The Oklahoma Daily

WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 2, 2009

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Thursday’s Weather

41°/27°owl.ou.edu CAMPUS BRIEFS FREE FOOD AT CHIPOTLE FOR OU COMMUNITY Chipotle Mexican Grill invites students, faculty and staff at OU to enjoy a free meal from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. today. Chipotle is located on Campus Corner.

Members of the OU community will need to show a valid OU I.D. The restaurant will open to the public at 11 a.m. Friday.

SANTA CLAUS COMING TO NORMAN CAMPUS

BOREN CRITICIZES OBAMA’S DECISION US to send 30,000 more troops to Afghanistan JAMIE HUGHES Editor-in-Chief

OU President David Boren issued a statement Tuesday announcing his concern over President Barack Obama’s decision to order 30,000 more U.S. troops to Afghanistan.

Boren said as a private citizen, he is concerned about the cost of human lives and the potential for more troops to harm the United States’ already weak economy.

“While I understand the pressures

on the president, history indicates that attempts to occupy Afghanistan have been unsuccessful and have exacted a heavy human and financial toll on those who have tried it,” he stated. “I am gravely concerned about the added pressure which escalation will place on our armed forces and feel that we must not keep sending the same soldiers into harm’s way through multiple overseas combat assignments. In addition, I am worried about the burden placed on our fragile economy and that escalation in Afghanistan will lead to higher budget deficits.”

Obama appointed Boren to the President’s Intelligence Advisory

Board in late October. The board provides Obama with an independent source of advice on the effectiveness of the U.S. intelligence community, according to the White House’s Web site.

Boren served in the U.S. Senate from 1979-1994 and was the longestserving chairman of the U.S. Senate Select Committee on Intelligence.

Obama announced Tuesday evening he plans to send more troops, but said the nation will begin withdrawing American forces in 18 months.

In his address at the U.S. Military Academy, the president said his new policy was designed to “bring this

war to a successful conclusion.”

“We must deny al-Qaida a safe haven,” Obama said in articulating U.S. military goals for a war that has lasted for eight years. “We must reverse the Taliban’s momentum. ...

And we must strengthen the capacity of Afghanistan’s security forces and government.”

Obama said the additional forces would be deployed at “the fastest pace possible so that they can target the insurgency and secure key population centers.”

—The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Dorm decorating rules still apply

Santa Claus will be on campus today and Thursday for Fill the Trolley, an annual initiative by Cleveland Area Rapid Transit to fill four trolleys with Christmas gifts.

The trolley will pick up gifts from 65 academic departments, administrative departments and campus organizations.

For more information, call Kris Glenn at 325-6080.

SEASON TO LIGHT UP THE TREES BEGINS OU will hold its annual holiday tree-lighting celebration at 5:30 p.m. today in David A. Burr Park, located south of the Huston Huffman Physical Fitness Center and east of the residence towers.

The University Chamber Ensemble and The Pride of Oklahoma Holiday Pep Band will perform seasonal music.

OU President David Boren and others will speak at the event, which will honor all holiday traditions.

PUBLIC FORUM TO DISCUSS HEALTH CARE REFORM

MARCIN RUTKOWSKI/THE DAILY

Christmas decorations hang in the windows of a Cate Center dorm Monday. Housing and Food Services is encouraging students to abide by certain rules when decorating for the holiday season.

The OU chapter of Phi Beta Kappa will host a public forum holidays. on health care reform at 4 Students reminded to not damage With the holiday season at hand, many students p.m. Thursday in the Oklahoma property, remove decorations will be decorating their dorms and apartments Memorial Union’s Scholars until they can go home and enjoy their holiday Room.

RICKY MARANON break at home. However; some restrictions still A panel of four experts will Daily Staff Writer apply to how students who live on campus may discuss their perspectives on the decorate. issue, including Brian Karnes, OU Housing and Food Services said dorm “A large number of freshmen and upperclass executive director of Health decorating rules are still in effect when students residents call OU residence halls home during the for Friends; David Kendrick, decorate their dorms and apartments during the academic year,” said Lauren Royston, Housing and kaiser chairman of Community Medicine at OU-Tulsa; Jason Sanders, OU alumnus, Rhodes Scholar and health care consultant; and Sarah Tracy, director of OU’s Medical Humanities Program.

A reception will be held prior to the event at 3 p.m. For more medical education program agenda. information, call Kyle Harper at Program with TU may with the University of Tulsa “We already have a history 325-4063. boost health status

OU Board of Regents approves plan for joint medical education program

‘THE BOOMER BOOK FOR THE SOONER COOK’ AVAILABLE FOR ORDER

CAITLIN HARRISON Daily Staff Writer

during their December meeting Tuesday in the Scholars Room of the Oklahoma Memorial Union.

The program would be centered around helping those most in need of medical care, according to the meeting’s

of working together very effectively,” OU President David Boren said. “There’s a tremendous amount of enthusiasm for this when you think about the very substantial benefit to

The OU Board of Regents The Savvy Sooner Women are taking orders for a reprinted approved plans to establish REGENTS CONTINUES ON PAGE 2 version of “The Boomer Book a joint four-year community for the Sooner Cook,” back by popular demand.

Those interested can place orders with cash or checks by Friday at the Office of Student Affairs in the union, room 265, or at the Office of Administration and Finance in Evans Hall, room 204. Checks should be made payable to United Way of Norman. All proceeds will benefit United Way. Books can be picked up Friday, Dec. 11 from the location ordered.

ESTEBAN PULIDO/THE DAILY Chris A. Purcell, Vice President for University Governance Chris A. Purcell, Chairman A. Max Weitzenhoffer, -Daily staff reports President David Boren, Vice Chairman Larry R. Wade in break for a moment during Tuesday’s Board of Regent’s meeting in the Scholars Room of the Oklahoma Memorial Union.

