The Daily Reveille — March 5, 2009

THE LAST HURRAH

ENTERTAINMENT: Religious jewlery turning into popular trend among students, page 7.

Disappointing 8-point loss caps off men’s basketball’s home season, page 5.

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Volume 113, Issue 102

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STUDENT GOVERNMENT

Akon heads Groovin’ on the Grounds

By Adam Duvernay

Expert: Value of La. bees may increase

Staff Writer

The Student Government Senate announced on Wednesday night the names of the artists who will be performing at the Groovin’ on the Grounds concert this year.

The March 21 show will be headlined by R&B/hip-hop star Akon. The lineup includes electronic artist DJ PK1, local rapper Dee-1 and singer/songwriter Corey Smith.

Past headliners include Grammy-winning hip-hop artists Wyclef Jean and Chamillionaire last year, alternative rock bands Chevelle in 2007 and Puddle of Mudd in 2006.

Advertising for the event will include mass media broadcasts from the University and a YouTube video. The festival will begin at 6 p.m., and each artist will have an hour-long set with about 20 minutes between each show for sound setup.

SG President Colorado Robertson said this year’s Groovin’ on the Grounds celebration will cost about $139,000. The money was taken from the Spring Concert Fund, which students pay into through their fee bills and can only be used on a concert.

Robertson issued an executive report following the announcement.

GROOVIN’, see page 4

Thursday, March 5, 2009

CCD are often left with little-tono mature honeybees and without Staff Writer a live queen.

“No Louisiana beekeeper Abhorred for their stingers, loved for their production of suc- has detected anything like CCD,” culent honey and famous for their Rinderer said. “It makes our bees work ethic, honeybees throughout more valuable as other beekeepers in other areas have the country are troubles and don’t increasingly aban‘No Louisiana have as many bees doning ship. for direct pollinaData from the beekeeper has tion. Since LouiU.S. Department detected anything siana does have of Agriculture indicates beekeepers like CCD. It makes our good, strong bee stocks, it provides began reporting the inexplicable bees more valuable.’ an opportunity for Louisiana beeloss of as much as keepers.”

Tom Rinderer 90 percent of their CCD is comhoneybee hives in bee research leader monly found in the fall 2006. This honeybees that is a national problem that could provide a valuable opportunity for are commercially rented to polliLouisiana beekeepers, said Tom nate crops throughout the country.

Rinderer, research leader at the In the year-round enterprise of Honey Bee Breeding, Genetics BEES, see page 11 and Physiology Research Laboratory.

The phenomenon known as Colony Collapse Disorder is marked by the failure of honeybees to return to their hives.

Hives that suffer from

By Lindsey Meaux

‘‘

[Top] Tony Stelzer, biological technician, handles part of a bee hive at the Honey Bee Breeding, Genetics and Physiology Research Laboratory. photos by BENJAMIN OLIVER HICKS / The

Daily Reveille

WHAT HE THINKS

“I have not figured out how having concealed weapons on campus will in any way improve ... the safety of a university.” — Michael Martin, chancellor

Entertainment .......... 7 Opinion ................... 12

a license for concealed firearms to carry them on campus. Log on to lsureveille.com to read more about the proposed bill.

7:20 a.m.

8:20 a.m.

Noon 3:20 p.m.

4:20 p.m.

5:20 p.m.

Weather

Sports ........................ 5

Broadcasts

Index

Rep. Ernest Wooton, R-Belle Chasse, filed House Bill 27 on Monday which would allow college students, faculty and staff with

TODAY SUNNY

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FRIDAY PARTLY CLOUDY

SATURDAY PARTLY CLOUDY

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THE DAILY REVEILLE

Nation & World

PAGE 2

on the web

LSUREVEILLE.COM

WORLD NEWS

Wanted for war crimes in Darfur: Sudan’s president

WEDNESDAY’S POLL RESULTS Do you support the bill that allows concealed weapons on campus?

26%

Clinton accuses Iran leaders of seeking to intimidate

74%

Yes No

318 PEOPLE PARTICIPATED IN THE POLL.

TODAY’S QUESTION:

Did you give anything up for Lent?

GO TO LSUREVEILLE.COM TO CAST YOUR VOTE

THURSDAY, MARCH 5, 2008

BRUSSELS (AP) — U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton swiped hard at Iran on Wednesday, accusing its hardline leaders of fomenting divisions in the Arab world, promoting terrorism, posing threats to Israel and Europe, and seeking to “intimidate as far as they think their voice can reach.” Her remarks, at the conclusion of two days of talks in Egypt, Israel and the West Bank, were notable for coming from an Obama administration that has raised the prospect of diplomatic engagement with Iran as part of a new direction in U.S. foreign policy.

THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — The president of Sudan became a wanted man Wednesday when the International Criminal Court charged him with war crimes and crimes against humanity in Darfur — its first action against a sitting head of state and one that could set the stage for more world leaders to be indicted. President Omar al-Bashir’s government retaliated by expelling 10 humanitarian groups from Darfur and seizing their assets, threatening lifesaving operations, a U.N. spokeswoman said.

NATION, STATE AND CITY BRIEFS

Obama tax plan meets Democratic resistance

TODAY

Thursday, march 5, 2009 bcm dinner & tnt worship Every Thursday night. Dinner (free) at 7:15pm.

TNT Worship Service at 8:00pm. The BCM is at the corner of Highland & Chimes. All LSU students invited! lsubcm.org Genesis Tutoring-free!

Monday-Thursday 5-9pm in 326A Student Union For more information call 578.4339 showtime at the cotillion auditions WCA Activity Center March 4th, 5th,s and 9th 6:30-8:30pm lsy student real estate assn.

Meeting Thurs. March 5, 2009 @ 6:00pm P. Taylor Rm 1118 Place your occurrence today! Deadline: 2 business days before occurrence is intended to run. Occurrence must be placed by noon.

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama’s proposal to limit itemized tax deductions for high earners is running into opposition from key Democrats in Congress who worry that charities and the housing market would be hurt. Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus questioned Wednesday whether the proposal was viable, a day after his House counterpart also expressed reservations. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner said tax increases on families making more than $250,000 a year are necessary to make a down payment on health care reform and to limit future budget deficits. But, he said, he was willing to work with lawmakers on proposals they objected to.

J. SCOTT APPLEWHITE / The Associated Press

Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington on Wednesday.

Rove, Miers to testify in Jindal to use $2.4 prosecutor firings billion from stimulus WASHINGTON (AP) — Former top Bush aides Karl Rove and Harriet Miers agreed Wednesday to testify before Congress under oath about the firings of U.S. attorneys, a controversy involving allegations of political interference that grew into a constitutional standoff between two branches of government. The Bush White House had fought attempts to force Rove and Miers to testify, and the agreement — steered by aides to President Barack Obama — ended that dispute.

CORRECTIONS AND CLARIFICATIONS

The Daily Reveille holds accuracy and objectivity at the highest priority and wants to reassure the reporting and content of the paper meets these standards.This space is reserved to recognize and correct any mistakes which may have been printed in The Daily Reveille. If you would like something corrected or clarified please contact the editor at (225) 578-4811 or e-mail editor@lsureveille.com.

POLICIES AND 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. A single issue of The Daily Reveille is free.

