Wednesday- Easy Thursday- Medium Friday - Hard

Instructions: Fill in the grid so that every row, every column and every 3x3 box contains the digits 1 through 9. That means that no number is repeated in any row, column or box.

Universal Crossword Edited by Timothy E. Parker January 22, 2010

ACROSS 1 Mixed-breed dog 5 Lady of the house 10 “La ___ Bonita�

(Madonna hit) 14 Bushy hairdo 15 Biggest city in Nebraska 16 Run ___ (accumulate debt at the bar) 17 Taking a risk sheepishly?

20 Board, in a rooming house 21 Deep desire 22 Golf ball holder 23 By means of 25 Ancient Chinese money 27 White-andyellow flower 29 From the beginning 31 Most of the Western Hemisphere (with “the�)

34 An anagram for “rats�

35 Rubbernecker 36 Sheepish youngsters?

40 Raccoon cousins 41 Verdi classic 44 Tartan wearer 47 Alit 49 Buchholz of “The Magnificent Seven�

50 Tempting

HOROSCOPE

By Bernice Bede Osol

Copyright 2008, Newspaper Enterprise Assn.

Friday, Jan. 22, 2010 AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) -- You are the best person for getting things done accurately and on deadline, so don’t delegate anything important to surrogates. It won’t save you any time, but could make matters worse.

PISCES (Feb. 20-March 20) -Be alert for an unusual arrangement that could help add to your material well-being. It is likely to come through two unique and extraordinary conduits.

ARIES (March 21-April 19) -- Associates will have an enormous influence on your productivity and effectiveness, so be sure to hang out with doers. Better yet, seek out entrepreneurs who make things happen.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) -- Even if things had not gone well with someone previously, you will be strongly impelled to bend over backwards to be fair. You’ll get far more in the long run, and you’ll be right.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) -- You shouldn’t be content establishing only one goal for yourself; go ahead and set several. You’ll more readily utilize your full talents and abilities knowing you have much to accomplish.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23) -- Instead of thinking a new acquaintance is just another person, strive to put the relationship on a firmer footing. This person could become quite meaningful to you down the line.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20) -You’re apt to be far luckier than usual so concentrate in areas important to you, especially things that could affect your career in a positive manner.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 22) -Enlist some companions to help you change something too big to alter on your own. With their help and support, you should be successful.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20) -- Keep your eyes and ears open because you will be extremely fortunate working on ideas and concepts conceived by others.

What you learn can benefit you.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23-Dec. 21) -- Practicing a little giveand-take will work wonders with regard to advancing a pet project. Each concession will yield far more in return than expected.

CANCER (June 21-July 22) -- You’ll do far better conducting business with people who opened doors for you once before. Chances are you’ll work out an even bigger deal this time around.

garden 52 Draw to a close 53 “What Kind of Fool ___?�

54 Barbecue bit 57 Autumn bloomer 59 Sheepish game for tots?

64 Europe’s tallest active volcano 65 Habituate (to) 66 Myanmar neighbor 67 Children’s connectibles 68 Mythical woodland deity 69 Swine swill DOWN 1 ___ wheels (sporty rims) 2 Craft in the tabloids, briefly 3 Three-hulled sailboat 4 Vocal pitch 5 Cash, slangily 6 Do a comedian’s job 7 Not “dis,� in Brooklyn 8 “You there!� at sea 9 Hair on a horse’s neck 10 Completion to “proverb� or “different�

11 Radio broadcast interference 12 City near San Diego

13 Monasteries 18 Gangland guns 19 Blind vocalist Bocelli 23 Chocolate factory need 24 No ___, ands or buts 26 Place to go on base 28 Aviator 30 Burps, technically 32 “Say Hey�

Hall-of-Famer 33 Be human, according to a saying 35 Words with “bad example� or “high standard�

37 Forum platforms 38 “Green Eggs and Ham� guy 39 Pertaining to

PREVIOUS PUZZLE ANSWER

Š 2010 Universal Uclick www.upuzzles.com

HAVE A BAA DAY by Carl Cranby

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) -- Your financial aspects look far better than they have in a long while. Be enterprising because there will be more than one way to add to your resources.