FREE — ADDITIONAL COPIES 25¢

© 2009 OU PUBLICATIONS BOARD

Food Services spokeswoman. “Just as they would with their families, roommates and suitemates are encouraged to take an active part in their OU community and make their space festive for the holidays. To assure the safety of all residents, several decorating guidelines are in place.”

Royston said holiday candles and candle warmers are prohibited in the dorms because of an open DECORATING CONTINUES ON PAGE 2

Student Congress votes to retain leaders True Democracy Act goes to UOSA president for signature RICKY MARANON Daily Staff Writer

The UOSA Undergraduate Student Congress met behind closed doors for most of their meeting Tuesday.

The closed-door meeting comes as a procedural requirement of members of Student Congress to discuss and critique those in leadership positions at the beginning of a new session of Congress.

Members discussed whether Student Congress Chairman John Jennings, Student Congress Vice Chairman Matt Gress and Student Congress Secretary Brittany Pritchett should be retained in their leadership positions. At the end of individual discussion of each leader, members of the body voted on whether to keep or remove a member from their leadership position.

All three members were allowed to keep their leadership roles.

Jennings was allowed to keep his position as chairman but received two votes opposing his retention by Shayna Daitch, humanities district junior, and Kody Shipley, communications district RETAIN CONTINUES ON PAGE 2

VOL. 95, NO. 71

2 Wednesday, December 2, 2009 Meredith Moriak, managing editor dailynews@ou.edu • phone: 325-3666 • fax: 325-6051

Regents Continued from page 1 the state.”

It is anticipated there will be a national shortage of physicians in the next 10 years, and Oklahoma already ranks among the lowest of all states in number of physicians per capita, according to the meeting agenda.

The universities are creating the program to help address the state’s low health status, low health systems performance and physician shortage, according to a press release from the regents.

OU’s goal is to begin the program in the fall of 2014, according to the release. Boren said the program’s planning process will

Decorating Continued from page 1 flame being a large fire hazard.

“Students are allowed to decorate for the holidays as long as they do not damage any university property and decorations are removed and disposed of properly,” Royston said. “Also, due to extreme fire hazard, items that contain an open flame like candles or potpourri pots and warmers are prohibited in the residence halls at all times.”

Royston said if students have questions about what they may use to decorate their dorm or on campus apartment with, they should consult their community living guide.

The guidelines listed in the Community Living Guide mention both holiday and non-holiday decorations.

“Light strands and hallway floor mats are not allowed in the halls due to firesafety rules,” the guide states. “Door [and] hallway holiday decorations must be taken down within one week after the holiday. Hanging any type of lights from the ceiling is strictly prohibited.”

The guide states that paper and other flammable substances used as decoration outside of a dorm room is strictly prohibited because of fire code.

“We encourage you to decorate your residence hall room; however, please take a few details into consideration,”

take 12 to 18 months. He said a planning committee with representatives from both universities will be in the works soon.

TU has already established a core of science education and research programs, the regents press release stated, and OU has an established medical training program in Tulsa.

“It will be a very large undertaking,” Boren said. “It would also set in motion a very good ... mechanism for bringing in potential interested medical students into our medical program. I think it’s a very good opportunity for the state and the university.”

The regents also approved the design, preparation of construction documents and revised budget of $11,440,000 for the 29,000-square-foot Anne and Henry Zarrow School of Social Work, to be constructed

the guide states.

The guide states that decorating windows for university–sponsored activities or national holidays will be allowed provided the display is hung by means that will not damage the window or surrounding walls and the display is removed one week after the activity [or] date.

“Residence Life staff have the authority to ask a student to remove inappropriate or offensive decorations,” the guide states. “Failure to remove the decoration or display could result in a failure to comply citation.”

Freshmen who have decorated their rooms said they don’t have much room to put up elaborate decorations.

“I brought a little tree from home,” said Summer Randall, University College freshman. “I’m going to put some lights on it and even some ornaments.”

Randall said she has seen many people in her hall bring some small decorations from home.

“I have a little tree, but there aren’t even any lights on it,” said Lindsay Bolt, University College freshman. “I doubt I’ll be breaking any rules or making a mess with decorations. It’s a small tree.”

Randall said though she does have some decorations she won’t be having any elaborate decorations.

“It’s a small dorm room,” Randall said.

“We don’t have much room for any big decorations.”

OUDAILY.COM » GO ONLINE TO CATCH A VIDEO ABOUT THE ASIAN AMERICAN STUDENT ASSOCIATION’S ANNUAL ASIAN OKLAHOMA NIGHT. southwest of the intersection of Elm Avenue and Brooks Street.

Boren said the building’s construction will be funded by $5 million of private funds and $6 million of stimulus funds allocated

by Gov. Brad Henry.

“We’re very happy,” Boren said. “It will virtually triple the usable amount of square footage by the school. The school has a wonderful reputation.”

Boren also announced the regents will award a Regents’ Professorship to John Snow, dean of the College of Atmospheric and Geographic Sciences, for his commitment to science education and service to the university.

“His efforts have led Norman to become the weather center of the country,” Boren said.

Retain Continued from page 1 junior.

Vice Chairman Gress received one vote in opposition but the vote was more out of humor than any actual belief to remove him from office.

“I love Gress, but I’m voting ‘no’ just so there is some opposition,” said Forrest Bennet, University College district freshman. “It’s not out of any real problem I have with him.”

Secretary Pritchett was able to keep her

The professorships are awarded to faculty who have achieved an unusual distinction in research, service or their ability to teach and guide students, according to a press release from the regents.

Snow has already announced plans to resign as Dean, effective June 30, 2010, to return to teaching and weather technology development.

Boren also announced a major gift to the OU Cancer Institute from the Chickasaw Nation, which will establish cancer support services for American Indians in the state, as well as help raise the standard of cancer care for this group of individuals.

“It is a very, very significant help to the cancer institute and to our fundraising drive,” Boren said.

position without any opposition.

