NEWS OPINION SPORTS The Vagina Monologues are Hello Kitty designs on weap- Plans for a new TCU sports back on campus this week- ons make for bad giftt and fan club move forward. end to celebrate V-Week. unfriendly smiles. PAGE 8 DAILYSKIFF.COM PAGE 3 TCU EST. 1902
DAILYThu rsday,SKIFF February 21, 2008 Vol. 105 Issue 77 www.dailyskiff.com School of Education graduates help fill area demand By CHARLES RICE Staff Reporter right away by area school dis- TCU graduate over a stellar some- pared not only in their content ence, such as tutoring, student “Our elementary (graduates) tricts, said Molly H. Weinburgh, one else,” Weinburgh said. knowledge but also in how they teaching and even substituting. are much better prepared to As the demand for second- director of the Institute of Math- Finding certified teachers in are taught to teach it. “The training at TCU is great,” teach science and math than ary math, science and bilingual ematics, Science and Technolo- those areas is something that Terry Buckner, director of Buckner said. many other systems,” Weinburgh elementary school teachers con- gy Education for the College of continues to be a struggle not recruiting initiatives for the Fort While TCU may not be filling said. “It’s not unusual for elemen- tinues to grow, TCU education Education. just in Fort Worth but all over, Worth Independent School Dis- all of the area’s needs, Weinburgh tary people to take one methods graduates are apparently hot “There are principals around Weinburgh said. trict, said TCU does well at send- does feel students in the School course where math and science commodities. the Metroplex who say they However, Weinburgh said she ing students to schools in the of Education are well-prepared, are combined. Ours have two in TCU students get picked up would take a less-than-stellar feels TCU students are well pre- district to get firsthand experi- she said. See TEACHERS, page 2 University may be obamania 2nd in Texas to offer child-life emphasis
By Hilary Whittier into the graduate program and Staff Reporter not be limited in choices for Injuries, painful procedures those who plan to pursue a job and prolonged stays at hos- as a child-life specialist.” pitals can increase a child’s Child-life specialists are anxiety and fears. However, also referred to as “play ther- students may soon have an apists” and are experts in child opportunity to study a field development. They encourage that works to alleviate a child’s children to cope with difficult stress when hospitalized. medical situations through A child-life option within play, education and self expres- the School of Education will be sion, Patton said. proposed in March. If approved “I think this is a response to by the faculty, undergraduate student interest and a need in and graduate councils before the field of child life,” Patton the end of the semester, the said. “We always try to be on program will be available for the cutting edge for programs students beginning next fall, students are interested in and said Mary Patton, associate ones in which we are able to professor of early childhood find a foundation for.” education. Sharon McLeod, senior clin- Patton said if approved, it ical director of the child-life will be available as a graduate department at Cincinnati Chil- option for counseling majors dren’s Hospital Medical Center, Andrew Chavez / Editor-in-Chief and early childhood education said individuals who partici- Illinois Sen. Barack Obama speaks to a crowd at Reunion Arena in Dallas during a campaign stop Wednesday. About 17,000 people packed the arena to hear the majors in the three-two pro- pate in child-life programs do presidential hopeful make a pitch for Democratic votes for the upcoming Texas presidential primary, which could be a deciding factor in the national race. gram, an option that allows better on the certification exam students to combine a bach- that graduates are required to elor’s degree with a Master of take before becoming a spe- Road to presidency winds through Dallas Education in five years. cialist. Along with Texas State Uni- McLeod said she interviews By HILARY WHITTIER Barack Obama, said about 30 students choice by electing a president who could versity, TCU would be the only people wanting to obtain a Staff Reporter went to the rally representing TCU’s change the nation, he said. other university in Texas to child-life position and has The noise was nearly deafening as group. “I’m here to report that my bet has paid have a child-life program. noticed that the ones who have about 17,000 people rallied to support She said Obama draws in young people off and the American people have been Students interested in the gone through the program dur- Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill. on Wednesday to his campaign because of his message vindicated,” Obama said. field will be expected to take ing college are stronger candi- at Reunion Arena in Dallas. of change and his magnetic personality Gregg Cantrell, a professor of history courses in areas such as child dates for employment. Obama said the country is at a defin- that other presidential hopefuls lack. at TCU, said he supports Obama because development, family dynam- “I think the College of Edu- ing moment in history for politics and “It’s a huge representation for our gen- the nation is at a point in history where ics, sociology, counseling cation has a reputation of pre- referenced Martin Luther King Jr. early eration to be a part of this,” said Dani See OBAMA, page 2 and expressive therapy, Pat- paring remarkable teachers of in his speech. Folks, a junior social work and anthro- ton said. young children,” Patton said. “I am running because of what Dr. pology major. “We can be the generation dailyskiff.com “This added option would “Our graduates are in great King called the ‘fierce urgency of now,’” that matters.” help significantly,” said Ashton demand throughout the state Watch and listen to Obama said. Obama said it’s time for Texas to vote Niemann, junior early child- and I think this initiative is an online slideshow of Cathi Hoag, a graduate student and out- blue. He’s betting on American people hood education major. “It another option responsive scenes from the rally. reach coordinator for TCU Students for of all ages and walks of life to make a would allow students more to the needs of the commu- opportunities to go directly nity.” Student filmmakers hold auditions for pilot of comedy series
