Sports
2012 football schedule released p. 4
Variety
“Haywire” movie fails to thrill p. 7
a student newspaper of the university of tulsa
Opinion
Google, Wikipedia protest SOPA p. 8
january 31, 2012 issue 15 ~ volume 97
Dance-off delights sold-out crowd Students Luna Lu and Quintin Jones won the competitions, which featured 10 of TU’s best dancers. Molly Noah Student Writer
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Logan Miller / Collegian
Freshman economics major Luna Lu won the audience’s votes during “So TU, Think You Can Dance?” on Friday night. Lu and her fellow dancers performed in front of a sold out crowd at the Lorton Performance Center.
oth Friday and Saturday nights’ performances of “So TU, Think You Can Dance?” pulled out all the stops and did not disappoint. The show was sold out Friday, and nearly a hundred people were turned away, many to return the next night. Energy was in the air as the audience watched the explosive performances. The University of Tulsa’s dance department provided an opportunity for students to compete to be TU’s top dancer in front of an audience of fellow students and guest judges. The competition was a multimedia performance of new dance works by students and faculty. The production was based on
Basketball dominates conference foes The Hurricane extends a streak to six with victories over Knights and Mustangs. Staff Report
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he University of Tulsa’s men’s basketball team is on a roll. This week the Hurricane captured wins five and six in its current streak, with victories over the University of Central Florida Knights and Mustangs of Southern Methodist University. With these victories Tulsa is now in third place in the conference—half a game behind Southern Miss and Memphis—and is in a strong position to compete for the regular season title and a competitive seed in the conference tournament.
Wednesday night’s home game against UCF was a hard fought victory that remained close until the final seconds. The game started with a bang with Scottie Haralson making two three-pointers in a row, putting Tulsa up 6–0. Despite the early lead, the Knights would fight back to keep the game close until the final minute, when two technical fouls called on the disgruntled Knights allowed Tulsa to pull away for good, giving the Hurricane the 66–61 victory. Haralson would dominate the night, going 6–8 from the three point line for 18 points. Jordan Clarkson also added to the win with 15 points and three assists.
See Basketball page 5
Lucas Forsythe Managing Editor
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ast Friday, the BOK center opened its doors to a sold-out country concert featuring Lady
Antebellum with Darius Rucker and Thompson Square. Tulsa was the first stop in the series and Lady A’s first time to headline its own tour. The night was clearly a success all around, proceeding without a hitch as the arena lit up with talented musicians, lively music and great energy. The stage setup used the large space perfectly, and three giant
See Dance page 3
LanBrew sponsors upcoming party John Lepine Staff Writer
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Logan Miller / Collegian
Captain Cane joined fellow TU fans in cheering the Golden Hurricane to back-to-back victories against Central Florida and Southern Methodist University.
Country kicks off at BOK Lady Antebellum and company played the first show of their new tour on Friday night in Tulsa.
popular TV competitive dance shows, and allowed the audience to vote for the winner via text. Video excerpts gave the audience a peek into the audition and rehearsal process, allowing spectators get to know the dancers. Jessica Vokoun and her team provided an entertaining program, showcasing the dance department to dazzling effect. The show displayed a variety of techniques and styles, from ballet to jazz, tap to hip-hop. The audience was introduced to each of the top 10 contestants and watched as they preformed a solo. Local and national dance celebrities appeared as guest judges, critiquing the performers and offering live commentary and encouragement. Vokoun said that she came up with the idea last year and has been developing it ever since. She hopes to make TU students aware of the dance program, and
screens behind the set ensured even the worst nosebleed seats could get up close with the evening’s hyped-up cast. The setlist could not have been better, with plenty of hits and covers alike that paid tribute to the groups’ more classic country influences (even if some of the younger crowd did not recognize the pieces). The bands were truly a great
combination, and it was clear that just as many fans were excited to see the openers’ fantastic sets as the headliners themselves—after all, it’s hard not to love Darius Rucker’s feel-good country. Despite the quality showmanship, all the glam was often much more pop-rock than the homegrown intimacy that good country
See Country page 6
n organization on campus is encouraging students to pull all-nighters, but not to cram for tests or write last minute papers. LanBrew is a marathon gaming club that hosts monthly 12hour “LAN parties,” the next of which will be held on Friday at 5 p.m. LAN stands for local area network, and refers to the connections hooking up computers and consoles for multiplayer gaming. As these parties typically run from 5 p.m. to 5 a.m., members often find it necessary to brew coffee to stay alert—hence the name LanBrew. Around 40 University of Tulsa students show up at a typical LanBrew event, with some gaming the night away and some just walking in for a half-hour study break and a slice of pizza. “We always provide free food,” said club president Chris Ellers, “but we recommend showing up earlier in the night so that you can actually get something.” “Pizza, no matter how much of it, usually doesn’t last 12 hours,” he said. Playing is the focus at Lan-
See LAN page 3
wed 2/1: thurs 2/2:
sat 2/4:
They Might Be Giants
Freestyle Motocross
Jonathan Coulton will open for the band, which will play at Cain’s Ballroom on Wednesday night. Tickets are $23 in advance and $26 the day of the show. Doors open at 7 p.m. and the show starts at 8 p.m.
Presidential Lecture Series: George Will Pulitzer Prize winner and Newsweek essayist George Will will speak at 7:30 p.m. in Gussman Concert Hall of the Lorton Performance Center. The lecture is free and open to the public. No registration, tickets or reservations are required.
The world’s most daring FMX riders will show off their skills at the BOK Center, performing tricks never thought possible on a dirt bike. Tickets start at $27. The show begins at 7:30 p.m.
NEWS
31 JANUARY 2012
Eye on the world:
THE COLLEGIAN : 2
such group was connected to at least nine murders between 2000 and 2006 of Germans of Turkish and Greek descent.
Middle East LIBYA
Jinan ElSabbagh Student Writer
Africa MADAGASCAR
Madagascar’s ousted president was forced back to South Africa after he tried to return to his homeland for the second time. Former President Marc Ravalomanana was removed in a March 2009 coup led by the mayor of Antananarivo, Madagascar’s capital city, backed by military forces. Officials in both South Africa and Madagascar had agreed to allow Ravalomanana into Madagascar, where he would be arrested upon arrival. While in exile in South Africa, he was convicted in absentia and sentenced to life in prison in connection with presidential guards who allegedly killed 30 anti-government protestors. Ravalomanana called the situation a testament to the lack of “political will to solve the crisis in Madagascar,” which includes poverty and political chaos.
Asia PAPUA NEW GUINEA
Soldiers in a failed mutiny are asking for a pardon in this latest reflection of the rivalry between current Prime Minister Peter O’Neill and the office’s previous holder, Sir Michael Somare. The two men have been in a power struggle for the past six months. Although O’Neill was
made prime minister in August 2011, by December, the Supreme Court had ruled that Somare should be “restored to the office of prime minister.” The 20 soldiers who attempted munity also called for Somare’s return. Somare continues to call for compliance with the Supreme Court ruling and the ousting of the “rogue government” that has taken over New Guinea.
Europe GERMANY
A German court has succeeded in stalling the publication of an annotated “Mein Kampf,” Adolph Hitler’s manifesto, due to Bavarian state copyright violations. While there is no law against publication of the infamous text, the Bavarian government still has rights to it until 2015. British publisher Peter McGee had sought to publish excerpts from the book in his weekly magazine, “Zeitungszeugen.” McGee said that he wants Hitler’s book “to be accessible so people can see it for what it is, and then discard it … to the dustbin of literature.” German officials are still wary of the text, citing a recent poll which concluded that one in five Germans hold anti-Semitic views. Also, Germany’s far-right extremists and proponents of German superiority, while a small fraction of the population, have been increasing their following online. A recent murder investigation found one
Amnesty International and other humanitarian groups have observed the torture by Libyan militias of suspected supporters of ousted strongman Moamar Gadhafi. Doctors Without Borders, which has now suspended operations in the coastal city of Misrata, had treated 115 patients with torture-related injuries. Some 8,500 former Gadhafi supporters are currently being detained by Libyan militia groups in about 60 centers across the country. The interim leader, Mustafa Abdul Jalil, wants the militia bands disarmed and a Libyan national army and police force to be established. Until this occurs, internal fighting between rival militias, as well as the abuse of prisoners, continues to plague the country.
Central America GUATEMALA
Former Guatemalan military dictator Efraín Ríos Montt has been ordered to a Guatemalan court to face genocide charges. His 17 month rule from 1982 to 1983 was reportedly one of the bloodiest in the history of Guatemala’s 36-year civil war. Under his rule, the Guatemalan Army murdered men, women and children in the Mayan highlands to eradicate leftist rebels allegedly hiding in the region. Montt gained immunity to prosecution when he was elected to the national congress in 2000. However, January marked the end of his term in office, and the families of those massacred are seeking retribution. Montt was the first of several leaders who committed similar atrocities that resulted in the death or disappearance of over 200,000 people, according to a United Nations commission’s report.
