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WEDNESDAY, OCT. 1, 2008 © 2008 OU Publications Board

CAMPUS BRIEFS

Shack-a-thon shakes up South Oval

OU Votes registers 2008 Organizers of the OU Votes: 2008 in 2008 campaign met their goal of registering 2,008 new voters mid-morning Monday.

“It is no surprise to me to see our goal was reached,” said Matthew Gress, political science and history junior and OU Votes events coordinator. “Whether they have registered to vote or volunteered at events, it seems to me that students are attracted to OU Votes because it carries a non-partisan flavor with it.”

Organizers plan to continue registering students until the state voter registration deadline Oct. 10. OU Votes’ last registration push will be Oct. 8 on the South Oval.

• Victim says she was unconscious during incident WILL HOLLAND Daily Staff Writer

Conference on Russia Friday Representatives from the U.S. and Russia are meeting Friday to discuss political and economic issues and the geopolitical importance of energy.

A panel will address U.S.-Russia relations and will be at 9 a.m. in the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art. The second panel will focus on the “Superpower Relationship” between the two countries and will begin at 11 a.m.

For more information, call the International Programs Center at 325-1396.

Michelle Gray/The Daily

A student walks Tuesday afternoon on the South Oval as Erin Thoes, history sophomore; Erin McColm, University College freshman; Leah Brown, accounting sophomore; and Gina Circelli, University College freshman, ask her for a donation as part of the annual Shack-a-thon. The event benefits Habitat for Humanity and is intended to raise awareness of poverty and homelessness.

Boren names IPC chairman

• Event raised money for OU Habitat for Humanity

OU President David L. Boren named a distinguished federal judge chairman of the OU International Programs Center Board of Visitors.

Chief Judge Robert H. Henry of the U.S. 10th Circuit Court of Appeals graduated from OU and the OU College of Law. He also served in the Oklahoma Legislature for 10 years. President Bill Clinton appointed him to the federal bench in 1994.

The International Programs Center coordinates events for the Center for Middle East Studies, the School of International Area Studies and Education Abroad & International Student Services.

MEREDITH MORIAK Daily Staff Writer ne-room shelters built from cardboard and trash lined the lawn of the South Oval Tuesday during OU’s annual Shack-a-Thon fundraiser.

The event, which is the biggest fundrasier for OU Habitat for Humanity, elicited enthusiastic participation from some students and expressions of irritation from others.

“It’s worthwhile because it helps anybody and everybody,” said accounting senior Jennifer Bryant. “Anyone could be in need at some point in their life.”

Shack-a-Thon participants solicited money which will be donated to Habitat for Humanity, a nonprofit organization that builds free homes for people, said Kristyn Wagner, presLog on to oudaily.com for ident of OU Habitat for Humanity.

“This is not just a fundraiser,” a photo slideshow of the Wagner, history senior, said. “It’s Shack-a-thon. an awareness event to help people understand what poverty housing is or can be like.”

But some people were frustrated by the event’s presence on the South Oval.

“It makes the oval crowded going to and from class, and the people may be a little pressing,” Chad Pape, social studies education senior said. “They’re a little too intrusive.”

Students marketed “Kisses for 25 cents”, “Jokes for $1” and “$5

O

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT DJ scene growing Dance Night at the Opolis might be a staple of Norman nightlife, but several DJs say its brand of electro-indie rock is causing quite a stir in the entire Midwest region.

Read A&E for details. Page 5.

SOONER SPORTS Volleyball takes on Texas

SHACK Continues on page 2

Less than a week after a grueling fiveset match against Texas Tech, the Sooners now take on rival Texas — the No. 3 team in the nation — tonight in Norman.

Free popcorn and drinks will be given to any student with a valid ID. Page 7.

Opinion National News Sports Sudoku World News

Lisa Meehan / The Daily

Caleb Sabatini, University College freshman, plays his guitar on the South Oval Tuesday evening to help draw attention to the Shack-athon event, which raises money for Habitat for Humanity.

A 2008 OU graduate was charged with second-degree rape Tuesday in Cleveland County District Court.

Blake Scott Dilliner, 22, of Richardson, Texas, was charged with second-degree rape of a 20-year-old woman on May 17 at a residence on the 1000 block of College Avenue, according to an affidavit.

The woman told police she passed out on a couch at the residence after drinking alcoholic beverages. She said she woke up to a stabbing pain, and Dilliner was on top of her. She said she pushed him off, yelled at him and asked another person at the house to drive her home, according to the affidavit.

Dilliner gave an officer several different accounts of what happened before saying that he took the victim’s clothes off and had sex with her. According to the affidavit, Dilliner told police he “‘didn’t consciously’ realize that [the woman] ‘was not an active participant’ and that the sex he was having was nonconsensual.”

When contacted Monday by The Daily, Dilliner said he was not aware he faced charges. He told The Daily what he remembered of the incident, but after contacting an attorney, asked that the information not be printed. In the interest of ensuring that, if his case goes to court, Dilliner receives a fair trial, The Daily has decided not to print the information at this time.

Cleveland County Sheriff’s Department Capt. Doug Blaine said Monday a warrant had not yet been issued for Dilliner’s arrest.

Oklahomans work Paralympic Games in Beijing

TODAY’S INDEX A&E 5, 6 Campus Notes 9 Classifieds 8 8 Crossword Horoscope 9

Alumnus charged with rape

4 3 7 9 3

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• Quadrennial event gathers elite athletes with physical disabilities MEREDITH MORIAK AND ASHLEY BODY Daily Staff Writers After 17 years of waiting, an OU professor flew to China last month to work at the Bird’s Nest, the hub of Olympic track and field events in Beijing.

Dr. James Barrett, OU Health Science Center family medicine professor, spent three weeks in Beijing working as a doctor for the U.S. Paralympic track and field and tennis teams.

“These athletes have had pretty major, life-changing events, and despite that have overcome those obstacles and are competing in a world-class event,” Barrett said.

The Paralympics consist of many of the same events as the traditional Olympics, but competitors have physical

Photo provided by Krista Fagala

OCU education senior Krista Fagala, second from left, poses in Beijing with some of the students she accompanied as spectators to the Paralympic Games in China. disabilities. The Paralympics occur at the same location as the Olympics and begin two weeks after the Olympic Games’ closing ceremony.

Barrett applied to work for the U.S. Olympic Committee in 1991, and after

almost two decades of waiting and working at other events coordinated by the International Olympic Committee, he was selected as one of eight doctors for the 2008 Paralympic Games in Beijing.

Barrett said the number of medical

professionals across the U.S. competing to work at the Games makes the wait time between application and acceptance extremely long.

Doctors and trainers work for the U.S. Olympic Committee on a volunteer basis and can elect to work with the ablebodied or Paralympic athletes.

About 300 U.S. athletes competed in the two-week Paralympic Games under the supervision of eight doctors and about 15 to 20 athletic trainers, Barrett said.

In 1998, Barrett went to Australia with the able-bodied field hockey team. He has also worked with the Paralympic track team and able-bodied women’s basketball team.

“The people you work with are superstars,” Barrett said. “You learn a lot from those people.”

The teams’ medical staff is composed of professionals from across the country.

The head doctor at this year’s games was from California and the head trainer was from New York, Barrett said.

Barrett said he enjoys working with athletes in all levels of competition, from

BEIJING Continues on page 2

2

News

Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2008

Students launches live concerts via ‘Second Life’ • Second Life program allows users to listen to live shows TIFFANY HAENDEL Daily Staff Writer Journalism junior Kerry Lowery plays live concerts for people all over the world, and he does it from the comfort of his own home.

Lowery said he has been singing since he could talk, and a few years ago he stumbled across an article about Second Life, an internet program that allows people from across the globe to communicate through avatars, online cartoon characters designed by the user.

“It’s just like a chat room except it’s 3-D. And instead of it being solely text-based, you can see a visual representation of who you’re talking to in the form of another avatar,” Lowery said.

People enter this virtual society and are then able to use Internet money through PayPal accounts to buy and sell products ranging from Second Life artwork to virtual clothes to online concerts.

Lowery first stumbled across Second Life while attempting to build a very complex computer.

During this project he read an article about Second Life in a magazine, and decided to download the site to test his computer’s capabilities.

“The article was saying how graphics intensive this program was and how it was a resource hog as far as your computer was concerned, so I figured it would be a good medium to test out the computer I was building,” Lowery said.

Once he got the program onto his computer, he began tinkering around within the world.

“I saw some virtual guy standing on a virtual stage singing a song, and I wanted to know how he had recorded it and was playing it back to these people. Then somebody said he was doing it live and it was over after that,” Lowery said.

He installed a one-fourth-inch jack, which allows

Screenshot from secondlife.com

Second Life is an online 3-D world that allows users to create their own avatars and even earn money. his guitar to plug into his computer. He said he then uses software to send his audio signal to a dedicated server.

“It’s basically just me giving [my fans] a web address … Then anybody who’s in that section of server space can hear it, but it comes out looking like you can see it because it’s all just a visual cartoon,” Lowery said.

He said his online avatar, Sojurn Rossini, has built up a fan club that attends his shows on a regular basis.

“The music industry in Second Life has the capability of growing and allowing people to establish a career in music internationally … since the site is an international market,” said Kelly Clark, a fan of

Beijing

Shack

Continued from page 1

Continued from page 1

pee-wee to professional. He said working for the Olympic Committee was one way to use his passion.

“Doing things like this are a way to improve skills in different ways,” Barrett said.

Another Oklahoman, Krista Fagala, University of Central Oklahoma education senior, worked as a community programs intern for the Paralympic games.

