An APPLE TREE, THE CIVIL WAR, AND POST 9/11? WHAT’S NEXT FOR AMERICA? (page 12)

Fight or flight? Crossing the border

IRAQ | Page 16 IMMIGRATION | Page 18

VILLANOVA, PA WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2007 On the inside The Rise of Bioethanol Biofuel and corn are the new gold Never Have I Ever 10 By ALEXANDRA JASKULA Why do we love games that reveal our secrets? In an attempt to decrease the and sugar cane. Two years ago, sources. However, construction provides locations of alternative Katharine Miller explores this country’s dependence on oil for fuel, an Indiana town was renamed to plans for 43 ethanol plants have fuel stations. The Center City Shell phenomenon. the United States as well as several BioTown, USA to discontinued due to an excess of Station is the closest location to other countries including Brazil create a center ethanol supply and a drop in price Villanova that offers bioethanol and China have developed methods for bioenergy for corn-based ethanol fuel. fuels including biodiesel fuel and of deriving ethanol fuel from crops companies and While the United E85, a combination of 85% ethanol such as corn to provide an States and Brazil are fuel and 15% gasoline. In many example of a town the largest producers cases, biodiesel fuel can be used 08 Bad Music We Love that is fueled by of biofuels, Sweden is in existing diesel engines with the Christmas carols that you environmentally the largest consumer minor requirement of changing can’t help singing along to, no friendly energy with 792 bioethanol the fuel filter within the first few matter how annoying they get. fuel stations. Every moths of switching from diesel gas station in to biodiesel fuel. However, only Sweden is required certain car manufacturers offer to provide at least vehicles that are bioethanol fuel one alternative fuel. compatible including Chrysler, The Greater Philadelphia Ford, GM, Isuzu, Mazda, Mercedes, Clean Cities initiative, which is Mercury and Nissan. sponsored by the United States Congress will vote on a new Department of Energy, Energy Bill within the next two promotes the use of weeks since the Democrats reached alternative a deal last Friday. Industrywide, fuel and car and small truck manufacturers must attain an average of 35 miles per gallon by 2020. Since 1989, car Has commercialism manufacturers only had to reach conquered the holidays? a fuel efficiency requirement of We present a semi-rant on the 27.5 miles per gallon on average insincerity of shopping malls.- and an average fuel efficiency of Page 14 22 mpg for SUVs, vans and pickup

Bioethanol, continued on p 5

When Saying ‘Hi’ 03 is Harder than It Not Your Typical Saturday Night At Nova Seems A how-to guide to combat these awkward situations Experiencing Diwali 2007 around campus. By MAX STENDAHL While the basketball team was if you couldn’t make it, you missed an eclectic cover of “Tere Yaad,” the closed it out with an electric Punjabi kicking Penn’s collective behind on out on an electrifying night of hit song by popular Pakistani rock dance. By the end of the night, one Saturday night to the delight of a Bollywood and an intriguing taste group Jal. Rutgers RAAG provided thing was clear: Villanova does, in raucous Pavilion, another, more of South Asian culture. a taste of South Asian accapella with fact, have culture and taste, and America and Guns 18 spirited exhibition was taking the After the crowd filed in and a handful of stunning renditions, we’re not afraid to use it. The Supreme Court Connelly Center by storm. The stood for the singing of the U.S. while a fashion show featuring Megha Kulshrestha, the Diwali takes down the Second annual Diwali Festival, presented and Indian National Anthems, everything from traditional saris Chair for SAMOSA, was more than Ammendment for the first time by SAMOSA and orchestrated with Dr. Keita took the stage to preface to modern salwars gave a sparkling pleased with how the event turned in almost seventy years. the utmost time and effort, showed the event with some eloquent lesson in South Asian sartorial style. out. “When a show comes together a different side of Villanova’s opening remarks, explaining the In between the many presentations like this did, it just becomes a typically by-the-book campus, true significance of the Diwali were short skits and witty dialogue universal moment. We had been providing a night of singing, celebration. “This festival is to keep the mood light and planning it for more than a year dancing and, at times, hilarity, something all people should poke fun at stereotypes and the and it brought so many different for the extraordinary number of celebrate,” he said. “This festival is supposed blandness of Villanova’s people together over that time. It attendees who chose an evening of something all Villanovans should campus and student body. A video became a unifying experience for culture over the standard fare. If you celebrate. It is part of a global human of senior SAMOSA members and the student body, one that showed chose to grace the Villanova Room tradition.” After his stirring opening a sensational performance by the our cultural integrity.” She noted with your presence, what you got speech, the show got underway, class of 2008 added some especially that Father Peter’s attendance was an experience perhaps unlike with vibrant, traditional dances poignant moments to the show, any other you’ve had this year. And like classical Bharatnatiyum and before Villanova’s bhangra team Diwali, continued on p 3 2 WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2007 The Villanova Times thoughts & reflections THE CRUX OF THE ISSUE As the semester draws to a close, seniors are thinking more and more about the future and it can be scary. We have been thinking about the future too: the future of the paper, of Villanova, and of America. Is the American dream still alive? Will we ever get out of Iraq? Is my resume good enough to score me a job? The best we can do is hope and work hard and together for a better world.

ISSUE 3: October 31, 2007 ISSUE 4: November 14, 2007 ISSUE 5: December 5, 2007 ISSUE 6: January 30, 2007 ISSUE 7: February 13, 2007

NOTABLE NEWS FROM THE OUTSIDE

Dublin beer bandit raids Guinness FIRST WORDS: The Editor’s Letter DUBLIN, Ireland - Irish police were hunting for a beer bandit who stole 450 full kegs from the Guinness brewery — the largest heist ever at Ireland’s largest brewer. National police said a lone man drove into Dear Reader, the brewery — a Dublin landmark and top tourist attraction — on Wednesday and hitched his truck to a fully loaded trailer awaiting delivery to city pubs. Diageo PLC, the beverage company that owns This may be the last time Guinness, said the brewery had never suffered such a large-scale theft that I am writing to you before in its 248-year history. from this particular place in the paper. We are cur- Police say two’s a crowd rently in the midst of MOSCOW (Reuters) - When does a legitimate Russian political picking a new editorial protest become an illegal gathering? Answer: When a second person board, fresh blood on a joins in to spoil it. So says Viktor Shenderovich, a radio journalist and paper that has been led by political satirist who had been staging a lone protest outside a Moscow police headquarters Wednesday, holding a sign saying “Free Garry the same five people for Kasparov. Then a provocateur came out with a flag and stood beside the last three years. I have me,” Shenderovich told Reuters. Shenderovich said police waiting in a grown to love these people nearby vehicle then walked over to detain him and the unknown ac- as we have debated every complice. issue possible in our non- office at all hours of the night. Judging from how RETRACTIONS & CORRECTIONS most of those conversa- tions went, I am surprised CONTACT US that we all survived, and even more surprised that Website E-mail the boys who have hated www.thevillanovatimes.com [email protected] almost everything I have said eventually let me be in charge. I guess persistence pays off, persistence and sar- DONATIONS casm. The Villanova Times is a donation driven publication. We are always in desperate need of help with publication and equipment costs. Any However, I am not going to get teary and sentimental because I will still have my 750 support is greatly appreciated. words in the opinion section with that charming picture of me kissing a frog. Also, it is just not my way. Once again, my column does not represent the broader views of this Please send checks to: The Villanova Times, 217 Dougherty Hall, 800 E Lancaster Ave, Villanova, PA paper. It is weird though this week. Usually, I am the nice one. I was the recipient of the 19085 Kindness Award in the second grade. Payable to: Villanova University

Your donation to The Villanova Times, a non-profit organization, is tax So our paper is being turned over to a new generation, a generation who will hopefully deductible. If you would prefer to meet us in person before donating, be just as willing to fuel the fires of controversy as we were. It can be tough remaining please contact Kim at [email protected]. honest and objective; criticizing when criticism is necessary, regardless of powerful clubs or Villanova’s Everywhere People. Sometimes you make arch- nemeses; it comes with the job and arch-nemeses can be fun. I heard a rumor that our new generation might be willing to take on Special Olympics (JUST KIDDING). I just really hope that I never see an exclamation point in this letter.

I have complete confidence that they will lead this paper with poise and grace into a hopefully debt-free future. The Fearless Independent Newspaper of Villanova University Before we get ahead of ourselves, this is a great issue. Ali Flukes wrote an insightful KIM MCMURRAY, Editor-in-Chief piece on the American Dream (think Death of a Salesman), and Melissa Nally takes on ANDREW MORIARTY, Assistant Editor-in-Chief Christmas commercialism. There also might be something about the paperless basket- CARLOS M PRADERA, Chief Art Editor ball ticket system, but I am not making any promises. JAMES KURZ, Production Editor

JON MATTISE, Sports Co-Editor KELLEN DOUGHERTY, Sports Co-Editor Thanks for a great semester, reader. See you in a few pages. ALEXANDRA JASKULA, Copy Editor DEENA ElGenaidi, Copy Editor MELISSA NALLY, Copy Editor DEREK HUTCHINSON, Copy Editor MAX STENDAHL, Copy Editor & Lead Artist Kim McMurray LINDSAY MCAULIFFE, Copy Editor & Artist Editor-in-Chief MATTHEW CRAWFORD, Copy Editor & Artist PATRICK DI LORETO, Copy Editor & Artist Copy Editing Lillian Cambell

The Villanova Times is an official award-winning newspaper written, produced and published by the students of Villanova University. The views expressed in The Villanova Times do not necessarily represent the views of Vil- lanova University. Each article, column, piece, or any other written statement is a representation of the author’s opinion, or, but not necessarily including, The Villanova Times staff in general. The Villanova Times is published biweekly and freely distributed to the Villanova community.The Villanova Times is a publication sponsored by the Villanova Times Club.

This publication is made possible by the generous donations of friends of the newspaper. Copyright 2007

The Villanova Times WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2007 3 VIEW ON THE FUTURE “ STATS & FACTS The world’s scientists have spoken clearly and with features Number of pounds the average american one voice. I expect the world’s policy makers to do the weighs more than the ideal. “ 17 same. UN SECRETARY GENERAL BAN KI-MOON The Internship The Awkward Walk Quest And the Different Levels of Hi By DEREK HUtchinson The Art and Agony of Resumé Writing Everyday you walk around ridiculous test coming up. Who measures to avoid saying hello to By Marissa Bulger campus passing colleagues and knows, you might even end up in any shape or form. Occasionally faculty alike. You are possibly grabbing coffee and studying you might be lucky enough to be “Which makes me look more experience onto a single page of a thinking about that big test coming together. walking with a friend to whom you responsible? Times New Roman Word doc, and into predetermined up, or thinking about what the The next category of people can casually turn and engage in point 10.5 or Arial Narrow size 11?” categories no less, knows it is more weekend holds. However, at the are those who you think you might conversation with, but when you My trusty iBook, cursor flashing, than a list of activities and the few same time, you are subconsciously have met at a party the previous are alone it will take more crafty stands by anticipating the ‘select jobs teenagers can hold. Babysitting looking at every single face which night, but you may not fully strategies than that to steer clear all’ changes to be made, while my and life-guarding experience passes on your path. But you’re not remember their name or even what of your ex’s attention. Some of roommates pretend not to hear the aside, questions you have never just looking, are you? You are the easier tactics might include question. considered begin to occupy your doing a quick scan of each face pulling out your cell phone to It seems like the world mind during the many revisions you see and using your social respond to a ‘ghost’ text message of resumés, interviews, and that seem necessary if you ever database in the back of your or phone call, or turning onto networking has all but done away want to find work. brain to decipher first whether the nearest sidewalk crossroad. with the myth of the carefree, How thin can you squish or not you know the person. And on those extremely rare party-loving college student who those margins? How much bold is Most of the time it’s occasion when you find yourself will worry about employment once too bold? Should you go the way of just an unknown face and not within reach of a cell phone college is over. The “real world” is Elle Woods and use scented paper? you decide not to make eye within or an alternative route, calling and it is time to answer. (FYI: It worked for Elle.) contact so you don’t look like you know your last resort is to C a r e e r a total creep. Then you might stare straight down, power walk Counselors encounter the occasional close like a soccer mom, and pray to and assistants friend or roommate, with whatever god you can that your are armed with whom you stop to have a short object of rejection doesn’t try to red pens and chat with or at least give an get you’re attention. pastel-colored obvious recognition of hello. No matter where you worksheets But then come all those people go on a college campus, you to help with in between those who are cannot help but encounter your Google these concerns. totally familiar and those you Going to jail sure is awkward. peers, those desired, and those Additionally, don’t know at all, and these are feared. Unfortunately, walking for the stressed the people who make every walk you talked to them about. And as is not a one-man recreation, but or overworked, across campus an awkward one. soon as you see them you wonder rather a sport in which you must a trip to Career First you have the kids in how much they recollect about be prepared to run into the most Services is never your class to whom your reaction the night before and what they are amiable of teammates or ruthless Summer internships have a bad idea if only for the glimpse varies depending on their physical thinking is an appropriate response of enemies. All in all, the awkward become a must for even the semi- of the dozens of other students proximity to you in the actual class. to seeing you. This experience has walk requires a quick mind which serious college student. Everyone schlepping through the experience To those who sit on the other side probably taught you rule number can decipher faces and speedy from Accounting to Humanities with you. of the room you try either to ignore one with hellos: that it is always reflexes to either give a swift hello majors seems to find a corporate If you are still not confident them or give a half smile. For those best to let the other party act first. or to answer that phone call with job that will somehow make them that your resumé is going to be who sit close to you and you don’t The last and possibly most your imaginary friend on the a better candidate in the future. enough to win over a potential already know, you might only give complex of interactions are those other line. So college walker, just And so, it begins with a call to a employer, the bookstore sells them a small head nod or slight involving people who you may continue to walk with casual step well-connected uncle for the lucky leather covers and folders with the smile at first. As the relationship have had a romantic (or maybe and hold your head up high, but ones and a visit to Career Services Villanova crest that will hopefully grows over the semester, you give not so romantic) relationship always be prepared to encounter for the rest of us. It is through this distract from the fact that nothing less than a small wave with in the past. These are the anyone at anytime. visit that your ticket to the city for “Childcare Provider” refers to that or maybe stop to chat about the people that lead you to drastic that dream job pouring coffee and time Mom paid you to watch your mastering the Xerox machine is sister. Scoff at the price, but it is a created: the resumé. lot cheaper than years spent living Diwali, continued from p 1 extraordinary amount of attention, Thinking like an employer, the life of the unemployed. becomes irrelevant. Nobody who that time you helped your friend By the time you decide on the was indicative of the widespread to contribute was able to.” attended or was involved with in College Republicans count cash most appropriate font, learn about involvement in the show, and What makes Diwali 2007 Diwali, I’m sure, was thinking much from a fundraiser gets typed up “small caps” and spend a fortune added that Diwali reflected a especially meaningful, whether you about diversity or multicultural as “Treasurer for Philanthropic on “professional” paper at Staples, it significant cultural engagement and were there Saturday night or not, is dialogue, the buzz words that are Events.” Those years spent in only seems fair that you should be community interaction. “To have its acknowledgment of the fact that part of our daily rhetoric about Dad’s office, filing paperwork and allowed one last bullet on your list: knowledge of something other than Villanova is far more complex than getting along. But getting along was answering phones somehow appears Resumé-writing Expert, August your own culture adds something to most realize. During performances never at issue. Instead, the focus as experience in “Client Relations 2007-present. Now get to work on your appreciation of other people, like these, titles like “Vanilla- was on a community performance and Office Administration.” that cover letter. experiences and backgrounds. It Nova” become nothing more than about something universal, and it

Of course, anyone who was about experiencing the good of misnomers, while the subject of must be said, beautiful.

