Rambler 10.24.07

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The Rambler

The students’ voice since 1917

Fort Worth, Texas

October 24, 2007

NEWS BRIEFS Help a child, scare a friend Student Life is taking donations of childrens’ Halloween costumes. All donations can be dropped off at the Student Life office in the SUB by Oct. 24.

Costumes will be donated to local D. McRae Elementary School and extras will be given to the Boys and Girls Club. For more information call Jenny Houze at (817) 531-4870.

Vol. 99, No. 8

Brick dedication brings out Wesleyan

News Briefs

Pink is my signature color Wesleyan is holding a fund-raising event for the Susan G. Komen foundation in support of breast cancer research. Show your support and wear pink Oct. 25 and attend the event from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the SUB lobby. Free pink popcorn and awareness information will be provided. A raffle will be heald for dinner and a movie. Tickets are $1 for one ticket and $5 for six tickets.

Wanna be an RA? The last RA informational session will be during free period in Wesleyan Village Oct. 25. This session is required for any who wish to apply for an RA position.

RA applications are due by 4 p.m. Oct. 26.

It’s a Wonderful Life Theatre Wesleyan’s THE RADIO SHOW: IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE runs through Nov. 10 at Artisan Center Theatre. The off-campus production of the play within a play, written by theater department chair Connie Whitt-Lambert and directed by theater professor Joe Brown, features a cast of Wesleyan students decked out in gorgeous 1940s garb designed by Brynn Bristol. Tickets are $8 for the Wesleyan community and children and $13 general admission. Some showings are already sold out, so call and reserve tickets soon. For information on times, dates and tickets, visit www.artisanct.com.

Dora’s Halloween Dinner Dora’s Residential Restaurant will have a halloween dinner Oct. 30.

Come by for dinner and stay for games, pumpkin carving, apple bobbing, snacks and prizes.

Wesleyan Toon Town Halloween Party Come dress as your favorite cartoon character from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. on the Stella Russell Hall balcony Oct. 30. Prizes will be awarded for best female, best male and best duo or group costumes.

Movie time!

Wanna see a movie on the cheap? Student Life has movie theater tickets for both AMC and United Artists theaters for $6.50.

Tickets are good for any showing at anytime. Contact Jenny Houze at (817) 5314870.

Photos by Kevin Keathley

Wesleyan’s traditional brick dedication ceremony drew a crowd of alumni, students and faculty, including University President Dr. Hal Jeffcoat and Gina Phillips, director of alumni relations. The event took place in front of the Eunice L. West Library Oct. 20 when brick purchasers like Kevin Millikan, athletic director (top right), gathered to locate their bricks. The brick drive serves as a fund-raiser for the university.

Deaton to be inducted into Texas Amateur Athletic hall of fame

Professor calls for salvation of valuable local plant life

COLLEEN BURNIE ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR

SHAMEKA HYATT

Hall of Fame. The words inspire a sense of reverence. The members of these halls have completed some difficult task, been the best and managed to stand out among the crowd. This spring Dr. Bobby Deaton, professor of physics and geology, will take his place among the elite in the Texas Amateur Athletic Federation Hall of Fame.

Deaton will also be celebrated as the first member ever to be inducted for both tennis singles and doubles, and the first member ever to be inducted for three sports.

Deaton, who grew up in Pittsburg, Texas, was active in sports all through his career as a student.

“I played football, basketball, baseball and ran track,” said Deaton of his high school days.

After graduating from high school, Deaton moved to Austin where he played basketball for the University of Texas. He left after just one semester and later found his place at Baylor University.

“It was too big. I grew up in a small town, and I didn’t like the class sizes, but I did go back to get my graduate degree there,” said Deaton.

His colligate sports career ended with his move from UT; however, his love for playing didn’t. So he joined what was then called the Texas Athletic Federation, an association of athletes that just wanted to play. A year later the name changed to the Texas Amateur Athletic Federation.

Groups are formed though corporations or churches and have now grown to include youth sports as well.

“I got a group of guys together that I knew could play,” said Deaton of his first Waco team. “We were good too. We scrimmaged Baylor a few times and won.”

Deaton played basketball for more than 25 years and scored more than 10,000 points in about 500 games, scoring up to 68 points in a single game and leading his teams. His performance in the sport earned him a place on the all state TAAF tournament team.

After receiving a bachelor’s in math and a master’s in physics from Baylor, Deaton moved back to Austin where he earned his doctorate in physics and then returned to North Texas to work for General Dynamics.

“One of my buddies that I worked with, Jack Reynolds, was playing fast pitch softball over here on the east side with Meadowbrook Methodist, and he asked me to come and play with them,” said Deaton.

According to Deaton, the manager of the team

Just along Interstate 30, not far from Texas Wesleyan, lies Tandy Hills, Fort Worth’s unique wildflower prairie. This park, located at 3325 View Street, is home to eight plant species known to grow nowhere else in the world except for Fort Worth, Texas.

There are grasses and flowers that have not been tampered with for centuries. Tandy Hills contains plant species that existed prior to colonization of European farmers and ranchers.

Aware of its value to the city, biology professor Dr. Bruce Benz has taken an interest in Tandy Hills. When researching the 10 protected natural areas of North Central Texas, which includes Tandy Hills, Benz took a conservation approach.

“By taking a conservation approach, questions arose such as ‘is everything there’ and ‘what is not suppose to be there,’” said Benz.

Using this approach that incorporated “species-area relationships,” Benz gathered surprising, substantial data that brought him to the conclusion that Tandy Hills has the highest diversity of species and is very permeable to introduced, non-native species.

Among the data he accumulated, he found that Tandy Hills has the highest number of total species (437) out of all 10 of the North Central Texas protected natural areas, even though it isn’t the largest of the areas. Out of this total number, Tandy Hills was found to have the highest total of native species (380) and introduced species (57) for its area than any other protected natural area in North Central Texas.

With these findings, along with the information he gathered on all the other protected natural areas, Benz joined forces with science major Monica Granados and wrote an article entitled “Plant Species-Area Relationships in Ten North Central Texas Protected Natural Areas,” which was published in the science publication SIDA. Conservation of the park is a hot topic lately. Just recently, Chesapeake Energy bought 55 acres of land near Tandy Hills with intentions to drill for natural gas near the park. Fort Worth Star-Telegram staff writer Bud Kennedy recently stated in a column that Tandy Hills’ biggest threat, however, is nature, not drilling.