She found the internship through her college, which is one of two paraplegic training centers in the nation. The Olympics Committee specifically wanted the community programs intern to be a student from UCO. Fagala was responsible for organizing events and flight itineraries for 25 disabled children, ages 12 to 18, who were picked from a large applicant pool by the Olympic Committee to travel to the games in Beijing.

The students were selected by the committee from sports clubs across the country.

Fagala was also in charge of arranging daily speeches between Paralympians and the kids.

She said her favorite part of her experience involved watching the children connect with the athletes.

“The athletes made them realize that even though they were missing an arm or leg or blind, ‘I can still be a world record holder,’” Fagala said.

Fagala took the students to watch Olympic events and experience Chinese culture. From the Forbidden City to The Great Wall of China, Fagala and the students toured China together.

Fagala, who plans to pursue a master’s degree in education at OU next year, said the time she spent with the disabled students and athletes in China confirmed her desire to teach and work with paraplegics after she graduates.

“I know that I want to help people no matter what I do,” Fagala said. “Nothing is impossible no matter what happens to you or what you come across in life.”

to smash a TV” in efforts to get donations.

“I don’t like being bombarded, but I do think it’s a good thing,” University College freshman Kaylea Lay said. “Maybe if I were more prepared, I wouldn’t have been overwhelmed.”

Lay said the screaming and pleaing for money was frustrating. She said if she had known about the event yesterday, she would have come to school with cash.

Linda Nolley, University College freshman, said people shouldn’t have a problem stopping for the cause. She said she doesn’t see a problem with asking for donations in the oval and standing in the bike lane.

“It irks me because we have to stop people like this because people don’t want to stop for two seconds and donate,” Nolley said.

Wagner said they ask participants to stay on the grass to solicit donations but don’t want to limit their creativity.

“We don’t stipulate how people get donations, we want them to be creative and have fun out here helping to raise money,” Wagner said.

While many shacks were made from old cardboard boxes, fence posts and ratty plastic, Delta Sigma Pi, the business fraternity, made its mark on the oval with their own version of The White House.

“It’s a big deal every year,” said accounting senior Jennifer Bryant. “Last year, we made the Taj Mahal and we decided to do the White House for the election year.”

Members of the business fraternity began con-

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.

Lowery who is known as Stefania Giano in Second Life.

Lowery said he uses the feedback from his international fan-base to determine what songs he wants to add to any albums he produces.

“Really, I get the best of both worlds, and I have the recipe to write a perfect record,” Lowery said. “I get the live aspect because I’m playing a live performance. I get the studio because I’m actually sitting in a studio environment, so my sound is controlled unlike a live situation.”

Lowery said in Second Life he gets instant feedback from his fans, which helps him decide which songs he should put on his album.

Tina King, a listener in Lowery’s fan club known

Michelle Gray/The Daily

(From right to left) Caroline Basham and Cassie Daigle, both University College freshmen, paint their sorority’s symbol on their shack Tuesday afternoon on the South Oval during the Shack-a-thon event which was held to raise money for Habitat for Humanity. struction on their shack Sunday, Bryant said.

“By doing something different, it stands out and brings more notice to Habitat,” Bryant said.

About 20 student groups participated in the event and in years past about $2500 has been raised.

Only $20 can be spent on building materials, Wagner said. She said most groups opt to spend that on tape and paint. Shacks must be made out of

materials that can be found on the side of the road or in dumpsters and cannot include furniture.

Groups pay $25 to register and take donations throughout the day.

Members of Phi Sigma Pi, a coed honor fraternity, spent about five hours putting their shack together, said Matt Klein, finance junior.

“We broke it down a lot because we wanted to make a good, livable habitat,” Klein said.

Adopt - An - Area Area Ratings For This Week

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as Hunni Darkstone on Second Life, said she envies his online job.

“I think he has the perfect career,” he said. “He can stay at home, sing to lots of people at any time — night or day — and he gets paid for it. No touring, no hotels, none of the hassle.”

Lowery said he prides himself on using Second Life as a medium for his career, rather than using his music as just something to do within the world.

Lowery puts links to his real Web site on his Second Life profile, and when he plays shows, he gets paid through his “tip jar,” which he puts his real picture on.

The tip jar allows people to give “Linden dollars” (Second Life currency) to musicians they enjoy.

These dollars can also be exchanged for products they want in their virtual world, which can then be converted to real dollars through PayPal accounts.

Lowery said that a successful musician can make between $1,000 and $2,000 each month.

While continuing his online music career and playing the occasional live gig in the community, Lowery also attends OU and said he hopes to form his own approved degree plan within the Gaylord College of Journalism and Mass Communications.

“If everything is approved, I’m going to write my own degree and create a new one in the field that I’m in, which is brand new and nobody knows about it,” Lowery said. “There are about 600 of us in the world that actually do what I do.”

For those that are slightly less computer savvy, the Web site offers tutorials, and many of the users are eager to lend a helping hand to new users, he said.

Lowery said even his mom, who lives in Kansas, attends his concerts in Second Life. When she first created an account, some of his fans met her at the “starting point” of the world and showed her how to use the site.

“Everyone knows when she’s there and they all say hi to her,” Lowery said laughing, “[Second Life can] bring people together that are far apart and it can also bring together people that have lived down the street from each other and never really had the opportunity to cross paths.”

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New Pakistan spy chief considered tough on militants CHRIS BRUMMITT Associated Press ISLAMABAD, Pakistan — Pakistan’s army chief named a general considered a hawk in the fight against al-Qaida and the Taliban to head the country’s powerful spy agency, asserting his control at a time of U.S. concern that rogue operatives are aiding Taliban insurgents in Afghanistan.

Lt. Gen. Ahmed Shujaa Pasha oversaw military offensives against militants in the lawless border regions with Afghanistan in his most recent job as director general of military operations.

His appointment as head of the powerful Inter-Services Intelligence, or ISI, the country’s main spy agency, was part of a broader shake-up of army top brass announced late Monday by military chief Gen. Ashfaq Parvez Kayani.

The moves were seen as a bid by the reform-minded general to revive the prestige of Pakistan’s armed forces and assert control over the spy agency following the downfall of ex-President Gen. Pervez Musharraf in August.

A month earlier, the Pakistani government reportedly tried to bring the ISI under the control of the civilian Interior Ministry but quickly reversed the decision after military dissent.

Pasha, who commanded U.N. troops in Sierra Leone in 2001-2002 and was appointed by the world body as an adviser on peacekeeping operations last year, replaces Lt. Gen. Nadeem Taj, a close aide to Musharraf.

Analysts agreed the appointment should unify Pakistan’s anti-terrorism fight.

“Now you have a team in place that includes the new ISI chief ... who shares Kayani’s view of how to deal with the insurgency in the tribal area and that is to adopt a tough line,” said defense analyst Hasan Askari Rizvi.

The spy agency has helped kill or capture several top al-Qaida leaders since 2001, but there are lingering doubts about its loyalty, not least because its agents helped build up the Taliban in the 1990s.

U.S. intelligence agencies suspect rogue elements may still be giving Taliban militants sensitive information to aid in their growing insurgency in Afghanistan, even though officially Pakistan is a U.S. ally in fighting terrorism.

Some analysts say elements in the spy agency may want to retain the Taliban as potential assets against longtime rival India and believe Pakistan’s strategic interests are best served if Afghanistan remains a weak state.

India and Afghanistan — and reportedly the U.S. — suspect the ISI of involvement in the July 7 bombing outside India’s Embassy in Kabul, which killed more than 60 people. Pakistan denies the allegations.

Urbane and at ease with foreign reporters, Pasha has acknowledged the price Pakistan was paying for its past sponsorship of radical Islam. “We pumped in millions of dollars for establishing it, and now we are up against it,” he told a media briefing in November.

National & World News

3

Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2008

Pirates say they celebrated Muslim holiday on ship MOHAMED OLAD HASSAN Associated Press MOGADISHU, Somalia — Somali pirates said Tuesday they celebrated a Muslim holiday aboard a hijacked freighter and denied reports that three comrades were killed in a shootout on the vessel, which is being closely watched by a half-dozen U.S. warships.

The hijacking of the MV Faina — laden with 33 Soviet-made T-72 tanks, rifles and heavy weapons that U.S. defense officials have said included rocket launchers — was the highestprofile act of piracy in the dangerous waters this year. The U.S. Navy has said it wants to keep the arms out of the hands of militants linked to alQaida in impoverished Somalia, a key battleground in the war on terrorism.

The pirates are demanding $20 million in ransom for the ship, which they boarded Thursday in the Indian Ocean off the Somali coast. There was a crew of 21 Russians and Ukrainians aboard, but the captain later died.

U.S. officials said 40-50 pirates were involved, but only about 30 were on the ship itself.

A Kenyan maritime official cited an unconfirmed report that three of the pirates were killed Monday night in a dispute over whether to surrender.

Speaking on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to talk on the record, a U.S. official in Washington said he believed that report was true. But the Pentagon had not confirmed the report by late Tuesday.

A spokesman for the pirates said the shootout report was false.

“We are happy on the ship, and we are celebrating” Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of Ramadan, spokesman Sugule Ali told The Associated Press by satellite telephone. “Nothing has changed.”

“We didn’t dispute over a single thing, let alone have a shootout,” Ali said.

Attempts to contact him later Tuesday failed. A man answering his phone said Ali was “very tired” and was asleep.

The vessel, anchored off the central Somali town of Hobyo, is surrounded by U.S. warships and helicopters. Moscow has dispatched a warship to the scene to protect the lives of the Russians aboard the captive vessel.

Piracy is a lucrative criminal racket in the region, bringing in tens of millions of dollars a year. There have been 24 reported attacks in Somalia this year, according to the International Maritime Bureau.