By Bibek Bhandari some of the students had in a senior radio-TV-film major pilot. She also said she hopes script come alive. the Road” starts April 3, and Staff Reporter dramatic writing class. and another executive pro- to see TCU students in the “I’m excited to see my the team hasn’t decided when Are you Audrey — a “A Fork in the Road” is ducer of the pilot. casting call. Charles LaMen- vision appear in the audi- and which channel the pilot 24-year-old sassy, hardwork- a story about Audrey, who Truitt said her personality dola, a radio-TV-film instruc- tions,” Teague said. will be aired on, Teague said. ing perfectionist who does works for a Fortune 500 com- can be compared to Monica tor, and a group of students “A Fork in the Road” is DVDs will also be available whatever it takes to get to pany and gets relocated in from “Friends.” associated with the pilot will a 22-minute pilot, unlike for sale after its airing. the top? a small South Carolina town Beattie said “Fork in the cast it. radio-TV-film’s most recent The radio-TV-film depart- to run the Lazy River Cafe, Road” has a female lead and LaMendola said the team production, “Southern Com- ment is on a hunt to find Truitt said. The story moves the pilot has a wide appeal. has some character sketches forts,” which was 10 episodes FOR YOUR INFO characters for its pilot, “A as she comes across a group “We’re trying to reach the and profiles but the auditions and aired spring 2007, Truitt ‘A Fork in the Road’ Fork in the Road,” through of country people including 18 to 34 demographic,” she may have surprises. said. open auditions today. Stewart, a celebrity chef who said. “We’ll try to go in with an “We want quality produc- auditions Maggie Truitt, a senior was kicked off his TV show Truitt said the team is han- open mind,” he said. tion values,” Truitt said. “We When: 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. and 7 radio-TV-film major and an after a scandalous event. dling standard auditions and Brittany Teague, a senior want one final product that p.m. to 9 p.m. today executive producer, said the “She comes into the situ- has asked talent agencies in radio-TV-film major and one we can show and a quality Where: Studio B in Moudy pilot is a department-wide ation and shocks everyone,” the Dallas/Fort Worth area to of the pilot’s writers, said it episode.” South. production based on an idea said Katherine Beattie, a showcase their talent for the would be exciting to see the The shooting for “A Fork in 3HOWERS COL X v P X P WEATHER PECULIAR FACT TODAY’S HEADLINES CONTACT US TODAY: Showers, 57/36 ANN ARBOR TOWNSHIP, Mich. — Plants NEWS: Legal drug gains popularity, page 4 Send your questions, believed to be marijuana were seized from TOMORROW: Mostly sunny, 55/35 OPINION: USDA needs to step up regulations, page 3 compliments, complaints a greenhouse in the University of Michigan’s and hot tips to the staff at SATURDAY: Sunny, 61/42 botanical gardens. — Associated Press SPORTS: Men’s basketball tops CSU at home, page 6 [email protected] 2 NEWS TCU Daily Skiff Thursday, February 21, 2008
as well as elementary bilingual the status quo and get results Teachers teachers, Buckner said. The dis- Obama the American people want. From page 1 trict also issues reoccurring sti- From page 1 Throughout his speech, the pends of $2,000 a year for math Obama can inspire people in a crowd erupted in rock concert- math alone and two in science and science teachers and $3,500 way the public craves. like cheers, while holding up alone.” for bilingual teachers, he said. “He wasn’t born with a silver signs that read “hope” or “a Buckner said the problem the Holly Stringer, a senior educa- spoon in his mouth,” Cantrell change we can believe in” that district is facing isn’t the quality of tion major, said she likes the idea said. “What he has done in his were distributed by the cam- teachers but the quantity. Getting of signing bonuses. life, he has done on his own.” paign staff. teachers in these fields is becom- “I think it’s a good idea. Math Cantrell, who holds the Lowe When former Dallas Mayor ing difficult, Buckner said. and science teachers right now Chair in Texas history, said the Ron Kirk spoke before Obama “Nobody is training secondary are definitely at a shortage,” importance of the youth vote stepped onstage, he quickly math teachers, (TCU) is training said Stringer. “I think offering during this election is palpa- responded to the roar of the some and we grab them up,” she the bonus would be a good way ble. crowd. said. to lure people in that are in that The indications from the pri- “If we had been this loud, Clint Bond, FWISD spokes- profession.” maries so far show there has maybe the Mavericks would man, said more than 200 recent Weinburgh said TCU is produc- been a massive youth vote have beaten the Warriors the TCU graduates apply in the dis- ing a good number of teachers turnout. The American peo- other night,” he said. “But trict each year. Because TCU isn’t given its small size. ple and its youth seem to think we’re going to bring this one the only school not producing Buckner said the school dis- Obama is the most poised of home.” enough graduates in the need- tricts are doing things to encour- the candidates to be the agent Also speaking was NFL Hall ed fields, the district hires from age more students to go into these of change supporters desire, of Famer Emmitt Smith, who Andrew Chavez / Editor-in-Chief other places as well, including fields, such as creating a new Cantrell said. elicited cheers from the crowd A group of TCU students waits in line Wednesday near the entrance of Reunion Arena in Dallas to hear presidential hopeful Barack Obama speak. state, out-of-state and interna- Web site, ramping up recruiting, Obama said the changes when he spoke before Obama. tional schools, Bond said. increasing marketing and hold- he hopes to implement, such He said he believes everyone in March 4. will be 10:30 a.m. Thursday In an effort to fill needed posi- ing information sessions, Buck- as creating a stronger educa- support of Obama’s campaign “If we win Texas,” he said. in San Marcos, followed by a tions, the district is beginning to ner said. tion system by making college is on the right team. “We will win the nomination debate against Hillary Clinton offer $3,000 signing bonuses to “We need to encourage more affordable, restoring the econo- Obama urged supporters to and will win this country. We scheduled to take place that certified elementary and second- students to go into education at a my by cutting taxes and ending vote as soon as possible, before will change America.” night at the University of Tex- ary math and science teachers secondary level,” Buckner said. the war in Iraq, will challenge the scheduled Texas primary The next rally for Obama as in Austin. Improvements to television slated for ‘09
