The Oklahoma Daily

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MONDAY, DEC. 8, 2008 © 2008 OU Publications Board

SOONERS MAUL TIGERS AT BIG 12 CHAMPIONSHIP

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BEACH BOUND

Photo by Zach Butler/The Daily

Sooner senior defensive back Nic Harris (5) and senior offensive lineman Branndon Braxton (76) hoist the Big 12 Championship trophy after OU defeated Missouri for the conference title Saturday night in Kansas City. OU moved to No. 1 in the BCS rankings on Sunday and will play Florida for the BCS National Championship Jan. 8 in Miami.

No. 1 Sooners advance to January national title matchup against Florida in Miami JOEY HELMER The Oklahoma Daily

T

he Sooners are headed back to the beach.

OU moved to No. 1 in the BCS rankings Sunday night, a day after pummeling Big 12 North champion Missouri in the Big 12 Championship in Kansas City. The Sooners will be back in sunny South Beach for the BCS National Championship on Jan. 8, the third time in a row OU has been in the championship game when it has taken place in Miami.

OU’s win in Kansas City was its third straight Big 12 Championship.

No other program has won two in a row in the Big 12 conference.

“I’m just happy for our program,” head coach Bob Stoops said. “Again, I thanked everybody in the locker room that’s associated with our program.”

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When the Sooners lost the Red River Rivalry game to Texas in October, few would have thought it possible OU would conclude its season with a national championship game appearance.

“You have to earn it every time, and this team has persevered through a lot,” Stoops said. “We’ve fought through a lot of injuries. Again, like I said, today we fought through another one.”

On the opening kickoff of Saturday’s game, sophomore running back DeMarco Murray was undercut, and missed the rest of the game with a bruised knee.

For the first 13 minutes of the game, it looked like a defensive struggle, as the Sooners only put up a field Photos by Zach Butler/The Daily goal from redshirt freshman Jimmy ABOVE: Sooner sophomore quarterback Sam Bradford embraces head coach Bob Stevens.

But late in the first quarter, the Stoops following OU’s victory at the Big 12 Championship game Saturday. Bradford Sooners got their offense rolling when threw two touchdown passes as OU won 61-21. junior running back Chris Brown

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LEFT: Senior wide receiver Juaquin Iglesias (9) jumps into the air as he celebrates one

FOOTBALL Continues on page 2 of his two touchdown receptions in Kansas City.

3

1,000 yards rushing by two players

passing touchdowns

The 2008 squad is the first OU team since the 1970s with two 1,000-yard rushers — Chris Brown and DeMarco Murray.

Sam Bradford threw two touchdowns Saturday, bringing his career total to 84 — an OU record set in just two years.

points scored this season

points in five straight games

Big 12 conference titles

consecutive Big12 titles

The Sooners scored 62 points Saturday, making OU the highest-scoring team in NCAA history.

With their win Saturday, the Sooners became the first team to score 60 or more points in five consecutive games.

OU has now won nearly half of the championships in the history of the Big 12 Conference, with six of 13.

The Sooners have won three straight Big 12 Championships, and four titles in the past five years.

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News

Monday, Dec. 8, 2008

BCS brings big bucks to Big 12, Sooners

Xxxxxx Continued from page 1

• OU guaranteed $1.4M from BCS title game RAY MARTIN The Oklahoma Daily With OU’s 62-21 rout of Missouri on Saturday, the Sooners earned more than their sixth Big 12 title and a shot at an eighth national championship.

OU secured a spot in the Bowl Championship Series National Championship game Jan. 8 against the University of Florida Gators, an appearance which will pay significantly more than the Holiday or Cotton Bowl, possible bowl destinations for the Sooners had they lost to Missouri.

According to the BCS Web site, the 3-year-old championship game is expected to pay each school close to $17 million, which will be divided among each team in the Big 12 and Florida’s Southeastern Conference.

That means OU is guaranteed more than $1.4 million from the title game alone. Texas’ Fiesta Bowl appearance will pay about $15 million, which means OU and the other Big 12 schools each will receive an additional $1 million.

The funds don’t stop there.

OU also will receive funds from a member participation subsidy, which last year paid BCS-bound teams close to $2 million. The amount of the member participation subsidies varies depending on the prestige of the bowl, the distance required to travel to the site and the number of tickets the school is able to sell for the game.

If a school sells less than half its allotment of tickets, the conference is required to pick up the tab. If more than half of the allotment is sold, however, the participating school can retain half of the revenue made from the remaining ticket sales.

Photo by Zach Butler/The Daily

Junior running back Chris Brown (29) darts past a Missouri defender (15) during the Big 12 Championship game Saturday in Kansas City. Brown scored three touchdowns as the Sooners crushed the Tigers 61-21 for their third consecutive Big 12 title.

Football Continued from page 1 capped off an eight-play, 90-yard drive with a 4-yard touchdown run.

“I’m the biggest Chris Brown fan there is,” Stoops said. “That guy is a great player.”

Missouri fired back when senior quarterback Chase Daniel found star sophomore wide-out Jeremy Maclin for a 27-yard touchdown.

But that was all the scoring the Tigers could muster for most of the game.

In fact, that was the only time Maclin would find the end zone.

The Sooner defense held him in check throughout the contest, limiting him to 46 yards and one touchdown.

“You’ve got to give credit to the front seven,” junior cornerback Brian Jackson said. “We can’t get anything without them. We worked all week basically on just focusing on making plays. I think Maclin’s a great receiver, and everybody has their day, and I’m just glad that we came out and performed well.”

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The Sooners scored 34 unanswered points after Maclin scored early in the second quarter.

A pair of touchdown passes from sophomore quarterback Sam Bradford to Iglesias, a 12-yard touchdown run by junior running back Mossis Madu and another touchdown run by Brown, this time for 6 yards, made it 38-7 at the half.

“We have so many different weapons on offense that I think it’s really hard for a defense to double cover one guy, because if they do that they’re going to leave one-on-one matches with other guys,” Bradford said. “So, I think tonight we just did a great job of getting open and taking advantage of it.”

The Sooners tacked on a field goal to make it 41-7 before Daniel finally found another receiver for the Tigers’ second touchdown.

Junior wide receiver Tommy Saunders caught the 9-yard touchdown pass

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from Daniel.

But the Sooners weren’t done scoring yet. In fact, they had a little ways to go.

Madu sprinted in for his second score of the day, a 1-yard touchdown run to make it 48-14.

After Missouri’s Daniel found senior tight end Chase Coffman for an 8-yard touchdown pass, the Sooners prepared to make history.

