The Oklahoma Daily

SPORTS • PAGE 11

LIFE & ARTS • PAGE 7

Coale revives Sooner hoops

Oscars void of shockers, upsets

OU coach Sherri Coale (shown left) has led the women’s basketball program from the lowest of the low to two straight Final Four appearances.

Best supporting actor Christian Bale and best actress Natalie Portman (shown right) highlighted a predictable award show.

The University of Oklahoma’s independent student voice since 1916

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

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Graduation applications due Students who forget to apply for graduation may not be included on program if late HILLARY MCLAIN The Oklahoma Daily

Students who fail to submit their graduation application by today’s deadline run the risk of having their names left off the commencement program.

If the application is turned in late students’ names may not be on the program, but they will still be allowed to graduate, academic

office administrator Laurie Tinsley said.

Applications can be delivered to the Office of Academic Records in Buchanan Hall, Room 330, and no fee is charged for undergraduate degrees, according to Laurie Stevens, graduate office associate director.

So far, the College of Arts and Sciences has received 515 applications — about half the number it expects, said Julie Hamburger, the college’s academic services administrative assistant.

Colleges across campus are expecting more applications to be filed last minute, she said.

Some colleges have already received nearly all expected graduation applications.

The Mewborne College of Earth and Energy has had 85 students apply, said Joeli Diemer, student services assistant. The college typically has about 90 applicants, she said.

Different degrees have different requirements that must be met before graduation.

A degree in business administration in finance requires 122 hours and a 2.5 GPA, while a bachelor’s degree in petroleum engineering degree requires 127 hours and a 2.0 GPA, according to OU’s major check sheets.

UOSA hopes to alter voting turnout Chairwoman hopes consolidating polling sites, informing voters will increase turnout from last year’s 25%

HISTORIAN SPEAKS ABOUT GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS

SARAH MARTIN The Oklahoma Daily

RJ YOUNG/THE DAILY

Brown University professor Gordon Wood and OU microbiology doctoral candidate Micahel Ukpong discuss the merits of democracy in the Middle East at an informal discussion Monday in the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art’s Sandy Bell Gallery. Wood spoke at the President’s Associates Dinner.

Historically, roughly 25 percent of students vote in spring elections, but this year’s elections board chairwoman said she wants to improve voter turnout.

During the spring 2010 election period for UOSA president and vice president, 5,645 students turned out to vote, according UOSA election records.

This was 25 percent of the student population, according to the OU Factbook. 25 percent of students voted in 2008 and 27 percent in 2007, according to UOSA election records and the OU Factbook.

“I always see everyone campaigning, but I don’t know much about it,” English literature junior Sarah Willis said.

Willis said she did not vote in the spring 2010 elections because she did not remember until the voting period had passed. Willis said she would have to remind herself to vote this year.

This reminder is what current election board chairwoman and international security SEE ELECTIONS PAGE 2

Pulitzer Prize winner Gordon Wood discusses democracy in Middle East President David Boren, Gordon Wood discuss how revolutions in Middle East relate to U.S.

Boren expressed similar feelings about the state of democracy in the Middle East in reference to the United States.

“I really worry about the environment in which the [U.S.] Constitution would be written if it were being written again,” Boren RJ YOUNG The Oklahoma Daily said. “I wonder if those fundamental aspects of our society that produced the Revolutionary Generation would hold true today.”

Democracy must be established with a stable foundation in Egypt OU microbiology doctoral candidate Michael Ukpong said he and Libya before its full potential is realized in the Middle East and was happy to be in attendance at the discussion. “I thought the disNorth Africa, a Pulitzer-Prize-winning historian told guests during cussion was fascinating and I wish [Boren] could have prolonged an informal discussion Monday. it,” Ukpong said. “[Wood] is able to provide a deeper Gordon Wood, Alva O. Way Professor Emeritus interpretation to the meaning of where the U.S. has at Brown University, spoke to students, faculty and been and where we are going.”

I thought the guests about the rise of democracy in America and B o r e n s p o k e h i g h l y o f Wo o d d u r i n g t h e discussion was the revolutions occurring in the Middle East and discussion. fascinating and I North Africa. Wood took questions from the audi“It is a very special day for me,” Boren said. “I have wish [Boren] could been hoping for this for 10 years.” ence and OU President David Boren. While the queshave prolonged it.” tions varied, all of them carried the fundamental Wood won the Pulitzer Prize for History for his theme of democracy. book “The Radicalism of the American Revolution.”

Wood said during the discussion he did not know He has taught at Brown University for 40 years — MICHAEL UKPONG, what the fate of democracy was in the future — espeand has also taught at William and Mary, Harvard MICROBIOLOGY cially in the Middle East.

DOCTORAL CANDIDATE University, the University of Michigan, Northwestern “I am skeptical of what may happen in Libya beUniversity School of Law and Cambridge University cause it is not clear to me that democracy will emerge in England. from that chaos,” Wood said. “It takes a lot more to make a democWood served in the U.S. Air Force and graduated from Tufts racy than just voting.”

University. He earned his master’s and doctoral degrees from American democracy could be labeled as “the world’s democrat- Harvard University and is a Fellow of the American Academy of ic experiment,” Wood said.

Arts and Sciences and the American Philosophical Society.

“Democracy has its problems and we will have to keep living His book “Empire of Liberty: A History of the Early Republic, through it to know how it will end,” Wood said.

1789-1815” is a finalist for the 2010 Pulitzer Prize for History.

“I am skeptical of what may happen in Libya because it is not clear to me that democracy will emerge from that chaos. It takes a lot more to make a democracy than just voting.”

GORDON WOOD on the state of affairs in the Middle East

Sooner Ally Week to raise awareness of LGBT cause Sooner Ally Week began Monday and will culminate in LGBT Advocacy Boot Camp and Sooner Ally training on Saturday, according to Kathy Fahl Moxley, Women’s Outreach Center coordinator.

Sooner Allies will distribute fliers, ribbons and pamphlets in the Oklahoma Memorial Union today and encourage Allies to wear their shirts and pins to show support for the group’s cause.

LGBT Advocacy Boot Camp will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday in the Jim Thorpe Multicultural Center, and registration is free at lgbtbootcampnorman.eventbrite.com.

At the boot camp, students will learn how to make their voice heard, according to Moxley.

The Sooner Ally workshop will be from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, and anyone interested in registering should contact lgbtq@ou.edu, or call the Women’s Outreach Center. Another session will be available March 27, said Bobby Mace, LGBT affairs graduate intern.

This week is designed to let more students know about the Sooner Ally program, and to show gratitude for the Allies, Mace said.

“We want to increase awareness and get more people involved, but also thank the Allies for their visible support across campus,” Mace said.

— Hillary McLain/The Daily

A LOOK AT WHAT’S ON Visit the news section to read about free beginning and intermediate Turkish language classes being offered to students

THE OKLAHOMA DAILY

WHAT’S INSIDE

VOL. 96, NO. 105 © 2011 OU Publications Board

Campus ................. 2 Classifieds ............. 10 Life & Arts .............. 6 Opinion ................. 4 Sports ................... 11

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2 • Tuesday, March 1, 2011

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CAMPUS

Chase Cook, managing editor dailynews@ou.edu • phone: 405-325-3666

Music school to replace pianos School will hold fundraiser tonight to replace 101 instruments, spokeswoman says TYLER DUNN The Oklahoma Daily

Today around campus  Sign-ups begin for committee interviews for juniors applying to medical school in Richards Hall, Room 209.  Christians on Campus will hold its Bible study noon to 12:45 p.m. in the Weitzenhoffer Room of the Oklahoma Memorial Union.  Molly Strothmann from University Libraries will teach 10 library tricks to make using the library more effective at 4 p.m. in Wagner Hall, Room 245.  Students graduating this spring must file a graduation application by 5 p.m.  School of Music piano students and faculty will perform a fundraiser at 8 p.m. in Catlett Music Center’s Pitman Recital Hall. RSVP to Linda Tiller by calling 405325-7376.  Sigma Phi Epsilon and Delta Delta Delta will host Coffeehouse and Desserts from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. at 701 College Ave. Tickets are $5, and proceeds benefit St. Jude’s Children Research Hospital.

Wednesday, March 2 Âť Shelby Knox will hold a lecture and discussion about people who started a Gay-Straight Alliance at 10:30 a.m. in the Union’s Regents Room. Âť Free Health and Fitness Seminar “Delicious and healthy recipes, bring yours and share tooâ€? at noon in the Huston Huffman Fitness Center conference room.

A new fundraising organization will debut with a free, student-performed piano recital and reception at 8 p.m. tonight in Catlett Music Center’s Pitman Recital Hall.

The Ebony and Ivory Society was created in hopes of replacing the School of Music’s aging 101-piano inventory, said Linda Tiller, director of development for the Weitzenhoffer Family College of Fine Arts.

The organization will accept donations and offers for the school’s pianos, Tiller said.

Donors who give $1,000 or more annually will receive societal

membership, which includes invitations to two VIP receptions per year and free concert tickets to School of Music events.

Steinway and S ons President Ronald Losby will be the guest speaker, Tiller said. Steinway pianos have been chosen as the replacements for the college, Tiller said.