has tried to compile their life every culture, and whoever wanted diversity, something given an EDITORSHAVEFUNTOO “ Which gift from the “The 12 Kellen Dougherty A partridge in a pear tree, because Lori was my favorite Days of Christmas” would you CO SPORTS EDITOR “ most want to recieve? Partridge. 4 WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2007 The Villanova Times features Make a Unique Minor, Education and the Not War American Dream Is College That Important? Villanova’s Peace and Justice department By MOLLY SCHREIBER By AMY RICHARDS In an increasingly or don’t have the ability to go to Upon walking into the Center poverty, labor, racism, sexism, the the changes needed both inside and competitive society, students college don’t have that luxury. of Peace of Justice in the basement environment, animal welfare and outside the United States and how can often forget that they have Cornell economist Robert of Sullivan, students are confronted genocide, each working to eradicate to go about effecting those changes. a choice concerning the pursuit Frank states, “I agree that from with various causes and world the injustices that exist in the world Equipped with a supportive staff, of higher education. As the job the perspective of society as facts on the Department bulletin the Peace and Justice department market becomes more difficult a whole, it would be better if board. Did you know that it takes is home to some of the most to infiltrate, it seems as though fewer people went to college… 16 pounds of grain to make one passionate professors at students have no alternative Economists often challenge this pound of beef? By the time Villanova who, semester to attending college, getting a notion by citing studies that you read this sentence out upon semester, inspire degree, and competing for a show significantly higher wages loud, one more person individuals to transfer position in the workforce. But, for college graduates,” he said. will be infected with their energies and what if we hadn’t gone to college? “But all these studies say is that AIDS. There is also talents into seeking What if we bounced straight the people who attend college are a notice for the last an end to the pains from high school into a nine- better, on the average, than those person to leave to of those who suffer to-five job? In the context of the who don’t. They don’t tell us how turn the lights out. at the hands of American dream, the decision much value is added to them The center injustice, war and to skip college doesn’t exactly by attending college. From the for Peace and global poverty. cohere. individual’s point of view, it still Justice Education The group is It is, however, not uncommon often pays to attend college, since helps students always active both for students to forgo investing employers so often use education to understand on and off-campus in a college education in favor as an initial screening device. the need for social all year long. They of earning a comfortable salary. Everyone wants the best- justice in society, and are seen barging into While statistics are constantly paying and most interesting the exigency of world classrooms during cited as proving that students jobs, after all, which assures peace. Through its diverse Hunger and Homeless with college degrees earn more that there will always be a interdisciplinary curricula, Awareness Week, raising money, on average, than students surfeit of applicants for them. students seeking either a minor or funds to counter genocide in with high school degrees, is So employers who offer such concentration can discover a wide Darfur, lobbying representatives in salary really a measure of success jobs have every incentive to range of subject areas, including Philadelphia and Capitol Hill for and happiness? Does the lack of confine their attention to college domestic as well as global issues. today. These student groups are more just allocation of resources to a college degree really impede graduates. But that doesn’t mean The Center veers away from typical unique in that they participate in eradicate extreme poverty, raising success? that we’d be poorer as a nation charity efforts or panhandling for service, fund-raising, and specific their voices in rallies, and finally, Albert Einstein, William if fewer people went to college.” causes, focusing instead on fighting causes, while producing student raising awareness for the whole Faulkner, Walter Cronkite, Larry This is the struggle that high for justice through policy change activists who learn to advocate and Villanova community through King, Frank Lloyd Wright, Ernest school graduates face: is it worth or political support. The motto of take on higher roles in fighting for posters, documentary screenings Hemingway, Steve Jobs, Walt sacrificing the higher paying the Center could be summed up the representation of the unheard. and a plethora of zealous speakers. Disney, and Bill Gates are just a jobs if one chooses not to attend on the bumper sticker stuck to one Groups include Amnesty Each of these individuals may be few of the successful people who college? of the podiums: “If you want peace, International, Bread for the World, fighting for a different cause, but would support the claim that While many of the students work for justice.” The Center offers CRS Ambassadors, Mother a together these students, along with college simply isn’t for everyone. at Villanova are blessed with the interdisciplinary classes (often Month Association (MAMA), their advisors and professors, have Amid complaints about capacity to pay for their education, paired with theology or political Progressive Student Network, A a common theme in their message. impossible calculus tests, there are plenty of students who science) and classes exclusive to the Student Anti-Genocide Coalition They call upon us, as Villanovans, incomprehensible philosophy are taking out hefty loans in order concentration, often taught in the (STAND), Student Advocacy to raise our heads, open our eyes, texts and endless essay to invest in a quality education. It and to become advocates in a world assignments, students often take is undoubtedly true that gaining Peace and Justice has grown to epic that begs for change. for granted their time to shrug access to the current job market proportions, with students becoming With comfortable couches responsibility and relax. Imagine is made even more difficult by not always surrounding a bowl of not having the time on the holding a degree, but is the money involved in work for the higher values of candy, the Center for Peace and weekends to go out and enjoy the put into a college education really Justice hopes to be an inviting ability to act recklessly. Imagine worth the price? Is college just an human dignity. place where students can meet to walking across the stage at your excuse to prolong our youth and discuss various world issues such high school graduation and rationalize less than responsible one classroom in the back of the for Latin America (SALA), a domestic agricultural policy, or crossing directly into adulthood, behavior? Whatever the case may Center. Face AIDS, Villanovans Against homelessness around the world. where the stress of taxes, rent, be, the negative connotation that Peace and Justice has grown Domestic Abuse, Environmental Though it can be intimidating at and food are almost tangible often accompanies the decision to epic proportions, with students Group, Villanovans for the Ethical first, if you hang out in there long worries. to opt out of higher education becoming involved in work for the Treatment of Animals, Villanovans enough, you cannot help but sign a While college students can may not be as accurate as once higher values of human dignity. for Life and Villanovans for Peace. petition, get invited to a rally, or at decide whether or not to take thought. The department sponsors a variety The truly remarkable students least snag a free piece of pizza. their work seriously, the men of student groups that address involved in these groups are experts and women who decide against issues such as human rights, in the area of social justice, aware of EDITORSHAVEFUNTOO “ Which gift from the “The 12 Kim McMurray Two turtle doves. I would give one to a homeless woman in Days of Christmas” would you EDITOR IN CHIEF “ Central Park in hopes that we could be friends forever. most want to recieve? The Villanova Times WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2007 5 features

Bioethanol, continued from p 1 I Flew 8,000 Miles to Pick Up My Chinese Food trucks. The bill will also contain provisions that require a significant My Semester In Hong Kong increase in the use of bioethanol fuel. Nonpublic electric companies By JULIE TRAN must also produce 15% of their power from wind, solar and other At Villanova, we pride ourselves renewable energy sources as part of on being well versed in the ways of the Energy Bill. the international world. Anyone Flex-fuel vehicles, which are could tell by our passion for wine, compatible with the bioethanol our pashmina scarves, and our fuel combination available in interchangeable FaceBook photos Center City, will be granted time to taken while standing in front of increase fuel efficiency until 2014. identifiable foreign landmarks, that SUVs and pickups will also have we believe we are cultured. Ranked some flexibility in attaining their as one of the top institutions for fuel efficiency standards. study abroad participants, we offer Democrats are expected to summer vacations that count as remove their provision in the three credits, allow our freshman to Energy Bill instating a tax burden leave just as soon as they got here, of $16 billion in new taxes for the and have nearly imposed study oil industry to fund the research abroad as a Villanova School of and development of renewable Business requirement. We boast of energy sources. taking lessons in London, Australia, The use of bioethanol fuel Ireland and on the West Coast (I’m may seem ideal for decreasing the not making that one up). Thus, we United States’ dependence on oil, as know all there is to understand of the price of gasoline nears $100 per the mysterious “overseas”. barrel. Alternatively, corn-based And Asia is no different. We ethanol is priced at $82 per barrel know everything about the Orient. Photos from Julie Tran and ethanol from jatropha seeds Why, we’ve got Memoirs of a A very foreign scene on the streets of Hong Kong. Asia offers a plethora of sights which cannot be found in Europe. costs only $43 per barrel. Yet, issues Geisha, Rush Hour 2, The Joy Luck have arisen from environmental Club, and Tokyo Drift to educate us. never sleeps. Instead of turning up New Year dazzles with parades, seems the norm. How easy it is to groups, health groups and anti- Every week we watch Heroes and A their nose,s, Asian people intrigue temples, lucky money and wishing stay connected through Skype and hunger groups about the societal Shot at Love with Tila Tequila. We by your towering stature, blonde trees. And you find an appreciation AIM, to use the ATM, and travel and environmental effects of believe in Feng Shui and harnessing hair, and blue eyes will ask to take for getting lost among swarms of to a land that speaks English. But producing and consuming our Chi - or fortune cookies and their photo with you while making people, Asian apothecaries, wacky we may have forgotten what study bioethanol fuels. sake bombing, at least. There the peace sign. Not to mention, you architecture, art and international abroad is about – opportunity, Berkeley Geological couldn’t possibly be much more to it will party straight into the next film festivals, Cantonese celebrities, innovative thinking, testing your Engineering Professor Tad Patzek than rice hats and green tea. Surely afternoon in Lan Kwai Fong where karaoke, and street vendors selling limits, and independence. describes ethanol fuel as “energy in Asia, everyone floats through the ladies always drink for free. You tofu or various meats on a stick. Don’t get me wrong. I know a negative” because more energy is air dressed in silks, skimming water can’t beat that. You’re bemused by hole-in-the-wall number of Villanovans who have required to make bioethanol fuel at and battling slow-mo on rooftops With never ending shopping restaurants where it’s customary for ventured off the beaten path and this stage in its development than and in trees – just without subtitles. streets and open air markets, custom people you don’t know to be seated returned with open eyes and rare is produced as a result. Reports Or, so you may believe. But I tailors, and luxe retail districts, at your booth during peak hours. experiences. So, to those who have from the USDA contradict this have shocking, liberating news dear shopping is serious business. So is And whether you win or lose it all, gone beyond their comfort zone, I claim asserting that bioethanol friend. Things are different outside food. The less discriminating eaters you learn to love gambling at the commend you. To the rest, I offer fuel has a positive yield. Critics of the bubble, beyond the Eurotrip, on my program were enlightened horse races. a challenge. Be daring. Live a little. of this alternative fuel include the and past the reefs. The lands of Asia by Asian delicacies. We sampled Those are the hidden gems This could be the only chance you energy expended to manufacture are unlike any you have ever seen. I the innards of animals that don’t that studying abroad is all about. get. farming equipment in the energy too was once so naïve to toss the idea even exist in the U.S., chomped on It’s about cultural differences and Find out what it’s like on the inputs of biofuel production while of it aside, having already gained so scorpions and crickets, avenged traditions, learning the history other side of the world. Island supporters of ethanol fuel include much “perspective”, “history”, and Steve Irwin’s killer, and sipped cold and seeing its impact. It’s about hop through Indonesia, ride Thai the positive output gained from “culture” whilst gallivanting through tea filled with what looks like frog assigned seating at the movies, 24- elephants and play with tigers, visit the byproducts of producing Europe. Yet my very own semester spawn. We savored the mellow flesh hour breakfast at McDonalds, and beaches in Vietnam, eat kimchi in ethanol fuel. The byproducts of in London could hardly compare of a fruit banned on aircrafts – the drinking chrysanthemum tea from Korea, or go to Japan and try not corn ethanol production can be to the shock and wonderment of a durian, otherwise known as the a juice box. The stories and photos to catch The Grudge. And when used as cattle and poultry field, and semester in Hong Kong. “stinky fruit.” And most importantly, you take home will be exciting and everyone has returned from their electricity can be generated with Known as a fusion of East we lived to tell our friends and new, instead of another picture in semester abroad, scoff at their the remainder of sugar cane used to and West, Hong Kong is full of families back home the details of front of Big Ben or the Eiffel. pictures because, in Asia, you visited produce ethanol fuel in Brazil. The surprising flavors, traditional our offbeat gourmet encounters. What has happened to the one of the wonders of the world, electricity created from this process music, tiny people, and deep-rooted Hong Kong’s history, torn adventurous spirit? Where has saw the tallest outdoor Buddha, can fuel further ethanol production culture. Whatever any other country between old and new, is ever present the thrill of the unfamiliar gone? and watched the Guinness Book of cycles. has – Hong Kong has ten of them in the distinct blend of Chinese and In the old days of phone cards World Records’ biggest light show. Patzek recommends that crammed into less than half the British heritage. For instance, only and traveler’s checks, it used to be Or, have fun being the United States invest in space and covered in neon lights. In in Hong Kong could you practice unique and somewhat risky to study “sophisticated” with a Reel Divine manufacturing technology for the labyrinth of streets, you’ll find Tai Chi in the park followed by overseas. Today from the chatter foreign flick and Belle Air Terrace photovoltaic cells. “A mediocre whatever you want in a city that high tea at The Peninsula. Lunar over coffee or dinner, it almost “sushi”. photovoltaic cell is about 100 times more efficient in delivering work than corn ethanol,” the Berkeley crops to corn and palm oil to make sorghum and cassava for producing potential bases for bioethanol fuels of creating a viable alternative professor said. Photovoltaic cells biofuels. The alternative crops such biofuels. This is a good solution, that are easily grown and will not for improving environmental convert light into electricity as jatropha and cassava are hardy as farmers can make profits from diminish the world’s food supply. conditions and maintaining and are currently used for rural plants and the seeds can be used to growing these crops while food While the United States faces the affordable food prices. To find health clinics for refrigeration, for extract biofuel. The director of the supply is not compromised.” reduction in new bioethanol plants, out if your car is bioethanol fuel irrigation systems and for small Center for Chinese Agricultural As the government encourages Brazil and Asian countries will compatible, visit http://www.e85fuel. scale power generation. Policy, Jikun Huang, said, “The United States consumers to be continue testing biofuel production com/e85101/flexfuelvehicles.php. As food prices have risen, Chinese government is looking less dependent on oil, scientists from crops including sugar cane, To learn more about Philadelphia’s Asia has searched for alternative at alternative crops such as wheat will continue to experiment with jatropha and cassava in hopes Clean Cities mission, visit http:// 6 WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2007 The Villanova Times features Calling Out Isaac Newton Debunking our perspective of reality one discovery at a time

By NOel Shadowen & James Kurz

Black holes, super positions, that dark matter plays an enormous from the sun pass through the functions in our every day life—on Quantum physics so far is the galaxies, supernovas, red giants, role in galaxy and structure human body every second. our size, speed, and time scale. It only scientific explanation for many and quarks… talking about these formation and has an impact on the If this seems unbelievable and turns out that Newtonian Physics, or previously unexplained phenomena things is often like telling a fictional cosmic microwave background. illogical, it’s because so much of classical physics, is only applicable such as black body radiation, black story. Even what we know about While we don’t know what dark our universe that we are unaware on a certain level, and describes holes, and electron orbits. these very large, or very small, matter is made of, some scientists of plays by a different set of rules, only a limited aspect of a much Reality as we know may well phenomena in our universe is believe that it may be composed of especially the very big and the larger (and odder) reality which be called into question by the essentially unrecognizable to us weakly interacting massive particles very small. Quantum physics has encompasses everything. In other knowledge of the quantum world. because there is nothing in our (WIMPS) and axions, postulated been the predominant way to words, Newtonian physics only In our everyday lives, reality is immediate physical environment elementary particles, and neutrinos, understand the behavior of the describes how matter and energy something which is objective and that even resembles it. also elementary particles. Neutrinos, most fundamental particles of the appear on our level; it is not a more fixed, and exists independently of Dark matter makes up the in particular, are fascinating. These universe such as atoms, neutrons, general theory that is applicable to whether or not anyone is observing majority of mass in our universe, yet particles carry no electrical charge and electrons for more than seventy all of reality. Although Einstein was it. Quantum physics, however, has its composition is unknown. It does and are able to move through years, yet there is still much debate instrumental in the development of proven that in the case of electrons, not reflect light, and so is completely ordinary matter without causing and disagreement on the most basic quantum physics, he spent the rest the very building blocks of nature, invisible, but its presence must be any effect. With current technology, properties of these particles. of his life trying to discredit the this is not the case. Electrons and inferred by the gravitational effects their mass is too small to measure. Isaac Newton’s “Newtonian” previously unknown world he had photons can act in ways which are that it has on other matter near it. Scientists believe that around 50 view of reality is one of common discovered and the implications it Astronomical observations suggest trillion neutrinos that were emitted sense; it describes the way the world held for reality as a whole. Reality, continued on p 17

2 nd Annual

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Program Highlights: ‹Advanced Sessions for Returning Attendees ‹ Pitch Your Idea to Experienced Entrepreneurs ‹Networking with Entrepreneurs, Faculty & Alumni Topics Include: ‹Turning Ideas Into Opportunities ‹Writing A Business Plan ‹Financing A Venture ‹Product and Service Based Businesses ‹Social Entrepreneurship ‹And much, much more!

Beyond Ideas Sponsors: Delaware County KIZ, College of Arts & Sciences, College of Engineering, College of Nursing, Villanova School of Business

(CEO approved event), Villanova Career Services Office and Villanova Entrepreneurial Society EDITORSHAVEFUNTOO “ Which gift from the “The 12 James Kurz The three French hens. There’s nothing like a bowl of French- Days of Christmas” would you PRODUCTION EDITOR “ style chicken noodle soup. most want to recieve? The Villanova Times “ WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2007 7

STATS & FACTS AS HEARD AT VILLANOVA I ordered a non-fat milk soy free no sugar campus The number of fans able to fit inside the Pavilion. More than the number of under- “added vanilla latte frappucino like I usually do at 6,500 graduates, but not enough for Hoops Mania. Starbucks, but Holy Grounds just gave me a coffee. Anonymous Villanova Student Much Ado About Benches Villanova’s many benches are more than just places to rest

