The Oklahoma Daily

MONDAY DECEMBER 7, 2009

THE THHE UNIVERSITY UNIVERSIT Y OF OF OKLAHOMA’S OK INDEPENDENT STUDENT VOICE

Check out the top holiday flicks to watch during the season.

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The Sooners took on Arizona Sunday night.

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OKLAHOMA CITY VOTERS TO DECIDE ON SALES TAX TUESDAY Mayor emphasizes benefits of new tax, some citizens disagree TROY WEATHERFORD Daily Staff Writer

Voters in Oklahoma City will head to the polls Tuesday to decide whether or not to pass a 1-cent sales tax, which will pay for a growing infrastructure in the city.

The tax, known as MAPS 3, would begin in April, starting the day after an existing sales tax ends, and would continue for seven years and nine months, according to OKC.gov/ maps3.

Because of the existing 1-cent sports facility sales tax, Oklahoma City’s sales tax rate would not change if MAPS 3 passes.

Following the group’s Metropolitan Area Projects, MAPS, which focused on revitalizing Bricktown, and MAPS for Kids, which directed money toward schools in Oklahoma City, MAPS 3 proposes eight projects for Oklahoma City and is estimated to cost $777 million dollars, according to the Web site.

“This proposal dreams big, and it continues the momentum and renaissance of the last 15 years,” Oklahoma City Mayor Mick Cornett stated in a press release. “I believe it will achieve the goals that have always defined MAPS projects – creating jobs and improving our quality of life.”

For a new sales tax to pass, it is only required that more than 50 percent of voters are in favor of it, according to the Web site.

It is estimated that if the initiative were approved, the project would not be finished until nearly 2020, according to the Web site.

“If this initiative moves forward, the next 10 years of this city’s history will be more exciting than the last 10,” Cornett said. “We have hardly scratched the surface of what this city is capable.”

But not everyone is as enthusiastic as the mayor is about MAPS 3.

Susan Adams, a retired Oklahoma City police officer, is against the initiative and said the money should be going to necessary projects like street and bridge improvements.

VOTERS CONTINUES ON PAGE 2

GRAPHIC PROVIDED BY WWW.OKC.GOV

MAPS PROJECTS Eight projects proposed by the initiative: • A park connecting downtown OKC with the Oklahoma River (estimated $130 million) • A rail streetcar system (estimated $130 million) • A new downtown convention center (estimated $280 million) • Sidewalks throughout the city (estimated $10 million) • Bicycling and walking trails (estimated $40 million)

• Oklahoma River improvements, including a kayaking facility and upgrades to the rowing racecourse (estimated $60 million) • Health and wellness aquatics centers for senior citizens (estimated $50 million) • Improvements to the state fairgrounds (estimated $60 million) • Contingency funds to cover unforeseen costs (estimated $17 million)

Student zombies bring dead week to campus Students watch horror movies in honor of days before finals CAITLIN HARRISON Daily Staff Writer

For four OU students, dead week is, in fact, dead. Or at least zombies are, anyway.

The students plan to continue their tradition of watching zombie movies and playing zombie video games this week as a way to honor all things “dead” during dead week.

Ryan McMahon, management information systems junior, said the new twist on the week started during last spring’s dead week when he and a few friends in his residence hall decided to get a zombie movie to watch.

“We went to Walmart and they had a lot, so we all just bought like three of them, and we had a collection,” McMahon said.

McMahon said it wasn’t until after they bought the movies they realized they had created a dead week-themed movie collection, so they began associating the tradition with dead week ever since.

Some of their movies include “Night of the Living Dead,” “Day of the Dead,” “Dawn of the Dead” and “Shaun of the Dead,” said Travis Bullard, science education junior.

“Pretty much anything that has zombies ZOMBIES CONTINUES ON PAGE 2

TEEKO YANG/THE DAILY

Brett Jones, mechanical engineering junior; Ralph Anglade, liberal studies junior; and Travis Bullard, science education junior, watch the zombie flick “Dawn of the Dead” in Couch Tower Sunday afternoon as part of their zombie movie marathon.

Freshman forecaster brings weather to Facebook Student sends predictions through networking site

Group works on ‘exposing international students to American culture’

KATHLEEN EVANS Daily Staff Writer

One freshman is trying to change the quality of weather forecasts for OU students through a Facebook group.

Robert Burns created the group “OU/Norman Forecast” as a way to provide students with a three-day weather forecast of the Norman area.

He bases his prediction by compiling data from weather Web sites.

“My friends always wondered what the weather was going to be tomorrow, so they would look to me to provide information,” said Burns, University College freshman. “I started the group about a month ago so I can provide a three-day forecast to my friends and anyone else who is interested.”

To develop a forecast, Burns uses weather-tracking sites, including the Oklahoma Weather Lab’s Web site, he said.

The Oklahoma Weather Lab is a student organization that allows OU students to create forecasts and gain experience in tracking and predicting weather, according to its Web site.

The desire to give students a more accurate forecast than the Weather Lab was a big reason in creating the group, Burns said.

“Sometimes I would look at [the

FREE — ADDITIONAL COPIES 25¢

OU Cousins sends students to see Chickasha Festival of Lights

NATASHA GOODELL Daily Staff Writer

Several countries besides the U.S. practice the tradition of decorating their homes with lights during the holiday season, but many international students could not fathom the immensity of the lights at the Chickasha Festival of Lights.

On Friday, OU Cousins took a trip to the Chickasha Festival of Lights, as did other international students Saturday evening.

Jonas Knoll, a first-semester exchange student from Paderborn, Germany, said he thought the lights were really good, despite the cold weather he endured at the festival.

