The Oklahoma Daily

TUESDAY APRIL 20, 2010

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Ground broke Monday for the he School of Social Work’s new w building. More on page 3A.

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Read The Daily’s aily’s take on some new ew music releases, including uding The Tallest Man oonn Earth’s latest. See page 3B. The OU baseball team hosts Te Texas Christian University tonight.

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OU mourns the loss of student Campus groups remember the life of Ashlee Madison with memorial CASSI TONEY Daily Staff Writer

LAUREN HARNED/THE DAILY

Drug policy forum opens Event hosts aim to get people talking, inspire action, campus organization president says DANIELA MCCORMICK Daily Staff Writer

Two student organizations will host a U.S. drug policy forum today in Dale Hall to discuss negative effects current drug laws have on society.

Students for Sensible Drug Policy and Students for a Democratic Society have come together to organize “Teach-In: The Failure of U.S. Drug Policy.” Students for Sensible Drug Policy President Kaylee Burton said this is the first time she knows of that two organizations have come together to host a forum about a topic like drug policy.

“One of our main goals with this forum is to get people talking about

issues that have developed because of our country’s failed drug policies and to inspire our peers to actively seek the change they wish to see,” said Burton, professional writing senior.

Burton said many of the negative effects of the U.S. drug policy is the overcrowding of prisons and the increasing number of the prison population which increases taxes. Burton said many non-violent offenders who are incarcerated for possession of marijuana are put into jail with violent offenders. Burton said marijuana is considered as bad as cocaine.

“Marijuana is one of the least harmful drugs on Earth,” Burton said. “It has never caused a single death. Marijuana is scheduled as class 1 narcotic. It puts it on a list with heroine and cocaine.”

Burton said the issue is not just about marijuana, but also the lack of common sense the U.S. drug policy has, how taboo it is to talk about drugs

like marijuana and how much that fear can put people at risk because they feel like they can’t seek out answers.

Burton said people shouldn’t feel afraid of asking questions and making informed decisions.

“We need to make those informed decisions and take pride in the democratic process,” she said. “You’ve got to keep your kids thinking so they’re not afraid to ask questions of their government. It’s not just about drugs; it’s about process and becoming an informed adult.”

William White, Students for a Democratic Society member, said his organization feels people should be informed about U.S. drug laws and why some should be changed. The social work sophomore said 13 states have decriminalized marijuana and have been able to free up prison space

OU student groups are mourning the loss of Ashlee Madison, African and African-American Studies senior, who died Saturday in a head-on car accident in Oklahoma City.

Friends of Madison began posting messages and photographs Saturday morning on her Facebook page, and messages were still being posted at press time.

According to a Facebook event page, the African and African-American Studies Program will host an event to remember Madison at 12:30 p.m. today in Price Hall, room 2010.

The car Madison rode in was hit by a reportedly intoxicated driver who was in the wrong lane near the I-35 and I-40 junction, according to Raymond Rushing, Madison’s friend.

Madison was coming home from a jazz performance, the Facebook page said.

Rushing said he had been told the paramedics announced her dead at the scene.

The driver of the other car, Justin T. Hill, 22, of Norman, continued driving his car after he hit the car Madison was in. He later lost control and rolled the SUV onto its top, Oklahoma City police said.

Hill was not hurt.

Sukhbinder Matharu, 33, of Edmond, the driver of the car Madison was riding in, was treated and released from an Edmond hospital, police said.

“She was a real angel living on this Earth,” said Rushing, human relations graduate student. “She was an amazing young woman and a talented artist.”

Madison sang at many Weitzenhoffer School of Fine Arts events and also was known for participating in gospel choir.

Preseta Paul, close friend of Madison, said Madison was an amazing person.

“I know everyone always says that but she was an overall very caring, compassionate person,” said Paul, 2009 OU Spanish graduate.

Paul said Madison was an amazing mother to her 18month-old son and was very close to her family.

Paul said Madison was a recorded jazz singer.

MADISON CONTINUES ON PAGE 2

DRUGS CONTINUES ON PAGE 2

COFFEE MAY REDUCE DIABETES RISK Study discovers drinking large quantities may decrease risk of diabetes in American Indians KATHLEEN EVANS Daily Staff Writer

OU Health Sciences Center researchers found that drinking a large amount of coffee can reduce the risk of diabetes among American Indians.

The study, conducted by Ying Zhang for almost eight years, compared the incidence of diabetes across different groups of coffee drinkers. Those who drank more than 12 cups of coffee per day were 67 percent less likely to develop Type 2 diabetes.

Diabetes is a disease in which one has high blood sugar because the body and its hormones cannot properly process it, according to the American Medical Association.

Despite the findings, however, researchers do not recommend people drink 12 cups of coffee per day, and they are in

the process of finding what exactly causes the reduced risk of diabetes. Certain compounds have been identified as possibilities, but the exact one is not yet known.

Zhang focused on coffee because of its popularity.

“We wanted to look at coffee because so many young people drink coffee that if it had any property that would help prevent diabetes it would be important for public health,” Zhang said.

Though the study only focused on American Indians, other groups are also being studied, Zhang said. Researchers in other parts of the country have found a reduced risk in those other ethnic groups as well.

Zhang said he chose to study American Indians first because of the group’s population in Oklahoma and its high rate of diabetes. Genetics, lifestyle and environment are the most likely causes of diabetes.

Zhang’s study has already been published in an international journal about diabetes. The research was done with the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute and MedStar Research Institute. The Strong Heart Study also contributed grants to the research.

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Bikini graph shows decrease in job losses Job hunting may bring both frustration, excitement to graduating students AUDREY HARRIS Daily Staff Writer

A new economics graph called the Bikini graph suggests job losses have decreased since President Barack Obama took office. But the graph’s amusing title provides no amusement for OU seniors struggling to find postgraduate jobs.

