October 9, 2012

THENORTHERNLIGHT OCTOBER 9, 2012

New club aims to bridge gaps, break steretypes

UNIVERSITY OF ALASKA ANCHORAGE

WWW.THENORTHERNLIGHT.ORG

UAA celebrates Filipino history

Hot dogs and dialogue during first presidential debate forum

By J. Almendarez Managing Editor

Lessig suggested that it be put to close indefinitely. With a 9-1 vote, Templeton voting to keep the bill open for discussion, USUAA closed this version of the bill forever.

In other news, for homecoming week, wearing green and gold may score students a free food voucher that can be used at several locations on campus. In an effort to promote school spirit, several volunteers will be handing these coupons out to Seawolves who show that they love being Seawolves.

Additional volunteers are also

While former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney and President Barack Obama duked it out in the first presidential debate Oct. 2, about 50 people gathered in the Student Union to catch the action on a projector screen.

Student Activities, in collaboration with American government Professor Forrest Nabors, sponsored the event and provided spectators with free hot dogs and beverages.

Obama and Romney discussed domestic politics in a new format where each candidate spoke for two minutes to answer a question and debate for 11 minutes.

During the 1.5-hour long debate moderated by Jim Lehrer, the candidates spoke about domestic issues, answering three questions about the economy and one each about the health care, the role of government and governing.

In regard to job creation, Obama said “It’s not where we’ve been it’s where we’re going.”

He emphasized that his administration has created five million new jobs in the private sector since 2008 in fields such as the auto industry and wind energy.

He also said he supports a larger investment in education and job training, altering the tax code to allow small businesses to have more money to invest and ending the war in Afghanistan, as he did the war in Iraq, to reduce the nation’s deficit.

He said closing loopholes that give companies incentives for shipping job overseas is essential.

Romney said his plan for job creation revolves around creating energy independence, increasing trade with Latin America in lieu of China, creating skilled works, creating a balanced governmental budget and championing small businesses.

He said he is not looking to massively cut taxes, but plans to “reduce the burden being paid by middle-class Americans.”

However, both candidates accused each other of creating and supporting policies that increase he amount of money middle class Americans pay in taxes.

Obama said Romney’s budget won’t work because his plan to close loopholes and decrease

see USUAA page 2

see DEBATE page 2

PHOTO BY NITA MAUIGOA

Bethany Brunelle, Muslim Student Association vice president wearing a hijab, a sign of modesty in Islam.

By Nita Maugioa

Assistant Features Editor

Suhaila is a devout Muslim in the religion of Islam. She reads the Quran. She wears her hijab, a veil that covers her hair and neck, as a sign of modesty. She prays to Allah (“God” in Arabic), five times daily.

Bethany Brunelle is a lively UAA student studying journalism and public communications and music. She is white, is an American and is a Republican.

She was raised conservative in a Christian home.

What do Suhaila and Brunelle have in common? They are the same person.

“I’ve always wanted to convert to Islam, which is difficult to do in this country. For years, I continued going to the Christian church unhappy,” Brunelle said.

“One day, my Muslim friends invited me to a mosque, and for the first time I felt like I was at home.”

Brunelle chose the name Suhaila when she converted to Islam a year ago, so she is known by both names. She considers her role as vice president of the new UAA Muslim Student Association to be an honor.

“Our club is open to all students, no matter the religion, race or gender. It’s a good way to get together and enjoy our time on campus,” said Romal Safi, MSA club president and biological sciences student.

Like many members of MSA, Safi, who came from Afghanistan, has only been in the United States for a few years. He enjoys the new culture and attributes it to his favorite high school teacher.

To break the ice, his teacher asked, “Hey, where’s your gun?”

Stunned at first, Safi joined in see MSA page 5

News 2 INDEX Features 3 A&E 8 2 Opinion 13 3 Sports 14 6 9 10 11

PHOTO BY VICENTE CAPALA

Alaska Federation of the Filipino Americans, Inc. cultural dance perfromance at the Student Union on Friday.

For more see PAGE 3

USUAA tables student fee increase

By Keldon Irwin Staff Reporter

The Union of Students at the University of Alaska Anchorage held a weekly meeting in the Student Union Cafeteria on Friday and discussed several topics at hand.

Firstly, the Sustainability Committee reported that the previous bill to suggest “hydration stations” costing $1,600 each has been amended. Because of the cost of these “hydration stations,” they are now proposing the modification of pre-existing drinking fountains to receive new sink-like spouts for refilling water bottles.

In addition to the drinking fountain changes, they plan to sell reusable water bottles on campus and do what they can to eradicate disposable bottles, and, in turn, plastic waste.

“Referendum 13-01,” a student fee increase proposed at last week’s USUAA meeting, was renamed “Referendum 13-02,” and instead of promoting a 25 percent increase in student fees, it was lowered to only a 5 percent

PHOTO BY KELDON IRWIN

USUAA Senator Johnnie Templeton speaking about Referendum 13-02 last Friday.

proposition. At 5 percent, it would generate $12,000 that would be put toward different programs to promote a higher quality of life for UAA students.

Senator Johnnie Templeton, author of the referendum, shared his vision for this $12,000 — it would not only ease financial stress of fall and spring semester programs but also add summer events that could include a dance or the return of the summer outdoor recreation program that was cut in April.

The referendum was discussed extensively until Senator Andrew

FEATURES

Food in Quest: Cooking Best: cookie college in Anchorage.

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06 A&E

Tim TheBurton price of sets the being an artstage ist for Halloween

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SPORTS

Vikings Goodbye, defeat Michael Seawolves Phelps

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NEWS October 9, 2012 NEWS BRIEFS

DEBATE: Student Union opens up for live viewing

SAY WHAT?!

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continued from cover

Einstein’s letter on God to be auctioned online through eBay LONDON (AP) — A letter wherein Albert Einstein dismissed the idea of God as a product of human weakness is being sold on eBay for a starting price of $3 million.

The letter, handwritten in 1954, a year before Einstein’s death, was addressed to philosopher Eric Gutkind. In it, Einstein discussed his views on religion, including calling “the Bible a collection of honorable but still primitive legends which are nevertheless pretty childish.”

An anonymous collector who bought the letter in 2008 is putting it on sale on online auction site eBay from Monday. The auction closes Oct. 18.

Eric Gazin, a spokesman for the sale, said Sunday: “With the interest in Einstein, along with the questions this (letter) touches on, we feel it is well worth the price.”

Moscow rally held to remember reporter’s unsolved murder MOSCOW (AP) — Around 200 people held a rally Sunday in Moscow to mark the sixth anniversary of the unsolved murder of crusading reporter Anna Politkovskaya.