Kennedy asserted that the invasion of young trees and non-native species (including weeds) make Tandy Hills Fort Worth’s most endangered park. He went on to say that drilling will not only bring necessary development to private land near Tandy Hills, but will also bring in funds to help improve Tandy Hills.

Benz begs to differ. In a letter he wrote to Julie Wilson, vice president of Chesapeake Energy, Benz stated that drilling on nearby Scenery Hill would bring about “habitat fragmenta-

See Deaton, page 2

STAFF WRITER

See Tandy Hills, page 2

Courtesy of Google Images

Students at Nolan Catholic high school in Fort Worth travel to Tandy Hills wildflower prarie for experiments and demonstrations in the ecology program.

News

2 October 24, 2007

Wesleyan alumni honored at annual medal dinner COLLEEN BURNIE ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR Texas Wesleyan Alumni were honored Oct. 19 for their accomplishments, dedication and service to the university. The honorees were presented with their medals at the 2007 Alumni Medal Dinner held at the Fort Worth Club.

The night began at 6 p.m. with a cocktail hour. Honorees and their guests were invited to mix and mingle with members of the alumni association, faculty and other guests. Then dinner began with a prayer and the musical stylings of Dr. John Fisher, professor of music, and junior music major Jonah Copland.

The first recipient was Jerry Wood (’69). A long-time supporter of Wesleyan athletics, he was given the O.D. Bounds Award.

Wood has served as the president of the Ram Club and is currently the tournament chairman of the O.D. Bounds Invitational Fund Raiser.

“He is very deserving,” said Athletic Director Kevin Millikan.

The Wesleyan Flame Award was given to Dr. Jane Moore, professor of math. Moore was awarded based on her service to the university for more than 40 years and her involvement in community service organizations based at Wesleyan, such as Expanding Your Horizons and Upward Bound.

Ann (’54) and Gene (’54) Burge were awarded the Wesleyan Service Award for their service and commitment to the alumni association and its programs. The couple met at Wesleyan when they were freshmen and have since been dedicated supporters of Wesleyan athletics and academics.

Former Rambler news editor and current public information officer for Fort Worth’s mayor and city council Jason Lamers was awarded the Young Alumni Achievement Award based on his personal and professional accomplishment within a mere 10 years of graduation.

Dr. Ray Lewis (’80) was awarded the Distinguished Alumni Award for his work in the East Fort Worth community. Lewis’ daughters Alpha and Risa both attend Wesleyan. Lewis has been awarded numerous awards in the community including Top Doctor and Healthcare Hero.

The Alumni of the Year Award went to Jack (’43) and Jo Willa (’42) Morton who are responsible for the $1 million scholarship grant for religion majors. The two met at Wesleyan when they were freshmen and have been active members of the community since.

In addition to honoring the various alumni recipients, the evening was filled with jokes from master of ceremonies Dr. Ron Ballard, professor of religion and philosophy.

The Rambler

Deaton, from page 1

asked him what position he played, and Deaton asked what they lacked, and the manager told him they needed a third baseman.

“I told him that’s what I play,” said Deaton. “I was a second baseman. I’d never played third base in my life, so I told Jack to tell me what to do.”

The team went on to win 570 games and 17 state championships. Add that to the four championships earned in basketball and the one in TAAF tennis, and there is no doubt why the Hall of Fame would come knocking.

Although fast-pitch and basketball are retired sports for Deaton, competitive tennis is still a part of his life. The last time he won a championship was just in 2000 with the Texas Tennis Association, and he holds the option of playing a state tournament open.

Outside of the TAAF, Deaton has played more than 300 tournaments and has finished first or second in 162 of them, earning him a 70 percent winning percentage.

Currently there are 60 members in the Hall of Fame and five will be inductPhotos courtesy of Bobby Deaton ed in the class of Dr. Bobby Deaton will be inducted 2008. into the Texas Amateur Athletics hall The Texas of fame for his contributions to variAmateur Athletic ous sports.

Federation was started in 1925 and has grown to more than 140 organizations and 210,000 members statewide.

According to the Web site, they were established to promote, organize and conduct amateur athletics in the state of Texas.

The Hall of Fame was established in 1994 in an effort to “recognize the men and women who have played a major role in the growth and development” of the Federation.

“One of my favorite memories was batting against Sam Beavers, one of the best pitchers of all time,” said Deaton. “He was 6-foot-4-inches, 250 pounds and pitched 100 miles an hour. You felt like you were facing a polar bear with a ping-pong paddle.”

The bonds made in the Federation go beyond the field or the court.

“You make lifetime friends,” said Deaton. “All of the old fast pitch players get together once or twice a year.”

The ceremony will be held Jan. 24 in New Braunfels, Texas.

Clinton aims to make college more affordable after average tuiton rises uate with, the plan would ease the process of applying for federal loans and grants.

The plan would effectively do away with the Representatives from Sen. Hillary Clinton’s current Free Application for Federal Student Aid campaign recently released some of the details (FAFSA) and instead create a checklist on tax of her higher education plan. returns. Students would then receive a coupon in The plan is targeted at making higher educa- the mail that they could then attach to their coltion more affordable for middle-class families lege application. and creating greater economic opportunities for Kyle Kleckner, president of the University college graduates, said Neera Tandon, a policy of California at Los Angeles Bruin Democrats, adviser for the Clinton campaign. said he believes Clinton’s plan is a positive step The cornerstone of the plan, a $3,500 par- in making higher education more accessible. tially refundable tax credit, is designed to help Kleckner said he believes increasing Pell cover rising tuition costs. grant funding and creating incentives to help Other features of the plan include increased low-income students attend expensive private funding for Pell grants, increases in AmeriCorps universities is a brilliant idea and could ultimatescholarships, strengthened inily lead to more diversity. tiatives for universities to “Do I think this is comaccept community college pletely perfect? Not yet. transfer students, incentives for Do I think that they’re on top-level universities to recruit their way to making it perand retain low-income students fect? I think so,” he said. and plans to simplify the But David Lazar, process of applying for financhairman of the Bruin cial aid, said Catherine Brown, Republicans and former a senior member of the Clinton Daily Bruin Viewpoint campaign. columnist, said he is not But, while some students convinced that the plan feel the plan is a step in making will actually be effective college more accessible, others and that such changes in are concerned that the new edufederal aid may actually cation plan will create a onelimit the kinds of choices size-fits-all solution to higher Courtesy of Google Images students can make regardeducation issues and present ing financial aid.

Clinton’s plan would increase fundfewer choices for students ing for Pell grants and other forms With tuition costs going to college. steadily rising, Lazar said of financial aid.