Steinway, founded in 1853, is the chosen piano of 90 percent of concert pianists, according to its website. “[Steinways] are the best instruments made, and they last longer than any other instruments — the top of the line,� Tiller said.

Tiller attributes their durability to the detail of the manufacturer. “They’re all hand-crafted,� she said. “We’ve got Steinways that have been in service for 70 years.�

The decision to replace the school’s pianos was made because of the

[Steinways] are the best instruments made, and they last longer than any other instruments — the top of the line.� — LINDA TILLER, COLLEGE OF FINE ARTS DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR extensive use by students across campus, Tiller said.

OU’s doctoral piano program is the largest in the college, and about 25 percent of OU students use the pianos.

For more information about the Ebony and Ivory Society or to RSVP for Tuesday’s launch party, contact Linda Tiller at 405-325-7376 or e-mail ltiller@ou.edu.

ELECTIONS: Polling site to change locations Continued from page 1

were raised as to how law students, who are south of campus, would arrive at the polling site.

Jester is confident that one polling site is the best studies junior Natalie Jester said she is trying to deliver to option. “This is kind of more impactful because people are acstudents.

Elections this year will take place at one large polling site, tually going to see the site rather than see five little tables that have a laptop on them,â€? Jester said. according to new UOSA legislation preJester said there are a number of reasons sented by Jester. roughly 75 percent of the student body has “The purpose of our voting site is to It’s a matter of if they not voted in the past. be a physical reminder ‌ this is the know what’s being “It’s a matter of if they know what’s being time to vote,â€? Jester said. elected. Why take the elected,â€? Jester said. “Why take the time The polling site will be located at the time to log on and vote to log on and vote if you don’t know what end of the South Oval near the Bizzell if you don’t know what you’re voting for?â€?

Memorial Library and will supplement you’re voting for?�

Adam Hail, biochemistry sophomore, online voting. said he voted in the last election, although “It is going to be my role working with the candidates to encourage them to — NATALIE JESTER, ELECTION he knew little about the issues candidates supported. ask people to vote for certain reasons, BOARD CHAIRWOMAN “Certain friends influenced me to vote,� not for just voting in general,� Jester Hail said. said.

Jester said she will take measures to ensure voters are Not everyone was supportive of the new polling site set familiar with ballot issues this year. up.

An even smaller percentage voted in the CAC chair elecJason Robison, Student Congress Academic Affairs chairman and international and area studies junior, said tion. In 2010, 19 percent of students voted for CAC chair, he would have liked to see more than one polling site when while 14 percent voted in 2009, according to UOSA eleche presented Jester’s bill to Congress on Feb. 22. Concerns tion records and the OU Factbook for both years.

Âť R.J. Testermen of Financial Aid Services will present “Getting Financial Help, FASFAâ€? from 1 to 2 p.m. in Wagner Hall, Room 245. Âť Women’s basketball will play Oklahoma State at 7 p.m. in Lloyd Noble Center. Âť Joel Rosenthal, a leader in international ethics, will hold a discussion called “The Elements of Global Ethicsâ€? from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. in the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art.

Thursday, March 3 Âť Jim Ehleringer will lecture on “Forensic Applications of Stable Isotopesâ€? at 3:30 p.m. in Sarkeys Energy Center, Room A235. Âť OU Health Services will present the lecture, “Managing Stress,â€? from 4 to 5 p.m. in Wagner Hall, Room 245. Âť Aili Tripp, political science and women’s and gender studies professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, will deliver a lecture on “Women, Power and Peacemaking in Africaâ€? at 4:30 p.m. in Dale Hall, Room 112. Âť Activist-in-Residence Shelby Knox will lecture about women’s history and her own Radical Women’s History Project at 7 p.m. in the Union’s Regents Room. Âť OU Opera: Two Stravinsky Operas — Marva and the Nightingale will perform at 8 p.m. in the Reynolds Performing Arts Center.

Âť This day in OU history

March 1, 1995 Boren marks 100 days in office OU President David Boren celebrated his 100th day in office at OU. He outlined his major goals for the next 100 days: increase faculty salaries, make the Oklahoma Memorial Union the heart of campus and start a “Reach for Excellence� campaign.

The day was business as usual, Boren said. The president taught classes in the morning, held office hours for students, dined with UOSA leaders and attended a campus awards ceremony.

Student Congress debates fee vote The Undergraduate Student Congress was deciding whether to add a $9 increase to student tuition for health services.

Without the increase, Goddard Health Services would have to reduce the services available to students. However, Congress could not decide if it should vote on the increase or allow students to decide.

$10,000 scholarship honors deceased faculty member A $10,000 annual scholarship honoring Mel Penn, former director of the Price College of Business Student Support Center, has been established for MBA student leaders.

The $150,000 gift comes from gifts from Penn’s former students after he died of cancer on Feb. 15.

Penn’s family suggested donations in his memory be given to the Mel Penn MBA Scholarship fund at the OU Foundation.

Penn earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from OU and worked for Kerr-McGee Corp. in both the United States and Australia for 25 years.

He returned to OU and was named the first director of the Price College Student Support Center in 1997. As a former drum major, Penn also served as a mentor for OU Pride of Oklahoma Marching Band drum majors.

In spring 2010, Penn was awarded with the Otis Sullivant Award for Perceptivity and $20,000 funded by the Ethics and Excellence in Journalism Foundation. “We should transfer wealth from our personal experiences, and that’s seldom driven via e-mail or text message,� Penn said when he received the award. “It’s delivered by spending time with young people and insisting they make the final decision.�

To donate, contact Lynann Sterk at lsterk@ ou.edu or 405-325-4139.

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NEWS

The Oklahoma Daily | OUDaily.com

Tuesday, March 1, 2011 • 3

Students tasked with election success Elections chair Natalie Jester will oversee campaigns for spring election cycle CARMEN FORMAN The Oklahoma Daily

W

ith spring elections little more than a month away, the job of overseeing the campaigns falls to election chairwoman and international security studies junior Natalie Jester.

As the chair responsible for UOSA , Campus Activities Council and Housing Center Student Association elections, Jester’s day-to-day duties include everything from communicating with campaign members to contacting college deans to schedule debates.

“My biggest job is being in communication with all of the candidates all of the time, because at the end of the day, I’m obviously not advocating for any one of them, but I am their campaign manager,” Jester said.

A lot of the campaign manager’s job comes down to remembering little details, such as delegating jobs to members of the election board and doing what she can to allow students to vote on the South Oval as easily as possible, Jester said.

Emily Payne, UOSA director of communications, recommended that Jester apply for the position of election chairwoman. In order to secure the job, Jester had to apply and interview with UOSA president Franz

JALL COWASJI/ THE DAILY

International security studies junior Natalie Jester fulfills her duties as the election board chairwoman Wednesday at the UOSA office in the Oklahoma Memorial Union. Jester said her key role is to write and amend legislation and to encourage student voting.

Zenteno and vice president Cory Lloyd.

During the interview, she discussed her opinions on elections and the campus organizations she had been involved with.

“Through observing her work last semester, we are sure she will continue to prosper in the upcoming election season,” Zenteno

said.

Once she was offered the position in September 2010, she had to be approved by both legislative bodies.

Jester was in charge of running the fall elections that included Interfraternity Council and Pan-Hellenic positions, which

were test runs for the spring’s more highprofile elections, Payne said.

Jester said she is glad her responsibilities as election chairwoman are clearly defined.

“I like that it is all very concrete. All of my duties are outlined in the Code Annotated, so my duties are there on the table, so I know exactly what I’m supposed to do,” Jester said.

Jester was selected despite never having worked for or been part of UOSA before taking the job.

Zenteno said previous UOSA experience is not a requirement for the position itself, but he and Lloyd felt that, due to controversy in past elections, it would be beneficial to have a person who had no previous UOSA experience.

Jester said Zenteno and Lloyd felt this was necessary so she could focus solely on the election rules and not on any biases.

Payne said she worked with Jester as officers in their sorority, Kappa Alpha Theta.

“I think she has enjoyed the process of getting to be involved in something that she really has never had any ties to before,” Payne said. “It’s kind of helped her to get more experience out of her different strengths.”

Jester said she does not know if she will reapply for election chairwoman again next year.

“I think it’s too soon to tell; I’m not sure,” Payne said. “I will continue to be involved, but I’m not sure how yet.”

LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Children’s reading program honors Dr. Seuss OU students can encourage reading among Norman youth by participating in an event celebrating the late Dr. Seuss’ birthday.

The Student Oklahoma Education Association will host a two-part event Wednesday called Read Across America.

• At the first event, students will read Dr. Seuss books to elementary school students from 8:45 to 10:45 a.m. at McKinley Elementary School on 728 S. Flood Ave. • The second event will be a free lecture titled “Reading as a Multisensory, Social Activity” at 7:30 p.m. in Collings Hall, Room 250, by author and professor Lawrence Bains.

“Reading is a lost pastime among youth in America today,” said Christine Engelbrecht, association president and language arts education senior. “As a group of preservice teachers, organizing this event allows us to do our part to raise awareness about the importance of reading for young people.”

