October 12, 2009 www.unews.com Vol. 77, Issue 8 St. Nick spotted near campus

Continuing campus crime posses threat Tyler Allen Assistant News Editor Crime is a looming problem on campus. Last year alone, there were 142 crimes reported at UMKC. “Even though UMKC is sur- rounded by some bad streets I always felt safe here,” student Kelsey Gos- sen said, “but now that I’m hearing about everything going on, I worry and I try to watch my back.” Other students are not too wor- ried. “I’m not concerned about crime on campus, quite simply because I know exactly how to avoid it,” stu- dent Rachael Herndon said. Unfortunately, not everyone on campus can avoid crime. In the past month, there have been two burglaries at 4747 Troost Ave., the building that houses the In- Blistery, cold weather blew into Kansas City stitute for Entrepreneurship and In- novation. The first incident occurred on Saturday morning and along with it around noon on Sept. 21 when a victim’s money was stolen out of his came a jolly Christmas spirit. desk. painted interior and exterior walls, laid The second incident occurred on Alexia Stout-Lang News Editor carpet, pulled weeds and even moved Sept. 25 and involved Cary Clark, some furniture. Sam Walton Fellow and director of pproximately 20 stu- “This is just such a blessing,” Freddie Students in Free Enterprise. dents, staff and faculty from UMKC bundled up Slaughter, one of the homeowners, said and faced the chill to par- as tears ran down her cheeks. “I just don’t “It’s just sort of random ticipate in the second an- know how to thank you all.” crime. It’s sort of hit and nual UMKC Christmas in October. Slaughter, her three grandchildren (Ty- A alor, Craig and Corey) and her daughter miss.” Two homeowners were selected to receive help around the house for the See CHRISTMAS page 16 MICHAEL BONGARTZ morning. The volunteers removed trees, I UMKC Police Chief

“I was up front doing some copy- ing and I walked out toward the In- novation Center,” Clark said. “As I was walking toward the Innovation Center, I saw a gentleman who didn’t seem like he had a destination.” Clark said hello to the man and the two exchanged some quick small talk. The man continued down the hall as Clark proceeded to the Inno- vation Center to pick up his mail. When Clark returned, he found the man he had seen in the hall ear- lier in his office. “He sort of jumped and very quickly said, ‘I was using your phone’ and pushed me aside to get through the doorway very quickly,”

Clark said. Photos ALEXIA LANG Clark checked his office and (Clockwise from top right) Freddie Slaughter and her grandchildren (Tyalor, Craig and Corey) meet Santa. found his cell phone was missing. He Slaughter’s 5-year-old neighbor, Damon, stopped by to see St. Nick. immediately phoned campus police Marvin Wright, who retired from UMKC, spoke with Santa while a team worked in his yard. to report the crime. Graduate Pharmacy students took a break to laugh with the man in red. “They estimated that I got there Staff from Campus Facilities Management cut down a tree in Slaughter’s yard. right in the middle of whatever he was doing and that if I’d been an- other few minutes, my laptop would have been gone,” Clark said. “That is INSIDE THE USED page 7 KILLER JOE page 9 WIZARDS page 13 See THEFT I page 16 2 News October 12, 2009 www.unews.com Politics shape the Supreme Court Kelley Kates Court Justice, Sandra Day O’Connor. Tom Clark, his attorney general. Court has now, such as the tenures Staff Writer President Harry S. Truman had Atkinson noted the position of at- that keep justices on the bench, cre- During the last 65 years, the Su- the luxury of appointing four jus- torney general is usually a stepping ating less change, raising the stakes preme Court has been dominated tices to the Supreme Court during stone to the bench. for a seat and acquiring more promi- by appointments of friends and col- his two-term presidency. His first According to Atkinson, Clark nent people. leagues of the president. appointment, Harold Burton, was a was a sort of “you do for me and I’ll Atkinson also said agenda groups Last Monday evening, the Plaza pick that allowed Truman to reach do for you” appointment, consider- are creating problems by having an Branch Library hosted a forum out to the Republican Party, Atkin- ing Clark worked “feverishly” to get intense interest in who gets appoint- where Dr. David Atkinson, UMKC’s son said. Truman elected. ed. Curators’ Distinguished Teaching In 1946, Truman replaced Chief Another problem lies within the Professor of Political Science and Justice Harlan Fiske Stone with his “The process remains as Senate Judiciary Committee. It is Law, discussed the controversial ap- close friend and Treasury Secretary, highly partisan, formalized and ritu- pointments of Supreme Court Jus- Fred Vinson, after Fiske collapsed it was when Lincoln chose alistic, he said. tices. on the bench and died. Salmon Chase as Chief The committee offers little infor- The lecture, “Appointing the Atkinson said Truman felt Vin- mation to the public and the nomi- Supreme Court: From Truman to son was ideal due to his time spent Justice” nees are prepped before appearing in Obama,” focused on the appoint- in the House of Representatives and front of the committee. He also said ment process and what types of con- his tax expertise. Vinson was a key DR. DAVID ATKINSON the nominees are now less likely to siderations are made and the recent player in developing the Social Se- UMKC’s Curators’ Distinguished answer difficult or policy questions Teaching Professor of Political Science history of politicking involved in curity Act. as if they have no policy. nominations. Vinson entered into an uneasy He used the example of Marshall Atkinson has been a student of situation because the Court was di- saying the abortion issue was never the Court for more than 40 years and vided and Robert Jackson had been Yet, after Clark voted against discussed at Yale Law School. teaches several courses focusing on promised the Chief Justice position Truman’s decision to seize steel When discussing the current the Constitution as well as past and by Roosevelt before he died while in mills in the Youngstown case, Tru- Court, Atkinson said, “There can be present Supreme Court Justices and office. Jackson also believed Justices man commented, “Tom Clark was a number of appointments without their decisions. Photo KELLEY KATES Hugo Black and William Douglas my biggest mistake.” much change.” “The process remains as it was Dr. David Atkinson. were undermining him to Truman Atkinson quoted Truman regard- He said it is likely the five con- when Lincoln chose Salmon Chase Atkinson said political affiliation while he was in Nuremberg, Germa- ing his feelings on Clark, “It isn’t so trolling justices will stick around for as chief justice,” Atkinson said. will determine who the president ap- ny prosecuting Nazis. Atkinson said much that he’s a bad man, it’s just a while, but the Court is impacted This nomination exemplified points to the Court, but other factors the Court was quarrelsome during that he’s such a dumb s.o.b.” every time a new justice joins. how a president may choose a can- are also examined. Age, geography, Vinson’s reign. The last Truman appointment The popularity of the present didate based on their political issues. race, religion and sex are also fac- Lighting the room with a little was Sherman Minton, who rose Court is fairly high with a 67 percent Atkinson said Lincoln was con- tors. humor, Atkinson noted that Justice quickly to leadership in the Senate approval rating. cerned with two areas: slavery and President Lyndon B. Johnson Felix Frankfurter responded to the and campaigned for Truman and for It remains to be seen if Justice paper money. Chase’s ideals fit with appointed Thurgood Marshall, the death of Vinson by saying, “This is his investigative committee for de- Anthony Kennedy remains a swing Lincoln’s, yet Chase voted against first African-American Supreme the first indication I have had that fense activities. vote that generally concurs with the Legal Tender Act to Lincoln’s Court Justice and President Reagan there is a God.” Atkinson ended the discussion Chief Justice John Roberts. disappointment. appointed the first female Supreme Truman’s next appointment was by elaborating on some problems the [email protected] Foreign language students AMERICORPS PUTS SERVICE FIRST win big Melissa Cowan languages (students),” said Alice one in the state for foreign lan- Staff Writer Reckley, from the Foreign Lan- guage fairs.” Learning a foreign language guages Department. “That’s one Many of the students are cur- isn’t just doing book work and of the great things about this fair.” rently taking UMKC credit cours- practicing conversations. You’ve es in high school, Reckley said. got to have fun, too. Approximately 1,000 students The Foreign Language Fair was “You often think of the from 24 different high schools at- held at the University Center last football team getting tended the event. Tuesday. trophies, but not languages “(The fair) truly introduces stu- Missouri high school students dents to one of Kansas City’s best interested in German, French or (students). That’s one of kept secrets – UMKC,” said Lynne Spanish gathered at UMKC to the great things about this Clawson-Day, director of the na- compete in poetry, skits, music, fair.” tionally accredited UMKC High Photo ALEXIA STOUT-LANG dance and cultural jeopardy. School/College Program. “It’s a Service was the focus last Thursday as more than 1,000 Americorps There were song and dance great recruiting tool.” members convened in Kansas City for the annual Show-Me Conference. ALICE RECKLEY Clawson-Day explained the workshops and a German film Foreign Languages Department To kick off the conference, Americorps members gathered at Harvesters, workshop just for fun. Pierson Au- fair is a great opportunity to get located at 3801 Topping Ave., to volunteer time preparing food to be sent out ditorium held individual art entries students familiar with UMKC and to hungry families in the area. for students to vote by secret bal- Second and third place winners to become eligible for scholar- Among the volunteers were a number of UMKC students. lot. received UMKC gear from the ships. Corps members bagged apples and cereal and sorted food. First place winners received a bookstore. And everyone received “Besides that, it’s a lot of fun,” Americorps is a national organization devoted to service. The organiza- trophy. a free t-shirt. she said. “And this is about them – tion has more than 550,000 members scattered across the 50 states. “You often think of the foot- “(This fair) has a great reputa- it’s about the students.” — Alexia Stout-Lang ball team getting trophies, but not tion,” Reckley said. “It is number [email protected] Get turned on ... Follow us on Become a fan on Visit Twitter! Facebook! www.unews.com @UNewsScoop to the U-News! 3 News www.unews.com October 12, 2009 Exhibit teaches peace of mind Melissa Cowan “This is what it takes, step by step.” Staff Writer Hawkins and LaClaire displayed the exhibit It’s never too late to make a change. And it at three other colleges in the area before pro- starts with individuals. moting peace at UMKC. The exhibit is shown That is the philosophy of Dorothy Hawkins all over the world. and Jude LaClaire, members of the Soka Gak- “Violence is such an issue in our world to- kai International (SGI) network, a Buddhist day, not just in Kansas City,” Hawkins said. organization that promotes peace. “What I really like about this exhibit is that it Hawkins is also a student assistant for the addresses the issues we’re already aware of. Center for Full Employment and Price Sta- But it also addresses the solutions.” bility in the UMKC Economics Department. The exhibit is divided into four sections and LaClaire is a former UMKC student. 36 panels. SGI’s internationally acclaimed peace ex- The panels encourage human security, in- hibit, “From a Culture of Violence to a Culture form of the impact of nuclear weapons, rec- of Peace: Transforming the Human Spirit,” was ognize those who are working toward peace, displayed at the University Center last week. explore future concerns and give solutions to The event was co-sponsored by the UMKC change perspective. Black Studies Department. “Changing our worldview” is done by in- “Events like this raise awareness – I think terconnecting and having dialogue, education, that’s where you have to start,” Hawkins said. courage, engagement and hope about achiev- ing peace, according to the exhibit. “Poverty, sexism, racism … those are all acts of passive violence.”