To purchase additional copies for 25 cents, please contact the Office of Student Media in B-16 Hodges Hall. The Daily Reveille is published daily during the fall and spring semesters and semiweekly during the summer semester, except during holidays and final exams. Second-class copies postage paid at Baton Rouge, La., 70803. Annual mail subscriptions are $115. Non-mailed student rates are $4 each regular semester, $2 during the summer; one copy per person, additional copies 25 cents each. Postmaster: Send address changes to The Daily Reveille, B-16 Hodges Hall, LSU, Baton Rouge, La.,70803.

Gov. Bobby Jindal’s administration intends to tap into at least $2.4 billion of Louisiana’s share of the federal stimulus package, most of it to help balance the state’s budget over the next two years. Jindal’s top budget adviser, Commissioner of Administration Angele Davis, outlined the administration’s stance Wednesday in a presentation to the Legislature’s joint budget committee. Though the Republican governor was an outspoken critic of the stimulus package, Davis said Jindal plans to use Medicaid, education, transportation and general bailout dollars.

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PAGE 3

STUDENT GOVERNMENT

Candidates announce campaigns around campus Four major tickets running for position

By Adam Duvernay Staff Writer

Candidates for the 2009 Student Government election kicked off the campaign season Wednesday afternoon with the help of dedicated supporters and some minor fanfare.

In simultaneous displays of campaign politics, four major tickets running for the position of SG president and vice president announced their candidacies in separate events across campus.

Though the tickets have been arranged for some time, the official campaign season began at 4:30 p.m.

Wednesday afternoon. The candidates didn’t waste a moment, beginning their campaigns as soon as they were allowed.

About 50 people met inside of 145 Coates Hall for more than a half hour to await an announcement from the “One Voice ‘09” campaign headed by SG Sen. Greg Upton and running mate Laura Boggs, SG executive director.

The Upton/Boggs campaign took advantage of its classroom setting by utilizing the projection screen and counting down the minutes until Upton’s announcement. When the clock reached zero, Upton entered to a standing ovation.

“There are many things that SG

wants to get done this year,” Upton said in his speech. “But the most important thing that we can do is set up a Student Government who listens.”

Upton, who has served in SG for two years, also serves with other student organizations such as Psi Sigma Epsilon.

When asked about his qualifications for the presidency, Upton cited his past work in sales for the South Western Company in Tennessee and shipping management with Clico.

“In SG, you’re dealing with people outside SG as much as inside,” Upton said. “So it helps to have experience dealing with people on a business level.”

Not far away, under the shadow of the clock tower, Sen. Andy Palermo and SG Assistant Director of Finance Phoebe Hathorn launched their campaign under the banner of taking the University to the “Next Level.”

Palermo cited dedication and some level of experience — both of which he said he has — as the most important qualities for an SG president.

During his speech, Palermo said his campaign would be a “student campaign” focused on the wants and needs of the University students.

“We need to take the initiative to reach out and get more of your opinions and ideas,” Palermo said.

At the same time, the “Unity ‘09” ticket, headed by Ari Krupkin and Melanie Oubre, spoke to a small

crowd of students in front of the Student Union about the need for student voices to be heard.

“Just like students know their voices are being heard in Tiger Stadium, we want them to know their voices are being heard in SG,” Oubre said.

Krupkin said it was time for a breath of fresh air in SG. While he has never served in SG before, Krupkin has served two years as the president of Tigers for Israel and was the head paige of the Louisiana Senate.

“The fact is, outside the executive branch there is a tendency to forget we govern for the students and by the students,” Krupkin said.

Stuart Watkins and Martina Scheuermann, the spearheads for the “More for LSU” ticket, announced their campaign plans in the center of Free Speech Plaza.

Touting the need for energy efficiency on campus, including dining hall composting and condensing night classes, the ticket said the University deserves more from its SG. “We’re very proud of the things we’ve done on campus because its not just in SG but various other aspects of campus life as well,” Watkins said.

Watkins served as the SG executive assistant for former SG president Cassie Alsfeld.

Contact Adam Duvernay at aduvernay@lsureveille.com

ADMINISTRATION

Board could name new Boyd prof.

Vote on endowed professorships expected

By Leslie Presnall Staff Writer

The LSU Board of Supervisors will consider the naming of a new Boyd professor — the System’s highest academic rank — at today’s meeting.

Keeping with tradition, the recipient’s identity is kept a secret until the Board votes on awarding the honor, System spokesman Charles Zewe said in an e-mail.

The award is limited to professors who have attained national or international distinctions for outstanding research, teaching and other creative achievements.

Sixty-six professors have been awarded Boyd rank since the initiation of the award in 1953, including 41 from the System’s main campus.

The Board will also vote on approval for 14 new endowed professorships in medical education, basic sciences, engineering and the humanities at LSU institutions statewide, including five at the University.

The East Baton Rouge 4-H Foundation, Inc. will present the Board with the recommendation to approve the donation and acceptance for a storage building located at the Agricultural Center’s Central Research Station.

The University granted the Foundation the use of one acre of land located on Ben Hur Road in

1980 for the EBR 4-H Foundation Building.

Now, the Foundation wants to donate an 11,320 square foot metal building to the University for the Agricultural Center’s storage needs.

In return, the Foundation is requesting available storage space for equipment in the building. The estimated building value is $190,000.

The Board will also vote on

the approval on a license between the LSU Health Sciences Center at Shreveport and a Massachusetts research company. Aphios Corporation scientists are working on new uses for byostatins — anti-cancer drugs that hold promise in preventing tissue rejection.

Contact Leslie Presnall at lpresnall@lsureveille.com

photos by ADAM DUVERNAY and EMMETT BROWN / The Daily Reveille

[Clockwise from top left] Ari Krupkin, SG Sen. Andy Palermo, SG Sen. Greg Upton and Stuart Watkins announce their candidacies for 2009-10 Student Government presidency around campus Wednesday.

PAGE 4

THE DAILY REVEILLE

thursday, march 5, 2009

FOREVER LSU

Martin: Fundraising campaign may not meet goal Chancellor remains ‘cautiously optimistic’

By Joy Lukachick Staff Writer

Chancellor Michael Martin said the University may not meet the $750 million Forever LSU fundraising endeavor by the 2010 deadline. Martin said Wednesday he thought there was a better than 50-50 chance the University could meet the fundraising goal set by former Chancellor Sean O’Keefe.

“I thought it was a stretch, but I trusted Sean at the time,” Martin said.

The Forever LSU campaign

began under O’Keefe’s administration as a way to raise money for the LSU Foundation. But for Martin, the fundraiser is a reminder of hard economic times.

“People are doing everything they can, if economy doesn’t improve — as an economists ­— it will be an uphill battle,” Martin said.

Martin said the economy is affecting people’s donations to the fund, but he is “cautiously optimistic” the University will still meet the goal on time. “[The donations] may not be on the same time schedule, but it will happen,” Martin said.

Martin said he will make every effort to reach the goal. In response to the economic hard times, Martin said he met Tuesday with alumni and supporters before the Southeastern

Conference Board of Directors in Atlanta to discuss fundraising.

“If we don’t meet [the goal], it won’t be because people haven’t worked hard,” Martin said.

O’Keefe piloted the fundraiser and told The Daily Reveille he calculated the $750 million goal based on private consulters adding the donor’s capabilities.

“It was realistic,” O’Keefe said.

“Concerning the realistic range at the time, it was well in [the University’s] range.”

