t Twitter: @spartandaily F facebook.com/spartandaily SJSU football crushed at INSIDE See exclusive online content homecoming by  P. 3 Sports: SJSU women’s soccer beats and multimedia at Aggie stampede Seattle University 2-1 spartandaily.com Sports, p. 3  P. 4 A&E: Christina Molina writes that the Wayans Brothers new show at the San Weather: Partly Cloudy Jose Improv is a hit  P. 5 Opinion: In his column, “Wes Side H: 74 SPARTAN DAILY Story,” Wesley Dugle writes about the Serving San José State University L: 58 coming election and why people shouldn’t since 1934 be voting for the lesser of two evils Volume 139 / Issue 26 Printed on recycled paper Monday, October 15, 2012

CAMPUS COMPETITION SJSU forensics team earns Students get fired up second place at tournament By Celeste Lodge tournament, and he received third @celestelodge place in the novice poetry event. In the open debate event, Zweier The SJSU Forensics Team finished and his teammate Avesta Sabetian strong at its second tournament and took second place, Zweier took first received second place out of the four for the overall speaker, Swanson took year universities for the Sweepstake second for overall speaker and Sabe- Award. tian took fifth for overall speaker. The tournament was Friday and Gallagher was a finalist in open Saturday and was held at Santa Rosa extemporaneous. Junior College. Gallagher gave a speech about About 12 other colleges attended passing Proposition 34 to eliminate the tournament including San Fran- the death penalty. cisco State University, which re- “It’s a controversial issue that has ceived first place in the Sweepstake good evidence for and against it,” Award, UC Berkeley, Diablo Valley Gallagher said. “I was able to give ar- College and Butte College. ticulation with strong evidence for The Sweepstake Award is cumula- my stance which made it an enjoy- tive of all the points each teammate able speech to give.” received in his or her events to gauge Swanson received second place in which school scored the highest over- the open extemporaneous event and all. Sabetian received third. “I think it’s a reflection of how “Because it’s the first time I’m hard we’ve been working,” said senior competing in the higher up level English major Katrina Swanson. “I’m making it to finals is very exciting,” really proud of the team.” said Sabetian, a senior industrial en- Every member of the SJSU Foren- gineering major. sics Team who attended the event re- In the open impromptu event, ceived at least one award. Swanson took first and Zweier took “The team did very well overall,” second place out of twelve competi- said Matt Zweier, fifth year com- tors. munication studies student. “Most “I typically don’t make it past people were nervous going into their preliminary rounds in impromptu events and not sure how they would speaking,” Zweier said. “So to make it do, but they ended up winning in a past that and to get second was really wide variety of categories.” big for me.” Both Swanson and Zweier have Zweier spoke about the impor- been team members for three years. tance of communications studies The teammates competed in for bettering the world and Swanson many different events including spoke about about how people aren’t debate, impromptu speaking, com- doing enough for the environment. munications analysis, prose, duo, po- “We need to do a better job of tak- etry, extemporaneous speaking and ing care of the earth and I got to tie in the after-dinner speech. a lot of examples that I care about,” Chantel Steburg and Katelin Zwe- Swanson said. ifel-Korzuchin, who joined the team Swanson also received first place this semester, received first place in in the open communication analysis the novice duo event. event. “We’ve been working really hard Her speech focused on how peo- on the piece, and I feel like it paid ple have been making fun of Hilary off,” said Steburg, a senior commu- Clinton because she doesn’t wear any nications studies. makeup. Zweifel-Korzuchin also received Her point was that women don’t fourth place for top speaker in the have to dress nicely in order to be novice parliamentary debate event. great. “I was really shocked,” said Zwe- “I’ve been working really hard on ifel-Korzuchin, a sophomore adver- the communication analysis,” Swan- tising major. “I wasn’t expecting to son said. “This is the first time I’ve place at all, especially not in the top gotten a good placing on that.” four.” Swanson said the team is improv- Ryan Gallagher received fourth ing and she is looking forward to the place in novice prose. next tournament. Gallagher is a junior business “There will be more schools at the management major and has been on next tournament, so we’ll see a bigger the team for two years. challenge,” Swanson said. “We’ve got David Jaques received third place our work cut out for us, but I think out of about 30 people in the novice we have high hopes after coming impromptu event. away from this tournament so suc- Jaques is a senior radio, television cessfully.” Students watch as a Fire Pixie performer breathes fire at SJSU Fire on the Fountain Festival at Tower Lawn and film major and has been on the Celeste Lodge is a Spartan Daily on Thursday. Photo by Basil Sar / Contributing Photographer team since last semester. staff writer. Follow her on Twitter SEE PHOTO STORY ON PAGE 6 This was Onofre Galvez’s first @celestelodge.