Yang Wang / Collegian
TU students show a traditional dance during the Chinese Student Association’s New Year event, held in ACAC last Saturday.
Students host New Year celebration
Food and performances gave the TU community a chance to explore Chinese culture. Yang Wang Student Writer
This year the Chinese New Year kicked off on Jan. 23 according to China’s time zone. The holiday celebrates the start of the Chinese lunar calendar which uses the “branch” system to count the years. There are 12 branches in all: Rat, Cow, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Sheep, Monkey, Chicken, Dog and Pig. 2012 is now the year of the Dragon. Last Saturday, the Chinese Student Association held a new year’s celebration in ACAC. More than 100 people attended the event to enjoy the Chinese food and performances. Many Chinese students also shared their New Year’s wishes and said “Happy New Year” through short videos projected over the stage. Several faculty members were in attendance including Chinese
professor Dr. Wen Chiang. “The decoration of the stage is so beautiful,” Chang said. “This celebration is becoming more and more popular at TU. This kind of party will bring Chinese students warmth and reduce their homesickness.” Chinese professors and students presented a variety of pieces including traditional songs, modern English songs and performances on ancient musical instruments like the lute. Slater Rhea, an American student from the University of Oklahoma, stood out among the performers. After he sang “Legend” with good Chinese tone, he said “I love you” to his Chinese girlfriend. “It’s hard to say which performance I loved best,” said Inn, a TU freshman, “but perhaps it was the American boy who sang a Chinese pop song and national anthem.” Inn also spoke highly of the event, sharing how he has made many Chinese friends and loved the Chinese food. In China, dragon is the symbol of good luck and reflects all Chinese people’s best wishes for the coming year.
It’s time to get your together!
AUDITIONS:
Saturday, Feb. 11 from 1-5 PM
SHOW: Sunday, Feb. 19 from 8-10 PM
Email Erin Hansen at erin-hansen@utulsa.edu if you would like to audition for your chance to win big!
PRIZES: First Place - $500 Second Place - $300 Third Place - $100
NEWS
THE COLLEGIAN : 3
31 JANUARY 2011
Local market provides fresh food in winter Clean Food Market helps Tulsans access farmers’ market products even during the colder months. Emily Callen Staff Writer
Area foodies seeking fresh produce, local meats and grass-fed dairy throughout the winter need look no further than Tulsa’s Clean Food Market. The local food ordering system allows customers to select from a variety of farm products online, then pick them up in the parking lot of Central Park, located at 6th and Peoria. At the Market, farmers and buyers come together every other week and have been doing so for three years. While some farmers bring extra product for those who may have forgotten to order an extra dozen eggs or a spare tomato, organizer Barbara Crain said that the event is not a conventional farmers’ market. Crystal McCollough has been shopping at the Clean Food Market
From LAN on cover Brew. Students bring their computers and video game consoles and play a wide variety of games, from first-person shooters to classics like Super Smash Brothers. Others include (but are not limited to) “Halo,” “Call of Duty,” “Battlefield” and “Rock Band.” There are a variety of PC games as well, such as “Team Fortress 2,” “League of Legends,” “Left 4 Dead 2,” “Starcraft 2” and “Minecraft,” to name just a few.
Jan. 14
12:34 p.m. An officer was dispatched to Lorton Village on the report of a vehicle that had been burglarized. Upon arrival, the officer met with the victim. She stated that her window had been broken and her purse had been stolen. She also stated that a friend’s purse was stolen. 7:32 a.m. An officer was dispatched to Norman Village to the report of an attempted break-in. Upon arrival, officers apprehended a suspect attempting to climb into a second story balcony. Upon meeting with the victim, she stated that the man was trying to force entry through the front door and was unsuccessful. The man then left and began climbing up the balconies. The suspect was arrested for attempted burglary and he was transported by TPD. The victim was an acquaintance of the suspect.
since the beginning of this season. As a stay-at-home mom, McCollough’s top priority is “providing really good foods for my family.” After watching the documentary “Food, Inc.,” she began seeking out local foods. “I get to know my farmers,” she said. Stephen Green of Pork & Greens said that his success at the Cherry Street Farmer’s Market, combined with additional income from offseason markets like Clean Food, allowed hog raising to become his full-time job. Before he started his own hog farm, Green worked in the commercial pig business. Later, his family moved to the Tulsa area and Green put his construction skills to work framing houses. “I got some pigs to mess with,” Green said, “and once I got in with Cherry Street it took off, and now this is it full time.” Crain also mentioned the positive impact of having a market for her goods in the off-season. “A lot of us farmers have products year round, plus there are a lot of customers who want to continue eating good food,” she said. As much as the extra income
helps, Crain focused on the sense of community the market creates. “Since you preorder, it helps us put faces with names,” she said, “and you get to know the other vendors better.” Most of the Clean Food Market shoppers are regulars, Crain said. Many of the vendors were recruited from the Cherry Street Farmer’s Market, because they bring their own clientele. The online ordering system uses a market template that allows vendors to list what they have available. Because orders are placed through a single system, shoppers can pay for goods from multiple vendors with one check. While conventional farmer’s markets give early birds an edge with access to the best selection, at the Clean Food Market competitive shopping is not an issue. The market is located less than two miles from the University of Tulsa campus. Orders are due by the Tuesday night before a market drop-off day, and drop-off takes place from 9–11 a.m. The next order cycle will close on Feb. 7. Visit http://cleanfoodtulsa.locallygrown.net/ for more information.
Inexperienced gamers are as welcome as the veterans, and not just as spectators. With 12 hours of playtime, there are plenty of chances for casual games and skill development. Ellers emphasized the inviting nature of a LAN party, saying, “TU students should show up because of the video games and the friendly atmosphere; definitely a fun way to pass—at the very least—a few hours.” Additionally, the group serves a philanthropic purpose. Voluntary donations are solicited at each
LAN for Child’s Play Charity, an organization that raises money to buy games and toys for hospitalized children. Over the years, Child’s Play has raised millions of dollars for over 70 hospitals worldwide. LanBrew usually meets in the Mayo Village Student Activity Center. The next LAN party is Friday at 5 p.m. Subsequent LANs will be March 2 and April 6. Students who have questions or want more information should can contact LanBrew at tulsalanbrew@ gmail.com.
9:07 a.m. Officers responded to an alarm call at the University of Tulsa’s President’s house. Upon speaking with the alarm company, it was determined that the house should have been unoccupied. Officers arrived and assisted TPD in clearing the residence. There was no entry to the house and it was secure.
hit and run vehicle collision. Upon arrival, the officer spoke with the victim who stated that her vehicle had been struck overnight. Officers searched the area but were unable to find any damage consistent with the vehicle.
Jan. 16
6:42 p.m. An officer responded to a complaint of a found bullet. Upon arrival officers inspected the bullet and determined that it was fired from off campus. There was no damage in the area.
Jan. 17
11:22 a.m. Two vehicles were being impounded for parking regulations within the UMC Lot. As the tow truck loaded the vehicles and was attempting to leave, the driver struck two parked cars. Both of the owners of the vehicles were contacted and given the company information. The tow company supervisors were also notified.
Jan. 18
12:24 p.m. An officer was dispatched to the West Suites Lot to the report of a
Jan. 19
12:24 p.m. Officers responded to a fire alarm at John Mabee Hall. Upon arrival, officers were able to determine that there was no fire. After the area was cleared, PSM Zane Hight stated that a student confessed to accidentally discharging the fire alarm. 10:04 a.m. An officer was dispatched to the UMC lot to the report of vandalism. Upon arrival, the officer met with the victim who stated that while her vehicle had been parked in the lot, someone keyed profanities into the paint. There are no suspects at this time.
Jan. 20
12:58 a.m. While on routine patrol, an officer observed a vehicle that had struck a light pole on Tucker Drive. Upon contact, the student driver stated that he was driving down Tucker
Logan Miller / Collegian
Senior musical theater major Quintin Jones was Saturday night’s winner at the “So TU, Think You Can Dance?” competition.
