THE The Independent Newspaper Serving Notre Dame and Saint Mary's OLUME 42: ISSUE 80 TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2008 NDSMCOBSERVER.COM Super Tuesday vote to narrow field OIT finds Twenty1our states to participate in largest number of primaries and caucuses ever held in one day flaw-s with could be a turning point for used the primary and caucus already forced some previous­ By DAVIS RHORER, Jr. candidates seeking the nomi­ system, he said. ly well-known candidates out News Writer nations. "We haven't had an open of the race. ENS system "This is the closest we've race in a long time" Arnold Arnold emphasized his sur­ The remaining candidates ever been to a national pri­ said, referring to the absence prise at the resiliency of the competing for the Democratic mary" David Campbell, a of a "favorite choice" for the Republican Party, especially Students, staff members and Republican presidential Notre Dame political science nomination in both the considering Bush's low popu­ nominations will face their professor, said Saturday. Democratic and Republican larity. receive test notifications biggest hurdle yet in today's Notre Dame political science parties. Campbell said "[This race] shouldn't be Super Tuesday primary and professor Peri Arnold echoed President George W. Bush's competitive," Arnold said. "All caucus elections. those sentiments. This year's very low popularity level is a things would point to a victory By JOSEPH McMAHON The previous primaries and Super Tuesday elections, so reason behind the current for the opposition." Assisstant News Editor caucuses this election season named because of the large presidential race's competi­ While both Campbell and have sent delegates to numer­ number of primaries and cau­ tiveness. Arnold acknowledged the The Office of Information ous candidates on both sides cuses held, marks the largest "Winning early has not diverse group of candidates Technology tested the of the political arena, failing to number of states ever to dis­ worked well [in this election]" competing, Saint Mary's histo­ Emergency Notification System identify one "stand out" con­ tribute delegates in a single Campbell said. ry professor Amanda Littauer Friday to mixed results, an OIT tender. With such close races, day in the approximately 30 He emphasized the potential official said Monday. the elections today in 24 states years the United States has shifts in popularity that have see TUESDAY/page 6 The office sent students and staff members e-mails, text message and voice mails at 2 p.m. on Friday. There were some delays in the system, and Protests held against Colombian kidnappings some of the text messages failed to reach their intended destina­ Delayed release of two hostages triggers worldwide marches; resentment builds against FARC tion, said Jay Steed, executive assistant to the chief informa­ The Facebook group and tion officer at OIT. By LIZ MILLER worldwide protests were trig­ "We had successes and some News Writer gered in part by the delayed opportunities that weren't per­ release of two political hostages, fect," Steed said. "There's A protest against violence and though popular sentiment against always room for improvement. kidnappings committed by a the kidnappings has been build­ We have some pretty high stan­ guerrilla group that began as a ing for decades. dards for delivery of these mes­ Colombian Facebook group in Organizacion Latino Americana sages. That's why we do the January expanded into a day of (OLA) is trying to help students testing, to make sure we can get protest marches in over 100 cities "become more aware of what's all t?,e tweaks out of the sys­ worldwide Monday. Notre Dame's going on in Latin America," club tem. campus club Organizacion Latino president Carla Sanchez said. Steed said the system will Americana held a rosary in soli­ Club member Santiago Garces, require improvements and he darity with the marches Monday a sophomore from Colombia who considers it a top priority to night in the Cavanaugh chapel. heard about the protest marches make the system flawless. The largest guerrilla group in through Facebook, suggested the OIT is still compiling data Colombia, the Revolutionary rosary service. from the test and is not ready to Armed Forces of Colombia "We have had 40 years of suf­ release specific numbers, IFARC), was established in 1964 fering and every story gets even although Steed said the office by the Colombian Communist worse," Garces said. ''I've heard has an idea where the major party. It is consider~d a terrorist people who were kidnapped tell problems occurred. group because of its kidnapping, their stories, there are no words." "It's important for the University to communicate narcotics trafficking and tradi­ Garces lamented that class pre- I