Participants held up candles and pictures of the journalist and spoke in remembrance of Politkovskaya, a sharp critic of Kremlin policies in Chechnya, who was shot inside her Moscow apartment building in 2006.

The meeting, attended by numerous opposition figures, was unusual in that had received prior official approval from city authorities.

The low-key anniversary ceremony took place against the backdrop of nationwide celebrations to mark the 60th birthday of President Vladimir Putin, which falls on the same day.

The U.S. State Department said Saturday it would “continue to shine the spotlight on (Politkovskaya’s) case” and urged more protection for journalists worldwide that speak out against abuses.

Rights organization RAW in WAR, which annually recognizes achievements by women reporting in conflict zones, demanded Russia bring to justice the killers of Politkovskaya and Natalia Estemirova, a rights activist in Chechnya murdered in 2009.

“We call again on the Russian government ... to end the killings and persecution of journalists and human rights defenders in the Russian Federation,” read the group’s statement, which was signed by a committee including dozens of international activists and public figures.

50-foot finback whale found dead in Boston Harbor BOSTON — Coast Guard officials say a 50-foot finback whale has been found dead, floating in Boston Harbor.

Authorities don’t know the cause of death.

Petty Officer Robert Simpson says the whale was spotted early Sunday.

He says the Coast Guard took a team from the New England Aquarium to examine the whale and take samples.

New England Aquarium spokesman Tony LaCasse told WCVBTV that biologists spotted bruising and pressure lines on the finback which can be caused by something wrapping around the whale.

Simpson says the whale has been beached at Long Island, in the middle of Boston Harbor, and a necropsy is planned.

The finback is the second-longest whale in the world behind the blue whale. It can reach about 70 feet and weigh up to 70 tons.

Compiled from the Associated Press

by J. Almendarez

People gathered Tuesday in the Student Union to watch the first U.S. presidential debate live.

deductions used by high income people will not be enough money to significantly reduce the debt or keep taxes paid by middle class families down. He said it’s a top, down economic plan that doesn’t benefit the majority of Americans.

“That’s popular to say but not true,” Romney said.

Romney said economists have said that the president’s deficit reduction plans will raise taxes on middle class families by $3,000$4,000.

He said his plan for regrowth involves lowering spending and encouraging economic growth.

He said he would look at every expenditure made by the government and question whether it is worth borrowing money from China to spend. Repealing Obamacare and cutting subsidy funding to PBS were examples he gave to cut spending.

Obama said his administration has helped to cut $1 trillion from the discretionary domestic budget already, the highest amount cut since President Dwight Eisenhower’s term by cracking down on Medicaid fraud and eliminating 18 governmental bodies that were not producing results that showed they helped children learn, among other things.

The candidates also discussed the controversial Obamacare legislation, which Obama said is a name he’s grown fond of.

“I’d just as soon not have the government tell me what kind of health care to have,” Romney said about the act.

He said the private sector is better at creating jobs and offering the best products and service at a low price.

“It has killed jobs,” he said, reducing competition in the

medical field.

Obama questioned that logic, asking how it is possible for people to have to pay “the middle man” involved with private insurance companies and pay less money than they’d have to using Obamacare.

Romney also said he’d have medical vouchers for elderly people to use to help them cope with high medical expenses.

Obama said those vouchers would cost elderly people up to $600 per year more than the current system because they wouldn’t adjust for inflation.

Other notable comments were made in regard to economic regulation.

Romney said, “Regulation is essential. You can’t have a free market without regulation.” But he said at some point regulation can become dated and too excessive, which hurts the economy.

He also faults the Obama administration with listing five banks as too big to fail, which he said essentially writes those banks large, blank checks to operate with.

Obama said the financial crisis was caused by bad behavior across the board, from banks lending money to people for houses they can’t afford, to credit agencies telling people something is a god investment when it’s not.

Obama said, “Does anyone think the big problem is too much regulation on Wall Street?”

Student perspectives After the debate, Nabors acted as a moderator for a discussion about people’s views regarding the debate.

Political science senior Portia Watson said her favorite Romney

PHOTO BY J. ALMENDAREZ

moment was when Romney suggested that students from low-income neighborhoods should have the option to attend public schools of better quality throughout the city they live in.

Nursing sophomore Arturo Gonzalez said that was his favorite Romney moment, because is showed how disconnected he is from average Americans.

He said in cities where lowincome people are given the opportunity for their students to attend a more prominent school than the one in their neighborhood, prominent schools have to have lotteries to decide which students they can accept.

“The bad schools become pits,” he said, for students who are not accepted into other schools or who are unable to find transportation to attend schools far from their neighborhood.

Political science senior Jonathan Stinson said his favorite Romney moment was the former governor’s five-part plan to revive the economy, including using resources based out of Alaska for energy independence.

“As an Alaskan, you have to like that,” he said.

A student said her favorite Obama moment was when he embraced the phrase Obamacare, rather than being offended by it not being called the Affordable Care Act. Watson said she also appreciated how Romney did not use any political rhetoric.

The next debate is at 5 p.m. Oct. 11 between Vice President Joe Biden and republican candidate Paul Ryan. The debate will focus on foreign and domestic policy.

Students can watch the debate and grab free hot dogs and drinks in the Student Union Cafeteria.

USUAA: Student fee increase discussed continued from cover

needed.

If students are interested in aiding USUAA, they should stop by the student government office in the Room 103 in the Student Union for more information.

USUAA is also soon to be a cosponsor for a new referendum that will place signs all around campus and prohibit smoking within 50 feet of any building.

This measure was unanimously passed at last month’s University

Assembly meeting.

Every weekly meeting that USUAA holds ends with a segment entitled “For the Good” where anyone who wishes to participate, students included, may share any positive experiences or news regarding the school.

During this time, Senator Max Bullock asked President Alejandra Buitrago if there is any pending news regarding a possible UAA football team.

visit www.thenorthernlight.org

Buitrago assured that, while she has been busy, she would mention the students’ concern in the near future.

In tune with Filipino heritage month, Vice Chancellor Bruce Schultz says that 5 of UAA’s tenured faculty are of Filipino heritage. Not one university in California has 5 tenured faculty of Filipino origin, despite California having a higher Filipino population than Alaska, he said.

Second gator found in NY market parking lot BALDWIN, N.Y. (AP) — An alligator has been found in a supermarket parking lot on New York’s Long Island, just a day after another gator was discovered in the same lot.

A 3-to-4-foot-long alligator was discovered in the Pathmark parking lot Wednesday afternoon. On Tuesday, a 2-to-3-foot gator was found there.

The reptiles were captured and turned over to the Nassau County Emergency Services Unit. They will be sent to a reptile sanctuary in Florida.

WCBS-Radio (http://cbsloc.al/ SyfI2h ) reports that authorities believe that someone dumped them there.

