January_29_2009

See page 4 for our opinion of the new Go Gold Card Thursday, January 29, 2009

Check out page 6 for our interview with Jersey rockers Titus Andronicus

S P The

Serving Southern Miss since 1927

Volume 93, Issue 35

House to vote on $85 million stimulus package Meryl Dakin Printz Writer

A USM economist says the necessity of a proposed $825 billion stimulus package outweighs the long-term headache of repaying the debts.

The U.S. House of Representatives is expected to vote on President Barack Obama’s proposed package today. The bill would attempt to address issues like improvements to national health

care, transportation and the environment as well as cut taxes and provide aid to struggling state governments, according to an article in the Washington Post.

William Gunther, professor of economics and director of USM’s Bureau of Business and Econom-

ic Research, said passing the package sends a definite message to the rest of the world that the United Obama States is serious about jump-starting economic recovery.

“We don’t need to worry about loans right now, because no other country wants to see us fail,” Gunther said. “They want us to

succeed because we have the largest economy in the world…if we go down, we’re pulling them with us.”

Some House committees have already approved parts of the plan. The Ways and Means Committee approved the $275 billion in planned tax cuts Thursday, and the Energy and Commerce Committee has also passed the $2.8 billion to increase broadband services.

The plan does face opposition

and may not measure up to Obama’s hope for a partisan bill both Democrats and Republicans can Gunther support.

U.S. Sen. John McCain (RAriz.) has already said on Fox News Sunday he cannot vote for the bill as it currently stands because it doesn’t do enough to affect employment. U.S. Sen. Kent

Conrad (D-N.D.), who chairs the Senate Budget Committee, said to CNN that he is concerned the bill, which aims to address a myriad of problems, will not actually do enough to fix each one.

U.S. Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-Wash.) said on the GOP weekly radio address the bill “largely ignores the fact that we cannot keep borrowing and spending our way back to prosperity.”

See STIMULUS page 3

Tuition on the rise Students can expect higher rates next year

Lesley Walters News Editor

Students of Southern Miss can prepare for another rise in tuition next year as state legislators and USM administrators face higher costs and tighter budgets.

“I think it’s inevitable, quite frankly,” said Mississippi District 44 Sen. Tom King, (RPetal). A USM alum, King said the rising costs of enrollment are necessary to maintain the quality of the university, but are something none of his fellow lawmakers want to see.

David N. Jackson Mississippi District 102 Rep. Toby Barker said deciding how to “task force” focused on retention fund higher education is “a balanc- and recruitment in Mississippi and ing act” between protecting institu- surrounding. tions and the people they serve.

Meanwhile, Southern Miss must “When we don’t fund the institu- endure “the continued erosion of tion, that burden gets shifted to the the economy,” Driskell said, which people that institution was created means competing with other state to serve -- that’s you guys,” Barker, agencies for much-needed fundDavid N. Jackson/Printz Two girls blow bubbles during arts and crafts time at Aldersgate mission. Aldersgate is an afterschool program created by Main Street Methodist Church to R-Hattiesburg, said. “When we ing. don’t fund higher ed. enough, the Sixty-three percent of the state’s give children constructive activities and help with schoolwork.

College Board really has no choice general funds budget goes to edubut to raise tuition.” cation, King said, but that is split According to a recent Hattiesburg between higher education and KAmerican article, tuition has risen 12. Gov. Barbour issued a cut of Lesley Walters at Mississippi’s public universities five percent to the university’s budNews Editor 12 out of the last 13 years, and has get before July 1, and cut the K-12 tripled in the past 20. Last year tu- budget by three percent.

Upon President Barack Obama’s ition increased at Southern Miss by “The governor, by law, would declaration of Martin Luther King 3.7 percent -$181 -after officials have to cut K-12 another two perJr. Day a day of service, the offiasked for a 12 percent hike. cent” before issuing another budget cial Web site of his service initiaThe Mississippi College Board cut to USM, Driskell said. “We’re tive, USAservice.org, saw a spike determines how much state-apfairly confident that five percent is in volunteers and service opportupropriated funding a university as far as we’re going to have to go nities -- but is volunteerism just a receives each year by way of a in this fiscal year.” passing trend? complicated formula, said Chad Driskell said it is important to According to a recent article Driskell, executive assistant to note that students’ tuition does not found at onphilanthropy.com, a USM President Martha Saunders pay for any of the construction news Web site for workers in the for external affairs. projects on campus. “Brick-andnon-profit sector, “Americans are A major component of the formortar” additions or repairs to the now volunteering at higher levels mula is the total number of “fulluniversity are paid for through than ever before,” as a million time equivalent” students are state-issued bonds, which are basimore people volunteered in 2008 enrolled, Driskell said.

This is basically loans financed by taxpayers than in 2002. cally the total number of students at and investors.

Josh Duplantis, manager of the USM divided by 12, the number of “Your tuition dollars are going Southern Miss Office of Commucourse hours one can take and be back into the institution for pronity Service Learning, said the exqualified as full-time. grams, for retaining the quality citement surrounding the inaugu“The way that we can change of the outstanding faculty that we ration has helped, “but in the last our lot in the formula is by retainhave, and for recruiting new facul10 years I think the youth has been David N. Jackson/Printz ing the students we have, recruitty to replace those who have gone,” Joan Holland, a volunteer and member of Main Street Methodist, teaches a young boy how to tie a shoe. As schools more engaged in civic service.” ing in new students and raising he said, adding that more than 70 face budget cuts children are relying on volunteer tutors.

A major hurdle blocking this our enrollment,” Driskell said.

He new faculty came to work at Southsurge of volunteerism is the receshelp to “distinguish” one resume from a stack of others, as well as prosaid Saunders and Vice President ern Miss last year. sion, he said. Local non-profit organizations are facing a shortage of vide something meaningful to a student. of Student Affairs Joe Paul have a funding, which limits the opportunities for service in the community.

“I think that even if people start with that motivation of helping them Duplantis sits on the board of directors for the Hattiesburg branch of get ahead, they find that they get more out of it than they expect,” she The Southern Miss Office of Community Service Habitat for Humanity, and said the organization is struggling to finish said, “especially if you pick a service opportunity that goes along with current projects, let alone start building new homes. something you’re interested in.”

