06 07 13

Issue 03, Volume 123

Friday, June 7, 2013

UT study describes improving state economy Staff Report Falling unemployment rates, an increase in vehicle sales, and a longawaited rebound in the residential housing market are all indications that the national and state economies are making a comeback.

Despite sequestration of federal spending and a payroll tax increase that have slowed consumer spending, the economy is poised for strong growth in both 2014 and 2015, according to the spring 2013 Tennessee Business and Economic Outlook released today.

The study, prepared by UT’s Center for Business and Economic Research (CBER), predicts the trajectory of the state and national economies by examining many economic and fiscal factors and trends.

“The economy has finally found a firm footing,” said Matt Murray, CBER associate director and the report’s author. “This will be the third year of payroll employment growth and a falling unemployment rate following the Great Recession.”

The national unemployment rate dropped to 7.7 percent in first quarter of the year and is expected to average 7.6 percent this year, compared to 7.8 percent in 2012. It is predicted to fall to 7.2 percent in 2014.

Additionally, payroll employment for the nation is projected to be up 1.5 percent this year and 1.6 percent next year, according to the report.

“These modest employment gains will help support modest reductions in the unemployment rate,” Murray said.

Vehicle sales are inching closer to prerecession levels, according to the report.

They bottomed out at 10.4 million vehicle sales in 2009 but are rebounding. Sales are expected to total 15.3 million vehicles this year and 15.7 million next year. By 2016, sales will likely be restored to the levels that prevailed in 2006.

The residential housing market is showing major improvement in housing prices and in the sale of existing and new homes, according to the report.

This comes after a long string of losses between 2006 and 2011.

The nation’s manufacturing sector is expected to continue to see job gains as well.

Tennessee Economy Tennessee’s economy improved in recent quarters, notably in its unemployment rate. The state unemployment rate is projected to average 7.8 percent this year compared to 8.0 percent last year. It is expected to fall to 7.5 percent in 2014, according to the report.

The state outperformed the United States in many measures.

Last year, Tennessee’s personal income, nonfarm employment, and manufacturing employment all grew more strongly than the nation’s, while the state’s annual unemployment rate rested below the national unemployment rate, according to the report.

The first quarter of 2013 showed Tennessee performing better than most states. An index of economic momentum released by State Policy Reports placed Tennessee in the twelfth position across all states for first quarter economic performance. This index is a composite that includes personal income growth, employment growth, and population growth.

Tennessee’s manufacturing sector employment growth in the first quarter was more than twice as large as the growth recorded for the nation.

The state economy will see a modest slowdown in growth into the third quarter of the year. Growth will accelerate as the year comes to a close, setting the stage for sustained economic expansion through 2015.

McCord Pagan • The Daily Beacon

Xylina Marshal and Joseph Perry perform in the Orientation Leaders’ skit June 6, 2013.

Orientation welcomes class of 2017 McCord Pagan

Staff Writer Though exhausting, freshman orientation season is off to a positive start thanks to its orientation leaders and increased focus on technology.

This summer, students from all over the country are visiting UT for what may be their first real taste of the college experience. Throughout June and July, more than 4,300 new Vols will come through in 16, two-day sessions.

Averaging about 270 students per session, the orientation leaders stay busy during their 18-hour days.

Most students have enjoyed the seemingly unending energy of the orientation leaders, but at least one student grumbled about the 7:30 a.m. start.

“It was way too early, I wish they had pushed it back about an hour,” incoming freshman and business analytics major Bob Pierson said.

The early wake-up call is neces-

sary for the students to complete their heavily scheduled day. Students are introduced to many of the services and student organizations offered on campus based on their own designated interests.

“I was surprised at all the free services on campus, like the tutoring center and the writing lab,” Pierson said, adding that the services may come in handy. “English is definitely not my strength.”

Laura Lauder, another incoming freshman, said she considered the program good preparation for the real college experience approaching in August. She said she would have liked more time to get ready for her first day.

“Meeting with my advisor was the most helpful, but I wish we were allowed time to go to a computer lab to build our schedule as well,” she said.

Lauder’s sentiment reflects Paige Philips’ own assessment of orientation. As the associate director of New Student and Family Programming,

Philips said the program’s greatest asset lies in the assimilation of incoming freshman into the campus community.

“I think the most beneficial thing about orientation is that… you can just get a really good snapshot of the university in one location and in one time,” Phillips said. “You get to take care of any business you might have, you get to meet other incoming students, other upper class students… it’s just a really big picture of the university.”

Philips added that although orientation is not required for freshman, it is strongly recommended for a variety of reasons, and those who attend but skip sessions only hurt themselves.

“What I like to say is that orientation is like your first class, so when I see someone who has not been attending sessions, I take them aside and ask if this is how they are going to approach their classes,” she said.

This year, orientation has integrated more technology into the program.

The Associated Press

R.J. Vogt • The Daily Beacon

College students faced increasing uncertainty about the cost of new student loans after senators failed Thursday to advance partisan proposals to keep interest rates from doubling on July 1.

Dueling measures in the Senate would have kept interest rates on some student loans from moving from 3.4 percent to 6.8 percent, although separate Republican and Democratic proposals each failed to win 60 votes needed on procedural votes. The failure means that unless lawmakers can find a rare bipartisan agreement, students are likely to face higher rates on new subsidized Stafford student loans this fall but enjoy greater certainty on the interest they will be expected to pay during the life of their loans.

“I cannot understand why we’re having a problem with this,” Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid told reporters after the vote.