From Dance on cover skill level, but also the presence possibly bring a dance major to TU. “It’s going to perhaps bring other dancers out of the woodwork and get them involved in the dance program,” Vokoun said. Jerry McCoy, a TU professor who served as a guest judge, said that he sees this program as an opportunity for the dance department. “This is a way for the public to see TU students and the new performing arts center, and it’s an opportunity for these dancers to show their skill,” McCoy said. What surprised Vokoun the most about the entire process was how few of the top 10 dancers had minors in the subject. “Some of them I never knew before we started auditioning. I was so pleased with their enthusiasm,” Vokoun said. The choreographers chose the top 10 ten based on the first fewweeks of rehearsals. They looked for technique and Drive and hit the curb and then the light pole. The officer suspected that the student was intoxicated. TPD was contacted. Officers determined that the driver was impaired by alcohol. The driver was arrested and placed in the custody of TPD. 3:15 a.m. Officers responded to a noise complaint in Lorton Village. There was a large group of people within the apartment. Officers made contact with the occupants, many of whom were intoxicated. All guests were asked to leave. As the officers were conducted a check of the immediate area they found a stash of illegal drugs and drug paraphernalia including marijuana and steroids. TPD was contacted. One of the residents of the apartment was arrested for possession of drugs and paraphernalia. 3:40 p.m. An officer was flagged down near the 7th Street House. The reporting person stated that his friend had injured his neck and required medical attention. The reporting person was required to translate for the victim. EMSA arrived and transported the injured student to St. Johns Hospital.
and passion with which students preformed the choreography. One highlight of the show was an emotional piece, “On Grieving,” choreographed by senior Quintin Jones. The piece, which starred Lizzie Rainey and Jones as parents grieving for their lost child, was haunting and unforgettable. Luna Lu gave another strong performance. Lu, who preformed in the opening of the 2008 Beijing Olympics, added traditional dance influence to her solo. “I love to perform, and this was a great way for me to continue dancing. I really loved being a part of this program,” Lu said. The show ended with a bang as the top 10 dancers performed “Caffeinated” by New York City choreographer Larry Keigwin. At the end of the night, the judges picked the top five. The audience then voted via text message, and Lu was declared TU’s top dancer on Friday, while Jones came out on top on Saturday.
Jan. 21 4:28 p.m. An officer was dispatched to Brown Village to the report of a possible burglary. Upon arrival, the officer met with the victim who stated that over the past month money has come up missing on several occasions. The victim does not believe it was her roommate. There has not been anyone else in the apartment. There were no signs of forced entry.
Jan. 22 6:00 p.m. Officers responded to a fire alarm at John Mabee Hall. Officers determined that it was a false alarm and there was no fire. After the evacuation, a resident of the Hall approached the PSM and admitted to setting off the alarm. The student stated that it was an accident. 8:23 p.m. An officer on patrol discovered that a lock had been removed off of a gate behind Joes Garage (TU Property.) The area was searched and nothing seemed damaged or out of place. The officer was able to contact the Physical Plant and place a temporary lock on the gate.
Sports
31 JANUARY 2012
THE COLLEGIAN : 4
Tulsa releases 2012 football schedule
The newly released 2012 football schedule features non-conference matches against Iowa State, Fresno State and Arkansas as well as three tough conference challenges to close out the season.
J.Christopher Proctor Sports Editor
This week the University of Tulsa released the official schedule for the Golden Hurricane’s 2012 football season. The schedule features road contests at Iowa State and Arkansas as well as a furious conference finish with games against Houston, UCF and SMU closing out the season. The biggest change from last year’s schedule is that, while it is still very challenging, the Hurricane will not be forced to face a gauntlet of top-ranked teams early in the season. Hopefully this will give the team a chance to show its full potential in its first few games, setting a tone for the rest of the year. One of the Hurricane’s biggest challenges will come in its first game of the season when it travels to Ames, Iowa to take on the Iowa State Cyclones. The Cyclones are coming off a mixed season that saw huge victories against Iowa, Texas Tech and Oklahoma State, but ended with a loss to Rutgers in the Pinstripe Bowl, leaving the Cyclone 6–7 on the season. Although Tulsa will certainly be an underdog in the contest, expect sparks to fly when the Hurricane collides with the Cyclones. After the ISU game, Tulsa will
2012 Tulsa Football Schedule Sept. 1 Sept. 8 Sept. 15 Sept. 22 Sept. 29 Oct. 6 Oct. 13 Oct. 20 Nov. 3 Nov. 10 Nov. 17 Nov. 24
at Iowa State Tulane* Nicholls State Fresno State at UAB* at Marshall* UTEP* Rice* (HOMECOMING) at Arkansas at Houston* UCF* at SMU* Catherine Roberts / Collegian
* Denotes C-USA opponent face a fairly long stretch of competitive but winnable games, including the bulk of its conference schedule. Although each match will be a hard-fought contest, the Hurricane will likely be favored against Tulane, Nicholls State, Fresno State, UAB, Marshall, UTEP and Rice (Homecoming). These seven games give Tulsa the potential to be ranked, and possibly undefeated, when the team travels to Fayetteville to take on SEC foe Arkansas on Nov. 3. The game will likely be reminiscent of the 2008 installment when No. 18 Tulsa (8–0) was outlasted by Arkansas 30–23 to snap the Hurricane’s streak. Arkansas is coming off a 10–2 season and is expected by many to compete for a national championship. Tulsa’s November only intensifies after the Arkansas contest, with the Hurricane facing all
three of the C-USA teams slated to leave the conference for the Big East in 2013. Tulsa will travel to Houston, host UCF, and then close out the regular season in Dallas against SMU. With each of these games matching the Hurricane against a conference contender, it is likely that the race for the C-USA championship will not solidify until the final weeks of the season. Overall, however, the schedule gives the Hurricane a great opportunity to both showcase its talents on the national stage, and compete for a conference title. With a quarter of the conference jumping ship for the Big East following the upcoming season, it would be especially satisfying if the Hurricane could take the wind from their sails by winning the 2012 C-USA championship.
Giants and Pats to rematch in Super Bowl After an exciting year of football only two teams remain in the quest to be crowned World Champions: the New York Giants and the New England Patriots. Sam Morton Student Writer
The Super Bowl is fast approaching. Football season is almost over, lousy franchises are already firing their coaches, and diehard NFL fans will soon be reduced to getting their football fix through mildly entertaining offseason outlets such as free agency and the draft. It is a time of nostalgia, of looking back at the 2011–2012 season, of hopelessly wondering when the Cleveland Browns will ever be good, but also a time of forward thinking and excitement. The biggest game of the year is upon us. Tom Brady and the New England Patriots are set to square off against Eli Manning and the New York Giants on Sunday at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. Not only will football fans get the pleasure of watching a very competitive game, but Super Bowl XLVI will answer some important questions as well. For instance: Can the Patriots beat the Giants in a rematch of Super Bowl XLII? In 2008 the Giants stunned the world by orchestrating a last-minute, game-winning drive, featuring a 32-yard face-catch by David Tyree, to defeat the previously unbeaten Patriots. Will this stunning loss four years ago be avenged or repeated? Will Eli Manning win more Super Bowls than his brother Peyton Manning? Eli and Peyton are tied at one apiece right now. Will Eli finally escape the shadow of his brother and ascend to the level of other great quarterbacks of our generation?
Will Tom Brady be considered the best quarterback of all time when all is said and done? This, of course, is largely subjective, but if the Patriots win Sunday’s game, Brady will be tied for the most Super Bowl rings among quarterbacks with the great Joe Montana and Steeler’s former quarterback, Terry Bradshaw, all with four. Though they are the two best teams in the nation, the Giants and the Patriots certainly took different routes to the Super Bowl. The Patriots finished first in the AFC, dominating the competition throughout the regular season. The Giants, on the other hand, finished the season at a less-than-sparkling 9–7 record, and only managed to squeak into the playoffs due to the ineptitude of the rest of the NFC East (Sorry, Cowboys fans). Despite floundering a bit through the first 16 games, the Giants, led by the experience of Head Coach Tom Coughlin, put on a furious playoff run. With a staunch defense and a resurgent run game, the Giants made their way through the explosive Falcons, the preseason Super Bowl favorite Packers, and a very good San Francisco 49ers squad. Tested by three big games in a row, the Giants are at the top of their game. The Patriots, to this point, have played a spottier playoff schedule. Given a first round bye, their first playoff game was an annihilation of the Denver FightingTebows. However, their second game, the AFC Championship, was a squeaker against the Baltimore Ravens that could have been decided differently had Raven’s kicker, Billy Cundiff, not missed an easy 32-yard, potentially gametying field goal with 11 seconds left on the clock. The Giants clearly have the momentum going into the Super Bowl. Fueled all postseason by a “What have we got to lose?” attitude, they are a team lifted by confidence. When asked by re-
porters before the NFC divisional round how confident he was in beating the Packers, Giants defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul, replied “100-percent.” The Giants have shown no sign of slowing since. To offset the Giant’s momentum, the Patriots have experience. This will be Tom Brady and Bill Belichick’s fifth Super Bowl together and 22nd playoff contest. Of their 21 playoff games so far, the Brady-Belichick combination has won 16 for an impressive winning percentage. No matter what you look for in an NFL game, offense, defense, special teams or commercials, Super Bowl XLVI is sure to excite.
TU’s Volleyball Club is currently recruiting members. Anyone with a talent for setting and spiking should contact club president Katherine Alberty at katherine-alberty@ utulsa.edu.
