NFL DRAFT COMBINE OSCARS PREDICTIONS Three former Spartans participate. Who will win the prestigious awards? SEE PAGE 4 SEE PAGE 8

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Thursday, March 4, 2010 www.TheSpartanDaily.com Volume 134, Issue 19

BREAKING NEWS Plans in motion for new More sexual battery incidents near Fourth Street garage campus health center Eric Van Susteren & Jenn Elias Staff Writers University Police Department reported three separate incidents of sexual battery that occurred between 9:00 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. on Wednesday, according to a news release. A 20- to 30-year-old male who was about 5-feet- 8-inches tall approached women from behind and touched them inappropriately. Shannon Moore, a senior journalism major, said she was assaulted at a stoplight at about 11:45 a.m. "I was walking to campus on 11th and San Fernan- do and a guy came up from behind me and grabbed me in a forceful hug and then grabbed me below the waist in my crotch area," she said. "I thought I was being robbed and I turned around and hit him with my umbrella." Moore said she called the police. "After I called the police they had me come in and identify the man, but they didn't have him," she said. When the incident occurred, Moore said there were people around her and people on bikes riding by her. All the incidents occurred within fi ve blocks east of SJSU. UPD is investigating the incidents and hasn't ruled out that they may be related to the sexual battery that occurred outside of Duncan Hall on Monday. District attonery clears SJPD police offi cers

Eric Van Susteren view of the offi cers," she said. Staff Writer "But justice should be made for the victim. There were just too Santa Clara County District many beatings in the video. Attorney Dolores Carr decid- You could hear him screaming." ed yesterday that she will not Hernandez said it seemed charge the offi cers involved like there was a double stan- with the violent arrest of SJSU dard in the case. student Phuong Ho, according "If the victim had hit the of- to a public relations offi cer for fi cer even one time he would the district attorney's offi ce. have been behind bars," she "Upon review of the evi- said. "So why is it right for an dence, our feeling is that the ac- offi cer to beat a guy 13 times Illustration by Peter Caravalho / SJSU Public Affairs. tivity of the offi cers doesn't rise who didn't seem like he was re- to a criminal level," Nick Muyo sisting arrest?" said. Rebecca Wang, a masters Center may be fi nished as early as 2013, to have more space, director says Muyo said the offi ce hired an student in sociology who saw expert to enhance and analyze the video, said she thought the Eric Bennett the same time that fees started and is baffl ed by the possibil- ferring to the Health Center's the cell phone video depicting decision was ridiculous. Staff Writer increasing for the Union, they ity that SJSU could afford the current location. “We want to the police using a baton and "Using a Taser or baton on started increasing for the po- project. make the center more accessi- Taser to arrest Ho. an unarmed person is never Plans for a new Student tential of a new Health Center.” “I think a new building is a ble to students, but we are deal- "The baton strikes were ad- appropriate," she said. "I fi nd Health Center are underway A new center could help bad idea,” he said. “But it de- ing with 1950s infrastructure.” ministered by one offi cer, not it hard to believe it was inter- and its services are anticipated raise awareness for students pends on how much more we Elrod said enough negative two, and there were probably preted any other way than as to become available as early as who aren’t sure where the cen- will have to pay for certain ser- student comments were noted no more than 13 of them," he excessive force." 2013, according to the center’s ter is, such as Peter Lee, a se- vices. I’m surprised that we can in recent years to warrant such said. Muyo said although there director. nior business marketing major. actually pay for this.” a project. Muyo said his offi ce also would be no criminal charges The student fee increase ap- “I’ve never been to the cen- Much of the inspiration "Over the time I’ve been conducted a lengthy review of fi led against the offi cers, other proved in 2007 will help fund ter,” he said. “It’s hard to fi gure for the new center is derived here, there have always been a more than 200 pages of police actions might be taken. the new center, and will also out where it even is. People will from student feedback to sur- comment or two from students reports. Civil action could still be help pay for the new Student become more aware of the cen- veys and ineffi ciencies in the that are something to the effect Maria Hernandez, a junior taken against the offi cers, Muyo Union, Roger Elrod said. ter once it comes out.” amount of room the center has of, ‘this place stinks, or there’s justice studies major, said she said, and Rob Davis, San Jose “The center is starting later Steven Tse, a sophomore to operate, Elrod said. not enough confi dentiality,’” he thought the offi cers should police department’s chief of po- in construction but has po- business management ma- “We are almost at a limit said. have been charged. lice, could decide to reprimand tential to catch up to the new jor, said he is also unaware of for how many students we can “I don't know the point of them. Student Union,” he said. “At where the building is located serve in this space,” he said, re- See HEALTH, Page 2

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Let Google Scholar help you in your research efforts Follow us at spartandailynews.wordpress.com @spartandaily for headlines Follow us on Hi: 60° straight to your phone. Lo: 41° SJSU teams making playoffs in multiple sports Twitter during spartandailysports.wordpress.com the budget cut FACEBOOK march today Become a fan and FS get the latest SJSU news on your Hi: 56° Hi: 58° Facebook. facebook.com/ Lo: 42° Lo: 43° spartandaily See spartandailyphoto.com 2 NEWS Thursday, March 4, 2010 Student establishes Report says SJSU to make Middle East organization $1 million to play defending national champion Alabama