It was the third gator sighting on Long Island in less than a week. Last Friday, an alligator was found crawling on the front lawn of a Mastic beach home.

Police: Cop impersonator demanded free fast food ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Authorities in Florida say a man flashed a fake gun and badge and demanded free fast food at a McDonald’s drive-thru.

Pinellas County Sheriff’s deputies say Joseph Pineda told employees Friday that he deserved free food, had just come from a sting and didn’t have his wallet.

Workers called the police. Pineda initially ignored commands to show his hands but eventually surrendered at gunpoint.

Authorities said they found two fake police badges and a handgun in the center console of his car.

The 33-year-old was charged with impersonating a police officer and improper exhibition of a firearm.

He was being held in the Pinellas County Jail. Online jail records did not indicate whether he had an attorney.

Call from ‘burglar’ actually came from dog OREM, Utah (AP) — Police in Orem, Utah, say a man who thought he was getting a call from a burglar had actually gotten a call from his dog.

Authorities in the community south of Salt Lake City say the man alerted police Wednesday after he received a phone call from his home phone on his cellphone. Officials say the man heard banging and scratching noises on the line and figured it was an intruder.

Police went to the man’s home but didn’t find anything missing or broken.

The man later called officers and told them he figured out the mystery.

He said his dog had grabbed the home phone’s receiver and apparently hit the redial button

Vietnam returns endangered turtle to Cambodia HANOI, Vietnam (AP) — A critically endangered turtle that somehow made it to Vietnam decades ago has been returned to its original home: Cambodia.

The mangrove terrapin was handed over to Cambodian authorities in a ceremony in southern Ho Chi Minh City on Friday.

The conservation group Education of Nature Vietnam said the turtle would be introduced into a conservation breeding program in Cambodia.

The turtle was first spotted by ENV staff in 2010 in a park in Ho Chi Minh City.

The park bought the turtle from local people in the 1980s, but the conservation group says it is unclear how the terrapin ended up in Vietnam.

Compiled from the Associated Press

by J. Almendarez

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FEATURES October 9, 2012

Filipino history month comes alive in the student union

PHOTOS BY VICENTE CAPALA

Women of the “Karilagan Folklore group” of the Filipino community of Anchorage, AK, Inc. perform “Ragrasakan,” a dance about basket weaving.

Women of the “Karilagan Folklore group” of the Filipino community of Anchorage, AK, Inc. perform “Ragrasakan.”

SCAN FOR MORE PICTURES

Youth of the Alaska Federation of Filipino Americans, Inc. perform cultural dance.

Youth of the Alaska Federation of Filipino Americans, Inc. perform a “coconut dance.”

Youth of the Alaska Federation of Filipino Americans, Inc. perform cultural dance.

Filipino musicians play traditional music as event guests dine.

Dr. Gabril Garcia, Assistant Professor of public Health of UAA, Key organizor of APO’s Aiaskero Feista

Traditional Filipino food, including lumpia.

Traditional Filipino food.

Homecoming dance sports new additions, same vibe

By Emily Hodson Staff Reporter

UAA’s student Homecoming dance is just days away and already, tickets are selling out.

Last year’s dance sold out with 1,500 students attending.

USUAA’s senator for the activities chair, Christine Borowski, encourages students to buy their tickets in advance.

According to USUAA’s administrative assisstant Anita Bradbury, the budget spent this year for the dance was $21,700 for venue, food, fountains, decoratives, and the DJ. Student government is going to add a few new things to the event this year.

Past homecomings featured a chocolate fountain for dipping snacks. In addition to that, there will be a chipotle cheese fountain next to it. “We wanted to spice up

their experience and broaden what food is available for students,” Borowsky says.

As in the past, there will also be a photo booth, sponsored by Alumni Relations.

Borowsky recommends also attending the Homecoming hockey game at 8:07 p.m., on the same night to support the team.

Tickets for the dance are $10 in advance for students or $20 at the door. For guests, it’s $20 in advance or $30 at the door.

Guests have to be sponsored and accompanied by a student in order to get in.

Bradbury says the lines tend to be long because of the guest check in, so there will be an express lane for students who have bought their tickets in advance and who have not brought a non-student guest.

Five Star Entertainment and

Shawn Williams, last year’s homecoming DJ, will be hosting.

Paula A. Fish, assistant director for student life and leadership, says there will be Dena’ina security, two University Police Officers, and additional security.

Bags will be checked and no drinks will be permitted outside of the dance. Smoking is permitted outside upstairs on the balcony, but there are no drugs or alcohol allowed at the dance.

Students must follow the UAA code of conduct on page 85 of their student handbook.

Intoxicated students who try and enter the dance will not be permitted. “It’s always a case-bycase basis,” Fish says on students drinking. “We want students to have a good time; that’s the point of the dance. We want everybody to be in a safe environment. The

COURTESY PHOTO

students must follow the code of conduct.” Alcohol is not permitted on the UAA campus.

To enter the dance, students must show their WolfCard, preferably the new green one.

Guests must have their I.D., driver license, or passport in order to get

into the dance.

Homecoming dance is from 8 p.m.-1 a.m., with a shuttle picking people up from bookstore every fifteen minutes from 7:30 p.m.1:30 a.m. The dance is October 12th at the Dena’ina Civic and Convention Center.

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FEATURES October 9, 2012

Condom crash course

PHOTO BY VICENTE CAPALA

By Vicente Capala Multimedia Editor

We see them everywhere: in department stores, glove compartments, wallets, cabinets, shelves, under the bed, attached to flower leis — the list goes on and on. I’m talking about the powerful tool crafted for the use of safe sex, the condom.

If you are a first-time shopper of the condom, it generally is confusing to figure out what material, type or size you should get. With all the branding noise, it’s tough to get to a solid purchase.

Forget about the Trojan or Durex labels and just read what they can do for you.

Size should be the first thing

to think about if you don’t really know. I say, if you know you’re not very large, then try not to purchase an extra large. It’ll just slip off. Buying a larger condom for the sake of a title isn’t cool when your protection doesn’t, well, protect.

Second, what about the material? Condoms are made in variety of materials, but of the most common are latex and polyurethane.

Latex condoms are the most popular for their elasticity but are criticized for uselessness with many lubricants. Oil-based lubricants damage the latex, which causes the condom to break during intercourse.

Polyurethane condoms, also known as “synthetic” condoms, are more durable through various activities. But durability usually draws back the elasticity factor.

However, they can be used with lubricants, no problem.

Material is just one aspect of a condom. What about the special attributes manufacturers advertise on certain condoms? These attributes are the usual selling point for condoms, and there are many varieties.

Let’s face it: Sometimes wearing a condom can make you feel detached from the moment.