Previous Answers

stars 42 Wolf pup’s home 43 What summers do 44 Did a potter’s work 45 Wake up 46 Familiarize with new surroundings 47 ___ of two evils 48 “Deal me in� indicator 51 Cheese producer 55 African wading bird 56 ___ fide (authentic) 58 Conger line?

60 ___ in kangaroo (spelling aid) 61 Ump’s call 62 It’s pitched by a suitor 63 The sixth sense

Friday, January 22, 2010

7

Aaron Colen, sports editor dailysports@ou.edu • phone: 325-7630 • fax: 325-6051

OU returns home for Big 12 battle MJ CASIANO Daily Staff Writer

MARCIN RUTKOWSKI/THE DAILY

OU’s Jeffrey James faces off against OSU’s Chris McNeil at McCasland Fieldhouse on December 1, 2008

With a packed Field House full of beanie giveaways and 50-cent hot dogs, the No. 10 ranked OU grapplers will play host to their toughest opponent thus far, as No. 2 Iowa State travels to Norman today.

OU (12-1-1) hopes to end a sevenmatch losing skid to ISU (7-2), dating back to 2003. The momentum could be in OU’s favor after an impressive four-win showing at the Lonestar Duals last weekend.

Head coach Jack Spates has decided to start three true freshmen tonight. The trio, who were a part of the nation's No. 2 ranked recruiting class

last year, hold an impressive 58-17 overall this season, which includes 20-6 in duals.

Although OU has a roster of talent, ISU—who has lost twice to No. 1 Iowa this season — is generally difficult to beat.

The Cyclones have won back-toback Big 12 titles (co-champion in ’09 with Nebraska) and beat OU last year 23-15.

And nothing will change this year, talent will be amongst us.

While OU boasts eight ranked grapplers, ISU topped them with nine, including two No. 1 nationally ranked wrestlers in Nick Gallick (141 pounds) and Jake Varner (197).

With all the highly touted ISU

wrestlers comes high scores, as the Cyclones have outscored their opponents 32-7 in their wins.

The ISU team is led by first year head coach Kevin Jackson, who brings in a rich ISU history of dominance over OU. Currently ISU leads the all-time series by 47-33-3 margin, and the last seven straight, as previously mentioned.

However, OU head coach Jack Spates has a 88-26-3 (.785) record at home in his 17th season in Norman, including a 4-0-1 record this season.

The action is set for 7 tonight inside the Howard McCasland Field House.

SOONERS STILL SEARCHING FOR ANSWERS ON THE ROAD CLARK FOY Daily Staff Writer

The Texas Tech Red Raiders (13-5, 1-3) will host the Sooner m e n ’s t e a m t o m o r row i n Lubbock for both teams’ fifth conference game of the season.

Oklahoma (11-7, 2-2) has struggled on the road this season, receiving all seven of their losses away from the Lloyd Noble Center this year. They are coming off a tough loss in College Station on Tuesday where they fell late to the Aggies despite overcoming a 10-point first half deficit.

The Red Raiders started the year off 9-0, including six straight home games to open the season and only three road games in their first 10 regular season games. Since their 9-0

start, Texas Tech is 4-5 after having just ended a three game losing streak against Iowa State Wednesday evening.

Two talented juniors lead the Red Raiders this season; 6-6 forward Mike Singletary and point guard John Roberson. Both averagemore than 14 points a game each, while Singletary averages almost seven boards a game as well. In the win at home against Iowa State, the junior duo had a combined 43 of Texas Tech’s 78 total points.

A win in Lubbock would mean much more to this Sooner team than it typically would, especially when considering their dismal road record.

OU MEN LOOK FOR LEADERSHIP Sophomore guard Willie Warren has had problems starting off strong in the first half this season.

In Wednesday’s loss against the Aggies, Warren had a single point in the first half and shot 0-4 from the field.