Melissa Sabile to make people think our With a new coach this Staff Writer football team is not good,” season, the hopes of Spar- she said. “We want people to tan football success are high, First on the 2010 Spartan come to our school, but then SJSU President Jon Whit- football lineup is the current they set us up with teams more said in a Feb. 9 news Bowl Championship Series they know will beat us. It’s conference. winners, University of Ala- diminishing to the morale of “I think we’ve found an bama, according to the SJSU the players and it messes with excellent coach,” Whitmore sports information director. their self-esteem.” said. “There’s not much “San Jose State will chance they won’t be suc- be the fi rst team in the Th e game is just cessful over the long run.” 2010 season to play Ala- “ SJSU Athletic Director bama since they won the going to make Tom Bowen named Mike title,” Lawrence Fan said. MacIntyre as the new head “That’s quite an oppor- people think our coach for the next fi ve years tunity for everyone con- for Spartan football in De- nected with it.” football team is cember 2009, according to The Spartans will be the SJSU Spartans Web site. the fi rst Californian team not good. Whitmore said he be- Alabama has played since ” lieves that coach MacIntyre Taylor Nolan UCLA in 2001, according Junior Psychology major is an asset to SJSU football to a 2009 Rolltide news and has no doubts that the release. Spartans will fl ourish in the Fan said the athletic de- Senior nursing major Jo- upcoming years. partment will not disclose the seph Eslao said he thinks the “I think you’ll see it hap- amount of funding that SJSU confi dence of SJSU players pen faster than normal that receives for playing Alabama will be ruined when playing we will be more successful,” next year, because they are a big schools like Alabama. Whitmore said. “He’s got a nonconference team. “It’s rough, especially track record and an agenda According to a report in when those games get tele- for the future.” the Birmingham News, SJSU vised,” he said. “Our school received $1 million to play looks bad.” Thomas Webb / Contributing Photographer Alabama at its home opener Shane Golobic, a fresh- on Sept. 4, 2010. man mechanical engineer- Director Marjan Tehrani talks to SJSU students Mahrang Saeed, Star Dormanesh and The game will also be the ing major, said he doubts the Arash Azarmi before the showing of her fi lm “Arusi: Persian Wedding.” Bryant-Denny Stadium debut Spartans are going into the since its recent renovations game thinking they will win. last year, and the Spartans “Playing Alabama is not Angelo Scrofani Middle East culture on a personal event it organized. will play the BCS champi- going to make our team look Staff Writer level worthwhile. "Before SAMES, I was aware ons in front of an estimated good,” he said. “I think the "People are shocked more be- that there were a lot of stereo- 101,000 Alabama fans. team knows it’s not going to The tragedy of 9/11 and the cause they see that someone is types about the Middle East as a Junior psychology major end well.” media coverage in the ensuing trying to fi nd out about a region whole, just fi lled with terrorism Taylor Nolan said SJSU’s Golobic said he had fol- months left the creator of the that has been misrepresented, or and things," he said. "When I reputation is more important lowed the Spartans last sea- Student Association for Middle underrepresented, in the media," came to SAMES, it reinforced the than playing for money. son and hopes they will do East Studies wondering why all Lovinfosse said. idea that it's not just one big area, “The game is just going better this year. Middle Eastern nations were be- Much of what drives the that it's a bunch of different cul- ing associated with a handful of group, she said, is student inter- tures and a bunch of people, not rebels whose only connection was action, information sharing and just terrorists." their native land. a collective interest in fi ltering Karim said she is in her fi rst “Some of the things students made a lot of it much more ac- Eleanor Lovinfosse said the through messages they feel can year as the coordinator for the HEALTH were talking about was the po- cessible for students to be able fallacies of her own government sometimes be distributed impar- Middle East studies minor pro- tential for massages, dentistry to do their own self-care.” were diluting its foreign policy tially. gram, and along with Lovinfosse, From Page 1 or optometry,” he said. “Part of SJSU has also considered by labeling the inhabitants of an She said providing students is advocating the development of it was just more privacy or con- the addition of a satellite ser- entire region as terrorists, and with an opportunity to learn a full curriculum allowing stu- The student surveys also fi dentiality in the service.” vice center to join the current because she felt there was a lack about a different Middle East, dents the option of a major. noted that more students Lee said some of the afore- Health Center, but Elrod said of objectivity in the news, she de- detached from a single source, "It's a region of the world that would utilize the center’s ser- mentioned services could be that could also prove to be inef- cided to create a campus organi- through events that deal with the warrants greater study," she said. vices if it were renovated or attractive for on-campus stu- fi cient for the school’s size. zation devoted specifi cally to the region's culture and history and "It's my goal and my desire to see completely redone, Elrod said. dents, but that most students “One thing the campus Middle East. not as a terrorist regime, can help it become a major." “Students were weighing are likely to come in for minor wants to be very conscientious "The impetus for the club was develop a more accurate portray- It's a matter, Karim said, of re- in,” he said. “It was pretty in- issues. is the staging of all these,” he because I felt like after September al separate from what a society fl ecting on the past. teresting given the number of “I don’t really know what said. “What impact will the 11, there were so many negative may fall prey to unconsciously. "I think we have a tendency to students that were saying that they have to offer right now,” construction have on campus? stereotypes and one-sided per- "The main goal of SAMES is not see our relationship to (the they used it compared to a larg- he said. “But it seems like a I would say this is probably the spectives in the media," Lovin- to educate the community and Middle East) in a historical con- er number that said, ‘Yeah, you place students might go to get oldest student health center in fosse said. "And when I came to bring more perspectives about tinuum," she said. "That's a role could build a new one and I’ll help for a cut or something the CSU system.” SJSU, I found out we didn't have the region into the school cam- that a Middle Eastern studies be there.’” small.” Elrod said the center’s big- a very big Middle East studies pus and the greater community," program can play, to facilitate a Junior accounting major The new Health Center will gest priority is to appease the program." Lovinfosse said. "And also for deeper understanding of the re- Eunice Wu said she is aware of incorporate more resources needs students have voiced and Student Association for Mid- students of all backgrounds to gion." where the center is situated but and opportunities for students a conceptualized graphic of the dle East Studies was created by work together learning leader- In the time she has spent as what it has to offer has never to come in and, to some extent, center will become available Lovinfosse in Fall 2008, and has ship skills and all the skills that coordinator for the program, been clear to her. tend to their own needs, Elrod soon. grown in the years since its con- go into planning an event, and Karim said many students have “I don’t know what kind of said. “A lot of the design came ception. just getting to know our fellow expressed an interest in expand- services I could get there,” she “We created a wellness cen- right from students,” he said. She said that more than 100 students." ing their studies beyond the cur- said. “Maybe they could post ter in the design where students “As much as possible, we are people, both on campus and in "The events act as a meeting rent sections offered. more information so that if I can walk right into resources incorporating student feedback the community, are on the orga- place where SAMES members She said it has been diffi cult have a condition, I know they as opposed to walking through into what we are trying to pro- nization's e-mail mailing list and can make new friends," she said. to obtain funding required to could help.” a counter," he said. "We have mote.” has a core group of 10 student "Oftentimes we'll go out for cof- establish the program, because The surveys that students members who help to coordinate fee afterward and talk about the the university hasn't seen a high took part in included a chance and plan events. event." enough demand in the past or to provide feedback on what Lovinfosse, a senior English Azarchehr said these gather- present. improvements they would major and Middle East studies ings are beacons for information Right now, Karim said, would want to see in a new Health minor, said she has no cultural tie that might not prevail in a main- not be the best time to hire new Center, Elrod said. to the Middle East other than the stream outlet and are a good way instructors in the midst of a bud- exposure of studying it at SJSU. to observe another point of view. get problem. Maryam Azarchehr, a sopho- "I know that every one person "Eleanor (the organization's more comparative literature ma- that comes is one person that's founder) is really determined to jor, said culture is a manifesta- probably going to come back," share some of her passion and tion of how a person chooses to she said. interest with other students," live his or her life. Persis Karim, associate pro- Karim said. "I think that's what "I don't think you necessarily fessor of English and compara- it takes sometimes to push the need to be born from (the Middle tive literature, said the practice administration to recognize we're East) to have appreciation for it of generalizing a population and kind of missing the boat here." and to understand it," said Az- placing them under the same um- Organizing these events has archehr, a member of the organi- brella is the result of not retain- in many ways succeeded, Lovin- zation. ing a clear understanding of their fosse said, by rallying student Although her skin tone and culture. participation and providing them facial features may have a jar- "We want to promote some with a platform to learn about the ring effect on people the fi rst time of the positive and interesting Middle East. they meet her and discover she aspects of the region, instead of "I want to bring more resourc- is the founder of the association, always aligning it with war and es, more information, more op- it doesn't have a lasting effect, terror," said Karim, who is also portunities for students to learn Lovinfosse said. the faculty adviser for the group. what's going on in the Middle She said that being fl uent in Eric Acedo, a sophomore envi- East," she said. "SAMES offers Farsi, one of the languages spo- ronmental studies major, said he an important opportunity for stu- ken in the Persian region, has fi rst became acquainted with the dents to broaden their cultural also made the connection with club after picking up a fl ier for an horizons." Thursday, March 4, 2010 NEWS 3 THIS DAY IN HISTORY Toyota's pain is rivals' sales gain in February

