The Daily Reveille - October 19, 2009

WHO DAT?

NEWS Women make up majority of STD test pool, page 3.

Saints beat previously undefeated Giants for 5-0 record, page 5.

THE DAILY REVEILLE Volume 114, Issue 38

WWW.LSUREVEILLE.COM

Monday, October 19, 2009

Are we prepared for a

ECONOMY

Gambling revenue down in Louisiana

school shooting?

By Ryan Buxton Staff Writer

photos by ALEX BOND / The Daily Reveille

University implements campus safety measures

By Lindsey Meaux Contributing Writer

On April 16, 2007, the single-most deadly shooting in the U.S. occurred on the Virginia Tech campus, leaving 27 students, five professors and the shooter

dead.

More than two years later, LSU and several other universities have been assembling response plans officials hope they never have to use.

Active shootings typically last for fewer than two minutes, giving the University a tiny window of opportunity to respond, communicate and advise, said Lawrence Rabalais, LSU Police Department Chief.

“We’ve taken practical measures

since Virgina Tech, since Northern Illinois, trying to understand why these things happen and trying to see what we can do as a police department, as a University, to keep these things from happening,” Rabalais said.

Virginia Tech, the Columbine High School shooting in 1999 and the Northern Illinois University shooting in February 2008, have provided the University with SHOOTINGS, see page 15

lsureveille.com

[Right] LSUPD officer Daniel Richardson demonstrates a communication headset Thursday. [Top] LSUPD cars lined up in front of the LSU Safety Building.

Log on to see if students think the University is prepared for a school shooting.

Though nationwide gambling revenue was down for the 2009 fiscal year, Louisiana has endured one of the smallest decreases in the country, according ‘Unless to a study by something in the Nelson A. Rockefeller In- the economy stitute of Gov- changes, I ernment.

L o u i s i - don’t see ana’s overall any reason gambling revwhy the enue decreased casino from $668 million to $659 revenues will million.

The pick up.’

1.3 percent decrease is less Jeff Traylor than the nastate police tional average, audit director 2.8 percent.

Jeff Traylor, audit director for the state police, which conducts audits of gambling revenue, said Louisiana may be behind the national curve because of extra money circulating through the state after Hurricane Katrina.

“The economy is a mess, but it took longer to hit us because of Katrina,” Traylor said. “We had all that federal money in the state, and it’s begun to dry up.”

GAMBLING, see page 11

Victims, supporters march against domestic violence Campus holds second “Take Back the Night”

By Mary Walker Baus Staff Writer

Bonita Alston looked like all the other supporters at the “Take Back the Night” event Sunday, listening to music, eating free food and wearing a free event T-shirt, but her reasons for attending were not as similar.

Alston is a survivor of domestic abuse.

She said she worked as a prostitute in

Chicago when she was 15 years old. Alston said she married her pimp, who would beat her regularly, even when she was pregnant.

“After that, every man was abusive,” she said. “I thought I was in love. I thought if he didn’t hit me, then he didn’t love me.”

Alston was among other victims of domestic violence at the 23rd annual “Take Back the Night,” sponsored by a number of organizations including the LSU Women’s Center, the LSU Student Health Center, the Capital Area Family Violence Intervention Center’s Battered Women’s Program, the Rape Crisis Center and the Office of the Mayor-President.

“Thirty years ago, women who were

concerned about rape and domestic violence wanted to make a public statement that the nighttime should be safe,” said Martha Forbes, Capital Area Family Center executive director. “[Domestic violence is] a community problem, and we need a community solution.”

Louisiana has the highest rate of women killed by men in the nation, according to a September 2009 Violence Policy Center report. The study analyzed data from 2007, which was the most recent data available from the FBI’s Supplementary Homicide Report.

VIOLENCE, see page 15

BRIANNA PACIORKA / The Daily Reveille

Take Back the Night attendees hold signs Sunday night symbolizing female victims of domestic violence in Louisiana.

THE DAILY REVEILLE

MONDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2009

Nation & World

PAGE 2

STATE/LOCAL

INTERNATIONAL

NATIONAL

Brazil vows safe Olympics in 2016 after 14 killed in Rio on Saturday

Colorado sheriff: Runaway balloon boy saga was hoax

Air Force: Missing pilot had no chance to eject

Analysis: New Orleans public hospital still faces hurdles

Two Louisiana congressmen to address health care

RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — At least 2,000 police officers patrolled the city Sunday, and Brazilian officials pledged to host a violence-free 2016 Olympics despite bloody drug gang shootouts that left 14 people dead.

Saturday’s fighting raged five miles southwest of one of the zones where Rio’s 2016 Olympics will be held.

FORT COLLINS, Colo. (AP) — The parents who set off a worldwide drama by reporting their 6-year-old son was inside a flying saucer-like helium balloon hurtling over Colorado concocted the stunt to market themselves for a television show, a sheriff said Sunday.

Larimer County Sheriff Jim Alderden said at an extraordinarily candid news conference that the boy, Falcon Heene, may not have even been hiding in the rafters of the family’s garage during the intense five-hour search for him Thursday.

“For all we know, he may have been two blocks down the road playing on the swing in the city park,” the sheriff said.

Alderden said the parents Richard and Mayumi Heene “put on a very good show for us, and we bought it.”

The sheriff said no charges had been filed yet, and the parents weren’t under arrest.

SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. (AP) — Authorities say an Air Force pilot had no opportunity to eject after a collision between two F-16 fighter jets offshore, and Coast Guard searchers say they’ve shifted efforts to finding his body and recovering the plane’s wreckage.

A search for Capt. Nicholas Giglio, missing since Thursday night’s crash, had involved Coast Guard helicopters, ships and private volunteers scouring some 8,000 square miles of Atlantic waters.

Authorities said Saturday investigators believe Giglio died instantly during a night training exercise.

The Coast Guard had spent nearly two days conducting the search for the pilot in waters about 40 miles northeast of Charleston.

Capt. Michael McAllister, director for the search, described that effort as exhaustive.

(AP) — The end is near for the long-running dispute between the state and the federal government over just how much Louisiana is due for Hurricane Katrina’s damage to Charity Hospital in New Orleans.

Too bad that’s not the last dispute needing resolution before a new $1.2 billion LSU public hospital can be built.

Gov. Bobby Jindal’s administration recently announced a federal arbitration panel will make a final decision on what Louisiana will receive from the Federal Emergency Management Agency for damage to the now-closed hospital nicknamed “Big Charity.”

That starts a clock ticking and means a decision should come by early next year on whether Louisiana will receive the $150 million offered by FEMA, the $492 million sought by the state or something in between.

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Two Louisiana congressmen planned to address the ongoing debate about overhauling the nation’s health care at events Monday.

U.S. Rep. Bill Cassidy, a Baton Rouge Republican, and Rep. Steve Scalise, a Republican from Jefferson, both planned meetings Monday.

Australian teen sailor starts solo round-the-world bid SYDNEY (AP) — A 16-year-old Australian steered her bright pink yacht out of Sydney Harbor on Sunday to start her bid to become the youngest person to sail solo and unassisted around the world.

Jessica Watson’s plan to make a 23,600-mile journey through some of the world’s most treacherous waters sparked a debate in Australia about whether someone so young should be allowed to try such a potentially dangerous feat.

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JUST KICKIN’ IT

Sunny

TUESDAY

(AP) — When it comes to birds, Louisiana is faring better than many others thanks to the remaining expanses of undeveloped habitat. But that does not mean there are no problems or declines in the population of the state’s birds, ornithologists said.

The top five Louisiana birds that are in decline are the Northern Bobwhite, the Eastern Meadowlark, the King Rail, the Seaside Sparrow and the Northern Flicker.

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Weather 72 50

TODAY

MLK COMMEMORATIVE CELEBRATION MEETING Monday October 19, 2009, 4:30pm Red River Room. 3rd Floor Student Union.

Some bird species common to Louisiana now in decline

WEDNESDAY 82 61 FRIDAY 67 54

photos by GRANT GUTIERREZ and MEGAN J. WILLIAMS / The Daily Reveille

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THE DAILY REVEILLE

PAGE 3

HEALTH

Females account for most of Health Center STD tests Males have higher rate of positive tests

By Sarah Lawson Contributing Writer

The number of students at the University with sexually transmitted diseases or infections is stable, according to Student Health Center numbers, but female students account for much more of the total students tested than males, making up 77 percent of the test group.

Fifty-one male students have tested positive for chlamydia or gonorrhea so far this year — only six cases more than in 2005. Among females, 77 cases have been positive for the two diseases so far this year — compared to 91 positive cases four years ago.

The discrepancy between male and female testing counts exists because females receive STD analyses during their scheduled gynecology exams, and male students usually take the tests only for symptoms, said Brenda Prudhomme, lab technician supervisor at the Student Health Center, in an e-mail.

So far this year, 39 percent of chlamydia and gonorrhea tests were positive for male students tested.

Only 5 percent of female students tested were positive for chlamydia and gonorrhea. There have been 2,035 total chlamydia and gonorrhea tests taken at the Center in 2009 — down from 2,246 and 2,350 tests in 2006 and 2007, respectively.

The Student Health Center offers tests for chlamydia, gonorrhea, herpes, HIV, syphilis and Hepatitis B. Prudhomme said the incidence of positive HIV, syphilis or hepatitis results is rare. All tests are conducted through urine or blood sample.

