WHY I GET READY Witt END FOR THE UP ALONE SUPER- Opinions, page 5" BOWL Sports, page 24 THE OBSERVER February 1,2007 FQ RD HAIvJO BSERVE R.C 0 M Volume XXV, Issue 8 Thailand Fordham professors react Proposed bombings as more troops are sent to Iraq student loan raisesafety bill to cut concerns on interest rates service trip ByMeaghanDiDon in half Assistant News Editor By Laura Shin Contributing Writer FCLC—"It was New Year's FORDHAM—When many Eve and we had planned to go to Fordham students were re- a celebration in downtown Bang- turning to campus for the new kok, so our group leader took us spring semester and rushing to to a local mall to get dinner first," pay their bills, lawmakers in said Drew King, FCLC '09. "Ev- Washington, D.C. were mull- ery restaurant we went to said they ing over a different kind of were closing at 6:00 p.m., and we bill: one that promises to halve. were confused as to why. Our tour the interest rates on "all need- guide said he heard that bombs had based federal student . loans; gone off so we looked around for a Despite oppositipn from" the television and when we eventually Bush Administration, the new found one, [the newscast] was all Democratic-controlled "' House in Thai. It was frustrating to hear Jhe newscast only in ThjuVbut our bill in an overwhelming vote. •tour guide helped^ aniptrlffistateif "I think it's fantastic that the for us."" ~ government is slashing interest Fordham's Global Outreach pro- rates to that extent," said Lana gram took 11 students to Thailand Boone, FCLC '09. "Lower in- from Dec. 29 to Jan. 13-, under the terest rates will make the dream leadership of Elizabeth Mclnnes, GhuckKennedy/UCT of going to college a reality to • FCRH '07. On Dec. 31, the group U.S. George W. Bush is backed by Vice President Dick Cheney, left, and Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (O-CA) as many students who couldn't oth- State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress in the House of Representatives Chamber on Tuesday, was walking to dinner at a mall Jan. 2: erwise afford [college] at where in Bangkok when they heard the the interest rates are now." news, Mclnnes said. By Cafly Speed more troops... He is just simply if they are capable of doing that So The bill would-cut.the fixed As a series of explosions ripped Contributing Writer saying that this has become much I think the sooner that we let them interest rates on all subsidized more complicated and difficult through downtown Bangkok, on decide for themselves to assume Stafford loans from the cur- FCLC—President George W. than he had thought, but he is not their own security, the better it New Year's Eve, Fordham. stu- rent rate of 6.& percent to 3.4 Bush's recent announcement that in any way acknowledging the would be for them and for us. As dents on the Global Outreach ser- percent over the course of five he will increase the number of U.S. fundamental mistake of having long as they can assume that we vice trip in Thailand, who were in years. According to 2004-05 troops in Iraq by over 20,000 has gone there in the first place. ' will be there to provide security— Bangkok at the time, were forced College Board statistics, there sparked debate around the country, His basic policy has remained however incomplete and ineffective to remain in their hotel rooms for are more than 5.5 million fed- particularly in Washington, D.C. unchanged, and if anything, it's it is—they have less motivation to New Year's and contact family eral Stafford subsidized loan Bush has -said that the failure to being reinforced by sending more take the responsibility themselves. members to assure them of their secure Baghdad thus far is due to borrowers, all of whom would (loops. Observer Do you feel that safety, team members said. an insufficient number of Iraqi and be affected by the change. Observer. Do you believe that the difference of opinion about The bombings were allegedly a American troops in Baghdad and there is a possibility of a draft? sending more troops to Iraq among At Fordham, the bill would result of a military coup in Septem- an exceeding numberofrestrictions What effect would mis have on members of the Congress will affect approximately 5,300 on those who are currently there. ber which ousted Thai Prime Min- Fordham students, if any? affect our "success" in Iraq? undergraduate students who The Observer spoke with John ister Thaksin Shinawatra and his Entelis: No, I really don't... I Entelis: No. At this point it borrow subsidized Stafford Entelis, director of the Middle government. The attackers were can't imagine any politician would depends how you would define loans, Angela Van Dekker, As- East studies program at Fordham speculated to be supporters of the be willing to take that chance success. It has to do much more sistant Vice President of Stu- University, to discuss criticisms prime minister, reported CNN. because it would backfire on Bush with the situation over there and dent Financial Services, said. of the newly introduced plan According to Mclnnes, the co- himself, his party and Republicans much less with the situation over Van Dekker said that, while and its impact on the Fordham ordinator of the program who led in subsequent elections. It is very here. The fact of the matter is that all students borrowing fed- community. the group throughout Thailand unlikely that a draft would be re- the country has simply fallen apart, eral subsidized Stafford loans showed the students on the trip a instituted any time soon, especially and there are deep divisions along would benefit from lower inter* map of Thailand in order to illus- Observer In your opinion, in this conflict that is so deeply ethnic and religious lines there that est rates, grants are also impor- trate exactly where the bombings would sending more troops to Iraq unpopular. have to be overcome. tant for more needy students. occurred, which were south of help or hurt the conflict? Observer: There has been Observer: How does the "The federal government needs where the students were staying. Entelis: Hurt the conflict talk about Bush turning over conflict in the Middle East impact to reassess its expenditures," "This is the third year that Glob- Observer Can you comment responsibility for security in all the Middle East studies program she said. "In February 2006 al Outreach has gone to Thailand, on ' President Bush's recent provinces to Iraqis. Can you here at Fordham? Are there any the bill signed took billions and there was never a decision to acknowledgment of his own comment on the possible effects of different courses being taught or from financial aid programs, fly home during this trip," Mc- mistakes in Iraq thus far as it relates this? existing courses being modified? and those dollars did not in- , to bis desire to increase the number lnnes said. Entelis: The debate is whether Entelis: The tragic events of crease funding significantly." of troops in Iraq? Once the students were back at the Iraqis arc prepared both Sept. 11, 2001 have spurred an On Jan. 16, the Bush admin- Entelis: Well I don't think it's so the hotel, Mary Owens, Global politically and militarily to assume increased interest by Fordham istration announced its opposi- much of an admission on his part. It their own security responsibilities, students, as with university students Outreach coordinator at Lincoln is simply a justification for sending see THAILAND pg. 02 but I think that we may never know soo Q & A pg. 02 see LOANS pg. 04

CELEBRATING 25 YEARS OF SERVICE TO FORDHAM UNIVERSITY AT LINCOLN CENTER 02 NEWS 1 February 1,2007 • 1 THE OBSERVER fordhamobserver.com NEWS IN BRIEF . Thailand IraqQ&A CONTINUED FROM FRONT PAGE students "for logistical reasons bombings in Madrid and the recent CONTINUED FROM FRONT PAGE. METRO: Center, was contacted as well as if parents should call," Owens bombings on the London Under- throughout the United States, of the students' parents, said Mc- stated. ground during summer 2005, and the Middle East and the Islamic •A New York City paralegal Innes. Keeping the lines of com- In addition to sending students he noted that within two hours of world. As a result, the Middle East has been fired from his job-at a munication open with relatives overseas for Global Outreach ser- the Madrid bombings, all students studies program on both campuses Manhattan law firm and is facing at home is not typical during a vice trips, the Study Abroad pro- who were studying abroad in Spain has attracted many new majors and criminal charges after illegally Global Outreach trip but was gram offers students the chance to were accounted for. He said that al- minors. We offer three levels of impersonating a lawyer for over necessary in this situation, Ow- attend a university in the country though students are from Fordham Arabic language study, and all these .two years. Brian Valery, 32, was ens said. of their choice. Although safety University, while they are abroad, courses have full enrollments. We never admitted to the New York When deciding whether or not is an issue while taking students they are the responsibility of the have also hired two new full-time State Bar—as lawyers practic- to send students to developing on school-sponsored trips to vari- program they are studying with, faculty [members] in the history and ing in the state must be—and countries, "the utmost criteria we ous parts of the world, it has not but ISAP is constantly in commu- sociology/anthropology departments never even attended law school. have is the [U.S.] State Depart- deterred the school from promot- nication with Fordham Universi- who specialize and teach courses on Valery instead lied to his em- ment warning," Owens said; The ing this kind of foreign travel, ac- ty about the students' safety. the Middle East and North Africa. Finally, the Program has a steady ployers at the firm where he had students' plan was to travel the cording to Ronald Mendez-Clark, Despite the current conflict in stream of students who pursue been working as a paralegal, tell- day after New Year's to a north- director of International and Study Thailand, Mclnnes said the ser- Arabic language study overseas ing them he had graduated from ern village in Thailand, noted Abroad Programs (ISAP). vice trip was worthwhile and in Morocco, Egypt, Palestine, Fordham Law School in June Owens, who said she continued to "We check the state department that she would return. But in' Tunisia, Lebanon and elsewhere 2002 (he was never enrolled) check the U.S. State Department postings, and all of Study Abroad order to decrease chances of be- during one or more academic and finally passed the bar exam announcements and the news. ing there during a similar situ- is done through third parties with semesters and in the summers. • in 2003 after failing twice (he Alerts were made to others access, to embassies who monitor ation, she suggested that "the never took the bar exam). within the Global Outreach de- the situation very closely," Clark trip should be moved to another Impersonating a lawyer is partment, the Fordham secu- said. date in the future, away from a misdemeanor crime in New, rity department and the dean of Clark said he remembers the the chaos of New Year's." • Prof Vali offers York, but Valery also faces a felony perjury charge for assert- perspective on war ing in a Connecticut court that he was in fact a lawyer in New The Observer also spoke wifh York—a lie which could send Shapoor Vali, associate professor of Valery to prison for five years. economics, about how his Iranian up- bringing impacts his view on the con- flict in the Middle East Vali said he NATIONAL: was bom into a Shiite Muslim family in Iran. •Though the representatives and Senators newly elected in "I am strictly secular andastrong be- the 2006 midterm elections liever in separation ofchurch(mosque, have been at work for less than synagogue, temple) and state. 1 reject a month, the 2008 presidential any political entity, based on religion race 'is, already /Commanding (any religion),''he said. "Asforiheri-. media attention. Over 20 demo- tage, no doubt we all carry someicul- crats and republicans have filed tural and historical baggage." th% rfircSSarjpftfp*ei&Tto run' or" Vali said that he believes that send- have formed/i "exploratory cam- . ing more troops to:haq will huitthe mittees" and have started fund- conflict by increasing the violence. raising campaigns. Drew King/ The Observer He said, "I very much doubt Jhat Early polls from news outlets Global Outreach students stand together for a group photo in Thailand. any number of troops at this stage in like CNN show New York sena- the game could do anything helpful. tor and former First Lady Hillary Sending more troops is .going to ex- Rodham Clinton leading of the acerbate the situation because the very democratic field,. with Illinois presence of the United States armed Sen. Barack Obama holding on think summer -think fordham forces is the major source of the con- to a second-place position. flict" With ;ttb%eir-apparent from the Vali believes that the only solution Bush administration seeking the to die conflict is to involve the Unit- GOP nomination, the republican ed Nations, particularly by sending race alone has attracted a dozen troops from Muslim or Arab nations. hopefuls so far. Polls show for- "Shifting responsibility gradually to mer New York City Mayor Rudy the Iraqi forces requires that we have Giuliani and Arizona senator not only trained but also armed Iraqi and 2000 presidential candidate forces." \ . . John McCain leading the pack. He continued: "hi order to take re- The .primary elections for each sponsibility for security you should party won't begin until Jan. 14 have sufficiently armed people to of next yetfr, with the demo- fight insurgents who happen to have cratic Iowa caucus, and in New superior weapons.- ;V" York, the primary for both par- "Currently Iraqi forces are only ties won't arrive until March 4, armed with AK-47s and* some of 2008. the insurgents have very advanced weapons, and somehow the U.S. is reluctant to give the Iraqi forces better weapons." INTERNATIONAL: At this point, Vali believes the best solution is to gradually withdraw from •Iranian President Mahmoud Iraq and shift responsibilities to Iraqis, Ahmadinejad may be forced to because to them the Unites States is a step back front his own rhetoric foreign nation that is occupying their over nuclear power in the Middle country. Eastern nation after a newspaper Live on campus for less than $27 a night "No matter how wephrase it—'free- with close ties to Iran's supreme dom, ' 'democracy,' 'liberation'--Iraq- leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Choose from 200 courses available this summer is don't look at this problem through publicly blasted Ahmadincjad's at Fordham University, including: that perspective. What they see on the .position on.the-issue. ground is incredible violence and lack U.S. President George W. • The Catholic Metropolis • American Pluralism of everything from electricity.to water, and life is absolutely disrupted"! Bush has repeatedly suggest- (AALP2005) ed that he would take action (CALU3450) against Iran if he perceived • Movies and the American • The Holocaust the country's nuclear develop- ment as a threat to the west. • Experience (CMLP 3108) (HSEU3925) fordhamobserver.com THE OBSERVER NEWS 03 ' Unusual winter weather sets records in metro area CALENDAR OF EVENTS THU. FEB. 1 "Finding God in Body, Mind and Spirit: An Ignatian Approach" Ignation Awareness Week Event 5:15 p.m. South Lounge Sponsored by Campus Min- istry,