Learning is partner with more than 35 local service “Donations have come to a screeching halt,” he said. “It’s amazMiller has been teaching for about 12 years, but said that in recent organizations that can be found on their Web site ing.” years, community service has become more of a common practice at www.usm.edu/ocsl. Here are a few in need of Families in the area are struggling just to keep food on the table, he among Americans, especially the youth. volunteers right now: said, including those who used to donate surplus food.

“I’m surprised by how many students I get who did volunteer work “Our food pantries here in Hattiesburg have all seen a dramatic in- before they came to college -- sometimes for the reason of getting into Hawkins Elementary crease in the level of service needed and a decrease in the amount of college, but not always,” she said.

Edwards Street Fellowship Center donations.”

She added that opportunities for community service have also been Boys and Girls Club The recession has created some new opportunities to volunteer, how- increasing over the past 10 or 20 years. Before that, “you would have ever, especially in local schools, he said. Students who want to volun- had to do a lot of legwork to seek those out on your own,” she said.

Family Network Partnership teer can help fill the void where part-time faculty or teachers’ aids have Faith-based organizations, Greek life and some student groups parDREAM of Hattiesburg (Drug-free, Resources been cut. ticipate in community service regularly, Duplantis said. American HuEducation and Alternatives in Mississippi) Corporations are participating more in public service as well, Du- manics is a student organization for those seeking careers -- that pay -plantis said, and are looking for like-minded employees. in the non-profit sector, and USM offers a minor in non-profit studies.

Christian Services “Volunteer work is like the number three thing employers want to see The OCSL can help students interested in volunteering find opporWesley Manor (retirement facility) on your resume,” he said. “That’s going to be a big deal.” tunities that fit their schedules and interests best while also making the Amy Miller, a professor of sociology, said community service could process easier, he added.

President calls for community service

INDEX

CALENDAR............................2 OPINIONS...............................4 CONTACT INFO.....................5 ENTERTAINMENT.................6

ENT. CALENDAR...................7 SPORTS....................................8 SPORTS CALENDAR.............8

POLICY

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Page 2|News

www.studentprintz.com |Thursday, January 29, 2009

Stimulus continued from page one Gunther said 2.6 million jobs in the United States disappeared during 2008, driving the nation’s total income down. He said this is the first time total income has fallen since it was first recorded in 1947.

When income drops, so does spending, Gunther said. Consumers are very worried already, he said, because of continuing lay-offs, the decreasing value of investments and decreases in the value of homes.

Gunther said it is hard to convince consumers to reinvest in the economy with so much bad news still being reported. He said consumer spending accounts for 73 percent of the economy. If the low spending trend continues, a depression could become a reality, he said.

“My spending is your income,” Gunther said. “If I don’t spend, you don’t get your income.”

Since consumers are not buying, inventories are building up as profits are going down, he said. Corporations resort to lay-

offs to cut costs, and lay-offs make total income drop even more.

“I see income going down and I get scared to death and stop spending,” he said. “Inventories build up; you cut your prices; you lay people off. And we go in this negative spiral.”

So what is the solution to this cycle of recession? Gunther says Obama has got it right.

The economy is a $14 trillion machine, he said, and the $150 billion bailout plan last summer did not seem to have the necessary effect. This package, over five times more expensive, should do the trick, Gunther said.

Gunther said students need to be especially careful during these tense economic times.

“I can tell you in one word what got us into this: debt,” he said. “Government debt, corporate debt, bank debt, consumer debt. The most important thing you can do is learn from our mistakes.”

Commonly, college students make the mistake of borrowing outside of their means, he said.

He used the example of a student majoring in journalism: Starting salary for a media career is around $25,000, but some students borrow $300,000 to graduate with a degree in a career that would take most of their lives to repay.

Another common trap students fall into is the false sense of security a credit card offers. Using a credit card frugally and paying debt off quickly can help build credit he said, “but once you have that spending power, you will use it.”

His advice: “Go as long as possible without a credit card.”

Simply budget wisely, and the economy will correct itself in time, he said.

“The economy needs spending, but not irresponsible spending,” he warned. “If you feel you need to save, save. Do what’s right for you, and it will work out for everyone.”

Events Calendar TODAY 10:00am – Final day for yearbook pictures, TCC Lobby

SATURDAY 10:00am – Men’s Tennis v. Alcorn State, Hattiesburg Country Club

11:45am – Wesley Foundation Lunch 2:00pm – Men’s Tennis v. Southern University, Hattiesburg Country 7:00pm – Free Thinker’s Forum, 303 Club LAB 4:00pm – Women’s Basketball v.

7:00pm – Women’s Basketball v.

East Carolina – Reed Green ColiMarshall, Reed Green Coliseum seum 7:00pm – Stage Monkeys, 210 TCC 7:30pm – Symphony Orchestra: Future Stars, Bennett Auditorium TOMORROW 11:00am Biological Sciences Seminar, Polymer Science Auditorium

MONDAY All Day – Online Sport Security Manegement Certificate. Details call 601-266-4187, or website at www. usm.edu/profdev_edoutreach Soccer Registration, Payne Center 5:30pm – No Payne, No Gain Kickoff Event, Payne Center

USM supports caregivers Meryl Dakin Printz Writer

With the growing number of aging Baby Boomers, a new caregivers’ support group is scheduled to start this spring, specifically to help employees of USM cope with their situations.

Rebecca Woodrick and Russ Willis of Human Resources discovered a need for the group when they noticed the increased number of employees displaying disciplinary and behavioral problems.

They learned that many of those employees were also filling a fulltime role as primary caregiver, they said.

Woodrick described a caregiver as a person who daily administers help to and looks after a relative or close friend with a chronic illness or medical condition. She said that the stress of being nurse and attendant, sometimes even living with the person in need of such

constant help, could carry over to the employee’s personal and professional life.

According to Womenshealth. gov, most Americans will be informal caregivers at some point during their lives. Informal caregivers, the majority of those the new group aims to support, are those who receive no compensation for assisting their patients.