Nineteen million new sexuallytransmitted infections occur in the U.S. each year, according to Womenshealth.gov, a part of the Department of Health and Human Services. The U.S. has the highest rates of STDs in the industrialized world, according to the site.

Louisiana was in the highest bracket for STD morbidity rates from 1984 to 2006, along with states like California, Florida and New York, with deaths from STDs exceeding 600,000 during the time period, according to the Center for Disease Control.

The CDC reports nearly half of those infected with either chlamydia or gonorrhea could also be infected with the other disease at the same time.

The Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals reports

graphic by CAITLYN CONDON / The Daily Reveille

Louisiana’s STD rates are among the highest in the country. The state’s 2007 rankings included the highest primary and secondary syphilis rate, the second highest gonorrhea rate and the seventh highest chlamydia rate.

The total chlamydia cases increased by more than 3,000 to 22,659 in 2008. The rankings for 2007 are the most recent year for which the statistics are available.

The National College Health Assessment for last fall by the American College Health Association, showed 8.2 percent of the nearly 27,000 students surveyed reported having four or more sexual partners. About 54 percent of sexually active students reported using a condom during intercourse in the past 30 days.

Saichuk said students put themselves at extreme risk when they have sex with an infected partner. She said condoms don’t protect against transmission of HPV and herpes, as they are both transmissible skin-to-skin.

“The only thing that’s 100 percent is abstinence ... no genital contact. If you ask 10 different people what abstinence means, you’ll get 10 different answers,” Saichuk said.

She said male testing used to be painful, but now the Center uses urine analyses for most STD tests.

She said most people are asymptomatic with STDs, so it’s important to take voluntary tests to ensure sexual health.

Saichuk said the symptoms are not exclusive to STD diagnoses, but

students should get tested if they experience genital itching, odorous discharge, abnormal bleeding, sores, growths or pain during intercourse or urination.

“It’s important to know your body,” she said. “People should be more educated about it — how common [infection] is. There’s nothing shameful about getting tested,” she said.

But Colin Ryan, philosophy senior, said he’s never taken an STD test. He said it would take real suspicion of symptoms to get him into a testing facility.

Taylor Neyland, biology freshman, said if male students aren’t ready to take an STD test of their own volition, they should observe the physical results of STDs that have been allowed to progress in others.

“You’d be a little ashamed. But ... you should treat your body like a temple,” she said. “The way the world is today — it’s a mess. Take care of yourself.”

Jared Pete, architecture sophomore, said more advertisement of STD testing might encourage more male students to get tested.

“You want to be safe,” he said.

“You don’t want to harm anyone else.”

Saichuk said STDs carry more serious medical implications in the long run if left untreated. Bacterial infections can cause pelvic inflammatory disease in females — a painful infection that can lead to

permanent infertility. Males can incur permanent infertility or testicular cancer. Saichuk said syphilis, while bacterial and treatable, can get into the nervous system over time and destroy the brain.

“They’re completely curable without residual damage to the body,” Saichuk said of bacterial infections.

She said viral infections are treatable but not completely curable.

Infection with HIV, HPV or herpes, for example, lasts a lifetime, and only the “viral load,” or presence of the virus, can be managed with medication, she said.

To keep from exacerbating complications with herpes

simplex 1,Saichuk advised students to get sleep, reduce stress levels and keep from compromising the immune system. For hepatitis, she said any consumption of alcohol can further damage the liver.

The Health Center offers vaccines for Human Papillomavirus in three installments for $134 per shot and vaccines for Hepatitis A and B. Maggie Calloway, psychology sophomore, said she has no problem with getting tested for STDs without any suspicion of infection.

Contact Sarah Lawson at slawson@lsureveille.com

Mellow Mushroom $9.99 Large 1 Topping Pizza $6 Domestic Buckets Plucker’s Wing Bar Monday: $14.99 All you can eat wings and $3 Plucker’s Lemonades Tuesday: $2.50 Mexican Beers and Margaritas Wednesday: Trivia at 8PM. $4 Mother Plucker Mugs Thursday: $15.99 All you can eat wings. $4 Mother Plucker Mugs. $3 Margaritas and Plucker’s Lemonades

9-10:30 AM 12-1:30 PM 4:00-5:30 PM 8:00- 9:30 PM

The Exorcist The Shining Saw Silent Hill

THE DAILY REVEILLE

PAGE 4

MULTICULTURAL AFFAIRS

BATON ROUGE COMMUNITY

Seventh La. Book Festival held Around 200 authors discuss literature

By Ryan Buxton Staff Writer

KIMBERLY JACKSON / The Daily Reveille

Students listen to Blaine Grimes, financial education coordinator, talk about money matters Saturday as part of the Multicultural Student Leadership Conference.

Annual conference draws more diversity

By Emily Holden Contributing Writer

Wilishia Morgan stared into her lap at a hemp bracelet she was stringing with beads of a few different colors and realized she was learning a lesson about diversity.

Morgan attended the annual Multicultural Student Leadership Conference on Saturday in the Student Union and participated in an exercise to help students determine whether they surround themselves with a racially diverse group of individuals. She filled out a form about the people in her life and received a different color bead for each race represented on the survey.

Morgan, information systems and decision sciences senior representing Delta Sigma Theta, said the sessions helped her become aware of how students subconsciously and unintentionally spend time with peers of the same race.

Morgan and about 60 other student leaders attended sessions about leadership, communication, identity, cultural stereotyping and women’s rights.

Staff members from several student assistance organizations, including Campus Life, The Center for Academic Success, Career Services and Residential Life, lead sessions.

Niya Blair, African American Student Affairs coordinator, said students represented many organizations, including Residential Life, the Black Student Union, Greek Life, Ambassadors, Spectrum, the Baptist Collegiate Ministry and the Honors College.

Blair said a more diverse group of student leaders attended the conference than in past years, and she intentionally recruited students of different races and backgrounds. She said the conference was called the Black Student Leadership Conference until 2007 when she arrived at the University.

The majority of students participating were black, but this year’s group of students was the most diverse yet, Blair said.

But Devon Wade, sociology and criminology junior representing National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, said he wished “more than just black and white students” had at-

Monday, October 19, 2009

tended the event.

Jonathon Hyde, Residential Life associate director of residence education, led a session about understanding identity and how society defines individuals based on race, gender, sexual orientation and other characteristics.

Hyde said he hopes students will take what they learned back to their campus organizations.

“When there are groups that are oppressed and struggling, you don’t normally see them out supporting each other,” Hyde said.

“I’d love to see those people out supporting people who are struggling.”

Wade said his favorite part of the sessions was student interaction and discussion about how students can spread multiculturalism to the campus community.

Hyde’s session identified seven characteristics of identity — including race, gender, ability and socioeconomic status — society uses to define individuals. He said some characteristics are dominant and some are subordinate. Hyde urged students to think about their privileges in these identities and to “look beyond their own struggles.”

In the closing session of the conference, students participated in an exercise about understanding stereotypes. Students wrote gut-reaction thoughts about different groups of people shown on posters around the room. One poster for “republicans” included statements like “fundamentalist,” “close-minded,” “white man,” and “rich,” while other posters like “Mexican” and “atheist,” were also covered with stereotypical descriptions.

Contact Emily Holden at eholden@lsureveille.com

Legions of book lovers came together Saturday to discuss and promote literature at the seventh annual Louisiana Book Festival.

Engaged festival-goers and 190 authors participated in panel discussions and conversations in

the chambers and committee rooms of the Louisiana Capitol Building, a part of the festival that makes it unique, said Rebecca Hamilton, assistant secretary for the office of the state library.

“We have a very intimate environment,” Hamilton said. “You can meet the author you’re going to see.

It is on a scale so that you can have a very intimate reaction with an author that would [otherwise] be lost in an auditorium.”

Hamilton said in addition to promoting literacy and encourag-

ing reading, the festival is a part of Louisiana’s economy, both culturally and financially.

“As people write books about Louisiana, that’s economic development,” Hamilton said. “There’s visibility for the state. We are part of Louisiana’s cultural economy.”

Ernest J. Gaines, author of Southern novels “A Lesson Before Dying” and “The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman,” spoke about the inspiration Louisiana has given his writing.

Though Gaines left Louisiana in 1948, he returned in 1963 — a move he said was crucial to his work.

“The only thing I could write about was Louisiana,” Gaines said.

“My soul remained here. For me to be a writer, I had to come back to Louisiana ... and my stories began to feel true to me.”

BOOKS, see page 11

BRIANNA PACIORKA / The Daily Reveille

Festival goers check out a tent of children’s books during the Louisiana Book Festival on Saturday in front of the Louisiana State Capitol building.

THE DAILY REVEILLE

Sports

Monday, October 19, 2009

PAGE 5

Easy Brees-y New Orleans passing attack leads Saints’ 44-27 win against Giants

By Brett Martel The Associated Press

NEW ORLEANS — Who dat knew them Saints were this good?

Drew Brees torched the Giants’ league-leading defense, swarming Saints defenders ruined Eli Manning’s homecoming and undefeated New Orleans matched its best start since 1993 with a 4427 throttling of previously unbeaten New York on Sunday.

“We wanted to really dictate the tempo of the game the whole way through,” Brees said. “Seven different guys scored touchdowns.

That’s big. That’s the type of rhythm that, when you get in, you feel like you can call anything and it’s going to work.”