"Ordina questo amore, O tu che m'ami" Student performance of work by Poet-In-Residence and peace activist Daniel Berrigan, S.J. Ignation Awareness Week Event 7:00 p.m. Franny's Space Sponsored by Campus Min- istry FRI. FEB. 2 Lowenstein Chapel Dedic- tion Ignation Awareness Week Event Alex Palomlna/Tha Observer Central Park on an unusually warm winter day. 11:00 a.m. LL221 Sponsored by Campus Min- By Adam Kaufman According to Lewis, most climatologists must also be taken into account when istry Managing Editor agree that the El Nino/Southern Oscillation considering environmental changes. (ENSO) effect was'the primary cause of the Regardless of exactly what caused the WED. FEB. 7 warm weather. "The El Nino effect alters MANHATTAN—Although freezing tem- warm spell, people in the region, includ- Rock the Ram peratures have recently returned to New global wind patterns in a way that causes the ing Fordham students, were affected in C-SAWEVENT York City, the months of November and jet stream in our area to track further north various ways. Barbara Samuels, FCLC 6:00 p.m. December, along with the early part of than usual, which reduces the movement '08, said that her winter break plans did Student Lounge January, saw unusually warm temperatures of arctic [cold] air masses into our area, not go quite as expected. "My family, has •Co-Sponsored by CSA and throughout the Northeast and many other while increasing the movement of gulf a season ski pass, but we weren't able v 'i USG parts of the country. For the first time since [warm] air masses! So, we get more warm to use it while I was home," Samuels 1877, New York City received no snow in air than usual and'less cold air than usual." said. "I just hope that we get a late win* THURS.FEB. 8 November or December, and on Jan. 6, the However/Lewis also points, out that ter, so that I can get plenty of skiing in." ••••••• 100 Nights '" high temperature at Central Park reached 72 2006's average temperatures were sig- Jane Eshbaugh, director of marketing 5:00-7:00 p.m. degrees, easily breaking that day's previous nificantly higher than the long term av- for Holiday Valley Ski Resort in Ellicot- Student Lounge record high of 62 degrees, set in 1950, ac- erage. "Most climatologists agree that tville, New York, described the effects Sponsored by Senior Week cording to the National Weather Service. the warming effect reflects, at least in that the warmth had on the resort's busi- Committee and OSL&CD With this warm weather has come increased part, anthropogenic effects on climate," ness. "We were off about 40 percent from talk* about the effects of global warming. he says. "So, climate change definitely our five-year average for December," Es- FRI. FEB. 9 However, scientists warn that attributing is also a factor in the current weather." hbaugh said. "The warm weather •affected CSA's White Party weather patterns to one factor is a practice Dr. Robert Madden, professor of bi- the number of lifts and slopes we could C-SAW Event that leads to a great deal of inaccuracy. ology at FdLC, agreed that New York- operate .and discouraged skiers and snow- 7:00-1.1:00 p,m. - "To me, a big danger is trying to}con- ers must be careful when looking for an boarders from coming to our resort. I've Cafeteria Atrium clude.that the weather on any given, day explanation for short-term, weather pat-. .been- here for 25 years, and I don't re- Sponsored by CSA is due to one or a few specific factors," terns. "This day-to-dayV week-to-week call a season that was this challenging." Portions of this calendar are said Jim Lewis, associate chair of gradu- or month-to-month variation in weather Some Fordham students, though, wel- provided by the Office of Student ate studies for.the department of biologi- that you see can't be specifically tied comed the warm start to winter. Michael Ro- Leadership and Community cal sciences, who stated that it is neces- to longer-term trends," Madden said. driguez, FCLC '07 and a native New York- Development and the Dean's sary to take into account the way that "Weather varies; it's just a part of nature;" er, was relieved that he was able to travel to Office. various environmental phenomena, such, Madden added, though, that the hu- Florida without having to worry about harsh as El Nino and global climate change, man contribution to global warming weather affecting his flights. Rodriguez said, combine to affect periods of weather. is very strong and that our behavior "I'm not really one to miss the cold." • CRIME BLOTTER FRI. DEC 22 Mary mount student awarded campus ministry honor A fire alarm in the Law By Marissa Jurmark teered by setting up for Mass, her .character.. She said that the Websitestates, "Global Outreach School went off at 10 a.m., Literary Editor doing midnight runs to deliver NCSC ideals complement her provides worldwide service and John Carroll, director of food to the homeless and at- Catholic qualities. The NCSC learning opportunities for the Security Services, reported. MARYMOUNT—Susan- tending retreats. She explained Web site states, "[The NCSC students, faculty and staff of The alarm sounded as a nah Boubeau, a graduating that this program stresses the strives] to embody the Catho- Fordham University," and Bou- result of work being done senior at Marymount College importance of "students lead- lic identity for college students beau said she agrees. "It opened by electrical contractors, he of Fordham University, was ing students in service." She from campus ministries at insti- a lot of doors for me," she said. said. awarded the National Catho- said that her first service as- tutions of higher education in Boubeau explained the Global lic Student Coalition (NCSC) signment called for travels to the United States of America." Outreach program led to her FRI. JAN. 12 Luis Fernandez award for her Peru with 10 contingents. To- Boubeau told The Observer involvement with the NCSC. involvement in Fordham's gether, she said, they painted that she actively participates She urged students interested in A student in McMahon campus ministry on Dec. 31. buildings and visited a wom- in U.N.-sponsored programs getting involved to go to their Hall reported a stolen pair According to the NCSC Web en's death prison. Boubeau headed by the Non-Govern- campus ministry office and of shoes at 4:15 p.m., John site, The Luis Fernandez award said her trip served as an eye mental Organizations (NGO) how important it is for "stu- Carroll, director of Security is presented annually to one out- -opener and she realized, "God committee. She said that in dents to question the decision Services, said. The student standing student that displays is calling me to dp His work." November she traveled to a making process" on campus. was moving out> of McMa- exceptional leadership and ded- Fr. Joseph Currie, S.J., di- conference in Paris as a youth As a recipient of the Luis Fer- hon Hall to a private resi- ication in campus ministry, var- rector of the campus ministry representative with the Inter- nandez award, Boubeau said "I dence in Manhattan at the ious community service proj- at Rpse Hill says, "Susan- national Movement of Catholic am hopeful that this prestigious time, Carroll said. ects and NCSC-run programs. nah is a great young woman." Students (IMCS)-Pax Roma- recognition of servitude on the As a freshman, Boubeau said Boubeau said that her Catho- na sponsored by UNESCO to national and international level she joined the Global Outreach lic upbringing instilled morals lead students to empowerment. will secure me placement in program. At first, she volun- and a sense of servitude into Fordham's campus ministry the Jesuit Volunteer Corps." • 04 NEWS 1 February 1,2007 1 THE OBSERVER fordhamobserver.com A costly mistake Alumsallege Grad School of Education mishandled certifications problems that delayed the system's ByChris Barlow ••••>;.•'-\ Assistant News Editor launch also kept the state from prop- erly training schools on how to use the new software. "They set up three FORDHAM—"Dear Father Mc- different long-distance workshops Shane," begins Patrick Smith's let- to try to train all the schools of edu- ter to the Rev. Joseph McShane, cation in the state... They tried three S.J., President of Fordham. 'Today, times, they failed three timesbecaus e Fordham University cost me a job." there were problems with the system. What Smith, who graduated from "So we never really got any kind Fordham College at Lincoln Center of training at all from the state. We (FCLC) in 2005 and the Graduate basically kind of had to wing it," Ko- School of Education (GSE) in 2006, revec said. The TEACH Online sys- said he had discovered was an error tem finally launched on July 1,2006, in histeaching certification that had but even then, problems persisted. forced him to.turn down a job offer Korevec added: "In fact, we've at the school he had student-taught in gotten some things from the state the spring. "I had done everything I saying that there were problems." was supposed to do," he wrote in his However, the problem with letter to McShane. "I was at a loss." Smith's certification wasn't just a But it wasn't just Fordham technical glitch—it was also human University that had cost Smith a error. When, on Sept. 6,2006, Smith job—it was a combination of mis- finally met with Christine Pryor, the communication, human error and certification coordinator at the GSE, some bad timing that couldn't he said he learnedihat Fordham per- have been helped, GSE adminis- sonnel had recommended him for Russell J. Martonls/Ttie Observer trators said. At least, not by Smith. the wrong kind of certification. In- The sight as one exits the elevator on the nth floor of Lowenstein. The biggest part of the problem, stead of filing for the initial certifica- explained GSE administrators, tion he said he should have received them without losing herjob . "Pat and According to Korevec, the prob- they had made a mistake," Smith was the New York State certifica- right out of graduate school, the I used to joke about how we were lems with the transition to online wrote in his letter to McShane. tion itself, which in 2006 switched University had filed for Smith tore - prepared to deal with the madness of certification were addressed at the McShane replied toSmith' s letter from a mail-in process to a paper- ceive his professional certification- Fordham administration... in grad beginning of the 2006-07 school in September, and Smith provided less' online bnd According to Dr. -which requires three years of work school because undergrad trained year. "We're going tob e even more a copy of the text toTh e Observer. Joseph Korevec, director of admis- experience that Smith didn't have. us well. However, people having * proactive," he said, emphasiz- "As you might imagine, I was deep- sions and financial aid at the GSE, Korevec confirmed that the GSE's "to turn down jobs... is not a joke." ing the GSE's plans for. improved ly concerned when I read your letter the change reduced the turnaround records show that Smith was rec- "My experience with the certifica- communication and step-by-step regarding your experience with the time on receiving certification from ommended for both a professional tion process was; infuriating," said instructions for students navigat- dean's office in the Graduate School four to six months to about 72 hours, and an initial certification, though Lisa, GSE '06, who asked that her ing the certification Web site. "If of Education," McShane wrote in but did so ata potentially disastrous the records do not show when last name be withheld so she could there would have been better com- the letter, adding that the problems time for the school's May graduates. each recommendation was filed. still ask for a letter of recommenda- munication, I'm assuming' this with certification were being ad- Online certification "was supposed Smith isn't the only GSE graduate tionfromFordham. "Iwasnevertold would have been resolved and dressed at an upcoming faculty/staff tostartmFehr^ry;[o|2006]?andthat; blamjng the .University, fbr^certifica- that [New York State] had gone tothis wouldn't have been an issue." meeting. "Please be assured of my woujdjiaye. .b^njogutipi^y njuch tion.jjelays.-and errojrs^jordham paperless certification .until I called But for Smith and others in the prayers for you as you prepare to better because mere are not too many has quite the problem with red tape to findou t if [the GSE] had sent myclass of '06, these changes are little begin your career as a teacher." people graduating then," Korevec and the like," said Colleen Meade, paperwork out It wasn't until June consolation. "I was in a program And, despite their initial difficul- explained. But "as of May, they still FCRH '05 and GSE '06, who dis- that I found out that my paperwork at Fordham specifically to get this ties, Smith, Meade, and Lisa have hadn't worked out all the bugs yet" covered similar problems with her was being stored somewhere in certification and when it came time all begun their teaching careers.! According to Korevec, the same certification but was able to correct Fordham waiting tob e looked at" for Fordham to recommend me, Loans eatre 2007 Spring Season • May 14 through July 7 • Metropolitan Opera House interest rates do not concern tion to the bill. The White him. "Lower interest rates House's Office of Manage- would not help more students ment and Budget stated that get to college, as they are rea- "student debt loads have sonable and do not amount to soared in recent years, and it much in the end," Peguero is not clear that encouraging said. "They should focus more loans is a wise course." on expanding money for They also warned that the grants or make college free." bill may encourage the ris- Expanding money for grants ing costs of college tuition. is part of a broader bill intro- "In my opinion, this is not duced by Sen. Edward Ken- a valid criticism," said Van nedy, D-Mass. and the new Dekker. "The cost of attend- Senate Health, Education, ing college increases each Labor and Pensions Commit- year and has been increasing, tee chairman. The New York despite the low borrowing Times reported that Kenne- limits on federal loans and re- dy's proposal would raise the gardless of the interest rates." maximum Pell grant, which According to MarketWatch, does not need to be paid the estimated $6 billion bill back, from $4,050 to $5,100. is also facing criticism from Still, many believe that a the loan industry because it cut in interest rates is a cru- INTRODUCING A SPECIAL QFFER FOR rama and would force a trim in sub- cial step forward, "A cut in sidies to private lenders. the interest rates will help &mDSM _ ears brought "With this vote, the House a lot of [graduates] get jy the world's greatest dancers, many of whom are took the first step towards that fresh start often times rs old. Celebrate the brilliance and creativity of guaranteeing that every stu- essential in a financially youf.;a|e.:grd|i|| by: rrjajdngy ;|SiA|^^ dent who is qualified to stable life," Boonc said. ; go to college will be able The bill passed through Select |,roi5;mp|B4|ei^oir|rtances #Il!ls.2OO7 to afford to go," said Rep. the House on. Jan. 17 with Spring |e|^::an(if Metropolitan Opera Housed and you'll George Miller, D-Calif., 124 Republicans joining chairman of the House Edu- the Democratic majority in receive unbelievable prices, only $O A per ticket, cation and Labor Committee. approving the meusure by and good seats In the orchestra level. w w Gabriel Peguero, FCLC '06, a vote of 356-71. The bill PliQlotiyFtihrimli-ni depended on Stafford loans to is waiting to be passed For Information on how to join tho 18/29 Club, visit help pay for college but said by the Senate n,s well, • www.abt.orci/1829club or can 212.362.6000 05 | February 1,2007 OPINIONS THE OBSERVER

STAFF EDITORIAL Troop surge only spurs more questions In this issue of The Observer, John Entelis, director of every possible approach. In the end, I chose this course unchanged arid,- if anything, it's being reinforced by the Middle East studies program at Fordham University, of action because it provides the best chance for sending more troops." and Shapoor Va% an Iranian associate professor" of success." The president's stay-the-course policy is no longer economics, both shared their thoughts on President Later in the speech he said, "Our country is pursuing what Americans are looking for. A Jan. 24, Newsweek George W. Bush's recent announcement to send an a new strategy in Iraq and I ask you to give it a chance poll showed that Bush's approval rating stood at 30 additional 20,000 American soldiers and marines ova to work, and I ask you to support our troops and those percent, while 64 percent of the country disapproved of to Iraq. Both professors agreed that a surge in troops on their way." the job he was doing. would hurt the conflict We agree with Entelis and His plea raises a number of questions: Hasn't it Poll numbers such as these are not surprising. The Valie. An increase in troops is wrong. become clear that supporting our troops does not reasons the American people were given for entering As of Jan. 28, the official total of American deaths in necessarily mean supporting their continued presence this war were muddied half-truths—at best After Iraq since the war began on Mar. 19,2003, was 3,075. in Iraq? Haven't we read enough frustrated accounts nearly four years of conflict, all we have "gained" are Out of those, 2,490 died in combat The official total from soldiers stationed there to realize that the best way rapidly mounting death counts with no clear timetable of wounded Americans was 23,114. By the time this to show support is to push for bringing these young men for exit or success. paper hits newsstands, those numbers will, most likely, and women home? And, lastly, why should we trust the What does success in Iraq even mean now? Does have increased. administration's plans to be effective when, thus far, we it mean securing democracy there? Is that even As college students, most of us are not be experts in have seen little progress and many casualties? possible? Is it even our place to impose our system of military strategy or foreign policy and, for that reason, In a conflict with such vague stratagems for success, government on another country? Wherever you stand may feel uncomfortable speculating as to how to it is difficult to talk about "winning" and 'losing." That on these issues, we can all agree that success in Iraq will proceed in Iraq. However, with numbers as staggering said, most would agree that we have not come close ultimately be achieved by finding a way to put an end to to fulfilling the majority of the goals mentioned at the the loss of life. worsen an already catastrophic situation. outset of our military involvement, most notably, the Putting more soldiers in harm's way is not the In Bush's State of the Union address on Jaa 23, he goal of bringing peace to Iraq. Why, then, does our antidote that will cure the troubles of Iraq. Ultimately said, "My fellow citizens, our military commanders president wish to risk more American lives? it will only increase the number of casualties. • • and I have carefully weighed die options. We discussed As Entelis said, "(Bush's] basic policy has remained Reasons why I will end up alone (8) I don't handle tragedy. Tragedy handles me. (

romantic to me about pain- the forehead and shouted, "Oh, heartbreak; specifically. My iPod' FOT seven installments of this ' " is full of obsessive, yearning torch Reboundrelationships are helpful, column, I have mined the depths of songs and I'm just crazy about that I'm told, btit I've decided that I'm my own self-loathing and insecurity "crying montage" in "Something's not going to take any steps unless to lay bare all my flaws, foibles and Gotta Give." (You know: the one they further my downward spiral quitks. where Diane Keaton wakes up and of hopelessness, recrimination and Well, guess what? The joke's on instantly starts sobbing.) shame. Perhaps I'll answer one of you. I was just kidding. I may have Color me masochistic, but those charming ads on Craigslist looked like a big, scary mess but in when it comes to relationships, com. ("Hmm. Which should actuality, I was cheerful, confident I think the gut-wrenching, tear- I choose? 'Silver Bear Needs and in no foreseeable danger of stained breakup is probably just as Plowing' or 'TalL Religious Man ending up alone. You see, while you important as the firstdate...an d all Seeks TalL RehgftiasPi^eT") As were lapping up every word of those that other mumbo-jumbo. When much fun as selling my boy-flesh on depressingly hilarious essays, I was you think about it, an agonizing the Internet seems, I don't think I'm secretly dating a maa A charismatic, breakup puts the cap on a wonderful in any position to rebound It just literate, devastatingly handsome man relationship. It's one of Newton's wouldn't be fair to my talL religious who touched my soul and taught me Laws, isn't it? ("The more presents prince. to love. and compliments you get, the more Rebounding entails some sort of For four months, I deceived you. you'll want to die when it all comes recovery process, doesn't it? I'm There are no guarantees," my mother once said. That's wise, I think. I just wish she would have told me before I spent all that crashing down around you.") too steeped in my own masochism And while I did, I sang in the streets, money at David's Bridal. frolicked barefoot in the park and My relationship was terrific. to start fixing myself. (That having waited fora nightly phone call from I began to stew in a boiling If an "American Idol" contestant And now, as a result of that, my been said, if you have nice teeth and the man of my dreams. bouillabaisse of my own loneliness happened to screech a tone-deaf pain is operatic. It's Puccini and a heartbeat, don't hesitate to shoot And then he dumped me. and instability. Hie only man I version of my ex's favorite song, Shakespeare and "The Bridges of me a saucy message on Facebook! Two days before Christmas. had ever loved just dumped me I would excuse myself and sit on Madison County," all rolled into And please, pay no attention to Before I even had a chance to for Christmas, I hadn't bathed in -. the toiletunti l the next commercial one—all-consuming and totally my interests. They're flexible, complete my shopping. quite some time, and my phone • break. This removal method might unpredictable. (It takes a real man depending on the person I'm trying So, you'll be happy to know that kept buzzing with concerned text have worked better if my ex didn't to cry in public, but it takes a true to impress.) I am nowjust as miserable as I ever messages, ("have u killed urself have so many damned favorite maniac to cry in spurts as he drives I don't expect my cycle of grief to pretended to be. yet? text back with answer.") It hurt, songs. Now, everyone thinks I have down the Garden State Parkway.) last much longer. It can't. How long feeling that vulnerable. Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Post-breakup, pain is what one can one person wallow? ("Why are When I recovered from the initial I have since come to realize Thank God my friends were there has to replace happiness. Why not you crying?" concerned onlookers shock of getting dumped—after that I am hie a piece of Dresden to bolster my confidence and pry wring some perverse enjoyment will ask me in the supermarket having spent 48 hours missing in china—shiny, food-compatible and me out of bed. out of it? I used to imagine "Artichokes.. .were.. .his favorite," the forest—I tried desperately to extremely fragile. Though I refuse "There will be others," they said, myself happily-ever-aftering in I'll manage between sobs, pounding remember what my life was like to give anyone the satisfaction of again arid again. Connecticut. Now, I get to pretend my fistso n the loose produce.) before I had a boyfriend. For months, bulldozing me completely, the right "No, there won't!" I shrieked I'm Vivien Leigh howling at the As much as I want to "rebound," my leisure activities had been limited catastrophe can, at the very least, back. "I'll die in this bed, do you dawn. ("As God as my witness, I'll I know that to rush through grief is to (1) waiting for my boyfriend to cause me to drug myself to sleep hear? Die! My private parts will never leave the house again!") to discredit the memory of happier call me and (2) milking anagrams out for a few days. Pain, like orgasms shrivel and fall off! Bats will start Please don't misunderstand me. times. My hurt feels bottomless of our combined last names. Now, and the needs of the indigent, is nesting in my unmentionable I'm not enjoying this period of my because that was the way I loved as I lay tangled in my bed sheets, something that I am very, very regions!" life. In fact, I'm very worried about once—the way I probably still do, If both of those things seemed sadly scasitivc to. "Don't you think you're being a turning bitter and angry; about there were an "off switch" for this sort inappropriate. The realization hit me I had heard (hat breaking up was little theatrical?" glaring at every happy couple that of pain, I'm not so sure that I'd flip like a wet glove: 1 had placed all of hard to do, but my experiences "No—no, I don't! Now hand me passes on the street. 1 find it difficult it More likely, I'd stay as I am now: my eggs in one basket, and now I were practically Rwandan. The my sleep mask and turban and get being in the presence of genuine carrying a torch for the man who hod no hobbies. slow, throbbing pangs of heartbreak the hell out of my dimly-lit room!" affection. Last week, I saw a man/ done me wrong and praying like hell for the day when 1 can douse it • Completely free of diversion, could hit at any moment, and did. There is something incredibly kiss his two year-old daughter on 06 OPINIONS 1 February 1,20071 THE OBSERVER fordhamobserver.com Barack Obama: a beacon of hope?

junior senator, Obama is finding the "in- experienced" label a bit harder to shake. Many people say they would rather see him run in 2012 or 2016,after he's aged a bit in the senatorial wine cellars. This coming election, however, is an oppor- tunity too good for him to pass up: the By Andrew Hudson first election since 1952 with neither an Contributing Writer incumbent president nor vice president in the running. As cliche as it might sound, I think that makes this an elec- Mien I was a kid, we lived in Spring- tion of hope, rather than anger or fear, field, the state capital of Illinois, where and that is exactly why this is possibly my dad worked as director of a home- the best chance for Obama to become less shelter. I remember listening to my president father rave about a speech he'd heard Obama's appeal does not lie in the given by a very young, dynamic, up- bills he's pushed or the causes he's sup- and-coming Illinois state legislator. It ported. Even though he is one of the wasl997,arrithatyounglegislatorwas most progressive senators in congress, Barack Obama Though it would make his politics aren't implicit in his person- agood story, my father never thought to ality. Instead, he makes people feel like himself "That man is going to be Presi- politics could matter and make a dif- dent some day." Still, looking at things, ference in their lives. It is a feeling that now, he says that he isn't particularly is hard to articulate, partially because surprised that Obama, now a junior it is so new to people of our genera- U.S. Senator, is about to embark on a tion We've never had a JFK, or even startlingly popular bid for the White an RFK. We've had two presidencies House. dominated first by scandals and then I wanted to begin by talking about by war. Howard Dean might have had my lather because that is what Obama something, but he got trampled in the would do. His political message is laced MCT Campus search for a candidate who was "elect- with autobiography, a story that goes Senator Barack Obama: giving new meaning to the words "hope" and "new politics." able." I'm not saying that Obama is back three generations and covers ev- somehow he gives new meaning to "Did you inhale?' and Obama replied, to him by the press, he never comes off going to save us from the corruption erything from British imperialism in words like "hope" and "new politics;" "That was flie point" as a media-whore. He has thepoliti- in our politicians and the cynicism in Kenya to oil rigs in Kansas, from the a sincere significance that appeals even SomehowObamamanagestotumall cally golden advantage of having been ourselves. However, he does make me beaches oflndonesia to the halls ofHar- to hardened political cynics. I should his weaknesses into strengths. Though against the Iraq War since the begin- thinkthatmaybewecouldvotetomake vard Law. Obama opens many of his know: I'm One of them I don't remem- he still addresses black crowds in Chi- ning—a stance not enjoyed by any things better, rather than to keep the public speeches with these Me nuggets ber when it happened exactly, but at cago as "brothers and sisters," white other major candidate. Even his lack of other guy from making things worse— of his past, and, as if by magic, we sud- some point late last'fall I found myself people tend to think of him as 'post- rational rwUtical experience looks like a maybe we couldhaveagovemmentthat denly find ourselves listening to a hu- transforming from a political science racial." He has no heritage in slavery, phis in. the right light, implying that he could make us proud. You don't have to man beingiafcerihanapoliticiaa studentpassrvelystudyingTheGameof except a possible distant relationshipt o is untainted by the corruption and parti- agree with me, but watch him, listen to his speeches, maybe read a couple ,,Obaina/sinain talking;rjpints allbaye. U.S. electoral politics, into an unabash- JeflersonDavis; he's b^pth African and sanship floatha s dominated Washington «of pages of his books. Maybe you will toi:deal wife Standard fee, Jflce bringjng, edly, rabid1,Obama,,fen, M£ybe it was American, but not African-Americaa forsolong. ; start to feel the same way I do. Maybe cooperation back to Washington and when I saw Leno ask him, in regards to Though he takes full advantage of the Still, experience is the kicker: Despite you will start to feel a twinge ofhope. • "reclaiming the American dream," but his admitted high school marijuana use, massive and oft-critiqued attention paid the fact that Hilary is also technically a