The Bikini graph compiles job losses by month throughout the George W. Bush and Obama administrations, from December 2007 to January 2010. The numbers show an increase in job losses during Bush’s term and

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a subsequent decrease during Obama’s term.

The resulting graph resembles the shape of a pair of bikini bottoms, hence the graph’s name. In addition to the graph, numbers from the Bureau of Labor Statistics said non-farm payroll employment (payroll jobs not on a farm) increased by 162,000 in March. Of the 162,000, the bureau reports 48,000 jobs were created for the census.

Benjamin Keen, assistant professor of economics, said the March numbers released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics still will be revised.

Keen said a private firm released numbers that run contrary to reports from the bureau that suggest the private sector lost jobs.

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2A Tuesday, April 20, 2010 Caitlin Harrison, managing editor dailynews@ou.edu • phone: 325-3666 • fax: 325-6051

Bikini Continues from page 1 Whatever the revised numbers indicate, Keen said, even if after taking the census number out, he thinks 162,000 is still a good number.

Keen said there is talk the layoffs for the census will occur by June.

Despite an increase in employment during March, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported the unemployment rate remained at 9.7 percent. Keen said this occurs because a number of people called “discouraged workers” have left the labor force because they’ve stopped looking for jobs. Once these discouraged workers get a sense that the job market is improving, they will start to re-enter the labor force and look for jobs.

“There’s no defying time when people will start looking for a job again,” Keen said. “It’s usually when they think things are getting better.”

OUR COMMITMENT TO ACCURACY The Daily has a long-standing commitment to serve readers by providing accurate coverage and analysis.

Errors are corrected as they are identified. Readers should bring errors to the attention of the editorial board for further investigation by e-mailing dailynews@ou.edu.

In a page 2 brief about an experimental vegetation system in Friday’s edition of The Daily, Amy Buchanan’s title was misidentified.

Buchanan is the spokeswoman for the OU College of Atmospheric & Geographic Sciences. In the same brief, OU’s National Weather Center was misidentified.

Keen said when the discouraged workers re-enter the market it’s expected to keep the unemployment rate high. About 150,000 jobs need to be added each month just to keep up with population growth, Keen said.

“To even begin to make a dent in unemployment you’re going to have to have much stronger job growth,” Keen said.

One area where the bureau reported job losses for March was financial activities. Financial activities lost 21,000 jobs, with insurance carriers receiving the largest losses.

Cory Dowers, accounting graduate student and president of Beta Alpha Psi, an accounting honors fraternity, said the public accounting industry was hit hard by layoffs at the two- to five-year employee mark, but not so much in hiring.

“Even in a tough economy, the demand for accounting never really stops,” Dowers said.

“Most accountant students that go into Beta Alpha Psi usually find jobs right away to be honest.”

Kelley Bennett, public relations senior, has

POLICE REPORTS The following is a list of arrests and citations, not convictions. The information given is compiled from the Norman and OU Police Departments. At times, the Cleveland County Sheriff’s Department and the Oklahoma City FBI will contribute to these reports. All those listed are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

MUNICIPAL WARRANT Jordan Whitney Austin, 20, 1111 Oak Tree Ave., Sunday Christopher Ayers Hill, 20, East Brooks Street, Sunday POSSESSION OF MARIJUANA Justin Karl Ochoa, 23, 1111 Oak Tree Ave., Saturday Anton E. Schultz, 21, 2900 Oak Tree Ave., Saturday Waymon Paul Snow, 29, Havenbrook Street, Saturday DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE Anthony John Palazzolo, 26, 1100 SE 24th Ave., Sunday Richard John Savino, 58, 1502 E. Lindsey St., Sunday COUNTY WARRANT Rousell Berry, 51, 2556 Classen Blvd., Sunday Mystee Michelle Yannarella, 18, 1300 Lincoln Ave., Sunday PETTY LARCENY Ronnisha N. Brannon, 19, 3499 W. Main St., Saturday Racoya Rausheea Thomas, 19, 3499 W. Main St., Saturday

OUDAILY.COM » FIND OUT WHAT STUDENTS HAVE TO SAY ABOUT THE MEXICAN DRUG TRADE, BARACK OBAMA AND BIKINIS FOR LITTLE GIRLS. not been able to find a job as easily. Bennett said her job search has been frustrating because of requirements for previous experience.

“I haven’t seen one job that doesn’t require previous experience, and internships don’t count. For grads that need somewhere to start, it won’t happen,” Bennett said. “It’s like a catch22; we are supposed to have experience but can’t get a job to gain that experience.”

Stacy Kaplan, journalism senior, has had better luck with her job search. Last weekend, she visited New York City to interview with several companies about potential job offers. She said most of the companies offered internships, but she’s still waiting to hear back from a couple of possibilities.

“Either way, I am excited for what is to come because both options bring me to my favorite city, and I can’t wait for it to begin,” Kaplan said.

As for the month of April, Keen said he would not venture to guess what the numbers would look like.

Madison Continues from page 1 “I remember in the summer, we would go to karaoke nights,” Paul said. “Anything with Ashlee always involved a lot of dancing and music.”

Paul said Madison was funny, close to many people and easy to get along with.

“It all happened so quickly that no one was ready for it,” Paul said. “I know she’s left a lasting impression on a lot of people.”

Another memorial event will be held Monday in Oklahoma City at The NoNo Jazz Jam to help Madison’s family with funeral costs.

“Many of the musicians and audience members were greatly saddened to learn our dear friend and amazing vocalist Ashlee Madison, was killed in a car wreck Friday, while on her way home from a gig,” wrote Cami Stenson, NoNo Jazz Jam event creator, on the event’s Facebook page. “Ashlee inspired everyone she encountered, and we would like to dedicate this jam to her.”

The Jazz Jam will occur in the Prohibition Room room in the Gold Dome located at Northwest 23rd Street and Western Avenue.

Drugs Continues from page 1 and save money.

