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Talk Tech: 1,000 Point Club
Talk Tech: 1,000 Point Club
PAGE 11
T ech T alk
THE STUDENT VOICE OF LOUISIANA TECH UNIVERSITY
WWW.THETECHTALK.ORG FEBRUARY 20, 2014 VOLUME 88 ISSUE 15
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WINTERS
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Above: Tolliver Hall, a popular hub for students on campus, was affected by the ice. Below: Streets, cars and trees were frozen over during the two day campus closure.
F
Photo by Colin Fontenot
PAUL HARRIS STAFF REPORTER reezing rain blanketed the city of Ruston last week, resulting in hazardous travel conditions. This slippery precipitation forced the university to cancel classes Feb. 11 and 12. Louisiana Techs Emergency Response Team strongly recommended that students, faculty and staff refrain from traveling during the wintery mix. Many Tech students used the snow day to catch up on studying since nals are soon approaching. My international business class actually had a test delayed until Friday, granting me an ample amount of time to study, said Alec Davis, a senior business administration major. That was quite a sigh of relief. Other students took full advantage of the rare sight of icy conditions, making temporary sleds out of anything they could nd. Narendra Sharma, a sophomore mechanical engineering major, said he used a at oven pan as an aide to
NEWS
A panel addresses attendees at a conference titled Bridging Generations: Succeeding in a Changing World, which was put on by the Louisiana Tech chapter of the American Association of University Women. periences with issues like gender discrimination and pay equity. After the panelists are done speaking, students break up in smaller group formats, Freda said. Students can then speak one-on-one with the panelists. Freda said she hoped the conference would be an opportunity to send their message to other schools in Louisiana and showcase the benets of having institutional afliation with AAUW. Anne Taylor, AAUW Baton Rouge branch public policy chair, said the organization was pleased with how the conference went. Dr. Stoff and the students did well with putting on the conference, Taylor said. Taylor said she hoped the conference would encourage more women to pursue degrees in technical elds. According to information provided by Taylor, Louisiana is ranked 50th out of 51 (including
D.C.) for gender pay equialty. Undergraduate women are underrepresented in engineering and technology, Taylor said. Changing this would help the pay gap.
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slide down the slick hills. My friends and I saw a lot of people sledding down the hills that surround the football practice eld and were intrigued, Sharma said. Living here we dont get to experience that too often, so we gured we might as well go enjoy some free fun. Sharma said he saw students using laundry baskets, pizza boxes and even a blow-up raft. A few of the Tech athletic teams were affected by the weather and had to improvise practice schedules. Jens Danielsen, a junior offensive lineman for Techs football team, said the teams scheduled conditioning workout for Wednesday was cancelled. Techs baseball team was forced to hold practice indoors at the Lambright Intramural Center. The weather didnt allow us to practice on the eld but with opening weekend right around the corner we had to get in there and get our work in, Luke Giddens, a senior pitcher, said, Despite the distraction caused by Mother Nature we were able to go indoors and still get quality practice time. Taly Merker, a sophomore tennis player, said the Lady Bulldogs also held practice in the Lambright Center.
It was a challenge for us because we had to go in the gym to practice, Merker said. The surface is different and we had an upcoming match that weekend. The Lady Techster tennis team did not allow the gym oor to be a factor in their competition against Grambling this past weekend, defeating the Tigers 6-0. Kylin Thomas, a sophomore business administration major, said he used the time off to catch up on sleep and reminisce about the summer. Im tired of all this cold, I say the same thing about the heat in the summer though, Thomas said. Although it gets unbearably hot down here during the summer, Ill take that over this bone-shaking cold weve been having here lately any day. Thomas said regardless of what anyones plans were last Wednesday, everyone was affected in some manner. Some students had presentations that were pushed back, some students probably were more than thankful for the cancellation because they may not have been ready for the class assignments due that day, Thomas said. Thats just what we have to deal with living in north Louisiana with this bi-polar weather.
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NEWS
Left to right: Camella Card, a junior chemistry major; Morgan Tanner, a junior electrical engineering major; and Andrew Lewis, a junior medical technology major, spend their time playing roulette. were there when he was there. I think they gained a few at the end because school was out, but they may have lost a few too, he said. Housing student worker Erin Smith said he was proud of the way everything went. Smith, a senior kinesiology major, said he really enjoyed the food, and was impressed with the DJ. Everyone seemed to enjoy meeting other people, Smith said. It was a great opportunity for people to get out and see some different faces. People were in awe of how great every-
thing looked, he said. I cant wait to go back next year, Smith said. Its one of those events I really look forward to every year.