JEREMY DICKIE/THE DAILY

Robert Burns, University College freshman, checks the forecasts for various cities.

Burns created a page on Facebook that updates weather forecasts every day.

Weather Lab’s] forecast and completely disagree with it,” Burns said.

Burns also uses information from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the National Weather Service, Twister Data and the College of DuPage models to design his forecasts, he said. These Web sites have different graphics and models about different aspects of weather, such as pressures and temperatures.

After reviewing and compiling data, Burns said he updates the group daily with his forecast and explanations about what is going to happen and why he believes so. Explanations vary in technicality, with an overview

LIGHTS CONTINUES ON PAGE 2

of highs, lows and weather conditions, followed by a detailed description of the science and theory behind the forecast.

Jennifer Anderson, University College freshman, said she receives messages in her inbox every time Burns updates the group with a forecast, making the group easier to check than a weather forecast Web site.

“It’s not like I have to go check a page every day,” Anderson said. “It’s really easy and really useful.”

She has only been in the group a few days, but says that so far his

SOONERS TO PLAY STANFORD IN SUN BOWL

WEATHER CONTINUES ON PAGE 2

-Jono Greco/The Daily

© 2009 OU PUBLICATIONS BOARD

The Sooners accepted an invitation Sunday to play in the 76th Annual Brut Sun Bowl against the Stanford Cardinal.

OU finished the regular season with a 7-5 overall record and 5-3 in the Big 12, which was tied for third in the Big 12 South. Stanford went 8-4 during the regular season with victories over Southern California and Oregon.

“We appreciate the invitation from the Brut Sun Bowl and are anxious to make the trip to El Paso,” head coach Bob Stoops said. “We look forward to a number of our fans being there as well. In Stanford we are facing a fine program. Like many others, we have been impressed by the job coach [Jim] Harbaugh and his team have done this season, and we understand the quality of the opponent we’ll be facing.”

OU and Stanford have met four times before, with the Sooners leading the series 3-1. The last time the two teams faced each other was in 1984.

The game is slated for Dec. 31 at noon and will be aired on CBS.

VOL. 95, NO. 74

2 Monday, December 7, 2009

OUDAILY.COM »

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

GO ONLINE TO CATCH VIDEO OF FORMER ALASKA GOV. SARAH PALIN’S VISIT TO NORMAN THURSDAY NIGHT.

Lights Continued from page 1 “We have Christmas lights in Germany, but not that many,” he said.

Knoll also said he enjoyed hanging out with his OU Cousin, Tom Pederson, and with Tom’s friends.

“I would say it [OU Cousins] has helped a bit [getting to know American culture],” Knoll said.

“The problem is that Tom isn’t exactly the average American. He was born in Japan and spent some years in Germany.”

Pederson, accounting sophomore, said he and his cousin decided to go to the lights Saturday evening, rather than Friday evening with the OU Cousins’ group,

because he already knew some “It’s a lot of fun getting to meet we have moved this year, with the friends going Saturday. someone from another country pumpkin carving, Thanksgiving “He had fun, as far as I know,” and seeing how they view what is dinner and Festival of Lights,” Nash Pederson said. “I don’t think said.

Christmas lights are done nearHe said they try to make “He had fun, as far as I know. I don’t sure all of the events they plan ly to that degree in Germany.”

Pederson said he spends think Christmas lights are done get students involved in the OU a few hours every other week nearly to that degree in Germany.”

Cousins program, both interor so with his OU Cousin, and national and American. they have attended two or three -TOM PEDERSON, ACCOUNTING SOPHOMORE “There were several stuof the events with OU Cousins dents that had never seen so this year. many lights in one place be“It has been good,” Pederson really normal and get another per- fore,” Nash said. said. “We’ve really connected and spective,” Pederson said.

Nash said the things we’ve bewe relate well. I used to live in Michael Nash, entrepreneurship come accustomed to in America Germany. We can both relate to and marketing junior and student are usually things that internationboth German and American cul- director for OU Cousins, said they al students have never experienced ture, and we speak German togeth- had 100 students sign up to go to before. er sometimes; I guess it’s more of a the Festival of Lights in Chickasha “Our main goal is to create an practice for me than it is for him.” this year. atmosphere where international Pederson said he thinks OU “Exposing international students and American students can interCousins was a great idea. to American culture is the direction act with each other,” Nash said. “It’s

Weather

Voters

Zombies

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forecasts have been accurate in letting her know how to dress for the day.

“I use it to know how bundled up I need to get,” Anderson said.

Over the OU winter break, Burns said he will not update the group page, but he wants to expand his services by providing weather forecasts for cities where students are spending their breaks. Members of the group can request a specific area, and Burns will send a three-day forecast to their inboxes.

Updates for the Norman area will continue after Jan. 14, 2010, according to the group’s home page.

Burns said he plans to continue studying meteorology at OU. Most of his experience comes from working at the Oklahoma Weather Lab, as well as forecasting weather for fun in his home state, Virginia.

Other than the OU/Norman group, Burns also manages a group to provide forecasts for Richmond, Va., he said. Even though he goes to school in Oklahoma, he still updates the Virginia group because of his interest in meteorology.

“The money is not going to take care of the many issues of the city, it’s going to take care of downtown,” Adams said.

Adams is part of an opposition by the citizens and police and fire unions in Oklahoma City. The group, which runs the Web site KillTheMapsTax.com, said the city is short on police and firefighters and money should be for different things.

The group also said the estimated costs of the projects are not accurate, a tax increase would hurt the economy and lower-income families would suffer from the regressive sales tax.

in it, we watch it,” Bullard said.

Brett Jones, mechanical engineering junior and McMahon’s roommate, said they usually watch one or two movies each night of the week.