The top Republican on the Senate education panel seemed to share that frustration. “If we can’t agree on this, we can’t agree on anything,” said Sen. Lamar Alexander. “This is a manufactured crisis.”

The failure comes just three

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See ORIENTATION on Page 2

Dueling Congress hopes to lower student loan rates

Mary Ann Murphy, sophomore orientation leader, is one of many students who could be affected by doubling interest rates.

See ECONOMY on Page 2

Dante Arnwine, an orientation leader and rising junior in political science and public administration, said the integration has been highly beneficial.

“A big difference this year is that we have digitized much of the process,” he said. “This year we’re using electronic check-in, so that makes it a whole lot easier.”

Orientation leader Austin Shelton, rising junior in sports management, agreed on the increased technology and its impact on the programming.

“I feel like we are using technology to make it a more personal situation,” he said. “We’re using Twitter a lot more this year than we were, and #utk17 was trending nationally, so that was a pretty big deal… That’s a big step for the future of Orientation for us and other programs.”

For Shelton, the personal touch that Twitter affords corresponds well

. . . . In Short Arts & Culture . . . . Opinions .Arts & Culture . . . . . Sports

weeks before interest rates increase on federally subsidized Stafford loans return to 2008 levels. For students who max out their student loans every year, the rate shift would mean this year’s loans will cost more than $1,000 than last.

“Congress must act immediately to stop the imminent doubling of interest rates on student loans,” the White House said in a statement as President Barack Obama was on his way to North Carolina to visit a school.

Democrats in the Senate unsuccessful sought a two-year extension of the current rates while lawmakers write a comprehensive overhaul of the student loan process.

Republicans, meanwhile, wanted to link interest rates to financial markets. Under Senate Republicans’ plan, interest rates would be based on the 10-year Treasury note and, once the rates were set each year, remain there until the loans were paid off.

The GOP parameters were not that different from President Barack Obama’s budget proposal, which also included interest rates linked to markets, or a version House Republicans have passed through their chamber.

See LOANS on Page 2

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•Photo courtesy of Facebook

2 • THE DAILY BEACON

Friday, June 7, 2013

CAMPUS NEWS ORIENTATION continued from Page 1 incoming freshman individual attention. Although each pair of leaders has a group of 20 students, Shelton said he tries to get to know them on a personal basis.

“I try to … remember their name, and encourage them to stay in touch; and if they have any questions at any time to feel free to ask any of us,” he said.

When summer ends, planning for next summer’s orientation begins in earnest.

ECONOMY continued from Page 1 Other findings: -Tennessee nonfarm employment is expected to be up 1.7 percent in 2013 and 1.8 percent in 2014.

-Professional and business services enjoyed the strongest growth and will continue to lead employment gains outside the manufacturing sector,

Crime May 29 10:15 p.m. Officer received a dispatch to Hess Hall regarding a theft of a bicycle. The theft was in progress at the time of call. In route to Hess Hall, the officer observed and made contact with two subjects who matched the given description and had a bicycle in their possession that did not belong to them. The bicycle was confiscated and the subjects taken into custody. They were later released pending victim identification.

May 30 7:58 a.m. An officer was notified of a vandalism at the Conference Center Building on Henley Street. Upon arrival, the complainant said that a broken window had been discovered around 5:45 that morning.

A case card was issued for the incident.

June 1

Orientation Leaders are picked in the fall semester and take a class in the spring to prepare them for the long hours that the process requires. However, all involved participate as a labor of love, no matter the energy required and how exhausted they might feel.

“We look to each other for encouragement and the extra drive to keep us going throughout the day… It’s one of those things that if you’re passionate enough about it, and that you want to do it, you’re going to make yourself do it no matter how tired you are,” Shelton said. “That and a lot of coffee helps.”

followed closely by leisure and hospitality services.

-Manufacturing will see employment growth continue into 2015. Jobs in the state’s industrial sector will be up 1.6 percent this year and next year.

Employment losses will continue to take place in nondurable goods manufacturing.

-Personal income in the state is expected to advance at a 3.3 percent rate in 2013, with growth improving to 4.4 percent in 2014.

Log 9:21 p.m. An officer was dispatched to Clinch Avenue at 13th Street in response to a suspicious person. The individual was deemed intoxicated and placed under arrest for public intoxication. After searching the individual, a glass smoking pipe containing residue believed to be from marijuana was discovered.

June 4 11:33 a.m. A previously missing bicycle was recovered at the Massey Hall bicycle rack. The owner had failed to report the bicycle stolen but was able to verify ownership with records from the bicycle shop. He advised that he would like to prosecute the thief if he or she were identified. At this time, there is no suspect information available. *Crime Log is compiled from records of the UT Police Department.

News Editor RJ Vogt

rvogt@utk.edu

LOANS continued from Page 1 Obama threatened to veto House Republicans’ legislation.

The chairman of the House Education and the Workforce Committee, Rep. John Kline, RMinn., said he does not plan to revisit his legislation and that it’s up to Obama to negotiate a deal or get the blame for higher rates.

“It leaves us with one body in Congress — the House — having passed legislation ... that would provide the long-term fix to the student loan interest rate problem,” Kline told reporters.

That fact is little consolation for students already carrying debt and likely to pick up more before graduation.

“I don’t think that many students know it’s going to increase,” said Kyle Pendergast, the student body president of Indiana’s Purdue University. “I would say that a lot of students won’t notice until they start paying back their loans. And at that point, it will be too late.”