By BOB FERNANDEZ be mailed out Tuesday. The Philadelphia Inquirer About 2.6 million households PHILADELPHIA — The have already requested more than nation’s over-the-air TV broad- five million coupons, a govern- casters are going digital. ment official said Friday. In exactly one year, on Feb. If a person requests a coupon 17, 2009, broadcasters will stop now, it will take a month or lon- beaming the analog signals ger to get it because of the ini- they’ve used since the dawn of tial five-million-coupon backlog, TV time and switch entirely to the official said. After the backlog Red Huber / Orlando Sentinel via MCT digital. is cleared, it should take two or The space shuttle Atlantis prepares to land Wednesday at the Kennedy Space The new signals — already three weeks between the time a Center in Florida after completing a 13-day mission. being broadcast by some stations coupon is requested and when — offer TV viewers brighter and it arrives. Coupons are valid for Shuttle’s safe return home clearer picture quality and will 90 days. expand the number of over-the- As long as they last, consumers starts year in space travel air channels for local broadcast- can request the coupons through ers, allowing them to compete March 31, 2009, and redeem them By Phil Long Leinbach, shuttle launch with cable and satellite. at stores through July 7, 2009, the McClatchy Newspapers director. If you didn’t know about the government says. CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. The Atlantis crew blast- so-called digital transition, or if The digital transition was first — These are busy times in ed off Feb. 7 carrying the you’ve postponed thinking about mandated in 1996 federal tele- space. European Space Agency’s it, stop dillydallying. communications legislation. Its The space shuttle Atlan- Columbus Laboratory, a Start preparing. implementation was delayed tis glided to a safe land- 23-foot-long module for Twelve years in the making, until a deficit-reduction measure ing at the Kennedy Space science research. the digital-TV transition will in 2005 forced the February 2009 Center on Wednesday, even Besides commander force households with over-the- deadline. Washington tied the dig- as crews were busy on the Steve Frick and pilot Alan air reception into these choices: ital transition to raising billions of launchpad a few miles away Poindexter, the Atlantis Get cable or satellite. The cable dollars for the U.S. Treasury by preparing for the next of crew included American industry has said it will continue selling the part of the electromag- about a dozen flights sched- mission specialists Stan- to carry analog signals until 2012, netic spectrum that carried the a minute of advertising dur- “We did not want to get into uled for this year. ley Love, Leland Melvin so people can use older TVs. analog signals. The new uses for ing the Super Bowl — and is messaging on converter boxes Preceded by the famed and Rex Walheim. The Buy a new TV with a digital the spectrum include carriage for expecting the broadcast indus- when there were no converter sound of twin sonic booms, crew also included Ger- tuner. public-safety radios, and, poten- try to do its part to inform the boxes available for shoppers,” the gleaming shuttle sloped man astronaut Hans Schle- Purchase a digital-to-analog tially, wireless services. public. Ingram said. through chilly blue skies gel and French astronaut converter subsidized with a $40 Broadcasters will obtain addi- The broadcasters association The digital transition, experts punctuated with white Leopold Eyharts. coupon from the government. The tional channels in the digital has said it will spend $1 bil- agree, could be bumpy. Con- p u f f y c l o u d s , b r i n g i n g s e v e n Eyharts stayed behind converter, like a cable set-top box, transition, giving over-the-air lion on public service ads and sumers will have to choose a crew members home from to serve a stint on the will plug into analog TVs. customers more choices, offi- grassroots outreach to help converter box and install it. their construction mission space station, and Atlan- The government has budget- cials say. with the transition. Other issues could devel- to the International Space tis brought back U.S. astro- ed $1.5 billion for the $40 cou- People who bought TVs in The group has broadcast op. Station. Next is the March naut Daniel Tani, whose pons and began taking requests the last few years might be OK, 30-second public service Centris, a market-research 11 launch of the Endeavour mother was killed in a Dec. for them — maximum of two per experts say. The question is advertisements since Septem- firm with offices in Los Ange- shuttle that will transport a 19 car accident while he household — over the phone and whether the new TV has a digi- ber. Broadcasters have been les and Fort Washington, said Japanese logistics module was serving an extended online in early January, said Bart tal tuner. If it does, you’re OK. criticized for airing many ads last week in a new study that to the station. tour aboard the orbiting Forbes, spokesman for the Nation- If it doesn’t, you’re not. in the middle of the night millions of TV households may Space officials are excit- laboratory. al Telecommunications & Infor- The government has budgeted when no one saw them. Sher- need to upgrade their roof-top ed about getting so many With Atlantis’ safe return, mation Administration. $5 million to advertise the digital maze Ingram, spokeswoman and rabbit-ear antennas to launches off the ground the Navy can begin trying The first batch of coupons will transition — enough to buy about for the NAB, said the ads run receive digital signals. this year. to shoot down a failed spy “all hours of the day.” “You got a lot of holes,” “I don’t consider this a satellite that has started to The NAB released three new said Barry Goodstadt, a Cen- hectic pace or any kind of fall out of orbit. public service advertisements tris senior vice president. “Not pressure on us,” said Bill The Department of to stations Friday and plans a only may you have to get a con- Gerstenmaier, NASA associ- Defense did not want to 30-minute informational show, verter box, you may also have ate administrator for space fire a missile at the satel- Ingram said. to buy an antenna for this.” operations. lite while the shuttle was “It feels really good to in space because of the be having missions back- slim chance that the shut- to-back like this again. It tle might encounter debris almost feels like the mid- from the destroyed satellite ‘90s again,” said Mike during its return to earth.