CULTURE Student Union plays host for Indian festival at ‘Raas ’

By Thyra Phan The dresses come in rich, earthy colors @ThyraPhan and adorned with lavish sequins. These are paired with an array of gold and silver Dressed in shades of crimson and blue bangles on the wrists and chunky earrings ghagra and pajamas, more and necklaces. than 150 people danced, clapped and A kurta is a long tunic worn by men, banged sticks in celebration of the god- which is paired with pants called pajamas, dess, Durga, at “Raas Garba” Saturday he said. night, hosted by the Indian Student Orga- “Red is a prominent color and sym- nization. bolic for the goddess,” Kylas said. “Yellow Raas garba is a style of dance that origi- symbolizes turmeric, which is used when nated in , , which involves the you do a prayer to god.” clapping of hands (garba) and the banging “This cultural celebration means I get of sticks (sticks), according to Vineet Ko- to meet other , and we get thari, alumni adviser for the Indian Stu- to celebrate and worship our gods,” said dent Organization. freshman Jinal Ahir. is a traditional Indian She said the style of garba danc- dress worn by women, consisting of a ing is simple and involves a lot of arm scarf, top and long , according to Attendees dance raas garba, a style of dance that originated in Gujarat, India Saturday at the Student Sandeep Kylas, vice president of ISO. SEE RAAS GARBA ON PAGE 2 Union Barrett Ballroom. Photo by Basil Sar / Contributing Photographer Page 2 | Spartan Daily NEWS Monday, October 15, 2012 Raas Garba: Attendess enjoy night of culture and tradition FROM PAGE 1 tion of the N avaratri festival movement such as clapping differs greatly in the United and snapping. States than in India. The band, Dr. Sharvari “We try to make it similar Dixit and Troupe, played a by following the same routine medley of “traditional, folk of dancing,” she said, “But it’s Indian music,” according to more intense in India because Kothari, with a steady beat on it lasts more than a week.” two drums and four melodic At SJSU, the celebration voices. lasts one night, for about five Dancers sashayed and hours, but she said the length swayed their arms as they of celebration for Indians may formed a large circle in the vary, depending on their loca- Barrett Ballroom at the Stu- tion in the United States. dent Union. In India, the N avaratri According to Shruti Sheth, festival is celebrated for nine an attendee, dancing in a cir- nights, according to Kothari. cle symbolizes the battle be- “We celebrate each night tween good or evil. for the goddess, Durga,” he “The goddess is in the cen- said. “She has nine different ter, and everyone dances in a forms, and each form is dedi- circle,” she said. “We all syn- cated for each night.” chronize and move forward in “Although my family is circles.” not here with me tonight, raas As a sign of respect, danc- garba brings people together,” ers are required to remove Panchal said. “The people here their shoes. believe in the same thing you Men and women dance in a circle around one another at the Student Union Barrett Ballroom Saturday to celebrate the festival. “Whenever we go to tem- do.” The Indian Student organization hosted the event. Photo by Basil Sar / Contributing Photographer ples or people’s houses, the Ahir said the celebra- wick represent the god Agni, may choose to fast, according feast is consumed. Accord- “I feel like I’m in India, and first thing we do is take off tions begin and end in puja, according to Kothari. to Kothari. ing to Ahir, some of the foods I’m dancing with my friends,” our shoes,” Ahir said. “Our or prayer, and everyone sur- A rongoli – a design made “People eat once a day, and served are kitri, rice with dif- said Sheth. “The celebration shoes are dirty – we want to be rounds a portrait of the god- out of brightly colored pow- there’s certain things they ferent curries on top and puri, is not different in the United respectful and clean by taking dess as they sing a song similar der – surrounds the portrait of don’t eat,” he said. “They try to fried flatbread. States – it feels like home.” off our shoes.” to a hymn. the goddess. eat more fruits but not wheat For dessert, she said mango Thyra Phan is a Spartan According to freshman Candles surround the por- For the duration of the N a- or rice.” ras or mango juice, and gulab Daily staff writer follow her on Mirat Panchal, the celebra- trait, and the flames of the varatri festival, participants After the ninth day, a large jambu, sweet rice, are served. Twitter @ThyraPhan.