“We do feel that if you decriminalize marijuana then it’ll free up discussion for more important legal issues,” White said.

On the issue of decriminalization, White said his own personal opinion is he knows people who use marijuana medically, and from what he sees, it helps them, which is a good thing.

Norman resident Drew Cook, who recreationally smokes marijuana, said he doesn’t think the government is likely to change its policy because incarcerating citizens is a moneymaker.

Cook said legalizing marijuana would allow for taxation, but taxes are a set income. He said all a person has to do is ask, and one can find out that it’s more money to keep prisons full.

“You’ve got to look at the private-owned prisons,” Cook said. “They’ll admit they make a lot of money on inmates. It’s a great way to shift around stimulus dollars.”

The open forum will start at 6 p.m. in Dale Hall, room 103.

Burton said speakers will include Susan Sharp, OU women’s studies and sociology professor; Norma Sapp, executive director of the Oklahoma state chapter of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws; and Gwendolyn Fields, district chief of Sen. Constance Johnson, D-Oklahoma City.

Burton said a question-andanswer forum will follow after all the speakers have spoken.

“Whatever questions people have, people can talk about them,” Burton said. “We’ll be happy to talk about them.”

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3A Tuesday, April 20, 2010 Caitlin Harrison, managing editor dailynews@ou.edu • phone: 325-3666 • fax: 325-6051

OU breaks ground on new Social Work building New building named after some of state’s ‘greatest philanthropists,’ Boren says at ceremony RICKY MARANON Assignment Editor

After more than 80 years of being housed in an old fraternity house, the School of Social Work broke ground on its new home.

OU broke ground Monday on Anne and Henry Zarrow Hall. The new building will stand at the location of the recently demolished Jim Thorpe Multicultural Center formerly located on the corner of Elm Avenue and Brooks Street.

“I’ve been the dean of the College of Arts and Sciences for 14 years, and we’ve been talking about this day for 14 years,” said Paul Bell, OU College of Arts and Sciences dean.

The feeling that the time has come for a new building for the Anne and Henry Zarrow School of Social Work was repeated throughout the groundbreaking ceremony. The School of Social Work will move from its current location in Rhyne Hall, the original Alpha Tau Omega fraternity house, to Zarrow Hall, a brand new building on the west side of campus.

“When I took my sister to see the OU campus, I showed her Rhyne Hall,” Leah Gatlin, social work graduate student, said. “She asked me if it was a frat house, and I remember telling her ‘No, that’s where I go to school.’”

Henry Zarrow, the donor whom the School of Social Work and its new building is named after, addressed the crowd with a short remark.

“I hope you have a lot of success in this new building,” Zarrow said.

Zarrow, 94, travelled Monday morning from Tulsa to be at the groundbreaking ceremony.

OU President David Boren said the new building shows OU is preparing a new generation of social workers to handle changes the 21st century will

JEREMY DICKIE/THE DAILY

Zarrow Hall executive board members break ground Monday morning at a ceremony for the Anne and Henry Zarrow School of Social Work building. The school will move to the location after 80 years in an old fraternity house. bring to Oklahoma families.

“By building Zarrow Hall, we are showing the state of Oklahoma that we are preparing a new generation of leaders in the field of social work,” Boren said. “Because of this new building, optimism in the school is high and our enrollment is up 30 to 40 percent.”

Rhyne Hall was originally built as the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity house in 1921 and was acquired by the university to be converted to classrooms for the School of Social Work in 1928. Rhyne Hall will be converted into administrative offices when the School of Social Work is moved into Zarrow Hall.

WHO ARE THE ZARROWS? “The Zarrows are some of the greatest philanthropists in the state of Oklahoma,” Boren said.

Zarrow studied at OU in the 1930s but dropped out to support his family with a job at a local Norman grocery store, Boren said.

At age 22, he started Sooner Pipe and Iron, which later became Sooner Pipe and Supply, the largest independent pipe and supply business of its kind in the world. He began making

charitable donations even before he had fully paid for his first truck for the business, the OU Foundation website stated.

“He started making pledges to charities before he was sure he could afford to feed himself,” Boren said.

Boren said Zarrow and his wife, Anne, had a ritual every morning of reading the newspaper together.

“As they would read the paper every morning, they would take notes on the newspaper and find another person who would need help,” Boren said. “It was not unusual for Anne to see someone who was cold, and then see her rush home and get her best coat out of the closet and give it to the person in need.”

The Zarrows have donated to other OU projects at the OU-Tulsa campus, the OU Health Sciences Center and other Norman campus projects. The Zarrows set up the Zarrow Foundation to give out grants and awards to charities and organizations in need.

Anne passed away more than a year ago, but Henry was able to attend this morning’s ground-breaking ceremony.

GREEN WEEK PROMOTES STUDENT INVOLVEMENT Green Week, which began Monday, will provide students with lessons on how to make a more sustainable community and provide thought provoking discussions, said event organizers.

Organizers said Green Week will provide an opportunity for students to learn steps on how to lessen their negative impact on the environment, as well as how to help develop their community.

Green Week was started in 2008 as an event that would showcase available alternative energy resources and would allow the alternative resources movement to be seen on campus, said Brett Stidham, Undergraduate Student Congress chairman.

Green Week, presented by Student Congress, predated OU’s push for the use of alternative resources, said Stidham, human resources management junior.

Tuesday through Thursday, Grey Owl Coffee will be offered from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. on the South Oval and brown bag lunches will be given out during lectures at locations to be announced.

The themes for the week include green living, transportation, energy and water.

Stidham said Green Week also will present students with speakers and film showings.

Bike repair will be offered from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday on the South Oval, and Debrah Dalton will give a lecture at 3 p.m. in Gaylord College of Journalism and Mass Communication, room 2030.

—Casey Wilson/The Daily

CAMPUS EVENTS TODAY STAND Campout to Stampout Genocide will host mock refugee shelters for $5 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on the South Oval.

AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY ACS will sell hot dogs for $5 for Relay for Life fundraiser from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Devon Hall patio on the fifth floor.

GREEN WEEK Dr. Mistree will lecture about environmental issues and concerns at noon in the Heritage Room in the union.

OU LIBRARIES Librarian Jeffrey Wilhite will teach about the historic government documents collections at 2 p.m. in the Bizzel Memorial Library, room 149D. JACOBSON HOUSE Poet Barbara Daniels reads for the Everett Series from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Jacobson House, at the southeast corner of Boyd Street and Chautauqua Avenue.

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4A

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Annelise Russell, opinion editor dailyopinion@ou.edu • phone: 325-3666 • fax: 325-6051

GUEST CARTOON

OUR VIEW

Guns on campus is the wrong idea Guns scare people.

Whether you believe people have the right to carry their gun to school or work, into a public space or into the pastures to hunt, we can all understand the power guns have.

Guns have the power not only to take a life but also to intimidate and frighten.

Dozens of gun rights activists gathered for a gun rally Monday within miles of our nation’s Capitol. Over the past few years, there has been legislation to propose allowing guns on college campuses. This idea originated at our state Capitol.

Can you imagine the image of a student walking around campus with a firearm holstered around his or her waist?

It’s a frightening thought.

The FBI, Secret Service and U.S. Department of Education released a study Friday that showed violence is on the rise at college campuses. The number of directed assaults rose greatly in the past two decades from 40 in the ’80s to 79 in the ’90s and to 83 in the 2000s.

Firearms were used in more than 50 percent of all instances.

So if the statistics are showing a rise in violence, is conceal and carry really a good idea on college campuses?

We can use guns to hunt, and we can use guns to protect our families. We can enjoy taking them to the gun range to shoot at practice targets. All are valid reasons, but when a person carries a gun in public, this raises concern.

It’s important to recognize a person’s right to own a gun, but we are weary that they would do anything but frighten and intimidate students, faculty and staff on a college campus.

COMMENT ON THIS COLUMN AT OUDAILY.COM

The Daily’s Bryan Dugan and Jerod Coker sat down to discuss Dugan’s experiences as an openly gay student.

Bryan: Do you consider OU an open-minded campus?

Jerod: Yeah. You see different groups all the time. And though we’re in the Bible Belt, it’s not like Texas A&M. J: When did you know you were gay?

B: I knew I was gay in second grade. Some kid told me I was gay and I was like, “OK,” and I pretty much accepted it then.

OU

THE

COMMENTS OF THE DAY » In response to Monday’s column “Stop excluding men: let’s open discussion of ‘women’s issues.’”

ADD YOUR OWN COMMENT AT OUDAILY.COM

Back and forth about gay life

B: Why do you support my right to get married to another man?

J: I don’t think the state should tell anyone who they can’t marry. I say that’s immoral. It’s immoral to tell two people who love each other they can’t marry.

Brice Beckwith is an English senior.

life

J: What are your religious views, if any?

B: I have faith in a God that watches over us. I don’t put much merit in the Bible. I think it’s just an old book written by a bunch of old men.

J: Do you consider yourself a Christian?

B: Yeah.

B: What’s your opinion on nurture vs. nature?

J: I think it’s both. All the scientific evidence points toward both.

J: Were you born gay or did some way you were raised make you gay?

B: I wasn’t really raised in any kind of “gay way.” I think it’s definitely genetics.

J: So it wasn’t a choice? If it could be, would you choose to be gay still?

B: No, it wasn’t a choice. I don’t think anybody chooses to be gay. No one would choose to suffer being persecuted or harassed.

B: Do you think I’m going to Hell because I’m gay?

J: Well, I don’t believe in Hell, but if I did, I’d say no.

J: Does being gay automatically make you stylish and metro?

B: Oh, no. There’s a lot of bad, tacky dressers out there.

B: Would you feel comfortable having a gay roommate or sharing a hotel room with one?

J: Absolutely. I was on a swim team with a gay guy, and he saw me naked in the shower every day. I’m probably the least homophobic guy you’ll ever meet.

“I agree that men should be allowed to have their opinions. However usually when discussing women issues there are usually jokes involved. I wouldn’t mind having a discussion as long as the man was mature enough to talk about issues that affect women with making it such big deal.”

- THEGERMAN41

“This exclusion of men is directly responsible for the rise in high profile spokeswomen on the Right e.g. Ann Coulter, Michele Malkin, Laura Imgram, Kathy Bruce, Christina Hoff Summers, Barbara Olson, Mona Charen, Sarah Palin, and Michele Bachmann just to name a few.”

- MUSTAFA

GUEST COLUMN

Just say no to blood-diamond pot Brought to public attention in 1998 by the advocacy organization Global Witness, the problem of conflict diamonds has become an example of how private citizens and governments can collaborate to create positive change.

At the height of the blood diamond trade, warlords like Foday Sankoh of Sierra Leone’s RUF made billions of dollars per year selling diamonds around the world to finance guerrilla campaigns.

It has been estimated that in the 1980s, nearly one-fifth of the total world supply of diamonds was sold in order to finance wars. By 2004, this figure was reduced to about 1 percent by action from Global Witness, the U.N., the World Diamond Congress, national governments and diamond consumers.

The resolution to this situation is an example of how people in all varieties of institutions can collaborate.

Another similar problem has sprung up in recent years.

Since 2006, about 22,700 people have died in the ongoing drug war in northern Mexico. Led by drug lords like Joaquín Guzmán of the Sinaloa Cartel, the Mexican cartels control nearly 70 percent of the narcotics entering the United States.

Though cocaine is often portrayed as the primary drug of organized crime, according to the Washington Post, the cartels make 60 percent of their total revenue from marijuana sales because the cartels function only as middlemen in the cocaine trade but control marijuana distribution from the grower to the wholesaler.