AP Photo

This photo, supplied by the U.S.Navy, shows the commanding officer of a U.S. Navy guided-missile cruiser monitoring the pirated Ukrainian cargo ship Faina in the Indian Ocean off the coast of Somalia Tuesday, while a helicopter provides aerial surveillance.

The ship is carrying a cargo of Ukrainian tanks and military equipment. It was attacked on Thursday and forced to anchor off the Somali Coast.

Defense Department spokesman Geoff Morrell said officials are working on securing the region’s waterways but he gave no details. He told reporters at the Pentagon that the piracy issue “has drawn the attention

of high-ranking people within this building.”

Morrell said he had no information to confirm there had been a gunfight on the ship and that three might have been killed.

Bailout revival sought; better deposit safety seen CHARLES BABINGTON Associated Press

AP Photo

A pair of traders share a laugh, Tuesday, on the New York Stock Exchange floor. Wall Street has ended sharply higher as investors bet that lawmakers will salvage a $700 billion rescue plan for the financial sector.

Attention Candidates for December Graduation!

WASHINGTON — Congressional leaders, President Bush and the two rivals to succeed him rummaged through ideas new and old Tuesday, desperately seeking to change a dozen House members’ votes and pass a multibillion-dollar economic rescue plan. At the top of the list: Raise confidence in the banking system by increasing the government’s insurance.

In addition, there was talk of making it easier for financial institutions to hold questionable long-term assets, an idea embraced by some of the House Republicans who slapped down the bailout bill and sent stocks tumbling on Monday. Wall Street regained hope on Tuesday, and the Dow Jones industrials rose 485 points, making up a good bit of the ground lost in the 778-point plunge.

Congressional leaders hope the changes under discussion — or a few others that could be in the

mix — will be enough to persuade as few as six House Republicans and six Democrats to undo Monday’s stunning vote that rejected a proposed $700 billion rescue.

With the Capitol largely quiet because of the Jewish new year, no overall plan appeared to jell just yet.

Some lawmakers suggested the Senate might approve its own version on Wednesday, presumably with a few changes to the failed House bill, and then give the House a new crack at the legislation before the week is out.

Still, the House is where the problems are, and leaders there were scrounging for ideas that might appeal to a few of the 133 Republicans and 95 Democrats who rejected the proposal on Monday.

Senate Banking Committee Chairman Christopher Dodd, D-Conn., told reporters, “I’m told a number of people who voted ‘no’ yesterday are having serious second thoughts about it.” He added, however, “There’s no game plan that’s been decided.”

2009 CORTEZ A.M. EWING PUBLIC SERVICE FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM Washington, DC Summer Fellowship Spend the summer in the corridors of power. Network with the political players. Learn the language of the Beltway. Ewing Fellowships include: $4500 grant for travel and living expenses, additional scholarship assistance if needed, and an academic credit option. Students with diverse academic and career interests are encourage to apply. The fellowship period is 8-10 weeks. Up to four fellowships will be awarded.

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Application Deadline: December 1, 2008 Recent Ewing Fellows have served with: Representative Frank Lucas Representative John Sullivan Senator Tom Coburn Representative Dan Boren Representative Tom Cole Representative Mary Fallin

4

Opinion

Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2008

OUR VIEW

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

Daniel Deering — advertising senior

STAFF CARTOON

Stop shacking up Philanthropists are supposed to do good, right? We thought so, too, which is why the shouting, begging, sign-waving people raising money for Habitat for Humanity on Tuesday (see page 1 for details) had us shaking our heads.

Philanthropy events are designed to raise awareness of or money for social problems.

But as far as we could tell, the only thing Shack-a-Thon was doing a good job of raising was OUR VIEW the blood is an editorial pressure of selected and debated by the editorial board students tryand written after a ing to get majority opinion is to class on formed and approved Tuesday. by the editor. Our View is The Daily’s official Wa l k i n g opinion. down the South Oval was like running a gauntlet, but instead of dodging sticks and stones, students were dodging overzealous group members with change jars and put-downs at the ready.

Students who didn’t reach into their pockets were insulted and harassed. People unfortunate enough to know some of the panhandlers were chased down if they tried to slip away. At least one person was hit by a wooden bar being wielded by the keepers of a “toll booth” in the bike lane.

All of the harassment was in the name of collecting handfuls of change from college students who are already strapped for cash. We doubt that a significant amount of cash was collected (in years past, about $2,500 has been raised), or that anyone walked away from the mayhem knowing more about housing

issues than they did Tuesday morning.

If Shack-a-Thon organizers and participants really care about raising awareness of the plight of the Americans who don’t have homes or about raising money to help these people move into long-dreamed-of homes, they need to change the way they do business.

The Shack-a-Thon model is obnoxious and ineffective. The barrage of demands for money make many students more determined to hang on to their change than a simple “Hey, do you want to donate?” would.

Even worse, the Frisbee-throwing and the golfball-putting, the Greek letters splashed all over the place and the clumps of shouting students, give the entire event a carnival atmosphere that trivializes the very real problems faced by people who can’t afford housing.

If someone who was actually homeless had wandered onto the South Oval Tuesday, we’re pretty sure he wouldn’t have recognized anything about his situation in the brightly-painted signs and intricatelydesigned cardboard castles that were scattered around.

More likely, he would have been insulted to see a bunch of collegeeducated people playing at being homeless for a night so they could participate in a contest.

We’re not against a little on-campus commotion every now and then.

If people want to have fun, that’s fine, as long as advertising for social events isn’t cloaked in the language of philanthropy. We’d be all for a South Oval Sleepover, but the hypocrisy inherent in Shack-a-Thon has our blood pressure up.

WANT MORE OPINION? Visit oudaily.com for online-exclusive opinion content.

Two letters to the editor are posted in response to Tuesday’s Shack-a-Thon.

Also visit oudaily.com to comment on letters, Our Views, columns and cartoons.

STAFF COLUMN

STAFF COLUMN

Bailout should fail

Divorce deserves more concern than gay marriage

are adjusting downward, toward the market price.

The Federal Reserve and the federal government have spent years creating a monetary policy that artificially kept prices higher, even though the market was unwilling to support it.

The drop on Monday actually is a good thing. The markets have been pushed to artificially high levels because the government in the past has been willing to do anything to maintain an illusion of economic well-being.

Of course, financial institutions have reacted negatively to the vote in the House.

I wrote in past columns this year that the government bailing out financial institutions would have a disastrous effect on the American economy. I predicted that when the government decided to nationalize Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae, other institutions would soon be absorbed by the federal government.

Look what happened: Lehman Brothers failed, Wachovia and Washington Mutual have been absorbed, Bear Stearns and IndyMac all but disappeared, and Bank of America was forced by the government to take over Merrill Lynch.

The consequences of the proposed bailout were huge.

This would have been the first of many bailouts, not “the only one” that would be needed, as congressional leaders promised.

The suggestion that corporations would learn from the bailout and reform their habits is ludicrous. The only thing corporations and Wall Street would stand to learn is that the government is willing to rescue businesses and banks who take unsound risks and fail because “it’s too important to the American economy” to let banks fail.

This would only lead to riskier decisions in the future.

The failure of the bailout is not

I N D E P E N D E N T

a bad thing. In fact, we’ve already started to see some good come out of it.

The price of a barrel of oil fell to $96, and other commodities are falling as well.

Americans have been clamoring for lower gas prices, and this is a step in the right direction. Prices are going to come down even further.

Look at the value of the dollar versus the euro. With people losing confidence in paper money, we are going to see a weaker U.S. dollar. This is good news for American industry, as American exports are going to be cheaper and more attractive to foreign consumption.

Prices have to come down before there can be any sort of economic recovery.

The failure of the bailout is one of the first steps to economic recovery.

Pundits on television are referring to the failure of the bailout as disastrous for the American economy, but this is not the case.

Monday was a turning point in this nation’s history. The members of Congress voted against the White House, against their leaders, against the Treasury, against the hyperinflation leaders of the Federal Reserve and for the American people whom they represent.

Days like Monday make me proud to be an American.

Don’t buy into the hype and hysteria that President Bush and television commentators are pushing. America is going to be much better off in the long run if we stop allowing the federal government to intervene in the economy.

Monday was the greatest victory for freedom in liberty that our generation has ever seen.

Let’s hope our representatives don’t give in to the hysteria and change their vote.

JOE HUNT IS AN ECONOMICS AND HISTORY SENIOR. HIS COLUMN USUALLY APPEARS EVERY OTHER THURSDAY.

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I think most people would be surprised with my biggest concern regarding modern American society.

It’s not the economy or the environment.

The biggest issue we face is the divorce rate.

Nothing impacts more people and has more influence in America than the number of people getting divorced. What does a divorce rate that is over 40 percent say about us?

It says we lack the responsibility and the accountability to work for JORDAN successful marriage.

ROGERS We lack the understanding of what marriage actually is and how much work needs to go into it.

Most importantly, we lack the ability to make the well-being of others (our children) more important than our own happiness.

Incidentally, cohabitation is the new trend. As a result of such high divorce rates, among other things, fewer people are getting married and more are simply opting to live together.

Statistically, these relationships tend to break off twice as frequently as people are getting divorced, even if children are involved.

The people of the United States need to take long-term relationships much more seriously. We need to back up several decades to a time when marriage was valued, divorce was discouraged and our children were our No. 1 priority, no matter what.

However, many politically active Americans, as well as the church, have set their priorities elsewhere, turning their attention to gay marriage rather than divorce.

I can’t speak for everyone, but I am tired of hearing this phrase used as an argument against gay rights: “Gay marriage violates the sanctity of marriage.”

