Where You Read It First Sunny 47/35 THE TUFTS DAILY Est. 1980 VOLUME LX, NUMBER 52 MONDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2010 TUFTSDAILY.COM Federal earmark ban could deal blows to city, university BY MICHAEL DEL MORO they get goes away, that would be a Daily Editorial Board problem.” The university is in the process of In light of the announcement by negotiating ways for the appropriation U.S. House of Representatives Minority to sidestep its designation as an ear- Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) earlier mark, Bacow said. this month that House Republicans will On the local level, the elimination of ban congressional earmarks when they earmarks could potentially restrict proj- take control of the body in January, ects, as well as cut back long-running Tufts and its surrounding communities programs. are bracing for an even greater tighten- Somerville Board of Aldermen ing of the belt. President John Connolly said conser- Senators and representatives rely on vative attacks on earmarks may be earmarks as a source of funding for proj- misplaced, and banning them could ects and programs in their respective have adverse effects in communities states. Although they account for less nationwide. than one-half of 1 percent of the fed- “In the very general sense, it sounds eral budget, earmarks have increasingly all well and good until there’s a par- COURTESY EVAN PARKER Delta Upsilon (DU) brothers Marty Finnegan, Andrew Rayner, Evan Parker and Zak Kline, left become the focus of conservative ire. ticular economic situation, and you can to right, in the DU house with bags of food destined for the Somerville Homeless Coalition. For Tufts, the ban will likely have mini- pick any place in the country,” Connolly mal effects, as the university receives only told the Daily. a small amount of money from federal Education in Massachusetts, both at earmarks, according to Vice President of the primary, secondary and university Greeks deliver Thanksgiving University Relations Mary Jeka. Still, she levels, could face considerable setbacks said, the university will not be able to if earmarks get hung up by legislators in entirely evade the impact of the ban. Washington, he said. meal to the homeless “Overall, the amount of funding In particular, the lack of research received from congressional earmarks grants from the federal government’s BY CORINNE SEGAL Most of the fraternities and sorori- is modest,” Jeka said in an e-mail to the National Institutes of Health could pro- Daily Editorial Board ties lent their support to the project, Daily. “Although the support received duce a decline in the quality of instruc- Parker said. from earmarks is not great, the ban will tion and result in fewer students work- An effort by the Greek community at “I got really positive feedback and require efforts to find alternative sourc- ing in labs, according to Connolly. Tufts recently gave dozens of families positive responses so we decided to go es of funding to minimize the impact on “It’s going to have a very negative in Somerville a chance to celebrate this through with it,” he said. staff and projects.” trickle-down effect,” he said. “We’re Thanksgiving. Parker and Paolo assigned certain food The primary project that may be going to be doing an awful lot less in Tufts fraternities and sororities, along items to participating Greek chapters. affected is the Jean Mayer Human terms of money coming through.” with the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Fraternities and sororities dropped off Nutrition Research Center on Aging, Connolly foresees “extremely difficult Affairs, donated 100 Thanksgiving meals the food items at DU on Nov. 19 and 22. run through the Friedman School of consequences” for Somerville if the fed- to families through the Somerville Paolo also bought 100 turkeys Nutrition Science and Policy for the U.S. eral government does not continue allo- Homeless Coalition (SHC), according to financed through private donations and Department of Agriculture (USDA). cating funds that the city has become Director of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs funds that the Office of Fraternity and In a recent interview with the Daily, accustomed to receiving. In the face of Tanya McGinn Paolo. Sorority Affairs sets aside for commu- University President Lawrence Bacow the impending lack of federal money, Delta Upsilon (DU) Philanthropy Chair nity service initiatives. said that the research center receives an the city is doing everything it can to Evan Parker, who organized the dona- DU brothers, along with fraternity and annual appropriation from the USDA keep certain programs out of jeopardy, tion, said that the Thanksgiving effort sorority affairs intern Daniel Flowers, for a cost-of-living increase, which is he said. was unprecedented in its nature and size. purchased other food at Shaws and cre- technically considered an earmark. “We’re not optimistic that the new “This was the first time we did anything ated 100 individual food bags to donate, Though Tufts does not depend on ear- Congress is going to be overly gen- like this,” Parker, a sophomore, said. according to Parker. marks beyond this funding, the ban erous in dealing with the state of Paolo, who first proposed the proj- Parker, along with Paolo and fellow could prove challenging for the research Massachusetts,” he said. ect, said that Director of Community DU brothers Andrew Rayner and Zak center to overcome, he said. The Green Line Extension project, Relations Barbara Rubel recommended Kline, both sophomores, on Nov. 19 deliv- “That’s our exposure to earmarks,” designed to expand the T into Medford the SHC as a candidate to receive the ered the food to the SHC’s Davis Square Bacow said. “It’s a modest exposure for and Somerville, is one such program food donations and put her in touch with us. I’m not terribly concerned about it, the organization’s executive director. see THANKSGIVING, page 2 but if the cost-of-living increase which see EARMARKS, page 2 With future in mind, MBTA implements expansions

B Y BIANCA BLAKESLEY double-decker cars, purchased AND RACHEL RAMPINO in 2008, are now set to be phased Daily Staff Writers in beginning next month until December 2012. MetroWest Regional Transit The MBTA last month introduced Authority (MWRTA) buses will the Silver Line Direct Connect, a new soon accept fare payment from branch of the Silver Line that runs riders using the Massachusetts between Dudley Square Station and Bay Transport Authority’s (MBTA) South Station. CharlieCard, just one of several new In addition, the MBTA also last revamps to the Boston area mass month began testing expanded transportation network. trains on some routes, introduc- The MBTA announced the move ing three-car trains on selected last month as part of several new branches of the Green Line, rather improvements to the T system. than the customary two. Beyond increasing the reach of its Rivera said the MBTA plans CharlieCard system, the T has also for buses from 10 other regional introduced three-car trains on its transportation authorities (RTAs) Green Line, extended its Silver Line in the Greater Boston area to and unveiled plans to upgrade its eventually accept CharlieCards commuter rail. as well. The MBTA has also bought 75 “This is the pilot; this is the first new commuter rail cars for a sum one. What we want to do, and we of $190 million, according to MBTA DAILY FILE PHOTO spokesperson Lydia Rivera. The see MBTA, page 2 The MBTA is introducing longer trains and new routes and plans to expand its CharlieCard system.