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It might come as a surprise to you that some of historys greatest American journalists are working right now, exceptional minds with years of experience and an unshakable devotion to reporting the news. But these voices are a small minority now, and they dont stand a chance against the circus when the circus comes to town. That is a quote from anchor Will McAvoy, played by Jeff Daniels on HBOs The Newsroom, during an on-air apology for not giving the people of the United States the news they need. Instead, he gave them news that entertained them. His sentiment still rings true. Our media is no longer providing us information, but infotainment. They have become like a circus. Ukraine is on the brink of civil war, and what was the lead story on
CNN three weeks ago when the riots rst started? Justin Bieber getting arrested. Instead of talking about the Senates latest failure to extend unemployment benets for 1.7 million people, most media outlets spent the early part of this month talking about a Coca-Cola commercial that some people did not like because it featured cultural diversity. It is scary really. Scary that I am learning skills to join a machine that has lost the desire to present real news in their effort to be atop the ratings chart. I may be a journalist for a college newspaper, but I take my job seriously. I am honored to inform the students and alumni of our university of news that matters to them. And as I move into the professional world, that is a passion that I will continue. Americans deserve to be informed. If you are going into a voting
booth, do you care more about Biebers latest antics or who is going to ght to pass immigration reform? As a journalist, what I write on this page is my voice. How I use that voice is up to me. However, my obligation is to you. It is my obligation to supply you with information that you need or should be talking about. Anchor Will McAvoy knows what needs to be done, and although he is a ctional character, he knows what I need to do as well. Im quitting the circus, switching teams, he said. Im going with the guys who are getting creamed. Im moved they still think they can win, and I hope they can teach me a thing or two. Kaleb Causey is a senior political science and journalism major from Jonesboro who serves as editor-inchief for The Tech Talk. Email comments to ktc013@latech.edu.
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he media gets a bad reputation. News organizations, glossy magazines and the 10 oclock news have all been blamed for things like reporting bias or showing images that inuence young people to act in irresponsible ways. But I never thought I would see the day that our president blamed the media for a broken government. Yes, sometimes we (American people) get very divided, President Obama said in an interview with Chris Matthews of MSNBC in December, partly because our politics and our media, specically try to divide them and splinter them. Newsash: the American people are divided because our politics are divided. Our politics are divided because our politicians cannot compromise and will go so far as to shutting down the government over a budget disagreement. So, tell me, Mr. President,
who is to blame for our divided country? When Bill OReilly, a Fox News host, sat down with the president before the Super Bowl, he asked him about the Cincinnati IRSs improper investigation of some conservative groups. Obama got defensive. No, we do (know what happened)thats not what happened, Obama said. These kinds of things keep on surfacing in part because you and your TV station will promote them. Instead of informing OReilly that there is a similar investigation of progressive groups, and Fox Newss coverage of only the investigation of the conservative groups is misleading or explaining what happened to get the record straight, Obama immediately blamed the station for not dropping the issue. These kinds of things keep on surfacing, not because the media promote them, but because the media can only work with what is given to them. If elected ofcials give them vague explanations, it is their
job to question them and nd out specics. If you give them a government that has let partisan politics cripple itself, they have no choice but to report that news to the people. What the president and other politicians have failed to remember is that the media are merely connections between authority and the people. They are to report facts and help everyday citizens understand the complexities of politics. Yes, some media organizations skew the news to benet themselves and increase viewership, which cannot be ignored. But why not give them some news that cant be skewed? If scandals were fewer and compromises more frequent, the media would have no choice but to shift their focus. Until then, blame the source for division, not the reporter. Hannah Schilling is a senior journalism and political science major from Bossier City who serves as Managing Editor for the Tech Talk. Email comments to hms017@latech.edu.
A NEW PERSPECTIVE
alfway through President Barack Obamas last term, America has to look to the future. In 2016, there will be someone new in the Oval Ofce. So far, the 2016 race is a strange one. On the Republican side, Paul Ryan, Rick Santorum and Chris Christie have been touted as presidential contenders. On the Democratic side, however, only been one name has been seriously considered: Hillary Clinton. While there have been other people who have shown interest, Clinton seems to be the frontrunner, even though she has kept quiet on the issue. Well, quiet might not be the right word. She has repeatedly dodged the questions with statements about how she is happy where she is at present.
