Pastides Delivers 'Case for Carolina'

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January 2011

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UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA THURSDAY, JANUARY 27, 2011 VOL. 105, NO. 11 ● SINCE 1908 Pastides delivers ‘Case for Carolina’ libraries and other bodies were present at the meeting In speech to legislature, president as well, delivering pleas for support. WHERE DOES USC asks for no state tuition regulations No federal stimulus dollars are in sight, and South Carolina law requires the General Assembly to balance Josh Dawsey the budget. That means state funding cuts are likely on GET ITS MONEY? [email protected] the horizon for many state agencies, including USC. The University has suffered a 47 percent reduction UITION AND FEES USC President Harris Pastides delivered an in state appropriations since 2008. It now receives 42.3% T impassioned “Case for Carolina” to a subcommittee approximately 10 percent of its overall budget from of South Carolina legislators Wednesday, asking the the General Assembly and will likely see another cut 30.2% GRANTS, CONTRACTS lawmaking body to not cap out-of-state students or this year. tuition at public colleges in a painful budget cycle. He outlined cuts at USC, including: the elimination And unlike previous years, Pastides didn’t ask for of 160 full-time positions, the discontinuation of nine AND GIFTS state appropriations to increase or even maintain the bachelor’s degree programs and a hiring freeze for status quo. many positions at USC. “We knew not to come in and ask for state funding,” A tuition ban or cap on out-of-state students, coupled 10.9% STATE ALLOCATIONS Pastides said. “This is the year it’s about how much is with a reduction in state funding, could be especially going to be lost.” painful, Pastides said. 16.6% SALES, SERVICE AND Pastides and USC administrators are bracing for But it’s not guaranteed lawmakers will heed another year of budget slashes from the state. Pastides’s requests. Legislators are facing a budget shortfall of more Upset over reports that South Carolina ranks OTHER ENTERPRISES than $800 million, and it was evident in the committee highest in the Southeast in tuition rates, lawmakers meeting Wednesday. Advocates for arts groups, public PASTIDES ● 2

SG ELECTIONS Th ompson penalized for election violation

Vice presidential hopeful punished 1.5 points for campaigning early

Ryan Quinn [email protected]

The Student Government Elections Commission found vice presidential candidate Katie Thompson guilty of two campaign violations Wednesday night. The commission penalized Thompson, a second- year public relations student, one violation point for violating Code 411.11 of the SG Constitution, which forbids candidates from soliciting student organizations before filing begins on Jan. 18. The commission also cited a sentence in the e-mail to penalize her .5 points for violating 411.15, which prohibits the distribution of campaign speeches before the mandatory candidates meeting. A candidate who receives five points is disqualifi ed. Jeremy Duncan / THE DAILY GAMECOCK Shah Himali, president of the International Student Association, reported an e-mail her organization had received Jan. 17 from the “Katie MORE PACKAGES, MORE LINES Thompson for U, Us and USC” campaign. The e-mail, sent from a USC USC Mail Center struggles Saturday to North Carolina,” Rowe THOMPSON Beaufort account under the name with infl ux of online books said. “I had to go to the book people Daniel Monroe, offered to “schedule to fi nd out where they were; the post a date that would be best for Katie to Taylor Cheney offi ce didn’t even help me.” come visit and speak to your organization.” [email protected] According to Meyers, January Himali is helping with Rohail Kazi’s campaign for is the center’s “Black Friday,” the student body president, but she is not registered as supposed busiest shopping day of the Long lines of impatient students part of his staff and said she may quit now. year, and the closings have not made have occupied the Student Mail Thompson said the commission had her full support the situation easier. Center this month, anxiously and that she respected the decision “100 percent.” “There’s usually more mail awaiting personal mail and packages Zachary Lamb, the senior adviser to Thompson’s coming in the spring term, and from online bookstores. campaign and a fourth-year broadcast journalism there’s been a huge increase in online The post offi ce — located in the student, handed out a statement at the violation book rentals,” said Meyers. “We’ve Russell House basement — has meeting arguing the campaign had no knowledge of had to play catch-up for a couple of received 7,125 packages from UPS Monroe’s e-mail and that Monroe was merely a “close days.” this January and has expanded its personal friend” of Thompson rather than a member The Mail Center has also hours for package pickup this week of her staff. opened up employment to students from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. to 10 a.m. to 7 The commission disagreed, pointing out in its to alleviate the influx of packages p.m. due to increased demand. fi ndings that Monroe initially appeared on the list coming in each day. Post offi ce employees are currently of Thompson’s staff but “was crossed off the list and “They’re some of our best working 12- to 14-hour shifts, dated on 1/18/11,” a day after the e-mail was sent. employees,” Meyers said. “The mail including weekends, to accommodate Himali said that the Thompson campaign’s early room is kind of like basketball — it’s the high volume of mail intake. The contact of student organizations gave it an unfair so busy.” offi ce should be back on schedule this advantage. Second-year student Patricia week, according to Barry Meyers, “She already has her schedule. I’m still scheduling Dowbiggin said she did not receive the director of USC’s postal service. stuff, and I’m not sure where my candidate is going to her books by the fi rst day of class but “To say we’re busy is an go the next day,” Himali, a fourth-year international did not mind the wait. understatement,” said Meyers. “A lot studies student, said. “I’m pretty sure the damage is “I waited for about 30 minutes of students are frustrated, and there’s already done ... I don’t want them to get disqualifi ed. I in line to get my books, but the always some anxiety that goes with just want them to understand that this is a slap on the mail people were really friendly,” getting your mail, but we’re really wrist, that this is not cool.” Dowbiggin said. “I know things are trying to reduce it. slow right now.” First-year public relations student Jessica Rowe had diffi culty receiving Comments on this story? her textbooks for upcoming classes. Comments on this story? Jeremy Duncan / THE DAILY GAMECOCK Visit: dailygamecock.com/news “My packages were delivered Visit: dailygamecock.com/news