JUDE LACLAIRE Member, Soka Gakkai International network

Hawkins believes peace starts with one per- son. When people find happiness within them- selves, their positive energy radiates to others Photo MELISSA COWAN around them, she said. The peace exhibit features startling images of violence. “[And] people who are satisfied with them- selves are not as likely to commit acts of vio- right steps toward promoting peace by reaching “I believe that because I very much believe lence,” Hawkins said. “War starts in the mind so out to understand one another, but “the political in young people,” Hawkins said. “We have peace can also start in the mind.” mess” is the problem. very bright young people we don’t hear a lot LaClaire recalled the philosophy of Arun “When we give our power away to money or about who are doing some phenomenal kinds Gandhi, the grandson of Mahatma Gandhi, politicians or whatever, then we feel powerless,” of things, (but) don’t get into the mainstream about passive violence. LaClaire said. “And we lose hope.” media.” “Poverty, sexism, racism … those are all acts But not all hope is lost. For more information, visit the SGI Web site, of passive violence,” LaClaire said. “Passive vi- “It’s never too far gone,” Hawkins said. www.sgi-usa.org. olence really is a precursor to active violence.” “This [presidential] election … just the thought The exhibit is available online under “Ex- The exhibit displays powerful images as ex- of hope sparked a movement.” hibitions and Resources” from the “News and Photo MELISSA COWAN amples of this violence. Hawkins agreed we are moving in the right Events” tab. The Black Studies Department sponsored the peace exhibit. LaClaire believes the nation is taking the direction. [email protected]

HOPE for the future Alexia Stout-Lang led by artists to support peace and nization and asked if he could bring He has also spoken with some of News Editor education for everyone in the world. the campaign to UMKC. his musical friends about holding a Changing the world could be a It began as an effort to reach out to HOPE enthusiastically said yes, charity concert. matter of one simple word – HOPE. those suffering in Darfur but expand- making the HOPE student organi- “This is something people don’t Spencer Carlson, a Biological Sci- ed to include other parts of the world. zation at UMKC the first college say no to really,” Carlson said. “I ences student, founded the Helping “It really caught me by surprise, chapter. It became official when the mean you say peace and education Other People Everywhere (HOPE) how cool it is and how it intrigued Student Government Association ap- and everybody is all about it.” student organization at UMKC with me,” Carlson said. proved the organization last Tuesday. Carlson said the HOPE Campaign that conviction. Basically, painters, photogra- Now, Carlson is ready to get to has opened his eyes to the difference Carlson said the group’s mission is phers, videographers and so on create work. He has big plans for HOPE. he can make. exactly what its name states. their art to bring awareness to issues “I get really excited about it be- “I am really starting to see what “It’s helping people everywhere, around the world. The art is then sold cause it is something I am really pas- one person can do to change the wherever you go, however you can,” to support providing aid to those in sionate about,” he said. world,” he said. “But if I had never he said. “It’s trying to be a better per- need. He is putting together a Web site seen that t-shirt, I never would have son and making the world a better In the same way, musicians, come- through UMKC and a Facebook page known.” place.” dians and others host benefit shows to to let students know what the group For Carlson, this is not something The idea to start a student group support HOPE. will be doing. He wants to get the he justs plans to do for a short time. It came a few months ago while Carl- “It’s really cool, it’s brand new word out so more students can join in has become a life passion. He wants son was shopping at The Buckle. He and it’s really hip,” Carlson said. “It’s the effort. to join the Peace Corp once he gradu- stumbled upon a shirt so captivating something that can really get the col- Carlson plans to sell the HOPE ates from UMKC. he bought it and wanted to know more lege kids really involved and inter- t-shirts and bags on campus to raise “You know you find that one thing about it. ested because it involves artists such money for the campaign. Other ideas you really love and this is it,” he said. He went online to www.hopecam- as DJs or people with interest in pho- up for consideration include an art For information about joining the paign.org and discovered the mean- tography.” auction, where campus and local art- HOPE student organization, contact ing behind the shirt. Seeing the impact HOPE was ists would be asked to donate their Carlson at [email protected]. Photo courtesy GOOGLE IMAGES The HOPE Campaign is an effort making, Carlson contacted the orga- creations to be sold to raise funds. [email protected] HOPE Campaign poster. 4 News October 12, 2009 www.unews.com Technology Day in the life: resident assistant to change Tyler Allen Assistant News Editor As a resident assistant (RA), classrooms you are sometimes seen as an au- Nila Hall thority figure to the friends you Staff Writer live with. UMKC is preparing to undergo sev- But the job definitely has its eral technological changes. perks. On Oct. 5, the Student Government “The best part about being an Association (SGA) held a meeting to dis- RA is you pretty much get paid to cuss these changes and what they would hang out,” Will Ross, RA at John- entail. son Hall, said. “You also get free Mary Lou Hines Fritts, vice provost room and board with a stipend.” for Academic Programs, gave an over- Ross admits it can be difficult view of what to expect. to enforce the rules with your One element is the implementation of friends. ILE (Ideal Learning Environment) class- “I think one of the toughest rooms. things about being an RA is you The rooms will contain projectors, have to kind of be the bad guy computers and other technology to en- sometimes,” he said. “If you see hance the learning experience. any residents drinking, of course “These types of classrooms allow an that’s against university policy, so instructor to present PowerPoint slides it’s never fun to discipline them. easily and show any kind of file that one The hard part is having to tell might have on a computer,” Hines Fritts your friends, ‘you can’t be doing said. this.’” The project to implement this trans- But the job is much more than formation started several years ago. just being an enforcer of the rules. However, about a year ago, UMKC As RA, Ross helps his residents made the decision to finish out all class- with any problems they may have, rooms with a capacity of 20 or more and whether it is related to school or make them ILE classrooms. life in general. Photo TYLER ALLEN Will Ross is a resident assistant at Johnson Hall. This process also involves bringing 62 “Being a resource for the res- or more classrooms online as ILE. The idents is a big part of the job,” current schedule is to have all 62 class- he said. “If someone is dealing RAs are also responsible for share of difficulties. “Just by being involved and rooms completed by next June. with financial issues or social planning three programs a month “I think one of the worst things hanging out with the residents,” “We also upgraded all of the current issues, we’re usually the first in their respective residence halls. that ever happened to me is hav- he said, “you already know ILE classrooms to be Tegrity capable, contacts. [We are encouraged This month, Ross is planning ing a flood,” Ross said. “That’s what’s going on, so sometimes which is a software package that allows to] build a community, empower an event for Coming Out Week, as the worst because it’s like, how you can confront your residents a faculty member to create a podcast/vod- the residents to become part of well as a pancake and study skills do you stop that? Three in the and say, ‘hey I see that you’re kind cast of their lecture to then post on their the community. A lot of people dinner. morning getting a call that there’s of struggling in this area, let me Blackboard site for students,” Hines Fritts think the RA is the leader. In Ross said events like these are a flood in the basement, that’s point you toward some resources said. some respects, yes. But we’re good opportunities for residents never fun.” on campus.’ It’s more proactive UMKC is also going to undergo an e- more of a resource to empower to mingle and get to know one Ross said the key to being an than waiting for a resident to mail conversion to Outlook Live this fall. the residents to become leaders another. RA is being there and reaching come to you with an issue.” “We are starting the pilot with a small and help them grow.” The job also brings its fair out to the residents. [email protected] group of students so we can make sure we have all the bugs worked out as much as possible,” Hines Fritts said. She anticipates all students will be moved over to Outlook Live by the end of the year. KANSAS CITY’S OWN RAGTIME MUSIC “This gives our students much greater by ALEXIA STOUT-LANG storage for their e-mail,” she said, “and ac- cess to things like blogs and photo storage which the current system does not have the capacity to provide.” “Original Rags” The University of Missouri system is also interested in creating more online classes. The idea is to allow classes to be UMKC houses 35,000 Special Collections depart- partially taught online, and another part to pieces of sheet music – some ment at the Miller Nichols be taught in class. by famous musicians and Library. One particular issue raised during the some by mostly unknown Other categories of sheet meeting was the print quotas at UMKC. artists. music in the library’s collec- The current quota allows for students to “Original Rags,” a piece tions include the WWI Sheet have 100 pages per week. in the Kansas City Sheet Music Collection, the WWII Some expressed dissatisfaction with the Music Collection, is a com- Sheet Music Collection, the current quota system. position by one of the most Sacred and Classical Sheet “Our print quotas are actually very gen- famous jazz musicians in the Music Collection and the erous,” Hines Fritts said. history of the musical genre, Pop A.M. Sheet Music Col- Later in the meeting, the idea for roll- Scott Joplin. lection. over quotas was introduced. If implement- Joplin was the founder of For more information ed, students could use their old quotas from the popular ragtime music. about the sheet musical the previous week to rollover to the next. “Original Rags” was compositions found at the Another idea was to allow for student originally published by Carl library, visit the LaBudde organizations to have their own print quo- Hoffman in Kansas City, Special Collections depart- tas. Mo. The copyright on this ment on the fourth floor of But there are no definite plans about piece of music is 1899. Chas the library or visit http:// implementing rollover quotas or quotas N. Daniels arranged the tune. library.umkc.edu/spec-col- for student organizations. This piece of music can digital-projects/sheet-music. At the end of the meeting, senators Treasures archived for discovery be found in the LaBudde [email protected] were informed the Accreditation Steering Committee announced an open forum for Photo courtesy LABUDDE SPECIAL COLLECTIONS students to be held Oct. 2-14. [email protected] 5 News www.unews.com October 12, 2009 Community addresses dropout rates

Nila Hall The last strategy was enhancing Staff Writer business involvement in school-to- The Kansas City, Mo. School work programs, in an effort to build District (KCMSD) is facing an epi- relationships between businesses demic of students dropping out of and schools. school. Iliakova said this forum was The Kansas City Dropout Pre- very important for creating change. vention Forum, held Oct. 5 in Pier- “Dropouts earn less, vote less, son Auditorium, was an effort to end up in jail more and experi- start a community-wide conver- ence lower quality of life than high sation about the high number of school graduates,” she said. students dropping out of area high This was an effort to find ways schools. the community can work together “When a student drops out of to implement the solutions brought school, they affect the entire com- forth by the Missouri School Im- munity,” said Maria Iliakova, a se- provement Program to keep stu- nior who helped organize the forum dents in school. and chair of the Kansas City Youth “The overall dropout rate is Commission. higher than 1/3 of all students, some The forum’s panel included a schools in the KCMSD have rates former dropout and at-risk students. over 50 percent,” Iliakova said. Event participants were able to Near the end of the forum, sev- give their input about five strategic eral speakers shared their personal plans formed by four focus groups stories of dealing with being a high that met prior to the forum. school dropout. After participants viewed “Van- It was emotional for some of the essa’s Story,” an Emmy nominated Photo KEVIN BRYCE speakers, as they expressed the im- documentary, they broke into ses- Small forums discuss steps to prevent dropouts. portance of staying in school. sions to determine specific commit- “What a young person serves to ments that could be made to effect by the focus group. was to find a way to let the com- rental and community part of the gain by staying in, the neighborhood change. The first strategy was collabo- munity know what schools need equation. serves to gain in tax dollars and the During these sessions, members ration across boundaries in the from it. Thirdly, the focus groups indicat- participation of an active commu- were given a detailed packet that community. Another strategy introduced ed their needs to be more community nity member,” Iliakova noted. highlighted five strategies created The purpose of the strategy was placing more focus on the pa- support for the value of education. [email protected]