According to the Web site, 21 percent of Americans are caregivers, and these people provide 80 percent of the long-term care in the United States.

The Mississippi Department of Health said that 16 percent of caregivers report a decline in health since taking on their caregiver role.

Often, this is because caregivers who constantly put their patients before themselves are less likely to receive regular check-ups, sleep properly, consume healthy meals, or exercise enough.

The MDOH Web site said signs of too much stress in the caregiver role include burnout, self-neglect, excessive use of drugs or alcohol, and depression. People experiencing these are subject to sleeping problems, weight gain or loss, being easily agitated or angered, frequent stomachaches or other physical problems.

Also, an estimated 26 percent of

caregivers spend up to 10 percent of their monthly income on caregiving activities, according to the MDOH site. To meet this demand, about two-thirds of the caregivers work a job outside the home.

Both Womenshealth.gov and the MDOH list support groups on their Web sites as very important in any caregiver’s schedule.

Woodrick said a master’s level graduate student in the child/family studies program will facilitate the USM support group. “It provides a structured environment in which caregivers can give – and find – support from folks dealing with the same scenarios,” she said.

The support group is not open to students for now, but Woodrick suggested the university Counseling Center in Kennard-Washington, which provides free counseling to enrolled students, for those who feel stressed in their dual role as caregiver and student.

The meetings of the caregiver group are completely free and will meet from 12:10 to 12:50 p.m. in Room 127 of the Joseph Green Building every Tuesday beginning on February 16. Any employee with questions about the group can contact Ms. Woodrick at 601-2666618, or call Human Resources at 601-266-4050.

www.studentprintz.com |News

Thursday, January 29, 2009 | Page 3

Opinions

Page 4 opinions@studentprintz.com

Go Gold cards save cash but cause headaches Card as a credit card and sign your name.

Do not lose your card, as there is a $20 replacement fee after you set up the account. This will probably squeeze a good amount of cash out of the student body here at Southern Miss. We hope not.

Do not use your Higher One account to save your refund.

After nine months, you will be charged $19 per month for account inactivity.

Be sure to avoid overdrafting.

The first overdraft costs $29, then $35 for each additional mistake.

This can make for some rude

awakenings. If Higher One is like most banks, it will allow you to overdraft multiple times, adding each to the bill.

Make it a priority to keep track of your available balance, otherwise you may suddenly find yourself a couple hundred in the hole. Higher One has an online banking service to help you track your transactions.

Perhaps the most unusual potential charge is the lack of documentation fee. Some students are selected for verification while setting up their accounts with Higher One. This means that they must send an electronic copy of

to deal with alleged terrorists must be created and maintained.

Now, I am a humanitarian, but I am also a realist. These prisoners are people, I understand. However, if my life or the lives of my loved ones are threatened, I will waste no time making my decision to deWilliam fend and, most likely, attack versus Allred a “live and let live� philosophy.

Printz Writer The United States is the most giving, caring country in the world around free? for our foreign neighbors. We give The Cuban prison houses hun- to the point of slitting our own dreds of suspects who have pos- throats. Through this, we strive to sible ties to terrorist groups, such be the good guy. as Al Qaeda. However, we did not Yet, let’s be honest, these people know exactly how to deal with are not U.S. citizens. They do not them. have the same judicial rights as Lt. Col. Charles “Chuck� Mitch- us. Instead, like an enemy soldier ell, USM professor of military sci- shooting at another soldier, these ence, clarified the problem may lie people have threatened our friends, in the classification of these prison- family and neighbors. We should ers. treat them as such, whatever the Mitchell said, “There are two U.S. Congress and Obama deem sets of different rules we have to that to be. follow, depending on whether they On the brighter side, Guantanaare considered criminals or com- mo Bay’s closing frees up a lot of batants.� Sounds simple, right? money from our nation’s budget.

As combatants, the prisoners Estimates range from $90 million would have no right to a fair trial or to $120 million...maybe we will see any limit as to how long we could that money in some other form. hold them. As criminals, they are Master Sgt. Patrick Bradford subjected to our trial by jury stan- I, Senior Military Instructor on dards with evidence and witnesses USM’s campus, agreed the freed needed for a conviction. income is good, but expressed When a Since President George W. Bush concern for the prisoners being friend called proclaied the war against terror- released. me and said ism, the military and other governBradford said, “I want to see President ment agencies took suspects into a plan in place as to what we are B a r a c k custody along with the guidelines going to do with the criminals, beObama had set up for combatants. cause they did commit crimes.� just signed a Later, but when every aspect of With that in mind, I await the Kevin controversial the war became televised, people final decision of Congress and Kyzar order, I had questioned what became of these President Obama on how we, as Printz Writer to find out prisoners. Along came Guanta- Americans, are to deal with those the facts for namo Bay. accused of threatening our diverse myself.

As an American and an Army way of life.

The order will, among other soldier, I understand and apprecithings, close Guantanamo ate my rights. Hell, I am fighting William Allred is a staff writer for Bay prison camp in Cuba for them! However, to continue to The Student Printz. Comments can be within one year. Guantanamo, maintain our way of life, a standard sent to printz@usm.edu aka “Gitmo,� is used to hold terrorists captured by the United States. Now, I don’t fully support all the interrogation tactics Males and females. Meet new friends! Travel! used against the terrorists; Teach your favorite activity. however, I fully support 4PDDFS 8BUFSTLJ ,BZBL 5FOOJT holding these people in a 1PUUFSZ (ZNOBTUJDT 4XJN prison guarded by military #BTLFUCBMM 4JMWFS +FXFMSZ $BOPF personnel away from U.S. soil, so the prisoners cannot "SDIFSZ &OHMJTI 3JEJOH 4BJM

hurt or kill any citizens.

I am also concerned with the fact that the president does not have any idea as to what his administration is going to do with the terrorists who are detained there. This is a problem! As the leader of the free world, he should not act, then make a plan. Instead, he should make a plan, then act.

One of the biggest questions is where the detainees will be sent after the prison is closed.

The worst part is that some of the 245 men held at Gitmo may be released. Obama wants all the military tribunals for these men to be reviewed to determine who should be kept in prison and who should be let go. I don’t know about anyone else, but I do not think that letting a terrorist, or someone associated with terrorist activity, back into society is a good thing.