The plan focuses on making he doubts a $3,500 tax higher education more affordable for middle- credit will have any real effect in making higher income families who are struggling to pay for education more affordable, and he said increased college because of increasing cost of living and federal aid may only affect a small portion of stagnant wages, Tandon said. those students who need financial aid.

Approximately 25 percent of college stuLazar said he believes tax incentives and dents leave during or after their first year public funds will only apply to a small portion of because their families cannot afford it, Brown students struggling to pay for college. said.

“The public sector is a relatively small secThis trend could have a long-term effect on tion of society, and it’s not going to raise affordthe economy, with fewer students finishing col- ability across the board,” he said. lege and many students graduating with large Instead, Lazar said students should have amounts of debt, Tandon said. greater access to private loans, which would “What you earn really depends on what you offer a more diverse set of options to cater to stulearn. So many people start college and leave dents’ individual needs. because of cost; that’s obviously a problem for “Educational choice is an individual choice, American families but also the economy,” and there should be more options and opportuniTandon said. ties in a policy,” he said.

To help minimize the debt students do grad-

UDEITHA SHIMUSHNAM DAILY BRUIN/U-WIRE

Tandy Hills includes more than 400 plant species including purple paintbrush, white wine cup and blue sage (above) as well as prarie larkspur and Indian blanket (below).

Tandy Hills, from page 1

tion” to Tandy Hills.

“Drilling and well maintenance will alter natural conditions around the drilling site that will facilitate the invasion of non-native species that, in turn, will encourage their dispersal into other areas of the park,” said Benz.

He said Tandy Hills’ natural composition is already deteriorating because of the trespassing of exotic plant species.

“Tandy Hills is an island in a sea of urban landscape,” said Benz.

The cause of Tandy Hills’ current endangered state stems from civic neglect for decades. Tandy Hills was bought by the city of Fort Worth from the Tandy family in 1961. Feeling it wasted money, Fort Worth tried to sell the majority of Tandy Hills’ 105 acres.

After failing to do this, Tandy Hills transformed into a vacant area for 20 years. It was fenced up as an unimproved area in the 1980s due to the urging of park officials. Sagamore Hills Baptist Church owned the 55 acres of private land near Tandy Hills and recently sold it to Chesapeake Energy.

Critics say that civic neglect of Tandy Hills is a result of Fort Worth’s view of conservation and Tandy Hills being unimportant. Some feel that Tandy Hills was overlooked for years by Fort Worth City Council because of the high cost of maintenance. Just this year, Fort Worth city officials began efforts to conserve the park, and Mayor Pro Tem Kathleen Hicks recently called for a meeting on a master plan to improve Tandy Hills.

“Fort Worth has a frontier mentality and was not conservationally minded,” said Benz. “They did not know what to do.”

Photos courtesy of Don Young

Opinions

“A nurse. I wanted to be just like mom.”

“Minnie Mouse.”

What is your favorite Halloween costume of all time?

Haley Butler Freshman Audio Production Major

Xoraya Bennet Sophomore Exercise Science Major

The Rambler

Silent saints ought to speak out for Christ F

aith. Religion. Education. Some people cringe when those words are placed together. Others immediately foresee a passionate discussion soon to ensue.

Columnists like Sam Guzik, senior news editor for Student Life at Washington University, observed that “religion and academia do not often go hand in hand.”

Depending on a university’s goal or mission, and sometimes the words found within their name, religious tolerance is considered a must, highly ranked beside ROSS “political correctness.”

MULLENS Texas Wesleyan is a university that encourages religious diversity, but has it succumbed to outside pressure and an inward struggle to become tolerant toward agnostic and atheistic persistence?

Eric Goldscheider, a writer for the New York Times, published an article titled, “Seeking a Role for Religion on Campus.” The article describes one man’s view of the university setting. That man, David K. Scott, former research physicist and chancellor of the University of Massachusetts, “believes the modern university has lost its way in a world crying out for attention to values and concerns.”

According to Scott, the university should be “the marketplace of ideas” where students should be challenged “how to live, how to be with each other, [and] how to be in the universe.” That same idea is resonated

by Wesleyan’s university mission, which is “to develop students to their full potential as individuals and as members of the world community.”

I recently checked out “Religious Life” on Wesleyan’s Web page to be reassured of the chaplain’s commitment “that higher education and faith belong together.” While it is clear that Wesleyan emphasizes liberal arts, it is obscure whether our university stresses the importance of the Bible and the one who inspired it.

Where has Christianity gone? Is Christ not the foundation for Texas Wesleyan University? And, if He is, why is He kept a secret? As an English major who commutes to school every day, I have difficulty finding, much less connecting with, fellow Christians. I have been challenged to pursue the “Christian underground” of Texas Wesleyan.

When asked about Christianity and campus life, Kevin Keathley, a junior religion major, responded, “I have found Christianity in individuals, not organizations on campus.”

With this in mind, students are forced to find their own faith without much of a neighboring influence. Looking back on my first year at Texas Wesleyan when I transferred as a junior, I remember wondering, “Where is the evangelism; what happened to the Bible being taught as truth instead of merely as an esteemed intellectual work?”

Some people would contest that religion, especially Christianity, should be kept out of higher education. I do not have a defense for that because Christianity is hardly being kept in the university setting as it is.

One proverbial saying might sum it up: Don’t kick a man while he’s down.

“The Pink Power Ranger.”

Ross Mullens is a senior english major and is a staff writer for The Rambler.

Religious practices shouldn’t hold any place in higher institution learning eep watch, my faithless friends, religion is on the rise at Wesleyan. Signs such as religious content in our school’s newspaper, increased activity among religious and a 40 foot tall statue of CHUCK Jesus in the mall (OK, FAIN not really, but it could happen) all indicate the creeping prevalence of religion on Wesleyan campus.

“Wait a minute Chuck, isn’t this a Methodist university?” you might reply, to which I would say, “No, it is a Methodist university.”

Before I continue, I would like to issue a few quick disclaimers. First, I have no problem with people who adhere to a set of peaceful religious beliefs, as long as they don’t shove it in everyone’s face. If you possess the ability of blind faith and that’s what gets you through this life, more power to you. I both envy and pity your position.

Second, I’m not petitioning for a complete expulsion of religion from our school. Wesleyan was founded by Methodists and, according to Wesleyan’s Web site, is still associated with the Methodist church.

Wesleyan even offers scholarships exclusively for Methodists, so some religious presence is to be expected.

However, as I said above, this is primarily a university, and it should retain all the

“Luigi from Mario Bros.”