Most people think it is pointless to argue whether or not she will run because there are not really any reasons she should not. Or are there? Mitt Romney recently appeared on NBCs Meet the Press and was asked about the revival of the scandal during Bill Clintons administration involving Monica Lewinsky by Senator Rand Paul. Paul called President Clinton a predator for taking advantage of a girl that was 20 years old. Romney responded that Clintons mistakes were his own and should not affect a run for ofce by his wife. Well, duh. The only thing I can see hurting her image is the Benghazi, Libya consulate attacks in 2012. Recent polls conducted by YouGov and Quinnipiac University found that 44 percent and 52 percent of the American people, respectively, feel they were misled
by the Obama Administration during the crisis. Her now-infamous What does it matter? response to a senators questioning during a meeting of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee will surely be brought up as well. Does Clinton have a chance? Absolutely. She appears more like a politician (for good and ill) than bumbling Joe Biden or screaming Howard Dean. Then again, neither of them have a Benghazi-sized blot on their legacy. If Clinton wants the job (and come on, of course she does), she is going to have to come up with something better to say than, What does it matter? John Sadler is a sophomore journalism and English major from Extension who serves as features editor for The Tech Talk. Email comments to jts040@ latech.edu.
t is almost over. After Christmas, New Years, way too many weeks and the Snowpocalypse, the end of winter quarter is almost here. And we are ready for it. As if walking across campus at 8 in the morning were not bad enough, winter quarter drops the temperatures to below freezing and brings with it a piercing wind to make getting out of bed just that much more difcult. Winter quarter is the overdone main course stuck between the hot appetizers and long-awaited desserts. It is the time of year when campus dies, literally and metaphorically, as the grass freezes over and the students hide inside. For the most part, it is miserable. Winter quarter is depressing. It does not try to be, but its weather, its schedule and its dormancy are a trifecta of hate. Good side of winter quarter? There is a break in the middle. Bad side of winter quarter? There is a break in the middle. Winter quarter seems to drag on forever, but, nally, it is making way for our favorite treat. Spring quarter is a gift. The trees come back alive, the owers are back in bloom, and campus is a hub of activity. We can actually see and remember how gorgeous our campus and college really are. Spring Fling, concerts, The Big Event, Greek Week and many outdoor tournaments take place in spring. Ruston weather is almost perfect during spring. And, perhaps most importantly, the outdoor Lambright pool reopens in spring. There are parties, formals, retreats, outdoor pickup games and tons of options to get students away from schoolwork. Outside is a real option, and it should be. Campus buzzes. Students are so excited about the good weather and low pressure that they are all over, making campus a great place to walk around and make new friends. Spring quarter, more than any other quarter, is a great time to be a Tech student. Yes, winter quarter has basketball, and it has been a great season, but spring quarter brings baseball and softball, which nally give us the fresh air we have been missing since fall. Classes do not seem as terrible in spring. Maybe teachers are in better moods, or maybe it is something in the air, but there is something about spring quarter that makes classes a lot more bearable. Unlike winter, spring has a bright light at the end of the quarter that shines brightly and comes quickly. At the end of these ten short weeks, summer begins. Days of spending days doing nothing except laying out by the pool or going to the lake are nally in sight. There may not be any snow days next quarter, but there are plenty of I dont feel like going to class days to be had, and that seems ne, because it is spring. For around 800 students, spring means its almost over. Spring quarter is their victory lap for graduation, and they plan to run it hard. They are ready to hang out with friends they may not see again and do dumb things they cannot do when they get a real job in a few months. They are ready to make sure everyone has a good time. Basically what we are saying is: make the most of it. Listen to the seniors who want to go out with a bang, and take some time for yourself. We have all been trapped inside cramming for winter exams and bundling under blankets, waiting for this time to pass. It is almost here. Study hard for nals, relieve some stress with Mardi Gras, and come back ready to go, because spring quarter is the icing and the cake.
NEWS
Christopher Williams, vice president of the Tech karate team, shows off his moves at the national qualifier tournament. childrens divisions and progressed to the advanced divisions where most Tech students were competing. Ethan Axton, a sophomore general studies major, said he joined the team after he discovered it during his second quarter at Tech. I was taking classes outside of Tech, Axton said. Then someone told me that they offered a class at Tech. At the tournament, Axton competed in the adult
advanced division. I have competed many times, Axton said. Ive been to the national championships, as well as the world championships. Ross Todd, graduate student and president of the Tech karate team, said he thought the tournament was going to turn out well. My rst experience with karate was at Tech, Todd said. Ive been enjoying it so far. With a long history of success, the Tech karate team is no stranger to national and international competition. David Jordan, former kinesiology professor and karate team coach at Tech, said he retired in the early 2000s, and Buster Cotton took over as coach. Jordan said the Tech karate team won its rst national team championship in 1983 after the team was formed in 1976. Over the years we have had at least 10 schools started by former students, Jordan said. We have had many national championship teams and individual national champions.