With the institution of the Go Gold Card system, the university saved some money over the old mail-the-check system on printing costs and postage. That’s great, especially in the midst of the budget cuts we currently find our school in.

They did this, however, by

contracting an outside business: Higher One. The company pays for the production of your Go Gold Card, the postage to get it to you, and the installation of their own ATMs here on campus.

We would like to remind all of you that businesses are in business for one reason--to make money. That being said, beware of the charges you will be able to incur once you set up your Go Gold Card account.

Firstly, Higher One charges 50 cents every time you use your PIN in a debit transaction. Make sure to always use your Go Gold

Crime or war?

a government-issue ID or a paper copy through the mail. The website says if this documentation is not received “within a reasonable amount of time� (which Higher One conveniently leaves undefined) they close your account, and then charge you $50.

The list of potential charges contains much more and can be found at gogoldcard.com.

Most of us opted for the old way--the paper check. We found it unusual and inconvenient, though, that one must first have the card to get the check. Sure, you must have the check to get the cash, but needing the card

before the check adds one more item to the list of unnecessary inconveniences. Many students cannot even find their cards; just look at the people’s poll we conducted in Tuesday’s issue. At least three of the five interviewed hadn’t received his or her card yet, while refunds are already being released.

At the end of the day, perhaps the Go Gold Cards will save Southern Miss some money. But checks are as good as cash, and nearly anyone can set up a bank account and get a debit card. We think the whole shenanigan is a bit unnecessary.

President Barack Obama plans to close Guantanamo Bay within a year.

Fine, but what are we to do with more than 200 alleged terrorists roaming

Obama needs to plan before acting

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Part of the problem is the lack of prisons on U.S. soil that could hold the detainees.

There are three military prisons and one maximum-security prison that could hold some of the detainees, but what if these four prisons can’t hold them all? Then what do we do with the leftovers?

U.S. prisons are dealing with overcrowding. We have people in our prisons who have been sitting on death row for more than ten years.

Also, some of the prisoners at Gitmo have been there for years without recieving a specific charge. People want to make a big deal about this, but that makes no sense to me.

Before you pass judgment on the military, remember that when the prisoners get to Guantanamo, there are other prisoners already there to be dealt with. Military tribunals

don’t work the same way as the normal court system.

The tribunals themselves are usually very short; however, the tribunals take time to set up and are usually conducted one detainee at a time.

It will be interesting to see if President Obama’s administration can accomplish all that needs to be done for the closing of Gitmo to be a reality within a year. All in all, it just seems as if this whole thing has been rushed and not thought out properly. Nobody in Obama’s administration has stopped to think if this is the right way to go about shutting down a prison that holds terrorists. I hope that this is not the way that every plan for change in this country will be handled for the next four years.

Kevin Kyzar is a staff writer for The Student Printz. Comments can be sent to printz@usm.edu

Sound off

How do you feel about Gitmo closing?

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Corrections/Clarifications

The Student Printz values accuracy and works diligently to check facts before publication. However, if inaccuracies occur, we want to know.

Please report errors to the editor at printz@usm.edu or by calling 601266-6431 or 601-266-4266.

Letters to the Editor

A letter to the editor forum will be open to the expression of fact or opinion that will be of interest or importance to The Student Printz readers. Letters which fit within the scope of First Amendment protection, and that meet other stipulations spelled out in this document will be published on a space-available basis as explained below.

Each edition of the paper will include a letters column if letters are available. Letter writers may expect prompt publication of their letters in the paper’s opinion section, as space is available. Letters of up to 350 words will be allowed. Published letters must be free of libel, since the publication is held legally accountable for all content. Although personal controversy will be tolerated, it is the responsibility of the editor to check statements purporting the facts. The editor is also responsible for making decisions as to the pertinence of the letter to the USM community.

Letter writers must sign all contributions and the editor must verify the signer and the writer are one in the same through personal conference.

Letters will not be published without the contributor’s name.

To send a letter to the editor email printz@usm.edu or send to campus mailbox 5088.

The

S

 Serving Southern Miss since 1927 Andy Hess Executive editor Lesley Walters News Editor

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Maggie Williams Publications Manager

The Student Printz is published every Tuesday and Thursday during the fall and spring semesters and is printed by Signature Offset of Hattiesburg.

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Accuracy is important to everyone on the staff of The Student Printz. Please report any factual inaccuracies to the executive editor of The Student Printz as soon as possible.

Opinions expressed in The Student Printz are those of the writer and not necessarily those of The Student Printz, its publications manager, USM, the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning or the USM Board of Student Publications.

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The Student Printz values accuracy and works diligently to check facts before publication.

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There’s no need to fear universal healthcare

support the idea.

“Jacob,” they said, “what about the long waiting lists? What about the fact that America has the best health care system in the world?

What about (dramatic pause) Communism?” So I told them what I know.

The United States is the only wealthy industrialized nation in the world that doesn’t offer uni-

versal health care (I bet you didn’t know that). A few dozen nations worldwide use a universal system, including several you may be familiar with: the United Kingdom, France, Italy, Canada, Norway and Saudi Arabia. Even Iraq and Afghanistan receive universal health care, funded by the American warchest. Italy and France rank in the top ten health care systems globally—as number one and number two respectively.

That may come as a surprise to those who believed our last president when he said that America “has the best health care system in the world.” In fact, “America the Beautiful” is ranked at an embarrassing 37th.

In the same list, compiled by the World Health Organization in 2000, the astoundingly poor

Cuba is 39th. More recent studies haven’t been any more flattering. The Commonwealth Fund released one such study in May of 2007, comparing our system to the likes of Australia, Germany and New Zealand, that ranked the United States in last or near-last place in categories like access to health care and even overall quality. It’s hard to look at the facts and still award America the moniker of world’s best.

The waiting lists commonly cited by opponents to universal health care are in fact grossly exaggerated by our media; it’s been shown that it’s easier to get care in Canada than it is here, after all. I’m not saying lines don’t happen–they do, just like they do here.