In games away from the Lloyd Noble Center, excluding neutral sites, Warren averages just three first half points per game despite leading the team with 17.6 points per contest this season.

Senior forward Tony Crocker, also needs to bring his A-game and team leadership if the Sooners are to be successful against the Red Raiders.

Crocker quickly established himself this season as one of the team’s key players boasting 13.4 points and 7.4 rebounds per game in all non-conference games.

Lately, the veteran jack-of-all-trades seems to be in a bit of a slump, especially since the conference season has started. Crocker is averaging just 6.25 points and 3.25 rebounds per game in Big 12 play this season, a sharp decrease from his early season production.

MARCIN RUTKOWSKI/THE DAILY

-Clark Foy/The Daily

Willie Warren (13) shoots a layup against Lousiana-Monroe on November 17.

We have the most used textbooks

Powered by efollett.com 831/833_JBTS10

8

Friday, January 22, 2010

WHAT WAS THE BIGGEST STORY OF THE BREAK? GILBERT ARENAS’ GUNPLAY If former New York Giants wide receiver Plaxico Burress’ 2009 prison sentence taught us anything, it was that it’s unwise to bring an unlicensed firearm to a public place. Apparently JONO Washington Wizards point GRECO guard Gilbert Arenas did not get the message.

Arenas pled guilty to felony gun charges on Jan. 15, just eight days after the National Basketball Association suspended him indefinitely for bringing guns into the Wizards’ locker room. For that reason, the three-time All Star’s situation has to be the biggest storyline during the winter break.

According to numerous reports, Arenas and Wizards point guard Javaris Crittenton drew guns during a pre-game dispute stemming from a game of cards. Crittenton’s gun was loaded, but Arenas’ was not.

Arenas apologized for the incident, but later joked about it, which made it easier for NBA commissioner David Stern to suspend Arenas.

Arenas’ story is not only about the fact he broke the law, it’s also about how he made a mistake out of mere stupidity.

Name one reason why any player in any sport would bring a firearm into the locker room.

Protection? That would be highly unlikely

with the amount of security each arena provides the players.

To show how tough you are? That’s the reason why the players come to the court and play the game.

So, why would someone bring guns into his own locker room? The answer is simple: stupidity.

Because of a stupid decision, Arenas is most likely looking at jail time.

If the past few years have proven anything it is that courts are not afraid to lock up sports stars. Within the past five years two of the biggest names in the National Football League, Burress and Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Michael Vick, each have been sentenced to jail time.

Since Arenas did not have loaded guns with him or shoot himself, he may be seen in a different light than Burress; but since Arenas joked about his predicament after the news broke it is hard to believe he will receive much of sympathy for his actions.

Arenas won’t be sentenced until March 26 and his NBA future is questionable, but it’s undoubtedly the most intriguing story to come out of the world of sports during the winter break. Hopefully people will learn from Arenas’ mistake.

Jono Greco is a journalism junior.

KIFFIN COACHING CAROUSEL What is shocking about a losing record? Nothing.

What is shocking about a coach being hired to coach football? Nothing. What is shocking is when you have a (0.363) winning percentage and you are chosen to run one of college football’s most elite programs.

Lane Kiffin has risen to head coaching stardom faster than it would take an ice cube to melt in the Sahara desert. Knoxville, Tenn. was an absolute wreck last week after Lane Kiffin made a surprising decision to leave the Tennessee Volunteers after only a single year and to take the head coaching position at the University of Southern California.

The job opened up after Pete Carroll decided to leave USC for the head coaching job in Seattle, Washington.

Before departing Knoxville, Kiffin wanted to show his appreciation to the university and its fans by giving a two-minute press conference before he jumped on a private jet to southern California.

During Lane Kiffin’s brief tenure at Tennessee he posted a 7-6 record in the South Eastern Conference, had 4 players arrested, was reprimanded by NCAA multiply times for breaking policies, made outlandish remarks about several head coaches including Florida’s Urban Meyer, and left the University of Tennessee under investigation by the NCAA. Kiffin was an assistant coach under Pete Carroll at USC from 2001-2006 before accepting his first head coaching job. Al Davis, owner of the Oakland Raiders, made a decision to hire the youngest head coach in the history of the NFL by appointing Lane Kiffin at the age of 31. Kiffin lasted only a season in a topsy-turvy organization by posting a 5-15 record.