Check out pictures from the International House pancake breakfast online at spartandaily.com/86104/internationalhouse-pancake-day

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…It’s About Building Relationships For Life Monday, October 15, 2012 SPORTS Spartan Daily | Page 3 UTAH STATE 49, SJSU 27 SJSU win streak snapped at four in homecoming loss

By Dennis Biles in 13 plays culminating in down pass three plays later to @Denny149 a 17 -yard touchdown toss make it 14-3 Aggies. from sophomore quarterback Utah State would widen Riding a four game win- Chuckie Keeton to senior their lead at the start of the ning streak coming into wide receiver Chuck Jacobs to second quarter on a 50-yard Saturday’s contest against give Utah State a 7 -3 lead. touchdown run by senior Utah State, the Spartans were Keeton would have his way running back Kerwynn looking to keep their momen- with the Spartan defense all Williams for a 21-3 Aggies tum going while also solidify- afternoon, using his quick lead. ing their bid for a bowl game. feet to elude defenders and A shanked punt by junior Unfortunately, a swarming keep plays alive while leaving punter Harrison Waid gave Aggies defense refused to Spartan pursuers grasping for the Aggies excellent field po- oblige, racking up a school air. sition at midfield, and Utah record 13 sacks as they domi- Junior quarterback David State would score another nated the Spartans 49 -27 . Fales would have no such luck touchdown on a 21-yard strike “It was great execution on with the Aggies defense as he from Keeton to make it 28 -3. their part, while we just had a was dropped to the turf 13 The Spartans would few mishaps,” junior defensive times, the most sacks SJSU has finally answer back a few back Bene Benwikere said. surrendered since giving up minutes later as Fales SJSU wide receiver Noel Grisgsby dives for a pass in the endzone but is unable to make the catch dur- On a day in which both 10 to Stanford back in 2008 . connected with junior wide ing the Spartans loss to the Utah State. Photo by Raphael Kluzniok / Contributing Photographer defenses played a subpar “I trust my O-line, they receiver Kyle N unn for a game, the Aggies attack sim- did a good job, they (Utah 3-yard touchdown to make it Grigsby for a 20-yard touch- down pass from Fales to have to come out in practice ply proved to be too much for State) just threw a couple dif- 28 -10. down just before the half to Grigsby would be all the scor- with a chip on our shoulders. SJSU to handle. ferent looks at us,” Fales said. After finally managing to make it 28 -20. ing the Spartans could muster We need to work harder.” After taking the opening “We’ve got to communicate. halt a Utah State drive and With the grab, Grigsby for the rest of the game. Utah State would add two kickoff and driving 6 7 yards We’ve got to look at the film forcing a punt, L opez booted became the school’s all-time “We just messed up on a more scores, one in the third in 12 plays, the Spartans drive and see what they did and a 26 -yard field goal to make it leader in receiving yards. few things on both sides and and the last in the fourth, was stalled at the Utah State make adjustments.” a 28 -13 ball game. On the third play of the they took advantage,” junior to close out the scoring 8 -yard line, resulting in a 25- After getting the ball back After forcing another second half, Williams busted linebacker Keith Smith said. at 49 -27 . yard field goal by freshman after a SJSU punt, the Aggies Utah State punt, Fales di- through the defense for an “We tried to fix them, but by The Spartans will look kicker Austin L opez, giving scored another touchdown in rected a precise two minute 8 6 -yard touchdown run to then it was too late.” to get back on the winning SJSU an early 3-0 lead. It would just under one minute, thanks offense, attacking the right put Utah State up 35-20. Utah State had no such is- side of the things as they turn out to be the only lead to a 47 -yard pass from Keeton sideline with quick passes to The Aggies defense then sues, as Williams carried the hit the road to take on the they would have in the game. to senior wide receiver Matt manage the clock and move did their part, bringing down ball 15 times for 17 5 yards University of Texas-San The Aggies wasted little Austin on the first play of the the ball down field. Fales with eight sacks in the and three scores. Antonio Roadrunners. time in making a response, drive to put Utah State at the The Spartans hit paydirt second half to keep the SJSU “We made mistakes when Dennis Biles is a Spartan taking the ensuing posses- Spartan 6 -yard line. Austin when Fales hooked up with offense in check for the rest they didn’t,” junior linebacker Daily staff writer. Follow him sion and marching 8 6 yards would grab a 5-yard touch- junior wide receiver N oel of the game. A 4-yard touch- Vince Buhagiar said. “We just on Twitter at @Denny149.