Congress also passed an amended version of the True Democracy Act. The amended version of the bill now states that UOSA General Counsel must approve any recall and initiative petitions within a reasonable amount of time.

The bill now goes to UOSA President Katie Fox’s desk for her signature.

Because of Dead Week restrictions on club and organization meetings, Tuesday’s meeting was the last Student Congress meeting for the fall semester.

POLICE REPORTS The following is a list of arrests and citations, not convictions. The information given is compiled from the Norman Police Department and the OU Police Department. All those listed are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

OWNING/KEEPING/HARBOURING A BARKING DOG Jeffery Alan Dismukes, 46, 1310 Ann Arbor Drive, Thursday, Nov. 19 POSSESSION OF CONTROLLED DANGEROUS SUBSTANCE WITHIN 1000 FEET OF A PARK OR MINOR UNDER 12 James Steven Box Kessler, 22, 2217 24th Ave. S.W., Monday, also domestic abuse in the presence of a minor and Cleveland County Warrant MUNICIPAL WARRANT Brandon Anthony Pippin, 18, 1325 Glen Oaks Court, Sunday GRAND LARCENY Curtis Lee Thomas, 19, 2900 Oak Tree Ave., Monday

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

African-American heritage celebrated tonight at Kwanzaa Ball Formal event an opportunity to unite the community NATASHA GOODELL Daily Staff Writer

The OU community is celebrating a holiday honoring African-American culture and heritage tonight at the 11th annual Kwanzaa Ball.

“It’s not a religious holiday, but it’s a cultural event that does not require people to compromise their religion or beliefs,” said D’Andre Fisher, human relations and business junior. “This celebration excludes no one and it encourages everyone to celebrate.”

Kwanzaa, meaning the first fruits of the harvest, was created in 1966 as a way for African-Americans to connect to their African roots and celebrate their cultural heritage.

The Kwanzaa Ball, hosted by Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity and Zeta Phi Beta sorority, begins at 7 p.m. in the Molly Shi Boren Ballroom of the Oklahoma Memorial union.

“It’s a formal ball that presents the opportunity to unite the African-American community and the community as a whole,” Fisher said.

Fisher, Kwanzaa Ball chairman representing Alpha Phi Alpha, said event activities include dinner, a speech by Robert Con Davis-Undiano, a jazz band performance and members from OU’s African Student Association will bring African art to display.

“I enjoy how we are bringing together another culture and bringing it to the campus,” Fisher said. “And just trying to bring awareness to what Kwanzaa is.”

Fisher said there are usually anywhere from 225 to 275 people at the event each year and this year they are hoping and expecting more people to come.

“Kwanzaa is not a religion, it’s just a culture and an

Three people were charged with first-degree murder Monday in connection to a dead body found in the trunk of a burning car last month.

S h e i l a R e n e e S t a r r, Antonio Cordell Mendoza and Michael Anthony Shields of Oklahoma City have been charged with first-degree murder, third-degree arson, conspiracy to commit a felony and desecrating a human corpse for the purpose of impeding or prohibiting detection, an Oklahoma County Court probable cause affidavit stated. Though the alleged crime took place in

Cleveland County, all three suspects will be prosecuted in Oklahoma County.

Norman Police officer Justin Wishon stated in the affidavit that the victim, Julian Ramirez Cazares, went to visit Starr at her house Nov. 15.

“She invited him in and offered him a beer,” Wishon stated. “Mendoza then abruptly began to assault the victim inside the residence.

The victim fell to the floor and all three assaulted the victim by punching, kicking and choking him.”

Wishon stated after assaulting Cazares, the three placed him in the trunk of his own car. He later stated Starr drove Cazares’ vehicle

LT. GOV CANDIDATE SPEAKS AT OU

awareness of the African culture,” he said. “That alone just lets me know that my heritage is still strong today. I really enjoy this type of event and I am so grateful that OU is allowing us to host this event and has been for 11 years. That’s really a blessing.”

Nicole Minter, human relations senior and Kwanzaa Ball chairwoman for Zeta Phi Beta, said she attended the ball last year and found it to be very informative.

“I always thought Kwanzaa was more a religious thing than a cultural thing,” she said.

Minter said she got to see African dancers perform for the first time at the event last year.

“I think the Kwanzaa Ball is a good thing to kind of promote unity because a lot of people misunderstand Kwanzaa,” she said. “Whether it brings one or two groups together or numerous groups together on campus, I think it’s doing its job to promote unity.”

Minter said she thinks they have had a lot of support for this event and she said she hopes that support continues this year.

“There are seven days of principles of Kwanzaa,” she said.

“It’s more of a community-based holiday instead of religiousbased to bring the community together as one, which is why I think it will be good to bring this to the OU campus.”

Sasha Orjiako, petroleum engineering and mathematics senior, said she was a participant in one of the acts performed last year by the University Gospel Choir.

“I think it was a very culturally diverse event,” Orjiako said.

“There were a lot of different parts in the event that celebrated different cultures. Kwanzaa is full of tradition and it’s a holiday that is celebrated differently all across the world.”

JEREMY DICKIE/THE DAILY

Oklahoma Lieutenant Governor candidate Kenneth Corn speaks to members of Young Democrats Tuesday night in Dale Hall. He discussed the need for job creation in Oklahoma and education funding for two-year careertech colleges.

LOG ON TO OUDAILY.COM TO READ ABOUT CORN’S VISIT.

THREE CHARGED WITH FIRST-DEGREE MURDER RICKY MARANON Daily Staff Writer

3

while Shields rode in the car behind her with Mendoza.

Wishon stated Mendoza told him that he stopped and filled up a gas can before continuing into Cleveland County with Shields and Starr.

“Mendoza advised that he poured the gasoline on the body and inside the vehicle,” Wishon stated. “Starr advised that she lit the lid of a cigarette pack and threw it into the vehicle to start the fire. [They] then got into Mendoza’s vehicle and left the area.”