Tech students talk to prospective employers at Career Day in the Tonk last Thursday.
NEWS
The light bulb was displayed at Louisiana Techs centennial celebration and is now displayed in the office of Tech President Les Guice.
World
W&NBRIEFS
WORLDNEWS
Fighting resumes in South Sudan rebels
JUBA, South Sudan (AP) Rebel forces took control of parts of the capital of South Sudans oil-producing Upper Nile state, a military ofcial said Tuesday, as the United Nations said at least 10 people died following the latest outbreak of violence in the worlds newest country. Fighting broke out early Tuesday in Malakal, which once was in rebel hands but is now mostly controlled by government troops, said South Sudanese military spokesman Col. Philip Aguer.
Nation
Vladamir Luxuria was detained by police at the 2014 Winter Olympics Monday, Feb. 17. hours. She was shouting porting gay rights. Police a group of young Russian men who shouted to teleGay is OK and Its OK to denied detaining her. The Italian activist vision cameras in broken be gay in both English and walked around the Olym- English: Trans not good. Russian. Luxuria arrived at a tickLuxuria had a ticket to pic Park on Monday with a group of journalists. Some et inspection barrier at the be at the games. Luxuria said she was de- Russian fans stopped to hockey arena just before an evening game was due to tained on Sunday evening pose for photos with her. Luxuria and her colorful begin. She passed through by Russian police who told her she should not wear outt did not attract much the barrier and was being clothes with slogans sup- negative reaction except for given directions to her seat
AP Photo
when four men who were not wearing any identication surrounded her and started shouting take her away. They then led her out of the venue and to the parking lot. I was very, very afraid this time because the rst time they said, Its OK for the rst time, dont do it again for the second time. So, this time I was a little bit afraid, Luxuria said. But they just left me outside, in the country, there, outside and thats it. Before she went to the stadium, Luxuria said she did not want to be arrested. Its not nice to be all alone in a room with a neon light not knowing whats going on, she said Monday afternoon, but then added it was important for her to stand up for the rights of lesbian, gay and transgender people all over the world. It was not immediately clear why Luxuria was detained. Last year, the Russian parliament passed a law banning propaganda of non-traditional sexual relations among minors.
STATENEWS
Substitute teacher accused of sex crimes
LAFAYETTE (AP) A Vernon Parish subsitute teacher is free on bond after being accused of having a sexual relationship with a student. KATC-TV reports the Vernon Parish Sheriff s Ofce arrested 39-year-old Cindy Martinez on a misdemeanor charge of prohibited sexual conduct between an educator and a student. She posted bond shortly after being arrested on Friday.
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ASSOCIATED PRESS POINT PLEASANT, NJ On an icy night last month, a man entered a grocery store here, walked past the displays of cake mix and paper towels, and went into the bathroom, where he injected himself with heroin. Hours later, the man was found dead in the bathroom with a needle still in his arm, authorities said. They believe the man was one of more than 80 across the country who have died in recent weeks after injecting heroin laced with fentanyl, a powerful synthetic opiate. As the number of people who use, and fatally overdose on, heroin has skyrocketed in recent years, authorities are seeing the return of an alarming development: heroin that, often unbeknownst to the user, is spiked with fentanyl. Fentanyl is a narcotic that is typically administered to people in chronic pain, including end-stage cancer patients. It is also used as an anesthetic. It is considered 80 times more powerful than morphine and can kill by inhibiting breathing. The dealers push this as being a super high, which it is, but its also lethal, said Ellen Unterwald, director of the Center for Substance
Experts say theyre not surprised, given the limited prot in selling execution drugs, ethical concerns in the medical profession, potential legal costs and unwanted publicity. This is not a good business model for compounding pharmacies, to be making drugs for executions, particularly with all the secret ways theyre doing it, Fordam Law School professor Deborah Denno said. Richard Dieter, executive director of the Washington-based Death Penalty Information Center, agreed. Im sure theyve never had such publicity, Dieter said. They must be wondering what they got themselves into.