“We watch it and then go to bed, get up, maybe do some studying — maybe — then watch some more,” he said.

Jones said he did not have to log as much study time for finals in the spring, so he was able to devote a significant portion of time to the zombie movies.

“This dead week, I have to study more, but we’ll probably watch quite a few movies,” he said.

The tradition also centers around zombie video games, Bullard said.

“Last year, it was all about ‘Resident Evil 5’

CAMPUS NOTES TODAY PEARL HARBOR MEMORIAL CEREMONY A Pearl Harbor memorial ceremony will be held from 8 to 9 a.m. at the Oklahoma Memorial Union’s Stuart Landing.

CAREER SERVICES Career Services will hold walk-in hours from 1:30 to 4 p.m. in the union.

FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS More than 3.5 million lights shine in the Shannon Springs Park of Chickasha for the Festival of Lights.

The annual electric bill is approximately $15,000.

There are an estimated 40,000 vehicles and over 250,000 visitors through the park each season, which begins the Tuesday before Thanksgiving and runs through New Year’s Eve. The park is open nightly from 6 to 11 p.m., and displays are free of charge.

Find more information online at ChickashaFestivalofLight.com. a good time to just let loose and enjoy [the Festival of Lights] before finals.”

because it just came out,” Bullard said. “Now ‘Left for Dead 2’ has come out, so we’ve been spending a lot of time already playing that.

We’ll probably spend a lot more time playing that.”

Bullard said the video games mainly entail killing zombies, the methods of which are based on what each level instructs the player to do.

Jones said, rather than distracting them from studying, the zombie movies and video games simply help him and his friends stay mentally focused for finals.

“In the movies, if you make a mistake, there’s going to be some dire consequences, so whatever you do, you have to execute flawlessly and quickly, and watching those movies all week, we get in that mind set,” Jones said. “Then we get to the final, and that’s just another challenge ... we’re not going to mess up on because then we’ll be a zombie, we’re dead. We just knock out those tests because of the zombie movies.”

Jones said although the group who watches all the movies consists of about four guys, other people often join them throughout the week.

The guys concluded their all-time favorite zombie movies, included “Zombieland” and the remake of “Dawn of the Dead.”

“They’re good movies. I like watching them,” McMahon said. “It’ll help with dead week [to] take a break from studying.”

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3

Norman on its way to becoming official ‘Fair Trade Town’ Overcoming final hurdle requires city council’s commitment to purchase Fair Trade products KARLIE TIPTON Daily Staff Writer

Norman may soon be joining a very elite group of U.S. cities as student organizations push to get the home of OU certified as an official “Fair Trade Town.”

“In the U.S., we only have 14 cities, so we have a lot of catching up to do,” said Ajit Bhand, a Norman Fair Trade founding member.

“This idea of not only people buying Fair Trade products [food, clothing and other items bought and sold with equality and sustainability in mind], but communities themselves being Fair Trade, originated in the U.K., where there are now over 400 Fair Trade cities,” Bhand said.

In order to achieve this title, there are many criteria a town must meet.

There are five basic requirements: a steering committee to organize the campaign, support from the community and businesses (for Norman, this means at least 20 establishments that carry Fair Trade

products or one for every 5,000 residents), Fair Trade products used at various public places (such as schools or churches), media attention focusing on the campaign and the city council must both pass a resolution supporting Fair Trade and commit to buy the products themselves, Bhand said.

Currently, the city lacks only one of these requirements.

“Right now we are focusing on urging the city council to buy Fair Trade products,” Bhand said.

Norman Fair Trade is asking students and residents to help overcome this final hurdle.

“We just started a petition on change.org, which has a link on Facebook, trying to collect signatures to get the city to commit to purchasing Fair Trade products,” said Gene Perry, Norman Fair Trade steering committee member.

If the petition is successful, Fair Trade advocates are hoping the city’s certification will have a deep impact.

“It will give us prestige but also show that we are a progressive city and we’re trying to move forward.

It will just show that we’re looking toward the future, trying to help people,” said Cindy Woods, president of the Student Organization for

LAUREN HARNED/THE DAILY

Norman will soon become an official fair trade town due to the push by student organizations to get the city of Norman certified.

Fair Trade and steering committee member of Norman Fair Trade.

Some Norman businesses said Fair Trade products have shown positive results for their businesses.

Sara Kaplan, owner of Native Roots Market on Main Street said, “ has definitely been a big draw to our store.”

Kaplan said she is hopeful business will increase once Norman

becomes an official Fair Trade Town.

Matt Runkle, Native Roots owner, said “the more people that start buying [Fair Trade], the better it becomes for us. ...There’s so many Fair Trade things right now that we can’t sell because people don’t know what it is, but if there was more awareness of it, all that means is that we can go and buy from the other 50 people we have

lined up.”

Norman does not only stand to gain financially from its certification, however.

“It simply makes us a more concerned, compassionate community,” said Mary Francis, Norman Fair Trade steering committee member.

Groups like Norman Fair Trade also hope that this will only be a stepping stone on the way to more cities in Oklahoma and beyond receiving their own title.

“One of the things that towns can do once they are certified is mentor other towns,” Bhand said.

“So that’s something further down the line for us.”

Although such a prestigious title for the city is one of the Fair Trade organization’s goals, it emphasizes that the point of this and all of the other activities is ultimately to shed light on the subject.

“We want to get more people to hear about Fair Trade,” Perry said.

“They often don’t understand it ... but we’re confident once they learn they will be more interested in buying Fair Trade products.”

For more information on signing the petition, a list of other certified towns or Norman Fair Trade, you can visit the Web site at NormanFairTrade.org.