Wishon stated the three suspects each confessed to their own roles in the action that night.

CAMPUS NOTES

TODAY CHRISTIANS ON CAMPUS Christians on Campus will host a Bible study from 12:30 to 1:15 p.m. in the Oklahoma Memorial Union.

CAREER SERVICES Career Services will help students with resumes, cover letters and job search strategies from 1:30 to 4 p.m. in the union.

SAM NOBLE MUSEUM The Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History will host a special preview of the new science fiction comedy series, “Outer Space Astronauts” with creator Russell Barrett and castmembers from 7 to 9 p.m. in the Robert S. Kerr Auditorium at the Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History.

STUDENTS FOR SENSIBLE DRUG POLICY The Students for Sensible Drug Policy will meet from 8 to 9 p.m. at Crossroads in the union.

CAMPUS CRUSADE FOR CHRIST Campus Crusade for Christ will meet from 9 to 10 p.m. in the Oklahoma Memorial Stadium’s Santee Lounge.

THURSDAY BOOK SALE The Oklahoma Library and Information Studies Student Association will host a children and teen’s book sale from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Bizzell Memorial Library room 100.

CAREER SERVICES Career Services will help students with resumes, cover letters and

job search strategies from 1:30 to 4 p.m. in the union.

LATKES FOR LOVE 2009 The center for Jewish life on campus and Alpha Epsilon Pi, the Jewish fraternity, will host the Latkes For Love, an annual charity dinner, from 6 to 10 p.m. at OU Hillel.

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Wednesday, December 2, 2009

COMMENT OF THE DAY »

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

In response to Tuesday’s news story, “Tailgate attendance reflects success” YOU CAN COMMENT AT OUDAILY.COM

OUR VIEW

“Not sure why people consider things Housing & Food provides as “donated.” The students who are forced by the regents to live in the exorbitantly priced dorms are paying for those hot dogs. They are

not donated from some special place in the sky.”

-soonerboomers

STAFF COLUMN

Combined medical Are our attitudes toward ideological violence justified? school good for state Health care in Oklahoma may get a boost within the next decade thanks to the combined efforts of OU and the University of Tulsa.

The two universities announced Tuesday that they would be joining forces to create a medical school in Tulsa, where both schools already have smaller medical centers (see page 1 for details).

Although the new school is not set to open until 2014, we support this move because it should benefit both schools, as well as the state of Oklahoma.

Not only should this allow more of Oklahoma’s medical students to have better training, but it should attract better and brighter students to our state.

In addition to both of these things, more medical students might gradu at e f ro m a n O k l a h o ma m e d i c a l school, which means more medical

professionals might stay in the state t o s t a r t t h e i r c a re e r s, s o m e t h i n g Oklahoma badly needs due to our state’s already mediocre-to-bad health status (a recent report ranked the state next to last in the U.S. in terms of overall health).

As with anything else that is still in the preliminary planning phase, this plan still has questions that need answers.

Is the fact that the school will be half private going to make it cost more?

From which university will the school’s graduates be receiving degrees? Will this water down the requirements to get in to an Oklahoma medical school?

We don’t yet have the answers to these questions, but one thing is certain: We think this is a positive development upon first glance.

Opinionated?

The Daily is hiring columnists and cartoonists for spring 2010. For more information on how to apply, e-mail dailyopinion@ou.edu.

For whatever reason, violence justified by philosophical and religious positions has become a target of unending contempt.

Fountains of glittering but meaningless words will spring out today like sparks from televisions, words like “tolerance” and “diversity” and “acceptance,” while commentators spend hours worrying about the effects of religious fundamentalism.

But what is actually GERARD wrong with ideological vioKEISER lence? Is it not simply acting out one’s beliefs? Is this not a very noble and courageous practice, to go through the trouble of doing something that often entails great risk and gives no immediate, tangible reward?

(To avoid confusion, it would be best to point out here that this column is by no means arguing for any sort of ideological fanaticism. Rather, the purpose is simply to look at our modern society’s hatred of ideological violence, and question whether it is justified.)

At the Second Vatican Council, which everyone loves for making Catholicism so much more open-minded, it was said that “the man who sincerely obeys his conscience intends to obey God himself, even though sometimes in a confused way and without knowing it, and that man must be judged worthy of respect.” Who would deny this?

And when considered in relation to some other causes of violence, ideological grounds can be much more respectable.

Consider, for example, war. Many of them begin because of selfish motives: Somebody wants more gold and slaves, or somebody’s wife was stolen.

But these are the wars we so often venerate; Caesar and Alexander are praised for fulfilling their personal ambitions while needlessly killing thousands.

After that, how can we attack the king who dies on Crusade, who thinks he is just doing his duty? One might complain that he didn’t actually believe in it, and just wanted an excuse to invade another country and get more volunteers.

But in that case, it is no longer true ideological violence we’re talking about, and you

should stop complaining.

Of course, being American, you probably think that ideologies should never be used in violence.

However, you yourself have probably denied that same position throughout your life; you almost certainly believe that some form of violence may be used against those who themselves practice violence.

Few would say that it is wrong to forcibly incarcerate violent criminals, for example.

That belief, by the way, is part of an ideology, even if it is held by many.

Perhaps you wish to argue that this is the only legitimate use of violence. Then make that argument.

Some, however, will not be convinced because their ideology will say that some things are worse than violence, and can be prevented by it; these people simply have different priorities.

Perhaps you do not agree with those priorities, but violence follows quite naturally from them.

Therefore, since most of us are perfectly fine with using violence based on an ideology, it is astonishingly hypocritical to be so outraged whenever others do exactly the same thing. They do have much broader areas in which violence is permissible, but they are using the same tools to justify it, and their opinions on the matter demand just as much respect from us as any other opinions we disagree with.

“You wouldn’t say this if you were being persecuted.” Yes I would.

Personally experiencing effects that have already been theoretically deduced should be no reason to change one’s ideas. I would still say the same thing, and I would do my best to admire their conviction.