Brown ran in for the score from 6 yards out, and Madu officially made OU the first team in college football history to score 60 points in five consecutive games when he broke a 37-yard touchdown run with under four minutes left.

“It’s pretty amazing,” Stoops said.

“Again, I credit Kevin Wilson, our offensive coordinator, and all our offensive coaches, and these players. Coaches have done a great job of using all of them, spreading them out and making people

defend all of them. And if you try and take one of them away, there’s two or three or four others that can equally hurt you.”

Brown and Madu each finished with more than 100 yards on the ground and three touchdowns. Brown had 122 — putting him above the 1,000-yard mark on the season — and Madu had 114.

The Sooners dominated all offensive categories, outgaining the Tigers 627 to 354 yards and managing 39 first downs to Missouri’s 20, while converting all nine of their red zone chances to points on the board — seven for touchdowns.

Bradford was 34-for-49 for 384 yards and two touchdowns.

When OU takes the field in Miami against Florida, it will try to avenge its last two national championship losses — to LSU in the 2004 Sugar Bowl and to USC in the 2005 Orange Bowl.

Ellis Goodwin, managing editor dailynews@ou.edu phone: 325-3666 fax: 325-6051 For more, go to oudaily.com.

Campus News

Monday, Dec. 8, 2008

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Students loans insulated from recession • Federal protection props up loan system in crisis LEIGHANNE MANWARREN The Oklahoma Daily Despite an economic recession, Oklahoma loan officials say college will still be affordable and within reach for students.

Officials with the Oklahoma Guaranteed Student Loan Program say loan funds will continue to be available for college bound students and their families through the Federal Family Education Loan program.

“The FFEL program community remains dedicated to providing low-cost federal education loans during these challenging economic times,” said Glen D. Johnson, Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education Chancellor in a press release. “To our knowledge, not a single student has been unable to get a federal student loan due to the current market conditions.”

As part of a U.S. Department of Education initiative, the FFEL program is the largest financial aid program in the nation and the only federal education loan

program that offers students and schools a choice in lenders, which results in competitive rates for students and has a student repayment rate of more than 94 percent, said Angela Caddell, Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education Director for Communication, Financial Education and Outreach.

“Usually with students who apply for a FFEL student loan, it is their first loan ever with no credit history and to get such high pay back rate, it is extraordinary,” Caddell said. “I think that reflects well on the FFEL community. It teaches students about financial literacy, not just with student loans but with all parts of their financial life for the rest of their lives.”

Students must fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid at the beginning of the year to be eligible for federal financial aid.

“It is the perfect time to start getting ready to fill out a FAFSA application for the next school year,” Caddell said. “Every student going into college for the 2009 fall semester should fill one out, even if a student feels like they do not qualify. Only through a FAFSA application do students know that they can qualify for federal aid, work study and grants. It is critically important to get it in as soon as possible after Jan. 1.”

For current borrowers facing economic hardships, they should contact their lend-

ers to see if they qualify for a deferment, which temporarily suspends the required payments, Caddell said. Depending on the situation, borrowers may also qualify for a forbearance or modified repayment schedule to save them from delinquency and potential bankruptcy, she said.

“With a federal student loan, student borrowers have the options of going to their lenders if they can not make payment to see if they qualify for any of these benefits, but they are not automatic,” Caddell said. “Students have to request them and it has to be the right option for the situation.”

The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education is continuing to make student loans available and OU is working closely with them to help guarantee all OU students who need financial aid receive the benefits.

“Some lenders have decided to focus on other functions and have left this market,” said OU Registrar and Associate Vice President Matt Hamilton. “But at this point it appears that there are adequate choices for Oklahoma students. Needless to say, we are monitoring these issues, and we are evaluating all options necessary to serve our students.”

The federal government has announced additional plans to help educational lenders with lines of credit, he said. The lending situation has improved over the

Merrill Jones/The Daily

Students can still find loans in the current economic crisis. Most students loans are guaranteed by the government and do not face the same credit crunch hitting other sectors. last few weeks, but OU will continue to keep an eye on the activities to make sure OU students can afford college, Hamilton said.

Students should always consider filing for federal aid before seeking out a private loan, Caddell said.

“It is really important for students to

exhaust all federal loan options before turning to private loans,” Caddell said.

“Federal loans have a lower interest rate, are more flexible repayment plans and include deferment, forbearance and loan forgiveness benefits which is good for students especially in this financial unstable time.”

International students may not be home for the holidays • International airfare rates on the rise WHITNEY ORTEGA The Oklahoma Daily

FOOTBALL STADIUM

Cheaper gas might have come just in time for Sooners driving home for break, but not everyone’s holiday travel will be cheap, especially for those who will have to travel more than fifteen hundred miles to be home for the holidays.

Plane tickets can be more than $3,000 for international students and some are deciding to stay in the country over break rather than pay steep airfare prices.

Piyamas “Ann” Saengsuri, Industrial Engineering

Master student and international student from Thailand said she will spend her birthday, without her family, in Los Angeles during the break to save money on a plane ticket. She lived in Los Angeles while she was a student at the University of California, Los Angeles and said it is like her second home, but nothing can compare to Chumpon, Thailand.

“I went back to Thailand in December 2006 when I studied at UCLA,” Saengsuri said. “I won’t go back home to Thailand during this winter holiday because I have only three weeks to be over there; it’s not enough for me. And I might have to spend a lot of money to go back home this time.”

Saengsuri has only been able to return home once in the four years she has been in the United States and said she’s getting used to missing home, but she can’t wait to experience home again.

“I want to jump into the oceans warm and clear

JENKINS

LINDSEY OU IT STORE

water and lay down on the beach,” she said. “And I miss Thai food, its authentic taste. I checked a couple of airline Web sites and the tickets are pretty high, probably because of Christmas and the New Year holiday. The cheapest ticket I found for round trip is $3,665. This made me decide to stay in the states for this holiday.”

Yahya Uyanik, an international student from Istanbul Turkey, said to him airfare is relatively reasonable this holiday season.

“Ticket’s aren’t that expensive if you compare them to other European countries,” he said. “It’s about the same.”

Americans traveling this season have it quite lucky, Uyanik said.

“I like the United States,” he said. “I like traveling here, it’s cheap.”

Uyanik will return home for the holidays because

he is an exchange student at OU, only here for one semester.

He enjoyed his stay, he said, but homesickness has taken a toll on the Turk.

“I miss Turkey, my family and friends,” Uyanik said. “I miss the friendships, it was different there. I miss foods especially, I want to go back and eat traditional foods, not hamburgers.”