Brees ended his two-game streak without a touchdown throw by completing 23 of 30 passes for 369 yards and four scores, giving him 101 touchdown passes since the Saints signed him as a free agent in 2006.

The Giants (5-1) came into the game giving up averages of 210.6 yards and 14.2 points. The Saints (5-0) had 34 points and 315 yards by halftime.

The Saints have beaten all comers by 14 points or more and have yet to trail this season, looking more and more like the team to beat in the NFC. Yet the architect of this juggernaut, coach Sean Payton, bristled at the notion that New Orleans’ latest convincing victory over an undefeated team from New York — they beat the Jets 24-10 in Week 4 — meant that the Saints had established themselves SAINTS, see page 10

FOOTBALL

Tigers No. 9 in first BCS standings

By Casey Gisclair Deputy Sports Editor

The LSU football team is No. 9 in the first BCS standings of the season, which were released Sunday afternoon.

The Tigers have a rating of .708. A team’s BCS score has three components — the ESPN/ USA Today Coaches Poll, the Harris Interactive Poll and the average of six computer polls.

LSU’s position was aided by a strong rating from the computer polls, where the Tigers have an average ranking of No. 7. The Tigers are ranked No. 9 in the Harris Poll and No. 10 in the Coaches Poll.

Defending national champion Florida is No. 1 in the BCS with a score of .9886. The Gators still have a comfortable .3 lead over No. 2 Alabama after the Crimson Tide gained ground on the Gators in some of the polls after Florida struggled to a three-point home win this weekend against Arkansas.

BCS busters Boise State and TCU were represented well in the first standings at No. 4 and No. 8, respectively.

Texas is No. 3 after a weekend victory against Oklahoma, but the Longhorns are .6 behind Alabama for the No. 2 ranking.

Contact Casey Gisclair at cgisclair@lsureveille.com

BILL HABER / The Associated Press

Saints quarterback Drew Brees throws a pass against the New York Giants during the Saints’ 44-27 victory in the Superdome.

SOCCER

No. 15 Tigers frustrate Miss. State, tie Ole Miss Yepez likely to return against Fla.

By Rowan Kavner Sports Contributor

The No. 15 LSU soccer team regained its swagger against Mississippi State on Sunday.

After going 1-1-1 in their past three games leading into the match, the Tigers (10-3-3, 6-1-1) came out firing on all cylinders in a dominant 4-0 victory against the Bulldogs (8-6-2, 0-6-2).

“The first half was great,” said LSU coach Brian Lee. “It’s

important to get out to a good start.

We could have scored a bunch in the first half.”

In the 11th minute, freshman forward Carlie Banks buried one in the back of the net, only to be followed a minute later by sophomore midfielder Taryne Boudreau’s leftfooted goal.

Both goals were assisted by senior midfielder Malorie Rutledge, who led Boudreau on a beautiful pass from the middle of the field right outside the box.

“Obviously someone else is open if I have two [defenders] on me, so I’m just trying to find that open player,” Rutledge said.

Banks tacked on another goal

in the 22nd minute, and junior midMississippi State remains winfielder Courtney Alexander added less on the season in the Southeasther first goal of the year to give LSU ern Conference, despite ties to two an insurmountable 4-0 lead going quality teams in South Carolina and into halftime.

Florida, who were “Courtney No. 5 and No. 17 in Alexander keeps the Soccer Times pitching in up Top 25 poll enterfront, and that’s ing this week. an important thing The 4-0 win from today,” Lee made sophomore said. goalkeeper Mo The second Isom LSU’s allhalf lacked the extime career shutout Mo Isom citement of the first leader with 16. sophomore goalkeeper as neither team LSU’s offense scored. Senior Melissa Clarke had wasn’t as marvelous in Friday’s three shots on goal in the game but match between No. 15 LSU and couldn’t find the back of the net.

No. 21 Ole Miss (10-3-2, 4-1-2).

‘‘

‘I’m always more nervous when the wind’s blowing hard at me because crazy things can happen.’

The game ended in a 0-0 tie as neither team could muster an overtime goal.

The Tigers dominated the overtime period, firing five shots to the Rebels’ one. But every overtime opportunity was thwarted.

Rutledge fired a shot outside the box which got over the goalkeeper’s outstretched arm but rattled off the crossbar.

Clarke later had an opportunity inside the box, but her shot was denied by sophomore Rebel goalkeeper Alley Ronaldi, who sprawled out to make the save.

The Rebels’ only shot on goal

SOCCER, see page 10

PAGE 6

THE DAILY REVEILLE

RUGBY

Tigers upset No. 2 Ark. State No. 7 UREC squad undefeated at home

By Katherine Terrell Sports Contributor

Tiger Stadium was empty this weekend, but on Saturday afternoon, another kind of football was played at the UREC Sport and Adventure Complex — rugby.

On a sunny day with temperatures in the low 60s, the No. 7 LSU rugby team upset No. 2 Arkansas State, 25-15, in front of a sizable home crowd that came early and stayed late. Most of the LSU fans ignored the bleachers set up for the game, instead crowding next to the players on the sideline to cheer on the team.

The fans stuck around after the game to congratulate the team as the players came off the field.

Junior Jayson deLeaumont said playing at home was a boost for the Tigers, who are 2-0 at home this season. LSU beat Louisiana-Lafayette, 20-14, on Sept.

26.

“I love playing here,” deLeaumont said. “Last year we had to travel to Arkansas State, and we were in front of all their fans, and it just wasn’t the same.

Having our fans out here makes it 10 times easier to play. The support means everything to us.”

The Red Wolves jumped on the Tigers early in the game.

They led, 12-0, after 10 minutes of play.

LSU scored a touchdown late in the first half to get on the board. The Red Wolves led, 12-5, as both teams went to the locker room.

“It was just like last year,” said sophomore Jeff Levasseur.

“We were down against this team last year, and they came out in the second half and took care of business. Our coaches pumped us up to come back and do what [Arkansas State] did last year … come back in the second half and play how we’re supposed to play as a team.”

LSU came out strong after halftime. The Tigers gained the lead for good midway through the second half after a penalty kick put them up, 18-15.

Following the penalty kick, the Red Wolves got down to the Tigers’ goal line, but the defense held strong and didn’t allow them to score. LSU would tack on another touchdown to win the game by a final score of 25-15. deLeaumont said the win, in a game American Rugby News ranked the game of the week, was a huge statement for LSU. “It’s a whole new ballgame playing Arkansas State,” deLeaumont said. “They were ranked No. 2 in the nation in Division I. Before this game, a lot of the rugby experts thought this was a team that was going to be qualifying for nationals.”

Arkansas State freshman Pat Sullivan said the Red Wolves

SARAH HUNT / The Daily Reveille

Matt Teachworth, flanker, catches the ball in a line out Saturday during the Tigers’ 25-15 victory against Arkansas State at the UREC Sport and Adventure Complex.

didn’t play to their potential.

“It’s probably the worst we’ve ever played, to be honest,” Sullivan said. “I thought we were going to come out stronger than we did.”

Sullivan said an interception

by LSU senior Nick Raziano was one of the changing points of the game.

Levasseur also mentioned the interception as a big momentum shift for the Tigers.

“We were down at that point,” Levasseur said. “But after

he intercepted that pass, we actually turned around and won the game.” deLeaumont said the team, which made the Elite Eight last year, looks to the Final Four and beyond as its main goal.

“We just want to take it one more step and eventually compete for the national championship,” deLeaumont said.

Contact Katherine Terrell at kterrell@lsureveille.com

Monday, October 19, 2009

THE DAILY REVEILLE

Monday, October 19, 2009

CROSS COUNTRY

PAGE 7

VOLLEYBALL

Tigers’ streak extends to eight Skender, Cooper lead LSU to sweep

By Andy Schwehm Sports Writer

MEGAN J. WILLIAMS / The Daily Reveille

Freshman Jenna Henssler runs at the LSU invitational on Sept. 26. “We’re not as strong as we want to be,” said Coach Mark Elliott of last weekend’s meet in Ark.

Teams struggle as championship nears Men finish 25th, women 27th in Ark.

By Luke Johnson Sports Contributor

The LSU cross country teams didn’t put up a strong performance in the Chile Pepper Invitational at Fayetteville, Ark. and the final race before the Southeastern Conference championships.

The men’s team finished 25th out of 33 teams competing, and the women’s team finished 27th out of 37 teams.

“There’s always a lot of tough competition [at the Chile Pepper Invitational],” said LSU coach Mark Elliott in a news release.

“I just think as a team we’re not as strong as we want to be. With the SEC championships coming up and less teams participating, we’re looking forward to putting out a stronger performance.”

The Tigers’ top finisher was sophomore Cullen Doody. Doody paced the Tigers for the third consecutive race and finished the 10K race in 32 minutes, 52.55 seconds. Doody has led the Tigers in every race this season.

Five Tigers finished roughly a minute after Doody. Juniors Tim Landry, Kyle Hecker and Sean Swanner and sophomore Frank Bohn finished within 10 seconds of each other.

Freshman Charlene Lipsey was the top finisher for the Lady Tigers. Lipsey clocked a 23-minute, 23.97-second finish in the 6K event. It was the first 6K race for the Lady Tigers this season.