These facts are part of the backdrop for the current debate over

>>

marijuana legalization around the country and here in this paper with columns and letters on the merits and demerits of change to our country’s current pot prohibition.

This debate is important to have, as our national drug policies have a huge impact on both the American citizens they directly govern and also on those who live in the countries that fuel America’s illicit drug habit.

As has been alleged by the anti-prohibition camp, our policies that make marijuana a controlled substance may be indirectly responsible for thousands of deaths in the PATRICK Mexican drug war. But what O’BRYAN are too often overlooked in this clash at the highest level of government are the ethics of individual choice in the matter of drug use.

Frankly, it seems to me absurd that in a place where so many of us are concerned with buying organic and fair-trade goods to protect the environment and the livelihoods of small farmers, there is little attention paid to the source of our community’s marijuana.

According to a 2008 report by the Office of National Drug Control Policy, more than half of the marijuana sold in Oklahoma originates in Mexico, almost all of which comes through the cartels. A prospective purchaser of pot in Oklahoma, then, must assume that it is more likely than not that his money will end up buying guns for gangsters and bribing Mexican officials, unless of course he can be completely certain that the drug is domestic.

More than 1,000 victims of the war

have been public servants or reporters, including Veracruz police commander Jesus Antonio Romero.

On July 29, 2009, members of the gang known as Los Zetas entered his house after blasting holes in it with grenade launchers, then shot Romero, his wife and their son. As they exited, the Zetas lit the house on fire, killing Romero’s three daughters.

Keep in mind that this was financed primarily by Americans who just wanted to get high.

This is simply abhorrent.

It would be perhaps a tiny bit understandable if users of cannabis craved the drug like heroin and cocaine addicts do, but marijuana is consistently ranked as less addictive than tobacco, cocaine, alcohol, and even caffeine.

There is little to no physical compulsion that forces users of cannabis not to quit; recreational marijuana is purely for pleasure, pleasure that comes with the cost of entire families killed in some of the most brutal ways imaginable.

I agree that this problem will shrink to miniscule proportions if and when marijuana production and use is decriminalized in the United States, and I fully support such reform.

The truth is that our disastrous war on drugs has squandered billions and given us nothing but a raging war on our southern border. But until that happy day arrives, it is morally wrong to purchase Mexican marijuana. This 4/20 day, it is imperative to boycott blood pot.

Patrick O’Bryan is a University College freshman.

INTERESTED IN DRAWING CARTOONS OR WRITING COLUMNS FOR THE DAILY NEXT FALL? E-MAIL DAILYOPINION@OU.EDU.

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

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

1B

Aaron Colen, sports editor dailysports@ou.edu • phone: 325-3666 • fax: 325-6051

«

BLOGS See what The Daily’s sports desk is blogging about at OUDAILY.COM

«

STAFF COLUMN

Despite misfortune, potential draftees face bright future

NEIL MCGLOHON/THE DAILY

Caleb Bushyhead, sophomore infielder, runs the bases March 2 against the University of Texas-Arlington. The Sooners will face TCU tonight at 7.

Sooner baseball team looks to bounce back at home Sooners search for consistency after rough eight-game stretch

higher if he had started more games — he has started 20 of the 30 games he has appeared in.

JONO GRECO If OU can reach or surpass the five-run Daily Staff Writer mark, a mark the Sooners have been victorious 10 of the 11 times it has been reached The past few weeks have been a trying at home this season, then things should go time for the No. 18 baseball team. according to OU’s plans.

Since being swept by the Texas Longhorns Another reason the Sooners can win toon April 1 to 3 at home, the Sooners (26-10, night’s game is because they do not allow 6-7 Big 12) have gone 4-4, and themselves to go on during those eight games they losing streaks, which GAME PROMOTIONS have been inconsistent in trythey are on the verge ing to right the ship. of being in.

Tonight’s baseball game will One way OU tried getting OU has lost backfeature several promotions. Hot back on track was by playing a to-back games three dogs and drinks will be 50 cents team it will face again at 7 p.m. times, and only once and the first 500 fans will receive tonight — the No. 12 Texas has it lost a thirdChristian Horned Frogs. The free OU baseball koozies. straight game. That Sooners beat TCU 4-2 on April one time was during 6 in Fort Worth, Texas.

When: 7 p.m. the Texas sweep.

The fact that L. Dale Baseball The Sooners have Mitchell Park is a hitter-friendWhere: L. Dale Mitchell bounced back the ly ballpark will benefit the Baseball Park other two times with Sooners’ lineup, especially the victories. They avoidmiddle of the order. ed a losing streak by If head coach Sunny Golloway places defeating the Texas Tech Red Raiders in freshman utility player Max White between the series opener this Saturday, and they the three- and five-hole slot in the batting are trying to do the same tonight against order, OU will be armed with 24 home runs the Horned Frogs after losing the final two from the power part of its lineup. games against Texas Tech.

White and the two sophomore corner Considering how many games OU has infielders, Cameron Seitzer and Garrett played this year, having lost back-to-back Buechele, each have eight home runs this games is extraordinary. And Golloway season, and two of the three have driven in knows how to regroup his team before more than 30 runs. things go spiraling out of control; he should Buechele has 33 RBIs and Seitzer has 32 be able to do the same with his players RBIs, and White’s RBI total of 23 would be tonight.

I don’t really believe in karma; however, it’s tough to deny that many times people are paid back for their bad decisions.

Likewise, those who make respectable decisions are often rewarded.

Come Thursday night STEVEN we’ll see another example JONES of this phenomenon.

A year ago, optimism for OU football was out of control. Coming off a national championship appearance the season before, a talented collection of Sooner underclassmen turned down opportunities in the NFL to make one more run at a title.

It didn’t work out that way.

When a student athlete returns to school rather than take a shot at the pros, people question the decision. Despite the benefits (playing another year for your university, getting your degree, etc.), critics worry about an injury, a bad season or any small thing that could pop up and cost the kid money.

