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LIFE&ARTS PAGE 8 Taste the fall season
SPORTS PAGE 12:
Longhorns know how to run it back
THE E DA AILY I TEXAN Tuesday, October 6, 2009
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Fate of tier one schools in voters’ hands Budding research universities in Texas may receive increased funding following Nov. 3 election By Lena Price Daily Texan Staff When polls open in less than a month on Nov. 3, voters will decide whether to amend the state constitution to increase the number of Texas national research or
“tier one” universities. The proposition, fourth on the list of 11, would give seven emerging tier one Texas universities — including UT-Dallas and UT-Arlington — access to $425 million which would help them
eventually achieve tier one or national research university status. The proposition is based on a bill that was passed unanimously in the Texas House and Senate during the 2009 legislative session. The money would come from the now-defunct Higher Education Fund, created to provide an alternate source of funding for state colleges and universities not
in the UT or Texas A&M University systems. The state legislature began depositing $50 million a year into the fund in 1996, but the amount decreased until the deposits stopped in 2004. The proposition would reallocate the unused money from the Higher Education Fund into a new national research university fund. UT-Austin is already a tier one
research university, so it would not be able to access any of the money from the national research university fund if the proposition passes. “[The proposition] would take a fund of about $500 million that was set up for schools that do not participate in the Permanent University Fund,” said UT President William Powers Jr. “UT and Tex-
Safety week explodes onto scene Week-long event pushes students to ‘develop personal safety plan’ By Hannah Jones Daily Texan Staff UT’s Safety Week kicked off with fire safety Monday morning at the Speedway Pedestrian Plaza with members from UT Fire Prevention Services providing fire basics and putting out a simulated grease fire. The University’s annual safety week was moved from the spring semester, as in previous years, to correspond with the National Fire and Crime Prevention Month. University fire safety specialists Roosevelt Easley, Francisco Gutierrez and Rick Trevino helped with the fire simulation and answered students’ questions. “The biggest advantage is the hands-on part,” Trevino said. “A lot of students have never used a fire extinguisher.” UTPD Officer Darrell Halstead, who helped Student Government coordinate safety week, emphasized students taking responsibility for their own personal safety. “When it comes to safety, many students have an idea of what they need to do but do not have a plan,” Halstead said. “Students need to develop a personal safety plan.” Students who stopped by learned new facts on fire issues, including the anatomy of a fire and how to manage a fire in a high-rise building. “We had a fire in our oven last week, and after talking to fire safety professionals, I found out we could have just closed the oven,” said international business senior Stephanie Abma. Fire Prevention Services provides portable fire extinguisher training classes each month for students, who can sign up online with their UT EID. Sarah Watson, the campus safety director for Student Government who planned all four days of the events, said she wants to get students thinking about safety precautions, including mental and sexual health. “We’re looking at safety in a holistic view,” Watson said. Safety week continues today with drunk driving, featuring a mock DWI collision in Speedway pedestrian mall. Students can also participate in the STAR cart program in
SAFE continues on page 2
By Audrey White Daily Texan Staff In preparation for Austin Red Week, designed to bring attention to AIDS-related issues, the Student Services Building is displaying eight patches of the national AIDS Memorial Quilt until Oct. 18. First created in 1987 by human rights activist Cleve Jones, the quilt is the largest community art project in the world, according to the AIDS Memorial Quilt Web site. The 45,000 6-by-3-foot patches travel around the globe to be displayed in presentations and memorials. The last time all pieces of the quilt were displayed in one place was in 1996 at the National Mall in Washington, D.C. Each patch is personally designed with messages such as “You were my inspiration” and “Just say no to polyester” and memorializes an individual who died of AIDS. Several other sites around Austin including City Hall, the Long Center for the Performing Arts and Whole
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Commission says Craddick contributions are unlawful By Bobby Longoria Daily Texan Staff Texans for Public Justice filed a complaint Monday with the Texas Ethics Commission against a political action committee linked to former House Speaker Tom Craddick. The organization alleges that the PAC illegally distributed contributions funded by Craddick to three Democratic representatives in 2008. The Texas Jobs & Opportunity Build a Secure Future Political Action Committee reported that it received $250,000 from Craddick’s campaign committee Jan. 10, 2008. The next day, three $50,000 checks were distributed to Democratic House Reps. Kevin Bailey, Kino Flores and Aaron Peña. Rep. Dawnna Dukes was also offered a check but rejected the contribution. Craig McDonald, director of Texans for Public Justice, said the committee was obligated by this law to inform the Democratic representatives that
CRADDICK continues on page 2
Students conduct study to test guilt of prison inmates
Anne-Marie Huff | Daily Texan Staff
Sociology assistant professor Simone Browne learns to extinguish a fire with the help of safety specialist Francisco Gutierrez of Fire Prevention Services.
UT displays patches from AIDS quilt for Austin Red Week Awareness events prompt students to contemplate consequences of AIDS
as A&M both receive money from the Permanent University Fund.” The Permanent University Fund refers to the amount of money the UT and A&M system earn from 2.1 million acres of land located in West Texas. The land was allocated to the universities in the Texas Constitution.
as Face AIDS Austin, plan to be involved with Austin Red Week by spreading awareness and walking in AIDS Walk Austin on Oct. 18. Truong Lam, biology senior and the organization’s public relations officer, said the message of the quilt is central to the work of Face AIDS. “The best way for people to educate themselves is to see different mediums of how something is expressed,” Lam said. “People know what AIDS is, but they don’t know what it is that makes it so widespread. Tons of UT students are big on philanthropy, and they’re always trying to figure out different avenues of opportunity to give back. Something like [the quilt] returns commuErik Reyna | Daily Texan Staff nity focus to the fact that it’s important to be aware of AIDS and how it Mechanical maintenance technician Jorge E. Moreno and technical trades impacts the world.” assistant supervisor Andrew Stirton prepare to install a square of the This is not the first time UT has national AIDS Memorial Quilt at the Student Services Building. been involved with the AIDS quilt. Foods Market are also featuring sec- it is important for the University to In 2002, Texas Zephyr Service Sorority made three patches in memory of tions of the quilt. According to the take part in such a historic project. AIDS Services of Austin’s Web site, “UT was approached, and it be- the older sister of one of its members, there are around 6,000 people in came [a Student Services Build- who died of the disease in 1995. Pandian said she hopes this disAustin living with AIDS. ing] thing,” Pandian said. “I didn’t Prathiba Pandian, a biochemistry know what to expect, but it’s real- play will encourage activism by senior and president of the Student ly moving.” AIDS continues on page 2 Health Advisory Committee, said Some student organizations, such
By Viviana Aldous Daily Texan Staff Four journalism students are working with law students this semester to investigate claims by some inmates that they are innocent of the offenses for which they are incarcerated. Three print journalism students and one broadcast student are in the first independent study of its kind that allows them to work with law students already involved with the Actual Innocence Clinic, the organization affiliated with the law school that reviews claims of innocence. Together the students conduct research, interview witnesses and visit prison inmates to gather evidence that may prove an inmate’s innocence. Journalism lecturer Kate Dawson and clinical journalism professor Bill Minutaglio oversee the independent
CLINIC continues on page 2
Edmarc Hedrick | Daily Texan Staff
Adjunct professor and Director of Actual Innocence Clinic Larry F. York emphasizes to his students the complications of exonerating inmates Monday.
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CONTACT US Main Telephone: (512) 471-4591 Editor: Jillian Sheridan (512) 232-2212 editor@dailytexanonline.com Managing Editor: Stephen Keller (512) 232-2217 managingeditor@ dailytexanonline.com News Office: (512) 232-2207 news@dailytexanonline.com Web Office: (512) 471-8616 online@dailytexanonline.com Sports Office: (512) 232-2210 sports@dailytexanonline.com Life & Arts Office: (512) 232-2209 lifeandarts@dailytexanonline.com Photo Office: (512) 471-8618 photo@dailytexanonline.com Retail Advertising: (512) 471-1865 joanw@mail.utexas.edu Classified Advertising: (512) 471-5244 classifieds@dailytexanonline.com The Texan strives to present all information fairly, accurately and completely. If we have made an error, let us know about it. Call (512) 232-2217 or e-mail managingeditor@dailytexanonline.com.
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CRADDICK: Earlier complaint
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says speaker violated statute From page 1 Craddick was the source of the money, but that this did not happen. Texas Election Code states that individuals or political committees are prohibited from secretly distributing funds from other donors. The law states that any intermediary must divulge the name of the original fund source to the recipient so that they may report it in their campaign contributions. “Clearly Craddick and the Democrats themselves had a motive to hide that the Republican speaker was supporting these Democrats,� McDonald said. “He knew he was going to face a hard election in 2009 and so he wanted Democratic support ... [The Democrats] didn’t want to give their opponents more ammunition by accepting Craddick’s money — therefore, they devised this scheme to hide the original source of the money.� Texans for Public Justice first filed a complaint against Craddick in March 2008 stating that he was violating the speaker’s statute, which dictates that contributions cannot be made to a speaker candidate, or any other person directly or indirectly related, to aid or defeat the election of a speaker candidate. The Travis County District Attorney’s office received the complaint but did not prosecute Craddick because the law was too loophole-ridden. “We looked at the situation again and we looked at the [committee] that Craddick gave money to,� McDonald said. “We
think that the [committee] violated the law that said you can’t give a contribution in someone else’s name.� Craddick received criticism from Republicans and Democrats alike in 2007 and 2008 regarding his alleged use of campaign contributions to maintain control in the House. Several motions to remove Craddick from office and elect a new speaker were made, but Craddick remained in office until his defeat in the 2009 election by Republican Rep. Joe Straus.