SJSU 2, SEATTLE 1 Women’s soccer team earns second conference win over Redhawks By Thyra Phan Thomas 43 minutes into the finally scored first and that @ThyraPhan first half. just made such a difference.” “I think we controlled He said a tactical change The women’s soccer the tempo and dictated the in game-play helped the team team secured a win after a game-play (of the first half),” and “playing with the lead is grueling game against Seattle L eightman said, “But they’re much easier than trying to play University’s Redhawks, win- really good so we couldn’t from behind and chase the ning 2-1 at Spartan Stadium let them settle (into) our game.” Sunday afternoon. rhythm.” “If we can keep our en- According to head coach A minute and 24 ergy up and heart in the game, Jeff L eightman, the Redhawks seconds into the second then we have the talent to do were “a dangerous team,” half of the game, junior it,” Docherty said. “It’s just a especially since they hold a midfielder Megan Molina matter of showing up (to) the series lead with a 4-2-2 record scored the first goal in a game and getting the job done.” against SJSU. direct free kick, scoring her L eightman said he hopes However, due to the second goal for the season. the win will give the team Spartans’ perseverance, About 28 minutes into the confidence. L eightman said the team second half, SJSU freshman “This will give us what made its “first multi-goal defender Rachel Docherty we’ve been lacking,” he said. game since Bakersfield.” secured the second goal off “Being able to score will give Despite numerous at- the corner kick, assisted by us more spring in our step.” tempts to bury the ball into sophomore forward Gabriella The soccer team’s next the , neither Spartans nor Stange. home game is on Sunday at 1 Redhawks scored a goal in Docherty sent the ball p.m. against Sacramento State. the first half of the game. flying into the net over the Senior forward Michelle Haughey takes the ball down the field in the SJSU women’s soccer Thyra Phan is a Spartan team’s victory against Seattle University. Photo by Jason Reed / Contributing Photographer About 20 minutes into the Redhawks’ heads, making it Daily staff writer. Follow her on game, freshman goalkeeper her first goal of the season. Twitter at @ThyraPhan. Zoe Makrigiannis saved a goal “It feels great,” she said on a penalty kick. an overall record of 4-10-1, it for us in the end.” after Redhawks sophomore her first goal. “The win feels Two of the shots were and 2-4-0 in WAC. Coach L eightman said the Check out the men’s forward Stephanie Verdoia even better though for sure made by freshman forward “We kept it together the games this season have been attempted to drive it into the — we really needed that win.” Alyssa Montejo, who recent- full 9 0 minutes,” Docherty tough.“We’ve been playing soccer team Sunday net. With four minutes left ly recovered from an injury said. “I think the passion and some good soccer and just not game coverage on Makrigiannis saved an- in the game, Seattle Univer- but said she did her best to heart was there more than getting the results that we spartandaily.com other shot from Redhawks sity’s junior midfielder Julia persevere. normal, and that’s what did deserve,” he said. “Today, we junior midfielder Heather Besagno scored a goal from SJSU’s women soccer has Page 4 | Spartan Daily A & E Monday, October 15, 2012 COMEDY REVIEW Shawn and Marlon Wayans bring on the laughs at SJ Improv