Fired midway through the 2008 season, Kiffin looked liked he might go back to being an assistant

at USC. In November of 2008, Kiffin received a phone call from Mike Hamilton, the Athletic Director for Tennessee, offering him a six-year deal starting at 2 million dollars. Kiffin accepted his second head coaching position and made history yet again.

In his first press conference he made a few promises to Volunteer fans that he never quite fulfilled.

Promises like “singing Rocky Top all night long after they beat Florida.” Kiffin also accused Urban Meyer of “cheating” by breaking NCAA policies concerning recruiting. After a quick investigation by the NCAA, Kiffin was reprimanded and forced to make a public apology.

Over the past year Kiffin has BRANDON made the news time and time BROADHURST again for several different reasons, but never for winning. What makes this all so shocking is Kiffin landed one of college football’s finest jobs.

For a coach who has only had two years of head coaching experiences with a 12-21 record, and was absolutely spanked by Virginia Tech in his first bowl appearance to be offered the USC job is outrageous.

The University of Tennessee probably wished they had Michael Orr to keep them from being “blindsided” by Kiffin’s outrageous move to USC. Kiffin has shocked not only Volunteer Nation but the country by abandoning all loyalties and jumping ship. Kiffin has yet to prove himself as a winning head football coach, yet is continually rising in the ranks meant for only the elite.

Brandon Broadhurst is a journalism freshman.

Women’s tennis sees opportunity for success in Big 12, beyond DAN HAYS Daily Staff Writer

Sooner players optimistic about chances against conference rivals, especially Texas Every Sooner season starts with the same question: “Will we beat Texas?” Players for Oklahoma’s women’s tennis team have stopped short of saying yes, but hopes are high.

“Everybody hates Texas (around) here.” Sophomore Marie-Pier Huet said.

Junior Ana-Maria Constantinescu is optimistic about the team’s prospects for the year.

“If we can turn around a few points here and there I’m pretty sure we can sweep them [Texas] this year,” she said.

The Sooners are loaded with talent, the schedule is full of opportunity, and the Big 12 is wide open. The team begins play with a double-header Saturday against Arkansas-Little Rock and Oral Roberts. OU hosts Texas April 3 and Oklahoma State April 14.

Constantinescu is the reigning Big 12 Singles Champion at the No. 1 position; she went undefeated (12-0) in conference

play in 2009. The Sooners also return No. 2 position Big 12 Doubles Champions junior Tara Eckles and Huet. For each match, singles players and doubles teams are paired against their position number (No.1 faces No. 1).

The Intercollegiate Tennis Association ranks Constantinescu and Huet at No. 2 and No. 9, respectively, in the Central Region.

Head Coach David Mullins says he thinks fans will be surprised at the high level of play. Multiple matches are played simultaneously, providing constant action for fans.

“It’s gonna be sad if people don’t come out and get a taste of tennis,” Eckles said. “Ana is a powerhouse, so she is a blast to watch. Marie-Pier is the quickest player I’ve ever seen.”

Mullins’ main focus for the year is consistency. He says the Sooners have a serious chance of finishing in the top five of the Big 12 and landing a NCAA Tournament birth.

All home matches are played indoors @ the Gregg Wadley Tennis Pavilion or outdoors at the Headington Family Tennis Center. Both facilities are in the Lloyd Noble parking lot off of Imhoff and Chautauqua.

EARLY HOME-STAND 1/23/10 vs. Arkansas-Little Rock 11:00 a.m. vs. Oral Roberts 6:00 p.m.

2/3/10 vs. North Texas 3:00 p.m.

2/6/10 vs. Alabama 12:00 p.m.

2/14/10 vs. Penn State 11:00 a.m.

Dan Hays/The Daily