Inside this issue Today’s Sections

The Tufts Student Fund The characters in News 1 Editorial | Letters 8 is fine-tuning its mes- ‘Fever Chart’ seek to sage to appeal to more form connections amid Features 3 Op-Ed 9 potential participants. Middle East tensions. Arts | Living 5Classifieds 11 Comics 7 Sports Back see FEATURES, page 3 see ARTS, page 5 2 THE TUFTS DAILY NEWS Monday, November 29, 2010 Greeks participate in Thanksgiving charity project THANKSGIVING continued from page 1 office and on Nov. 22 to a food pantry on Franklin Street. Every family received a food bag, a turkey and a turkey pan, Paolo said. Zeta Beta Tau and Zeta Psi joint- ly donated canned vegetables, while Alpha Epsilon Pi gave cranberry sauce. Sigma Phi Epsilon donated cake and brownie mix, and DU contributed bags of stuffing. Alpha Tau Omega and Delta Tau Delta together gave a roasting pan. Sigma Nu and the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life donated muffin mix. Sororities Chi Omega and Alpha Omicron Pi donated boxed pota- toes and canned gravy, respectively, while Alpha Phi provided pasta mixes, according to Parker. The food deliveries were positively received, Parker said. “It turned out really well,” Parker said. “By the time we dropped them off, there were already lines of people ready to pick them up. … The people getting it COURTESY TUFTS UNIVERSITY PHOTOGRAPHY were very happy, along with the people The Jean Mayer Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging, operated by Tufts for the USDA, receives an annual appropriation technically who worked at the homeless shelter. designated as an earmark. New congressional leadership will put such earmarks’ future in doubt beginning in January. They were really grateful.” Paolo echoed the sentiment, saying that the SHC was amazed at the volume Federal ban on earmarks could mean cutbacks for of the donations. “The executive director said that he education and development projects was pretty skeptical that we had actu- ally come up with 100 turkeys,” she said. EARMARKS Transportation Authorization Bill, er quantity of legislation, namely smaller “They were really wonderful and obvi- continued from page 1 which legislates the amount of federal bills with local funding initiatives, which ously they were incredibly appreciative that the city is working to safeguard, funds allocated to federal, state and could slow down appropriations to cit- and thankful for all of the donations and Connolly said, though he was unsure municipal transit facilities. ies and towns across the country. everything the students did.” exactly how much of the project is Meehan believes the project will “Now, all of a sudden, you’re going She said that the holiday presented an funded by federal money appropriated have long-term economic benefits for to have to deal with many, many larger opportunity to help the community. through earmarks. the community, and is a good use of volumes [of legislation],” he said. “I think I’m just so aware, especially City of Somerville spokesperson Mike American taxpayer dollars. Meehan said that banning earmarks in today’s economy, there are so many Meehan said that he does not anticipate “That’s the kind of project that pays off would likely have little impact on needy families in the community,” the Green Line extension to be affected with long-term economic benefits — that improving the federal deficit. Paolo said. “I’ve always donated food by the spending halts. would be the sort of the thing the federal “As I understand it, earmarks are a personally. I just thought it would be a But a $50 million project to add a government would be interested in fund- sliver of the sliver of the federal budget,” great idea.” stop to the Orange Line in Assembly ing,” Meehan told the Daily. “If they’re he said. “They could get rid of all the Parker said that the project was suc- Square may be jeopardized should going to spend our tax dollars, they might earmarks and we’d still have a massive cessful and hopes to repeat it. Congress choose to stop earmarking, as well spend it on something with a federal deficit.” “It was a pretty good turnout across according to Meehan. A significant long-term economic benefit.” the board,” he said. “Maybe we’ll be able portion of the money for the new In the absence of earmarks, Connolly Matt Repka contributed reporting to to continue it into the future. I’m sure stop, he said, would come from the thinks Congress would see a much great- this article. we’ll try to make it happen.” Increased CharlieCard use is in the MBTA’s plans Visiting the Hill this week MBTA TUESDAY “Former Army Interrogator at continued from page 1 “Doing Virtuous Business” Guantanamo Bay” will do, is expand to the additional Details: A panel discussion will Details: Matthew Alexander, a RTAs,” Rivera told the Daily. accompany an advance screen- former senior military interroga- MetroWest buses previously ing of the PBS documentary tor and an outspoken critic of accepted fare payment in cash or “Doing Virtuous Business.” The the use of torture, will deliver paper 10-ride tickets, according to documentary’s producer, Ted a lecture. MWRTA Administrator Ed Carr. Malloch, also the CEO of the When and Where: 6 to 7:30 Rivera said passengers riding Roosevelt Group and the author p.m.; Braker 001 MetroWest buses to the Green Line of “Spiritual Enterprise: Doing Sponsor: Amnesty International now use their CharlieCards to pay Virtuous Business,” will be in Tufts Chapter for all the fares in their commute. attendance. “Say someone gets on at When and Where: 5 to 7 p.m.; “Fatal Promises” Framingham, pays, and then they Goddard Chapel Details: A screening of “Fatal get off at the Woodland Station on JUSTIN MCCALLUM/TUFTS DAILY Sponsor: Entrepreneurial Promises” (2009), a film docu- the Green Line, then they have to get New, upgraded commuter-rail cars will soon hit the rails near Boston Avenue. Leadership Program menting the stories of victims a CharlieCard to board that train,” of human trafficking in Eastern Rivera said. “What we’re going to that should be compatible with the according to MassDOT spokesper- WEDNESDAY Europe. Kat Rohrer, the docu- be doing is providing a seamless CharlieCard.” son Klark Jessen. “The Grinch that Stole mentary’s director, will conduct connection from the MWRTA to the Carr said that the MWRTA has “The Patrick administration and Hanukkah” a question-and-answer session Green Line.” planned to integrate its payment MassDOT have the goal of moving Details: Professor Paula following the screening. John von Goeler, a representative system with the MBTA’s since the towards a more seamless system Fredriksen, Aurelio Chair Emerita When and Where: 8 to 10:30 for Scheidt & Bachmann, the com- MWRTA was established in 2007. for the customer who may one day of the Appreciation of Scripture p.m.; Olin 012 pany that developed the automated MWRTA equipped its buses with need to take a bus and then the at Boston University and author Sponsor: Russian Circle fare collection system used with the the same fare boxes that the MBTA subway and the next day the com- of “From Jesus to Christ: The CharlieCard, said a single method of uses for the CharlieCard. muter rail,” Jessen told the Daily. Origins of the New Testament THURSDAY payment for trains and buses sim- “When we started the RTA we “The goal would be to eventually Images of Jesus,” will conduct a “Bottom-Up Entrepreneurship for plifies travel. wanted to be interoperable with add the commuter rail.” question-and-answer session. Democracy and Development” “For the rider it’s an easy process the MBTA. Because it was new But Rivera said that actual imple- When and Where: 5:30 to Details: Iqbal Quadir, found- to jump back and forth,” he told the we had the ability to plan for this mentation is still a long way off. 6:30 p.m.; Coolidge Room, ing director of the Legatum Daily. “Now you can just use the one interoperability,” Carr told the The MBTA must update the com- Ballou Hall Center for Development card and it’s all automatically calcu- Daily in an e-mail. muter rail’s technology to make it Sponsor: Center for the and Entrepreneurship at the lated and deducted.” The CharlieCard expansion compatible with the CharlieCard Humanities at Tufts Massachusetts Institute of Carr said the MWRTA’s transition is part of a series of reforms system, she said. Technology and the founder to accepting CharlieCards, initiated outlined in a 2009 transporta- “That is a future endeavor that “Religion in America” of Grameenphone Limited in in October, would be complete by tion reform bill, signed into law we’re underway with. That’s not Details: Harvey Cox, the Hollis Bangladesh, will discuss new the end of December. by Gov. Deval Patrick, which anytime soon,” she said. Research Professor of Divinity at approaches to solving global Scheidt & Bachmann is now final- eliminated the Massachusetts Von Goeler said that future inno- the Harvard Divinity School, will poverty and empowering work- izing contracts with the ten other Turnpike Authority and consoli- vations to simplify fare payment speak about the future of reli- ers in developing countries. RTAs in the greater Boston area, von dated numerous agencies into remain possible. gion in the United States. When and Where: 7 to 9 p.m.; Goeler said. the Massachusetts Department “We talk with a lot of tran- When and Where: 6 to 7 p.m.; Pearson 104 “We’re expecting them to imple- of Transportation (MassDOT). sit authorities that would like to Goddard Chapel Sponsor: OneWorld ment most of those [contracts] by Integrating commuter rail implement a system where any Sponsor: Office of the University the first half of 2011,” Goeler said. into the CharlieCard system is card in your wallet you could use Chaplain —compiled by Daphne Kolios “Most of these agencies should part of the governor’s larger goal potentially as a device for paying have fare systems up and running of streamlining transportation, your fare,” he said. 3

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STEPHEN MILLER | COUNTERPOINT Harry Potter? More like Harry Notter!