Times can get rough and home isn’t exactly close by, but Saengsuri said she can’t wait to share her new knowledge with loved ones and is glad she has the opportunity.

“I think I have great opportunities in the U.S. I want to learn as much as I can about everything not just school,” said Saengsuri. “Only two more years and I will be done with graduate school. I can’t wait for that time to go back home and share my experiences and what I’ve learned with my family and friends.”

Opinion

Monday, Dec. 8, 2008 4 OUR VIEW

Hailey Branson, opinion editor dailyopinion@ou.edu phone: 325-7630, fax: 325-6051 For more, go to oudaily.com.

Pregnancy discrimination intolerable Discrimination in the work regarding pregnancy discriminaplace is always inexcusable, no tion in Oklahoma more than doumatter what the reabled between the years son. But one type of OUR VIEW 1998 and 2007. (See discrimination that page 8 for details.) is an editorial is not as blatant as This type of disselected and debated racism and sexism crimination is difficult by the editorial board and written after a may be on the rise in to identify because majority opinion is Oklahoma. It is disfinding it is not as formed and approved crimination against easy as looking at an by the editor. Our View pregnant women and employee roster for is The Daily’s official women with children. the appropriate proopinion.

The number of comportions of minorities plaints filed with the and men and women.

Equal Opportunity Commission It is unfair to women who are

pregnant, who are planning to get pregnant or who have children already that they have to worry about losing their jobs for the “crime” of getting pregnant.

With a child on the way, the added stress of planning to provide for a family despite a loss of income can be unhealthy for the mother and the child.

It also is unfair for employers to assume women will not be productive, loyal employees simply because they become pregnant or because they are raising

children.There are plenty of lazy, childless workers and plenty of dedicated employees with full houses.

Not only is this form of discrimination unfair, but it also is illegal. When interviewing potential employees for jobs, employers cannot ask if a woman is pregnant or planning to become pregnant.

And, just like it is illegal for employers to fire their employees based on the color of their skin, their gender or their age,

STAFF COLUMN

Evolution credibility marred by lack of facts Most people in the United States do not accept the validity of evolution.

A study published in 2005 by the American Association for the Advancement of Science surveyed the frequency of acceptance of evolution across the United States, Japan and 32 European nations.

In this study, the U.S. ranked second to last in acceptance of evolution, above Turkey but below Cyprus.

ZAC It is my observation that most of those who reject SMITH evolution and accept creationism usually hold fundamental misconceptions about the nature of evolution. All too often, these misconceptions are deliberately propagated by those who stand to profit from the creationist cause.

If creationists would trouble themselves to learn the basic facts of evolution from a credible source, much of the acrimonious debate that has surrounded the creation/ evolution controversy would disappear.

Briefly, evolution refers to the change in frequencies of different versions of genes in populations over time. These changes in frequency are most notably caused by environmental pressures.

For example, a shortage of food is relatively unlikely to cause an elimination of those who possess a gene that allows them to smell out food more effectively. A shortage of females unlikely to cause an elimination of those males who possess a gene that allows them to produce more eye-catching mating displays.

The possessors of these genes are more likely to reproduce and to pass these genes on to their offspring. Assuming the environment does not change, these genes are likely to spread further with the next generation.

The theory of evolution by natural selection, as proposed by Charles Darwin and redefined by modern scientists to include genetic mutations is a framework of ideas used to explain the observed fact of change over time. Thus, evolution is not just a theory; it is both a theory and a fact.

One might liken it to the germ theory of disease. The germ theory of disease is a theory, but the occurrence of disease is an observed fact.

If creationists would trouble themselves to learn the basic facts of evolution from a credible source, much of the acrimonious debate that has surrounded the creation/evolution controversy would disappear.

The theory of evolution does not touch on the origin of life (abiogenesis), the beginning of the universe or anything outside of changes in the frequencies of different versions of genes in populations over time.

It’s also worth noting that the theory of evolution is descriptive, not prescriptive.

That is, it is a record of the way things are, not a commentary on the way things should be.

Some creationists promote the idea that evolution somehow dictates that we should eliminate those who are “unfit,” and go on to associate acceptance of evolution with eugenics. However, anyone with a strong understanding of science should be able to tell that the theory of evolution no more prescribes that we exterminate the disabled than the theory of gravity prescribes that we be attracted to massive people.

There also seems to be widespread misunderstanding about the theory of evolution’s status within the scientific community. While there are many debates over various details of the workings of evolution, there is no controversy within the scientific establishment regarding evolution’s overall validity While young-earth creationism may be virtually mainstream in the American public, it is a fringe perspective among biologists.

A 1991 Gallup poll showed that, among American scientists working in fields relevant to evolutionary biology, less than .15 percent are creationists or believe that creationism has any scientific validity. I would expect this number to be even lower in most other industrialized nations.

The reason for this far-reaching certainty is simple: Evolution is supported by overwhelming amounts of virtually incontrovertible evidence. Moreover, no credible evidence refutes it. Unfortunately, the common misconceptions regarding the evidence for

evolution are too numerous to be addressed here. However, there are a few points which deserve special mention.

One claim frequently made by prominent creationist mouthpieces such as Answers in Genesis is that there are no transitional fossils which illustrate the gradual speciation.

Though it’s an objection I hear often, it’s simply not true. Smooth continua of intermediate species can be demonstrated between fish and tetrapods, reptiles and mammals, and chimps and Homo sapiens.

Of particular interest to creationists should be the Tiktaalik, a fossilized animal which might be roughly described as a fish with feet.

It’s fairly illustrative of the many transitional fossils which you’ll never see mentioned by Answers in Genesis.

Another particularly clinching proof of evolution can be found with retroviruses.

Retroviruses, upon infection, splice their DNA into their host’s genome.

Sometimes this chunk of DNA is passed down from the host to its descendants.

Many instances of retrogenes common to both chimpanzees and humans, for example, provide compelling evidence for descent.

On the other hand, had God simultaneously poofed everything into existence 6,012 years ago, the presence of this retroviral DNA which seemingly allows us to view evolution would be incomprehensible.

There’s much more I wish I could cover, but, unfortunately, evolution is too complex a topic to be fully addressed via a column.

With any luck, acquaintance with the facts will eventually persuade America’s non-evolutionist majority to reexamine its position.

Zac Smith is a University College sophomore. His column appeared every other Monday.

it is illegal for them to fire a woman because she is pregnant or because she has children at home.

Pregnancy and motherhood do not automatically make a woman a bad employee. Women have been juggling the responsibilities of work and family for thousands of years — and they’ve been doing it well.