By ChARLOtte Thurston

“All you get is the experience of out to join him with their own having trouble and sang it for him.” ing for class to begin, and for a for- urbia, the death of his brother from people passing you by,” Rory Scan- guitars and other instruments. Though students come in and mer classmate to stroll in the door. Hodgkins at the age of 20 swept in lon, a junior Humanities major, said “From the time he was lit- ask questions as she speaks, and she “Knowing him made it a lot revelations—and alterations. His about sitting on the benches scat- tle he was an artist, an intellect,” answers, at that moment she seems to more than a bench,” Mohan said. father became restless in his job tered throughout Villanova’s campus. Prendergast said. “He was an have left her office for a C onnel ly Cen- His aunt, in her own of- as an actuary, and immersed in Often students, faculty, and staff do outstandingly positive person.” ter moment almost three years past. fice, with her own responsibilities, the Civil Rights movement, devel- rush by, busy with their daily activi- A likely political science “He loved it and let every- sometimes gets a similar faraway oped an interest in demographics. ties and avoiding the cold. But anoth- major, Marty questioned why one know he loved them,” Pren- look on her face. But her smile Soon, they were not only unlike er question arises: what exactly are things existed and happened the dergast said. “He always said Vil- and sparkling eyes testify to the the usual suburban family—they Villanovans and visitors passing by? way they did, and how to enact lanova was the place for him to be.” joy his memory still brings her. also no longer lived in suburbia. Villanova’s benches, like those changes. But for part of his life He died in January of 2005, “I hope by reading the quote In 1968, his father’s work brought of any other place, offer a place to he also desired to be a cartoonist. over Christmas break, about a year they can get a feel for who he was, them to India and then Sri Lanka. sit. But some are more than rest- “He managed to get ev- after his diagnosis. His memo- that he had a lot going for him,” There, his father worked for ing places: they provide a space erything done by six, always,” rial service at Villanova was packed, Prendergast said. “I hope they get a USAID developing computer pro- for one person to stand solid and Jaya Mohan, a fellow Interdisci- and his friends gave the eulogy. sense of peace, but that there’s a lot grams that would model various remembered, despite the weather- plinary Studies classmate, said. “He lived his life with hu- to do out there and get out and do it.” changes in the population. His moth- ing of time. These are the benches Even two years later, she is still mor, grace, dignity, and joy,” His mother travels from er was a journalist who wrote poetry whose graying slats might pass the in disbelief that anyone could finish Prendergast said. “For someone Cleveland three or four times and devised new family recipes. Both eye—except the glint of gold in the their college-heavy course load so so young, to handle it so grace- a year to sit on his bench. parents were Christian Scientists, sun is unmistakable. These sudden quickly. But he used his extra time fully, and with such strength, I “Anyone who happens and his mother’s poems on grace shinings are the plaques on benches to spend time with people rather wonder where he got it from.” to sit by her, she tells them and redemption were published dedicated to a beloved. The pres- than books. That first Christmas His friends, who wanted to his story,” Prendergast said. in the Christian Science Monitor. ence of a name and a quote evokes break, 20 of his Villanova friends memorialize the energy of his She, too, sometimes wishes she “Everyone in the family, they’re questions for those whose eyes packed themselves into cars and life, sought a way to bring Marty could tell students who sit on Mar- odd, just like me,” Immerwahr said. absorb the glow of the rectangles: drove to visit him in a snowstorm. back to the campus he loved. They ty’s bench about the vivid person Later in life, his mother was di- what memories are inscribed on this “He befriended people out of raised money to dedicate a bench whose name lies at their shoulder. agnosed with dementia, and she died the normal in his name, and his parents flew “I just wish that everyone in 2003. But before she did, she lived Villanova in for the bench dedication in May. could have known him,” Pren- a life unique for women of her time. standard of a “As a class we were really, really dergast said. “He didn’t get too Immerwahr recalls the reaction student,” Pren- close,” Mohan, one of the students much accomplished, but enough of one man at his mother’s memorial dergast said. in charge of organizing fundraising that people remember him.” service: “I’ll never see a little old lady in O n l y for the bench, said. “It was hard for a At a Confirmation retreat he a wheelchair again without thinking one semester class that was that close, so it helps to led two months after his diagno- there might be something different.” into his fresh- have a way to remember him here.” sis, he wrote a prayer. Prender- After his mother’s death, his man year, he Mohan and two of Marty’s gast had it taped to her desk. She father remained active as a tu- had a bustling close friends picked the inscription took out an extra copy from un- tor, but became depressed. Im- social life, an for the bench from the Bacchae, a derneath her computer keyboard. merwahr decided to write his fa- i m m e r s i o n play Marty read and performed in Father, please give me the streng th ther e-mails, asking for stories of Matt Crawford in his educa- for his Interdisciplinary class. The of spirit to face all the challenges that his childhood and his life with his wood, and on other people’s hearts? tion, and the love of a good deal quote proved not only lyrical, but lay ahead of me. Please guide me wife. His father’s responses turned The benches are quiet and of the student body. Only one se- also layered. Those who read the and carry me when I can’t walk on into an autobiography, detailing the mysterious on these questions. mester into his freshman year, he quotation without knowing any- my own. I know that your will, and richness and depth of his experi- But not far from them, friends received a startling diagnosis. Dur- thing else about it can see that he not necessarily mine, must be done, ences. Immerwahr published the and family of those named on the ing Christmas break of 2003, he was full of life. Those who see the and I just pray that some day I come results to the Immerwahr website. benches pour out their memo- learned that his headaches stemmed name Euripides notice that he was to an understanding of what that is. “I would recommend to any- ries and love for their lost loves. from glioblastoma, a brain tumor. scholar. And those who have read The benches clustered in front body who has a grandparent to One such beloved was Marty He brought his band, Jambe and the play itself, which centers around of Kennedy, grouped in threes, do an oral biography,” Immer said. Mazanec, a Villanovan who passed the Sauce, from Cleveland to campus, the god Dionysus punishing the city seem more like families than in- His deceased brother’s life away nearly three years ago. Be- where they rocked out for a packed of Thebes by placing the women dividual benches. But one of these had revolved around music and yond the bench dedicated to him Connelly Belle Aire Terrace a few under a hallucinatory spell, know sets of three does actually memo- chemistry, and organ music had exists affection still very much alive. months before he passed away. Vig- that he was slightly unconventional.. rialize a family—the Immerwahrs. been his specialty. Before he died, “He was very adamant that he orous and lively as usual, he picked Mohan pauses every once in a “In my family, there are no he had written a fugue for the or- participate in everything,” Joan Pren- up his electric violin. But as his illness while after a sentence, and looks at cemetery plots, so there’s really no gan which, Immerwahr regrets, he dergast, his aunt and secretary of the advanced, he had trouble playing all some unknown point. She graduated visible memory of people who have never found. However, he remem- Multicultural Affairs Office, said. the notes. When the band came to with the Class of ’07—the same class died,” John Immerwahr, a Villanova bered the first few notes of the piece, Participating included per- one of his favorite songs, “Dust in the Marty would have graduated with— professor, said. “For me, when- which he had inscribed on his broth- forming electric violin solos in Wind”, he had difficulty singing it. and she now runs a program in the ever I pass that spot, it reminds er’s bench in place of any words. the Sheehan and Sullivan Quad— “His best friend sang it for Honors department. But poised in me of my mom, dad, and brother” He mentions many times solos that quickly turned into him,” Prendergast said. “It was so her chair in the Honors lounge, she Though Immerwahr describes

continued to pg 11 jam sessions, as students rushed moving. His friend knew he was could still be an undergraduate wait- his family as typical of 1950s sub- Benches, EDITORSHAVEFUNTOO “ Which gift from the “The 12 Matt Crawford Four calling birds because talking is better than text SENIOR EDITOR Days of Christmas” would you “ messaging. most want to recieve?

8 WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2007 The Villanova Times culture STATS & FACTS VERBATIM “ The average American spent There is nothing sadder in the world than to awake Christmas $347.44 $347.44 less this Black morning and not be a child. Friday than last year. “ EMMA BOMBACK All I Want for Christmas are The Death of Some Holiday Tunes Television The Best of the Worst Christmas Songs How the Writers’ Strike is By MOLLY SCHREIBER Changing the Face of TV What exactly is it about the holiday season that spurs so By Deena elgenaidi much excitement in the hearts of both children and adults all over The entertainment industry is those in anticipation for those new the world? Is it the decorations? in turmoil as the Writer’s Guild of episodes of their favorite shows will The Christmas cheer? The America (WGA) strike continues have to wait a while. Fortunately mistletoe? Here at the Villanova into the month. The WGA West though, negotiations began again on Times, we like to believe that it is and East divisions represents over November 26, in a “secret location” the holiday music that solidifies 12,000 movie and television writers to avoid the press. the Christmas spirit in everyone. with salaries ranging from around Late night talk shows such as While some claim to despise the $5 million dollars per year to less those hosted by Jon Stewart, David best of the worst holiday ditties, than $50,000. With new episodes Letterman, and Conan O’Brien, we all know that everyone has of television shows running out, were the first hit by the strike, forced a special place in their hearts the public will be forced to watch to go into reruns immediately as dedicated to Mariah Carey’s reruns and reality shows. The the hosts, writers for the shows rendition of “All I Want for strike, which began on November 5 themselves, went on strike. Now, Christmas is You” or Alvin and after three months of negotiations, scripted shows have slipped into the Chipmunks’ interpretation of threatens to shut down all of repeats, as many may have already “Christmas Don’t Be Late.” It is Google.com Hollywood, wreaking havoc for noticed. The first show to face any our pleasure to introduce to the clutches of the Abdominal fate to cap off the never ending television, movies, and those who real threat from this strike is “24.” Villanova community the best of Snowman. holiday cheer? make a living from the two. Originally supposed to premiere the worst Christmas songs in the Of course, we can’t neglect There is a Christmas song The last WGA strike occurred season seven in January, FOX has history of holiday music. to mention the famous piano rift for every situation during the in 1988, lasting a total of five months decided to push it back to January Let’s be honest: without from A Charlie Brown Christmas’ holidays. Is there anyone who and costing the entertainment 2009, one year later, hoping to Bobby Helms’ version of “Jingle “Linus & Lucy.” Without a dose doesn’t blare “Chestnuts Roasting industry $500 million. This one, air each episode consecutively. Bell Rock,” no one would know it of Charlie Brown, Christmas is on an Open Fire” as they roast it is feared, may last even longer if In December, 44 dramas and 21 was even December. This classic an agreement is not reached soon. sitcoms will be forced to shut down Christmas song elicits vivid Of course, there is many a truth in jest, but no Currently, writers only receive four due to lack of scripts, and the strike memories of nights spent by the percent of DVD sales, and they are is estimated to cost the Los Angeles fire decorating the tree with tinsel matter how tiresome the classic Christmas tunes asking for eight. According to the area $20 million dollars per day if and lights. While an integral part becomes, they do add an immeasurable amount LA Times, studios make about 60% it continues much longer, according of the holiday season, even “Jingle of their profits from DVD sales. to the LA Times. Bell Rock” doesn’t compare to the of happiness to the Christmas season Additionally, writers do not get Movies were not expected impact that “Rudolph the Red anything for online streaming or to feel the effects of the strike Nosed Reindeer” has on the Yule- downloading. So, for example, each until several months down the tide holiday. Burl Ives, better simply incomplete. In the quest their nightly chestnut? Has there known as Sam the Snowman of for nostalgia, however, there ever been a time in which you “If this strike lasts longer than three months, an the Christmas Special “Rudolph is one holiday production that didn’t listen to “Sleigh Ride” as the Red Nosed Reindeer,” belts never fails to produce a sense of you climbed into your horse entire season of television will end this December. out the lyrics in a sonorous childhood glee. Often claimed drawn carriage? Have you ever No dramas. No comedies. No Daily Show.” - LOST voice that transports listeners to to be the best of the very worst, forgotten to sing “I’ll be Home the days spent fixated on how Elmo & Patsy’s gut wrenching for Christmas” as you trudged Executive Producer and Writer Damon Lindeloff Rudolph was going to escape the production of “Grandma Got through the airport after finals? Run Over by a Reindeer” really Of course, there is many captures the spirit of the holidays a truth in jest, but no matter how with its tales of sad irony on tiresome the classic Christmas advertisement someone watches line. However, production has Christmas day. But honestly, who tunes can become, they do add while viewing an episode of The already stopped on Johnny Depp’s doesn’t love a little an immeasurable amount of Office online and every $1.99 latest movie “Shantaram” and Tom depressing happiness to the Christmas someone spends on iTunes for said Hanks’ “Angels & Demons” because twist of season. Whether or not you episode only brings in money to of script issues. Even award shows rejoice in the glory of Christmas television networks, but gives the have been struck. During the songs, we here at the Times hope writers nothing. American Music Awards, Jimmy that you have yourself a merry However, this strike affects Kimmel ended up improvising little Christmas. more than just the writers. Without most of his jokes while hosting, and people writing screenplays or the same is likely to happen with television episodes, thousands are the Golden Globes and Academy put out of work, for production has Awards if negotiations are not come to a halt. College students settled soon. aspiring to be entertainment As the strike continues, writers writers cannot intern in the film have increased their use of blogs, industry at the moment, and many YouTube videos, and MySpace to Google.com colleges are telling their students to rally support from fans. For instance, come up with backup plans. Worse one popular YouTube video entitled yet, at least for the viewing public, television has gone into repeats, and Televison continued on pg 9 The Villanova Times WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2007 9 culture

Television continued from pg 8 “The Office is Closed,” shot on the entire season of television will end A History of Ole St. Nick picket lines by screenwriter Peter this December. No dramas. No Radar, features executive producer comedies. No Daily Show. The Greg Daniels along with writers and strike will also prevent any pilots Santa Claus Through the Ages cast members from the hit show being shot in the spring, so even mocking the television network’s if the strike is settled by then, you By brittany internoscia claim that streaming episodes won’t see any new shows until the online is merely “promotional.” The following January. As in 2009. Today’s image of Santa Claus known for rewarding the good and into being his helpers. Two of his video has already been viewed over Both the guild and the studios we as a jolly old fellow has not always punishing the bad. most well-known assistants were 520,000 times. Radar was quoted are negotiating with do agree on been around. Like so many other The date of his death, December Knecht Ruprecht (meaning Servant American traditions, he is a product 6, was commemorated with an Rupert) and the Belsnickle, who of the great American salad bowl—a annual feast, which gradually rewarded the good children and blend of many different cultures came to mark the beginning of the punished the naughty. Servant and customs. Santa Claus’ earliest medieval Christmas season. On St. Rupert was called Black Peter as well ancestors surprisingly date back to Nicholas’ Eve, youngsters would because he delivered the presents pre-Christian days, when people set out food for the saint, straw down the chimney for St. Nicholas looked to many gods for guidance. for his horses, and schnapps for and became blackened with soot. The mythological characters of his attendant. The next morning, When immigrants came to Odin, Thor, and Saturn gave us the obedient children awoke to find the New World, they brought along basis for many of Santa’s distinct their gifts replaced with sweets various St. Nicholas traditions characteristics. and toys. St. Nicholas’ Day is still and customs. The Scandinavians Santa Claus’ core character, observed in many countries, and introduced gift-giving elves, the however, is derived from a real man. gifts are exchanged in honor of the Germans decorated trees, and the

NY Times St. Nicholas of Myra (now Turkey), spirit of fellowship and charity that Irish contributed the ancient Gaelic a fourth century bishop, was a he so embodied. custom of placing a lighted candle in saying “We realized we had the one thing: this situation would be hero to children and the poor. His After the Protestant the window. In the 1600’s, the Dutch opportunity to take the Internet brutal.” He continues, saying “The legendary kindness and generosity Reformation in the sixteenth presented Sinterklaas (meaning and use it against the companies studios’ greed … is hidden behind has shaped the caring figure of century, the feasting and idolization St. Nicholas). Many excited, which are trying to dominate the cynical, disingenuous claims that Santa Claus recognized English-speaking children Internet,” calling these efforts a they make nothing on the Web— today. said the name so quickly “virtual picket line.” Astoundingly, that the streaming and downloading A well known that Sinterklaas sounded like even show producers are backing of our shows is purely ‘promotional.’ story about St. Nicholas’ Santy Claus. Through years of up the writers, as most of them also Seriously?” benevolence explains mispronunciation, the name refuse to prepare further episodes, Although some may see the famous Christmas evolved into Santa Claus. forcing shows to go into reruns this strike as something of little tradition of hanging The classic poem by even sooner than networks have importance, just a stunt by some stockings. It also Clement Clarke Moore, “A anticipated. pretentious writers wanting more demonstrates the holiday Visit from St. Nicholas,” more An outstanding number money, those die-hard television themes of giving to others commonly known as “The of celebrities have shown their fans out there are in agony, waiting and helping the needy. Night Before Christmas,” support for the strike as well. On for the next episode of whatever According to the legend, epitomizes the very American the picket line, comedienne Sarah show they love. Aspiring writers three Italian maidens version of St. Nicholas. Silverman stated “It’s so crazy are forced to rethink their career could not marry because Moore’s verse contributed ridiculous … All the writers want choices, entertainment workers are their family could not to Santa’s image when he is a small percentage afford the necessary substituted eight tiny reindeer of the money that dowries. Their father and a sleigh for the original the producers are had to resort to selling horse and wagon. Thomas making on the things one of his daughters into Nast, a German immigrant, that they’re writing. slavery to obtain dowries illustrated Moore’s charming They’re getting zero.” for the other two. When verse for a book of children’s Other stars including St. Nicholas heard about poems. In Nast’s illustrations, Ben Stiller, Julia the family’s troubles, he Santa appears dressed in his Louis-Dreyfuss, and went to their home late Google.com signature red and white. He Ray Romano joined one night and anonymously has the human characteristics picketers in Los tossed three bags of gold down the of Catholic saints were banned. of a ruddy complexion and round Angeles, while Susan chimney. Miraculously, a bag fell Many, however, had become belly. Nast was also the first to give Sarandon and Robin into each of the sisters’ stockings, accustomed to the annual visit Santa a home in the North Pole. Williams picketed in which were hanging by the fire from their gift-giving saint and His drawings allowed Americans New York. Impromptu to dry. His kindhearted gift made did not want to disregard the to peek into the magical world of concerts were held to it possible for all three sisters to purpose of the holiday. Therefore, Santa Claus and helped to shape the support the writers, marry. in some countries, the festivities Santa Claus now widely known and

with singers such as Google.com Throughout his lifetime, of St. Nicholas’ Day were merged loved. K.T. Tunstall and Alicia St. Nicholas tried to help others with Christmas celebrations. The Today’s joyful, larger-than-life Keys performing on the streets of losing their jobs, and the public will while inspiring them to imitate gift-bearer now took on new, non- Santa Claus is the result of a fantastic Hollywood. soon be forced to watch dreadful his virtues of goodness. Legends religious forms while still reflecting blending of different beliefs and However, both writers and reality shows entitled “Farmer of his unselfish acts of kindness the saint’s generous spirit. practices from around the world. producers realize the grim reality Wants a Wife,” “When Women and giving spread across Northern In Germany, he was known as His compassionate spirit embodies that this strike will bring. According Rule the World,” and “Clash of the Europe, and accounts of his heroic Weihnachtsmann, in England as the goodness and innocence of to a NY Times editorial written by Choirs;” and no, this is not a joke, deeds blended with regional Father Christmas, and in France, as childhood. Because of this, Santa Lost executive producer and writer these shows have already been folklore. The image of the grand Père Noël, who left small gifts in the will always be remembered.