Despite Thursday’s twin failures, lawmakers said this would not be the final word even as the clock ticked toward July 1.

“If you believe that it’s appropriate for Congress to pick winners and losers then support this bill,” Sen. Richard Burr, R-N.C., said of the Democrats’ unsuccessful plan.

Around Rocky Top

Hannah Cather • The Daily Beacon

Sections of Phillip Fulmer Way, near Neyland Stadium, will be closed throughout the month of June for utility work on the new Student Union.

THIS DAY IN 1913: First successful ascent High One.” In 1889, the mounof Mt. McKinley tain, over half of which is covered with permanent snowOn this day in 1913, Hudson fields, was dubbed Densmores Stuck, an Alaskan missionary, Peak, after a prospector named leads the first successful ascent Frank Densmore. of Mt. McKinley, the highest point on the American conti1776: Lee Resolution prenent at 20,320 feet. sented to Continental Congress Stuck, an accomplished amateur mountaineer, was born in On this day in 1776, Richard London in 1863. After moving Henry Lee of Virginia introto the United States, in 1905 duces a resolution for indehe became archdeacon of the pendence to the Continental Episcopal Church in Yukon, Congress in Philadelphia; John Alaska, where he was an admir- Adams seconds the motion. er of Native Indian culture and Lee’s resolution declared: traveled Alaska’s difficult terrain “That these United Colonies to preach to villagers and estab- are, and of right out to be, lish schools. free and independent States, In March 1913, the adven- that they are absolved from all ture-seeking Stuck set out from allegiance to the British Crown, Fairbanks for Mt. McKinley and that all political connection with three companions, Harry between them and the State of Karstens, co-leader of the expe- Great Britain is, and ought to dition, Walter Harper, whose be, totally dissolved; that meamother was a Native Indian, sures should be immediately and Robert Tatum, a theology taken for procuring the assisstudent. Their arduous journey tance of foreign powers, and was made more challenging a Confederation be formed to by difficult weather and a fire bind the colonies more closely at one of their camps, which together.” destroyed food and supplies.

During the ensuing debates, However, the group persevered it became clear that New York, and on June 7, Harper, followed New Jersey, Pennsylvania, by the rest of the party, was Delaware, Maryland and South the first person to set foot on Carolina were as yet unwillMcKinley’s south peak, consid- ing to declare independence, ered the mountain’s true sum- but would likely be ready to mit. (In 1910, a group of climb- vote in favor of a break with ers had reached the lower north England in due course. Thus, peak.)

Congress agreed to delay the Stuck referred to the moun- vote on the Lee Resolution tain by its Athabascan Indian until July 1. In the intervenname, Denali, meaning “The ing period, Congress appointed

HISTORY a committee to draft a formal declaration of independence.

Its members were John Adams of Massachusetts, Benjamin Franklin of Pennsylvania, Roger Sherman of Connecticut, Robert R. Livingston of New York and Thomas Jefferson of Virginia. Thomas Jefferson, well-known to be the best writer of the group, was selected to be the primary author of the document, which was presented to Congress for review on June 28, 1776.

1692: Earthquake destroys Jamaican pirate haven On this day in 1692, a massive earthquake devastates the infamous town of Port Royal in Jamaica, killing thousands. The strong tremors, soil liquefaction and a tsunami brought on by the earthquake combined to destroy the entire town.

Port Royal was built on a small island off the coast of Jamaica in the harbor across from present-day Kingston.

Many of the buildings where the 6,500 residents lived and worked were constructed right over the water. In the 17th century, Port Royal was known throughout the New World as a headquarters for piracy, smuggling and debauchery. It was described as “most wicked and sinful city in the world” and “one of the lewdest in the Christian world.”

Earthquakes in the area were not uncommon, but were usual-

ly rather small. In 1688, a tremor had toppled three homes.

But four years later, late in the morning on June 7, three powerful quakes struck Jamaica. A large tsunami hit soon after, putting half of Port Royal under 40 feet of water. The HMS Swan was carried from the harbor and deposited on top of a building on the island. It turned out to be a refuge for survivors.

Residents also soon discovered that the island of Port Royal was not made of bedrock.

The relatively loosely packed soil turned almost to liquid during the quake. Many buildings literally sank into the ground.

In the aftermath, virtually every building in the city was uninhabitable, including two forts.

Corpses from the cemetery floated in the harbor alongside recent victims of the disaster.

On the main island, Spanish Town was also demolished.

Even the north side of the island experienced great tragedy. Fifty people were killed in a landslide. In all, about 3,000 people lost their lives on June 7. There was little respite in the aftermath--widespread looting began that evening and thousands more died in the following weeks due to sickness and injury. Aftershocks discouraged the survivors from rebuilding Port Royal. Instead, the city of Kingston was built and remains to this day the largest city in Jamaica.

This Day in History is courtesy of history.com

Friday, June 7, 2013

THE DAILY BEACON • 3

ARTS & CULTURE

Friday, June 7

Arts & Culture Editor Melodi Erdogan merdogan@utk.edu

Saturday, June 8

Who: Flux Pavilion with Skism and Sour Kandi When: 7 p.m.

Where: Old City Courtyard Price: $20 - $25 RJ’s Take: Dubstep has a penchant for attracting fans who love loud music and raging parties. Naturally, the college crowd has taken a liking to the genre. For all the dubsteppers still on campus this summer, U.K.’s rising star Flux Pavilion may be the answer to the classic what-should-I-do-tonight conundrum. His 2011 track “I Can’t Stop” was sampled by Jay-Z and Kanye and his January EP “Blow the Roof” has metaphorically blown several roofs across the U.K. Take a chance on the most recent British invasion before he gets too big for the college budget and bring a jacket; a high chance of rain might make Flux wish he hadn’t blown the roof off after all.