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Certainly there was nothing sinister about it.� — Roy Minton Tom Craddick’s lawyer
McDonald said Craddick’s daughter Christi Craddick, who handles Craddick’s campaign committee, gave specific instructions to the committee to distribute funds to the four democratic representatives. Craddick’s lawyer Roy Minton said Christi merely suggested the four candidates. “Certainly there was nothing sinister about it,� Minton said. “[Christi Craddick] gave it to [the committee] and had them consider giving it to these four people. I am certain they were aware it was coming from Craddick ... She handled [his office] in the sense she
took what it was and made tentative suggestions to her daddy and ran it by him, [but] I am not saying he was oblivious to what was going on.� He said the contributions were open to the public, and that it garnished lots of media attention. Minton said the contributions were entirely legal and that allegations of inappropriate action are unfounded and have been augmented by journalists. “He appointed [the Democrats] as chairmen, and they worked together on what they were doing and he was happy to support them,� Minton said. Tim Sorrells, deputy general counsel for the Texas Ethics Commission, said by law the commission is not allowed to speak on any complaints of the past or present nor are they allowed to acknowledge if a complaint has been filed. He said all that is able to be told are the open orders published on the commission’s Web site. Sorrells said that within five business days the commission will announce whether they will accept or not accept the complaint. A letter will go out to the respondent and the organization issuing the complaint and depending on the nature of the allegations, the respondent either has 10 or 25 business days to respond. “If a complaint is filed that alleges a violation, the commission can issue a civil penalty, but not criminal.� Sorrells said. “The commission will gather evidence and information [including information] from the respondent...If there is no evidence, then [the commission] can dismiss the complaint.�
AIDS: Hopes for consciousness
SAFE: Focus on
resonate through UT campus From page 1
TODAY’S WEATHER
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
serving as a reminder to students and faculty of the importance of fighting AIDS in the 21st century. “I think it’s really powerful— just walking by it and looking at all the panels. It’s still an issue today, and it really brings a perspective on a lot of the issues we
face as a society,� Pandian said. “I hope it brings an awareness to AIDS Walk Austin. Beyond that, you never know who is going to be completely inspired by something like this and realize that this is something they want to take part in. Maybe we will inspire someone to take ownership of this epidemic and do something great.� breckenridge
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wellness aims to aid students From page 1 which they drive a golf cart through a course wearing “beer goggles,� designed to replicate the vision of an intoxicated driver. The Austin Police Department SWAT Team, the Austin Police Department and the UT Police Department K-9 units will provide crime prevention tips and a Taser demonstration Wednesday. Students will have the opportunity to speak with UTPD Chief Robert Dahlstrom in Jester West from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday is health and wellness day, and a sexual health panel discussion will be held at the Tejas House from 9 p.m. to 10 p.m.
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Michael Baldon Daily Texan Staff
CLINIC: Lawyers, journalists
to thank for exonerations From page 1 study, which began this fall. The journalism and law students meet in the John B. Connally Center for Justice every Monday evening. “This is not Morgan Freeman and the ‘Shawshank Redemption,’� Dawson said. “The [inmates] are not exactly sympathetic characters. They may have committed petty crimes [such as theft], but this is not a country that convicts people before they commit a crime [such as murder or rape].� The clinic receives nearly 100 investigation requests from across the state per month, said Tiffany Dowling, the clinic’s staff attorney. Dowling screens the requests and decides which ones warrant further investigation. Cases are investigated until either the inmate’s innocence is established or it is determined enough proof of innocence does not exist. Each student is looking at three to five cases. Broadcast journalism senior Kaitlin Lawrence went to Huntsville, Texas, to interview an inmate who claimed innocence for the first time last Thursday. “I guess I’m used to interviewing people, but there were bars separating me from the person I was interviewing, and that’s obviously not normal,� Lawrence said. “I was basically trying to piece together, ‘Did you or did you not commit this crime?’ I expected it to be intimidating, but it really wasn’t. I was more or less judging [him] instead of trying to just get to the heart of the story. The important thing to consider is, ‘Do we really believe these people are innocent?’� Dawson’s father, Bob, founded the Texas Center for Actual Innocence, a nonprofit corporation that operates the Actual Innocence Clinic, in 2003 with two colleagues, clinical law professor Bill Allison and adjunct law professor David Sheppard. Bob Dawson died in 2005. “He’s the reason I’m doing this,� Dawson said. “[The clinic]
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Director of Advertising . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jalah Goette Retail Advertising Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Brad Corbett Account Executive/Broadcast Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Carter Goss Campus/National Sales Consultant. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Joan Bowerman Assistant to Advertising Director. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C.J. Salgado Student Advertising Director . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kathryn Abbas Student Advertising Manager. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ryan Ford Acct. Execs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lauren Aldana, Anupama Kulkarni, Ashley Walker, Natasha Moonka Taylor Blair, Tommy Daniels, Jordan Gentry, Meagan Gribbin, Jen Miller Classified Clerks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Teresa Lai Special Editions, Editorial Adviser . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Elena Watts Web Advertising . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Danny Grover Special Editions, Student Editors. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kira Taniguchi Graphic Designer Interns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Amanda Thomas Senior Graphic Designer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Felimon Hernandez
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is something that kept him alive probably two years longer than he should have. He wanted me to be involved with the clinic.� There have been four exonerations in Austin, two of which were done by Allison and another done by Sheppard. There are only two other innocence organizations in the country that actively work with journalists, Allison said. “Of all the almost 500 exonerations obtained in the U.S. so far, there are only two groups involved in it: lawyers and journalists,� Allison said. “Journalists often have an innate curiosity that doesn’t exist in law students or is somehow beaten out of them.� Many involved, including Dawson and Minutaglio, said they hope the study becomes a class in the future. “In a time of some confusion and turmoil in the news media industry, I think there’s no more important time to get back to the sort of fundamentals of journalism and think about what it’s supposed to do for us in a democratic society,� said Tracy Dahlby, director of the School of Journalism. “One of those things is to play the role of the watchdog. There’s no better example than journalists studying cases where wrongful conviction might be a possibility.� Dahlby said the class is in its beginning stages and that it may be too early to predict the future of the course. “Eventually, it may take a different form,� he said. Other journalism department staffers were “overwhelmingly supportive� of the project, said senior journalism lecturer Dave Garlock, who is not involved with either the clinic or the project. “The project gives students a chance to do real journalism and maybe explore the ability to do things that help look out for people who can’t look out for themselves,� Garlock said. “I can’t think of a better way to use the students.�
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J. Robert Pierce, Melanie Robinson and Rob Robinson escape the mid-afternoon heat beneath a bridge in south-central Austin. The three were discussing everything from the difficulties of homeless life to a film that J. Robert is planning to make.
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Tuesday, October 6, 2009
T HE DAILY T EXAN
African billionaire decries massacre in Guinea By Celean Jacobson The Associated Press JOHANNESBURG — The Sudanese billionaire behind a lucrative prize to promote leadership in Africa on Monday condemned the killing of pro-democracy protesters in Guinea. Mo Ibrahim was speaking at the launch of his foundation’s 2009 Index of African Governance, which tracks development on the continent. He said the shooting of 157 people by troops in “cold blood� at a rally in Guinea last week was unacceptable. Ibrahim also called for African leaders to “stand firm� against those who seize power and then try to legitimize their rule by holding elections. Capt. Moussa “Dadis� Camara seized control of Guinea in December 2008. Elections are to be held in the West African country in January 2010. Camara initially said he would not run but recently indicated that he may have changed his mind. Ibrahim also referred to Madagascar, where a military-backed politician toppled an elected president in March and is also promising elections. Guinea is placed 44th out of 53 countries in the index while Madagascar ranks 13th. The index does not reflect the effect of this year’s coups in both countries. For the first time, the index now covers all 53 African countries. It was launched in 2007 and the ranking is based on a number of indicators including security, crime, corruption, health and education. Ibrahim acknowledged that data collection in Africa was inadequate and that statistical offices need to be strengthened. Southern Africa ranked as the continent’s best-performing region thanks to stable democracies such as South Africa, Botswana and Mozambique. Five of Af-
Obama continues to deliberate plan of action in Afghanistan WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama won’t walk away from the flagging war in Afghanistan, the White House declared Monday as Obama faced tough decisions — and intense administration debate — over choices that could help define his presidency in his first year as commander in chief. The fierce Taliban attack that killed eight American soldiers over the weekend added to the pressure. The assault overwhelmed a remote U.S. outpost where American forces have been stretched thin in battling insurgents, underscoring an appeal from Obama’s top Afghanistan commander for as many as 40,000 additional forces. Obama’s defense secretary, Robert Gates, appealed for calm — and for time for the president to come to a decision. Obama may take weeks to decide whether to add more troops, but the idea of pulling out isn’t on the table as a way to deal with a war nearing its ninth year, White House press secretary Robert Gibbs said. “I don’t think we have the option to leave. That’s quite clear,� Gibbs said.
Three Americans win Nobel Prize for chromosome work
Schalk van Zuydam | Associated Press
People react before they look for the bodies of family members and friends who were killed during a rally, Monday Sept. 28, at the capital’s main mosque in Conakry, Guinea, Friday, Oct. 2. rica’s 10 best performing countries are southern African nations. North Africa is second, West Africa is ranked third followed by East Africa while Central Africa is the worst performing.
“The rest of Africa — where coups are taking place — should look at southern Africa and see how these guys are getting their act together,� Ibrahim said in a telephone news conference from
Cape Town, where the index was launched. He attributed southern Africa’s success to strong democratic institutions, and that the protection of human rights and the rule of law
Donna McWilliam | Associated Press
Authorities have accused Hosam Maher Smadi of attempting to blow up Fountain Place, a 60-story glass office tower in Dallas.
reiterate his intention to carry out a terrorist attack. “By God who created me, there will not be a retreat at all, even if they take me to Guantanamo for the rest of my life,� the FBI said Smadi told an undercover agent in Arabic on March 19. Investigators have determined Smadi acted alone and was not affiliated with any terrorist organizations. Peter Fleury, one of Smadi’s attorneys, said after the hearing that the defense still doesn’t have much information on the case. Prosecutors don’t have to turn over a lot of the evidence until Smadi’s indicted, he said. “We’ve got a scared 19-yearold,� he said. Jordan’s government has been following the case and remains in contact with U.S. authorities about it, Jordanian Embassy spokeswoman Merissa Khurma said. In Jordan, Smadi’s father has said the family does not condone terrorism and that his son is innocent. Maher Hussein Smadi, said his son entered the U.S. with a student visa. But U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials said Smadi came to the United States legally in 2007 using a tourist visa. A student visa would have made Smadi easier to track since a program was established after Sept. 11 to monitor academic visitors. However, such a system doesn’t exist for tourists. Friends and acquaintances say Smadi and his brother came to the U.S. after their mother died. They lived in Santa Clara, Calif., before Smadi moved to tiny Italy, Texas, near Dallas. There, Smadi was known as “Sam,� a kind, fun-loving guy who enjoyed dancing to techno music. Neighbors say Smadi, who is Muslim, let them know when he was fasting for religious reasons. But he also would occasionally drink alcohol — something prohibited in Islam. He worked as a cashier at a large gas station. ICE officials would not say what aspects of Smadi’s case the federal agency might be investigating, but it’s likely examining how Smadi got a job since a tourist visa doesn’t entitle its holder to work in the U.S.