Being gay is a sin, according to 1 Corinthians 6:9, but several other offenses of the same magnitude get no political attention. I’ve never heard a politician running under a banner that says, “Vote no on premarital sex!”

We are talking about an isolated group of American citizens who make up such a small minority of the population that they don’t require the ridiculous amount of attention that they have gotten in elections.

Homosexuality will never impact as

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For the first time in what seems like forever, I am proud of the majority of the U.S. House of Representatives.

In a stunning blow to plutocracy, the House voted against the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act, better known as “the bailout.”

I fully expected to write a column blasting Congress for passing a $700 billion dagger that went directly at the heart of the free market and killed any semblance of economic freedom that was left in America.

I’m glad I was wrong, and I’m glad 133 Republicans and 95 Democrats agreed.

The measure, for those of you not in the know, was intended to bail out the financial institutions in America that had made unsound business decisions and have begun to feel the disastrous consequences of bad decisions.

On Monday, we were witness to one of the most imporJOE tant pieces of legisHUNT lation to ever pass through the halls of Congress.

The proposed bailout was the worst possible scenario.

Imagine for a moment that the bailout passed the House. The Senate was already poised to pass the legislation, and President George W. Bush promised to sign off on it.

This massive bill was shoved through Congress in less than 10 days. Does anyone remember the illfated Patriot Act? We were told by the White House and the talking heads on television that the Patriot Act was necessary to ensure freedom in America. Congress overwhelmingly passed that legislation with little debate at all, and look what happened there: We as a country came to regret it.

Don’t worry about the stock market. I know the Dow Jones dropped 777 points on Monday, and the S&P 500 fell nearly 10 percent, but this is not bad news.

People need to understand that stock prices have fallen because they

U N I V E R S I T Y

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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

many people as divorces will, regardless of whether or not homosexuals can get married.

And frankly, being an American grants people a lot of freedom — whether we like it or not.

Divorce violates the sanctity of marriage.

According to the book of Mark in the New Testament, Jesus states, “So they are no longer two, but one … let man not separate. Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery against her.”

The 2000 census showed that there were about 594,000 gay couples in America, equaling .99% of the coupled population in America — including married couples.

Compare that to the 21 million divorces that happened in the year 2000, and you’ll realize that for every gay couple not allowed to be married, there are 40 marriages ending.

But there is a much bigger problem aside from the numbers: the children who get caught in the dilemma.

Countless studies have been conducted on children living in divorced or singleparent homes, and the major conclusion is always that, statistically, children are better off having both parents present.

More than 25 percent of American children are growing up with only one parent present. That 25 percent of our country’s children are not being brought up in the scientifically ideal environment.

That will cause a lot more damage than allowing half a million gay men and women to be legally married, where no tangible consequence comes to any outsiders.

Our country is struggling to hold onto its own moral values. We need to teach our children that we have to be responsible for our actions, accountable for our behavior and able to work for the greater good of our families under every circumstance.

Otherwise, the divorce problem will escalate with each generation.

As the young adults of America, the responsibility falls on us to take the first steps. I’m sure lots of us will be making big decisions regarding marriage and children within the next 10 years.

We have to make sure we understand all the responsibility that comes with marriage and make sure we are ready to face the challenges without divorce ever being an option.

JORDAN ROGERS IS AN INDUSTRIAL ENGINEERHIS COLUMN APPEARS EVERY OTHER WEDNESDAY.

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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.

Arts & 5 Entertainment Spinning in the Midwest: DJs electro-rock OK Adam Kohut, A&E editor dailyent@ou.edu phone: 325-5189, fax: 325-6051 For more, go to oudaily.com.

Wednesday, Oct.1, 2008

•Local DJs say “electro” scene is booming in Oklahoma KATIE J. PARKER Daily Staff Writer In a hot and humid room, strobe lights skim the pictures of cats that adorn the walls. A DJ pumps the latest electro and indie tunes only the hipsters who are present recognize. At a quick glance, the crowd looks like the usual scene of a basement club in the East Village of New York City.

This isn’t the East Village, however, it’s a Thursday night at the Opolis in Norman. Members of the Dance Robots, Dance! DJ collective host the Opolis Party Party dance nights.

John Bourke began the international DJ collective based out of Oklahoma commonly referred to as Dance Robots, Dance! The DJ collective is composed of nine DJs based in Norman, Oklahoma City, Tulsa, Hollywood, Brooklyn and Reading, UK. All of the DJs, however, are originally from Oklahoma.

According to DRD member, Bryan “B” Peace, DRD originally started as a music Web site where the DJs would post their music. Eventually the DJs began to play house parties and in 2006 they began playing at Electro Lounge in Oklahoma City on Wednesday nights. In the fall of 2007, the Opolis Party Party nights on Thursdays became another weekly event for the DJ collective.

Since then, the DJ collective has become renowned for its electro DJ style. From mentions in national music blogs and magazines such as “Nylon Magazine” to members touring as far as Europe, DRD has put Oklahoma on the map.

“Oklahoma has the best electro DJs in the Midwest,” Blake Ward, political science senior, said.

Ward, who also DJs, attributed this to a lack of a large live music scene in the Oklahoma City area.

“It’s a combination of people who are really interested in electro and the fact Oklahoma sucks,” Ward said. “There’s not a huge live music scene here like there is in Austin or Denton. In Austin you can go out every night of the week and hear good bands, but there isn’t much of that here. That’s why the nights are successful, mainly because you can count on that there’s not a whole lot going on Wednesday and Thursday nights.”

According to DRD member Dylan Mackay, who moved to New York City after high school before moving back to Norman, many people are unaware of the growing electro-DJ scene in Oklahoma.

“People don’t realize we’re part of this weird little niche of the world where electro music is popular,” Mackay said. “National press is recognizing what we’re doing here and we surpass a lot of other cities. Not New York City or Los Angeles, of course, but we’re at least on par and have a lot more going than most places.”

Candace Wetmore, art history senior, frequents DRD events and said she enjoys the atmosphere of the events.

DANCE NIGHT AT THE OPOLIS When: Thursdays, doors open at 10 p.m.

Where: Opolis, 113 N. Crawford Ave. How much: $3 Ages: all ages

Noel Alsdorf/The Daily

DJ B, part of DJ crew Dance Robots, Dance!, DJs every Thursday night at the Opolis in Norman. The shows are all ages and last until 2 a.m.

“It is a fun and energetic escape from school,” Wetmore said. “Since the Opolis is an all ages venue, it’s a fun place to hang out with friends who aren’t 21. It’s also one of the only places in Norman that isn’t crammed full of fraternity and sorority people, no offense. It has a good indie scene and dancing rules!”

Keeping up with new music can be one of the most difficult aspects of being a DJ, and each DJ has their own tricks for staying up to date. Peace and Mackay said they have developed their own ways to keep up with new music.

“I read a lot of music blogs and find out a lot of music through friends,” Peace said. “Some of the best stuff I find is on lesser known blogs, and that’s just one of many DJs’ secrets.”

Mackay said he finds new music by using Java scripts to extract free MP3 downloads from music blogs. Then he creates a playlist that he listens to for about two weeks before picking the songs he likes and deleting several tracks he dislikes.

“Sometimes I will find lots of new music I like and sometimes nothing new pops up,” Mackay said. “As much as everyone wants good new

“Oklahoma has the best electro DJs in the Midwest.”

— Blake Ward, political science senior music, it’s not always that way.”

The most important part of DJing, however, is making people dance and reading the crowd you’re playing for, Peace and Mackay said.

“DJing isn’t quite on par with being an art like playing the guitar or playing in a band,” Mackay said. “But take it from a bigger perspective and DJing is quite an art. It has everything to do with how to make a party happen and answering the question ‘How do you elicit an emotional response in an audience?’ As a DJ you win when the parties are good and people have fun, get drunk and dance.”

Public Lectures on

A Sustainable Energy Future In the Presidential Dream Course Program sponsored by the University of Oklahoma and The School of Chemical, Biological and Materials Engineering

Thursday, October 2, Reception at 3:15, presentation at 3:45 PM , Regents’ Room, 3rd Floor, Oklahoma Memorial Union

Dale L. Keairns, PhD

October 11, 2008

President, American Institute of Chemical Engineers and SAIC Technical Fellow

“OUR ENERGY FUTURE – OPPORTUNITIES, RISKS, TRADEOFFS”

6

Arts & Entertainment

Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2008

•This week in comics, ‘Boys,’ ‘Girls’ and the latest from Warren Ellis. The Daily’s Tim Bennett takes a look at what’s hitting store shelves this week.

TIM BENNETT

“NO HERO #1” Writer Warren Ellis and artist Juan Jose Ryp reunite for their second “Avatar” miniseries, following up 2007’s seven-issue “Black Summer.”

“No Hero” tells the violent story of the world’s only superteam’s evolution from its unveiling in 1966 to the present. If “No Hero” is similar to “Black Summer,” expect regular release delays to be counterbalanced by Ellis’s political thrillride combined with Ryp’s gritty artwork.

Photos provided

LEFT: Alexander Liberman’s “Maquette for On High.” RIGHT: Louis Lozowick’s “Pittsburgh.” Both pieces will be on display in the “American Artists from the Russian Empire” exhibit at the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art, 555 Elm Ave. The exhibit opens Oct. 4. A student opening is scheduled for today.

Photo provided

Russian art exhibit to open for students today

“SUPERGIRL #34” OU graduate Sterling Gates takes over his first ongoing series for DC Comics with “Supergirl #34,” promising a fun story and bringing in a major reinvention of the series in which Supergirl’s adventures begin to intermingle with other characters of the DC Universe.