Damon Lindeloff, “If this strike announced. In the words of Damon saint was eventually transformed children’s shoes. In some areas, a

lasts longer than three months, an Lindeloff, “Television is dying.” into an almost magical being, one slew of other characters developed EDITORSHAVEFUNTOO “ Which gift from the “The 12 Deena ElGenaidi Five golden rings, because every other gift is lame. Days of Christmas” would you SENIOR EDITOR “ most want to recieve? 10 WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2007 The Villanova Times culture Gaming with Ballweg Truth or Dare? By MARK BALLWEG The Getting-to-Know-You College Games I Hope I Don’t Get Coal… but the holiday season can give It’s that time again. The time anyone a boost. For the PS3, By katharine Miller when all good boys and girls stay Heavenly Sword offers a nice focus up late, dreaming of Santa, his on melee combat, with the main reindeer and, of course, presents. sword capable of changing into Walter passed the cards around our group was assembled around a facts.” As I thought about what to write one of three forms. Call of Duty 4: the circle, face-up, one by one. table with a deck of cards. Attempts A purported nymphomaniac about for this final gaming article Modern Warfare, also available for Everyone laughed, looking around; to unearth secrets are, it seems, was revealed to be a virgin in of the semester, the choice seemed the Xbox 360, brings great next- everyone was waiting for the same never-ending. one game. In another, a prim girl quite clear. In the most unbiased gen graphics, both for single player moment. And then, it came. These attempts are to be vividly described using a public way as possible, I present to you and online multiplayer. Finally, The five of hearts lay in front expected seeing as college is, after all, fountain as a urinal, while shower’s my own personal Video Game Gift Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of of me, staring me in the face. Low a time of discovery of both oneself defacing was unwillingly recounted Guide! Destruction brings Pixar-rivaling hooting noises came from around and of others. The typical questions by one red-faced boy. One girl was graphics with a wacky gameplay to the circle, before nearly complete asked when meeting someone new strong-armed into embarrassedly Nintendo Wii the front, ensuring entertainment silence settled in. I looked around do not go particularly far in the way narrating a past conversation with Funny how I say unbiased, yet for hours on end. If those console expectantly, waiting for the of truly becoming acquainted with her father, in which she had to begin with Nintendo. Yes, I like specific games don’t interest you, question. that person. It seems that there is describe just how she happened Nintendo, and have many of their be sure to check out… Everyone looked at each a set of criteria that to garner a severe products, including the Wii. Let other silently, expressions blank. me tell you, this is a great time to Multiplatform Games I glanced at each of them in turn, have the Wii, if you didn’t already No matter which system you growing more impatient by the know. Right off the bat, Super may own, one can’t deny that there second. Mario Galaxy is a no brainer. It’s are a few great games out there “Is someone going received near perfect scores across for every system. As I mentioned to ask me a question, the board, and is now the top rated in the last issue, Guitar Hero III, or what?” I asked game. Ever. On that same note, which is available for all three playfully. The silence, Metroid Prime 3: Corruption is still main systems, is amazing, and however, continued. going strong, and is a wonderful well worth the money, especially Finally, Walter conclusion to the trilogy. But if you if you don’t own either of the first spoke up. He laughed aren’t interested in all of that kiddy two editions. If you’ve ever heard as he asked it, almost of portals, chances are you’ve struggling to get the been playing a game included in question out. the Orange Box. Available for the “Have you Xbox 360, PS3, and PC, Orange ever walked in on Box contains five games in one, somebody?” including games like Half-Life 2, Shouts of laughter, Portal, and Team Fortress 2. From now, exploded around what I’ve seen (and I’ve played a bit the circle. I could feel of Portal myself), it’s a great gift for my face grow hot, even as all. Finally, Madden NFL 08 is the I yelled no over the din. One

Google.com newest edition to Madden world, by one, people began spelling and is available on all three major out stories of awkward stuff (Metroid is kiddy? I suppose), systems and the PC. situations, ranging from the try your hand at Manhunt II. I hear hilarious to the horrific. By the it’s to die for (Sorry for the pun… A Farewell, For Now time the game resumed, another Google.com Even I’m not happy with that). No matter what games or card being flipped, I knew more Villanova students, as well as others, concussion by laying in the backseat systems you may receive this about some people’s parents (and seek to establish when becoming of a car. Another spelled out the Microsoft Xbox 360 holiday season, be sure to get one roommates) than I ever cared to introduced: supposedly accidental intoxication The Xbox 360 has been doing that will entertain you long after imagine. What year are you? of a neighbor’s dog and in yet well recently, and rightfully so. Mass the main story is finished. If not, It seems that, no matter the Where are you from? another tale, a macho guy admitted Effect was released on November you can always trade it in at almost occasion, people manage to invent Where are you living now? to kissing another man. “It was an 20th and quickly climbed to the any store. This being the last issue games designed to reveal secrets What’s your major? accident,” he claimed. top of the charts. If you like that until next semester, I must bid you and facts about a person that And, often the ‘deal breaker’ Stories of events leading to game, you may want to pick up adieu, for now. Be sure to check normally would never be known. question: Are you single? relationships’ ends, as well as stories Halo 3, assuming you’re one of out this column next semester, As high school students—and, Standard questions like these, of relationships beginning, are the five people who own an Xbox because not only will I be covering in many cases, now—we played while serving as perfectly acceptable always prevalent in these games. 360 without it. I’ll also mention global news, but also the video Never Have I Ever, raising fingers introductory material, produce The stories are embarrassing, Bioshock, which is also available for game events here on campus. Want with each successive statement. As standard answers. Depending on hilarious, and often lewd. However, the PC. Wow, the Xbox 360 looks a little spoiler? There’s a Video incoming freshmen, we became the conversationalists, the dialogue they are extremely instrumental in pretty gruesome when bunched Game Night, and it’s coming to acquainted with fellow members can quickly fizzle. On the contrary, both forging and strengthening a with games like those. You know Villanova next semester. Excited? of our orientation groups through however, games like Dirty Hearts bond between two individuals. We what, forget those games. Go You should be. Stay tuned for more games like Two Truths and a Lie. and Never Have I Ever bring would do well to play games like download Geometry Wars. At least information. I never expected to play a game about unusual questions and, in Dirty Hearts on a regular basis and you might learn something. Comments? Questions? like Dirty Hearts on a service trip, turn, unusual answers. Listen to we would all likely be surprised as Answers? Send em’ my way at in which any participant receiving the following stories culled from to what we hear. Sony PlayStation 3 [email protected]. a heart-suited card is required to various Villanova students through

Sony’s PS3 hasn’t been doing Until next time… answer whatever question asked of playing these games . . . we bet that as well as the other two systems, Game Over. him. However, by the third night, their tellers don’t use these as “fun EDITORSHAVEFUNTOO “ Which gift from the “The 12 Derek Hutchinson Six geese a layin’, because I recently turned vegetarian, Days of Christmas” would you SENIOR EDITOR “ and I’m going to need the protein. most want to recieve? The Villanova Times WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2007 11 culture Will D. Cat The Solace I Seek A Reevaluation after 81 Years with By ANDREW DeVIZIO

our Muscular Feline Mascot It seems that at times when me too much. That was just the kind laugh. It was something out of a we most need it, the sun fails us. of humble guy he was. Even when commercial for Disney World. My By mATTHEW CRAWFORD Granted, this is many times, but not his respirator became a permanent uncle was dying. I loved my uncle. Can you imagine a Villanova will not be acquiring a live mascot all the time. Sun all the time is a bad part of him and picking up a golf It suddenly seemed ridiculous that without Will D. Cat? What if the anytime soon. thing too. club was out of the question. Even we all buy into our little existences, Villanova community suddenly de- However, that is alright. Will My interior state for the past then. when, in reality, we’re always cided to find a better mascot than D. Cat is special enough. Just be- two weeks has been a jumbled We were in Hawaii when we teetering on the edge of death. My a wildcat? Is that possible? After all, cause nearly 50 other colleges also combination of the worse getting got word of his sudden downturn. uncle would die, and life would what does a wildcat have to do with have some form of a wildcat as progressively worse. Any happiness He was in and out of the hospital, continue as normal. There would Villanova? Many people wonder their mascot does not mean that within me was a fluke or simply by though not of his own accord. My be no trace of his absence in the why a ferocious feline is Villanova’s our mascot is not special. Although the grace of God, but not the saving aunt is a Grade A hypochondriac, actions of these stewardesses. They mascot. One would be hard-pressed his costume could use a cleaning, kind of grace. The other kind. If and her irrational fears coupled would continue in their phony ways. to find a wildcat in the surrounding Will D. Cat does not need to be you ask me, my uncle was always on with his very real medical problems People would smile. Business would area (other than in the Philadelphia changed in any drastic way. He has his way out, but this did nothing to resulted in lots of stress. So when we go on. McDonald’s would keep zoo). But consider this, what does a been a muscular, fan-friendly feline console me when he passed. Which heard her frantic voice on the phone, selling hamburgers. Husky have to do with Connecti- inspiration for all Villanova fans is the word my dad said I should use it was hard to believe that this was, in When we got to the hospital, cut? There are no wild huskies in since 1926. It was then that former when I describe his death because fact, the end. I always heard things we ran. My aunt said he was on Connecticut. Obviously, mascots do assistant football coach, Edward it made it sound peaceful. Which it second-hand, anyway, so learning his last legs before we even took not always make practical sense. If Hunsinger, suggested a wildcat as wasn’t. Regardless, when he passed, of the news from my dad had a sort off. Being on that airplane and not they did, we would be the Villanova the mascot. North American wild- a floodgate opened and all of my of dulling effect on its verity. It was being able to call was like being held Augustinians instead of the Wild- cats encompass a variety of species. emotions came out to mingle with always something about my uncle in purgatory. In the emergency unit, cats. But after so many years Currently, Will D. Cat most each other. In the chaos, they lost going to the hospital or leaving a neatly scrawled M. Burnes on the with our mascot, Will closely resembles a their identity and swelled into a it, and nothing about it suggested door indicated his room. Slowly, D. Cat has become bobcat. The bobcat is mass of confusion that left me sad and I’ll always remember this, my a central figure in most common in the but wanting. Wanting of some other Hope is something I dad turned the handle and put his the Villanova southwest United emotion I could not hope to identify. most assuredly did not finger to his lips, signaling for us to community States, although Hope is something I most assuredly have. be quiet. The first thing I saw was and tradition; they are known did not have. my aunt crying. The next thing I saw not because to sparsely inhabit In the years before he died, that death was on the horizon. I was my uncle. Dead. a wildcat is a most other areas passed, he was a shell of his former found comfort in the stability of the Between sobs, my aunt common animal of North America self. But I guess his former self process. explained that he had died only in these parts, but as well. It would be a was stuck somewhere back in the As quickly as we came to twenty minutes ago. It was painful because Will D. is a good sign and blessing fifties or sixties, before he picked Hawaii, we left. The tour guide was just to look at the clock and think tough-looking, furry, for the success of our up his first cigarette. Rarely if ever understanding, to say the least, but that with each minute gone by, he had fan-friendly mascot. athletic teams if an actual do we truly know the implications that didn’t really cut it. Nothing been a thing of the past. Like every The Wildcat is a wild bobcat was spotted on of our actions, so I wasn’t ready to could. Not even the hollow well- trace of him was wiped clean and he mascot we share with campus. Although that is blame him for anything. One of his wishing of the fellow tourists. It’s might as well never existed. It was 12 other universities. The not likely, it is also a blessing pastimes was going golfing, and he just something you will never know the saddest thought I ever had. In Universities of New Hampshire, when Will D. Cat is able to be held particularly enjoyed the crisp chill of until someone you love passes. the corner of the room, my mom was Kansas State, Kentucky and Arizona up by cheerleaders during the half- autumn air during the weekends he Back home, life picked up a few embracing my sister and muttering are just a few of the other colleges time performance without falling. visited us. Probably because Florida paces. There was barely any time softly the same phrase over and which are also wildcats. 30 other Villanova fans love their mas- doesn’t have seasons. Come to think to settle when my dad had us pack over: “He’s in a better place.” Which, colleges have bobcats and cougars cot. Michael Smith, a sophomore, of it, Florida is one of those places our things and fly down to Florida. when I thought about it, was true, as mascots. The University of Ari- believes that “Will D. is the (exple- that has sun all the time. I remember the whole flight. I but was anything but reassuring. It zona actually has a pair of wildcat tive) greatest mascot in the world.” Golf is the only game in the remember having that churning was that stock phrase that everyone mascots, Wilber and Wilma. Obvi- Will D. Cat is not going anywhere, world where the ball isn’t moving, feeling in my stomach, knowing said regardless of whether you knew ously, wildcats are common college and could not be easily changed. and somehow, don’t ask me, it’s still that something was terribly out of the deceased or not. As much as it mascots. What makes Villanova When it comes to mascots, the hard. My uncle was always fond place. We were going to a tourist killed me to see my uncle lifeless on so special? Does Will D. Cat need saying is, “Once a mascot, always of pointing out this detail when I destination to watch a man take his that cold, solitary mattress, I couldn’t some changes to improve our wild- a mascot.” Although pirates have went golfing with him. He usually last gasps of air. bring myself to cry. Please, God, just cat tradition? One idea would be a nothing to do with Pittsburg, the saved this advice for the times when The flight attendants were so one tear. live wildcat. Perhaps the feline could team’s name and pirate mascot are I whiffed or made a divot. In part jaunty, so eager to make sure this This is the solace I seek. be housed in the lobby of the new never going to be changed. It is the because he would never make the was going to be a great vacation. athletics facility. This idea is not at same with Villanova. Will D. Cat same mistake, and he didn’t want me And everything was so fake. Their all unique. Other colleges keep live will always be Villanova’s mascot. to become disheartened. He loved feigned concern, jaunty step, timed mascots. Villanova, at one time, also kept a live wildcat. In 1930, the uni- versity acquired a live bobcat, and Benches, continued from pg. 7 “We don’t know what makes people $1,000, and the money funds future tions on other benches. She hopes named him Count Villan. The live reflect and makes people think.” benches and protects the invest- students stop and read Marty’s, too. bobcat was kept in a cage at Jake the satisfaction he received by Like Immerwahr’s fam- ment into the dedicated benches. As for the people whose names Nevin Fieldhouse, and on certain dedicating the benches to his fam- ily benches, most of the bench- “These things tell people to now shine against the wood, the occasions, the live mascot would be ily members. His enthusiasm, es are congregated around the those who know,” Immerwahr said, question remains: would they ap- paraded around at numerous ath- even over the phone, is palpable. Quad and the pathways between reflecting on all four benches, each preciate their spot in Villanova’s letic events. Count Villan IV passed “You plant seeds and you rarely Connelly, Kennedy, and Corr. full of memories and meaning even geography and memory? Perhaps. away in 1950, thus ending the twen- know where they’ll take place and “A lot of people relate to when empty of resting occupants. “He’d chuckle a little, but he ab- ty year old tradition. Live mascots grow, and someday I think people will that area of campus,” Kevin Mohan, because of her involve- solutely would, yes,” Prendergast said. still exist at some colleges, but are see my mom’s poem and think, ‘Gee, O’Donnell, head of grounds, said. ment with Marty’s bench, now no- not as common anymore. Villanova that’s nice’ or see music and think, A dedication for a bench costs tices and thinks about the inscrip-

‘What’s that about?’” Immerwahr said. EDITORSHAVEFUNTOO “ Which gift from the “The 12 Katharine Miller Seven swans a swimmin’ because my mother always said Days of Christmas” would you COPY EDITOR “ I was an ugly duckling. most want to recieve?

12 WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2007 The Villanova Times The Future of America VERBATIM “ Estimate of the current number of illegal The wave of the future is not the conquest of the world by a 12 million immigrants living in the United States. single dogmatic creed but the liberation of the diverse energies of “free nations and free men. JOHN R. KENNEDY

The Dream Lives On Keep Dreaming, America

money. For as much as the American By ALI FLUKES Dream represents the success of man, it also represents man’s failures. I’ve heard it said recently that The true measure of an American (or the American Dream has become anybody seeking the quintessential empty- that it no longer holds American Dream) cannot be substance in America today. After I defined by how many times he fails, heard this I was puzzled as to why but rather by how many times he one would say this, and upon further tries again after these failures. Only reflection I grew angry. Though it is through this persistence of man can one thing to say that the American triumph of heart and spirit truly be Dream has evolved, it is quite measured and understood. another to say that it is hollow. It’s Yes, the quaint little house true that when people think of the with the white picket fence was American Dream, it often evokes once considered the epitome of the visions of a quaint little house and a American Dream. This was not due white picket fence. And it may also to what it was, it was due to what be true that such a scene is not quite it represented. This is the trap that as prevalent in America today as it the terrorists of 9/11 so naively fell once was fifty years ago. But to deny into. When destroying the towers, the gravitas of the American Dream they failed to destroy that which is to deny that which is inherently makes us American. Look again at American: the uniquely optimistic the American Dream of yesteryear: and persistent spirit that cannot be for some, that quaint little house and its white picket fence represented the hard work, dedication, spirit, By AMY RICHARDS and persistence that was required in order to achieve it. This was The American Dream shall the opportunity to move liberally great promise and proudly proclaim not the case for all; the image was never fade. Which American would up the social ladder? For some, that our meritocracy takes out what simply popularized because it was wish it otherwise? Providing hope the dream is a glorious truth. But people put into the system. In fact, so relevant and marketable. for many, it is simply a stab at for a disproportionate number it is the ideology of meritocracy There is a similar situation in the position of the marginalized of Americans, it is only hideous that justifies current patterns of modern America today. The mass individuals who have fallen propaganda, adding insult to one’s inequality that the hardest working media is largely dominated by the victim to the cycle of poverty inability to break through imposed and the most talented get ahead, few people who have amassed such that is constantly reinforced by constraints and the relentless cycle while the indolent get left behind. a colossal amount of wealth that all our attitudes and policies. The of poverty. The fault of the American Dream others are dwarfed in comparison. American Dream, with which we Proponents of the American is that it only accounts for an And based on this, it would be easy are all familiar, as every parent has Dream’s validity will claim that individual’s traits and personal for you to wrongly conclude that the imposed on his or her child, can be there is equal opportunity for all control over his or her economic tamed, regardless of what the era American Dream has become empty. defined as the right to prosperity in our great, nondiscriminatory position, when in reality, a slew may be. But to accept this is to underestimate that the United States offers land of freedom, because it is of non-merit larger factors create This spirit was demonstrated your fellow Americans. Because through proper work ethic. Implicit easy to ignore the failures, or to barriers to social mobility. at its best on that fateful day in if you just take the time to notice, in its goal are the aspirations to simply disregard them by pointing The meritocracy inherent in the September of 2001. Because on you will see that the vast majority obtain a relatively high-paying job, out individual faults. In this way, American dream claims that society September 11, 2001, the terrorists of people around you are not a home, proper is fair in equality chose the target that they thought characterized by their wealth; retirement, and Our America encourages social of opportunity and was most representative of the rather, they are characterized by opportunities that an individual’s American Dream, and they then their ideals- their unique hearts and for one’s mobility. However, social barriers have success is determined proceeded to strike that target. So spirit. My American Dream is not children to by merit. However, for an American citizen to say that necessarily your American Dream, pursue their successfully preserved people in their this equality does the American Dream is empty is and this difference is what gives the own American not exist in actuality, essentially to say that the terrorists American Dream its credence. My Dream. marginalized situations. and it has proved to were right- that when those towers hopes, dreams, and hard work will In fact, aid the wealthy in fell, the American Dream fell along take me down a different path than US census surveys show that the Americans enjoy ambivalence about widening the inequality gap. In fact, with them. To even insinuate such yours will, but this does not discount sweeping majority of Americans do the realities of the underside of the US history has shown the fulfillment a thing ignores the incredible heart either path nor does it depreciate the indeed believe in the promise of the American Dream and the economic of the American Dream, for some and the resiliency of spirit that was American Dream. American Dream and in the value inequalities it veils. Yes, we find have chipped away at opportunity demonstrated in the aftermath of the To truly embrace the American of a proper work ethic to attain there are those success stories, for others. Such was the case during 9/11 attacks. The American Dream Dream is to take advantage of the success. This majority even includes those Will Smiths in the “Pursuit the white flight to the suburbs was not defined by those towers; it opportunities that are afforded to those who live in poverty, within of Happyness,” but these instances post World War II, which actually was defined by the hearts of those all in America. A wise man named the confines of the urban ghetto. are rarities. Middle and upper exacerbated the isolation, lack of who perished within them and the Albus Dumbledore once said, “It is The great promise of the American class white America is satisfied opportunity and employment, poor spirits of those who proudly forged our choices that show what we truly Dream permeates borders, into with thinking to themselves how schooling and racial segregation of on after they fell. are, far more than our abilities.” The neighboring countries, appealing wonderfully he fought adversity, the inner city. To imply that the American American Dream is individual, and to those heads of families who and look he really made it! These are In this inner city, we can Dream is empty is to grossly it shows itself when we choose to cannot move up in their own land, the families who achieve financial examine the working poor and underestimate the power of the persevere, when we choose to press where there exists no such promise. success with the help of inheritance, those making an effort to find work, American soul. The reality is that the onwards. Thus it is that the true But is our American Dream as connections and social networking, a group that obviously strives for American Dream has never been measure of the American Dream lies unfailing as we claim? Does this marriage, or even pure luck. They success but still finds itself caught about material goods; it has never in the simple power of choice; the idealistic dream play itself out in have the most difficult time seeing been about living in America and choice to follow our hearts. every American family, providing the translucence of our country’s Dreaming, continued on p 13 making an exorbitant amount of The Villanova Times WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2007 13 the future of america Minority Rules The future of the U.S. hispanic population