Compiled from Associated Press reports
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vehicle, which he believed had a car bomb, in a way that would destroy the entire structure. No dates have been set for a trial or any preliminary hearings. On Sept. 24, Smadi parked a truck he believed held a live bomb in the garage underneath the 60-story Fountain Place office building, authorities said. Later, he allegedly sat in a car at a safe distance from the Dallas tower and dialed a cell phone he thought would ignite a blast. An FBI agent who infiltrated an online group of extremists discovered Smadi. Officials say he stood out because he seemed intent on conducting terror attacks in the U.S. Two other undercover agents posed as al-Qaida sleeper cell members and communicated with Smadi. During that time, agents said Smadi continued to
prevails in these countries. Mauritius remains the best-run country according to the index. Somalia, which has not had an effective central government since 1991, retains its bottom ranking.
NEW YORK — Three Americans won the Nobel Prize in medicine Monday for discovering how chromosomes protect themselves as cells divide, work that has inspired experimental cancer therapies and may offer insights into aging. The research by Elizabeth H. Blackburn, Carol W. Greider and Jack W. Szostak revealed the workings of chromosome features called telomeres, which play an important role in the aging of cells. It’s the first time two women have shared in a single Nobel science prize. A total of 10 women have won the prize in medicine.
Prosecutors can take Jordanian to trial By Anabelle Garay The Associated Press DALLAS — There is enough evidence for prosecutors to continue their case against a Jordanian man accused of trying to blow up a Dallas skyscraper with what he believed to be a car bomb, a judge ruled Monday. The ruling came after a brief probable-cause hearing for Hosam Maher Smadi, 19, who is charged with attempting to use a weapon of mass destruction. If convicted he faces up to life in prison. FBI Special Agent Tom Petrowski, who oversaw the investigation, testified at the hearing that Smadi had researched how to use a cell phone to detonate a bomb and made a 7-minute video he believed would be transmitted to Osama bin Laden. Petrowski also said Smadi indicated he was concerned that he had not parked a
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OPINION
4 Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Editor in Chief: Jillian Sheridan Phone: (512) 232-2212 E-mail: editor@dailytexanonline.com Associate Editors: Jeremy Burchard David Muto Dan Treadway Lauren Winchester
T HE DAILY T EXAN
GALLERY
VIEWPOINT
A royal blunder In a display of weakness, the University of North Texas’ student government voted last week against a proposal that would have amended the association’s bylaws to permit same-sex couples to run for homecoming king and queen. The bill, introduced by student senator Christopher Passafiume, incited parents and alumni to threaten to withdraw students and financial support from the university. Ten student senators ultimately voted against the proposal, five voted for it and eight abstained, according to the North Texas Daily. “I felt as if we would lose too much alumni,” said student senator Jason Howeth, who voted against the bill, to the Daily, suggesting that the association likely — and embarrassingly — caved to the gay-panic parental concerns that Texas middle and high schools would be more accustomed to fielding. The assembly had the opportunity to make a relatively harmless statement in support of inclusion but instead likely heeded pressure from worried university administrators. The eight abstainers, who cowardly ducked out and missed a chance to send a message to the public as well as to the administration, are of particular concern. While the importance of an issue centering on university homecoming sashes shouldn’t be inflated, this vote speaks to a broader concern for the state of gay rights at public universities in Texas. A strong gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community has thrived over the years at UT, and UNT has surely seen the emergence of a similar presence, albeit in less-liberal Denton. But these same forces — those that have helped lead the fight in red Texas for visibility and have familiarized anyone who has entered college in the last 10 years with the now-prolific “GLBT” and its variants — are fighting a seemingly stagnant battle for the extension of benefits to domestic partners of Texas public institution employees. The effort gained momentum at UT in the spring, with conferences and rallies drawing heavy support. UT President William Powers and administration expressed public support for the extension of benefits, charging that the current policy puts the University at a competitive disadvantage in recruiting faculty. But the University is hamstrung, they say, by the Texas Constitution, which Texas voters amended in 2005 to prohibit the establishment of legal arrangements for gay couples — leaving the issue in the hands of the Texas Legislature. In an interview with the Daily Texan editorial board, Powers said the University “will continue discussions with the Legislature” on what he called a “human issue.” We hope the University is not only discussing but also working to devise a strong approach to push for smart action in a Republican Legislature likely to stay Republican for the foreseeable future. As the issue is particularly relevant in light of budget cuts at UT set to prioritize recruitment of top faculty, we stress that the time for action — in the academic interests of the University, at least — is now. As for the human side of the issue, the culture of equality in Texas, in part, hinges on universities’ dealings with GLBT issues — whether they be on the homecoming court or in faculty contracts. Maybe a sash is a big deal after all. — David Muto for the editorial board
The Texas Union and slavery movement is an award-winning farmworker’s organization, the Coalition of Immokalee Workers (CIW). Their anti-slavery efThe day after Thanksgiving 1960, mil- forts have been praised by Florida Goverlions of Americans tuned into the landmark nor Charlie Crist, FBI Director Robert Mudocumentary “Harvest of Shame.” Narrat- eller, the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), and ed by Edward Murrow, the legendary pio- leading trafficking experts the world over. neer of television news broadcasting, the re- The CIW is not only the undisputed leadport provided viewers with vivid portray- er in uncovering slavery cases in Florida’s als of the degradation experienced daily by fields., it is also advancing a strategic promigrant farmworkers throughout the U.S. gram to eliminate the systemic poverty and In an iconic soundbite, one produce grow- powerlessness that lie at the heart of the er casually explained, “We used to own our state’s agricultural industry. slaves. Now we just rent them.” On Sept. 25, the CIW and Compass Very little has changed in 50 years. For Group North America announced sweeping example, U.S. Senator changes to improve toBernie Sanders notes mato harvesters’ wages that “the norm is a diand working conditions. saster, and the extreme Compass is the first mais slavery” for tomajor foodservice provider to harvesters in Florito join Yum Brands, Mcda. The picking piece Donald’s, Burger King, Yet Aramark — rate has remained stagSubway, and Whole the foodservice nant since 1980. A workFoods Market in partnerer today must pick and ing with the CIW to adprovider of the haul roughly two and dress the human rights Texas Union — a half tons of tomatoes crisis in Florida’s fields. to earn minimum wage These innovative agreeremains on the for a typical 10-hour day. ments harness the marsidelines. These wages, combined ket power of large rewith the precarious natailers to improve labor ture of farm labor and standards in their tomavirtually nonexistent leto supply chains. gal protections, result in Yet Aramark – the workers’ sub-poverty anfoodservice provider of nual earnings and create the Texas Union – rean environment where abuses as extreme as mains on the sidelines. On its Web site, Araslavery can flourish. mark claims to “conduct business … accordSlavery. As in seven prosecuted cas- ing to the highest ethical standard.” With es involving 15 farm employers and over news of the Compass agreement, Aramark 1000 workers – native-born and immigrant can no longer claim that it meets the highalike – in the last decade. In the most re- est ethical standard. If it wishes to retain the cent case, a dozen workers escaped from a goodwill of students and the broader Ausbox truck in Immokalee, Florida where they tin community, Aramark should, with all were being held against their will, beaten, due diligence, establish an agreement with chained and forced to pick tomatoes for lit- the CIW to demand those same higher stantle or no pay. After successfully prosecuting dards of its tomato suppliers. Until that their enslavers, U.S. Attorney Doug Mol- time, Aramark will continue to play an inloy acknowledged that the handful of cas- defensible and unnecessary role in prolonges that have come to light are “just the tip of ing Florida’s harvest of shame. the iceberg.” Vallejo is a cultural studies in education graduate student At the forefront of today’s abolition By Kandace Vallejo Daily Texan Guest Columnist
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Religious speech on campus: Censure or debate By Joshua Avelar Daily Texan Columnist A few weeks ago, Constitution Day activities were held across UT’s campus. This ode to the most important document in our country brings awareness to certain concrete ideals most Americans share. Yet, interpretation of those ideals causes many disputes within our society, and one of the most prominent disputes arises over the freedom of speech. The Alliance Defense Fund, a conservative Christian advocacy group, issued “red lights” from its Center for Academic Freedom to 14 institutions of higher learning in Texas, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported Sunday. Greg Scott, the national media relations director for the fund, told the Star-Telegram that red lights are indicators that institutions implement free speech codes that are unconstitutional. The group’s main focus is the way that these free speech codes affect the lives of Christian students willing to express their faith in open discussion. UT received red lights from the fund, along with that hotbed of godless, freeloving hippies known as Texas A&M University. UT and Texas A&M find themselves on few lists together – except The Associated Press list of good football teams – but this list seems more interesting. A closer look must be taken at these free speech codes to see if there is any room for discriminatory
error within our own regulations. UT’s General Information catalog, which is not a part of UT’s official rules, for the 2009-2010 school year reads, “Students, faculty members and staff members have the right to assemble, to speak and to attempt to attract the attention of others, and corresponding rights to hear the speech of others when they choose to listen, and to ignore the speech of others when they choose not to listen.” What the ADF’s Center of Academic Freedom finds disturbing about most university free speech codes are aspects regarding the prohibition of “offensive” content. The group alleges that restrictions on offensive or intolerant content are biased against the religious, particularly those of the Christian faith. However, UT’s policies restricting speech are directed towards such issues as harassment and obscenity. In terms of harassment, the rules clearly state making arguments for or against opinions on religion are not verbal harassment. When it comes to protecting free speech, at least by the books, UT has its bases covered. The fund’s problems with our free speech codes appear to lie somewhere within the confines of discussion and intimidation. Having conversations with certain students and professors within an academic setting can lead to harsh criticisms of one’s own beliefs. The fact that an entity may align with a viewpoint oppos-
ing your own is not grounds for claiming harassment or censorship; it is just evidence that you are outnumbered and not in Sunday school anymore. Religious students with a desire to attend secular institutions such as UT have to get used to the fact that they will likely be on the defensive whenever the topic of religion comes up. Trinity College in Hartford, Conn. recently released the results of their study titled, “American Nones: The Profile of the No Religion Population.” The study finds that the number of people who identify with no religion is rising. The rising population of non-believers is also mostly non-discriminatory, spreading across demographics of race, educational achievement, income and martial status. Chapter 5 of the Book of Matthew says that Jesus told his listeners that those who had to defend their beliefs would be rewarded in one way or another if they, in fact, stood up for their faith. It seems as though conservative Christian groups like the fund ought to be teaching their followers to suck it up and stand up for what they believe, rather than worrying about getting their feelings hurt. If somebody is worried about having their faith regularly challenged, then that is a pretty good testament – no pun intended – to the actual strength of his or her faith in the first place. Avelar is a government senior