By Christina Molina Bieber and Hulk Hogan. @ms_cmolina Marlon shined with his crude language and inappro- priate gestures, all of which enhanced his jokes and Grade imitations of celebrities. A It wouldn’t be improv without some impromptu material, which was gra- A charming crowd gath- ciously provided by a few ered for well-known come- audience members. One dians and brothers Shawn gentleman, who both Mar- and Marlon Wayans for their lon and Shawn recognized opening night at the San Jose as “Kat Williams’ dad” was Improv Thursday evening. a good sport while being The theater was filled ridiculed on his distinct look with anxious and excited and style. guests who were served Marlon ended his act with dinner and drinks prior to an animated Hulk Hogan the show. mimic by ripping his shirt According to the host- off and wishing all a good ess, the balcony seating was night. closed, but the entire lower While this was Marlon’s level was filled with 27 0 first visit and performance attendees. in San Jose, brother Shawn The host of the evening Wayans has been in the South warmed-up the crowd with a Bay before and expressed his solid 15-minute opening act excitement to be back. that was based on his home- “I am so glad to be here (in town of Brooklyn and his San Jose),” Shawn said to the impression of San Jose. applauding crowd. By 8 : 30 p.m., it was show- Although Marlon had a time and the crowd had built little more charisma with up enough anticipation to his comedy, Shawn did not Shawn and Marlon Wayans performed four stand-up comedy shows from Thursday Oct. 11 to Sunday Oct. 14 at San Jose Improv. Photo keep the cheers and roars disappoint during his hyster- courtesy of islandmix.com going while Marlon Wayans ical act that lasted more than walked to the stage down an hour. communication, or lack brothers, actors and come- Even though the audience on Thursday and Sunday the middle aisle through the Shawn was superb in thereof on all accounts, dians Damon and Keenan consisted mostly of adults night, and two shows on crowd. describing the troubles of Shawn was blunt and bril- Wayans. — all of whom were over both Friday and Saturday Marlon’s 45-minute stand- today’s society such as the liant on the faults of both The show closed with the 21 — there were a few tables evenings. up was gold, with hilarious and irony of degrading rap and genders involved in commit- host of the evening saying a occupied by younger people, San Jose is just one of the sometimes controversial jokes hip-hop music and the wom- ment. few last words and inviting which proved how outstand- many stops for the Way- on a range of topics from the en who love it. Shawn and Marlon Way- VIP ticket holders to stick ing the Wayans brothers are ans brothers’ comedy tour, Jerry Sandusky case to famous He also got personal, ans are the two youngest around for a meet and greet at appealing to all adult age including other California musicians and athletes. mentioning his three chil- brothers within a long line of with both brothers. groups. cities as well as Florida and His act would not be dren — two girls and one boy family members known for Clarie Darnell, publicist The comedy club, located N ew York. complete without Marlon’s — and his failed relationship, their comedic fame. for Shawn and Marlon Way- on Second and San Fernando Christina Molina is the flamboyant impersonations which led to some very funny Therefore, it was no ans, said the comedy act aims streets, hosted the broth- Spartan Daily communications and silly voices, mocking relationship advice. surprise that Shawn men- to appeal to the college demo- ers the entire weekend with director. Follow her on Twitter notable names like Jay-Z, Justin From sex, money and tioned his prominent older graphic. single stand-up performanes at @ms_cmolina.