To end this, it would probably be best to remind the reader that this is not an argument for violence. It is also not an argument that we should allow others to be violent; our ideology says they are wrong and may stop them violently, and it would be silly not to follow our own ideology.

This merely says that we ought to stop pretending we are so much better than those who have some different ideas about things.

Gerard Keiser is a classical languages sophomore.

STAFF COLUMN

Understanding opposing arguments the key to establishing beliefs The intellectual establishment takes itself quite seriously, often to a major fault.

I, for one, am terrifically good at pretending that I understand what someone else is saying and giving him or her the time of day when I really don’t even acknowledge what he or she thinks, believes or states.

It’s understandable that what a person says should be consistent with his or her actions, but far too commonly I disregard the JON argument someone makes.

MALONE This, friends, is fallacy, the dreaded concept we pretend to avoid but still rush headlong into.

Why? Because we’d actually have to think about the other side in order to address it adequately.

I obtained much of the following information on fallacy definitions from a professor in the OU Department of Philosophy, Chris Swoyer, who wrote “Critical Reasoning: A User’s Manual,” which was used for my undergraduate critical reasoning course.

I learned the names of and ways which these fallacies are used then, but in watching the climate of campus and the highlycharged politics of Washington, D.C. these days, I thought re-reading and writing about them would be an excellent and worthwhile exercise for me now that I think of myself too highly as a graduate student.

Dictionary.com provides us with a useful definition of the term “fallacy” in philosophy, defining it as “any of various types of

erroneous reasoning that render arguments order to make themselves look good, and I’m logically unsound.” often guilty of this. But what good does this The examples of these are plentiful, and I do us? could spend much more than a short column Both sides do this politically, and both are describing each one. dangerous.

The ones that linger in my mind that I fear Secondly, the more subtle Fallacy of most, both from my undergrad class and Irrelevant Reasons. Also called the “Red from observing the way people argue, are Herring” or “non sequitur,” I’m trying to get three: (1) Argument Against the Person (ad the reader to believe my conclusion on the hominem); (2) Fallacy of Irrelevant Reasons basis of premises completely unrelated to (“Red Herring” or “non sequitur”); and (3) the conclusion.

The Strawman Fallacy.

For example, much I’m really good at these, of the current debate on Some of the issues that and perhaps you are, too. health care in the U.S. So what do these mean? I am most passionate centers upon a governFirst, the ad hominem. about are ones which are ment-run public option, This means that in my over which there is a fire controversial, and those argument or analysis of storm of controversy. another’s, rather than ad- should be the ones that But if I wanted to defend dressing the topic or rea- I focus on learning the the public option (while sons given for a person’s strengths of the opposing committing a dastardly position, I choose to atRed Herring), I would say tack the person in order side. something like “we need to undermine his or her to pass this legislation becredibility. cause people are dying for lack of health care, A common illustration is that if my friend as well as because Europe has this system, makes the historical argument for a Just War, and Europeans are really cool. I love British I might respond “you just want to go to war accents. They make people more funny.” because you hate people, wear ridiculous This is interesting, but completely unreclothes, and you’re a conservative fundy.” lated to whether this legislation on health Conversely, if it’s someone who opposes care reform should pass. Again, altogether war, I would say, “You’re simply a flaming too easy and far too common. liberal who wants to sit around, drink organic Third, and in my experience the one I’m coffee and not shower.” best at, is the Strawman Fallacy. This one is Rather than discussing what his or her rea- defined by Swoyer as “when we distort or sons were, I attack the person. weaken someone else’s position or argument Sadly, the blogosphere is full of these types in an effort to discredit it.” of arguments. People like to belittle others in It’s an attempt to fill up the opponent’s

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position with straw in order to knock it down and smash it easily.

Again, examples are everywhere, but a common one I see in my experience is with people from many different religious backgrounds. We assume to understand a religion or set of beliefs without having ever gone to the source of those beliefs, which in most major religions is some sort of text, to discover whether these beliefs are actually consistent with the teachings.

I could say that Jewish or Muslim people hate pigs without going to their teachings about why they don’t eat pork. I could combine every group that names itself “Christian” without actually reading the Bible to find out what a Christian is.

This can happen in religion, politics, social commentary or anything else in which we make an assertion that might be considered controversial. Easy, but utterly worthless.

Ultimately, if I am going to strengthen my arguments, I need to understand the opposition well. I can’t just rely on a couple of out-of-context sound bites to get the full understanding of what they are saying or asserting. I have to do the difficult thing and think it through.

Some of the issues I am most passionate about are ones which are controversial, and those should be the ones that I focus on learning the strengths of the opposing side.

If we do that, then we might better examine our own set of beliefs to see if they measure up to reality.

Jon Malone is an English education graduate student.

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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.

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

«BASKETBALL Go online to tonight for a recap oof the men’s game game.

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

OUDAILY.COM

BEDLAM WRESTLING DEADLOCKED Sooners and Cowboys finish Bedlam wrestling in a tie Tuesday night at McCasland Field House MJ CASIANO Daily Staff Writer

The No. 11-ranked Sooner wrestling team saw its toughest action of the season thus far against undefeated and in-state rival No. 3 Oklahoma State Tuesday night.

The duel went down to the wire, literally, as neither team came away with the victory.

OU (4-0-1) and OSU (1-0-1) were given a tie in a 16-16 duel. Bonus points are usually the tiebreaker, but both teams had one each.

Heavyweight No. 2 Jared Rosholt tied the score at 16-16 after a decision against OU’s No. 13 redshirt junior Nathan Fernandez.

The only scoring in the heavyweight match consisted of escapes. This match settled the 16-16 tie.

Senior Eric Lapotsky, No. 7 at 197 pounds, got down 0-2 early. But Lapotsky leaned on his experience, never gave up and scored six straight unanswered points, ultimately upsetting the Cowboys No. 4 ranked Alan Gelogaev 10-6.