Three Lady Tigers set personal bests for the 6K at the Chile Pepper Invitational, including junior Lauren Ybarzabal, whose time was nearly two minutes faster than her time at last season’s Chile Pepper Invitational.

The Tigers and Lady Tigers had three weeks off before the event, which made Elliott think the team was primed for success at the Chile Pepper Invitational.

“I was a little disappointed with how the men finished,” Elliott said. “They were well rested;

I think the distance got to them.

The SEC meet is only an 8K, so hopefully they can put out their best race of the year there.”

No. 4 Oklahoma State ran away with the men’s race.

Oklahoma State sophomore Colby Lowe won the individual title for the race when he edged Oklahoma State senior John Kosgei by seven hundredths of a second.

Oklahoma state claimed the top three individual spots in the men’s race and five out of the top 12 finishes.

No. 20 Texas Tech won the Chile Pepper women’s race for the third consecutive year and claimed the top individual performer for the fourth straight year. Texas Tech junior Lillian Badaru won the individual title.

LSU has an extra week off to rest and train before competing in the SEC championship meet on Halloween.

Contact Luke Johnson at ljohnson@lsureveille.com

LSU volleyball coach Fran Flory is fine with opponents double-teaming All-American senior middle blocker Brittnee Cooper because it means senior outside hitter Marina Skender gets a oneon-one matchup with the opponent’s block.

If the opponent doubles up on Skender, then Cooper is left open, so it’s a case of “pick your poison” for the Tigers’ foes. Neither of those foes this weekend, Arkansas and Ole Miss, was able to stop the senior duo, as they combined for 37 of the Tigers’ 87 kills this weekend in a pair of 3-0 sweeps.

LSU (15-4, 9-1) has now won 25 consecutive matches against Southeastern Conference Western Division opponents and has eight straight victories, in which the Tigers have dropped just one set.

“That’s our design — you can stop one, but you can’t stop them both,” Flory said. “We try to get them guessing which one they are trying to stop.”

In Sunday afternoon’s 3-0 (2513, 25-9, 25-19) victory against Ole Miss (8-12, 2-8), Skender recorded seven kills, while Cooper added five and had six block assists. The Tigers’ defense was the story of the match, as LSU held the Rebels to a -0.010 attacking percentage while recording 10 team blocks.

Ole Miss had 24 kills compared to LSU’s 41.

Senior outside hitter Lauren DeGirolamo — who had eight kills, five block assists, and four digs — credited the play of sophomore libero Lauren Waclawczyk, who had 19 digs on the afternoon.

“When your blocking is good, your backcourt defense always VOLLEYBALL, see page 9

MAGGIE BOWLES / The Daily Reveille

Senior setter Sam Dabbs (8) sets the ball during the Tigers’ win over Arkansas on Friday night in the PMAC. The Tigers extended their winning streak to 8-0.

PAGE 8

THE DAILY REVEILLE

Monday, October 19, 2009

SWIMMING AND DIVING

Tenn. Volunteers beat Tigers in close weekend meet Freshmen clock fast performances

By Amos Morale Sports Contributor

The LSU swimming and diving teams’ freshman class had a strong showing when the Tigers hosted Tennessee on Friday and Saturday.

But the performances weren’t enough to stop the Tigers and Lady Tigers from falling to the Volunteers and Lady Volunteers, 166-134 and 170-130, respectively.

The LSU men swam close races all day Friday and had impressive swims from members of its highly touted freshman class.

Freshman Craig Hamilton took first place in the 1000-yard freestyle, and his teammate, junior Luis Gonzalez, took second in the event.

“He did what he needed to do,” said LSU coach Adam Schmitt. “He won his two distance events, and that’s what we asked of him.”

Hamilton also took first place in the 500-yard freestyle, holding off Tennessee’s Geoffery Sanders’ push in the race’s final 25 yards.

“My goggles leaked off the

start so I was a bit panicky from the start, but I got into it,” Hamilton said. “I was a bit scared of that guy coming back on me, but I was able to hold him off.”

Freshman Andrei Toumola made his presence felt before his first race. Toumola raised his arms and signaled to the crowd to “make some noise” before stepping on the starting block.

“It’s always much more fun to swim like that when the crowd is with you,” Tuomola said.

Tuomola went on to swim a scorching time of 20.62 en route to a victory in the 50-yard freestyle.

“When you recruit Andrei as the Finnish national champion, you kind of expect that he needs to step up,” Schmitt said. “He

MAGGIE BOWLES / The Daily Reveille

Freshman Andrei Tuomola swims the 200 yard breastroke during the Tigers’ meet against Tennessee University in the LSU natatorium on Oct. 16.

definitely did.”

Tuomola and junior Sean LeNeave also took first and second, respectively, in the 100-yard freestyle.

LeNeave and sophomore Martin Jungfleisch had a one-two finish in the 200-yard fly.

The Lady Tigers’ newcomers had their chance to shine on Saturday. Sophomore Mary Beck, a

transfer from California, broke a school record and won all of her individual events.

Beck took first place in the 200-yard backstroke while breaking the record set by her teammate Samantha Goates last season.

Beck also picked up victories in the 200-yard freestyle and the SWIMMING, see page 9

Monday, October 19, 2009

THE DAILY REVEILLE

PAGE 9

BRIANNA PACIORKA / The Daily Reveille

Freshman Audrey Lawson competes in the 1,000 meter freestyle against Tennessee in the Natatorium on Oct. 16.

SWIMMING, from page 8

MAGGIE BOWLES / The Daily Reveille

Sophomore Michelle Williams hits the over blockers ball during the Tigers’ win against Arkansas on Oct. 16 in the PMAC.

VOLLEYBALL, from page 7

plays better,” DeGirolamo said.

“We did a good job of executing the game plan, and that helped us with our defense.”

Friday was pretty much the same story, but it was a bit more sloppy for the Tigers, who pulled out a 3-0 (25-17, 25-21, 25-19) sweep of Arkansas (10-11, 4-6).

The Tigers were coming off the high of their sweep of then-No. 6 Florida last Sunday, and Skender knew how important a victory against Arkansas would be, although she admitted the team was not at its best.

“It was a big deal when we beat Florida [last Sunday], but it was just one match in the SEC,” Skender said. “I don’t think that we really performed at our best level because we had some trouble fighting. But we won, so that’s good.”

Skender’s early performance in the match was able to keep the Tigers from avoiding an upset. The senior had seven kills in the first set with a .417 attacking percentage.

She finished the evening with 15 kills on a .314 attacking percentage and had 5 block assists.

“The first two sets I was saying, ‘Thank goodness for Marina Skender,’ because she was the only one keeping us in the match,” Flory said. “She manages so many plays and does such a great job of taking care of our team.”

Defensively, Waclawczyk had eight digs to lead the team, while the team tallied 10.5 blocks and held the Razorbacks to a .123 attacking percentage. Next up for the Tigers are Kentucky and Tennessee on the road. Earlier in the season, LSU was swept by SECleading Kentucky and took down Tennessee in five sets.

“Kentucky is the team to beat in the conference,” Flory said. “We are going to have to work hard this week to put together a great game plan to get that win.”

Contact Andy Schwehm at aschwehm@lsureveille.com

200-yard individual medley.

Lady Tiger freshman Sara Haley, Rebecca St. Germain and Amanda Kendall also enjoyed strong debuts.

Haley took first place in the 200-yard butterfly, St. Germain won both the 1-meter and 3-meter diving events and Kendall picked up a pair of second-place finishes in the 50-yard and 100-yard freestyle events.

“For us to come out and compete at that level — winning events, getting a school record and NCAA ‘B’ cuts — that says something right now for October,” Schmitt said.

Contact Amos Morale at amorale@lsureveille.com

THE DAILY REVEILLE

PAGE 10

Pierre Thomas’ 72. Mike Bell, Reggie Bush and fullback Heath Evans all scored on runs. as clear Super Bowl favorites.

The Giants were held to a sea“I don’t think you can talk son-low 84 yards rushing. about big pictures By the end, juafter (Game) 5,” bilant fans rained Payton said. down chants of Manning “Who dat say they looked like his fagonna’ beat them ther Archie someSaints? Who dat! times did when he Who dat!” played for woeful Colston said Saints teams of he was confident Drew Brees old, fumbling on he and his teamSaints quarterback a sack by Roman mates would not Harper to set up let their explosive a Saints score and throwing an start go to their heads, though — interception under pressure that not after missing the playoffs the stalled a promising drive. past two seasons.

It was Manning’s first game “This group has been togethin the Superdome, but not a mem- er long enough to see some of the orable one for him — or for fellow great times (the NFC championLouisiana natives Brandon Jacobs ship game in 2006) and the last and Corey Webster. Manning was two years have been pretty diffi14 of 31 for 178 yards. He lost cult for us, so staying grounded is his cool at least once, yelling at definitely not an issue in this locker Ahmad Bradshaw and slapping room,” Colston said. “We’ve got his shoulder pad after the running some great veteran leadership.” back’s lapse in protection precipitated a rushed throw that Jabari Greer intercepted early in the third Contact The Daily Reveille’s sports quarter. staff at sports@lsureveille.com “It’s not the way I imagined it during the week, but you’re going to encounter all sorts of games and all sorts of situations,” Manning said before walking across the Superdome field to the team bus, his mother on one side, his father on the other. “I look at it as a loss. We need to go back to work this week, fix some things and try to improve.”