Editor-in-Chief: Andrew Chavez Sports Editor: Brett Larson Advertising Manager: Erica Savage The TCU Daily Skiff is an official student publication of Texas Christian Circulation: 6,000 Web site: www.dailyskiff.com University, produced by students of TCU and sponsored by the Schieffer Subscriptions: Call 257-6274. Rates are $30 per semester. Copyright: All rights for the entire contents of this newspaper Managing Editor: Bailey Shiffler Features Editor: Jordan Haygood Student Publications Director: Robert Bohler School of Journalism. It operates under the policies of the Student Location: Moudy Building South, Room 291, shall be the property of the TCU Daily Skiff. No part thereof may TCU Box 298050, Fort Worth, TX 76129 Associate Editor: Ashleigh Whaley Multimedia Editor: Marcus Murphree Business Manager: Bitsy Faulk Publications Committee, composed of representatives from the 2805 S. University Drive Fort Worth, TX 76109 be reproduced or aired without prior consent of the Student student body, staff, faculty and administration. The Skiff is published On-campus distribution: Newspapers are available free on Publications Director. The Skiff does not assume liability for any Phone: (817) 257-7428 Fax: (817) 257-7133 News Editors: Saerom Yoo, Joe Zigtema Design Editor: Max Landman Production Manager: Vicki Whistler Tuesday through Friday during fall and spring semesters except finals campus, limit one per person. Additional copies are $.50 and are products and services advertised herein. The Skiff’s liability for E-mail: [email protected] Opinion Editor: Ana Bak Web Editor: Lindsey Bever Director, Schieffer School: Tommy Thomason week and holidays. The Skiff is a member of The Associated Press. available at the Skiff office. misprints due to our error is limited to the cost of the advertising. TCU Daily Skiff QUOTE OF THE DAY “A friend is one before whom I may think aloud.” — Ralph Waldo Emerson 3 OpinionThursday, February 21, 2008
THE SKIFF VIEW By nate Arnold With March 4 looming on horizon, youth votes becoming more vital oung voters are expected to stitution gave 18-year-olds the right to have a substantial impact in vote in 1971 in response to protests of Y determining who will be the the Vietnam War. The following year, 52 next U.S. president, and as candidates percent of voters ages 18 to 24 exercised are visiting the Lone Star State seek- that right. The 1972 election received the ing votes in the March 4 primary, they highest young voter turnout to date. After have a chance to become educated vot- that, the turnout dropped significantly but ers for a better future. has increased with each election since the The March 4 primaries are crucial for late 1990s, according to a 2008 youth vote both Democrats and Republicans as Ohio, study by The Century Foundation. Rhode Island, Vermont and Texas vote The young voters of today have a for 370 Democratic and 256 Republican chance to make history in the 2008 presi- delegates. dential elections by simply showing up A March 2007 youth vote study by the to vote. More importantly, they have a Kennedy School of Government’s Insti- chance to impact the future of America tute of Politics said 85 percent of college by being actively involved in the mat- students and 71 percent of non-college ters of today. young adults are registered to vote. Associate editor Ashleigh Whaley Nate Arnold is a junior marketing and e-business major from Edmond, Okla. The 26th Amendment to the U.S. Con- for the editorial board.
Weapons, kittens don’t mesh; Juno’s poke at adoption real guns don’t need disguises part of Hollywood fiction
A man in Baraboo, Wis., should be allowed to own a Hello Kitty was in Macy’s Movies are meant to One quote from the the San Francisco Chron- is custom painting weapons gun. But to paint a gun and Thanksgiving Day parade entertain. movie, however, has incit- icle. with the Hello Kitty charac- make it look like a toy is not in November and celebrities That’s the bottom line — ed people to criticize it. When did people get so ter on them. From handguns smart. have also been seen sup- the entire purpose of the Juno, a pregnant 16 year nitpicky about movies? to semi-au- A reporter in the video porting the character. Hello Commentary industry. old played by Ellen Page, Most movies and TV tomatics, he interviewed a woman on the Kitty guitars were signed for Commentary With the tells the couple hoping shows could probably offend will paint it street who looked at a pic- charity by the cast of “High Academy to adopt her child, “You some group of people in if the price ture of the gun. School Musical,” including Awards on should’ve gone to China. some way, no matter what is right — at She said, “It’s Hello Kitty.” Vanessa Hudgens and Zach Sunday, You know, ‘cause I hear they race, gender or social class. least $100 When she was told it was Efron. Miley Cyrus was also movies are give away babies like free You’ve just got to let it for one color a weapon people use, she seen wearing a Hello Kitty becoming a iPods. You know, they pretty go. Lighten up a bit. painting. abruptly said it wasn’t funny. necklace at the 2007 Teen hot topic. much just put them in those In an e-mail statement There are With the recent news at Choice Awards. Ana Bak Who’s T-shirt guns and shoot them to the Chronicle, Diab- lots of ways Northern Illinois University, Consumers can see the Liz Davidson been nomi- out at sporting events.” lo Cody, screen writer of to decorate a machine, but guns have become a sensi- Hello Kitty character on oth- nated? Who hasn’t been These lines fueled online “Juno,” said: “Juno’s remark having a pink gun with a cat ble issue, and making guns er merchandise like toasters, nominated? Who will not debates about whether is meant to be casually design on the handle is the resemble a toy makes weap- purses and notebooks, but be attending? people should take offense insensitive in that wince- most dangerous thing any- ons an even bigger hazard. surely a gun is a first. And apparently, who’s to the jab at China and the inducing, quintessentially one could do. Some might remember Jim Astle, the owner of been stirring up contro- adoption system. teenage way.” A video on CNN.com fea- “Home Alone 4,” where the Jim’s Gun Supply, said in the versy? Yes, I can see how the Juno is supposed to be a tures Jim’s Gun Supply, little boy tricks the thieves video that 75 percent of the “Juno,” the movie that quote is not politically cor- know-it-all, abrasive char- where painted guns are sold by painting his toy gun customers who send him seems to be this year’s rect, but since when have acter. And that’s what she with all kinds of designs. black. Granted there are guns are in law enforcement “Little Miss Sunshine,” was movies, and comedies in is: a character. It’s a fic- Bryan Soller, president of more differences to a real and are buying them for nominated for four Oscars, particular, ever been? tional movie with a fiction- the Arizona fraternal order gun and a toy gun than the their wives. including best picture and When have people al wisecrack teenage girl of police, said in the CNN color, but the point is, it A hot pink gun doesn’t best actress. not been at least slightly spouting off lines that are video that owning a gun could be easily confused if disguise what it is — a gun offended? supposed to at least cause like this could be danger- it had a Hello Kitty design is a gun. People became more a few people to squirm in ous because it could make a on it. But, according to the video, riled up about the issue their seats. police officer hesitate, mak- Hello Kitty is a character the law is on their side. The because