As OU’s 2009 football season played out, these critics seemed smart. Of OU’s returning underclassmen, none were more lauded than Heisman-winner Sam Bradford and All-Americans Gerald McCoy, Jermaine Gresham and Trent Williams.

And they all had seasons that could have easily cost them money.

Gresham never stepped foot on the field in 2009 after injuring his knee prior to the first game. Bradford injured his throwing shoulder twice, only seeing action in one full game in 2009. Williams had what many considered an underwhelming year at left tackle (though he was again named an AllAmerican), and McCoy played a huge role on a dominant defense that got little exposure thanks to OU’s mediocre record.

Somehow, though, things worked out.

If most projections are correct, each of those players will hear his name Thursday

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night during the NFL draft’s first round.

Bradford is all but a lock for the top overall spot, McCoy will likely go third overall and Williams and Gresham should go in the first 32 picks as well.

Call it karma if you like, but there is certainly something strange going on here.

NFL teams do not like to invest in players coming off injuries. Rumors are Bradford will receive a contract that gives him $50 million guaranteed. Teams do not give that to players who missed nearly their entire final season.

The same goes for Gresham, who won’t bring in as much as Bradford but will still receive a hefty first-round paycheck even though he hasn’t played in a football game since January 2009.

When these underclassmen announced their decision to return to OU last year, fans hoped that, at best, they would bring OU a title, but at worst, they’d just stay healthy.

Neither of those happened.

Somehow, though, this group has overcome the odds. The worst did happen to them, but they’re being rewarded for put-

The worst did happen to them, but they’re being rewarded for putting off the pros for a year to finish school, be with their teammates and make one final run at a title. ting off the pros for a year to finish school, be with their teammates and make one final run at a title.

I am not sure if you can call that karma, but something was on the side of these former Sooners despite their woes in 2009.

And maybe some OU fans can take solace in that fact. Despite the Sooner disappointment last season, if the NFL draft is any indication, 2010 could be a better year for the Sooners.

Steven Jones is a language arts education senior.

2B Tuesday, April 20, 2010 Thad Bakerl, advertising manager classifieds@ou.edu • phone: 325-2521 • fax: 325-7517

For Sale

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

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

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

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

1 4

Nice old apt w/hard wood floors, plaster walls, 2 blocks to campus, tenant pays all bills, smoke free, no pets, for one person.

Call 360-3850.

Previous Solution

3 7

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

4 7 1 5 2 6 8 9 3

3 9 2 1 8 4 5 6 7

8 5 6 9 3 7 1 2 4

2 8 9 4 6 3 7 1 5

6 4 7 8 1 5 9 3 2

5 1 3 7 9 2 4 8 6

7 3 8 2 5 1 6 4 9

1 2 5 6 4 9 3 7 8

9 6 4 3 7 8 2 5 1

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.

HOROSCOPE

By Bernice Bede Osol

Copyright 2008, Newspaper Enterprise Assn.

Tuesday, April 20, 2010 TAURUS (April 20-May 20) - You should be able to discern between what is of true value and what isn’t, and that includes both people and things. When you analyze your possibilities, you’ll make good choices.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20) - Owing to powerful inner motivations within you, your probabilities for achieving success are better than usual today.

Now is the time to establish those large goals and go for them.

CANCER (June 21-July 22) - Associate with persons who appreciate a good idea when they hear one and who will encourage you to move on your brainstorms. The types of companions you select can make the difference between success and failure.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) Lucky you, because you could profit in some manner through a source or person who isn’t usually one of your conduits for success. The more people who can help you, the better.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) A loyal friend might once again prove to be a valuable ally. This pal has a way about them that knows how to generate developments from which you both can benefit.

Previous Answers

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Available positions in the OU Athletics Department!!! Junior, Senior, Graduate, and Post-graduate applicants only!!! Italian (3000 and 4000 level)!!! Hiring for Spring 2010. Call 325-0117 for more infro!!!

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Creative Kids, Norman taking applications for FT or PT teachers, 2200 36th Ave NW, 701-1700.

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

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LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23) Be ambitious today and go after what you want concerning your work or career, because you’re likely to be luckier than usual at getting what you strive for. You have nothing to lose.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 22) - If you treat whatever occurs philosophically today, you should be able to reverse a negative situation with which you’ve had to deal with remarkably little or no effort.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23Dec. 21) - If you’re able, spend some quality time with persons with whom you share strong emotional bonds. All are likely to be in tune with the other one’s needs and wants.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) - Someone close to you is likely to share some valuable information s/he just received about something opportune in which you could participate. This news will prove to be quite lucky for you.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) - Your financial picture is brighter than it’s been in a long time, giving you ample new ways to increase your earnings or holdings. Of course, it will require acting on what you learn.

PISCES (Feb. 20-March 20) - Although it might require a little risk-taking on your part, you are going to be given a big boost from Lady Luck concerning a financial matter of personal significance.

ARIES (March 21-April 19) - The thought of being lucky might never occur to you while lots of good things are happening, but when the day is over and you’ve had time to think about it, you’ll realize just how lucky you were.

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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.

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Universal Crossword Edited by Timothy E. Parker April 20, 2010

ACROSS 1 Appears imminent 6 Barracks bunks 10 Modern TV antenna 14 Eaglet’s home 15 R.I.P. item 16 Look ___ (probe) 17 1777 Revolutionary War battle site 19 Read bar codes 20 Detroit ballplayer 21 Ripe for marriage 23 Blood-type letters 25 Offices of bishops 28 Role to play 30 ___ de cologne 31 Take away by force 32 Process for sorting the injured 35 Brainstorming session result 37 New Orleans mecca 42 Have an edge against 43 Truly, madly or deeply, e.g.