o I went to the new Harry Potter movie last week, and — I’m about to lose a bunch of friends saying Sthis — it was terrible. Look, I love Harry as much as the next guy from the ’90s. Magic is dope. I waited in line at midnight for the release of the third book. I even try to accio the TV remote from time to time. Harry Potter is not my issue. My problem is with that weaselly, money-grubbing, holier-than- thou entity known as Hollywood. Yes, I know holier-than-thou doesn’t fit, but it’s fun to write. OK, where to dive in with this vent? Let’s start with the most blatant and overt offense — splitting the last book into two movies. First off, a message from all of us out there: go to hell, Hollywood. How dare you make us wait another seven and a half months just so you can collect during the summer blockbuster season. I understand that you, Hollywood, have no soul and are greedy. But you’re run- ning away with more of our money than TIEN TIEN /TUFTS DAILY The Tufts Student Fund is shooting for more student participation this year as it tries to better explain its aims. Bernie Madoff. This went too far. Deathly Hallows is a book that can’t be split up. Why? Because nothing hap- pens. The first 7 million pages of the last Tufts Student Fund tweaks its message, book just set up the final battle between Mr. Potter and a noseless Ralph Fiennes. There are no goofy Hogwarts shenani- keeps its eye on participation gans. No Quidditch. It’s just a couple of British chaps sitting around, worrying BY DEREK SCHLOM Last year, the TSF initiative generated ic times. Additionally, the co-chairs said, about the fate of the world and looking Daily Editorial Board close to $7,000 in student donations, supple- the TSF’s opponents have argued that the sad. If I wanted to see that, I’d turn on mented with a grant from two anonymous fund’s proceeds should benefit the finan- the BBC. Being a Jumbo has never been pricier — alumni who donated $50 for each student cial aid budget in general rather than a The movie, as a result, was a series of and one student-run initiative is revamping donation, raising the total to $40,700. single student; the Office of Financial Aid scenes of the protagonists and their tent its attempts to alleviate the cost of a Tufts Though TSF participation in the form chooses the recipient. framed by exotic, over-the-top locations. education for one Jumbo. of student donations has hovered around “We do get a lot of questions,” Sircus said. There was a whole bunch of dither- With a yearly price tag of more than 20 percent — a number consistent with “You know, ‘Why are you donating to one ing. There were many dramatic, intense $50,000 for tuition, room, board and fees, Tufts’ overall alumni donation percentage student; isn’t it better to donate across the faces. Then — SPOILER ALERT — Dobby Tufts ranks as the second most expen- — since its inception during the 2008-2009 student body so that more people can get a dies, and the movie leaves you with a sive school in Massachusetts, according school year, the goals of the TSF have not piece of this?’” cliffhanger. Not pleased. to a report released last month by The been met with unanimous approval by the “We of course understand the contro- Every friend I mention this to Chronicle of Higher Education. student body. versy,” he continued. “It’s a big question, but responds with the stock, “but they were The proceeds of the Tufts Student Among the criticisms levied at the TSF, the philosophy we want to expose people being accurate to the book.” Oh really? I Fund (TSF), which, according to its stu- according to TSF Committee co-chairs Kyle to is that living a philanthropic life begins must have missed the Harry-Hermione dent leaders, is gearing up for its third Sircus and Daniel Slate, both seniors, is here, in the strong sense of community we professional dance routine the first cycle of fundraising to begin in February, the complaint that students should not develop here.” read-around. And I guess Ron imagin- contribute to the tuition bill of a single be responsible for the finances of their ing Harry and Hermione munching face student in need. peers, particularly during difficult econom- see FUND, page 4 slipped my memory too. Hollywood wants to have its cake and eat it too, and I’m not playing ball. If you’re going to stick to the book, stick to the book. If you are going to embellish and throw Questioning your faith: Students consider in Hollywood additions, then can we please have an Emma Watson shower scene? I’m just saying... religious conversion on the Hill You know what is annoying me most about this movie? It’s that people BY MAYA KOHLI O’Leary believes social factors play a found disagreeable. I explored and looked are loving it, and voicing the oppo- Daily Editorial Board large role in the conversion decision, espe- at Quakerism, Unitarian Universalism and site opinion is heresy. Why was this so cially during college years. some mainline Protestant denominations, good? There’s nothing like the dope The practice of religious conversion is fair- “No one has a problem with doc- such as Protestantism and Lutheranism.” Dumbledore-Voldemort battle from the ly common in the United States. Roughly half trine. It’s usually social — sadly, people Kaytrosh said that the large Jewish com- fifth or the Dumbledore being a boss of American adults have switched religious find they haven’t been treated properly munity at Tufts was a motivating factor at the end of the sixth. Other than one affiliation at least once in their lives, accord- where they have been worshipping,” he behind his decision to convert. blatant penis-wand comment, there’s ing to a 2009 study by the Pew Forum on explained. “Many people don’t switch “There’ s too much ritual, too much social really not much comedy. Regardless, Religion and Public Life. faith paths because of doctrinal issues; observation, too much you need to watch Deathly Hallows has the highest rating Though such a decision marks a major life it’s more their friends, their partner, their other people doing in order to learn the ritual of any of the Potter films on IMDb.com. change, the study found that most adults that boyfriend or girlfriend.” mastery,” he explained. “You can’t practice I don’t get it. did leave their childhood faith did so early — Rather than social pressures, O’Leary Judaism in a vacuum or a bubble; there’s All in all, the movie was as disappoint- before the age of 24. stressed that the process of religious con- been a lot of intellectual and spiritual dis- ing as a South Park “old fashioned.” It How do the processes of religious ques- version should instead derive from a com- covery involved. If Tufts didn’t have such a took a long time, wasn’t very exciting and tioning and exploration manifest themselves bination of highly intellectual and spiri- strong, welcoming, cohesive community, it had an anti-climactic climax. And think at Tufts? University Chaplain David O’Leary tual questions. wouldn’t have happened.” about how awesome a three-hour, full- said that he frequently counsels students “Students need to examine what’s moti- Kaytrosh also identified with the more book movie would have been. But no, the who are beginning to doubt their faiths. vating them,” he said. “What is [it] that’s intellectual and doctrinal aspects of Judaism, Harry Potter frenzy has reached a level “Questioning is good. The more one ques- calling? What are they feeling? What are the particularly its groundings in everyday life, where the quality is no longer important. tions, the more you’re making the faith your reasons they are drawn to [a new faith]?” he said. It’s a name tag attached to a number of own instead of the faith of your parents or Junior John Peter Kaytrosh, a Judaic stud- “It was definitely the emphasis on com- very, very large bank accounts. It makes grandparents,” O’Leary said. ies major, started grappling with these kinds munity and living in the world. A lot of other me want to go all CJ Saraceno on this Before students elect to change faiths, of questions his sophomore year of high religions will emphasize doing things that and call for a Harry Potter ban. O’Leary said it is important they have a han- school. Kaytrosh, who is currently in the pro- are extraordinary, that are not necessarily Wait a second. Hold up. Who am I dle on the religion in which they were raised. cess of converting to Conservative Judaism, sustainable as a way of life — they empha- kidding? That’s going a bit far. Only 228 “My biggest thing to ask before any- began exploring different faiths when he felt size drawing yourself out from the world,” days until part two. Are ticket preorders one changes is ‘Do they know their own that the Catholicism of his childhood wasn’t Kaytrosh explained. “Judaism doesn’t do that. available yet? tradition?’” he said. “A lot of people want meeting his spiritual needs. It asks us not only to engage but to become to change, but they haven’t explored the “I was raised Catholic and went to Catholic very skilled [at] living well and living with the faith they want to leave. My role is to school for 12 years,” he said. “There were world and not living against it.” Stephen Miller is a senior majoring in make sure they explore the tradition they a lot of intellectual leaps I couldn’t make, English. He can be reached at Stephen. grew up in.” and there was also a lot of teaching that I see CONVERSION, page 4 [email protected]. 4 THE TUFTS DAILY FEATURES Monday, November 29, 2010 Tufts Student Fund looks to clarify its goals among students FUND “I would say that they’re defi- continued from page 3 nitely choosing their mission,” she Slate admitted responsibility, on said. “We’re just supporting them the part of the committee, for what and providing as much help as we he deemed a lack of success in can in their efforts.” communicating the TSF’s goals to Despite the shift in approach, the student body in the previous Sircus and Slate stressed that the two years of fundraising. overall goal of the TSF remains con- “I do find it sort of crass to hear stant: getting students involved. people say, ‘Because I’m a student, “We’re emphasizing that this is I don’t have a responsibility to sup- not about the money, the $50,000 port the other students here,’” Slate for a scholarship,” Slate said. “It’s said. “But I think it’s because we about students demonstrating sup- didn’t do a very good job in the past port for the vision of education not of explaining to students why they needing to be restricted financially should be donating to this.” … and demonstrating support for To more effectively address each other. To expect students to potential student donors, the TSF donate $50,000 is an undue bur- DAILY FILE PHOTO Committee has shifted this year den, but we can expect them to While half of Americans convert at some point in their lives, religious leaders on the Hill explain that religious from a central, administration- demonstrate support, which can conversion takes on different meanings within different faiths. driven body to a largely student- even mean donating a dollar.” driven one, according to Slate. According to the TSF Committee The initial TSF Committee was co-chairs, the actual financial Students and chaplains encourage learning formed by the administration, impact of the TSF’s student fund- which chose student representa- raising efforts pales in comparison about religions before committing to them tives from campus groups, includ- to the awareness about financial aid ing the Tufts Community Union issues it generates among students CONVERSION sized that conversion involved a “I think it depends on how you (TCU) Senate, which is no longer and potential alumni donors. continued from page 3 high level of commitment and a lot were living your life before; for directly involved with the TSF, Slate “We’re making a small but Tufts’ Jewish Chaplain, Rabbi of religious learning. some people it’s an inner shift, said. Unlike in past years, the TSF important contribution to a huge Jeffrey Summit, said that the con- In contrast, conversion to Islam but for some people, it’s also an Committee is also currently allow- financial aid budget,” Sircus said. version process is lengthy. Many is far simpler according to Tufts’ outer change.” ing volunteers to participate. “It’s not about the dollar amount; of the students he has helped to Muslim Chaplain, Naila Baloch. Regardless of religious affilia- “Now we’re more of a stu- it’s about getting the whole cam- convert to Judaism, he said, do not “All you have to do is say that tion, the process of exploring dif- dent group functioning in an pus involved in this issue, dealing finish until after graduation. you bear witness — that there ferent faiths is important for stu- advisory role to the [University] with something that’s a hot topic “A person goes through a seri- is no god but one god, Allah, dents interested in converting. Advancement office so that the on our campus and trying to do ous process of study, usually tak- the Arabic term for god or one “Explore away. It’s easy here fund can be pitched more effective- something about it.” ing a formal course and meeting god,” she said. “Basically, it is at Tufts,” O’Leary said. “We have ly to students, which is where we’ve Ultimately, Slate sees donating with a rabbi regularly for about a bearing witness that there is the a great Department of Religion gone astray in the past,” Slate said. to the TSF as a part of a circle of year,” Summit said in an e-mail. one god and that Muhammad that offers courses on many of “There used to just be an informal giving. “After that process, a potential is his prophet.” the spiritual religions. There are meeting between the committee “I go back to the fact that all of our convert goes before a rabbinic Baloch, who has exchanged also various student religious and the administration.” experiences here have been as posi- court of three rabbis who speak e-mails with a few students inter- organizations that people should Sarah Pease, volunteer coor- tive as they’ve been because of the with the convert about his or her ested in Islam, explained that the check out.” dinator for the Tufts Fund for people who’ve come before us and reasons for converting and ask Muslim community is very open Kaytrosh echoed this senti- Arts, Sciences and Engineering, donated back to the school,” Slate questions about how the convert to converts. Unlike the more ment, advising that students on which, according to Slate, pro- said. “I look at [the TSF] as a way will integrate Judaism into his or procedural conversions required their own spiritual journeys listen vides administrative assistance to ensure that our experience here her life.” in Judaism and some other reli- to their instincts. to the TSF, said that the internal continues for those after us. A lot of Other rituals follow, including gions, conversion to Islam is far “Go with your gut,” he said. “If changes being implemented by us are here today because alumni the “mikvah,” a ritual immersion in less ritualistic, she said. something is attracting you real- the TSF Committee are noticeable have donated grants to financial aid a pool of water. “It’s more like your inner orien- ly strongly, never stop learning. and impressive. that have allowed us to come here.” Like Kaytrosh, Summit empha- tation changes,” she explained. There’s always more to learn.” Introduce new Jumbos to the Tufts Experience

Applications Due 2/4

Innovative and Energetic Leaders Needed to Coordinate Orientation 2011! Positions in Major Events, Leadership, Training & Academic Programs, and Logistics & Communications (3 Full-Time Paid Summer Positions…June, July, August) more information &application at: http://studentservices.tufts.edu/orientation or stop by Campus Life in the Campus Center. 5