Cami Riley Freshman Sociology Major

More accurately and perhaps more relevant to the present issue, why kick a dying man while he is lying on the ground? In other words, why take religion out of the university when those who believe will not hold onto their own faith? Is this caused by a lack of will power, encouragement or both? Time is not just approaching for Christians to realize the dust is not an admirable place to dwell, it arrived long ago.

The question I am here to pose is this: “Why are Christians lying on the ground, like the gates of Hell are about to swallow us whole? The simple fact is this: Hell itself is not able to touch a Christian; its fire is not even able to singe our souls because of the eternal salvation given by God through Jesus Christ. Christianity cannot be taken out of higher education when a person’s faith meets with the assurance of God’s salvation and the burning of His Spirit.

Because God has never been slack concerning His promises, the fault lies in mankind’s lack of faith. Why have we not held onto God, Who we claim to be so dear to our heart? Sure, we could for a moment, detach ourselves from the university and blame those who we have conveniently abandoned for not giving us our faith.

But faith without conscious choice for it is not faith at all. Our responsibility as Christian students is to pursue Christ with our lives through the constancy of faith.

I understand Texas Wesleyan University’s purpose to be directed toward the goals of its students. Because it exists for the benefit of students, its views reflect our views.

After a year and a half of observation, I have found that our university will proclaim Christ when its students decide to do it for themselves. What better way to demonstrate Christ to students than when it comes from a peer?

Faith begins and burns within those who hold it.

Danger: beware of Christian impact K

Jordan Buckley Freshman Biology Major

October 24, 2007 3

characteristics of an institute of higher learning. My concern is that this creeping religious influence, left unchecked, will create a stranglehold on Wesleyan, resulting in a purging of those programs, organizations, artistic expressions and curriculum the church may find offensive and/or in contrast to what the Bible teaches.

Could this be the beginning of the end for student organizations such as the Gay Straight Alliance or even the dance committee? What about the science department? Is their curriculum in danger of being grossly censored or done away with altogether? Would I be allowed to write such critical opinions of the church and their influence in Wesleyan’s school paper?

It seems to me that religion at Wesleyan is on the rise, and those social, academic and artistic programs that stand in stark opposition to Christian doctrine may be in jeopardy.

The preservation of groups with views contrasting that of Christian religion has never been more important. In fact, I urge the student body to form more groups such as Muslim or Pagan organizations, a prochoice group or a feminist organization.

While suppression of undesirable beliefs and lifestyles, especially in a college atmosphere, may be oppressive and wrong, this is not the only reason for keeping tabs on religion at our school. Author Steven Duncan states, “The wellspring of religion is the arrogance of the self-aware animal,” meaning religion is an egotistical, uncompromising practice that does not seek out truth; it only supplies narcissistic answers

Chuck Fain is a junior english major and is a staff writer for The Rambler.

Rambler Ratings

The Rambler Founded in 1917 as The Handout Harold G. Jeffcoat, Publisher Kelli Lamers, adviser Zainah Usman, photo editor Bryce Wilks, sports editor Skyla Claxton, advertising manager

without evidence.

For example, in the Bible it states that man is ruler of this earthly domain and that all the animals are his to use as he sees fit.

However, when one considers the Human Genome Project and the findings that man’s DNA closely resembles that of a fruit fly, it seems to invalidate the biblical idea of man’s place on this earth. The HGP is also swaying Christian opinion as Francis S. Collins, a devout evangelical Christian and head of the HGP, who stated in his article, Faith and the Human Genome, that “the evidence in favor of evolution is overwhelming.” This also contradicts biblical creationism, making the Christian explanation of life seem outdated and unwarranted when compared to the evidence of science.

Other evidence such as fossil records, carbon dating and geologic structures all suggest the Earth is around 4.5 billion years old, while biblical scholars insist the Earth is 6,000 years old. More startling still, the Catholic Church held the position that the earth is the center of the universe until as recently as 1992.

Religion is not a science. It has no fact to be based in, no formula to study, no concrete evidence to observe. Religion is the result of early humans trying desperately to make sense of the world around them. It is the result of wild speculation and fear, two things that, I feel, have no place in a university.

Shawn R Poling, editor-in-chief Tiara Nugent, managing/college life editor Colleen Burnie, entertainment editor Amanda May, Web editor

Thumbs up to the cheerful, ready-to-help men in the mail room.

Thumbs down to changing the locks in Stella and Elizabeth swithout giving residents new keys first.

Thumbs up to all students and faculty who participated in International Week events.

Thumbs up to Wesleyan’s 2007 alumni medal award winners.

Member of the Texas Intercollegiate Press Association.

Opinions expressed in The Rambler are those of the individual author only and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Texas Wesleyan community as a whole.

Letters to the editor: The Rambler, a weekly publication, welcomes all letters.

All submissions must have a full printed name, phone number and signature; however, confidentiality will be granted if requested.

While every consideration is made to publish letters, publication is limited by time and space.

The editors reserve the right to edit all submissions for space, grammar, clarity and style.

Letters to the editor may be subject to response from editors and students on the opinions page.

"We are not afraid to follow the truth...wherever it may lead." -Thomas Jefferson Address all correspondence to: Texas Wesleyan University, The Rambler, 1201 Wesleyan St., Fort Worth, TX 76105.

Newsroom: 531-7552 Advertising: 531-7582 Fax: 531-4878 E-mail: twurambler@yahoo.com

College Life

October 24, 2007

The Rambler

Adult costumes can’t disguise the kiddish pleasure ADVERTISING MANAGER

It’s that time again! Time to get out your false eyelashes, fake body parts and gruesome masks. Blow the dust off that old Scream costume, it’s Halloween!

This year the bewitching holiday is as popular as ever. People are going to the extreme, throwing huge parties and dressing in outrageous costumes. Stop by your local Party City and see for yourself. It is packed wall to wall with hundreds of costume ideas and people lined up to request their outfit of choice. Vampire teeth, fake blood and tiaras are scattered on the floor from customers grabbing these hot items to complete their ensemble. If you haven’t thought of a costume yet, now is the time.

The most popular costume this year is definitely a pirate.

Stemming from the success of the blockbuster Pirates of the Caribbean movies, there are all types of pirates you can dress up as.

You can don the exact attire of Captain Jack Sparrow or choose a variation. There is the sexy wench pirate, a buccaneer or punk pirate. Costumes are also available if you would like to be a more famous pirate, such as Captain Hook or Captain Morgan.