By JULIANNE DUDLEY

According to the U.S. Census huge amount of the of the nation’s immigrant population since 2000. population will not only be a result inevitably raises the question of Bureau, the number of Hispanics potential purchasing power, According to Carl Haub of of continual immigration, but also what it means to be an American. If living in the United States is business owners may be more the Population Reference Bureau of continual reproduction. The U.S. true American identity can only be currently larger than the entire inclined to accommodate non- (PRB), “[the fact that] the number Census Bureau estimated the vital determined by who has been in the population of Canada. Estimated at English speaking patrons. of U.S. Hispanics is growing faster index (ratio of births to deaths) for country the longest, then maybe approximately 44 million, the U.S. Of course, the larger issue Native Americans Hispanic population is the largest here is the question of illegal are the only real and fastest growing minority immigrants. Though most of the Americans. Though group in the country. Hispanics 2008 presidential hopefuls are pro- the United States, are responsible for about one half immigration reform, realistically as a democracy, was of U.S. population growth and the even a 2,000-mile long security founded by white numbers just keep growing. fence is not going to prevent Anglo-Saxon males, While this nation of illegal immigrants from entering the United States as immigrants, this ‘salad bowl’, the country. A recent study by the a country has been has always been predominately Center for Immigration Studies shaped by millions of comprised of whites of European (CIS) states that overall, nearly one immigrants from all descent, we could see a change in three immigrants is in the U.S. over the globe. during our lifetime. According to illegally and half of all Mexican Will the U.S. the Population Resource Center, and Central American immigrants become a Spanish- minorities are predicted to make are considered illegal. speaking nation? up one third of the entire U.S. The CIS study also determined Perhaps. It already population by 2015 and one half that the foreign-born immigrant contains the fourth of the population by 2050. In other population (both legal and illegal) largest Spanish words, minorities will eventually has reached an all-time high this than any other racial or ethnic Hispanics in the U.S. from 2000 to speaking population in the world, become the majority. year with approximately 37.9 group…uncovers some surprising 2004 was approximately 8.2. The ahead of even Spain. Maybe in fifty Thus, as the Hispanic million people. Between 2000 aspects to both present and index for non-Hispanic whites was years, maybe in a hundred, the population continues to increase, and 2007, the largest amount of projected population change in the 1.2. Likewise, the average amount Hispanic population will outgrow so will its cultural and economic immigrants in U.S. history for United States. While the population of children that a Hispanic woman the number of non-Hispanic impact. Hispanic purchasing power a seven-year period entered the pyramid for white non-Hispanics produces was estimated to be whites. Some people might see this in the U.S. in 2004 was estimated country. Furthermore, more than in the United States resembles 2.8, compared to 1.85 for a non- as an inversion of the idealized “old to be nearly $700 billion and if half of immigrants who have those of European countries, the Hispanic white woman. In other America” but perfection only exists immigration trends continue as arrived since 2000 are believed to relative youth of the U.S. Hispanic words, while the non-Hispanic in retrospect. The U.S. has always they are now, by 2010 this number be illegal aliens. People from Latin population means that it will white population was merely faced the issue of immigration, might be as big as $1 trillion. What America—Mexico, the Caribbean, supply much of the U.S. population replacing itself, the Hispanic but how our generation chooses is the significance of this number? South and Central America—have growth for decades to come.” population was growing rapidly. to respond to it is yet to be With Hispanics occupying such a constituted about 58.7% of the Thus, the increase in the Hispanic All this categorization determined.

Dreaming, continued from p 12 Photography by in the self-reinforcing cycle of in their marginalized situations. poverty and unemployment. When Our policies, designed by those Jayne Ziemba working for minimum wage fails to who have found their success cover the costs of housing and food, attributable to the American where does a working aged man dream, have further prohibited the turn for help? One of our varied, opportunity to share in the dream all-encompassing social safety for far too many Americans, as is nets? Too bad, he doesn’t qualify testified in our country’s outrageous due to stringent qualifications to levels of inequality. participate in such programs. What Over and over, the hardships of the immigrant who works 12 faced by America’s poor confirm hour days of physical labor whilst the falsehood that is the American he pays his taxes, but is unable to dream. But we continue to obtain sufficient housing because believe in this bottomless pot of of discrimination, is denied federal opportunity, with hopes of delving and state-funded cash-benefit in to reap our share of wealth. Here programs, cannot subsist on his come the white middle and upper measly hourly wages, and has no classes to claim what is rightfully means to even begin to obtain their own. But look away, for now wealth? He finds himself and his stalk in the working poor, the family inextricably thrown to the immigrants, the African Americans bottom of the ladder due to a lack of the urban ghetto, here to claim of proper connections and financial their compensation. They reach supports, poor education and the in, tipping over the pot that teams color of his skin, which disallow with the promise of the American him from sharing in the dream. dream, only to find, it is empty. Our America encourages social mobility. However, social barriers have successfully preserved people 14 WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2007 The Villanova Times commentary & opinion Homosexuality and the Hallmark Holidays Workplace When Consumerism Conquers the Holiday Season Don’t Put Gay on Your Resumé By Melissa Nally Waves of self-congratulatory Most individuals would prefer praise and victorious cheers swept potential employers to perform If you turned on the television is aptly referred to as such through the homosexual civil their evaluation based on excellent at all this week, you were most likely because this is the day where rights community on November skill sets and impressive aptitude. bombarded with commercials every retail establishment in 7 as the House of Representatives The House’s new bill, however, following similar agendas: Veteran’s America is pulled out of the passed a bill outlawing employer would run the risk of reducing the Day sale, hurry in and shop early! red zone of debt into the black discrimination based on sexual hiring process to an impossible Prepare for the holidays by refitting zone of turning a profit. Stores orientation. Although the 235 guessing game, where an employer your bathroom, stocking up on prepare painstakingly for this passing votes fell short of the views an individual not as another new cookware, and buying new event, the opening day of the two-thirds necessary to override human being, capable of performing furniture. Christmas is right around Christmas shopping season, by a probable presidential veto, in the work force, but merely by his the corner, we have everything you opening as early as 5 AM, or for the triumph for civil rights left “perceived” sexual identity. could possibly need to buy for some particularly eager stores, proponents of the measure Not only would the legislation’s anyone that you might possibly midnight the night before. I pleased with the result. While gay requirements place excessive need to buy something for. All know that my own mother and lesbian activists applauded standards on companies and too often, the good intentions and will be waiting in line in the Congress for taking a stand against undermine the quality of potential true meaning of the holiday is wee hours of the morning to Google.com the ostensibly rampant rights abuses employees, but it would also serve buried under layers and layers of get her share of Christmas plaguing America’s labor force, the as an example of unnecessary commercialism. savings. Having worked at a well-founded worries of employers legislation, produced by a lobby- Walking around King of clothing store on Black Friday, turns to cynicism for the holiday quickly hushed the elated chorus. As ridden Congress. The Human Prussia this weekend, I was shocked I can attest to the fact that it is far season. With the emphasis of the proponents of the bill mentioned a Rights Council Foundation recently to see that only a few days after from a pleasant experience. holidays turning to what is spent supposed increase in workplace released its 2008 Corporate Equity Halloween, the mall had already Turning to official holidays, on the celebration, Santa is rapidly equality and acceptance, opponents Index, which grades participating decked itself out in all of its festive this weekend marked the becoming the best salesman for any of the legislation, including some Fortune 1000 companies on their holiday finest. While not terribly celebration of Veteran’s Day, the type of retail. Try to keep in mind employers, fretted over an increase treatment, respect, and acceptance disappointed, because I love anniversary of the eleventh hour the simple joys of the holidays: in frivolous lawsuits as a result of of homosexual and transgender Christmas and even the overly early of the eleventh day of the eleventh seeing family and friends that you the proposal’s passage. employees. The criteria for the Index decorations make me happy, I was month that saw the conclusion of haven’t seen in a while, eating a lot T h e E m p l o y m e n t includes whether the participating World War I. Originally known as of home-cooked food, and taking a Nondiscrimination Act would company abides by its own equal Armistice Day, it is a day meant break from the fast-paced life. Don’t not only prohibit employers from opportunity policy, provides heath to honor those who served in the let the artificial trees in the mall refusing to hire an individual insurance and benefits for life United States Military. But how do send you subliminal messages of because he is homosexual, but partners, and endorses employee most of us mark the passage of this shopping, and enjoy the season! the legislation would also forbid diversity training. According to ceremonial remembrance, to honor discrimination based on “perceived” the Human Rights Council, the those who lost their lives in our sexual orientation. An individual number of companies receiving defense? We see it as just another Google.com could sue an employer for wrongful the highest grade of 100 has risen holiday, another reasons for stores action, accusing the employer of from 13 businesses in 2002, when to encourage us to hit the sales. In discrimination against alleged the foundation began research, grade school, it was a day off from Google.com sexual orientation, regardless to 195 companies in the 2008 class. It’s one of those holidays with of whether the individual was fiscal year. A majority of the 519 vague meaning, trotted out in like actually homosexual. Congress, companies surveyed in the latest slightly concerned to see cheery parade with Memorial Day, Labor in its infinite wisdom, must have report received a rating of at least red and green even before Santa Day, and President’s Day. considered the ramifications of 50, demonstrating an increase in came marching through Herald It’s sad when the consumerism allowing individuals to battle over awareness and proactive policy Square at Macy’s Thanksgiving blinds us to the celebration of the whether an employer might have towards the homosexual and Day parade. And in the back of my holidays, when people can’t enjoy misjudged an effeminate man for transgender community. head, I knew that it was just a mind the Christmas season because a homosexual male and perhaps If a growing number of leading game: that the trees and garlands they are so concerned about all allowed such a perception to American companies already abide and twinkly lights weren’t there the shopping that they have to do completely influence the hiring by equal opportunity procedures for my enjoyment, but to serve as in preparation for the day. When process. Such an ill-founded lawsuit, without the overbearing demands a reminder that I need to make my sitting on Santa’s lap becomes a based on practically indefinable and of federal requirements, why would contribution to the resuscitation of signifier not of childhood joy, very personal characteristics, would Congress continue to increase America’s retail sector. but long lines and heavy mall inevitably lead to a legal impasse the central government’s power As soon as the dishes are washed traffic, when Thanksgiving isn’t a and force the employer to settle the by mandating policies already and the remaining turkey saran celebration of friends and family large monetary compensation out enacted? Short of an excessive wrapped and sent off with various getting together but the night of of court. While large firms possess tirade concerning the incapacity relatives on Thanksgiving, stores the most drunk driving incidents the financial and legal prowess to of the present Congress to pass are going to lure customers in even and the day before one of the offset the inconveniences of such appropriate legislation, the answer before the tryptophan wears off to busiest shopping days of the year, pointless lawsuits, small businesses may include a necessary criticism participate in a strange celebration and New Year’s is the beginning of would suffer from excess time of powerful lobbyists, concerned of American consumerism, a glory days for gyms and weight-loss Google and money wasted on inane only with realizing a biased agenda tacitly understood but unofficial programs across America, I worry procedures. rather than the welfare of America. holiday known as Black Friday. It that the overbearing consumerism EDITORSHAVEFUNTOO “ Which gift from the “The 12 Lindsay McAuliffe Eight maids a milkin’, so I never have to buy milk in the grocery Days of Christmas” would you ART & DESIGN EDITOR “ store again. Because I get pissed when I have to buy milk. most want to recieve? The Villanova Times WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2007 15 commentary

INTHEBUFF Social Suicide Why Getting Hooked Destroys Your Social Life

missing out on people summers and breaks. Okay, so my for it. relationships are like this but if you that could wave at me friends from home, not college, The coupled ones only want to aren’t aware of your sofa lifestyle, and talk to me and dislike me, but this isn’t about me hang with each other. I remember you’re committing a social suicide. make me feel human. looking like a terrible person, this last year, my friend Kait invited me But maybe, you do like riding the Now, I can get back to is about me, helping you become a over to her apartment. I arrived seat cushions. I had friends with the things that matter better one.) alone and very single and was boyfriends who downplay their – my social life. Your friends are either single thrown into a room of wine, beer, relationships to me all the time. Ever since I have been freed Before, I would decline an or coupled off. The single ones and games of Taboo and Cranium. “Oh, Bobby and I, we’ve had so from the burden of my previous invite to go out to the bars with reject you because in some way, Oh, and couples. Lots and lots of much work, I barely see him these male “addiction,” I feel invigorated! friends in favor of staying home you’ve kind of abandoned them. Of couples. There were couples in days. We haven’t gone out in weeks.” More lively, perhaps. Not that I wasn’t with my couch potato. Almost course, you’ll stay friends, but every every corner of the room. Couples Lies. You know that your friend before. I was always chipper, but 90% of myself wanted to run, out invitation you decline is another in the kitchen refilling wine glasses, and Bobby are canoodling every incredibly boring. Nights consisted the door, to drink a fancy cocktail tally mark against you because couples snuggling on the couch, chance they get. It’s almost worst of staying in and watching a movie with my lady friends, but the 10% laughing at one another for their downplaying the relationship. It’s together. Going out to the bar was that resisted wanted to stay home “Oh, shut up. Your interpretation of a word in the their way of bonding with their rarely an option. Hanging out with with my guy. Sadly, the 10% almost relationship does game, Taboo, couples making single friends. It’s insulting. I’ll other people, civilized people that always won and I ended up back on not suck. Your life is plans for tomorrow, and the list hear my happy friend complaining weren’t television or movie actors, is the sofa with another bad movie, awesome.” goes on. I felt sick to my stomach. and I tell her, “Oh, shut up. Your more fulfilling than staying in with another night in, another reason to In one minute, I had aged to mid relationship does not suck. Your Will Smith and another screening add to my friend’s lists of how much you are reinforcing the fact that life crisis status. I was 35. Most 20 life is awesome.” You know what, of Men in Black on TBS. Although, I suck. Don’t get me wrong. I am a you’d rather hang out with your year olds do not stay in on Friday it is. But, so is yours because you this lack of social interaction homebody and I do like staying boyfriend or girlfriend and not night to play Cranium. I felt like I can take the reins and party it up occurred to me when I was sitting in, but come on, I’m 21, I’m not them. I remember my friend Lisa’s was the only one missing out on a schmoozing at the bar with other on the same leather sofa night after married. I should be out and about reaction when her best friend Kim secret. Me + Boyfriend = Nights In. singles while your coupled friends night, watching unlimited DVDs on some nights, I just wanted to told her she and the guy she was Disaster. stay home and watch the nightly from the local Blockbuster around party and live without the burden dating were finally together. “What Okay, so maybe I’m being news while he reads a magazine the corner, it wasn’t until after we of eternal sofa-dom. I never wanted the F.” Lisa acted like Kim would slightly negative here. Maybe I’m and she knits him a sweater. Strike stopped seeing each other that I to become this person: a person never see her again and that their just jealous. Or maybe, I’m really the perfect balance if you’re hitched realized that I was miserable! The without friends. (Thankfully, I’m relationship would be ruined. You being honest. Your life comes to and maybe your social life won’t relationship and all that it entailed exaggerating my story. He was in know what, Kim did stop hanging a standstill when you’re hitched. feel like it has rotted away and you was fine until the very end, but New Jersey and I was at Villanova, out with Lisa on the regular and There has to be some sort of perfect won’t be that couple, the couple I was miserable because I was so really, I barely saw him except Lisa never stopped resenting her balance. I’m not saying that all without friends. YELLOWWOOD Teddy Roosevelt is not a Terrorist. But next time you go to Sudan, leave your stuffed bear at home.