Manning connected with Mario Manningham for a 15yard score in the second quarter, but also overthrew an open Steve Smith on a deep pass that could have resulted in a touchdown in the first half. He was replaced by David Carr late in the fourth quarter.

By contrast, Brees connected on 15 straight throws at one point, two short of the franchise record he already owns. That stretch included his first three touchdown passes: 1 yard to former Giants tight end Jeremy Shockey, 36 yards to Robert Meachem and 12 yards to Lance Moore.

Saints players and coaches praised the offensive line, which routinely gave Brees time and did not allow him to be sacked.

“I don’t know that we ever hit him,” Giants head coach Tom Coughlin said of Brees, exaggerating only slightly. “At this level, if you’re going to stop the pass, you’ve got to get pressure. You’ve got to force the quarterback not to throw it on his tempo.”

Former Hofstra standout Marques Colston put on a show for his fans watching back in the New York area, often victimizing Webster as he caught eight passes for 166 yards and a 12-yard touchdown. He twisted gracefully in the air to snag passes thrown high and behind him, held the ball while absorbing hard hits and broke tackles while struggling for extra yards.

New Orleans gained more than 500 total yards before a sack of backup Mark Brunell made it 493. Moore caught six passes for 78 yards and Meachem had two catches for 70. New Orleans had 133 yards on the ground, led by

SAINTS, from page 5

‘‘

‘Seven different guys scored touchdowns.

That’s big.’

Monday, October 19, 2009

SOCCER, from page 5 came with 10 seconds remaining in the second overtime period. The Tigers outshot Ole Miss, 14-7, in the game.

Lee said the chilly, windy conditions affected the game. The temperature started in the low 60s and reached the 50s.

“A wind like that certainly affects tactics and mindsets of players,” Lee said.

Isom said the wind can be especially meddlesome to a goalkeeper.

“Just like rain is a great equalizer in soccer, so is wind,” she said.

“I’m always more nervous in goal when the wind’s blowing hard at me because crazy things can happen.”

The LSU defense has remained stellar. The Tigers have yet to give up more than one goal in an SEC game this season.

“We’re staying organized, and we’re tackling when it’s appropriate to tackle, and we’re staying strong both mentally and physically,” Lee said.

Senior forward Rachel Yepez was questionable going into the weekend with an ankle injury and did not play in either game.

MAGGIE BOWLES / The Daily Reveille

Senior midfielder Malorie Rutledge tries to steal the ball from Mississippi State midfielder Ashley Hood during the Tigers’ 4-0 win Sunday.

“It’s getting a lot better,” Yepez said. “I probably could have played, but it’s not 100 percent. I’m hoping to be 100 percent or at least close to it for Florida.”

LSU travels to Gainesville, Fla., on Thursday to battle the Gators.

“We’ve got the ultimate test on Thursday,” Lee said. “I think us and

Florida are the best two attacking teams in the SEC, so the defending team that holds up better is probably going to win.”

Contact Rowan Kavner at rkavner@lsureveille.com

MONDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2009

THE DAILY REVEILLE

a writer.

“It gives me a mindset to know Hamilton said the festival the possibilities for me as an aualso makes a positive economic thor,” Haralson said. “It gives me impact on Baton Rouge, and festi- something to look forward to and val organizers had an independent strive for.”

About 500 volunteers, many of study conducted to find out the true whom are associated with the Uniamount of the impact.

“The festival has a $2 million versity’s School of Library and Information Science, economic impact put on the festival on the greater Baand keep events ton Rouge area,” working, Hamilton Hamilton said. said.

“That comes from Students in people coming in, the LIS program staying overnight organize a group and eating at resto volunteer at the taurants.”

Rebecca Hamilton festival every year, Mark Kerry, Baton Rouge resi- office of state library asst. secretary said Beth Paskoff, dean of the School dent and author of “Tigers of the Tigris,” a book about of Library and Information Science.

“Students work in many differhis experience working with Iraqi soldiers, said the festival is a great ent areas of the festival,” Paskoff place for productive discourse be- said. “It gives them an opportunity tween authors, but is also a good to see what kinds of things they may be doing in the future and meet business opportunity.

“Authors get lots of exposure people who may be their colleagues [at the festival], and you can make someday.”

Suzanne Stauffer, assistant LIS a buck by selling your work,” he professor, said the festival’s central said.

Gisele Haralson, author of a location at the Capitol, state muself-published book on relationships seum and state library adds another called “More than just Sex: It’s the meaningful layer to the event.

“I don’t know of any other capArt of the Chase,” said this year’s Book Festival was her first. Haral- ital where you can have this type of son wrote her book after writing a cultural festival literally in the midthesis on black women’s percep- dle of state government,” Stauffer tions of marriage during her gradu- said. ate work at Southern University.

Haralson said the festival provides ample opportunity to network and meet readers, but being at a festival with successful authors Contact Ryan Buxton at like Gaines is important for her as rbuxton@lsureveille.com

BOOKS, from page 4

‘‘

‘The festival has a $2 million economic impact on the greater Baton Rouge area.’

GAMBLING, from page 1

Louisiana benefits heavily from visiting Texans who drive to Shreveport or Lake Charles to gamble, said Wade Duty, executive director of the Louisiana Casino Association. But Duty said these circumstances are not enough to curb falling revenues, including into the 2010 fiscal year.

July revenues were down 6.1 percent from the previous year, and August revenues were down 9.7 percent, Duty said.

Traylor said revenue may be up for September compared to last year, but that statistic is misleading.

“Last September we had hurricanes, so casinos were shut down,” Traylor said. “So we will have a big increase over last year. But unless something in the economy changes, I don’t see any reason why the casino revenues will pick up.”

Duty said the state may actually be at a disadvantage because state law keeps most casinos confined to riverboats, and other nearby states are able to expand past that venue. “[Our revenue has] basically been flat for five years,” Duty said. “That’s mostly because other competing markets have been able to restructure their offerings.

When you see a rebound in casino revenues nationally, I think Louisiana will return to the flat line, and places like Las Vegas and Atlantic City will come back aggressively.”

PAGE 11

Chad Loupe, marketing se- tion.

Though Louisiana’s gamnior, said he goes to a casino about once every two months. bling revenues decreased less He hasn’t decreased his visits than most other states, Dumas because he said he only gambles said Louisiana is on par with other states for gambling problems lightly for entertainment.

“I just go with my friends,” — about 3 percent of adults will “experience some Loupe said. “We difficulty.” walk around, Dumas said drink a beer and follow-ups from don’t go crazy.” calls to the gamRebecca Febling help hotline lix, mass commudecreased after nication senior, Hurricane Kasaid gambling trina, but the can actually be a numbers have becheaper and posgun to pick up. sibly more benWade Duty Dumas said eficial form of enone of his countertainment than Louisiana Casino Association selors reported going to bars. executive director college students “If you go to a bar and bring 50 bucks with are less common than other you, you won’t get anything in groups in counseling, but they return,” Felix said. “In a casino, are present.

“They’re not the majority, you can get something back, and but they are a small percentage — you can stay there for hours.”

Tom Dumas, program man- maybe 5 to 10 percent of who she ager for compulsive gambling typically counsels in a month,” at the Department of Health and Dumas said.

Dumas said college students Hospitals’ Office of Addictive Disorders, said concerns arise typically have issues with sports when gambling moves past being betting or table games.

The Office of Addictive Disa casual entertainment hobby and orders’ gambling hotline is free becomes consuming.

“If you’re feeling guilty and open to Louisiana residents about gambling, and you don’t who thinks they may have a gamwant to share with people how bling problem and can be reached much you’re winning or losing, at 1-877-770-STOP. those are beginning signs to say there could be a problem,” Dumas said.

The Office of Addictive DisContact Ryan Buxton at orders offers free counseling to people with a gambling addicrbuxton@lsureveille.com

‘‘

‘When you see a rebound in casino revenues nationally, I think Louisiana will return to the flat line.’

THE DAILY REVEILLE

Opinion

PAGE 12

OUR VIEW

Monday, October 19, 2009

Students need to stay prepared in case of shooting With so many pressing issues in the news today — health care reform, peace prizes, economic woes — it can be easy to forget about the things we used to worry about not so long ago.

One such issue is campus shootings.

Fortunately, we haven’t had such a tragedy recently, but it’s important we don’t forget they are a sad reality.

Remember, it’s been fewer than two years since two graduate

students were shot and killed on our own campus.

LSUPD has made significant strides toward securing campus against violent crime in the years since that tragedy. Improved communication and monitoring measures, increased security and training for officers and numerous early-detection programs for those who show warning signs of violence all point to campus security measures that can make us all feel a little bit safer.

But the administration can only do so much.

The answer isn’t, as some might suggest, to allow concealed firearms on campus. Allowing students to carry guns on campus would only worsen the problem. Concealed carry laws have been proposed more than once, but we still don’t allow guns on campus — for good reason.

That’s not to say students can’t get involved — readiness is as important, if not more so, among

students.

We encourage anyone who attends the University to be aware of the programs offered by the administration — for details, read the article, “Are we prepared for a school shooting?,” in today’s issue of The Daily Reveille.

These measures can only be effective if students, staff and faculty do their parts to execute them.

And, if an emergency situation does arrive, it’s important for those on campus to remain calm and

level-headed and conform to the plans laid in advance.

We certainly hope this University never has to deal with a school shooting.