People are going all out with the pirate craze from skull necklaces and eye patches to fake parrots, bandanas and daggers. To pull this costume off, don’t forget the accessories. They make it. Add these finishing touches to make the pirate your own. These costumes are available at your local party store with prices starting out at $12.99. You can also find them online at halloweenweenexpress.com.

The E! Entertainment Television show The Girls Next Door paved the way for this season’s second most popular costume. The show features three Playboy playmates and documents their life and adventures in and around Hef and the Playboy mansion. This year’s sexy adult costumes are extremely popular. And no, you don’t have to go to a “shady” establishment or adult store for these costumes; they are also available at the local party store.

Playboy has their own line of costumes that features outfits such as the fantasy fairy, racy referee, bootcamp babe and devilish hottie. The most popular among the Playboy line is the cheerleader. The sexy ensemble has the Playboy bunny logo somewhere on it. But ladies beware, these costumes can cost you; they start out at $69.99 and go up.

Other sexy outfits are available without the Playboy brand and those are more reasonably priced. You can be a gold digger, naughty nurse or French maid. Every costume imaginable has been turned into sexy. Even the old standby witch costume has been altered. The hemline is higher and the neckline is lower.

Also, with the rise in sexy costumes comes the newfound popularity of the thigh high.

Once used only for the occasional Halloween trip to see the midnight showing of the Rocky Horror Picture Show, they are now being paired with every sexy costume for that little something extra.

The other sensation for this year is dressing up like celebrities. For kids it’s Hannah Montana and High School Musical characters, but adults are doing it too. You can choose your favorite celebrity like Marilyn Monroe, Paris Hilton or Donald Trump.

If you are going out with a group of friends, consider a group costume.

Dress up as a television or movie cast. Popular this year is Gilligan’s Island, Dog the Bounty Hunter and CSI. If you are into humor consider Pee Wee Herman, Joe Dirt or Britney Spears.

The great thing about these costumes is a lot of them are not prepackaged, allowing you to be your own costume designer. Check out local thrift stores and off-price stores like Ross or Marshall’s. Key pieces and accessories can be found for cheap at these type stores.

Most importantly, have fun this haunting season! It is time to spend with friends, be silly and have a great time. And no, you are not too old to dress up!

Photo courtesy of www.scarepros.com/PlayboyCostumes.html

SKYLA CLAXTON

Embrace the possibilities of faith I

International Fair Student representatives from each continient shared some of their clothing, food and culture with the Wesleyan community during the International Week International Fair Oct. 18. Crowds showed up for the various events including academic presentations, an international student panel discussion, and presentations on upcoming study abroad opportunities.

t is impossible to please God without faith. The writer of Hebrews defines faith as the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen (11:1). God has already blessed, He already loves and is involved with His ROSS creation. He has already MULLENS offered mankind a clean slate.

The act of faith is planted in the present, its strength is rooted in the past, and its beauty is seen as it reaches to the sky awaiting fulfillment. Mankind can only please God through their faith. Faith is believing that God hears.

Believing produces sight in that God will answer anything spoken in His Spirit.

Faith is trusting. It is knowing God will come through and will be as involved in my life in the future as He has been in the past. I can easily see God and what He has done in the past, but seeing Him right now is extremely difficult because faith is focused on the future based upon what has happened in the past.

Faith is also believing tangible effects are caused by an invisible God. Can God be touched; can He be seen? Through our faith we will be and are able to touch and see Him. Through our faith in who He is, He will reveal Himself.

In the movie Hook, Robin Williams played the character of Peter Pan. Peter could

not see, much less eat the food that was set before him because he did not believe it was there. The food appeared only when he believed. Once he believed, he was able to eat and be filled.

Although the film is based upon imagination, God is not. He is self-sustaining and does not need any of His creation to add to His characteristics through imagination. He is who He is.

Faith is difficult because it involves risk, but how much of a risk is it really to have faith in the One who created you? A piece of pottery would not exist had it not been formed by a potter, a light bulb cannot be illumined without a source of electricity, and a book cannot be written without an author. Mankind cannot exist without God. Just as the stasis between swimming and floating is found in definition and purpose, so is there a difference between living with and living without Jesus Christ. Swimmers find purpose in their goal. Any goal necessitates training, goals require focus, determination, perseverance. At some point, a swimmer must consider whether the goal is worth dedicating effort to achieve it. There are many goals in life, but there are none that compare to those that are found when a person comes to God and decides to live for Him. God is worth your time; His reward is in Himself.

Ross Mullens is a senior English major and is a staff writer for The Rambler.

Empower yourself We want to help you make “Reach out and open the the wise decisions today that door that no one thought will inevitably shape your could be opened. Life is life tomorrow. behind it.”

By incubating your pro- Kelly Ann Rothaus fessional goals and helping to fine-tune the skills you he M.D. Anderson Prewill need to reach them, we Professional Program help to ensure your long(3PR) was designed to term professional success. In empower our students to the end, equipping you for maximize their potential and your success translates into reach for our success.

ROM THE ESK OF Helping to professional make your ANIKA ANIELS professional excelPRE-PROFESSIONAL PROGRAM dreams a lence. In COORDINATOR doing so, reality is we aim to why we are create an atmosphere that here. May we help you? exposes students to the peoIf you are interested in ple, places and ideas that pursuing a graduate degree give them the tools they and would like to benefit need to get ahead of the from the support and guidlearning curve as they ance that is offered through approach graduate level aca- 3PR, please contact Yanika demics in pursuit of their Daniels, the M.D. Anderson professional careers.

Pre-Professional Program Each day is an accumu- coordinator, at (817) 531lation of the decisions you 4908 or ydaniels@made in the days before it. txwes.edu.

Rhythm of Life Time stands strong Open and alive Nothing can move him Nothing can change him No one can predict his next move Perhaps just ask him But he will never tell The plans of the world The secret endeavors The wishes that will come true The dreams that will be broken For all rhythm of life would be lost At the opening of his solemn lips

T

F

Y

D D

Photo by Kevin Keathley

B-II-N N-G G-O O Scores of Wesleyan students turned out for bingo night in Stella Russell Hall on October 18. Senior Megan Krause, a business finance major, and junior political sciece major Amira Barger join in on the fun.

by Andrea Waggoner, sophomore English major

Sports

The Rambler

Quick Quotes “I always turn to the sports section first. The sports page records people's accomplishments; the front page has nothing but man's failures.”

- Earl Warren Former Chief Justice

Upcoming Events Oct. 26 *Noon Women’s soccer vs. TBA *2 p.m. Men’s soccer vs.

TBA 2 p.m. Volleyball vs.