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you really wanted. and people come back for the it at least gets the ball mov- This is the issue presented next election four years later ing on change in our election to many undecided voters jaded and pissed off, wonder- system. like myself right now, with ing why things went wrong. It’s better than casting a third parties being given so This isn’t progres- lazy vote for the status quo, little a chance of victory, we sive thinking, it’s damn right? are forced to choose between psychotic! Elections shouldn’t be like two options we don’t feel choosing between Coke and strongly about. Pepsi when you may really Friends and family keep Elections want Dr. Pepper. telling me to vote one way shouldn’t be If you don’t feel strongly or the other by advocat- about either Obama or Rom- ing strongly for Romney or like choosing ney as president then don’t For voters, the lesser evil Obama, but more often they vote for them. go for the “You wouldn’t between It’s that simple. want Romney/ Obama in of- While I haven’t decided is no longer good enough fice, right? ” Coke and who I will vote for in this elec- With Election Day com- ly whomever is less terrible Basically, there is accep- tion, I’m 9 9 percent certain I ing ever closer, it’s time for than the other guy. tance among many of my Pepsi when will not be voting for either undecided voters like myself While in my view Obama peers and family that it’s a Obama or Romney. to make up our minds on who is the less terrible of the two, matter of who is less terrible you may Unless one of them re- to vote for president. after four years since I voted in their eyes than who is the really want stores the polar ice caps, ends On the left, we have Presi- in the last election, I’ll prob- best option to help this coun- all wars for eternity or gives dent Barack Obama, a liberal ably not vote for him again try get out of its doldrums. Dr. Pepper. me a million dollars, I don’t who has failed for the most and am more likely to be vot- I’m tired of this argument see myself voting for either part to bring that “change” ing for a third party this year. and frankly I can’t under- I understand that third- of them come N ovember. and “hope” we all desired N ow I can hear a lot of you stand why people continue to party candidates such as So if you find yourself from him when he took office Wesley Dugle’s column conservatives and liberals out vote this way. L ibertarian Party candidate jaded like myself about poli- by continuing policies such as appears every Monday. there going, “Why would you If democracy is about tell- Gary Johnson and Green Par- tics in this country, don’t cast Bush tax cuts and the war in throw away your vote like ing the government what you ty candidate Jill Stein have no a vote for the same old thing Afghanistan and carrying out To say I’m jaded about my that? They have no chance of want to see done in society, chance of winning, but a vote come Election Day. drone warfare in the Middle options would be an under- winning! ” then why are jaded voters for either of these people will Get out there, get edu- East. statement. There is no reason for me continuing to tell the govern- mean more in the long run cated and see if a third-party On the right, we have Mitt But this is the America we to vote for someone I don’t ment that the two options we for the advocacy of third par- candidate fits you better be- Romney, a conservative who live in today, where we are want for president even if I’m are given are good enough? ties than an apathetic vote for cause the two party system has flip-flopped on almost given a multitude of things to less inclined to vote for the By voting for the lesser of Romney or Obama would. is failing us and it’s time to every debated issue in these choose from in almost every- other guy. two evils, we are telling the It’s obvious neither of enact real change in Wash- elections and has failed to thing we do, except for when The problem with the government we are fine with these third-party candidates ington. concretely prove to me that we vote for our politicians. “lesser of two evils” argument the status quo, so keep churn- will win, but if enough people Wesley Dugle is a Spar- he stands for anything other Popular logic says one is while you may get the guy ing out bad politicians. show they are fed up with tan Daily Production Editor. than “I’ll say anything to be- should simply vote for the you voted for in office, you Then the politician you the two-party system and Follow him on Twitter at come president.” lesser of two evils, or basical- still don’t get the President voted for screws things up vote for either of them, then @WesSideStories.