To participate in Read Across America, e-mail Engelbrecht at MissChris@ou.edu.

— Colbi Beam/The Daily

Norman to vote on sanitation rate increase A Norman parks amendment and elections for four ward openings are also on the ballot KATHLEEN EVANS The Oklahoma Daily

Norman residents will vote on a sanitation rate increase Tuesday.

The proposed rate increase on trash and recycling pick-up would be $2.50 per month and is because of increased costs within the department.

“The primary factors driving the sanitation rate increase are increases in diesel fuel, landfill fees, trucks, health insurance, labor, equipment and repairs,” according to material prepared by the city of Norman.

Sanitation rates have not increased since 2004. Norman residents pay less per month

for trash and recycling pick-up than Lawton, one year prior to running, candidates would only Stillwater and Oklahoma City residents, accord- need to register six months ahead of time. ing to provided material.

The final amendment to the city charter cleans With the increase, rates would up language about Norman be higher than in Lawton and Regional Health System and Stillwater but equal to the rate in clarifies the city’s relationship Oklahoma City. with the hospital.

Also on the ballot are three Wards 1, 3, 5 and 7 of Norman WHAT: Elections for a rate amendments, one relating to will also vote on city council repincrease, three city charter Norman parks. resentatives, according to Daily amendments and four City The amendment would allow archives. Ward 7 includes the OU Council wards neighborhood fees to be used campus. to improve existing parks, acCandidates for Ward 1 are WHEN: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. today cording to an informational Roger Gallagher and Chris brochure.

Lewis; Hal Ezzell for Ward 3; Another amendment proposes to change reg- Howard Saxion and Dave Spaulding for Ward 5 istration requirements for people running for and Brande Kauffman, Stephen Tyler Holman mayor or city council. Instead of having to register and Linda Lockett for Ward 7.

Elections

4 • Tuesday, March 1, 2011

The Oklahoma Daily | OUDaily.com

OPINION

THUMBS UP ›› New scholarship honoring Mel Penn created for MBA students (see page 2)

OUR VIEW

COLUMN

It’s important LGBT students have an ally at the university Since the Sooner Ally program began three years ago, In the absence of a designated administrative office, more than 300 OU students, faculty and staff members members of the OU community should identify as Allies have attended training sessions and identified as Allies for LGBT students. for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender students on All OU students, faculty and staff members can become campus. an Ally for the LGBT community Saturday afternoon While the program’s growth is positive — more than 200 during a three-hour training session at the Jim Thorpe faculty and staff members and 100 students have complet- Multicultural Center. ed the program — it’s not nearly enough Potential Allies will learn about addressfor a campus our size. ing prejudice against LGBT community, In the absence Currently, less than 1 percent of faculty, helping students locate LGBT resources in staff and students on the Norman campus Norman and how straight Allies can conof a designated have identified as Allies. administrative office, nect with LGBT students.

We have administrative allies designatAfter completing training, each candimembers of the OU ed for other groups students identify with date can decide whether they would like community should — such as American Indians, veterans and to become an Ally and those who join the identify as Allies for student-athletes — but no full-time emprogram will be identified with special LGBT students.” ployees are exclusively working for stuflags and buttons to let students know it is dents in the LGBT community. safe to discuss issues with them.

While Kathy Moxley and the Women’s Outreach Center Saturday’s training is one of four Sooner Ally training have done a phenomenal job creating the Sooner Ally pro- dates remaining this semester and anyone interested in gram and facilitating events for the LGBT community, it’s becoming a friend for students in the LGBT community not their only priority. should consider attending. Training is free and all you Moxley and the center also are designated advocates need to do is register by e-mailing the Women’s Outreach for women on campus and involved with Sexperts, Breast Center at lgbtq@ou.edu.

Health Awareness and the Sexual Assault Response Team.

Comment on this column at OUDaily.com

COLUMN

There’s no crying in politics, great leaders no exception There’s a new wrinkle in the debate over used his tears as a supposed stall tactic to whether men should be able to weep in avoid talking about the things he didn’t do public, especially powerful men in public during his last term and to make the people STAFF COLUMN UMN reforms. Rep. John Beohner, R-Ohio, who feel sorry for him. Sorry Bush, but it didn’t will replace Nancy Pelosi as the Speaker of work.

Sage Mauldin din the House, is one of many powerful men Despite how acceptable crying on televiwho has openly cried on television. I ask, sion has become in the big leagues, there “Should powerful men be able to weep?” are situations when crying on TV doesn’t On an episode of “The View,” the ladies talked about always win over the masses.

Beohner and his diplomatic speeches. Joy Behar labeled These include a man crying out for forgiveness after murBeohner as “The Weeper of the House,” while Barbara dering his wife because the voices told him to, a drug smugWalters said, “This guy has an emotional problem that gler weeping because he was arrested for smuggling drugs every time he talks about anything that’s not raising taxes, across the border or a televangelist confessing his sins to he cries.”

God in a melodramatic fashion. In these specific instances, It seems Beohner is able to get away with crying on tele- crying doesn’t always excuse unusual or bad behavior, nor vision, even though his predecessor, does it win over the masses. the outgoing Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Whether it’s Glenn Beck, who frethought during her reign as Speaker quently cries on his show on Fox News, Though everyone has the of the House crying over politics was or Tim Tebow weeping over winning right to express his or her unnecessary.

— or losing — a football game, crying feelings on television, I find Barbara Walters asked a question to on television has become an acceptexonerating a politician for her coworkers, “What would have hapable part of today’s politicking, simply indulging in the crime of pened if Nancy Pelosi cried during one because that it’s humanizing. of her speeches? People would have Though everyone has the right to exexcessive crying difficult, gotten upset!” press his or her feelings on television, especially when it is used to Secretary of State Hilary Clinton, I find exonerating a politician for inwin over the masses.” appeared to be crying in an interview dulging in the crime of excessive cryduring the New Hampshire primary in ing difficult, especially when it is used 2008. The tears showed that she was too weak for the tough to win over the masses. stuff, and said, “I just don’t want to see us go backward.”

Frankly, my ideal American political leader is one who Others said it humanized her; her tears helped her win New has integrity, a sense of humor, emotional stability, is magHampshire. nanimous, dedicated, creative, open and assertive. Not Her husband, former President Bill Clinton, has also someone who uses emotional pity to win over audiences. been known to shed a couple tears during interviews. His supporters said it gave him a favorable vote and humanized — Sage Mauldin, him too. psychology junior Lastly, former President George W. Bush, who cried several times during some of his last interviews as president, Comment on this column at OUDaily.com

Color-coded signs key to parking issue Editor’s note: This is in response to “Parking citations go uncontested, spokeswoman says” The parking situation is ridiculous here at OU. However, besides contesting tickets students are also able to use a courtesy card to waive their tickets.

Yet these cards can only be used if OU issues you a ticket and you were not supposed to receive it anyway. How much sense does that make?

On top of that, each student only gets two of these “courtesy cards.” We can repeal and get the tickets waived, so why do we even have courtesy cards?

OU needs to fix the way they r un parking.

Sometimes people park in the wrong place because of the confusion about signs when they are driving to

contact us

Editor-in-Chief Managing Editor News Editor Opinion Editor Sports Editor

Groups should focus on campus events, not pop culture If past turnout is any indication, UOSA can’t STAFF COLUMN hope to touch the number of voters who have mobilized online to bring Kate McPherson on Snoop Dogg and Natalie Portman to campus.

UOSA elections will take place March 29 and 30, but I suspect fewer votes will be cast for UOSA’s positions than for promotions that would bring a free premiere of the movie “Your Highness,” including an appearance by the movie’s stars Natalie Portman and James Franco, or a free Snoop Dogg concert to campus.

More than 2,000 people voted to bring Snoop Dogg to campus, enough to place OU at number three for voter turnout. The campaign to bring “Your Highness” to OU brought OU’s ranking from 47th to 28th in hours.

Just 1,357 people voted in UOSA’s fall election and almost half were freshmen. I was one of them.

Though I haven’t witnessed a spring election yet, after five months on campus, I can’t see motivation for students to vote in UOSA elections.

The lack of participation, particularly by upperclassmen, in UOSA’s elections is not surprising. Though UOSA plans some interesting events, such as Mom’s Day and football tailgates, the organization’s inability to publicize and communicate effectively makes it obsolete.

As Daily columnist Armella Gottschalk pointed out on Feb. 24, UOSA failed to appropriately publicize Human Rights Week. Many students The lack of I talked with thought it was participation, an event sponsored by the particularly by Pro-Life Ambassadors, not upperclassmen, UOSA. Motivated students can’t in UOSA’s get accurate information from elections is not UOSA’s official website. The surprising. ... The most recent “new event” listorganization’s ed happened on Nov. 13 and inability to the most recent press release publicize and was for a December event.

Many Congress members communicate effectively makes do not have an e-mail addresses listed in the memberit obsolete.” ship directory, making it difficult for their constituents to reach them to discuss concerns.

There is not a single representative from University College, Physical Sciences, Humanities, Engineering or Architecture with information other than their name on the UOSA website. One of these unlisted people, Katherine Borgerding, is the current Congress public relations chair and is running for UOSA vice president.