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THEATER REVIEW MITCHELL GELLER | MAKES IT RAIN ‘Fever Chart’ addresses Middle East Nolite futuere tensions with poignant execution cum Wu-Tang BY BRIANNA BEEHLER gens Senior Staff Writer here are nine members of the Wu-Tang Do you know what your hands do Clan, in case you were wondering. while you sleep? In her new three-part As the RZA announces during the play, “The Fever Chart: Three Visions of Tintro to “Clan in Da Front” (1993), they are: “The RZA, the GZA, Ol’ Dirty The Fever Chart: Three Visions Bastard, Inspecta Deck, U-God, Ghostface Killah, the Method Mad, Raekwon the Chef, of the Middle East the Masta Killah.” But I’d like to propose a 10th member: Ovid. Yes, that Ovid: the great Roman poet who Written by Naomi Wallace has basically influenced everyone ever. Directed by Elena Araoz His writings, collections of poems and At the Central Square Theater epics such as “Amores,” “Heroidies” and “Metamorphoses,” are cornerstones of through Dec. 19 Western literature. At some point in your Tickets $20 to $40 education, you have, in some form, either encountered these works or works that are the Middle East,” Naomi Wallace asks directly influenced by them. us to consider the consequences of our While I can’t prove it for sure, I wouldn’t be actions regardless of whether we are surprised if Ghostface Killah has read his fair aware of them or not. share of Ovid. In “The Fever Chart,” characters Ghostface Killah, known for his densely from Palestine, Israel and Iraq deal lyrical, often darkly comedic, inner-city nar- with trying to establish connections ratives, can be seen as a spiritual successor to amid turbulent times. All of the char- Ovid (and, thus, to Shakespeare, Chaucer and acters are lonely and alienated, mak- Spenser, among others). His songs, when writ- ing their various attempts to find ten out, read like the poems by these authors, human sympathy all the more touch- albeit updated with new language and new ing. Adding to the effectiveness of stories. Just as Edmund Spenser made up CENTRALSQUARETHEATER.ORG his own language to describe the various see FEVER, page 6 Ken Baltin and Najla Said share a tense moment. knights’ exploits in Faerie Land, Ghostface often employs his own unique slang to weave his tales of life in the ghetto. MOVIE REVIEW ALBUM REVIEW The song “Shakey Dog,” off Ghostface’s 2006 album “Fishscale,” tells the story of a robbery gone bad. It starts with the narrator (Tony ‘Love and Other Drugs’ Minaj makes aka “Ghost”) and his accomplice (Frank aka “Shakey Dog”) in a car getting ready to enter an apartment building to rob a rival drug dealer. spread too thin confident solo As in the work of Ovid and Spenser, the nar- rative of the song doesn’t follow a linear path: Romcom about health care misses the mark As Tony and Frank enter the building, Tony debut in ‘Pink’ points out a local character to his partner, BY SMRITI CHOUDHURY drugs — comes off as very real. Jamie and the narrative goes off on a sudden, mean- Daily Staff Writer and Maggie’s relationship is shaded BY SAMUEL ZUCKERT dering aside. Just as Spenser’s description of with various convincing details, from Contributing Writer the nefarious Ate wanders off track in the Contrary to what drug companies the nuance in Maggie’s tremors and first canto of the fourth book of “The Faerie may hope, there’s not a lot that’s sexy Jamie’s hyperventilating to the much- Nicki Minaj is not your everyday rap- Queen,” Ghostface loses focus to discuss an about selling erectile dysfunction med- discussed nude scenes. per. To begin with, she is female, which O.G. in the hallway: ications like Viagra. The movie’s identity crisis lies in is not only unusual in the male-dom- “Look out for Jackson 5-0 cause they on its juxtaposition of an eccentric but foot/Straight ahead is the doorway, see that Love and Other Drugs romantic relationship with its explora- Pink Friday lady, that lady with the shopping cart/She tion of the realm of the morally dubi- keep a shottie cocked in the hallway/Damn ous American pharmaceutical market. Nicki Minaj she look pretty old Ghost, she work for Kevin, Starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Anne Jamie, for example, is continuously she ’bout 77/She paid her dues when she shown bribing Dr. Knight, played by smoked his brother-in-law at his bosses’ Hathaway, Oliver Platt Hank Azaria (LA ’85), with alcohol- Young Money Records wedding/Flew to Venezuela quickly when Directed by Edward Zwick ic beverages and beautiful women in the big fed stepped in/3 o’clock, watch the order to gain his business for drug inated rap world but also what makes kids, third floor, last door...” Yet in “Love and Other Drugs,” Jamie sales, while he continues to sweetly fall this album so exciting. The prospect of a The language here is just as dense and con- Randall (Jake Gyllenhaal) is a modern- in love with Maggie. female rapper with chops and lasting abil- fusing as anything Spenser ever wrote; foot- day Don Juan who seduces women with Zwick’s deeper message regarding ity has been offered many times before, notes would be appreciated. What seems to his job as a slick pharmaceutical rep. pharmaceuticals and health care in the but except for a few (Missy Elliott, Lauryn be happening, however, is fairly simple: Tony Unfortunately, director Edward Zwick’s United States seems to bemoan a loss Hill), they have all faded into obscurity. warns Frank to watch out for the police — second romantic comedy falls flat with of humanity in the medical world. The Though “Pink Friday” is by no means a Jackson 5-0 — and to be aware that a woman a predictable storyline couple with a movie takes a pathetic jab at American classic rap album, it is a solid debut effort in the hallway has a shotgun. From this warn- forced commentary about American health care policy as Maggie is shown by Minaj and, more importantly, it gives ing, Tony goes on to relate the woman’s life health care policy and conniving phar- transporting some elderly people to us hope that she will be here to stay. story — when she was younger she worked for maceutical companies. Canada for medication. While there, the One of the main questions about “Pink some gangster, earned her stripes by killing a “Love and Other Drugs” unravels female protagonist purchases drugs to Friday” leading up to its release was wheth- rival’s brother at a wedding and then escaped the sex-driven relationship between ameliorate her condition as well, since er Minaj would actually be able to put out arrest — and then, just as abruptly, switches Jamie and Maggie (Anne Hathaway), a she has no job or health insurance. 13 songs on her own. This year, she’s proved back to the narrative, focusing our attention at free spirit with stage-one Parkinson’s Zwick’s message ultimately comes that she can rap with a solid verse on the the door of the apartment where the robbery disease, as the two predictably fall through on screen, but rampant sub- is going to occur. in love. Overwhelming Jamie and plots and secondary characters — such see MINAJ, page 6 While epic poems are rarely produced now, Maggie’s narrative, though, is a macro- as Jamie’s sex-obsessed brother and and traditional poets are no longer heroes story about the questionable market- Maggie’s ex-boyfriend, a pharmaceuti- worshipped in the streets, it isn’t fair to say that ing schemes and corrupt tactics of cal rep — detract from the film’s seri- the bard is dead — he’s just harder to recog- pharmaceutical companies. ousness and credibility as a social and nize now, with those diamond teeth and all. Zwick, known for war epics like political critique. Rappers are our poets, and they’re treated “Blood Diamond” (2006) and “Legends As a romantic comedy that attempts the same way celebrated poets of yore once of Fall” (1994), aims to address a par- to retain a dramatic message, “Love were. Poetry is still important; it’s still a vital, allel between medical drugs and the and Other Drugs” is peppered with too unique art form, but it’s sometimes hard to “drug” of love for Jamie and Maggie. much jocularity. The powerful moral connect with. Where people groan at Milton, Yet the product ends up lame, espe- regarding the pharmaceutical world is Frost, Spenser or Rumi, they might be more cially in its resemblance to “Sweet undermined by the film’s humor. receptive to Ghostface, Biggie or Jay-Z. November” (2001). The most memorable funny men in The always-irascible Eminem explicitly stat- Although the storyline is eas- the film are Tufts graduates Oliver Platt ed it on Jay-Z’s “Renegade” (2001): “I’m a poet ily guessed from far off, Zwick does (LA ’83) and Azaria. Platt plays a Tums- to some/A regular modern-day Shakespeare.” manage to elicit the rawness of his addicted pharmaceutical sales director Or, “My name is ‘What’ is in a name?” characters’ emotions, feelings and who introduces Gyllenhaal’s character actions. Throughout the film, Jamie’s to the soulless world of drug market- pharmaceutical career — chock-full ing. Azaria portrays a narcissistic doc- MYPINKFRIDAY.COM Mitchell Geller is a senior majoring in psy- of corporate brown-nosing and brib- Surprisingly, the color pink features chology and English. He can be reached at ing doctors in order to sell certain see LOVE, page 6 prominently on the album cover. [email protected]. 6 THE TUFTS DAILY ARTS & LIVING Monday, November 29, 2010 Cast’s convincing performances Collaboration with heavyweights like give ‘Fever’ a robust emotionality Eminem gives album more credibility FEVER moment’s purpose is unclear and thus MINAJ world, and Minaj definitely makes it work continued from page 5 appears gratuitous. continued from page 5 in her solo debut. the script is the mingling and mixing The highlight of Said’s performance is Young Money smash hit “Bedrock” as well as “Pink Friday” starts out strong, with a bub- of reality with dreams, producing an her fits of lung seizure, during which she possibly one of the best verses (for anyone) bly, boastful intro, “I’m The Best,” and transi- interesting and successful commentary agonizingly gasps for air. Her character this year on Kanye West’s “Monster”: “Yeah tions smoothly into “Roman’s Revenge,” a on contemporary issues and humanity takes on a new power in her helpless- I’m in that Tonka, color of Willy Wonka/ song that features Eminem at possibly his in general. ness. These disruptions only encour- You could be the King but watch the Queen most crazy in quite some time. With accents that never falter, the age the circuit of kindness from Baltin’s conquer.” Although her skill was unques- The singles off the album are solid but actors successfully cement the play’s character, who uses the fits as examples tioned, people still wondered if she could not amazing. “Right Thru Me” and “Your setting in the Middle East. Presented of the toll on her body resulting from put together a solo album. Love” probably won’t be smash hits, but to us in three “visions,” we witness a her refusal to accept his help and love. Right from the start you can tell that “Pink they can definitely hold their own against Palestinian woman’s interaction with In the end, however, the point of the Friday” is not going to be like most other some of the other garbage rap singles that a young Israeli soldier in a small Rafah second piece makes its intended impact, rap albums. Minaj is weird on the micro- have come out this year. zoo, a grieving Palestinian father’s con- and Baltin’s last line is especially poi- phone, spitting off-balance verses that dance Minaj doesn’t do anything extraordinary frontation with an Israeli nurse in West gnant and well-delivered. There is also around the beat like few other rappers, male on “Pink Friday,” but with production from Jerusalem, and lastly, an Iraqi pigeon a comic element to the story, thanks to or female, can do. Missy Elliott was a great the likes of Swizz Beatz, Bangladesh and enthusiast’s conversation with himself. the young janitor working at the clinic rapper, but there was little femininity in her will.i.am, she doesn’t have to. She put togeth- The three stories overlap and converge (Harry Hobbs), who does much to dif- music — Minaj presents herself confidently er a solid collection of rap songs, and that is in both moving and discouraging ways, fuse the otherwise traumatic emotional as a particularly female rapper. more than you can say about a lot of other yet Wallace still manages to provide sur- tension of the scene. Very rarely can someone put out a “girly” debut rap albums. prising endings that compensate for the The third section is a monologue rap album, but Minaj seems to have made “Pink Friday” won’t blow any minds, but at-times dishearteningly complicated from Ali (Ibrahim Mirari), an Iraqi it work. Her lyrics are often flirty and light, it is a good listen, and anyone who liked dialogue and plot. pigeon breeder who directly addresses and at other times, obscure and cadenced Minaj on “Bedrock” or “Monster” will not The set is appropriately simple: A and interacts with the audience as he like the snares. be disappointed by her debut. The real white tile floor and ceiling of dan- relates burdensome memories from Sex appeal is often a factor in female question now is whether Minaj can keep it gling, ripped white fabric situates the his life. While this is the most difficult celebrities’ fame, and “Pink Friday” is no up. If she can put out more albums of this scene somewhere that is dream-like story to keep engaging, Mirari does a different. But with Minaj, it’s not only about quality she will continue her established and universal. The young Israeli sol- strikingly solid job with his character, her sexuality. She has an odd way of being reign as the Queen Bee of hip-hop. If she dier (Dan Shaked) opens the Rafah making for an impressively cohesive scary and sexy at the same time. This odd can’t, then she may just fade away like so zoo story — and the play — with an performance. form of sex appeal is unique in the rap many female rappers before her. extremely convincing performance Most memorably, Mirari imitates the that only becomes more impressive calls of his pigeons in an uncannily pre- as the first story matures. The most cise way. The pigeon motif returns from confusing story of the play does its job the first “vision,” implying the freedom setting the tone for the following per- associated with those who fly, and fur- formances by introducing us to what ther stressing the play’s overarching initially appears to be chaos, which theme of human connectedness. eventually gives way to coherence. During the second “vision,” Baltin In the second story, Najla Said gives asks, “Do you think this is the only us a painful performance as Tanya world?” and in doing so, defines the play Langer, a young nurse who has sur- as a whole. In the end, the play’s answer vived a lung transplant. Ken Baltin to this question is a resounding “no.” also offers a strong performance as The incorporation of dreams and their Mourid Kamal, a Palestinian father inseparability from reality force us to who informs Tanya that her lungs came realize the many possibilities for change from his son, who died a few years and reconnection with those whom we prior. The shifting balance between had thought lost. Wallace’s play raises them is handled well, although Said’s important questions, but also success- graphic delivery of her sexual encoun- fully offers solutions in a performance ters is uncomfortable at best. Similarly, that creates human connections across MYPINKFRIDAY.COM when Baltin gropes Said’s breast, the seemingly impenetrable borders. Nicki Minaj illustrates her versatility as a model. ‘Love and Other Drugs’ fails to juggle political message and heart LOVE continued from page 5 tor who self-injects collagen in his but- tocks to maintain his robust physique. On the whole, the moral of “Love and Other Drugs” is a breath of fresh air as it seeks to explore a serious issue in the medical world while offering a real-life view on relationships. But the over-predictability of its screenplay and character development fails to serve the film’s high aspirations. The movie is a disappointment from Zwick, who, though talented, should stick to more action-heavy, war- focused stories. As such, “Love and Other Drugs” should be experienced not in a theater but at home with the LOVEANDOTHERDRUGSTHEMOVIE.COM comfort of personal control over its Jake Gyllenhaal, left, and Oliver Platt (LA showing, with the fast-forward button ‘83) represent the seedy side of pharma- available to be used gratuitously. ceutical sales.