Why? A lot of this is because most people A recent Slate article on this topic cites that wouldn’t be bothered to spend the 30 seconds though surveys are “probably more reliable on to talk to a pollster. The Pew Research Center re- the whole than they were 30 years ago,” and cently said its response rate has fallen from 36 though they have so many problems in accura- percent to just 9 percent in the last eight years. cy, and though technology may be a challenge, Regardless, some scientists march on in the we’re doing better and getting better all the quest of finding good numbers. N ate Silver, time. famed presidential polling expert and author of Or, if you’re crazy and you can pretend to re- The N ew York Times’ FiveThirtyEight blog, is ject all hypotheses, patterns and trends, you can one of these people. take the data collected by 7 -Eleven Inc. Widely considered to be one of the true ex- They’re running an ongoing presidential Poll-dancing: Understanding perts in psephology, or the scientific prediction poll that tabulates your vote depending on and study of elections, he accurately predicted which coffee cup you get — a red one or a blue bias and errors in election figures 49 out of 50 states’ outcomes in 2008 , and regu- one. Over the last several years Because of media outlets’ larly pores over dozens of statistical methods of Besides the obvious bias that the poll is only I have studied statistics, concision goals and the space measuring this race and publishes this daily. conducted among those who purchase a cof- analyzed government data constraints of newspapers, One such analysis is how he describes the fee from 7 -Eleven stores, which are usually in regularly and produced charts we take only limited looks at aforementioned difference between the differ- mostly urban areas of only 34 states (and Wash- and infographics for local and studies, and we leave out most ing polling agencies. He says the “house effect” ington D.C.), it is amusing to look at the data. national newspapers. of the quantified data. consistently pulls agencies in certain ways, and They somehow tabulate that several states I’ve found the majority The analysis of any snap- in doing so, says that some data can still be ex- — such as Texas, Arizona and South Carolina — of the polls and surveys done shot data (and supposed trapolated from all of this. are “blue” states, which have not happened in today have major problems, “levels of confidence” with However, he agrees there are obvious dis- decades for presidential elections, if ever. and their results are often con- proposed “accepted” margins crepancies in this year’s data depending on if a While I love coffee and I love this idea, peo- fusing — most indicatively, Leo Postovoit’s column of error), often leads to a frac- polling house exclusively uses landline phones ple don’t go to 7 -Eleven for good coffee. Appar- presidential polls. appears every Monday. tion of data that seems to say, to collect their data. ently, they say their data has been “predictive” In this time I’ve grown fond of data. With “It’s conclusive! ” or “This is probably relevant! ” The N ational Center for Health Statistics in the 2004 and 2008 elections as well. confidence I say I love math and good numbers, though you should realize that it’s could be a stated in 2011 that one in three people had only I’ll listen to the N ate Silvers of the world, but such as those of the U.S. Census or the Bureau of bunch of misleading malarkey. wireless phones, and that an additional one in I can’t really agree (or disagree) with any poll L abor Statistics. Turn on any news television broadcast and six receive all or almost all of their calls despite that says, “This person or this proposition is They operate with large budgets, pull from immediately you’ll hear a presidential race sta- having a landline, which leaves half of the po- surely going to win! ” large samples and often employ hundreds of tistic that seems potent and relevant. tential sample size simply ignored. The simple fact is we won’t really know how people, creating scientific studies that are inter- A staunch conservative and a loyal liberal The Pew Research Center, similarly, noted any poll is — all of these are but first drafts of esting, testable and useful. Those numbers are will claim (with the same shaky validity via a frustration with polling during the 2010 mid- public opinion — until the Election Day actually what we seek — but aren’t always what we get. “recent statistic”) that both of their candidates term elections. They stated that because of this happens. Don’t wait with bated breath. And though I analyze and vet survey data, could equally be president — Public Policy Poll- cellphone skew, election polls may be biased — Leo Postovoit is the Spartan Daily Produc- I believe readers don’t understand how these ing says Obama is going to sweep, yet Gallup with a bump of as much as six points toward tion and Art Director. Follow him on Twitter polls are conducted and what they entail. says Romney is going to upset. Republicans. at @postphotos.