OSU’s No. 11- ranked Clayton Foster reminded everyone of redshirt freshman Erich Schmidtke’s inexperiMARCIN RUTKOWSKI/THE DAILY ence. The ranked Cowboy took the win in a 17-5 major Senior Eric Lapotsky wrestles with an Oklahoma State opponent on Tuesday evening in the McCasland Field House. decision at 184 pounds.

However, OU’s No. 8 Jeff James had a major decision up his sleeve as well en route to 14-5 finish at 174 pounds, including a 5-1 run in the third period from didn’t need many points to become victorious; Vernon the tie and add points to OU’s score. posted a 3-1 win for the Sooners from a takedown in the OSU’s Jamal Parks and Jordan Oliver got the decision James.

There was another battle of the ranked at 165 pounds final seconds of the third period over OSU’s No. 7 Neil at 141 and 133 pounds, respectively.

OU’s freshman Jared Patterson surprised the crowd between OU’s No. 16 freshman Tyler Caldwell and Erisman.

It was expected for OU’s No. 5-ranked redshirt senior with a 6-3 decision over OSU’s No. 7 Chris Notte at 125 OSU’s No. 12 Alex Meade.

Caldwell was down from the start and Meade finished Kyle Terry to emerge victorious over OSU’s Quentin pounds.

Fuentes, and he did.

OU will next see action Friday in Primm, Nev. in the him off with a 5-1 OSU win.

Terry went on a 3-0 run in the third period to break Cliff Keen Invitational.

The Sooners’ No. 8 redshirt sophomore Shane Vernon

>>

Visit our Web site, OUDaily.com, for a video recap of Tuesday’s Bedlam wrestling duel

Learn the Languages of Law, Medicine, and the Sciences Take Greek or Latin to Satisfy Your Language Requirement The professional vocabulary of lawyers, doctors, and scientists comes from Greek and Latin. If you take courses in these languages, you’ll know what stare decisis means, what hematopoiesis is, and why you’re called a homo sapiens.

Besides, it’s just fun to tell people that you know Greek and/or Latin.

Beginning course in both languages are still open for the spring 2010 semester:

We also have some great Gen-Ed courses in English: Survey of Roman Civilization (CL C 2613), Ancient Epic (CL C 3113), and Classical Influences on Modern Literature (CL C 3613).

For more information, contact the Department of Classics and Letters, 100 Carnegie Building | 325-6921 | classicsandletters@ou.edu.

Adopt - An - Area Adopt an Area starts next week! Look for your organization!

ALFA Flight

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P Beta Sigma Phi

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Delta Upsilon

P Delta Theta Phi

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G Gamma Phi Beta

Phi Gamma Delta

Alpha Gamma Delta A

EEngineers Without Borderss

Phi P Kappa Psi

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Phi Kappa Sigma

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Hispanic American Student Association

Alpha Omicron Pi

IIota Phi Theta

Alpha Phi

KKappa Alpha

Alpha Phi Alpha A

KKappa Alpha Psi

Alpha Phi Omega

KKappa Alpha Theta

Alpha Tau Omega A

Kappa Delta Chi

Beta Theta Pi B

KKappa Kappa Gamma

Catholic Student Assoc. c.

KKappa Kappa Psi

Chi Omega C

KKappa Sigma

Delta Chi D

Lambda Chi Alpha

Delta Delta Delta

oc. oc Non-Traditional Student Assoc.

Delta Epsilon Psi D

Okla. Student Volunteers

Delta Gamma D

Omega Delta Phi

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O Omega Psi Phi

Delta Sigma Theta

Our Earth

Pi P Beta Phi Pi Kappa Alpha P RUF/NEK Lil Sis R Sigma Alpha Epsilon SSigma Gamma Rho Sigma Lambda Gamma SSigma Nu SSigma Phi Epsilon Zeta Phi Beta Z Adams A Cate C Couch SSooner Walker

Way to go! Keep up the good work!

Volunteer u Programs Our Traditions through Service to State and Society LeadershipStrengthening Development and Volunteerism • leadandvolunteer.ou.edu The University of Oklahoma is an Equal Opportunity Institution. For accommodations on the basis of disability, call 325-2340

6 Wednesday, December 2, 2009

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.

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

10-14 days.........$1.15/line 15-19 days.........$1.00/line 20-29 days........$ .90/line 30+ days ........ $ .85/line

Classified Display, Classified Card Ad or Game Sponsorship

Employment HELP WANTED Panhandle Opportunities: working with individuals with developmental disabilities.

7.50/hr to start, paid training. Flexible hrs, benefits. Positive environment, Norman area. 942-4822 or fax resume 942-4993.

Survey takers needed! Make $5-$25 per survey! www.getpaidtothink.com Bartender & Wait Staff - Club Fusion, SW 89th & Western - 833-1828 Part-Time College and Young Adult Coordinator Needed. College and Young Adult Coordinator needed for a large church located near the University of Oklahoma in Norman. This individual will guide and develop small groups of people primarily in their 20’s into a closer relationship with God. Please send resume to rwade@mcfarlinumc.org or PO Box 6390 Norman, OK 73070 att Randy Wade.

BEST ENERGY DRINK! AND INCOME FOR LIFE! GO TO: www.myandfriendsfuture.com CHRISTMAS BREAK JOBS Not going home for the holidays? The C Lazy U Guest Ranch in the Colorado Rockies has positions available from Dec 19 thru Jan 3 - after Jan 3, you are welcome to stay w/ free room & board, to ski & snowboard the local resorts for 5 days.

Email Phil Dwyer at pdwyer@clazyu.com or call 970-887-3344.

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.

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

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

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

The Cleveland County Family YMCA is seeking AM Lifeguard and PM Swim Instructors. Apply in person at 1350 Lexington Ave. EOE.