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.

OTHER WARRANT Barbara Alane Anderson, 43, West Main Street, Thursday MUNICIPAL WARRANT Suporah Emon Margaret Busby, 29, 2116 W. Brooks St., Thursday Francisco Isai Garcia, 25, Classen Boulevard, Thursday Loyd Keith Morris, 27, West Boyd Street, Friday Clint Allen Vitosh, 29,

Unknown, Saturday COUNTY WARRANT Travis Donald Davis, 30, 1400 N. Northcliff Ave., Thursday Rickey Lynn Craig, 51, 1100 Oak Tree Ave., Friday Kyle Taylor Fillis, 40, 1100 Oak Tree Ave., Friday Lonnie Carl Handcock, 25, West Main Street, Saturday April Dawn Nigh, 28, Unknown, Saturday PUBLIC INTOXICATION Maria Kathryn Fairchild, 47, 317 E. Duffy St., Wednesday Dillon Kay Henry, 20, East Lindsey Street, Saturday Sergio Augusto Najera, 19, 500

Buchanan Ave., Saturday, also outraging public decency POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA James Matthew Hightower, 40, East Robinson Street, Thursday PETTY LARCENY Sandra Denise Parker, 50, 333 N. Interstate Drive E., Wednesday, also for trespassing Vicki Michelle Ricketts, 36, 831 N. Berry Road, Thursday, also assault and battery Carlos Jose Lopez, 24, 333 N. Interstate Drive, Saturday, also for trespassing Patricia Ann Lozano, 26, 333 N. Interstate Drive, Friday,

also for trespassing Sharri L. Merrell, 53, 333 N. Interstate Drive, Saturday HOSTING, PERMITTING OR ALLOWING A LOUD PARTY Joshua David Cain, 20, 1601 E. Imhoff Road, Friday POSSESSION OF MARIJUANA Cameron Terrence Gulley, 22, 3000 E. Robinson St., Friday Aaron Isaac Micah Mosley, 18, 1300 N. Interstate Drive West, Thursday Westin Garrett Schultz, 20, Bedford Lane, Thursday, also possession of drug paraphernalia Joseph Brian Westphal, 52, 3000 E. Robinson St., Friday

AGGRAVATED DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE Gregory Paul Lopez, 23, 1100 West State Highway 9, Friday MINOR IN POSSESSION OF ALCOHOL James Cole McIntyre, 19, 1601 E. Imhoff Road, Friday Christopher Thomas Fitzer, 19, 2200 Classen Blvd., Saturday Chandler William Martin, 19, 800 Chautauqua Ave., Saturday Amy V. Oxley, 20, 2200 Classen Blvd., Saturday DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE Darby Nicole Richardson, 23, 12th Avenue Northeast, Friday

David Joe Southerland, 49, 1901 E. Lindsey St., Friday James Alexander Berardo, 18, Classen Boulevard, Saturday Brook Lauren Gidney, 20, Chautauqua Avenue, Saturday, also misusing forged documents as identification Daniel Hugh Peacock, 30, 4031 120th Ave. N.E., Friday Austin Keith Powell, 21, Asp Avenue, Saturday ASSAULT AND BATTERY Dustin Trent Holland, 19, 1100 Oak Tree Ave., Saturday OUTRAGING PUBLIC DECENCY Brian Douglas Turner, 36, 750 Asp Ave., Saturday

2009 oklahoma basketball don’t forget to pick up your basketball tickets! the 2nd men’s basketball student distribution begins:

today through wednesday Pick Up Dates

Opponents

Game Date

Sun., Dec. 6 - Wed., Dec. 9 Northern Colorado Maryland Eastern Shore Oklahoma State Missouri

Dec. 19 Jan. 4 Jan. 11 Jan.16

Print-at-Home Hours: Sun. 5 pm - Wed. 3 pm Hours of Office Distribution: Mon. - Wed. 8 am - 5 pm Students who purchased student season tickets must either print their tickets at home by logging onto www.soonersports.com or pick up their ticket to each home game at the Athletics Ticket Office before Wednesday during the distribution week with their OU student ID. After Wednesday, any unclaimed student tickets are subject to be sold beginning the following Thursday morning at 8:00 am.

For information regarding the student distribution schedule, please visit the “Student Ticket” page at

4

Monday, December 7, 2009

COMMENT OF THE DAY »

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

In response to Friday’s Our View, “UOSA should amend its constitution to prevent such pointless issues” YOU CAN COMMENT AT OUDAILY.COM

OUR VIEW

“Less than 1300 people voted in the last election. That’s 5% turnout. The last election indicates people think the UOSA is a joke not worth bothering with. Sounds a lot like the sentiments these amendments are

portraying to be honest.”

-soonerboomers

Thumbs Up and Thumbs Down

Dead week policy doesn’t give students time to study Today is the first day of the infamous dead week, and if your schedule is anything like ours, this doesn’t mean too much to you because the same amount of (if not more) work is required in your classes this week as in every other week of the semester.

While this may not be the case for every OU student, it certainly is the case for some, and this is frustrating to us because we (like many of you) feel like we have no break between the end of classes and the beginning of finals to study.

This is made even more frustrating when one considers the fact that this is not the case at a lot of other universities around the country. Students at other schools have days off from school during their dead weeks or their classes are not required.

We’re not convinced we want to see this type of thing at OU, but we are positive we need more time to study for our all-important final exams.

To allow for this, we propose an overhaul of OU’s dead week policy. We would like to see the week immediately preceding finals be all about reviewing. We are not calling for a complete cancellation of classes, but it would be nice if

nothing new was covered in classes, and nothing (at all) was due during that week.