•Photo courtesy of Facebook

•Photo courtesy of Facebook

What: Pilot Light 13th Birthday Celebration When: 3 p.m.

Where: Candoro Arts and Heritage Center Price: Free R.J.’s Take: A quick perusing of Google reviews of Pilot Light brings up phrases like “adventurous music” and “underground.” If you’ve ever visited the Old City dive bar, you’d be hard-pressed to challenge it’s reputation as one of the best rock clubs in Knoxville. Celebrate the club’s 13th anniversary and attend the all-day party in South Knoxville. With bands like Ahleuchatistas and the Faun Fables starting at 7 p.m. and local bands Smoking Nurse, Dumb Lunch and Birthday Girl finishing off the night, the ticket is heavy on the back end. Don’t miss the beginning; members of the Royal Bangs and White Gregg, with others, will perform “micro-sets” starting at 2 p.m.

What: The Rude Street Peters with Foddershock When: 8 p.m..

Where: Barley’s Taproom & Pizzeria •Photo courtesy of Facebook Price: free R.J.’s Take: Punk meets country meets rock ‘n’ roll in the Rude Street Peters’ sound, a KnoxWhat: Bob Dylan Birthday Bash ville favorite for nearly 20 years. They have a song entirely dedicated to the fornication of two When: 5-10 p.m. dogs in the middle of a road, if that tells you anything. If looking for a change of pace from the Where: Market Square typical Saturday night, grab one of Barley’s hand-tossed pizzas and enjoy one of the most Price: Free R.J.’s Take: If you’ve ever picked up an issue of Rolling unique bands in town. It will be a rowdy evening in the Old City.

Stone, you know Bob Dylan is hailed as the greatest songwriter ever. Some critics object to his singing, but nobody denies his creative genius. Enjoy the latter without the former in Market Square thanks to a host of East Tennessee bands: The Lonsome Coyotes, RB Morris, Norwegian Wood, Itchy & the Hater Tots, Clint Farley and more. Come for the free tunes and stay for the food; whether it’s a turkey burger from Cafe 4 or a cold treat from Rita’s WaterIce, Market Square restaurants never fail to delight. In Dylan’s “One More Cup of Coffee,” he sums up the feeling of many a Market Square visitor: “His voice it trembles as he •Photo courtesy of Facebook calls out for another plate of food.”

Around Rocky Top

Hannah Cather • The Daily Beacon

Members of UTK Print Club make and sold Smokey the Dog prints at the Emporium Gallery during May’s First Friday event.

4 • THE DAILY BEACON

Friday, June 7, 2013 Editor-in-Chief Victoria Wright

OPINIONS

vwright6@utk.edu

Contact us letters@utk.edu

Value democracy amid Turkish Protests Whispering Sweet Somethings by

Melodi Erdogan When news broke last Friday that Turkish citizens were protesting against the government headed by Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, it was all my family could talk about.

My parents, both born and bred Turks, called family and friends and examined all the different news coverage in the media. From watching live video of demonstrations taking place in both Istanbul and the capital city Ankara to reading through numerous amounts of coverage from different news sources, this past weekend was entirely consumed of discussing the future of Turkiye.

Turkey is currently governed by Erdogan and his Justice and Development Party (AKP) which was elected 11 years ago after advocating for a strong economy focused on joining the European Union. The economy is now stable and booming, but the country, split between Europe and the Middle East only by the Bosporus strait running through Istanbul, is not any closer to joining the EU than it was 11 years ago. In fact, Erdogan’s extremist Islamic regime is slowly working its way into governing decisions and plaguing the democracy that is founded on keeping religion and politics separate.

From Taksim Square to Izmir, Turkish, protesters are chanting and clanging their pots and pans for Erdogan to step down from his post. Although he was democratically elected, Erdogan gradually started implementing his hidden agenda of transforming the secular country into a religious state. In addition to the recent curbs on alcohol consumption, he advocated stricter dress codes for women and how many children they should have, commenced curriculum change in schools and even prohibited people celebrating national holidays.

This all came to a boil last week when the police attacked, without provocation, a few environmentally conscious protesters who occupied Gezi park, the last green park left in Istanbul that Erdogan plans to turn into a shopping mall.

The Prime Minister’s response to all of this has unsurprisingly been negative, where he believes the citizens are just wasting their time.

Erdogan, who I unfortunately have to share

a last name with, obviously has no intention of leaving his position. Instead, he enlisted the Police force that employed violence in its attempt to control the protests. So far, more than 1,000 people have been injured and four people have reportedly died.

Even with the lack of internet access and telephone service, the protestors are causing quite a stir around the world. Recognized as breaking news by numerous media outlets including TIME and Al Jazeera English, Turkish citizens have successfully gotten the attention they need to start shifting governmental changes forward, not backward, like Erdogan intended.

Democracy is something Americans take for granted. The freedom to speak your opinions, the freedom to practice any religion, the freedom to write these exact words… these are precious things overlooked in this country.

According to Daniel Pipes’ LA Times article “The good news in Turkey,” the AKP sent more journalists to jail than any other state in the world and imposed limitations on public displays of affection, actions that beget the Islamic-based government Erdogan so eagerly wants to practice.