Club volleyball prepares for tournament
Tulsa’s club volleyball team shows serious skills as it prepares to compete in the Jane Dunn Memorial in Jefferson City, Missouri. Catherine Roberts Editor-in-Chief
Waiting for a court to clear after a pick-up basketball game in Collins Fitness Center, the University of Tulsa’s Volleyball Club does not appear to be an especially serious group. Unable to reserve courts ahead
of time (via CFC policy), the players form a small circle and set back and forth with a basketball. When the court clears and the net goes up, however, speedy serves and punishing spikes make it is clear that this team is not simply messing around. Junior biology major Katherine Alberty heads up the club. She says the group caters to nonNCAA athletes who still seek to play at a higher skill level. More important, however, is a player’s willingness to commit. “We look for people who are en-
See Volleyball page 5
Softball earns preseason ranking
Collegian file photo
Jessica Stoelke heads to first base in an exhibition match last fall. The Tulsa softball team was ranked No. 24 in USA Today’s preseason poll and has been picked for a repeat as C-USA champions. This is the team’s first appearance in a preseason poll in school history.
Scoreboard: Jan. 25
M. Basketball UCF W 66–61 Jan. 26 W. Basketball
UAB L 47–40 Jan. 27
W. Tennis
vs. North Carolina State
L 4–1
M. Tennis
vs East Tennessee
W 4–1
Jan. 28 M Basketball at SMU W 66–60 M. Tennis vs Kentucky L 4–1 W Tennis vs Tennessee L 4–0 Jan. 29 W. Basketball
at SMU W 42–39
THE COLLEGIAN : 5
Sports
31 JANUARY 2012
A look at the BCS: History of the college football postseason
Each week this semester we will provide a in-depth look at a different aspect of the Bowl Championship Series, starting with some of the historical circumstances that lead to the creation of the BCS. John Lepine Staff Writer
Canadian and American Football associations at every level, from high school up to the NFL and CFL, determine their yearly champions through a playoff tournament culminating in a championship game. NCAA Division I-FCS (formerly I-AA) universities, Division II and Division III universities, as well as the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics and the National Junior College Athletic Association all conduct a play-off, the winner of which is considered the national champion. The only major football institution that does not hold a playoff is Division I-FBS (formerly I-A) of the National Collegiate Athletic Association, the top tier of college football. The NCAA instead declares its champion to be the winner of the Bowl Championship Series National Championship Game, a post-season match-up of the two teams considered best in the country by the voters of two different polls and a complex computer formula. However, the BCS system is not without its detractors, with calls for a Division I-FBS playoff coming from the fan on the street all the way up to President Obama himself. Throughout the remainder of the semester, the Collegian will be analyzing the objections and alternatives to the BCS, starting with this week’s explanation of the background to the BCS. The BCS began in 1998 as a successor to the Bowl Alliance and the Bowl Coalition. All three were formed by agreements among various conferences, bowls and universities that sought to provide a No. 1 vs. No. 2 match-up after the regular season, and several other exciting bowl games besides. The BCS’s motto is “Every Game
Counts” (even the BCS Twitter handle is “@everygamecounts”), though proponents of the system claim that no post-season playoff is needed because the regular season is the playoff. Of course, there was a time when there was nothing but a regular season in college football. For example, 1869 was the first football season. There were two games, both between Princeton and Rutgers, and as the teams split the two games, each (retroactively) claims a national championship with a 1–1 record. Gradually, the season expanded and more teams joined the fray, but there was no postseason play and no national champion selector for decades. The first college bowl game was the 1901 “Tournament East-West football game,” which began annual play in 1916 as the “Rose Bowl Game.” Though the game often featured two undefeated teams, it was not considered a national championship game, and national championship talk was limited to a few polls in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. But beginning with the Dickinson System—a mathematical selector of the national championship by a University of Illinois economist—the 1920s and 30s saw a “championship rush” as various polls and systems were devised to declare which team’s regular-season performance qualified it as the mythical “national champion.” Meanwhile, a slew of bowl games were created (the Sun Bowl, Orange Bowl and Sugar Bowl all originated in 1934), but they were seen as post-season exhibition contests, and as an excuse for southerly vacationing during the cold winter months. In fact, though the Assciated Press poll was begun in 1934, it ignored bowl games until 1968. With the exception of the 1965 season, the AP “national champion” was selected immediately after the regular season. Many times that “best” team in the nation would be undefeated, only to finish the year with a bowl game loss. Thus, only gradually did the college football world adopt the idea that post-season play should determine the national champion. But as more and more levels of college football began to adopt playoffs in the 1970s
Women’s basketball falls to Blazers, best Mustangs
Allison Stewart / Collegian
Senior Chanice Scott and sophomore Taylor Hooker scramble for the ball as they challenge the Blazers of the University of Alabama Birmingham. Although the Hurricane would drop the decision against the Blazers 47–40, the team would storm back Sunday to defeat the SMU Mustangs 42–39.
From Volleyball page 4 thusiastic and dedicated to playing, who will show up weekly and who will stick with it,” Alberty said. “We look for that above skill. We look for dedication to the club over how good you are.” Players join the club by invitation or application. Potential members can participate in an unofficial tryout, in which they come to play with the club, and the group decides based on their performances. Muhammad Zahid Afzal Durrani is a Ph.D. student in Geosciences and a member of the club since 2010. He is from Pakistan, and says that playing with the Volleyball Club is a good way to make connections with students of different backgrounds. “Over here they don’t have a men’s volleyball team,” he said. “So one thing we want to have is a co-ed rec team just to know people.” He added, “The culture from where I came, where you cannot mix with girls—it’s kind of an opportunity to build confidence and learn about the culture.” The club plays together twice a week, and next weekend will be attending the invitation-only Jane Dunn Memorial Volleyball Tournament in Jefferson City, Missouri. The tournament has four skill divisions, the most competitive of which, Alberty says, is just below Olympic level.
While TU’s Volleyball Club will not be playing in that division, it will be competing in “modified-A.” “It’s still very competitive,” Alberty says. “It has people who’ve been playing for years and years.” Durrani played in the same tournament with TU in 2010. That year, TU did not make the playoffs. “This time,” he said, “we’re going with a very good team. We have really good people.” The Volleyball Club has expanded rapidly since that last tournament. Starting with 10 members in 2010, the group has expanded to over 25, enough to form four separate teams that compete against each other on campus. The club also has a good relationship with TU’s NCAA volleyball players. “We’ll request them for a friendly match,” Durrani said. Alberty says the club is expanding aggressively. “We want to host tournaments, and we want to have a really awesome year this year,” she said. “We want to travel, we want to have more contacts, we want to get corporate sponsorships, we want to make it big.” “We want to make this activity really thrilling,” Durrani said. “We play twice a week and believe me, we have a lot of fun.”
and beyond, the premiere football schools in the country continued with haphazard, idiosyncratic and controversial methods of deciding who was truly the greatest team each year.
The current method, the BCS, will be the subject of this reoccurring column as we examine some of the criticism raised against it and its possible replacements.
Feb. 2 W. Basketball
at UCF
Orlando, Fla.
6 p.m.
Feb. 3 M. Tennis
Texas Tech
Case Tennis Center
6 p.m.
Indoor Track
at Meyo Invite
South Bend, Ind.
All Day
Feb. 4 W. Tennis
Oklahoma
Case Tennis Center
5 p.m.
M. Basketball
Marshall
Reynolds Center
7 p.m.
Indoor Track
at Meyo Invite
South Bend, Ind.
All Day
Feb. 5 W. Basketball
Houston
Reynolds Center
2 p.m.
M. Tennis
San Diego
Case Tennis Center
Noon
From Basketball on cover
Clarkson was an impressive 9–10 from the free throw line, giving Tulsa a commanding lead after the technical fouls late in the game by Marcus Jordan and Keith Clanton of UCF. To make matters worse for the struggling Knights, after the final buzzer UCF Senior A.J. Rompza got into a scuffle with Captain Cain, only to be booed off the court by the remaining fans. The Knights have since dropped a contest to Southern Miss and sit behind Tulsa at fourth in the conference. Saturday, the Hurricane went on the road to Dallas to face SMU in a regionally televised match. Once again, Tulsa would use huge three-pointers to take an early lead, going up 11–2 before SMU could respond and edge its way back into the game. Despite a 5-point Tulsa halftime lead, the Mustangs
would give Tulsa a run for its money, taking the lead early in the second half. However, with a clutch three-pointer by freshman Eric McClellan, TU regained the lead and never looked back. The Hurricane would hold out to win 66–60, avenging a loss earlier this season at the hands of the Mustangs. Tulsa’s next game is 7 p.m. Saturday against Marshall in the Reynolds Center. A win would further Tulsa’s streak and with losses by Memphis and Southern Miss, the Hurricane could top the conference standings. Although a NCAA bid for Tulsa will almost certainly require winning the conference tournament at the end of the year, a regular-season title would ensure a bid to the exclusive Nationl Inviataional Tourament, regardless of the results of the conference tournament.
variety
31 JANUARY 2012
THE COLLEGIAN : 6
“Melancholia” explores depression via end-of-world tale
Photo courtesy Zentropa Entertainments
The last happy moment in Justine’s life, played by Kirsten Dunst (center), is her marriage to Michael (Skarsgard, right). Unfortunately for the happy couple, Justine’s life plunges into despair, as she becomes plagued by dark and looming thoughts.