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DOONESBURY BY GARRY TRUDEAU CROSSWORD

NON SEQUITUR BY WILEY

TUESDAY’S SOLUTION

MARRIED TO THE SEA

www.marriedtothesea.com

SUDOKU Level: Getting sick of Christmas music by the second week of December

LATE NIGHT AT THE DAILY

Tuesday’s Solution

Ben: “Wait it’s negative? ... Oh it’s b----, yeah, of course.”

Please recycle this Daily. 8 THE TUFTS DAILY EDITORIAL | LETTERS Monday, November 29, 2010

EDITORIAL THE TUFTS DAILY BENJAMIN D. GITTLESON The church in a changing world Editor-in-Chief In an interview with German journal- Church. Coming from the pope, the Overall, this development should be EDITORIAL ist Peter Seewald, Pope Benedict XVI proclamation carries a great deal of viewed in a positive light. It has been 48 Managing Editors conceded that the use of condoms could authority. Although it only has implica- years since the Second Vatican Council Ellen Kan in rare cases be acceptable to the Roman tions for Catholic members of society, it (Vatican II), when Catholic leaders gath- Carter Rogers Catholic Church. In his comments, may foreshadow a shift in the church’s ered to discuss modernizing the faith to which appear in Seewald’s book, “Light approach to the issue. At the very least, fit the era. We can only hope that Pope Matt Repka Executive News Editor of the World: The Pope, the Church and the pope’s comments suggest that the Benedict’s comments represent a new- Alexandra Bogus News Editors the Signs of the Times,” released last use of condoms is a complex issue for found progressivism within the church. Michael Del Moro Nina Ford Tuesday, the pope specified that the use the Catholic Church. Upon his election at the age of 78, he Amelie Hecht of condoms by male prostitutes could, Thus far, the pope’s decision has been was seen primarily as a placeholder, a Corinne Segal in his opinion, be justified in an effort to widely applauded, particularly by AIDS conservative pope who would uphold Martha Shanahan Brent Yarnell prevent the spread of HIV. activists. Outside the United States, the traditional, canonical values. But his Jenny White The pope’s statements come in the pope’s stance may bear even greater statement suggests otherwise. Daphne Kolios Assistant News Editors context of a larger debate in the church significance. Many reports have said With longstanding institutions such Kathryn Olson about the permissibility of using con- that any breakthrough on this issue is a as the church — institutions based on Romy Oltuski Executive Features Editor doms. While the pope’s stance signifies a major step for societies in Latin America ancient rituals and policy — there is a Sarah Korones Features Editors Alison Lisnow loosening of church policy, he affirmed and Africa, where sexually transmitted constant struggle to maintain relevancy Emilia Luna that condom use for the purpose of birth diseases are more rampant. in a changing word. The success of an Alexa Sasanow control is impermissible, a position the But it has not received universal institution is often based on its ability Derek Schlom Jon Cheng Assistant Features Editors church has traditionally stood by. The support. Some African priests who to successfully strike a balance between Maya Kohli pope admitted that condoms play an have petitioned for permission to sup- adapting to present-day circumstances Amelia Quinn important role in HIV protection, but port more widespread condom use to and preserving core values. the “humanization of sexuality,” he said, combat the spread of AIDS feel that Vatican II proved that the church can Emma Bushnell Executive Arts Editor Zach Drucker Arts Editors is the ultimate solution to stemming the the pope has not gone far enough. change. Hopefully, Pope Benedict’s com- Mitchell Geller transmission of AIDS and other sexually They cited married couples in which ments are in the same vein. They are a Rebecca Goldberg transmitted diseases. one partner had HIV as a group that step in the right direction, leading to a Ben Phelps Anna Majeski Assistant Arts Editors The comments represent a signifi- should have been included in the renewed discussion of church policy in Rebecca Santiago cant, progressive step for the Catholic pope’s statement. the modern world. Matthew Welch

Rachel Oldfield Executive Op-Ed Editor DEVON COLMER Bhushan Deshpande Assistant Op-Ed Editors Larissa Gibbs Dave Kellog Kevin Luo Jeremy Ravinsky Daniel Stock Elaine Sun Devon Colmer Cartoonists Erin Marshall Lorrayne Shen Louie Zong Craig Frucht Editorialists Rebekah Liebermann Ashish Malhotra Josh Molofsky Michael Restiano Alexandra Siegel

Philip Dear Executive Sports Editor Lauren Flament Sports Editors Jeremy Greenhouse Claire Kemp Ben Kochman Alex Lach Alex Prewitt Daniel Rathman Noah Schumer Ethan Sturm Assistant Sports Editor

Aalok Kanani Executive Photo Editor Meredith Klein Photo Editors Danai Macridi Andrew Morgenthaler Tien Tien Josh Berlinger Assistant Photo Editors OFF THE HILL | AMERICAN UNIVERSITY Virginia Bledsoe Kristen Collins Alex Dennett Emily Eisenberg Dilys Ong The problem with fixing today without Jodi Bosin Staff Photographers Jenna Liang Meagan Maher Ashley Seenauth regard for tomorrow Mick B. Krever Executive New Media Editor James Choca New Media Editors BY MICHAEL STUBEL is a necessity. It’s ludicrous to think that the plan didn’t pass the test. Here’s a Kerianne Okie The Eagle we could have continued our tired tradi- timeless rule to help you cut through the tion of more spending, more borrowing political haze: Any idea, policy, or pro- PRODUCTION The majority of the Democrats and and less taxes without paying a price. The posal that conservatives and liberals bash Leanne Brotsky Republicans that populate [Washington’s] cruelty of making promises we can’t keep is probably the best course of action. Production Director institutions are career professionals and is immeasurable. Selling a plan in Congress that lays public servants. For the most part, their The co-chairs of President Barack out nearly $4 trillion in deficit reduction Andrew Petrone Executive Layout Editor Sarah Davis Layout Editors expertise has served us well. Yet my worry Obama’s National Commission on through 2020 will be infinitely difficult. Adam Gardner is that maybe, somewhere, there is anoth- Fiscal Responsibility and Reform, for- The co-chairs knew that they were asking Jason Huang er Abraham Lincoln. Someone we would mer Republican Senator Alan Simpson so much of legislators who, for so long, Jennifer Iassogna mock, someone who didn’t go to an Ivy and Clinton White House Chief of Staff had done so little. The purpose was to Alyssa Kutner Steven Smith League school, someone who made it on Erskine Bowles, recently released their start a discussion, to get people, as New Sarah Kester Assistant Layout Editor his or her own. proposal for addressing our fiscal mess. York Times columnist David Brooks put Zehava Robbins Executive Copy Editor Like Lincoln, they could change Their blueprint, which is separate from it, “to look beyond their short-term finan- Alexandra Husted Copy Editors everything. They could right the wrongs the commission’s larger report due cial interest to see the long-term national Isabel Leon and redraw America’s path forward. out Dec. 1, calls for spending caps on threat.” Right now, politicians have no Vivien Lim Realistically, even Lincoln couldn’t major domestic and defense programs. incentives to make the hard bargains. Linh Dang Assistant Copy Editors Andrew Paseltiner make it today, and that saddens me They want a simplified tax code that They are elected to produce immediate Melissa Roberts deeply. Lincoln’s story is the story of reduces overall rates and closes loop- results, so few find supporting unpopular Elisha Sum this nation and what it should be — but holes. On health care, they emphasize cuts or tax hikes very worthwhile. Darcy Mann Executive Online Editor isn’t anymore. There will be no more malpractice reform and long-term cost In the current environment, I don’t Audrey Kuan Online Editors Lincolns because our political system containment. Retirement pensions for have much hope for the recommenda- Ann Sloan Emily Denton Assistant Online Editors punishes those who are willing to speak federal workers would be slashed and tions of the president’s commission. I do William Wong the truth and make the tough decisions. the Social Security age would be raised believe that the group’s report, coupled Ammar Khaku Executive Technical Manager Who’s brave enough to put tomorrow to achieve the program’s solvency. with emerging plans from other fiscal Michael Vastola Technical Manager before today? Everybody would take a hit. commissions in the policy realm, will Families across the country have spent Although predictable, partisan reaction successfully raise the tenor of the debate BUSINESS the past two years altering their spending to the proposal was distressing. House over how we want to leave the world to Benjamin Hubbell-Engler habits. Some have taken on another job, Speaker Nancy Pelosi declared the terms our children and grandchildren. I doubt Executive Business Director others have downsized to smaller homes. “unacceptable.” [American Federation that something along the lines of Brazil’s Laura Moreno Advertising Director People are doing more with less, as they of Labor and Congress of Industrial Fiscal [Responsibility] Law, which bars Dwijo Goswami Receivables Manager shop for the best deals and cut entertain- Organizations] President Richard Trumka politicians who overspend from run- The Tufts Daily is a nonprofit, independent newspaper, pub- ment costs. There’s a growing feeling that said that the co-chairs had essentially ning for reelection, will catch on in the lished Monday through Friday during the academic year, and the same sort of waist trimming should told working Americans to “drop dead.” U.S. I’m waiting for a show of bravery distributed free to the Tufts community. be applied here in Washington. To those politicians who subscribe to his from leaders who want to tackle these P.O. Box 53018, Medford, MA 02155 To close the annual budget deficit and no-tax pledge, Grover Norquist, president problems before a grave meltdown puts 617 627 3090 FAX 617 627 3910 [email protected] reduce the national debt, shared sacrifice of Americans for Tax Reform, warned that everyone on notice.