Employment HELP WANTED Hiring Leasing Agent Immediately Large apt complex seeking responsible student P/T & Sat, flexible schedule, F/T during breaks. $7.50 - $8.50 based on ability. 613-5268

J Housing Rentals APTS. FURNISHED $400, bills paid, efficiency LOFT apartments, downtown over Mister Robert Furniture, 109 E Main, fire sprinkler, no pets, smoke-free. Inquire store office.

APTS. UNFURNISHED IMMEDIATE Move Ins $99 DEPOSIT / 6 Month Free Fitness 1 & 2 bed $445-$580 Pets Welcome! Large Floor Plans!

Models open 8a-8p Everyday!

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HOUSES UNFURNISHED 4 bed/ 1.5 bath house, 2 car garage, fenced yard. $900/ month, $600 dep.

405-249-2405 Walk to class, 3/2/2, fireplace, patio, CH/ A, 801 Elmwood. 329-4119.

LIVE YOUR DREAMS Pass It On. www.forbetterlife.org

Taylor Ridge Townhomes 2 Bdrm, 2.5 Bath, Fully Renovated Townhomes near OU! Pets Welcome! • Call for current rates and Move-in Specials!!!

Taylor Ridge Townhomes (405) 310-6599

A drunk driver ruined something precious. Amber Apodaca.

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Friends Don’t Let Friends Drive Drunk.

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

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www.soonerfan.ws

MISAL OF INDIA BISTRO Now accepting applications for waitstaff.

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

Eats flies. Dates a pig. Hollywood star.

TOWNHOUSES UNFURNISHED

Photo by Michael Mazzeo

PLACE AN AD

™ & © 2003 The Jim Henson Company

Thad Baker, advertising manager classifieds@ou.edu • phone: 325-2521 • fax: 325-7517

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Previous Solution 9 5 3 7 2 8 6 1 4

6 1 8 4 3 5 9 7 2

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

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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 December 02, 2009

ACROSS 1 Deep voice 5 Dress down 10 L.A. Sparks’ league 14 “The Thin Man” canine 15 “Shane” or “Stagecoach” 16 “___ Flux” (Charlize Theron film) 17 Rug type 18 Kind of acid in protein 19 What a computer crunches 20 Some bold people in bars 23 Free from errors 24 ___-expressionism 25 “Light” opening 27 Alert color 28 Arabian Peninsula land 32 Adjust slightly 34 Period in human history 37 French department or river 38 Major U.S.oil hub 41 Tennille of song 42 Looked at with scorn 43 President Garfield’s middle name 45 Bears’ lairs 46 Outlawed insecticide

HOROSCOPE

By Bernice Bede Osol

Copyright 2008, Newspaper Enterprise Assn.

Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2009 SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23-Dec. 21) -- Having a partner or working in close conjunction with someone toward a common goal could be quite fortunate for you. You will complement each other’s thinking.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20) -- Success can be yours in areas that you can control or direct, so devote as much time as possible to matters that are personally significant. Be both the director and star of your own show.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) -- This could be a good day to enhance your financial or material base. Don’t lower your expectations or settle for a lesser job when much more is being offered.

CANCER (June 21-July 22) -- Even though chance may play a significant role in your affairs, Dame Fortune herself is directing your life. You could benefit greatly from something being run by another.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) -- Because you have something extra that is quite captivating, others will find you enormously appealing and your popularity will rise considerably. Make the most of it.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) -- It behooves you to get involved in some type of activity that requires a unified effort. You may or may not be the leader, but there will be surprising benefits garnered from group undertakings.

PISCES (Feb. 20-March 20) -Beginnings will not be nearly as important as endings, so give it your all as you race to the finish line. The satisfaction of a job well done will influence you for a long time to come.

ARIES (March 21-April 19) -- You won’t have to go far to increase your circle of friends.

There will be people all around interested in your ideas and what your thinking can do for them.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20) -- There are all kinds of doors opening for you, but the ones you’re apt to like best are those developing in areas that influence your career or finances.

Big bucks can be made at this time.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) -- More opportunities than usual may open up in areas involving your work or career. Although there may be a plethora of them, you could miss out if you’re not on your toes.

future 12 Neighbor of Namibia 13 Santa ___, Calif.

21 You can sniff them out 22 “___ milk?”

26 Mike and ___ (candy) 29 Extinct relatives of ostriches 30 “Auth. unknown” 31 In one’s birthday suit 33 Stud material 34 Parts of pelvises 35 Great merriment 36 Garner deservedly 38 Bobsled relative 39 Let out, as a fishing line 40 “Steppenwolf” novelist

Previous Answers

Hermann 41 Rat-a-___ (drum sound) 44 Render imperfect 46 Bear the expenses 47 One thing a dictionary does 48 Stair parts 51 Visibly horrified 52 “No ___ Bob!” (“Absolutely not!”)

54 Poke fun at, on the playground 56 Olive and sesame 57 River islands, to Brits 58 ___ buco (Italian veal dish) 59 New Zealand parrots 60 Versatile truck, for short

PREVIOUS PUZZLE ANSWER

© 2009 Universal Uclick www.upuzzles.com

WE’RE ALL A-OK by Lynn Lempel

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23) -- Your open mind and powerful desire for learning might elevate you to a different level. You could encounter issues that could beneficially advance your most ardent interests.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 22) -- Someone who thinks highly of you could help fulfill a material desire. You will be expected to make the most of it in ways that can better your life.

49 Stubbed thing 50 Remote pair?

53 Animal in a roundup 55 “Blue and Green Music” artist 60 Homely fruit 61 Come to mind 62 Soprano solo 63 Unit of weight in the Far East 64 ___ date (makes wedding plans) 65 Prepare for staining 66 Comes to a close 67 Cuban moola 68 “Windows to the soul” DOWN 1 Person lying in the sun, perhaps 2 “Ain’t That ___” (Fats Domino hit) 3 Looked at fixedly 4 Carl of “Cosmos” 5 Linger in the tub 6 “And it ___ to pass ...”