Abuse Research at the Temple University School of Medicine. Users typically dont know how much fentanyl is mixed in, and she said just a small amount can be fatal because the drug is so potent. A very small amount can exert a very signicant effect, said Eric Strain, director of the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment and Research at Johns Hopkins University. In Maryland, at least 37 people have died from the combined drugs, according to the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, and in western Pennsylvania, authorities said they caused 22 deaths in recent weeks. In Rhode Island, 25 people have died from the laced heroin, and in Vermont state police have warned that pure fentanyl is being sold as heroin. With more and more addicts turning to heroin because crackdowns on powerful prescription opiate painkillers have made them more expensive and inaccessible, there is concern that more people may be exposed to fentanyl-laced heroin during this wave than in previous ones, including in 2006 when hundreds of people from Chicago to Philadelphia died after injecting the drugs.
Arts Entertainment
Jeremy Davis puts on a fabulous show
CODY SEXTON Entertainment Editor With Louisiana being the birth place of jazz music, loving it comes as natural for its residents as having a taste for crawsh and spice. As the home state of Louis Armstrong, how could it not be? The air was electric as the seats for Howard Auditorium lled with people waiting for Jeremy Davis and the Fabulous Equinox Orchestra to take the stage for his homecoming concert which served as a fundraiser for the School of Performing Arts. One thing any good live entertainer knows is that you have to know the audience. As former Louisiana Tech students, Davis and his bands singer Clay Johnson looked at home on the stage in Howard and greeted the audience as old friends. From the moment the band struck up a beat, the audience was entranced. Though they tried to remain poised, it was not long before members of the audience accepted Davis invitation to dance along to the music and could be seen taping their toe or bobbing their heads to the beat. While Davis name stretches across the posters and album covers, the star of the show was Johnson. His stage presence was enigmatic and halfway through the show his voice had awokan the love for jazz move Louisiana residents hold in the soul. The music was more than something todays youth hears at grandpas house. Davis and his orchestra breathed life back into songs from the past. The medley of Johnny Mercer songs like That Old Black Magic allegedly written about actress Judy Garland and Moon River from the Audrey Hepburn lm Breakfast at Tiffanys were show highlights. The audience was more receptive to songs they were familiar with and the spirit was higher when crowd pleasers like Lady Luck were being performed and the audience could sing along. The show was unique for the band as Davis and Johnson, both from West Monroe, considered themselves right at home with their family and friends in the audience. While they raved about their excitement about being back home in the south, they employed their southern charms and insisted everyone do as one does in church and introduces themselves to a neighbor in the audience. The band was joined on stage by Lawrence Gibbs, director of the Tech jazz band, who accompanied the band on sax to the pleasure of the crowd. During the bands rendition of Route 66 some of the members gave a solo performance to show-
Clay Johnson is the orchestras frontman as the singer but Jeremy Davis shines when he plays the saxaphone. case their own talents, each met formance to an end, they left the to God, Johnson closed the show stage and Second Lined through with hopes from the band to rewith generous applause. Johnson paid tribute to Elvis the aisles while umbrella wield- turn soon for another show. And if the audience has any Presley during a comical, yet ing audience members danced soulful, cover of Presleys Are along. The scene was tting of a say in the matter, it will not be performance through the streets long before Jeremy Davis and You Lonesome Tonight. The band followed in the steps of New Orleans and the spirit of the Fabulous Equinox Orchestra of Presley by taking time during the music was infectious. It was bring the saints marching back the song to offer words of wis- an embodiment of everything into Howard for another show. dom to the audience, who found that has helped the state of Louisiana to stand the test of time. Email comments to the comical advice entertaining. With many thanks and thanks cls068@latech.edu. As the band brought the per-
He said he believes that the younger generation should be offended since young people are not the only ones that break the law. I know older people with money that are immature, said Anderson. As for the whitehouse.gov petition, Anderson said he is not counting it having any real weight. We cant arbitrarily pick one person just because we dont like them, said Anderson. Its not something we can do by vigilante or public opinion. Biebers Feb. 14 hearing was rescheduled to Mar. 3 and it will be interesting to see the results of yet another celebrity court case.
Medusa Film
paratus. Having turned to work as an arts journalist for a high-end Roman magazine, he spends his weekends (and most weeknights) entertaining a cast of wealthy socialites.
view of the main payers. The backdrop also provides an outlet for Gambardellas longing for his past, a life that had meaning and love. My only complaint with the movie is the heavy-handedness of its message. The message is understood almost immediately, but the next two and a half hours are spent discussing it. Gambardellas search for meaning takes him on a journey through a magnicently depicted Rome, a city which Sorrentino suggests the Romans never truly see, and alongside a group of characters rapidly hitting an age where their party lifestyle is becoming borderline pathetic. In the words of Gambardella, Were all on the brink of despair, all we can do is look each other in the face, keep each other company, joke a little Dont you agree?