Thursday The Mix TapeStaff editorial Track and Field 55° 32° Mix editors Chloe Legislators should The Gamecocks won Gould and Sydney either fund USC or four events Wednesday Patterson sound off allow the university at their ﬁ rst home meet on their favorite You- to make decisions of the 2011 season. Friday Tube musicians. on its own. See page 4 61° 34° See page 5 PAGE 2 PASTIDES ● Continued from 1 Limehouse and other legislators have could discuss proposing a tuition expressed concern about the need for cap this spring. Budget and Control another public medical school with Board members previously issued a USC’s School of Medicine and MUSC construction ban on new capital in Charleston. projects for several state colleges that Legislators quizzed Pastides about hiked tuition more than 7 percent last USC’s “rainy day” fund of more than year. USC hiked its tuition 6.9 percent $190 million. Pastides said most of for the 2010-11 school year. those funds were committed to Pastides promised administration programs, scholarships or initiatives ﬁ gures and board of trustees members and aren’t truly “unrestricted assets.” would be “careful and compassionate” The committee also called for more when considering another tuition four-year education institutions in increase. South Carolina and asked Pastides to “Our decision-making process prepare a feasibility report for next regarding tuition is the single most year. important financial deliberation The appearance was carefully that we make,” Pastides said. “And choreographed and planned, as USC it is discussed and voted upon in a administrators prepared graphs, talking completely transparent process.” points and student cameos throughout Lawmakers have also expressed dozens of pages of information. displeasure with the percentage of out- Administrators arrived en masse, of-state students at public universities, primarily wearing garnet and black. saying state dollars are supporting In a staging ploy,Pastides students not from South Carolina. relinquished the podium midspeech to Rep. Chip Limehouse, chairman of USC Honors College and international the House Means and Ways Education studies student Alex Tracy , who Subcommittee, said at least 75 percent delivered brief remarks about her of students at any given school should experience at Carolina. be in-state. “Please, as you consider higher But Pastides said out-of-state education funding, remember us, the students often enhance the quality students, who are directly affected by of life, provide more funding for the the decisions you make here,” Tracy University than state appropriations said. “ ... Higher education isn’t a and are necessary for continued success. budget line to those of us at public Limehouse prodded Pastides on universities.” Innovista and USC’s recent partnership with the Greenville Hospital System to Comments on this story? create a medical school in the Upstate. Visit: dailygamecock.com/news STUFF LIKE THIS:

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EDITORIAL BOARD Tête à Tête JOSH DAWSEY Editor-in-Chief Leaders of opposing student-run political organizations COLIN CAMPBELL KRISTYN SANITO refl ect on Tuesday’s State of the Union address Managing Editor Copy Desk Chief

KRISTYN WINCH RYAN VELASQUEZ Aaron Guest Sean Bertan PRESIDENT OF USC COLLEGE DEMOCRATS CHAIRMAN OF USC COLLEGE REPUBLICANS Viewpoints Editor Assistant Sports Editor