No wonder more people care about rappers and movie stars than care about UOSA. Even members of student government don’t seem to care about the student government. If Congress representatives cared, maybe its website would be updated and representatives would provide contact information to constituents.

It’s true that spring semester elections traditionally have somewhat higher turnouts because higher-ranking offices are on the ballot. However, the percentage of students who vote is still fairly low.

The low percentage of voters isn’t due to general apathy toward all forms of voting. As the Snoop Dogg and “Your Highness” campaigns show, if students know why they should vote, they’ll vote. We know what we’re in for— free events with celebrities on our campus—so we cast our ballots day after day online.

The low turnout is due to low knowledge about UOSA. What is the point of voting for UOSA representation if you don’t know why you’re voting?

UOSA must bridge the gap between its elections and its constituents. It is the duty of the UOSA, the election board and its candidates to get more information to students.

Until they do this, we’ll be casting our votes for our favorite Oscar winners and rap stars rather than student representatives.

— Kate McPherson, University College freshman

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Meredith Moriak Chase Cook Chris Miller Tim French James Corley

Tim French, opinion editor dailyopinion@ou.edu • phone: 405-325-3666

an area of the school they are unfamiliar with.

A possible way they could fix the problems that they have, is by changing the colors of the parking signs. For example, the faculty could have signs that are the color of their parking permits. Yes, it costs money, but it would be a sort of preventative maintenance.

If a student parked in the wrong spot by accident, then the courtesy card could be used there. That makes way more sense than any of the regulations we have now.

After all, parking is not rocket science.

Autumn Huffman Ashley West Chris Lusk Michael Lloyd Judy Gibbs Robinson

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

phone: 405-325-3666

— Kimm Johnson, University College freshman

Life & Arts Editor Photo Editor Online Editor Multimedia Editor Editorial Adviser

e-mail: dailynews@ou.edu

Comment on this column at OUDaily.com

» Clarification The Oklahoma Daily has a commitment to serve readers by providing accurate coverage and analysis.

Errors are corrected as they are identified. Readers should bring errors to The Daily’s attention for further investigation by e-mailing dailynews@ou.edu. » In Monday’s Our View, The Daily incorrectly reported City Council positions are vacant. Tuesday’s election is a regularly scheduled general election for wards 1, 3, 5 and 7. The Daily also reported citizens would vote on a sanitation tax increase. The sanitation issue is a rate increase.

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

Guest columns are accepted and printed at the editor’s discretion.

Letters should concentrate on issues, not personalities, and should be fewer than 250 words, typed, double spaced and signed by the author(s). Letters will be edited for space. Students must list their major and classification. Submit letters Sunday through Thursday in 160 Copeland Hall. Letters also can be e-mailed to dailyopinion@ou.edu.

Our View is the voice of The Oklahoma Daily Editorial Board, which consists of the editorial staff. The board meets at 5 p.m. Sunday through Thursday in 160 Copeland Hall.

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

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Tuesday, March 1, 2011 • 5

YOU ARE INVITED! President’s Associates Dinner featuring

Henry A. Kissinger

Recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize and 56th Secretary of State Henry A. Kissinger is an internationally noted diplomat and political scientist who served as the 56th Secretary of State of the United States.

He played a dominant role in U.S. foreign policy for over a decade and is widely regarded as one of the most influential architects of American foreign policy in the last 50 years. During this period, he pioneered the policy of détente with the Soviet Union. He also helped orchestrate the opening of relations with the People’s Republic of China and negotiated the Paris Peace Accords, which ended American involvement in the Vietnam War.

6 p.m. — Reception 6:30 p.m. — Dinner Wednesday, March 9 Oklahoma Memorial Union Limited seating is available by reservation for OU students, faculty and staff. Please respond by calling the OU Office of Special Events at (405) 325-3784 or e-mail specialevents@ou.edu For accommodations on the basis of disability, call the Office of Special Events at (405) 325-3784.

The University of Oklahoma is an equal opportunity institution.

6 • Tuesday, March 1, 2011

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LIFE&ARTS

Autumn Huffman, life & arts editor dailyent@ou.edu • phone: 405-325-5189

Country album hits bluesy chord LUCINDA WILLIAMS

REVIEWS, PREVIEWS AND MORE

Blessed (Lost Highway Records)

THE DAILY’S

Rating:

With a sound quite unlike today’s female country sweethearts, Lucinda Williams’ new album “Blessed” has a heavy blues influence that works well with her pleasantly rough voice.

Williams’ 12th album flows well, each song featuring bluesy instrumentation and Williams’ distinct vocals.

Tracks that appear to mimic country-pop such as “Buttercup” fall flat at times with lyrics such as “You talk about the junk you do like you talk about climbing trees/You live the life of a little kid with bruises on your knees.”

The transfixing melodies

NEW MUSIC TUESDAY Read more at OUDaily.com

and lyrics of tunes like the title track and first single “Blessed” and “Awakening” make up for weaker tracks, however.

While the songs might sound dark, Williams’ work is profoundly deep and offers authenticity to a genre currently plagued by the advent of “bubblegum” countrypop.

— Sydney Allen/The Daily Have any music news? An album suggestion for our writers? Questions? E-mail us at dailyent@ou.edu.

Lucinda Williams

COLUMN

Wavering spring, winter weather frustrating Having lived in Oklahoma for all of my 21 plus years of life, I’ve pretty much come to terms with the fact that the weather STAFF COLUMN N here is unpredictable. However, at times the jump from freezing to boiling in a matter of hours can be pretty frustrating.

Ryan I’ll wake up and walk to class in jeans and a sweater, only to Querbach walk home from class two hours later with sweat on my brow.

Sometimes it’ll be the other way around, leaving me in a state of utter confusion. What season are we in? I know it’s winter by the calendar, although we’re nearing spring. But the way Oklahoma weather jumps from one extreme to the other in almost no time at all leaves us all guessing at the forecast.

It seems these past few weeks have been some of the most unpredictable.

We got hit with 60- and 70-degree weather, and everyone got excited thinking it was spring. Just two days later we were back down into the 40s. Mother Nature seems pleased to tease us about what season we’re in as much as possible lately, and frankly I’m sick of it. Is it too much to ask for one season at a time? I think not.

Maybe this is nature’s way of telling us that global warming means business, or maybe it’s just Oklahoma being Oklahoma. Personification aside, it’s getting

old, and I think I speak for just about everyone by saying that we’re ready to pack up our winter gear for good.

Who knows how long we’ll have to endure this rollercoaster of temperature? It could even be another month or more.

I’d like to think we’ll have a sunny and warm March and April, but history tells us that it is far from a guarantee. We’ve even had some snow in April in the past, which certainly doesn’t fit the “April showers” reputation.

I just hope we can stop worrying about the cold and ice before we have to start worrying about weekly tornado scares. I don’t mind the fact that we’re one of those states that generally has a more extreme winter to match our extreme summer, I just don’t enjoy the times of year when we’re in limbo.

Perhaps we’re comfortably into the rhythm of spring weather now. However, I’m sure Oklahoma has a couple tricks up its sleeve. It seems for now that we’ll have to lay low and wait, with our closets stuffed with both winter and spring equipment.

BRIEF

Museum to host party for exhibit The Student Opening Party for “Mediterranea: American Art from the Graham D. Williford Collection” will be held from 7 to 8:30 p.m.

Wednesday, March 2 at the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art. This event celebrates the opening of the exhibition showcasing Mediterranean culture through the art works of American artists of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Visitors can enjoy free food, a live dance performance and music by a DJ. “The live performance will be “Frame by Frame,” a new piece choreographed by the OU School of Dance graduate students,” said Jessica Farling, tour coordinator of the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art, via e-mail.

Free posters of past exhibitions and information about the museum will also be provided. All OU students can enjoy the party for free.

The student party is a preview for the public exhibition opening, which is scheduled for Friday, March 4 and will include a reception.

Visit OUDaily.com for more information.

— EunSeok Jang/The Daily

— Ryan Querbach, journalism junior

SOONER ALLY Providing Safe Places and Support for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Sooners Sooner Allies have made a commitment to help LGBTQ students succeed at OU by making them feel safe, supported and included on campus. They also work to educate others about LGBTQ issues, in the hopes of reducing prejudice.

Sooner Allies are identified on campus by buttons or signs that carry the official Sooner Ally logo.