the scene was If viewers are worried ing him or her vulnerable to created by Sanrio and hit the reporter said this gun design shown at the Golden about children seeing the an attack. market in 1960. Sanrio was was legal and Jim’s Gun Sup- Globes and Screen Actors scene and being affected by it, Or a child could eas- created by Shintaro Tsuji, ply is legitimate. Guild awards, it is an easy the movie is rated PG-13, and ily pick up a gun like this according to the Sanrio Web However, when legiti- clip to find online and children probably shouldn’t thinking it was just a toy site. mately decorating a gun, from a video on the mov- be watching a movie about a and pull it on an officer. The The characters of Sanrio people should think about ie’s Web page showing pregnant teen anyway. police officer might think it have become a worldwide the repercussions painting Page talking about how I’m curious as to whether was real and shoot the child hit. a cute little cat on their gun those are her favorite lines the academy shows the clip with the gun. The philosophy of the could have. in the movie. Sunday, or if they pick a new I’m all about the Second company is to spread the It could cost them more Some people have even one. Either way, it’s only a Amendment. If the forefa- Sanrio magic and make a than a couple hundred notified the Academy about matter of time before the next thers thought it was impor- “small gift, big smile.” I don’t bucks. the issue, saying they do movie brings up yet another tant enough to put it in the think Tsuji had Hello Kitty Opinion editor Ana Bak is a junior not want that particular controversy. Bill of Rights, people who being painted on a gun as a news-editorial journalism and political clip to be shown Sunday, Liz Davidson is a junior news- pass background checks part of his marketing plan. science major from Quito, Ecuador. Fox Searchlight PICTURES according to an article in editorial major from Austin. Tainted meat shows need for USDA to beef up regulations The Department of Agri- safety of beef dating back to catch this problem. The vio- about 7,800 inspectors to culture says not to worry February 2006. lations were exposed in a examine 6,200 slaughter- about the largest recall of Most of that meat has video by the Humane Soci- houses and food proces- beef in U.S. history because already been eaten, includ- ety of the U.S., which secret- sors nationwide. But after — get this — you and your ing by children in at least ly filmed a horror show at an E. coli outbreak in 2007 kids already ate most of it. 150 school districts around Hallmark. that was traced to a meat- Talk about closing the the nation. The slaughter- The video shows two packing plant in Elizabeth, door after the sick cow has house, Westland/Hallmark slaughterhouse employees N.J., some federal inspec- left the barn. This episode Meat Co. of Chino, Calif., using forklifts and electric tors complained about 1,000 shows the need for stricter delivered 37 million pounds prods to move cows that vacancies in their ranks. enforcement of food-safety of ground beef for the are too sick or too weak to They said the USDA wasn’t regulations and more gov- National School Lunch Pro- walk. Cows that can’t walk, replacing retiring inspec- ernment inspectors. gram and other government also called “downer cows,” tors, and those employees The USDA announced on nutrition programs. Some are banned from use in food who remain must inspect as MCT Sunday the recall of 143 mil- of the meat was sold to fast- because they pose a much many as five plants per day. have been used in food for job of protecting the public lion pounds of ground beef food chains. greater risk of mad-cow dis- The risk of mad-cow dis- humans. health. It’s time to, ah, beef from a California slaughter- Officials at the USDA don’t ease. Because they often ease spreading in the food Even so, the violations that up the number of inspectors house that supplies burgers, think the meat was tainted, wallow in feces, these cows supply is very low. The ani- occurred under the noses of and the scrutiny at slaughter- meatballs and taco meat to but they really don’t know also raise the risk of E. coli mals’ brains and spinal USDA inspectors raise seri- houses. school lunch programs. The for certain. That’s because contamination. cords, where the disease is ous concerns about whether This editorial appeared in the action calls into question the government inspectors didn’t The USDA says it has most often found, would not the government is up to the Philadelphia Inquirer on Tuesday.
Editorial Board Editorial Policy Andrew chavez Ashleigh Whaley The content of the Opinion page does the left. The Skiff View is the collective writers and do not necessarily reflect the to [email protected]. Letters Bailey Shiffler Jordan Haygood not necessarily represent the views of opinion of the editorial board and may opinion of the editorial board. must include the author’s classification, Saerom Yoo Ana Bak Texas Christian University. The Skiff not reflect the views of the individual Letters to the editor: The Skiff major and phone number. Skiff reserves Joe Zigtema Brett larson View editorial represents the view of the writers. Signed letters, columns and welcomes letters to the editor for the right to edit or reject letters for style, Lindsey Bever Marcus Murphree TCU Daily Skiff editorial board listed to cartoons represent the opinion of the publication. To submit a letter, e-mail it taste and size restrictions. 4 NEWS TCU Daily Skiff Thursday, February 21, 2008 Students develop car safety campaign for competition By Kristin Butler 100 universities established Stripling Middle School in Fort and speakers for the event, she “We’re expecting a great and rejoined Bateman in 2007, Staff Reporter by the Public Relations Society Worth, said Meghan Orga, a said. turnout,” Taylor Pashley, a George said. TCU students are again of America in 1973, the only senior advertising/public rela- Car safety experts from Gen- junior advertising/-public “We re-entered because participating in the most such contest recognized by the tions major. eral Motors, State Farm Insur- relations major, said. “We are we want to continue to posi- prestigious public relations group, George said. Students The students received $300 ance and Safe Kids Tarrant excited to have the opportuni- tion the Schieffer School as a competition in the country to have been preparing for the County led by Cook Children’s ty to impact the lives of these program whose graduates can win up to $2,500, an adver- competition since last fall after Hospital will be at Stripling kids and hopefully improve compete professionally at the tising/public relations profes- the client information was “We are excited to Middle School on Thursday at car safety standards and sta- highest level,” George said. have the opportunity sor said. mailed to them, she said. 5:30 p.m. to educate parents tistics among children in our About 100 universities offi- to impact the lives of Cowtown Communications The competition gives par- about the importance of car area.” cially declared their intent to these kids ...” , a student public relations ticipants an opportunity to safety. Parents and students George said: “I am very compete this year, George group that is competing in exercise the analytical skills Taylor Pashley will also have the opportu- impressed with our Bateman said. the Bateman public relations and mature judgment required Bateman team nity to view safety features team members. They are per- The results of the top three competition, is promoting car for public relations problem member on Chevrolet’s