EDITORIAL POLICY Editorials that appear on this page are written by the editorialists, and indi- LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Letters must be submitted by 4 p.m. and should be handed ADVERTISING POLICY All advertising copy is subject vidual editors are not necessarily responsible for, or in agreement with, the policies and editorials into the Daily office or sent to [email protected]. All letters must be word processed and to the approval of the Editor-in-Chief, Executive Board of The Tufts Daily. The content of letters, advertisements, signed columns, cartoons and graphics include the writer’s name and telephone number. There is a 450-word limit and letters must and Executive Business Director. A publication sched- does not necessarily reflect the opinion of The Tufts Daily editorial board. be verified. The editors reserve the right to edit letters for clarity, space and length. ule and rate card are available upon request. Monday, November 29, 2010 THE TUFTS DAILY OP-ED 9 Setting the record straight on Matthis Chiroux

BY VIJAY SARASWAT

On Nov. 16, the Daily featured a profile of Matthis Chiroux, a veteran of the U.S. Army who served for five years and is now a student at Brooklyn University and an anti-war activist. This article was presented to the Tufts community as part of a feature on veterans past and pres- ent, and Mr. Chiroux was portrayed as a typical modern- day veteran unique only for his outspoken objection to our current wars. In fact, Matthis Chiroux is anything but representative of the U.S. Armed Forces; he does not speak and act on my behalf, nor does he represent the vast majority of my brothers and sisters in the services. While he purports to speak for a plurality of veterans, in both word and deed he demonstrates that he speaks only for himself — and the screed he pushes is highly inflam- matory and suspect. The Daily could have interviewed any number of veterans at Tufts and the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy who would have given a balanced and rea- soned account of military culture. Additionally, the Alliance Linking Leaders in Education and the Services (ALLIES) is an on-campus student group whose sole purpose is to promote dialogue and understanding between service members and civilians and would have been a valuable source for this feature. That the Daily’s editors gave Matthis Chiroux a solitary JODI BOSIN/TUFTS DAILY platform in the first place is nothing short of outrageous. an all-volunteer Army; in actuality he could have cho- practice which causes a great deal of anguish to veterans Even cursory research would have revealed fundamen- sen to pay the price for violating the law by serving his who have moved on. And ironically, though he professes tal inconsistencies between his statements, actions and time in prison, but the military gave him the option to disgust and disillusionment with the Army from the very service record which should have immediately tabled make amends and improve his life. His attempts to shirk first day of boot camp, the fact that he made the rank of any consideration of a profile piece. And while Matthis responsibility for his crime and for his decision to join Sergeant is proof that he must have had a decent measure Chiroux’s actual tour of duty deserves acknowledgement, are cowardly and reprehensible. of motivation and competence during his time in service his recent shameful actions and disingenuousness dis- In his blog, he speaks voluminously and hysterically — yet another inconsistency about his professed disen- honor the legacy of service and sacrifice embodied by about experiences with alcohol abuse, prostitution and chantment with the military. past and present members of the Armed Forces. erectile dysfunction in Germany and the Philippines In writing this, I only wish to highlight Matthis Chiroux’s Chiroux claims to be “living proof that we do not have during his tours of service overseas. His stories read like trail of mendacity and the inappropriateness of the Daily’s an all-volunteer army.” His blog — matthisresists.us — tall tales from someone who saw too many war movies profile. I do not in any way seek to diminish the impor- recounts a drug arrest for possession and distribution in or read Soldier of Fortune Magazine too many times — tance of real problems within the military and with veter- Alabama which led to threats and coercion into service. Chiroux’s military has evolved substantially from the days ans’ care, issues that should be addressed in a responsible, Military recruiters in years past made offers to young of the Winter Soldier Investigation. He has made repeated reasoned and respectful way. I applaud those veterans offenders of legal age as a way to improve their lot in life public statements on the horror of seeing dead civilians in who are courageous enough to voice substantive objec- and move on from their poor decisions; I have known a combat zone and claims to speak for war veterans who tions to our current wars in Iraq and Afghanistan because more than a few outstanding Marines who were given have seen the same, depicting these traumatic experi- they have the experiences to back up their concerns and similar choices and became exemplary leaders. Chiroux ences as a personal epiphany which turned him against they are exercising the rights they essentially gave up dur- mischaracterizes this practice as the rule, not an excep- the wars, the military and the troops themselves. ing their service. I firmly believe that dissent is patriotic tion. This twisted tale is in direct contradiction to a profile However, Matthis Chiroux is not a war veteran. He and that we veterans perhaps have more of a responsibil- of Matthis Chiroux in an Opelika and Auburn local news- is a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces, but he is not a ity to take a stand and object to injustices committed in paper from May 16, 2008 saying, “Matthis Chiroux had war veteran. A copy of his service record was obtained the name of freedom and democracy. it all planned out after he graduated from Auburn High through the Freedom of Information Act in 2009 and dis- But Matthis Chiroux’s words and deeds do not add School in 2002. First, he would join the U.S. Army. Then, tributed by Jonn Lilyea, an Army veteran who has tracked to reasoned public discourse, nor are they designed to. he would use his G.I. Bill benefits to enroll in college to Chiroux’s antics since 2008. His official discharge paper- Stunts like burning an American flag or pretending to be pursue his dream of becoming a lawyer.” work does not contain any record of service in Operation waterboarded outside the United Nations are as inflam- Furthermore, Mr. Chiroux was not simply trying to sell Enduring Freedom. His time as an Army journalist took matory as comparing President Barack Obama to Hitler drugs to feed himself; he was distributing psychedelics him to Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan for one week, after or Stalin or carrying weapons to a presidential rally, and outside the gates of a local elementary school. Statements which he returned to his permanent duty station thou- Matthis Chiroux commits these acts for the sole purpose by his father Rob Chiroux — himself a Navy veteran — sands of miles away without ever going “outside the wire.” of garnering attention. Though he has been discredited also contradict Matthis’ claims that this was an isolated The Department of Defense does not recognize this as a before, the Daily made the unconscionable decision to incident, a simple mistake which landed him unwillingly combat deployment, and neither would any war veteran. give him yet another public forum to use for his own pub- in the U.S. Army. Matthis was in fact a repeat offender Despite this lack of firsthand experience, in April of last licity. His words and actions are harmful to the cause of who spent significant time in and out of the Lee County year — in yet another publicity stunt — he took it upon raising awareness and encouraging the dialogue we must juvenile system. himself to personally apologize for the occupation of have, and the Daily should never have given him such a I joined the Marines after making my own poor deci- Afghanistan to Malalai Joya, an Afghan peace activist and forum in the first place. sions — either I could fail out of college or I could be member of the Afghan parliament. proactive and make a serious change in my life. The I sympathize with his agony over his 2008 recall to decision to join was mine alone to make, as it was with active duty after he had begun his college career. While Vijay Saraswat is a junior majoring in International Matthis Chiroux. He seeks to displace responsibility it was in complete legal accordance with the eight-year Relations. He is a former U.S. Marine and a veteran of for his own actions by saying he was “forced” to join contract we all sign, it is nonetheless a reprehensible Operation Iraqi Freedom. We are still at war

BY FATHI EL-SHIHIBI appointed Petraeus to the post of the top commander This sudden escalation in violence, if continued, could in Afghanistan in order to replicate the surge in Iraq and lead to the destabilization of the country and persuade Our recent commemoration of American veterans to eventually fulfill his initial promise as commander in our government to rethink its drawdown policy involv- both past and present should be a reminder to all of chief to begin bringing the troops home by July 2011. ing our troops as well as coalition troops. On the bright us that the lull in the fighting in both Afghanistan and Even though such positive developments helped side, however, Iraqis from various areas and walks of life Iraq does not mean that our involvement is coming restore our sense of confidence, serenity and, in have been expressing optimism, confidence and genu- to an end. The war situation in both places is far from some cases, renewed detachment, the danger of the ine hope for a bright future, despite the intermittent over for the simple reason that we still hear and read two war-torn countries sliding back into total anar- outbreaks of violence. The source of their confidence is about casualties among Afghani and Iraqi civilians and chy still exists. the commitment of the Iraqi and U.S. governments to military personnel, as well as among U.S. and coali- Let me ask you this: Do you happen to know what the work together to finally usher in a period of security and tion forces. My intention in bringing this up at a time latest developments in Iraq are, following the “success” stability that will enable Iraq to emerge strong, secure when we are looking forward to the upcoming holiday of the surge and the election of Obama? Give up? On and democratic. Again, diverting our attention away season is to keep us focused on matters of national Nov. 2, approximately a dozen coordinated car bomb from Iraq during these critical times would only encour- security instead of sliding back into disengagement, attacks wreaked havoc in the capital of Baghdad, killing age those destructive forces in their bid to reverse such apathy and complacency. at least 64 people and injuring around 360. These bomb- hard-won achievements toward freedom and democra- Despite the U.S. military’s involvement in more ings, by an al-Qaida-linked group, targeted both Shiites cy. It would also be a major let-down for the Iraqi people than one place in the world, Afghanistan and Iraq still and Sunnis. This is indicative of an all-out campaign to in their time of need. top the list. I believe that our attention began to be cause massive destruction in order to ignite a major civil Please let us remain focused on such matters of diverted to more immediate concerns a few years ago war at a time when Iraq is still without a viable govern- national security and remember, we are all in this after we became assured that, whether by sheer mir- ment due to disputes over the results of the March 7, together. In this day and age, we can no longer afford acle or shrewd planning and execution on the part of 2010 parliamentary elections. to stay neutral and hand over or delegate matters of former President George Bush’s handpicked appointee Along with the terror inflicted on areas inhabited by paramount significance to government officials or those Gen. David Petraeus, the surge remarkably turned the Shiites, Sunnis or mixed populations, some al-Qaida- people who are directly affected as soon as the immedi- tide against the insurgents and their al-Qaida affiliates linked terrorists stormed the Catholic Our Lady of Salvation ate danger seems to outwardly dissipate. and terrorists. Church in Baghdad on Oct. 31, 2010. Following a botched Moreover, by 2008, we had elected a new president rescue operation by the Iraqi security forces, the ensuing who, along with committing more troops to turn the carnage led to the death of at least 52 worshippers, includ- Fathi El-Shihibi is an adjunct lecturer in the Department tide of the war in Afghanistan in our favor, had also ing clergy, and the wounding of 67 others. of Philosophy and Religion at Northeastern University.