O’Keefe said he could never have predicted the market meltdown in the last six months because at the time the goal was put into place, it was realistic with the economy.

Forever LSU has raised $582 million through donations — a

NATION

Barbara Bush has heart surgery

By The Associated Press HOUSTON (AP) — Former first lady Barbara Bush underwent successful open heart surgery Wednesday to replace her aortic valve, a family spokesman said.

The surgery at The Methodist Hospital lasted about 2½ hours and was scheduled last week after Bush

GROOVIN’, from page 1

He spoke to the senate body about the progress of the 2009 Class Gift Campaign. Robertson said SG has sold more than 100 bricks, which will line the pathway around the West Dodson Garden.

Robertson also said the bids for a new bus system to be implemented next semester will go out today, and an advisory committee will meet within the next two weeks to discuss possible fee increases for the new bus system.

There was no debate over either of the two Senate resolutions put onto the floor Wednesday night.

SGR No. 14, a resolution to officially support the implementation of the Comprehensive Academic Tracking System, passed unanimously after a short explanation by its author.

“CATS highlights classes which are considered critical to majors,” said Sen. Tyler Martin, College of Business and author of the

experienced a shortness of breath, spokesman Jim McGrath said.

He said doctors determined the aortic valve had started to harden.

Dr. Gerald Lawrie, a heart surgeon at the Methodist DeBakey Heart & Vascular Center, replaced the valve with a biologic valve, the hospital said in a statement.

“I expect her to recover fully

and soon resume her normal activities,” Lawrie said.

Former President George H.W. Bush was at the hospital with his wife, who was resting comfortably in the intensive care unit.

resolution. “The system is designed to help keep students on track.”

Martin said the idea for the system was taken from the University of Florida, which implemented its own system in the 1990s.

Though CATS is already scheduled for implementation, Martin said it was important to support it, and it would be negligent if the Senate did not.

The second resolution brought to the floor was SGR No. 17, which officially thanked the Louisiana State Senate Staff for allowing the

SG Senate to use their facilities for the SG Senate retreat on Jan. 17.

Speaker Pro-Tempore Drew Prestridge said the senators who attended the retreat attained a better understanding of how the State Senate worked. Once the resolution had passed, Prestridge said the Senate would send the thank you on “nice gold-colored paper with some purple framing to make it official.”

Contact The Daily Reveille’s news staff at news@lsureveille.com

Contact Adam Duvernay at aduvernay@lsureveille.com

number Beverly Major, director of Forever LSU campaign, said will be updated at the end of March.

“These are difficult times for the economy,” Major said. “We’re falling in line with where our peers are.”

Scott Madere, LSU Foundation director of public relations, said officials are optimistic about meeting

the goal.

“It’s best not to get too excited about good times ... or get too depressed by downward spikes,” he said. “Having record downward trend in one year it’s still only one year.”

Contact Joy Lukachick at jlukachick@lsureveille.com

THE DAILY REVEILLE

Sports

F

THURSDAY, MARCH 5, 2009

PAGE 5

arewell olly

BASEBALL

Tigers use 8th-inning rally to beat MVSU

Tigers lose on senior night for the first time in 10 years; 13-game SEC win streak snapped

By Casey Gisclair Chief Sports Writer

EMMETT BROWN / The Daily Reveille

LSU senior guard Garrett Temple reaches for the ball Wednesday in the first half of the Tigers’ game.

By David Helman Sports Writer

All good things must come to an end, and Vanderbilt guard Brad Tinsley made sure LSU’s streak did.

With No. 11 LSU trailing by two points in the waning seconds of Wednesday night’s game, the Commodores’ freshman guard Log on to see drained a game-clinching highlights from 3-pointer to put Vanderbilt up the game. by two possessions and secure

a 75-67 win.

The Commodores (18-11, 7-8) handed the Tigers (25-4, 13-2) their second home loss of the season and became the first Southeastern Conference team to defeat the Tigers since Jan. 11 — the conference opener.

“We normally give a good fight back, but the ball didn’t fall in our court today,” said LSU sophomore point guard Bo Spencer. “That was a big three ... but that was just a defensive

lsureveille.com

LOSS, see page 10

photos by J.J. ALCANTARA / The Daily Reveille

[Top right] LSU coach Trent Johnson speaks to the crowd Wednesday after the Tigers’ loss to Vandy. [Bottom right] Junior guard Tasmin Mitchell exits the court disappointed after the Tigers’ 75-67 loss in their last regular season home game.

Wednesday didn’t appear to be LSU junior first baseman Sean Ochinko’s day.

The Parkland, Fla., native grounded into a pair of double plays with runners in scoring position in the second and fourth innings to prevent the Tigers from cutting into Mississippi Valley State’s early lead.

But with an 0-2 count and a third chance at glory, Ochinko delivered and hit a mammoth grand slam to left field in the bottom of the eighth inning to spark a sevenrun frame in the Tigers’ 10-4 win against the Delta Devils.

“That’s why you get four atbats,” Ochinko said. “Coach always tells us that you get four atbats, and the ones late in the game are the most important. I struggled a little bit early, but I got a good pitch to hit and I nailed it.”

Things weren’t as easy for the Tigers as in previous games. LSU’s streak of four games in a row of scoring in the opening inning came to a halt as the Tigers went down in order in the first inning.

“I know people got used to us scoring six or eight runs in the first inning and then coasting to victory,” said LSU coach Paul Mainieri.

“But those kinds of games are really unusual.”

The Delta Devils rode their momentum into the second inning and scored three runs to force LSU freshman starter Shane Riedie out of the game after 1 1/3 innings.

DELTA DEVILS, see page 6

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

Hightower accelerates game to spark LSU streak Guard leads team in blocks, assists, scoring

By Casey Gisclair Chief Sports Writer

LSU junior guard Allison Hightower didn’t know what to say.

The Lady Tigers were just minutes removed from a 38-36 home loss to Mississippi State on Jan. 22 in which LSU’s offense mustered just four second-half field goals to squander a five-point halftime lead.

After that game, the Arlington, Texas, native made a vow she and her team-

mmates have stuck to for the remainder of the season.

“This just hurts,” she said. “We have to go back to practice and just start over.

We have to come together and tell ourselves we can’t have another game like that.”

Since the Mississippi State game, Hightower has done her best to make her strong words hold up — averaging 15 points, four rebounds and three assists per game.

Hightower has lifted her game even further in LSU’s last five games — all victories — and has averaged nearly 17 points per game against the likes of Florida, Georgia and Tennessee.

“When you have a player who brings

that level of energy, it raises everyone else’s energy,” said Tennessee coach Pat Summitt said after last Thursday’s matchup. “She’s a fighter and a competitor, and I think that’s something we miss and they benefit from having.”

Hightower was out of most of LSU’s game against Tennessee because of leg cramps. She said Wednesday after practice she had no problems with cramping in the Lady Tigers’ 59-48 win against Ole Miss on Sunday, and she expects to play in LSU’s first game of the Southeastern Conference tournament on Friday.

“I’m trying to get there. I don’t know what’s going on with my body,” Hightower HIGHTOWER, see page 6

JASON BORDELON / The Daily Reveille

LSU guard Allison Hightower dribbles down the court Feb. 15 against Florida in the PMAC. The Lady Tigers won 66-47.