Thin condoms are used for those that want to feel like they’re not using protection at all. Trojan sells their “Ultra Thin” and Durex sells their “Avanti Bare.” Due to the fact that these condoms are thinner than thin, they have been lined with spermicidal lubricants. As the name suggests, the lubricant kills sperm as a last ditch effort if the condom were to break.

We all know that it is

comparatively more difficult to please women compared to the heightened sensitivity of the male appendage.

In response, manufacturers have developed a “long-lasting” condom, advertised to help control the climax, or orgasm, for males.

The interior of these condoms are lined with benzocaine, a topical anesthetic, resulting in a slightly numb appendage that can last longer through sex. Trojan sells their “Extended” brand while Durex sells their “Performax” brand.

The next type you will probably see is the ribbed condom. Trojan sells their “Ultra Ribbed” and Durex sells their “Ribbed.”

Ribbed just means they’ve raised multiple portions of the condom for better stimulation during intercourse. The exterior ribbing rubs against the involved orifice,

causing a satisfactory friction.

The list of condom types goes on and on, from mixing a variety of these types to fire and ice sensations.

The last, and most important, thing in this condom lesson is to always use a condom correctly.

You should always use a new condom every time you have sex.

If your condom can’t handle oilbased lubricants, be sure to use water-based lubricants instead.

And finally, you should be using the condom from the first moment you penetrate through the last moment of ejaculation.

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention has listed other ways to use a condom correctly on their website. You can find them at the following website: http://1.usa. gov/PC4oxz.

With those things in mind, happy pickings!

The Orange endures a night of The Great Flood

By Evan Dodd Contributor

Sometimes life has odd little cycles that seem to repeat themselves. This story is about one of those cycles.

It was a night that began like any other. I had just come home from a long day at work, and I wanted nothing more than to ignore my homework and watch “Scrubs” until my brain rotted out.

I was living the dream.

At least that’s what I thought, until I came upon a sight that terrifies me even now. A vast expanse of drenched carpet greeted me as I stepped into my apartment — a dark behemoth of a stain, hell-bent upon spreading to ever corner of my precious dorm

until everything that was once dry was gone.

I stood, frozen in the doorway as I stared at the sight before me.

It looked as if an army of ice cubes had been mercilessly slaughtered and left to melt in my hallway.

With a look of pure horror, I saw my roommate quickly explaining the situation to the maintenance team that had thankfully appeared quickly. With a less than reassuring grin, the maintenance men explained that we have a slight leak and that they would return tomorrow to ensure that everything was fine.

Everything was not fine.

Within hours the stain had spread, advancing upon our bedrooms as if it had plans to divide and conquer.

My roommate and I began to spin in panicky circles like a pair of golden retrievers caught in a thunderstorm as the dripping from within the walls intensified.

Then, with a stroke of brilliance, my roommate suggested that we check the crawlspace, which I completely forgot that we had, to see how widespread the flooding had become. We searched high and low for an entrance to the crawlspace, and I began to fear that we would never find it.

(In this case, “high and low”

ILLUSTRATION BY VICENTE CAPALA

means “we halfheartedly looked around for a minute or two.”)

And there, nestled in the corner of our closet, we saw it: a hatch, a simple trap door, innocuous in nature but insidious in purpose.

What we had found was an entrance to another world, a world we were never meant to

see. I grimaced as, with a growing sense of destiny filling my veins, I slowly approached the hatch.

As I lowered myself in to the open, gaping maw of my crawlspace, I took note of the eerie subterranean cavern in which I found myself.

“Hello?” I inquired with a wavering voice to the dripping walls of the netherworld.

The only reply was the sound of an ominous downpour of water coming from the darkest corners of the cave beneath our apartment.

I gingerly crawled around the corner of the abyss (complaining to myself about how Indiana Jones never accurately represented the frustrating knee pain that comes with exploring the unknown), and soon I found the problem.

A fountain of terror, pouring out of a writhing mass of pipes, had taken up residence directly below our kitchen. With a mounting sense of doom I snapped a few

quick pictures as the pipes hissed venomously at me.

As I edged closer, fully prepared to take on a pipe with some crawlspace jiu-jitsu that I had seen on TV earlier in the evening, the pipe directly above me let out a cloud of harsh-smelling steam as an obvious attempt to frighten me away.

Being a brave young soul, I did what any reasonable person would do in a situation such as this: I let out a girlish scream, got the hell out of there and frantically called maintenance.

It’s been a while now since the incident, our carpet is mostly dryish, our walls have large holes cut into them and for some reason our toilet now makes a strange grating sound when we flush it.

So here I am, ignoring homework, watching “Scrubs” and contemplating the mysteries of our crawlspace. Like I said, life has cycles. Wet, soggy cycles.

FEATURES October 9, 2012

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MSA: New Muslim Students Association fresh on the scenes of UAA continued from cover

Members of the UAA Muslim Students’ Association organized events at their first meeting held Oct. 3, 2012. continued from cover

the banter and said, “Oh damn! I left it at home today.”

“Many of these students have never experienced the freedom of speech and religion, the freedom we have here in our great country, the U.S.,” said Professor Osama Abaza, chair of the Department of Civil Engineering and MSA advisor.

“They want to feel the warmness; they have in an incubator to come to and grow from that, into this new culture,” said Abaza.

Though MSA is a place where

Muslim students can bond, pray and grow together, the ultimate mission is to bridge the gap with

are all separate. Sometimes people mix religion with culture when the two are completely different.

“Our club is open to all students, no matter the religion, race or gender. It’s a good way to get together and enjoy our time on campus.” -Romal Safi, MSA club president the other faiths and beliefs on campus.

Abaza said there is a need for people in general to remember that religion, tradition and politics

NEWS editor needed Call the managing editor at 786.1313

People who come from an array of cultures and political backgrounds can fall under the Islam ic religious umbrella.

According to recent statistics

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE MUSLIM STUDENTS’ ASSOCIATION, TAKEN BY UAA STUDENT, ADIL RAJA.

released by the United Nations, Islam is the second-largest religion in the world.

The MSA on campus is part of a larger entity — there are MSA organizations across the United States at universities, including presitigious institutions, such as Yale University and Stanford University to name a few.

Abaza believes the knowledge young Muslims pick up in the United States will benefit them when they return to their native countries. MSA is a great opportunity for that.

“Back home these students wouldn’t want to associate themselves with any organization.

It’s too stressful. It might relay issues for them,” Abaza said. “For them to come to these meetings, they are showing so much courage.”

For more information, visit the main MSA website at www. msanational.org. A campus MSA Facebook page will be available next week. MSA plans on meeting once a week. If interested, contact Nawait Ali at 444-8986.