But hoping does little.

It’s important everyone knows his or her part and plays it if the time ever comes.

Contact the Editorial Board at editor@lsureveille.com

NIETZSCHE IS DEAD

Child’s question to Obama highlights nation’s hate Kids say the darndest things.

President Obama found himself facing the raised hand of 9-year-old Terrence Scott, of Pauline, La., in a town-hall style meeting Thursday during his highly publicized visit to New Orleans.

Answering questions from a kid is risky: Though a picture of the president talking one-on-one with a child is always a good photo-op, you can never control what they’re going to say.

Children don’t know the rules.

They don’t know what will look good on cameras, they don’t know about the after-speech breakdown in a flurry of punditry and they don’t know what carefully constructed phrasing will earn their political allies the most points.

They don’t have political allies.

They don’t see things in terms of red or blue, Democrat or Republican.

And they certainly don’t know how their words will affect the balance of power.

So when Obama handed this 9-year-old his microphone in front of hundreds of people and the hungry maw of news cameras, he was going out on a limb.

“I have to say, why people hate you and, and why, they supposed to love you and — God is love,” the boy stammered nervously.

The audience laughed like the kid was sitting across from Bill Cosby. It was adorable — Obama has spent the last quarter of the year fighting grueling political battles and suffering an unparalleled amount of hatred. And now he was facing this little clueless kid, who was telling the president of the United States he just didn’t understand why his job had to be so hard.

But Terrence’s question is far

more than cute, humorous irony — it cuts to the blackened, poisoned heart of our political culture.

Terrence’s question may have gained only minimal coverage as an adorable anecdote, but it is perhaps the most insightMatthew Albright ful political inOpinion Editor quiry uttered by any American in recent memory.

It’s more revealing than the dogmatic demands of Sean Hannity or the incendiary hypothetical hypocrisy of Glenn Beck. It’s more relevant than the insipid pandering of Keith Olberman or the bombastically empty “holding accountable”

by Lou Dobbs.

It’s certainly far more penetrating a question than anything I’ve ever asked, written or even thought.

And it’s even phrased exactly the way it should be — confused and stuttered.

Obama’s answer to the question was coolly diplomatic. He said it was “all part of the job description.”

It may be true the president has, does and always will have to deal with a lot of sour sentiment, but there’s a lot more hate flying his direction than is usual — or appropriate. His religious identity, his patriotism and even his citizenship have been called into question.

Across the spectrum of respectability — from town-hall meetings to the halls of Congress — he has been called a liar, a racist and a communist, and his ideals have been said to be against everything we stand for as Americans.

It hardly seems like “part of the

THE DAILY REVEILLE Editorial Board NICHOLAS PERSAC JERIT ROSER ELLEN ZIELINSKI MATTHEW ALBRIGHT

Editor Managing Editor, Content Managing Editor, Production Opinion Editor

ERIC FREEMAN JR.

Columnist

MARK MACMURDO

Columnist

job description” is an adequate answer to the question.

The truth, and what Obama probably had to summon every inch of restraint not to say, is he doesn’t know.

He doesn’t know why parents pull children out of schools so they won’t hear him say kids should work hard and do great things for America. He doesn’t know why he wins a Nobel Peace Prize and

voices nationwide cry out in dismay.

He doesn’t know why, when the nation faces challenges of paralyzingly huge scope, both his allies and his “enemies” are all fighting over power instead of progress.

“I have to say, why people hate you and, and why, they supposed to love you and — God is love,” Why, Terrence? I don’t know.

But a great many Americans are just as confused as you are.

And we all hope somebody with power has the courage and wisdom to change it all.

Matthew Albright is a 20-year-old mass communication sophomore from Baton Rouge. Follow him on Twitter @TDR_malbright.

Contact Matthew Albright at malbright@lsureveille.com

BEST AND WITTIEST

cartoon courtesy of KING FEATURES SYNDICATE

EDITORIAL POLICIES & PROCEDURES The Daily Reveille (USPS 145-800) is written, edited and produced solely by students of Louisiana State University. The Daily Reveille is an independent entity within the Manship School of Mass Communication. Signed opinions are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of the editor, paper or University. Letters submitted for publication should be sent via e-mail to opinion@lsureveille.com or delivered to B-26 Hodges Hall. They must be 400 words or less. Letters must have a contact phone number so the opinion editor can verify the author. The phone number won’t be printed. The Daily Reveille reserves the right to edit letters and guest columns for space consideration without changing the original intent. The Daily Reveille also reserves the right to reject any letter without notification of the author.

Writers must include their full names and phone numbers. The Daily Reveille’s editor-in-chief, hired every semester by the Louisiana State University Media Board, has final authority on all editorial decisions.

QUOTE OF THE DAY “If the only tool you have is a hammer, you tend to see every problem as a nail.”

Abraham Maslow American psychologist April 1, 1908 — June 8, 1970

THE DAILY REVEILLE

Monday, October 19, 2009

Opinion

PAGE 13

THE GRUMBLING HIVE

Rush’s bid for Rams sacked by the media, NFL Last Wednesday, Rush Limbaugh was removed from an investment team bidding to purchase the St. Louis Rams.

“It has become clear that his involvement in our group has become a complication and a distraction to our intentions; endangering our bid to keep the team in St. Louis,” said David Checketts, chairman of SCP Worldwide to the Associated Press.

This decision is undoubtedly the best business decision for Checketts to make in the mediated uproar following the announcement of Limbaugh’s involvement.

But what disturbs me is the media’s abuse of their power to instigate change in society through the use of false quotes and statements taken out of context.

I am not a Limbaugh fan. I prefer calm, intelligent conversation to inflammatory rhetoric. But even he plays an important part in our political climate.

On one hand, it isn’t surprising his outspoken and controversial agenda has placed him in this situation. On the other hand, it’s shameful for the media to attempt to block a person from an investment because they do not agree with a political view.

Rush Limbaugh may not be the perfect fit for current NFL owners with liberal tendencies.

But Checketts’ primary concern in this situation was not Limbaugh’s politics, but rather putting together a team of motivated investors who had it in their interest to keep the Rams in St. Louis.

Limbaugh would have been a limited partner without a voice in matters such as the team’s direction, operations or personnel, Checketts told the St. Louis Business Journal.

Television personality Rick Sanchez recently apologized on CNN for the use of quotes without “independent confirmation.” On

MSNBC, David Schuster also admitted to being “unable to verify ... independently” the quote which he attributed to Limbaugh — “slavery has its merits.” The quote, allegedly taken from an interview with a football player, was reNathan Shull peated on teleColumnist vision without any worries about its veracity.

Limbaugh asserts Checketts had assured him his inclusion as a potential minority stakeholder in the St. Louis Rams “had been cleared at the ‘highest levels of the NFL,’” reported SI.com. Thus, it seems, until the television media became preoccupied with the dissemination of unverified quotes, there was little concern over Limbaugh’s involvement.

But as often happens when

the media sensationalizes issues, personalities such as Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson weigh in to create a racially charged situation in which they can pursue their own agenda.

“Not to be outdone, Jesse Jackson ... found me unfit to be associated with the NFL. I was too divisive, and worse, I was accused of once supporting slavery and having praised Martin Luther King Jr.’s murderer, James Earl Ray,” Limbaugh wrote in the Wall Street Journal on Oct. 16th.

“I never said I supported slavery, and I never praised James Earl Ray. How sick would that be?”

The use of unsubstantiated quotes for the purpose of creating controversy is unforgivable, regardless of who these comments are about. Increasingly, it seems more important to create viewership than to actually fulfill the duty of searching for and providing the truth. Isn’t it the

media’s responsibility to provide news that is unbiased and well researched?

Returning to Limbaugh’s situation, it is doubtful his minority stake in the St. Louis Rams would have caused controversy, had it not been created by the media and opportunistic social operators.

People often take his statements out of context and mistake satire for valid points of view.

But because Rush Limbaugh is also in the business of creating controversy, this should provide him with plenty of material. Apparently, every cloud does have a silver lining.

Nathan Shull is a 35-year-old finance junior from Seattle. Follow him on Twitter @TDR_ nshull.

Contact Nathan Shull at nshull@lsureveille.com

FACTORYHAUS

Physical appearances are, should be used to judge

Let’s face it ­— our society values good looks.

Our appearance is extremely important to most of us.

We work out, eat well and spend time grooming and getting ready, all in the hopes of looking our best.

We have a wide variety of reasons to want to look good. But sometimes society may take the focus on looking good too far.

Just this week, rail-thin model Filippa Hamilton accused Ralph Lauren of firing her because she was too fat. At 5 feet, 10 inches and 120 pounds, the word “fat” doesn’t come to mind when you look at her.

In New Jersey, Republican Chris Christie, who is looking to knock off incumbent Gov. Jon Corzine, accused his rival of using his weight against him.

“I’m gonna let you in on a little secret,” Christie told the crowd at a campaign event in New Jersey.

“I know most of you didn’t know this, but the governor’s been whispering this to the press for months and months and months, and now he’s trying to be a little cute about talking about it too through his TV ads. I want to make sure you’re all seated and you’re OK before I let you in on a secret: I’m overweight.”

These stories beg a question: Should society use looks — in conjunction with intelligence, competence and other standards — to judge people?

Maybe this is the stereotypical superficial gay man in me, but I say, “Hell yes.”