Gates is joined by artist Jamal Igle, whose art on “Firestorm” perfectly combined with Stuart Moore’s lighthearted yet actionpacked stories to elevate a dynamic B-list character to greater renown. Taking Gates’s work on “Green Lantern Corps” as any example of his writing style, the story and art could blend well to humanize and elevate “Supergirl” into a new level of popularity.

ADAM KOHUT A&E Editor OU students will have a chance to catch an early glimpse of more than 70 works from Russian artists at the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art. “American Artists from the Russian Empire” will debut at the museum, 555 Elm Ave., on Oct. 4, but a student opening is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. in the museum’s Sandy Bell Gallery today. There will be free food, music by Nexus Productions Inc. and a stomp performance by the Phi Beta Sigma fraternity.

The exhibit will include more than 70 portraits, abstracts, paintings of the American West and Soviet street scenes by Russian artists and will “examine the impact of American culture and art movements on Russian artists living in the United States and will highlight the influence and contributions of

Photo provided

Vacant Era Film Festival to run in Norman

“THE BOYS #23”

JAMES LOVETT Daily Staff Writer

If writer Garth Ennis hopes to have “The Boys” measure up to his popular “Preacher” series, he’s got some work left to do.

Although the series, now on issue 23, is only a third of the way to the projected 60 issues of its complete story, an overarching plot for the entire series has yet to emerge. Within the first storyline of “Preacher,” protagonist Jesse Custer laid down his goal for the series, and, in the remaining issues, followed that goal to its conclusion. “The Boys” hasn’t been quite as well-structured, but Ennis still brings the excitement, action, satire and scandal to keep readers turning pages and buying issues. Look for more character backstory and plot foreshadowing as Ennis and artist Darick Robertson begin a new story arc, titled “We Gotta Go Now.”

The eyes of the independent film industry will focus on downtown Norman this weekend.

The first Vacant Era Film Festival will run Thursday through Sunday at the Sooner Theatre, 101 E. Main St. The festival will include more than 40 local and international films, performances from local bands, film workshops, paintings and sculptures from Oklahoma artists and a silent auction to benefit children’s programs at the Firehouse Arts Center.

Meleah Montgomery, festival coordinator and production manager, said the goal of the festival is to draw attention to the talents of filmmakers from around the Oklahoma area.

“There really is kind of a void here in Oklahoma,” she said. “We’ve got people that are coming out of OU with the editing skills and a lot of the filming skills, and we’ve got people with the equipment. The problem is it’s so scattered and so un-networked. Very few people in Oklahoma know that there is filmmaking in Oklahoma.”

Montgomery said surrounding states are bringing in large amounts of income generated by locally produced films.

Photo provided

— TIM BENNETT IS A PROFESSIONAL WRITING SENIOR.

Russian artists in shaping American culture,” according to a museum press release.

An opening for the exhibition is scheduled for 4 p.m. on Oct. 4 in the Sandy Bell Gallery. Derrick Cartwright, executive director of the San Diego Museum of Art, and Dr. Evgenia Petrova, deputy director of science at the State Russian Museum in St. Petersburg, Russia, are scheduled to speak during the opening, which is free and open to the public.

Cartwright’s lecture, “American Born Russian,” will explore the treatment of Russian artists by American art historians.

After Cartwright speaks, Petrova will lead an open discussion and walkthrough of the exhibit.

After its debut in Oklahoma, the exhibition will travel to the State Russian Museum in St. Petersburg, Russia, the State Tretyakov Gallery in Moscow and the San Diego Museum of Art. For more information about the exhibit, contact the museum at 325-4938 or visit www.ou.edu/fjjma.

“People get out of OU with a film major and they’ve been basically inbred from the time they started school to the time they get out being told they have to leave the state,” she said. “There is something here for them, it’s just not easily and readily known. What the festival is trying to do is unite Oklahoma filmmakers.”

Norman mayor Cindy Rosenthal declared the week Norman Film Festival Week earlier this month.

Cory Allen, festival director, said Mayor Rosenthal has been a big supporter of the festival from the beginning.

“The mayor has been very, very supportive of the overall big picture,” he said. “She was behind it the whole way.”

The festival focuses on local artists and projects, but also includes films that have gained international attention. “Emerald City,” a short film from Seattle, received positive reviews at the 2008 Cannes Film Festival in France.

OU filmmakers Jason Holste, Travers Jacobs and Mark Potts will show films Sunday afternoon following the screening of “Okie Noodling II” by award-winning filmmaker Brad Beesley.

Local bands Galapagos, Mama Sweet, Kevin Watson and others will perform at Coach’s Restaurant and Brewery, 102 W. Main

St., throughout the weekend.

Justin Witte, local musician and OU alumnus, said he thinks the festival will become a landmark event for the community.

“I think it will set a precedent for musicians, artisans and filmmakers alike,” Witte said. “It should help put Oklahoma on the map in terms of having a national voice for the arts.”

Tickets for the Vacant Era Film Festival can be purchased at http://www.vacantera.com/ tickets.htm or at the Sooner Theatre. Daily passes are $15 and weekend passes are $50.

Seating is limited and tickets are first come, first serve.

SEE THE FILMS When: Thursday through Sunday Where: Sooner Theatre, 101 E. Main St. How much: daily passes, $15; weekend passes, $50 Tickets can be purchased at http:// www.vacantera.com/tickets.htm or at the Sooner Theatre.

University of Oklahoma Libraries Congratulates

Lily Huang Recipient of the 2008 Thomas and Catherine Luccock Librarian of the Year Award

Sports

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

7

Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2008

Volleyball team prepares to host rival

STAFF COLUMN

The Big 12 is officially the best E

very year people discuss which conference is the best in the nation. While there is no trophy or any way of proving this, the last couple years have been dominated by the SEC -- and rightfully so.

Powerhouses like Georgia, Florida, Tennessee, LSU, Alabama and Auburn have been constant showings in the rankings this millennium. But this year, it’s a new year; a different one.

Sure, OU won a national title back in 2000, and Texas in 2005, but the SEC has won four BCS National Championships in the last ten years.

That’s the past, and now we’re getting a look at the future. Currently, the Big 12 has four teams in the Associated Press’s top seven.

Then there are six teams in the top twentyfive, and two other teams that are on the edge MJ of getting in.

Four of the top five most efficient passers in CASIANO the nation come from the Big 12, and six out of the top ten. That’s ridiculous.

The Big 12 conference is so darn good that it may take the spot of “very good” in the English language.

For instance, your friend asks you, “How is that burger?” You then reply, “It’s Big 12.”

Talent-wise, the Big 12 has the hands-down top two receivers in the nation in Texas Tech’s Michael Crabtree and Missouri’s Jeremy Maclin.

You could also argue Oklahoma State’s Dez Bryant as numberthree. Lastly, OU’s Juaquin Iglesias may be the best senior wide receiver in the country.

Seven of the top ten scoring offenses in the nation are from the Big 12, including Baylor. Yeah, I know. This conference also owns the No. 1-rated passing (Texas Tech) and rushing (Oklahoma State) offense in all the land.

Finally, the two frontrunners for the Heisman trophy are OU’s Sam Bradford and Missouri’s Chase Daniel. Realistically, Texas Tech’s Michael Crabtree and Graham Harrell and Missouri’s Jeremy Maclin don’t stand a chance, but they are still in the mix.

You can fight it all you want if you don’t agree, but it’s hard to argue with these statistics.

Honestly, I’d be more worried to play a team like Missouri in the Big 12 championship than I would to play a team like Alabama or LSU in the national championship.

This conference has more of an itch to win it all this year then I do to scratch the poison ivy on my neck. And let me tell you, I itch terribly.

— MJ CASIANO IS A BROADCAST AND ELECTRONIC MEDIA SOPHOMORE.

FOOTBALL NOTEBOOK Granger and Alexander making progress Head coach Bob Stoops said junior defensive tackle DeMarcus Granger and freshman defensive end Frank Alexander may both return to practice as early as Monday.

Granger tore a ligament in his foot during OU’s game in Washington and was initially scheduled to miss four to six weeks. No timetable was given on when he will next be capable of playing in a game.

Alexander has been inactive since suffering knife wounds from an altercation in late August. Stoops had not made any previous announcements about his condition or when he would be able to see the field again.

“There’s been some speculation that [Granger] could play as soon as Monday,” head coach Bob Stoops said. “Alexander is closer too, and the doctors expect him to be out there Monday.”

Braxton misses practice Senior guard Branndon Braxton did not practice on Monday after being injured against TCU. Stoops had no definitive comment on Braxton’s status during his Tuesday press conference.

“Braxton didn’t practice, so we’ll see how it goes through the week,” Stoops said.

Stoops and Venables remain close Defensive coordinator Brent Venables commented about the 10 years both he and Stoops have spent at OU. “It couldn’t be any better for an employee-employer relationship, let alone a personal or professional relationship,” Venables said. “I’m very, very fortunate for it.”

The two have coached together in 11 bowl games in their time at OU and Kansas State.

Moore showing improvement Stoops said freshman defensive tackle Cordero Moore has shown improvement in practices and has made a positive impression on the coaching staff.

Moore saw extra playing time against TCU in Granger’s absence.

“The times he was in there Cordero made some nice plays, he really did,” Stoops said. “He had a tackle for a loss and he has been improving and showing more and more signs of improvement.”

— KYLE BURNETT/THE DAILY

• Sooners take on No. 3 Texas on national TV MATT WELCH Daily Staff Writer Add an age-old rivalry to a national broadcast on ESPNU, mix in a volleyball match that drew over 1,000 fans at McCasland Field House last season and it can only mean one thing: Texas is coming to town.

The OU volleyball team will get its first crack at the No. 3 Longhorns this season when it hosts the defending Big 12 champions tonight at 7.