OP-ED POLICY The Op-Ed section of The Tufts Daily, an open forum for campus editorial commentary, is printed Monday through Thursday. The Daily welcomes submissions from all members of the Tufts community; the opinions expressed in the Op-Ed section do not necessarily represent the opinions of the Daily itself. Opinion articles on campus, national and international issues should be 600 to 1,200 words in length. Op-Ed cartoons are also welcomed for the Campus Canvas feature. All material is subject to editorial discretion and is not guaranteed to appear in the Daily. All material should be submitted to [email protected] no later than noon on the day prior to the desired day of publication; authors must submit their telephone numbers and day-of availability for editing questions. Submissions may not be published elsewhere prior to their appearance in the Daily, including but not limited to other on- and off-campus newspapers, magazines, blogs and online news websites, as well as Facebook. Republishing of the same piece in a different source is permissible as long as the Daily is credited with originally running the article. 10 THE TUFTS DAILY ADVERTISEMENT Monday, November 29, 2010

 GODDARD CHAPEL FORUM - RELIGION IN AMERICA Harvey Cox Hollis Research Professor of Divinity Harvard Divinity School “What Lies Ahead for Jews, Christians and Muslims in America” December 1, 2010 - 6 PM

Harvey Cox is Hollis Research Professor of Divinity at Harvard, where he began teaching in 1965, both at HDS and in the Faculty of Arts and Sciences. An American Baptist minister, he was the Protestant chaplain at Temple University and the director of religious activities at Oberlin College; an ecumenical fraternal worker in Berlin; and a professor at Andover Newton Theological School. His research and teaching interests focus on the interaction of religion, culture, and politics. Among the issues he explores are urbanization, theological developments in world Christianity, Jewish-Christian relations, and current spiritual movements in the global setting (particularly Pentecostalism). He has been a visiting professor at Brandeis University, Seminario Bautista de Mexico, the Naropa Institute, and the University of Michigan. He is a prolific author. His most recent book is The Future of Faith (HarperCollins, 2009). His Secular City, published in 1965, became an international bestseller and was selected by the University of Marburg as one of the most influential books of Protestant theology in the twentieth century. His other books include When Jesus Came to Harvard: Making Moral Decisions Today, The Feast of Fools; The Seduction of the Spirit; Religion in the Secular City; The Silencing of Leonardo Boff: Liberation Theology and the Future of World Christianity; Many Mansions: A Christian's Encounters With Other Faiths; Fire From Heaven: The Rise of Pentecostal Spirituality; The Reshaping of Religion in the Twenty-First Century; and Common Prayers: Faith, Family, and a Christian's Journey Through the Jewish Year.

CosponsoredbyTheChaplain’sOffice,theFletcherSchool,andTheInternationalCenter TuftsUniversity,Medford,MA02155–(617)627Ͳ3427 Website:www.tufts.edu/chaplaincy Monday, November 29, 2010 THE TUFTS DAILY SPORTS 11

Housing Housing Housing Housing Wanted -

SOMERVILLE, UPLAND RD 2 (cont’d) First and last and security 3BR Apt for Rent College Ave 5 BR Apt $$ SPERM DONORS WANTED $$ APT AVAILABLE required. Contact Nick (617)863-5306 Furnished, quiet and bright 3 BR 2 1/2 Baths, kitchen, living room, Become a California Cryobank 1st Fl. 2 Br. modern eat-in kitchen, or email [email protected] Apt- 21 Day St, Somerville (near off-street parking, w/d basement. donor and earn up to $1,200/ with dishwasher, modern bath, Davis Sq), avail 2/1/11, space Available June 1, 2011. Rent: month, receive free health and hardwood floors, new windows. 139 College Avenue - 4 BR for 3 students or family + living $3250. First and last month rent infectious disease testing, and 2nd Fl. - sunny and spacious, 4 Br. At Powderhouse Circle and Warner room, dining room, eat-in kitchen, required. Tenants pay utilities. help people fulfill their dreams modern eat-in kitchen, 1 1/2 mod- Street. It has hardwood floors dishwasher, washer/dryer, hard Larger apts available. Call Guy of starting a family. Convenient ern bath, hardwood floors, new throughout the apartment, along with wood floors, 1 car off-street. pkg, $ (617) 590-7656. Cambridge location. Apply online: windows. Both apts have front a new fully appliance kitchen. Non- 2.175/mo excl. electricity and gas. SPERMBANK.com Contact: bernhard.ehrenzeller@ and rear porches, shared coin-opp coin-op laundry and additional storage CLASSIFIEDS POLICY All Tufts students must submit classifieds in person, prepaid with check, money order or exact cash only. washer and dryer, shared yard, in basement. Off-street parking includ- unisg.ch All classifieds submitted by mail must be accompanied by a check. Classifieds are $15 per week or $4 per day with Tufts ID or $30 parking for 3 cars each unit. No ed. $2,800/month. Available June 1, per week or $8 per day without. The Tufts Daily is not liable for any damages due to typographical errors or misprintings except smoking, no pets, rent is $720 per 2011. Call Angela at 617-852-2215 or the cost of the insertion, which is fully refundable. We reserve the right to refuse to print any classifieds which contain obscenity, person, not incl. utilities (cont’d) e-mail: [email protected] are of an overly sexual nature or are used expressly to denigrate a person or group. Questions? Email [email protected]. Late missed field goals doom Boise State in showdown against Nevada INSIDE NCAA FOOTBALL a top-notch running game, outrush- possession, giving the Wolf Pack an game, which set up the jaw-drop- wide left, this time from 29 yards continued from page 12 ing Boise State 239 yards to eight in opportunity to tie the game at 24-24 ping finish. out. The Wolf Pack howled in victory scored an average of 50 points in the third and fourth quarters com- with a 23-yard field goal by Anthony With the score knotted at 31-31, as their kicker made a 34-yarder to their past six matchups. bined. The team ended with a 269- Martinez, whose performance was Boise State needed a field goal to seal the deal. The loss for the Broncos was yard rushing performance against key in the game’s final moments. The win. The highly touted Moore, an Because of the inexcusable men- the first since they lost in the 2008 a Broncos defense that has allowed Broncos showed a glimpse of what NFL-scout favorite, expectedly hit tal breakdown of a special teams Poinsettia Bowl by one point to an average of only 229 yards of total they have been doing the whole a 53-yard pass play to receiver Titus player that has been insignificant in TCU, and it couldn’t have come at offense per game this season. season when quarterback Kellen Young, which gave the Broncos a the Boise State offense this year, the a worse time or in a more embar- The fourth quarter was highly Moore delivered a slick screen pass chance to kick a 26-yard game-win- team’s season has been rendered rassing fashion. The Broncos had a entertaining, beginning with a score to running back Doug Martin, who ning field goal with two seconds meaningless. This is just one of a convincing lead at one point, win- of 24-14. Wolf Pack receiver Rishard took it 79 yards for a touchdown. remaining. But kicker Kyle Brotzman variety of cases that prove a need ning 24-7 at halftime. Yet, in college Matthews scored a 44-yard rushing Game over? Not quite. Matthews missed wide right. The Broncos for NCAA Football to incorporate a football terms, it was still a some- touchdown, capping off a five-play, caught a seven-yard pass from QB could still win. But then in overtime, playoff system — the BCS standings what close game. In the second half, 68-yard drive to make the game Colin Kaepernick with 13 seconds the Broncos received the ball first are far too subjective. Perhaps it is the Wolf Pack attacked fiercely with close. Boise State punted on its next left in regulation time to tie the and, alas, Brotzman missed again time to make a change. Senior Singler is not the only reason for Duke’s success Spurs need wins NCAA BBALL continued from page 12 over top teams gresses, we will have to wait and see if Irving can step up and replace Scheyer’s intangible leadership skills. to prove worth Coach Mike Krzyzewski acknowledged the adjustments the team has to make in INSIDE SOCCER the transition from Scheyer’s slow, deliber- continued from page 12 ate pace to Irving’s speedy style when he The Spurs began the group stage paired spoke to NBA.com reporter Adam Zagoria with defending champions Inter Milan, in May 2010. Werder Bremen from the German Bundesliga “We’ll change our whole offense, the way and Dutch club FC Twente Enschende. The we play because of Kyrie,” he said. “We’ll run Spurs opened their Champions League cam- a lot more; we’ll press.” paign at White Hart Lane, defeating Twente Critics spent the offseason wondering Enschende 4-1 behind goals from van der how the team would fare rebounding with- Vaart, Russian striker Roman Pavlyuchenko out last year’s other two starting seniors, and Welsh winger Gareth Bale. 7-foot-1 Brian Zoubeck and 6-foot-8 This season has been quite the coming for Lance Thomas. Thus far, though, a team Bale, whom Tottenham signed in 2007 from effort and the emergence of sophomore Championship side Southampton, fight- Mason Plumlee has helped quell any fear ing away stiff competition from Manchester of a rebounding void. Plumlee averages United. Bale has given manger Harry 8.5 rebounds per game and Duke has out- Redknapp a number of options, as he is rebounded five of its six opponents, with capable of playing at left back or up the pitch Kansas State being the only exception. as a left-winger. Seth Curry, brother of Golden State Redknapp this year has deployed Bale in a Warrior star Stephen Curry, transferred to more advanced position, playing him on the Duke after his freshman year at Liberty left side of the midfield, supporting the strik- University, where he averaged 20.2 points ers Pavlyuchenko, perennial goal poacher per game — the highest points per game Jermaine Defoe and beanpole forward Peter average for a freshman in the 2008-09 sea- Crouch. It was against the defending champi- son. While not averaging such gaudy num- ons of Europe, Inter Milan, that Bale showed bers — yet — this season, he has started off his class. At the San Siro, the Spurs found strong by averaging nine points per game as MCT themselves down 4-0 at the half, but Bale put a sharp shooter off the bench. Duke freshman Kyrie Irving is taking the collegiate basketball world by storm, averaging in one of the great individual performances Sophomores Andre Dawkins and Ryan 14.5 points and 5.8 assists through six games this season. of the evening, scoring a hat trick and con- Kelly, both of whom have increased their sistently torching Inter’s right back Maicon, playing times by seven to eight minutes, And, of course, the Blue Devils return two of the Maui Invitational. Irving will face the generally regarded as one of the world’s best. show impressive improvements since last superstars in seniors Kyle Singler and Nolan Spartans’ senior point guard Kalin Lucas, In the return leg, Tottenham put in a season. Although he was considered a Smith. Singler, the NCAA preseason player considered one of the best point guards great team performance, winning 3-1 deadly marksman from behind the arc last of the year, and Smith, preseason All-ACC in the country. The game will be held at behind the play of Bale, who scored one year, Dawkins’ 3-point shooting percentage guard, look to lead Duke to back-to-back Cameron Stadium, giving Duke an impor- goal and provided the cross for Crouch to was only 38 percent. This year, though, he titles just as Christian Laettner did in the tant home-court advantage, where they score another, while Roman Pavlyuchenko has started to live up to his reputation by 1991-92 and 1992-93 seasons. will be surrounded by the infamous crowd scored the third. The Spurs wrapped up increasing his average to 55 percent. Kelly Duke’s depth and talents will be chal- of Cameron Crazies cheering them on. qualification to the knockout stages with has made small gains statistically, but has lenged on Wednesday with a showdown Unfortunately for all the Duke and Coach K a comprehensive defeat of German side clearly shown his worth to Coach K, evi- against the former No. 2 Michigan State, haters out there, the Blue Devils’ success is Werder Bremen, winning 3-0. denced by his position as a starter. who recently lost to UConn in the semifinals not likely to wane any time soon. While the Spurs have taken the Champions League by storm, their form in the Premier League has featured some lackluster results, such as a 1-0 loss to bottom-of-the-table Games of the Week West Ham United and a 1-1 draw with West Browitch Albion. To challenge for a Premier LOOKING BACK: TUFTS VS. BRANDEIS League spot, the Spurs will have to take On the back of senior tri-captain Colleen Hart, the Jumbos made a statement to the rest of New England with a come-from-behind points from top teams like Chelsea and Man. 54-51 victory over Brandeis. Down as many as 10 points in the second half and playing without senior Vanessa Miller and junior Kate United, to whom they lost 2-0. Barnosky, Tufts never let the game get away from it and slowly began to close the gap. Of course, for any Tottenham player or Then, with the team down three points and only four minutes of play remaining, Hart stole the show, scoring 11 points in the supporter, the North London derby against closing minutes, including a jumper with just under two to go that gave the team its first lead since well before halftime. Hart, who Arsenal is always one of the highlights of the managed only three points on 1-9 shooting in the first half, turned it on down the stretch, totaling 19 in the second frame and lead- year, and this season, for the first time ever, the ing her team to victory. Spurs beat Arsenal 3-2 at Emirates Stadium. But it was not simply a one-woman victory. Sophomore Collier Clegg had 14 points, while freshman Ali Rocchi added eight points In a season with remarkable parity in the and three boards herself. The Jumbos also played a tough team defense, holding the Judges to just 29 percent from the field. Premier League, many pundits are posing the question: Can Tottenham Hotspur win it all? They do have the credentials, including a win LOOKING AHEAD: NCAA FOOTBALL FINAL WEEKEND over their hated archrivals Arsenal, and with The Jumbos may not have any marquee matchups on the slate for this weekend, but there is still plenty of college sports drama to stars like Gareth Bale, Rafael van der Vaart and unfold as the NCAA Div. I Football season enters its final week. While the BCS may be a complicated system, the scenario has become Luka Modric leading the charge, they have quite simple: No. 1 Oregon and No. 2 Auburn are each one win away from a national championship game. the talent. But Tottenham has had problems While the Ducks will not have it easy in a rivalry game with Oregon State, Auburn will face the tougher test in a rematch against in the past with a leaky defense and ques- No. 18 South Carolina in the SEC Championship game. tionable goalkeeping in the form of Brazilian Auburn took the first matchup 35-27, but clearly had the advantage of playing at home. Now both teams must travel to Atlanta, goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes, who has been Ga. for a neutral-field battle in the Georgia Dome. known to let in a howler or two each season. Auburn senior quarterback Cam Newton may have narrowly escaped the Iron Bowl this weekend, but Alabama laid out a strong The Spurs’ talent is undeniable, but to put game plan for limiting his influence. If the Gamecocks can follow Alabama’s lead, they may just pull off the upset of the season. together a championship run, they will have to put all the pieces together. 12 INSIDE SSportsports Games of the Week 11 tuftsdaily.com