Distractions
WEEKLYHOROSCOPE
www.horoscopes.com.net
Aries March 21 April 19 Children or possibly some close friends or a love interest could be upset today, Aries. The financial coffers arent full enough to afford something they think they absolutely have to have right now. You might find yourself having to soothe their feelings, reassuring them that not now doesnt necessarily mean never. If they dont respond, dont keep pushing. Theyll have to come to terms with the situation in their own way. Taurus Apr 20 - May 20 Worry about a family member may be on your mind today, Taurus. This person could be all wrought up over work, money, or possibly a love affair thats broken off. Say whatever reassuring words you can muster, but dont expect him or her to respond, and dont fall into the trap of feeling that your kind words were all in vain. They did register. Its just going to take this person a while to come to terms with the situation. Gemini May 21 - Jun 20 Uneasy feelings may be plaguing you throughout the day, Gemini. There could appear to be no valid reason for this. Everything seems to be going well for you, and no one close to you has anything heavy going on. Its probably nothing Earthshaking. You may just be intuitively picking up on the troubles and anxieties of people you pass on the street. Your intuition is high today, so you could psychically sense just about anything. Hang in there! Cancer Jun 21 - Jul 22 A friend, perhaps a woman, could well be upset or even angry with you today, Cancer. Money might be involved in some way. There may be nothing you can do to reassure her at this time, so its best to give what reassurances you can and then back off. Whatever has gone wrong, shes probably overreacting, and eventually shell see that. In the meantime, you do what you can to work off your own anxieties. Hang in there! Leo Jul 23 - Aug 22 Is your boss a woman, Leo? If so, stay out of her way today. To put it mildly, she isnt in a good mood. Work hard, be very sweet to everyone, and make copious use of your innate diplomacy. You may be on the receiving end of some sharp words, but by remaining focused and continuing your routine in your usual efficient manner, you should avoid any major blowups. Try to stay calm, and hope she goes home early! Virgo Aug 23 - Sep 22 Travel may cause more problems than its worth today, Virgo. You may forget some vital items when packing or there could be too little time to get everything ready. Your plane could be delayed or something valuable lost. Try to short-circuit potential problems. Use a checklist when packing, keep valuables close to you, and take lots of books and CDs in case you have to wait out a delay. In spite of it all, have fun! Libra Sep 23 - Oct 22 Finances may cause an upset between you and a friend today, Libra. Perhaps this person owes you money and cant pay it back, or vice versa. If this is the case, try to work out some kind of arrangement that suits you both. Theres always a way to create a win-win situation if you dont both get so angry that your objectivity is totally wiped out. Stay calm and focused and all should be well. Hang in there. Scorpio Oct 23 - Nov 21 A social event could put you in touch with someone whos carrying around a lot of bitterness and anger, Scorpio. This probably wont be very pleasant for you, as this person could well see you as the perfect listening post for all their problems. Dont feel trapped! Be polite but make your excuses as soon as you can. There are other friends present whose company youll enjoy a lot more! Sagittarius Nov 22 - Dec 21 The workplace could be very hectic today as a colleague prepares to leave on an important business trip, Sagittarius. Nerves could be strained and tempers short. Try to stay focused and get everything necessary done without making yourself crazy. You may be the one who keeps everyone else from going crazy, although you might consider hiding in the closet yourself. Say a prayer of thanks when your colleague finally rides off in the taxi. Capricorn Dec 22 - Jan 19 You may have a wonderful day today, Capricorn. Your imagination, intuition, and creativity are all high, and inspiration for new artistic works could be filling your heart and brain. Youll be all too happy to discuss your ideas with anyone who shows an interest. The one dark spot in the day might be that a child, close friend, or lover goes into a snit because he or she feels ignored. Dont worry. Theyll come out of it. Aquarius Jan 20 - Feb 18 Your home could be a very busy place today, Aquarius. Visitors could come and go throughout the day, probably annoying you at times. You might also find yourself having to soothe angry outbursts on the part of a member of your household. Take care, however, that this persons problem doesnt get you so inflamed that you go into a fit of anger, too. Try to stay calm and focused and youll get through the day. Pisces Feb 19 - Mar 20 Someone you work with might need a sympathetic shoulder to cry on today, Pisces. Stresses on the job extend beyond everyones capacity to endure, so dont be surprised if at some point a colleague sheds a few tears. You might find your patience pushed beyond its normal limits. On days like this its best to work as quickly as you can, stay focused, and go for a drink after you leave work. Then have a nice walk home!