DETROIT (AP) — All major automakers but Toyota reported higher U.S. sales in February, and most took customers from their powerful Japanese competitor, which has been struggling with a se- ries of massive safety recalls. Toyota Motor Corp. said its U.S. sales fell 9 percent last month, while Ford, GM, Nissan, Honda and Hyundai all reported double- digit growth compared with February of 2009, at the depth of the recession. The gains may have been even higher without the blizzards that paralyzed the East Coast. Other winners included Kia Motors Corp. and Subaru. Even struggling Chrysler Group LLC saw improvement. Toyota, by con- trast, suspended sales of eight popular models in late January. And it spent last week answering questions from Congress about its safe- ty record. "We feel we're getting our fair share of the Toyota business," said Susan Docherty, vice president of marketing at GM, whose sales rose nearly 12 percent. February was the fi rst full month since Toyota's Jan. 26 decision to halt sales of some of its vehicles in the U.S. because of safety con- cerns. Those vehicles went on sale again as dealers repaired them, but Toyota's image suffered from the recall of millions of vehicles and congressional hearings on its safety record. On Tuesday, Toyota unveiled a host of new deals to lure back buyers and reassure existing customers. Existing Toyota owners who buy another vehicle from the company will receive two years of free maintenance, Toyota said. The automaker will also offer zero- percent fi nancing and low-priced leases to customers who buy or lease several of the recalled vehicles, including Corollas, Camrys and Avalons. The offers will last through April 5, Toyota said. They also will Spartan Daily Archives be part of an ad blitz featuring real customers who recently bought Toyota vehicles. On March 4, 1980, the Spartan Daily reported that a parking lot between Third and Fourth Streets was fl ooded. "This will be our most far reaching program we've ever conducted at Toyota," said Bob Carter, a Toyota group vice president, during a The Daily also reported that then-SJSU President Gail Fullerton froze all university hiring that would last past a conference call with reporters. June, 1980 vote on Proposition 9, which was an initiative that would have cut the state personal income tax in half. Ford Motor Co. posted a 43 percent jump in February U.S. auto sales and outsold General Motors Co. for the fi rst time in nearly a SJSU released information on all foreign students to the Immigration and Naturalization Service so that it could dozen years as it grabbed customers from struggling Toyota. Ford make sure its information was up-to-date, the Daily reported. sold 334 more cars than GM in the U.S. for the fi rst time since Au- gust 1998, when GM was in the midst of a strike. Most big automakers reported that sales to rental car companies and other fl eet buyers also were strong as companies began buying Bloom Servers may not take root again after cutbacks last year. Fleet sales generally mean lower prof- its to automakers than retail sales to individuals. Chrysler, for example, said its February sales rose half a percent, Matthew Santolla “SJSU is one of the bigger its fi rst year-over-year monthly increase since December of 2007. Staff Writer campuses in the Cal State The company credited strong fl eet sales, but it would not release a system, and what we want number. Car sales rose 38 percent, but truck sales dived 28 percent. Sunnyvale-based Bloom to do is create energy for Hyundai Motor Co. said its sales rose 11 percent, driven by sales Energy Corporation unveiled a cheaper price than from of the new Tucson small SUV, which more than doubled. The com- a new fuel cell server Feb. 24 PG&E,” he said. pany's redesigned Sonata midsize car saw sales rise 58 percent. that can generate on-site elec- Greg Young, chair of the Docherty said GM won over some Toyota buyers who left the Jap- tricity 24/7, according to a chemical and materials engi- anese carmaker due to the recalls. Chevrolet car sales to individuals Bloom Energy news release. neering department, said he rose 10 percent in February, an indication that GM it taking some of The Bloom Energy Server is sees potential for the Bloom Toyota's core market, she said. distinct in four primary ways: Energy Server to catch on in Mike DiGiovanni, GM's top sales analyst, said he expected that it uses lower-cost materials, the Silicon Valley. trend to continue into the spring. provides unmatched effi ciency “When you have densely Most carmakers offered deals to Toyota customers for trading in converting fuel to electricity, populated area with the in their vehicles. According to the automotive Web site Edmunds. has the ability to run on a wide right infrastructure, like com, incentive spending rose 11 percent from January to $2,588 per range of renewable or tradi- the area we live in, it has a vehicle. Toyota's incentive spending rose 26 percent, to $1,833 per tional fuels and is more easily chance to be popular,” he vehicle. deployed and maintained, ac- said. “The server runs on fu- GM's sales of its Buick, Chevrolet, Cadillac and GMC brands cording to the news release. els like propane, which is all climbed 32 percent. GM plans to keep those four brands and is phas- Victor Hernandez, a junior over the place here.” ing out Pontiac, Saturn and Hummer. It has sold Saab. health science major, said it is Young said he is skeptical The industry was expecting to see gains over February 2009, important for America to fi nd the fuel cell server will rap- which was one of the weakest months in a very depressed year. Sales ways to get off of oil and fi nd Courtesy of Bloom Energy idly change the way people over President's Day weekend — which traditionally kicks off the new ways to create energy. get their energy because the spring selling season — were robust, according to Edmunds. “A lot of politicians say we The Bloom Energy Servers outside of the eBay cost is expensive, while oil re- Still, winter storms at the beginning and end of the month need to get off oil, but we never headquarters. mains less costly. hurt sales on the East Coast and in the Midwest. GM said its sales do,” he said. “I do not like how “The economic driver of dropped 22 percent in the Northeast region. The corridor from Bos- we are so dependent on other how fast the fuel cell server ton to Washington typically accounts for about a quarter of the au- countries.” distributive energy. conservation and that renew- will take depends on the de- tomaker's U.S. sales. Hernandez said he is inter- “Fuel cells do not fi t our able sources of energy are im- mand of it,” he said. “If we are ested hearing about the Bloom plan because we are focused portant to the school. getting oil at a cheap price, the Energy Server and its potential more on renewable energy,” he “We are looking at every- average American will stick capabilities. said. “We are taking steps to thing from solar panels to ef- with oil.” “Bloom Energy is dedicated make SJSU use lower amounts fi cient light bulbs,” Isaacson Neiman Maske, a sopho- to making clean, reliable en- of energy, all while being more said. “When SJSU constructs more justice studies major, ergy affordable for everyone effi cient.” a building, the focus is how to said he thinks the Bloom En- in the world,” stated Bloom Isaacson said on-site gen- make it energy effi cient.” ergy Server is a good idea and Energy CEO K.R. Sridhar in a eration at SJSU works well He said there is a relation- that more companies should news release. “We believe that because the campus creates its ship between SJSU’s co-gen- fi nd ways to be energy effi - we can have the same kind of own electricity. eration plant and the fuel cell cient. impact on energy that the mo- “We are basically feeding server. “Energy independence is bile phone had on communica- on our own power,” he said. When energy is taken from something this country should tions." “We are able to run our own a power plant a far distance care about,” Maske said. “I like Jared Isaacson, energy ana- operation so when the power away, Isaacson said energy what the country is doing with lyst for Facilities Development goes out with PG&E, we can has to be distributed hundreds hybrid cars. I just hope all of and Operations said fuel cells keep going.” of miles to the source, costing that work continues in the fu- are not a part SJSU’s idea for He said SJSU is focusing on more money. ture.” 4 SPORTS Thursday March 4, 2010 Football players combined skills tested at NFL combine