EMILY HETZEL SYDNEY PATTERSON Assistant Design Director Assistant Mix Editor In the shadow of the Tucson tragedy, President President Barack Obama delivered the annual Barack Obama delivered his second State of the Union State of the Union address to a joint-session of address to the nation and a slightly more divided, yet Congress last night, and he touched on a whole calmer (see: Joe Wilson 2009) Congress. array of subjects. Give USC funding Looking through the joint chamber, one was able Unfortunately for us, however, Obama neglected to see political rivals sitting side by side. Sure it made to give any real answers to the problems we face. As for awkward moments of applause, which constantly the projected defi cit for 2011 reaches $1.5 trillion, or drop regulations divide the president’s address. Obama gave no clear path to solving our growing What we saw, though, was one of Obama’s debt. Instead, the president provided us with a 2011 is shaping up to be a painful budget year, and paramount points: Although we may be divided, and noncommittal speech full of political fluff. The legislators will likely slash USC’s state appropriations although the political rhetoric of the last two years one problem our nation faces now is the defi cit. He once again. may have, at times, gotten out of hand, at the end of didn’t give us any answers to how we can bring this Fine. We accept that reality. The state doesn’t have the day we are all Americans. We all hold the same down. Instead, he wants to lead the fi ght to raise money. basic principles and ideals. We must remember this if the debt ceiling of $14.3 trillion even more. It’s extremely disappointing that South Carolina’s we are to “out-innovate” the rest of the world. And as expected, Obama, like former President legislature funds and supports higher education less Throughout its history, America has been regarded Bill Clinton in 1994, is pushing himself into the than every other state in the Southeast, considering as the land of opportunity, of freedom and of middle of the political spectrum after a Republican we have the “Corridor of Shame,” staggering innovation. In the last decade, however, we have sweep at the polls this November. But in his attempt unemployment rates and rampant illiteracy. become content believing that with the fall of the to push to the center, he provided no specifi cs to But once again, we accept the fact that higher Soviet Union a decade before, we were and would let the American people know where our country education will likely never see great support from the remain the world’s single hegemonic force. We have is heading. He mentioned talking points for each legislature. quickly — and not a moment too soon — discovered party but provided no talking points of his own. We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again: Higher this is not the case. He also spoke about investing in the future but education is the long-term solution to these problems. It is time for us to once again become a nation of then provided no way of saying how we would pay What is absolutely innovation, one that allows the sparks of ideas to fl ow for it. He spoke on spurring innovation but instead “We’ve said it appalling is this: Though freely and uninhibited. In order to do this, we must has only burdened entrepreneurs with increased legislators refuse to once again educate our children on a level that is not red tape and complex tax structures. He proposed before, and we’ll support public South only on par with the rest of the world but exceeds replacing No Child Left Behind but then didn’t Carolina colleges, they them. We have fallen too far behind, and now we give any specifi c proposals to replace it. say it again: Higher are more than happy to must do whatever it takes to play this game of “catch- The president also touched on the DREAM Act, consider regulating them. up.” We must once again begin producing scientists, saying he was ready to work with both parties to education is the Legislators will likely physicists and engineers who will lead to that next “protect our borders, enforce our laws” and address consider a cap on tuition great breakthrough. We must begin now working the millions of illegal immigrants in our country. I long-term solution and out-of-state students toward this nation of (re)innovation, decreasing our fi nd it discouraging, however, the president wants at public universities. dependence on fossil fuels, improving our national to provide a safe haven for illegal immigrants who to these problems.” What a joke. infrastructure and allowing our economy to grow by have already broken the same law he pledged to The General Assembly putting Americans back to work. We must once again enforce. funds approximately 10 become the land of hope and dreams. When he spoke about the budget, Obama was percent of USC’s budget, meaning the university is The American way of life has changed. We now happy to propose a freeze on annual domestic essentially private. That means it’s responsible to fund live in a global world. In order to keep up, we must spending. However, his party didn’t even propose about 90 percent of its operations. be innovative, ambitious and above par in our a budget for last year or manage to pass one. He While USC administrators are far from perfect, achievements. Change is scary. Change is hard to continually talked about the need to live within they’ve shown sensitivity in the past dealing with accept. We must, however, accept change if we wish our means but then argued to “invest” (or spend tuition issues. to remain viable as a people, as a nation and as the money) in a myriad of topics. Since we’re technically a public institution, world’s most powerful country. As Republicans and For the coming year, it is my hope that President General Assembly members can regulate. It’s just Democrats, we may have our differences, and we may Obama can provide the leadership we so desperately almost unconscionable they actually would given their not always agree. We must, however, come together need. With an ever-rising deficit, terrible job actions against higher education. to work toward a more sustainable vision for America growth and a sagging economy, someone must Legislators, step up and fund higher education than simply borrowing constantly from foreign banks step up to the plate and bring real solutions to our appropriately, or leave it alone. and “living on a prayer.” This is not an acceptable nation’s problems. However, if Obama’s year is You can’t have your cake and eat it, too. form of governance. We may share equal blame anything like his speech, we’ll be looking at a year But this is South Carolina, and since obesity rates for what has happened in the past, but if we work of empty rhetoric and foggy solutions. are already obscenely high, we probably will. together, we will have the opportunity to share equal praise for the successes of our future.