45 Fuzzy fruit 49 ___ Buddhism 51 Old apple spray 52 Avant-garde 56 Where IRS forms are made 57 Japanese floor cover

58 Courtship participant 60 It turns on the fire 61 Roll in an office 66 Marooning spot 67 Poet’s preposition 68 Common black thrush (Var.) 69 Within arm’s reach 70 Fisherman’s “the one that got away” 71 Like thin smoke rings DOWN 1 Chocolate retriever, for short 2 “___ the fields we go” 3 Dramatic musical composition 4 Alternative to hot pants 5 Marshy herb 6 Brightly colored seashell 7 ___-Wan Kenobi (Alec Guinness role) 8 ___ Lizzie (Model T) 9 Courtroom employee 10 Expel from law practice 11 Fan the flames 12 Becomes hard and dry, as bread 13 “I’m telling

you the truth!”

18 “Uh-huh” 22 Type of mobility 23 Quick, as a pupil 24 Wire point 26 Hallowed 27 Cows’ chews 29 Letter from Athens 33 Kind of whole-wheat cracker 34 Go with the flow?

36 Airport inits.

38 Colorless Greek liqueur 39 Sister of Zsa Zsa and Magda 40 Marine plant that morays love?

41 Golfer’s hazard 44 Sis’ male sib 45 Contributes, as to a pot 46 Pass by, as

time 47 Hun king 48 Lunar depression 50 Law of universal gravitation formulator 53 ___-eyed (close to tears) 54 “Arabian Nights” creature 55 Not in the slightest 59 Small notions case 62 When repeated, a ballroom dance 63 Bruin legend Bobby 64 High energy 65 Isle of ___ (England)

PREVIOUS PUZZLE ANSWER

© 2010 Universal Uclick www.upuzzles.com

DRINK UP by Carol Ross

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

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

3B

« TOMORROW F ind out more about another local band playing at Norman Music Festival.

» THE TALLEST MAN ON EARTH

“The Wild Hunt” 8.8/10.0 Key Tracks: “Love Is All,” “Troubles Will Be Gone” The Tallest Man on Earth is really just a guy named Kristian Matsson. He’s from Sweden, he sings like Bob Dylan and his new album, “The Wild Hunt,” is fantastic.

The guitar work is consistently lovely. “Love Is All,” one of the most emotionally raw songs (“Here come the tears, but like always/I let them go/Just let them go”), also has a beautiful melody and delicate, pretty guitar picking. “Troubles Will Be Gone,” an optimistic tune with reassuring lyrics, also has a bright, intricate guitar line.

The lyrics are as honest yet whimsical as ever, but with more maturity. Title track “The Wild Hunt” is full of imagery like “there is a crow moon comin’ in, well you keep looking out/It is the hollow month of March now sweeping in.” Meanwhile, “King of Spain” carries on in the same linear story vein as “The Gardener” from Tallest Man’s first LP. Although the last song, “Kids on the Run,” seems like a weak, somewhat sappy departure on the piano, each song stands on its own merits, while also blending into the group well.

The whole package reaches a level of cohesion that 2008’s “Shallow Graves” lacked. Whereas the first album seemed more like a collection of songs, “The Wild Hunt” is tied together more sturdily. When all the songs are put together, they present a complex story about identity and love.

Matsson isn’t shy about his influences; it’s clear that he loves early Bob Dylan. This is obvious in his wandering lyrics, searing vocals and upswept hair. But the music is no inauthentic carbon copy; it’s all genuine, which makes the comparison even more of a compliment.

The wonderful simplicity of one man with one guitar and one voice is executed perfectly on this record. Where some other singer-songwriters fall flat in terms of energy and electricity when they go this minimalistic, Tallest Man delivers. But one also wonders what he could do with a band.

“The Wild Hunt” demonstrates the growth that a sophomore album should. The third album will hopefully do this even better, so we can hear what The Tallest Man on Earth can really be (other than Bob Dylan’s long-lost son).

Annika Larson, professional writing sophomore.

This week in New Music Tuesday, Daily writers look at two under-the-radar releases: one artist plucks his way into our hearts while the other does its best would-be-pop-star impersonation.

TWO DOOR CINEMA CLUB

“Tourist History” 8.6/10.0 Key Tracks: “Cigarettes in the Theatre,” “Undercover Martyn” In some parallel universe, Boys Like Girls has never topped the charts, no one has ever cared about Fall Out Boy and Two Door Cinema Club is selling out arenas.

It seems like somewhere along the way, the path that pop rock should have taken verged off-course, hitting a bumpy trail of halfbaked melodies, cringe-inducing, shmaltzy lyrics and AutoTune.

Two Door Cinema Club took the road less traveled, and it turns out to be a far more rewarding one.

Opting to keep the standard formula of standout singles (“Cigarettes In the Theatre,” “Undercover Martyn”) and sweeping ballads (“Come Back Home, “What You Know”), Two Door Cinema Club avoids combustion by aptly darting the overprocessed feeling that dooms most any pop affair you hear today.

It’s this looseness and chic edge that makes “Tourist History” such a joy. It’s just a fun album — which is exactly what pop rock is supposed to be.

The footstomping sway of “Cigarettes In the Theatre” builds to a cresendo of angular guitar riffs, swirling vocals and triumphant horns that will surely have you dancing.

“Undercover Martyn” is karaoke gold with just enough handclaps to let you steal the show, while the hiccuping “I Can Talk” provides a late game boost with its dueling guitar screeches and bellowing chorus.

Vocalist Alex Trimble is a dynamo, never taking a breath with his hurried, but pleasing, bursts of bravado.

I’m quick to sing the band’s praises, but it wouldn’t be too far fetched to label this Irish trio as Cobra Starship’s European

cousin, because all it does is dress up the same formula with better clothes and Parisian flair.

But as bands like Phoenix and Miike Snow have shown, sometimes a new set of clothes is all you need.

Two Door Cinema Club seems just as fit to steal back pop rock from the Americans, and hell, if it keeps on this route, it may very well be selling out venues in our universe after all.