Here are some of our campus allies: Darcy Adams Breea Bacon Kenneth Bailey Susan Baley Carmen Bao Peter Barker Katie Barwick-Snell Micah Beatty LaVonya Bennett Betsy Bishop Jessica Bogard Chris Borthick CJ Brady Danielle Brittain Haley Brown Adrienne Brune Stephanie Burge Sammuel Rob Byer Susy Calonkey Rob Clark John Covaleskie Jennifer Cox Kathleen Crowther Laurel Cunningham Bailey Daugherty Joshua Dhanens Courtney Doody Kristin Dowell Colin Dunham Stephen Ellis Karen Elmore Shannon English Patrick Epley Elyssa Faison Amanda Fehlbaum Teara Flagg Sarah Fox

Holly Frink Sarah Garrett Jennifer Gillespie Christopher Grundy Elizabeth Hart Erick Hayes Stephanie Heck Becky Heeney Maryann Henderson Mary Beth Henschel Jack Hobson Anna M.J. Holloway Nick Holmes Trina Hope Kori Hughes Sherri Irvin Maranta Jenkins Kali Johnson Zekiel Johnson Misha Klein Alice Kloker Shelley Konieczny Amy Kroska Daphne LaDue Duke Lambert Susie Lesher Danielle Lindley Bobby Mace Larissa Mainers Cedar Marie Emily Martinez Rhonda Milia Tanya Miller Patrick Miller Sandy Moore-Furneaux Kathy Moxley Molly Oakley-Rattler

Sean O’Neill Whitney Patterson Leanna Payton Mikale Pilgrim Nicole Pritchard Tatianna Proctor Brandon Ranallo Eric Ray Wayne Riggs Clemencia Rodriguez Grae Rose Zac Rudd Chris Sadler Joe Sangirardi Susan Sasso Kathy Sawyer Lisa Schmidt Teresa Schuster Susan Sharp Erin Simpson Jelanie Sims Tiffany Smith Dan Snell Lori Stevens Laura Tontz Charlotte Wainwright Christen Walker Cheryl Walker-Esbaugh Diane Warren Kathryn White Mandy Whitten Malinda Williams Kalli Wolf Meredith Worthen Jenna Wright

We have allies in the following departments: Anthropology Arts & Sciences - International Programs Athletic Student Life Center for Analysis & Prediction of Storms Center for Social Justice Classics and Letters College of Arts and Sciences College of Continuing Education College of Education College of Engineering College of International Studies Communication Counseling and Testing Disability Resource Center Drama Education Abroad Educational Psychology English Fitness and Recreation Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art Gaylord College of Journalism Graduation Office Health and Exercise Science Health Services History History of Science Honors College Housing & Food Services HSC Campus Human Relations

Law School Leadership and Volunteerism Learning Teaching Programs Mewbourne College of Earth and Energy Modern Languages Musical Theatre Oklahoma Memorial Union OUPD Philosophy Price College of Business Psychology Residence Life School of Art and Art History School of International and Area Studies School of Library and Information Studies School of Music Sociology Sooner Housing Student Affairs Student Life Student Media University College University Libraries Women and Gender Studies Women’s Outreach Center Writing Center Web Communications Zoology And over 100 student allies

If you want to become a Sooner Ally, contact the Women’s Outreach Center at (405) 325-4929 or email us at lgbtq@ou.edu The University of Oklahoma is an equal opportunity institution.

For accommodations on the basis of disability, call (405) 325-4929.

LIFE & ARTS

The Oklahoma Daily | OUDaily.com

Tuesday, March 1, 2011 • 7

he balcony has closed with Sunday’s 83rd annual Oscar ceremony. The evening was permeated with excitement and anticipation, but unraveled rather conventionally in relation to the winners.

The hosts, James Franco and Anne Hathaway, opened up with a bang, cleverly satirizing the ten Best Picture nominees in a hilarious cinematic montage. However, the performers’ seasoned comic abilities rapidly lost steam as the program advanced.

Franco and Hathaway settled for tired jabs at the Oscar hopefuls. Hathaway, while singing a comical ballad, referred to 2009’s Oscar host Hugh Jackman as “Hugh Jackass” for not joining her on stage for a duet, while Franco resorted to crossdressing in a red evening gown to make up for his witless and mechanic reading of his lines on the teleprompter. He spent most of the evening with a “deer-in-the-headlights” expression on his face.

The winners were more or less preordained to take home the glory, coming to the microphone with speeches that seemed curiously rehearsed. Not that the winners were unworthy of their achievements; just that the suspense and anxiety surrounding their success was clearly absent from their calm demeanors.

Colin Firth rightfully won Best Actor for his portrayal of King George VI in “The King’s Speech,” giving a sly, comic acceptance speech with poise, precision and grace as only a king could. Natalie Portman’s brilliantly lurid performance as a deranged ballerina earned the actress her first Oscar. The actress and mother-to-be illuminated on stage, giving a sincere, heartfelt speech, thanking the filmmakers for offering her the role and thanking her husband for bestowing her with a new one as a mother.

The popular boxing film “The Fighter” walked away with two awards for Best Supporting performances from Melissa Leo and Christian Bale. Leo served as the program’s only real surprise with her triumph over the more favored Haliee Steinfeld of the western-remake “True Grit.” Leo appeared more stunned than anyone in the room for her honor, dropping an impassioned F-bomb that was met with howls of laughter.

It would seem spiteful not to award Christopher Nolan’s dazzling “Inception” in the technical categories, given that Nolan was unfairly snubbed as director. Thankfully, the film was honored for its achievement in Cinematography, Sound Editing and Sound Mixing. The most prestigious awards of the evening—including Best Original Screenplay, Best Director and Best Picture— seemed to have been given the royal touch as they marked more wins for the British bio-pic “The King’s Speech.”

As early as a month ago, the consensus choice for Best Picture was David Fincher’s masterful and culturally relevant “The Social Network,” but its frenzied praise depleted as the annual ceremony drew near. “The King’s Speech’s” conventional win over “The Social Network” only solidifies previous allegations that the Academy has a firm allegiance to British productions.

So readers, I end this slightly disappointing account of the annual ceremony by disclaiming that while there were a few great winners there were no shocking revelations. One can only hope that next year’s selection of winners will not be as foreseeable as what’s on next week’s lunch menu.

— Laron Chapman, film and video studies junior

CHRIS CARLSON/AP

T

MARK J. TERRILL/ AP

Actors shine at star-studded event

MATT SAYLES/AP

Natalie Portman poses backstage with the Oscar for best performance by an actress in a leading role for “Black Swan” at the 83rd Academy Awards on Sunday in the Hollywood section of Los Angeles.

Other Winners » Best Picture: “The King’s Speech” Top: Colin Firth accepts the Oscar for best performance by an actor in a leading role for “The King’s Speech” at the 83rd Academy Awards on Sunday in the Hollywood section of Los Angeles.

Bottom: Actress Melissa Leo accepts the Oscar for best actress in a supporting role for “The Fighter” at the 83rd Academy Awards on Sunday in the Hollywood section of Los Angeles.

» Best Actor: Colin Firth, “The King’s Speech” » Best Actress: Natalie Portman, “Black Swan” » Best Director: Tom Hooper, “The King’s Speech” » Best Visual Effects: “Inception”

NATION

8 • Tuesday, March 1, 2011

The Oklahoma Daily | OUDaily.com

Last WWI doughboy dies Holocaust survivors plan protest

Oklahoma man who joined military at 16 dies a month after 110 birthday MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — He didn’t seek the spotlight, but when Frank Buckles outlived every other American who’d served in World War I, he became what his biographer called “the humble patriot� and final torchbearer for the memory of that fading conflict.

Buckles enlisted in World War I at 16 after lying about his age. He died Sunday on his farm in Charles Town, nearly a month after his 110th birthday. He had devoted the last years of his life to campaigning for greater recognition for his former comrades, prodding politicians to support a national memorial in Washington and working with friend and family spokesman David DeJonge on a biography. “We were always asking ourselves: How can we represent this story to the world?�

DeJonge said Monday. “How can we make sure World War I isn’t forgotten.�

Buckles asked his daughter, Susannah Flanagan, about progress toward a national memorial every week, sometimes daily. “He was sad it’s not completed,� DeJonge said. “It’s a simple straightforward thing to do, to honor Americans.�

When asked in February 2008 how it felt to be the last survivor, Buckles said simply, “I realized that somebody had to be, and it was me.�

Only two known veterans remain, according to the Order of the First World War, a Florida group whose members are descendants of WWI veterans and include Buckles’ daughter. The survivors are Florence Green in Britain and Claude Choules in Australia, said Robert Carroon, the group’s senior vice commander. Choules,

Obama has not delivered on promised support in insurance policies never paid, survivors says

every day, DeJonge said, and had enough birthday cards to fill several bushel baskets.

D e Jo n g e h a d v i s i t e d Buckles late last week and was driving back to Michigan with about 5,000 letters to organize and answer when he got the call telling him his friend had died. “The letters are so heartfelt,� he said. “Each night, Susannah would go in and sit at Papa’s bedside and read them to Frank. That kept him going.�

MIAMI BEACH, Fla. — Aging survivors of the Nazi Holocaust plan to protest outside a political fundraiser featuring President Barack Obama this week to publicize their struggle to collect what they say is $20 billion in Jewish insurance policies never paid by European companies.

Members of the Holocaust Survivors’ Foundation USA want Obama and Florida Democratic Sen. Bill Nelson to push legislation that would force companies such as Germany’s Allianz SE and Italy’s Assicurazioni Generali to disclose lists of pre-World War II policies. The bill would also give survivors the right to sue the insurers in U.S. courts to satisfy their claims. “We were stripped of everything our families owned, and only a fraction has been restored,� said 84-year-old Joe Sachs, a native of Poland who survived several concentration camps.

Obama and Nelson are scheduled to appear Friday at the ritzy Fontainebleau Hotel on Miami Beach for an event that aims to raise millions for Democrats in the 2012 elections. Nelson, Florida’s only statewide elected Democrat, is up for re-election next year.