APPLY AT: UAKJOBS.COM

FEATURES October 9, 2012

Cooking in college Stuffed

apples, a seasonal must

Ingredients 1 cup mushroom broth 1/2 cup wild rice 1/4 cup red quinoa 2 tbsp. olive oil 1 cup finely chopped shiitake mushrooms 1/4 cup finely chopped red onion 1 tbsp. chopped fresh sage 1/2 cup low-fat cream cheese, cut into small pieces 1/4 cup dried cranberries, chopped 4 medium Red Delicious apples 1/2 cup grated sharp white cheddar cheese, optional

Nutrition Facts Per Serving (1 stuffed apple half): Calories: 184 Protein: 4 g Total Fat: 6 g Saturated Fat: 2 g Carbohydrates: 30 g Cholesterol: 8 mg Sodium: 141 mg Fiber: 4 g Sugar: 13 g * Gluten-Free

By J. Almendarez Managing Editor

Stuffed, baked apples: I wasn’t sure what to think of them when I read the recipe.

First of all, I’ve never had a baked apple.

Second of all, what exactly does one stuff an apple with?

Both of these culinary curiosities were explored this week for the sake of first-time cooks everywhere!

To start off, half the apples and hollow them out, leaving about 1/4 of an inch of apple lining within them.

Having never hollowed out apples before, it took a few genius attempts for me to figure out the best method involved a paring knife-soup spoon double-team.

It’s also a good idea to buy extra apples, because if you’re a virgin apple hollow-er like me, you’re bound to slip up and boof a few apple halves before it’s done right.

I’ve also got two tips for you here: avoid pigging out on apple innards, or you’ll be too full to enjoy your creation, and watch your fingers because knives are sharp!

Now, place the apples on a baking sheet and set them to the side.

The next thing you want to do is bring the mushroom broth (I substituted vegetable broth) to a boil and then add the rice.

It will take at least

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For all the first-time cooks out there

50 minutes for the rice to absorb the liquid while it cooks at a medium-low temperature. In that time, you can do other things, such as chop 1/4 cup of red onion, go to the store to buy mushrooms to chop because you forgot to purchase them earlier in the day (you’re a real busy person, after all) and drink whisky sodas because the Jean-Paul Sartre you’ve got to knock out for your ethics class drives you to drink. (But go easy on the whisky, though, because you’ve got to deal with the vengeful oven later.)

The recipe calls for the quinoa to be added to the pot and cooked for an additional 20 minutes, but in all honesty, you probably want to throw the quinoa in after the rice has been cooking for 35 minutes and let the concoction do it’s thing for about 35 more minutes. The quinoa takes a while to cook.

When the rice and quinoa are about ten minutes away from being done, put the olive oil, mushrooms, sage and onions into a pan. Saute them for about seven minutes or until browned.

Time: 2.5 hours Servings 8 Price: about $5 a serving depending on what ingredients you already have Difficulty level: medium

PHOTOS BY J.AL MEN

DAR EZ

The recipe sort of falls into place after this.

Just remove your pot of grains from the heat, add the saute and toss in the cream cheese and cranberries. A few stirs with a spoon will make everything creamy.

Then you’re ready to stuff the apples.

Be mindful that anything you’ve just immediately removed from the stovetop will be hot!

After you’ve got the apples filled, add about a cup of water to your baking sheet — it won’t overflow, but you do have to be careful not to spill it.

Then cover the apples with foil. You don’t really have to do this, but the recipe

suggests it. I’m still out of foil from that shepherd’s pie.

Leave the apples in the oven for 45 minutes at 350 degrees. It’s optional to top the apples with white sharp cheddar cheese and let dinner bake for an additional 15 minutes.

I tried a few with and a few without. I recommend you add the cheese, because it gives the food a satisfying crunchy texture.

As a whole, this recipe was only okay. The flavors were good, but it was hard to get full on the baked apples.

There’s just something about the apples that makes me feel like I’m eating a snack.

And they don’t transport easily.

I thought of that when I tried to pack them for lunch the following morning and realized I couldn’t realistically expect for the stuffing to stay put while the apples were tossed around my bag all day.

I recommend people try this recipe because the flavor is stunning and is a steal at only about 184 calories per half, but don’t make this your entree.

The difficulty level is medium because hollowing the apples was a dangerous pain!

ARTS&ENTERTAINMENT SONG REVIEW

Jump into ‘Wild Race’ of life

By Felipe Godoy Diaz KRUA Music Manager

After Dr. Dog visited Alaska a couple weeks ago, the Philadelphia-based band released a five track EP titled “Wild Race” Oct. 2 as a brief follow-up to their critically acclaimed album “Be The Void.”

The highlight of the EP is last song and title track, “Wild Race.”

The song begins with five quick strikes from Zach “Text” Miller’s keyboard before Toby “Table” Leaman’s captivating bass line and Eric “Teach” Slick’s drumming sends the song on its way. Lead vocalist Scott “Taxi” McMicken then calmly croons the song lyrics before the repetitive chorus proclamation, “Easy goes the wild race,” while Slick nails the snare drum hits when McMicken says, “race.”

Right after the chorus concludes, McMicken plays a brief guitar solo with only a keyboard accompaniment. This leaves the listener attentive in the limbo-like ending, reintroducing the bass and percussion back into the song. This catches the listener off guard and brings them right back into “Wild Race.”

Near the end of the song, the bridge is played and is perhaps the most impressive and notable part

of track. While McMicken sings, the rest of Dr. Dog accompany him by doing what they do best: harmonizing. This builds up the songs before pouncing back into the final chorus and closing off the song.

“Wild Race” is one of those songs perfect for a road trip. The theme of the “journey of life” may be cliche, but it is nice to see Dr. Dog put their own spin on it. If

you did not have the opportunity to see Dr. Dog here in Anchorage, check out the “Wild Race” EP and get prescribed to Dr. Dog.

Song: “Wild Race” Album: “Wild Race” Artist: Dr. Dog Release date: Oct. 2, 2012 Label: ANTI-

08

A&E

ALBUM REVIEW

GAME REVIEW

11

Deadmau5 isn’t dead yet

By Keldon Irwin Staff Reporter

My circle of friends has always regarded Deadmau5 as being “that redundant electronic artist,” but his newest album, unitquely titled “Album Title Goes Here,” is shockingly fresher than his previous works.

While Deadmau5 has typically fallen under the general “electronic” genre, this album does seem to have more influences from other genres, made known through the addition of pop rock, heavier rap presence and more consistent dubstep “womp-womps” than previous compilations of his.

As usual, he does a great job cleverly incorporating offbeat rhythms and effects into this ethereal album, but that is not to say “Album Title Goes Here” is anything that trumps his former albums. While this album did meet my expectations, they did not surpass them.