Joshua Boydston, psychology junior.

4B

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Staged classic is a pleasant enough drive Winner of the Pulitzer Prize and the world of film. Set design by Theresa Furphy basis for a Best Picture Oscar-winning film, is unfussy and minimal. There’s a desk rep“Driving Miss Daisy” owes resenting Boolie’s world, an armchair and a great deal to its pervading bookshelf for Daisy and a simple pair of niceness. The off-Broad- stools for the play’s most oft-used location — way play by Alfred Uhry the car where Daisy and Hoke’s friendship casts a warm glow over an blossoms. era that was anything but, It’s perhaps unfair to fault “Driving Miss and it hasn’t grown any Daisy” for its sins of omission, but the nonless docile over the years. existence of almost any meaningful racial Lyric Theatre is staging the subtext — especially considering its setting, production now through Atlanta in the ’50s and ’60s — reduces the DUSTY Sunday. play to little more than a starry-eyed fantasy.

SOMERS “Driving Miss Daisy” Could a white woman and a black man tells the story be friends in this era? of Daisy Werthan (Darrie Absolutely, but the play PLAYBILL Lawrence) — elderly, crotchety incubates them almost and Jewish. After taking out the entirely from the surWhat: “Driving Miss Daisy” neighbor’s garage door with rounding social upheavWhen: Now through Sunday. her Chrysler, Daisy is put under al and never confronts house arrest by her entreprethe troubling aspect that 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday, neur son Boolie (Christopher Hoke was essentially Thursday Harrod), who insists on finding chosen for his service 8 p.m. Friday Daisy a chauffeur before she job because of the color 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Saturday can get in a car again. of his skin.

3 p.m. Sunday Boolie finds a driver in Hoke References to Martin Where: Lyric Theatre Colburn (Keith Johnson), a Luther King Jr. and a syn1727 NW 16th St. in Oklahoma black man not much younger agogue bombing do tie City than Daisy herself. At first Daisy and Hoke together Tickets: $40, $15 student rush Daisy flatly refuses to be driven in a larger context, but available 30 minutes before anywhere, but soon grudgmostly their connection show time ingly acquiesces and eventuis achieved through the For tickets, call 405-524-9312 ally becomes close friends with little things, like a trip to Hoke. the grocery store or a can The three-actor production of salmon. As a character is undeniably theatrical and fares much bet- study of friendship in the midst of the banal, ter stagebound than it did opened up into the “Driving Miss Daisy” succeeds rather well.

PHOTO PROVIDED

Christopher Harrod, Darrie Lawrence and Keith Johnson in a production shot from the stage version of “Driving Miss Daisy.” The play runs the rest of the week at Lyric Theater, 1727 NW 16th St. in Oklahoma City.

Lyric’s production features a trio of excellent performers, who have no trouble maintaining the intimate feel of the play even in the fairly expansive space.

Lawrence displays a bristling cantankerous wit, foiled admirably by Johnson, who lives up to the genial persona embodied by Morgan Freeman, who originated the role off-Broadway and in the film adaptation.

Harrod makes the most of his odd-manout role and gets good mileage with his exasperated demeanor.

Ultimately, “Driving Miss Daisy” doesn’t come across as ignorant, just purposefully bland. Lyric presents an assured production, but the play itself is just nice.

Dusty Somers is a journalism senior.

Gothic-grunge group gears up for second festival appearance Editor’s note: The Oklahoma Daily will feature one Oklahoma band each day leading up to Norman Music Festival.

Today’s featured artist is Norman’s own Depth & Current.

Harris said.

The new sound needed a new member, so Harris enlisted neighbor Derek Lemke, who now plays keyboards and guitar for the group.

“He ended up in the band primarily because he lived across the street from me,” ANNIKA LARSON Harris said before adding, “We had the same Daily Staff Writer music taste. I saw him at the same shows. It Take a foundation of ’80s alternative just worked out nicely.”

As an attendee of Norman Music Festival, dance music and ’90s grunge, add some Harris said he is most excited to see The PHOTO PROVIDED psychedelic and gothic influences and you’ve got Norman band Depth & Current. Sword, Evangelicals and Dirty Projectors. Depth & Current lead vocalist Chris Harris performs at the band’s EP release show in May 2009.

The local group’s performance at Norman He also urges festival-goers to check out Gentle Ghost even though Music Festival this year they play early Sunday. won’t be its first, but guiDEPTH & CURRENT AT “They’re one of the best tarist/vocalist Chris Harris NORMAN MUSIC FESTIVAL playing there, and also calls it the band’s first real probably our ‘best friend NMF show.

When: 9 p.m. Saturday band,’” Harris said. “We “We played last year want to encourage everybut it was kind of an afWhere: Opolis Stage, 113 N. one to see them.” terthought kind of thing,” Crawford Ave. He’d like you to see his Harris said. “This year is show too, though. Harris our first time with lights describes his band’s sound and fog and everything.” as coming from the influThe band has been playing together ences of 1980s college rock that his friends’ for about two years, though bassist Colin older brothers used to listen to, and the Ingersol, drummer Scott Twitchell and grunge that he and his bandmates listened Harris have a history.

Harris said they all played in another to growing up.

He says someone who likes those influband in the mid-2000s, but when that band ences should find a mix of both at the Depth dissolved, the three of them still wanted to make music together. So Depth & Current & Current show.

Depth & Current will perform at 9 p.m. was born.

Saturday on the Opolis Stage at Norman “We took some time off, regrouped, deMusic Festival. cided what we wanted to do sound-wise,”

From left: Scott Twitchell, Chris Harris, Colin Ingersol and Derek Lemke.

PHOTO PROVIDED

9

number

crisis line

[help is just a phone call away]

325-6963 (NYNE)

OU Number Nyne Crisis Line 8 p.m.-4 a.m. every day except OU holidays and breaks