Issues for abstinence-plus By Rebecca Counts Daily Texan Columnist In a rare move, school officials across Central Texas seem posed to make rational, fact-based decisions about sex education. As the Austin American-Statesman points out, this move comes partly in response to President Obama’s refusal to extend federal programs that make federal funding for sex education contingent on abstinence-only curriculum. Whatever the stimulus, the decision to move past abstinence-only sex education is clearly the right one. The Statesmen notes that pregnancies among Austin middle and high school students reached 400 this year. An American Medical Association report found that abstinence-only programs produce “no delay of initiating sexual activity, no reduction in the number of sexual partners and no increase in abstinence.” Meanwhile, a study in the Journal of Adolescent Health found that girls who receive more comprehensive sex education are 50 percent less likely to become pregnant than those in abstinence-only programs. In the face of this overwhelming evidence and given the federal funding available for comprehensive programs, one might expect Austin schools to be going all out, selecting a curriculum like the ones cited in the studies that show the dramatic reduction in pregnancy rates. At the very least, one would think that the new curriculum would cover the most important aspects about the use of contraceptives, like how to use and store condoms or where to obtain hormonal birth control. Yet a quick look over the Big Decisions curriculum, the socalled “abstinence-plus” curriculum developed in San Antonio and lauded in a recent Statesman article, reveals that only 20 minutes of the 10 hour-long lessons are devoted to discussing contraception. The curriculum names the most important and effective types of birth control, but does not contain any information about where to get them or how to
use them. This is particularly dangerous in the case of condoms, which cannot protect against STDs or pregnancy if they are not used correctly. But perhaps the most galling aspect of this is that these omissions cannot be fixed without breaking Texas law. Section 28.004 of the Texas Education Code requires sex education programs to “devote more attention to abstinence from sexual activity than any other behavior” and “emphasize that abstinence from sexual activity, if used consistently and correctly, is the only method that is 100 percent effective in preventing pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases, infection with human immunodeficiency virus or acquired immune deficiency syndrome, and the emotional trauma associated with adolescent sexual activity.” The authors of the Big Decisions curriculum note that many of the programs that have “demonstrated effectiveness in changing behavior” do not conform to this law. Another problem Texas schools face when trying to provide reasonable sex education is lack of funding. Because sex education is not required by the Texas Education Code, many poor school districts have no resources to implement evidence-based programs. Soon, schools may have access to federal funding for these programs. As the Statesmen reported last week, Congress is considering replacing the expiring abstinence-only funding with funding for programs proven “to delay sexual activity, increase contraceptive use (without increasing sexual activity), reduce the transmission of sexually transmitted infections or reduce teenage pregnancy.” Of course, Texas will be unable to benefit from this change until we change our strict education laws. It’s hard to imagine that any rational policy-maker would create a law that prohibited programs proven to achieve the desired result. These outdated sex education laws help no one and need to be changed. Counts is a plan II honors and history senior
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Tuesday, October 6, 2009
APD invests funds of latest budget in defensive gear
Anne-Marie Huff | Daily Texan Staff
Ransom Center Archivist Stephen Cooper looks through letters between former University of South Carolina professor Matthew Bruccoli and famous literary authors. Bruccoli was a literary biographer and corresponded with authors such as Ernest Hemingway and F. Scott Fitzgerald.
Widow gifts famous letters to UT By Alex Geiser Daily Texan Staff Hundreds of correspondences between a literary bibliographer and various American writers wait to be inspected before being displayed at the Harry Ransom Center as part of a new donation. Former English professor Matthew Bruccoli, who taught at the University of South Carolina for the majority of his teaching career and died last year, wrote more than 50 literary biographies of well-known writers, including Thomas Wolfe and Joseph Heller. The majority of the donation consists of correspondences from 1955 to the near present between Bruccoli and authors, including F. Scott Fitzgerald and Ernest Hemingway, used in Bruccoli’s bibliographic research. This research,
which focused on Fitzgerald and Hemingway, among others, was gifted to the center by his widow, Arlyn Bruccoli. “He was a great admirer of the Ransom Center and used it often when he was here to visit,� said Tom Staley, director of the Harry Ransom Center. “It was his wish, and his widow carried it out.� He also edited many letters and works of literature and helped compile the “Dictionary of Literary Biography,� an encyclopedia of American literary history more than 400 volumes thick with information on major movements and figures, like John Updike and Norman Mailer. “Basically, what Bruccoli did was buy anything he saw that was valuable,� said William Rivers, chairman of the English Department at
the University of South Carolina. “He put together an incredible collection of all kinds of things.� Rivers said much of Bruccoli’s collection of contemporary writer memorabilia has been donated to USC, while his actual writing and research came to UT. Staley said it was the nature of Bruccoli to hold on to everything that helped make this collection an important piece of history. “It’s a remarkable archive that cuts a broad swath across modern American literature,� he said. Assistant English professor Coleman Hutchison said the importance of Bruccoli’s collection lies in his detailed consolidation of writers and their works. “One of the many things this donation allows is for future scholars of American literature to
Former undersecretary envisions energy efficiency By Lena Price Daily Texan Staff Finding a way to close the carbon cycle and replicate the process of photosynthesis would be like finding the holy grail for Ray Orbach, the new director of UT’s Energy Institute. Orbach, the former undersecretary for science in the U.S. Department of Energy, will discuss plans for researching the process of replication tonight at the relaunching of the Austin Forum on Science and Technology for Society at the AT&T Conference Center. “Can I take carbon dioxide, sunlight and water and produce fuel?� Orbach said. “Plants do that all the time in photosynthesis, but nature has had four and a half billion years to develop this process. We need some more time.� When Orbach took the position at UT last month, he stated that one of his major long-term goals is to work with University faculty to find a way to make diesel out of the same elements plants use to create their energy. “There has been some work in this field, but it’s very preliminary,� Orbach said. “We have one of the world’s foremost authorities in taking sunlight and trying to figure out how to convert it to fuel at UT.� Jay Boisseau is the director of the Austin Forum, a group that brings preeminent science figures to UT. He said it will put more of an emphasis on collaboration between fields for the improvement of society. “We want people to learn,� Boisseau said. “But we also want them to understand how to learn more, support and even participate in activities relevant to the topics.� The Energy Institute will integrate existing UT programs, including the law, business and policy departments, to create solutions to Austin’s energy issues. “There are many potentially compelling topics that might be presented in future meetings,� Boisseau said. �But we will cer-
see, not necessarily the works of Fitzgerald and Hemingway, but the works of a very important bibliographer and literary critic writing about Fitzgerald and Hemingway,� Hutchison said. He said this collection will help people further understand how and why these writers shaped literary history. “When a literary critic and bibliographer becomes available to subsequent scholars, it allows us to think of American literature, not as a given, but as something that was actively made and constructed in the 20th century,� Hutchison said. Staley said the collection will become available to the public in a matter of months, as soon as the papers are inspected for contaminants by archivists.
By Bobby Longoria Daily Texan Staff At a total of $240,737,419, the Austin Police Department budget took effect late last week. Critical one-time expenses include $333,375 for 525 bulletproof vests and $2,000 for one tactical shield used in riot scenarios. According to budget documents, the APD has continued to improve fiscal responsibility by better management of overtime resources, creating a Risk Management unit, reorganizing fleet resources and standardizing travel and training requests. The budget features a 1-percent increase from last year’s numbers. About 93 percent of the money comes from the city’s general funds. Department revenue generates another $3,651,175, while grants total $5,205,000, or 2 percent. The budget is also supported by expense refunds at $9,861,966 and asset forfeiture funds, such as cars and other property seized by police, at $2,752,065. Chief financial officer Alice Suter said the largest source of revenue is alarm permit fees and false alarm fees. The second largest source is wrecker fees and abandoned vehicle sales. Arrest fees and report sales also contribute to the revenue. About 94 percent of the budget goes toward salary and benefits. The two most funded areas of the department are neighborhood-based policing at about 50 percent and operations support at 17 percent. Suter said the budget process begins in December with business planning, and by March, a forecast is developed. After a series of reviews within the department, a figure is given to the agency’s financial staff, which discusses the allocation and origin of funds during June and July. There are more than 26 grants
contributing to the budget, and most are awarded by federal and state agencies. The Traffic Safety Enforcement program is one of the largest grants at a total of $887,000, with funds coming in from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. The funds for this program will be used to improve the safety on Austin’s major transportation roads. APD grant coordinator Kyran Fitzgerald prepares many of the grants needed for the department. She works full time with key staff members from the department’s research and planning and financial management divisions. She said the department manages about 30 active public safety grants which focus on such areas as highway enforcement, gangprevention programs, cadet and advanced officer training, forensics and community development. APD’s most recent grant, $1.4 million from The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, will be used to hire four emergency 9-1-1 dispatchers and eight emergency 9-1-1 operators. Fitzgerald said funding requests are presented and prioritized by the APD Budget Committee. All applications are submitted with the approval of Police Chief Art Acevedo and his executive staff. All grant awards must gain approval from City Council before becoming effective. The goals of the budget, as stated in the document, are to reduce the violent crime rate by 1 percent, reduce the property crime rate by 1.5 percent, improve traffic safety and improve the residents of Austin’s perception of safety in their neighborhoods and their satisfaction with police professionalism. “The APD Budget Committee is continually looking at strategies to save money and be more effective and efficient,� Suter said.
Edmarc Hedrick | Daily Texan Staff
Dr. Ray Orbach recounts how he ended up as the new director of the Energy Institute at UT. Prior to taking this position, Orbach worked in the U.S. Department of Energy during the George W. Bush administration. tainly intersperse these with topics in the many other important and interesting areas in which Austin is, or can be, a leader.� Orbach said a concern in Austin is carbon dioxide emissions. “The city has already suggested a series of measures that they think will reduce the carbon footprint,� Orbach said. “My role is to work with the faculty and students at the University to develop methods that will enable us to have a sustainable energy future.� Orbach said that in order to be sustainable, the city must be able to maintain or improve its standard of living without damaging the environment. Carbon capture storage and a reliance
on wind or solar power are two major steps in achieving sustainability. Wind power is currently under-utilized in Austin because the city’s electrical grid cannot tolerate large surges that come with wind and solar power. “Right now, the grid goes unstable if you put in large amounts of power that suddenly occur when the wind starts or stops,� Orbach said. “It’s deadly for the grid at significant concentrations. In order to rely on wind power, we have to figure out a way to smooth it out so the grid can accept it.� Orbach and UT faculty members are working to develop a way to store the excess power.