Men are not fired when their wives become pregnant or because they have children at home. Women should not be

either.

Terminations should be based on job performance only.

If a woman cannot juggle her family and career and the quality of her work suffers, then she should be fired.

But that decision should only be based on what she does in the work place, not what an employer imagines she is coping with at home.

YOUR VIEWS Column confirms cold shoulder break-up Eric Combs’ column ‘Don’t be tacky when breaking a heart’ was really great, One of my friends recommended I pick up the paper to read the column because I seem to have been a recent victim of the first brutal break-up method: the cold shoulder.

Friends had tried to counsel me, saying it was probably a misunderstanding.

At first, they said, “Oh, his phone is probably broken,” then, “He’s probably with family for the holidays,” and now, finally, “Perhaps he’s dead.”

Well, either way, he’s definitely not been calling or texting me back.

Combs’ column has confirmed for me that I should probably give up hope of hearing from this guy ever again.

Is it truly tragic that I am hoping to UPGRADE to brutal break-up method three: the break-up text message.

Yes, being both foolish and female, I decided it was a good idea to text him and ask if he did want to see me again. I didn’t even get a reply to that, though.

I handed him a golden opportunity to reply with a simple “No” or perhaps a nice “Screw you,” and even that wasn’t deemed worthy of a reply.

I met the guy in question at a costume party. An inspired and rockin’ costume apparently does not guarantee a fifth date. At least I know for next time.

By sharing my sad story, I am making an impassioned plea to all of the OU guys out there: Please, be a man when ditching your date.

Telling her you don’t want to see her anymore might be awkward, but it’s undoubtedly a lot less awkward than the ensuing round of texts and voicemails from a hopeful young lady asking if you’re free at the weekend, dwindling gradually into ‘So...what happened to you?’

Thank you, Eric Combs, for waking me up to the sad truth. I have been dumped.

Charlotte Wainright Meteorology graduate student

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STAFF COLUMN

No matter the circumstances, a bit of fun important

I N D E P E N D E N T

has ever taken finals.

That negativity is not good.

There’s way too much of it in the world already. Just pick up a newspaper or book, and there it is.

It’s important to understand the severity of the situations we will be forced to face in the months and possibly years to come, but it’s also important to remember to chill out and spread a little happiness.

A key to surviving the crazy times we’re probably bound for is resilience.

One definition of resilience is the ability to adjust easily to misfortune or change — and the times indeed are changing.

It’s important to find balance in the crazy times in which we live.

Reading the news each morning can be a downer, but it’s necessary. Going to class, preparing for and taking finals can be stressful, but doing so is necessary.

S T U D E N T

V O I C E

NEWSROOM DIRECTORY Meredith Simons Ellis Goodwin Nanette Light Amanda Turner Nijim Dabbour Hailey Branson Amy Frost

Editor-in-Chief Managing Editor Assistant Managing Editor Night Editor Assistant Night Editor Opinion Editor Photo Editor

Dane Beavers Kevin Hahn Corey DeMoss Adam Kohut Judy Gibbs Robinson R.T. Conwell

Senior Online Editor Multimedia Editor Sports Editor A&E Editor Editorial Adviser Advertising Manager

It is...necessary to enjoy the simple and not so simple joys that life can bring, even in the midst of high stress.

However, it is also necessary to enjoy the simple and not so simple joys that life can bring, even in the midst of high stress.

The average American woman will only live about 78 years. If you’re a man, you have closer to 75. Those years of your life will go by much quicker than you think.

Do you want to remember how stressed you were during those decades of your life, or do you want to remember how you lived a happy life even in the midst of the craziest times?

You have even more of a responsibility to have fun because of recent British stud-

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160 Copeland Hall 860 Van Vleet Oval Norman, Okla.

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T H E The Fine Print:

T H E

everyone should pause to think about what’s most important in life: having fun.

And I don’t mean having fun in a hedonistic, irresponsible way.

I mean that, after or while people are being responsible and seeing to their duties, they should take time out to enjoy the life they’re living.

One of the best pieces of advice I received this year was from a friend who told me, “If you’re not having a good time, you’re wasting your time.”

If you’re stressed out and freaking out, you’re doing a disservice to yourself and others.

You’re also wasting valuable time and energy that you could be spending doing something else.

There’s nothing worse than when you’re calm and someone starts freaking out about how stressful finals are, as if he or she is the only one who

Contact Us:

This year has been oddly Dickensian for me.

It’s been the best of times — and the worst of times.

I feel like my life this year has been the epitome of these famous lines.

And I know I’m not alone.

KAYLE We’re seeing BARNES many historic changes that are interesting to experience, though they also can be overwhelming.

We’re facing a change in the presidency, a changing global role and a recession that doesn’t seem to be going anywhere soon.

And we’re facing finals on top of everything else.

In the midst of the turmoil of life and the ever-increasing reality of adulthood, I think

ies that have shown that happiness can be contagious within three degrees of separation.

Weigh that figure in your head with the fact that the adult suicide rate is up and morale is down, and you’ll know what you need to do: Go have fun.

It will help you, and it will probably help others because you will be happy.

When possible, say yes when your friends ask you to go out.

Say yes to the countless holiday parties that will probably fill your next week and a half.

They may keep you busy, but they’ll definitely cheer you up in the midst of studying for

U N I V E R S I T Y

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

Letters should concentrate on issues, not personalities, and should be fewer than 250 words, typed, double spaced and signed by the author(s).

Letters will be cut to fit. Students must list their major and classification. OU staff and faculty must list their title. All letters must include a daytime phone number. Authors submitting letters in person must present photo identification. Submit letters Sunday

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those pesky finals.

Say yes to the new friend who insists on toasting to having fun.

It’s important to take life seriously, but don’t take it so seriously that it prevents you from living well.

Think about this advice from author Victor’s Hugo: “Have courage for the great sorrows in life and patience for the small ones; and when you have laboriously accomplished your daily tasks, go to sleep in peace.”

Kayle Barnes is a professional writing senior. Her column usually appeared every other Tuesday.

O K L A H O M A

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

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

Editorial Board members are The Daily’s editorial staff.

The board meets 1 p.m. Sundays in 160 Copeland Hall.

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

Corey DeMoss, sports editor dailysports@ou.edu phone: 325-7630, fax: 325-6051 For more, go to oudaily.com.

STAFF COLUMN

OU has too many storylines to count or the first time in a long time, I found myself somewhat speechless after an OU game. With the Sooners on the brink of playing for their eighth national title, I’m not sure what to discuss.