I’m sick of hearing about ugly people complain they’re being

victimized.

If Hamilton had any shred of competence, she would know sample clothing that fashion houses send to be modeled normally comes in size 2.

No one is saying her Stephen Schmitz size-4 frame is fat by any Columnist means, but she should be well aware that to model, one needs to be able to fit into sample sizes, i.e. size 2.

In New Jersey, Christie’s complaints seem like a distraction.

Mr. Christie knows, in light of the many ethical issues that have come up about his doings as a U.S. attorney, he needs to get voters’ attention away from the fact he lacks any specific economic plans (besides the age-old cutting taxes and less government) and onto something that portrays him as the victim.

I understand genetics play a huge part in appearance, and that’s something out of anyone’s control.

That said, it’s hard to take pity on someone who complains about his or her appearance but spends insufficient amounts of time trying to fix it.

If you’re at the gym everyday and you’re still overweight, then I’m very sorry you got the genetic short stick, so to speak. By all means, this article is not directed at you.

But if the last time you entered a gym was to grab some Smoothie King, maybe you should invest in this amazing thing called a gym

membership instead of complaining about your appearance.

Your appearance says a lot about who you are, and there’s more than just a superficial aspect to it.

When it looks like you spent large amounts of time on your appearance and physique, people are going to know you care about

yourself.

And that’s the most important aspect of anyone’s personal appearance — people value people who take themselves seriously and have a strong self-worth.

What better way is there to show you care about yourself than to take care of the body you were given?

Stephen Schmitz is a 19-yearold mass communication sophomore from The Woodlands, Texas.

Follow him on Twitter @TDR_ sschmitz.

Contact Stephen Schmitz at sschmitz@lsureveille.com

BEST AND WITTIEST

cartoon courtesy of KING FEATURES SYNDICATE

THE DAILY REVEILLE

Classifieds

PAGE 14

To place your ad: Visit www.lsureveille.com and click on classifieds

Announcements

Help Wanted NURSERY & AFTER SCHOOL CARE Kids Zone Nursery Staff, Tues & Thur evenings from 4:30-8:00 pm.

After School Care Counselors M-F from 3:15-6:00 pm.

FREE membership. Work where you have fun! Apply: Paula G. Manship YMCA, 8100 YMCA Plaza Drive, BR, LA or call Lindsay (225) 767-9622 EARN EXTRA MONEY Students needed ASAP. Earn up to $150 per day being a mystery shopper. No Experience Required Call 1-800-722-4791

Cost: 35 cents per word a day Personals Free for students

Employment MARY POPPINS seeking dependable experienced child care provider for two tweens. Good driving record and tutoring ability. References required. M-F 2p-6p. cboyer@radassoc. brcoxmail.com 225.505.8311 PRESCHOOL TEACHER NEEDED Small learning center near LSU needs part-time afternoon teacher who loves to work with young children. 2:30 - 5:30 M-F; 225.766.1159 NANNY NEEDED Nanny needed to pick daughter up from daycare at 3pm. Also, need coverage for 2 weekends per month.

References required. 225.252.2332

STUDENTS NEEDED TO work with children / adults with disabilities. Several positions, various hours. One position available on LSU campus. Apply: St. John the Baptist Human Services, Inc. 622 Shadows Ln. Suite A 225.216.1199 STUDENTPAYOUTS. COM Paid Survey Takers Needed In Baton Rogue.

100% Free To Join! Click On Surveys.

PARKVIEW BAPTIST PRESCHOOL Preschool Teachers needed flex days no degree required 293-9447

STUDENT P. T. TECH Now accepting applications for part-time student tech in an outpatient physical therapy clinic for spring semester. Biology or Kinesiology pre-PT sudents email resume and days available to work to capitolcitypt@ aol.com. Interviews to be conducted before fall semester ends.

BARTENDERS NEEDED The Oaks at Sherwood Golf Course is looking for Bartender/ Beverage Cart Person. Must be available on weekends. 225-272-1141 ext. 105

NOW HIRING P/ T Sales person for womens boutique in Mall of La. FUN JOB and GREAT PAY. Call Elizabeth 225 938 7242.

COUNTER CLERK part time morning and evening, flexible hours, great for students Welsh’s Cleaners 17732 Highland Rd. at I-10 next to Blue Bayou apply in person or call 225-756-0470 3 TEMPORARY WORKERS Pierce Ranch J. S Pierce P. O BOX 1481 Ozona TX. 76943 Duties: Farmworkers and Laborers 11/14/2009-09/14/2010 Pay rate $9.02 per hour Farm workers Laborers Guaranteed æ of contract hours.

All tools, supplies and equipment will be provided at no cost to the worker.

Duties consist of repairing and erecting old fence Housing will be provided at no cost.

Transportation and subsistence expense reimbursed Interested applicants can send resumes nearest State Workforce Agency office using job

Deadlines: 12 noon two school days prior to the print publication date

Merchandise

Transportation

listing number 6109098

DON’T MISS THIS OPPORTUNITY! Now hiring for all positions at the following locations: JEFFERSON 7615 Jefferson Hwy Baton Rouge 70809 PERKINS ROWE 7707 Bluebonnet Blvd.

Baton Rouge 70810 “Flexible schedules & Benefits for Full Time Associates” Please apply in person during regular restaurant hours.

Equal Opportunity Employer

WWW.LOUIESCAFE.COM

Housing

MONDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2009

ROCKSTARS WANTED - JIMMY JOHNS DO YOU ROCK?!? Jimmy John’s Gourmet Sandwiches is looking for KICKASS Sandwich Makers and Delivery Drivers. Applications can be picked up at 3043 Perkins Rd or resumes submitted to BRJimmyJobs@gmail. com LIFEGUARD WANTED Paula G. Manship YMCA is looking for a certified lifeguard to work on Monday and Wednesday, some weekends as needed.

Looking to fill position ASAP! Please contact Dina Cooper 225-767-9622 or Dcooper@ymcabatonrouge.org. ►►BARTENDING UP TO NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY. TRAINING PROVIDED. AGE 18+ OK 1-800-965-6520 ext127 NOTES & NOTE TAKERS WANTED Freshman & Sophomores in Demand. We pay top dollar for Notes & Note Takers. email:notes@thetigernotes.com

For Sale TIGER MANOR CONDOMINIUMS. UNITS READY FOR SPRING 2009!! Reserve now!

Brand new 1, 2, and 3 bedroom units for sale starting at $124,900. Ask about our Guaranteed Buy-Back Program!! 3000 July St. 225-346-5055 www.tigermanor.com Location. Location. Location... Start Living.

HOUSE FOR SALE 3dbrm/2bath. 1400sq ft. Near LSU in high student population area. 9251 Pecan Tree Dr. $140,000. Move in for Spring semester! 225-718-1807 TIGER NOTES $4.99 www.thetigernotes.com All notes $4.99

For Rent

FOR RENT 3 BR 1 1/2 BA house next to campus. Fenced yard. Range, refrig., washer & dryer. Central heat, window A/ C. $960 per month. Pets OK. Deposit and lease. Available now. 225.766.2963

Roommate Wanted $425 ALL UTILITIES INCLUDED!!!

HOUSE!-SHARE-A-HUGE 3BR/3BATHHOUSE-NEAR-LSU-ALL-UTITLITIESINCLUDED!!!!-HIGHSPEED-INTERNET-CABLE-NICE-EXCLUSIVE-AREA-OFF-CONGRESS AND-PERKINS.-LARGE-YARD-ALARM-GATED ACCESS--MALE-ROOMMATES. 3LARGE LIVINGROOMS-PERFECT-FOR-LSUGAMES!EMAIL MANYTASKS@YAHOO. COM OR CALL 225.772.2506 225.772.2506 225.772.2506 RELIABLE ROOMMATE NEEDED 2BR/2BA condo near LSU campus. Call for pricing.

225.573.6181

Personals

YOU’LL LOVE LIVING ON THE BLVD! WALK TO L S U! LARGE 1 BR. 769-7757 / 9783123 / 767-4128 CHATEAU DU COUR IN TIGERLAND Large 2 BR 1 B in gated complex..7722429 mckproperties.com OAKBROOK STUDIO FOR SUBLEASE Great apt, lots of amenities. Ready to move in. $700/mo rverre2@lsu.edu NEWLY RENOV 10 MINUTES TO LSU Spacious 1500 sq foot renovated home in Highland Creeks. 3bd, 2 bath, liv rm, dinning rm, covered patio. All appl. including wash and dryer stay. 312 Heatherwood $1295 Rent and Deposit 504.481.9666 TIGER MANOR CONDOMINIUMS. UNITS READY FOR SPRING 2009! Reserve Now! Brand new 1, 2, & 3 bedrooms available.

Reserve your unit today! Walk to class!

3000 July St. 225-346-5055. www.tigermanor.com Location. Location. Location... Start Living.

1 BDR AVAILABLE NOVEMBER 1 $950/ mo includes electric, cable & internet. All appliances are included! Gated community. across from city park. www.keyfindersbr.com 225.293.3000 225.293.3000

SURVEY TAKERS NEEDED: Make $5-$25 per survey. GetPaidToThink.com.

WALK TO CAMPUS 1Br, 2Br, and Townhomes. Starting as low as $400.00. www. lsuwestchimesplace.com 225.346.4789

LADIES BOUTIQUE Sales person needed for small boutique.