Experts contend that America

wouldn’t have that problem like other nations do.

We have about a 30 percent surplus in equipment and personnel, whereas demand for health care would only go up about 15 percent. That still leaves a 15 percent surplus to work with.

Likewise overstated are the costs of creating a universal system in our country. America already spends about 40 percent more on health care than any of the nations that have gone universal. Federal studies sponsored by the Congressional Budget Office estimate savings of anywhere from to $100-$200 billion per year from going universal. I think we should wait, however, for the economy to stable itself before we take any big steps.

Finally, I’d like to address the

From the Bradys and the Cunninghams to the Kennedys and even the Simpsons, Madeline for decades Livingston A m e r i c a n s have welPrintz Writer comed iconic families into their homes and hearts.

With the inauguration of our 44th President, Americans have extended this same warm embrace to Barack, Michelle, Sasha and Malia, making the Obama family the newest family in the American limelight.

On every channel and on the cover of every magazine we

see the familiar faces of the new first family. While the media may be currently preoccupied with the family’s collective fashion sense and and which lucky puppy will call 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue home, the Obama family represents something to American families that goes far beyond what celebrity gossip magazines care to discuss.

For Americans, the Obama family is a true example of a real family living the American dream. White people have always had their “milk and honey” sitcom families. Television shows like “The Brady Bunch” and “Happy Days” have continued for decades to follow the pattern of portray-

ing strong families.

For black Americans, the image of the Obama family sends a message of hope, pride, and love from the most highly esteemed position an American family can aspire to. Not since the Cosbys has there been such a positive black role-model family rebelling against all the negative sterotypical images that the media so often splash across the newspapers and television or blare through the radio.

Now, black families across the country can see this extraordinary example of a family--not composed of actors reading from a script, but an actual family--shatter and burn the pieces of the same stereo-

types. This family gives hope to all of those who have come from broken families regardless of race, religion, or class.

The Obamas are a real family who deal with the same daily issues of all American families--who have real family dinners, real family squabbles, but more importantly, real family love. It is through this love and support of one man’s dream that the Obamas have achieved all they have today.

Our country should be bursting with pride at the steps we have taken towards true equality. We should be proud that the “picture perfect” American family is not only black, but is the family of a president who has already brought change of

Jamaica is called the “Land of Wood and Water.” Although you could call Jamaica a Brandon paradise, Drescher you would Printz Writer only be talking about the areas beside the Sandals Hotel where the Urban Development Committee stresses keeping the beaches clean to attract tourists.

Granted, Jamaica has only been independent for about 47 years. It therefore depends on tourism to help it through our current economic crisis and its own political troubles. However, we are also in an environmental crisis, and any environmental concern trumps economic troubles in my book.

Over the winter break, I took Caribbean Marine Biology for two weeks in Jamaica. Trust me, snorkeling over the fringing reefs just beyond the beaches is a wonderful experience. The reefs are unforgettable, but so is the trash that moves with the currents between the corals. Many if not all of the areas where my classmates and I snorkeled were dumping sites. It sucks to see such a pristine area of beauty be smothered with trash.

I thought collecting the various needles, clothes and condoms along the Mississippi coastline at the annual International Coastal Cleanup was bad.

Kingston harbor, situated on the southern side of the island, is polluted with waters mimicking parts of the Mississippi Sound-so you can’t see your toes in ankle-deep water.

The National Environment and Planning Agency is based in Kingston, and I had the chance to sit and talk briefly with some of the agency’s members. They explained efforts have improved over the years, but is it enough?

Coral reefs are of particular interest to me, and NEPA said it monitors about 36 sites around the island annually. Once a year in 36 spots is not enough. Only a fraction of the actual island is considered protected area.

The whole island should be protected. Many people in the streets of Jamaica could be trained to monitor the environment. All it would take is a good education program, which Jamaica is still trying to imple-

ment (more power to them), and a sense of obligation to protect such precious resources.

I hate to be so hard on Jamaica, but it is time to make the environment a priority in government, education, and everyday life. The only areas where the environment is regarded as a top priority are the marine labs, which are having a hard enough time getting funding be-

cause the Jamaican government is dealing with ours. Yes, the American government holds a lot of blame for the current situation in Jamaica.

We loaned them money, but gave such strict guidelines concerning commerce that barely anything is sold locally (including milk and food), and they can only spend so much on certain government issues, which of

course excludes environmental protection.

It is bad enough our own government does not do more for our own country (fingers crossed for Obama), but it’s more dishearening when we affect another country so severely. Until we can get our act together, and stop restraining the Jamaicans from doing what they want and need to do, the environment will

Jacob Key

Printz Writer

I was talking to several friends last week when the conversation turned to universal health care.

Everyone in the room was absolutely horrified that I

complaint that irritates me the most: that switching to a universal system would somehow make America go communist. Think about it for a moment. How many government-supervised institutions can you name? Schools, libraries, police, firefighters, and the military are all governmentsupervised, and all are subject to a greater degree of oversight than universal health care ever would be.

I encourage you to obtain a copy of Michael Moore’s “Sicko.”

Though the film is guilty of being a little too optimistic, everything contained within is true. You can see what it did for me.

Jacob Key is a staff writer for The Student Printz. Comments can be sent to printz@usm.edu

Obama Family sets excellent example

such magnitude.

The strength of the Obama family is the first building block in the reconstruction of the America’s image. Let’s wash away the connotations of disgraceful politicians laden with scandals, of poor family life and a nation filled with hate and intolerance. A new chapter in history has now begun, as the Obama family writes their story on fresh, blank pages.

America will be learning and growing with them as better families, better neighbors, and a better nation.

Madeline Livingston is a staff writer for The Student Printz. Comments can be sent to printz@usm.edu

Land of wood and water...What happened?

continue to be damaged and destroyed because the human race is so blind. I can already see the future – Jamaica. Once a tropical paradise... now a floating dumpster in the middle of the sparkling Caribbean.

Brandon Drescher is a staff writer for The Student Printz. Comments can be sent to printz@usm.edu

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Entertainment

Page 6 entertainment@studentprintz.com

Andronicus air their grievances

Jersey rockers discuss their debut record, Springsteen comparisons and the Shakespeare play

“

You should go out on top and not become something terrible, like The Simpsons.