Repower America Sierra Club talks water Kelley Kates tem of classified and non-classified. Staff Writer The Sierra Club has teamed up with powers Kansas City In a push for full protection of all of Mis- Ozark Fly Fishers and the Missouri Coalition souri waters, not just artificially titled ones, for the Environment to fight for protection of Kelley Kates where to go to get the movement going for- the Sierra Club has joined forces with other all United States waters regardless of classi- Staff Writer ward,” he said. organizations to advocate for change. fication. Opening a new office in Kansas City, Re- The opening of the new office was en- The Sierra Club held its monthly meeting “The problem with getting rid of the clas- power America hopes to attract grass roots couraging. More than 55 people from all last Tuesday night at the Discovery Center. sified and unclassified system is that it will campaigners for their cause. walks of life, from environmentalists to The discussion was led by Ken Midkiff, the add a lot more streams that MDNR will have Repower America, an organization fo- union workers to college students, attended chair of Water Sentinel’s Missouri Clean Wa- to keep up with,” Midkiff said. “Right now, cused on climate change objectives, opened the opening ceremony. ter Campaign. there are about 1,200.” a new office at 5516 Troost Ave. Midkiff’s presentation, “Where we are, Other areas such as scenic waterways, Centrally located near UMKC and Rock- and where we should be,” focused on describ- karst topography and caves also need greater hurst, Andy LaVigne, representative for Re- “Students are the driving force, ing the water quality of varying streams/riv- protection than the federal law or the Envi- power America, said they hope to attract a there’s a lot of energy coming off ers in Missouri and the possibilities for these ronmental Protection Agency (EPA) offers, lot of students. the campuses. We wanted to be streams/rivers to be clean if Missouri’s clas- according to Midkiff. “Students are the driving force,” he said. sification system is changed. He said MDNR is responsible for the Nat- “There’s a lot of energy coming off the cam- close in with them.” Missouri currently categorizes streams as ural Pollution Discharge System which in- puses. We wanted to be close in with them.” “unclassified” and “classified.” If a stream volves the issuance of permits to protect the LaVigne said the campaign for climate ANDY LAVIGNE holds the status of “unclassified,” as Brush water, but they don’t do such a good job with change legislation was started by former Representative for Repower America Creek does, Missouri deems the water as the monitoring and enforcement part. Vice President Al Gore. having no beneficial and designated use. He said maybe the responsibility should Once the scientific consensus formed a Therefore, the stream will have no regula- be given to the EPA because it is the agency mostly universal view that climate change is “Students are really taking the lead a lot tion or numeric criteria assigned for the water that gives money to Missouri for the dis- happening, they realized the need for a na- on this issue,” he said. “They want to get past quality. charge system. tional field campaign. the political bickering and onto solutions.” This leaves the consequence of having no Although, Midkiff said he is not sure if Repower America developed from that LaVigne said anyone interested in volun- standards for pollutants, bacteria and toxins. EPA would be any better or worse. need and is now campaigning for the issue teering may visit the office. “It won’t come under scrutiny by Missouri He said the goal of the Clean Water Act in 22 states. Volunteers will be canvassing for Senator Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) is to make Missouri’s regulations at least as LaVigne said Repower America came to Claire McCaskill to support the issue and to unless there is sight and smell complaints,” strict as the federal and EPA regulations. Missouri because it is a swing state. There- address climate change. Midkiff said. “There are other urban streams And if the classified and unclassified sys- fore, politicians are more likely to listen to LaVigne said Missouri has shown its sup- across Missouri that are also unclassi- tem is done away with, more waters will be their constituents’ needs. port with a statewide vote of 67 percent in fied, large streams.” classified as impaired, meaning those issues LaVigne said their campaigning is grass favor of Proposition C (Renewable Energy He also said there are classified streams in would have to be addressed. roots. Their staff gets out and attends town Standards) and said it will take that kind of the state such as the Current and the Big Piney. This is exactly what Midkiff and the Si- hall meetings, they meet with people at support for Missouri senators to listen. Midkiff noted the challenge is to ensure erra Club would like to see happen. events all over the state and write letters to He noted students in Missouri have a all waters are protected and there is not a sys- [email protected] senators. bigger voice than in a lot of other states and Kansas City has hosted several campaign should use it. He is hopeful with a new re- events and is the perfect place for Repower gion of support, McCaskill will listen and America to set up shop. the bill will get passed. V i s i t www.unews.com “We wanted supporters to have some- [email protected] 6 News October 12, 2009 www.unews.com briefly mentioned by TYLER ALLEN Police Blotter by ALEXIA STOUT-LANG

Oct. 2 11:04 a.m. Injury – UMKC signs dual agreement with MCC A student tripped over a curb at 3:33 p.m. Burglary – 51st Street and Troost Avenue A student returned to his room and struck her face on the side- University officials signed a dual admis- Each semester, UMKC academic advisors walk. She refused treatment. sion agreement with Metropolitan Communi- will review MCC student transcripts to evalu- in Oak Street Residence Hall to ty College (MCC) that will provide students a ate how credits may transfer.

C a m pu s find his property missing. smooth transition to UMKC. Dual admission students can utilize several 12:25 p.m. Vehicular Accident – The agreement allows MCC students to UMKC programs and services, suck as Career A driver backing out of a spot in easily transfer credits to UMKC. Services and Multicultural Student Affairs. Oct. 4 the University Center parking “This agreement is a great partnership be- They can also participate in intramural lot struck another vehicle. tween the two largest educational institutions sports through UMKC. 1:31 a.m. Illness – in Kansas City,” MCC Chancellor Jackie Sny- “This agreement will help MCC students as A student living in Oak Street Oct. 7 der said in a press release. “We’re pleased to they transfer to earn their bachelor’s degrees,” Residence Hall was ill and transported to the hospital. give our students this opportunity to more Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs and En- Injury – easily continue their education.” rollment Management Mel Tyler said in a press 11:04 p.m. A student tripped in a pothole in MCC students can complete an online release. Oct. 5 form indicating their plans to transfer to For more information, visit www.umkc.edu/ the Administrative Center park- UMKC. admissions/dap/. ing lot and twisted his ankle. He 9:10 a.m. Information – refused medical treatment. Officers responded to reports of an unruly patient at the School 10:34 p.m. Robbery – National contest accepts college students’’ economic ideas of Dentistry. A student was approached by three African American males The Peter G. Peterson Foundation (PGPF) PGPF and Mobilize.org will award grants 9:33 a.m. Assist Other Agency – in the Bloch School parking lot. has teamed with Mobilize.org to host “Democ- totaling up to $25,000 for projects and propos- A student returned to his ve- One was armed with a handgun. racy 2.0: Exploring the Millennial Genera- als that receive the most votes. Funded ideas hicle parked at 50th and Cherry He demanded money and took tion’s Return on Investment,” its first national will receive 12 months support from Mobilize. streets to find a broken window the student’s backpack. youth summit, Nov. 18-20 in Chicago, Ill. org. and property missing. PGPF and Mobilize.org are inviting Ameri- The summit will focus on exploring the Oct. 8 cans between the ages of 18 and 34 with so- barriers preventing today’s younger generation Oct. 6 lutions for improving the economic health of from achieving financial health and develop- 11:35 p.m. Vehicular Accident – their generation to submit their ideas via an ing the action plans necessary to begin setting 8:32 a.m. Illness – A vehicle was waiting to make a online application at www.mobilize.org. Sub- an agenda for millennial-led economic reform A staff member at 4825 Troost right turn at 51st and Oak streets missions will be accepted until Oct. 17. in the United States. Ave. was ill and transported to and was struck from behind by “The Peterson Foundation and Mobilize. “Mobilize.org is a millennial-built, millen- the hospital. another. org recognize that young Americans must be- nial-led organization that understands that the come more active in protecting their economic economic well-being of this generation is the futures,” Dave Walker, President and CEO key to our success, both today and tomorrow,” Campus Crimes as of Oct. 9 of PGPF, said. “They represent a significant Maya Enista, CEO of Mobilize.org, said. “It’s CRIMES 2008 YTD 2009 YTD group in America, but are too often ignored not enough for us to identify our most pressing BURGLARY* 16 20 because of more organized and vocal constitu- individual issues, we must take the lead and encies. We are providing support for various work collaboratively to propose solutions and ROBBERY 1 3 tools, resources, and forums necessary to en- then obtain the resources needed to implement MOTOR VEHICLE THEFT* 4 3 able today’s millennial leaders to work col- and institutionalize those solutions. We be- LARCENY 112 94 laboratively and develop solutions to the fiscal lieve this Youth Summit will be a key catalyst AGGRAVATED ASSAULT 1 0 and selected other economic challenges facing in this process.” our nation and their generation.” Prominent young leaders and youth-fo- COMMON ASSAULT 4 7 Those who would like to attend the summit cused organizations will be there to share best FORCIBLE SEX OFFENSES 0 2 as a participant may go to www.mobilize.org practices, talk about the work they are current- DRUG LAW VIOLATIONS 8 3 and apply for an invitation. ly doing and learn from one another. * MOTOR VEHICLE THEFTS AND BURGLARIES INCLUDE ATTEMPTS Readers break world record Alexia Stout-Lang inner city preschoolers to get them viewers across the country. News Editor ready to enter school, organized Laurentiis even whipped up some events at libraries across the city. special treats in honor of the book, People across the world joined The event kicked off nationally including Very Hungry Caterpillar together last Thursday to break a re- on NBC’s “Today Show,” hosted by Sugar Cookies and Baked Macaroni cord one word at a time. Matt Lauer and Meredith Vierra. and Cheese Cupcakes. Oct. 8 was Jumpstart’s annual Munita said this campaign has a Read for the Record event. This “We are setting our sights very important purpose. year’s book was “The Very Hungry on reaching one million “Jumpstart’s Read for the Record Caterpillar.” readers worldwide in this highlights the importance of early The goal was to beat last year’s annual celebration of literacy to raise awareness about the record of 688,000 people reading the reading, service and fun, importance of reading with young same book all across the world by fa- all to support Jumpstart’s children to ensure they learn crucial cilitating the largest shared reading early language and literacy skills to experience ever. work with America’s preschool children!” succeed in school and in life,” she “We are setting our sights on said. reaching one million readers world- A special edition of the children’s wide in this annual celebration of SILVINA MUNITA Site Manager for Jumpstart Kansas City classic has been available at Wal- reading, service and fun, all to sup- Mart and online at www.readforther- port Jumpstart’s work with Ameri- ecord.org/books since the summer. ca’s preschool children!” said Silvina All proceeds from the sales of the Munita, site manager for Jumpstart Jumpstart spokesperson Mary- special editions go to help support Kansas City. Louise Parker, The Food Network’s the mission of Jumpstart. Jumpstart Kansas City, which is Giada de Laurentiis and Eric Carle, Last year, the Read for the Record Photo GOOGLE IMAGES “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” was this year’s Read for the Record book. comprised of UMKC and Rockhurst author of this year’s official cam- campaign raised nearly $2 million. students who work one-on-one with paign book, read the book to the [email protected] 7 www.unews.com Culture October 12, 2009 The Used shows off their Artwork Hilary Saskin amazing writer … amazing.” still seemed to move in fast-forward. Culture Editor And McCracken’s writing abili- Before they knew it, their version of “ his could be my ties go beyond his lyrics. Allman the song was featured in the second chance to break out.” described him as “an incredible Transformers movie. Those lyrics could poet and writer,” even from back “When we were done, we were not have been more when he was in school. approached by the transforms peo- accurate for The Working with Warner Brothers ple – that’s what my mom says, Used. Coming from “The Taste of Publicity (WB) has also had its ben- ‘transforms’,” Allman said. “We T efits for the band, allowing them the also had a song in the first [Trans- Ink,” a single off their self-titled de- but album, the line foreshadows the opportunity to have one of their re- formers film], so it just worked out.” band’s success. corded songs in a feature film. As for their own music, their lat- Now, seven years and four full- “Warner Brothers was releasing est record, Artwork, was released in length albums later, The Used is a cover album, celebrating 50 years August of this year. thrilled with where they are. of their catalog of artists,” Allman The band is extremely pleased “We’re just having more fun now said. “They wanted us to be a part with not only the effort they put in than we ever have,” Quinn Allman, of it.” to it, but also the final product they guitar player for The Used, said. received from their hard work. The The Used is made up of Bert “We’ve changed as people record truly is artwork. McCracken (lead vocals/piano/key- and as artists. We’ve kind “I think the newest one is my board), Jeph Howard (bass/backing of learned to see the favorite,” Allman said. “I think it vocals), Dan Whitesides (drums/ bigger picture.” reflects a lot more of a full collabo- percussion) and Allman. ration with the band. It’s a lot more The Used has only changed for QUINN ALLMAN of a sincere effort on everybody’s the better since the release of their Guitarist for The Used part.” first album. After getting “kicked around” “We’ve changed as people and as by their management for a long artists,” Allman said. “We’ve kind After choosing from a short list time, they finally fired them and de- of learned to see the bigger picture. of available songs provided by WB, cided to produce their own album, And the songwriting, I think, has the band used some of their leftover Allman said. This album reflects a gotten a lot more fun and a lot more studio time in San Diego to work on lot of those trials and tribulations. of a craft.” recording something. It’s also their first album with While they have always had their Once they got to work, it all Whitesides, who helped write and own sound, Allman believes their came together smoothly. The final record some of The Life of the Liars. years of experience have taught result was a unique rock version of “We’ve been around the world them to fine-tune it. “Burning Down the House.” probably fives times now (with And, contrary to the seemingly “We literally did it in like four or Dan),” Allman said. “He will al- five hours,” Allman said about re- ways be the new guy, but it’s been Photo courtesy WARNER BROS. PUBLICITY popular belief, this Utah-based rock The Used will be in Kansas City Oct. 13. band does not use much outside help cording their song. “We just wrote like several years.” when it comes to their music. the structure down how we liked Currently on tour for Artwork, There are “misconceptions” the it and kind of talked about what The Used will stop in Kansas City For a child who grew up sitting has been a musician – a drummer – band uses co-writers in the studio, we liked. And the song just kind Oct. 13 at the Beaumont Club. on his dad’s lap playing the drums, all his life, a good one too, a great but Allman said this isn’t true. of came together real quickly. We With multiple world tours under it’s no surprise Allman has made it musician and music connoisseur. “Bert writes every lyric,” he didn’t really try too hard – maybe his belt, Allman is now fulfilling a to where he is today. So it was something I guess I was said. “Sometimes we pitch in with that’s why it came out so cool.” childhood dream. He always wanted “Being in a band just seemed maybe born to do.” suggestions and stuff. But Bert’s an After finishing the track, things to be in a band. like a cool thing,” he said. “My dad [email protected]