Tea Party response shows group has outgrown Republicans

Rival politicians criticize past decisions, claimed her response would not “compete with the offi cial his readiness to say “no one person or party is responsible” Republican response,” and she was correct. She couldn’t for today’s diffi culties or that Americans should “hold all of fail to celebrate new directions compete. I’m not sure if she really even paid attention to us [legislators] accountable,” truly indicates that the blame the speech itself. After all of Obama’s words of progress game in Washington might be coming to a close. His call Let me fi rst admit one thing: President Barack Obama’s and bipartisan reform, Bachmann gave viewers a list of for an effective government is the right one, and I hope State of the Union address genuinely inspired me. It demands framed in overbearing rhetoric Democrats hear it. inspired me to a sense of optimism for this coming year — (“job-killing” is the Tea Party word-of-the- Both responses, however, looked too much to the past. an optimism sorely absent. Whether or not I agreed with year). I had hoped this night meant an end I don’t mean criticizing Obama’s past decisions — which his points, the fact remains that the path to rising above for political showmanship, but Bachmann probably deserve investigation — but reviving old concepts. our economic troubles and fears lies still at hand. We must proved me wrong. Charts of federal defi cits The typical lines of “We need to start making things acknowledge that fact before striving to follow that path. As and images of Iwo Jima and the Constitution again” from Bachmann and “Limited government and free he said in closing, “Our destiny remains our choice.” yet again pandered to what I assumed enterprise have made this nation great” from Ryan ignore This inspiration on my part did not reach others — Michael should be my emotional patriotic outrage. what Obama called the changes of the digital age. We namely, conservatives. The response to a State of the Union Lambert The only outrage is her own flat refusal no longer live in the era of “making things,” and today’s is often underplayed, yet this year’s deserves recognition for Second-year of the meaning in Obama’s speech. I can democracy gets more power from its Web browser than several reasons. First — and I do not know if I can stress English student understand disagreement with his plans but from its ballot. We cannot meet tomorrow’s challenges how troubling this is — there were two responses: one not an ignorance of the spirit behind them. with yesterday’s assumptions of effi ciency and economic from Rep. Paul Ryan for the Republicans and one from The Republican response showed something I have been stimulus. The possibility just isn’t there. Republicans are Rep. Michele Bachmann for the Tea Party. If anyone ever hoping to see from the right for a long time: polish, and a beginning to learn this. As for Bachmann and her Tea wondered whether or not the Tea Party would outgrow certain sense of responsibility. Ryan acted unquestionably as Party, I leave them to their own amusement. The time for Republican restraints, this is your evidence. Bachmann a mouthpiece for his party and made sure we all knew it. But showmanship and games is over.

IT’S YOUR RIGHT About The Daily Gamecock Editor-in-Chief The Mix Editor Student Media Director The goal of The Daily Gamecock’s year in school and area of study. JOSH DAWSEY CHLOE GOULD SCOTT LINDENBERG CONTACT INFORMATION Viewpoints page is to stimulate discussion We also invite student leaders and Managing Editor Assistant Mix Editor Faculty Adviser Offi ces located on the third fl oor SYDNEY PATTERSON ERIK COLLINS in the University of South Carolina USC faculty members to submit guest COLIN CAMPBELL of the Russell House News Editor Sports Editor Creative Director Editor: [email protected] community. All published authors are columns. Columnists should keep RYAN QUINN JAMES KRATCH EDGAR SANTANA News: [email protected] Advertising Manager expected to provide logical arguments to submissions to about 500 words in Assistant News Editors Assistant Sports Editor Viewpoints: [email protected] TAYLOR CHENEY RYAN VELASQUEZ SARAH SCARBOROUGH The Mix: [email protected] back their views. length and include the author’s name and CASSIE STANTON Photo Editor Production Manager Sports: [email protected] The Daily Gamecock encourages position. Guest columns are limited to Copy Desk Chief SYDNEY MEDLIN C. NEIL SCOTT Online: www.dailygamecock.com KRISTYN SANITO Assistant Photo Editor Creative Services Newsroom: 777-7726 readers to voice opinions and offers three three per author per semester. Assistant Copy Desk Chief PARKER JENNETTE JEMIMAH EKEH, LIZ HOWELL, Sports: 777-7182 methods of expression: letters to the The editor reserves the right to edit EDDIE MANN Senior Photographer MADDIE MCDOWELL, AMBER Editor’s Offi ce: 777-3914 Design Director KERI GOFF SOWELL Fax: 777-6482 editor, guest columns and feedback on and condense submissions for length and CHRIS BROWN Webmaster Advertising ELIZABETH GOOD, CHRISTOPHER dailygamecock.com. clarity, or not publish at all. Assistant Design Directors GEOFFREY MARSI The Daily Gamecock is the Th e Board of Student LEMMETTI, ELYSSA MARKLE, EMILY HETZEL Assistant Webmaster editorially independent student Publications and Letters and guest columns should be All submissions become the property REBECCA POPP, QUINCY ALLYSON SEITZER MATT ALBERT newspaper of the University of Communications is the publisher ROBINSON, MEGHAN submitted via e-mail to gamecockeditor@ of The Daily Gamecock and must conform Viewpoints Editor Public Relations Staff South Carolina. It is published of The Daily Gamecock. Th e TANKERSLEY sc.edu. Letters must be 200 to 300 words to the legal standards of USC Student KRISTYN WINCH MARISSA ROGERS, EMILY daily during the fall and spring Department of Student Media Assistant Viewpoints Editor COLLAWN, AMANDA JOHNSON, is the newspaper’s parent in length and include the author’s name, Media. semesters and nine times during ALICE CHANG RUSHUNDA WARE, MELISSA HEIM the summer with the exception organization. The Daily Senior Columnist Graduate Assistant of university holidays and exam Gamecock is supported in part HAKEEM JEFFERSON KIOSHA GREGG periods. Opinions expressed in by student-activity fees. One CORRECTIONS The Daily Gamecock are those free copy per reader. Additional of the editors or author and not copies may be purchased for $1 Due to an editing error, The Daily Gamecock reported Rep. Gabrielle Are you Interested in working for those of the University of South each from the Department of Carolina. Student Media. Giffords as dead in Wednesday’s print edition. Giffords is alive and The Daily Gamecock? recovering in a rehabilitation facility. We apologize for the error. E-mail us at [email protected] “I’ll probably never be the best actor in Hollywood, but I hope to be the hardest working.” — Ashton Kutcher