Marlon Maloney “It’s a great honor,” Cole hope it all goes well. I focused on Staff Writer said. “I'm lucky enough to be everything. You can't leave any- one of 350 (actually 329) guys thing for granted or you will re- The 2010 NFL Scouting that NFL teams have picked out gret it, so I tried to get as much Combine, the league's annual of thousands of college football information about the drills and career expo, drew to a close players.” tests I was going to have to do Tuesday. More than 300 college “It’s a blessing," Ihenacho and made sure to focus on each football players from across the step, little by little.” nation, including SJSU’s Justin Ihenacho's injury meant he Cole, Carl Ihenacho and Kevin had to prepare a little bit differ- Jurovich, gathered at Lucas Oil ently than his teammates. Stadium in Indianapolis, Ind. to “I focused on a majority of be evaluated by more than 600 things but put an emphasis on NFL personnel. developing a greater under- “The days are long, you are standing of NFL defenses and up early for tests, and up late techniques,” he said. doing interviews with teams,” This marked the second con- Spartan Daily Archives Cole said. “The fi rst two days secutive year that SJSU had of the combine are all medical, three or more players invited to (Above) Justin Cole probably more medical tests the event. No other team in the tackles quarterback and physicals and medical test- Western Athletic Conference Tom Brandstater ing then I've done in my entire can make the same claim. during a game life combined.” Of the three Spartans invited, in 2008. Cole is The combine provides play- Cole is the most highly touted. ranked as the ers with the opportunity to dis- Spartan Daily Archives He was the only Spartan invited fourth best senior play their skills in front of talent Carl Ihenacho at practice. to the 2010 Senior Bowl and is linebacker, according evaluators from all 32 teams in touted as a versatile defensive to an ESPN Web the NFL. Ihenacho, a defensive said. "I am thankful for the op- player capable of playing either site. (Right) Wide end, who is recovering from portunity. I’m excited and anx- defensive end or linebacker. receiver Kevin Ju- knee surgery, was unable to par- ious.” “My versatility is a big selling rovich tries to elude ticipate in the combine. Players meticulously pre- point for me,” he said. Stanford’s Austin “I plan to run at the (SJSU) pare, both mentally and physi- Scouts Incorporated, an Yancy. Jurovich, Pro Day in March," he said. cally, for the six-day evaluation ESPN Web site that ranks play- Cole and Ihenacho Being invited is an opportu- process. ers entering the draft, has Cole were invited to the nity that is given to only a few “I've spent every day working ranked as the fourth best senior NFL combine where people each year and is espe- in the weight room, then visual- outside linebacker entering the they were cially helpful to players from izing my goals,” Cole said. “I've 2010 NFL Draft and 15th overall evaluated by more less well-known football pro- spent the past three months at the position. than 600 NFL per- grams. training as hard as I can and just sonell. Swim team makes history at WAC championships Hopkins said of Trammell. “She fourth in the 400-yard medley “Kiley (Foster) is a great Zone E diving meet in Austin, 200-yard backstroke. Daniel Herberholz really deserves everything she relay with junior Rudie Guerrero swimmer to work with,” Hopkins Texas, March 11-13. Hopkins said The 400-free relay team con- Staff Writer gets.” and freshman Marisa DeWames. said. “She has really blossomed the meet will give her a chance to sisted of McCurley, Denman, Denman placed second in Denman, McCurley and De- here (at SJSU).” make it to the NCAA champion- Foster and DeWames also quali- After coaching SJSU to the 100-yard butterfl y (54.85), Wames and freshman Kiley Fos- Fellow freshman Amy Kilby ship meet in West Lafayette, Ind. fi ed. fourth-place fi nishes in his fi rst as well as the 100-yard (54.85) ter won the 200-yard freestyle fi nished third in platform diving Denman qualifi ed for the “Just because you qualify does four years, swimming and diving and the 200-yard backstroke relay. with 205.5 points. NCAA Championships on March not mean you will get an invita- head coach Sage Hopkins led the (1:58.72). Foster, DeWames and Mc- Kilby qualifi ed for the NCAA 18-20 with her 100-yard and tion,” Hopkins said. team to a program-best, third- “Those are defi nitely two of Curley fi nished in the top fi ve in place fi nish at the Western Ath- our strongest performances,” 50-yard freestyle. letic Conference Championships Hopkins said. “They were our Foster's time of 23.68 was last weekend. two highest point scorers, two of good for third, while DeWames' “On paper, I’m not sure it’s our hardest workers.” 23:81 edged McCurley by .01 sec- our strongest team,” Hopkins Trammell and Denman fi n- onds to take fourth. said. “Last year, we had had such ished second with juniors Caitlin Hopkins said the Spartans an amazing dual meet season. Macky and Meghan McCurley in appreciated help from freshmen We were going in as the top dogs, the 200-yard medley relay, and like Foster. with a target on our backs, and there were just a lot of expecta- Finishing Times tions. This year, we weren’t really that top team, which is a little Place Event Name better position to be in.” 100-yard SJSU scored 487 total points, 5th Backstroke Caitlin Macky behind 494 for New Mexico State and 587 for Boise State. 200-yard Hopkins said he was par- 5th Backstroke Caitlin Macky ticularly impressed with junior Kirsten Trammell and sopho- 200-yard more Heather Denman. 5th Marisa DeWames Trammel won the 200-yard Freestyle individual medley (2 minutes, 3.09 seconds), and fi nished third 200-yard in 100-yard (1:03.16) and 200- 5th Butterfl y Hannah Tringham yard breaststroke (2:17.44). “She is somebody who consis- 500-yard tently, day in and day out since 5th individual Julia Craddock her freshman year, has been medley the hardest worker in the pool,” Thursday, March 4, 2010 A & E 5 Oscars freshen up to attract new crowd Oscar Fun Facts