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Pick up an application and an official job description today in the Office of Student Leadership & Community Development (LL 408) or e-mail [email protected] for more information. fordhamobserver.com THE OBSERVER February 1,2007 I OPINIONS 07 We've got spirit, yes we do! We've got spirit, how about you?

ofroutines is indubitably positive for the cheerleaders'overall performance as they can observe new techniques and create their own way to improve on these moves. It is similar to the way that rival basketball teams draw up game plans in an attempt to out- perform one another. Why should competitive cheerleading suffer, be- iBrunetti cause the absence of cheerleaders ' StofrWriter at female sporting events makes spectators uncomfortable? I saw my first cheerleader when I It all seems quite ridiculous to was an angry ninth grader, sulking me. I can't figure out how the con- by the gymnasium door after being cept of equal rights are actually forced to attend my school's fell pep being expounded here when every rally. Having no other choice (except female the new ruling concerns is detention) I stayed to watch the cheer- being forced to do something they leaders'enthusiastic routine —com- don't want to do whether it is giv- plete with complicated gymnastic ing up an important competitive stunts. aspect of their sport such as not While observing the difficulty of attending away games or deal- their aerobatics, I admitted to myself, ing with an added distraction at a reluctantly of course, that cheerlead- sporting event. ers are indeed athletes. No matter how Even as an angry ninth grader, I annoying I find pom-poms and shrills- Russel Martonis/ The Observer was able to reach a certain level of chants about school spirit, I must ad- Cheerleaders: not just oveiflexible dolls. respect for cheerleading as a diffi- mit that a lot of skill, training, and in- cult and rigorous physical activity. herent physical agility goes into those player at Johnson City High School, actually somewhat incredible consid- chants and unwanted interruptions to Cheerleaders are athletes in the same cheerleading routines. Cheerleaders bemoaning the lack of official sideline ering the fact mat most female ath- their games, it undermines cheerlead- way that basketball, football, and are not merely a support system for support provided to female athletes. letes and coaches do not even want ing itself as a sport The ruling seems volleyball players are athletes: they other sports, they are indeed athletes Ms. Pudish raises a legitimate con- cheerleaders to be present at then- to degenerate whatever respect cheer- endure intense physical training, in their own right cern with her complaint- Women ath- events. An article in The New York leaders might have gained as athletes strive for excellence, and compete A new ruling by federal educa- letics should be considered equal to Times mentions how the coach and to the stereotypical classification of with other teams. If there is any dis- tion officials seems to downplay the male athletics. They should be given players of the female basketball team cheerleaders as support groups. crimination going on in violation of competitive status that cheerleading die same amount of funding andsup- at a school in Whitney Point have Since cheerleaders (in New York, at Title K, it is happening via the new squads are working to achieve. Fed- port, however I think it is illogical to voiced their frustration about the new least) must now attend both male and ruling by federal education officials eral education officials have ruled that use the presence of cheerleaders as a change, They seem to view the pres- female basketball games, they will that does not show respect for cheer- according to Title DC, the law that en- measure of equality. While it is true ence of cheerleaders as a distraction. not have time to travel to away games leading as a serious activity. The new sures gender equality in student sports that most high school cheerleading The coach has even asked cheerlead- because of scheduling difficulties. ruling reduces cheerleaders to a sup- and activities, if cheerleaders are pre- squads accompany male sports teams ers to remain seated during the impor- This is unfortunate because traveling port group that can be shoved around sented at boys' games, they must also to games at home or away, I do not tant points of the game. What is the to away games is an important facet without regard to what would benefit be present at girls' games as well. think this is an indicator that women's point of forcing cheerleaders to attend of the competitiveness of cheerlead- their own activity. I say, let the cheer- The ruling came about because of a sports teams are being discriminated events where they are not wanted? ing. Away games allow cheerleaders leaders roam free! Let them run around complaint made by Rosie Pudish, the against The new ruling not only forces fe- to meet their rivals and observe their in their short skirts and big, floppy mother of a female varsity basketball The complaint of discrimination is male teams to endure overenthusiastic routines. Being exposed to other types hair ribbonswhereve r they wish to. • Confessions of a Self-Loathing Starbucks Addict

operated fewer than 100 stores in the United States. They, now oper- ate over 5,670 stores in the United My name is Daniel Rosenberg and States,'and 1,434 stores in other I am addicted to hating Starbucks. I countries and U.S. territories. Can- simply can't get enough of mouthing cer doesn't spread that quickly. off to the herds of Starbucks devo- I am certainly one to give credit tees pouring though their double where credit is due, so I will tell doors every morning like insects to you, Starbucks deserves a pat on porch lights; I am addicted to spitting the back before its slap in the face. in their impersonal coffee. There are Starbucks is the largest buyer of two Starbucks within three blocks Certified Fair Trade coffee in North of my apartment, but I walk twenty America, purchasing more than for a comfy booth and a decent cup. 11.5 million pounds of certified or- Without Starbucks here to represent ganic coffee in 2005. The motives the sinister puppeteer of this sad behind these actions are clearly not charade we call corporate Ameri- based on an honest desire to help ca, I simply wouldn't know who to the planet, but rather on a selfish hate. Despite my protest, Starbucks quest to appeal more palatable to continues to be cloned across this potential clientele. You'd have to nation, as if only for my repulsion, be stupid to think if Starbucks had affording me my personal martyr- their way they wouldn't brand the dom. planet with a double tailed mer- maid and enslave the third world to Starbucks has quickly become HCT Campus more than just a coffee chain. It is pick the ripest beans to fuel Amer- Ah, the smell of foamy, decaffeinated evil. becoming synonymous with cof- ica's imperial conquest. I have no fee itself, like Kleenex and tissue sympathy for the Devil. the counter. The Starbucks' coffee fort of conformity the way they ultimate dominator in the caffeine paper. How many times have you It's not so much that Starbucks is menu reads to me more like an epi- once valued self-determination arena. Starbucks: the jittery hands heard those trendy friends of yours evil, or even conducts itself in an taph for the cafe as a center for the and uniqueness. Starbucks is not holding the American flag of Glo- ask if you wanted some Starbucks? evil fashion, but more that Star- free exchange of ideas, a place to another business to trie, it is a trend balization. No one asks for coffee anymore, bucks symbolizes evil. To me, and gather with members of your com- that marks American's declining I have class in twenty minuterand they're brand specific. Soon Star- thousands of disenfranchised peo- munity or relax with a hot cup. interest in the affair of the coffee I need a cup of coffee; a cup of lus- bucks will be its own verb, like ple in this country, Starbucks rep- I am no; as mad with Starbucks shop. This country was founded cious, steaming, blacker than the Google. "Well after I jumped off resents the cookic-cuttcr sameness, for driving independent coffee on ideas talked about over coffee bags under my eyes coffee, I can this bridge with these really popu- the sterile conformity of modern shops out of business as I urn with in 17th Century French salons; I go to the bodega around the cor- lar kids, I went and Starbuckcd." yuppie culture. 1 miss going to my them serving as the emblem for the hardly think anything scholarly can ner that tries to pass off lukewarm dicscl fuel as my cafleinated com- Starbucks opened its first loca- local independent coffee shop and ominous shill in normative values come from the uniform climate of panion, or, I can go to Starbucks. • tion in Seattle, Washington in 1971. being recognized by the owner who in American culture, I see Ameri- Starbucks. As of 1990, Starbucks owned and seems permanently glued behind cans beginning to value the com- Starbucks: the coffee captain, the 08 OPINIONS I February 1,2007 I THE OBSERVER fordhamdbseryer.com THE OBSERVER In the Heat of the Moment

promiscuous sex life has many dan- gerous consequences and yet this high risk behavior provides people with ex- citement I feel that a big chunk of the choice to have unsafe sex is due to this very thrill factor. I, however, don't think 113 West 60th Street they're considering what would hap- Room 408 New York, New York 10023 pen to their "thrill" should they receive (212)636-6015 positive test results. And then there's Fax:(212)636-7047 the fact that the thrill-seeking might just be my hard sought hypothesis for Editor in Chief "Do you have a condom?" defending their stupidity of not weigh- Nancy Young "No...." ing the consequences of unsafe sex. "Well, we have to get one!?" Their choice to have unprotected sex "But baby, doesn't it feel so much can really give some of us an entirely Adam Kaufman better without one?' new perspective of how dangerous Sound familiar? This scenario is The real question is "Can people be duped into having sex?" and treacherous the dating world can Newt Editor anything but imnsna) during first be. These people are not only risk- Christina Shanahan time sex encounters. We have all ut- This blog has been linked to sites like ternet is still aconsensual act Although ing their safety with the possibility tered these wcids, not before we have Gawker.com and has become quite the this guy may be practicing some form of contracting an STD but also have Opinions Editor sex, not even before we rip off each sensation on the internet This man ad- of deception he ends up having sex their deeds exploited on the internet RayOademo other's clothes. No. These questions vertises safe sex on dating websites like wth these men because they grant him Though the man writing the blog always seem to pop up in the midst of Craigslist but never intends to practice permission. Moreover, most of the never mentions his "victims" names, tatum Editor the passion, post-fbreplay, when the it He gets his partners into an electrify- men he sleeps with meet him for the die story is still posted; they become AlinaSoter toes are already curling and it seems ing state in which longing for the other sole purpose of having sex. Even after a statistic, just another one of his con- our bodies will explode if we don't overpowers any concern for the possi- they ask him if he does have a con- quests. Is it really so alarmist to sug- Arts&CuhtoEditon have each other at that very moment ble risks we have all been taught about dom on, he'll blatantly answer, "yes." gest that no is exempt from ending up Chadner Navarro The situation is common, but what since high school. Thenhebeginstotalk Much worse is when they find out with a "bareback top" of their own? happens next? Do we wait until the them into having fiie''best''experience he's not wearing one; they'll be scared I must say that overall, the guy writ- literary Editor next rendezvous when the protection is of their lives and if they don't consent, out of their minds for the moment but ing the blog isn't deceiving anyone and available? Or do we "trust" our new he'll still attempt to perform the un- proceed with the act And so, are the die person that says how much more partner's supposed negative status? protected act without their knowledge. men that this guy is having sex with passionate raw sex is as opposed to us- Sport) Editor As a woman I know I can't take the After reading this blog, I was really victims of deceit if they put their ing a condom isn't being manipulative. KiranHefa decision lightly considering today's shocked and absolutely outraged carnal pleasures before their safety? I believe that it all comes down to how frightening statistics on STDs and by it Still there are those who read The question is whether people strong the "duped" person feels about Copy Editor the possibility of becoming pregnant the blog and applaud his behavior. can actually be schemed into hav- making sure they don't do the. deed Circumstances like the one above They left comments like 'You need ing unprotected sex. I understand, that unless they're protected, particularly happen and the absentmindedness of to [get laid] more, I need more sto- whether or not people decide to prac- when they have sex with a new partner Layout Editor not having a condom isn't always ac- ries" or "keep it up man!" (As if his tice "safe" sex, there seems to be a for the first time. It's all a matter ofhow Joe Davidson cidental. In fact, I recently read a blog, actions were commendable, ugh!). general agreement that raw sex feels wereacttothe situation inmeheatpftbe incredible. Many people, prefer unpro- "Confessions of a Bareback Top", in Still, forme, the only thing lean think moment And ifwe're in fact concerned Photo Editor which a gay man in his early 20s de- tected sex because it feels natural, the with our safety, then we should be car- way it was meant to happen. Condoms ' '.-1 ' "r '•.'<•••' .''•!•<•* •iiiiiUiT;- .ul'il scribes his promiscuous sex life and concerned, sex, whether it's between rying condoms ourselves rather than how he often "dupes" his partners are just scientifically-designed shields, monogamous ..couples or between depending on what could possibly into having unprotected sex with him prohibiting real intimacy. A careless Online Editor people soliciting themselves on the in- turn out to be an unreliable partn*er..B Dan Koday