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Teach Truth, Love Well
6
Hutchison gains grassroots ally Street-side signs Texas Farm Bureau endorses U.S. senator after supporting Perry By Audrey White Daily Texan Staff After supporting Gov. Rick Perry in both the 2002 and 2006 elections, the largest grassroots organization in Texas announced its endorsement Monday of Perry’s new opponent in the race for governor, Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison. Texas Farm Bureau Friends Of Agriculture Fund is comprised of more than 400,000 members in the farming and ranching communities throughout the state. Hutchison spokeswoman Jennifer Baker said its size makes it an extremely important endorsement for Hutchison’s campaign. “A lot of these endorsements are little trade associations that usually endorse an incumbent governor because that’s just how it works [and] because they’re lobbying,� Baker said. “But this is the big endorsement.� The decision to support Hutchison, a Republican, in 2010 was reached unanimously by their board. Texas Farm Bureau President Kenneth Dierschke calls it “a matter of trust.� “This is the most important race for governor in a long time,� Dierschke said. “For the future of Texas, we call for new leadership. We call for new ideas and a new vision. We know that Texans will trust Governor Hutchison in the same way we’ve always trusted Senator Hutchison.� Hutchison said the Bureau is run in a way that mimics the
the Texas Farm Bureau will provide that kind of leadership for our state.� Dierschke said Hutchison has long been a supporter of the protection of private property, one area in which he said Perry falters, especially with his support of the Trans-Texas Corridor. The plan that would acquire private land for the state to build a transportation network running from Mexico to northern Texas. During the announcement of the Bureau’s endorsement in a press conference Monday at Allens Boots, Hutchison addressed the issue of private property, as well as concerns about elevated taxes on businesses and homeowners and the importance of education. One issue given special attention was the importance of keeping tolling for free highways. “I’m not against toll roads if it comes from the ground up, but I will always reject putting a toll on highways that have already been built by the taxpayers,� Hutchison said. “It is double taxation, and I will put a stop to it when I am governor.� Baker said the endorsement will not affect Hutchison’s policies as governor, but she hopes the bureau and HutchiErik Reyna | Daily Texan Staff son can maintain a relationship throughout the campaign U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison addresses the media at a press and beyond. conference in regards to her endorsement for Texas governor by the “It won’t affect her policy, beTexas Farm Bureau Friends of Agriculture Fund. cause she has a principle position that private property rights way she hopes to manage her the kind of campaign that I’m are important,� Baker said. “But campaign, and she is honored going to run, because I want a I think it’s an important ento have their endorsement. grassroots campaign. We need dorsement, because they have “They have a very democrat- to listen to people as well as members that work in every ic network in process,� Hutchi- talk to people. We need grass- part of the state that work tireson said. “It’s very important to roots involvement, and I think lessly for their candidates.�
impair visibility for Austin drivers City agency cracks down on local realtors’ signs in right-of-way areas
By Alex Geiser Daily Texan Staff A local city department has been cracking down on signs stuck in city property, confiscating more than 2,000 of them in the past two weeks and issuing two citations. The main problem for Austin’s Code Compliance Department comes from signs that realtors stick in the ground to draw attention to a house for sale. Matt Christianson, assistant division manager for the department, said to increase the likelihood that their signs will be seen, realtors sometimes stick them in the rightof-way, decreasing visibility for drivers and creating a challenge for city workers who need to access power lines and water pipes. The 65-member city agency leading the sign hunt can write a citation for up to $500 for every sign found obstructing the right-ofway — the city-owned land between the street and a house. “We’d rather not take down the signs. We’d rather people comply,� Christianson said. “In the city of Austin, we regulate the right-of-way. It is not someone’s personal property.� The distance covered by the right-of-way may differ from property to property. Planning committees for subdivisions work
with city officials early on to determine the exact size. Christianson said a possible indicator of this arbitrary divider is an invisible line drawn from the first big man-made crack in a driveway across the lawn. Sidewalks, water meters, utility poles and fire hydrants are other possible indicators. Buddy Schilling, president of JB Goodwin Realtors, said the company oftentimes puts directional signs in the right-of-way on Sundays for a couple of hours to guide people to open houses. He has yet to receive a citation but worries that if the code is enforced, it could potentially create problems for people trying to sell their houses. “We don’t want tons of signs in the right-of-way all the time, but seeing a directional sign can be good,� Schilling said. “I certainly think that there ought to be an exception for a sign on a Sunday afternoon.� Christianson said the city created a permit program about six years ago that allowed certain companies to display signs in the right-of-way. It failed, however, after there were too many signs to regulate. “It was an issue that added to the problem, rather than solving the problem,� he said. Frances Hargrove, spokeswoman for Austin 3-1-1, said the call center received 160 reports of illegal signs in the right-of-way last fiscal year.
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LIFE&ARTS
Life&Arts Editor: Leigh Patterson E-mail: lifeandarts@dailytexanonline.com Phone: (512) 232-2209 www.dailytexanonline.com
7
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
T HE DAILY T EXAN
Theatre exhibits improv talent Interactive exhibit By Katherine Kloc Daily Texan Staff At 10 p.m. every Saturday, 12 of Austin’s improv elite convene at a small theatre in downtown Austin to compete for recognition, humor and Canadian money. The Hideout Theatre hosts maestro, the skit-based competition that recalls “Whose Line Is It Anyway?� with short comedic sketches in which the players must create characters and situations on the spot. After each skit, the audience assigns it a score of one to five. This score is then transferred to the skit’s participating actors as their number of points. The lowest-scoring actors are eliminated from the competition every couple of rounds. When the group has dwindled down to four players, each finalist performs his or her own skit. Then, after much anticipation, a winner is declared. The winner’s prize? “To show the audience the competition doesn’t really matter, we have this silly prize,� said Kareem Badr, managing director and improver. “It’s a Canadian $5 bill.� “They don’t actually get to keep it,� said Jessica Arjet, youth director and fellow improver. “We have it framed and they have to give it back.� Although Maestro winners earn little more than bragging rights, it’s no secret why the performers keep coming back. The Hideout is one of the few theater groups in Austin that provides viewers with a high degree of intimacy. During their weekly shows, there are
calls for volunteers to recreate eclipses
usually fewer than 15 audience members in attendance. The audience is not only called upon to judge the skits, but members also play a key role in the development of each scene. For one skit, an audience member’s driver’s license picture provides the sole inspiration for the actor. In another, the audience is asked to provide iPods for the actors to use as background noise. Not only does the Hideout Theatre rely on the general public to attend their shows, but they also recruit actors from open auditions and from the improv classes they offer. The majority of the actors featured in the Maestro competition started out in the Hideout classes. “After people have gone through three levels of classes, they’re invited to submit their availability for Maestro,� Badr said. “We take one or two relatively new players every week. With the way the show is structured, it actually works very well to have some players who are less experienced as well as players who are a lot more experienced. Everyone gets to mix in and play with each other.� This September, Hideout held auditions for their upcoming production of “Improvised Charles Dickens,� which will be performed in November and December. The play will feature over an hour of Dickens-inspired comedy. “It’ll be a fully improvised play that takes place in Victorian-era London,� Badr said. “[In rehearsal],
IMPROV continues on page 8
Art project tracks path of moon for next solar event visible from Austin
contemporary artists to the Blanton so they can create new exclusive pieces for one of the galleries in the museum. Lugo, a veteran of many different media, will be working with UT films and phoBy Gerald Rich tography students to capture the Daily Texan Staff The Blanton Museum of Art will performance and will then open host famous Mexican artist Pablo the exhibit Nov. 14. “Eclipses are very momentuous Vargas Lugo today for a massively interactive event, “Eclipses for events,� Lugo said. “They turn the order of the heavAustin.� ens upside down, Lugo’s work, and as much as the next exhibwe understand the it in the Blanton’s factors that proWorkSpace projThe exhibition itself them, they ects, will require is not so much about duce haven’t lost their around 350 peoeclipses, but about power to awe. The ple to gather at exhibition itself is the Darrell K Roythe future.� not so much about al-Texas Memorial Stadium and par— Pablo Lugo eclipses, but about ticipate in recreartist the future, and the question of how ation of the next people will look 10 solar eclipses at this work as the visible over Austin. From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., partici- eclipses we represented become pants will flip double-sided cards, past events.� “Eclipses� will continue the artone side yellow and the other black, and be given simple chore- ist’s theme of time and space, speography to follow. The combined cifically our scale and perception in effect will mimic the moon’s path relation to the two. “[Lugo] has two main interests.� between the sun and the earth. As of press time, the event had said Ursula Davila-Villa, interim over 200 confirmed attendees from curator of Latin American Art at the UT and Austin communites. ECLIPSE continues on page 8 WorkSpaces invites emerging
‘‘
Sara Young | Daily Texan Staff
Jessica Arjet improvizes a comedic skit during Maestro, an improv comedy show held every Saturday night at Hideout Theatre.
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Pumpkin bread a great fall breakfast idea
ECLIPSE: Artist
collaborates with entire University From page 7
the Blanton. “He’s very interested in the universe, both in terms of the science and the romantic idea of the stars, the sun and the moon. The other theme he’s very interested in is time, specifically what it means and how we measure it by the rotation of the planets.” To better understand the eclipses, Lugo has been working closely with UT’s astronomy department to trace the trajectories of solar eclipses. Each eclipse is unique and features different paths of the moon crossing in front of the sun. Once the orbit was plotted, he broke each eclipse down to 40 distinct stages to be mimicked with the cards. Additionally, the artist has been working with the stadium staff and athletics department to coordinate the event. “It has been great to see an institution such as UT bringing an artwork to the stadium and to bring the stadium to the museum – joining these two landmarks on campus,” Lugo said. “I am sure it’s going to be an awesome experience. We have only the weather’s cooperation left to recruit.”
s y a d s e u T y t Tas bread pumpkin
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Directions
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to 350 degrees. gar, r Preheat oven ients (flour, su ed king ba r Mix dry ingr lt, sa , on nnam baking soda, ci l. w bo ther in large powder) toge d oil to puree, eggs an in pk m r Add pu l. bowl, mix wel n and to 9x5” loaf pa in re tu ix ng ocr Pour m ki ec minutes, ch bake for 40-50 n the he W k. ic hp toot casionally with d is ea br n, es out clea toothpick com finished. serving. r Cool before Serves 10
Maddie Crum | Daily Texan Staff
Lisa Holung suggests that her autumn-inspired pumpkin loaf’s subtle flavor makes for a surprisingly satisfying breakfast. By Lisa Holung Daily Texan Staff The recent overpopulation of all things orange in retail stores proves that people are not only ready to embrace fall, but also ready to embrace pumpkin. This week’s recipe features moist pumpkin bread that will fit in perfectly among bowls of candy corn and scarecrow figurines. If pumpkin pie is what’s for dessert, then pumpkin bread is what’s for breakfast. Sometimes the cereal-yogurt-toast routine gets tiresome, so pairing a warm slice of
bread with some fruit sounds perfect. Preparing the bread is rather simple, given that you throw everything into a bowl and mix until the ingredients are smoothly blended. If you would like a more intense pumpkin flavor, I would encourage adding pumpkin pie spice or more pumpkin puree; however, the subtle flavors of this recipe will still satisfy a craving for this fall favorite. I’ve never felt guilty about eating pumpkin pie in the morning, but thanks to this bread, I can add another pumpkin-infused product to my daily routine.