Jenn Elias the producers, who this year are their nominees. elimination of the Honorary Os- Staff Writer Bill Mechanic and Adam Shank- "Even little things are going car segment from the Academy • The shortest telecast was the 31st Academy man. to be different," Shankman said. Awards telecast. The Best Picture category will Mechanic is the chairman and "There will be some traditional "Doing it off camera allowed Awards show, in 1959, with a running time have 10 nominations, instead of CEO of Pandemonium Films and elements but a lot of new ones." more people this year to be rec- of 1 hour, 40 minutes fi ve, and that's just one of many the former chairman and CEO of He said the set is very sexy ognized," Shankman said. changes to appear on the 82nd Fox Filmed Entertainment, ac- and utilized more projection than Mechanic and Shankman an- • Length of the red carpet at the Kodak Annual Academy Awards. cording to a news release. ever before, so the audience can nounced Oscar hosts Steve Mar- Theater is about 500 feet "The press said we had better Shankman is a choreographer be wrapped in the experience. tin and Alec Baldwin on Nov. 3, start doing something different," and director as well as a judge "A big part of the show has 2009. said Academy Awards President on Fox Network's "So You Think been graphics," Shankman said. Shankman said there has not • Bob Hope has hosted the most Academy Tom Sherak. "The committee You Can Dance." "Everything turns and fl ies." been a host duo since 1928. Awards shows, with 19 host appearances listened to what went right and Shankman was a dancer at He said they will not be using "The producers felt that it what went wrong." the 62nd Academy Awards and the traditional Oscar symbol be- would be better having two • Estimated global viewership of 82nd Sherak said in a Feb. 9 phone said, "The last time, I was stand- cause of its heavy presence. people doing it rather than one," conference that the 82 Annual ing on that stage in a little teal According to producers Shank- Tom Sherak said. "And, we're go- Academy Awards show: several hundred Academy Awards will have a dif- Lycra pirate outfi t, and now I get man and Mechanic, this year's ing to fi nd out that night if they're million ferent feel, where viewers will see to produce the show." changes also right." things that have never been done Shankman and Me- include t h e Shankman said Martin will before. chanic said this bring the experience of having "The 10 pictures real- year's show previously hosted the Oscars, Source: 82nd ACADEMY AWARDS® FACT SHEET ly kicks it up a notch," will be like a while Baldwin will be a fresh per- said producer Adam six degrees of sonality for the event. Shankman in the separation, "Alec's more of a dry, acer- same phone con- because bic," he said. "And Steve is more ference. "We have presenters the goof. They're kind of a Dean Shankman said. "It speaks to the New performers include Elle- 'District 9,' 'The Blind will corre- Martin, Jerry Lewis." kind of show Bill and I are plan- nore Scott and assistant chore- Side,' and 'Inglourious late to According to a news release, ning." ographer Kayla Radomski, who Basterds,' which are not presenters include actors Marc Shaiman, this year's just fi nished with Fox Network's necessarily mov- and comedians Sa- music director and long-time "So You Think You Can Dance." ies that may have cha Baron Cohen, friend of Shankman, said he One thing that will remain gotten in before, Steve Carell, Ben has big changes in store for the the same this year is the voting because they're Stiller and Tyler show. process, Sherak said, in which blockbusters." Perry. Having worked with Will his staff will not know the re- Possessing Chosen Ferrell and Jack Black, Shaiman sults beforehand. the most sig- to direct this said he plans to bring more hu- He said the voting procedure nifi cant job of year's telecast is mor and a less solemn feel to the is a secretive process that would the Acade- Hamish Ham- show's score. "make the CIA proud." my Awards ilton, whose "Humor makes it more mod- "We don't know anything telecast, work includes ern," he said. "Expect to poke until that night when those win- Sherak the Victoria's fun at the seriousness of the ners are announced," Sherak said he Secret Fash- show and the presenters." said. "We know nothing. No one enjoys the ion Show and Co-choreographer Jamal does. I'm the president. They inspiring the Super Bowl Sims said he plans on appealing won't tell me." business of the XLIV Halftime to the audience by bringing the "It’s going to be a fun, unex- Oscars while not Show. movement of hip-hop, since it is pected night," he said. being paid. “Hamish is a big part of today's culture. The 82nd Annual Academy "It's nonpaying a fi rst-rate, live- "It is cool to be a part of the Awards will be broadcast live in 'cause they can't afford to show director fi rst (time) hip-hop will be inte- more than 200 countries world- pay you enough to do this who will bring grated into the choreography," wide Sunday, March 7, 2010 on Photos courtesy of the Universal-playback and the Alt Film Guide Web site job," he said jokingly. enthusiasm, expe- Sims said. "We are taking a new ABC. According to Sherak, Alec Baldwin and Steve Martin will host the 82nd Annual Academy rience and a fresh approach that connects to the For a complete list of nomi- a part of his job is choosing Awards. eye to the table,” audience." nees, see the Oscars Web site. 6 OPINION Thursday, March 4, 2010 Working: it’s a catch-22 I don’t want to