This would give students a breather before exams and allow them to be refreshed during (arguably) the most stressful week of the school year.

Unfortunately, this is unlikely to happen anytime soon. Last year OU’s Faculty Senate voted to not review the dead week policy until 2014, when most (if not all) current OU students will have left.

So maybe this editorial is pointless, but maybe not.

Even if the policy may not be reviewed for another five years, we encourage individual professors to listen to our argument that we need more time to prepare for finals.

If you make your classes during dead week strictly about reviewing for finals and don’t require any work to be turned in during that span, you will have helped your students, and perhaps this will be evident in terms of final exam grades.

This may not be the case, but we believe it’s at least worth a try.

THUMBS UP The Florida Gators football team lost Saturday, prompting quarterback Tim Tebow to shed some tears.

As more holiday decorations spring up and the weather turns colder, the holiday season is in full swing.

Head football coach Bob Stoops put the rumors to rest last week, as he said he would not be the next Notre Dame football coach.

The city of Norman has a new and much improved Web site.

THUMBS DOWN At the State Regents’ meeting last week, the freeze on tuition hikes was retracted, meaning it may get more expensive to attend OU. The Texas Longhorns football team won the Big 12 championship Saturday, effectively clearing the way for it to play in the BCS National Championship.

This year marks the first time in four years that the OU football team will not play in a BCS bowl game, as the Sooners will battle the Stanford Cardinal in the Sun Bowl.

Very few students attended an oZONE forum last week, despite the fact that nearly 2,000 are in the Facebook group, “I Hate oZONE.”

Comment Box

STAFF COLUMN

The Daily offers students soapbox to express opinions Reflecting back on this semester of writing opinion columns for The Daily has been interesting.

I have enjoyed writing even if I have not enjoyed meeting self- and editor -imposed deadlines.

Which leads me to the question: Why would anyone with the crazy kind of class and work schedule that I have, voluntarily submit to SARAH writing 600-to-800ROSENCRANS word columns every two weeks?

Other than saying I am masochistic, my real motive is that I enjoy writing.

Sometimes it can be tortuous when writer’s block sets in, but it is worth it to have my ideas in print and subject to public scrutiny.

Part of writing an opinion column is formulating what exactly you believe on a particular issue. I tend to do a lot of mini-editorializing in my head whenever I hear or read something controversial or interesting, so forcing myself to write a column forces me to think through my thoughts.

I also volunteered to write because I believe that The Daily is only as good as the people who work and write for it.

I write because I want people to know that there are alternate points of view out there. Not everyone here is left or right; I find that most people tend to be an idiosyncratic blend of the two.

I write because in my not-so-humble-opinion, I think my ideas are good, and I want other people to know

about them. over-exposed.

Of course you might disagree with But the point is, there are other isme and insult and refute me. You can sues and philosophies to write about. do so online in the comment box, but The content of the opinion page, howit would be even better if you wrote an ever, is limited to the creativity and reactual letter to the editor, and it would sourcefulness of the columnists. be best if you volunteered to set up That is why I want to encourage your own soapbox every other week people to write in, to show they care in the pages of The Daily. about more than slogging through If you think your ideas are better college with more than a few beers and your opinions stronger, then write and a degree under their belts. them out and see if they can stand the Yes, I know the paper is full of erlight of day away from your own head. rors and inconsistencies in coverage, See if they can withstand the scrutiny but I do not hold it to the standards of the small readership of The Daily. of professional publications like The Yes, we columnists can be a bit Oklahoman or The New York Times. egotistical.

I know every Yes, we are not If you want to improve the semester at least always relevant. one columnist paper, you can help. Write a Yes, we love to column, have your event or writes to drum up write about the student support issues of sex, re- cause covered and let the and participation. ligion, abortion, editors and reporters know Let this be it. global warming, what content you want to find If you want re l i g i o n , a b o r- between the front page and t o i m p rov e t h e tion, sex and p a p e r, y o u c a n the Sudoku. nonsense. help. Write a colNot much else umn, have your seems to draw a reaction out of apa- event or cause covered and let the edithetic college students. tors and reporters know what content However, reading the paper daily you want to find between the front shows that there are students and page and the Sudoku. columnist who do care about other The world is awash in words, at least issues. help us make them quality words.

We care about what is happening Oh yes, and one last reason for writaround the world in Africa and Iraq. ing. The man-to-woman ratio on the We care about Congress bungling opinion staff is ridiculously skewed. If the bailout and health care bill.

I did not write, it would be even more We care about what happens in skewed.

Oklahoma.

So, please ladies, let the men know And we care about Tiger Woods’ that we have strong opinions too. latest affair with a fire hydrant and golf club. OK, maybe not so much that Sarah Rosencrans is a zoology and biomedical last one, a topic that has been way too science senior.

Opinionated?

The Daily is hiring columnists and cartoonists for spring 2010. As mentioned in the column above, writing for The Daily offers students the opportunity to make their voices heard on campus. Each day, more than 10,000 copies of The Daily are distributed throughout campus and Norman. For information on how to apply, e-mail dailyopinion@ou.edu.

T=: O@A6=DB6 D6>AN Jamie Hughes Editor-in-Chief Meredith Moriak Managing Editor Charles Ward Assistant Managing Editor Ricky Ly Night Editor Will Holland Opinion Editor Michelle Gray, Merrill Jones Photo Editors

CONTACT US

LeighAnne Manwarren Jacqueline Clews Annelise Russell Cassie Rhea Little Judy Gibbs Robinson Thad Baker

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

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e-mail: dailynews@ou.edu

As of Sunday afternoon, these were the online comments on Friday’s news story, “Supporters, protesters go ‘rogue’ in Norman.” To read that story or to comment on any Daily article, visit OUDaily.com. The following comments have not been edited.