Director Lars von Trier’s latest film presents a new but predictable take on a post-apocalyptic theme. Jack Welch Student Writer
It does not give away too much to reveal that the world ends in the 2011 film “Melancholia,” the newest film by Danish director Lars von Trier. The film opens with a dark and dreamy premonition of the impending catastrophe—strange nightmare imagery set to the music of Wagner’s “Tristan und Isolde” as a rogue planet collides with Earth—before circling back to the last happy moment in the life of newly-married Justine (Kirsten Dunst). During the course of a wedding reception at the lavish estate of Justine’s sister Claire (Charlotte
Gainsbourg) and her husband John (Kiefer Sutherland), it becomes clear that something is terribly wrong with Justine. Lethargy and social anxiety plague her. She avoids intimacy with her husband (Alexander Skarsgård). She cannot abide the company of her wedding guests. She is depressed. Von Trier makes films the way that Ingmar Bergman used to: as arenas in which to do battle with his personal demons. A longtime sufferer of depression, he has now fashioned an important, powerful, occasionally tedious portrayal on the forms in which the condition can manifest. Depression circles Justine and her family like a hereditary curse, destroying relationships, dimming sensations, and making the experience of life seem irrelevant. In the film’s second half, Claire becomes the caretaker for a now deeply-depressed Justine. At the same time, a previously unknown planet named Melancholia hurtles toward Earth. In the face of possible annihilation, Claire’s composure begins to crumble, while Justine, already in the grip of despair, remains calm. Unfortunately, von Trier’s sym-
bolic use of the planet is rather obvious. By representing the theme of depression through the metaphor of Melancholia, he renders it a commonality of the human experience that can affect anybody at any time. However, he also eliminates subjectivity and ambiguity that the theme requires. The film’s greatest strength is its insight into the minutiae of depressive behavior, and both Dunst and Gainsbourg succeed in depicting this. In addition, the film has an isolated, vaguely enchanted setting, and feels almost post-apocalyptic even before the threat of annihilation appears in the sky. The actors’ powerful performances, along with von Trier’s often striking images, put flesh on the rather simplistic frame of the script. By the time that von Trier gets around to the business of actually ending the world, it comes as an anticlimax. Because it admits no possibility for hope or restoration, “Melancholia” is ultimately too nihilistic to be entirely successful. The misery is rendered with enough beauty and perception that it leaves one with a feeling of elation completely unrelated to the subject.
From Country on cover mandates. The gigantic visualizations were flashy, the set was grandiose, and Lady A’s three main members slowly rising up from a trapdoor was a bit over the top. This came as no shock, however—Lady A’s marketing is pretty stylized. Fans are used to dramatic posters and album covers that glorify the band’s ever-rising rock star status. To its credit, however, I was impressed with how quickly the group was able to tone it down and turn off the arena-rock vibe. About halfway through the set, the entire band packed up and moved to the tip of the stage’s extended runway and turned off the flashy lights and visualizations. Amidst a few intimate spotlights, the group circled around acoustic guitars, a standup base, tambourines and even a cajon for percussion (a kind of traditional box drum). From here Lady A took the opportunity to invite the singers from the previous acts up to the stage, and everyone jammed to a couple unique pieces including the Doobie Brothers’ “Black Water” and a energized country/folk medley of everything from Katy Perry to Johnny Cash.
Lucas Forsythe / Collegian
Lady Antebellum rocked the BOK Center on Friday with such hits as “Just a Kiss” and “Need You Now.” The band received a warm welcome from fans and musicians alike, as it invited members from opening acts to jam during a portion of the show.
This down-to-earth break from all the glamour was undoubtedly my favorite part of the show, revealing the softer side of a diverse group of country musicians who are just in it for the fun. Soon though, the big screens were back up and running (with admittedly quite impressive light work), and the big-venue feel returned. Of course the crowd erupted for “Just a Kiss” and the passionate encore with “Need You Now,” concluding with a rather unexpected cover of Aerosmith’s “Sweet Emotion.” I was positive the band would
not end on a cover, but before I knew it, the house lights were up and the entire arena cleared within minutes—Oklahomans really do like their bed times. Altogether the whole night was quite enjoyable with a truly genuine excitement emanating from all three sets. Even with powerhouse frontmen, the bands did a good job of recognizing all of their supporting musicians, and there was a sincere atmosphere of support between the groups. The event left me feeling satisfied and quite happy for all the musicians in their smash-hit of a first show.
Degeneres’ novel lively and upbeat Readers should not expect “Seriously ... I’m Kidding” to be a run-of-the-mill autobiography. Helen Patterson Student Writer
Ellen Degeneres’ latest book, “Seriously ... I’m Kidding,” is varied. She uses words and space creatively throughout the book and it contains lists, short stories and chapters written as light-hearted spoofs of real incidents in Degeneres’ life.
The book lives up to its name, as Degeneres throws in crazy and absurd comments and anecdotes that catch the reader by surprise. She also touches on serious topics and gives her no-nonsense outlook on life while still managing to maintain a humorous and energetic style to her writing. At times, the lines between humor and serious thoughts become almost too blurred, but this scarcely detracts from the work as a whole. For readers hoping for an upclose and personal look at Degeneres’s inner state, the book will prove disappointing. Through flippancy, Degeneres keeps a critical distance between her readers and herself. She shares some very personal aspects of her own life, but she
keeps her tone distant. She often speaks to the reader and directs the conversation of the book towards the reader and the reader’s reaction to things rather than her own life. When speaking about herself, she occasionally demonstrates an egoism that is partially, but not entirely, jocular. There is a moral lesson that runs throughout the work, but it is not preachy or off-putting. Degeneres stresses the importance of being true to oneself, helping others and, consequently, being happy. Though we are forever telling each other that happiness is within our reach (in less humorous words), we never seem to learn. Maybe seeing these words again, in a more humorous light, will make them stick.
Lucas Forsythe / Collegian
Singer Paul Meany rocked a keytar for the performance of “Plan B,” an old classic off of the band’s first album.
Mutemath returns A packed Cain’s Ballroom enjoyed a progressive-rock concert with Mutemath Sunday night. Charlie Spears Student Writer
A few fans might remember Mutemath’s tragically rained-out show this summer (along with the Flaming Lips), but the persistent band hit the Cain’s ballroom stage again with force Sunday night. No one was disappointed that opener Canon Blue finished early as Mutemath tore into a 26-song marathon of a set. The concert had big production feel while maintaining the intimacy of a smaller venue. The show was an exciting and interactive experience with the band carousing on stage and jumping into the audience several times.
The crowd all roared when lead singer Paul Meany mounted an inflatable light-up ‘techno mattress’ and when drummer Darren King crowdsurfed out to play a portable drumset. The evening was not all flashy antics, however, the group exhibits the same tight jam-band sound of a group that has been together since 2002. This tour, Mutemath welcomes new guitarist, Todd Gummerman, who brought a deeper, crunchier sound to live shows. Gummerman didn’t just stick to the guitar, he jumped in to play one of at least six keyboards onstage. All members of the band ended up drenched in sweat at the end of the night, but arguably the hardest working man was drummer Darren King, whose intense, frenetic beats didn’t stop for the entire two-hour show. His playing has earned him quite a loyal following. “I’m part of that following!” joked Meany after the set. In a welcome surprise, the band
See Cains page 7
“Shame” disturbs Director Steve McQueen presents an alarming depiction of addiction in “Shame.” Zachary Patterson Student Writer
Despite the fact that January is just ending, “Shame” has received numerous reviews hailing it “best movie of the year.” In lieu of this hype, I meandered out to catch Steve McQueen’s latest film. The film stars Michael Fassbender as Brandon, a well-to-do but self-isolating man in New York City. Brandon is a sex-addict with no limits. On the outside he appears normal, but at the first moment of privacy his life deteriorates into a world of overwhelming sex and pornography. Brandon’s unstable sister Sissy, played by Carey Mulligan, disrupts his dark routines by abruptly showing up at his house in need of somewhere to stay, and he reluctantly obliges. Her constant presence annoys him, and he puts little stock in her pleas for a caring brother. Fassbender delivers an unflinchingly brave and powerful performance that thoroughly deserved an Oscar nod. Mulligan is also outstanding, heartbreakingly
conveying the role of an annoying yet lovable sister. The performances were extremely real, and I connected with the characters despite not being able to relate to their problems. Part of this should be attributed to a limited amount of dialogue. Significant portions of the film remain uninterrupted by speech, and it only bolsters the drama. From a cinematic point of view, McQueen wows viewers with a lengthy jogging scene of Fassbender through New York, as he is trying to put his energy towards more useful endeavors. Viewers will be disturbed as Brandon’s life twists wildly out of control while he struggles to rid himself of his addiction. The haunting portrayal of a character with an addiction is reminiscent of Darren Aronofsky’s “Requiem for a Dream.” The film is rated NC-17 for a reason, and McQueen holds nothing back. At times, the sexual images of “Shame” are excessive and uncomfortable, but an “all-out” take on sex addiction is appropriate. The ending is not unpredictable; however, it will still leave viewers reeling. Viewers looking for a happy movie should go see “Beauty and the Beast in 3D” or other euphoric films. Viewers who want to leave their brain at the door should go watch Mark Wahlberg kill everyone in “Contraband.” However, viewers who can handle alarming realities and are looking for a realistic, shocking film should check out “Shame.”