PAGE 6

THE DAILY REVEILLE

thursday, march 5, 2009 DELTA DEVILS, from page 5

WORK IN PROGRESS

leave it all on the court and don’t expect to be there the next day. Play as hard as you can the first game you’re out there.”

run in the third inning on an RBI double off LSU sophomore Ben Alsup to take a 4-0 lead.

LSU finally broke through in the fifth inning when junior third baseman Greg Dees short-hopped a throw to first base on a ground ball hit by LSU junior outfielder Blake Dean that scored freshman Grant Dozar and senior third baseman Derek Helenihi.

But that was the only damage the Tigers could muster off Mills, who pitched five innings for the Delta Devils and allowed two runs — both unearned.

“Their pitchers were extremely tough on us,” Mainieri said. “That first pitcher had a great change-up, and he kept our hitters off balance with it most of the night.”

With Mills out of the game, LSU manufactured a run in the sixth inning to pull within a run.

Sophomore shortstop DJ LeMahieu opened the inning with an infield single and advanced on a throwing error to second base.

After a ground ball out by sophomore Chad Jones advanced LeMahieu to third base, the Tigers’ shortstop scored on a shallow sacrifice fly by Ochinko.

Senior Louis Coleman, who started the Tigers season-opener against Villanova, pitched two scoreless innings and earned his second win of the season.

Contact Casey Gisclair at cgisclair@lsureveille.com

Contact Casey Gisclair at cgisclair@lsureveille.com

GRANT GUTIERREZ / The Daily Reveille

The scoreboard in the north end zone of Tiger Stadium undergoes construction Wednesday afternoon. It is being updated with an 80-foot-wide high definition video board. The goal for completion is in five to six weeks, just before the April 18 spring football game.

HIGHTOWER, from page 5

tournament for however many days we’ll be there. I really pray that I do not cramp because it’s hard to go back out there and play.”

Hightower’s biggest contribution this season has arguably been on the defensive side of the floor.

Aside from leading LSU in scoring and assists, Hightower leads the Lady Tigers in blocks with 35 and steals with 50.

“She’s so long-armed,” said LSU coach Van Chancellor. “She has become a very good player on that end for us.”

The Lady Tigers aren’t so sure

of how long they’ll be in North Little Rock, Ark., for the SEC tournament. But Hightower isn’t looking into the future.

“You can’t save anything to play for the next day because you don’t know if you’re going to be there the next day,” Hightower said.

“They just have to go out there and

THE DAILY REVEILLE

THURSDAY, MARCH 5, 2009

Entertainment

PAGE 7

FUNDRAISER

Red Star bar to host ‘Bring Your Own Book’

By Jake Clapp

Entertainment Writer

Creed Couture

GRANT GUTIERREZ/ The Daily Reveille

Religious jewelry is displayed on a wooden cross at Ted and Daisy’s. Students are now wearing religious jewelry on campus regardless of their religious affiliation.

Religious jewelry slowly becoming fashion trend

By Lindsay Nunez Entertainment Writer

The incorporation of religious ideology into everyday outerwear is one of the most recent crazes to sweep campus.

Items such as necklaces, bracelets, T-shirts and even key covers with a display of the faces of various Catholic saints or other religious figureheads can be found at trendy national chain stores like Urban Outfitters and at small boutiques like Ted and Daisy’s.

This fad can easily be compared to the reign of the “What Would Jesus Do?” bracelets in the ‘90s and the red yarn Kabbalah bracelets

sported by celebrities like Britney Spears and Madonna.

But while religious icons such as the Virgin Mary and Buddha adorn people’s wardrobes, they aren’t necessarily a display of faithbased beliefs.

One of the most popular items in this trend is the colorful and embellished pendant made of Italian metals. Catholics have been wearing much plainer colorless versions of these necklaces with saint pictorials for centuries. Each saint has a different story and meaning.

For some Catholics it’s hard to see their religion taken so lightly, but Ryan Aldridge, PENDANT, see page 9

Book drives are a way to help public schools by raising awareness about the importance of reading among children and raising support for the local school.

Most of the time these fundraisers usually occur at libraries or the school itself and very rarely promote a party atmosphere.

The non-profit organization Advance Baton Rouge is hoping to change these old standards by bringing book drives into a contemporary setting.

Partnering with Red Star Bar and the Benjy Davis Project, Advance Baton Rouge is working toward promoting literacy in public education through tonight’s Bring Your Own Book event.

“Normal 20-somethings won’t be grabbed by the old book drives.

Nothing will really catch their attention,” said Frank McMains, owner of Red Star. “These drives work, but if you bring it to a new setting, like a bar, then it will be more accessible to the younger crowd.”

Admission for Bring Your Own Book, which kicks off at 7 p.m., will be two new or used middle school level reading books or donations of $10 to help out Glen Oaks Middle School, Prescott Middle School and Point Coupee Central High School.

The night will start out with free Abita Beer from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. and Abita promotional giveaways.

The Benjy Davis Project takes the stage at 9:30 p.m.

Contact Jake Clapp at jclapp@lsureveille.com

MUSIC

New Orleans bands to make stops in Baton Rouge Carnival continues with brass music

By Jack LeBlanc Entertainment Writer

Mardi Gras may have ended with the swish of street sweepers last week, but the spirit of the holiday lives on this weekend in the blast of trombones and thud of bass drums.

From the funky horns of The Rebirth Brass Band to the hip-hop/ brass/funk mash-up of Trombone Shorty and Orleans Avenue, Baton Rouge will be in the Carnival spirit this weekend. “[New Orleans-style music] is

just a part of my life, like everyday 1983 by the Frazier brothers. The conversation. You from a certain band got its start playing the streets place, and you speak a certain way,” of the French Quarter and has won said Troy Andrews over the hearts of – a.k.a. Trombone several generations Shorty – in a thick of music lovers in New Orleans acthe past 26 years. cent. “New Orleans Andrews has is always going to played with Rebe an important part birth dozens of of what I do musitimes and still recally.” gards them as his Troy Andrews The party idols.

Trombone Shorty starts Friday night “To be able to at Chelsea’s Cafe play with a band where The Rebirth Brass Band will that set a sound that everyone is be playing. following now is great,” Andrews The Rebirth Brass Band is a said. “Rebirth has great energy, and New Orleans institution formed in TRUMPETS, see page 9

‘‘

‘New Orleans is always going to be an important part of what I do musically.’

photo courtesy of ELISE BOOS

Troy Andrews – a.k.a. Trombone Shorty – is becoming famous for his New Orleans-style music. Andrews and Orleans Avenue will play at Bogie’s Bar & Grill on Saturday night.

THE DAILY REVEILLE

PAGE 8

REVEILLE Ranks

MUSIC MOVIES BOOKS TELEVISION

Communion

The Soundtrack of Our Lives

Crossing Over The Weinstein Company

Akashic Records

Jonas Brothers: The 3D Concert Experience

Soundtrack of Our Lives’ sixth studio release contains everything from ‘60s rock stomps to slow-tempo psychadelia. The Swedish rockers draw from everything from The Kinks to Pink Floyd in this spontaneous double album. Communion may not bring pop hits like Origin Vol. 1’s “Bigtime,” but it is still a great, diverse listen.

This immigration drama features some thought provoking situations on many immigrants’ dream of citizenship and the nightmare of achieving it, but it never becomes entirely melodramatic. The film bounces back and forth between a series of vignettes in what can be compared to a mix between “Traffic” and “Crash,” but Kramer never lets the film lose its pulse.