-Patrick Stickles

Eric Nagurney Entertainment Editor

For New Jersey’s Titus Andronicus, the last year’s been kind of a big one. Since the April release of their debut record, The Airing of Grievances, the band’s laundry list of accomplishments include receiving a rave review from influential website Pitchfork Media, sharing stages with bands like Yo La Tengo, No Age, and Dr. Dog, and signing to XL Recordings (home of Vampire Weekend and Radiohead) for a wide release of Grievances, all while touring seemingly constantly. In the middle of their current tour with Los Campesinos, singer/guitarist Patrick Stickles, bassist Ian Graetzer, and drummer Eric Harm sat down for a few questions with the Student Printz.

STUDENT PRINTZ: THIS IS YOUR

FIRST

YOU

AS

SIMILAR

Ian: Yes! Once, when we played with Man Man at Webster Hall. I didn’t actually meet the guy, but I heard it from [Man Man lead singer] Honus Honus.

Eric: [As mistaken showgoer] I’m so excited, the play’s so rarely performed! I’m just so excited!

Ian: [As Honus Honus] Um, it’s actually a band.

Eric: “What!? I’m so upset, I hate that band now! You have ruined my life!” That’s about what he said.

SP: THERE’S A TRAILER (FOUND AT HTTP://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/ WATCH?V=-INAUNRH4J4) FOR A FORTHCOMING TOUR MOVIE. ARE

OF A ROUGHER SOUND THAN A LOT OF INDIE ROCK BANDS.

DO

YOU THINK THERE’S BEEN MORE OF AN ACCEPTANCE TOWARD THAT LATELY?

Patrick Stickles: I do think so.

I think the indie rock zeitgeist is moving to more rocking music, due to bands like No Age, Times New Viking, and F***ed Up. Ian: People just wanna rock out.

Eric: Though, recently, an

The Pogues + The Replacements = Titus Andronicus

ICONIC

HOW’S THE TOUR HAVE THE SHOWS BEEN ANY DIFFERENT? Eric Harm: Actually, the tour started before Grievances re-release, about five days before. It has been different, but not because our album got re-released. The attendance has been a lot greater, because of the band we’ve been touring with. That band being Los Campesinos.

Ian Graetzer: XL’s been promoting us more than Troubleman, convincing people we’re a fun band to see. We’ve got stickers now, posters.

SP: YOU GUYS HAVE SOMEWHAT

GRIEVANCES. BEEN GOING?

lovable losers trying to get ahead and blowing it. It’s like The Office meets The Monkees.

SP: THE RECORD, THE AIRING OF

JERSEY ARTISTS?

BY THAT, I MAINLY MEAN SPRINGSTEEN. Patrick: We probably do get compared to Springsteen more than appropriate. We sound like Springsteen more than a lot of people, but not so much that every review should have it.

Eric: We don’t get compared to Thursday or My Chemical Romance or Saves The Day, though. Or Bon Jovi.

Patrick: Let it be known that we’re glad we don’t get compared to Bon Jovi.

SP: DO PEOPLE EVER COME TO

TO YOUR SHOWS EXPECTING A

OF

SINCE

PIGEONHOLE

THE

RE-RELEASE

TOUR

Alabama newspaper said we were too focused on wearing hoodies and yelling in the microphone.

Ian: I thought I looked cool.

Eric: There’s occasionally backlash, but there’s that with whatever you do.

SP: BEING FROM JERSEY, DO PEOPLE, WHEN DESCRIBING YOU,

PERFORMANCE OF THE PLAY?

YOU REALLY PUTTING TOGETHER A MOVIE OR IS IT JUST AN AWESOME TRAILER?

Patrick: It’s not really a movie, it’s more of a TV sitcom, except it’s not going to be on TV, it’ll be on the internet.

Eric: It’s not really a sitcom, since it’s real.

Patrick: Well, it’s like a documentary with a sitcom format. It’s the story of five

Sebe Dale IV/Printz

GRIEVANCES, IS NAMED AFTER A SEINFELD REFERENCE. WHAT CAN WE LEARN FROM SEINFELD THAT THE REST OF THE WORLD OF

(EXCLUDING THE RAPPER WALE) HAS BEEN NEGLECTING? Eric: That everyone’s an asshole.

Patrick: Exactly, except they should be celebrating that.

Celebrating that we’re all weak and terrible people like Jerry and the gang.

Ian: Also, you should quit while you’re ahead.

Patrick: Yes, you should go out on top and not become something terrible, like The Simpsons.

MUSIC

Titus Andronicus are on the road with Los Campesinos! playing Sebe Dale IV/Printz at Walter’s on Washington in Houston, Texas tonight. The Airing New Jersey’s Titus Andronicus rocks a local Hattiesburg house Monday night. The five piece ripped through over an of Grievances is out on XL. hour of songs, including covers of The Misfits’ “Where Eagles Dare” and The Modern Lovers’ “Roadrunner”.

Bromance goes from ‘guy love’ to MTV series Patrick Fisackerly Printz Writer

With Valentine’s Day less than a month away, what better topic to discuss than love?

We are not talking about just any love, but the love that binds us and brings us all together, much like the Force in “Star Wars” or the buzz following a fully consumed pitcher of shared beer. This, my friends, is what bromance, or Guy Love, is all about.

Do not be confused by the term “bromance” – it in no way implies a homosexual relationship between two men, although it is perfectly acceptable for one or both of them to be gay. No, bromanticism is about a nonphysical and eternal love one man can have for another man, and there’s nothing gay about it. Not that there’s anything wrong with that.

While the “bromance” movement has been growing progressively in the past 10 years, it has reached perhaps its widest audience with the new reality show on MTV, a spin-off of “The Hills” called “Bromance.” The premise is that some pompous asshole from a stupid show got his own stupider show so he can find another pompous asshole to hang out with. It follows the traditional dating show

format, with each week ending in some sort of challenge where guys who aren’t cool enough to be in a brolationship get eliminated.