The first 250 fans in attendance will receive an OU stadium cup and free popcorn and drinks will be available to students with a valid ID. The Sooners (7-6, 3-2 Big 12) are fresh off a grueling five-set victory over Texas Tech last Saturday.

Head coach Santiago Restrepo said while it’s nice to enter the match on a winning note, it doesn’t take much to get his players motivated for a match against their chief rival.

“This is kind of like the Bedlam rivalry against [Oklahoma State], but OSU doesn’t have a volleyball team,” Restrepo said. “The next closest thing for us is the OU-Texas game. There’s definitely a bit more attitude and emotion involved.”

While Texas is littered with players whose strengths are prevalent on both offense and defense, the Sooners will need to be on top of their game in order to counter.

Thirteen matches into the season, the Sooners are a team generally for their strong defensive play.

Tyler Metcalfe/The Daily

Lacy Barnes (5), Brianne Barker (1) and Chrissy Disarro (12) celebrate after winning a point in the second set of Oklahoma’s volleyball match against Texas Tech on Saturday. The Sooners came from behind to win the match three sets to two in a back-and-forth series at the Howard McCasland Field House.

They have out-blocked all but four opponents so far, they are third in digs in the Big 12 during conference play and sophomore middle blocker Chrissy Disarro is ranked 29th in the nation in blocks per set.

In its last two matches, the squad has strung together a pair of hitting performances over .200 - one of them coming against Baylor, arguably the conference’s top defense.

“I think that with each match that we play, we are going to keep getting better,” junior outside hitter Bridget Laplante said. “As we continue on in the Big 12 and face tougher competition, it is going to test our offense, but I think we are prepared.”

Texas (8-2, 2-1 Big 12) is coming off a four-set victory over Kansas.

The Longhorns’ lone losses have come at the hands of the

nation’s elite — No. 6 Stanford and No. 2 Nebraska.

Returning five starters from last season’s 27-4 squad, the Longhorns are a team built for physical play up front, with five starters standing six feet or taller.

Leading the charge for Texas will be 6-foot, 5-inch senior middle blocker and 2008 U.S. Women’s National Training Team member Lauren Paolini, currently ranked fourth in the nation with a .446 hitting percentage.

While it might be easy for a match of this caliber — the big-time rivalry coupled with the ESPNU national broadcast — to weigh mentally on the Sooner freshmen, Restrepo doesn’t expect any pre-match jitters.

“Ten out of our 16 players are from Texas,” Restrepo said.

“Sometimes we have athletes

who come from Texas and don’t want to associate with UT, whether it was because they didn’t get recruited or were overlooked ... All three freshman that are starting for us are from Texas and can’t wait to play against them.”

It also doesn’t hurt to take into account that the Sooners have been down this road before against Texas and were able to earn a victory.

Restrepo — who is the only Sooner coach in the volleyball program’s history to defeat the Longhorns — said it will take the team’s best showing of the season in order to repeat the five-set stunner from 2006.

“We have to be firing on all cylinders and be mistake-free,” Restrepo said. “Like I mentioned two years ago, we have to play one point at a time, one set at a time, one match at a time.”

Big 12 and SEC miles ahead of competition Oklahoma State has yet to lose a game and climbed into the polls at No. 21 this week.

That makes six teams in the AP Top 25.

Two more — Nebraska and Colorado — are receiving votes.

So, two-thirds of the teams in the conference are either ranked or receiving votes.

JOEY HELMER Daily Staff Writer “I look at the Big 12 since that’s what we’re in and that’s what we have to compete against, [and] the Big 12’s awful difficult,” While OU has smacked around its first four opponents by an said head coach Bob Stoops.

There has been a lot of comparison through recent years and average margin of victory of 36.75 points and has taken over the No. 1 spot in both major polls, the rest of the Big 12 conference the early part of this year about the strength of the SEC compared to the Big 12. has done its part in non-conference play as well.

The SEC completes the rest of the top In this week’s AP poll, the Big 12 has five with No. 2 Alabama and No. 3 LSU. three teams in the top five and four in It has six teams in the top 25, like the the top seven.

Big 12. It also has two teams receiving After OU, senior quarterback Chase votes, like the Big 12.

Daniel and the Missouri Tigers are No. So, there is a pattern. The early part of 4. this year has been controlled by these two The Tigers have been just as domiconferences. nant as OU, winning by an average of 33 There are only four schools — Penn points, and they have scored at least 42 State, BYU, USC and South Florida — in points in each of their first four games. the top 10 that aren’t from the Big 12 or The Texas Longhorns are right behind SEC, and none of them are from the same at No. 5. conference.

The ‘Horns have won 52-10 in three With six of the nation’s top seven teams of their four games, and junior quar— Head coach Bob Stoops currently from either the Big 12 or SEC, terback Colt McCoy has completed 80 it’s beginning to seem likely that the winpercent of his passes for 1,018 yards ners of each conference will play for a and 14 touchdowns.

The Texas Tech Red Raiders have managed to rise to No. 7 national title.

But Stoops downplayed a sense of competition and rivalry behind senior quarterback Graham Harrell’s 1,573 passing yards between the Big 12 and SEC and said both are similar because and 12 touchdowns.

The Red Raider’s schedule in the coming weeks should help they are competitive and focus on playing well against conference them keep an undefeated record, with games at Kansas State, competition.

“I look at the ways these teams have played in the Big 12 and it home against Nebraska and at Texas A&M. Kansas (3-1) — with its only loss on the road to No. 10 South speaks for itself,” Stoops said. “[But] coaches are just concerned about what they have to do and who they have to play.”

Florida — jumped two spots from last week’s poll to No. 16.

• Two powerful conferences in heated battle for nation’s best

“I look at the Big 12 since that’s what we’re in and that’s what we have to compete against, [and] the Big 12’s awful difficult.”

8FMDPN F 4PPOF ST OU-Texas Weekend begins in Fort Worth at Billy Bob’s!

Friday, October 10th - NO JUSTICE Free Admission with your student ID Sat., Oct. 11th - DARIUS RUCKER Of Hootie & the Blowfish $12 Gen Admission Coming: Willie Nelson, Pat Green, Kevin Fowler.

Stoney LaRue, Randy Rogers and more!

Concerts • Dancing • Bull Riding • Restaurant

Billy Bob’s Texas in the Fort Worth Stockyards 817-624-7117 www.billybobstexas.com

8

Classifieds

Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2008

PLACE AN AD Phone 405.325.2521

E-Mail classifieds@ou.edu

L

Lost & Found

LOST & FOUND

HELP WANTED

Found a young grey and white siamese-type cat.

E-mail aussiegirl1584@gmail.com and be prepared to describe the collar.

Fax 405.325.7517

Office Copeland Hall 149A

Mail The Oklahoma Daily 860 Van Vleet Oval, 149A Norman OK 73019-2052

Announcements

Place your classified line ad by 9 a.m., Monday-Friday to run in the next issue.

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

PAYMENT s r

r

TM

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

Classified Display Ads Rates are $16.00 per column inch, per day with a minimum of 2 column inches.

Classified Card Ads 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.

Game Sponsorships Classified Display Ads located directly above the following games/puzzles. Limited spaces available – only one space per game.

2 col (3.792 in) x 2 inches Sudoku ...........$760/month Boggle............$760/month Jumble ...........$760/month Horoscope .....$760/month 1 col (1.833 in) x 2.25 inches Crossword .....$515/month (located just below the puzzle)

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 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.

$5,000-$45,000 PAID. EGG DONORS for up to 9 donations, + Exps, non-smokers, Ages 19-29, SAT>1100/ACT>24/GPA>3.00 Contact: info@eggdonorcenter.com Bartending! Up to $250/day. No exp nec. Training provided. 1-800-965-6520, x133.

ENTERTAINMENT FEMALE SINGER NEEDED Local Recording/Publishing/Production Company seeking fresh, sound to develop into possible solo/collaborative projects. Song writing and live performance skills important. Please call 405945-1959 or e-mail us studio115norman@yahoo. com.

DEADLINES Line Ad. . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 a.m.

Employment

Oklahoma Elite Volleyball Club is seeking club coaches for November to April 2008-09. If you are interested please contact Nicki Green; Oklahoma Elite’s club director at 405-343-7933.

DJs and asst. needed, fun work & good pay, wknd mobile DJ work, will train. Leave message 321-8699.

MetroShoe Warehouse Now Hiring, must work some weekday mornings. Apply in person at 1732 24th Ave, just north of Super Target.

For Sale TICKETS WANTED I need OU/TX student tickets. Please call 5792858.

SELLING OU/TX TICKETS?

Community After School Program is seeking staff to work at our school-age childcare programs. Apply now and interview to begin working immediately. Work schedule is M-F 2:20-6 p.m. Competitive wages, higher salaries for college students with education or related class work. Complete an application at 1023 N. Flood Ave. or online at www.caspinc.org and email to info@caspinc.org. Please submit your fall class schedule and current transcript when applying.

Minutes from OU Top Prices Paid 9am - 10pm

Bilingual/Bicultural Spanish/English Translators Wanted (PT) Seeking research assistant to conduct interviews w/ Hispanic youth in central OK FA08-SP09, $10/hour + expenses, days and hours will vary; applicants must be flexible, and must provide 2 professional references.

Call 605-677-9303 for more info!

405-314-0990 405-217-3953

NOW HIRING! Coach’s Brewhouse 110 West Main for front of house positions - servers, & bartenders, Call 321-BREW(2739) to set up an interview. Must be 21 to apply.

We Pay Cash!!