Concert celebrates jazz album anniversary Melissa Cowan a lot of good music.” But when he went to buy drums, Staff Writer One of his friends was a drummer. he still didn’t have enough. “I had some jazz records,” Cobb Since he had a job, however, the Released 50 years ago, Miles Da- said. “We used to sit around and listen salesman made a deal with him. vis’ Kind of Blue is the greatest sell- to them. And we used to play along “(The salesman) said, ‘You seem ing jazz album of all time. with them with our fingers on the side like you really want to do this,’” Cobb And the only surviving original of the table. … It was the beginning said. member of the band, Jimmy Cobb, of be-bop.” So he let Cobb make weekly pay- and his “So What” Band are celebrat- Cobb was inspired by a variety ments. But he had no idea the favor ing the milestone with a world tour. of musicians, including Max Roach, he had done, not just for Cobb, but for They will play on Oct. 17 at the Kenny Clarke, Charlie Parker and, of jazz music as a whole. Gem Theater in Kansas City as part course, Davis, just to name a few. At the time, Cobb said there was of the 13th annual American Jazz When he decided he wanted to no jazz radio station in his neighbor- Museum’s “Jammin’ at the Gem” learn how to really play, it wasn’t a hood. concert series. simple feat. “I used to listen to a jazz station “This was a time when music was Cobb was raised by his single that came in from New York,” he said. changing,” said Cobb, of when the al- mother. She didn’t have the money to The station played jazz from mid- bum was made. “It was a lot of show buy him a drum set. night to 6 a.m. And Cobb stayed up tunes and chord changes – this album “So, I had to get a job,” Cobb said. all night to hear it. was completely different from that. He worked multiple jobs to save “Then I tried to get up and go to … Something magical was happen- up money, with the ultimate goal of school at 8 a.m. Most of the time that ing.” pursuing his dreams in music. didn’t happen,” he said with a laugh. The music on Kind of Blue has He worked in a pharmacy with his Cobb finally got his first real start fewer notes and chords. mother, as a bus boy and as a dish- playing in Washington. Photo GOOGLE IMAGES “It’s harder to improvise off of that washer. At 21, he began traveling and Jimmy Cobb was born to play the drums. little bit of material,” Cobb said. “But “Back in those days, pharmacies played with various musicians, in- the guys Miles had in the band could had counters where you could get cluding Billie Holiday. to Kansas City. Blue 50th Anniversary, call 816-474- handle it.” ice cream sundaes and all that stuff,” “Music was the best thing to hap- “I always like Kansas City,” Cobb 6262 or visit www.ticketmaster.com. Cobb started playing drums when Cobb said. pen to me,” Cobb said. said. “I’m always interested in going Tickets are also available at the he was 15 years old. Growing up in Eventually, he saved up some He has played all over the world, there.” door. Washington, he said he “used to hear money. but he looks forward to coming back To purchase tickets to the Kind of [email protected] 8 Culture October 12, 2009 www.unews.com concert review by JACOB BREWER Manchester Orchestra in the indie rock world in the near future. Manchester Orchestra took the stage & Brand New next. To say they melted people’s faces off It’s difficult to describe the feeling of see- with their intensity would be an under- ing your favorite band live for the first time. statement. Many words come to mind – incredible, Andy Hull, lead singer and one of intense and spectacular (just to name a few). Manchester Orchestra’s guitar players, All of those words describe the Brand instantly commanded audience attention New and Manchester Orchestra concert with eerie guitar tones and his vocal range. last week at the Uptown Theatre. After opening with the slower track, The beautiful, unique venue hosted a “Pride,” they moved straight into “Shake three-hour onslaught of pure rock music. It Out” to get the crowd moving. Waiting in the line wrapped around Songs such as the radio single “I’ve the outside of the building, you could feel Got Friends” kept the set list moving flu- the anticipation of the excitement about to idly. Fittingly, they ended their set with the come. These people had come to rock out. song “Party’s Over/The Only One.” It was The first band, Sybris, came on with the end to their 30-minute party filled with powerful rock instrumentals and a very emotion, intensity and overall fun. talented female vocalist. This band is going places and I would This was the first time I heard the band be shocked if they don’t have their own and I was very impressed by their level of Photo courtesy JOSH HAMMOND headlining tour soon. musicianship. The anticipation building before Brand Jesse Lacey of Brand New. This is not the last we will hear from New was thick enough you could have cut this band, and I expect them to move up first album, Your Favorite Weapon. it with a knife. This marked the next transition in the It was my first time seeing them in con- show. The backdrops came on and they cert. I was both nervous and excited. began to play songs off their most recent The whole day I felt like a kid on record, Daisy. Christmas Eve – you know something big is coming, but you don’t quite know what It was very appropriate how they to expect. marked the shift because it showed how dif- When the lights went out, the crowd ferent the band is from their early days. immediately went into a frenzy and people The songs off Daisy are very emotional began to push forward in anticipation, they and dark and really captured the crowd. knew they were about to experience some- The most emotional song of the night, thing truly incredible. however, was “Jesus Christ.” off The Devil From the first note of “You Won’t and God are Raging Inside of Me. It is ex- Know,” the show was intense. tremely powerful and has a lot of meaning. Frontman Jesse Lacey’s vocals were To wrap up their set, they performed truly powerful and mesmerizing. And “Play Crack the Sky,” and Hull of Manches- even though he was sick, you could not tell ter Orchestra joined them on stage. it was affecting him in any way. It was a great ending to an incredible The next few songs switched between show. their albums The Devil and God and Deja I highly recommend listening to all of Entendu. these artists and catching a show if possible. Photo courtesy JOSH HAMMOND A pleasant surprise was thrown in when A+ Andy Hull of Manchester Orchestra. they played “No Seatbelt Song” off their [email protected]

Gabrielle Tee – Try Me Play it by Ear by MELISSA COWAN Gabrielle Tee, a senior at the UMKC ite lines from the album: “You have me Conservatory of Music and Dance, re- from every angle.” leased her debut album, Try Me, last “Letters to the Next” is another vul- week. And based on this album alone, nerable track. Tee has nothing to hide 21-year-old Tee is bound to have a suc- behind except a simple, quiet guitar. cessful music career ahead of her. But she holds nothing back as she sings The first track, “Chasing Tails,” to the girl who will take her place with provides a strong opening for the al- her former boyfriend. bum. It’s no surprise Tee feels “personal- The structure is complex with a lot ly moved” when she performs this song of timing changes, but the different – recalling such details of a person only sounds flow nicely together. Each part comes from closeness.