new SUV, the forming professional qual- teams will be announced safety to children this year, solving, George said. hybrid Tahoe , Orga said. ity work. Any agency or PR in April, and the winning said Amiso George, associate The 2008 Bateman case Students will be able to meet department would be lucky teams are invited to present professor of journalism and study involves Chevrolet’s to plan the event from the TCU TCU athletes, see a local come- to have them join their team their campaign at the Public academic adviser to the Bate- Safe Kids Buckle Up program Public Relations Student Soci- dy troupe called “Curtis Needs by the time they are through Relations Student Society of man team. . Cowtown Communications ety of America, Orga said. The a Ride” and talk with Moni- with this competition.” America’s annual international Bateman is a national case set up a free safety belt fair group also contacted people in ka Diaz, a reporter at WFAA The team competed in conference in Detroit, George study competition of about for students and parents of Fort Worth for food donations Channel 8, Orga said. 1993, took a 14-year hiatus, said. Scrutinized drug gains buzz as hip, but may be dangerous
By Jim Sanders iff’s Lt. Jerry Davis, who is push- is not a party drug, does not in studying its potential for McClatchy Newspapers ing legislation to ban sales to produce a euphoric high, is treating bipolar mental con- SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Cali- minors, said one woman who not addictive, and can be used ditions or slowing the trans- fornia kids legally can tune in, used salvia — sometimes called responsibly for introspection, mission of HIV. turn on and freak out these days “Sally D” or “magic mint” — he said. Australia, Belgium, Den- with a potent, mind-altering drug claimed her miniblinds suddenly “It’s kind of like a tool for mark, Finland, Italy, Spain that is readily available but tar- began beating her. gaining greater understanding,” and Sweden have restricted geted for a crackdown by police “She had a burrito on the said Siebert, who has used the sale or use of the drug, as and lawmakers. table,” he said, reporting her drug many times, sells it via the have a handful of U.S. states, Typically smoked or chewed, hallucination. “It grew legs Internet and has written a user’s including Delaware, Missouri Salvia divinorum has become and teeth and started to attack guide that describes its effects and Louisiana, according to increasingly known on the Inter- her.” as “divine inebriation.” the federal Drug Enforcement net the past few years through A Delaware woman, Kathy Siebert said users will experi- Administration. sales on eBay and through You- Chidester, is pushing to out- ence varying degrees of impact, The DEA has listed salvia Tube videos of users tripping law salvia nationwide after her depending partly on dosage and as a “drug of concern” and with it. 17-year-old son Brett Chidester how the drug is consumed. Sal- is evaluating it — addressing The drug is produced from a committed suicide two years via, whose active component is issues ranging from potential Mexican plant used by Mazatec ago — a death that a medical “salvinorin A,” is an herb in the abuse to medicinal possibili- Indians for healing and ritual examiner ruled stemmed, in mint family. ties — to determine whether prophecy. Users in the United part, from the teen’s use of the “Salvia has much to offer: fas- it should be banned like mari- States have reported effects rang- drug. cinating psychoactive effects, juana and LSD, spokeswoman ing from relaxation and sensual Chidester said her son, a sensual enhancement, magical Rogene Waite said. pleasure to out-of-body experi- straight-A student, balked at her journeys, enchantment, appar- “What we say, and cannot ences and frightening hallucina- appeals to stop smoking salvia, ent time travel, philosophical emphasize too much, is that tions. which he purchased from a Web insights, spiritual experiences just because something isn’t “This is the first really new site. “He said, ‘Mom, it’s legal,’” and perhaps even healing and currently a controlled sub- illicit drug in a long time,” said Chidester recalled. “He said, ‘If divination,” Siebert says in his stance doesn’t mean it’s not Dr. John Mendelson, a research- there was something really, real- user’s guide. dangerous,” Waite said. “It er at California Pacific Medical ly wrong with it, it would not The manual warns that salvia doesn’t mean you should be Center who is preparing to study be legal.’” should be used only by adults experimenting with it.” how much salvia users must con- Daniel Siebert, a Malibu herb- in a “thoughtful, intelligent Assemblyman Anthony sume to become intoxicated. alist, counters that media cover- manner,” and that a compan- Adams has proposed legis- San Bernardino County Sher- age of salvia has been unfair. It ion should be present if a user lation, Assembly Bill 259, to is taking doses high enough make it a misdemeanor to
FOR YOUR INFO that he or she might “freak out, sell salvia to minors. The bill Brian Baer / Sacramento Bee via MCT become confused, injure (him- passed the Assembly, 76-0, A $20 package of Salvia divinorum is available at a California smoke shop Friday. Salvia at a glance self), fall, or do anything that and is pending in the Senate. What: Salvia divinorum is a psychedelic plant found primarily in might harm others.” Adams said public safety is the group wrote to lawmak- Sacramento County Sheriff’s the Mazateca region of Mexico. Siebert said salvia’s vision- endangered when teenagers ers. Sgt. Tim Curran said officers How it’s used: Salvia is typically chewed or smoked. ary effects typically resemble a can use salvia and hallucinate, No statistics are kept on how cannot recall any emergencies Traditional use: The Mazatec Indians used salvia for healing dream, with users not feeling perhaps behind the wheel of widely salvia is used statewide. or misbehavior tied to salvia, and ritual prophecy. like they are under the influ- a car. The drug is marketed in vari- suggesting its use locally might Modern use: Users in the United States have reported effects ence of a drug. “You’re encouraging people ous sizes, shapes and contain- not be widespread. ranging from relaxation and sensual pleasure to out-of-body The National Institute on to be in a place in their men- ers — as leaves, extracts and But Howard C. Samuels, experiences and frightening hallucinations. Drug Abuse characterizes sal- tal state where they lose the tinctures. It even comes in fla- executive director of Won- How it’s sold: Salvia is marketed in various sizes, shapes and via’s effects as “intense but capacity to make informed vored varieties, such as cherry derland Center, a Los Angeles containers — as leaves, extracts and tinctures. short-lived,” beginning less than decisions,” he said. or peach. drug and alcohol facility, said Legality: The DEA has listed salvia as a “drug of concern” and it a minute after consumption and AB 259 is opposed by Cali- At a Sacramento smoke dozens of salvia users have is considered a controlled substance in several states, including lasting less than 30 minutes. fornia Attorneys for Criminal shop, Twisted, a $40 package sought help from his staff. Delaware, Louisiana and Missouri. Many other states are consid- Federal drug agencies note Justice, representing defense of salvia labels the substance Samuels supports banning ering regulating its use. that salvia is not approved for lawyers, who argue that there as incense but describes it as sales to minors. California proposal: Assembly Bill 259 would make it a misde- meanor to sell salvia to minors. medical use. But Mendelson is no evidence that salvia causes “a tool for self exploration” and “Unfortunately, we have said researchers are interested physical harm and that legisla- advises not to use it if preg- a generation that wants to tors know too little about the nant, mentally ill or operating change their minds, that want drug to take action. heavy machinery. to get high,” he said. “It’s part “As a matter of public policy, The downtown Twisted of our responsibility as pro- we should not simply crimi- store does not sell to minors fessionals, fathers, mothers, nalize behavior without suf- — a policy stated on salvia’s parents, to protect our chil- ficient scientific information,” packaging. dren.” TCU Daily Skiff TODAY IN HISTORY WORTH A LAUGH –– BUT ONLY ONE 1965: Malcolm X, an African American Q: How did the ghost patch his sheet? nationalist and religious leader, is assassinated in New York City. A: With a pumpkin patch. Etc.Thursday, February 21, 2008 5