THURSDAY, JANUARY 27, 2011 PAGE 5

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3. Christina Grimmie (zeldaxlove64) Christina Grimmie, known as zeldaxlove64, is the 11th most subscribed musician on YouTube of all time and the 70th most subscribed channel Chloe Gould & Sydney Patterson | [email protected]@dailygamecock.com | 330,000 views of all time. She has achieved a hefty amount of notoriety through her videos and has almost 11 million channel views. She has earned her fame with her amazing voice and amusingly awkward audience interactions. YouTube has taken over the Internet, leaving millions across the world glued to Her vocal talent and range sets her far apart from the crowd of people trying to make their computer screens, amazed by everything from singing animals to pranks gone it big on YouTube. awry to undiscovered talents. Many aspiring musicians from all around the globe use the site as an outlet, with some of the best musical gems hidden in the clutter of 4. Kate McGill (katem3) clips. These are the ﬁ ve YouTube songsters we’re obsessing about this week. English songster Kate McGill, from Carmarthen, Wales , has become known on YouTube for her sweet-voiced, poignant covers and acoustic Comments on this story? guitar. Covering lesser known but nonetheless winning songs such as Visit dailygamecock.com/mix “Someone Like You” by Adele and “Crossfire” by Brandon Flowers — frontman of rock band The Killers — McGill truly impresses with a voice akin to British pop stars Lily Allen and Kate Nash. Her most popular cover, the heartfelt and brilliant “White Blank Page” by Mumford & Sons has earned the singer over 160,000 views and almost matches the soul and effect of the original. Filming her solo performances from either her keyboard or bathroom ﬂ oor, McGill has a certain authenticity that makes her great.

5. Sam Tsui (KurtHugoSchneider) Perhaps one of the most well-known YouTube singing sensations is ALL COMMENTS (8,452) 21-year-old talent Sam Tsui. Featured on his producer Kurt Schneider’s channel, KurtHugoSchneider , he is a student at Yale University and has already made appearances on many major daytime talk shows, including (To Liz and Megan) You are both fantastic. I seriously cannot stop watching your “The Oprah Winfrey Show” in February . His ﬂ awless vocals are the videos. You are both amazing, and don’t let anyone tell you any different. perfect match to the popular pop songs he covers, with Schneider’s well-produced (To A Minter Condition) You have an amazing voice and a wicked talent for guitar! videos only adding to the magic. Tsui’s most popular YouTube video, with over 11 million hits, is “Just a Dream” by Nelly. With Schneider on piano and fellow songster (To Kate McGill) Hey, great stuff here, Kate. You’re an amazing vocalist and also a Christina Grimmie offering her vocal talents, the cover brings a whole new light to the great songwriter! Totally subscribing for future tunes!! worn-out chart topper. Tsui’s voice is effortlessly refreshing and has gone viral, with a digital album entitled “The Covers” released last year . Talent, premise can’t save comedy ‘No Strings Attached’ shows promise but falls ﬂ at with tired jokes, overdone plotline, sloppy writing

Aaron Jenkins [email protected]