“Evans should give me a copy of that book. I can either sell it on eBay to some idiot for thousands of dollars or better yet, I can use it for starting my fireplace. I heard B.S. burns really well.

Did the Daily have to pay 16 dollars for that picture of Palin? I’m sure the Conservative Daily would pay just about anything to get Sarah Palin (‘s picture) in their pocket.”

-Cambrian “This story feels like one big Sarah Palin love fest. Thanks for providing decent and equal coverage of those who “protested.” It pains me to think that there are people out there who think she’s intelligent enough to be president of this country.”

-whatsherface “‘The rules included no pictures to be taken with Palin while she is at the signing table.’

Interesting that the Daily has a picture of her sitting at the table. HAHA.” -williamcombs “So... how many people turned out to see her? or is that not news worthy?

You say there were several people there acting queerly?

Wonder what they think of uber-liberal New York defeating homosexual marriage by a landslide?”

-mustafa “We all know the protesters were conservative operatives only there to make liberals look bad.”

-dargus “I sat behind Sally Kern in line and she was there for over 24 hours just like the rest of us. Just like the Daily to write a statement without checking the facts or citing your sources.

I have pictures to prove it.”

-fresh “‘We all know the protesters were conservative operatives only there to make liberals look bad.’

I’m the person who organized the event, and I can tell you with absolute certainty that this statements is 110% patently false.

‘This story feels like one big Sarah Palin love fest. Thanks for providing decent and equal coverage of those who ‘protested.’ It pains me to think that there are people out there who think she’s intelligent enough to be president of this country.’

For the most part, the media did its best to ignore us and present the illusion of a state where everyone loves her. Moreover, they tried to give her a rockstar welcome.

The music playing on the loudspeakers was part of creating that atmosphere. Which is why we brought Hunter in with his Jeep and sound system to try and drown out the propaganda. You should see some of the quotes I am snipping out of the coverage as to why people think Palin ought to be president. Its really funny.”

-keithontap

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OU STUDENTS YOU ARE INVITED! Informal Discussion

Thomas Friedman Pulitzer Prize-winning Journalist and Foreign Affairs Columnist for The New York Times Thomas L. Friedman is the author of five books on foreign affairs and globalization, with several focusing on world affairs following the Sept. 11 attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon.

His latest book is the No. 1 bestseller Hot, Flat and Crowded: Why We Need a Green Revolution – and How It Can Renew America, which focuses on globalization, specifically climate change and the rising competition for energy. It follows his earlier bestseller The World is Flat.

4:30 p.m.

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6 Monday, December 7, 2009 Thad Baker, advertising manager classifieds@ou.edu • phone: 325-2521 • fax: 325-7517

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

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PAYMENT s r

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Employment HELP WANTED ACCEPTING SERVER APPLICATIONS Looking for outgoing, energetic and smiling individuals who enjoy the excitement of the hospitality industry. Apply in person at O’Connell’s, Lindsey store or Campus Corner store, today before 6pm. Limited openings.

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Employment HELP WANTED Now Hiring for the Spring Semester Community After School Program is now hiring part-time staff to work in our schoolage childcare programs in Norman Public Schools. Hours: M-F 2:20pm - 6:00pm.

Begin working Jan 4th. Closed for all Norman Public School holidays and professional days. Competitive wages starting at $7.25/hour. Higher pay for students with qualifying coursework in education, early childhood, recreation and related ďŹ elds. Complete application in person at 1023 N Flood Avenue or online at www. caspinc.org.

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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.

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J Housing Rentals APTS. FURNISHED Large bedrm for sub lease in 3 bd ground oor apt - furnished, pvt bath - 2 mi from campus. $459/mo, util incl. 918-916-4294 $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.

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4 9 8 7

2 3 6 1

6 1 2 7

3 2 4

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

Previous Solution 4 6 7 5 8 2 1 3 9

8 3 9 6 4 1 7 2 5

5 2 1 9 3 7 4 6 8

3 9 6 4 2 8 5 7 1

1 5 4 7 9 6 2 8 3

2 7 8 3 1 5 9 4 6

9 4 5 2 6 3 8 1 7

7 8 3 1 5 4 6 9 2

6 1 2 8 7 9 3 5 4

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 December 07, 2009

ACROSS 1 Piece of chewing tobacco 5 Mail delivery org.

9 Like a brand new dollar bill 14 Croissant, for one 15 Distillery mixture 16 Be an omen (of) 17 Smoker in Sicily?

18 Galileo’s hometown 19 Male bee 20 Brenda Russell hit song 23 What shifty eyes do 24 Need medical attention 25 Dissolved substance 28 One way to gain interest?

30 “Enter the Dragon� star 33 American chameleon 34 Brownish purple 35 Kind of loser 36 Change of heart?

39 ___-do-well 40 Critic’s positive review 41 Lace Junior’s shoes, e.g.

42 Mag. execs 43 Quaintly attractive 44 Ritually pure

HOROSCOPE

By Bernice Bede Osol

Copyright 2008, Newspaper Enterprise Assn.

Monday, Dec. 7, 2009 SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23-Dec. 21) - When seeking financial advice, be wise and selective as to whom you go to for help.

Bypass best friends who don’t know any more about monetary issues than you do.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) - Even though you might feel very good about what you want to accomplish, keep your plans to yourself. Others could be involved with their own objectives and don’t want to hear about yours.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) - There’s a chance you could commit yourself to something you know would be wrong simply to appease another. Later when you attempt to fulfill your promise, you could end up in trouble.