When people hear I work at have money for rent, and then Kaiser Permanente, I usually re- I’ll get kicked out of my house, ceive one of two reactions: “So, and in turn, will no longer be a hear your music like, are you trying to be a doc- student at SJSU. tor?” and “Wow, so you, like, School. Isn’t that why I’m Attention, San Jose: I’m loss that may have been caused make a lot of money?” applying for fi nancial aid in the tired of hearing awful music by loud noises encountered at No, I do not want to be a doc- fi rst place? played ridiculously loud. work or during leisure activi- tor, and yes, my hourly wage is What I don’t understand is In the small amount of ties. higher than the average college why some students don’t work time I’ve been here, I’ve no- This is a serious issue our student’s. at all, and the government gives ticed something: people love generation will have to face as What most people don’t get Melissa Sabile them all the money they need blasting their music for ev- we get older. is that I am only an on-call phar- Staff Writer for rent, food, utilities and other eryone and their mothers to People don’t seem to care macy clerk and I don’t have any necessities in a student’s every- hear. about hearing loss when it guaranteed hours at Kaiser. day life. Now, I would hardly say comes to turning down mu- Being on-call, sometimes I will go weeks at a Yet here I am, working my ass off just trying this is exclusive to San Jose, Kevin Hume sic. time before I receive a call from my job, asking me to scrape up enough money to survive one more because people everywhere Staff Writer I learned a long time ago to come into work. No call, no paycheck. semester, and they won’t even give me the loan I love to blast their music. how important my hearing was Ultimately, I am at the mercy of my fellow em- need. In my hometown of Union to me. ployees. I’m either praying another clerk will get It’s a catch-22. If I don’t work, my annual in- City, it is common to hear cars’ Music is subjective. I am a drummer and used to sick enough to keep that person home from work come at the end of the tax season is low, and the trunks rattling from overdriv- I have no real issue with play my drums with no hearing without suffering any permanent damage or hoping government will give me more money in fi nancial en subwoofer speakers. people who blast their music, protection in my tiny room with one of them decides to take a vacation day so I can aid. But if I miraculously get enough hours at work But here in San Jose, I’ve as I love cranking the volume the door closed. swoop in and take his or her hours. to pay all my bills, my annual income says that I seen some ridiculous sights on my stereo when I’m in the Afterward, my ears would Most of the time, I’m struggling to make my rent, should be making enough money to support my- that differ from the norm of a mood. ring for hours. car payment, cell phone bill and that annoying credit self as a student. car with a rattling trunk. My issue is with those who One day, one of my friend’s card statement keeps popping up in the mail. Typi- Yes, on my FAFSA, it states that I made roughly On a few occasions, I’ve crank their stereos and don’t parents gave me a set of ear- cal college student stuff. $21,000 for the year 2009. But what the FAFSA walked around downtown care that other people are plugs. Naturally, I applied for fi nancial aid and have doesn’t take into account is the rent I pay, the and have walked past people around. It made everything more lis- submitted my FAFSA every March for the past four amount of money spent on my car payment this blasting the most obnoxious You know the ones: guys tenable, and protected my ears years or so. year, the gallons of gas put into my car because I rap music from their iPhones. parked at a stoplight, windows from those damaging high fre- For those of you who don’t know, a FAFSA is the commute to Vallejo for work, and my cell phone A few days ago, I saw a down, music blaring so loud quencies cymbals and drums application for federal aid for students, but it is just that I must have, being that I’m on-call. guy walking a gas-powered that all you can hear is the beat deliver. an application, not a guarantee. It’s an incredibly frustrating lose-lose situation. scooter with a small stereo on and the subwoofer’s rattling. Since then, I’ve been much The form takes the student’s annual income from What to do about it? the back, blasting abhorrent If you’re going to bump your more conscious of protecting the previous year and determines if the student is I think the FAFSA should have an expense box rap for everyone within a one- music, do it for yourself. my hearing. eligible for federal student aid. added to it, where a student can prove where the block radius to hear. If you want to ruin your While I still like to blast my I’m pretty much self suffi cient. My parents don’t income goes, similar to the process of being audit- Don’t get me wrong: I don’t hearing, fi ne. music on my iPod or car stereo, do a whole lot to help me out and I’m basically on my ed by the Internal Revenue Service — just remem- want people to think this col- But don’t ruin it for every- I have turned it down consider- own when it comes to money and bills. ber to save all receipts or statements that show umn is all about how I dislike one else. ably. This past year, it seems the government decided how paychecks are dispersed. rap music, although I do think We are exposed to enough But I do this to avoid being that I make too much money to receive the amount If a student simply blows his or her paycheck, the vast majority of modern noise every day that we will all that guy at the stoplight with the of fi nancial aid I really needed. then the government can deny the request for fi - rap music is terrible. suffer some sort of hearing loss music blaring for all to hear. This upcoming year isn’t looking too good ei- nancial aid, or at least limit it, but if a student can What I want to stress is in our lives. Car stereos aren’t public ad- ther. prove that his or her hard-earned cash goes re- that I have no desire to hear According to an October dress systems, folks. Essentially, what they’re telling me is because I sponsibly toward paying bills, then award the fi - the music you like. 2008 study by the National In- You aren’t going around am a hard worker with a good job, I don’t need as nancial aid accordingly. Music is supposed to be stitute on Deafness and Other playing your music for the world much money for school. Or, perhaps I will just quit my job and have no something personal. Communication Disorders, to hear like some big concert is Bullshit. income, so that I receive a bunch of fi nancial aid Your favorite band or artist about 26 million Americans be- emanating from your speakers. If I don’t work, then I don’t make my car pay- next school year. isn’t necessarily my favorite, tween the ages of 20 and 69 suf- Your music is for you. ment, which means I won’t be driving, so I won’t That’s the responsible thing to do, right? and that’s the beauty of music. fer from high frequency hearing Keep it that way.

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Visit us at theSpartanDaily.com Thursday, March 4, 2010 OPINION 7 Dating seems as much of a hurdle as school

Countless movies are about The couples that seemed as Maybe I am, but I do not want to be stuck in a dividual situation, but it’s generally a good idea to it, and at one point or another, though they would be together relationship that isn’t real. proceed with caution. it encompasses everybody’s forever, like Cory and Topanga Dating has some diffi cult and awkward parts According to the Search Your Love Web site, minds. from the ’90s sitcom “Boy Meets for me. Since I am so “picky,” I seem to fall for the 67 percent of single men and 86 percent of single When preteens realize they World,” seemed to suddenly wrong guy or something goes wrong. It happens to women fi nd that smiling a lot is much more of a like someone, it is all they worry break up or get married. In my everyone, but I have noticed it is happening more turn-on than someone who is attractive but lacks about. School and hobbies are personal observations, a major- frequently. a personality. The problem is that people can have merely inconveniences. That is ity of those couples split up. How is a girl supposed to know whether the guy the ability to smile and have no personality at all. how it is for most people. They Reasons for breaking up? is interested when he doesn’t make it clear half of With that in mind, people should be true to become hypnotized by this other “I need room to grow,” “col- themselves, but when it comes to the fi rst date or person. Ashley Finden lege is a time to experiment and meeting someone they’re attracted to, people get After high school though, ev- meet other people,” “I’ll just hold Maybe I am, but I do nervous and wonder if being themselves is good Staff Writer erything seems to spin around you back,” “you hold me back,” enough. Or if people have been unwillingly living and change completely. and so on. not want to be stuck the single life, they think something is wrong with In high school, there were the couples that have For me, it was the opposite. I entered a serious them. been together since freshman year, or somewhere relationship right after high school. I was so ex- in a relationship Unfortunately, there are too many games in- in that time frame, that made the relationship cited to have my fi rst real boyfriend, I didn’t even that isn’t real. volved with dating that confuses people out of their seem as though it has been, and will be, a lifetime think about how I really felt. I learned a lot about minds. I have friends that feel like they are going of love. myself from that, but I realized afterward that I the time? insane because of dating, and I have as well. The other percentage of students that were was too young to be in such a committed relation- So many of my friends have asked this ques- But I have realized the more I think about it, single, for whatever reason, simply couldn’t fi nd ship. I was 18 at the time. tion, too. the tougher, more stressful and for some, depress- someone (too stuck-up, felt the options at school I don’t believe in an age requirement for dating, Then again, guys have asked me how to tell if a ing, the dating scene will become. were too immature, etc.). but I do believe people should know who they are girl likes them back. So it seems to be an unsolved So I say live your life and be yourself for real, But the one thing I have noticed, and even and what they believe before entering into a seri- mystery for both sexes since the beginning of time, because someone will appreciate you. Look at all heard from other people’s experiences, is that in ous relationship. I really did not feel that way at and it will last until the end of time. of the crazy people who fi nd someone perfect for high school, dating was not dating as we know it the time, but now see how naive I was back then. Some ask, “When you get the persons’ phone them and you never thought they would. Even Sa- now. It was being extremely interested in another Now I know better than to just jump in, despite number, when should you call them?” cha Baron Cohen, the man who played Borat and person and calling them your boyfriend or girl- what everyone tells me. Good question, because it is different for every- Bruno, found someone he is now engaged to, Isla friend. Dating is hard. I personally don’t want to go out body. Fisher. Then we enter the college world where slowly with a guy that seems slimy, makes me uncomfort- I say it is good to wait at least half a day and Stop playing games and being weird and start everything seems to change, including relation- able or appears to be a player. Because of that, I make sure to call at a reasonable time. But some being honest and real. It would be quite refresh- ships and the status they have in our lives. am told I am “too picky.” people say differently. Again, it depends on the in- ing. Ugg is for uggly Germaphobes unite!