Variety
THE COLLEGIAN : 7
31 JANUARY 2012
Oscar nominees disappoint Oscar nominees for the 84th Academy Awards is predicted to be a lengthy bore. Kalen Petersen News Editor
Last year, the venerable Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, known to the vulgar as “The Oscar committee,” set out on an ambitious quest to accomplish a special effect unknown to cinema. Its goal was to make a wall of slowly drying gray paint appear exciting. The elegant solution was the 83rd Academy Awards ceremony, which accomplished this task with alacrity. Slowly, over the course of several painstaking hours, numb viewers watched as the little golden men were distributed, each to its long-expected recipient, who
reverently and tearfully thanked the Academy. Torpid viewers were kept awake by anticipation of the night’s climax: the award for Best Picture named “The King’s Speech,” was preceded by the hotly-contested Best Actor to play a stuttering monarch. Not to rest on its own golden laurels, though, the Academy seems ready to outdo last year’s ceremony and break its own world record for yawns per hour. The recently announced nominees for best picture include (cue drumroll): “The Tree of Life,” Terrence Malick’s ponderous, pretentious art project, “The Help,” the Academy’s token minority movie, “Hugo,” its token PG-rated movie and “Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close,” which scored lower than “Gnomeo and Juliet” on Rotten Tomatoes. Meanwhile, the critically acclaimed final “Harry Potter” movie, which scored higher on the Tomatometer than all but one of the nine nominees, was left in the dark, most likely dismissed as
a “genre movie.” For Best Actress, the Academy has nominated Meryl Streep for her role as Margaret Thatcher. “The Iron Lady” will soon get a little metal man. Expect an apology from the Academy for subjecting her to an 11-Oscar streak of losing nominations. There are no other nominees. Conspicuously absent from the list of Best Actor nominees is a man whose true face is rarely seen onscreen. Andy Serkis has provided the movements and the voice of several of the silver screen’s best CGI characters, including Gollum in the “Lord of the Rings” trilogy (for which he also went woefully unrecognized) and the ape Caesar in this year’s “Rise of the Planet of the Apes.” Who can blame the apes for revolting when the Oscars snub them like this? The 84th Academy Awards are on Feb. 26. If you enjoy watching rich, liberal egotists patting themselves on the back, tune in. Just remember to stock up on 5-hour Energy bottles.
“Haywire” stylistically boring Steven Soderbergh’s latest thriller lacks action and excitement. Davian Rivera Student Writer
Those who have been waiting in anticipation to see “Haywire”—a new film that follows the life a secret agent, who has been betrayed by someone in her agency—may be disappointed. The film revolves around Mallory Kane (Gina Carano), a kickass secret agent working only in the most dangerous corners of the world. After a successful mission, she is double-crossed and left for dead by someone in her agency. She becomes the target of deadly assassins and law enforcement and must use her arm-breaking, skull-crushing, ass-kicking skills to uncover the truth about who has betrayed her, and to stay alive. The movie features an ensemble cast that includes Channing Tatum, Michael Fassbender, Ewan McGregor, Antonio Banderas and Michael Douglas, all of whom are talented actors in their own right. The premise of this film and its diverse cast make it sound very promising. In reality, this was an under-whelming bore of a film. Every fight scene contradicted itself, Gina Carano gave a rather flat performance, and the action suffered from a lethargic pace. Although the fight scenes were well-choreographed and executed, there was little actual thrill in watching Carano bounce off the walls and pummel her adversaries. The lack of background ac-
By Cory Bys
Must-see concerts of 2012 1. Experience Hendrix Tour (Brady Theater March 20)—All college students love Hendrix, right? With a group of world famous guitarists this is as close to Hendrix as anyone will get who is not old enough to be a hippie. Anybody who goes to this can then boldly claim that they are experienced. 2. The Black Keys (BOK Center April 28)—This dynamic duo’s latest album, “El Camino,” is excellent. Actually, most of their raw but catchy music is excellent. Do not be a lonely boy (or girl) and miss out. 3. Béla Fleck and the Flecktones (Cain’s Ballroom April 11)—It is very rare that so much musical talent ever winds up on the same stage. Many people would pay money just to be in the same room with the likes of banjo legend Béla Fleck or the bass master Victor Wooten. For those who are doubtful, watch Wooten’s “Amazing Grace” and get out their wallets to buy a ticket. 4. Trans-Siberian Orchestra (Hard Rock Casino March 23)—The sheer epic factor of this group is enough to want to go.
Photo courtesy Relativity Media
Mallory Kane, played by Gina Carano, is forced to take on deadly assassins after being double crossed by someone close to her in her agency.
tion music is to blame. Without this key element, the fight scenes are not well-driven and do not provoke the audience. While Carino does carry the fight scenes, her acting is not on par with her fighting skills. She delivers flat line readings and seems uncomfortable with heavy dialogue. But since this is Carano’s first time on the big screen, it is no surprise that she does not give an Oscar-worthy performance. Like many athletes-turned-actors before her, notably Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and Arnold Schwarzenegger, she may be able to create memorable performances in the future. For an action flick, one might expect a high-adrenaline rush, wild chase scenes and fast pacing. Whatever caused director Steven Soderbergh to rip these elements out of the movie is a mystery. Despite all of “Haywire’s”
faults, there are a couple of things to this film that make it shine: style and Michael Fassbender. For those who are not familiar with the brilliant actor Michael Fassbender, consider looking him up. His works include “300,” “Inglorious Basterds,” “Jane Eyre,” “X-Men: First Class,” and his latest, “Shame.” Although Fassbender’s role in “Haywire” was not as major as some may have hoped, he still displays the best performance of any actor in the movie. He steals the screen in every shot he is in with a sort of “James Bond” charisma. Furthermore, the movie was beautifully filmed, with an eyecatching setting. The film’s locations include beaches, mountain ranges, classy soirees and the beautiful city of Barcelona, Spain. “Haywire” is filled with the sort of stylish eye-candy viewers will be happy to see.
5. Badfish, a Tribute to Sublime (Cain’s Ballroom Jan. 31)—Sublime was one of the best bands to come out of the 90s. Its story abruptly ended with the death of lead singer and guitarist Bradley Nowell. The band’s self-titled album went five times platinum for a
6. Gungor (Cain’s Ballroom March 4)—This band is likely a new one to most people, but it is definitely worth a listen. Rumor has it the band is even more incredible live. 7. The Avett Brothers (Brady Theater April 13)—There is something refreshingly simple about the Avett Brothers. Great songwriting and instrumentation are sure to make this an awesome show. 8. Needtobreathe and Ben Rector (Brady Theater March 23)—Needtobreathe is taking the Christian music scene by storm, and for very good reason. With Ben Rector also performing, that makes two reasons to be there. 9. Winter Jam (BOK Center Feb. 25)—This will be the cheapest ticket to any show at the BOK center. The show features Newsong, Skillet, Sanctus Real, Peter Furler, Kari Jobe, Building 429, Group 1 Crew, Brock Gill & Nick Hall. 10. Red Hot Chili Peppers (BOK Oct. 24)—This concert was originally scheduled for March, but unfortunately lead singer Anthony Kiedis has sustained some foot injuries. It will be worth the wait; these old guys are only getting better at what they do. Fans can check out the band’s newest music video of “Look Around” in the meantime.