When considering how much progress Turkey has achieved in the past century, it’s unbelievable how much it has grown, not only economically but also culturally. Turkey once was stereotyped as a backwards country stuck between Europe and the Middle East, but it’s vast size and prominence in that region has necessitated the opening of doors to all different types of people and businesses, enriching the culture and feeding the economy.

How will that continue with a dictator Prime Minister who thinks the past is his citizens’ best future?

I am Turkish-American and Turkish culture is in my blood. There was never a moment when I doubted my heritage to the country known for its coffee and cotton. I call my mother “Anne” and father “Baba,” and I drink tea on a daily basis and eat baklava on special occasions.

Turkish culture is very much prominent within my home – I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Despite my allegiance to Turkey, I cannot help but support the citizens protesting Erdogan. Living in America has helped me realize how valuable democracy really is.

In Turkey today, I might not have the freedom to write this column.

Melodi Erdogan is a sophomore in journalism and electronic media. She can be reached at merdogan@utk.edu.

What the Duck • Aaron Johnson

RHYMES WITH ORANGE • Hilary Price

Columns of The Daily Beacon are reflections of the individual columnist, and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Beacon or its editorial staff.

Fear & Hoping in

Knoxvegas

R.J. Vogt Managing Editor Note: the title of this column may not make sense to a large portion of its readers. For those who have never picked up a copy of Hunter S. Thompson’s infamous “Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas: A Savage Journey to the Heart of the American Dream” or seen the Johnny Depp film of the same name – the title “Fear and Hoping in Knoxvegas” hopes to imbibe Thompson’s pioneering of “gonzo journalism,” a method which blends objective facts with perspective fiction.

Considering this is an opinion page, the homage seemed apt.

And on the topic of opinion, a recent Supreme Court ruling has been buzzing around editorial pages across the country. According to Justice Anthony Kennedy and the rest of a 5-4 court majority, police have the right to collect DNA from arrestees in order to confirm an arrestee’s identity or solve cold cases. Conversation has undoubtedly ensued.

The case began in 2009 after Maryland police arrested 26 year old Alonzo J. King Jr. for a felony assault. In accordance with a state law that permits the collecting of DNA from arrestees (note: the law is already enforced in 27 other states and the federal government), the officers swabbed King’s cheek and entered the sample into state and federal databases of DNA from unsolved cases. King’s DNA matched DNA collected from a previously unsolved 2003 sexual assault, and he was consequently convicted of the 2003 crime and sentenced to life in prison.

After appealing the ruling in the Maryland Court of Appeals, King was redeemed by argument from the Fourth Amendment, which requires probable cause for a search. The appellate court ruled that, as the police did not have probable cause to search King in regard to the 2003 crime, their search of him occurred unconstitutionally and rendered the resulting evidence moot.

Now, the Supreme Court has overturned that ruling, likening the cotton swab of an arrestee’s cheek to a long-accepted practice of fingerprinting and suggesting that authorities do not need probable cause to collect DNA. Some, including dissenting Justice Antonin Scalia, fear the measure signifies a serious blow to the American tradition of privacy.

But can you really consider your DNA private?

Humanity leaves dead skin cells and lonely hair follicles littered across the various facets of our lives, a natural practice which suggests the exact opposite of private. Don’t we flush DNA down the toilet?

If you’ve ever visited the Varsity Barber Shop or Campus Cutters on the same day I have, you’ve probably stepped all over my DNA, scattered across the floor by a defter man’s scissors. And I’m not certain, but I believe an especially ambitious collector could gather some of my saliva from the sunflower seeds I spit out the car window on Cumberland the other day.

Of course, there is no denying that DNA holds some of our most intimate information. Cloning is real; anyone with extensive knowledge and instruction in stem cell research could conceivably cause some serious damage with one measly strand of hair. Thankfully, we do not live in some totalitarian dictatorship conspiracy seeking to duplicate its citizens for a body farm of clones. America is not a science fiction plot. With today’s hawk-eyed media, no dubious scheme to manipulate our DNA would last long.

Another argument against the ruling contends that the nation’s DNA databases are already overloaded, causing jams in the cogs of justice. The ensuing backlogs allow the DNA of convicted criminals to sit idly on the shelf while scores of innocent DNA is checked for no reason. Ultimately unnecessary testing of innocent arrestees, then, results in the extended freedom of already-provenguilty convicts.

Although these instances rarely may occur, DNA testing and database management will likely improve with the maturation of this week’s ruling.

And if opponents of the decision are so concerned with persecution of the innocent rather than the guilty, those opponents should consider the man hours of most police forces. How much time is spent investigating the innocent in the field? Surely that time commitment restricts the conviction of true criminals, but it’s an accepted sacrifice in the pursuit of greater public security.

Justice Scalia, in his dissenting opinion, referenced the fight of the American founding fathers for greater public security against Great Britain’s relentless invasion of privacy. “I doubt that the proud men who wrote the charter of our liberties,” he wrote, “would have been so eager to open their mouths for royal inspection.”

George and Thomas and the rest of the gang were nothing if not proud, it’s true. But even John Adams would have swallowed enough of his pride to leave room for a Q-Tip swipe in his cheek.

R.J. Vogt is a junior in College Scholars. He can be reached at rvogt@utk.edu.

White House should shift focus on obligations EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Victoria Wright

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Commitee of Infractions by

Greg Bearringer Don’t be surprised if conversations about politics begin to get a bit high-minded in the next few months (if they haven’t already).

Forget discussions about pension reform, the tax code, or even (thank God) gun control.