C Transportation

J Housing Rentals

AUTO INSURANCE

APTS. FURNISHED

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

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

Attention Student Work $15 Base/Appt Flex sched, scholarships possible, customer sales/service, no exp nec, all ages 17+, conditions apply. Norman/OKC/Moore Call Now, 405-307-0979 Embassy Suites 2501 Conference Drive, Norman Hiring for the following departments: banquets, housekeeping, front desk, engineering, kitchen and restaurant, full and part time associates. Employment contingent on acceptable references and drug test results. Drug free work environment/EOE.

HOUSES UNFURNISHED Near OU, 3 bed, 1.5 bth, ch/a, garage, no pets, 504 Inwood Dr, $750/mo., deposit required. Call 996-6592 or 329-1933

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

$99 1st Month/$99 Deposit *some restrictions may apply. Plus $25 Off Your Monthly Rent! Pets Welcome! Large Floor plans!

Models open 8a-8p Everyday! Elite Properties 360-6624 or www.elite2900.com 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. $375/mo. darling apartment, 1325 Lincoln Ave. Norman, Call 397-3588.

ROOMMATES WANTED 1 bdrm of 3 bdrm house for rent, female only to join other 2 female students. No pets/smokers, very close to OU, all bills paid, but elec has 1/3 cap., $325/mo. Call 909-238-2941.

J

Housing Sales

CONDOS Newer Edge condo, 4 Bd, 4 Bth, move in ready, Reduced, $124,000. Call Carol Lindley, Dillard Group 401-0246.

Pool side investment condo, 4Bd, 4 Bth, rented, $1400/mo. through May 09, Reduced, $129,000.

Call Carol Lindley, Dillard Group 401-0246.

HOUSES Move in Ready 3 bd, 2 bth, 2 living, 1800 sq ft.

Woodcreek addition, Reduced, 148,900. Call Carol Lindley, Dillard Group 401-0246.

Sell your stuff. classifieds@ou.edu

$400.00 duplex, 2 large bedrooms, 1 bath, incl. washer and dryer, W. Lindsey and McGee, no pets, 323-1412.

Part-time PM shifts, off Fri and Sat.commercial carpet cleaning company seeks techs. Clean driving record a must. Call 366-6464, for appt.

325-5000 All calls are anonymous.

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The University of Oklahoma is an Equal Opportunity Institution.

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.

Report Hazing.

cancer killer.

DUPLEXES UNFURNISHED

$10 per hour / Will Train

True Sooners Don’t Haze.

Near OU 1111 Louise Ln, 3/2/2, $750/mo; 826 Jona Kay, 3/2/2/2 living, $950/mo; 1301 Keystone 3/1/1, $625/mo; 910 Quanah Parker 2/1/1 $600/mo.360-2873 or 306-1970.

Room for rent with 3 other guys at the Commons $299.00/mo. all bills paid, FIRST MONTHS RENT FREE. Contact Amy at 366-7517

APTS. UNFURNISHED

HELP WANTED

J Housing Rentals

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

Professional & Confidential Substance Abuse Counseling All Services Are State Certified

x Individual & Group Counseling x Problem Gambling counseling x DUI Assessments & Schools x Urinalysis & Hair Testing FOR INFORMATION OR AN APPOINTMENT CALL:

405.321.0022 www.NAICHelp.org 215 W. Linn Norman, OK 73069 MANY PROGRAM FEES ARE BASED ON A SLIDING SCALE

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

A member of the United W ay of Norman, Inc. since 1973.

Funded in part by the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health & Substance Abuse Services

Universal Crossword Edited by Timothy E. Parker October 01, 2008 ACROSS 1 Barbecue chef’s implement 6 Suffix that takes things to the extreme 9 Nathanael and Mae 14 Be crazy about 15 Wonder-ful feeling?

16 Woman of Paradise, in Islam 17 Access a computer network 18 Was printed 19 “The ___ Sanctum�

20 Some small planes 23 Akeelah’s event 24 “Don’t be fuelish,� e.g.

25 Double duos 27 Distribute troops anew 32 Act the butterfly 33 Bobby Hockey 34 Lorelei, for one 36 Upper region of space 39 Willie of baseball fame 41 Mongol invader 43 Greek sleeper’s letter?

44 Where to see a derby win, or a tie 46 Largest human gland 48 Comb-over alternative

49 The euro replaced it 51 Compact summary 53 Sunburn aftermath 56 Superman’s inscription 57 Sawbones’ org.

58 Certain marine vessel 64 It’s in overalls 66 Brave face, sometimes 67 Beast of burden 68 Four-time Kent portrayer 69 Captain’s pronoun 70 “Beggars can’t be choosers,� e.g.

71 Acted humanly 72 Start of a triple jump 73 Toys that can be made to walk DOWN 1 After-shower sprinkle 2 Cause for opening a window 3 Not ready, in NASA-speak 4 Influenza 5 “Saturday Night Live� specialties 6 What the walls have 7 Hit the buzzer?

8 Words to live by 9 One thing to blow 10 1,000,000,000

years 11 Some are nude 12 Trapped by the hounds 13 Begets 21 Not illuminated 22 One who may cry foul 26 Name in luxury hotels 27 Capital south of Venezia 28 Big Band and Gaslight 29 Person an errand runner may visit 30 By word of mouth 31 Elusive figures in the mountains, supposedly 35 Admiral’s service 37 A case of pins and needles 38 Syncopated tunes

PREVIOUS PUZZLE ANSWER

Š 2008 Universal Press Syndicate www.upuzzles.com

“A TIDY PUZZLE� by Alice Walker

Score with ourur prices, choosee

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40 Bedrock’s covering, perhaps 42 Agree to more issues 45 Neat, as a beard 47 Rhododendron 50 “Star Wars: The Phantom Menace� boy 52 Prefix applied to poseurs 53 Man on a mission 54 Muslim chieftain (Var.) 55 Grind grinders 59 Return from the cave?

60 Word repeated by a drill sergeant 61 Seek divine guidance 62 “Cogito ___ sum�

63 Agile deer 65 It may be added to impress

State News & Details

Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2008

9

Rice slams bailout, Inhofe undecided Legislators criticized issue],” Rice said Tuesday.

Josh Kivett, spokesman for Inhofe, said the senator was “leaning against supporting” the bailout plan, but realized a way must be found to “address the financial situation as soon as possible.”

He said Inhofe “will continue to work with his colleagues to develop a solution that makes sense for Main Street as well as Wall Street.”

Reps. Tom Cole, a Republican, and Dan Boren, a Democrat, voted for the plan, while it was opposed by GOP Reps. John Sullivan, Frank Lucas and Mary Fallin. Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Okla., issued a statement urging passage before the vote.

Rice said the latest proposal was “moving in the right directiaon” but did not go far enough.

“Under this bailout, or economic rescue plan, Andrew Rice there would be no statutory rules that would prevent this sub-prime lending from taking place in the future,” he said.

“Hopefully, by the end of the week, we are going to have a better bill,” he said.

RON JENKINS Associated Press OKLAHOMA CITY — The financial bailout bill defeated in the U.S. House this week lacked enough safeguards for taxpayers and “is just not tough enough” on executives who profited from sub-prime lending, Democratic Senate candidate Andrew Rice said Tuesday.

Rice, in a teleconference, said the bailout bill had produced more anger on the campaign trail than any other issue.

He also chided his opponent in the November general election — Sen. Jim Inhofe, R-Okla. — as a longtime advocate of deregulation policies that contributed to the financial debacle.

Inhofe was alone among the state’s seven Jim members of Congress in not issuing a statement on Monday, the day the bailout plan failed in a Inhofe House vote, 228-205.

He has been criticized by the Rice camp for telling a radio station that “this is not really a problem.”

“We’ve really not heard or seen much from him at all [on the

and hanging it on the walls.

Authorities allege that didn’t stop 34-year-old Donald Dejarnette from using some of the cash last week to pay Fat dolphins going on a for — of all things — a court fine.

Kern County sheriff ’s Sgt. Tyson Dadiet at Japan aquarium vis said a clerk immediately recognized TOKYO — Dolphins at a Japanese mathe bills. Some even had “Homestead” rine park are going on a low fat diet after written on them. developing pot bellies and failing to look Dejarnette and four others have sharp in their aquatic performances. been arrested on suspicion of taking Kinosaki Marine World in western $8,000 from the restaurant. About Japan said Tuesday that all of its 19 dol- $1,000 has been recovered. phins have been on a low fat diet since The sheriff ’s department Tuesday late August, when they started failing didn’t know whether any of the to hit jumping targets and keep upright suspects has hired an attorney. while treading water.

“We were puzzled by their poor Lost dog finds Fla. travel performance, then we noticed they looked rounder,” said park spokesman agency, way home Haruo Imazu.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — A golden Keepers measured their weight and retriever who was 400 miles from his found that all had gotten plumper, some Atlanta home booked a trip back by up to 22 pounds heavier just during the simply looking pathetic outside of a summer.

Florida travel agency.

All had the same menu — about 31 Nine months ago, Pepper ran away pounds of mackerel mixed with some from Atlanta while his family was on white fish — but keepers found the vacation. He somehow made it down to mackerels had gotten fattier, adding too St. Petersburg. It’s unknown if he got a many calories for the dolphins. ride or wandered on his own.

Keepers immediately put them on Then Pepper turned up outside a weight loss program, feeding them 66th Street Travel last week during a more white fish and less fatty mackerels, thunderstorm. while instituting a routine exercise Employee Jay Getman described regime, Imazu said.

Pepper as “just soaking wet, filthy, dirty, Less fat and moderate exercise flea-infested.” seemed to be working, he said.

Getman had recently rescued another golden retriever and became Dollars stolen from eat- attached to the new dog, too. At first he was hesitant to seek out Pepper’s ery’s wall used for fine owners, fearing the dog may have been INYOKERN, Calif. — Thousands of abused. dollar bills stolen from a restaurant But then a veterinarian found an in California’s high desert could not implanted microchip on the dog with have been more clearly marked: The information on its Atlanta owners.