The survivors’ group contends that Nelson broke a promise to introduce legislation on the issue, which his office denies. The survivors also say Obama courted them during his 2008 campaign with similar pledges of support that have not been forthcoming.

Nelson spokesman Dan McLaughlin said the senator has long supported Holocaust survivors’ issues, beginning in the 1990s when as Florida’s insurance commissioner he was involved in an effort to force European companies to begin paying restitution.

McLaughlin said Nelson followed through on his promise to hold a hearing on the group’s legislation, but found some Jewish organizations opposed the bill.

The bill has been introduced in past years in the House. In 2010, Jewish organizations including the AntiDefamation League and B’nai B’rith International said it might “raise unreasonable hopes and set up false expectations� among survivors with war-era insurance policies.

And, they said, it could jeopardize negotiations with the German government for money for home health care or other services. “Nelson has staff looking for an alternative solution that would benefit all survivors, perhaps through a pilot program that could provide long-term care,� McLaughlin said.

White House officials declined comment.

— AP

— AP

CHARLIE RIEDEL/AP

In a May 26, 2008, photo Frank Buckles receives an American flag during Memorial Day activities at the National World War I Museum in Kansas City, Mo. Buckles died early Sunday of natural causes in his home in Charles Town, W.Va., biographer and family spokesman David DeJonge said.

who ser ved in Britain’s Royal Navy, was born in that country but now lives in Australia.

Green turned 110 on Feb. 19, and Choules turns 110 in March, he said.

Born in Missouri in 1901 and raised in Oklahoma, Buckles visited a string of military recruiters after the United States in April 1917 entered what was called “the war to end all wars.� He was repeatedly rejected before convincing an Army captain he was 18.

More than 4.7 million

people joined the U.S. military from 1917-18. By 2007, only three survived. Buckles went to Washington that year to serve as grand marshal of the national Memorial Day parade.

Unlike Buckles, the other two survivors were still in basic training in the United States when the war ended, and they did not make it overseas. When they died in late 2007 and 2008, Buckles became the last so-called doughboy — and a soft-spoken celebrity.

He got fan mail almost

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3 4 1

2

Tuesday, March 1, 2011 • 9

Protesters set store ablaze Several hundred people rally to demand higher salaries, more jobs

WORLD NEWS BRIEFS 1. Tunis, Tunisia

Leader follows prime minister in resigning from government Another minister in Tunisia’s caretaker government has resigned, a day after the prime minister bowed out following a wave of deadly protests.

Industry and Technology Minister Afif Chelbi presented his resignation Monday. Mohamed Ghannouchi quit Sunday after 11 years as prime minister.

Outside parliament, youths joined large police patrols to help keep the peace in Tunisia’s tense capital after a weekend of protests and clashes with riot police left at least six people dead, opposition leaders said. ___

2. Seoul, South Korea

South Korea, U.S. begin annual drills amid North Korean threat South Korean and U.S. troops began annual military drills Monday that North Korea warned could trigger a nuclear war on the divided peninsula.

Despite the North Korean threats to retaliate, South Korea and the U.S. went ahead with their first major combined military exercises since the North shelled a frontline South Korean island in November, killing four people.

Animosity over the bloodshed drove ties between the Koreas to one of their lowest levels in decades. ___

3. Paris

Fashion designer Galliano faces anti-Semitism accusations Fashion designer John Galliano faced his accusers at a local Paris police station Monday, a couple who claim he made anti-Semitic slurs — illegal in France — after a video emerged of the famed creator praising Adolf Hitler.

The hearing was closed to the public, but a police officer who had knowledge of it said of Galliano: “He denied all the accusations against him.” The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak publicly about an ongoing investigation.

Also testifying were Galliano’s chauffeur and an employee of The Perle, the trendy cafe in Paris where the insults were allegedly made, the official said, but both reported they did not hear any anti-Semitic or racist remarks there. ___

4. Minsk, Belarus

Belarus presidential hopeful says secret police tortured him A former Belarusian presidential candidate said Monday he was beaten, stripped naked and hung by his hands while in the custody of secret police.

Ales Mikhalevich said he has sent a letter to the United Nations Committee Against Torture describing his treatment at the hands of secret police, which still uses its old name KGB in the former Soviet nation.

During his two months in prison, he was deprived of sleep and forced to spend long periods in a freshly painted cell without ventilation, Mikhalevich said. He said that following his torture he was forced to sign a paper in which he pledged to cooperate.

— AP

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SOHAR, Oman — Protesters set a supermarket ablaze and rallied at two places in this seaside town on Monday in a third consecutive day of unrest that has included deadly clashes in the strategic Gulf nation.

Security forces sealed off main roads to Sohar, about 120 miles northwest of the Muscat capital, in an attempt to isolate the protesters and keep crowds from swelling.

Omar al-Abri, an official at the state-run Oman News Agency, said one person was confirmed dead Sunday after police used tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse demonstrators in Sohar.

Witnesses said a supermarket was set on fire Monday and several hundred protesters — mostly young men — were rallying in the town’s main roundabout, demanding higher salaries, jobs for unemployed youth and the dismissal of government ministers.

By late afternoon, protests spread to Sohar’s port — Oman’s second largest. Witnesses said about

AP PHOTO

A truck burns Sunday in Sohar, Oman. Protesters set a supermarket ablaze and gathered in several sites in a seaside town in Oman on Monday in a third consecutive day of unrest that has included deadly clashes in the strategic Gulf nation.

500 protesters blocked trucks from entering the port, about 8 miles from protest’s focal point at the roundabout.

Police did not respond to Monday’s protests.

Media reported Sohar’s civilian guards, including members of women’s associations, repelled protesters’ attempts to set fire to a

health center and several commercial sites.

Oman, ruled by a powerful family dynasty, marks the latest flashpoint in the Arab world’s challenges to authority and suggests that demonstrations could widen in the Gulf with protest rallies planned in Kuwait and Saudi Arabia.

Oman shares control

with Iran over the Strait of Hormuz at the mouth of the Gulf — the route for about 40 percent of the world’s oiltanker traffic.

Oman also plays an important role as a mediator between Iran and the West because of its strong ties to Tehran and Washington.

— AP

Kenya warns of 2012 vote violence More than 1,000 people died after 2007 presidential election NAIROBI, Kenya — Three years ago Kenya’s top leaders pulled the country back from devastating postelection violence.

To d ay t h e c o u nt r y i s peaceful, but human rights advocates said Monday they worr y the countr y could again explode during next year’s vote.

More than 1,000 people died and 600,000 were displaced in the ensuing tribal violence after the disputed 2007 presidential election.

The still-smoldering issues in Kenya include demobilizing militias that fought during the postelection violence, addressing impunity of connected officials, and addressing poverty and youth unemployment, the independent Kenya Human Rights Commission said.

“Ou r c o n c e r n i s t hat should the government not implement these reforms the 2007-08 violence will seem like a Christmas party compared to the violence in 2012,” said George Morara

of the commission.

The commission gave its assessment on the third anniversary of a power-sharing agreement between President Mwai Kibaki and Raila Odinga that ended the violence. That made Odinga prime minister.

The group gave Kenya’s coalition government 43 points out of 100 in its scorecard of governments performance in implementing the reforms agreed upon.

Kenya’s prime minister has congratulated the country for achieving one of the key reforms — a new constitution that was approved in an August referendum. The new document reduced the powers of the presidency, which had been used by Kenya’s first two leaders to favor their tribes in land distribution, government jobs and tenders.

Still, critics say the president already has violated provisions of the new constitution 11 times since its adoption last year.

And Peter Karanja, the head of the National Council of Churches in Kenya, said he is suspicious that efforts have not been

KHALIL SENOSI/AP

Hundreds of Kenyans sing the Kenya National Anthem during lunch hour Monday in Nairobi, Kenya. Kenyans were commemorating the signing of the peace agreement that formed a coalition government three years ago.

made to demobilize youth groups and militias recruited to carry out the violence between December 2007 and February 2008.

“The failure to do this three years after the violence raises suspicions that there are plans to engage those groups in similar violence in the future,” Karanja said.

Tens of thousands of internally displaced people still live in camps and cannot go back to their home areas — a testament to the lingering hostility between communities, said David Malombe, an official at the Kenya Human Rights Commission.

— AP

10 • Tuesday, March 1, 2011

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One person for 4 bd, 4 bth at Campus Lodge, all bills pd, w/d, free tanning, pool, gym, CART stop, $399/mo. 313-2337.

APTS. UNFURNISHED $200 Off 1st Month $99 dep / 6 mos Free Gym 2 bedrooms available Pets Welcome! Large Floor Plans!

Models open 8a-8p Everyday!

360-6624 or www.elite2900.com 2 bd apt, BILLS PAID, smoke free, no pets - 360-3850

This year, more than

172,000 people will be diagnosed with lung cancer, and more than 163,000 will die — making it America’s

NUMBER ONE cancer killer.

CONDOS UNFURNISHED NICE 4bd/4ba @ THE EDGE. Close to OU, poolside view. For rent by owner VERY CHEAP. 250-7288 for more info!