PISCES (Feb. 20-March 20) - Help you were counting on is not likely to be forthcoming. In order to be on the safe side, you had better have a back up plan in place for when you are on your own.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20) Attempting to keep up with the spending of your friends could turn out to be expensive. Don’t be a victim of your pride and/ or the mismanagement of your resources.

CANCER (June 21-July 22) - If you believe you have to come on strong in order to impress others, you could be in for a tough lesson. Throwing your weight around might induce a heavier person to throw his/hers right back at you.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) - Associates aren’t likely to be enamored by your bright ideas, so don’t attempt to impose your thinking on them. Ideas have to be fully exchanged with everyone while keeping an open mind.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) Something you’ve been hoping to acquire can be purchased at a pretty good price, but, in order to do so, you must not be too laid back or lazy about searching for a bargain. Check all your sources.

ARIES (March 21-April 19) - A partnership situation in which you’re involved will run out of steam if either you or your sidekick get tired and begin to leave all the hard stuff to the other. Quit while you’re ahead.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23) - Usually you’re a fair and balanced person who treats everyone in a magnanimous fashion. Yet for some reason you may start to place importance on yourself and what pleases you.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20) - You may be able to talk a good game, but when it comes to doing what your mouth claims, you could leave a lot to be desired. Better leave all the bragging until after you’ve proven yourself.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 22) - There’s a possibility that you will be your own worst enemy and refuse to listen to another’s point of view. All viewpoints need to be considered in order to iron out a complicated development.

45 It may have a big head 46 Sketch of a person, for short 47 Portable storage containers 54 Aberdeen folk 55 Etching fluid 56 “The Thinker,� for one 57 Violent spasm 58 Break the news 59 Mouth widener 60 Birthday units 61 Nero’s “being�

62 Rectangular paving stone DOWN 1 Ready for surgery, for short 2 “An Iceland Fisherman� author Pierre 3 Radius companion 4 Of the endocrine system 5 Decisionmaker at home?

6 John, Paul or George, but not Ringo 7 Sibilant summons 8 Ruler toppled in 1973 9 Golf bag carrier 10 Mayber-

ryesque 11 Russianborn composer Stravinsky 12 Like pocketed pool balls 13 Palm model 21 Made from a common grain 22 Spots for house martin nests 25 Lyon river 26 “No Turn ___�

27 Theater boxes 28 Smooth 29 Teen-y problem?

30 Averse 31 Orangeskinned Muppet 32 “Abandon hope, all ye who ___ here�

PREVIOUS PUZZLE ANSWER

Š 2009 Universal Uclick www.upuzzles.com

STRIKE A CHORD by Henry Quarters

Previous Answers

34 Fall lead-in?

35 Premeal prayers 37 “___ words were never spoken�

38 Smoking gun 43 “Yours truly� and others 44 Arouse, as interest 45 All the stage is his world 46 More than simmers 47 Be heartsick 48 “The Last of the Mohicans� heroine 49 Go out with 50 Sorbet relatives 51 Act the femme fatale 52 Abridge, maybe 53 Forwarded 54 Cleanup target

Monday, December 7, 2009

« FOOTBALL Pick up a paper Tuesday for a look at all the bowl matchups.

7

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

BASKETBALL

SOONERS TAME WILDCATS SUNDAY NIGHT CLARK FOY Daily Staff Writer

ESTEBAN PULIDO / THE DAILY

Senior forward Ryan Wright (1) dunks the ball to score in the second half of the OU-Arizona game Sunday night in Lloyd Noble Center. The Sooners took the win, 79-62.

>>

LOOKING FOR STAFF PICKS? CHECK OUT TOMORROW’S PAPER TO SEE WH0 TOOK THE WIN.

got off to a good start, especially on the defensive end,” head coach Jeff Capel said.

“This is the best that we have been with After losing three straight, the men’s moving the basketball, and it all starts with basketball team has rebounded by win- our defense.” ning their last three games ,with the latMason-Griffin had the difficult task of est victory coming last night against the guarding Arizona’s senior guard Nic Wise, Arizona Wildcats 79-62 in the Big 12/Pac-10 who averages a team high 16.8 points per Hardwood Series. game. Wise had just 15 on the night.

The Sooners jumped out to a quick lead The three-game win streak features a with eight of their first 13 points scored by team that is much different from the one sophomore guard Willie Warren. that went to Alaska and is partly because With just under two minutes left in of the new Sooner starting lineup, which the first half, Warren had 17 points while features junior guard Cade Davis as the Arizona had just 21 as a team. He would fin- third guard and senior guard/forward Tony ish the game with 25 points Crocker playing the power on 10-14 shooting from the forward position.

OU 79, ARIZONA 62 field and four assists.

Capel had several inThey hit seven of their centives in making the OU leading scorers: last eight shots to end the decision for a different •Willie Warren: 25 points half, with four straight comstarting five.

•Tiny Gallon: 14 points ing from Warren.

“Well, we needed the The team ended the •Tony Crocker: 13 points experience, that was the half on a 14-7 run after a main thing, so we put our two-point buzzer beater three most experienced Arizona leading scorers: by freshman guard Tommy guys in the lineup,” Capel •Nic Wise: 15 points Mason-Griffin. said. “It also gives us our •Jamelle Horne: 13 points The Sooners were actubest offensive lineup – •Derrick Williams: 11 points ally outscored by one point we’ve got four guys out in the second half 36-35, there who can dribble, but thanks to Warren’s hot pass and shoot, and havstart, the second half deficit did not have ing pretty good shooters out there really any effect on the game, as Arizona was out spreads the floor.” of reach most of the game.