CROSSWORDPUZZLE
Across 1. Flat sound 5. Rubbish 10. Pops 14. Batting Babe 15. Large artery 16. Sewing case 17. Eye drop 18. Feudal estate 19. Coil 20. Jasons ship 21. Makes known 23. Ply 25. Crucial 26. Golf hazard 31. Unite 35. Mineral suffix 36. Summarize 38. Kid leather 40. Type of tide 42. Jeter of the Yankees 44. Overly submissive 45. Of course! 47. Narrow groove 49. Vane dir. 50. Clan symbol 52. Eyeglasses with tinted lenses 54. Small batteries 56. Miracle-___ 57. Inflammation of the stomach 62. Eye part 66. Killer whale 67. Thin soup 68. I did it! 69. Oscar winner Patricia 70. Vive ___! 71. Nights before 72. Shrek, for one 73. Bar, legally 74. Narrow inlets Down 1. Mex. miss 2. Plaintiff 3. All-male 4. Burial cloth 5. Interfered with 6. Crowd noise 7. River through Florence 8. Inventory 9. Section of New York City 10. Sandwich shop 11. Mighty mite 12. Couples 13. Little drink 22. Affirmative votes 24. Orch. section 26. ___ Fein 27. Bothered 28. Peachy! 29. Deck quartet 30. Components 32. Pirate liquor 33. Actress Davis 34. Paradises 37. South American country, famous for Macchu Picchu 39. Just manages, with out 41. Agt.s take 43. Monarchy 46. Pressure 48. Cabinet dept. 51. Metamorphosed limestone 53. Linger aimlessly 55. Fathers 57. Diver Louganis
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58. Rent-___ 59. Shopaholics delight 60. Civil wrong 61. Langston Hughes poem 63. Sitarist Shankar 64. Its a thought 65. Impudence 66. Lennons lady
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Difficulty HARD Fill in the grid so that every row, every column and every 3x3 grid contains the digits 1 through 9.
Sudoku Puzzle - Hard
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Sudoku Solution - Easy
HIGH 76 LOW 38
HIGH 63 LOW 38
HIGH 69 LOW 44
HIGH 67 LOW 45
HIGH 64 LOW 42
HIGH 53 LOW 36
HIGH 55 LOW 39
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>PERSONfrom pg. 1
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He has a long criminal history, Hermes said. One of the longest I have ever seen. Hermes said in addition to his criminal history around Ruston, this was not the rst time Austin has been arrested on Techs campus. According to information provided by Hermes, the last offense at Tech was a rst degree robbery charge in 2004. Lana Alexander, a senior nursing major at Tech, said she did not see how people were outraged by the description if it would help in identifying the person. A lot of people have seen the movie, Alexander said. It is a relatable, detailed description.
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Sports Talk
CHAD MERRITT Sports Editor Half an Italian BMT Subway sandwich, bananas, chocolate Clif Bars, two containers of Pedialyte, honey buns and a handful of Slim Jims sounds like a pre-game meal of Michael Phelps proportions. These calories are not burnt in the pool, but rather on a bench under hundreds of pounds of iron. Powerlifting team president Cody Tick McElroy said the physical preparation he takes before he lifts is only half the battle. My mind is always on powerlifting, McElroy said. Im always thinking about everything. Training, the platform, the competition, winning and records, I think of it all. Techs powerlifting team is one of the many club sports offered to all students. When McElroy was not recruited for football he looked to nd another sport to participate in while at Tech. He noticed the powerlifting team while at freshman orientation and decided to join. Powerlifting is not an NCAA sanctioned sport, but that has not stopped Tech from building a dynasty rivaled by no other. The history of Techs powerlifting program is prestigious; the mens and womens teams have won 33 National Championships combined, the men winning 13 straight championships from 1994-2006. The coach and faculty adviser for the powerlifting team is Josh Chovanec, a threetime national champion lifter from Tech. Now that we have moved from Memorial Gymnasium to Lambright Sports and Wellness Center, I hope we can build the team more, Chovanec said. You always want to win championships, but building the team and the morale up is always a goal. Tech earned second place nishes the past two years at the national championship. Two years ago, the national champion was determined on the very last pull, McElroy said. Its like a fourth down goal line stand. It is you against the world. Preparing for the national meet is a yearlong affair. The team meets three times a week in Lambright to condition their bodies and build strength. Outside of preparing their bodies for competition, the team is also preparing for an overhaul of their training facility. The team is working on raising funds to renovate the weight room in Lambright. Plans for the restoration include new oors, more weight lifting equipment and additional memorabilia. Chovanec said he expects more than 700 powerlifters to reunite this fall at the 40th year powerlifting reunion. The current powerlifters on the team are much like the powerlifters of past teams; they all come in different shapes and sizes. Standing at ve feet tall and weighing 105 pounds, Clarrissa Johnson can lift nearly twice as much as she weighs. A lot of people think we are bowed up, full of muscle and on steroids, Johnson said. Thats body building, not powerlifting. We are getting stronger, not building mass. Being a high school state powerlifting champion, Johnson is used to the reactions she receives when people nd out she is a
Stephen Moore performs a bench press while Cody Tick McElroy spots him. powerlifter. Because Im a tiny girl people are usually shocked and ask really? Johnson said. But I think you should break the stereotype. Its really fun and I recommend it to anybody who wants to give it a try. Techs powerlifting team will travel to Orlando, Fla., to compete at the USA Powerlifting 2014 Collegiate National Powerlifting Championships which will be held from April 17-19.