uncorrupted monotheistic Yes, there were protests. may be to you. insulting), it is still the duty by faith, as practiced by Adam, People burned her picture and There is no doubt that of Gibbons and other school Kim Abraham and others. While demanded her death, but the Gibbons went over to Sudan to do officials to follow Sudanese law. McMurray people can be named Sudanese government is not good. However, we cannot make This was not a statement or civil after the Prophet, it is going to execute her. They seem her into a martyr, a symbol of disobedience. It was a school considered disrespectful to have more sense than that. religious freedom victimized by project and a mistake that could and blasphemous to give an While British officials are working the government. This government have been rectified anytime since When afternoon prayers object that same name, in a way behind the scenes to expedite has done a lot worse than throwing September. Instead, Gibbons and ended in Khartoum last equating a pivotal part of their Gibbons, upon her release she will her in jail for fifteen days. She did other school officials who knew Friday, demonstrators yielding religion with a toy. It can also return to the United Kingdom to not go over to Sudan to minister about the bear chose to ignore ceremonial swords and newspaper be seen as idolatry, breaking one live out her life in relative peace, to the hundreds of the thousands the law. Now she is facing the clippings took to the streets of of the tenets that Muslims and though most likely she will be of refugees in Darfur, to feed the consequences. the Sudanese desert capitol to Christians share. This controversy burdened by some sort of safety millions of starving people, or I was outraged when I protest the imprisonment of seems rather familiar; though precautions, be it a safe house to educate the children who will originally heard about this- British schoolteacher Gillian instead of a teddy bear, it was most likely never see the inside outraged that anyone would Gibbons. They were not asking cartoons. It was a place of a classroom again. She taught be punished for naming a toy for her release, but rather, her The Sudanese government where it is easy to at a well-to-do private school anything. There is freedom of head. Protesters burned pictures still uses a British court system, forget where you are, for the Sudanese upper class. religion, and freedom of speech. of Gibbons and chanted “Shame, but incorporates sharia principles which is essentially a The campus was a haven in the I demanded to know where the shame on the U.K.” outside of the into crime and punishment. conservative, Islamist Sudanese desert, an oasis designed Supreme Court was in all of this. British Embassy, forcing British Sudan is an Islamist state and state. like Oxford. It was a place where But the world is not America and reporters to flee the scene in fear. sharia is the body of Islamist law. it is easy to forget where you are, freedom of religion and speech Her crime: allowing her class of Though it is not a set code of laws or a body guard. While I would which is essentially a conservative, do not exist everywhere. When seven-year-olds to name a teddy and retribution, it is a system of never condone the public lashing Islamist state. While none of the travelling to a foreign country, bear Mohammad. devising laws based on the Quran, of a naïve schoolteacher, the truth parents in her class complained, even with the best of intentions, Although the teddy bear was the teachings and sayings of is that she broke the law, and understanding that she had the it is necessary to respect every technically named after the most Mohammad, consensus, tradition, she is obligated to carry out any best of intentions, parents of culture and tradition. It is popular boy in Gibbon’s class (the and years of debate. Using this punishment that the Sudanese children in another class caught necessary to follow the law. In a name was chosen overwhelmingly precedent, the punishment for government sees fit, at least until word of the blasphemous bear few days, when she comes back in a class vote), he shares his name blasphemy is anywhere from British officials can get her out of and contacted the authorities. to the U.K., she can name a whole with the prophet Mohammad, 40 lashes to up to six months in there. You do not go to a foreign Although the school is run toy store of bears Mohammad, who Muslims see as the last and prison. Gibbons was given fifteen country, especially one run by a along Christian lines (which but it was the wrong thing to do greatest of all prophets who days. At the time of this writing, fascist state, and break the law, no would in no way find using the as a guest in different land restored them to the original and she has already served seven. matter how outrageous the law name Mohammad on a bear 16 WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2007 The Villanova Times commentary Responsible Transition or Sick of Iraq? Successful Mission? Count on it! How to Keep Score in a Getting out of Iraq is the wrong goal Losing Battle

By Jon Reimer By Max stendahl

In an email to the entire new directions.” The other side political, diplomatic, and economic Do you remember 2003? and op-ed columns (aha!) than Villanova community, Barbara Wall cannot foresee the “potential effort. This is true, but in order for Everyone was lathered up about we know what to do with. So in (Special Assistant to the President human consequences of very the latter to be able to occur, the weapons of mass destruction, the the meantime, to keep ourselves for Mission Effectiveness) sent “A rapid withdrawal.” One can easily military action must be initiated axis of evil, Will Ferrell’s imper- busy, we have spent a lot of time Call for Bipartisan Cooperation surmise which political party fits and be allowed to succeed. sonation of George Bush saying counting. on Responsible Transition in Iraq,” these descriptions. The problem In language that is disturbingly “the axis of evil,” and a robust Counting? Yes, counting: a document from a meeting of with this critique is that those who missing from the Bishops’ Saddam Hussein who looked like the absurd number of casualties, the United States Conference of have failed to identify the failures in statement, the retired Major Gen. he was showering at least once a the exorbitant cost of the war, Catholic Bishops. This statement Iraq (our current administration) Scales declares that “Now it’s time week. In the time leading up to and, perhaps most often in recent detailed the policy position of have indeed proposed the very to apply the same sense of urgency the US-led invasion, the fledg- months, the number of days un- the Bishops regarding United thing the Bishops are demanding: and commitment to the task of ling Bush administration slapped til the Imbecile-in-Chief and his catchphrases together like too rambling band of idiots leave of- much text on a bumper sticker, fice. To clarify, the war will end spouting melodramatic rhetoric up costing about $2.4 trillion by about democracy and 9/11 as 2017. Screw healthcare and edu- But if we maintain our resolve, a powerful though all roads led to the same cation, says Dubya – this is cer- place: a star-spangled, hallucina- tainly the wisest way to spend ally will eventually emerge. An exit is not the tory superhighway called Iraq. taxpayer dollars. Unfortunately, Pedal to the metal, everyone! Or he is still the decider until Janu- ultimate goal, a prosperous Iraq is. don’t you like democracy? ary 21, 2009, when people across Four years, one puzzling the globe will celebrate momen- re-election, and more than a mil- tarily before realizing, with one lion deaths later, the Iraq War is collective “Oh sh—,” what an un- States involvement in Iraq. The “new directions!” The Bush reuniting the tragically fractured still taking a prolonged piss on paralleled disaster the last eight document stated very clearly that administration rolled out its nation and bring it back from the the US and the rest of the per- years have been. the US should remove itself from proposal for a troop level increase brink of annihilation.” Instead of plexed world. My deepest sympa- It is hard not to focus on Iraq as quickly and “responsibly” and despite congressional howling, emphasizing the moral obligation thies, American citizen. Your civil counting when news out of the as possible. This group of pastors executed this change in direction. to our Iraqi allies, the Bishops urge liberties have been compromised, Middle East has become a num- and teachers cite moral and A summer of increased a “responsible transition” (read: and your sense of patriotism and bers game. Besides the obligatory ethical reasons for an American military action has revealed that this really quick) and a “withdrawal as confidence in government has lead story about a kidnapped withdrawal, while admitting their approach was indeed correct. The soon as appropriate and possible.” been shredded beyond recogni- child or which 14-year old celeb- lack of competence in “political, Sunni insurgency has worn itself The rhetoric of “Get out of tion like so many secret Wash- rity might be pregnant, you will economic, and military strategies.” out, realized an American defeat is Iraq!” may work for a Democrat ington memos. The men and read about X number of people They claim their moral tradition unlikely, and that participation in vested in American defeat abroad, women who serve our country who died in some leveled region can inform policy choices, saying the new government is how they but it is truly disturbing to hear it have been unreservedly reviled, of the Middle East. It is easy to the nation should now focus on the should move forward to secure from a conference of Bishops. The too often for good reason. When stop paying attention to all but “ethics of exit.” This assumption their ability to participate. Victor United States does indeed have they return home - if they re- the figures when the situation of the necessity of immediate Davis Hanson from the National a moral obligation, but it is to the turn home – they are given some seems so humdrum and hope- American cessation of operations Review describes three lessons the people of Iraq and the soldiers within Iraq is based on very little, Sunnis had to learn the hard way: who have given their lives, not to and ignores the present situation in “…the perversity of al Qaeda, the some false ideal of exiting quickly. Iraq. military superiority of the United Military success on the ground is Total US Deaths - 3,881 Admittedly, the post-Saddam States, and the permanence of the being achieved, and despite the occupation has been managed Iraqi constitutional government.” very loud congressional assertions US Daily Spending - $270 million poorly, and the insurgency Retired Major Gen. Robert on the contrary, the Iraqi people Troops in Iraq - 173,589 ineffectively countered. The country Scales described what he called are being shown American was indeed in bloody turmoil, and the “culminating point” in this resolve. They have been inspired Major U.S. bases in Iraq - 75 as stated by Pope Benedict XVI, war in an article printed by the to act accordingly, working to fill a nation “torn apart by continual Wall Street Journal on November the vacuum left by a defeated Al Journalists killed - 124 slaughter.” This statement may have 21. In a recent visit to Iraq, he Qaeda. been true when stated earlier this observed firsthand the effect of The morally responsible action Iraqi Insurgents Killed - 55,000 year, but the situation has changed Gen. Petraeus’ bold strategy of for the United States is to finish what dramatically after the surge strategy fighting Al Qaeda in Baghdad we have started. This completion of Lost & Unaccounted for in Iraq - was fully implemented this summer. until they retreated to Baquba. task is not defined by leaving, but $9 billion Is the end of the insurgency Defeating Al Qaeda is crucial to a by the outcome of our actions. If “unacceptable” and “unsustainable” successful future for Iraq, but more we leave precipitously, numerous to the Bishops? Is the successful importantly, the locals must step enemies will throw the fledgling rout of Al Qaeda in Iraq not a sign up and work to secure their own nation into further turmoil. But if prosthetics and left to battle se- less, as military surges fail and of a beneficial change in policy? freedoms. Even the Bishops, all the we maintain our resolve, a powerful rious mental illness with an en- diplomatic solutions become The statement by the Bishops way from Baltimore, recognize that ally will eventually emerge. An couraging pat on the back and a a pipe dream, lost somewhere outlines two policy stances in the primary responsibility for Iraq’s exit is not the ultimate goal, a package of Elmo band-aids – un- at the bottom of a mass grave. Washington that have supposedly future is in the hands of Iraqis. prosperous Iraq is. To ignore the less, of course, they are all out of Counting, it seems, is really only contributed to a “stalemate” In their statement, the Bishops successes achieved with the blood those. We have had nicknamed fun when Big Bird is leading the regarding Iraq. One side is not assert that peace in Iraq will not of our troops and continue to spout operations, special study groups, chant. able to see the “reality and failures be brought about by just military exit-strategy rhetoric is not only bad and more humanitarian crises in Iraq and the imperative for action, but requires a comprehensive policy, it is morally reprehensible. Counting, continued on p 17 The Villanova Times WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2007 17 commentary Pop Culture By Molly Schreiber and Shreya Trivedi & Candace Katharine Miller Martha Duke Andrew Kastner Jen Harvard Kerry Koch Dan Kervick Headen

Which Middle Eastern countries recently con- vened for peace talks in Annapolis, MD? Iran Israel & Palestine I don’t know Israel & Palestine Israel & Palestine Israel & Palestine Which wrestler couple recently filed for divorce? The Hogans The Hogans I don’t know The Hogans I don’t know The Hogans Reese Who was the highest paid actress of 2007? Angelina Jolie Halle Berry No idea No idea J-Lo Witherspoon Which Washington Redskins player died of a gunshot wound last Tuesday? I don’t know Sean Taylor Sean Taylor Sean Taylor Sean Taylor I don’t know Which 90s girl band just reunited for a world Spice Girls Spice Girls Spice Girls Spice Girls Spice Girls tour? Spice Girls

What is the name of the new athletic center? Nova Nation Center Don’t remember No idea No idea The Davis Center The Davis Center

What’s at the top of your Christmas list? Uggs Moccasins A car Clothes World peace For Finals to be Over Sleep and a MAN!

Counting, continued from p 16 Reality, continued from p 6

So what is there to do? least via speechmaking and more, typical waves or in ways which are particles which are in several places dilation (the extension of time) You could get your Christmas if different, bumper stickers. The typical of particles (known as the simultaneously. actually occurs at all velocities—but shopping done early, keep track United States is still arrogant and “collapse of the wave function”). Reality is not only different it can only be detected at very high of Britney’s career arc and go to headstrong, still home to hypocri- Experiments have consistently when the sizes are smaller, but velocities, and thus does not factor Stewart and Colbert when stuffy sy and corruption and widespread established that the very fact of also at faster speeds. Although at into our everyday experience. Washington oratory gets to be too discontent. Our senators are still observing whether a small object the speeds which people on earth Time and space are not absolute much. You could attend the next unable to keep their feet inside such as a photon or electron passes experience time and matter are realities—they depend upon the war protest and get arrested for the bathroom stall yet do not through an apparatus by one path consistent and objective, Albert observer’s perspective in time and hopping a fence or two, or watch have the testicular fortitude, or or another can change the end result Einstein proved that at speeds space. some psychedelic Vietnam docu- the communication skills, to pass of the experiment when the entity approaching the speed of light that Monumental recent scientific mentaries, the ones with great vital legislation. But we are in this reaches a detection screen. The this is not so. If an atomic clock discoveries of the world beyond soundtracks and montages of for the long haul, in more ways observer interacts with that which was placed on a jet traveling around our everyday understanding may frizzy-haired college hippies and than one. Whether in one year or is being measured—thus rendering the world, and was matched exactly have enormous implications for a distressed Lyndon Johnson, for ten, there will be light at the end the reality of the situation subjective with one left stationary on earth the nature of reality, and thus by reassurance that there was, in fact, of the political tunnel. That light to each measurement. The famous and then they were compared, the extension to our spirituality and our a time when the youth of America could be emanating from the physicist Niels Bohr deduced from one traveling at high speeds around everyday lives as well. By learning had a visible impact on the politi- glowing, holy-spirit-infused pres- this phenomena, “nothing is real the earth registers a slower time how very small particles interact, cal process. Or, just hunker down ence of Mike Huckabee, grinning until it is observed” on the micro- than the one on earth. scientists are gaining a greater and wait for the storm to pass. rapturously from on high, but it particle level. Einstein proved that both understanding of the universe and And it will, eventually. That will be a light nonetheless. A single subatomic particle atomic time and biological time its functioning as a whole. Human is precisely why it is so interest- Until then, know this: If you can occupy numerous areas of are physically slowed down by curiosity and thirst for knowledge ing to talk about the 2008 elec- are having trouble getting to sleep space at the same time. Clearly high-speed travel. If one twin were knows no bounds, and as T.S. Eliot tion, if only because none of the at night, you are not alone. My ad- does not happen with objects our to fly on a spaceship to the center put it in the beginning of the 20th candidates are named Bush and vice is to mute Katie Couric, take size, but such tiny objects obviously of the galaxy and then fly back to century, “We shall not cease from all seem willing to interrupt awk- a sedative and count sheep. Just do not have to comply with the greet his twin brother back on exploration. And the end of all our ward policy discussions to take hope that you run out of sheep same laws which govern the world earth, the flying twin would still be exploring will be to arrive where we potshots at the current admin- before we run out of military per- that we see. There are currently labs young while the one who stayed on started and know the place for the istration. Change is in the air, at sonnel. around the country which contain earth would be an old man. Time first time.”

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computer! EDITORSHAVEFUNTOO “ Which gift from the “The 12 Max Stendahl Nine ladies dancing. That sort of thing doesn’t happen Days of Christmas” would you SENIOR EDITOR “ to me very often. most want to recieve? 18 WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2007 The Villanova Times“

VERBATIM politics STATS & FACTS “It is an absurdly disproportionate re- The percentage of Republicans with reported 58% excellent mental health, compared to only 38% of sponse to what is at worst a cultural faux pas.” Democrats who reported excellent mental health. “Rowan Williams, Archbishop of Canterbury, on the 15-day sentence given in Sudan to Briton Gillian Gibbons for naming a teddy bear Muhammad. Don’t Shoot the Judge Illegal? Supreme Court to Review Gun Control Laws Immigration Heating Up Debates

By Noel Shadowen By John Izzo

“A well-regulated militia, As the 2008 presidential elec- less likely to report crimes occur- being necessary to the security of tion draws near, issues of home- ring in their neighborhood. a free state, the right of the people land security, border control, and Of the three most formidable to keep and bear arms, shall not be illegal immigration garner more Republican candidates, John Mc- infringed.” These 27 words which and more attention from the can- Cain has the most liberal views comprise the Second Amendment didates and the press. Fueled by on immigration. McCain has of the Constitution of the United fears of terrorism and cheap labor, supported amnesty legislation in States of America are likely to be the principles and policies of im- the past, and is in favor of a guest a major issue of contention in the migration debated during this worker program with the possi- 2008 presidential campaigns and year’s campaign will determine bility of permanent immigration. debates come next spring, as well as the relationship the United States He reluctantly supported building amongst the public at large. has with her closest neighbors a wall on the Mexican border in The Supreme Court has in the coming years. With such the Secure Fence Act (2006) and accepted the case of District of an important issue at stake, it is was quoted in an interview with Columbia v. Heller, which will essential that voters make them- Vanity Fair as saying “…I think determine whether or not the selves aware of all the options the fence is least effective. But I’ll District of Columbia is allowed available. Each of the main con- build the God damned fence if to ban handguns in homes of its tenders for the Democratic and they [the voters] want it.” McCain residents, and will be the most in- Republican primaries has already has also set himself apart by argu- depth assessment of the Second voiced his or her position. Some ing that low-skilled immigrants Amendment in almost 70 years. It toe the current administration’s are necessary to take the low-pay- is set to appear before the Court in line, while others do the best they ing jobs that Americans refuse, a early spring 2008, with a decision can to separate themselves from particularly controversial idea for possible by June. The Supreme Court Google The ever popular American gun show. what they see as almost a decade an Arizona Republican to hold. last heard a Second Amendment of failed policy. Several days after a comment on Case in 1939 but rendered a decision people, or to only a group of people the law and they do have guns, it which did not fully resolve the involved in the militia? Is the right is the law-abiding citizens who are broader issues at stake. According this amendment bestows a collective disarmed by this law,” says Tom to Supreme Court Chief Justice John right bestowed to state militias only, Palmer, a resident of D.C. Another Roberts, the correct interpretation or does it protect an individual’s resident, George Lyon, agreed, “I of the Second Amendment is still right to own guns as well? want for myself the right to protect “very much an open issue.” Gun control advocates and my home and my family in the The District of Columbia groups such as The Brady Center to event of a violent attack. [D.C.] is passed legislation in 1976 to prohibit Prevent Gun Violence favor a more not what I call the safest jurisdiction citizens from owning and keeping narrow interpretation, wherein in the world.” handguns in their home in response gun ownership should be subject Despite their disagreement in to public concern about crime. Dick to strict government regulation. other areas, both sides agree that Heller, an armed security guard They point to the fact that although the case before the Supreme Court sued the district after it rejected his Washington D.C. is one of the most is going to be a defining moment in application to keep a handgun at dangerous cities, with a 137 gun- the Second Amendment battle that home for purposes of self-defense. related murders reported last year, has been going on behind the scenes After a 2-1 victory in the Court of these numbers have declined since in this country for decades. Appeals, the case has made it all the the implementation of the handgun “It’s going to be the biggest case way up to the Supreme Court for a ban in 1976. of the year, Georgetown University decision. The District has also attempted law professor Randy Barnett, said. “This issue is so monumental to defend its law by pointing out that “This will be one of the rare instances Google and so sweeping, and such a change although the ban limits the choice that the Court tells us what the Rudy Giuliani, like several the campaign trail in 2006 that no from prior rulings on gun control of firearms, it does not prohibit all meaning of the Constitution is, not other Republicans, has adopted a Americans would be willing to that it was basically on a freight guns—rifles and shotguns are still the meaning of its prior cases.” siege mentality with regard to il- pick lettuce for $50 an hour, the train to the U.S. Supreme Court legal, if locked and disassembled. The results of this decision legal immigration. He has been senator’s office was surrounded by for the justices to finally decide… Businesses may also have guns for will almost surely have an impact outspoken in his view that illegal dozens of demonstrators holding it sets up the biggest fight over gun protection. on gun-control laws around the immigration poses a grave threat heads of lettuce and job applica- rights in the modern history of the Washington Mayor Adrian country, and the approximately 52 to national security, and claims tions. United States,” said expert Thomas Fenty also supports the anti-crime million gun owners in the United that America needs to identify Mitt Romney opposes all Goldstein. measure that was enacted over States are well aware of this. The every illegal immigrant residing forms of amnesty for illegal im- As the case has made its way 30 years ago by his Democratic implications for policy around the in the United States issuing them migrants in America, and, like up through the lower courts, the predecessor Walter E. Washington. country could be staggering. This is mandatory identification cards in Giuliani, would require manda- debate on gun control and the “I am personally deeply a definitely a news item to keep an order to ensure border security. tory ID cards for all undocument- rights of gun-owners has become disappointed…[the Appeals Court eye on in the upcoming months. Giuliani’s position is not quite as ed immigrants. (Apparently the heated. Supporters and detractors decision] flies in the face of laws that Paul Helmke, President of the hard-line as it seems, however. It irony of giving government ID of the D.C. law, one of the strictest have helped decrease gun violence Brady Center, was not overstating should be noted that while he was cards to undocumented immi- in the nation (along with New York in the District of Columbia,” Fenty the matter when he said, “The mayor of New York, Giuliani told grants has yet to strike Mr. Rom- and Chicago), have begun to discuss stated in a recent news conference. Supreme Court’s decision in this police that it was “not their job” to ney or Mr. Giuliani). Romney the correct implementation of the Gun right proponents, on the case will be extremely significant— arrest illegal immigrants. If they and Giuliani both place strong Second Amendment. The issue at other hand, counter that Americans the most important decision on feared arrest and deportation, emphasis on improved technol- hand is really one of interpretation— have the right to keep guns for guns in nearly 70 years and maybe Giuliani reasoned, undocumented ogy and more money for border are the words “militias” and “people” private uses and self-defense. “The the most important ever regarding immigrants living in the city are Border continued to pg 19 meant to extend broadly to all fact is that the criminals don’t obey the Second Amendment.” , The Villanova Times WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2007 19 politics