“No Strings Attached” NOW IN THEATERS Director: Ivan Reitman Starring: Ashton Kutcher, Natalie Portman Dale Robinette / AP Exchange Natalie Portman and Ashton Kutcher star in “No Strings Attached,” a romantic comedy about friends with benefi ts. Rating: R for sexual content, language and some drug material leads to disbelief. of the fi lm all the more painful to watch. It also drags for So no, the fi lm isn’t all that romantic. Nor is it very sexy most of its almost two-hour runtime, which is sadly only (somehow the fi lmmakers found a way to make numerous punctuated by a handful of decent comedic moments to sex scenes surprisingly boring — a feat unto itself). So now, ease the audience through. There’s an interesting romantic Every romantic comedy has a story gimmick, a little we as an audience are left waiting to laugh. Unfortunately, comedy buried inside “No Strings Attached,” trying hook for the audience so the audience will come back to this is where “No Strings Attached” falls hardest. Its jokes desperately not to drown amongst the Hollywood clichés the same silly jokes and sappy romance they’ve all seen a are so poorly scripted that even the talent in the film and sloppy screenwriting, but it is never brought far enough hundred times. struggles to save them. Most of them are just plain bad, and to the surface to justify its own feature-length fi lm. What makes “No Strings Attached” unique is that its most of what are left tend to fall fl at. gimmick isn’t all that bad. The initial premise of the fi lm is But really, once you brush aside all of the obnoxious and actually one of its strongest aspects. one-note side characters, the unfi nished side narratives, the Comments on this story? The fi lm is about two childhood friends, Adam (Ashton cliché rom-com star Adam and the overall unfunny gags, Visit dailygamecock.com/mix Kutcher) and Emma (Natalie Portman), who reunite as you are left with Emma, the only thing that makes the adults and become “friends with benefits.” Eventually, fi lm even a little worth watching. Portman’s performance Adam begins to grow attached to Emma and decides portrays Emma as cold and emotionally distant (or at least he wants to be more than just “sex friends.” It’s pretty scared by her own emotions), and she has all of the base straightforward, but Emma seems incapable (or unwilling) trappings of an interesting character. Unfortunately, this to develop any kind of emotional relationship. is only evident in a select few scenes. The fi lm spends too With this setup, the fi lm creates the potential to explore much time cracking inane jokes and putting the actors in a lot of gray areas about relationships — and possibly even bad comic scenarios for her character to be examined. And touch on the viability of a polyamorous lifestyle — while even when she does finally get a somewhat legitimately still retaining the humor and heartwarming moments emotional moment, it is immediately downplayed by a gag expected of the genre. Unfortunately, any interesting involving her driving her car while crying, eating doughnut character moments from Portman or diffi cult scenarios holes and listening to a “PMS Mix” CD (seriously). In this that Kutcher is thrust into are swiftly swept away amid trite way, the fi lm panders to the lowest common denominator, conventions and clunky dialogue. apparently afraid that if it tried to leave its audience with Though the acting is passable, the chemistry between anything too emotionally or intellectually stimulating, they Kutcher and Portman is almost nonexistent. Due to the just wouldn’t “get it.” emotionally detached relationship the fi lm is about, this In the end, “No Strings Attached” begins to ask some seems intentional. However, once the movie attempts to interesting questions, but the answers it provides are so convince its audience that the two actually have feelings for simple and reductive that it makes the formulaic nature each other, the consistent awkwardness between the two PAGE 6 THURSDAY, JANUARY 27, 2011 Spurned ● By Jarad Greene The Scene TODAY

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ACROSS 1 Bring together 5 Younger partner 15 Bone, to Benito 16 Field for bug bugs 17 USAF plane for limited runways 18 They need to be transcribed 19 Surgical instrument that stops bleeding 21 Ice cream choice 22 A, in Arles 23 Crime show in its 11th season 24 Modem speed unit Sydney Medlin / THE DAILY GAMECOCK 26 “Per ardua ad __”: A USC student was interviewd by a local affi liate of Fox News about the “Get Tested” RAF motto truck on Greene Street and the importance of getting tested for HIV/AIDS. The truck 28 Pope before Paul V was sponsored by the South Carolina HIV/AIDS Council (SCHAC) to raise awareness. 30 Lao-__ 33 Bitter outburst 35 2008 World Series Solution 01/26/11 7 Proof mark champs 01/27/11 8 Didactic 37 Baseball stats term of 38 Small opening? address 40 Fiend 9 Expressive 41 Stiff’s nickname Columbia Charlotte Shuttle rock genre 43 Formed from The Charlotte Airport Just Got Closer 10 Flower in Hey 45 Some MIT grads the amaryllis 46 Screams family Students! $49 each way • Pick up/drop off at USC 48 Manhattan Project 11 Voiced www.ColumbiaCharlotteShuttle.com • (803) 783-5123 notable 12 Manny 49 Forward with 150 50 Result in a roped-off career pinch area, briefl y hits 52 Earned 13 Hungarian 53 Equally hot surf wine region 56 Cobra-killing carnivore 44 Clueless, after “in” 14 Part of SSS:Abbr. 58 Networking asset 47 1966 U.S. Open 20 Large number 61 Scribbles champ Fred 24 Quantum physics 62 Scotch part 49 Discloses pioneer 63 Sidewalk sale items 51 Places for pads Solution from 01/26/11 25 Accepted principle 64 Agent’s accounts 53 Ancient royal symbols 27 Impetuous 65 Bikini component 54 Crow’s-nest sighting 29 Disney acronym 55 Myriad 30 Three-time U.S. DOWN 56 It covers the 51-Down Open champ 1 Southwestern national 57 Resort NNE of Ventura 31 He played Max park, or the primary plant 59 __ gratias Bialystock in “The that grows there 60 French iron Producers” 2 Apparent 32 Act diplomatically 3 Strength-training 34 Spam, at times exercises 36 Rich supply 4 Court plea, briefl y 39 2001 high-tech debut 5 Kids 42 Like wind and 6 Necessitate PAGE 7 USC looks for revenge against Georgia