I have always viewed Deadmau5 as one of those consistent artists that offers a reliably solid album every few years but does not often step outside of his comfort zone. This album shattered that stigma. I did not think it was possible, but this album is even catchier than his 2010 release, “4x4=12.”

For some time, Deadmau5 has been the name in electronic music, but now I feel he is attempting to broaden his horizons with other artists of varying genres.

Popular names, such as Wolfgang Gartner, Cypress Hill, Imogen Heap, Chris James and Gerard Way, vocalist for My Chemical Romance, are

‘Where Am I?’

By Jacob Holley-Kline Contributor

featured in this album. Of the songs featuring these guests, “Professional Griefers” is by far the best. The entire song is a spectrum of rave-like goodness.

It features classic upbeat techno riffs that Deadmau5 is known for: powerfully half-spoken, halfrapped verses; an upbeat, Friday night party chorus; and an epic video of two giant metal mice fighting. The video is definitely worth watching.

Following eerily close behind is “Failbait,” featuring Cypress Hill. While Cypress Hill hovers near their normal song structure and rapping style, Deadmau5 wrote some very interesting music for this track. I feel like it is a cross between late 1990s underground rap and current underground electronic music. It is important to note that Deadmau5 did not try to make this song a “hit” on the album — he merely strove

to collaborate with a mutually respected artist for five minutes to form an atypical mix with a legendary rap group.

It is refreshing to see Deadmau5 sticking close to his roots instead of the goal of acquiring a new pretty penny.

While I tend to like Deadmau5’s older music better than his newer compositions, this album is another solid performance from the scrawny man behind the mouse mask, and it is a step in the right direction for his career as the icon of the electronic age of music.

Artist: Deadmau5 Album: “Album Title Goes Here” Label: Ultra Release Date: Sept. 24, 2012

In the tradition of “Slender,” designer Mark J. Hadley brings us the aptly named “Where Am I?” — another free experience in a line of terrifying indie projects for computer gamers. Unlike “Slender: The Eight Pages,” there is no sense of scale in “Where Am I?” Amongst a cacophony of sinister whispers, you wander a maze. The sound design is devastatingly simple. Besides the score, only your footsteps can be heard. Warped wind chimes, piano cords and static dominate the soundtrack. As you progress, it intensifies.

The setting is black and white. Black streaks snake across the wall; the floor is made of miniscule tiles. The goal is simple: reach the end of the maze. Nothing stands in your way, and traditional obstacles don’t confront you. You are moving within the confines of an ever-changing landscape: doors disappear behind you, and the world itself successively dissolves into static as you move through the maze.

There are no pages to collect,

no weapons to wield or enemies to dispatch. Make no mistake, by no means is the game boring.

Like “Slender,” the devil is in the details. A main deviation from “Slender” is that there’s no real antagonist. You are your own friend and enemy.

At once, you attempt to calm your nerves while imagining the most frightening scenarios. The game boils down to this: You are walking a maze. Less is more in “Where Am I?” It’s about what you don’t see. Aside from distant darting shadows, you are the only figure present.

Essentially, this game is a blank canvas on which players paint their own experience. In an individualistic gaming industry, “Where Am I?” is a breath of fresh air. It’s not a morality play and there’s no illusion of an agenda.

You have no idea where you are or why you’re there and the rest is up to you. All in all, “Where Am I?” takes 10 minutes of your time.

“Where Am I?” is available for free download online at: http:// www.parsecproductions.net.

MOVIE REVIEW

Tim Burton’s ‘Frankenweenie’ sports surprises

By Heather Hamilton A&E Editor

First off, “Frankenweenie” is the first Tim Burton movie since “Big Fish” not to feature Johnny Depp, and the first since “Sleepy Hollow” not to include Burton’s wife, Helena Bonham Carter.

While it’s nice to see Burton expand his casting pool, the novelty of at least one of the two

actors always being there is gone, and it’s a little disappointing.

“Frankenweenie” tells the story of a boy and his dog. Victor Frankenstein (Charlie Tahan, “I Am Legend”) is a loner, with no friends save for his dog, Sparky, who stars in Victor’s homemade stop motion movies. One day, Sparky is hit by a car and killed.

Victor takes it upon himself to bring his friend back to life and must deal with the consequences of his actions when people find out.

The movie is cool because it’s a re-imagining of a previous Tim Burton short of the same name.

The 1984 “Frankenweenie” is made using live actors as opposed to stop motion animation and is only about 34 minutes long.

The new rendition is classic Burton, but with a deeper bow to his love of horror movies. It’s also darker than most of his other animated movies because there is

so much emphasis on death. Even “Corpse Bride” is a bit brighter, and there’s death everywhere in that flick.

Part of this is the lack of color in the movie. Burton is known for his eerie-looking characters, but there has always been color to brighten the movies. “Frankenweenie” pays homage to the horror movies of old by sticking to black and white cinematography, but it does impact the overall vibe of the movie, not necessarily in a negative light, but a darker one.

The voice acting is dynamite, as cheesy as that sounds. Martin Short (“Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted”) and Catherine O’Hara (“Nightmare Before Christmas”) both voice act for three different characters and somehow manage to keep them all from running together or sounding similar. Short plays Victor’s father, one of his classmates, and the town mayor. O’Hara plays

Victor’s mother, Weird Girl (one of Victor’s classmates) and the gym teacher. Winona Ryder (“The Iceman”) portrays another classmate and the mayor’s niece, Elsa Van Helsing. Her character is a bit of a sweetheart, one who genuinely empathizes with Victor when Sparky is initially lost, and Ryder is definitely good in the role.

It’s also nice to see her in another Burton movie after her role as Kim in “Edward Scissorhands” 22 years ago.

Tahan does a great job as Victor. For a younger actor, he’s very good at portraying emotion through his voice, something that many adults have difficulty with when voice acting. And while he still has room to grow, he’s got solid talent.

PG seems to be the new G when it comes to children’s movies, and there’s no doubt that while “Frankenweenie” is geared mostly for children, it’s a bit much

for the younger ones. Family pets die (offscreen), things get impaled (no blood) and people do what people do best: jump to irrational conclusions and do stupid things they end up regretting. While most kids should be fine, mind the younger ones — they don’t need to see something bad or scary to understand that its there and react.

And they will.

It isn’t Burton’s best work, but it’s worth seeing in theaters. The voice acting is great, but there are dropped plot points that begin to grate after a while.

Movie: “Frankenweenie” Director: Tim Burton Runtime: 87 min.

Starring: Charlie Tahan, Winona Ryder, Catherine O’Hara, Martin Short

A&E

12

Free food

A&E OPINION

for homecoming week

Saving ‘Sesame Street’ on PBS

Monday, Oct. 8

By Heather Hamilton

Good Morning, Seawolves! - Student Union - 8:30 a.m.