But I don’t think it is because of the lack of good topics; it may actually be due to a surplus.

Heading into an OU-Florida national championship game, the storylines are endless.

Will Sam Bradford win the Heisman? Will his surgery go as smoothly as planned? Is he the best OU quarterback ever?

Is this the best offense ever? They’ve scored 702 points in 13 games. Bradford is going to set a STEVEN record for pass efficiency. Could anyone predict those kind of numbers?

JONES Bradford has 48 touchdowns to six interceptions (several of which bounced off his receivers’ hands). And then there are the two 1000-yard rushers in the backfield. And Mossis Madu looked darn good Saturday.

What about the injuries? That’s a storyline too. Let’s count the guys who have missed significant time: Auston English, Frank Alexander, Ryan Reynolds, Austin Box, DeMarcus Granger, DeMarco Murray, Manuel Johnson and Brody Eldridge.

That’s some pretty decent resiliency.

Then there’s the game that will be played in January. Two prolific offenses that could potentially be lead by two Heisman Trophy winners. Tim Tebow said at one point that he’d like to play against the Big 12’s defenses. That sounds like bulletin board material.

And OU needs bulletin board material now more than ever.

This defense has given up more points than any OU defense under Stoops. This defense plays great in some games, and inexplicably poor in others.

Still, they play hard. Make big hits. Force turnovers. Was that a great performance against Missouri — with no Austin Box, mind you — or what? Nic Harris playing like Roy Williams. Quentin Carter filling in and putting big hits on people. And when Mike Balogun was in there, I didn’t really notice. That’s a good thing.

What about Travis Lewis? He came out of nowhere and had an incredible freshman season. But shouldn’t we expect this by now?

Every year there’s a new linebacker putting up huge numbers.

But back to the title game. How about this irony: at the end of this season, OU will have played three neutral field games: against Texas in Dallas, Missouri in Kansas City and against Florida in Miami. Bad luck, huh?

And what is Bob Stoops going to do to prepare for this game?

He said after last year’s Fiesta Bowl that the staff would look into changing how they prepare for the bowl games because of their well-documented BCS bowl struggles. We’ll see.

Although it seems like waiting until Jan. 8 is just too long, at least it will give us plenty of time to discuss all these stories. I hope.

F

— STEVEN JONES IS A LANGUAGE ARTS EDUCATION JUNIOR.

Sports

5

Monday, Dec. 8, 2008

Stoops ready for challenge • OU and Florida prepare to play each other for first time COREY DEMOSS The Oklahoma Daily OU’s trip to Miami for the BCS Championship will feature two of the most electric offenses in the nation, two previous championshipwinning coaches and two leading Heisman Trophy candidates.

And head coach Bob Stoops said Sunday that he is excited for the Jan. 8 contest to arrive, particularly because the Sooners are on such a hot streak.

“It’s a great opportunity, and I’ve loved the way our team has really played the last three or four weeks,” Stoops said. “It’s peaked at the right time, and I know they’re anxious and excited at the opportunity.”

OU is the only team this season to average 50 points per game and the only team in NCAA history to score more than 700 points in a season. Only one other school — Tulsa — has scored more than 600 points this season.

Florida has also put up outstanding offensive numbers, ranking third in the nation with 45.15 points per game. Stoops said he is aware of how effective the Gators can be, but said he hasn’t had enough time to fully analyze them. “[The BCS Championship selection] just happened today,” Stoops said. “We haven’t seen them yet. I haven’t gotten a chance to really see many of their games at all, all year.

I know they’re talented, I know they’re fast, I see enough highlights to see all of their skill and speed.”

Florida is coming off a 31-20 victory over then-No. 1 Alabama in the SEC championship.

For much of the year, the Big 12 and SEC have proven to be the nation’s two dominant conferences, but Stoops said he doesn’t think that automatically makes their champions the nation’s two best teams.

For more coverage, visit oudaily.com

Michelle Gray/The Daily

Head coach Bob Stoops addresses the media during a press conference Sunday. Stoops said his team is excited and ready to take on Florida in the national title.

“It depends on what their records are. You’re going to have some [conference] champions a lot of times that have a couple losses,” he said.

“There are some other really good football teams out there — Penn State, USC — it’s hard to deny how well those guys have played too.”

Before last season’s Fiesta Bowl against West Virginia, Stoops used receiver Ryan Broyles in practice to mirror the speed and athleticism of West Virginia’s Pat White.

This year, Stoops jokingly said he will use fullback Matt Clapp to reflect the power of Florida quarterback Tim Tebow.

“We need a big, physical guy,” Stoops said. “I don’t know that Matt can throw like [Tebow].

In fact, I know he can’t.”

When gameday finally does arrive, Stoops will be playing against the team for which he

coached for three years. Stoops was defensive coordinater for the Gators from 1996-98.

“I have a lot of close associations there, everyone knows that,” Stoops said. “But the good thing, and I’ve said this before, the good thing if you were playing your brother or someone you knew really well in this situation, the positive is one of you has to win.”

The OU and Florida programs have played a combined 2,193 games, but they have never played each other.

Regardless of which team wins, a head coach will make history. Stoops and Florida’s Urban Meyer have each won a BCS Championship, but no coach has ever won two.

“It’s been obvious for quite a while, just the parity and how difficult it is,” Stoops said.

“There are a lot of good teams and good players, and it’s not easy to do it.”

Sooners defeat Tulsa

Women roll

Wrestling edges OSU

The OU men’s basketball team traveled to Tulsa Sunday and defeated the Golden Hurricane 69-44 behind sophomore Blake Griffin’s 29 points and nine rebounds.

Courtney Paris extended her double-double streak to 100 games with 24 points and 10 rebounds Sunday during OU’s 87-57 road victory over Arkansas State.

The No. 20 OU wrestling team defeated No. 9 Oklahoma State 18-15 Sunday in Norman, marking the first time since 1993 the Sooners have won back-to-back bouts with OSU.

Win $10,000 2008-2009 men’s basketball to help spread peace! men’s basketball student season ticket holders,

The Davis United World College Scholars is offering $10,000 awards to 100 undergraduate students or groups of students, at participating colleges and universities, to design and implement a project to promote peace.

Projects must be done during the summer of 2009. They can be anywhere in the world, as long as they promote peace.

The second pick up for men’s basketball will begin online at on

Sunday, December 7 at 5 p.m.

Games available during this pick up will be Coppin State, Maryland Eastern Shore, Texas, and Nebraska. The Men’s Basketball Student Season Ticket distribution for these games will end on Wednesday, December 10 at 3 p.m. online and 5 p.m. at the Athletics Ticket Office.