is equally catchy and upbeat. Photo courtesy RICHARD JOHNSON But the album ends on a high note. There’s an obvious Ben Folds “Emily Dickinson” is a genuinely influence in the chorus. But it fun track, complete with hand-claps wouldn’t be fair to limit Tee to a par- But not all of her songs are as sweet and quick-witted lyrics: “I could make ticular sound – she switches it up often as “Try Me.” you promises/But I probably wouldn’t throughout the entire album. Her blues and jazz influence really keep a single one/So instead, I’ll stay The title track, which comes next, is comes through in tracks like “Letting in on a Friday night/And write a simple beautiful in its simplicity. Me Go,” “Disconnected” and “In the little song/Dadada …” Tee has a soft, honey-like voice to Morning.” The best part of Tee’s music is her accompany the predominately piano- You can imagine watching (and willingness to be open and honest with led track (I can see why she’s been listening to) Tee sing in a dark, smoky every emotion. With each track, you compared to Regina Spektor – minus lounge. get to know her more personally. And the accent). She definitely has some sass – and each song is easily relatable. And she’s brilliant with effortless she’s not afraid to show it. Try Me is beyond impressive. lyrics that read like a private love let- “You Have Me” is similar to the title And if you don’t give Tee a try, Subscribe @ ter: “You must be dizzy/I’ve run you track as far as the voice and piano base. you’ll be missing out. in circles/But when you find your But it has a more vulnerable sound. It A www.unews.com balance/I think I’d be worth it.” also contains one of my personal favor- [email protected] 9 Culture www.unews.com October 12, 2009 Theatre department delivers a killer performance

David Jordan I wanted to punch the guy (Killer Joe) in the Staff Writer face,” Elizabeth Place said. “But I think it’s an Brilliant, bone-chilling and back-breaking amazing play honestly. I just wanted to smack are the words that came to mind after seeing [Killer Joe]. If I see that guy I might slap him, “Killer Joe,” a play presented by the UMKC I’m not joking!” Theatre Department. Gehlfuss said getting into character was dif- The UMKC Theatre Department truly ficult for him, because of his personal values. shocked its fans with this roller coaster of a “First of all, I had to let go of a lot of my dark-comedy thriller. morals because this man is very immoral and it The subject lines involve sex, murder, was a good challenge for me,” he said. “I didn’t drugs, deceit, lies, nudity and unbearable pain. want to soften this guy at all … I loved the ug- “It’s really well acted; good scene work, liness of it all, I loved how ugly it was, it was just intense, it’s like a roller coaster ride re- very relevant and I wanted to make sure that I ally,” said Grant Pewitt, a fan of the UMKC gave that to the audience.” Theatre Department. “I’m glad I came.” Several scenes had extreme sexual content The play was written by Tracey Letts, di- and nudity that was hard to watch, but the cast rected by Theodore Swetz and produced by gave the audience their all, and left nothing out. special arrangement with Samuel French, Inc. “It’s going to sound weird, but we had to “Killer Joe” is set in the 1990s in a trailer on find a sense of artistic fun in what we talked the outskirts of Dallas, Texas. about,” Gehlfuss said. “That is why a lot of that The Smith family is bizarre, dysfunctional stuff may have seemed effortless … or like and on the verge of lunacy. we’re so comfortable with it, because we found Chris Smith (Mark Thomas) gets into deep the fun and joy of how ugly it was.” debt and owes someone $6,000. Chris claimed Endsley had her own feelings about being his mother stole the cocaine he was going to Photo courtesy ZACHARY M. ANDREWS bare onstage. sell to pay the $6,000 back. Mark Thomas as Chris Smith and Kat Endsley as Dottie Smith. “Nudity on stage is something that I think With no cocaine or money Chris turns to has to be deserved,” she said. “And [in] this his father, Ansel (Jess Akin), for the money. but he promises to give him the money once his Tracey Letts is absolutely brilliant, he writes show, especially, I think it was 100 percent de- Once Ansel says he does not have any money, mother is dead. the most beautiful realistic plays … I’ve got to served. I don’t think that this story could have Chris is terrified. He fears for his life if he can’t Cooper is not naïve enough to fall for this do this show.” been told without it.” pay the money back soon. and he agrees to kill his mother and get the Gehlfuss gave a stellar performance as the The end of the play was twisted and I Chris comes up with an evil plan to kill his $25,000 later only if he can have Dottie as col- murdering lunatic who willingly destroys a walked out of the theater holding my stomach mother and collect her life insurance money. lateral until he gets his money, Chris and Ansel family. like I had just been on one of the best and scari- He believes the $50,000 will go to his little sis- agree. He was so good in the role evoked strong est roller coasters ever. ter Dottie (Kat Endsley). Endsley, a second year graduate student, emotions from the audience and even caused “Killer Joe” was a great and horrific way The man who Chris hires to kill his mother said her first reaction to reading “Killer Joe” some to want to physically hurt him after the to kick off this year’s UMKC Theatre produc- is Joe Cooper (Nicholas Alan Gehlfuss). was, “Holy Crap! How are we going to do this? show. tions and if you missed it then you missed out. Chris does not have $25,000 to pay Cooper, … It’s unlike anything I’ve ever read before. “Honestly that play just made me angry, [email protected]

KC Rep stands against hate crimes

Alexia Stout-Lang that it confronts change directly. News Editor “I hope it initiates conversation,” he said. “So we don’t ignore it. It needs to be discussed and under- Some events have the potential to change the mind- stood.” set of the world. The Rep company hopes the reading will go beyond The 1998 murder of Matthew Shepard, an openly simply being entertaining and have an impact on hate homosexual man, in Laramie, Wyo. is one of those crime legislation and the way the world deals with hate situations. crimes. Today, Oct. 12, the Kansas City Repertory The- “I think it has to,” Hatley said. “This play holds the atre is recognizing the 11th anniversary of his death power to change the way we see the world.” with a reading of “Laramie Project: 10 Years Later, an The reading is an international event, with the play Epilogue,” a follow-up to the acclaimed play and HBO being presented at more than 150 theatres in all 50 film “The Laramie Project,” which documented the re- states and eight other countries. action of citizens of Laramie after the murder. The Kansas City audience will be part of a pre- and Kyle Hatley, assistant artistic director at the Rep post-show simulcast message and discussion broadcast who is directing the reading of “Laramie,” said this live to all participating theaters. The simulcast, com- play had a vital impact on the way the world thinks ing from Lincoln Center’s Alice Tully Hall in New about hate crimes and change. York City, will be hosted by “The play they created led to Glenn Close and will feature a national dialogue,” Hatley said. Kaufman and Judy Shepard, “No play had done that at that Matthew Shepard’s mother. time.” Participants will be able to Written by Tectonic The- tweet questions during the local ater Project members Moisés performance and some of those Kaufman, Leigh Fondakowski, questions will be answered dur- Greg Pierotti, Andy Paris and ing the post-show simulcast. Stephen Belber, Hatley said this Admission to the perfor- play was developed out of hap- mance is free. penstance. However, a $15 donation When the team went to the is requested and reservations town of Laramie to follow up should be made by calling the on the story, they weren’t really Rep Box Office at 816-235- planning on writing a play. 2700. “There are moments in his- All proceeds from “The tory that act as a lightening rod,” Laramie Project: Ten Years Hatley said, “and this was one of LISTEN TO ALEXIA’S WEEKLY PODCAST, WIRETAP, AND CHRISTIAN’S WEEKLY PODCAST, Later” will go to the Kansas DATING 101 ONLINE ATWWW.UNEWS.COM/PODCASTS. them.” City Anti-Violence Project and Hatley said the most impor- SUBSCRIBE TO THE CAST AT Photo courtesy GOOGLE IMAGES UMKC’s Queer Alliance. tant aspect of this play is the fact . HTTP://FEEDS.FEEDBURNER.COM/UNEWSWIRETAP. The KC Rep presents Laramie Oct. 12 [email protected] 10 Culture October 12, 2009 www.unews.com Coming Out Day dating 101 celebrates diversity by Christian Rose

boy who was not fit to wipe my shoes. Remembering Scarlett I dragged my fat ass out of bed, got on It has been a slow week in the dating the treadmill, lost the weight and found department and I chalk it up to the ever- myself again. changing Missouri weather and the fact I It is important to know the weight was am quite certain I have contracted swine not the issue – you can weigh what you flu. will. But for me, it was the symptom of Scoff if you will, but lately I’ve had an how I felt inside. overwhelming urge to roll around in the After being with someone for so long, mud and root for truffles. Just when I thought all hope was lost it is awfully hard to be alone. and this week was going to go down in It is the most difficult thing for people history as being completely dateless, I to understand the difference between be- decided to have a date night with myself. ing inter-dependent versus co-dependent. This may seem a bit strange, but it has Inter-dependency is healthy. In that re- been common practice for me for years. lationship, you maintain yourself. You are After my ex left, I completely dis- wrapped up in someone without losing regarded all the wisdom taught by my who you are, thusly becoming an amalga- grandmother and went so far as to turn my mation of your best selves. back on my religion — I stopped watching On the other side of the barn, you have “Gone With the Wind.” co-dependency. And this is the habit most Even as I type, I hear you laugh. But people fall into. you must understand in the South, Scarlett In this relationship, you are so wrapped O’Hara is a saint. up in someone you both choke out who We do not learn just Ten Command- you are, and therefore become just a bad ments. According to any real Southerner, simulation of who you once were. there are 11. Promising myself I would never again Photo MELISSA COWAN The final one, mostly whispered in forget the principles taught to me by St. (Left to right) Daisy Bücket, Leslie Tribble and Yahaira Carrillo at the Human Rights Campaign table. the sanctuaries of backyard barbeques or Scarlett, I determined to adopt a new doc- over afternoon bridge, is this: “Remember trine, which I am now passing onto you. Scarlett and keep her holy.” Date yourself. Routinely and as often Melissa Cowan sexual orientation, you can be fired from your To foreigners (meaning those not for- as necessary, so you never forget you are Staff Writer job,” Tribble said. “And if you’re transgendered, tunate enough to have been born in one of infinitely more important that a poison- National Coming Out Day is a day to honor it’s even worse – they won’t even hire you.” the Southern regions of the U.S. — Texas ous partnership of we. diversity. The purpose of LGBTQIA at UMKC is to doesn’t count), the above statement may Get ready for the date by doing all Oct. 11 marked the seventh year it has been make the campus more inclusive. seem blasphemous and trite. But I assure those things you normally do to impress celebrated at UMKC. “If you happen to be gay or lesbian or queer, you this universal law can be applicable a stranger you are going out with for the The event was held in Pierson Auditorium in and if you’re not accepted, it could affect your even to Yankees. first time. the University Center. ability to connect to campus,” Greene said. O’Hara was the original feminist en- Take a long shower, do your hair and, Former NFL star Esera Tuaolo hosted the But National Coming Out Day was for the trepreneur. most importantly, turn off your phone. free event, which included musical performanc- entire Kansas City community, not just for those If she wanted something, she would Initially, it is the most awkward feeling es, food, a moon bounce and more. at UMKC. not let a little civil war, another woman or to request a table for one or sit in a dark “Nothing serious, no big things going on,” “Part of our mission is working with the anyone else’s silly societal rules keep her theater alone, but eventually it becomes David Greene said with a smile. “Just fun.” community,” Greene said. “We’re trying to re- from attaining it. empowering. Greene is the coordinator for the LGBTQIA new that and reach out to have that community A momentary lapse of faith kept me in After all, how do you expect someone (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer connection.” bed for months feeling sorry for myself to spend time with you when you can’t and Questioning, Intersex and Ally) Resource Tribble also stressed the importance of con- eating pie. Subsequently, not only did I spend time with yourself? Center at UMKC. Their of- nection to the community. lose my relationship, I gained a hundred As my most loyal readers and friends, fice is part of the Student “I think this whole thing pounds. I am quite confident that once you’re OK Life Office at the University “In some states around here, is very empowering for the You can’t escape your raising, so even- Center. gay community,” Tribble tually I did remember O’Hara and, even with being alone, you’re going to be OK just because you may be of a in a relationship … and I’ll be there from LGBTQIA at UMKC said. “You can be part of a more importantly, I remembered who I diverse cultural background community but not know time to time reminding you not to forget has participated in hosting was. National Coming Out Day or sexual orientation, you the parts of a community.” I was not that mealy mouthed ninny St. Scarlett. And she believes UMKC who cried in bed eating pastries over some [email protected] since their organization can be fired from your job.” formed in 2003. was a great place to host the “We try to provide re- LESLEY TRIBBLE event because of this. sources like books and Human Rights Campaign “UMKC is a diverse space for students who community,” Tribble said. identify (as LGBTQIA) or “There are a lot of profes- allies,” Greene said. “When sors who promote being we talk about taking care of our students, we who you are rather than what your sexual ori- have to take care of the entire (body of) stu- entation is.” dents.” Greene explained the event was particularly Various other organizations were at the important this year because it marked the 40th event, including the Kansas City Free Health anniversary of the Stonewall Riots, “when gay Clinic (also offering free HIV testing), One and lesbian people were fed up with having to Faith, One God and the Human Rights Cam- hide in the closet.” paign (HRC). The event was also the day before the 11th “(HRC) pushes the gay agenda,” said Lesley anniversary of Matthew Shepards’ death. Tribble from HRC in Kansas City. “Just making “He was a college student when he was mur- sure everyone is equal all around.” dered,” Greene said. “Everything we try to do is HRC also works to abolish “don’t ask, don’t to educate the students, the community, the fac- tell,” and improve Equal Employment Opportu- ulty and staff, so that we never have that Mat- nity laws. thew Shepard situation here … At the end of the “In some states around here, just because day, it’s about making people better citizens.” you may be of a diverse cultural background or [email protected] Follow us on Twitter! @UNewsScoop 11 Culture www.unews.com October 12, 2009 save the date Compiled by HILARY SASKIN