From Cains page 6 commented on the success of the played every song from their latest album “Odd Soul” and many old favorites as well. Familiar percussion breakdowns and gimmicks were also given a fresh take with the new setlist. After the show, a few lucky fans were allowed a meet-and-greet opportunity with the band. Cory Bys, a senior at the University of Tulsa, was impressed by the down-to-earth nature of the group. “They were just normal guys and really easy to get along with even after a two-hour show,” said Bys. When asked about personal highlights from the show, Meany
mattress surfing over the crowd. “It’s only about the third time we’ve done it,” said Meany, “and I went so far back I thought I was going to fall off. Really, I was glad I had those rafters for a guide rail this time.” TU students may have had to get up early again the next day, but Meany shared that the band could finally look forward to a long night’s rest in the bus on the way towards Colorado. If Sunday night’s show was any testament to the rest of the concert schedule, this Mutemath tour will continue to be one of its best.
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good reason—it is amazing. A tribute to them will be worth seeing.
It’s a beautiful day in the
True Blue Neighborhood! Project Warmth:
Now collecting new or gently used clean blankets and coats for the homeless and families needing a lift up. Drop off at TBN Volunteer Center.
January is National Mentoring Month:
Be a Variety writer—it’s pretty legit.
Mentoring a child can change a life forever. Learn about more opportunities at the TBN Volunteer Center.
Community Service Work Study:
Positions available in the TBN Volunteer Center.
Medicine Wheel Award:
E-mail stephanie-hice@utulsa.edu for more information.
Applications are now available in the TBN Volunteer Center or online.
True Blue Friday at the Food Bank
Come by for a service opportunity at the Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma on Jan. 27 from 1-3 p.m. For more information about these or other volunteer opportunities, contact Kathy Shelton in the True Blue Neighbor Volunteer Center in Holmes Student Center, room 25.
Opinion
31 JANUARY 2012
THE COLLEGIAN : 8
SOPA oversteps, Internet hits back Anti-SOPA protests by web services like Google and Wikipedia usher in a new era for consumer and citizen participation in policy. Edward Higuera
Student Writer
five hundred million people log onto Facebook daily, 21 million people use Wikipedia on any given day, and 100 million people use Twitter every day. On Jan. 18 millions of people visiting those sites and others were blasted with information about something called SOPA, the Stop Online Piracy Act. Anyone who saw something online about SOPA that day was a witness to the largest Internet protest in history. The controversial House bill and its Senate companion, the Protect IP Act (PIPA), were sponsored by Republican Representative Lamar Smith and Democratic Senator Patrick Leahy. Both bills sought to protect American entrepreneurs, movie studios and recording companies from copyright violations. These bills would allow intellectual property owners to demand that search engines remove links to websites in violation of the new laws, to demand pay services like PayPal cut the money flow to said websites, and more. Sites that do not respond quickly enough could be held liable. This would create a nightmare for websites like YouTube, where
content is uploaded by millions of people. Furthermore, accusations would not need to hold up in court before any action could be taken. A simple letter in “good faith” would warrant shutting down a site. The risk of these protection provisions being abused and used as tools to censor Internet content was seen as too high, and free speech activists were in an uproar about possible First Amendment violations. The Internet community realized this and responded. Wikipedia essentially shut down for the day. When users tried to access information they got a warning about the dangers of SOPA. Google, though it still allowed searches, “blacked out” its name and provided a link to a petition to stop SOPA and PIPA. That petition received 7 million signatures in one day. According to the Electronic Frontier Foundation, 115 thousand sites altered their websites to participate in the protest. Facebook was alive with user-generated anticensorship warnings, links to the Google petition and “Stop SOPA/ PIPA” profile pictures. Washington D.C. heard the outcry. By the end of the day, SOPA was a dirty word in the capital. The two bills that had started with strong bi-partisan support were abandoned by dozens of lawmakers. Currently both bills have been shelved indefinitely. This is more than a win for YouTube users and lovers of Reddit. This is the first time the Internet has been used to shut down a piece of legislation so effectively. It was so effective that some are worried that websites like Google or Wikipedia could potentially gain un-
Graphic by Anna Bennett
warranted influence over politics. Not surprisingly, this message is being spread by many of the bill’s supporters. Is this a bad thing? Do Google and Wikipedia stand to gain too much power? They do not. Google just displayed a message and a link. It took millions of Americans to stop this legislation, not just two large web services. We are entering a new era for democracy. Citizens with no lobbyists can effectively influence government via the Internet. The idea that this new level of participation could be dangerous—and more dangerous than legislation being influenced by Goldman Sachs donations—is absurd. The rise against SOPA and PIPA
shows two things. One, the Internet is an effective tool for influencing politics. Two, Americans, especially the young and tech-savvy, can unite almost instantly when an intrusive federal government threatens network liberty. This is something that has not been seen in decades. Washington D.C. is broken; trust in our representatives is at a historic low. The nation would not accept Washington’s hand crowding into another area of our lives, especially one as central as the Internet?. Is this too much to conclude from one day of Internet protests? No. Young American’s rejection of business-as-usual politics, their embrace of liberty and their attempts to reclaim this country started way before SOPA.
It started with Occupy Wall Street, and it has been showing in the first three states of the GOP primaries. Even though Rick Santorum, Mitt Romney and Newt Gingrich have won the first three states, there is one man, one “fringe” libertarian leaning candidate that has won the youth vote by a landslide in every state. That man is Ron Paul. He claimed 48 percent of the vote by people under thirty in Iowa, and in New Hampshire and South Carolina he received 47 percent and 31 percent respectively. Our country is changing. Young people are not accepting the status quo any longer. They may have made their first big scene on Jan. 18, but it will not stop with SOPA.
Sterilization order disrespects human dignity A Massachussetts order to forcibly sterilize a 32-yearold pregnant schizophrenic woman recalls an era of eugenics and abuse of power. Kalen Petersen
News Editor
In the early 20th century, as scientific discoveries broadened our understanding of human heredity, people began to speak of improving the human race through genetics. Selective breeding, the use of birth control and sterilization of the mentally disabled became the tools of a new movement: eugenics. Nativist sentiments, master-race ideology and Social Darwinism found common ground in an attempt to cleanse humanity of its biological “impurities.” This line of thinking reached its zenith in Nazi Germany’s T4 program, in which tens of thousands of mentally and physically handicapped people were exterminated. Few people realize that Germany, though it practiced the ideology's most extreme version, was
not the only nation where eugenics was implemented on a large scale. Several American states adopted forced sterilization laws in the early 1900's, which resulted in over 60,000 sterilizations. Prominent scientists from major universities advocated for eugenics, while corporate philanthropies like the Carnegie Institution financed the movement. The Institution established a laboratory on Long Island where American family trees were cataloged—those deemed worth preserving, and those that needed pruning. It took the German atrocities during World War II to cost the eugenics movement its popular
folk, Massachussetts judge is eerily reminiscent of that dark era. Judge Christina Harms ruled that a pregnant woman, diagnosed with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, should be forced to have an abortion and undergo a sterilization procedure. The woman, known in the court proceedings as “Mary Moe,” had in the past described herself as “very Catholic” and opposed to abortion. Her pregnancy was preventing her from taking medicine for her mental disorders. Harms’ ruling assumed that “Moe” would, if competent, opt for an abortion, and resume her medication. The
cusable abuse of power for many reasons. It ascribes to the government the power to decide who has a right to reproduce. It shows a callous disregard for the woman’s pro-life convictions. It takes a child’s life out of its mother’s hands. It degrades people with mental illnesses, and implies that they are sub-human. It destroys an innocent unborn child. The judge’s arrogant posture should offend pro-life and prochoice people equally. To the former, it says that a fetus is a mere inconvenience, to be removed with levity. To the latter, it says that an abortion is not a woman’s choice, but rather, society’s.
“The court’s decision ascribes to the government the power to decide who has a right to reproduce ... It degrades people with mental illness and implies that they are sub-human” legitimacy. However, the idea that the governments should have the power to keep “unfit” people from reproducing never entirely died. A recent decision by a Nor-
sterilization, Harms wrote, was to “avoid this painful situation from recurring in the future.” Harms’ decision should horrify any decent person. It is an inex-
As with the forced sterilization, a mandatory abortion would have denied to “Moe” the fundamental right, for good or ill, to be the primary master of her own destiny.