While calling the show the most latently homosexual show on television would be shooting fish in a barrel, I have opted instead to talk about this trend of bromanticism and ask why guys are all of a sudden cool with being close to each other without being, you know, queer or somethin’.

The earliest instance of popularized bromanticism in my memory is that of J.D. and Turk on “Scrubs.” While I’m certain that there have been other bromances that predate “Scrubs,” JD and Turk personify what is needed for a brolationship to function properly. All it takes is two guys who become friends and then, at some point, realize they are absolutely crazy about each other. When JD told Turk, “I miss you so much it hurts sometimes,” we laugh, but at the same time, we know he means it.

Judd Apatow has also ushered in a slew of movies featuring bromances of one form or another. While movies like “The 40-Year-Old Virgin” and “Knocked Up” featured much male bonding and guy love, the one that

According to Urbandictionary.com “Bromance” is described as the complicated love and affection shared by two straight males.

will be remembered most for its bromantic elements is “Superbad.” Who could forget the scene where Seth drunkenly proclaims, “I just want to go the rooftops and scream, I love my best friend Evan!” It’s funny, but still kind of touching.

One could argue that because our culture is becoming

more comfortable and open with our sexuality, we can now accept platonic love between two males as a societal norm. All of the gay subtext has been negated, and even macho dudes who see movies like “Superbad” for the dick and fart jokes can smile at the sight of two drunk high school seniors spooning in

sleeping bags.

Coming out in March is a new comedy called “I Love You, Man.” It stars Paul Rudd as a man who is about to get married, but has no close guy friends to be his best man.

The film chronicles his search for the perfect man (friend), as he goes on a number of (man) dates to find “the one.”

It is most certainly the most blatant attempt at a bromantic comedy thus far. I’ll be there to see it on opening weekend.

Will I have a man date with me? You bet.

Patrick Fisackerly is a staff writer for The Student Printz.

Comments can be sent to printz@usm.edu

www.studentprintz.com www.studentprintz.com | |Entertainment Entertainment

Thursday, January 13, 29,2009 2009|| Page Page 7 Tuesday, January

Theater gearing up for spring shows Jillian Rochelle Printz Writer

David N. Jackson/Printz

Greg Agee, Michelle Barnes and Ben Booth share chicken wings and laughs at the Alumni House. They decided to try out the new restaurant on their day off from Elegant Styles hair salon.

Alumni House offers a taste of sports John A. Hackney Printz Writer

Hattiesburg’s newest sports grill opened its doors Monday to great expectations.

“The Alumni House has had the blueprint designs for the one opening in Hattiesburg on display,” said Whitt Simmons, a former USM student. “There is a lot of buzz going around in Jackson saying that the Hattiesburg Alumni House is going to be the best yet!”

The Hattiesburg Alumni House makes the bar’s third location in Mississippi, said Cannon Clegg, who owns the grill. The Hattiesburg location, across the street from the University Edge apartment complex, will include 84 highdefinition televisions – four of which have projection screens measuring 220 inches by 186 inches.

“From anywhere in the building you can see at least 15 televisions, if not more,” said J.T. Williams, the Hattiesburg Alumni House assistant general manager.

Williams isn’t kidding.

There is a 19-inch flat screen television in every booth at Alumni House and on the patio, there are seven flat screens. Even the restrooms have televisions so you don’t miss a play.

“I’m looking forward to checking out this Alumni House,” said USM construction major Chad Matthews. “The one in Ridgeland is very nice, especially if you are a sports fan. It does suck, though, because football season on both levels is over after the Super Bowl.”

General Manager Chris Price said the end of football season only means more diversity among the facility’s television offerings.

“No matter what sport you are a fan of, we have ordered every sports package available so we will have all the games to watch every night,” Price said.

Alumni House also plans to host contests for Guitar Hero and Rock Band enthusiasts, has PlayStation 3 consoles and pool tables, and even 17 recliners for those interested in the sport of relaxing.

“We are also getting the newest Golden Tee machine, which features a 42-inch flat screen,” said Williams, referring to the popular golf game found in other sports bars.

There’s also food. The grill has appetizers ranging from seasonal fried crab claws to cheesesticks and chicken andouille gumbo. The main menu features everything from crawfish and oyster po-boys, burgers, chicken wraps, to fried catfish plates, shrimp plates, and crawfish etouffee.

“During crawfish season on the patio, we will be having crawfish boils entitled “Superboils,” Price said. A crawfish boil is planned for Superbowl Sunday, as well.

The restaurant will also feature catering to nearby hotels and a private dining room for special occasions.

“We are looking at trying to attract the mature college crowd, sports fans, and fans of live entertainment, since at 10 [p.m.] the bar becomes 21 years of age and up to get in,” said Price.

Makeshift banners and cheering theatre majors filled the Hartwig Theatre Thursday, January 15 as the department meeting went underway. When Lou Rackoff, the department chair, walked on the stage, the audience started stomping and chanting, “Lou will, Lou will rock you.” The meeting was filled with anticipation and excitement about the semester’s lineup. The meeting was not unlike a high school pep rally.

This fun-loving group consists of diligent, hardworking artists, as both the faculty and the students work towards providing good, entertaining theatre for the Hattiesburg area.

This spring, the university’s theater department is producing an exciting lineup of shows. There are two main stage shows, “Noises Off” and “Urinetown,” as well as a Shakespeare project.

“Noises Off,” which opens in March, is a farce, which was turned in to a movie in the early nineties.

“It’s a comic event to get people rolling in the aisles,” said Rackoff. “It is great entertainment.”

The spring musical, “Urinetown,” is a Tony-award winner that takes an edgy look at social problems, including bureaucracy and capitalism.

“Urinetown” begins showing in April. “‘Urinetown’ is a compelling

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story. It’s unique, yet it does have aspects of a lot of familiar musicals,” states Rackoff.

The Shakespeare project, which starts performances in February, is a studio project that includes scenes from “It As You Like It,” “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” “Romeo and Juliet,” and “King Lear,” as well as many other famous works by Shakespeare.

Rackoff believes that “the Shakespeare project is sixty

minutes of some of the best scenes and monologues put together by director Jo Ellen Aspinwall. It’s funny, dramatic, full of great energy and enthusiasm.”