Center. Keynote speakers include Matt assessment) for fall 2009 first eight-week Monday, Oct. 12 Fox and Shari Hiller, hosts of HGTV’s session. Social Justice Lecture & Book Pro- “Room by Room.” Also speaking at the Last day to withdraw courses without gram: Michael Eric Dyson’s book, event is author and retailer Mary Carol assessment. “Come Hell or High Water: Hurricane Garrity. For more information, visit the Katrina and the Color of Disaster,” will Society of Decorating Professionals Web be read at 6 p.m. at Swinney Recreational site at www.thesdp.com. Mutemath: As part of their Fall 2009 Center. Following the reading will be a Armistice Tour, Mutemath will perform book signing with Dr. Dyson. Free and Wednesday, Oct. 14 in Kansas City with As Tall As Lions. open to the public. Doors open at 7 p.m., show begins at 8 Conservatory: The Conservatory Cello p.m. at the Beaumont Club. Tickets are Metalocalypse: Dethklok and Mastodon Ensemble performs at 7:30 p.m. at White $22, all ages. will take the stage at 6:30 p.m. at the Up- Recital Hall in the James C. Olson Per- town Theatre (3700 Broadway Blvd.). forming Arts Center (4949 Cherry St.). Tickets are $30. No tickets required. Saturday, Oct. 17 Soul of a People: Musicologist Andrew Tuesday, Oct. 13 Granade introduces two short documen- Hoots and Howls: Get ready for Hallow- taries scored by Kansas City composer Kings of Leon: On tour with special een with the Kansas City Zoo’s October Virgil Thomson. Event begins at 6:30 event, Hoots and Howls. From 10 a.m. to guest, White Lies, Kings of Leon will p.m. at the Plaza Branch Library (4801 take the stage at 8 p.m. (doors at 7 p.m.) at Main St.). 3 p.m. at the zoo, enjoy a haunted pirate the Sprint Center. Tickets are $43.50 and ship, spooky animal shows and more. can be purchased through Ticketmaster. Price included with regular zoo admis- Thursday, Oct. 15 sion. The Used: These rockers will be per- forming at 8 p.m. (doors at 7 p.m.) at the Relient K: Don’t miss Relient K in con- Beaumont Club. Opening bands include cert with Copeland and Barcelona. Show Sleepy Hollow: As part of a film series The Almost and Drive A. All ages, tick- begins at 7:30 p.m. (doors open at 7 p.m.) devoted to Tim Burton, a screening of ets $28. at the Beaumont Club. Tickets are $17.50, “Sleepy Hollow” will take place at 1:30 all ages. p.m. at the Central Library (14 W. 10th Conservatory: Don’t miss the 11 St.). O’Clock Jazz Band, taking the stage at Girl in a Coma: This Texas-based rock 7:30 p.m. at White Recital Hall in the band is coming to Kansas City with Black James C. Olson Performing Arts Center Gold, Mercury & The Plastic Bitches and Sunday, Oct. 18 (4949 Cherry St.). Performance is spon- The Afterparty. Doors open at 8 p.m., sored by the UMKC Conservatory of concert starts at 9 p.m. at the Riot Room Mumiy Troll: Russian Rock Czars, Mu- Music and Dance. Tickets are free for (4048 Broadway Blvd.). Tickets $8, must miy Troll, take the stage at 10 p.m. at The UMKC faculty, staff and students with be 21 and over. Record Bar (1020 Westport Road). Show UMKC or student ID. is 18 and over. Tickets are $12 in advance or $15 at the door. For additional show Society of Decorating Professionals: Friday, Oct. 16 information, visit www.therecordbar. The 4th Annual Conference will take com. place from Oct 13-16 at the Westin Crown Last day to drop graduate courses (with [email protected] movie review by KOLBY KRZYZANOWSKI

men running amok with megaphones unbiased as possible, I should mention Capitalism: A Love Story and caution tape, this movie is enter- both the good and the bad aspects of Love him or hate him, the in-your- taining all-around. this film. face director Michael Moore has done The more liberal-minded will most Because despite all the good parts, it again. likely enjoy this movie for its “under- there were still some negative ones. Whether or not you like overweight dog” feel along with its factual-yet-emo- I would like to see, as with all Moore tional approach to American capitalism. films, a little more “bi-partisanship.” As for those who lean toward the con- As a liberal, sometimes the lethal servative side (and enjoy being worked injection of liberalism he provides is up into a political rage) … you will also more than enough to send even me into like this movie. a “turtle-neck sweater, Chai tea latte, “Capitalism: A Love Story” is a very coffee shop dwelling pseudo-intelli- good film. gent” coma. It opens with a powerful montage and The cherry on top of the progressive glides into an emotionally charged mov- soy-based, dairy-free afternoon in the ie with a myriad of factual, and highly theater was the 10-minute montage of opinionated, information. Barack Obama’s road to presidency and Though one could say the numerous the hordes of crying fans. interviews with the victims of cruel, cut- And beside the fact that Obama is, throat capitalism are an unnecessary sob session in the middle of a collection of in fact, not the second coming of Christ facts, they must only be reminded it is and Moore is, in fact, sometimes sick- not a documentary – it is a movie. eningly left-leaning, I think all movies And movies are supposed to make (regardless of genre) should be narrated someone feel a strong emotion. by Morgan Freeman – but that’s just my One thing is for sure, Moore did his opinion. research. In my book, Moore falls somewhere Become a fan Yes, this movie was biased. between passionate genius and massive But it still got a lot of information tool (figuratively and literally). of the U-News out (at least enough to use to form an But he makes darn good movies. opinion of the issues at hand). This one gets a solid A-. on Facebook! Photo courtesy GOOGLE IMAGES However, to keep my opinion as [email protected] 12

Sports www.unews.com October 12, 2009 What to do at Swinney Rec Center

Photo KEVIN BRYCE Students work out on treadmills and stairclimbers at Swinney Rec.

John Pfortmiller Those requests are sometimes turned down “One way to accomplish that would be to post dent friendly hours of SRC. Staff Writer due to budget (e.g. a wrestling program), but online videos, for example yoga.” “My favorite thing is the variety of activi- winney Recreation Center (SRC) for the most part are accepted and integrated She expects videos and other online media ties offered like basketball, volleyball, track or seems like yet another gym, but into the list of services SRC offers. One such to be available in the near future, perhaps as machines,” senior Amy Sazama, lifeguard at those who work and work out idea, which was thought up by a UMKC stu- soon as the spring. SRC, said. “The new renovations make every- there find a broader experience. dent, was kickball. The driving force behind much of the thing really nice and convenient, too.” SRC offers the basics of any The idea was gladly accepted. service and helpfulness at SRC comes from Sazama’s responsibilities as a lifeguard institutionS like it. It has basketball courts, a Out of all the services and fitness programs UMKC students who work there. They are at SRC include guarding the pool, watching fitness center, treadmills, a swimming pool, offered at SRC, the fitness center is the most lifeguards, referees and assistants. swimmers and cleaning the deck and steam/ saunas, locker rooms and a track. The list goes visited area by students and faculty. It is com- “I’m just happy to be working around sauna rooms. on for pages, but what sets SRC apart is the prised of three areas, all designed for different staff and students who are flexible with their The Swinney Recreation Center has all quality of service. types of workouts. schedule,” Kristina Hicks, graduate assistant the things any person looking to get or stay “We do our best to provide exceptional ser- These areas include cardio, specialized who helps in the intramurals department with in shape wants. Cardio rooms, free weights, vice and try to get every student on this cam- equipment and free weights. Schultz, said. “Everyone makes this a fun intramural programs, steam/sauna rooms, a pus in to meet their fitness needs,” said Tom However, going to work out is sometimes place to work at.” swimming pool, basketball courts and squash Schultz, manager of Intramurals and Campus a luxury some people do not have, especially Hicks’ job is by no means an easy one. She courts, to name a few. Recreation. with busy schedules. has to coordinate schedules between intramu- What sets it apart is the service and attitude Schultz’s view, though, is not unique by any “One of our goals is to see how to bring ral teams made up of busy students, make sure of the staff. means —the whole staff agrees. more students to the facility that especially the schedule works out with referees and leave “We train pretty often in customer service This attitude toward helping students has includes extremely busy students, and parents enough time to get her school work done. qualities for patrons, which I think usually even gone as far as students suggesting pro- going back to school,” Marsha Pirtle, director Students always seem impressed with the helps,” Sazama said. grams to be added. of Recreational Services and Facilities, said. number of activities offered, as well as the stu- [email protected] McQuin’s heart is in the game