No, get ready for the discussion about politics to eschew the situation of government for the nature of government.

Before I make my case, please don’t read the below statements as some special condemnation of Barack Obama, though he does deserve a lion’s share of the blame. There are political realities that help create certain situations.

One of the biggest things ignored by the GOP in the last election (other than, you know, the people who support them) was the fact that Obama had failed to be as anti-Bush as people thought. The Patriot Act powers have been expanded during the Obama administration—with a Democratic majority in the Senate, no less. Over the past few months, civil rights have been pushed to the forefront.

Tea Party organizations have been targeted for special IRS investigations (mostly because of a legal ambiguity), Fox News had its reporters wire-tapped, and now there apparently was a warrant issued (and kept under wraps until the Guardian exposed the truth) to release what the Obama Administration calls “Metadata” about Verizon phone calls.

This is a situation where the sum of the parts is greater than the whole. The impression given has caused conservatives to wax poeti-

cally about their civil rights and many liberals to sidestep offering much of a defense. This administration is seen as either totalitarian and corrupt or as generally right and constantly battling international issues or domestic attacks from conservatives.

The truth—which probably lies in the middle somewhere—does not concern me. What does is the lack of space for dialogue about, you know, day-to-day issues of governing the country. The administration has had to do battle on each of these issues plus the whole Benghazi fiasco every day for the past month and a half. Opposing congressmen, and many in the Democratic Party, too, have had to go on a rabbit hunt to find out information from middlemen trained in the art of obfuscation.

While this is the nature of “scandals” it doesn’t leave a whole lot of time for real solutions to budget problems that, while less imminent, are serious and long lasting in effect.

In an idealized America, citizens would think daily about the nature of government and the utility and sacred status of civil rights. It is hard to blame people to be concerned when tales of civil rights being infringed upon are spit out of the 24-hour news cycle constantly. We need to be careful, however, not to let concerns about how governments ought to operate override paying attention to what they are doing. If President Obama should take the blame, it’s not for being more or less totalitarian than past presidents have been, but that the exposure of all these has left his Administration tied down fighting battles over serious, if seemingly, limited events while leaving the practice of government as secondary concern.

Greg Bearringer is a graduate student in history. He can be reached at gbearrin@gmail. com.

Friday, June 7, 2013

THE DAILY BEACON • 5

ARTS & CULTURE

Arts & Culture Editor Melodi Erdogan merdogan@utk.edu

Video site yields unlimited connections for expression ment,� Carpenter said. “It’s also helpful when I am trying to learn how to do Staff Writer something. Like do it yourself videos and like that.�

YouTube is an internet phenomenon of stuff Using as a way to gain recognithe past 10 years, and some students sug- tion and YouTube catch the attention of fellow users gest it has become one of the most honest is another helpful tool the video giant prosocial networks in use today. vides.

Whether the account holder reviews Founded in 2005, the site offers a way a movie, tells a joke or sings of a to upload and watch original videos. Each popular song, they are able toa cover post their minute, 72 hours of video are uploaded to video to the website and gain views from YouTube. users around the world.

The big three of social media — Facebook, internet “[People who post videos] use it as a Twitter and Instagram — have taken over way to express themselves,� Carpenter the internet and are clearly defined as said. “They don’t social networks. do it for other Users of these people, but for websites post their own love of what they want doing it, because people to know. they are passion“On social ate about it.� networks like Sharing interFacebook it’s easy ests in this way for someone to has paid off for post what they well-known users want people to Hannah Hart think and hide of My Drunk other parts of Kitchen and themselves,� said Jenna Mourey, Brooke Carpenter, who is known sophomore in psyby her YouTube chology. “It’s compseudonym Jenna pletely controlled Marbles.

The by the user.� comedian shares - Patrick Tice, Although it her insights does not carry a to daily social senior in communications strong definition conundrums and of the average her efforts have social network, garnered her senior in commumore than 9 milnications Patrick Tice said that Youtube is lion subscribers on YouTube who get notiin fact the most reliable way to get to know fied every time Marbles uploads a new a person through the internet. “You can tell a lot about a person based video.

This also spreads to Marbles’ other on what they look at on YouTube,� said social networks accounts, where she has Tice, who is also a band member of Johnny procured friends on Facebook Astro and the Big Bang. “If you looked at and nearly13 million million followers on Twitter. mine you could tell that I like music.� “My perspective is to think, ‘I just have More than 4 billion hours of Youtube a lot of Internet friends,’� Marbles told the videos are watched each month. From New York Times in April.

President Obama killing a fly to the now Possibly the biggest difference between classic talent show performance “The YouTube celebrities and Hollywood celebEvolution of Dance,� there is a video rities is that the former are famous strictly for every user. According to Carpenter, because of being themselves.

YouTube is entertaining as well as helpful “It’s cool.

[YouTube Celebrities] feel in everyday life. more real,�

Tice said. “It “I find it most helpful when I’m looking like you can be like that.� makes you feel for clips of shows or movies for entertain-

Cortney Roark

•Photo courtesy of Facebook

Daft Punk returns to form in fourth album Victoria Wright

Editor-in-Chief With heavy disco-funk influences and hypnotic collaborations with some fan favorite artists, electronic dance duo Daft Punk has returned with their fourth album “Random Access Memories.�

Run by French house music masters GuyManuel de Homem-Christo and Thomas Bangalter, the album has remained at the No.1 spot since its late May release. Last time the duo was on the radar was 2010 when they were creating electronic themes for the Disney movie Tron Legacy. Since their last project, the group has matured yet still maintains their French house music roots. Their lyricism is much more apparent in this year’s release, almost as if the artists have metaphorically removed their robotic masks and revealed a side of their human selves.