The project will also be performed for high schools and will travel to the Gulf Coast campus.

The energy in the theatre is contagious.

Michelle Demontluzin, scenic designer for the Fall production of

Down the Road, is feeling the energy around the department.

“I am really excited. I’ve been looking forward to ‘Noises Off,’ and I’ve heard ‘Urinetown’ was really good.”

The theater department is working with lots of energy and commitment towards capturing joy during the economic crisis and war. “We get to do our part, however small it may be,” said Rackoff.

Sports

Page 8 sports@studentprintz.com

Golden Eagles rally past Marshall, 84-79 Tyler Cleveland Sports Editor

Courtney Beasley went off, and Southern Miss overcame a 10-point second half deficit to defeat Marshall 84-79 and push it’s Conference USA record to 3-2.

After sitting on the bench for the final 12 minutes of the first half due to foul trouble, Beasley scored nine of his game-high 24 points during an 18-2 run to open the second half.

“That was as gutsy a win as we’ve had this year,” said head coach Larry Eustachy. “We got into foul trouble, and (Courtney) Beasley had to sit for most of the first half. But, that allowed (Bryson) Brewer and Gustavo (Lino) to get some minutes.

We didn’t have an answer for them defensively in the first half, so we switched to a zone in

the second, and that allowed us to do more. But overall, it was a great win.”

The Golden Eagles (13-6, 32 in C-USA) fell behind 47-41 during a first half in which Marshall made nearly 70 percent of shots from the floor.

Eustachy picked up a technical foul to start the second half, and a quick jumper put the Eagles in a 10-point hole just one minute into the second half.

Eustachy was discussing the high number of fouls in the first half with the official at the scoring table, when one of the floor officials overheard the conversation and hit Eustachy with the technical.

The Golden Eagle players didn’t understand why Eustachy was called for the technical, but appreciated their coach fighting for them.

“That’s just coach,” Beasley

said. “He’s just going to continue to fight for us and the main thing is he picked us up.”

The argument worked.

On the next possession, Beasley slashed to the rim to score and was fouled in the process.

He sunk the bonus free throw and his next five jump shots to cement the Eagles lead.

The Eagles’ zone defense helped slow down the Marshall offense, which was led by Damier Pitts and Shaquille Johnson, who finished with 18 and 16 points, respectively.

Marshall fell to 2-3 in Conference USA play and 9-11 overall.

Southern Miss was led offensively by Beasley, but everyone seemed to contribute in some way Tuesday night at Reed Green Coliseum. Craig Craft scored 16 points, R.L. Horton added 14 and Andre Stephens

and Jeremy Wise both scored 12.

“If we had lost list this one, it would have hurt,” Beasley said.

“We can’t lose home games is the main thing. It was probably one of the best wins we’ve had in a long time.”

USM junior Bryson Brewer played 18 minutes, the most of his Golden Eagle career, and Gustavo Lino was perfect from the floor in his 11 minutes.

“Bryson plays hard - in practice and in the game - and that’s what it’s all about,” Eustachy said. “He played probably more minutes than he ever has before, and he helped us while he was on the court.”

The Golden Eagles will try to build on their win when they travel to El Paso to take on UTEP on Saturday at 8 p.m.

Lady Eagles to host Marshall tonight Kevin Kyzar Printz Writer

After notching two more wins this past week the Lady Eagles are now in a three-team tie for first place in Conference USA. Last Thursday Southern Miss beat Houston, 74-65. Pauline Love, Stephanie Helgeson and Andrea Barber recorded doubledoubles during the game.

Barber, who seems to be fully recovered from a right knee injury that sidelined her over the Christmas holiday, finished with 12 points and 13 assists.

“It’s taken (Andrea) a little bit

of time to come back from her injury, she didn’t practice regularly after she came back and it was hard for her,” Lady Eagles coach Joye Lee-McNelis said.

“But now she’s practicing and playing pain free and you can see the difference just watching her, she’s gotten her rhythm back.”

On Sunday the Lady Eagles traveled to Houston and beat the Rice Owls, 65-50. Pauline Love recorded another double-double, marking her ninth consecutive game with a double-double and 15 for the season. The win also gave Coach Joye Lee-McNelis

her 300th career win.

Today, the Lady Eagles look to continue their winning ways when they host the Marshall Thundering Herd.

Southern Miss and Marshall

Today

both enter tonight’s game with a 12-7 overall record and 5-1 in conference play.

Southern Miss averages 69.3 points and 41.2 rebounds per game, while shooting 45.6 per-

Sports Calendar:

Women’s basketball vs. Marshall, 7 p.m., Reed Green Coliseum

Friday

Track at Houston Indoor Invitational, All day, Houston

Saturday

Men’s tennis vs. Southern University, 2 p.m., Hattiesburg Women’s basketball vs. East Carolina, 4 p.m., Reed Green Coliseum Men’s basketball at UTEP, 8 p.m., El Paso, Texas Track at Houston Indoor Invitational, All day, Houston

Ross Elijah Baylis/Printz

Southern Miss defeats Marshall 84-79, raising their conference USA Record to 3-2. The Golden Eagles will continue confrence play against UTEP this Saturday.

cent from the field and 66.7 percent from the free throw line.

The Lady Eagles are lead Love who averages 16.4 points and 11.1 rebounds per game.

Marshall comes in averaging 64.8 points and 41.3 rebounds per game, while shooting 41.7 percent from the floor and 69.9 percent from the free throw line.

McNelis described the Herd as a team that can do several things defensively to limit opponents’ options on offense.

“They are a team that throws a lot of different things at you, changing defenses and causing

problems,” McNelis said. “We have to be able to respond to that and be able to recognize what defense they are in. Then we have to capitalize on the things we do well, like transitional scoring to stay in offensive sync.”

The Thundering Herd is lead

by Chantelle Handy who averages 13 points and 5.3 rebounds per game.

“She’s their most versatile player,” McNelis said. “(Handy) can back you down, she can post or she can turn around and hit the three. She’s very, very skilled.”

Tonight’s game will be at 7 p.m. at Reed Green Coliseum.