Melissa Oribhabor lete, she was not limited to only one Volleyball season is in the fall, so “[I plan on] getting a marketing Staff Writer sport. currently she is busy with practices job,” she said. “[I could] go to Europe Towering at 6 foot 2 inches, soph- “[I] played basketball until my and competitions, but also remains to go pro, but I’m not planning on it.” omore Christiana McQuin is making sophomore year, [but volleyball is] a active during the off season. She exer- Looking at McQuin, who is tall, a name for herself as a UMKC vol- lot more fun than basketball.” cises in the spring and summer to stay fit and beautiful, it is no surprise she leyball player. McQuin is a marketing major and in shape. But no amount of physical has been approached for modeling The 19-year-old is a middle hitter had her pick of universities when fitness can fool-proof an athlete from jobs, but her heart is with her sport for the volleyball team and has a very making a decision to go to college. injury. and she simply does not have the time impressive record for a college athlete She decided UMKC was the best fit “I tore my ACL when I was a ju- to consider a life in fashion. her age. for her in terms of athletics and aca- nior in high school,” McQuin said. “I A Kansas native, McQuin likes to She made the all-freshman team demics. was out for six months with surgery keep things simple. With no real pre- “I started getting letters from and recovery.” game ritual, she just likes to pump for conference last year and has the herself up by listening to Red Hot highest hitting percentage on her schools when I was a freshman,” Mc- Although she has recovered and is Chili Peppers and fixing her hair “as team. Quin said. “It’s something I always focused on sports, she does not have big as possible.” McQuin was a successful athlete wanted to do, play volleyball in col- any long-term plans to be a profes- For an opportunity to see McQuin in high school, as well. She started lege [and] I wanted a school with a lot sional athlete. and the rest of the UMKC volleyball playing volleyball in seventh grade of major options.” Photo MELISSA ORIBHABOR She admires professional sand team in action, their next game will and, although she received requests to She is currently attending on an Middle hitter Christina McQuin. volleyball player Kerri Walsh, who be on 7 p.m. Oct. 17 against Indiana play for off-season clubs, she turned athletic scholarship and is excelling was FIVB’s (Fédération Internatio- University – Purdue University In- dianapolis in Swinney Recreation them down. in her classes, as well as helping her best blocking team in conference, and nale de Volleyball) Most Outstanding Center. She chose to continue with volley- team rise to the top in their field. in the top 25 for defense in the coun- Player in 2007, but she has other goals [email protected] ball, but being a tall and gifted ath- The UMKC volleyball team is the try. for herself. 13 Sports www.unews.com October 12, 2009 Intramural flag football ends sports shorts by CASEY OSBURN Volleyball Friday night the Lady Kan- UMKC topped off the match, garoos beat Oral Roberts, 3-1 for and took the last set, 25-19. the first time since 1993. Leading the team was sopho- The Roos came out early and more Kelsey Knoche, with a total took the first set 25-18. of 13 kills, five assists and a team During the second set, the high 14 digs. Roos started in front, 11-3, but Senior Jamie Hagerman led the Golden Eagles came back the team in kills, with a team and won the set, 25-23. With the third tied at 8-8, high of 14. UMKC went on a 9-3 run and UMKC out-blocked Oral brought the score to 17-11. The Roberts 9-5 and finished with a Roos had a strong finish, 25-21. hitting percentage of .274.

Men’s Soccer Photo courtesy INTRAMURAL DEPARTMENT The Kangaroos traveled to during the 42nd minute thanks Students take to the gridiron for the intramural flag football playoffs. Denver last weekend and won to Manchester, England native 2-1. freshman Tom Black. Freshman David Sarabia Sarabia rebounded the last John Pfortmiller at the end. forfeit to Sloppy Cronkites by Lamb- made the game-winning goal in shot into the goal off the post, Staff Writer Before OT, the teams were tied, da Chi, making the official final the 79th minute of the game. from an attempted shot by ju- The intramural flag football play- 8-8. In the first OT, both teams only score 1-0. Tossin’ Bombs on Your Denver took a 1-0 lead by nior John Bayron Sosa. The offs took place Oct. 6, 7 and 11. scored an additional six points to tie Moms played Beta B and won 27-6. scoring in the 33rd minute but Roos take on the U.S. Air Force The tournament was set up so it up, 14-14. The B bracket championship the Roos came back to tie in Academy on Monday. winners of games on Oct. 6 and 7 Finally, at the end of the second game was Tossin’ Bombs on Your would move on to the games on Oct. OT, Chi Omega scored eight points Moms vs. Sloppy Cronkites. Tossin’ Women’s Soccer 11, which would decide the intramu- in response to Gamma’s seven. The Bombs won with a final score of 40- ral flag football champion. close, intense game ended, 22-21, in 0. Women’s soccer hosted IU- second goal of the season dur- The games on Oct. 6 started off Chi Omega’s favor. The A bracket started off with PUI on Thursday at Durwood ing the second half. with four men’s match ups and ended On Oct. 7, there were six men’s Bye Week forfeiting to Drill n’ Fill, Soccer Stadium and Recreation- The Leathernecks answered with the women’s game. games. The first were Drill and Fill making the final score 1-0. al Field. her to tie up the score. The men’s matches were Lambda vs. Beta A, and Shake n’ Bake vs. The following game was the The Roos were shutout, 3-0. During the 97th minute, Chi Alpha vs. The Taters, Balls Deep Beta B. Quashers vs. Rx Team. The Quash- Western Illinois ended the game Saturday night the Roos then 2-1. vs. The Perforators, Mechies vs. SAE Drill and Fill managed to beat ers won, 15-6. hosted Western Illinois and I and Oral Pleasure vs. Bye Week. Beta A with a final score of 13-12. Drill n’ Fill played The Perfora- The Kangaroos are now fought into overtime. 0-13-1 for the season and 0-4 in Lambda Chi Alpha won, 28-8, the Rx Team played next against Lolli- tors afterward and won 32-24, mov- Both teams remained score- pop Guild. ing on to the championship game. league play. Perforators won, 38-28, Bye Week less during the first half. won, 22-12, and Mechies won via for- Rx won, 28-16. Sloppy Cronkites The final game of the A bracket They host Southern Utah at 5 feit, 1-0. faced The Honor Code Violators and was Drill n’ Fill vs. the Quashers. Alyssa D’Edidio scored her p.m. on Friday Oct. 16. Even though there were more won 28-27 in a close match. Drill n’ Fill proved how much they men’s games, the women’s game won The Quashers finished the night wanted to win even after playing the close game award. up with a win against SAE II. The two tiring games. The final score The women’s game, pitted Gam- final score was 13-6. was 20-18. ma Alpha Lambda against Chi Ome- Oct. 11 was the final day of in- “We like the t-shirts more this ga. tramural flag football. There were year,” said Drill n’ Fill team member In lieu of having an A and B game, A and B brackets that played for the and third year dental student Tyler the teams decided on a single match. championship. Webb. “Hopefully we’ll be back next Sporting Events The match went into double In the B bracket, Beta B beat the year!” Mechies, 33-6. The next game was a [email protected] overtime (OT) and was close even Men’s Soccer Date Event Place Time 10/12 Air Force Colo. Springs, Colo. 3 p.m. 10/17 Oral Roberts Tulsa, Okla. 7 p.m. Wizards welome college students Women’s Soccer cess with other local universities and wish to bring the David Jordan 10/16 Southern Utah DSSRF 5 p.m. Staff Writer program to UMKC. UMKC students are teaming up with the Kansas City “We’re hoping that a lot of the students from UMKC Wizards personnel for College Night Oct. 17. come out,” Hanover said. “[We want] a lot of participa- The Wizards play the Seattle Sounders, and students tion from UMKC because it’s a fun event the people en- Volleyball who purchase tickets in advance can ride a UMKC bus to joy. You don’t have to worry about transportation – you 10/15 Western Illinois SRC 7 p.m. and from the game. just have to worry about having a good time. It’s the right 10/17 IUPUI SRC 7 p.m. Every student who participates in the event will be el- form of entertainment for the right price.” igible to win tickets to future Wizards games and jerseys. Hanover is working with both UMKC and Rockhurst Emily Hanover, account executive who works in Sales University for this event, and said it has been “fantastic” and Marketing for the Wizards, is in charge of the event. working with students. Men’s Tennis “I think as far as reaching out to the college and uni- “It’s all been great, positive feed back, a lot of interest 10/16-18 Arkansas Invitational Fayetteville, Ark. All Day versity type of demographic is important because they’re and we’re excited about having everybody out,” she said. the future fans,” Hanover said. “And so to reach the The Wizards really care about their presence in the younger generation is definitely a goal of ours. By do- community and seek to have a strong one. Fall Softball “Were in the community quite a bit,” Hanover said. ing that, reaching out to the local institutions around this 10/17 Alumni Game 120th & Wornall 1 p.m. area (Rockhurst, UMKC and KU), it’s important that we Another reason the Wizards are trying to reach out create a solid fan base there for us to be successful in the to college students is because they are trying to get them 10/18 Blue & Gold Game 120th & Wornall 11 a.m. future.” excited about the new 18,500-seat soccer stadium. Hanover was employed by the New York Red Bulls “It is incredibly exciting to have our own home and before coming the Wizards. that’s why it’s important to reach out to these kids now Cross Country The Red Bulls had college nights and Hanover and get them to become fans of the Wizards, especially 10/17 Chile Pepper Festival Fayetteville, Ark. All Day brought the program with her. as we push towards the new stadium,” she said. The Wizards have experienced a great amount of suc- [email protected] 14