Tracks “Within� and “Game of Love� are the more melancholy songs on the album, with the most pressing lyrics when compared to the other tracks. The probing lyrics are a melancholy personal ode to soul searching. While the track is not as upbeat as other songs on the album, the short melody is a necessary composition representing a time of doubt all people experience at some point in their lifetime.

It’s different compared to past projects such as “Discovery� and ironically titled “Human After All,� which is a mash-up of synthesized beats and heavy bass overtones with inaudible vocals. The genius part of the album is that while “Random Access Memories� is an easier album to adjust to musically, the tracks can still be played in packed clubs on late nights.

Then there’s the array of guest appearances, including rapper/ product and N.E.R.D. front

man Pharrell Williams and the Stroke’s Julian Casablancas, as well as 70’s producer and musician Nile Rodgers, who found success through his collaborations with legends such as Diana Ross, David Bowie and Duran Duran.

The most notable track on “Random Access Memories� is “Get Lucky� featuring Mr. Williams’ signature falsetto over an old-school, disco beat. It’s a change from past successful singles such as “One More Time� and “Harder Better Faster Stronger,� which both featured a definitive electronic sound rather than the funk that inspired much of the band’s other music.

Regardless of the different feel, the song is still a fun track and for once the duo’s music is touching an audience outside of the French house music clubs.

Their new sound couldn’t have come at a better time. The artists have been seen as innovators throughout their career, spitting out singles that, while familiar across the Atlantic, were foreign and futuristic to many American ears. Then came compositions such as “RAM� and “Human After All,� and Daft Punk’s familiar charm was lacking. The songs were missing a certain spark, and their once-eager listeners took notice. Thus when the release of Tron Legacy occurred, the mention of Daft Punk’s name was nothing more than a short chime of nostalgia that dissipated as quickly as it came.

The hard part of artistry is preventing a plateau of creativity, and, for a short while, Daft Punk failed to continue their musical progress. Luckily “Random Access Memories� was birthed and set the two back on the upswing of musical progression and experimentation.

While not every song on the new album is a hit, the record proves that embracing the past could be the perfect antidote to musical stagnation.

“You can tell a lot about a person based on what they look at on YouTube.�

NEW YORK TIMES CROSSWORD • Will Shortz ACROSS 1 Singer’s tongue 8 Fast delivery 15 First name in online news

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C O W H N O I E L F S A F E D R O A I D E E M R E N A N E L E I L E E Y O R

A L E I V T E I L N A Y A A L G E L U A R E

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14 Staying power

42 Passed out

62 It may be said with a raised hand

6 • THE DAILY BEACON

Friday, June 7, 2013

SPORTS

Sports Editor Steven Cook

scook21@utk.edu

Softball coach brings honor to struggling athletics program

David Cobb Staff Writer

It was a simple statement. So simple that it was almost confusing.

“We’re just honored to coach at the University of Tennessee,” said Ralph Weekly as he and his wife Karen – co-head coaches of the UT softball team wrapped up an interview with ESPN that aired last weekend during the Women’s College World Series.

The delivery of the statement was unmistakably sincere and subsequently baffling. Here’s why.

How could it be that a coach, who has experienced immense success at the top of his profession with his wife by his side, is still humbly serving a university whose athletic department has been anything but glamorous during his tenure?

He didn’t have to say what he did. The interview would have been great television without that line at the end.

Besides, surely the crumble of UT’s football program and subsequent financial struggles of the athletic department have hampered softball in some capacity, right?

Or weren’t he and Karen fed up when the school decided to combine the women’s athletic department – perhaps the best in the country – under one umbrella with the fledgling men’s programs?

Never mind all the other negative publicity and self-inflicted wounds that UT athletics has limped through in the past several years, none of which have involved the softball program.

The point is that even after 12 seasons on the job in Knoxville, Ralph Weekly told a national television audience that he’s honored to coach at the University of Tennessee.

The program the Weeklys have constructed reflects that sentiment at an unprecedented level while managing to steer clear of the scandals that have infiltrated seemingly every other corner of UT sports.

They sell out the inconspicuously located Lee Stadium every weekend and fans go home happy.

And while thrashing the nation’s best teams

with smiles on their faces and good grades on their BlackBoard pages, the UT softball team partners with groups like Team IMPACT. If you’d like to cry, just Google search “Averi Ramsey” and read about the 8-year-old girl with leukemia who is the newest member of the Lady Vol family.

It sounds cliché, but the UT softball team is everything that’s right with college athletics.

But on Rocky Top, where it’s been easy to spot what’s wrong with college athletics in the last few years, it’s actually not cliché at all.

It’s refreshing for fans, those associated with the university and media alike.

I don’t worry that I’ll find Ivy Renfroe or Hanna Akamine in a police report when I’m covering the crime beat for this newspaper. And the two times I’ve escaped the baseball stadium to cover a softball game, I’ve been personally thanked by Ralph for coming.

Those I know who regularly cover the team rave about his easy-going nature and sincere gratitude for their work.

Even the disillusioned demographic of championship-thirsty UT fans that cares nothing about doing things the right way can appreciate the success of the team.

Yes, Oklahoma got the best of UT in the national championship series this week.

But when so many UT programs seem stuck in rebuilding mode or transitional phases, a team representing the university played for a national title on national television.