Austin College 4:30 p.m. Volleyball vs.

UT-Tyler Oct. 27 2:30 p.m. Volleyball vs.

Texas A&M International 5 p.m. Volleyball vs.

Southwestern Oct. 29 Men’s golf @ Sleep Inn & Suites Classic Oct. 30 Men’s golf @ Sleep Inn & Suites Classic *denotes home games

Log on to: www.ramsports.net for the latest game information and profiles of your favorite Wesleyan Teams and Athletes

Sports Briefs Lady Rams do senior day with style Oct. 20 Five senior women’s soccer players dominated in a 11-0 win over College of the Southwest. The conference tournament begins Oct. 25 at Martin Field.

Mustangs hand Rams senior day loss Oct. 20 The Texas Wesleyan University men’s soccer team suffered a 2-0 to College of the Southwest.

The conference tournament begins Oct. 25 at Martin Field.

Lady Rams win a pair Oct. 20 The volleyball team defeated Texas College and Jarvis Christian three games to none on parents’ day.

Rams picked second in RRAC and 14th in nation Oct. 14 The Red River Athletic Conference has released its men’s basketball preseason coaches’ poll. Texas Wesleyan was picked second after posting a 12-6 mark last season. The Rams were also rated 14th in the national poll.

Lady Rams slated fifth Oct. 18 The Red River Athletic Conference has released its women’s basketball preseason coaches’ poll. Texas Wesleyan was picked fifth after finishing 9-9 in conference play last year.

Men’s golf back in top 10 Oct. 18 The third Golf World/Nike Golf NAIA Coaches’ Poll of the fall season was released, and Texas Wesleyan rose from 13th to ninth.

October 24, 2007 5

Super Bowl screens Not a season ticket holder? Grab a seat at these local spots and enjoy the game!

F

or many Americans, especially those in the Southern states, football is not just a game. It’s a way of life. If you aren’t playing it, you’re watching it. And although it’s possible, it’s preferable to watch a game with a few other football aficionados, rather than by

days. Fox and Hound’s basil pesto pizza is a guaranteed good meal if you are more hungry than thirsty.

The only drawback is that, although you will be able to see the game, you probably won’t be able to hear a thing. Both venues usually have more than one game running at a time to please fans of various teams and sports as well as music blasting from over-

American cuisine. Take a crack at the unique egg rolls or the pecan crusted salmon for flavors just as exciting as the big game.

Although the food costs more than the usual restaurant, drinks run about the same, and are served regularly by some of the most pleasant wait staff in the Metroplex. There is an unofficial dress code, though, so don’t SHAWN R. plan to walk in decked out in your pajamas.

POLING And now for the random venue: In my search yourself. for ideal venues to enjoy Although I’m not one of some Monday Night those people who eat, drink and Football, I came across one breathe football, I can appreciate of my favorite restaurants, a good game in the right atmosTai-Pan Chinese Buffet. phere. And nothing beats hangYes, you read that coring out with friends and feasting rectly. They don’t have 50 on some really good food with TVs to watch, but they do the game playing on my HDTV, have one pretty nice NFLshaking the walls with honest-tofriendly HDTV set-up in goodness surround sound. their party rooms. In true Other Wesleyan students are Tai-Pan fashion, I’ve never often seen planted in front of the seen the party room HDTV in the lobby of Stella reserved, so it’s usually Russell Hall during Monday dominated by a crowd of Night Football. Either one football fans on Monday works, but sometimes America’s nights. The best part? You most popular sport requires a litnever have to deal with an tle something extra. That means empty plate or an empty some good food, good drinks, glass. You will have to deal fun atmosphere and more (or without alcohol, but some bigger) televisions. nice orange chicken and If you’re looking for some crab rangoon are great subgood food, drinks, and a nonstitutes.

Photo courtesy of dallascowboys.com home atmosphere, your best bet If no screen is big Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo has electrified fans at Texas Stadium with his play is probably a local restaurant. enough for you, check out this season. Those who can’t make the game can check out Romo in high definition Many restaurants have the game on televisions at several hot spots in the Metroplex. the show times at your local playing on a TV somewhere, but Movie Tavern. Depending if you are actually looking to watch the head speakers. on how many movies are showing, some game, here are a few places to consider: Both places are also pretty popular, so locations (check up on Green Oaks) show Fox & Hound and T.G.I. Fridays are two add on the decibels of drunk human converMonday Night Football on the big screen for venues you can always count on to be playsation and you might as well be wearing free (with required food and/or drink puring the game. Both restaurants usually have earplugs. Basically, those two are good if chases) or the price of a movie ticket more televisions than patrons, so it’s guaran- you want to watch the game while hanging (depending on location). teed that you will always be in a good posiout. It’s also a top choice if you are with peoTheir usual pizzas, appetizers and offertion to see the action. ple who are leaving the house to get away ings from the full bar help to make football a As far as food and drinks go, both restau- from the game. Both parties get something to fully immersive experience. And there is no rants have the general Chili’s type fare, with enjoy. way you won’t be able to hear the game on some signature dishes that keep patrons comThe more hardcore football fans should the mother of all surround sound systems. In ing back. Try out T.G.I. Fridays’ fried macaprobably head on over to Champs Sports Bar true southern style, the Movie Tavern serves roni and cheese appetizer or Fox and and Grill in Las Colinas. You will end up up football in your face.

Hound’s BBQ chicken potato skins if you spending a little more money than you would So if next Monday night you are uninwant something good but not too massive. at Fox & Hound, but it’s well worth it. spired by the thought of watching yet another (Let’s be honest; most of the football Most importantly, you will be able to game on your bedroom television set, think fiends I know would rather drink than eat hear the game. On Monday nights, football about calling some friends and taking your during a game.) dominates the many televisions and takes football experience to the next level.

The drink specials are the norm. Beer is precedence over the latest Top-40 jams. Even Shawn R. Poling is a senior writing major and is the galore, with various specials on different better, the food is awesome. It’s like upscale editor-in-chief for The Rambler.

Events in motion to make rec center reality by 2010 “There are so many things you can do with a climbing wall,” she said.

“There are cross-disciplinary research methods. The education majors STAFF WRITER could use a climbing wall to teach students. Numbers would be on handholds One place that brings many students together on university campuses that could be used for certain numbers. Handholds could be used to enhance today is something that Texas Wesleyan lacks: A fitness center, also known sentences. That’s physical fitness and education rolled into one.”

The estimated completion is 2009 or 2010. Jeffcoat said he will start on as a recreation center or, colloquially, a “rec center.”