Assistant Editors These guys are gonna be trouble

Chris Barlow (News) looks, punks. group as a chance for conflict and was enough force, behind it that I was attending a local show in chose to put a wide berth between the girl's hands instantly flew to ^Ni^^^p^&'Culture);'' Northern New Jersey with a friend it and themselves. her nose and came away bloody. Luke Teegarden (Arts & Culture) who happens to have a Mohawk as I pointed this out to my friend and The boy who had caused the dam- Cra^ Calefate (Photography) well as piercings in his nose and he proceeded to shrug his shoulders age stopped moshing, the others Charlotte Canner (Photography) right eyebrow. He was wearing a and offer a "What are you gonna followed suit. He ran to the bath- Ashley WennersHerron (Copy) black T-shirt that read "Degenerate" do?" I wanted to make clear to room and came back with sheets Marc Girard (Copy) Byjackylevoli in bold white letters, ripped jeans nun the error of judging people's of toilet paper, while someone else Contributing Writer and black converses. Although his behavior and personah1y~solely on came back with a cold water bottle LayoutStaff shirt labeled him as a degenerate, the way they are dressed, when he in lieu of ice. Kelsey Butler, CJIIIB Riher, Sujinna It is standard practice when at- in reality he is an Information Sci- raised his hand to shush me. A fellow concertgoer was inad- Lee, Laureni Avejhno, Srialrn Dupuy, tending a concert or local punk ences major at Northeastern Uni- What did the couple think we vertently injured and all activity Rinsed Castro, Brooke Binge show to arrive earlier than the rime versity. He is currently holding a would do to them? Did they feel stopped until it was established when the doors will actually open. 3.8 GPA. I wouldn't mind trading that someone would pounce on that she was not seriously hurt. The Faculty Adviser The idea being that the closer you places with him (except for the In- them if they got too close to the couple outside had been wary of Dr. EHzabeth Stone are to the front of the line, the closer formation Sciences major part). Mohawks? As the line moved in- those on line because they feared you will be to the front of the crowd While he and I were talking about side, I pondered this. The ques- violence. However the scene that Faculty Graphics Adviser when you get inside, the closer you what songs we hoped the band tions haunted my mind even after just played out showed anything Josh Penrod will be to the band playing. Arriving would play, I noticed a middle-aged the music started and a mosh pit but violence. Perhaps if the couple early also allows for new conversa- couple walking past the line. They opened up. People were purposely had been present, they would have Faculty Polling Unit Adviser tions to be had, new acquaintances were dressed conservatively as if hurling themselves into one an- realized the error of their judg- Dr. Patrick Moynihan to be made. It also creates quite a going out for a nice dinner after other, flailing about, and behaving ment, or perhaps they wouldn't large group of teenagers sporting work, and seemed nervous about in a manner that most would label have believed their eyes. Business Mantger ripped jeans, plaid skirts, lace-up walking past the crowd of young as violent. Could the people who In the film"SL C Punk," the main Anthony Hazel boots, spiked belts; heavy makeup, punks. The woman tightened her walked by the line have it right? character faces the same problem Mohawks and piercings. The um- grip on the man's arm and the man I watched the chaos in the pit, because of the way he looks. "They brella term given to those dressed pulled his date closer to him. At the trying to sort it out. One boy's fist take one look at us and think "These Public Notice: in such a manner is, and has been next comer they crossed the street, connected with a girl standing on guys are gonna be trouble."' since Sid Vicious and Richard Hell avoiding further proximity with the perimeter of the pit. The con- Are these guys really going or reproduced without the appeared on the scene in similar the line. Apparently, they saw the nection was unintentional, but there to be trouble? You tell me. • expressed written consent of The Observer LETTERS TO THE EDITOR, OPINIONS ARTICLES, AND EDITORIAL POLICIES The Student Vbice of Fordham University at Letters to the Editor should letters must be signed and include will not consider more than two letters way a reflection of the views held by Lincoln Center, published on alternate Thursdays be typed and sent to The Ob- contact information, official titles, from the same individual on one topic. the editorial board of The Observer or server, Fordham University, 113 and year of graduation (if applicable) Hie Observer reserves the right to edit Fordham University, West 60th Street, Room 408, New for verification. If submitters fail to all letters and submissions Tor content, The Editorial is the opinion held by Printed by Expedl Printing, Brooklyn, N.Y, For York, NY 10023, or e-mailed to include this information, the editorial clarity and length. a majority .of The Observer's editorial contact Information visit fordhamobserver.com [email protected]. Length board will do so at its own discretion. Opinions articles and com- board. The editorial is in no way a should not exceed 200 words. All The Observer lias the right to withhold mentaries represent the view of reflection of die views held by any submissions from publication and their audiors. These articles are in no Fordham University, fordhamobserver.com ARTS & CULTURE February 1,2007 I ARTS 09 Penguin Appeal ByAmandaS. PSzzuti Penguins," She thinks the frenzy StaffWriter really exploded with "Happy Feet" because it showed, "cuter, What's black, white and prob- dancing versions of the penguins ably in a theater near you? No, than those in 'March of the Pen- black and white movies haven't guins.'" made a comeback, but penguin More penguin movies are on films are everywhere these days. the way, according to IMDb. "March of the Penguins" seem- com. "Surf's Up," a computer 1 • • .• :,*• .'• < ingly started the trend. Since its animated feature about penguins ..<••"'• • release, not only have there been in a surfing competition, hits other penguin movies, but these theaters in June. "Farce of the antarctic creatures have been all Penguins," a mockumentary di- ' over everything, from stuffed rected by Bob Saget (yes, that toys to crystal figurines to house- Bob Saget) is being released on hold items. DVD Jan. 30. It is about pen- The appeal of penguins is guin survival and mating rituals, mostly credited to their cuteness and follows one penguin's quest factor and their dapper appear- for love while traveling with his ance. "Penguins seem very hug- "hedonistic buddies," according gable. The huggable factor is to IMDb. key—no one becomes obsessed Neither of the Fordham pen- with porcupines," said Megan guin aficionados think that this Foley, FCLC '09, a self-pro- penguin mania has much to do fessed penguin expert. with the effect global wanning "I love penguins because they may have on the species. "I think are the classiest and most fash- people like them mainly because ionable of all animals as they they are really cute and I don't wear tuxedos," said Lauran Spi- think many think about global vack, FCLC '09, who has been a warming and its effect on the penguin fan since a young age. penguins," Spivack said. She did not see the recent pen- "I think kids are the most ob- guin films for various reasons, sessed, and I know they aren't but she credits her appreciation concerned about global warm- to her dad who also loves pen- ing," Foley said. "But I'm sure guins. the penguin craze has made us Foley believes that the big more concerned about global screen incarnations, haVe helped warming/because we don't want put penguins on the pop culture our adorable chubby dancing iBUN/KKT map, starting with "March of the friends to go extinct." • Penguins plotting their Hollywood invasion What's on TV? From gangsters to greasers By Irene Moldaver vo)—Bravo sets the fashiofashion between the ageaees of 18 and 2121,. miers AorApr. 8,. SundavsSundays,. 9 p.m.o.m.., VVH1)—AfteH r being kicked to bar high once again with "Top as they plan their big day. The HBO)—If you have been anx- the curb by Flava Flav on the StaffWriter Design." Fashion and interior camera captures the tension iously awaiting the return of dating game show "Flavor of designer Todd Oldham hosts a and excitement that precede the "The Sopranos," the wait will Love" twice, New York, also While the fall '06 season competition for 12 aspiring inte- grand event, as well as the anxi- soon be over. Creator and ex- known as Tiffany Patterson, is brought in a slew of hit shows, rior designers to battle it out for ety and pressure of starting a life ecutive producer David Chase starring in her own spinrof^dat- midseason returns with a prom- top-notch prizes like a spread and family while being 'under- brings the award- winning show ing game. New York will choose ising handful of televised en- in Elle D6cor Magazine, a age.' Will the show go on as the back to HBO for its final nine her dream man from 20 hopefuls tertainment. Networks such as $100,000 handbag and a stylish couples hit rough patches along episodes. Mobster Tony So- through a series of meetings and NBC, MTV, and CW are debut- car. Joining the cast as celebrity the bumpy wedding road or will prano (James Gandolfini) once group dates. Along for the ride ing shows this season that of- judges are designers Jonathan the nuptials be called off? "En- again takes over the scree.n, to guide New York in the deci- fer a slice of entertainment for Adler, Kelly Wearstler and Elle gaged & Underage" promises along with his fellow mobsters sion-making process is New every kind of viewer. HBO is Decor Magazine editor-in-chief drama, entertainment and some and the entire Soprano family. York's flamboyant mom, "Sis- also bringing some old-time fa- Margaret Russell. light humor as the couples pre- Last season, the show left off on ter" Patterson, and her stylist vorites back to the small screen. "Engaged & Underage" (Pre- pare for their big event. Tune a good note—Tony reconciled and personal assistant Charmo. Whether it be action, suspense, miered Jan. 22, Mondays 9:30 in to see if the couples make it with Phil Leotardo (Frank Vin- Which contestant will woo New comedy or romance, the variety p.m., MTV)—This documenta- down the aisle! cent) and Carmela's (Edie Falco) York and win her heart? of shows arriving this winter are ry follows the lives of couples, "The Sopranos" (Pre- renovation project was coming "Hidden Palms" (Premiers sure to satisfy all television au- along smoothly. Will Tony and Mar. 6, Tuesdays 9 p.m., CW)— diences. Here are some new and Carmela resolve their marriage? Produced by "Dawson's Creek" returning shows worth checking Who will get whacked next? creator Kevin Williamson and out: What will happen to Tony? Tune directed by "My So Called "Grease: You're The One in to see how it all ends! Life's" Scott Winant, "Hidden That I Want" (Premiered Jan. "Dirt" (Premiered Jan. 2, Palms" promises to be a sizzling 7, Sundays 7 p.m., NBC)— Tuesdays 10 p.m., FX)—Court- teen drama filled with scandal From the producers of "Danc- ney Cox stars in the leading role and secrets. The show features ing with the Stars," NBC brings and produces "Dirt" with hus- some newcomers and some old a new twist to reality TV with band David Arquette. The show time favorites, namely Taylor old-time favorites Danny Zuko is about Lucy Spiller, a profit- Handley and Michael Cassidy, and Sandy Olsson. The show driven and determined editor both cast-mates from the recent- is a competition between aspir- of two celebrity tabloid maga- ly retired "O.C." The series is ing entertainers for the leading zines. A team of reporters and about 15-year-old Johnny Mill- roles of Danny and Sandy in a paparazzi, a schizophrenic pho- er, (Handley) a boy adjusting to June 2007 Broadway production tographer (Ian Hart), an emerg- ritzy Palm Beach with his moth- of the musical "Grease." Tune ing actress (Lauren Allen) and er and new stepfather after his in to see the contestants sing, an aspiring actor (Josh Stewart) father's suicide. Mysteries and dance, and do their best Danny join Lucy as she reigns over secrets lie within the town and and Sandy impressions. You the tabloid world. Look out for Johnny becomes entangled in a can vote for your favorites after plot twists and scandal as Lucy love triangle with Greta (Amber every live performance or just schemes, blackmails, and ma- Heard) and Cliff (Michael Cas- watch and sing along to "You're nipulates the lives of superstars sidy). Watch to find out what lies The One That I Want!" and celebrities. beneath the spectacle of luxuri- "Top Design" (Premiers Jan. BARRYWETCHER/MC? "I Love New York" (Pre- ous resorts and country clubs. • Tony Soprano and company return to HBO In April 31, Wednesdays, 10 p.m., Brn- miered Jnn. 8, Mondays 9 p.m., February 1.20071 /THE OBSERVER fordhamobserver.com VIDEO GAMES CALENDAR OF Month in video.games EVENTS By Joseph Marvilli Now that 2006 is behind us and file releases. "Crackdown" (Feb. after March in the spring. While New York Fashion Week Staff Wnter the next-gen wars have begun, it's 20) is a free-roam action game in the Wii doesn't have any major (Feb. 1-Feb. 9) time to look to the future with a which you play as an enhanced cop. releases this summer, it's ready Bryant Park Last month, we covered the preview of 2007 big releases. in a futuristic city taken over by ri- to play its trump cards in the fall. Fashionistas everywhere launches of two new next-gen con- Gamers, start saving. val gangs. For those of you with Both "Super Mario Galaxy," the will be gathering in our little soles, the Nintendo Wii and Sony's First up is the Playstation 3. Xbox Live accounts, you'll be able first Mario title for the Wii and cultural hub to witness the Playstation 3. Both systems sold While the PS3 starts off with a to download the demo for the game "Super Smash Bros. Brawl," the unleashing of the fall 2007 very well following the massive slow spring, it'll pick up through- on the Xbox Live Marketplace by all-star fighting series' first outing collections. If you can't success of Microsoft's Xbox 360. out the year. The first notable PS3 the time you read this. Also look in six years with new members get those invites to some of Now, two months after the next- exclusive is the off-road racer, out for "Mass Effect" (Apr. 3) including Wario, Meta Knight, the hottest shows in town gen launch, here are the current "Motorstorm" (due to come out Another game to look out for this and Solid Snake will be released (Narcisso Rodriguez, Marc worldwide numbers. No doubt be- Mar. 6). Also getting released spring is "Shadowrun," a mystic sometime toward the end of the Jacobs and recent CFDA cause of it head start with a 2005 sometime this spring is "Ninja first-person shooter that will be the year. winner Doo.Ri, among release, Xbox 360 leads the pack Gaiden Sigma," a remake of first title to allow 360 and PC gam- In terms of handhelds, the Nin- others), head to style.com with a 10.4 untis sold. Next up is Xbox's "Ninja Gaiden Black." ers compete against each other via tendo DS only has a few upcom- and elle.com for complete the Nintendo Wii who has man- PS3's lineup begins to pick up in Xbox Live. "Bioshock,"(due out ing releases that are of interest. runway reports. aged to sell more than 3 million the summer first with "Warhawk," in June) is said to contain a great "Pokemon Diamond" and "Poke- units thus far because of its rela- a sci-fi, third-person shooter using deal of interactive gameplay and mon Pearl," (Apr. 22) the two lat- Nerd Nite NYC tively low price of $250, innova- aircraft as the weapon of choice. player-based choices. It looks est in the "catch 'em all" craze. (Feb. 1) tive gaming, and its massive hit, Another big game coming out this to be a massive hit this summer. Last but not least are the multi- 7 p.m. "The Legend of Zefaa: Twilight summer is the first-person shooter But as big as it may be, it won't platform games. "Virtual Fighter Orchid Lounge Princess." Trailing Nintendo is "Unreal Tournament 2007," which be anywhere near the size of the 5," (Feb. 20 for PS3 and August 500 E. 11th St. the PS3 with around 1,240,000 will also be released for Windows, Bungie's conclusion to its massive for 360) is the latest in Sega's There's no shame in being units sold due to its impressive Linux, and Mac. While all these epic, "Halo 3." Due to hit stores fighting series. A widely antici- a nerd. At least not at Nerd graphics and many future releases games can keep a gamer happy, sometime this fall, the Xbox 360's pated game for both the Xbox 360 Nite - this session's topics of such as "Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns the fall looks to be PS3's biggest most anticipated game of the year and PS3 is "Burnout 5." The rac- discussion include neurons of the Patriots." Another i season with two juggernauts slated looks to add several new features ing game will offer all new ways and schizophrenia, as well as the history of the legendary tant fact to note is that Ni^^ for release. "Devil May Cry 4," the to the series, including a bubble to wreck your vehicle due to an Tetris videogame. Admission next-gen console remains tohe ) latest DMC game from Capcom in shield that appeared in the latest open-ended world. For you street- is free with the purchase of sold out at most retail store while which you take control of the de- trailer for the game. If you are an ball fans, "NBA Street HonuS- two stiff drinks. PS3s are readily available nearly mon hunter Nero and "Metal Gear Xbox 360 owner, this game must court" (Feb. 20) for the PS3 and everywhere. Solid 4: Guns of the Patroits," the be part of your collection when it's Xbox 360 will feature a whole Lincoln Center Celebrates final chapter in Hideo Kojima's released later this year. variety of ways to humiliate your While those figures are notable, Black History Month stealth-based masterpiece are opponent. The latest version of none of them come close to the Nintendo Wii's lineup this year (Feb. 1-28) • scheduled to hit shelves sometime the "Madden" franchise is also amount of handheld consoles looks to be mainly focused on its Lincoln Center showcases towards the end of this year. Also, due sometime in August this year. sold. The Nintendo DS has sold trademark characters with a few the art and music of many this year, there is one major release In the fall, two horror franchises 26.8 million units while the DS others thrown into the mix. The prominent black artists dur- for the Playstation 2. "God of War, return for their next-gen debut. A Lite appears to be following its first major release is "Sonic the ing the month of February. IT' (Mar. 13) will continue Kratos' new "Alone in the Dark" game is predecessor in terms of sales. It Hedgehog and the Secret Rings," Check www.lincolncenter. storyline and he travels to visit the has already sold nine million units (Feb. 27) which will star every- due for release on the 360 and PS3 org for the full calendar of Three Fates in the hope of chang- in the six months it has been avail- one's favorite blue hedgehog. Also between March 2007 and March events and exhibitions. able. Sony's Playstation Portable ing his destiny. due to show up this year is Samus 2008. Also due out this.year is a new "Turok" game. All togetheri t (PSP), while not as successful as Next up is tiie Xbox 360. Micro- Aran in the first-person shooter Akron/Family looks like 2007 will be a great year the DS, still managed to sell 22.9 soft's console comes out of the gate "Metroid Prime 3: Corruption," (Feb. 14) million units. running this year with two high-pro- which will be released sometime for virtually every platform. • Club Europa 98-104 MeseroleAve, Brooklyn 8p.m./$10 Standing room only for the Guitar Hero show Whether or not you've By Andrew Gnerre tual score, it is certainly noticed and comfortable in giving it a try. This in technology have allowed some got reason to celebrate, ContributingWriter appreciated by the fins who attend successfully lowers the barrier to next-generation game developers to Brooklyn's own Akron/ these legendary rock performances entry (which is set too high in so substitute innovative concepts with Family is sure to-fill any "Guitar Hero" has quickly as- in living rooms across the nation. • many other video games), allow- beefed up graphics.^This has alien- void on the polarizing cended to dominate the video game These "audiences" are one rea- ing for a much wider audience. ated many potential customers; holiday that is Valentine's world by means familiar to many son why the "Guitar Hero" games This broader audience can be seen some veteran gamers are bored Day—their haunting, folky successful rock and roll bands: un- have become so successful, as they in direct correlation with the healthy with the stale ideas disguised in melodies will warm you up. paralleled licks and monster solos. contribute to die social aspect of the sales of the game. shiny new dress, while non-gamers The second game in the series, ex- game. As technology progresses to The popularity of "Guitar Hero" are intimidated by the increasingly Africa Comics clusively available for the Playsta- accommodate it, video games are and the Wii, which has been sold complicated appearances and game (through Mar. 18) tion 2 gaming console, has sold over transforming into more social ac- out in stores since its release in No- play mechanics. The success of non- 44 W. 125 1.3 million copies in the U.S. since tivities. One prominent example of vember, may indicate that many traditional games like "Guitar Hero" $3 w/ student i.d. studiomuseum.org its release in November 2006, mak- this is the Nintendo Wii, the new people are becoming bored with tra- can perhaps be attributed to this re- An exhibit presenting con- ing it the fifth best selling game pf gaming console from the Japanese ditional gaming. Many new games cently formed aversion towards temporary African comic art, the year after only two months on gaming behemoth. The motion-sen- may appear to be fresh, but are sim- these "new" games. And also to the the first exhibit of its kind the shelves. Thanks to this surge in sor based gaming system adver- ply recycled ideas masquerading fact that most people have always Stateside, from 32 artists. sales, the "Guitar Hero" franchise, tises many of its games by simply around in new exteriors. Advances wanted to shred like Van Halen. • from all over Africa will consisting of the title game and its showing the participants playing be on display at The Studio sequel, is threatening to take the the games, rather than images of Museum in Harlem until place of "Dance Dance Revolution" the games themselves. These com- Mar. 18. The work offers in- as the party game of choice (as well mercials try to demonstrate that credible insight into modern as the video game that non-gamers watching people play the games Africa, exploring numerous love to play). is as much fun as actually playing issues like human rights, the For those who have yet to play, them. This allows everyone in the role of women and or watch someone play the game, room to be involved in that game, corruption. the experience revolves around rather than just the people playing. the much lauded guitar controller. "Guitar Hero" is no different. Scmina Culture: Wallace A player uses the guitar control- And thanks to the flawlesslyde - Berman & His Circle ler, a scaled-down, plastic, Gibson signed guitar controller, not only (through Mar. 31) guitar with buttons on the frets does everyone in the room enjoy Grey Art Gallery and a switch-like button replacing watching, but they also want to 100 Washington Sq. East the. strings, to play along with their play, This includes not only the • ,,$3—- song of choice. The song is visually video game junkies in the room, Discover the work of this represented on the screen through a but the "noobs" as well. For the lesser-known Beat artist who moving track topped with circles. people who do not normally play for years has been in the Success in the game relics heavily video games und view the con- shadow of contemporaries ,, on the player's timing, but is influ- trollers with fear and anxiety, the Allen Ginsberg, William S. enced just as much by his or her guitar controller is an intriguing Burroughs and Jack Kcrouac. showmanship, While the latter attri- device. It is something they arc RUSSDI Martonls/ Tho Observer bute may not be reflected in the nc- familiar with, making them more Anthony Ross, FCLC 2007, sets the Guitar Hero crowd on fire In his dorm room fordhamobserver.com THE OBSERVER 1 February 1,20071 ARTS 11 Power One will melt your soul ByLukeTeegarden gets of sub-gothic Americana in his journey. This deliberate but this second half seemed "Art is not a mirror. It is a Assistant Arts Editor lingered onscreen, behind a anomaly seemed to point to a more like a depravity of such. hammer," wrote the British repetitive wall of laptop elec- celebration of quotidian real- The music was transformed documentary filmmaker John The Power One Project is an tronica and minimalist drums. ity. In front of his bleak and from calming electro-lullaby Grierson. He meant that one of ongoing experiment in which The film had the effect of be- ghostly backdrop, the exuber- to frenetic, fuzz-laden rock'n the responsibilities of the art- the senses are loaded to their ing extremely dated, due to its ant cyclist was dancing in the roll, overloading the senses ist, in any medium, is to strike maximum capacity. This is ac- rough camerawork and sparse rain. The music dissolved into with as much stimuli possible. a blow rather than cast a mere complished through a wildly editing. Conjuring images of silence as he dove into the Cartoon skulls flashed across reflection. That said, please unpredictable mess of stimuli, Steinbeck-esque scenery, evan- ocean and disappeared from the screen next to blank-faced note the following: there is a featuring an ever-changing se- gelical Christianity, dilapidated view, signaling the end of the dolls and robotic humanoids, fine line, barely visible, be- lection of artists, filmmakers, houses, and various domestic first segment. conveying a fantastical over- tween avant-garde profundity and musicians. This week's fauna (longhorn cattle, goats, With the arty crowd ad- load of dark futurism. The film and self-indulgent crap. What mash-up of homemade film, stray dogs), the film accompa- equately nurtured on the free was both psychedelic and hor- is one to make of the sensory electronic soundscapes, and niment was dry, yet evocative. Sapporo being handed out, rifying, ridiculous yet unset- collage that is WHAM CITY? dreamy guitar baths, courtesy The accompanying musicians WHAM CITY prepared to tling. Corporate images came It seemed to drift undecidedly of Baltimore's WHAM CITY, remained shadowed in the fore- shift gears for the second act. in spasms, illustrating Ameri- between the self-consciously broke down barriers between ground, hooded and inconspic- Electronic soundboards were can overindulgence and greed, trivial and the deeply profound. the solemn and the silly with a uous compared to the onscreen put away; a battered drum meanwhile characters from Perhaps this was exactly the unique performance. intrigue behind them. kit was assembled and single Ghostbusters and Teenage intent. If anything, the show The bill for this particular Contrasted against the haunt- guitar amp occupied the floor. Mutant Ninja Turtles pranced was a display of contrasts— evening was a show in two ing imagery was the apparent Part two of their stunning sen- around. I've always thought between boredom - and bliss, parts. The first featured the jubilance of the journeyman sory display was an intense, the Teletubbies were disturb- light and darkness, insanity grainy home movies of one himself. His appearances were seizure-inducing freakout of ing (honestly, who doesn't), and complacency. The Power man's intrepid bicycle odyssey, interspersed with the deadpan animated clips and cut-outs. but I wasn't expecting to see One project offers a refresh- an ethereal journey through the scenery, showing him in a state The Power One website de- their fat, vacuous faces dis- ing glimpse of music and film American Southeast. Shots of of perpetual victory, grinning scribes the project as a "total torted on screen in the depths enhancing each other with no pastoral landscapes and nug- and dancing at various points inoculation .of the senses," of a morbid acid trip. boundaries on either side. • Aria in HD: Opera hits the big screen