tional military action against the Members of Organizacion Latino Americana held a rosary Monday Colombian military. see COLOMBWpage 4 in Cavanaugh's chapel in solidarity with worldwide protests. see SYSTEM/page 4 ACE hosts First Lady CAMPUS LIFE COUNCIL at Catholic school Council discusses poster abundance The Magnificat Initiative Knott rector expresses frustration over number of advertisements in halls By BECKY HOGAN partners the University and News Writer ACE with a Catholic school that is in danger of being By KATIE PERALTA First lady Laura Bush visit­ closed down and gives schools News Writer ed a Washington, D.C., ele­ the tools and resources to mentary school partnered continue educating students, Members of the Campus Life with the Notre Dame-affiliat­ Wall said. These include Council discussed the number ed Alliance for Catholic training, marketing and of advertisements posted on Education (ACE) on finance expertise and funding. campus at the group's Wednesday. The partnership also makes Monday afternoon meeting. Her visit to Holy Redeemer ACE teachers and principles Sheena Plamoottil, head of School took place during available to schools. the Task Force on Campus Catholic Schools Week, an Wall said the first lady's Environment, said the task annual celebration of Catholic visit was an indication of force had discussed the num­ schools and their contribu­ ACE's success in Catholic bers of advertisements posted tions to their communities schools nationwide. on campus at last week's and the nation. "Coming from an educator Green Summit. The ACE Magnificat herself, it is great to [have Brother Jerome Meyer, Initiative has given Holy Laura Bush] garner national Knott Hall rector, expressed Redeemer School support and attention for the ACE pro­ his frustration with the num­ resources since it was nearly gram," he said. "It gives us bers of posters crowding wall shut down two years ago, ACE that recognition I feel we space around campus. CHRISTIAN SAGARDIAfThe Observer Director for Education Brother Jerome Meyer, C.S.C, rector of Knott Hall, discusses Outreach Aaron Wall said. see ACE/page 6 see CLC/ page 6 problems with the number of posters in residence halls Monday. page 2 The Observer+ PAGE 2 Tuesday, February 5, 2008 INSIDE COLUMN QUESTION OF THE DAY: WHAT REGION OF THE U.S. HAS THE BEST FOOD? Hey Skip, you're W"rong As a San Francisco 49ers fan, I didn't have a rooting interest in this year's NFL playoffs. Then Skip John Cogill Clarissa Banientos Kyle Bocinsky Jordy Brooks James Binco Teresa Henisey Bayless opened his mouth. Just after New England defeated senior sophomore senior senior sophomore freshman the New York Giants 38-35 in Week off campus Lewis off campus off campus Keenan Cavanaugh 17, the loud- mouth ESPN Chris Hlne "The five "California "Georgia "Georgia because "New York "California "analyst" went on TV and Sports Editor points in because of the because everything tastes because because it has called out South Bend- Mexican food.'' everything better when you everything is In-n-Out!" Giants coach Frankie's tastes better lick it offKyle's better in New Tom Coughlin for playing his , starters the entire game in an BBQ." when you lick it fingers. York." attempt to beat the then-undefeated off your Patriots. Bayless called Coughlin's fingers." decision one of the worst coaching decisions he's ever seen and said the Giants stood no chance in the playoffs because they were injured. lie said Coughlin missed an oppor­ tunity to heal some of his players. Only Bayless didn't articulate his IN BRIEF argument as calmly as I made him sound. Arms flailing, temper flar­ ing, Bayless screamed that Coughlin The ND women's tennis team was an idiot and had no chance to will take on BYU today at 5 p.m. beat Tampa Bay in the first round, in the Eck Tennis Pavilion. much less win the Super Bowl. Well, Admission is free. despite what Bayless would have you believe, Tom Coughlin knew his There will be an alumni panel team pretty well. for Teach for America today at 7 He knew if the Giants were going p.m. in 100-104 McKenna Hall. to make it through the best the NFC had to offer, and win the Super Ash Wednesday services will Bowl a few weeks later, they should be celebrated in the Basillica of see how they stack up against a the Sacred Heart at 11 :30 a.m. team that was 1 7-0 and supposedly and 5:15p.m. on Wednesday. one of the best ever. And they almost won the game. The "Lest We Forget: Two So when the cantankerous Years Arter Katrina & Rita" Coughlin told his team in the locker forum will take place room before every playoff game Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. in the they could beat anyone, and they Coleman Morse Student Lounge. were the best team in football, they The event features an affected believed him.