Uggs are f&*king ugly! foot would sweat and stink You know who you are. If es for running water and soap OK, I don’t mean all Uggs. surrounded by sheepskin in I have to be the one to call all were limited, but in case my Specifically, I mean Ugg boots. the middle of summer. of you out, then let it be. fellow students have not no- You know, the pair every single I think the No. 1 thing that This is a service message ticed, we live in a suburban girl wears with every single makes me want to push those from a germaphobe. wonderland. We are in a day outfit she owns. poor fashion victims in a ditch Was that you who didn’t and age when everyone has, I bet most people don’t know is when I see a pair of Ugg wash your hands after exit- hopefully, been taught about that Ugg makes sandals, flats boots worn with a miniskirt. ing that restroom stall? Yes, the benefits of good hygiene. and sneakers, but why would Yes, a miniskirt. you, who just combed your you? The only Ugg products If Uggs are meant to keep hair with your fingers in girls choose to wear are those Jasmine Duarte your feet warm, why would front of the mirror without Kirsten Aguilar hideous suede boots. Staff Writer you wear them with a mini- even touching any soap? Burstin With Kirsten First off, the insides of these skirt that is meant to keep you You’re our worst ene- Must the 10 boots have a sheepskin lining, cool during the heat? mies. seconds of which is meant to keep the feet warm. Here in Are you hot? Are you cold? In fact, we have your face enough to be endowed with California, the lowest the temperature ever gets You look stupid. memorized, marked and a weak immune system, and hygiene is 50 degrees, if that. Ladies, do you really need catalogued under “E” for “E. I have learned to observe all so much more warmth than a pair of cotton coli.” elements that give even the maintenance socks can give you? Just kidding. Maybe I’m slightest vibe of potential sick- Some may say they are for the snow. Wrong! If Uggs are meant to running out too far on a limb ness. be skipped, The outside of most classic Ugg boots is to explain how I feel about No matter how hard I try to suede, so if a boot gets wet, the water is ab- keep your feet warm, germs? avoid it, sickness seems to find because they sorbed. Also, the sole is either rubber or foam, Mysophobia, more wide- me, particularly every other neither of which would provide enough traction why would you wear ly known as germaphobia, semester during the week pri- do have an and support for walking in snowy mountains — should be taken seriously be- or to finals and project dead- eff ect on the which means that Uggs are not good for the rain them with a cause of the potential effects lines. either. it can have on someone’s As Marvin Gaye used to say, rest of us. Second, Ugg boots are so bulky that they flat- miniskirt that is life. According to the Epigee can I get a witness? ter no foot, big or small. Must you wear them meant to keep you Web site, symptoms include To my fellow semi-germa- with every outfit? Jeans, skirts, dresses, you breathlessness, nausea or phobes, do thoughts of oily name it, I’ve seen a pair of ugly Uggs paired with cool during the heat? heart palpitations. Nausea handprints crawling with mi- Not all illnesses may be it. definitely hits close to home. croscopic demons burden you traced to germs from that door I can understand if a girl wears them with I may not have this pho- when you see that worn-out el- handle, but actions toward sweats. It’s more for comfort, I get it, but you To answer a question you may or may not bia, but my concerns for evator button or when you see prevention just might save you really should not be coming to school in sweats be asking, yes, I have tried on Uggs and have avoiding the hospital bed that empty desk that has pos- from a fever in the weeks just or your PJs, which is something else that annoys walked around in a pair for 48 hours. I hated are pretty in tune with what sibly been streaked with saliva before that midterm. me. them. They are not appealing and not attrac- must be done to keep these from an unavoidable sneeze Is there a reason why I keep Uggs are meant to be worn at home or if tive and as often as girls wear them, you would microscopic menaces away gifted from the class before? seeing fellow students merely you’re making a quick trip to the market, not think they’re as wonderful as a pair of great from me. Would it help if we never sprinkling water on their fin- as a casual pair of shoes. They definitely do not denim. But really, is it so difficult had to see people avoid soap in gertips while totally avoid- give off a professional vibe, either. Think about it, why would you want to wear for everyone to wash their the restrooms and if we were ing the soap dispenser? Just Third, if one of the main reasons girls wear something that can easily be turned into the hands after using the rest- never the receivers of used like you, I too would also like Ugg boots is to provide warmth then why do word “ugly?” room? Must the 10 seconds tissues left on a desk? Having to avoid fevers and sleepless they wear them during the summer? Some food for thought — next time you’re of hygiene maintenance be lived in San Jose all my life, I nights. I know you have seen it. I know I sure have. thinking about slipping on those worn-out, skipped, because they do have seen these things happen “Burstin With Kirsten,” appears It’s big in the Bay Area and big in L.A., wearing ugly Uggs, just remember, I am sure I am only have an effect on the rest of way too many times for my biweekly on Thursdays. Uggs in the summer. one of the hundreds that feel this way. us. own good. Kirsten Aguilar is a Spartan Eww, I don’t want to imagine how much a Have a great day. I have been fortunate I can understand if resourc- Daily multimedia editor.