Lady Gamecocks attempt to break Bulldogs’ Newton gives boost as starter: In the last three games is emphasizing getting to the basket against as the team did that Staley has started junior guard Courtney Newton , the against Tennessee, where they posted 36 points in the paint . seven-game winning streak tonight Gamecocks have a 2-1 record. “I think we went to the basket with reckless abandon,” “I think Courtney understands what we’re doing,” Staley Staley said. “I think if we take that effort into it, then I don’t Isabelle Khurshudyan said. “Courtney’s going to give the second, third and fourth think we’re afraid. I don’t think they’re the biggest team [email protected] efforts out there on both sides of the basketball. She gives we’ve faced.” us extra possessions on offense, she’ll hit a three or two, but Coach Dawn Staley is out for revenge after her team’s from a defensive standpoint, she’ll put her face in anything.” Comments on this story? showing against Georgia earlier this year. USC looking for continued effort: With Georgia holding Visit dailygamecock.com/sports Her team was outscored 40-17 in the first half and a substantial height advantage over the Gamecocks, Staley eventually lost 61-51. The teams play again tonight at 7 p.m. inside the Colonial Life Arena. “We played probably the worst half of the season,” Staley said. “Hopefully, we can return the favor.” Since that 61-51 win over the Gamecocks, the Bulldogs have collected ﬁ ve straight victories, and the team rides a seven-game winning streak into tonight’s game. “I think they have scoring threats — I think they really understand their role,” Staley said. “They’re very, very athletic. They know what they do, and they do that well.” One of the strengths for No. 20 Georgia in its last outing against Mississippi State was its bench production, with sophomore Anne Marie Armstrong entering the game to score a career-high 17 points in a 78-58 victory. While that’s been a strong point for the Bulldogs, it’s been an area of concern for the Gamecocks. “We’re not getting bad production,” Staley said. “We just have to make sure that when they go into the game, they focus and know what we’re doing. If they know what we’re doing, they’ll get extended minutes.” At this point in the season, issues such as poor bench play are getting attention, as Carolina is looking at every game as a part of something bigger. “I think Georgia is a very good basketball team,” Staley said. “They’re playing good basketball. We’re not playing shabby ball at this point, but I think this is a pretty decent game to measure where we are. We could make some headway in the SEC standings.” Bulldogs right at home in Columbia: Georgia enters the matchup with a 5-0 record in the Colonial Life Arena and a 13-2 record all-time against Carolina in Columbia . Home has been sweet for the Gamecocks this season, however, as they come into the night with two SEC home victories. “I think in order for us to have any postseason play, you do need to take care of home,” Staley said. “The Colonial Life Arena has been good to us. The fans that come in here Sydney Medlin / THE DAILY GAMECOCK and see us play, they get their money’s worth.” The Lady Gamecocks enter Thursday’s matchup looking for their ﬁ rst win against a ranked opponent since February.