Jan. 3 Coppin State 12:30 p.m.

The possibilities are endless. Judging is based on projects that are most promising and can be completed.

Jan. 5 Maryland Eastern Shore 7:00 p.m.

Jan. 12 Texas 8:00 p.m.

All undergraduates at OU are eligible to apply.

Deadline for applications is Jan. 19, 2009.

For more information email: davispeaceprojects@ou.edu

Jan. 21 Nebraska 8:00 p.m.

Please visit

for more information.

6

Classifieds

Monday, Dec. 8, 2008

PLACE AN AD Phone 405.325.2521

E-Mail classifieds@ou.edu

Fax

Announcements ENTERTAINMENT 2009 spring break taste of Ireland, 6 days, air, lodging, private bus, meals, and certified Irish guides, room for 50 people on special rate, 1st deposit due mid Jan. 2009. for more info call 3308068 or www.scissortailtravel.com

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Office

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Display Ad. . . . .3 days prior Classified Display or Classified Card Ad are due 3 days prior to publication date.

PAYMENT s r

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FURNITURE Solid Oak Table, Six Chairs, and Server $575.

Chaise Lounge $150. Queen Sleeper Sofa $275.

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MISC. FOR SALE FOR SALE pool table $300, FOR SALE 14’ Aluminum boat, 15hp electric start motor, and trailer $1250. 100cc pocket crotch rocket bike $225.

Call 360-1937

C Transportation AUTO INSURANCE

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

Employment HELP WANTED

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Male needed to work with male individual with developmental disabilities. &7.50/hr to start. Paid training. Please call Panhandle Opportunities at 942-4822 or fax resume to 942-4993.

Bartending! Up to $250/day. No exp nec. Training provided. 1-800-965-6520, x133.

High energy waitstaff wanted! Buffalo Wild Wings Grill & Bar. Apply in person: I-40 & Rockwell.

We pay up to $75.00 per online survey! www.cashtospend.com.

J Housing Rentals APTS. FURNISHED Walk to Campus -3 bdrm. apt $600 a month -1 bdrm. apt $350 a month -1 bdrm. all bills paid $475 a month (duplex) Call Sharon 397-3200 at Metro Brokers

TM

Employment

Payment Payment is required at the time the ad is placed. Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express; cash, money orders or local checks accepted.

Credit Accounts Businesses may be eligible for credit in a limited, local billing area. Please inquire with Business Office at 405.325.2521.

RATES Line Ads Rates are determined by the price per line, per day. There is a two line minimum charge; approximately 40 characters per line, including spaces and punctuation.

1 day ............. $4.25/line 2 days ........... $2.50/line 3-4 days........ $2.00/line 5-9 days........ $1.50/line 10-14 days.... $1.15/line 15-19 days.... $1.00/line 20-29 days.... $ .90/line 30+ days ..... $ .85/line

HELP WANTED Now hiring lifeguard, swim instructors, and AM pool managers. Apply at the Cleveland County Family YMCA, 1350 Lexington Ave. EOE.

2 bedrms starting at $299 lease today, move in tomorrow! Call 366-0999. $400, bills paid, efficiency LOFT apartments, downtown over Mister Robert Furniture, 109 E Main, fire sprinkler, no pets, smoke-free. Inquire store office.

APTS. UNFURNISHED

DEVELOPMENTAL MATH LAB INSTRUCTOR needed at Oklahoma City Community College www.occcjobs.com/hr

VERY NICE!!!, 800 sf, 1 bdrm, living room, kitchen, bth, wood floors, 1 block OU, 1018 S College, $275/mo. Call 306-1970 or 360-2873.

Seeking part time and full time employees visit boomerbooks.com to apply.

1/2 OFF 1ST MONTHS RENT Dec. & Jan. Move-ins only! $99 DEPOSIT! PETS WELCOME! Models open 8a-8p Everyday!

1&2 bedrooms available!

Elite Properties 360-6624 or www.elite2900.com

Financial institution has immediate opening for an experienced teller. Previous banking experience or experience in retail is preferred. Strong customer service skills req. Earn monthly performance incentives in addition to salary. Part time positions available. Apply in person at First Bank & Trust Co., 2330 36th Ave NW, Norman or send resume to Human Resources, PO Box 580, Duncan,OK 73534. EOE, M/F/D/V. Make up to $75 per online survey www.cashtospend.com.

America’s FAST LANE is now hiring lube techs, car wash attendants, service advisors, cashiers, and management trainees. Full and part-time positions are available with no experience necessary. Fast Lanes offers competitive pay, flexible schedules, and opportunity for advancement. Apply in person at 1235 West Main Street, Norman OK or call 321-5260.

Walk to Campus!

Efficiency $375/MO. + 1/2 OFF 1st MO. RENT. Water/Sewage/Trash Paid.

Corner of Boyd and College.

For more info contact Elite Properties at 360-6624.

J Housing Rentals

NEAR OU, nice 2 bd, 1 bth Duplex, carpet, CH/A, w/d hkup, $425/mo, $300/dep, no pets. Ref req.

329-5568 or 496-3993, lv msg.

HOUSES FURNISHED Restored 5 bedroom bungalow with hardwood floors & central heat and air. $1000 a month.

Sharon at Metro Brokers 397-3200.

2 bdrm house, 4 blks to OU, wood floors, CH/A, stove, refrig, w/d, no pets, $600/mo. Call BOB, MISTER ROBERT FURNITURE, 321-1818.

2709 Deer Chase Cir., 4bd, 21/2 bth, loft overlooks family room, 3 car garage 329-2310.

NOW LEASING FOR MAY 2009, nice 3 bed brick houses 1 & 2 blks west of OU on College or Chautauqua Ave. call BOB Mister Robert Furniture 109 E. Main 321-1818, or stop by to apply for other sizes.

TOWNHOUSES UNFURNISHED Griffin Park Townhouse, 2 bdrm, 1.5 bath, combined living and dining room, all appliances, furnished/unfurnished, neutral colors. 329-2310.

ROOMMATES WANTED One roommate needed for spring semester, 5 min walk to campus, room has private bathroom, $290/mo + utilities. Call (972) 533-7429.

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Housing Sales

CONDOS 2 bdrm, 1.5 bath, 928 sf, upstairs with brand new carpet and tile, 1 mile to OU, $39,000. Holly Van Auken, Dillard Group, 326-1999.