Homestead had a tradition of customers writing messages on the currency — AP

ACKYWAY EWSNAY

CAMPUS NOTES The Daily draws all entries for campus notes from OUDaily. com’s comprehensive, campuswide calendar. To get your event noticed, visit OUDaily. com and fill out our user-friendly form under the calendar link.

TODAY ANIMATION & COMIC SOCIETY A meeting will be at 8 a.m. in Dale Hall, room 211.

STUDENT SUCCESS SERIES • A seminar on overcoming homesickness will be at 3 p.m. in Carnegie Building, room 200.

• A seminar on studying for science courses will be at 4:30 p.m. in Dale Hall, room 211.

BECOMING A RESIDENT ADVISER A meeting on how to become a resident adviser will be at 3 p.m. in the Sooner room at the Oklahoma Memorial Union.

FRENCH CLUB A game night will be at 6:30 p.m. in Kaufman Hall, room 232.

WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL The team will play Texas at 7 p.m. at the McCasland Field House.

YOUNG DEMOCRATS A meeting featuring Diane Drum, Democratic candidate for the Oklahoma State Senate, will be at 7 p.m. in Dale Hall, room 112.

SCHOOL OF MUSIC There will be a piano performance by Gustavo Romeo, as part of the Norton Concert Series, at 8 p.m. in Sharp Concert Hall.

OUR EARTH A general meeting to discuss sustainability issues on campus will be at 9 p.m. in the Heritage Room at the Union.

THURSDAY STUDENT SUCCESS SERIES A seminar on how to “Make Studying Work for You” will be at 3 p.m. in Carnegie Building, room 200.

BECOMING A RESIDENT ADVISER A meeting on how to become a resident adviser will be at 5 p.m. in the Cate Main Social Lounge.

SOCIETY OF ASIA-PACIFIC ENGINEERS A general meeting with tea and cookies will be at 7 p.m. in the Union’s Presidents Room.

for lack of support to medical patients RON JENKINS Associated Press OKLAHOMA CITY — Some House and Senate leaders have drawn low ratings for their votes by a group that advocates for more protections for health care consumers and nursing home residents.

The 2008 Legislature drew an overall rating of “average” from the Oklahoma Foundation for Consumer and Patient rights.

The group cited the defeat of bills to require insurance coverage for children with autism and for seriously ill patients who undergo clinical trials and legislation to require nursing homes to carry liability insurance.

“During the last session, help for cancer patients, children with autism and nursing home residents failed to overcome powerful, selfish interests. The poor, sick and the elderly continue to suffer because of it,” said Jeff Raymond, executive director of the foundation.

Monte Collings, Guy Thiessen, Tulsa attorney, said father of cancer a task force appointed Gov. Brad Henry in 2006 showed more than victim half of the state’s nursing homes had no liability insurance. He said patients and their families suffer as a result in abuse cases.

He said some nursing home operations are able to, in effect, thwart lawsuits through multiple corporations that allow owners to hide assets.

Senate Co-President Pro Tem Glenn Coffee, R-Oklahoma City, voted only 43 percent of the time for bills supported by the foundation.

A spokesman in Coffee’s office said the senator was not available for comment Tuesday afternoon.

Several House and Senate members voted only about half the time for issues backed by the group. House Speaker Chris Benge, a Tulsa Republican, voted 62 percent of the time.

Rep. Ken Luttrell, D-Ponca City, had the only 100 percent score.

Several lawmakers had scores in the high 80s and 90s. House Democratic leader Danny Morgan of Prague had a score of 87 percent and Senate President Pro Tem Mike Morgan, D-Stillwater, had a 90 percent score.

Raymond said lawmakers did do some good things this past session, including passing bills to toughen penalties for elder care abuse, inform consumers when their confidential information has been breached and require child care centers to carry liability insurance.

But he and others expressed disappointment that lawmakers did not take final action on such bills as Steffanie’s Law, which was approved in the Senate but failed to get a hearing in the House.

“We pay our premiums as they tell us to, so why don’t we get what we pay for?”

HOROSCOPE

By Bernice Bede Osol

Copyright 2008, Newspaper Enterprise Assn.

Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2008 LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23) -- You’re in a better-than-usual cycle now, which could spell personal financial gain if you put forth the effort to expand your base. When you see an opening, don’t hesitate to make a move.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 22) -- It would be much better to transform some of your ideas than to spend time revising others’ concepts. Be your own person as much as possible.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23-Dec. 21) -- Although it doesn’t bother you to be in the spotlight, this might not be a good time to focus all the attention on you. Be the power behind the throne, not the center of attraction.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) -- Several friends who have been uncooperative lately might undergo a complete change of attitude. You will never know why.

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

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) -- This could be one of those days when you score multiple outstanding achievements. Follow the course you set, and let life take care of itself.

Previous Solution 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

PISCES (Feb. 20-March 20) -Some recently received information could be more valuable than you have been made aware of. Its true worth might come to light, and you will find yourself far ahead of the competition.

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.

Previous Answers

ARIES (March 21-April 19) -- Starting an exciting endeavor is feasible, but it is going to take a great deal of effort to launch it properly. Once committed, be prepared to stay the course.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20) -- This is a good day to talk to those in charge about making the necessary changes to improve whatever you’re working on.

Base your presentation on facts.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20) -Being both resourceful and practical is a winning combination, especially with regard to work or career. The example you set will not only enhance your image but also encourage co-workers to do likewise.

CANCER (June 21-July 22) -- It would be a mistake to underestimate the contributions you can make to a group endeavor. Don’t hesitate to gamble on your talents -- to pull off something that others can’t.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) -- It’s important the entire family is in accord when it comes to anything that affects the workings of the household. You can expect tremendous results if you can make this happen.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) -- Many times, it takes a bit of courage to move forward on something that could make or break you. If this is the case, don’t hesitate to completely revise your methods or procedures.

10

Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2008

Election  With a little more than a month until Election Day, Sen. Barack Obama and Sen. John McCain clashed Friday on how each would handle national security.

At the first presidential debate, Obama criticized McCain, saying the Arizona senator helped rush America into a war with unforeseen consequences.

McCain challenged Obama, calling him naive for saying he would negotiate with hostile leaders like Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad without preconditions.

Obama said he wants more emphasis on Afghanistan and strongly encourages diplomacy, especially with Iran.

“He is wanting to meet with different foreign leaders. He truly believes that if you meet with someone then you can solve many problems,” said Betty Standifer, volunteer for the Cleveland County Democratic Party headquarters.

McCain does not think talking with rogue regimes is effective without preconditions.

“McCain is still coming from the Reagan and Cold War era. Obama has not had the same experience long term,” said Margaret Ellis, political science professor.

In light of the candidates’ debate over national security The Daily breaks down the presidential candidates’ statements on the issues.

— JAMIE BIRDWELL/THE DAILY

Candidates spell out national security plans in debate

“What Sen. Obama doesn’t seem to understand is that if without precondition you sit down across the table from someone who has called Israel a stinking corpse, and wants to destroy that country and wipe it off the map, you legitimize those comments. This is dangerous. It isn’t just naive; it’s dangerous.”

DIPLOMACY

“[McCain] even said the other day that he would not meet potentially with the prime minister of Spain, because he — you know, he wasn’t sure whether they were aligned with us.

I mean, Spain? Spain is a NATO ally ... If we can’t meet with our friends, I don’t know how we’re going to lead the world in terms of dealing with critical issues like terrorism.”

“Our initial military success, we went in to Baghdad and everybody celebrated. And then the war was very badly mishandled. I went to Iraq in 2003 and came back and said, ‘We’ve got to change this strategy.’ This strategy requires additional troops. It requires a fundamental change in strategy and I fought for it. And finally, we came up with a great general and a strategy that has succeeded ... and we will come home with victory and with honor.

And that withdrawal is the result of every counterinsurgency that succeeds.”

THE SURGE

“John, you like to pretend like the war started in 2007. You talk about the surge. The war started in 2003, and at the time when the war started, you said it was going to be quick and easy. You said we knew where the weapons of mass destruction were. You were wrong. You said that we were going to be greeted as liberators. You were wrong. You said that there was no history of violence between Shia and Sunni. And you were wrong.”

“The next president of the United States is going to have to decide how we leave, when we leave, and what we leave behind. ... Sen. Obama said the surge could not work, said it would increase sectarian violence, said it was doomed to failure. Recently on a television program, he said it exceeded our wildest expectations.”

IRAQ

“So I think the lesson to be drawn is that we should never hesitate to use military force, and I will not, as president, in order to keep the American people safe. But we have to use our military wisely. And we did not use our military wisely in Iraq.”

AFGHANISTAN

“Now six years ago, I stood up and opposed this war at a time when it was politically risky to do so because I said that not only did we not know how much it was going to cost, what our exit strategy might be, how it would affect our relationships around the world, and whether our intelligence was sound, but also because we hadn’t finished the job in Afghanistan.

“We hadn’t caught bin Laden. We hadn’t put al Qaida to rest, and as a consequence, I thought that it was going to be a distraction. Now Sen. McCain and President Bush had a very different judgment.”

“So we’ve got a lot of work to do in Afghanistan. But I’m confident, now that General Petraeus is in the new position of command, that we will employ a strategy which not only means additional troops -- and, by the way, there have been 20,000 additional troops, from 32,000 to 53,000, and there needs to be more.

So it’s not just the addition of troops that matters. It’s a strategy that will succeed. And Pakistan is a very important element in this. And I know how to work with him. And I guarantee you I would not publicly state that I’m going to attack them.