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If “Moe” were indeed unable to make these choices for herself, then those with power should have chosen the most compassionate option, instead of requiring harsh measures that could never be undone. Harms chose to see only the negative for “Moe”—the difficulty of a period without medication— ignoring the positive: the joy that a child could bring, and the brimming potential of that new life. The judge also failed to consider the devastating psychological impact that these procedures could have on a woman for whom life was already so emotionally difficult. Fortunately, the appellate court above Harms, with more wisdom and foresight, reversed her decision on Jan. 24. The higher court noted that Harms “appears to have simply produced the (sterilization) requirement out of thin air.” Our nation should not let important officials off the hook for twisted decisions like this one. Harms retired before her ruling drew controversy, but she should not escape prosecution for corruption, or at least official censure. Thankfully, there are a great many people who still believe in the basic dignity of human existence and revile philosophies like eugenics. We cannot allow someone like Harms to speak for us.
editor-in-chief—Catherine Roberts managing editor—Lucas Forsythe news editor—Kalen Petersen sports editor—J. Christopher Proctor variety editor—Stephanie Hice opinion editor—Kyle Walker photo & graphics editor—Anna Bennett staff writers—Emily Callen, John Lepine business manager—Elizabeth Cohen advertising manager—Aminat Adeyemi distribution manager—Mary Jessup web editor—Drew Mitchell adviser—Kendra Blevins
opinion
THE COLLEGIAN : 9
31 JANUARY 2012
Monsanto, FDA, USDA allied against public health FDA deregulation of Monsanto drought-resistant corn reveals disregard for public health and a consistently industry-biased mentality. Kyle Walker Opinion Editor
When did this country stop caring about what went into the food its people eat? Perhaps it was in the 1980s during the Reagan administration’s massive deregulation of agribusiness. It may have been when president George H. W. Bush delegated the responsibility for coming up with a regulatory methodology for genetically modified crops to a committee headed by Dan Quayle dedicated to reducing the “regulatory burden” on the U.S. economy. Perhaps it stopped caring when the USDA and the FDA gave a nearly unlimited pass on GM foods. But if one thing is for certain, it is that it does not care now. Though the ignorant complacency which is the mark of America began long before the new millennium, some of its most shocking manifestations are just occurring. Last month, the USDA gave the go ahead to two companies to bring new GM products to market. The first company, Monsanto, is notorious for its behavior with respect to farmers—commercial and otherwise. Using legal and market muscle, Monsanto has spent the last decade exploiting a little-known court ruling—that genes can be copyrighted—to squeeze its competitors dry, slowly forcing the vast majority of American agribusiness to plant its products. This is especially true of its strains of Btcorn, which contain a bacterial gene causing them to secrete a pesticide, and Round-Up Ready corn and soy, which are highly resistant to another Monsanto product, the herbi-
cide known as Round-Up. Monsanto currently owns the technology used in 90 percent of the genetically engineered seed sold in the U.S. market. The soy market alone is 90 percent Monsanto product—up from two percent in 1996 when Round-Up Ready soy was first put on the market. Round-Up Ready soy, though an excellent product for its makers, is known as one of the most disastrous crops planted by American farmers. Trusting to its engineered resistance, farmers dump tons of Round-Up on their fields to kill weeds. Unfortunately, as anyone with knowledge of evolutionary selection knows, the enormous pressure put on these weed species drove them to evolve rapidly. Farmers now need to contend with “super-weeds” choking their crop.
The strain does not even outperform selectively bred competitors. Farmers in areas likely to experience drought already have naturally bred strains of corn that do as well or better than Monsanto’s. This should not come as a surprise. The GM industry has been promising complextrait strains like these for years and not once has it produced a strain which out-competes selectively bred counterparts. This product offers nothing. But, like the soybean market that Monsanto first came to dominate, the corn market is also wellsuited to corporate domination by the determined. There is little to stop Monsanto from pulling a fast one and, for instance, selling the drought-resistant strain at a loss and slowly forcing all other corn seed suppliers out of competition. It has done it before.
“Monsanto manufactured DDT and Agent Orange, making it an organization of ecological disaster purveyors and war profiteers.” Monsanto was also the company which manufactured DDT and Agent Orange, making it an organization of ecological disaster purveyors and war profiteers. The second company, Dow Chemical, is tame by comparison. Both companies, however, brought petitions to regulators asking them to utterly deregulate many of their products. In Dow’s case, the products in question were corn strains resistant to certain herbicides. Monsanto brought something more complex. The USDA deregulated a Monsanto-owned strain of drought-resistant corn. But here comes the interesting part. This strain has not been shown to increase yield or decrease water requirements. It has the same minimum water requirements as its non-drought-resistant counterparts and is only able to withstand “moderate drought.”
Worse is the fact that the USDA and FDA continue to permit industry to run roughshod over public safety, fair business practice and ethics. They are not alone in their disregard. The Supreme Court has repeatedly ruled in favor of companies like Monsanto—which is less surprising when one learns that Clarence Thomas was an attorney for Monsanto in the 1970s. In fact, there is a colossal “revolving door” bridging the regulators and the regulated industry. The head of the FDA under George W. Bush, for instance, was the former executive vice president of the National Food Processors Association, while the head of the USDA was once chief lobbyist for the beef industry in Washington. The interpretation of intellectual property laws which permit U.S. chemical compa-
nies to copyright genes and then sue small farmers in cases where Monsanto products cross-pollinate with natural (or “more” natural) crops grants unchecked power to massive corporations, and the USDA and FDA are anything but concerned about protecting the health of Americans. When these agencies were created they were charged with protecting consumers as well as promoting the regulated industry. In recent years, in particular since the deregulation program of the Reagan presidency, they appear to have dropped their first charge. The FDA’s approval of “drought-resistant corn” is indicative of the regulators’ insistent habit of caving to the demands of the industry. It is a part the proud line of regulatory actions including the reclassification of feces from a “contaminant” to a “cosmetic blemish.” Monsanto and the meat-packing industry do not have any particular interest in keeping Americans healthy. Contrary to popular belief, they will feed people something that will make them sick. They will do so because they can get away with it. They can get away with it because the regulators are on their side, not consumers’. The fact remains that GM crops do no tincrease yield, bovine growth hormone is bad for people and cows, and E. coli 0157 (the lethal strain) was first discovered in the stomachs of corn-fed cattle. Over 90 percent of the chicken coming out of America’s slaughterhouses is contaminated with salmonella or campylobacter. The government of the United States seems to be more interested in “protecting” the investments and profits of war profiteers and criminal corporations than it is in investing in the health of Americans. This is nothing but despicable. It is clear that the regulatory organizations are not doing their job. Which leaves that responsibility to the consumers. It is time to realize that the way our food is produced matters. It is time to realize that the industry will do almost anything if it reduces costs. U.S. agribusiness is good for no one except the executives of Tyson, ConAgra and their competitors. It is time to get angry and ask the hard question: what is in my food?
upcoming events at
Sharp Chapel Emily Callen in her Jan. 17 article, “After racial controversies,” quotes Laura Allen, Director of Multicultural Student Programs, saying that most problems involving race “tend to arise from institutional racism.” Although I’m not sure I agree completely with that statement, I will agree that racism has fled from the light of overt action by individuals who now simply hold hatred in their hearts. Most visible acts of racism occur at the level of institutions, which have no soul or conscience. Unfortunately, an example of this kind of institutional racism occurs across the pages of The Collegian in the “Campus Crime Watch” column. The only police blotter report that mentions the race of the suspects involves “three black males in hooded sweatshirts” allegedly drawing a gun Dec. 21, 2011. Tellingly, the report from Dec. 18 involving a man who exposes his genitals to two female TU students is not identified racially, even though those kinds of sex crimes are overwhelming perpetrated by white males.
Why not? Why are none of the other alleged suspects and/or victims in the crime watch identified by their race, be it black, white, Hispanic, or Native American? It’s because the iconography of the hoodedblack-male-as-gangster plays to and reinforces the unconscious racial biases of not only our campus security and this newspaper, but of most Americans. I call on our security office as well as our student newspaper to pay attention to race in all cases, not just when it involves black males, who seem to elicit the unspoken fears of our dominant white culture. One might complain that such details are picky or irrelevant. But until we become aware of these kinds of detail that betray our perhaps unknown prejudices, then we have no chance of finally eradicating racism from our campus or our society.
Monday: Lunch with Calvin: Reading and discussion over John Calvin with lunch at 12 p.m. in the upstairs conference room. Wednesday: WOW (Worship on Wednesday): Uplifting praise music and a chapel service in the main sanctuary at 12 p.m. followed by lunch. Thursday: Apologetics for Lunch: Reading and discussion over John Scott’s writings with lunch at 12 p.m. in the Atrium. Gateway Late-Night Worship: Fellowship, a message and great student-led worship at 9 p.m. in the Atrium. Friday: PLS Lunch: Come learn more about PLS (Presbyterian Leaders and Scholars) and hear a message from a different fellow student each week at 12 p.m. in the Atrium.
Grant Matthew Jenkins, Assoc. Professor of English Director of African American Studies
Do the sudoku!
Puzzle 1 (Medium, difficulty rating 0.57)
8 1
4 8
7
3 7
9
8
4
1
6 5 3
2
8
3 7
6
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Well, we don’t have a mountain. But we have a newspaper.
4 9
Want to shout something from the top of a mountain?
8 4
7 Generated by http://www.opensky.ca/~jdhildeb/software/sudokugen/ on Mon Jan 30 04:14:24 2012 GMT. Enjoy!
Write for the Collegian. Spare the world our opinions. collegian@utulsa.edu
31 JANUARY 2012
Opinion
THE COLLEGIAN : 10