HOUSES FIRE YOUR LANDLORD! OWN YOUR OWN HOME! GET A DOG! One bed home, totally new throughout including kitchen and bath. Payments cheaper than rent. $58900 sales price. Gwen @ Metro Brokers of OK 820-5454 (B/O)

oudaily.com

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 405.325.2521 before the deadline for cancellation in the next issue. Refunds will not be issued for early cancellation.

Errors not the fault of the advertiser will be adjusted.

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.

Help Wanted ads in The Oklahoma Daily are not classified as to gender.

Advertisers understand that they may not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion or gender unless such qualifying factors are essential to a given position.

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

1

7 8

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

Previous Solution 1 4 3 5 6 9 2 8 7

6 8 2 1 4 7 9 3 5

7 5 9 8 2 3 1 4 6

8 1 7 6 9 2 4 5 3

5 2 4 7 3 8 6 1 9

9 3 6 4 1 5 8 7 2

4 9 1 3 7 6 5 2 8

2 7 8 9 5 1 3 6 4

3 6 5 2 8 4 7 9 1

Difficulty Schedule: Monday - Very Easy Tuesday - Easy Wednesday - Easy Thursday - Medium Friday - Hard

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

Universal Crossword Edited by Timothy E. Parker December 08, 2008

ACROSS 1 Cakes with kicks 6 Vending machine reject 10 Moniker 14 Rocky prominence 15 Uruguay currency 16 Horse track shape 17 Stock market offering?

18 It often comes before many words 19 Muddy the waters 20 Fluctuating fortunes 23 Phencyclidine, on the street 25 Gloomy fellow 26 Bearing a heavy load 27 Delphi prophet 29 Diner order (with “the”) 32 Cultural dish?

33 Formicary denizens 34 Fourth notes in a scale 37 Gloater’s remark 41 “Reach for the ___!” (oater phrase) 42 Toss with a spatula 43 Blood vessel that begins at the heart 44 ___ it up (celebrate

Game Sponsorships

POLICY

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

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

Classified Card Ads are $170 per column inch with a minimum of 2 column inchs and run 20 consecutive issues. Ad copy may change every five issues.

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small step no. 34

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R.T. Conwell, advertising manager classifieds@ou.edu phone: 325-2521, fax: 325-7517 For more, go to oudaily.com.

Hazing?

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Report incidents at:

325-5000

All calls are anonymous.

The University of Oklahoma is an Equal Opportunity Institution.

noisily) 46 Sundial’s shadow caster 47 Not docked 50 Air traffic agcy.

51 “___ not what your country …”

52 Prepare for unpleasantness 57 Not yet risen 58 There’s love lost between them 59 That’s just like ewe 62 Thoroughbred’s poppa 63 Creatures studied by Goodall and Fossey 64 “Not on your life!”

65 Horse height unit 66 Like Santa’s cheeks 67 Famous Garbo DOWN 1 ___-relief (sculpture style) 2 Class with models 3 It has a high rate of turnover 4 To___(precisely) 5 Harem 6 Roasting rods 7 Letterman rival 8 SALT participant

9 10 11 12 13 21 22 23 24 28 29 30 31 33 34 35 36

Silly goose Common Sidestep Stephen King writes here Barkin or Zwilich Look for damages Cookbook phrase They’re elected in conclaves Old floorboard sound Rend the air Not cool Porch adjunct NAFTA signer Woody Guthrie’s heir Developmental (as years) Rush hour accumulation Performed awfully

PREVIOUS PUZZLE ANSWER

© 2008 Universal Press Syndicate www.upuzzles.com

“FARE GAME” by Henry Quarters

Pre-Leasing for January www.oig.biz

One Bedroom

$ 415 per month

Office Hours: M-F 9-6, Sat 10-3 1149 E. Brooks • 364-5622

Previous Answers

38 Strange sighting in the night sky 39 Skedaddled 40 Likewise 44 Tended one’s garden 45 Part of a Santa costume 46 One in pigtails 47 Destroy one’s selfconfidence 48 Fibula’s companion 49 Iron-fisted 50 Fastidious 53 Catch wind of 54 Industry showcase 55 Flower fanciers 56 Incessantly 60 Aquarium implement 61 Reagan or Christian

Arts & Entertainment

Adam Kohut, A&E editor dailyent@ou.edu phone: 325-5189, fax: 325-6051 For more, go to oudaily.com.

7

Monday, Dec. 8, 2008

Q&A with the cast of ‘The Day the Earth Stood Still’ •The Daily’s Luke Atkinson participated in a conference call interview with Keanu Reeves, Jennifer Connelly and Jon Hamm, the stars of the remake of “The Day the Earth Stood Still.”

Photo provided

“The Day the Earth Stood Still” follows Klaatu (Reeves), the representative of an alien race who comes to Earth to assess whether humanity can prevent further environmental damage to their planet. Klaatu already has a negative opinion of humans, and when barred from addressing the United Nations, decides they shall be exterminated so the planet — with its rare ability to sustain complex life — can survive. It is up to Dr. Helen Benson (Connelly) and her stepson Jacob (Jaden Smith) to convince Klaatu that humans are worth saving. “The Day the Earth Stood Still” hits theaters Friday.

The original version of this film was a big hit. Had any of you seen the original film prior to reading the script?

Photo provided

Jennifer Connelly and Keanu Reeves star in the remake of the 1951 science fiction film “The Day the Earth Stood Still.” The film hits theaters Friday.

Jennifer Connelly: I hadn’t seen it but soon after reading the script, I watched it. I am a big fan of it. Really great film.

Keanu Reeves: When I was nine or ten years old, I saw it in black and white. How about that? The score of the film was very striking. I saw it again before production and the political issues, irony and humor really stood out.

TV. Everybody was incredibly cool and respectful.

independence. Do you like the strong female character?

KR: Yeah. In terms of challenges, there is a lot of pressure on director [Scott Derrickson.] He had to remake an American classic. Even though we sweated our roles, he probably had a cold sweat at night.

JC: Well, I’ve played a few characters that were a mess, too. I think it is interesting, personally, and just as fun if they are well put together or falling apart. I like this woman; she has a lot of merit.

Jon, you’ve done more work in television than in film. Is your career shifting into Hollywood blockbusters?

Do you believe in life on other planets?

JH: I don’t know, it’s not truly up to me. I just like to do things that are interesting and challenging on TV and film.

JH: I think the numbers are such that there has to be! I hope they are nice.

Were there any difficulties during production?

This film contains a lot of big special effects. How does that differ from your TV projects?

JC: I’m the same way. The film didn’t affect my line of thought.

It makes good sense to me.