The interlocking of everyone’s stories at the end of the film may be less than believable, but the interactive cast holds it together.

B. BOURGEOIS

B. BOURGEOIS

C. VOGELS

Neko Case

The Prodigy

U2

R.E.D. Distribution

Interscope Records

From the very beginning of this album Neko Case’s voice comes through like a cyclone.

Her beautifully powerful sound shines through with range and style that goes from relaxed jazz to country and Southern gospel. Her voice is only added to by the ambient, and sometimes dark, music that accompanies her lyrics. “Middle Cyclone” is a strong entry in her already amazing career.

“Invaders Must Die” is a proper rave album —— pulsating, mind-numbing and irreverent. The album is a return to The Prodigy’s roots and sounds straight out of 1995. Gems include “Thunder,” a hippy-raver’s delight that samples reggae vocals, and “Warrior’s Dance,” a catchy pop-dance song with female vocals and a squirming synth-bass line. The rest of the album is raucous rave filler, perfect for dancing or thrashing, but with little originality.

U2 has reinvented their sound on their new album “No Line on the Horizon.” The album sounds like a dramatic response to 2004’s “How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb.”

Songs like “Moment of Surrender” and “White as Snow” are examples of the textured, melodic anthems U2 is famous for making. Songs like “Get On Your Boots” and “I’ll Go Crazy If I Don’t Go Crazy Tonight” are horrible failures that should have been left off the album and replaced with one of the 50 songs the band wrote during recording.

J. CLAPP

J. LeBLANC

J. CHENIER

Walt Disney Pictures

Teenage girls cry and scream, but the rest of the world is shaking their head in shame.

“Jonas Brothers: The 3D Concert Experience” is painful to watch. This movie, if you can call it that, shows parts of the Jonas Brothers’ “Burning Up” concert interlaced with a day in their lives. It focuses on screaming fan girls and the absurd lack of normal intelligence of each of the brothers. The only good part of this movie was getting to keep the 3D glasses.

[B-] [C+] [F-]

Middle Cyclone

Invaders Must Die

No Line on the Horizon

[B+] [C] [C]

Editor’s Pick Britney Spears and the Circus Tour

Britney Spears has been through a lot of drama over the years. From getting married to shaving her head, she’s done it all. Many gave up hope. But as she took the stage in New Orleans on Tuesday, concert goers were reminded of the Britney that they grew up with. She has regained her zest for performing and created a breathtaking show for all fans.

“Circus,” “Crossroads,” comebacks

SARAH AYCOCK

FOR FANS OF:

THURSDAY, MARCH 5, 2009

thursday, march 5, 2009 TRUMPETS, from page 7

they know how to party. Whenever I feel like I’m getting a little weak around my heart, I go and play with Rebirth.”

Andrews said Rebirth shows consist of non-stop playing for three or four hours with no breaks and high energy.

“It’s a great thing,” Andrews said. “I’m just happy I’ve had the opportunity to be able to play with some of the New Orleans legends.”

Andrews is becoming a bit of a New Orleans legend himself. The 22 year-old trombone and trumpet player began performing at the age of four and was a bandleader by six.

PENDANT, from page 7

doctorate student of historic costume, said many people complying with this trend don’t know the identity, story or meaning of the saint they are displaying around their necks.

Despite some uneasiness toward the avant-garde jewelry, the Catholic Church has not decried the fad.

“Some people are just trying to be publicly irreverent,” Michael Pasquier, assistant professor of religious studies, said in reference to Madonna, a former Catholic and now Kabbalist, wearing a rosary around her neck. “It’s a form of freedom of speech.”

Catholic pendants aren’t the only cultural trends worn when the design, meaning and heritage are unknown. Other trends such as nose piercing, tattoos and head bands are examples.

Jessica Pattison, doctorate student of apparel design, explained that it’s common in American culture to be unaware of the meanings behind clothing and accessories. American freedom has allowed for people to wear what they want despite its symbolism.

“It is socially acceptable to experiment and to wear things just because they are pretty,” Pattison said.

“It’s an affect of globalization.”

There are many reasons the fad may have become popular in society.

Aldridge explained that social acceptance is important to everyone and affects people’s clothing choices.

Considering 80 percent of the United States’ population identify themselves as Christian, people might find the jewelry as a way to connect with their peers.

Aldridge used the trickle-down theory of fashion to explain this fad. The trickle-down theory states that the wealthy, powerful and famous start the trends and then the styles “trickle down” to the masses. The Catholic Church is a very wealthy and powerful establishment, and people may subconsciously feel that wearing Catholic symbols will make them appear powerful, Aldridge said.

Despite the superficial reasons behind religious fashion, some people have found this trend as a more colorful and vibrant way of displaying their beliefs. The painted saints are brighter than the usually morbid crucifixes and medals. New techniques are being used to reinvent the classic piece.

“The masses can just get tired of the old traditional looks,” Pattison said.

Another reason this fad has taken off on campus is that southern Louisiana is a dominantly Catholic

THE DAILY REVEILLE

“I still incorporate the music I learned in my childhood, but this is not your typical brass band music,” Andrews said of the band’s sound.

Trombone Shorty and Orleans Avenue will be performing at Bogie’s Bar & Grill on Saturday night.

Orleans Avenue is Mike Ballard on bass, James Martin on tenor saxophone, Pete Murano on guitar, Joey Peeble on drums and Charlie Smith on keyboard.

Trombone Shorty and Orleans Avenue recently finished a busy month, playing nearly every day during February. The tour culminated with an epic Lundi Gras show at Tipitina’s, where Trombone Shorty and Orleans Avenue performed with New Orleans-based rapper Juvenile.

Andrews said his favorite place to play is New Orleans, but fans outside of Louisiana also enjoy his music.

“The response is big,” Andrews said. “People outside Louisiana can’t get this music all the time.”

Andrews said New Orleans has a fan base of its own, and combined with his own growing fan base, that means full venues with happy fans.

“The people love and can’t get enough of New Orleans music,” Andrews said. “Overall, we get a lot of love everywhere we go.”

area. This area’s tendency toward religion is the boutique Ted and Daisy’s reason for incorporating the jewelry into their store.

“Everyone uses fashion to express their beliefs and we live in a religious society,” said Sarah Schaffer, owner of Ted and Daisy’s boutique on Burbank Drive. “Religious pieces have always been popular here.”

Despite the popularity, some

students find the trend inappropriate.

“I don’t like the idea,” said Jessica Holmes, psychology junior. “I think if you wear something religious it should be used only to display beliefs, not as an accessory.”

Contact Jack LeBlanc at aleblanc@lsureveille.com

Contact Lindsay Nunez at lnunez@lsureveille.com

PAGE 9

PAGE 10 LOSS, from page 5

breakdown on us.”

It was a similar situation for Spencer and company, but it was not at all a familiar ending. LSU found itself trailing by double digits for the second-straight game. The Tigers shot 20 percent from the field in the game’s first 10 minutes, and Vanderbilt led, 22-8, before most fans had settled into their seats.

“I feel like we came out complacent in the first half,” said senior guard Marcus Thornton. “We thought they were going to lay down and give us the game because it was a big night for the seniors. But they wanted it more than us.”

Vanderbilt had an answer for every LSU rally, unlike Arkansas and Kentucky before them. The Tigers cut the lead to 9 just before half, only to have it extended to 11 on a gigantic dunk from Vanderbilt’s Jermaine Beal.