Daily Den - Student Union - 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Afternoon Dessert - Student Union - 2 p.m.

Afternoon Dessert - Rasmuson Hall - 2:15 p.m.

Daily Den - Student Union - 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Daily Den - Student Union - 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Tuesday, Oct. 9

Good Morning, Seawolves! - Gorsuch Commons - 8 a.m.

Daily Den - Student Union - 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Radio Land Lunch Reception - Student Union - 12 p.m.

Daily Den - Student Union - 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Daily Den - Student Union - 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Wednesday, Oct 10

Good Morning, Seawolves! - ConocoPhillips Science Building - 8 a.m.

Morning Munchies - Professional Science Building - 9:45 a.m.

Daily Den - Student Union - 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Homecoming Lunch - Fine Arts Building - 1 p.m.

Daily Den - Student Union - 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Afternoon Dessert - Rasmuson Hall - 2:15 p.m.

Afternoon Dessert - Administration/Humanities Building - 2:30 p.m.

Daily Den - Student Union - 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Thursday, Oct. 11

Good Morning, Seawolves! - Allied Health Building - 8 a.m.

Good Morning, Seawolves! - Administration/Humanities Building - 8 a.m.

Good Morning, Seawolves! - Student Union - 8:30 a.m.

Daily Den - Student Union - 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Homecoming Lunch - Student Union - 12 p.m.

Daily Den - Student Union - 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Daily Den - Student Union - 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Compiled by Heather Hamilton A&E Editor

A&E Editor

Anyone paying attention to the presidential debate knows that Mitt Romney has plans to potentially defund PBS, despite admiring its work and programming. Twitter lit up in a firestorm over the comment, and dozens of memes have graced the Internet in support of “Sesame Street,” which was specifically mentioned by the Republican presidential nominee.

According to an interview with CNN, PBS chief executive Paula Kerger said entire PBS stations in rural areas would be defunded if this came to pass.

“Stations in rural parts of the country — where their parts of the federal funding is 40, 50, 60 percent — those stations will go off the air,” she said.

“Sesame Street” itself only receives about 15 percent of its funds from the federal money PBS receives, according to an ABC News article, and will be able to continue broadcasting if cuts eventually happen.

Even though Big Bird and the gang are safe, supporters of PBS and other federally funded companies, such as NPR, need to start thinking ahead.

Public broadcasting is such a fantastic service. PBS alone provides diverse educational programming that benefits kids.

There are shows for basic algebra, history, basic morals, colors, shapes and nearly everything else you can think of.

I personally learned more math from watching “Cyberchase” and American Revolution history through “Liberty’s Kids” than I did in school — not because I had ineffective teachers, but because the fun visuals and intriguing stories provided me with a way of learning that clicked well. Being able to relate things visually is important to many people, and it’d be a shame to risk losing that avenue of education.

On the other side of the spectrum are the more adultoriented shows. PBS stations in Alaska air a show called “Alaska Film Archives” that shows archived films from within the state. Where else but public broadcasting can the majority of Alaskans access that if it interests them?

“BioCentury This Week” discusses issues in biotechnology once a week; where else can we find that?

Growing up in the Lower 48,

I never had cable. My family couldn’t afford it. But I would still get to see interesting and informative programs about archaeological digs around the world, dinosaurs on program specials and animals in Africa with “Zoboomafoo.”

If public broadcasting is defunded and stations and programs are cut, who exactly does that benefit?

If you love PBS and other public broadcasting companies, protect them. No matter who you vote for as our next commander in chief, take a stand behind public broadcasting. If defunding is presented, speak out against it. If funds do happen to get cut, don’t be shy with your donations.

Remember the credits given before and after each program on PBS? “This program was made possible by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and by contributions to your PBS station from viewers like you. Thank you.”

We all enjoy at least some the services and opportunities public broadcasting offers, so let’s be deserving and appreciative of them as well. Keep Big Bird, Clifford and the rest of the gang kicking.

OPINION

13

October 9, 2012

EDITORIAL

Take a vow against racism this Halloween

By TNL Staff

October is the best month of the year.

The trees turn vibrant shades of red, yellow and orange; pumpkin becomes a common ingredient used in coffee shops and restaurants; the mid-semester slump is tackled by students; and people herd themselves in costume shops looking for just the right costume to indulge in some childish (or maybe grown-up) fun on Halloween.

But there’s one thing offensively wrong amongst the innocence of costume shopping and planning: the seemingly endless supply of racist costumes.

From the stereotypical Mexican wearing a poncho and sombrero, to the sexy “Indian” costume complete with a hair feather, it is becoming increasingly acceptable for people to berate other people’s cultures and traditions for the sake of laugh.

But let’s be serious, racism ruled the way this country functioned for hundreds of years, and regardless of what people think, it’s still alive and well.

Because the casual comments people make among friends about black people, Mexicans, Samoans or Native Americans is a lingering effect of racism.

And for some reason, people think it’s okay to make offhand comments about a race because

they have friends of that race.

You know what I’m talking about, and you know what the answers to these questions are: What are three things you can’t give a black person? Why doesn’t Mexico have an Olympic team?

What’s the difference between a Jew and a pizza?

But think of it this way. As i young college students, some may never have experienced overt racism, but our grandparents likely did.

Imagine what it would be like if your friends and family fought and died for a cause and, in your lifetime, it became someone’s joke.

Wait a minute — that’s already happened.

Well before the 10th anniversary of the death of 2,753 people in the 9/11 attacks, highjacker, al-Qaida and suicide bomber costumes can be found in Halloween shops. And worse yet, people actually buy them.

Not only is this offensive to many ethnic and religious communities, but it’s also disrespectful to the soldiers still fighting for our country overseas.

It’s not funny.

So this year, let’s make a vow to not let our costume choices be ruled by the racism that somehow still defines our society. There are other ways to be shocking without being hurtful.

SPORTS

SPORTS BRIEFS

14

October 9, 2012

Seawolves fall to 16th ranked Vikings

By Thomas McIntyre Sports Editor

NBA sets flopping penalties; players may be fined NEW YORK (AP) – The NBA will penalize floppers this season, fining players for repeated violations of an act a league official said Wednesday has “no place in our game.”

Those exaggerated falls to the floor may fool the referees and fans during the game, but officials at league headquarters plan to take a look for themselves afterward.

Players will get a warning the first time, then be fined $5,000 for a second violation. The fines increase to $10,000 for a third offense, $15,000 for a fourth and $30,000 the fifth time. Six or more could lead to a suspension.

The players association plans to file a grievance with the league office and an unfair labor practice charge with the National Labor Relations Board, arguing that it should have been consulted first before the new rules were implemented.