Mature, out going, customer oriented person needed Tue.&Thur. 10-6, Sat 10-5.

Send resumes to shoeladi@yahoo.com

FOR LEASE LAKE BEAU PRE TOWNHOMES 2BR/2.5BA $1250.00 Avail. NOW! Keyfinders Realty, Inc. 225-293-3000 www.keyfindersbr.com

MUST MEET GOOGLY EYE PERSON If you are the person putting up the googly eyes around LSU, I must meet you! contact fgarrett@gmail.com OBAMA... Attractive red headed nonfreckled conservative sophomore male, looking for an equally attractive, preferably non-obese conservative female to get drunk and talk politics with...and nothing else Mr. Smoochie@yahoo.com PARAS, your graham cracker and my chocolate would make the perfect s’more.

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Services

open-minded with regard to religion, music, sexuality and gender issues. Email phoenixmoth@gmail.com.

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LOOKING 4 MS RIGHT! East Indian LSU Senior looking to meet a smart, sensitive, and intelligent girl over coffee! Reach me at arienrocks1@gmail.com TEST SUBJECT NEEDED!!! Tall, dark, chiseled male looking for a same-sex playmate to help discover my new lifestyle. Needs to be open for experimentation, physically and emotionally. 8 pack preferred but 6 pack acceptable. Come let me make your dreams come true. sjdude112189@yahoo. com LOOKING FOR MY MATCH to fill the little opening in the jumbeled sock drawer of my heart. White female who is into snake charming, chainsaws & sealing envelopes with hot wax. Seeking male companion with high ACT score, high cheekbones and high self esteem. No Weirdos PLEASE! allthegoodonesweretaken666@yahoo.com GIRL NEEDED FOR laundry and creation of tasty ice cream treats hungrymandirtylaundry@yahoo.com SEARCHING 4 SOULMATE 20yo Asian guy seeking masculine guy 18-23 to date.

Races open. I’m a sweetheart! tigerboy1988@gmail.com

Miscellaneous

LOVES TO HUNT AND FISH! LSU grad looking for a nice, sweet, GIRL who likes wine, the outdoors, and fancy dinners. IF interested for Drinks or dinner, call JEFF at 225-603-6193 or TEXT me

CONGRATS TO JESSICA & CODY! Your old co-workers at Student Media Advertising wish you a congratulations on your recent engagement. We wish you all the happiness life has to offer as you travel down the road of life as a couple. All our best!

LOOKING FOR FRIENDS 19-year-old music addict (especially loves Tool and classical music) in search of someone to hang out; must LOVE music and books and be

PREGNANT? NEED HELP? kat.myra@gmail.com or 225-200-8003

THE DAILY REVEILLE

Monday, October 19, 2009 VIOLENCE, from page 1

Louisiana had a homicide rate of 2.53 per 100,000. Men killed 57 women in Louisiana that year. Nationwide, 1,865 females were murdered by males in single-victim/ single-offender incidents in 2007.

Ninety-one percent of the female victims were murdered by someone they knew.

“Today in East Baton Rouge Parish, 3,600 women are in relationships that are sexually or physically abusive,” Forbes said.

In 2008, four forcible sex offenses and four aggravated assault offenses were reported to the LSU Police Department on campus. Two forcible sex offenses were also reported to LSUPD in the residential facilities.

Kathy Saichuk, Wellness Education coordinator, said economic stress and alcohol consumption could play a part in Louisiana’s high rate of violence against women.

Juan Barthelemy, social work assistant professor who teaches a course on domestic violence, said

Louisiana residents are not as inclined to get involved and stop domestic abuse because they are afraid or feel it is none of their business.

“When children witness violence against women, and it goes untreated, it teaches them that this is OK,” Barthelemy said. “Some young people develop abusive behaviors toward women, and ladies find themselves in abusive relationships later on because they haven’t learned what a healthy relationship is supposed to look like.”

About 250 people gathered from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Memorial Tower for the event. This year is the second the event has been on campus. East Baton Rouge Parish Mayor-President Kip Holden spoke to the crowd about growing up in an abusive household.

The event ended with a 1/2-mile to 1-mile march. The attendees held battery-operated candles in honor of domestic abuse victims and survivors.

Contact Mary Walker Baus at mwbaus@lsureveille.com

SHOOTINGS, from page 1

a blueprint for preparedness, Rabalais said.

“I spoke to the [Virginia Tech police chief] myself,” Rabalais said. “There were signs that they recognized and saw after the fact.”

LESSONS FROM HISTORY LSUPD has taken actions to prevent a similar situation on the home front and making preparations to avoid the same mistakes.

“Virginia Tech was really what opened everybody’s eyes,” Rabalais said. “Columbine did to an extent, but Virginia Tech is when everybody said, ‘You know what?

This is going to be real.’ That really got the ball rolling.”

LSUPD started to train with local, city and state law enforcement offices, including training sessions on how to respond to active shooters, Rabalais said. While LSUPD’s response plan is “very simple,” he said training together helps the units coordinate police response.

“There won’t be any one response from LSU police — there will be assistance coming in from other agencies,” Rabalais said.

“Other agencies responding know exactly when they’re going to get there.”

Nine officers trained in special weapons and tactics form LSUPD’s high-risk warrants team, recently established to respond to any gunmen threats. Patrol officers still receive training for ways to handle similar situations, Rabalais said.

During the Columbine shooting, local patrol officers waited for a response from SWAT team members rather than immediately acting, Rabalais said. University response plans involve patrolmen going directly to the scene rather than waiting for the SWAT team, which Rabalais said could take up to two hours to prepare for response.

Rabalais said breaching issues came into play during the Virginia Tech shooting because law enforcement officers could not get into the classroom doors, which had been

chained from the inside. To handle similar situations, LSUPD patrol officers are prepared to breach buildings and classrooms with special kits with which LSUPD cars are now equipped — or by actually using the police cars to break down doors.

“We’re a city within a city — at any given time, we have 50,000 people on campus,” Rabalais said.

“Our goal as an administration is to equip these patrol officers with whatever they need to do their job.

If [the equipment] looks intimidating, it’s probably because it is.”

EOC COMMUNICATIONS The Emergency Operations Center is responsible for providing communications and resources necessary for law enforcement officers, said EOC Interim Director D’Ann Morris.

The center is the brainchild of Sean O’Keefe, the University’s chancellor from 2005 to 2008. LSU was the only university in the country with a dedicated facility when the EOC was first implemented, Morris said.

The EOC utilizes five forms of media to communicate with the University community — emergency text messages, broadcast e-mails, the University’s Web site, broadcast voicemail and media releases.

“Obviously, we’re going to do our best to communicate [the situation], and we’re going to be blasted after the fact when everyone says that we didn’t send a text message fast enough, and the broadcast email didn’t come out, and the media release was wrong,” Morris said. “Flat out — it wouldn’t matter if I was in the room with the active shooter, pushing the button to send out the text message; it’s not going to be fast enough.”

Most recently, Information Technology Services tested the LSU Emergency Text Messaging System on Sept. 28. Once ITS sent the text message to FirstCall, the University’s emergency text messaging provider, it was distributed in 12 minutes — plenty of time

PAGE 15 for a gunman to cause widespread damage.

But Morris said the EOC doesn’t utilize the emergency text messaging service solely to distribute information — it’s used to either give subscribers specific instructions or to indicate immediate threat.

“It’s very specific as to what we want individuals to do,” Morris said. “We don’t need 2,000 people running over to Tureaud Hall to stand outside and watch.”

Rabalais, also a member of the EOC core committee, said the EOC allows law enforcement officers to continue investigations without having to worry about communications.

“In those situations, what would you rather?” Rabalais questioned. “Me getting information out in a timely manner that is not quite accurate or waiting another minute or two so you can provide the public with the appropriate response?

That’s why it’s so important, the EOC being activated. They’re just standing there waiting for information.”

CARE TEAM Eric Norman, associate dean of Student Advocacy and Accountability, came to the University in July 2006 directly from Virginia Tech, intent on establishing a group focused on aiding distressed students.

While he arrived at the University before the Virginia Tech shootings, he hoped to establish programs similar to those utilized at Virginia Tech before the shootings.

The CARE team — communicate, assess, refer and educate — meets each Monday at 11 a.m. to discuss issues concerning students — anything from a student being arrested to referrals from professors — that came up in the previous week as well as ongoing focuses, Rabalais said.

The CARE team is composed of representatives from Mental Health Services, Residential Life, LSUPD detectives, Student Advocacy and Accountability and the Dean of Students.

“It’s fantastic when we can open our communications,” Morris said. “We need to over-communicate as much as possible.”

CARE works to inform faculty of signs of distress in students, Norman said — primarily students who are not attending class and students whose grades are decreasing.

After CARE was established, the University hired a CARE Manager, Jennie Stewart, in February.

Stewart assesses students referred to CARE for suicide risk, being either the offender or the victim of sexual assault or academic issues.

Once the students are assessed, the CARE team moves to provide the necessary help for the student in question — sometimes even accompanying them to Mental Health Services. “[Norman] also knew that on a campus of 30,000 students, there are students floating out there who are doing less than they could be,” Stewart said. “But if someone could reach out and offer resources, care and concern, that those students could function.”

Contact Lindsey Meaux at lmeaux@lsureveille.com

Monday, October 19, 2009

THE DAILY REVEILLE

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