LSU cut into Vanderbilt’s advantage with multi-point runs on seven separate occasions in the second half, and every single time the Commodores responded to reinforce

THE DAILY REVEILLE

their lead.

“There were times when we had good stops,” said LSU coach Trent Johnson. “But they dominated us in the paint ... When we made runs, they put us back on our heels.”

The driving force on most of those occasions was Vanderbilt sophomore center A.J. Ogilvy. While the Tigers suffered through shooting struggles early on, Ogilvy found the basket from inside all night. He shot 12-of-17 from the field and finished his night with 33 points and 10 rebounds.

“He’s good,” Johnson said. “He caught some of our guys off guard in terms of his ability to put the ball on the floor in the perimeter.”

The loss set off a surreal chain of events for LSU and its fans. As Vanderbilt left the court in celebration and fans headed to the exits, Johnson addressed the remaining crowd on the finer points of the season.

Shortly after, SEC championship hats and shirts were distributed to the players, and the team’s 2009 SEC Champions banner was dropped from the southeast corner of the PMAC.

East Baton Rouge Parish Mayor-President Kip Holden presented Johnson and his team with a key to the city during the postgame press conference – a reminder of what was supposed to be.

Spencer didn’t mind the celebration, however ill-timed it might have been.

“As much as it hurt us to lose, Coach didn’t want to lose either,” Spencer said. “It was good to see him thank the fans, and just to see our banner drop. To see us win an SEC championship outright, it was nice.”

Johnson said the game was “all about the players” and praised his team for its accomplishments, but he didn’t sound as convinced as his point guard.

“There ain’t no silver lining to losing,” Johnson said. “I’m the worst loser around ... I would love to be in a situation sitting here where these guys went out on a beautiful win, but it is what it is.”

Contact David Helman at dhelman@lsureveille.com

thursday, march 5, 2009

thursday, march 5, 2009 BEES, from page 1 commercial pollination, massive semi trucks are filled with millions of bees and shipped to pollinate crops.

Rinderer said the pressure to perform beyond their typical spring pollination and the stress of being shipped throughout the country as causes for CCD. For shipping, entire colonies — typically comprised of 30,000 to 60,000 bees — are put on pallets in groups of four to six. Between 400 and 500 colonies are loaded onto a truck.

This year’s average payout for renting bees to pollinate crops of almonds is about $140 per colony, Rinderer said. With shipping costs of about $12,000, profits are equal to about $60,000 per shipment.

“The bees in Louisiana — for the most part — don’t participate in this big movement of bees on trucks to go pollinate,” Rinderer said. “Even our ‘We estibeekeepers that do go to [polmate 40 linate crops] to 60 perdon’t have particular prob- cent of the lems because honeybees they come back [nationally] to Louisiana.”

Bees in have been Louisiana are lost due typically kept to this in areas where they have acdisorder.’ cess to a wide variety of food.

Mike Strain This enables Commissioner of La. them to have a agriculture and forestry balanced diet, Rinderer said. Nationally, bees often only have access to a monoculture diet — the opportunity to feed on only one crop.

“The bee industry is a major industry,” said Mike Strain, commissioner of Louisiana agriculture and forestry. “We estimate 40 to 60 percent of the honeybees [nationally] have been lost due to this disorder.”

A large portion of honeybees in Louisiana are raised for commercial business, Strain said.

Michael Catania, Louisiana beekeeper, said honeybees are vital to the nation for their pollinating abilities.

“Just about everything that you put in your mouth, bees are in one way or another directly involved in it,” Catania said. “They’re very important to agriculture.”

James Henderson, owner of Golden Delight Honey, said honeybees are responsible for pollinating almonds, blueberries, strawberries and melons.

The use of honeybees for crop pollination helps farmers ensure their crops are pollinated while neighboring crops remain untouched, Henderson said.

“It’s just like putting them in front of a buffet,” Henderson said of releasing a shipment of honey bees before an untouched crop.

“Honeybees will [only] forge out maybe a mile and half from the colony [in search of nourishment].”

As soon as temperatures rise above 55 degrees, honeybees that aren’t being rented for commercial crop pollination typically start storing surplus honey, Henderson said. Henderson said plants

THE DAILY REVEILLE typically bloom year round in Louisiana. This enables the honeybees to leave the hive in search of pollen, nectar and water.

Henderson, who said he typically gets stung no more than 10 times each time he works with his bees, recommended people met with a hive of bees call a beekeeper to have them removed from trees or walls. He recommended those

PAGE 11

who come into contact with bees in the wild ignore them.

“At home, I might have up to six colonies in my backyard,” Henderson said. “I can sit down right next to the colony, and I don’t get stung.”

Contact Lindsey Meaux at lmeaux@lsureveille.com

Pluckers wing bar $4 34oz Mother Plucker mugs. $3 Margaritas and PluckersLemonades. $15.99 All you can Eat wings.

If you don’t like our wings, we’ll give you the bird!

Bogie’s bar $4 Beam and Stoli 1500lb Crawfish Boil at 4 Mellow Mushroom pizza bakers No Cover! 5-10pm: 2 for 1 drafts. 10pm til: $2.50 Mexican Bottles,$3 Calls, $6 22oz Souviner Cup Shroom Teas fred’s bar 8-Close, Ladie’s Night FREE DRINKS from 8-10 No cover for girls til midnight.

Drink Responsibly.

Grant Street Dance Hall Robert Earl Keen w/ The Drew Landry Band Friday, Fe. 20th Doors @ 8pm Show 9pm Tickets available at www.grantstreetdancehall.com Grant Street Dancehall 113 W. Grant St. Lafayette, LA

Rave motion pictures 02/20-02/23

Baton Rouge 15 (Mall of La) Tyler Perry’s Madea Goes to Jail Push PG-13 11:30, 2:00, 5:15, 7:15, 8:00, 10:10 11:05, 1:40, 4:45, 7:25, 10:20 Friday the 13th R 12:20, 2:15, 4:50, 8:20, 11:00 Gran Torino R 12:05 He’s Just Not That Into You PG-13 12:40, 3:45, 6;45, 9:55 Watchmen R 11:00, 12:00, 1:00, 2:30, 3:00, 4:00, 4:45, 6:30, 7:00, 7:45, 8:30, 9:30 10:00, 10:30 Fired Up PG-13 12:20, 2:40, 5:30, 8:15, 10:50 Paul Bart: Mall Cop PG 11:15, 1:30, 4:15, 7:10, 9:40 Gran Torino R 12:05

Confessions of a Shopaholic PG 11:20, 1:55, 4:25 Street Fighter PG13 11:25, 1:45, 4:40, 7:30, 10:15 Taken PG-13 12:15, 2;35, 5:20, 7:55, 10:25 Slumdog Millionaire R 12:45, 4;40, 7:40, 10:40 Underworld: Rise of the Lycans R 4:10, 9:55 Jonas Brother 3d PG 12:30, 2:45,5;00, 7:20 Coraline PG 10:55, 1:35, 4:20, 7:05

9-10:30pm Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist 12-1:30pm Vicky Christina Barcelona 3:00-3:30pm Newsbeat Live 3:30-4pm The Rundown Taped 4:30-5pm Sports Showtime Taped 7-8:30pm Palo Alto

THE DAILY REVEILLE

Opinion

PAGE 12

Thursday, March 5, 2009

MURDA, HE WROTE

Morocco’s unique culture has hint of Western influence AIX-EN-PROVENCE, FRANCE – Arriving in Tangier, Morocco’s port on the Mediterranean, one immediately loses any preconceptions about North Africa. The traveler is equally intrigued with the indigenous culture as with the long history of Western influence.