Did we make you smile, sniffle, smash your screen or scratch your head? Let us know what you think! Leave comments on our website or send letters to the editor to [email protected] SPARTAN DAILY STAFF FALL 2012 ADVERTISING Letters to the editor may be placed in EDITORIAL the letters to the editor box in the Spartan Executive Editor Opinion Editor Staff Writers and Senior Staff and Regular Ad Director Daily office in Dwight Bentel Hall, Room Jeffrey Cianci Margaret Baum photographers Contributors Justin Acosta 209, sent by fax to (408) 924-3282, emailed Stephanie Barraza Nick Chu to [email protected] or the Spartan Managing Editor Features Editor David Bermudez Sierra Duren Assistant Ad Director Daily Opinion Editor, 1 Washington Square, Samantha Clark Rebecca Duran Dennis Biles Eddie Fernandez Luis Marquez Natalie Cabral Alyxandra Goodwin San Jose, CA 95192-0149. Photo Editor Production and Art Director Sage Curtis Ty Hargrove Creative Director Letters to the editor must contain the Kristine Young Derik Irvin Leo Postovoit Kimberley Diaz Jesse Jones author’s name, address, phone number, Celeste Lodge Raphael Kluzniok Production Editors Communications Director Melanie Martinez Jordan Liffengren Assistant Creative signature and major. `Letters become Wesley Dugle Christina Molina Camille Nguyen Kelsey Lynne Lester-Perry Director property of the Spartan Daily and may be Nick Celario Jessica Olthof Thomas Webb Shanique Flynn edited for clarity, grammar, libel and length. Copy Editors Jacque Orvis David Wong Only letters of 300 words or less will be Multimedia editor Julie Myhre Thyra Phan Jared Gochuico Account Executives James Tensuan Rebecca Duran Jonathan Roisman Sandy Ardian considered for publication. Chris Marian David Sheffer Advisers Daniel Davis Published opinions and advertisements Sports Editor James Simpson Mack Lundstrom, News Oswaldo Diaz Nina Tabios Devon Thames Jan Shaw, News Stephanie Garcia do not necessarily reflect the views of the Richard Craig, News Amir Masood Spartan Daily, the School of Journalism and A&E Editor Kim Komenich, Photo Joshua Villanueva Mass Communication or SJSU. The Spartan Julie Tran Tim Hendrick, Advertising Kara Wilson Daily is a public forum. Tim Mitchell, Design Tim Burke, Production Chief Pat Wallraven, Manager Page 6 | Spartan Daily NEWS Monday, October 15, 2012

CAMPUS Fire on the Fountain Week of school spirit capped off by annual student festival Photos by Basil Sar

Top right: A student at- tempts to complete the “String Challenge Game” at Tower Lawn during SJSU’s Fire on the Fountain Festival.

Top Left: Groupo Folklorico y Sol puts on a performance in the evening for students.

Center: Students cheer on a Fire Pixie performer as he runs by and interacts with the crowd.

Above: Sammy Spartan attempts to woo a member of Groupo Folklorico y Sol during the evening.

Second from bottom: Despite the rain, students still put on velcro vests and participated in the “Velcro jump.”

Bottom: Members of SJSU’s wushu club put on a performance for students in the evening Thursday.