StaffWriter

The Metropolitan - Opera House's new project, "Metro- politan, Opera: Live in HD,"., could possibly ease fears about attending operas, which for some can be an1 intimidating experience! The Met is offer- ing access to their operas in a more familiar environment - the movie'"th'6ater.' This plan involves simultaneously broad- casting live opera performanc- es from the Met in HD movie theaters across the U.S, and in other parts of the world such as Japan; lEilrdpei'and Canada. The ""'" "'"'" ' : matinee '|iewing's ire! jpriced1, at a more affordable $18' for adults The live' transmissions of ' the operas only go to cinemas with high-definition projec- tion systems, Dolby surround- sound, and satellite reception. In order to get the, best. view of the operas, there are ten high-definition cameras used, which are placed in various lo- cations throughout the house. There are even cameras set up backstage that capture the live performance and any behind- the-scenes action. "'We're harnessing 'digital technol- A scene from Bartlett Shers new production of Rossini's "II Barbiere di Shriglia" ("The Barber of Seville") with Peter Mattei as Figaro and John Del Carlo as Dr. Bartolo, which will be ogy to make the spectacle of tramsmitted live in HD by the Metropolitan Opera on Marc 24,2007 live grand opera more broadly available,'" the Met's General the Met, and to try to attract a Magic Flute," directed by Julie winning Placido Domingo see an opera projected on the Manager, Peter Gelb, stated in whole new audience. Taymor. It was broadcasted to (Jan. 13). big screen." the project's official press re- She said that this program over 30,000 people worldwide Opera fan Nell Plumfield, Future opera broadcasts in- lease, '"It's part of the Met's could draw a younger audience in more than 100 theaters on FCLC '08, felt that while some clude an encore of a prerecord- new efforts to propel opera because they are used to the Dec. 30, 2006. Advanced tick- of the magic experienced in ed performance of "I Puritani" back into the mainstream."' new HD technology that the ets were sold out in 48 out of the actual opera house, such as (Feb. 13), Tchaikovsky's "Eu- The idea for this program Met is offering, and therefore 60 theaters in the U.S. Because that created by the awe-inspir- gene Onegin" (Feb. 24), Ros- came from Gelb, who started are faster to embrace this new of the popularity of the initial ing sets, may be lost on the big- sini's "The Barber of Seville" the program over a year ago. way of • viewing opera. Plus broadcast, there was an encore screen, she supports any effort (March 24), and Puccini's "II The Press Director for the Met, with the tickets priced at $18, airing of the Dec. 30 perfor- that will increase opera's popu- Trittico" (April 28). To find Sommer Hixson, explained "it's a more affordable intro- mance in more than 70 theaters larity. She said, "For the sake out if there are any schedule that the' goal of this program duction to someone who may in the U.S. on Jan. 23. of the Met and opera: as a genre, changes, how to purchase tick- is to "help provide and stimu- be interested and may not have Other operas with sold-out I hope that this plan helps to ets, or if the live broadcasts late interest of opera as an art the disposable income for Met screenings included Bellini's draw in a larger audience." and other screenings are taking form, as an umbilical cord to tickets," Hixson said. "I Puritani" which starred Rus- She also felt that this plan was place in a theater near you, go to the "Metropolitan Opera: Live go nationwide from the Met." The inaugural opera for "Met- sian soprano Anna Netfebko especially good for those who in HD" website at http://www. She stated that this program is ropolitan Opera: Live in HD" (Jan. 6), and Tan Dun's "The aren't in close proximity to metoperafamily.org/hdlive, • aimed at bringing opera closer was the new English language First Emperor" which starred the Met, "If I lived across the to fans that may not live near production of Mozart's "The the nine-time Grammy Award country, I would be excited to 12 ARTS I February 1,2007 THE OBSERVER fordhamobserver.com

MCTCampui "Project Runway's'' final runway presentation will have to find a new home for its next season now that Bryant Park will no longer be hosting New York Fashion Week. Fashion's last walk at Bryant Park

Last October Mayor Bloomberg down for almost three weeks: the undergo because of this decision. no subway lines that travel that glamour to Bryant Park that is announced that die February pre- week before the shows begin for Now, an entire industry must find far west, and cabs are scarce. undeniably unique to fashion and sentation of the Fall 2007 Collec- the construction of the tents, the a new home before September Plus, the traffic that the West its numerous personalities. When tions would week of the shows and then a few - actually, well before September, Side Highway will be subjected and why else would P. Diddy THE mark the days after to clean up the park. as they will need to prepare for the to will be extremely unpleasant and Kanye West and Paris Hilton FASHION final time For many, the unavailability of the shows. And finding this new home for the commuters and everyone ever go to 42nd St. and Avenue of New York park for this period of time is sim- will not be easy. IMG, the people else. Gridlocks all around, all day the Americas? Because of Fash- COLUMN Fashion ply too much. In September, those behind these shows, must find a long for a week. But where else ion Week, Bryant Park isn't just Week will who wish to enjoy the park for space that is big enough to house is there? Battery Park's not big Central Park's little brother, it Chadner be held at Labor Day can't; and in February, hundreds of shows, and that's eas- enough; Central Park is too dif- becomes the center of the fashion Navarro Bryant Park, the recently installed skating rink, ily accessible for the droves of ficult to manage; and there is no world, photographed to death and stomped on by some of the best which has The Pond at Bryant Park (which people (attendees, paparazzi and way this event will move to an footwear in the world. Why de- hosted the event since 1993. Propo- apparently brings in quite a siz- onlookers) that show up. Several outer borough. There is one more prive it of that? nents of this change said that New able revenue), is out of commis- options for a replacement have place: Bryant Park. York Fashion Week, which brings sion until Fashion Week is over. been brought up, One of them is The location is great as most Tomorrow is the beginning of approximately $ 177 million annu- I play my small violin for you. I FCLC's own backyard, Lincoln subways stop at 42nd St.; the size the end for The Tents at Bryant ally to the park and its surround- suppose it's too much of an incon- Center. LC, while a beautiful and is just right; and the steps that Park, beginning at 10 am with the ing businesses, has grown much venience to go to Central Park or manageable location, is not quite lead up to the entrance (patrolled John Bartlett show and bowing out too big for the park and is becom- Battery Park to enjoy getting skin as big as Bryant Park and the foun- by giant bouncers/cops) is the on the ninth at 7 pm with the Cha- ing obtrusively inconvenient for cancer in September. I suppose it's tains that litter the space will only ideal way to keep uninvited peo- do Ralph Rucci show. This truly is too hard to go to the other skating prove to be problematic. Bryant ple (and nasty solicitors) out. It's the end of an era, like when Studio ; park patrons. While these patrons * * llave perfectly acceptable reasons rinks (Central Park, Rockefeller Park's one fountain makes a great a perfect partnership between the 54 closed down or when Tom Ford to request the event's removal, Center or Chelsea Piers) to fall on centerpiece inside the tents; three city and fashion - a partnership left Gucci. I sincerely hope New there are even better reasons why your face. It just has to be Bryant will make for a disaster, that should live on forever. York City changes its mind (like I New York Fashion Week deserves Park. Another option is Chelsea Piers. I believe New York Fashion hope Tom Ford eventually decides its place at Bryant Park. I suggest these people who lob- I went to the Y-3 by Yohji Yama- Week, this multimillion-dollar to come back to Gucci) and returns Fashion Week, taking place bied so fervently to rid the park moto show last season and getting enterprise that draws the inter- the shows to where they rightfully twice a year in February and then of the fashion shows consider there was a beast. The location is national glitterati to an otherwise belong, but until then, fashion again in September, shuts the park tho inconvenience the city must not at all convenient. There are banal locale, adds incomparable in New York is homeless. • fordhamobserver.com THE OBSERVER I February 1,20071 ADVERTISEMENT 13

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Conflict in the Middle East: Letter from Bethlehem Peace Be With You, Israel By Jacqueline Griiriera [Writer

• *The writer, an FCLC alum, has asked The Observer to use the pseudonym, Jacqueline Chimera. "To be very honest," she wrote, "I am more worried about someone at Fordham reading my article and giving my name to an Israeli authority " which she believes would result in being denied admittance to the Palestinian Territory. "It sounds crazy, I know, but totally possible. There is a lot of hatred and tension between the two sides and they are capable of doing anything that promotes their cause."

This morning I woke up to the sound of my phone ringing. "Get to work," my collegue said on the other line. "The Israeli army just killed 20 Jacqueline Chimera/ The Observer Entrance to Bethlehem, West Bank from Jerusalem. Palestinians with permits who live in the West Bank must pass through this checkpoint to enter Bethlehem. A banner that says more people to Gaza, 18 from the Peace Be With You is positioned next to an Israeli sniper tower at the entrance. . ' - same family." Israel calls it defense, but I call it war—an unjust war the Palestinians here in the "little town of Bethle- scene when I called him. He had just for months or even years. It appears horrific behavior, so I have made jt cannot win militarily. Both societies hem," I am treated like a family witnessed the death of one boy who that nearly every family to Pales- my purpose to "Tell the world^'as are breaking down from within; the member. Palestinians to mis manner was shot to the head. Chuckling, he tine has a family member or friend foe toternational organization Open , hatred, fear and misunderstandings have indeed won a place to my heart commented that parts of the boy's who has been killed or jailed by Bethlehem (www.openbethlehem. run ^P^arid wj^take generations, and to the, hearts of many others who brato^had splattered on his shoes, the Israeli military. Many Palestin- org) asks us to do. The most shocking scene I saw , I had been living to len Palestinians find their fives here is funny, but death in Palestine is at the expense of an Israeli soldier, when I arrived in the biblical city I discovered a summer program hard. They tell me they just need a normal and a morbid sense of humor settler or civilian. Unfortunately, of Bethleh'em was the ^ft-fbot high' geared towards Americans interested break, to get out, to make plans. But helps them get through it these repeated experiences build up concrete, wall I baa* itp .walk through^ to learning more about Palestine. here to Palestine, you cannot make Just last week I arrived at the en- toto frustration, anger and finally - to order to enter tjie,cityt Qn the The program, based to Bethlehem, plans. To drive to a nearby West trance of the refugee camp and saw violence. Israeli'siqe of the wall it says "Peace places its participants with a Pales- Bank city, you must go through sev- two Israeli snipers positioned behind Among the mam purppsespf BeWMj^biL" Oiicethewallis tinian family, enrolls them to Arabic eral rniiitery checkpoints, have your a garbage can, three heavily armed my decisipn to move to B^thjeliern comDJei^, ^ere will be pniy.two _, ^ classes and places them within an ID or passport checked, risk the pos- sol&ers running up to us, motion- was to try to better understand the, ,. entmce^iPnefpjtour^ts.and.pne . organization according to their skills. "' "''"' ' •••••-• • ing for usto get put of the area, and conffic^which.offldally began to „ for Palestinians, and it will have \', anotherf'""' •'*'•"''" ;Ji" " = "' 1948, betweenthe Palestinians and • annexed 70 percent ofthe.Beth- , this program, which consisted of longlmesfbranhpurprmcjretoget inside the camp, presumably getting lehem,djsjrict^caustog a serjpus. educational tours, lectures and road through. It takes an hour to travel to ready to forcibly enter a home and understand is that you cannot be ob- loss of private Palestinian land, the trips. a city just 15 minutes away because arrest the men who resided there. I jective when discussing the Israeli- separation of family members, a For the past seven months, I have of the elaborate system of military found out the next morning that they Palestinian conf]ict.,'Vbu are either serious loss of business and tour- been living to a refugee camp with a checkpoints Israel has constructed. had taken 10 male residents to prison sympathetic to the Palestinians, who, ism, crowded living spaces unable Muslim Palestinian family—newly- A day does npt go by that I do not to Israel. They did not tell the family from a very basic humans rights to expand according to population weds and the bride's mother. I wake see an M16 machine gun or an Israe- why they were taken or where they perspective, are the victims, or you growth, the complete loss of all up every morning, drink Arabic li military jeep. About three weeks were taken to. When the families believe that the state of Israel has green lands and the entrapment of coffee with the family and walk to ago, five Bethlehemites were killed find their lpved pnes, they are npt a right to exist as a Jewish national those homes and properties that lie work. The children say their hellos, five minutes from Manger Square allowed to visit them because they homeland, which to itself, requires a between the Armistice Line of 1949, and shop owners invite me to for (the birthplace of Jesus Christ), and must have a permit to enter Israel, an ^Jewish majority at the expense of the the original border between Israeli coffee or tea. Sometimes a friend five minutes from my house. My 25- almost impossible task. indigenous Palestinian population. and Palestinian land. will stop to offer me a ride. At work, year-old colleague was covering the Detainees are not brought to trial The state of Israel, with its Jew- The effects of Israeli policies have ish majority, is exclusionary and forced thousands of families to leave undemocratic. Israel has very clearly their homes and emigrate to another created mechanisms designed to country. Those who cannot afford to expel Palestinians from their land do this are typically left to live a life and separate them from their history. of poverty, suffering and humiliation. In December, the Israeli Interior And then there are those who refuse Ministry and Israel Land Authority to give to and will fight to die death. announced they would demolish Israel, to every scenario, gets what 42,000 Bedouin homes located to it wants. the Negev (southern Israel). These Although I came to Palestine whol- homes are grouped to villages, ly supportive of its cause to the face unrecognized by Israel, which means of such injustice, I have become even that although the residents pay taxes more empathetic from being amongst to Israel, they do not get the same people whose family members and services as other non-Arab Israeli friends are being arrested and killed, citizens. In fact, they do not get any and from having friends whose land services. There arc no paved roads, has been confiscated to make room no electricity, no signs, no water, for more Jewish settlements or etc. In violation of its own laws, whose homes have been destroyed Israel is not providing for its Arab to build a concrete wall for "secu- citizeas, and the so-called homes it rity" purposes, when it really only plans to destroy are no more than separates families, neighborhoods ghettos oftlic worst kind. I feel and lands. The more Jime I spend to there is not one justification for this this land, the angrier I become. • Palestinian man, who just entered Bothlohom, West Bank, walks next to Israel's "security" Wall. fordhamobserver.com THE OBSERVER 1 February 1,2007 FEATURES 15

Conflict in the Middle East: Memories of Israel When casualties of war have a familiar face

Charlotte Canner/ Observer A view of Jerusalem

ByMichaNeria old, and he decided to climb a lucky the next time around. Contributing Writer * A Brief History of the tree that seemed to touch the On Feb. 22, 2004, Benaya was ,*>*' clouds. I was looking at him, at the wrong place at the wrong *The writer, Micha Neria is a Israeli-Palestinian Conflict but all that was visible was this time. At 8:30 in the morning, het senior at FCLC. She was born small figure climbing higher was on his way to school after in Israel and raised therefor |£ :The conflict between Israel and Palestine is a longstanding one and higher into the sky. His picking up his license when he the first 13 years of her life. , in which both Jewish Israelis and Arab Palestinians believe tht they mom yelled at him to come. was one of eight killed in a bus should have soveriegnty over the land of Israel/Palestine, lite modern. down, but before she could explosion. The suicide bomber As an Israeli, I lcnow what it day conflict began in the late 19th century, when Zioninsts (support' finish there was a loud thump was from a nearby town just is like to feel that you might be •' ers of Israeli statehood) came from Europe to settle in the land. Israel, on the ground. She screamed, outside Bethlehem and left making a fatal mistake at any y declared official independence in 1948 and has maintained major t and there was Benaya lying behind a wife and daughter. moment and therefore always \ sovereignty with victories in 1948. sArab Israeli War and 1967s 6 Day \ unconscious on the ground, sur- Growing up under the condi- have to watch your step. The -^.- ... War. The conflict continues to rage on today. ^ .„ rounded by stones. My father's tions of war and fear, one is reality is that if you live in first reaction was that he must constantly alertand weighed Israel you and your loved ones a bus by a suicide bomber. He a regular figure at my home. be paralyzed. We later said it down by worry. When a ter- are not safe; tragedy can strike was only 18 and at the peak of We went through many was a miracle how Benaya's rorist attack strikes, Israelis at any moment And it will his life. . phases together: from toddlers body landed right between the have developed the habit of strike. Benaya was my next-door playing in the sand to being stones and that he got up, a little immediately telephoning their Almost everybody in Is- neighbor, my classmate, my . adventurous and curious kids, shaken, but suffered only minor loved ones to make sure they rael knows, if only indirectly, boyfriend and my friend. Our from gender shy strangers to bruises on his body. He seemed are safe. Israelis cannot go to someone who was killed in a parents were friends before we inexperienced boyfriend and fearless and invincible. public, crowded places without terrorist attack. were born; when his mother girlfriend, finally becoming very Benaya was always very knowing that they might be I lost someone very dear to was pregnant with him as was good friends. strong; I always thought of making a fatal mistake. Public me by the name of Benaya my mother with me. Since I remember this one occasion his legs as having horsepower. buses, which are widely used Zuckerman. He was killed on before I can remember, he was when we were about 12 years For about two years, he and I by Israelis as an affordable participated in long distance means of transportation, are running meets that took place especially dangerous. three times a week. He was The knowledge of existing the best runner in the school danger does not prevent Israe- and a superb volleyball player. lis from living and enjoying I always envied his ability to their lives, even if it proves never stop. deadly. The fact that at any Many students use the bus moment we can be blown to system in Jerusalem because of pieces and life as we know it severe traffic congestion, which will end unites Israelis as only makes it too time consuming for fear can. working parents to drive their In all of this there is no jus- children back and forth. Benaya tice. For a long time I tried to and I lived in Ein-Karem, a find a reason or justification small village on the outskirts for Benaya's death, and now I of Jerusalem, so besides using know that there is none. Good the public buses to go to and people, both Palestinian and from school together, we would Israeli, are being killed, their also take the bus to the stadium lives wasted for no good reason where we ran. One time Benaya almost everyday. It seems to me and I missed the bus and took that for the 13 years I lived'in another instead. Only later did Israel, we were in constant war. we realize that it was a split This war started, before me and second decision that had saved will probably continue beyond our lives. Our mothers had hur- me. As the war drags on, it all ried up to the stadium, pale and makes little sense to me; the ha- choked up with tears, never so tred, the killings and the harsh happy to see us alive, reality that one of the liveliest Charlolia Cannor/Tht Obterver Unfortunately, Benaya people I have ever known be- Jerusalem, City of David and his mother were not so came lifeless at the age of 18. • 16 FEATURES"!February 1,20071. THE OBSERVER fordhamobserver.com The Top 5 - Worst Valentine's Day Cards a\"Roses are red, violets1 are..." By Anne Marie DeVito what they potentially reveal "random play." Find someone rin in the bottle. I suggest that words' of Kanye ("I ain't say- StaffWriter about your relationship. who will tell you it's your lit- V-day be celebrated with a ro- ing she's a gold-digger but..,) erary mind that "thrills" them. mantic visit to the nearest AA. © Let's share a moment of nos- I.THE DIRTY TALK CARD: After all, no one knew how to It is cheaper than a candlelight 4. THE LITTLE BOY/GIRL talgic remorse. Think back to woo like Billy Shakespeare. dinner. CARD: the days of old school elemen- Description* The silhouette of Now, that's hot. tary valentines. Remember a male caressing a female * 3. THE $8 DESIGNER Description: Black and tucking red and pink construc- Words: "Your body thrills me 2. THE ALCOHOLIC CARD: white sketch of two eight- tion paper hearts into slotted I Come closer to my flame / CARD: year-olds frolicking shoe boxes? Remember strug- Baby, kiss me again /Make Description: Glued red and Words: "No truer words can gling to think of a new word to me yell your name " Description: Picture of two pink diamond rhinestones all be written / Years have gone rhyme with "blue"? Remem- martinis over the front by and I'm still smitten " ber eating gobs of Elmer's Intimacy is an essential part Words: "A toast to us I Olive Words: "Love you." Glue because some kid told of any healthy relationship. you." Aw, how sweet. Your re- you it tasted like vanilla icing? But let's face it, it should not What's a little glitz and glam lationship seems whimsical, (Alright, maybe disregard tEat be written down and left sus- This is lovely. Of all the im- to brighten up an otherwise child-like and is filled with last memory.) Recently, I spent ceptible to the peering eyes ages to display your love, what plain card? This seems harm- giggling and hand-holding. hours "beneath the glaring fluo- of parents, roommates or the comes to mind are two iden- less unless someone's trying to You have grown up together rescent lights of CVS in hopes clerk who is ringing you up tical martini glasses filled to compensate for a dull relation- and share a deep and meaning- of finding that same sense of at the counter. Let's hope the brim with mind-numbing ship. A super-fancy expensive ful connection that surpassed innocent flirtation in a Valen- that your relationship extends vodka. Now, recollect your card emphasizes that there is the 'boys have cooties' stage. tine's Day card. The first card beyond the bedroom. There times spent together. Does an importance on material- First comes love, then comes I pick up read on the front: should be other attributes that the majority of your memories ism. No one should be spend- marriage, then comes the baby "I've been waiting forever for your lover finds attractive involve getting sloshed and ing this much money on a card carriage? Sounds like the per- someone like you." The inside about you besides your physi- waking up together the next that lacks substance. Evaluate fect Lifetime movie. Or you . read: "Let's get naked." cal appearance. If not, you day with matching migraines? your relationship in terms of might be dealing with a pedo- Sure, it's easy to blame Hall- may be unknowingly involved No, it is not sweet how he or yqui values. I suggest doing phile. mark for the commercially in a little something called she will offer you the last aspi- this while listening to the wise over-processed extravaganza of 5. THE 99 CENT CARD: hearts, poems and chocolates. We all know the true origin of Description: A red heart on February 14th was meant to the front honor a romantic martyr. The Words: "Happy poor guy was about to get the Valentine's Day!" ax and wrote his sweetheart a little farewell love note from Some~ relationships' evolve jail. He signed it "From your to' a place of comfortable low- Valentine." maintenance. You don't need a Finding a decent card these book of love sonnets or fancy days is tough. Think of all dark chocolate nuggets to ex- the inappropriate options for press y9~ur devotion. "Instead," poor, widowed grandma; a de- you can share time together pressed, broken-hearted friend and toss aside the frivolous- or your long-term, anti-com- ness of this Hallmark holiday. mittal hookup buddy. The The more likely scenario: this wrong card can send mixed person forgot about Valentine's 'signals and result in serious Day until the night before and romantic miscomtnunication. raced to the Duane Reade on After an intense psychoana- 10th Avenue at some ungodly lytical investigation, I have hour. There, they were mugged, identified the worst Valentine but miraculously managed to cards for this season. Read on salvage a dollar to buy a card. to learn what they seem to say, Maybe chivalry is not dead. what they actually mean and Beat that, St. Valentine. • "Eye sex" mid tMe city