Long ago, Morocco was eyed for its strategic location at the mouth of the Mediterranean and its valuable natural resources. Phoenicians, Romans and Byzantines all possessed the land at one time and left their mark. European interest began with the Portuguese’s failed attempt to take the land, where the pock marks from Portuguese galleons are still visible in Tangier’s fortified city center.

Oddly, it is through the U.S. that Morocco forged a working relationship with the West. It was the first to recognize U.S. independence, and Tangier is the location of America’s

oldest embassy.

Attracting multinational corporations with loose tax policies and shippers with free port fees in the 1920s, the port ushered in a period of worldliness that resonates today.

Not until the 20th century did Europe gain control of Morocco, starting with a French-Spanish agreement that made Morocco a protectorate. Only recently — in 1956 — did the nation gain independence.

This colorful history has yielded a fascinating concoction of Berber and Arab culture, colonial influence and globalization.

Stepping off the plane in Tangier, tourists are greeted with a modern glass and steel structure, like many of the country’s recently renovated transportation buildings. In this moderate Muslim country few respond to the several calls to prayer each day, and men and women often work together in European garb.

Leaving the airport by taxi, it’s easy to mistake the area for Destin with numerous construction projects underway to add to the city’s towering condominiums. Still, many of these buildings loom above grass and mud structures of traditional architecture.

A walk from the city’s train station will Mark Macmurdo bring them to Columnist what has to be the most accommodating McDonald’s they’ve encountered — where they can enjoy a McArabia burger on top the building’s terrace (prices are cheap, even without a dollar menu).

In the city’s medina — or town center — the duality of old and new is even more striking. Donkeys pull carts next to Ford sedans while

men smoke hashish between sips of Coke.

Although it can be expected that Tangier would show it’s Western influence, leaving the city can be disappointing for a traveler seeking a romantic departure from occidental culture. Even in southern Morocco, where Western influence is limited compared to Tangier, the mark of modernity is still ever present.

Standing on a rooftop in Marrakesh, one witnesses an endless sea of satellite dishes affixed to the mud roofs, and “Berber Eiffel Towers” — tall cell phone towers — are present, even at the edge of the Sahara.

Morocco is a place Westerners can get an idea of its indigenous culture but not without frequent reminders of home. In other words, while there are limited Western comforts and immersion in the culture, it seems impossible to entirely detach oneself from home.

This should come as no surprise.

The impact of colonialism and, more recently, Morocco’s extroverted economic policies have eliminated any chance of experiencing authentic Berber culture. But perhaps seeing how the country has negotiated old and new, outside and inside, is an equally enjoyable experience.

Whether you are in modern Casablanca, trekking the Atlas mountains, or heading into the fringe of the Sahara, one thing is clear — you can still enjoy a refreshing Coca Cola, but it certainly tastes different in the markets of Marrakesh.

Mark Macmurdo is a 22-yearold economics senior from Baton Rouge.

Contact Mark Macmurdo at mmacmurdo@lsureveille.com

FREEMAN OF SPEECH

Jindal ditches La. for Disney, 2012 nomination

I remember the one time I met Gov. Bobby Jindal.

The tech master of the theatre department at my high school was also a videographer for NFL Films, and he brought me on as a runner for a Saints game. I was given an All-Access Pass to the Louisiana Superdome and placed in charge of running — well, walking — back and forth, all around the Dome with a bag of old film and new batteries.

Jindal was walking on the ground level, talking to a group of people. As I remember, he looked like a celebrity, giving out autographs and taking pictures with people. When I shook his hand, I thought he was a celebrity.

I honestly thought he was Ray Romano.

But no, this Indian-American and Rhodes Scholar was the next big thing in the state of Louisiana and, more importantly, the Republican Party.

Six years ago I was 16, two years too young to vote for who I thought seemed like the most likeable Republican I’d ever seen. Jindal lost that election to former Gov. Kathleen Blanco, who would become Louisiana’s poster child for weakness in government when she cried on television in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.

He was endorsed in that race

not only by exiting Republican Gov. Mike Foster, but also Ray Nagin, Democratic mayor of New Orleans, as well as The Times-Picayune, New Orleans’ daily newspaper.

Six years later, he’s the object of Rush L i m b a u g h ’s affection and — depending on which blogs you read – the front-runner for the Republican presidential Eric Freeman Jr. nomination in Columnist 2012.

I should have never supported him in the first place.

Maybe, like most of the rest of the country, I supported him for being an ethnic, non-white Republican with a calm, assuring resolve in his voice, speaking with confidence and potentially signaling a change in how the party operates.

In the end, my differences with Jindal are policy-based. He is prolife with no exceptions for rape or incest, supports the teaching of intelligent design, has an A grade from the National Rifle Association and supports federal amendments banning both flag burning and gay marriage.

Fast-forward to Mardi Gras night, to the speech the Big Easy

THE DAILY REVEILLE Editorial Board

KYLE WHITFIELD TYLER BATISTE GERRI SAX DANIEL LUMETTA MATTHEW ALBRIGHT TRAVIS ANDREWS ERIC FREEMAN JR.

Editor Managing Editor, Content Managing Editor, External Media Opinion Editor Columnist Columnist Columnist

ignored.

I watched my biggest dreams and highest hopes achieved, the path to a better, more prosperous America being realized in the words of an eloquent statesman informing the country about the light at the end of the darkness.

Then Jindal gave the response to President Obama.

It felt like watching “My Big Fat Greek Wedding” after having dinner with Michael Jordan, Muhammad Ali and Tiger Woods.

I felt like I was at Disney World with no money, while Mickey Mouse gave me a tour about how a train connecting Las Vegas to Disney Land was wasteful and shouldn’t be included in a stimulus package — now defining Jindal as a hypocrite, with the Louisiana Transportation Department requesting $110 million for a train between Baton Rouge and New Orleans from the same $8 billion pot Jindal called pork-barrel spending on national television, according to The Times-Picayune.

After giving the speech, Jindal heard his mouse impression and took his family to Disney World to refine his tone and pitch.

I gave him the benefit of the doubt when, after campaigning on a platform of ethics reform, his first scandal involved ethics. I admired him when he selected the now

virtually decrepit Kirby Smith Hall as the location of his transition office.

But this past Mardi Gras, as the murder capital of the country suffered a bloody Carnival day, the leader of Louisiana sold out his citizens in the first of future attempts to coddle favor with Republican bigwigs to lead him closer to his ultimate goal — the 2012 Republican

nomination.

Maybe he’ll pick Goofy for VP. Eric Freeman, Jr. is a 22-year-old political science junior from New Orleans.

Contact Eric Freeman Jr. at efreeman@lsureveille.com

Best & Wittiest

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.

KING FEATURES SYNDICATE

QUOTE OF THE DAY

“Democracy does not guarantee equality of conditions — it only guarantees equality of opportunity.”