JC: No, I had a great time. There’s always pressure and expectations in making a film, but it was nice. I thought the film went well; the cast did well. Weirdly pleasant.

JH: It’s a matter of scale, really, in terms of budget, crew and such. The approach is the same: make it believable, much like on TV. Fundamentally, not much changes.

— LUKE ATKINSON IS A IS A BROADCAST AND ELECTRONIC MEDIA JUNIOR.

Jon Hamm: I’m surprised at how pleasant it was, since I’ve done more

Jennifer, lately you have played a lot of roles with an element of

The original film had themes of impending nuclear war during the Cold War. Is the remake modernized to fit with new societal problems?

KR: Yeah, there is still a military aspect to it. In the film, it has the aspect of the American military: shoot first, then ask questions later.

HOROSCOPE

By Bernice Bede Osol

Copyright 2008, Newspaper Enterprise Assn.

WANT MORE A&E?

Monday, Dec. 8, 2008

Visit oudaily.com for more Arts & Entertainment content, including this week’s “What to Watch” and The Daily’s profile of Chris Lockwood, an OU Ph.D. student recently appointed as Editor-in-Chief of “Muscle & Fitness” and “Muscle & Fitness HERS” magazines.

now hiring

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23-Dec. 21) -- When it comes to managing things for others, there’s no doubt that you’ll be extremely competent; yet in handling your own resources, you’re likely to be careless -- or even a complete failure.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) -- Although your common sense will handle a tricky development, you might ignore your insight and do the wrong thing -- all because you think it makes you look good in the eyes of friends.

coming soon

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) -Be careful not to exaggerate the potential of a venture in which you’re trying to interest others.

Overselling could lose them, while underplaying things could get their attention.

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PISCES (Feb. 20-March 20) -Be optimistic and positive about your hopes, but not to the point of exaggerating your possibilities. You’ll be disappointed if events don’t live up to your false expectations.

ARIES (March 21-April 19) -- Although you might feel things are going your way, don’t depend on luck and chance as a substitute for common sense and hard work. Fate could be fickle.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20) -Do not make changes in a matter that is presently running smoothly just because it’s beginning to bore you. You could find yourself hitting a dead end instead of an open road.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20) -- A friend might unintentionally draw you into what he or she thinks is a small matter only to discover later that things are more complicated. It could be left to you to straighten things out.

CANCER (June 21-July 22) -Should a well-intentioned friend take it upon himself or herself to make a commitment on your behalf without your approval, don’t hesitate to nip it in the bud.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) -- Be extra careful when working on something that demands close scrutiny, because your attention span might not be up to its usual focus. If you catch yourself drifting off course, shelve the job until another day.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) -Expect to come out on the short end of the stick when the rewards are being passed out, especially if you’ve been indifferent in your participation throughout the entire project. You’ll get what you gave.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23) -- Do not agree to make a commitment with another if you don’t have a calendar handy. You’ll place yourself in an awkward position if you’ve forgotten another appointment that’s impossible to break.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 22) -- Strangely, you’re likely to be alert to small financial or career gains, but when it comes to larger opportunities, you could be asleep at the switch. Be on your toes with both pounds and pennies.

8

News Briefs

Monday, Dec. 8, 2008

STATE BRIEF Pregnancy discrimination in the work place up statewide OKLAHOMA CITY — Complaints filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission regarding pregnancy discrimination have more than doubled in Oklahoma from 1998 to 2007.

Oklahoma is one of 13 states who have seen increases at that rate, according to a report from the National Partnership for Women and Families.

“I think it could have something to do with the economy,” said Jack Vasquez Jr., the acting director of the Oklahoma Area EEOC Office. “Obviously a lot of employees are being laid off and less and less employees are being hired. Could that be because employers are being discriminatory? ... Yeah.

NATIONAL BRIEF Obama: Economy to get worse before it gets any better

payer money is at stake in a rescue plan, there must be some guarantee of a viable industry that emerges.

Congress and the Bush administration are working on legislation to give the Big 3 automakers roughly $15 billion in loans. Legislation could pass as early as this week.

Obama made the comments in an interview with NBC’s “Meet the Press.”

WORLD BRIEFS Trucks torched at Pakistan terminal en rout to Afghanistan NATO forces PESHAWAR, Pakistan — Pakistani police say suspected militants have killed a policeman and torched 62 trucks at a terminal used to supply NATO and U.S. troops in Afghanistan.

Police official Kashif Alam says about 30 assailants attacked the terminal near the northwestern city of Peshawar with rockets and guns early Sunday.

Alam says fire engulfed 62 trucks and containers likely carrying supplies to foreign forces in Afghanistan.

A series of similar attacks in recent weeks have raised concern that Taliban militants are seeking to disrupt what is a vital supply line for NATO and U.S. forces through the Khyber Pass.

WASHINGTON — President-elect Barack Obama says the economy is going to get worse before it gets better.

There are about six weeks before his inauguration and Obama says his top priority is to have an econom- Riots break out in 2 Greek cities ic recovery plan that is equal to the task ahead.

Obama also wants to make sure the domestic auto after teen killed by police industry doesn’t disappear. But he says that if taxATHENS, Greece — Hundreds of youths angered by

the fatal police shooting of a teenager rampaged through Greece’s two largest cities for a second day Sunday in some of the worst rioting the country has seen in years.

Gangs smashed stores, torched cars and erected burning barricades in the streets of Athens and Thessaloniki. Riot police clashed with groups of mostly self-styled anarchists throwing Molotov cocktails, rocks and bottles. Clouds of tear gas hung in the air, sending passers-by scurrying for cover.

Rioting in several cities, including Hania in Crete and cities in northern Greece, began within hours of the death Saturday night of a 15-year-old shot by police in Exarchia. The downtown Athens district of bars, music clubs and restaurants is seen as the anarchists’ home base.

BAILOUT BLUES

Indian official denies threatening call to Pakistani president NEW DELHI — India’s foreign minister has denied making a phone call to Pakistan’s president at the height of the Mumbai attacks that led to Pakistan putting its air force on alert.

Pakistan says President Asif Ali Zardari received a “threatening” call during the crisis, apparently from Indian External affair minister Pranab Mukherjee.

Pakistan’s Dawn newspaper says the call was a hoax.

Reacting for the first time to the report, Mukherjee says in a statement Sunday that “I had made no such telephone call.”

— AP

AP Photo

Mario Neria stands in the doorway at the Republic Windows and Doors factory Saturday in Chicago. Workers laid off from their jobs at the factory have occupied the building since Friday and are demanding assurances they’ll get severance and vacation pay that they say they are owed.