By Joshua Cruz makes the entire "eye sex" ex- someone in an arousing, sexual "eye sex?" It's like a one night Contributing Writer perience even more taboo. I, manner. There are two-ways in stand—you either each go your constantly find myself having which to have "eye sex." There separate ways, or if your at- A night out in Manhattan "eye sex" with guys like some is "mutual eye sex," when you tracted, confident and wonder- can be so overrated and over- type of sexually hyper teeny and the other individual both ing if any more can come from priced. Whether it's a grungy bopper. I often walk around consent to it by giving hooker- this, you get their number. For East Village cafe, a chic Meat Hell's Kitchen and Chelsea on like glances back and. forth. guys, this can prove' difficult Packing bar full of fashionis- weekends and always get glanc- And then there's "solo eye sex." because we totally freeze up tas or a Chelsea lounge full of es from guys. I admit it; I like In your lifetime you will un- around hot chicks like it's a blonde go-go boys, it's always it, but why even bother look- doubtedly be a perpetrator and sixth grade dance. So ladies, if the same. At the end of the ing at the goods if you're not victim of "solo eye sex," which you think a guy is cute and he's night you're often left alone make your way back from the interested in buying? (Anyone is when you stare or are stared not gay, taken or a prick, do not because your slut of a friend ladies room you spot the hot- who has worked in retail knows at without prior consent. Case be coy. Give him a smile, lure ran off with some hottie, leav- test guy. You give him the '3- exactly how infuriating those in point: Ladies, think of the him in with your eyes, tempt ing you to pay your tab (which second analysis.'You notice he people are.) In my book, "eye creepy guy in class two seats him with your body and say after, only two cosmos, a grass- has good hair, dark eyes, nice sex" is all fine and dandy but away from you who burns a hole' "Hey sexy!" It's a shame to not hopper for dessert plus tip sets nose, a very sexy smile, not to it is a complete waste of time in your chest or when you go to make the most out of some hot you back about $50 in these mention that he's well dressed if you're not going to make a Central Park to stare at the cute "eye sex," and you never know, swanky hoods.) And that's not in haute couture. You pause for move. guys jogging or playing base- you might just find your future even taking into account the a second. Is he gay? Then he But before this turns into a ball. Guys, think of that girl spring fling. cab ride back home, because stares right back at you, gives "Brokeback Mountain" mem- who has been your friend for a I highly recommend "eye seriously, at 2 a.m, you know you a cocky smile and winks. oir, let me just state that "eye while that laughs for no reason sex" when you're bored in you'll definitely not be taking Not only is he not gay but he sex" is for everyone. You might when you look at her directly class, walking down the street, the subway. totally just had "eye sex" with still find yourself asking "what or the girl that eagerly wants to in a bar or at the gym. Even The worst part about Manhat- you. the hell is eye sex?" There are study with you. Odds arc, she's though odds arc absolutely tan nights is going home alone That's exactly the type of many terms— some call it "eye- already been studying your nothing romantic or concrete with no one to kiss, cuddle, pseudo-modern urban fairytale balling"'—but essentially, they anatomy and now wants to get will happen from it at least touch.,, and well, you know the night my girlfriends often ex- all mean the same thing. more hands-on experience with you can do it as much as you rest, But before surrendering perience. Myself, on the other "Bye sex" is when you have the material. want without worrying about to a night of loneliness, as you hand, being a gay college guy made direct eye contact with What do you do after you have getting herpes. • fordhamobserver.com THE OBSERVER I February 1,2007 FEATURES 17

TECHNOLOGY Tech.conventions unveil 2007's best gadgets /PJ Williams feature for the shutterbugs out cars, HD-TVs, remote con- StaffWriter there. Web browsing is yet an- trols, gaming and any other other feature, but since Apple gadgetry that you can think of This January proved to be an is using their Web browser were showcased at this huge exciting month for nerds every- Safari, using your iPhone to event. where. Not only did we get the surf the Internet will be almost Simple. Center PC is a new Consumer Electronics Show or just ag,good as using a com- piece of software from Uni- (also know as CES), widely puter.. Watching videos on the versal Electronics that will considered the best tech con- iPhone will be neat because let you organize all your vention around, but also Mac- of its widescreen capabilities. pictures, movies and music world, which gathered quite Turn the phone sideways and on your computer with just a bit of press attention on its it detects it, displaying wi- one piece of software. You own this year. Here's a high- descreen movies on a phone. can choose what media goes light of some of the tech toy Coolness comes with a cost, where—whether to your iPod, announcements to come out however, so the price is pretty Playstation Portable or cell of both conventions: high: $499 for the four giga- phone. Available now, Simple The announcement of the byte model and $599 for the Center PC retails for $29. long-awaited iPhone. stirred eight gigabyte model. Now for those James Bond up quite a bit of excitement Another major announce- fans out there, there's the Sony at the Macworld conference. ment at Macworld was the Ap- Ericsson Bluetooth Watch This isn't just some phone ple TV. Attach one end to your MBW-100. This fancy watch with the Apple logo slapped TV and the other end to your connects to your phone and on—this is one cool and truly computer, and instantly, you wirelessly controls your calls revolutionary little phone. The can watch all the movies, mu- and music on your phone. If iPhone uses a touch screen sic, TV shows and podcasts that isn't enough, it also alerts which means that the screen from iTunes on your TV. The you to text messages, when can be bigger, allowing you to unit costs $299 for 40 giga- stealth is of the utmost impor- do things on the iPhone that bytes of storage, but you will tance. Prices vary, $399 is the you could never do before on still need to buy stuff from most that I've seen it for, but if a regular iPod. What about iTunes, and own an* HD-TV. you do a little spy work (buy. text messaging? Well, Apple If money isn't an issue, one com) then you should be able has that base covered too! drawback of the Apple TV to find it for as low as $238. The screen. displays a key- is that the video quality will Windows' new operating ter, than what we'll be seeing the time and battery power'/1'! board'similar to one found on suffer when you blow it up on system Vista was shown with on game consoles. Another Any geek with a pulse can tell a computer, so if you can type a TV screen. Knowing Apple, the new features that it will feature for Vista, exclusive you that the tech toys coming on a computer then you'll be however, a new version of the -have for its upcoming release. to laptops, will be the ability out this year are going to be right, at home when texting on Apple TV will come out every One major feature will be im- to display information while awesome, and will be enough the iPhone?' The' iPhone also year, so it may be a better buy proved graphics for games, the laptop is closed. Think of to tide techies over until next Has a two mega pixel digital in no time. which will allow PC games to it like a clamshell phone that year's tech conventions. • camera, which is a nice little At CES, digital cameras, look just as good, if not bet; still has a screen that displays

Get a life; a virtualbne, that is b'J /•"•'.,' H Vi, Second Life brings a new reality to the virtual world

livestock and everything. There is a lot a user could do for I'm standing' on top of a hill over- free, but it sometimes felt like hav- looking what seems to be a rivercom - ing into existence before my very eyes. On one side of the shore, there tempted to a few times, I made' sure is a small pagoda with a tiny red boat. not to dive into my wallet. On the other side of the river, a mod- Although games like this one seem em city is slowly appearing out of a to focus on business and money gray background. I figure that if I had making, there still exists the idea a faster Internet connection, this prob- of the online community coming ably wouldn't take so long. I decide closer together through this type of that the dry might be where the peo- game. Other online games like the ple are, and I levitate off the ground newer versions of Sims and World to fly over. of Warcraft have decidedly changed The game is Second Life, a virtual the traditional gaming scenario. In- world that is capturing the attention stead of just one or two players with of video-gamers and businesspeople a PC or console, these games allow alike. Introduced in 2003, the game for thousands of players to come to- has attracted over 2.5 million people gether. to open accounts, according to the "[World of Warcraft] is good for Web site, secondlife.com, with almost me because at the end of the day half a million users actively using the I can play it... and clear my mind. account. It is a world of connections [The game] never ends the way and business, where some entrepre- Linden Labs CEO Philip Rosedale stands in front of a computer projection of his avatar, "Philip Linden," from the virtual world of Second Life most video games do—there is al- neurs and programmers have suc- in San Francisco, Caiifomia, November 0,2006. ways something else that you can ceeded in making an income by sell- thatk just for starters. ing on how many virtual square me- because I don't speak French. After do," said Julia Gillen, FCLC '06, a ing virtual merchandise and, believe The game uses currency called ters a resident owns. getting a decent handle on the con- fan of World of Warcraft. Over 8 mil- it or not, virtual property. Founded by 'Linden dollars' which can be con-' According to BusinessWeek maga- trols—and getting a grip on flying, lion people play the game worldwide, Philip Rosedale through Linden Lab, verted into real U.S. dollars, at a rate zine, people spent over $1 billion in because yes, you can fly—I set offto with 2 million in the U.S. alone. the game allows Second Life gamers, of about 300 Linden per dollar. Us- real money inside Second Life, "in explore the different regions of Sec- The games allow for an immer- called 'Residents,' to design and create ing a credit card, a person can convert about 4.2 million transactions." ond Life, and was left impressed by sion into a different world, one their own products within (he world their money into the currency of this Despite sounding like the con- the potential for human creativity. where players have more con- and sell them to other Residents, 'Hie virtual world. Some of the businesses sumcrist's dream version of The Since the very users can design the trol over their own environments Residents appear in die world through found on Second Life range from Matrix, I clove into the game, set- world of Second Life, many places and live the life or adventure they their avatars, virtual images of (he .selling clothing designs for players' ting up a basic account and design- left me in awe. Programmers had choose. Perhaps that limitless free- pluycrs that can be designed when the avatars to buying yourself a virtual ing my avatar. I chatted a bit with designed huge castles made for the dom is what we search for. As I set account is first opened. You am be ci- island in the middle of a virtual .sea. residents who were connected from community get-togethers. Some, for up to inhabit my avatar inside Second ther an exact likeness of your human Residents can buy land afterthey have all over the world: I had an interest- a Linden fee, allowed for Residents Life, I think about this freedom and self, or you can go crazy and design a premium membership (about $9.95 ing argument with a Parisian about to host parties as well. People hadvc the one we're limited to in die real a six-foot-tall humanoid bunny, and monthly) plus additional fees depend- politics, which didn't get very fur even designed farms with virtuul world. I click a key; 1 fly off. • 18 FEATURES 1 February 1,20071 THE OBSERVER fordhamobserver.com Secrets sent to a stranger More are sharing their innermost thoughts on tell-all Web sites

By Ashley Wennersherron continued to receive secrets ous spin-off projects, includ- "It's Still interesting to see Here are a few secrets liter from all over the world and in ing versions of PostSecret on what others' are going through," some fellow Fordham different languages, including other Internet blogging sites, said Stewart. students anonymously From a man confessing to pho- Braille. like Myspace.com and live- On the flip side, Jennifer Gor- shared with The Observer: tographing his friends' wives in Since the start of the PostSe- journal.com. The Web site, lin, FCRH '10, said, "Some of the buff to a woman contemplat- cret phenomenon; Warren has www.community.livejournal. them seem like they aren't re- "One of my roommates likes to ing eating a skittle that has been compiled three books and a com/lj secret, posts every secret ally true, or even if they are, it shave his whole body." on the bathroom floor of her of- weekly updated blog in order to submitted and allows others to seems like people sent them in fice for over a year, PostSecret share the thousands of secrets comment on the posted secrets. just to see them on the Web." "I once did something inappro- exposes the dark secrets that he receives. The Web site, post- Myspace.com also posts all se- As the third most popular priate to my roommate's pillow." people usually hide and would secret, com, features roughly ten crets but does not allow others blog on the Internet, according never admit, especially to thou- to 20 new postcards every Sun- to comment. to New York magazine, postse- "The dishes that sat in the sands of readers. day. The postcards are written Wanting to divulge personal cret.com attracts over 3 million sink for two weeks? They were Frank Warren, founder of on old parking tickets, photo- secrets in such a public way viewers every week. Perhaps mine." ' . . PostSecret, began passing out graphs, paintings, wedding in- may seem strange to some but people do send in somewhat ge- self-addressed, blank postcards vitations and scraps of paper. not necessarily absurd to others. neric secrets, such as the seem- "I don't think I've ever spoken inviting people to send him Reading each postcard offers Alex Stewart, FCLC '10, said, ingly thousands of postcards tomyRAsbben" their most private and protected a glimpse into someone else's "There's the degree of anonym- that all claim a newfound inter- secrets anonymously. Warren world. ity. A person can get [his] feel- est in God or in adultery. "I'm not a virgin." started PostSecret as a com- "It's like reality TV....it's ings out there without hurting Despite repetitive topics, munity art project in November real," said Sara Serino, FCLC other people." the postcards seems to be "I accidentally stole a pair of 2004, with three thousand post- '08. "Some people don't have This concept of freedom cer- maintaining a steady follow- men's boxer shorts from the laun- cards left in places like library an outlet with their friends or tainly seems inviting, especially ing. "There isn't even one you dry room." books, subway stations and res- family. [PostSecret] is a relief. in cases where the secret applies specifically identify with, but taurant. Slowly the postcards They don't have to hold onto so perfectly to a reader's own there are so many that deal "In second grade, I silently far- began finding their way into their secret anymore." life. You may not be the only one with human neurotic tenden- ted. The girl next to me thought it Warren's mailbox in German- The appeal of sending in per- to jump on your roommate's bed cies that you can relate some- smelt like smoke and my teacher town, Maryland. sonal secrets and reading those when she leaves the room or to one you know to [one of the called the office, to make sure After he stopped distribut- of others is quickly spread- write cuss words on your toaster postcards]," Gorlin said. • the school wasn't on fire." • ing his own postcards, Warren ing. Warren's idea has numer- strudel in the morning.

If you are interested in sharingyour own secrets with The Observer, please submit them anonymously byplacng them in The Observers mailbox in the Student Activities.Office (room . ' . . 408). Please use clear, bold lettering on a 3 by 5 index card. , -, Best places to keep warm this winter Braving the elements has never been, so fun fjfBy.GabbvIinze to. homeless people infected scarf or mittens during the anyone up on a cold day. . the week, and 4 a.m. on week- " Stalf Writer with HIV and AIDS. cold months. ends, making it a great place to go after any event. As Polar ice caps melted in THE POINT KNITTING So, as humans, can't re- Greenland and Fordham stu- CAFE STUDIO COFFEE CAFE LALO treat into hibernation, you dents continued to wear their 37A BedfordAve. HOUSE 201 W. 83rd St. may want to consider some summer wardrobe until mid- this adorable cafe/knitting 812 1Oth Ave. at 54th St. of these more social alterna- January, finding' a place to center is perfect for the win- This expansive and bright Best known as the cafe" in tives. Global warming hasn't seek warmth hasn't exactly ter, months. Knitting classes cafe has a friendly staff and the movie "You've Got Mail," completely wiped out winter been anyone's top priority. A are offered in the rear of the a comfortable, neighborhood- Cafe Lalo has a cute, cozy at- yet, so take advantage of the recent temperature drop, how- ca"fe, while the front serves like feel. Studio Coffee House mosphere with lights strung glacial weather as an excuse ever, accompanied by flurries as a dining area. The menu is is recommended by Olivia about to accent its welcoming to substitute the typical slop- and a blast of icy winds has simple and cheap, consisting Dana, FCLC '08, who "loves to decor. With a. youthful staff, py, drunken college night for reminded most that winter of hot drinks and pastries. The come here to write." She also the cafe has an extensive menu some delicious coffee and still exists. Amidst this sea- store boasts a wide variety of said she loves the special mint of desserts, baked goods and a good book. Who knows? sonal change, you may find yarn and knitting materials, hot chocolate the cafe serves, specialty drinks. Cafe Lalo is You may even thank your- yourself craving somewhere perfect for making yourself a the ideal beverage to warm open as late as 2 a.m. during self the next morning. • warm and comfy to spend a Friday night. Luckily, New York City is home to a myr- iad of cozy cafes, bookstores and other venues that provide a warm atmosphere even in subzero weather.

HOUSING WORKS USED BOOK CAFE 126 Crosby St. This busy store is filled with a diverse collection of used books, CD's, videos and records. The atmosphere is warm and dark, with tables and chairs throughout the store. The merchandise is rea- sonably priced, and the staff doesn't seem to mind custom- ers who opt to take their time sitting and sifting through a variety of books. A small caf6 at the back of the store offers all of the essentials; coffee, tea and hot chocolate, as well as a small selection of pastries. All proceeds from Housing Works go to a good Craig CnlefaWlNiDtuemr cause- providing housing, Linden Labs CStutlio Coffee Houso, located on 10th Avonuo and 54th Stroot, on January 26,2007. It is a cozy coffee house to koep warm on those cold, wintry days 2006. healthcare und other services .- , ,.,...• I. IJI1L/U\ 1 THE OBSERVER To be a kitchen tafaCe S

Contributing Writer . - , -'*'-%

It was something about'that day, maybe the cold clean air, or the sound,of. snow.crunching, thai;,1, just wanteii.to. be right ih ,

the middle the world, without actually touching it. ,/ / .'. • , , .^

I didn' t want to. get into the canoe at the, edge of the river. The ice hovering above the bank and extending over the unfrozen.:

water was too perfect; too fragile, to risk me breaking it. So I dragged the boat out to the end of the dock. As each indis-

criminate bang from inside'the cabin reminded me of the danger looming if my father caught me, I slid the canoe off the edge of, .

the dock* almost losing it to the river, but pulling it back just before it floated beyond my reach, ' - ; 'l

I placed my foot in the boat and-almost lost my balance, and .I realized the uncertainty:, of standing on water;•and it scared -

me. But I "decided -that I was already halfway, there, and my .father was always on me abbut finishing things that I had started. .;

As I began to slowly bring.the restof my body off the "dock-and into the canoe, I hit my -leg against the, pole that my:gr'eat( grandfather had buried deep into, the sand,^ underwater,1-ta;help' keep ;the dock afloat; I lost;my baldnce-and crashed through my

reflectionHnto the waterv' "• •, ,? ' '• ,--w •_ / •-• .',-.',<';'.•.•« ..•- -".-••-' •••i-'-\ - - • ;:-'"-' "'- '-••• l< . : ii; "•*" '"•

'*• '*,•--'• The water- in-the -river is low in £he.Winter; l^hdd 'always amagw^d''a .be^.,

.' * . • ••"••' • " '• • ' ••' 0 '' •' '" " • ' dVsVTt-'Ms^bH*e6'ld''," tiHd because'.I>Jdidn'u'tJ'thiiInK therfe vVctCild' be^ehoU'gK-'room'for^he'irf-tbybe'^^afo^ftff-ia'i^rt in thevr-l^eWb&V#ily «, miniaturized world.