Irving Kristol American political commentator Jan, 22, 1920 - present

THE DAILY REVEILLE

Thursday, march 5, 2009

WALK HARD

Opinion

PAGE 13

Grade inflation indicative of national epidemic Midterms are winding down, and for many students grades now function as a wake-up call.

For some students, this is the first real feedback on how they have performed in class.

As the semester reaches its midway point, some are pleased, others worried. But for those who rejoice over a triangular-shaped letter on our grade report, this could be the last time we get such high marks.

“A larger percentage of students now get A’s than ever before,” according to a Feb. report released by the American Council of Trustees and Alumni (ACTA).

ACTA calls this phenomenon “grade inflation,” underscoring the fact that these As are artificially high grades.

Grade inflation cheapens the value of high grades.

Traditionally, a grade of A meant “excellent” while B meant

“above average.” A letter grade of C meant “average.”

Regardless of what parents may tell their children, not everyone is exemplary. Most people are “average,” and even fewer are above average.

The ACTA report cites many sources of inflated grades. Students who expect to get an A simply because they did the work, teachers concerned with high marks on student evaluations and a prevailing mindset that high grades equal high self-esteem are cited as reasons for the problem.

Students are expected to want to get the most bang for their many, many bucks, and professors understandably want to be regarded highly by their students, if for no other reason than the fact that the administration evaluates them based on student feedback.

There is an epidemic infecting the country, and grade infla-

tion is just another symptom.

It seems if a person is told they are average or not as capable as someone else, his worth as a human being is cheapened.

Instead, we want everyone to be equal in ability and aptitude.

But we are not all equal.

To be sure, all people are equally valuable simply by virtue of their humanity. However, not all people Drew Walker are capable of doing the same Columnist things.

Many believe the equality held dear by Americans means equality of status. They see it as unfair that some people are able to afford multi-million dollar homes while others live in apartments or trailers.

They think the net worth of an individual signifies their value as a person.

People are different, and their abilities reflect the diversity.

It is not unfair for a doctor to make a six-figure salary while a plumber makes $38,000. Neither is it unfair for a student who doesn’t understand the material as well as a classmate to make a lower grade. There is no shame in being the best and the brightest, nor is there any shame in being average.

Grade inflation lowers the bar and diminishes the possibility of doing truly exceptional work.

Not only does it cheapen the work of those who actually earn the highest mark, but it doesn’t allow students who may do average or slightly above average work the opportunity to improve.

Nobody is guaranteed an equality of status. Not everyone

is going to make $80,000. Some will make more, some less. But everyone is guaranteed equality of opportunity to increase their abilities and status in life.

If grade inflation continues to give students an undeserved sense of accomplishment, this equality of opportunity will disappear.

Not everyone is an A student.

In fact, most of us aren’t.

A low grade doesn’t mean you did something wrong. Grades are neither punitive nor a reward.

They are a reflection of achievement and an opportunity to learn.

Drew Walker is a 24-year-old philosophy senior from Walker.

Contact Drew Walker at dwalker@lsureveille.com

(BI)PARTISAN VIEW

Sex changes provide loophole for marriage, not life When a sub group feels they are not getting all they can out of U.S. law, they start to look for alternative ways to get a result while staying within the law. One of these groups has found a technicality in U.S. law — a loophole that may sound unreasonable.

More precisely, a loophole allowing same-sex marriage.

This group of people are transgender individuals.

Transgender people who go through the process of legally changing their sex can marry as their reassigned sex.

This hole in the system may seem like the answer to many lesbian, gay, bisexual, trangender, queer problems, but in reality it’s the opposite.

Not all of the LGBTQ community would even consider a sex change just to marry.

Usually, lesbians, gays and bisexuals don’t want to change their sex. Lesbians are women

who like women — the whole point is that there’s no man in the picture. Neither partner in any of these relationships would be comfortable with changing their sex.

It’s necessary to note is that sex and gender are completely different.

Sex has to do with the genitalia with which the person was born — where as gender cannotes identification as male, female or something in the middle.

A transgender person feels their gender is different from sex.

Psychologists call this condition “Gender Identity Disorder.”

A person with GID may take years to figure out how they identify and how they want to transition. A physical transition isn’t a choice made lightly and many transgender individuals will take years to figure out if transitioning is right for them.

These people are often mis-

labeled as cross-dressers or transvestites — they were even put into the same category as “lizard people” the last time the topic was broached in this paper.

But cross dressers, transvestites and “lizard people” do not have GID. Further, a sex change is not the right answer to marriage because of its difficul- Isabel Blum ty.

Columnist The legal process to change sex often involves psychological therapy, hormone therapy and various forms of procedures to alter appearance.

A male to female transsexual (MTF) will usually go through hormone therapy, electrolysis, top surgery and sometimes bottom surgery. A female to male

transsexual (FTM) will usually go through hormone therapy, a mastectomy, a hysterectomy and sometimes bottom surgery.

These procedures can cost between $40,000 and $120,000.

A transsexual individual usually spends at least one year “passing” or living as the desired sex full time. During this period the person must make all social changes — coming out as transgender to friends and family, coming out at work or switching jobs starting as their new gender, asking others to use the “correct” pronoun and legally changing one’s name.

They then need letters from doctors that confirm performed procedures to change their sex — and then a judge has to approve it. Only Idaho, Ohio and Tennessee refuse to permit an individual from changing sex.

Several states will not allow a post-op transgender to marry

as their reassigned sex including Texas and New York.

When the person’s sex is legally changed, they can get a legal marriage provided their state permits it.

Even though the rights and benefits of legal marriage are great, they are not worth the physical, psychological, social, sexual and emotional torment that an individual must experience to get there.

A sex change only proves worthy for those who truly have GID and find that benefits outweight the heavy consequences.

demonstrate that Karl Marx’s notion of surplus value is faulty.

Morgan describes some reasons why one would not do this: lack of protection from litigation, unpredictable income, etc.

Morgan continues, “For most, the challenges involved in starting a business make giving a pre-existing firm your surplus value a worthwhile trade.”

However, “for some... the risks of starting a business are worth the potential payoff.” Fully unpacking this assertion is nec-

essary to understand Marx’s critique of capitalism. We must understand precisely why the risk of starting a business is worthwhile for some, but not all.

The answer is, of course, that the wealthy (those who control capital) can afford to undertake risky but profitable business ventures, while those who struggle to earn enough to eat, pay bills, etc. can only secure these basic necessities through wage-labour.

In other words, the Cane’s cashier cannot rationally accept

the risk of starting her own firm, even if the venture would likely be profitable in the long run.

Someone who already has a pre-existing source of capital, on the other hand, is free to accept risk freely and therefore profits from the labour of those who cannot.

This is why it often seems the rich get progressively richer in capitalist societies.

Marxist theory critiques this tendency in capitalism and suggests public ownership of the

means of production to rectify this inequality. Whatever one thinks about Marx’s conclusions, his ideas are formidable and need to be confronted in their complexity. For this reason, Marx continues, and will continue, to be read.

Isabel Blum is a 20-year-old communication disorders junior.

Contact Isabel Blum at iblum@lsureveille.com

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Marx’s communist theories column not worthy of respect A careful analysis of Daniel Morgan’s article “Marx’s communist theories not worthy of respect” reveals the frailty of his reasoning.

Morgan uses the example of a Raising Cane’s employee to

Joseph Falcon anthropology and philosophy junior

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PAGE 16

THE DAILY REVEILLE

thursday, march 5, 2009