But new treatments offer hope.

Join Lung Cancer Alliance in the fight against this disease.

Available June 1, 2011! 2 bd/2 ba, The Edge Condominiums. $450/mo per bedroom. Pool, BB Ct, Volley Ct, Wt Rm - 812-327-5115 DEPOSIT & FIRST MONTH’S RENT PAID (up to $750) to anyone interested in taking over my lease at www.thecottagesofnorman.com

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brighter future It’s simple. Replace your 5 most frequently used lights with ones that have earned the ENERGY STAR® to reduce your home energy use and make a big difference in the fight against air pollution.

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Spring Specials

dowellproperties.com

HOROSCOPE

Best apartment value in Norman!!!

By Bernice Bede Osol

Copyright 2010, Newspaper Enterprise Assn.

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

w/d hook ups, westside

w/d hook ups, westside

1 bd 1 ba 748 SF $430 2 bd 1 ba 832 SF $465 2 bd 2 ba 880 SF $475 2 bd 2 ba 968 SF $505 2 bd 2.5 ba 1150 SF - TH $595 3 bd 3.5 ba 1350 SF - TH $695 364-3603 No Pets

Georgian Townhomes 1 bd 1 ba 675 SF $425 2 bd 1 ba 875 SF $485 Apartments 1 bd 1 ba 748 SF $420 2 bd 1 ba 900 SF $485 3 bd 1 ba ABP 1000 SF $670

Monday- Friday 8:30-5:30 Saturday 1-5 p.m.

2072 W. Lindsey BISHOP’S LANDING

Monday- Friday 8:30-6 p.m.

Saturday 1-5 p.m.

1932 W. Lindsey

360-7744

Near Campus Across from Duck Pond

Eff, 1 & 2 Bed Apartments

M-F 8:30-5:30, Sat 1-5p.m.

From $263/mo

*Effective rent allows for comp. with apts. that are not all bills paid

5

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

Previous Solution 4 1 3 8 2 6 9 7 5

8 6 7 1 9 5 2 4 3

5 9 2 7 4 3 6 1 8

6 7 8 3 5 1 4 9 2

2 3 4 9 8 7 5 6 1

1 5 9 4 6 2 8 3 7

9 4 1 2 3 8 7 5 6

3 8 6 5 7 4 1 2 9

7 2 5 6 1 9 3 8 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.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) - With a few dabs of ingenuity here and a touch of elbow grease there, you will be able to resurrect an old but important project of yours that previously went nowhere. It will fly now.

ARIES (March 21-April 19) - This could prove to be not only a fun day for you, but also a lucky one as well, when you associate with someone who is in the position of being able to do something for you that few others can.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23) Through the use of your charm, consideration and thoughtfulness, you’ll have no problem being accepted by others. In fact, you will make a most pleasing companion.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20) - A new channel is likely to open up that will benefit you in a very specific way. It will have something to do with a new development that another has successfully launched.

333 E. Brooks (one block east of OU.) ** No pets

9

PISCES (Feb. 20-March 20) - For some unexplained reason, people in general will be much more generous to you right now. In reality, it will be they who just figured out how much good fortune you’ve thrown their way.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20) - Be on your toes, because much knowledge can be acquired through a personal, first- time experience.

You’ll be able to use it to your advantage many times in the near future.

CANCER (June 21-July 22) - It’s one of those days where you might put your normal routine aside and devote some time to a pleasurable event. It could be nothing more than going to lunch with friends.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) - Things could work out rather luckily involving a joint endeavor that you have with another. Given the chance, make plans or projections about developing what you can from this union.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 22) - This might be a better than usual day to tackle that demanding project you’ve been putting off doing because of the complications involved. The ways and means of getting it done will be clear as a bell.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23-Dec. 21) - Keep all your lines of communication open, because some good news is trying to get through to you. Be sure to stay in touch with those who could be pertinent to your immediate plans.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) - Maybe it’s because you’ve been keeping your fingers crossed, but for some reason a festering domestic condition could take a turn for the better.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) - There is justification for your optimism, because there is clearly something good in the works for you. It is likely to involve another person who means a lot to you.

Universal Crossword Edited by Timothy E. Parker March 1, 2011

ACROSS 1 Health retreats 5 “Ditto,” in footnotes 9 Hit the showers 14 Basic speech part 15 “... borrower ___ lender be” 16 Figures in geometry 17 Voice in a chorus 18 Clenched hand 19 Gets closer 20 Emulates a firefly 23 Chunk in the Arctic Ocean 24 Zero, in soccer scores 25 Allah worshipper 28 What stainless steel doesn’t do 30 401(k) expert, e.g.

33 Detach a medal 34 “No ___ traffic” 35 False pretense 36 Brilliant line from Whitman?

39 “What ___ of Fool Am I?” 40 “Iron Chef” tools 41 Bedsheets and such 42 Undercover agent 43 Italian wine

3/1

44 Flower parts 45 “I tawt I taw a puddy ___” 46 Eject, volcano-style 47 What a pleased parent does 54 Necklace fastener 55 Additive in skin lotions 56 “... deliver us from ___” 57 Not be economical 58 “I don’t believe you!”

59 Supermarket array 60 “I thought ___ never leave!”

61 After the deadline 62 Spoonplaying site DOWN 1 Catch in a stocking 2 Ask for an opinion 3 Car 4 Like a visually impaired Arctic traveler?

5 Lacking strength 6 “How are you ___?”

7 Prefix with “while” 8 Addition or subtraction 9 “Smokey and the ___” (1977) 10 “He’s ___ nowhere man ...”

(Beatles lyric)

11 Salty droplet 12 “___! The Herald Angels Sing” 13 Host attachment 21 River by the Louvre 22 Happen as a result 25 Strong scents 26 Not “with it” 27 Thorny 28 African horned charger 29 Cremation jars 30 Most populous nation 31 Group of talking heads 32 Church approvals 34 More ___ willing 35 Crusoe’s misfortune 37 They take

turns for the wurst?

38 What a new parent craves 43 Improvised musically 44 Heavenly body shape 45 Delicious 46 Ermine in brown 47 Snoozeproducing 48 “ ___ on Down the Road” 49 The Green Monster, in Boston 50 Upper pelvic bones 51 As a czar, he was terrible 52 Have a grand meal 53 “If all ___ fails ...”

54 Hundredweight, for short

PREVIOUS PUZZLE ANSWER

2/28

© 2011 Universal Uclick www.upuzzles.com

NEVER FADE AWAY By Rob Lee

The Oklahoma Daily | OUDaily.com

SPORTS

Tuesday, March 1, 2011 • 11

TOMORROW ›› Sooners and senior Danielle Robinson (shown left) host OSU for regular-season home closer and Senior Night

James Corley, sports editor dailysports@ou.edu • phone: 405-325-3666

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

Built from the ground up Coach has transformed dying program into flourishing contender, nationally respected basketball school TOBI NEIDY The Oklahoma Daily

top 20 women’s basketball programs in home attendance.

Last season, Coale’s Sooners posted a 9,007-fan average to set a program season attendance record.

“Look at what Sherri (Coale) has built here,” Texas A&M coach Gary Blair said after the Aggies’ 80-78 win over OU on Jan. 26. “It’s pretty special.”

March 28, 1990, was a day that forever changed Oklahoma women’s basketball.

REVVING UP THE ENGINE With the team struggling to attract fans and win games, The first step Coale took to rebuild the program was bringthe OU athletic department decided to cut the program. ing in Phylesha Whaley.

“It doesn’t bother me,” former Oklahoma Gov. Henry “[Whaley] was a great kid to build this program on,” Coale Bellmon said. “They’ll still have intramural basketball, said. “Texas Tech didn’t have a scholarship for her, which was won’t they?” her dream, so she was a kid without a place Bellmon’s comment, as reported to go and I had a program that needed tough in the Tulsa Tribune, lit a flame that If someone wants a kids.” dispersed into political wildfire — Whaley, Coale’s first recruit as head coach, blueprint on how to not only throughout the state, but earned All-Big 12 honorable mention her build and maintain a throughout the nation. freshman year in 1997 and finished her canationally respected The late former N.C. State coach reer as a first-team pick her last three years. program, Sherri Coale Kay Yow said the decision was In 2000, Whaley earned the first Big 12 has an original.” appalling. Stanford coach Tara Player of the Year honors under Coale, averVanDerveer expressed concerns aging 20.8 points, 7.9 rebounds and 1.7 as— JOE CASTIGLIONE, about other schools following suit. sists per game.

In order to comply with Title IX, OU ATHLETIC DIRECTOR Her points-per-game average and 2,187 OU reversed its decision and reincareer points broke a pair of 18-year-old stated the program a week later, but the team was still OU records. Whaley also was the first Sooner All-American searching for a suitable head coach in 1996 after several (2000). losing seasons.

“She just wanted the opportunity to compete,” Coale said.

With tight budgets to adhere to and the administra- “As a young coach, I couldn’t have had a better kid because tion breathing down the program’s neck, the team’s next she bought into everything we taught.” coach couldn’t be an over-qualified big name. So instead, a young basketball coach named Sherri Coale — plucked MAINTAINING DOMINANCE from here in Norman — built a name for herself.