“We’ve been talking about it for three years,” said University President the fund-raising, starting with asking for $1 million from alumni or other interested donors. Alexander said she hopes there can be a groundbreaking Dr. Hal Jeffcoat.

Many students and coaches have been longing for one, he said, but it has during the summer of 2008.

“Currently, we are putting been a process. The Louella all our energy into the fitness Baker Martin Pavilion and Ed center,” said Kevin Millikan, and Rae Schollmaier Science athletic director. and Technology Center precedThe old weight room in Sid ed the building on the “list,” Richardson Center, Millikan and the fitness center is now on said, is in the process of being the forefront of the agenda. re-equipped for use until the Texas Wesleyan alumni new space is built.

Jack and Jo Willa Morton have “We want to keep all our agreed to donate $1.3 million athletics on the interior of the for a fitness center named in campus,” he said, which is their honor. Pati Alexander, why the facility will adjoin vice president of enrollment the Sid Richardson Center. and student services, said this The new facility will cover is a preliminary bid. The uniPhoto courtesy of the communications office versity will raise $1.7 million. Groundbreaking for the planned recreational center will hopefully take place over the sum- some parking spots, extending from the area where the Dr. Pam Rast, chair of the mer of 2008. Jack and Jo Willa Morton have agreed to donate $1.3 million for the center, grill is currently located, university’s nationally accred- which will have a new weight room, among other things. towards the church and busiited kinesiology department, said the planned opportunities for students in this building will be numerous: ness building.

Rast, Millikan, Alexander and Jeffcoat have all given assurances that this racquetball, multipurpose courts, men’s and women’s dressing rooms, an elevated running track, an exercise science library (for exercise science stu- will not affect commuter parking due to the numerous parking lots on camdents) and some weight-training equipment. Such a building could even pus.s Jeffcoat said he believes the facility will help student retention and hopes house exercise science labs.

“We could teach aerobics classes to students in the evenings and do more the facility will be used for many purposes. It could be used for activities intramural related activities in such a facility. We need more than a weight such as track and dance, he said, bringing “sufficient space” for such proroom for athletes,” said Rast, who is also interested in a biomechanics lab for grams. Ultimately, the Jack and Jo Willa Morton Fitness Center will give residents and commuters a place to gather. the faculty and the exercise science students.

KEVIN KEATHLEY

Entertainment

6 October 24, 2007

The Rambler

Halloween festivities fill the days ahead I

CHUCK FAIN

t’s that time of the year again. Time when things go bump in the night, when goblins and ghouls roam the streets and when you can wear you mother’s pantyhose without getting too many nasty looks.

Yes, my fiendish friends, Halloween is here and for those of us with a fondness for all things morbid and macabre, visiting a spook house or two (or seven) is a must to celebrate this haunted holiday. So slap on some face paint, bite those fake blood capsules and slip into that banana suit - we’re going haunted house hunting.

boastful about. With two acres of haunted land, all indoor attractions, free parking, food, music and games, this scary site truly provides a bloody bang for your buck. High tech effects coupled with good ol’ fashioned blood and gore make this a favorite amongst die hard horror fans as well as those just looking for a good Halloween scare. Located in Arlington on 2921 E. Division St. at Highway 360, this haunted attraction is definitely worth the drive. Proceeds go to Special Olympics and Rocky Top therapy center.

Admission is $20. Boneyard is open at 7 p.m. nightly Oct. 25-Halloween. Boneyard closes at midnight Friday and Saturday and 10 p.m. other nights. For more info, go to www.the boneyard.org or call (817) 451-BONE.

The Cutting Edge: This monster of a haunted house is located at 1701 E. Lancaster Ave. Cutting Edge makes its home in an abandoned meat packing plant, affording the attraction lots of space to haunt with spine-tingling terror and, according to its Web site, the “world’s largest haunted house.” This year, Cutting Edge has all new themes as well as a life-sized animatronic Trex, moving walls and flying corpses. A portion of the proceeds are donated to Fort Worth Marshals and Fort Worth Fire Safety House. Adult prices are $25 plus tax, and children under 10 are $20.50 plus tax. The haunted house is open daily Oct. 25Halloween and Nov. 2 and 3. Doors open at 7 p.m. and close at midnight Fridays, Saturdays and Halloween. Doors otherwise close at 10 p.m. For more info, go to www.cuttingedgehauntedhouse .com or call (817) 348-8444.

Photo courtesy of www.home2garden.org

Screams: Screams bills itself as a “Halloween Theme Park,” a Disney World for Halloween, the Hauntedest Place on Earth, if you will.

Screams is huge and has lots to do and see.

Four haunted houses are included in the price of admission, the Castle of Darkness, Horror Vision 3-D, The Arcane Asylum and The Black Hole, which takes you on a horrific journey through time. Additional attractions are available, but at additional costs. Screams also includes food, drink (the only one I’ve seen that offers alcohol, score!) rides, games, a children’s area, and scary-oke, which, I’m assured, is not for the faint of heart. Screams is open 7:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. Oct. 26-27 and 7:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. Oct. 28. It is located south of Interstate 35E in Waxahachie. Visit www.screamspark.com or call (972) 983-3247 for more details.

The Fort Worth area has many fun and fearful options to enjoy the Halloween spirit.

Hangman’s House of Horrors: This creepy creation has been featured on The Travel Channel’s program America’s Scariest Halloween Attractions and is located in our Palace of Wax: own backyard off Interstate 30 and Forest Park Boulevard, one mile west of downtown.

What? You’ve never been to the Palace of Wax’s haunted house? I’ve saved my favorite for This local tradition has been scaring the pants off of Texans for years, and now it’s your last. Located on Belt Line and Interstate 30 in Grand Prairie, Palace of Wax is loaded with turn to lose some clothes. Come witness the depravity of the “Hillbillies of the Trinity,” try Halloween horror. Are they wax or are they real? You’ll never know until they start coming to survive the dreaded “Catacombs” and scream in fright and delight at the “3-D for you. Though, I must admit, I haven’t seen this year’s ... yet, the Palace of Wax always Funhouse.” Hangman’s also has games, rides, concessions and live music to entertain you does scary up right. The theme this year is “Carnival of Screams” with everyone’s favorite if you happen to tire of terror and decide to let someone else fill the night air with helpless phobia, killer clowns. This year also features a mirror maze, a winding adventure that screams. This is also Hangman’s “19th year as the top charity-benefiting haunted house in promises to have you looking at yourself in a whole new way. Also, and this is important, a the nation” so your screams will go to a good cause. Proceeds go to The Cancer Society, A Mr. Gunnar Hansen will grace the Palace of Wax with his presence. If that name doesn’t Wish with Wings, Safe Haven and Rocky Top. A combo ticket to see all the attractions is ring a bell, the face will. Hansen played Leatherface in the 1974 original version of the cult $20. Hangman’s opens 7 p.m. daily from Oct. 26-Nov. 3. The house closes at midnight classic Texas Chainsaw Massacre. Take heed, fright fans, this is an opportunity not to be Fridays and Saturdays at 10 p.m. all other days. Visit www.hangmans.com or call (817) missed. Admission is $18. The Palace of Wax haunted house is open 7 p.m. to midnight 336-2111.