Bliss by Harry Bliss SUDOKU PUZZLE Today’s Crossword Sponsored by: Sponsored by:
Directions Wednesday’s Solutions Fill in the grid so that every 3x3 box, row and column contains the digits 1 through 9 without repeating numbers.
See Friday’s paper for answers to today’s Sudoku puzzle. Get tips and more solutions at www.sudoku.com See Friday’s paper for answers to today’s crossword. www.tcudailyskiff.com • www.tcudailyskifF.com • www.tcudailyskiff.com TCU Daily Skiff H-O-R-S-E The equestrian team matches up against the Fresno State Bulldogs. TOMORROW SportsThursday, February 21, 2008 6
ATTENDANCE Men’s Basketball Developing fan club home living focuses on baseball By Robert Bember that, especially when it’s sup- Horned Frogs top worst conference foe Staff Reporter port from their peers.” In an effort to help the grow- Festervand said he is pleased By KYLE ARNOLD ing fan support from basketball with what the group has accom- Staff Reporter season to continue into baseball plished so far and looks forward Four free throws and a season, the athletic marketing to continuing their relationship. rebound in the final min- department gave a new student He said the group will be a voice ute of the game sealed the fan club a chance to meet the to help students communicate Horned Frogs’ 13th victory baseball team Wednesday eve- with the marketing department of the season, and ended ning. about changes they’d like to see the two-game skid when A group of about 15 students at the games. the team edged out the was shuttled to Lupton Stadium Dice wants to make an effort Colorado State Rams 66-64 where they met head coach Jim to create a more positive atmo- last night in Daniel-Meyer Schlossnagle and the team. sphere at games by making Coliseum. “Meeting with the coach kind cheers that are both fun and Senior guard Brent Hack- of puts a name with a face,” said appropriate for the family envi- ett sunk four shots from the John Festervand, the assistant ronment, he said. charity stripe and picked director of athletic marketing. “I guess it goes with another up a rebound with about 20 Support for the basketball long-term goal, which is to rep- seconds left on the clock, team has grown since the resent TCU well and in a posi- leaving the Rams 3-pointer group, led by sophomore mar- tive manner while cheering on at the buzzer a non-factor keting major Geoff Dice, began the athletics,” Dice said. in a game that was close to organize the club for games, “We don’t want to be affili- from start to finish. Festervand said. Meeting the ated with the schools that yell Hackett was perfect from baseball team will help the sup- profanity,” Festervand said. “It’s the free-throw line, going port carry over to baseball sea- not a very good representation 11-11. He said he has been son, Festervand said. of our student body. We’re a in these situations, and he The season opens Friday classy organization, we’re a did not try to do anything against Cal State Fullerton. Dice classy school and that kind of special. saw the meeting as an event to stuff doesn’t need to be at a “I didn’t feel any pres- kickoff the new group and vote game.” sure on my shoulders, I just for a name, which is yet to be Much of the organizing for tried to make the shots,” made official. events has been done through Hackett said. “It didn’t have the turnout that Facebook, and the group is The Horned Frogs were we wanted, but it worked out open to all students. 27-28 from the free-throw well for the people who were Jason Byrne, the director of line, and head coach Neil there,” Dice said. “It’s a good athletics marketing, said the Dougherty said the near foundation to start with.” group may reach out to other perfection was a first for S ch lossn ag le sa id even t houg h organizations and groups on him. the baseball team recently set campus to gain their support “I don’t know if I have attendance records, the fans at games, as well. ever been in a college don’t know how to cheer, and They will likely choose lead- game where we shot that he appreciates what the group ers to work alongside Dice in many and missed just one,” is trying to accomplish. the coming weeks. Dougherty said. Anh Pham / Staff Photographer “I want to have a packed ball Festervand said he’s had good Senior guard Brent Hackett goes up for a layup against the still-winless Colorado State University Rams. TCU beat CSU The Horned Frogs came 66-64, ending a two-game losing streak for the Horned Frogs. Hackett contributed a team-high 19 points. park that’s loud and is a rau- experiences working with Dice into this game ranked ninth cous place to play,” Schlossna- and expects the group to be a in the nation in steals per Senior guard Neiman in conference. a solid push in the Moun- gle said. “The kids appreciate success. game, with just under 10 Owens said the team’s Hackett led the team tain West Conference Tour- per outing, Dougherty said high ranking in the theft with 19 points, while one nament. this is in part because of the department this season is of the team’s leading scor- “Ultimately, the goal at team’s full-court press. all about hard defense. ers, junior guard Henry this point is to get the team He said the press was “On defense we try to go Salter, was held scoreless playing as well as possi- effective against the Rams as hard as possible, and if on five attempts from the ble for the rest of the sea- because it, “kept the physi- that happens, everything field. son, so we can go into the cal wear and tear on them,” else will work itself out,” The Horned Frogs swept conference tournament and this led to the Rams Owens said. the season series against and win there,” Dough- becoming fatigued, which A goose egg still lies in their conference opponent, erty said. allowed the Horned Frogs the win column for the and their win in Fort Col- The Horned Frogs will to capitalize and create Rams in the Mountain West lins, Colo., earlier this year try to add to this new win- turnovers and steals. Conference. At 6-19 overall, has been the only win for ning streak, when they “We are trying to get the Rams are 0-11 in con- TCU away from home this conclude their two-game good at full-court pressures ference, while the Horned season. home stand against the because it opens up the Frogs have matched their Dougherty said 13 wins Utah Utes next Wednesday Robert Bember / Staff Reporter game a little more to our win total from last season, is something the team at 7 p.m. in Daniel-Meyer A new TCU fan club meets with the Horned Frog baseball team and plans on support- liking,” Dougherty said. improving to 13-12, and 5-7 hopes to build on to make Coliseum. ing them this season.