Equestrian team hits road to Texas Away from home, team must Mary Ann Chastain / The Associated Press Women’s Basketball Michelle Lepianka Carter / The Tuscaloosa News acclimate itself to unfamiliar horses Mallory Cage [email protected] 1. Tennessee (No 5. Vanderbilt (No 9. Ole Miss (No Change): As long as Tennessee Change): Following the trend Change): The Rebels shook off a The South Carolina equestrian team will travel to (19-2, 7-0) keeps the zero in the set in nonconference play, the four-game losing skid this Sunday Texas this weekend to compete against Texas A&M, SEC loss column, it’ll continue to Commodores have been perfect with a road win at Arkansas. It Baylor and Delaware State, but being on the road means remain atop the standings. The at home but can’t seem to find doesn’t get easy for them from biggest obstacle in the ring is right underneath it. Lady Volunteers’ most recent loss success on the road. Other than a there, however. Ole Miss (9-9, 2-4) When the Gamecocks travel, they don’t bring their was over a month ago at Baylor, 16-point victory at lowly Alabama, will host UK tonight before hitting own horses. They don’t even bring the saddles they’re and since then, only LSU has Vanderbilt (13-7, 4-3) is 1-3 on the the road for an Eastern swing familiar with. The only things they’ve used before come within single digits. With road in the SEC and 2-7 on the against Vanderbilt and Florida. – JK arriving to the competition are their competition Mississippi State and Arkansas year. With home matchups with Ole uniforms. upcoming, Tennessee is unlikely to Miss and LSU coming up, Vandy College equestrian teams are characterized by what (Down 6): lose its place at the top. – Isabelle should be in good shape when it 10. Florida is call “catch riding,” in which both the home team and Florida (12-9, 2-5) has lost four Khurshudyan travels to Florida. – RV visitors don’t know which horse they’ll be competing straight to put it near the bottom on until four minutes before they enter the competition of the standings. Luckily for the ring. (Up 1): The (Up 4): The Tigers Gators, they face Alabama and 2. Georgia 6. LSU That means the riders have four minutes to familiarize Bulldogs are riding a seven-game have won their past two contests in Mississippi State next, both sporting themselves with a 1,000-pound animal with a mind of its win streak since their surprising dominating fashion, thrashing Ole winless SEC records. If Florida own before asking it to jump over a 3-foot fence. loss to Louisiana Tech and boast a Miss by 35 points before handing could build some momentum, it “They can’t fi x everything in four minutes, so they perfect conference record; however, Florida a 14-point loss behind a could be poised for upsets down the have to decide what can I fi x and what can I hide,” coach the next two games for Georgia (16- double-double by LaSondra road. – IK Boo Major said. 3, 6-0) will be diffi cult as it prepares Bennett. LSU (14-7, 4-3) hosts Major believes the ability to get comfortable with a for road matchups at South Carolina Arkansas tonight, but Sunday’s . horse quickly usually takes a semester or sometimes and LSU. With both displaying matchup against Georgia will really 11 Mississippi even a year, so with a team that has 26 freshmen and strong home records, the Bulldogs give the team an opportunity to sophomores, a lot is depending on how quickly the should be in for a challenge. – IK prove itself against a top opponent. (Up 1): Losers of seven State younger members can adjust. – PB straight, the Lady Bulldogs almost “When you’re competing in high school, you’re riding certainly will drop their eighth (Up 3): your own horse, so you know that horse, you compete 3. Kentucky in a row tonight when they host Since starting conference play with 7. South Carolina that horse, you do everything with that horse,” Major (Up 1): Conference play has been Tennessee in Starkville. The good two straight losses, Kentucky (15-4, said. “When you go into a competition arena, you pretty an up-and-down affair for South news? Only a date with Florida 4-2) has made it clear that it deserves much know what that horse is going to give you. Carolina (11-9, 3-4), particularly remains between Mississippi State its top-20 rankings . The Wildcats The Gamecocks will face three separate competitions against ranked opponents and on (8-10, 0-6) and a Feb. 24 meeting enter the week riding a four-game this weekend. On Friday they’ll compete at Texas A&M the road. Hosting No. 24 Georgia with Alabama, which will come winning streak, including a 10-point then drive to Waco, Texas, on Saturday, where they’ll tonight, the Lady Gamecocks may to be known as “The Battle of the victory over Vanderbilt on Sunday. compete on neutral territory against Delaware State. On be in position to improve in one of Basement. – JK With Ole Miss and Alabama next Sunday they’ll wrap up the weekend against Baylor. those categories. If Carolina is to on its slate, UK’s streak should be Carolina will travel with 24 girls this weekend, which pull off the upset, another strong (Down up to six when it hosts Auburn next 12. Alabama is much higher than the normal team size on the road. showing from Ieasia Walker will be 1): The Crimson Tide continues “We want to get experience for some of our younger Thursday. – Ryan Velasquez crucial. – RV to struggle in SEC play, with a kids in some of these competitions, so we decided to take defeat at South Carolina marking as many as we felt comfortable taking and competing,” (Down its seventh straight conference (Up 3): 8. Arkansas Major said. 4. Auburn 6): Riding a two-game losing loss. Ton ight’s ga me aga i nst After three consecutive SEC wins, Major said most of the girls will not compete all three streak, the Razorbacks head to Florida offers Alabama (11-9, 0-7) including a 45-41 comeback against days, but the consecutive days of competition will serve Baton Rouge tonight to face rival an opportunity to snatch its first Mississippi State, the Tigers (12- as good practice for the end of the season. LSU. A win would be valuable to the SEC win, and with Kentucky next 8, 5-2) received a pounding at the “When we go to championships, we have to have three Hogs. At 3-4 in the conference and on the schedule, it had better take hands of Tennessee. A full week or four tests memorized and think ahead of time,” Major 15-4 overall, Arkansas can ill-afford advantage. – PB of rest should work to Auburn’s said. “This is actually very similar, so it’s actually a really to fall two games below .500 in advantage as it prepares to host good prep for when we have to go to the championships.” league play, especially considering South Carolina on Sunday before Tennessee comes to Fayetteville on traveling to Kentucky. – Paulina Comments on this story? Sunday. – James Kratch Comments on this story? Berkovich Visit dailygamecock.com/sports Visit dailygamecock.com/sports Go to www.dailygamecock.com and click on “Classifieds” to place your online &/or print classified ads. New & Improved! 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