Oct. 26, 27 and 31 and 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Oct. 28. For more info, visit www.palaceofwax. com or call (972) 263-2391.

The Boneyard: Chuck Fain is a junior English major and is a staff writer for The Rambler.

“Rated number one for the fifth year in a row,” boasts Boneyard, and they have a lot to be

Apple, Starbucks partner up Get your daily groove on with your cup of coffee ZACH KELLER CAMPUS PRESS /U-WIRE Waiting in line for a triple-shot espresso, a foot-tapping song starts to play.

Thanks to Apple and its partnership with Starbucks, anyone can just whip out an iPod Touch, iPhone or laptop, click on the Starbucks link and check out the tunes playing on the “now playing” list.

Customers can find the song on the list, preview and buy it before taking a sip of that coffee.

According to the Apple Web site, Starbucks and Apple plan to have most of the major metropolitan areas providing the service by the end of 2008.

A date has not been set for when this feature will be available in various areas.

Starbucks is celebrating the partnership by giving away a free song of the day to 1.5 million people every day. The promotion will last through Nov. 7 at more than 10,000 Starbucks locations.

The Starbucks connection, on the iPod Touch and iPhone, also includes special Starbucks music collections for customers to browse.

“It’s really great to hear a song you like and then have access to that song’s information right away,” said sophomore education major Ashly Spenser. “Nothing can drive you crazy like having a song stuck in your head and having no way of knowing where it came from or how you can hear it again.

You need to have Flash Player 8 downloaded to your computer or PDA to hear the songs of the day, but Starbucks offers this software for free download on the site.

Featured artists include Joan Mitchell, Dave Matthews, John Mayer and Sonya Kitchell.

For more informtion on the promtion visit www.starbucks.com.

T HE W EEK A HEAD To submit an event for the calender, e-mail twurambler@yahoo.com.

Saturday On Campus:

27

Wednesday On Campus:

24

Thursday On Campus:

25

*Methodist Student Movement *The Rambler staff meeting: Stella Russell Hall lobby, meeting: Poly UMC, noon, 12:15 p.m. free lunch served

Friday On Campus

26

* The Radio Show: It’s a Wonderful Life: Artisan Center Theratre, 7:30 p.m.

*Baptist Student Ministry: Sid * The Radio Show: It’s a * Fort Worth Symphony Wonderful Life: Artisan Center Orchestra: Bass Hall, 7:30 Richardson Building, noon, Theratre, 7:30 p.m. free lunch served p.m. *Advising Week

Sunday On Campus:

28

* Freshman Cafe: ARC, 12:15 p.m.

Monday Off Campus:

29

Tuesday On Campus:

30

*Third annual Halloween con* Fort Worth Symphony * The Radio Show: It’s a * The Radio Show: It’s a Wonderful Life: Artisan Center cert: Martin Hall, 6 p.m.

Wonderful Life: Artisan Center Orchestra Bartok’s Viola Theratre, 2 p.m. & 7:30 p.m. Concerto: Bass Hall, 7:30 p.m. Theratre, 7:30 p.m. *DVD releases:Spiderman 3, Captivity, In the Land of * Priority online registration * Fort Worth Symphony Women. begins: online, all day Orchestra: Bass Hall, 7:30 p.m.

Photo courtesy of media.outnow.ch/Movies

The Elizabeth follow-up was a triumph of historical fiction with an all-star cast.

Blanchett blows audiences away L

eading ladies come and go, the majority turning out to be nothing more than flashes in the pan. Judging by today’s standards, female stars are usually picked on the basis of likeability, which can be credited to anything from good looks to a sweet laugh, to a really good “serious face.”

There are few actresses that can deliver a truly tour-de-force performance. Take for instance Naomi Watts in Mullholland Drive or The Ring, Kate Winslet in Titanic or Little Children, Jennifer Connelly in House or Sand and Fog or Requiem for a Dream or SHAWN R. Sally Field in Steel Magnolias or Norma Rae. POLING Take a moment to savor those memorable performances. They will surely stand the test of time. Now take another moment to add Cate Blanchett to that list. Her portrayal of Queen Elizabeth in Elizabeth: The Golden Age is one of the best performances I have ever seen.

The actress has certainly made her mark with her Oscar win for The Aviator and nominations for Notes on a Scandal and Elizabeth, Golden Age’s predecessor, not to mention Babel. I have also loved her in less Oscar-worthy fare like The Gift and The Missing.

But without a doubt, her performance in Golden Age is a shining example of her pure talent and acting prowess.

True, the film is a sequel to a much better film and has been trashed by critics across the nation. I will admit that it was too short, drama took precedence over historical information, and the plot was choppy at times.

But I absolutely loved this movie, if for nothing other than the performances.

Blanchett was nothing short of amazing, positively electric with intensity and passion. She dominated every frame she was in.

The two main focuses of Elizabeth: The Golden Age are England’s holy war with Spain and Elizabeth I’s complicated relationships with Sir Walter Raleigh and Mary Queen of Scots, which gives her plenty conflict to work with.

She does an amazing job, handling the piles and piles of drama with grace and class, never letting the character of Elizabeth drown in a sea of over-the-top craziness. But Blanchett isn’t alone The Golden Age, aided splendidly by the acting talents Clive Owen as Raleigh and Samantha Morton as Mary Queen of Scots.

Owen is one of those actors who usually thinks acting is just cocking their heads to the side and looking angry. Here he actually acts and holds his own against the likes of Blanchett.

Morton, known for indie fare, rivals Blanchett in the few scenes she appears. Her scenes of anger and the silent scene depicting her beheading are flawless.

Without such good actors, this film might have been worthless. But thanks to Blanchett, Owen and Morton, this film will definitely be added to my permanent collection.

Shawn R. Poling is a senior English major and is the editor-in-chief for The Rambler.