Forum www.unews.com October 12, 2009 Losing my faith Alexia Stout-Lang they marched up and down streets with guns Other police action may include actual physi- the privacy of good citizens? Who decides it is News Editor and batons. cal removal, the use of riot control agents and/ OK to injure – assault – people who happen to Masquerade. The more I researched, the more I wanted or less lethal munitions which could cause risk be in the way? Definition according to Dictionary.com: to believe these things were only happening in of injury to those who remain.” Why am I watching footage of an American “ false outward show, façade, pretense; activ- other countries, or perhaps, they were instanc- What followed was what the stern voice citizen being beaten on a street in America by ity, existence, etc., under false pretenses; to go es from a long time ago. promised. those people who are charged with keeping us about under false pretenses or a false charac- But that’s not the case. Nordenberg later released a statement he safe? ter; assume the character of; give oneself out One of the most recent cases happened on called “The good, the bad, the ugly.” His state- Masquerade. to be.” Sept. 24, when the G20 Summit, a gathering of ment can be found at www.chancellor.pitt.edu/ We can’t let truth hide behind a mask any Generally speaking, I have always abided the top 20 financial leaders in the world, was news/2009-09-29.html. longer. Most officers are good people. Most of- by the rule of trusting just about everyone until held in Pittsburgh, Penn. He admitted things could have been han- ficers would be against invading privacy be- they give me a reason not to. Generally, a number of protesters show up dled better, but excused the officers because cause they don’t want it to happen to them. Despite the fact my job is to keep an eye at these meetings. It was no different this time. the innocent bystanders were intermingled But we can’t pretend we live in a perfect open for dishonesty, I always look for the best However, this summit was held near the with the violent protesters. country where all people have equal rights and in people. University of Pittsburgh at the Phipps Conser- The next case I looked at involved the New we are all unified in our efforts to protect those I believe in heroes, I believe the good guy vatory and Botanical Gardens. York Police Department (NYPD). rights. always wins, I believe in our As a result, innocent In December 2005, the New York Times Sometimes the lines between good and bad country. students were stuck in the uncovered cases of the NYPD conducting blur. So, this week, when I crossfire as police used surveillance of people protesting the Iraq war, The main problem we have is even good was faced with the earth- tear gas, batons and sound bicycle riders taking part in mass rallies and men sometimes do bad things when they are shattering truth that we can’t weapons to corral the pro- even mourners at a street brain washed into always fol- always trust those whom we testers on the city streets. vigil for a cyclist killed in Why am I watching footage lowing orders from the chain look to for protection, I did If you watch an accident. of command. Police and not want to believe it. the video posted at The Times reported vid- of an American citizen military are trained to follow In fact, I all but spit in www.youtube.com/ eos showing, “The officers being beaten on a street in directions. the eyes of the person who watch?v=etv8YEqaWgA, hoist protest signs. They But if they don’t ques- put the evidence in my you will see the horrible hold flowers with mourn- America by those people tion whether the orders are hands. scene unfold. ers. They ride in bicycle who are charged with the right thing to do, and just I put the information in Some students are scared events. At the vigil for the keeping us safe? blindly follow, it allows tyr- a drawer and left it for a few and bewildered. One man cyclist, an officer in biking anny to function. days, trying to ignore the can be heard explaining he gear wore a button that said, The Milgram experiment big, multicolored elephant was just hanging out at the ‘I am a shameless agitator.’ shows how easily people can in the room. Student Union. She also carried a camera and videotaped the be persuaded to harm others just because they Eventually, I took the It’s true that Pitt students roughly 15 people present.” are told to do so. More than 50 percent of all files out of the drawer and Stout’s Shouts were given some warning. How would these things be allowed to hap- people will deliver fatal shocks to a stranger scattered them across my Chancellor Mark Nor- pen? just because a guy in a white coat tells them to. desk. denberg cancelled some In 2003, New York Mayor Michael R. It’s a mad world and I would hate to be I spent hours pouring over videos and offi- classes and even closed buildings in prepara- Bloomberg convinced a federal judge to ex- caught in the crossfire. Even now, I wish I had cial documents and articles printed in the New tion for the meeting. But it was not enough. pand the Police Department’s authority to never seen this information. So much so, I put York Times and other major news organiza- A number of protesters who were damaging conduct investigations of political, social and the file away so I can look at it again when I am tions. property mixed in with the students and every- religious groups. The full article can be found feeling brave. It was a mass of evidence proving instances one involved paid the price. at http://tinyurl.com/yk3ozjj Not today. No, not today. of police officers spying on ordinary citizens, The speaker system boomed the words, The Police Department thought it had just To view more videos from the G20 Sum- dressing up like protesters and instigating riots “It does not matter what your purpose is, you cause. mit in Pittsburgh, go to www.youtube.com and which ended in people getting hurt and even must leave. If you do not disperse, you may be My question is when does the madness search for “G20 Pittsburgh.” turning neighborhoods into police states as arrested and/or subject to other police action. stop? Who decides it is acceptable to invade [email protected]

A GRANT SNIDER ILLUSTRATION 15 Forum www.unews.com October 12, 2009 Become a pundit Word on CampusInterviewed by MELISSA ORIBHABOR Melissa Oribhabor word opinion on a current event and the winner $200 per column for 13 Staff Writer write a 100-word essay about them- weeks, which is $2,600 total just for You’ve probably heard of self to explain why they feel they sharing views on the world and an- What role do politics play in your life? “America’s Next Top Model,” should win and are the best candi- swering reader questions. where Tyra Banks is looking for a date for the job. And the best part is the winner young, wide-eyed beauty to enter The judges will not determine will not have to relocate or change the world of high fashion … but a winner based on the angle of the careers. “America’s Next Great Pundit”? article or whether The All articles will That is correct. Post editors agree be submitted through A contest is being held in Wash- with the writer’s point e-mail from the com- ington, D.C. for ambitious minds of view. fort of one’s own cof- looking to analyze and comment on The winner will be fee table. the world around them but, luckily, chosen based on the The entry dead- Banks has nothing to do with it. writing style, the in- line is quickly ap- The contest is hosted by The telligence of the piece proaching and all en- Washington Post, and the D.C.- and its originality. tries are due by 11:59 based newspaper is actively search- This is a great op- p.m. Eastern stan- ing all 50 states to give one lucky portunity and can be dard time Oct. 21. person the opportunity to write a a launching pad for a So if you are in- weekly column for the paper. career in journalism terested, start writ- If you fancy yourself a future and/or punditry. ing now before your “They play a role in my life “I’m a Political Science major, so they play a pretty big role Keith Olbermann or Bill O’Reilly, The paper will future Pulitzer Prize [because] the law makers decide choose 10 finalists goes to someone else. what I can and cannot do. I need in my life. I think the war in you can finally get paid for all of Afghanistan is really interesting.” those opinions you’ve been scream- who will compete head-to-head for For a complete list of contest to be more informed.” the grand prize and the bragging rules and to obtain an entry form, ing at your television while watch- LAKESHIA MOORE VINCENT LONG ing the evening news. right to say they work for one of the please visit www.washingtonpost. Senior Senior Potential candidates will need to top newspapers in the country. com. Elementary Education Political Science fill out an entry form, write a 400- The Washington Post will pay [email protected]

What do you think?

Did Barack Obama deserve to win the Nobel Peace Prize? A. Yes B. No C. I’m not sure

Go to www.unews.com and tell us your answer! “It influences my thinking about “Politics influence everyone’s current events. I just watch the life. It influences health care, Your answers news and hear what people say decisions we make every day and I make my own opinions, [and] laws we have to follow, to last week’s [but] it doesn’t affect day-to-day things like that.” A. 42% question: life.” SEAN HALLEY MOLLY RAY Have you ever been Sophomore Junior B. 58% a victim of theft on Computer and Electrical Psychology campus? Engineering

A. Yes

B. No

A B

“Politics play a major role “[Politics play] a very important because it’s all about decision role. Not only do I try to live as making. It’s important that I get an activist every day, but I teach informed because I don’t want that in my English 225 course. [I people making decisions about teach] the importance of being my life without my input.” aware of the society we live in LISTEN TO ALEXIA’S WEEKLY PODCAST, WIRETAP, AND CHRISTIAN’S WEEKLY PODCAST, and your obligation and rights.” DATING 101 ONLINE ATWWW.UNEWS.COM/PODCASTS. DERECKA PURNELL CRAIG WORKMAN Sophomore MFA SUBSCRIBE TO THE CAST AT Political Science/Sociology Creative Writing/New Media Arts HTTP://FEEDS.FEEDBURNER.COM/UNEWSWIRETAP. CHRISTMAS from page 1 “Shane is a very nice man,” St. Nick said. “And this is a great effort to help the live in a two-bedroom home not far from community.” the Volker Campus. Since she began using As the volunteers gathered round for a wheelchair, Slaughter said she has not pictures with Santa, Slaughter’s grandchil- been able to do much around the house. dren and the neighborhood children also “This is just gives me new hope,” she smiled from ear to ear at the chance to meet said. the big guy himself. Marvin Wright retired from UMKC af- Santa then made his way down to ter working in the mailroom. In the years Wright’s house to take him a little season since retiring, Wright has not been able to cheer. get around very well. “Think good thoughts,” St. Nick said to His eyes welled with tears as the Roos Mr. Wright. “And be nice to others.” cleared out the mini jungle that had taken Saying a hearty goodbye to the volun- over his back yard. Several overflowing teers before he left, Santa said the elves are loads of brush were trucked off of the prop- gearing up back at the North Pole to get erty. ready for the Christmas season. “It’s a great thing,” Wright said. “Mrs. Claus is busy at the North Pole Shane Musick, mechanical trades spe- baking cookies,” he said. “But the elves cialist for Campus Facilities Management, keep eating them so she can hardly keep has organized the Christmas in October up.” event the last two years. Likely energized by the exciting visit Being a Santa look-alike himself, he from the man in red, the volunteers put in cheers to volunteers along with his jolly dis- an extra two hours of service, going the ex- position and friendly face. tra mile to help out a neighbor. As Musick was directing the volunteers On the bus back to campus, Santa’s last Saturday on what needed to be done, a helpers said they can’t wait until next year’s “ho, ho, ho” could be heard in the distance. Christmas in October. Then, Santa Claus himself arrived at For some, it’s the gift that just keeps on Slaughter’s home with a gift for her and a giving. word of encouragement for all of the helpers. [email protected]

THEFT from page 1 pulled off the victim’s bag and fled the scene. speculation obviously, but I tend to believe “We responded along with KCPD it.” (Kansas City Police Department),” Bon- The UMKC Police Department also gartz said. “And since it was one of our speculated that the suspect ran out the students, we took the report.” back door to escape. Clark’s cell phone Campus police later recovered the vic- was later found in a parking lot. The po- tim’s property. They currently have no lice believe the suspect got rid of the leads. phone so, if caught, he wouldn’t have any Bongartz said there is no one area on incriminating evidence on him. campus where crime is most prevalent. Contrary to common practice, UMKC “It’s just sort of random crime,” he Police did not send a safety alert to stu- said. “It’s sort of hit and miss.” dents pertaining to Clark’s robbery. Even though Clark was the victim of They did, however, send an alert to a crime on campus, he believes the police students about a robbery that took place are doing their job. around 10:30 p.m. on Oct. 7 near the Bloch “When you have a common build- Business School. ing that’s open to the general public, we Police Chief Michael Bongartz said really can’t screen everybody that goes three suspects surrounded the victim and through,” Clark said. “It just wouldn’t be demanded his money. One of the suspects practical and it’s normally not necessary.” was carrying a weapon. The suspects then [email protected] Classifieds Sunday Morning Supervisor Central United Methodist Church 5144 Oak Street, Kansas City, MO 8:00 am to 12:45 pm / $8.50 per hour Responsibilites include: welcome people coming in the church, answer phone, direct people to Sunday School class or Worship Service, remain at desk during the services to provide security, and lock up the church. (816)753-1844 / www.centralcares.com

Gorgeous 1 bd condo for lease! See links below for pictures. Available now. 913.961.7641 http://www.postlets.com/rts/2479139 [email protected] University News laurasterchi.chartwellkc.net Editor-in-Chief Hilary Hedges Advertising Manager Stefanie Crabtree Business Manager BJ Allen Production Manager Hilary Hedges Asst. Production Manager Leanna Lippert News Editor Alexia Stout-Lang Asst. News Editor Tyler Allen 5327 Holmes Culture Editor Hilary Saskin Kansas City, MO 64110 Sports Editor Casey Osburn Editor’s desk: (816) 235-5402 Copy Editor Sabrina Osborn Newsroom: (816) 235-1393 Photo Editor Kevin Bryce Advertising: (816) 235-1386 Podcast Editor Ethan Parker Online Editor Hilary Hedges Business: (816) 235-6366 Distribution B J Allen Fax: (816) 235-6514 Faculty Advisor Fred Wickman Tips Hotline: (816) 235-NEWS Printer Cass County Publishing

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