Border, continued from pg 18 To Heck and Back control, but Romney distinguishes himself from his New York rival in A Brief Look at Political Correctness his vow to punish “sanctuary cities” By Katharine Miller (like New York) that shelter illegal It’s that time of year again; the early to mid-twentieth century, or “Congresswoman” with Center’s website, Diversity Peer immigrants by telling police not to the tree in front of Dougherty when linguists Edward Sapir and “Representative.” Some even Educators, as part of the CMA, verify the citizenship of residents has been lit, Santa has visited the Benjamin Whorf hypothesized that advocate the use of “waitperson” in “work to eradicate all forms of they meet on the job. IK. The holidays are just around language influences thought and favor of “waiter” or “waitress.” prejudices on campus and to instill The Democratic candidates, the corner. With this season, as in behavior patterns. This hypothesis Many believe that, by acceptance through education . . . in general, have chosen a more le- recent years, comes an interesting was later directed towards the attempting to be non-offensive and [they] enhance students’ lives by nient path with regard to immigra- question: should a typical greeting social scene; for example, the theory inclusive, advocates of politically making the Villanova community tion. The first sentence of Hillary of “Merry Christmas” be exchanged states that racist language will lead correct language are, in fact, aware of the uniqueness of those Clinton’s webpage on immigration in favor of a more inclusive “Happy the listener or user of that language endorsing censorship. Critics of around them, by educating students, policy reads “I am proud of Amer- Holidays”? to engage in racist behaviors. This ica’s commitment to welcoming im- The question seems silly, but relationship was deemed applicable It is important to keep in mind the original migrants.” Obviously, she does not the issue has been at the forefront to all types of language, most intentions of political correctness; a happy see the issue as much of a threat as of political correctness debates especially those of sexism and medium is necessary to ensure the ability of Republican candidates like Romney for several years. In 2005, the racism. all speakers to feel comfortable enough to or Giuliani do. Catholic Shop, a religious advocacy The political correctness become involved. If that comfort level is not Taking a much more measured organization, founded “Operation: movement gathered strength in the reached, the exchange of ideas will be nega- tone, Senator Clinton decries the Just Say Merry Christmas” in answer midst of the Civil Rights movement, tively affected, thereby damaging discourse current “broken” system, and calls to this question. The Catholic Shop’s when it began to become socially throughout the world. for stronger border control through website states that “The enemies unacceptable to use derogatory federal aid to border states and strict of Christmas have succeeded in terms like the n-word in describing penalties for those who “exploit un- making Christians feel as if we are African-Americans. This movement political correctness claim that the and by setting positive examples for documented workers.” Clinton is bad and intolerant to wish someone later became more inclusive, limitation of language is, if not a the community, while promoting a in favor of granting amnesty to il- a ‘Merry Christmas.’ This is political and derogatory terms for many violation of the First Amendment society of acceptance and equality legal immigrants who have lived correctness run amok. We have different ethnicities and races were right to freedom speech, on Villanova’s campus.” Recently, in the U.S. for some time provided reached an all time low point in no longer acceptable. Politicians damaging to the public’s sense of however, Stanford Hall on South that among other things, they learn our nation’s history when human and activists theorized that through discourse. Some have even likened Campus has experienced a number English. She has sponsored bills in sensibilities are elevated above the eradication of these racial politically correct speech to that of of graffiti within its hallways. A Congress to allow lawful, permanent offending Our Lord and Savior, stereotypes speakers would have to Communism, through the attempt group of DPEs met at Stanford on residents of the U.S. to bring their Jesus Christ. It is long past the time describe an individual differently, to equate all citizens by punishing Thursday of last week to discuss families to this country, and also to for Christians to stand firm in our and would thereby be forced to “social heresy” through derogatory the issue. This is not an isolated extend more legal protections to for- faith.” The Catholic Shop campaign observe that individual’s unique speech. instance; many students likely eign agricultural workers in the U.S. sold rubber bracelets depicting merits and characteristics. The The aim of political correctness, remember similar occurrences Barrack Obama is also on re- the “Just Say Merry Christmas” movement went on to encompass of course, is not one of censorship within the past two years. Derek cord as supporting tighter border throughout the nation. terms of sexism and, currently, is or limitation. It is to advocate Hutchinson, a student at Villanova, control and harsher penalties for Typically, political correctness attempting to include homophobic awareness of cultural stereotypes when told about the graffiti, said, employers hiring illegal immigrants. is advocated by more liberal terms. and to promote a comfortable “It’s really sad that these types of Senator Obama has offered sev- politicians and public figures, as It is interesting to look at words environment for all present. At things still happen. It’s sad that the eral practical solutions which may they more frequently represent and phrases that have fallen out of Villanova, attempts to promote majority of Villanovans who are achieve his goals. He has proposed tolerant and for togetherness can to give the FBI an additional $3 mil- be ruined by the actions of such a lion a year to increase the speed small minority.” and accuracy of the background The objective of political checks required for immigrants ap- correctness is clearly an admirable plying for citizenship. He has also one. It has become, however, a proposed a system that will sim- contentious issue. More and more plify the process by which employ- frequently, a sense of resentment is ers verify the immigration status attached to the phrase, and being of their employees, unlike Romney called PC has become an insult. and Giuliani’s plan for ID cards. On This likely stems from the extent to the other hand, Obama admits that which politically correct speech has it would be logistically impossible infiltrated society; it is interesting for the government to locate all of to see public outcry after events like the undocumented immigrants in Michael Richards’ public meltdown, the U.S., which are estimated to be while rap music is rife with racial above 12 million. Obama’s policies slurs. It is important to keep in mind seem to aim more towards peaceful the original intentions of political coexistence in America, under the correctness; a happy medium is law, and bringing immigrants out of necessary to ensure the ability of all hiding rather than terrifying them speakers to feel comfortable enough with threats of fines and deporta- to become involved. If that comfort tion. level is not reached, the exchange So, when deciding on the next of ideas will be negatively affected, president, people will need to con- thereby damaging discourse sider these issues of homeland se- minorities’ interests. Conservatives, popular usage since the beginnings diversity are directed through the throughout the world. After all, curity, border control, and illegal however, tend to embrace more of this movement; in formal society, Center for Multicultural Affairs, does it really matter whether one immigration. Each candidate’s pro- “loose” language in the public words like “girl” and “lady” have been which is responsible for educating says “Merry Christmas” or “Happy posed policies will have an effect on forum. The origins of political replaced with “woman,” as well as Villanova students about diversity Holidays,” as long as one is enjoying future relations with nearby coun- correctness can be traced back to the replacement of “Congressman” on campus. According to the the season? tries. EDITORSHAVEFUNTOO “ Which gift from the “The 12 Melissa Nally Ten lords a leapin’, because I could have the best jump Days of Christmas” would you SENIOR EDITOR “ rope team. most want to recieve? 20 WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2007 The Villan“ ova Times

the more you know STATS & FACTS VERBATIM Marijuana is California’s largest cash crop. “You bet I did. And I enjoyed it.” New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s response “ when asked if he had ever smoked pot. To Legalize, or Not To Legalize Understanding Drugs as a Commodity, Recreation, and Stigma By DEREK HUTCHINSON

The war on drugs in the United States been brewed in someone’s bathtub. And while other drug, in a well labeled container is what seems to be a never ending struggle. people may not be dying from unregulated with warnings about the possible af- As the government finds better ways to track doses of illicit drugs, many of their desires fects the drugs may have. This would illegal drugs coming into the nation or regu- for the substances arise from a want to rebel not only make it easier to control the lating their purchases at pharmacies, those against the fact that they are illegal. amounts of drugs being bought, but trying to buy or sell them continue to stay It has been shown in several studies that might curve users away from the more at least one step ahead in their methods of in years where the government has curtailed dangerous drugs like speed and hero- obtaining them. The other problem is that the amount of a specific drug entering the in which are both highly addictive and can cause death. Every year the government spends hundreds of billions of There is one other factor whose dollars on the war on drugs. Not only would drug legaliza- affects, while not necessarily high on a moral scale, play a role in drug le- tion eliminate the expenditures of the US, but create an galization. Every year the government entirely new market and income. spends hundreds of billions of dollars on the war on drugs. Not only would addicts to find dealers because they are only this struggle to regulate prescription drugs country such as marijuana, there is a sig- drug legalization eliminate the expenditures allowed amounts in certain doses, ones which and block the selling and purchase of illegal nificant increase in the use and sale of some of the US, but create an entirely new market may not satisfy their craving. So to say that recreational drugs causes the US federal and other recreational drug and usually one more and income. passing legalization would completely solve state governments tens of billions of dollars deadly than the one that preceded it. In hind- Overall, is it feasible to make illegal rec- the problem by allowing drugs to be regu- each year. Close to $47 billion was spent on sight, it seems sensible that perhaps stopping reational drugs legal? Yes. Will it reduce drug lated by the government is quite the under- the problem this year alone. So now the ques- illegal drug use and sales is not a war which deaths in the US? According to statistics, yes. statement. tion asked by so many is whether this battle is can be won, but only a problem which should But while much of this may be true, there are Quite possibly the most heavy of the ar- worth the money to continue to fight the war be further regulated. Drugs like marijuana, many others who believe there are reasons guments to keep drugs illegal is the sheer fact which continues to be lost year after year. which are currently used legally for medicinal that mass recreational drug legalization is a that we know and understand what can hap- In the United Stated of America, the purposes only, is the most commonly used step the US is not ready to take. pen to people who abuse drugs. Drugs lead constitution allows all men and women to drug in America, but can lead to the use of The major problem that stems from drug to crime, death, and most importantly, trou- have the right to do as they please with their more potent drugs when it becomes unavail- legalization is the fact that if they become so bled lives which often destroy relationships. own life, as long as it does not interfere with able or drug dealers push their clients to try a easily accessible to the general public, their Is America ready for a world where a person the life of another. If alcohol is a person’s drug new drug. However, the users are not warned may be an increase in the number of users. having a bad day and on the way home can of choice, then they are by all legal means al- about what the new drug may have in store This would also increase the number of inter- simply pick up some marijuana at the drive- lowed to consume as much as they want for them. relational problems already experienced by whenever they want as long as they are of age. If the government stopped forcing users so many drug users In the 1920s the government attempted to to find ways around the laws denying them and their close fam- ban alcohol use and even its creation, which what they want, it may even be possible to ily and friends. Many led to the nation’s biggest crime spree in his- better control substance abuse in the United people would also see tory as well as a large increase in alcohol re- States. The solution proposed by many is for drug stores being cre- lated deaths due to people drinking bad or the government to regulate the sale of drugs ated to sell the newly unsanitary liqueurs which had most likely at pharmacies just as they would sell any legalized products, and many could not fath- HHuu g g o o MMee t t e e r r om having that kind of establishment in their This week, Chavez Promised to Still be Prez at Age 95. Keep Dreaming Hugo. neighborhood. In a brilliant move, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez announced his intentions After these stores to cut off oil exports to the United States if the U.S. interferes with Sunday’s elections. crop up after drug Venezuela, the fourth largest oil exporter to the U.S. in 2006, would be sacrificing its legalization, the US number one buyer of Venezuelan oil if Chavez follows through with his ingenious would see a large in- threat. The Sunday elections will determine whether Chavez will maintain his posi- crease in economic tion as President indefinitely. Chavez promised to be “head of the government until sales and money available to the government, thru recreational drug store? For many, the 2050,” at which point he would be 95 years old. As enemies ranging from university right? Wrong. Drugs would be heavily taxed answer is a flat-out no. students to Chavez’s own ex-wife rally against his reelection, it might become diffi- because they are bought overseas and because As the war on drugs continues to rage on cult for Hugo to live that long, let alone retain his position as God’s gift to Venezuela. they would illicit a need for the government the streets and back alleys of cities, as well as This threat to disengage the U.S. as a consumer could be detrimental to the Ven- to provide increased drug education and re- in the homes of many Americans all over the ezuelan economy as well as to the future of Venezuelan citizens. As Chavez contin- hab centers for the large increase in users. It country, there is always that lingering ques- ues his valiant attempts to reshape Venezuela into a socialist society, the disappear- is believed that drug dealers would still be ance of one of the country’s largest sources of income could only further Venezuela’s tion of whether legalization could help solve around because by the time the government descent into chaos. Well done, Hugo. the problem which the US is fighting against. prices its drugs, a street seller could easily un- Many people see drugs as no worse than al- dercut those prices. cohol, but they do carry with them a moral Dealers would also have several other conflict which many are not ready to face. reasons to remain even if drugs were to be Some believe that legalization is a solution, legalized and sold. Some drugs such as PCP while others believe we would only be open- are believed to be much to dangerous to be ing the floodgates even wider. So while Amer- simply handed out by the government, so us- ica looks to better understand drug sales, use ers still wanting those types of drugs would and possible solutions to the problem (in- still need a supplier. Also, drugs that are legal cluding legalization), it seems we will have to now, like Percocet, are highly abused by many continue approaching the problem based on people. These prescription drugs which, if the government’s old beliefs about drugs and obtained first through a pharmacy, often lead what rights Americans have in using them.

The Villanova Times WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2007 21 QUOTES “ STATS & FACTS distractions The number of people who are bitten by “School’s a weird thing. I’m not sure it works.” 1,600 other humans annually in New York City. “ Johnny Depp Stop Reading This Article New Ways to Avoid Doing Homework By MARISSA BULGER

I have a confession to make. tion for putting off school work, I Sometimes I just do not want to go offer a few alternatives to studying to class. These times usually fol- and some corresponding reasons low a period of just not wanting to for their necessity. “Excuses” some do work. With finals approaching, might call them. If you are going to those times are now. Procrastina- procrastinate successfully though, tion is a powerful ally in the stu- they must be recognized as “ratio- dent’s quest to shirk deadlines and nale,” or as the “legitimate explana- term papers, research and review tions” they are. sessions. First line of defense for miss- In an effort to make a proper ing morning classes: breakfast is penance for succumbing to the the most important meal of the day. temptation to put off just about A great way to procrastinate is to anything that might be graded, it grab your overworked roommate seems appropriate to share what I from the dim glow of her laptop, have learned. recite your lines about the impor- First, the number one rule of pro- tance of a morning meal, and head crastination is this: make it worth for brunch. it. It is the difference between miss- My roommate is accustomed to this ing a class because you slept too late occurrence and we have established and missing a class because your a few Main Line favorites. Try the best friend is in town and wants to pumpkin pancakes at Nudy’s (just see how many Pat’s cheesesteaks past John Harvard’s), or have some reason to flee to King of Prussia ways Villanovans can avoid the im- erproofing the homes of the elder- he can put away in an hour. Do coffee and eggs at the Silver Spoon for the day, there is the fact that pending rush of work that accom- ly—there is an idea that will not be not sleep through your rebellion; Café (next to the Wawa in Wayne) the parking is just so much more panies the last few weeks of classes, difficult to rationalize. it is more fun if you are conscious, on a weekday morning. Either way, manageable midweek and you will yet with practice and commitment, Ultimately, you have to work and it is a lot more fun if there are stay away from Minella’s where you be able to beat the Saturday crowds. there are countless others. hard if you don’t want to do the cheesesteaks involved. are likely to run into someone don- Suburban Square is accessible by the Bake Christmas cookies in a hard work. AIM, Facebook, and With the most important ning Villanova bookstore garb, re- R5 train to Ardmore for those oth- West Campus apartment, or pop a YouTube are for amateurs. The in- guideline established, the rest is minding you of the books and pa- erwise without transportation, yet DVD into that underused laptop cessant e-mail checker? That’s just fairly flexible. This is procrastina- pers you have left behind. convincing someone to drive and and catch an episode (or a season) not quality procrastination. Make tion, not the biochem work you have Reason number two for escap- accompany you does seem to help of 24. Even better, stop by Campus it worth it…when you get around been avoiding in the first place. ing the encroaching dread of finals? with any remnants of guilt over “the Ministry and volunteer for a one- to it. As someone who has established a Christmas is the season for giving! study session that wasn’t.” and-done service opportunity like rather elaborate system of justifica- And if that is not a valid enough These are only a few of the helping at a soup kitchen or weath- Medium Hard

Puzzles provided by www.puzzles.li EDITORSHAVEFUNTOO “ Which gift from the “The 12 Jon Mattise Eleven pipers piping... because ten isn’t enough. Days of Christmas” would you CO SPORTS EDITOR “ most want to recieve?