Andso'viih'en I entered the water, and as my-bredth left me, my first fear.Was that I would land.on thousands of fish coating-the

bottom." Arid whe^ the cold water hit me like; hundreds of knives stabbing ;my body, it'was really the hoards of, angry fish" punish- ',

inng mea for.disruptingthei•Fnn Ai'em itni-i nri- +hioi rvt"n alread1 r>aeu\Kf y fff\vil\at\crowded.home- hrMA*..* • w"' *'•••*' •'• •.-'-'.- _ ' ' ' ' ''" ' •'•" '-''" ' . .'•••*

As I frantically grabbed the'edge of the dock andfpulledimys'elfibQt;rdf the water,' I looked up. expecting to see my-father run-- -

nining down front the camp, shouting i^ name>Bu£ I looked one.,Dripping wet.and,shivering:,-' I suddenly, fettttbeist^

f in my escape. ••*,-•... '-- . '- , * - ;/ r ._ . > - - ."':,'•''. .-'"'•'"' - - ' ." '•''"•" ~ ":•''.- -' •.•*--•--

I could hear-my father, banging inside again, breaking-the painful silence that the fish had given me. 1 slowly-got' up;anjd-bej{, ;,_

gan walking the steps made of roots, that the trees had provided, leading me into the house. And,.fearing the dangers inside,/I^;-; began to think of ways to keep my dad from knowing what I knew. , \-1 .

Coming up with no alternatives, I came in through the back door, and saw my father kneeling on the floor with the kitchen table flipped upside down. His rough hands were hammering a shiny new nail into its leg. As he struck the nails head one last time, it became flush with the smooth wood. He leaned back and with the strength and precision that defined him, he lifted the table off the floor and flipped it right side up with an ease that I would always associate with him. With a look of pride and competency on his face, he began to turn his head away from the table and towards me coming into the house in all of my cold and pathetic glory. Before I could even begin to try justifying my transgression to him with a story about walk- ing on water or visiting the angry fish, he had already begun to yell. I quickly ran into my room and shut the door. And as I began to peel off my wet clothes that had been weighing me down, I wondered what it would be like to be a kitchen table. • 20 LITERARY I February 1,2007 I THE OBSERVER fordhamobserver,com

11 III II1

Photoflrap*! by Wchael 6oultfing/AP

By Sean Michael Leonard hours the previous eve trying to rid snow continued to fall steadily as ment, I looked down at my feet and but feel the' tension between us. , ..ContributingWriter my mind of her. I hoped to catch at I readied myself for the day's ad- a smile slowly crept upon my face. Perhaps it was because I was fro- least an ounce of sleep, but no mat- venture. We were meeting at the I moved forward . zen in place, icy, still and afraid to ter what I did, she was there. Not movies, and I had never been more She wasn't shaking from the move or to make a move. I longed I woke up early one morning to even the harsh, yet surprisingly nervous or excited in my life. But- cold. She seemed unaffected and for her embrace, and when she fi- the delicate sound of snow falling. tender, music of the winter wind terflies flew about in my stomach perfectly warm as the snow fell nally placed her head on my shoul- Wrapped up in my comforter and blowing against the bare limbs of hitting each side ten times over all around. I took a deep breath as der, my head almost immediately curled into a ball, I was as warm the trees could lull me into a state as I got in the car and buckled up. a smile once again found its way fella top hers. It was.a, perfect fit. and happy as anyone could be. It of slumber. It was as if she was The ride seemed dreadfully long across my face. We walked inside We remained that way for several was one of those frigid mornings forever embedded in me like a and tortuous, but couldn't help but and made our way toward-the minutes during which my heart where if I moved an inch, I would tattoo painfully branded upon my tremble in excitement as I mulled ticket line. She was, clumsily rum- would beat faster with each pass- n^frPJ^yi^Pme,frost bitten, and heart. After a long straggle, I real- over the thoughts in my head, all of bling for money in her purse as we ing second. The ice was melting, die a slow, painful death. I didn't ized there was nothing I could do. which related to her. quickly found ourselves before the and I felt her warmth. Then, she want to leave the safety of my cov- I gave in. I embellished myself in When I finally arrived, I saw clerk. Without even realizing it, I looked up at me and kissed me. I ers, but I had no choice. I jolted out all the possibilities of what could her leaning against a tall column released all of my inhibitions and melted in that very spot. AU of the of bed and hurried down the stairs, be. I became so intoxicated with outside the door waiting for me. I asked for two tickets. I had made possibilities were suddenly and for I had had someone on my mind the thought of us that I soon fqund parked my car and quickly walked the first move, and there was no undeniably realistic, and I knew since the night before. myself fast asleep. toward her. Our eyes met, and I going back. that I could not be any happier. • I was tossing and turning for Throughout the morning, the stopped in my tracks. After a mo- During the movie, I couldn't help

Buses owitz Contributing Writer

-•- I,.went to Colombia hospital to see a doctor the other day; when I was done, I went to see my godmother.

y She is my second mother and my best friend. At least two weeks out of every month since I' ve been living up here have been spent with her-either in her house in Jersey or hangin' out at the hospital (where she works) to keep her company. Last month, my godmother found ,out that she has Parkinson' s disease, so things have been different lately. She' s getting older, and it' s killing me.

: My appointment ended, and I wont down to her office to hang out and talk like we always do. When it was time for me to leave, she con- vinced me to ride the five bus back up here from 177th Street. (In case you don' t know me, I LOVE the bus.). She walked me to the bus, asked two complete strangers how much the fare was and stood there with me until it came.

It felt like when you' re little and your parents stands with you as you wait to get on the school bus; except [' in not little-l' m 20 and in New York City. After I got on the bus, I stood there thinking about how lucky I am to have someone that loves me so much that she has to walk me to the bus and wait with me until it arrived. Then, the wonum sitting near where I was standing tapped my leg and pointed to the window. I looked out. the window and saw my godmother still standing and waiting in the cold. She waved and smiled; a.s soon as I waved back, the bus pulled away into traffic. Thu woman started to laugh and.said:

"Sweetie, they' 11 never lot go. You' re going to he an old woman and she still wont let go."

At that very moment, it hit. me liko a ton of bricks. I kni«w that 1 loved her. But, I just never realized just, how much I loved her. It meant the world to me that she stood looking into the window to make suro I was OK.

Tho bus drove ;iway in u flash: my godmother standing then; one minute and gone the next; mado me realize how short our lives are. It made me think of her Lnrrihi(.• fli.sonse and about how much Lime we all railly have loft.

I guos.s tlm fioiiit of tlii.s i:i to remind you all to toll the people you Jove Unit you that you Jove them because you never know when you' re going to look out that window and not set; them then;, smiling and waving. fordhamobserver.com THE OBSERVER I February 1,2007 SPORTS 21 Three-game win streak proves Fordham is an A-10 contender

ByRobBeaston "We did a good job sharing the ball rushed the court with an enthusiasm Staff Writer and we played solid [defense] today. It that has not been seen in. a long time. was a great team win for us,'.' he said. But the happiest man on the floor had For many, Januaiy is a time for new Foidham was up 35-30 at half time to have been Whittenburg, who bear- beginnings; a month to work on reso- when the Billikens rallied to tie the hugged students and pumped up the lutions and get a fresh start to the New game with 16 minutes remaining. But crowd before running off to join his Year. In college basketball, January after a Dunston layup, Marcus Stout, squad in the locker room. also marks the beginning of the two FCRH '08, hit a three-pointer to put Foidham began their three game win month do-or-die run to the confer- the Rams up for good. Fordham is streak on Jaa 14 in Pittsburgh against ence championships, and ultimately, now 11-0 when leading after the first the Dukes of Duquesne University the NCAA Tournament As 2007 gets half. with a convincing71-59 victory. Stout underway, it seems as if the Fordham The win was Fordham's first ever led the Rams with a season high 26 University men's basketball team has against St Louis, and it mariced the points, including 18 in a first half resolved to become a legitimate con- Billikens' first trip to the Bronx. where Fordham shot 73 percent from tender for the Atlantic lOtitle. Opponents are quickly learning that the field. The Rams have been living Consecutive victories at Duquesne the Rose Hill Gym is one of the tough- and dying by the three-point shot all University and at home against St est places to play in the conference, as season, and their confidence from be- Joseph's University and St Louis the Rams are 8-1 at home. hind the arc was evident in Pittsburgh, University have propelled Fordham The atoosphere inside the gym where the Rams shot 80 percent from to 11-7 overall and 4-2 in conference reached its peak on Jan. 17, when long range. play, and the Rams ate starting to fully Fordham defeated the St Joseph's "We've become a lot more patient," embody head coach Dereck Whitten- Hawks in overtime. Last second hero- said Stout of the Rams improved burg's mantra: "Play hard, play smart, ics came courtesy of Stout, who after shooting. "We have a better idea now , and play with poise." besting the University of Richmond of when to shoot the ball. At first, I Part of playing with poise means on a layup in the final seconds of regu- think we were rushing; I was rushing playing as a team, and against St Lou- lation just 11 days prior, is becoming myself...now we do a better job of is on Jan. 20, the Rams did just that the Rams' best weapon in clutch situ- picking spots and making our oppo- Fordham's second-leading scorer ations. nents play defense. By doing that, our and defensive leader Bryant Dunston, Fordham had held a lead as big as turnovers are down and we get better FCRH '08, got whistled for two quick 10 in the second half, but the Hawks looks at the basket" \.' fouls less than two minutes into the refused to die, clawing their way back The Rams shaip-shooting against game and spent the rest of the half on into it in the final minutes. An Ahmad Duquesne was a welcome turnaround the bench. The Rams took what could Nivens basket'with 1:08 remaining from the Jan. 11 71-56 loss to Xavier have been a devastating loss and capi- in regulation tied the game at 50 and University in which Foidham scored talized, showcasing their depth in a forced a five minute overtime period. just 14 points by halftime. The Mus- 77-68win. St Joe's D.J. Rivera put the Hawks keteers were ahead by 32 one minute Five Rams scored in double-dig- up 55-54 with 24 seconds to play into the second half, but Fordham re- its, including Brenton Butler, FCRH' in OT. During the ensuing timeout, fused to let the daunting lead hamper '10, with 11 points, and Chris Bethel, Coach Whittenburg drew up a play their night, climbing back to within 12 FCRH '-10/who had a career-high 16. designed to put the ball into Stout's late in the game. But in the end, Xavi- 'Freshman Herb Tanner, FCRH '10, hands. er's 15 three-pointers did in the Rams. added five points of his own in what "Coach called for me to come off Fordham split its first two games was a dominant performance by Ford- the ball screen and get the ball with 10 Courtesy o of Atlantic 10 play, losing 70-59 at . Bryant Dunston drivssito the hoop over.three St Louis players. ham's reserves. seconds left, explained Stout "I read Geor^WashMg^offtJniversity'biiJan. Dunston's absence could have been the defense and saw the lane open and take a meaningful shot teams very clear. 3 and winning 58-55 at Richmond on even more costly on the defensive end, tried to get to the rim." "1 don't look at it as a pressure [situ- "My hat's off to [St Joe's Coach] Jan. 6. The game against Richmond especially against the Billikens' 6'10" Stout collected 13 points to go along ation]," said Stout "I see it as just an- Phil Martelli," Whittenburg said. "His was Fordham's first national television Ian Vbuyoukas, but the Rams stepped with six rebounds and three assists, all other chance to make a play for the program has been a trademark of the appearance of the season, broadcast on up their play in the paint, with Bethel coming after a pre-game ceremony team...We needed this win as a team A-10 for years, and they've been a CSTV, and the Rams did far from dis- andButler combining for lOrebounds. honoring Stout and Dunston as the and that was the main thing on my model for what we have tried to do appoint their viewers, as Stout's layup And though it would not show up in newest members of Fordham*s 1,000 mind at the end of the game." with our program. I thought this game with 2.4 seconds to play resulted in a the box score, Luke Devine, FCRH point club. Stout's solid play and late The win was Fordham's first vic- would be a great opportunity for us win. '09, did more than his part by battling game heroics also earned him Atlantic tory over St Joe's since 1999, end- and we took a major step forward." Fordham's next home game will the St Louis big man all afternoon. 10 Player of the Week honors. ing a 12-game losing streak. Coach As soon as the final two seconds had be on Saturday, Feb. 3 against the "Our bench was great today, and I The junior guard is establishing him- Whittenburg made the importance of ticked off the clock following Stout's University of Rhode Island and will hope it continues," Whittenburg said. self as a ttue leader who is not afraid to defeating one of the conference's best game-winner, the Fordham faithful be broadcast on CSTV. • Not your typical bat and ball

ByKiranHefa in FCLC's sports program. For- enforcing. For every floor, there are there is an indoor, winding tunnel tively pull off such heists is con- i Editor get that the school does not even two flights of stairs to climb (for that also directly leads to McMahon tinuously crafted and expanded house its own varsity teams, that example, to reach the fourth floor, Hall. Herein lies one of Fordham's upon. The entrance to the caf- Almost every metropolis univer- the small, grassy patch of land out a student must climb eight flights of greatest debates: Which root is faster? eteria line is a revolving turn- sity boasts immersion into the city on the plaza is rarely occupied by stairs). By school year's end, every And therein, lies one of Fordham's style similar in set-up to the it occupies. But Fordham College anyone attempting anything more first-year student at Fordham who exclusive experiences: racing fellow subway; but the exit has no such at Lincoln Center really takes that strenuous than Frisbee throwing understood his or her place (except students down both paths to discern blockades. Additionally, not all ideology to heart. In the entirety or sunbathing. Students here have for the foolish few) will have adopt- the answer. Beyond the speed train- of the registers arc staffed at of the one block FCLC spans, not an interest in the mundane ed taking the stairs as second-hand ing accomplished by the outright all times, and on the right hand with its singular dorm building procedures of baseball, basket- nature, and his or her stamina will running, students taking the indoor side of one, another opening and singular academic build- ball, football, or the like. But that have increased greatly as a result. track also improve their balance and which connects directly to the ing back-to-back, there is only is not to say they are uninterested Fitness experts constantly promote quickness by avoiding sharp comers cafeteria seating is usually left a small, grassy patch of land not in athletic endeavors. FCLC stu- taking the stairs instead of the el- and making abrupt turns at maximum unwatched for pilferers to safe- otherwise occupied by concrete. dents have discovered how to evator as a simple and plausible speed. The truth of this matter has yet ly navigate without worry that Blink as you walk past the corner elicit the same benefits as those way to work exercising into one's to be definitively found, as the answer their loot will be confiscated. of 60th Street and Columbus Avc., of traditional sport from their own daily regime, and here at Fordham, tends to vary each time, and though it There arc the first-timers, the and you may not even realize you set of exercises, and in doing so, the student body has taken it upon appeare that this question may forever Eric Mangini's, who snatch have just passed a school. have cultivated a genre of sports themselves to incorporate that bet- remain unsolved, Foixlhatn students the pocket-sized, pre-packaged Yet the lack of a typical colle- unique (what else?) to their own tering action into the lives of its are steadfast in their desire to deter- goods bags of potato chips, giate environment hardly appears existence. younger members. mine an answer. granola bars, candy, and/or gum to be an issue. And frankly, why - and there are the Bill Belich- would it? FCLC's aura is steeped Endurance Speed Strategy ick's who can orchestrate mass in an overriding belief of indi- McMahon Hall, Fordham's dorm When facing the front of the Leon Fordham's cafeteria is by far thefts of entire meals, without viduality. This is (he school for building, has twenty floors; floors Lowcnstcin building, Rmlhiim's one of the more regrettable as- so much as an attempt at co- the artistic, for the creative, for two through six arc solely freshman academic building, students stand at a pects of the school, if not one of verlness. Granted thievery is the visionary; its campus is a re- housing. Any newbie student who fork in the road. On the lell of I ,owen- the more regrettable aspects of not the most acceptable of all flection of that. You'd be hard- tlares take an elevator up to a floor stcin, there is a straight path that par- the city of New York. But steal- pursuits, but at I'oiilham, suc- pressed to find resemblances to below six is in for a thrashing, an allels the length of the building and ing from it is a pastime as hon- cessfully engaging in such is other universities here, and no- unwritten rule that uppcrclnssinun leads directly to the cntnuicc of Mc- ored as any professional spoil. nn art-form tantamount to draft- where is that more evident than arc more than enthusiastic about Mahon Hall. Iliroiigh Lowcnstcin, And the skill required to effec- ing the perfect playbook. • 22 SPORTS I February 1,2007 I THE OBSERVER fordhamobserver.com Coach's calls hurting team Early end for New York football