Women stay at No. 5, men advance in poll NEW ORLEANS, La. – The Alaska Anchorage men’s and women’s cross country teams continue to be ranked in the top 10 nationally in Week 3 of the U.S. Track & Field Cross Country Coaches Association with the women’s team at No. 5 and the men’s team advancing to No. 7.

The UAA women’s squad, which has been idle for the last three weekends, continues to lead the West Region over Chico State (No. 6).

After sitting at No. 8 since the preseason ranking, the men’s team progressed to No. 7 and is second in the region behind No. 3 Chico State.

The UAA women have been ranked in the top 10 for 36 weeks straight, while the men’s team has cracked the top-15 for 23 consecutive weeks.

NHL: We’re still waiting for new union proposal NEW YORK (AP) – The rhetoric is rising, while the time before the planned start of the NHL regular season is running out.

And now it seems more likely than not that regular-season games will be canceled before the league and the players’ association even get back to the negotiating table.

The sides broke off talks Tuesday after just two hours, and it was hard to find optimism anywhere that the season would avoid a major disruption — just seven years after a full season was lost to a lockout.

“Not prepared to speculate on next steps at this point,” NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly told The Associated Press in an email on Wednesday.

Daly also said on Wednesday that the NHL has no timetable when it will start calling off regular-season games.

The season is slated to open on Oct. 11. But with training camps on hold and all preseason games already canceled, it is hard to imagine the NHL can stick to that schedule if a deal with the players’ association isn’t reached in the next day or two.

Briefs compiled from GoSeawolves.com and Associated Press by Thomas McIntyre

The Seawolf volleyball team couldn’t find their groove Saturday night. As a result, they suffered a loss at the hands of the Western Washington University Vikings.

The Seawolves weren’t able to figure the Vikings out. Every time the momentum started to shift their way, the Vikings managed to steal it back. Not even the fiery home court crowd could help the Seawolves avoid the 19-25, 19-25, 18-25 loss.

Senior setter Kimya Jafroudi racked up 30 assists and her 12 digs were the second most for the Seawolves. Junior setter Siobhan Johansen’s 18 digs led the team.

Freshman outside hitters Julia Mackey and Katelynn Zanders shared the team high in kills by totaling nine apiece.

Freshman libero Lindsey Logan and sophomore middle blocker Maureen Sabado were both nursing injuries that kept them sidelined Saturday night.

The Seawolves may not have gotten the win, but they didn’t leave the gym a defeated team.

Freshman outside hitter Sarah Johnson believes the team will learn from the loss and give the Vikings a better game next time around.

“We weren’t playing our best volleyball,” said Johnson. “We want to come back next time we play them and use (the loss) against them.”

Johnson doesn’t think the team will forget how Saturday night felt. Instead they will use it as motivation moving forward.

The Seawolves’ next step from here will be having a productive

PHOTOS BY J. ALMENDAREZ

Middle blocker Jodi Huddleston prepares to spike the ball in the second set of Thursday night’s game against Simon Fraser clan from Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada.

practice.

“We need to practice playing harder,” said Johnson. “We also need to work on the little things like passing and serving.”

The Seawolves haven’t given up a loss at home all year until the Vikings came to town. And, despite the loss, the Seawolves remain third in the GNAC standings.

The Seawolves will return home Oct. 18 when they take on Saint Martin’s University at the Wells Fargo Center at 7 p.m. Only two days later — Oct. 20 — the team will face Western Oregon University at the same time and place.

Nikkie Viotto, freshman outside hitter and defensive specialist, keeps the ball in play during Staurday night’s game against the Western Washington Vikings from Bellingham, Washington.

A letter to all Los Angeles Lakers fans

By Thomas McIntyre Sports Editor

Dear “Those of You Who Think the Dwight Howard Trade Was Fair,” Congratulations. Your team that has already won a lot is going to win a lot more. You guys totally deserve it, though. Five championships over 12 years is about as bad as it gets for an NBA fan.

Let’s recap the Lakers’ summer.

They executed a sign-and-trade for Steve Nash, signed Antawn Jamison and turned Andrew Bynum into Dwight Howard.

Sounds like a standard offseason for a big market team operating in the rigged NBA. Are these moves enough to propel the Lakers back into the title hunt? Yes, duh.

So now you want to know why the moves are enough? I expected that, seeing as you are a greedy Lakers fan.

I’m going to talk about one of the new additions to the Lakers that went slightly under the radar: Eddie Jordan.

Chances are, you know of Jordan from his run as head coach of the Washington Wizards. You could also know him as the coach of that Philadelphia 76ers team that sucked. And, just maybe, you know him for his quest to keep the Princeton offense alive.

For you, Lakers fans (and by “fans” I mean people who know what a Chris Mihm is), the thing to focus on is Jordan’s Princeton offense. Will it work in L.A.?

Do the pieces fit in the Princeton puzzle? Will Kobe Bryant get tired of the offense and demand a trade?

Will L.A. grant him his wish and trade him to the Charlotte Bobcats for draft picks?

Yes, but only to the first two.

Jordan’s Princeton offense could actually be exactly what the Lakers need to make all of these stud players work together.

Oklahoma City Thunder’s new film analyst, Sebastian Pruiti, found this to be the case in a breakdown he did for ESPN in August. He looked at how the Lakers will fit into the Princeton offense and concluded that it’s a

match.

Unlike Pruiti, I can’t get into extreme details about how the Princeton offense works, because it would take up several pages.

Basically it’s all about spacing and movement. If run correctly, the defense will always be spread out and the offensive players will never be standing still.

What makes the Princeton offense such a perfect system for the Lakers is simple: There will always be room for their best players to work.

Say the Lakers decide to run a pick-and-roll. This play call is smart because they have the best pick-and-roll big man in the NBA, Dwight Howard. Oh yeah, they also have one of the most talented pick-and-roll point guards ever, Steve Nash. It is very fair for a team to have both of these players.

Within the Princeton offense, a Nash and Howard pick-androll could be the scariest play in basketball. The spacing and movement of the three players not involved will make help defense difficult. If the play goes

as planned, the result should be an open shot for the offense almost every time.

I’m barely scratching the surface of Pruiti’s findings.

For instance, take the pickand-roll example and apply its effectiveness to Kobe post-ups and isolations. Doing this can get depressing if you are a fan of a Western Conference team that is not the Lakers.

Getting talents like Howard, Nash and Jamison was no doubt important for the Lakers. But Eddie Jordan could allow the Lakers to meet their full potential, which is a terrifying notion.

I asked one of my friends who’s a Lakers fan how many games he has them winning this year. He said 65.

I think that’s a little ambitious (typical Lakers fan), but I also wouldn’t bet against it.

In the 2013 NBA season, the Lakers will flash brilliance, win a bunch of games and reach the NBA Finals.

And then they will lose to LeBron James.

TNL

October 9, 2012

15

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