Arizona is a well-known basketball “My coaches, especially coach (Oronde) school, and Capel and his players thought Taliaferro, has been getting on me saying that the big name of the Wildcats contribthat I’m just looking like I’m not into the uted to why they played so well Sunday game early and I’m always looking like I’m night. ready to score once I need to score,” Warren “I feel like that helped us out a lot, with said. “He said that I can’t do that anymore. I their name, being a basketball school and have to always attack from the jump. That’s all,” Warren said. “We let three games get something I’m going to work on and some- away from us this year and we know that, thing I have to continue to do.” so we need the big-name schools, we need OU showed a great defensive effort in the those wins to help our resume out.” first half with six steals ,while only commitDefeating Arizona marks the 16th conting one turnover. secutive non-conference win against nonThe team held Arkansas to 57 points conference opponents while also winning —their lowest amount in five seasons. 74 of their last 76 home non-conference Last night, the team had 21 points off of 17 games.

Arizona turnovers and held Arizona to their The Sooners continue home play at second lowest scoring effort of the season.

7 p.m. Wednesday against Centenary “I’m proud of our effort and thought we College.

8

Monday, December 7, 2009

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

« BEST OF THE DECADE Check out The Daily’s picks for best music, movies and TV of the year and decade in Life & Arts and at OUDaily.com all week.

Festive flicks enhance holiday spirit I am not unfamiliar with the tragedy that accompanies this time of the year—and I refer not to finals week, but to a fate much worse.

The scenario plays out once you realize you have an itch to escape into some delightful piece of Christmas-themed cinema, but all that the channels of your television yield are pitiful attempts such as “Christmas with the Kranks” and the Governator’s forgettable “Jingle All the Way.” LUNDEN Do not lose heart, though, for ENGLAND quality Christmas movies do exist, and they aim to please.

Here are three I always count on.

1.) PHOENIX- “1901” A sleek, stylish blend of European electro-pop and indie dance rock that shone like a glimmer in the corner of everyone’s eyes.

“1901” was both attractive enough to catch the ear of Top 40 listeners and fresh enough to draw in the hipster crowd. With its plush melodies and swanky guitar, it unified all music lovers on the dance floor.

2.) GRIZZLY BEAR- “TWO WEEKS”

“IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE” Director Frank Capra was already proving with his classic film in 1946 that a Christmas movie can have meaningful substance without also needing to be overly sappy. Considerably dark, the film’s narrative pushes its all-around “good ol’ boy” protagonist George Bailey (played

by James Stewart) to an ultimate state of wanting to end his life. However, George’s suicide attempt is prevented on Christmas Eve by the guardian angel Clarence, who allows George a glimpse of just how terrible life would be for the rest of Bedford Falls were he not alive.

“It’s a Wonderful Life” garnered five Academy Award nominations, including Best Actor and Picture, and today is highly regarded by the American Film Institute, and rightly so. Sixtyplus years after its release, “It’s a Wonderful Life” still proves its value as a staple of Christmastime.

“NATIONAL LAMPOON’S CHRISTMAS VACATION” Coming third in the popular “Vacation” series, the 1989 “Christmas Vacation” was directed

by Jeremiah S. Chechik and was written by John Hughes (who directed titles such as “Sixteen Candles,” “The Breakfast Club” and “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off”).

The film equals, if not surpasses, the glory of the original “National Lampoon’s Vacation,”

SINGLES OF 2009

PHOTO PROVIDED

Billy Bob Thorton, Harrison Bieke and Tony Cox performing in the 2003 comedy “Bad Santa.” and clearly puts to shame the disappointment that is “European Vacation.”

In this installment, the Griswolds remain at home while the “vacation” comes to them in the form of an assortment of cranky, geriatric and otherwise eccentric relatives. (Watch for Mae Questal of “Betty Boop” fame as the hilariously senile Aunt Bethany.)

The film’s PG-13 rating allows it just the right amount of coarse language and sexual humor to appeal to adults while still remaining on the “nice” list, and with gems such as “Don’t throw me down, Clark,” “Merry Christmas! Shitter was full!” and “You couldn’t hear a dump truck driving through a nitroglycerin plant,” the film is easily one of the most quotable Christmas movies of our time.

that Terry Zwigoff’s 2003 comedy is a Christmas classic, I do have to commend it for its irreverent humor, for where else can film fans find Santa floating his liver with booze, having sex in Women’s Big and Tall stores and dropping more f-bombs than presents?

Even though acting legends Bill Murray and Jack Nicholson were tapped for the role of mall Santa/safe-cracker Willie, only Billy Bob Thornton could give the character the unapologetic vulgarity that makes the film work. Also, the scenes between gone-too-soon actors John Ritter and Bernie Mac now add a touch of poignancy in a sea of obscenities.

Available in its theatrical version, an unrated “Badder Santa,” as well as a director’s cut, “Bad Santa” provides ample opportunities to make your Christmas just a little filthier.

“BAD SANTA” While I don’t think I will go so far as to claim

Lunden England is a film and video studies senior.

No single this year was as hopelessly romantic as “Two Weeks.” The slow marching piano jabs and gushing, luscious vocals evoke vintage, dusted music boxes that open up to a pair of porcelain figures twirling around each other. It’s simple, lovely baroque pop that has been intricately fine-crafted well enough to last to the ends of time.

3.) ANIMAL COLLECTIVE“MY GIRLS” Dueling with the equalw o r t h y “S u m m e r t i m e Clothes” for positioning, “My Girls” edges it out just slightly with Animal Collective’s ever-spacey approach, finding room to create something a bit more accessible with its acid-wash psychedelia and otherworldly verve, strong as ever.

-Joshua boydston/The Daily

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