Whaley’s performance on the court gave Coale a stepping stone for recruitment, proving to potential players that if their BUILDING A WINNING PROGRAM first choice wouldn’t take them, they could shine at OU. “The program had no pride, no self-expectancy, no chamThis, coupled with Coale’s heralded coaching ability, was pionship behavior,” Coale said. “And certainly no fans.” the perfect ingredient to producing touted NCAA tournaDespite being revived from an ill-fated — and quickly re- ment teams, which moved OU from a back-up choice to a versed — end, the program averaged just 65 fans per game. first-choice school for many recruits.

“It was like finding an old farm truck. You think you can fix “Sherri Coale’s impact on our women’s basketball program it up if you put some paint on it and wash it, but it didn’t have and our department in general has been dramatic and proan engine,” Coale said. “There wasn’t much to build on, so we found,” OU athletic director Joe Castiglione said. “Her story, had to start from scratch.” her style, her influence and her consistent performance has The program’s slate had been swept clean for the Healdton reached an iconic stage.” native, whose will and determination has helped land her However OU fares in the tournament this month, Coale is some of the top recruits in the country. well on her way to putting the finishing touches on her promiShe’s coached players like Stacey Dales, who took OU to nent program. its first Final Four, and Courtney Paris, who rewrote record “If someone wants a blueprint on how to build and mainbooks with her 112 consecutive double-doubles. tain a nationally respected program, Sherri Coale has an origiBut more importantly, Coale took a program that had for- nal,” Castiglione said. gotten how to win and built it into a national powerhouse.

Coale may be an innovator in refurbishing a program, but Before the start of this season, Coale’s Sooners had won 147 with more than 300 career wins at OU, she is on track to be Big 12 games, making OU the winningest program in Big 12 mentioned with the likes of Tennessee’s Pat Summitt (1,000+) play in the conference’s 14-year existence (.656). and former Texas coach Jody Conradt (900).

Through last season, her 14th at the helm, Coale has But one piece of hardware still stands between Coale and earned four Big 12 Coach of the Year awards (2001, ‘02, ‘06, coaching immortality — a national championship trophy.

‘09) and has coached six Big 12 Players of the Year, leading The postseason is a clean slate, giving teams the chance to the conference in both categories. crawl their way back to the top after disappointing losses durThe coach’s optimistic view has translated into sellout ing the regular season. games and signature wins, and OU ranks among the nation’s It just so happens clean slates are Coale’s forte.

March 28, 1990 — OU athletic April 4, 1990 — OU women’s department decides to cut basketball program reinstated women’s basketball program because of Title IX requirements

Program history

April 8, 1996 — Coale hired as OU head coach

1998-99 — OU (15-14) reaches postseason for first time under Coale, advancing to second round of WNIT

2001-02 — OU (32-4) reaches first Final Four under Coale

2009-10 — OU (27-11) makes second-straight Final Four

Women’s hoops timeline Sherri Coale

1996-97 — OU finishes 5-22 in Coale’s first year 1990-96 — Coale spends seven seasons as head coach at Norman High

1987 — Coale graduates 1987-88 — Coale spends two seasons from Oklahoma Christian as assistant at Edmond Memorial

The onset of eye disease may not be as visible as the appearance of new wrinkles. An eye doctor can spot the early warning signs of vision problems like glaucoma and macular degeneration, as well as other serious health conditions such as diabetes and hypertension. Early detection is key.

For men and women over 40, it might be wise to look into your eyes. For more information, visit checkyearly.com.

A public service message from Vision Council of America and AARP.

1999-2000 — OU (25-8) makes first Sweet 16 under Coale

Jan. 23, 2010 — Coale picks up 300th win at OU in just 436 games (.688)

SPORTS

12 • Tuesday, March 1, 2011

The Oklahoma Daily | OUDaily.com

COLUMN

BASEBALL

Cornerback repeats mistakes

OU to face UTA in single-game series Undefeated Sooners seek to defend No. 2 ranking; Buechele returns home in OU’s first road trip this year

STAFF COLUMN UMN

RJ Young RYAN GERBOSI The Oklahoma Daily

Spring football is fast approaching, and the Sooners will be without their top cornerback, redshirt senior Jamell Fleming, due to academic misconduct.

Fleming led the conference last season in interceptions (five) and is Oklahoma’s top returning defensive performer. He also was named an AllBig 12 performer in 2010.

He is the best cover corner in the Big 12, bar none. If he continues to play to his capabilities, Fleming will surely be picked in the first round of the 2012 NFL Draft.

Last Friday, Oklahoma football coach Bob Stoops released a statement that said Fleming is not enrolled in classes at OU this semester due to a personal matter.

“We’re hopeful that Jamell can work through the things he’s facing and resume his college career,” Stoops said in the press release.

However, according to The Oklahoman, Fleming was suspended by the university due to academic misconduct.

The university handbook describes academic misconduct as “cheating from concealed notes on a midterm or final examination, altering a major assignment for re-grading, submitting all or substantial amounts of another student’s work as one’s own, or intentionally plagiarizing substantial portions of a term paper from online sources.”

This is Fleming’s second suspension for academic misconduct, the first coming two years ago when Fleming had to take classes at a junior

The No. 2 Sooners will head down Interstate 35 to play the Texas-Arlington GARRETT BUECHELE Mavericks at 3 today in » Year: Junior Arlington, Texas.

It will be Oklahoma’s » Position: Third base first chance to prove itself away from Norman » Hometown: Arlington, Texas this season. OU opened » Season stats: its season by sweeping a .553 batting nine-game home stand average, 21 hits, 5 home runs, 17 that ended Sunday.

RBIs, .947 slugging percentage Undefeated Oklahoma will be looking to defend its new ranking just behind top-ranked Florida (7-0).

Jordan John will be on the mound today for OU. The redshirt freshman southpaw has earned wins in both of his appearances this season.

Over opening weekend, John got the win in relief with three innings of two-hit ball against William & Mary.

In his second appearance, John gave up one run and six hits while recording nine strikouts over seven innings to get the win over Arkansas-Pine Bluff, which also earned him Big 12 Newcomer of the Week honors Monday.

Garrett Buechele, an Arlington native, returns home today as the back-to-back Big 12 Player of the Week after earning the award the first two weeks.

The junior third baseman continues to lead the hit parade for the Sooners, recording 11 hits while batting .500 with two homers and 12 RBIs last week.

After nine games, Buechele leads the Big 12 in batting average (.553), hits (21), home runs (five), RBIs (17), total bases (36) and slugging percentage (.947).

Max White also has been hitting well. Thus far, the sophomore has 14 hits, seven of which have gone for extra bases. White’s production at the plate has kept him in the lineup despite his four fielding errors. Against Oakland, OU coach Sunny Golloway moved White from second base (Friday) to left field (Saturday), then to designated hitter (Sunday).

The Mavericks (2-4) hosted the UTA Invitational over the weekend, picking up wins over Dallas Baptist and South Dakota State while losing to Missouri State.

Player to watch

NEIL MCGLOHON/THE DAILY

Then-junior cornerback Jamell Fleming (32) chases down Colorado running back Rodney Stewart during OU’s 43-10 win over the Buffaloes on Oct. 31. Fleming is not enrolled in classes this spring.

JAMELL FLEMING » Year: Senior » Position: Cornerback » Hometown: Arlington, Texas » 2010 stats: 71 total tackles, one sack, five interceptions (one returned for a touchdown)

college — again, during spring football — but was allowed to return to OU by the fall semester.

Oklahoma’s chance at a national title next season is legitimate.

The Sooners return a core group of players that boasts offensive weapons Landry Jones, Ryan Broyles and Roy Finch, with Tom Wort and Travis Lewis bulstering the defense.

But without Fleming in the mix, it will be hard to say how vulnerable the Sooners

might be on defense.

It’s not out of the question for Fleming to return to Oklahoma academically eligible, but how many student-athletes would be given the kind of leeway Stoops appears to be giving Fleming?

Isn’t cheating supposed to be frowned upon by faculty, staff and coaches?

All signs point to Stoops welcoming Fleming back this fall.

Might he be “demoted” to a walk-on next season after missing an entire semester of school, weights, conditioning and practice?

It is highly doubtful.

Fleming is as good as advertised, but it seems patently unfair to allow him to be readmitted to the team as a scholarship athlete knowing he did not endure the rigors thousands of other studentathletes — most of them

walk-ons — will this spring.

Even so, he has been suspended for academic misconduct not once but twice.

It is a privilege to attend college — be it as a student or student-athlete. Academic misconduct shows the student lacks the respect to do the work necessary to obtain a bachelor’s degree from this or any other school of higher learning.

If Fleming is readmitted, we can only hope that he is given a short leash that is given a tug every now and again to remind him of the privileged position he is in.

But that would mean Stoops is not prepared to tolerate any more of this kind of conduct from Fleming or any of his players.

Hopefully that is the case.

» Next in Norman WHAT: Oklahoma vs. Arkansas-Little Rock

— RJ Young, professional writing graduate student

WHEN: 3 p.m. March 11, 2 p.m. March 12, 1 p.m. March 13