STAFF WRITERS SENIOR STAFF WRITERS OPINION PAGE POLICY Justin Albert Melissa Johnson Hank Drew Letters to the editor may be placed in the San Jose State University San Jose, CA 95192-0149 Regina Aquino Hannah Keirns Scott Reyburn letters to the editor box in the Spartan Daily Phone: (408) 924-3281 Eric Austin Anna-Maria Kostovska Tommy Wright offi ce in Dwight Bentel Hall, Room 209, Eric Bennett Jhenene Louis Jon Xavier sent by fax to (408) 924-3282, e-mailed to SPARTAN DAILY STAFF Ben Cadena Marlon Maloney [email protected] or mailed to the Amaris Dominguez Andrew Martinez STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS Spartan Daily Opinon Editor, San Jose, CA Joey Akeley, Executive Editor Jasmine Duarte Kathryn McCormick 95192-0149. Nelson Aburto Husain Sumra, Managing Editor Jenn Elias Kristen Pearson Briana Calderon Kirsten Aguilar, Multimedia Editor Donovan Farnham Melissa Sabile Letters to the editor must contain the author’s Andrew Villa Michelle Gachet, Multimedia Editor Ashley Finden Matt Santolla name, address, phone number, signature Kibiwot Limo Suzanne Yada, Online/Copy Editor Lidia Gonzalez Angelo Scrofani and major. Letters become property of the Leonard Lai, Opinion Editor Salman Haqqi Amber Simons DISTRIBUTION Spartan Daily and may be edited for clarity, Jill Abell, Features Editor Daniel Herberholz Eric Van Susteren grammar, libel and length. Only letters of Kyle Szymanski, Sports Editor Kevin Hume Shiva Zahirfar Piyush Bansal 300 words or less will be considered for Minh Pham, A & E Editor Alicia Johnson Gurdip Chera publication. Jennifer Hadley, A & E Editor Ryan Fernandez, Copy Editor ADVISERS Published opinions and advertisements Angelo Lanham, Copy Editor ADVERTISING STAFF Richard Craig, News do not necessarily refl ect the views of the Stefan Armijo, Photo Editor Spartan Daily, the School of Journalism and My Nguyen, Production Editor Nicholette Bankmann Alan Nguyen Mack Lundstrom, News Brooke Carpenter Karl Nguyen Jan Shaw, News Mass Communication or SJSU. The Spartan Rachel Peterson, Production Editor Daily is a public forum. Jenny Ngo, Advertising Director Sarah Clark Darren Pinto Kim Komenich, Photojournalism Shirlene Kwan, Creative Director Melissa Funtanilla Alan Potter Tim Hendrick, Advertising Amy Donecho, Assistant Advertising Director Amanda Geannacopulos Tyler Swasey Tim Burke, Production Chief Tanya Flores, Assistant Creative Director Kristopher Lepiten Daniel Tesfay Tim Mitchell, Design Jon Nemeth Phong Tran Pat Wallraven, Business Manager 8 A & E Thursday,Thursday, March 4, 2010 “I’d like to thank the Academy...”

The Daily’s Oscar predictions Best Cinematography:ematography: Avatar Chosen by SStefantefan ArmiArmijo,jo, James Cameron Best Director: Photo Editor Chosen by Marlon Maloney, Staff Writerer Mauro Fiore,re, thethe cinematographercinematographer whowho The nominees for Best Director this yearyear are shot James Cameron’smeron’s “Avatar,”“Avatar,” will take home James Cameron for “Avatar,” Quentin Tarantinotino fforor an Oscar this SundaySunday forfor usingusing a new digitaldigital “Inglourious Basterds,” Kathryn Bigelow for “TheThe Hurt 3D technology to seamlesslyseamlessly merge thethe worldworld Locker,” Lee Daniels for “Precious: Based on thethe Nov- of flesh-and-bloodlood actors with its digitaldigital el ‘Push’ by Sapphire” and Jason Reitman forr “Up“Up in counterparts. the Air.” Besides beingng a relativelyrelatively farfar leapleap Right off the bat, I’m going to say this is a two-horsewo-horse in filmmaking ttechnology,echnology, “Av- race between Cameron and Bigelow. atar” was Hollywood’sollywood’s It’s hard to discount a director that made the highesthighest definitive block-ck- grossing film in the history of cinema after takingg a 12- buster of thee yeayear.r. year respite. And let’s nott kid ourselves,ourselves, Oh, and what film did he direct before takingg hishis the Oscars are thethe industries’industries’ last,last, 12-year break? Just a little film called “Titanic.” best market-ing event forfor their big- “The Hurt Locker” is a film that didn’t make a lotlot gest mov- ies.ies. So I’m bettingbetting that of money and didn’t feature any big-name actors,rs, they will con- except for that bad guy from S.W.A.T. tinue pushing the *Courtesy of All Movies Photo Web site But isn’t that just the type of film that seems too juggernaut thathat always walk away with an upset at award shows? is James Cam-m- Both films were nominated for nine awards. eron’s baby, and Why couldn’t Bigelow take the award home the new 3D tech- Best Original Screenplay: A Serious Man this year? nology that sets Chosen by Daniel Herberholz, Staff Writer I have to go with “Avatar.” It may not it apart, well into have been the most original screenplay, but multi-billion- After winning three Oscars in 2008 for “No Country For Old Men,” I just don’t see Cameron missing out on Best dollar territory. Joel and Ethan Coen took a break to write and direct the humorous but Director. strange “Burn After Reading.” This year, it’s back to the serious men. *Courtesy of All Movies Photo Web site Screenwriter Mark Boal’s “The Hurt Locker” has buzz like a hive of bees. Pixar’s “Up” grabbed the hearts of moviegoers. Tarantino let us laugh our asses off at the Nazis in “Inglourious Basterds.” But the other BestBest PPicture:icture: The HurtH Locker movie with a Jewish theme,,, “A Serious Man,” weaved a storyyj just Chosen by Husain SumrSumra, Managing Editor too profound to lose. The movie is about a professor who might lose “Avatar” may be the highesthighes grossing movie of all time, but it wasn’t the best his job and his wife. The highlight might havehave in 2009. The story was essenessentially “Pocahontas” pasted onto fancy, high-tech been the quiet old rabbi who knew the names graphics. of the members of classic ’60s psychedelpsychedelicic “The Hurt Locker” had a rock band Jefferson Airplane. smaller budget, a better stostory, great acting and was intense all the way The haunting way the dialogue was througthrough.h. written, coupled with the philosophiphilosophi-- In the end, the Academy mmay decide that the most popular movie of 2009 cal meaning behind it, left me thinking is the Best Picture winnerwinner, but its technical feats shouldn’t overshadow a about the movie for several days after go- movie that does everything well. ing to the theater. “The Hurt LocLocker” also has wins from the A movie that can do that is solid gold. DiDirector’srector’s Guild ooff AAmerica and the Producer’s Guild of America as well as nine OsOscar nominations. *Courtesy of Cinema Movie News Web site “Avatar“Avatar” does have the Golden Globe for Best Drama, but the winners of the Globes don’t always win the BBest Picture Oscar.

*Courtesy of Cinemapolis Web site