INSIDE NCAA FOOTBALL INSIDE NCAA MEN’S BASKETBALL Costly loss excommunicates Boise State Duke looks to from BCS title contention defend title, repeat BY NASH SIMPSON Daily Staff Writer last year’s success In this past Saturday’s memorable match- up between the No. 3 Boise State Broncos BY ANN SLOAN and No. 19 Nevada, the looming Wolf Pack Daily Editorial Board rallied from 17 points behind to defeat the seemingly unbeatable Broncos in overtime The reigning NCAA champion and nation- by a score of 34-31. al No. 1 Duke Blue Devils are at it again. With Nevada’s head coach, Chris Ault, took pride a dominating 82-68 win over No. 4 Kansas in his team’s performance, saying: “This is the State on Nov. 23, the Blue Devils have forced greatest victory this university has ever had, I the question upon NCAA basketball fans: Are can tell you that.” they even better than last year’s 35-5 team? By winning, the Wolf Pack snapped the Though it is still early in the season, Duke’s Broncos’ 24-game win streak, dashing their elite senior leadership and wealth of talent BCS Championship dreams. With so few in the back-court tip the scales towards the opportunities to prove themselves title-wor- affirmative. The team’s most recent 98-71 win thy, the Broncos should have hammered their against Oregon on Saturday brings its unde- opponents to make a statement. Instead, as feated record to 6-0. evidenced by Nevada’s comeback, it seemed Highly touted freshman Kyrie Irving, hail- that having to play four full quarters proved ing from St. Patrick’s H.S. in Elizabeth, N.J., too detrimental to the members of the pow- has already proved his talent as starting point erhouse team that’s used to beating its oppo- guard, replacing All-ACC guard Jon Scheyer, nents handily — prior to the game against who graduated last year. Irving is averaging Nevada, Boise State had scored over 40 points 14.5 points and 5.8 assists per game, while in eight of its 10 games and beaten its oppo- boasting an assist-to-turnover ratio of 2.5. nents by an average of 36.4 points per game. He is expected to be a lottery pick in the 2011 But without the existence of college foot- NBA draft. ball playoffs, this dominance is meaningless. Any doubts about Irving’s abilities were It’s set in stone that Boise State has gone from quickly discarded after his commanding being a squad with a beautifully paved road performance against Kansas State, when he to the national championship game to just scored 17 points and 6 assists while holding another good team scrapping for a mean- All-American guard Jacob Pullen to a dismal ingful bowl game. In financial terms, Boise 1-for-12 shooting from the field. State has gone from making $13 million for For all of Scheyer’s talents, Irving brings to being a top-two team to making around the court a different and more agile quality. $750,000 at best for appearing in a bowl game A quick first step allows the explosive Irving that nobody will remember. And this is all MCT to beat defenders off the dribble, a skill that because of a team against whom they have Boise State kicker Kyle Brotzman missed a 26-yard field goal that would have won the Scheyer did not possess. As the season pro- game at the end of regulation, then again in OT as his team lost both the game and a see INSIDE NCAA FOOTBALL, page 11 chance at a spot in the BCS National Championship game. see NCAA BBALL, page 11 POWER RANKINGS INSIDE INTERNATIONAL SOCCER compiled by the tufts daily Thanks to a unanimous fi rst-place showing in women’s basketball, Amherst once again sits atop the latest installment of the NESCAC Power Rankings. Overall, the Lord Jeffs stayed below the three-point plateau thanks to strong showings across the board. Close behind Amherst is Williams, who remained just behind its cross-state rival for the sec- ond straight week. The Ephs were tops in men’s hockey and men’s basketball and rang in second for women’s basketball as well. Bowdoin and Middlebury fl ip-fl opped places at No. 3 and No. 4 for the second consecutive week, while Bates remained constant at No. 5. Hamilton and Trinity were the big movers, get- ting bumped up from eighth and ninth to sixth and seventh, respectively. As a result, Colby fell from sixth to eighth and Tufts dropped from seventh to ninth. Wesleyan and Conn. College traded places at the bottom.

THIS MEN’S WOMEN’S MEN’S WOMEN’S LAST WEEK SCHOOL BASKETBALL BASKETBALL HOCKEY HOCKEY AVERAGE WEEK

1 AMHERST 2.40 1.00 3.40 2.20 2.25 1

2 WILLIAMS 2.20 3.20 1.20 5.80 3.10 2

3 BOWDOIN 3.40 5.40 1.80 3.20 3.45 4 MCT 4 MIDDLEBURY 3.00 3.80 7.60 1.40 3.95 3 Dutch midfielder Rafael van der Vaart, right, is leading his new club team, Tottenham Hotspur, with six goals in the Premier League. 5 BATES 5.60 6.80 — — 6.20 5 Spurs charge into Champions 6 HAMILTON — — 5.20 7.80 6.50 8

7 TRINITY 4.80 8.20 9.60 3.60 6.55 9 League knockout stages B Y JESSE WEINBERG and pulling off one of the transfer coups of 8 COLBY 7.00 3.80 8.80 7.00 6.65 6 Senior Staff Writer the year by signing the immensely talented Dutch midfielder Rafael van der Vaart from 9 TUFTS 9.00 7.40 5.40 — 7.27 7 In English football there was last year Real Madrid for 8 million pounds after a changing of the guard at the top of the he was deemed extraneous by Real’s new Premier League table. The stranglehold manager, Jose Mourinho. 10 WESLEYAN 9.00 5.80 5.40 9.00 7.30 11 of the perennial big four of Manchester Van der Vaart has proved to be a huge United, Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool signing and is leading the team with six goals 11 CONN. COLLEGE 8.60 9.60 6.60 5.00 7.45 10 on the top of the standings was bro- in the Premier League, and has brought sta- ken as Liverpool, whose season was rife bility to the team by forming a good partner- The poll was devised as follows: Each voter ranked all NESCAC schools in each sport, with inconsistencies and injuries, fal- ship with Croatian playmaker Luka Modric. and those scores were averaged to create a composite ranking for each sport. The com- tered to a disappointing seventh place. While the Spurs have gotten out to a some- posites were then averaged to determine each school’s overall ranking. Note that Hamil- In Liverpool’s place was the resurgent what slow start, currently sitting in sixth place ton does not compete in men’s and women’s basketball in the NESCAC, Bates does not Tottenham Hotspur, which charged into with 22 points and a game in hand against compete in men’s and women’s hockey and Tufts does not compete in women’s hockey. fourth place and, with it, a place in the table-topping Manchester United and This week’s list was determined by polling Amro El-Adle (Amherst Student), James Reidy Champions League. Arsenal, they have excelled in the Champions and Seth Walder (Bowdoin Orient), Mike Flint and Nick Woolf (Conn. College Voice), Katie The offseason proved to be a busy one League, clinching a spot in the round of 16 Siegner (Middlebury Campus) and Alex Prewitt (Tufts Daily). for the Spurs as they looked to strengthen with a game left. DESIGN BY STEVEN SMITH/TUFTS DAILY their back line, signing former Arsenal cen- ter back William Gallas on a free transfer see INSIDE SOCCER, page 11