22 WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2007 The Villanova Times VERBATIM “ sports STATS & FACTS Sports serve society by providing vivid 49-0 Rocky Marciano’s career record, the longest streak in recorded boxing. “examples of excellence. GEORGE WILL A Team of Many Faces By Jon Mattise

For one half Saturday, at any given time, and the height guard play pushed them a foul call guard/youth-heavy lineup did with 32 of ‘Nova’s first half 54 Villanova cruised like they were to go with the conventional lineup. away from the championship. The likewise in the first half Saturday, points coming from the guys who playing Bloomsburg. Scottie spend their time on South campus. Reynolds looked like an All- He might not know which American, Corey Fisher made lineup is best yet, but Wright moves like he was on an And-1 knows at the very least he can mixtape, and Antonio Pena finally shuffle in and out a multitude of lived up to his offensive potential. interchangeable parts this season. Behind an explosive offensive and So don’t be surprised if it isn’t feisty defense, the Wildcats could the last time we see two different do no wrong going into the locker teams in one game again. room. “Yeah, it is probably the “We started so quick, and most up tempo team I’ve had at I was really pleased with that,” Villanova because of our depth,” Coach Jay Wright said. “Scottie Wright said after the Penn win. “We had two incredible dives in the always like to play up tempo, there first half, and it just kind of set were a couple times where either the tone for our young guys, that foul trouble or fatigue would force this is how we have to play every us to back it off. But when Dante n i g ht .” (Cunningham) picked up two After the first 20 minutes fouls and Reggie (Redding) picked were up though, they executed up two, Tone (Antonio Pena) and about as well as a D-II school like Stokes and those guys came in and Bloomsburg. took it to a new level. That was the The Wildcats shot a dismal 34 first time we’ve done that, so that percent in the second half, made was good for us tonight.” just over half of their free throws, threw away the ball six times, and ended up getting outscore by five in the half. ‘Nova’s 26-point win against Penn had a bit of everything, a Finding the best way to mix and fair share of the good and the match is Wright’s new task. bad. Everyone but one player on Don’t get it wrong – needing The Lowdown the roster scored. The Wildcats to tweak a lineup that goes 10 deep forced 27 turnovers and gave away it is a pretty good problem to have. here is nothing more to light up the nets. his foot at the 10 minute mark 16 of their own. Scottie Reynolds It’s just a problem Wright isn’t used Tpuzzling than the illanova players just Saturday, it was just the third notched 14 first half points on a to having. In the past three seasons, collective sound made by the Vcan’t seem to keep their turnover that the freshman perfect 4-for-4 from the field, then he has had at most three or four student section whenever Casiem hands to themselves this season. committed all season, as opposed cooled considerably with a 2-for-8 guys with the potential to drop Drummond scores. Some seem The Wildcats have had at least to 10 assists. In his first career start second-half shooting slump. double-digit point totals – a Randy to quietly murmur his whole first one player foul out in each of its for the Wildcats, Fisher notched If nothing else, the win Foye, an Allan Ray, a Kyle Lowry – name, and others just grumble, last four games. Shane Clark has 13 points, four assists and four showed this year’s squad is slowly then a drop off. Scan the roster this “EEEEEEE.” topped this less-than-desirable steals. beginning to take shape, and season – there are at least five guys hane Clark’s status for stat category with three foul outs arry Brown made a while the team’s assets were pretty at any given time who could break SThursday’s Wachovia in a row, until he had to sit out Lnice catch on an errant clear in the first half, its liabilities out and drop 20. Center game with LSU is day- against Penn Saturday with a bum pass from his usual seat along likewise surfaced in the second. And this new lineup is still to-day according to Coach Jay knee. the baseline. Other notables in Wright would be the first to very much so in the experimental Wright. Clark, who battled injury he man they call Otter attendance on Saturday included admit that the biggest challenge stage, with players shuffling in all last season, sat out Saturday’s Tgot his first collegiate former Wildcats Will Sheridan with this bunch is on the defensive and out like an “everyone-gets-to- contest with Penn with a strained bucket in Saturday’s win against and Jason Fraser, as well as end. After the Wildcats allowed play” rec league team. Sometimes quad/hip flexor. Penn. Andrew Ott, a redshirt Pennsylvania Governor Ed another shooter of average talent it works, sometimes it doesn’t. The he biggest liability for freshman, knocked down a free Rendell (Penn ’65, Nova Law ’68). to eclipse the 20-point mark – nice part is that with all that talent, Tthe Wildcats thus far has throw for his first basket in a s impressive as the men’s Penn’s Tyler Bernardini netted 21, you can afford to take some time been their inability to defend the Villanova uniform, then added Ateam was in its blowout N.C. State’s Courtney Fells scored feeling it out. perimeter. In fact, Nova is giving two more points down low later victory, it wasn’t quite as lopsided 21, and the list goes on – it’s clear Take the Bucknell game, up an average of nearly 10 three- on. as the Lady Wildcats’ (6-1) victory that marking perimeter players has for instance. Wright sat two All- pointers a game, and opponents hough not nearly over the Lady Quakers. Stacie been a struggle so far. American guards – Corey Stokes are shooting 44 percent. Tas graceful or as Witman scored 21 and Lisa Beyond that, the truth is, this and Corey Fisher – in the midst fter showing his impressive, Frank Tchuisi did his Karcic added 17 in a 66-26 win, year’s rendition of the Wildcats of a scoring drought, and, sans Amarksmanship in the own rendition of Vince Carter’s as Nova may very well surpass last has somewhat of an identity crisis. Malcolm Grant, elected to play exhibition against Bloomsburg, famous leap over an international year’s win total by the end of the Wright has the experience of last only his returners. Tried and true, freshman guard Corey Stokes has player for a dunk. The Cameroon month. year’s squad in players like Dante the lineup that struggled to put not been able to get comfortable native leap-frogged a teammate illanova games shown Cunningham and Reggie Redding, points on the board all last year did from deep yet in his young while he was crouched down, and Von ESPN360 are often and the unlimited upside of this much of the same in a close – albeit career. The former McDonald’s swatted away a Penn attempt for archived and available for several year’s freshmen. The steady-headed unaesthetically pleasing – win. All-American is shooting just 11 what was clearly the best goal tend days at espn360.com. ESPN360 is returners, and the exuberant, uber- Then Villanova traveled to percent from deep early on. Watch of his career. free on campus. talented youngsters. He has the Never Never Land for the Old Spice for a breakout game from the hen Corey Fisher quickness to throw four guards out Classic, and phenomenal, fast paced 6-foot-5 combo guard – he’s due Wdribbled the ball off The Villanova Times WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2007 23 sports Tony Toni Tone By Kellen Dougherty

With this young Villanova game. “Yeah, we know it’s coming,” pass from Fisher, he showcased his eight rebounds in 21 minutes, filling versatility and athleticism were basketball team, it’s almost as if said Wright of Peña’s performance range with a three-pointer from the in for a banged up Shane Clark. essential to the Wildcats’ recent each of the underclassmen takes against the Quakers. “I just wanted corner, and even hit five of his six Peña has been the subject success. a turn showcasing his abilities. him to experience it, and so then free throw attempts. He is a chiseled of optimistic murmurs since he After his time at Lincoln, Peña Once a player has his coming out once he did it I was a little upset in and intimidating force, reminiscent arrived on campus in 2006. He went on to excel at St. Thomas More party, it’s time for the next one. the second half that he didn’t do it of some of the Pitt enforcers in the initially played at Lincoln High before signing to play at Villanova. Malcolm Grant wasted no time again. He came in and just kind of frontcourt – wide enough to create School in his native Brooklyn, where Expectations were high, but a in announcing his arrival against cruised, but that’s learning, that’s space, and athletic enough to grab he was teammates with Sebastian knee injury that required surgery Stony Brook, connecting on four him being a freshman. He’s got a lot any rebound within his reach. Telfair and featured on the ESPN sidelined him in the fall of 2006. three-point attempts. Against Although he was back practicing North Carolina State, Casiem “The midway through the year, the Dream” Drummond snatched 17 coaching staff and Peña opted for a boards, and Corey Fisher added 21 redshirt. points. We’re barely into December, Scottie Reynolds has known and the Wildcats are already relying about his Peña’s potential for a on the freshmen for 42 percent of while, and believes that the redshirt their scoring. season was crucial to his roommate’s So it was particularly development. encouraging when Antonio Peña, “I’m just proud of him, him the most enigmatic Villanova taking steps forward and I know freshman, demonstrated his abilities that he’s got so much more he can in an 87-61 victory over Penn last put into it,” Reynolds said. Saturday. There has been much In the first few games, Peña talk among the inner circles of sometimes appeared out of place, Villanova’s program about Peña’s unsure of himself when on the floor. limitless upside. Some have even But three games in Orlando and a whispered that if he can continue subsequent week of intense practice to refine his game he may end up have helped the 21-year-old begin being the best pro prospect on the to understand his role and adjust to roster – and this is a guy who has the dynamic style of play. “I’m pretty topped 10 points just once in his comfortable now, on offense I’m real young ‘Nova tenure. comfortable, just defensively I need The expectations for Peña to pick it up and keep working,” said may be high, but the ceiling is even the softspoken Peña following the higher. Said Reynolds, “I’m going blowout victory. to push him just as hard as coach is Wildcat Head Coach Jay more in him, believe me. We see it “He is as talented of a forward documentary Through the Fire. going to push him and that’s what’s Wright has been eagerly anticipating in practice.” or swing player as we’ve recruited Because of his Brooklyn roots, some going to make him better and that’s Peña’s contributions, but still wants Peña demonstrated his power here,” said Wright. have drawn comparisons between what’s going to make our team to see him play a more complete with a two-handed throwdown on a He finished with 12 points and Peña and Curtis Sumpter, whose better.” Boiling Points A few timely gripes

By MATTHEW BRADY

Abysmal Pathetically Stupid when the game was over in the fifth one. However, there’s one thing that Phillies New Home Uniforms – Big Five any more. We are officially Cheers – Every year it happens, minute. Honestly, we can do better will never be able to change so long They are just flat-out ugly. Let this the Big One. The Little Four plus one mostly in the beginning, but than that. as there is an electronic system in paper be the first to inspire a calling is just not competitive anymore. The sometimes it carries straight place, and that is that tickets cannot campaign into the executive offices Jay Wright era has seen complete and through to the end of the season. It’s Basketball Ticket Lottery System be transferred to another student if of the Philadelphia Phillies to utter domination. Honestly, trash- perfectly acceptable for basketball – Okay, SGA has done a great job a last second emergency or some express outrage at this bone-headed talking Saint Joe’s fans is fun and all, fans to get excited every game they responding to quite a few problems other commitment arises. In years move. Gone are the classic red crushing UPENN is entertaining to go to, but sometimes it bubbles that keep arising such as the long past, with the paper ticket system, pinstripes. Gone are the red baseball some extent, but ultimately it is no over like a busted espresso machine entrance lines that prevented some students could give their ticket to caps with the white “P.” Instead, fans great feat knocking out the fat kid and the result is stupid cheers that Villanova students from getting another student at any point up in Philly have to deal with their new in dodgeball. And what is the deal everyone feels obligated to chant in into the Bucknell game until over to or during the game, and there “fresh take” on vintage uniforms. All with Phil Martelli always being the unison for fear of being a bad fan. 12 minutes had elapsed in the first would be no wasted seat. As of now, white, with a pathetic read and blue toast of the town in Philly? The guy It’s time to say “No!” to N-O—V-A, half. SGA president John Von Euw the latest you can do this is 9am the collar, and a matching blue hat with is a complete joke, the ringleader of time to drop the “Not in our house!”- noted it was merely a “perfect storm” day of the game. Technology is not a red brim and “P.” Well, hey, at least a bunch of clown, no-talent players. oh-yeah-it’s-actually-December- that led to the problems a couple always the answer. Let’s keep the they made the playoffs. Right? The Big Five is defunct for now. It’s and-we’re-playing-a-terrible-team- weeks ago. Now that the number of logging industry going, cut down a good to win, but it’s better when we’d-beat-in-a-greenhouse cheer, swipers has been doubled to four few trees, and use the effective paper Lack of Competition in the Big you’re picking on kids your own time to drop the “It’s all over!” cheer the entrance process is a smooth tickets that worked in the past. Five – Villanova is not a part of the size. EDITORSHAVEFUNTOO “ Which gift from the “The 12 Andrew Moriarty Twelve drummers drumming. I’d start a sick death metal ASSISTANT EDITOR IN CHIEF Days of Christmas” would you “ band. most want to recieve? 24 WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2007 The Villanova Times

Amphigory, or a Thinly “Ha ha ha” Not So Veiled Critique Funny By DANIEL BOLAND By LINDSAY MCAULIFFE Mocking laughter rends forever out of reach. No piece spoken and set in stone until Santa Clauses in Sydney, on the face of the planet who will the still of nothing as Terrance locomotion of the limbs would old Grim rouses from his scented Australia have been told this take offense to a jolly, fat-man’s stands poised, fingers flexing ever propel him to their heights, siesta and takes the whole world Christmas season to say ‘ha ha chortle. Being ultra-sensitive in anticipation. His fingers are and in a shadowed secret place with him in the reaper’s abandon. ha’ instead of Santa’s traditional to anything that could possibly used to fashioning keys into perhaps Terrance knew this, Reaching deep within, ‘ho ho ho.’ Why? Because Santa’s be construed as being offensive turns of phrases, but via different but he could not relent, and the Terrance knows that he had traditional chuckle could be to some group of people is machinery than his forebears. laughter continued at his stilted nothing to avert the disaster. He interpreted as being offensive to completely unnecessary. Being He comes to clutch at the tails and dismal attempts, the face- is not the one destined to grab women. As unbelievable as this politically correct is perfectly of the phantoms that circle the reddening creations that could the phantoms by their tails and may sound, it’s true. In our hyper- void, garlanded in laurels and only hope to ape that which came slingshot to a higher plane. He sexualized, ultra-sensitive culture, Santa has said ‘ho possessing the heavy, pitted truths before. Where was innovation? knows that the one adorned by not even Santa’s age-old greeting ho ho’ since the that burn one’s mouth and fortify Aching with the knowledge destiny’s favored star may well is safe from the policing of PC beginning of his the soul like multi distilled spirits. of his lack of divine spark, the be glutting himself on goose, and sticklers. existence. The truths are worth more than brute genius possessed by the the cruel glass of hours makes Santa has said ‘ho ho ho’ since gold, more than life to Terrance, phantoms, Terrence nonetheless him beat his head in frustration. the beginning of his existence. appropriate in many instances, whose world had forgotten they refused to join his peers. Those Why were they all content to eat Hundreds of years of tradition but this is not one of them. existed. Held as they were by iconic figures sat with linked the hermetically sealed lotus, to shouldn’t be tampered with If Santa suddenly starts saying mere phantoms, majestic shades hands around the goose, grinning drink the vitamin enriched Lethe because ‘ho’ just happens to be one ‘ha ha ha’ instead of ‘ho ho ho,’ that exist only in the void, they secret Cheshire smiles and each and forget? of many American slang terms children will simply be confused. had been replaced by weaker in turn wringing its delicate neck And so Terrance saw that for ‘prostitute,’ a fact that children They are innocent; they have no fare that liquefied the mind and for a bit of gold. A bespectacled maybe none of it even mattered. who care about Santa Clause idea what a prostitute is, let alone curdled the spirit but went down man with a pointed forehead If he were the one, if his keys have absolutely no knowledge of. a ‘ho.’ The spirit of Christmas and spectacularly in a fluted glass. pulls more of the loot towards could birth stunning volumes Who exactly do they think will the love of Santa is an icon of the Yet the master artifice of those himself, chanting. “If the coin of painful beauty, they wouldn’t be offended by Santa? I support innocent. Let’s k e e p past eluded him, their monolithic shines, bite it; if the marks hold, care. They would look to see if women’s rights, but him that way. constructs spanning oceans with hide it; if the eye looks, flash it; if they could eat it, and become there is not but a step, pinning empires like the hand beckons, cash it.” The fatter still. They’d try to spread a woman euthanized butterflies and twisting rest burst out into a new peal of it across the continents like an civilization in the wind. Those hideous laughter, flaying Terrance oil slick, until one couldn’t run works made Grim himself hang to the very core of his being. a finger without coming up sick. up his scythe in an apple tree and Under a spell, he can do He knew; they had won. The lotus tempt Newton by sitting under the nothing but watch as they sat and eaters won, as they always had. spreading leaves to listen, at least grow fatter and fatter with their Shouting insults to the impassive for a little while; Fate’s uncaring dispensation of trite wisdom. He spirits and leaping again and hourglass balanced sideways in sees introspection replaced by again to the shrill laughter like his skeletal hands. Terrance’s self deprecation, truth usurped by a grinder’s monkey to a tin own works were naught but a wit, innovation by mere novelty, phonograph, Terrence shouted. flock of jangling automatons in style by grandiloquence, and All those words, all those words comparison, tottering on stillborn no one cared; eyes bulging with pouring out in tidal pulses to legs in a parody of what he knew laughter, they amuse themselves cover daily rags and fill flimsy was possible. to death while always stuffing covers. Multiplying forever, and Laughter again fell across their pockets. The golden goose in the end, Terrence wondered, Terrance’s back, as his futile looks quite nearly cooked, and the had anything really been said? leaps brought him no nearer to phantoms can only circle the void the elusive ghosts that hovered as they had always done, their

What-to-Do This Weekend Tip #5: Patrick Yet Another Macy’s Holiday Event The Awkward Situations If you are at Villanova, and still not in the Donkey Christmas spirit, feel no need to waste gas by driving to New York City. Manhattan Island has plenty of Christmas activities, such as the tree in Rockefeller Center, the Radio City Christmas Spectacular or the extensive window shopping of stores such as Lord & Taylor. However, Philadelphia has a few traditions of its own. At Macy’s in Center City, there is a light show and organ concert which beats any other. This is a tradition which dates back more than 50 years. These lights float on the four-story tall velvet curtain of the grand atrium of Macy’s. The 100,000 lights form to create fantastic flashing and moving images, and are accompanied by music from a famous Wanamaker grand organ. Julie Andrews, well-known for her singing ability, ...Became entangled while hanging Christmas lights which she has sadly since lost, narrates the show (Hands > hooves for such tasks) this year. Located at 1300 Market Street, it is not a far walk from the R5 rail line.