•r ,;• If the first walk away with the victory. By Brent Nyez touchdowns. through the 2007 season. IF ;*'" dmk month of Days later against Quinnipiac, Contributing Writer Coming off a 11-5 season With dependable wide re- in-confer- Fordham led by 15 in the second in 2005, a wild card round ceivers in Laveranues Coles ence play half, only to see its lead dwindle to On January 7, 2007, dreams loss in the playoffs, and an and Jerricho Cotchery, look has shown one. Quinnipiac nearly escaped with of Super Bowl glory came impressive off-season that for the Jets to add depth in us anything, the win, but failed to get off a game- to an end for the fans of the brought the likes of LaVar the running back position it's that the winning desperation attempt with New York Jets and the New Arrington and Sam Madison through a free agent sign- Atlantic 10 one second remaining on the clock. York Giants. For the 10-6 to the team, expectations for ing or by spending their first y conference If the out-of-conference schedule Jets, their season ended with the New York Giants were round draft pick. Green Bay a crushing 37-16 loss to the mix*ed at best. Questions Packers running back Ahman Take the isn't what it ' didn't impress, the first three games once was. within theA-10 certainly didn't New England Patriots. For about the consistency of Eli Green may garner a great Points The steady either. At George Washington, the the 8-8 Giants, their season Manning and the dedication deal of interest from the Jets; decline of the Rams shot zero for ten in the first ended on a 38-yard game- of the team were raised after though injury-prone, he is a Peter traditional half, forcing them to come from winning field goal from the the crushing 23-0 loss against proven nine-year veteran and Martin powers of . behind throughout the contest foot of Philadelphia Eagles' the Carolina Panthers in the rushed for 1,059 yards last the league is hi Richmond, the Rams opened kicker David Akers in a 23- playoffs in which Manning season with five 100-yard represented in St Joseph's recent, up an eight point lead against the 20 loss. At the end of the day, threw three interceptions and games. Look for the Jets to rapid descent from the top. Spiders, but didn't score a bucket the sights of the Jets' and Gi- the once-mighty Giant de- make moves for another cor- Jameer Nelson's 2004 hero- for the first six minutes in the sec- ants' franchises turned from fense allowed 335 yards. For nerback to add on the oppo- ics for the Hawks'#1 seed in the ond half. Richmond then went on its the playoffs to the start of the the franchise, much of the site side of cornerback Andre 2004 NCAA Tournament brought most impressive offensive attack of offseason. Though the Jets off-season was dedicated to Dyson as well, the only Jets unprecedented national attention to the season, a 20-3 run spanning nine and Giants both ended their acquiring new faces on de- cornerback last season with the Atlantic 10 conference. minutes. seasons with wild card play- fense. Besides the aforemen- an interception. Lastly, look Fast forward just three years and Against Xavier, Fordham's off losses, the expectations tioned Arrington and Madi- for the Jets to re-sign defen- the Hawks are struggling to stay perimeter defense was horrid. The' and anticipated directions for son, the Giants signed free sive end Bryan Thomas. With above the .500 mark. Musketeers connected on 15 of 23 both teams could not have safety Will Demps from the 8.5 sacks last season, Thomas With an inexperienced freshman from three-point range, including been more different. Ravens, linebacker Brandon is benefiting under the eye backcourt of Jawan Carter (seven five of eight from All-American The New York Jets entered Short from the Panthers, and and game plan of Mangini points per game) and Garrett Wil- guard Stanley Burrell. By halflime, the NFL season with a host drafted defensive end Math- and will get better with more iamson (five ppg), the team sits at a the Rams trailed embarrassingly, of questions and concerns ias Kiwanuka with their first time in Mangini's system. respectable mark of 10-8 overall, far 44-15. to addresis. Is former New pick. Though the Giants add- The Giants come into the from its 26-1 run of 2004. Regardless of wins and losses, England Patriots defensive ed to their defense and main- offseason with personnel and tained an extremely potent We're witnessing an entire change these statistics are not the ingredi- coordinator Eric Mangini the player questions to be an- offense featuring Tiki Bar- of guard among the conference's ents for success to come as we enter right man to replace Herman swered, some of which have ber, Jeremy Shockey, Amani elite. the heart of the conference schedule. Edwards as head coach? Can already been addressed with Toomer, and Plaxico Bur- Temple's annual dominance is One of the biggest mysteries in the Jets make up for the loss the signing of head coach gess, many experts predicted over. Currently 7-9, the Owls have the Bronx has been the misuse of of Curtis Martin in the back- Tom Coughlin to a one-year the Giants to finish second in yet to find the winning ways that forward Chris Bethel. Averaging field? Will Chad Pennington extension through the 2008. the NFC East behind the Dal- led to 17 NCAA Tournament visits a mere nine minutes per game, have the leadership and the season and the hiring of fi- las Cowboys. under head coach John Chaney, and Bethel's offensive output has been arm strength to command the ery Jerry Reese to replace the former power UMass hasn't made excellent (five ppg). However, in Jets' offense? Pennington was Though the Giants started retiring Ernie Accorsi as new national noise since the Marcus the past five games, he's played a coming back from his second out hot, winning six out of General Manager. Reese is .Cambyyears. total of only 20 minutes. rotator cuff surgery in two their first eight games, the only the third black General Consequently, theAtlantic 10's Meanwhile, Captain Dominic years. Martin, the five-time team limped into the playoffs Manager in the history of the Ratings Percentage Index (RPQ Osei has continued his poor play. Pro Bowl.running back, was in third place in the NFC East NFL and the first in the his- places the league eleventh, with Against Duquesne and St Joseph's, put on the Physically Unable behind the Dallas Cowboys tory of the Giants organiza- only Xavier placing in the top 50 the 6'5 forward was two of 12 from to Perform list for the entire and the division-winning tion. Defensive coordinator among division one teams. the floor (17 percent)in a combined - season. And Mangini faced Philadelphia Eagles. The Tim Lewis was also fired and With an RPI rating of 156, Rhode 50 minutes of play. Defensively, he transforming an offense that team was plagued with inju- replaced with former Eagles Island sadly sits atop the A-10 had five total rebounds, an average was ranked thirty-first in ries to a number of offensive linebacker coach Steve Spag- standings at 4-1. Elsewhere, La of one per ten minutes of action. yards per game (248.1) and and defensive starters. Key nuolo. With Shawn O'Hara Salle has suffered defeats to the For a team that is next to last in twenty-ninth in points per players like Michael Strahan, and Brandon Short as the likes of Delaware, UMBC, and the conference in scoring offense, game (15.0) last season. Luke Petitgout, Toomer, and only starters becoming un- Coppin State. St Bonaventure you'd expect one of its most lethal Despite the questions and Arrington went much of the restricted free agents, look was blown out by Boston, and offensive weapons to play an concerns; the Jets surprised season on the Injured Re- for the Giants to resign both Duquesne couldn't capture a win adequate role. Yet Whittehburg's many experts in finishing serve list. In his third year in O'Hara and Short to short?; against Robert Morris. continued fascination with playing -the 2006 season with a 10- the league, Manning saw an term deals. Also expect the Giants to draft depth for their And this is supposed to be one of Osei while benching Bethel has 6.record and reaching the improvement in his comple- defense, possibly a shutdown trie premier mid-major conferences continued to perplex the Fordham playoffs as the fifth seed. tion rating and his passer rat- cornerback or defensive in America? faithful. Pennington answered all the ing from the previous season. tackle as a first-round pick, Depending on your perspective, It's not by accident that in the questions about his health and Barber had another outstand- instead of a starting running - the A-10's mediocrity isn't such Rams' most recent victory against .leadership by playing in all ing Pro Bowl year, rushing back. Brandon Jacobs proved a bad thing. Take Fordham as an St Louis on Jaa 20, Bethel's 16 i'<> games with an 82.6 pass- for 1,662 yardSi the fourth last year (4.4 yards per carry example. For perhaps the first time points (six-11 field goals) in just 22 '. er. rating, twelfth best in the highest total in the league. and nine touchdowns) that he since its introduction into the con- minutes proved to be the offensive league. As Martin sat at home He also figuratively carried is capable of stepping up and •• ference, Fordham is being presented difference against the same team contemplating retirement, the his team to a wild card play- being effective. A full season a realistic opportunity to leap into that had defeated SEC power Ole Jets' running game did its off birth by rushing for 234 as the starting running back' the upper echelon of the standings. Miss just three weeks prior. best in Martin's absence with yards, the most in a single should result in an increase Unfortunately, with the exception Should Whittenburg elect to play rookie running back Leon game by any Giant, and add- in yards per carry and Jacobs of the past week of play, the Rams Bethel these many minutes more Washington taking the major- ing three touchdowns in Week could possibly finish next have done everything possible to consistently, the Rams will have ity of the snaps in the back- 17 against the Washington season with a 1,000 yards keep themselves from attaining that found a new secret weapon for their field. Imposing forces on the Redskins. The announcement rushing. winter trip through conference play. defense such as linebacker of Barber's impeding retire- ment at the end of the sea- Though the Rams are currently But if Coach keeps Osei on the Jonathan Vilma and defensive With a mix of old and new son cast a sense of urgency 11-7 (4-2 in conference play), their floor, expect this to be the first end Bryan Thomas gave their faces, the New York Jets and for Super Bowl glory in the record is misleading. Despite win- complaint you'll hear about why opponents' offensive lines the New York Giants are de- hearts and bodies of the Gi- ning six of eight since the end of this season wasn't what it could something to worry about veloping strength at all sides ants, but unfortunately, they Dec., (he only consistency that the have been. with every play. Mangini's of the game. Head coaches found it too tough to rise to team exhibits is playing erratically Additionally, if Diiaston steps his defensive knowledge led the Mangini and Coughlin are the occasion and fell short of at best game up, there's no reason why the Jets to force their opponents looking for big seasons in the big game once again. Playing at home against MAAC- team's player personnel shouldn't to commit 16 interceptions 2007. Though winning the weakling Fairfield, Fordham never carry the Rams into March, regard- and nine fumbles, totaling to With the Super Bowl elud- Super Bowl remains the ul- dominated, and (lie game remained less of their coach's dcci.sioas. 25 takcaways. Justin Miller, ing the grasps of the Jets timate prize, the future for tied with four minutes remaining. Quite frankly, sports is a business on his wtiy to his first Pro and Giants for another year, both franchises is foggy at Moreover, the Rams were out- and its bottom line is produtcion. It Bowl appearance, struck fear the sights of both franchises the moment. However, at muscled on the glass (41 -27) by is a conch's duty lo the program to in the eyes of his opponents' turned to the off-season. The the end of the offseason, ex-; a clearly smaller opponent Witli put forth the best combination of special teams by averaging Jets arc currently 28 million pect the Jets and the Giants center Bryant Dunston scoring on players possible (all of which Wliit- an impressive 28.3 yards dollars under the salary cap, to show the NFL that the just two of his nine attempts in 38 tenburg rercruitcd himself). per kickoff return including with ten out of their 11 offen- future is bright for football minutes, Foitlham was lucky to Is dial loo much to ask? • returning two kickoffs for sive starters already signed * in New York. • fordhamobserver.com THE OBSERVER I February 1,20071 SPORTS 23 David Beckham is coming to the States ByJoeArtise Staff Writer scenery. Along with his wife Victoria, On Jan. 11, the Los Angeles formally Posh Spice of the Spice Galaxy signed Davjd Beckham Girls, the Beckhams will be wel- to a five-year, 250 million dol- comed into the Hollywood life- lar contract. This contract is the style and will become the new largest ever given to a Major faces of American pop culture, League Soccer player, opening as they are at home in Britain. the floodgates for great inter- Beckham, who is one of the most national talent to come into the popular and marketable athletes league. in the world today, is expected Thanks to the new designated to boost MLS ticket and jersey player rule introduced by the sales and make soccer more MLS, starting in the 2007 sea- popular and more fan-friendly in son, any MLS team can sign one America. He also hopes to boost player of their choice to a con- the American soccer program tract of unlimited money with- and get more children involved out going against the team sal- in the sport so that the country ary cap. The salary cap in MLS can develop its own talent in is only 1.6 million dollars per order to make American soccer team, which is very small com- better. pared to those of any of the other There is plenty of risk in- four major sports (basketball, volved for Beckham in coming baseball, football and hockey). to the United States. Many of The terms of the contract for his critics believe that he is not Beckham are as follows: his club serious about transforming the team, the Galaxy, will pay 10 game, and is only concerned million dollars of his salary each with money. Others feel that it is year for the five years, totaling impossible for Beckham to make 50 million dollars. The other soccer as popular in the U.S. as 200 million will come from his the four major sports because it endorsements with Motorola, is not as exciting a game. Addi- Pepsi, Gillette and Volkswagen, tionally, Beckham may become along with club revenue and jer- a hated figure around the league sey sales. because of the amount of mon- Previously, it had been hard ey he makes. Players on other for superstar talent to come teams and even on his own may into the. league because wages resent him because they make in were low and exposure from en- a whole season what he makes in " dorsements was limited. -It has an hour. changed now that Beckham has Beckham has a tall order ahead set a new precedent in MLS, be- of him this year. The MLS is , coming its first superstar and its riding on his shoulders, hop- -UoliiiDawes/KRT first truly marketable player. England's David Beckham trains while part of the English Worid Cup Team. ing that he,can work miracles in Beckham, who spent the last transforming a failing proposi- four years playing for Real Ma- Madrid so that Beckham can be- known for his great passes and of his English national team cap- tion into a seriously profitable drid, .will leave when his con- gin playing with the Galaxy at is extraordinary in the set piec- taincy and has received little or league. Only time will tell if tract, expires on June 30; he is the start of the season in April. es, both free kicks and corners, no playing time with Real Ma- Beckham's influence will make expected to begin playing with Beckham, a center midfielder, as well as anybody in the world drid. He has also not won any soccer a major American sport the Galaxy in August. Los Ange- is a raw talent and was voted today. He also has a great sense league titles since joining Real and MLS a legitimate, com- les,, however, is currently trying one of FIFA's 100 greatest soc- of vision on the field. Madrid. For Beckham, this is petitive league or turn both to orchestrate a buyout with Real cer players of all time, He is But recently, he was stripped the right time for a change in into complete disasters. . • i .;•:.',,vuWu The smallest part of New York

FACE PAINT At ^ more than its professional team. Fordham University athletics fan. Although a big-time sports observe and take part in the for- beginning My next thought was of the Even on Fordham's campus, stu- school would seem like heaven mation of something that might of the 2006 night-and-day difference between dents seem more likely to wear for a fan like me, I still am become great someday. college the fans of athletic powerhouse apparel of another university than content with attending Fordham The most rewarding benefit of football schools such as Ohio State and their own. When it comes to University. Attending a smaller attending a non-athletic oriented season, I fans of Fordham University. Fordham's biggest athletic rivals, university does provide a sports school such as Fordham may listened Being a sports fan at a smaller, most students would not even be fan with a number of benefits be the truly personal connec- to a report non-athletic oriented school is ablexto identify the school's main that may be overlooked at first. tions that can be formed with the on ESPN certainly a different experience adversaries. One positive aspect of attending members of the athletic teams. which than being a fan at a large, athlet- The exact opposite is true at a smaller school is the ability Having the best athletes on cam- stated that ics-crazed school that acts as a major athletic universities. Ri- to become a leader in school pus know your name is an expe- 40,000 Ohio Mecca for all things related to valry games are seen as matters spirit. No matter how many rience that is almost out of the State Buck- sports. Some of these perennial of life and death, with hatred of times a person paints their body question at excessively large uni- eye fans powerhouses can attract more an opposing school often lasting for a sporting event at a large, versities, while many students at had traveled of a crowd at a women's vol- long past graduation. The entire athletic powerhouse, that fan Fordham experience this benefit Marc Turiano to Austin leyball match than the average campus always seems to be ob- will not stand out very much on a daily basis. A small school's to see their Fordham men's basketball game sessed with their school's athletic from the other several thousand athletes often take notice of their team play at the University of does. Being a huge sports fan, it events, with students displaying in attendance most likely attired classmates who show support on a Texas. I thought about this fact appeared as if I was missing out their pride through jerseys, hats, similarly. However, putting regular basis, and other fans in the for a moment, and realized that by going to Fordham. When I and sweatshirts that are worn on some paint for even a few stands take notice as well. Due to more people were traveling to attend home athletic events at my everywhere. These schools have games at a school like Fordham the fact that both the athletes and their college football team's school, the only fans who are in legions of diehard fans in all will quickly give the painted the fans get to know each other on away game than lived in my regular attendance are assorted corners of the country. Softball individual some notoriety and a personal level, a sense of com- entire town. And the game was parents, along witli close friends fields at some of these schools a spot in the front row of the munity is formed that is simply no cross-town rivalry; the two of the participating athletes. can scat more people than any Sixth Man Club. This school not present in big-time college schools ore over 1,200 miles The idea of a student cheering venue at Fordham. These schools spirit can soon become conta- athletics. You are not just another apart. My mind could hardly section at most home sporting define home field advantage, with gious, and lead other students in the middle of thousands of face- comprehend this mass migration. events is ultimately out of the student cheering sections that arc down the same road. less fans, but a defined individual. I could not believe the incred- question. Most of the student larger than the entire enrollment Another positive feature of Fans who experience this gain ibly intense devotion to a college body could not tell a passerby the of other universities. As someone attending a non-athletic oriented a sensation that the team is truly sports program by such an first thing about a majority of its who loves sports more than life university is the ability to see theirs and this can lead to a feeling incredibly large number of fans. school's teams. Outside of New itself, attending a university with drastic improvement firsthand. of devotion that is greater than the The stale of Ohio loved its slate York City, I do not think that I these qualities would surely ap- As athletic departments and one created by 40,000 fans travel- university football team even have even encountered another pear to be in my best interest. fan bases grow, a fan can both ing 1,200 miles for a game. • 24,1 February 1,2007 SPORTS THE OBSERVER As Super Bowl XLI creeps closer, so does Manning's first ring By Shawn Triggs Staff Writer While school is just getting started again, the NFL season is coming to an end. And what an exciting end it has shaped up to be. The two teams that were on track to have big seasons this year - the Chicago Bears and the Indianapolis Colts - have made it to Super Bowl XLI, right where many imagined they would end up. But with two sol- id teams fighting for the trophy, how do you determine who has the edge? It comes down to one thing - it is Peyton Manning's time and he will lead his team to victory. Manning was a crucial part of the Colts' 38-34 victory over New England, throwing for 349 yards with both a throwing and rushing touchdown, but there are some other Colts who will need to be playing at 110 per- cent if they want to earn a Super Bowl ring. Throw all the cli- ches and jinxes of Manning not winning a title out the window, because Manning has made it to the Bowl and there is no way he will go out lying down. The Colts' running game has been solid throughout the year, especially with Dominic Rhodes racking up yardage in the post season, but it's rookie Joseph Addai who will play a huge part in the Colts' win over Chicago. Continuing to play hard and already over the 1,000 yard rushing mark for the regu- lar season, Addai will be used to help Indianapolis rush for touchdowns after Manning gets his team into the red zone. Ad- dai will be seen in the end zone at least once during the game, even if he rushes for no more than 60 yards. The only thing that will help Manning more than his two running backs are his multiple receiving options. There is no doubt that Marvin Harrison will have a huge game as the NFL veteran always seems to be a safe option in the air for Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning gets a hug from his dad, Archie. Manning. But the beauty of the Colts' offense is that there Rex Grossman, though nowhere defense, ranked fifth in the NFL, seems to be endless options near the abilities of Manning on but on Feb. 4, the Bears 'D' will When Manning steps back to his best day, has been showing be faced with its biggest chal- throw. Manning connected with everyone that he deserves to lenge yet. Chicago sacked Drew Dolphin Stadium tight end Bryan Fletcher for 32 play the quarterback position, Brees three times in the NFC yards, his only catch of the day, even when there was doubt in Championship game, but like to set up Addai's touchdown run his abilities. He will definitely Grossman, Brees is no Man- against New England. Fletcher, get the Bears into the end zone, ning. who seemed to be absent dur- using Bernard Berrian and Des- It is safe to say that Super ing wins over Kansas City and mond Clark along the way. Bowl XLI will not only be full Baltimore, came through when There is one thing that the of aggression and intensity, but it mattered and this is some- Bears can do to heavily enhance emotions will be running high thing that will be difficult for their chances at Super Bowl as well. This year's contest even Brian Urlacher to pre- victory, and that is continuously features Lovie Smith and Tony vent! Manning knows where to hand the ball to Cedric Benson Dungy, the first African-Ameri- throw, when to use certain re- and Thomas Jones. Both have can coaches to make it to the ceivers and more importantly, played parts in playoff wins and Super Bowl. wants this title more than any- utilizing the run game is some- Both the Bears and the Colts one else. We will see him use thing Chicago does better than deserve to be playing in this both Harrison and Fletcher, but Indianapolis. The Bears are a game, but the bottom line is also connect big with Dallas more aggressive offense and if that Manning and the Colts arc Clark and Reggie Wayne for a they come out with a forceful an all-around better team. Chi- score of six. run game, they will be able to cago will not go down easily, Though the Colts will come score a lot of points. but Indianapolis will come out out on top, do not expect Chica- Throughout the regular sea- the Super Bowl XLI champi- go to go down without a fight, son, Chicago was praised for its ons by a score of 27-20. •