7 He had a lush life in Mayberry 8 Russian revolutionary 9 Ambient sound 10 Walk in water 11 Not far in the

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Cassie Rhea Little, L&A editor dailyent@ou.edu • phone: 325-5189 • fax: 325-6051

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ÂŤ WEEKEND UPDATE OUDAILY.COM

Find a list of things happening this weekend int Thursday’s Life & Arts section.

CHIPOTLE BRINGS FRESH, FAST FOOD TO NORMAN ASHLEY BERNTGEN Daily Staff Writer

When Chipotle founder Steve Ells founded Chipotle Mexican Grill in 1993, he had a vision, not of serving fast food, but of serving good food fast.

Now, 16 years and dozens of locations later, Norman is finally able to be a part of this vision.

Norman’s first Chipotle will open its doors Friday at 11 a.m.

To help celebrate the opening, the restaurant is having a free tasting day today from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. for all OU students, faculty and staff with a valid OU ID. While Chipotle is well-known for its enormous burritos and other Tex-Mex staples such as tacos and guacamole, the restaurant has recently been carving out a niche as a socially responsible and economical Mexican eatery.

In 2001, Chipotle released its Food With Integrity mission statement, a philosophy that holds the company to high standards in terms of where the food comes from and how it is prepared.

The restaurant only serves meat from naturally raised, vegetable-fed livestock and make a priority to ser ve locally grown vegetables. “All of [the] meat is naturally raised and a third of our beans are organic,� Chipotle marketing consultant Jen Granillo said.

According to Granillo, all the food Chipotle restaurants use throughout the day is freshly prepared as it is needed, as opposed to being prepared days in advance.

As a result, she said the food is much fresher.

Granillo said she thinks Chipotle is an appealing choice for the budget-conscious college students not only because Chipotle can offer a large portion of food for a reasonable price, but because they

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PHOTO PROVIDED

A dish from Chipotle’s menu. Chipotle will open in Norman at 11 a.m. Friday. Students, faculty and staff can try the restaurant free today from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. with a valid student ID. Chipotle is located at 765 Asp Ave. in Norman. can offer high-quality food at a reasonable price. “I think college kids now are more particular with what they eat,� Granillo said. “If they have their $10 to vote on where they’re going to go to lunch, they want something that’s really awesome food.

For $6, and maybe 50 cents with tax, you get a huge burrito. You get amazing quality food.�

Chipotle employee Sharon Kersey said she is excited about working for a company that puts so much emphasis on serving quality food.

“These people stand behind their food and they’re not afraid to show it,� Sharon said. “ They tell you what’s in it.�

The palpable enthusiasm for the Friday’s grand opening has made its way out the restaurant itself and into the OU student community.

With several other options for Mexican cuisine on Campus Corner, one might think excitement in the community wouldn’t be as high as it is.

However, this is not the case.

Alex Dalke, business senior, said he is very excited about Chipotle’s arrival in

Norman. “My freshman year, me and some friends used to drive all the way down to Dallas to get Chipotle. But now that they have Chipotle up here, I’ll save some gas,� Dalke said. “ I love that you can get a giant burrito for cheap.�

The restaurant will officially open at 11 a.m. Friday but free burritos are available today from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. for all OU students, faculty and staff.

Chipotle is located at 765 Asp Ave. on Campus Corner.

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Wednesday, December 2, 2009

»

The Daily’s Osi Aken’Ova reviews three of this week’s new comic books.

“HAUNT #3” After the first two issues of “Haunt” introduced us to the Kilgore brothers and the mysterious mercenary Cobra, Kurt’s co-workers finally give the details of Haunt’s powers to Daniel.

A few weeks ago, I commented that co-writer and inker Todd McFarlane’s artwork, which, aside from giving it a frazzled look, didn’t do much.

But his writing skills are—in my opinion—holding this series back.

Of course since Robert Kirkman also writes this book, there is no way anybody could know for a fact who had certain ideas or wrote specific dialogue. But anyone that has read any Kirkman or McFarlane book can easily point out which writer is in the driver’s seat.

OSI For example, Kirkman takes a lot of time and effort creating emoAKEN’OVA tional attachments between his characters and the readers as seen in “Invincible” and “The Walking Dead.”McFarlane’s writing style is more focused on revenge and violent characters. With the fast-paced action, manic violence and two-dimensional characters, you know McFarlane is in charge.

Hopefully this week’s comic will be much better that the previous two, and have more Kirkman than McFarlane.

“WHAT IF? SECRET INVASION” Continuing with the Marvel “What If?” tradition, this issue spotlights what could have happened if the Skrulls Secret Invasion had ended differently. The first story, written by “Underworld” scriptwriter and actor Kevin Grevious sheds light on how the war would have ended if Mr. Fantastic had died before he escaped from the Skrulls.

The next story doesn’t really venture into new territory when it goes into what might have happened if the Skrulls’ invasion hadn’t been discovered and remained secret.

As with all “What If?” stories, the writers are given the freedom to do whatever they want to characters that they couldn’t do in the mainstream.

I’ve read a couple of “What If?” stories and a few of them are really interesting while most are pretty mundane.

However, the Secret Invasion was a very big story arc and might be interesting to revisit.

“DARK AVENGERS ANNUAL #1” As soon as Marvel Boy figured out that the New Avengers were actually the bad guys, he escaped, but Osborn still wants him because he could be a powerful asset to the team.

Superstar writer Brian Michael Bendis and artist Chris Bachalo join forces to bring you this critically acclaimed, giant-sized issue.

Although I’m not reading “Dark Avengers,” this annual along with others gives potential buyers a little sample of what’s going on in that series and if they like it, they can start buying them.

Osi Aken’Ova is a film and video studies senior.

PHOTO PROVIDED

Comic book covers from “Haunt #3,” “What If? Secret Invasion” and “Dark Avengers Annual #1.”