national pro basketball Campus shooting delays Mavericks trade for touted guard NIU spring sports season during massive eight-player deal By Jeff Caplan Harris, along with DeSagana Diop, By Michelle Munoz Coach Sylvia Crawley said she called McClatchy Newspapers Trenton Hassell and Maurice Ager. The (Ohio University) Post Northern Illinois coach Carol Owens, DALLAS — Jason Kidd, one of But it was Keith Van Horn, dust- ATHENS, Ohio — Quintana Ward is who was in practice at the time of shoot- the NBA’s all-time sleight-of-hand ing off from semi-retirement, who from Park Forest, Ill., so the shooting on ing. Crawley had one big question for playmakers, has a flair for the dra- cleared the way for the completion the campus of Northern Illinois struck her team: What now? matic. Why else would he choose of the roller-coaster deal. close to home for her. “(Owens) was just kind of devastat- the No. 2? The Mavs also threw in $3 mil- Her father called her Thursday after- ed, the players were devastated, they This No. 2 has one meaning, lion and first-round draft picks noon and informed her. Ward later turned hadn’t even thought about what hap- as in two seasons, this one and in 2008 and 2010. A heavy price, on CNN and couldn’t believe what she pens,” Crawley said. the next — the remaining time on but one coach Avery Johnson saw. The Bobcats (14-9, 7-3 Mid-American his contract — for Kidd to shot- believes bought the engine his “I have a lot of friends from high Conference) are a team that work well gun the franchise to its first NBA team lacked. school that go to Northern,” Ward said. with change, Crawley said, so no mat- championship. “We haven’t had a quarterback “Fortunately, I didn’t know anyone in ter what happens, she can see her team “People always talk about the like this,” Johnson said. “We’ve got the shooting.” holding up well. The Huskies will miss window and, to me, the window somebody who, when you are in As a result of the shooting, all Huskies three games total, which could poten- is this year,” Dirk Nowitzki said the red zone, can help you get athletics events through Feb. 24 are can- tially affect tournament seeding. Tuesday evening after the team’s touchdowns.” celed. The game between the Bobcats “If they don’t make those games up, first practice with their new point Nowitzki attended the news Ron Jenkins / Fort Worth Star-Telegram via MCT New Dallas Mavericks player Jason Kidd is and the Huskies that was to take place it’s going to be crazy,” Crawley said. guard. conference and smiled when Mavs introduced at a press conference Tuesday. Saturday was one of those games. Because the event happened so late in The arduous, sometimes tortur- owner Mark Cuban said he had Ward said though she and her team the season, Crawley said, it is going to ous, weeklong trade negotiations been kept abreast of the trade and great to catch the ball when you’re got rest Saturday, she would rather have make things very difficult for the con- finally became official Tuesday had approved it. Following prac- open in the right situation. (Kidd’s) taken a loss than have had those events ference. with the league’s stamp of approv- tice, Nowitzki answered honestly one of the best at doing that.” take place. Ohio’s regular season schedule ends al. Fourteen years after the Mavs what he believed the team was Cuban, believing the team had “It was such a tragedy,” Ward said. with Miami on March 5, and the Mid- drafted him and 12 since they missing and why Kidd will bring reached a plateau and stalled, said “Thank God that we weren’t there. You American Conference Tournament begins traded him, a soft-spoken Kidd it. it needed a spark. just never know what could happen.” four days later, leaving three days open to returned to Dallas, along with “With me playing with (Steve) “And the fact he’s coming back The events have far-reaching conse- reschedule a contest with the Huskies. guard Antoine Wright and forward Nash for so many years, some of to Dallas makes it all the more quences as far as the athletics sched- “We can’t control the shooting at North- Malik Allen. the passes you just took for grant- exciting,” Cuban said. ule goes for Northern Illinois and Ohio, ern,” Crawley said. “All we can do is pre- The Mavs sacrificed a chunk of ed,” Nowitzki said. “Over the last “It’s a little better basketball- which returns to the court for the first pare ourselves for whatever can happen. their future to get Kidd now. At couple of years those looks just wise (than the original deal), a little time in a week tonight at Akron. It’s about our attitude toward it.” the forefront is point guard Devin weren’t there. This is going to be more painful checkbook-wise.”