The importance cannot be underestimated.

Tennessee fans who aren’t on the Weekly bandwagon should start by sincerely appreciating Ralph and Karen Weekly and what they’ve built and stand for.

If not for what he’s done for the university, at least appreciate that Ralph was awarded the Bronze Star and Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry for outstanding service in the Vietnam War. Why he is so honored to be at UT is incomprehensible in the best way for a UT athletic department starved for stability and continuity.

The truth is that UT is honored to have the Weeklys, not the other way around.

David Cobb is a junior in journalism and electronic media. He can be reached him at dcobb3@utk.edu.

•File photo

Diamond Vols add four JUCO transfers Pitching staff, outfield to receive talent boost Beacon Staff Report The Tennessee baseball team added four junior college transfers to its 2013 signing class on Wednesday, including three right-handed pitchers and one of the nation’s top outfielders.

The Volunteers plucked a pair of pitchers off the West Coast in California junior college products Zac Grotz and Tei Vanderford out of the College of San Mateo and Glendale College, respectively, as well as Yavapai College (Arizona) right-hander Peter Lenstrohm.

Grotz will join the Vols after leading the Bulldogs to a 32-12 record, going 7-3 and posting a 2.24 ERA in the process. Vols

head coach Dave Serrano is excited about what the righthander will bring to his squad.

“Zac is coming off a good year at the College of San Mateo and has the ability to be either a starter or closer for our program as he has a great arm and a very good split-finger fastball,” Serrano said. “We hope and expect him to help add depth and quality to our pitching staff next season.”

Vanderford went 5-3 with a 1.65 ERA in 12 starts, helping lead the Vaqueros to their third consecutive Western State Conference championship.

“Tei comes from one of the top junior colleges in California which has had a lot of success recently,” Serrano said. “He is a

strike thrower with a good arm and is a fierce competitor.

This past spring, Lenstrohm fired a team-high 79.1 innings for Yavapai, posting a 5-2 record and a 2.72 ERA with 61 strikeouts in 13 appearances on the mound.

“Peter is a very polished right-handed pitcher with a great arm from Arizona,” Serrano said. “He has a history of winning a lot of games throughout his career and is someone who could come in and quickly establish him as a weekend starter for our program.”

In addition to the three new arms, the Big Orange also signed Lexington, Kentucky native Jonathan Youngblood,

an outfielder out of Meridian Community College (Mississippi). who has already been drafted twice in his career and entered the 2013 campaign ranked as one of the top-10 junior college prospects in the nation.

“Jonathan is an experienced, slick-fielding outfielder who will come in with a chance to immediately establish himself as a key contributor in our program,” Serrano said. “He will bring much-needed speed to our lineup and has great baserunning instincts.”

The four new signees push the 2013 signing class to a total of 14 players who will all join the Tennessee program this fall.

Athletes ‘coming out’ cause unnecessary distractions

Troy ProvostHeron Staff Writer Early June is usually a time of excitement for sports fans.

The NBA Playoffs and the Stanley Cup Playoffs are nearing their climactic end, and Major League Baseball’s contenders are starting to separate from the rest of the league.

While all of these are still going on, none are the most intriguing topic in sports; three athletes named Jason Collins, Robbie Rogers and Brittney Griner are.

For those of you that don’t know, all three of these players have made history by becom-

ing America’s first openly gay athletes.

Collins, a 13-year NBA veteran, came out in late April in a Sports Illustrated article and Rogers became the first openly gay athlete to compete when he played for the Los Angeles Galaxy last Sunday. Griner, the No. 1 pick in the WNBA Draft by the Minnesota Lynx, has recently come out as homosexual.

Speaking from a social standpoint, I’m OK with it. It’s a great thing for the gay community and the three have become role models for millions of people around the world.

And while Collins, Rogers and Griner have received plenty of support from their peers and fans (Griner has even gone so far as to be the first openly gay athlete to sign with Nike), they have also taken a lot of criticism, especially in the cases of Collins and Rogers (not saying that Griner hasn’t, but she has faced less backlash than the other two.)

Some NFL players have come out and said that a player publicly coming out is “selfish” because it should be nobody’s business, which to some extent I agree.

But then are the things that nobody gay or straight should deserve to hear. The worst remarks came from Fred Phelps Jr., whose father leads the Westboro Baptist Church in Topeka, Kansas, when he tweeted that the Oklahoma City tornadoes were caused by Kevin Durant because he supported Jason Collins.

And it’s just as bad for players who come out in support of these players. Kenneth Faried, who was excited for the news of Collins because he himself has two mothers, was called a “gay boy” for being happy for Collins.

To me, all of that just shows how much we as a society have to grow, but I digress.

The fact is Collins, Rogers and Griner aren’t the only gay athletes out there, and they’ve paved the way for more players

to come out, and they will.

But is all of this a good thing for sports? Only time will tell.

In my opinion, I think it can only hurt. Again, society-wise it’s great, but I don’t see a positive from a sports perspective.

At the very least, the leagues will have to deal with both positive and negative publicity. At the worst, future players avoid the league - at least until the first NFL player comes out - because of the increase in openly gay players. Maybe I’m wrong and I just don’t see how it could be a good thing, which wouldn’t be a first.

In actuality, none of this should matter. All that matters is that they get to live their life the way they want to; everyone deserves that.

I just want this to blow over so we can get back to talking sports.

Troy Provost-Heron is a sophomore in journalism. He can be reached at tprovost@utk.edu