Children’s memoir an honest story of tragic loss
IMPROV: Theatre group offers classes to community From page 7
Mike Kinald, left, enters a skit with Monique Daviau at Hideout Theatre on Saturday night.
we try to improvise stories that are similar in theme and tone to what Dickens did. There will probably be an orphan or two.” In addition to producing “Improvised Charles Dickens,” the theatre plans to increase the number of classes and shows it offers per week in the future. “We’re limited to how much we can expand as far as the audience, but we’re going to slowly add more shows,” Badr said. “A lot of people in Austin don’t even know about improv at the Hideout. They’ll come to the coffee shop and be like ‘Oh, there’s a theater upstairs?’ So we need to make sure that people know about us.” The Hideout Theatre was recently acknowledged by the Austin Chronicle as being the “Best Creative Takeover of a Downtown Performance Venue” of 2009. With increased recognition from the public, the theatre may soon have more improvers vying for that much-desired Canadian bill.
Sara Young Daily Texan Staff
CD REVIEWS
Originality evades KISS, xx produces a ‘fresh perspective’
The xx xx
While we’re spending the better part of our youth in the classroom, The xx, the newest buzz band out of the UK, is making waves with their sex-driven vintage sound. Comprised of four 20-year-olds, their debut album, xx, has all the youthful exuberance you could expect from college-aged kids but has enough technical skill to establish them as a serious band. The group’s makeup is too sim-
ple to be astounding — guitar, drums, bass and keyboard. There is no exceptional guitar work, no electronic hum, not even exhibitionist vocal melismas. Yet, without the frills that bands often needlessly add, The xx create a sophisticated, rich sound. Singer-guitarist Romy Madley Croft and her male counterpart, bassist and singer Oliver Sims, have some of the most intriguing vocals to appear on record in the last few years. Female leads, outside of some outstanding solo acts, are generally a novelty rather than an actual talent, but Croft’s smooth voice holds its own, purring innuendo after innuendo. Sims’s sleepy tenor plays the essential coed in this mix, and he gently laces his voice with Croft’s for gentle duets and call-response type narration. Early favorite “Crystalised” has the addictive, pop-like qualities that lodge themselves in the brain but doesn’t sound like the typical washed-out hit from every other indie-rock album. “Islands,” too, has a bit more bounce than the rest of the album, and features sexy croon-
ing from Sims that aptly fulfills the seductive theme of the album. The xx have managed to skip the wobbly starter albums and jumped straight to a level of refinement that some bands will never reach. Their indefinable style is intriguing and unlike the droves of copy-cat bands that wear out a style in one album. With an air of confidence and sensibility, The xx bring a fresh perspective to indie music. — Abby Johnston
KISS Sonic Boom
Dated. Irrelevant. Horrendous. Those are just some of the adjectives that come to mind upon listening to Sonic Boom, the newest release from aged party-rockers KISS. Back in the band’s heyday, they represented everything naughty, the kind of things that made all fathers cringe: booze, sex and tongues so long the imaginations of every hormonal teenager went wild with anticipation and fantasy. The problem is that they’re still trying to represent those things, making them no longer innovators but creepy old men. In today’s cultural atmosphere, the sex symbols are kids like the Jonas Brothers and Miley Cyrus, not actual rockers. Whereas the face paint and sexual innuendo were perfect in the ‘70s, today’s crowd wants slickly polished radio-friendly tunes, and the group that wrote “Detroit Rock City” just ain’t gonna cut it, what with the recession and all. Cultural implications aside, the music on Sonic Boom doesn’t offer anything to save the band, either. This year’s reunion album by Al-
ice in Chains — a ‘90s band trying to rekindle their former glory - was bad enough, but for a group even older, it’s just plain sickening. Every single riff has been played by the band before on some other record. Every lyrical motif and highenergy, party anthem chorus has been sung, not only by KISS, but also by the legions of bands that cropped up and mimicked them. Nothing is original. Nowhere is there even a hint of growth or experimentation from a band trying to be relevant once more. The tracks on the album play out like tired rehashes of the band’s past, desperate attempts to grasp hold of fame again, to stand on top of the world as a rock god. The problem is, the band’s members have lost their swagger. Things that made them cool in the ‘70s aren’t so cool anymore, and grown men in facepaint and chains makes them seem more like fanatical goths than revolutionary rockers. Sonic Boom produces an explosion, all right, but it’s the exploding of the band’s dignity, talent and artistry. — Robert Rich
By Kate Ergenbright Daily Texan Staff There has been a growing interest in memoirs and personal biographies over the last few years. These stories are not only of the entertainment and political elite, but of “ordinary” people as well. Nonfiction works like Jeannette Walls’s “The Glass Castle” and David Sedaris’s many collections of autobiographical essays give readers a relatable glimpse into the lives of people that could very easily be their next door neighbors. A brutally honest portrayal of loss, “The Kids Are All Right” is told through the eyes of four siblings, their childhood memories interweaving and melding together throughout the work. In their memoir, sisters Liz and Diana Welch narrate their family’s unusual and tragic story by conducting interviews with each other and their other siblings, Amanda and Dan. “The Kids Are All Right” recounts the true story of how the Welch children’s quirky lives were wrenched apart by the sudden death of their successful, handsome father and the mounting pile of mysterious debt he left behind. Their mother, vibrant soap opera star Ann Williams, struggled to mend the gash left behind by her husband’s sudden passing, but was diagnosed with cancer shortly after his death. “The Kids are All Right” hooks reader’s attention from the first jarring sentence and doesn’t let go until the very last poignant moment. This memoir reads like a fictional narrative, and readers may find themselves unable to put it down, enthralled as if it were a page-turning murder mystery. At times, the accounts of events differ from sibling to sibling, providing a refreshing comment on the fleeting quality of memory and perspective: No two memories are exactly the same. Remarkably, every sibling’s voice is unique and readers are able to perceive them each as fully developed, separate characters. The brutal honesty of the Welch children is painful at times, but it’s also one of the work’s greatest strengths. The inclusion of thoughts and details that cast the Welch children in a negative light are a necessary component to the book’s success.
Professor sparks interest in Chinese revolution, culture
By Lara Berendt Daily Texan Staff In a visit four days after the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, a Harvard University professor highlighted the positive outcomes of the Chinese Communist revolution and its reverberations in the next 40 years of the country’s history. Harvard government professor Elizabeth Perry spoke to a crowd of more than 70 students and faculty members about China’s revolutionary past on Monday. Perry is working to learn the true meaning of the revolution as experienced by common workers and to distinguish changing interpretations of the revolution throughout the world as time passes. “When I visit China and ask people, ‘What is the legacy of the Chinese revolution?’ almost nobody can give me an answer,� Perry said. Perry discussed her current research on the Anyuan coal mine labor movement from 1926-27 and its connection to the Chinese revolution. Mao Zedong organized a school for workers in Anyuan, which led to the creation of a labor union and a strike. The strike won higher wages and better security for Anyuan workers, and the community stood out as a positive exception during the period of oppression across China, Perry said. “There may actually be something worth retrieving from one’s youthful idealism about the Chinese revolution,� Perry said. Perry said the current rejection of revolutions as tragic mistakes is a fairly recent phenomenon and that previous generations saw revolutions in aday, positive day, month 2008light. The Center for East Asian Studies hosted the lecture to attract more students to the study of Chinese language, history and politics, said Patricia Maclachlan, director TISE
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of the center and associate professor of Asian Studies. Students and faculty members attended the lecture in the Texas Union’s Santa Rita Room, many staying for a Q&A session and refreshments afterward. “We think this is a really good move for us academically,� Maclachlan said. “Some events we hold are designed to draw interest to China, and this is one of them.� William Hurst, a UT assistant professor of government, said Perry is one of the world’s leading scholars on Chinese politics in the first half of the 20th century, and her visit was a great opportunity for the University to raise the profile of Chinese studies and politics. “What’s particularly interesting to me is that all of China’s revolutionary leaders who were involved in labor politics were in [Anyuan] organizing coal miners,� Hurst said. Jeff Marrs and his classmates from the Texas National Guard are preparing for deployment to Afghanistan early next year and recently studied Mao Zedong and Eastern philosophy in a course. They attended the lecture to further broaden their perspectives on the issue, Marrs said. “Coming here was an opportunity to take a look at different aspects of revolution,� Marrs said. “It gives us more of an intellectual curiosity instead of getting into a groupthink mentality or tunnel vision.� Perry’s work is well-grounded historically, appealing to both political scientists and to historians, said David Sena, assistant professor of Asian Studies. Sena studied under Perry as an undergraduate. “I hope people come away with a better understanding of the way the Communist revolution is perceived in China and a richer understanding of how the meaning of that historic event changes all the time,� Sena said.
Edmarc Hedrick | Daily Texan Staff
Dr. Deborah Kapchan, professor of performance studies at New York University and former associate professor of anthropology at UT, discusses her recent research and publications as part of the Department of Anthropology’s Cultural Studies Colloquium on Monday.
Former professor shares articles and “Talking Trash: Performing By Hannah Jones home and anti-home in Austin’s Daily Texan Staff A discussion on the spread of salsa culture,â€? which were pubmusic across various cultures lished in textbooks. “The Promise of Sonic Transand Austin’s salsa culture engaged nearly 20 graduate stu- lationâ€? was released in December 2008. Kapchan said sondents and professors Monday. Deborah Kapchan, a former ic translation is the belief that UT associate anthropology pro- music can be translated across fessor and former director of UT’s codes and cultures. “[The article] examines the Center for Intercultural Studies 1 production of sacred music fesin Folklore and Ethnomusicology, spoke at the event. A perfor- tivals and how transformationmance studies professor at New al communities of affect are creYork University, she was one of ated through participation in the LASSIFIEDS 11 speakers in the fall colloqui- promise of sonic translation,â€? um series of the AmĂŠrico Paredes Kapchan said. “Talking Trash: Performing Center for Cultural Studies. The topics of discussion were home and anti-home in Austin’s two of Kapchan’s articles, “The salsa culture,â€? released in 2006, exPromise of Sonic Translationâ€? amines how diverse populations
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come together to form a “public home,â€? a space of intimacy in the public sphere that challenges historical concepts of “privateâ€? and “public.â€? The article also reflects on how such a unique “cosmopolitan community constitutes itself against the dominant Anglo cultureâ€? of Austin. “Kapchan is a very important scholar of folklore performance,â€? said anthropology graduate student Halide Velioglu. “She is always very articulate.â€? The AmĂŠrico Paredes Center fosters interdisciplinary approaches to the study of varied cultural forms, according to its Web site. The program is located in the anthropology department and is the only program in
the nation offering master’s and doctoral degrees with a graduate concentration in folklore and public culture. “We are bringing people from a wide range,� said John Hartigan, the center’s director. “And I’m hoping it becomes an ongoing cultural forum.� Graduate students from various disciplines, including folklore, music, American studies, Arabic studies and ethnomusicology, and faculty from the anthropology department asked Kapchan questions related to her work. “It is important to see how other scholars share their approaches to the same issue,� Velioglu said.
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CORKBOARD FUNDS: Research universities benefit city Contact Joan at 512-232-2229 or email joanw@mail.utexas.edu From page 1 The proposition would amend the state constitution to allow emerging research universities to access the defunct Higher Education Fund the same way UT has access to the Permanent University Fund when they meet certain benchmarks. In order to become eligible for national research university funding, emerging universities need to
Anne-Marie Huff | Daily Texan Staff
Dr. Elizabeth Perry of Harvard University lectures on “Anyuan Mining: China’s Revolutionary Tradition� at the Texas Union on Monday.
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Texas has three tier one universities: UT, Texas A&M and Rice University. The state of California has nine tier one schools. James Huffines, chairman of the UT Board of Regents, is the co-chairman of Texans for Tier One, an organization meant to find funding for more tier one Texas universities. No opposition groups have been created so far. Because the money was al-
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meet at least five of seven criteria. They must issue at least 200 doctoral degrees a year and have at least a $400 million endowment. Because the criteria are so strict, no universities will be able to access the funds until 2013 at the earliest. “It would give an incentive for universities to grow their research,� Powers said. “More research universities would obviously benefit the state.�
ready allocated by the state, the passage of the proposition could advance research universities in Texas without raising taxes, said Margaret Justus, Texans for Tier One spokeswoman. “UT is a great example of how a national research university can benefit the economy of the city,� Justus said. “Last year, Austin alone created more venture capital than Dallas, Houston and San Antonio combined.�
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Tuesday, October 6, 2009
MLB
Fresh off a losing campaign, Astros face busy offseason
Eric Ou | Daily Texan Staff
Sophomore running back Foswhitt Whittaker runs the ball against UTEP as one of a handful of options Texas has at the position.
TEXAS: No clear decision for
running back entering Big 12 tention to yourself, you’re probably OK,� said defensive coordinahug him fast,� Brown said. “Make tor Will Muschamp. “Always remember ‘It’s not just about you it a team celebration.� The Longhorns have already who made the play. Somebody taken the step of banning the “you else helped you to do it.’� can’t see me� hand gesture that defensive backs made popular last Running back roulette The running back by committee year after a big play. Corner Chykie Brown was flagged for taunting af- is here to stay for another week. ter flashing his hand in front of his Vondrell McGee and Tre’ Newface following a pass break up in ton are listed as the starters, with Foswhitt Whittaker and Cody the end zone against Wyoming. “As long as you don’t bring at- Johnson working their way back
From page 12
into the conversation following strong performances in practice and against UTEP. While Whittaker was knocked off his perch as favorite in camp by a knee injury, Johnson has struggled with weight problems, showing up to camp around 260 lbs. “It’s a good problem,� Brown said. “Fozzy seems well. Cody is at 13 percent body fat and 242 lbs. We checked him after going home this week and he’s still 242, which is good for him.�
By Chris Duncan The Associated Press HOUSTON — The Houston Astros’ offseason rebuilding effort begins with finding a new manager. The Astros finished 74-88 in 2009, their second losing record in three seasons. They fired Cecil Cooper on Sept. 21 — the franchise’s third managerial change since 2004 — and promoted thirdbase coach Dave Clark to run the team over the final two weeks of another disappointing season. Clark will be among those interviewed for the permanent position. General manager Ed Wade said previous big-league managing experience may not necessarily help. “If you’re going to do this the right way, you’ve got to be openminded,� Wade said. “When you start talking about experience, is it experience solely as a majorleague manager? Are you walking past other guys who have great minor-league credentials, or who look like they’re on the precipice of being outstanding managers in some fashion?� A new manager is only one of the changes the Astros need to be a winner again. They won the NL pennant in 2005 behind a strong starting rotation and this year’s staff has been the main weakness so far. Left-hander Wandy Rodriguez, one of only three players left from the Astros’ World Series team, was one of the few bright spots this year. He won 14 games in 33 starts, both career highs, and finished with 193 strikeouts, second all-time among Houston lefthanders. He allowed one or no earned runs in 20 outings, and was 8-3 with a 2.08 ERA at home. Most of the rest of the rotation was marred by injuries and inconsistency. Roy Oswalt’s season was cut short by back problems. The Astros’ ace won a career-low eight games in 30 starts, finished with
Rick Scuteri | Associated Press
Former Houston manager Cecil Cooper will be one of the many holes the Astros will have to fill this offseason as they try to rebuild and prepare for the 2010 season. a career-high 4.12 ERA and set a team record with 16 no-decisions. Rookie Bud Norris won his first three starts in August and will vie for a starting role at spring training next year, and Brian Moehler proved capable at the back end of the rotation, overcoming early injuries to win eight games in 28 starts. The Astros were 49-46 on July 22, one game out of first place in the NL Central. They then lost 42 of their last 67 games as the starting pitching deteriorated. First baseman Lance Berkman, who missed 18 games with a calf strain, thinks the Astros are only one or two solid pitchers from becoming contenders again. “We’ve got two really good starters, we’ve got Roy and we’ve got Wandy,� Berkman said. “So if you’re looking at our team and saying, ‘What’s there to work with?’ I think we’ve got two really good starters, we’ve got a potentially good starter in Bud and we’ve got an established, steady-Eddie starter in Brian Moehler.� The offense also needs a boost. Kaz Matsui, signed through
next season, batted .250, his lowest average since his first season in Japan. Miguel Tejada, who will become a free agent, hit .313 for the season. Berkman, a five-time All-Star, batted .274 with 25 homers and 80 RBIs, all among the lowest numbers of his career. Leadoff man Michael Bourn hit a career-high .285 and led the NL with 61 stolen bases and Carlos Lee topped 100 RBIs for the sixth time in seven seasons. But the Astros ranked 14th in the NL in runs scored (643) and eighth in hitting with a .260 average Berkman blames the Astros’ on-base percentage (.319), which ranked 13th in the NL. “You can have guys that are run producers, but you’ve got to have guys who get on base,� Berkman said. A total of 10 players are eligible for free agency, including third baseman Geoff Blum, reliever LaTroy Hawkins and closer Jose Valverde. Another nine players are eligible for arbitration, including Bourn, Rodriguez and right fielder Hunter Pence, who had another productive season.
GO HORNS!
BIG 12: Oklahoma loses receiver Broyles From page 12 Steven Sheffield will add on to his 238 yards and three touchdown passes from Saturday. “I’m going to watch just as much film as anybody else, taking notes and seeing what I need to do,� Sheffield said. “Kansas State’s a good opponent, but I’m ready.�
Baylor At least for one week, the Baylor Bears did not feel the backlash of sophomore quarterback Robert Griffin’s seasonending injury. With Griffin in a headset and tossing the football with his teammates on the sideline, the Bears looked to third-string quarterback Nick Florence to lead their offense against Kent State — and he delivered. Along with a touchdown run in the second quarter, Florence completed 74 percent of his passes for 216 yards and 60 yards rushing on the way to a 31-15 victory. “I think he played admirably,� said head coach Art Briles. “We felt like he would be successful doing the things that were asked of him and he did.� Florence started after expected
SPORTS BRIEFLY Favre beats Packers in his first meeting with his old team MINNEAPOLIS — Brett Favre proved to the Green Bay Packers he has plenty of fire left inside. Favre’s first game against his former team was all fun for the Minnesota Vikings and all frustration for the Packers, as the graying quarterback kept his cool and connected for three touchdown passes and 271 yards in a 30-23 victory on
second-string quarterback Blake Szymanski missed significant practice time due to a bruised shoulder after replacing Griffin against Northwestern State two weeks ago. The Bears also played without starting running back Jay Finley who missed his second straight week with an ankle injury. “Our whole team rallied up, and we did a good job of picking each other and playing for each other,� Briles said. “There is a big difference playing with somebody and playing for somebody.�
to give the Wildcats a 24-23 victory in Kansas City. The sixth-year senior transfer from South Florida threw for 206 yards with two fourth-quarter touchdowns and a 2-yard touchdown run in the game’s first possession. “It was a little bit of validation after six years of work,� Gregory said. “That’s one of the best finishes I’ve been a part of.�
Oklahoma
In his first collegiate start, senior quarterback Grant Gregory led the Wildcats past Iowa State while also gaining national recognition as the Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week. After evading a sack, Gregory threw a 54-yard touchdown pass to put the Wildcats up 24-17 over the Cyclones, but it did not appear to be enough when Austen Arnaud responded with a touchdown pass to Jake Williams in the back of the end zone. With 32 seconds remaining, 6-foot-4 Emmanuel Lamur blocked the extra point attempt
If only Oklahoma could have left Land Shark Stadium with a 21-20 loss to Miami. Instead, they also lost leading receiver and top punt returner Ryan Broyles for two to four weeks. Broyles, who leads the Sooners with 23 catches for 346 yards and seven touchdowns this season, suffered a broken left shoulder blade during the Sooners game Saturday and will miss this week’s game against Baylor. Head coach Bob Stoops confirmed that Broyles suffered the fracture during their game against Miami Monday on the Big 12 coaches’ conference call. He also said the Sooners will monitor Sam Bradford this week to decide whether he can play.
Monday night. Favre went 24 for 31, without a turnover. He celebrated his first scoring toss with an awkward body bump with kicker Ryan Longwell, also a former Packers teammate, and showed plenty of emotion — but also stayed poised in the pocket all night and mostly avoided risk. “I don’t know how to explain it. I felt right, but I guess I never thought I’d be in that situation,� Favre said. The Vikings (4-0) sacked Favre’s replacement, Aaron Rodgers, eight times. Jared Allen was credited
with four and a half of them, including a safety in the fourth quarter that stretched the lead to 16. Rodgers two turnovers, which Favre turned into touchdown passes in the first half. “I definitely wanted to get this win for Brett,� teammate Adrian Peterson said. “He downplayed it all week, but I just knew it meant a lot to him. I could see it in his eyes.� Favre hugged Rodgers, Donald Driver and several other Packers once the game was over. — David Campbell
Kansas State
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12 SPTS
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Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Sports Editor: Austin Talbert E-mail: sports@dailytexanonline.com Phone: (512) 232-2210 www.dailytexanonline.com
T HE DAILY T EXAN
NCAA FOOTBALL
Texas’ return game key in victories Team captain returns from suspension, Potts injured
Sara Young | Daily Texan Staff
Freshman running back D.J. Monroe returns a kickoff against Louisiana-Monroe for one of three special teams touchdowns, which include two Monroe kickoff returns and a Jordan Shipley punt return.
Longhorns trying to steer clear of individual celebrations, penalties By Michael Sherfield Daily Texan Staff The Longhorns have been doing their best to put the “special” in special teams this year. With two kick returns and one punt return for touchdowns in four games, already the best in school history, and an assortment of big plays in punting and coverage, Texas is well ahead of the curve in the hidden yardage that can often swing games. The Longhorns rank second in the nation in kick returns, in large part thanks to the speedy D.J. Monroe, who became the first player to return two kickoffs for touchdowns
in Texas history. Only four games into his career, Monroe could set the record out of sight for a school that at one point went 20 years without a return score. “I’m really excited about our kicking game,” said Texas head coach Mack Brown. “Every time someone kicks it to us we have a chance to score. We haven’t had that since we’ve been here.” Monroe has shown a knack for good timing in his big returns. Both of his returns followed opposition touchdowns from Louisiana-Monroe and UTEP, breaking the games open early as Texas rolled to blowouts in both.
Meanwhile, Jordan Shipley returned his second punt for a touchdown in two years, both against Texas Tech. “The returns are a momentum swing,” Shipley said. “It’s demoralizing for a team when you switch field position on them. Everyone involved feels we can score every time we’re on the field.” After a slew of rule changes shifted the advantage on kick-offs to the returning teams, Brown sent his staff to leading NFL return teams throughout the offseason to boost his team’s performance. In the past season and a half, the Longhorns have scored five return
EUROPEAN SOCCER
BIG 12 continues on page 11
Celebrate good times After Saturday’s Louisiana StateGeorgia game swung on the contentious call of an unsportsmanlike penalty against the Bulldogs, teams around the NCAA took notice. Brown proposed an innovative way to deal with penalties in big moments, suggesting a booth review for important behavior fouls or helmet-to-helmet hits that could result in player ejections. “If we have a guy who’s celebrating too much, we tell the team to go
TEXAS continues on page 11
Caleb Miller | Daily Texan Staff
Texas linebacker Roddrick Muckelroy sacks Texas Tech quarterback Taylor Potts, who suffered a concussion against UTEP last Saturday.
NCAA FOOTBALL COLUMN
Preseason rankings only provide fluff
Sang Tan | Associated Press
Chelsea’s Nicolas Anelka, left, shoots past Liverpool’s goalkeeper Jose Reina, bottom, to score during their English Premier League match at Stamford Bridge, London on Sunday.
Chelsea back in first place in EPL By Rishi Daulat Daily Texan Staff Unfortunately, Liverpool and Chelsea’s fixture Sunday did not provide anywhere close to the excitement of their last meeting in the Champion’s League. However, Chelsea did still show they are a notch ahead of their four big rivals. The Blues again took over sole possession of first place in the English Premiere League after a thorough 2-0 win over Liverpool at Stamford Bridge. Liverpool put in a disappointing performance as the Reds lacked any real chances until close to the end of the match, yet by then a win or draw was nearly impossible. The Blues’ first goal came off the foot of Nicolas Anelka. Liverpool defender Javier Mascherano made a mistake when he tried to dribble into Chelsea’s half, and after he lost possession, Liverpool was left a defender short. Chelsea capitalized on Mascherano’s push forward as Didier Drogba took the ball on the left wing and played a wonderful cross across goal to his open striking partner, Anel-
touchdowns.
By Austin Ries Daily Texan Staff After being suspended “indefinitely” by head coach Mike Leach and missing a week of practice, team captain Brandon Carter did exactly what he said he would do Saturday: watch from the stands. “I am not a captain anymore and will not be playing this week,” Carter tweeted following Tech’s loss to Houston. “Good luck red raiders ill [sic] still be cheering on my family from the stands!!:)” On Sunday, Carter returned from his suspension, and Tech spokesman Chris Cook said the senior offensive guard practiced with the team — mohawk and all. Although Carter was reinstated, Tech has not confirmed the details of what led to the suspension. Carter was one of the players with a Twitter account before Leach banned them, but reports indicate the suspension was not Twitter related. The Red Raiders also received news that quarterback Taylor Potts was released from Covenant Medical Center after treatments following an injury suffered Saturday. Potts was sacked twice in a span of three plays, and although the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal reported Sunday that Potts had a concussion, the hospital spokeswoman Michelle Stephens said they could not release the reason for his treatment. Potts may not play for Saturday’s game against Kansas State and it is projected that junior
ka, who finished over goalkeeper Pepe Reina in the 60th minute. Even though Liverpool had plenty of time to find an equalizer, the Chelsea defense proved too tough and stifled Liverpool forwards Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard. Besides a golden opportunity for Torres in the 80th minute, Liverpool’s potent striking partnership found few chances to score against Chelsea’s substitute goalkeeper, Henrique Hilario. Super-sub Florent Malouda added Chelsea’s second goal in stoppage time when he scored from close range. Manchester United, who started the weekend tied atop the leader board with Chelsea, only managed a 2-2 draw at Old Trafford with an impressive Sunderland side. Sunderland twice led in the match yet both times United drew level. In-form striker Darren Bent put Sunderland ahead in the 7th minute and Sunderland held the lead for the entire first half. The Red Devils’ equalizer came in the 51st minute by way of a spectacular Dimitar Berbatov overhead vol-
ley, which could quite possibly be the goal of the week. Sunderland went in front again just seven minutes later when Kenwyne Jones trucked United goalkeeper Ben Foster in the air and headed home a pass from Andy Reid. Manchester United’s recent flair for the dramatic continued when, in the second minute of stoppage time, Patrice Evra shot low and the ball took a disastrous deflection off Sunderland defender Anton Ferdinand into the back of his own net. The goal was classified as an owngoal for Anton, who is the younger brother of United star defender Rio Ferdinand. Manchester United, no doubt, left relieved to earn the draw after what easily could, and probably should have been a rare loss at home. Arsenal, the last of the big four, had six different players score in a dominating 6-2 win over Blackburn. In the Scottish Premiere League, Rangers took down Celtic 2-1 in the Old Firm derby while in Spain, on-fire Sevilla handed Real Madrid their first loss of the season, 2-1.
By Laken Litman Daily Texan Columnist With all the fluctuations in the top 10 of the NCAA football polls this season, I think it’s safe to say that these polls are based on nothing but fluff. You don’t really know how good a team is when they are playing “the little sisters of the poor.” Let’s get No. 1 Florida and No. 2 Texas to play some major teams and get into a flow before we make our plane and hotel reservations for Pasadena. How can you honestly believe the Gators and the Longhorns deserve their prestigious rankings if they’ve only played teams like Troy and Louisiana-Monroe? At least Oklahoma and Virginia Tech can say they got beat by top 20 teams in their first few weeks. Since the preseason poll that came out Aug. 22, seven of those top 10 teams have lost games. And half of those teams’ losses were to unranked teams. Remember when USC lost to unranked Washington? Or what about when Oklahoma State lost to Houston? Who is Houston? Well, actually now the whole nation knows who Houston is after their few weeks in the limelight when they beat
Big 12 powerhouses Oklahoma State and Texas Tech. But then the Cougars lost to UTEP whom Texas demolished the week before. It’s funny to me that the AP and USA Today pollsters make these Holy Grail rankings that the whole
only face an SEC foe, but a No. 4 ranked LSU. Where did those intelligent pollsters place now No. 8 Cincinnati and No. 11 Miami in the preseason poll? Oh yeah, they weren’t ranked. I think polls for the first few weeks are foolish. They just feed mindless conversation I guess. And don’t coaches tell their teams not to look at rankSince the preseason ings anyway? So who cares? The BCS poll hasn’t come out yet poll came out and won’t for a few more weeks. Aug. 22, seven of Maybe the other rankings should those top 10 teams just wait and come out at the same time. Preseason polls are have lost games. just old news, and nobody cares what happened last year. Ask a coach about the last time his team played so-and-so and he’ll nation goes nuts over before the give you the “that was then, this season even starts. If the pollsters is now” answer. So, in my opinsay Florida is No.1, then every- ion the same goes for polls. one better watch out because that We have no idea who’s who means Florida is definitely going until conference games start. A to be just as good as they were in team’s true identity is not revealed 2008. So shall it be written, so shall until it plays another top 10 team it be done. Right? or an inter-conference rival. MayYeah, OK. Who has Florida be in the next few weeks things played again this year? Charles- will start to make more sense. Or ton Southern, Troy, Tennessee and maybe not if Boise State, CincinKentucky. Let’s see what hap- nati and TCU remain in the top pens this weekend when they not 10. Isn’t that weird? UTEP players and their fans celebrate after they beat then No. 12 Houston, which proved to be one of this seasons overranked teams.
Victor Calzada Associated Press