Each member competing will be giving everything they have to help the team out and reach their ultimate goal. Lokka Tattur by Tr will be blasting in McElroys ear as he prepares for his last attempt at nationals, an attempt which he hopes will bring home the 34th National Championship to Tech.
we have been ghting the weather handed pitcher Phil Maton. Richie Navari started on the what is important for the senior trying to get ready for the game. Maton led the team in almost mound for the Bulldogs as he went this year. Going into this new season in every pitching category last year nine shutout innings, giving up just I focused on my average last After going 19-37 last season, a new conference, the Bulldogs and sported a team best 2.70 ERA. two hits. year, and got away from RBIs, but the Bulldogs are looking to have are ranked dead last in pre-season The Bulldogs started this seaAnother key performer in the this year I am focused on driving a much better season in their rst rankings. son off with a heartbreaking loss Bulldogs rst win is rst baseman in runs, Ervine said. year in Conference-USA. I saw that and to Southeastern Tyler Ervine. In relief of Navaris The team begins the thought it was in a game that Ervine had a impressive outing, Laseason with a 12 game kind of strange took 10 innings to night to forget the etten Galbraith picked home stand followed when we only decide the victor rst game, going up the win with three by a three-game series played two of with a nal score 1-3 with a strikehits, one earned run with at Texas A&M starting those teams last of 4-2. out Friday but rethree strikeouts. March 7. year, we have no Maton redeemed himself I need to clean up a The Bulldogs will idea about them ceived a no-deon Sunday going lot of stuff, but I kept my play 29 games at home and they have no cision while giv2-2 with three team in it and did what I this year, which means idea about us, ing up just one walks and a run needed to do to help my fans will have plenty of Simoneaux said. earned run with scored. team get its rst win, chances to come out and Simoneaux three strikeouts. I am in my MATON NAVARI ERVINE GALBRAITH Galbraith said. support the Bulldogs. said the ranking The second fourth year and The Bulldogs begin a The season started is going to put a game did not go opening day is three game series with this past Friday against Southeast- chip on his teams shoulder and it the Bulldogs way with a 15-6 blow- always fast paced and everyone Tulane University at home starting ern University. is not how you start but how you out. has the jitters, even me, Ervine tomorrow. Before the game, Coach Wade nish the season. The third game went the Bull- said. Simoneaux said, I have been tryMaybe the most promising dogs way with another extra inLast year Ervine had one of the Email comments to ing to get the guys ready this week; player on Techs roster is right- ning game and a nal score of 2-1. top batting averages but that is not bwt008@latech.edu.
third allowed IPFW to put four runs on the board. IPFW won the game 5-3. We were completely capable of beating every team we played this last weekend, but it was the little things that beat us, junior inelder Hailey Winter said. Ultimately we beat ourselves with the mental mistakes. At practice this week I think we will work on our focus, once we get that down and under control we will be unstoppable. Tech softball opened its season hosting the Lady Techsters Invitational in Ruston two weeks ago. The Lady Techsters won two of the four games played, notching wins over Tennessee-Martin and St. Louis. Tu said Tech softball is a dynamite team that is full of energy. We have so much ght, we have so much heart, and we never give up, Tu said. Deep down in everyone is a warrior and we are all ghting the battle together as one.
SPORTS
FROMTHESPORTS DESK
with Chad Merritt
he XXII Olympic Winter Games, amidst all the controversy, are nearly completed. Despite all the risk of terrorism and political strife, the games have continued to this point without any major hiccups. Much like most Olympic Games of the past, the high points during the Games will overshadow the lowlights discussed prior to the games. T.J. Oshie conquered Russia in a classic hockey match, Americans swept the rst-ever Olympic mens slopestyle ski competition and 15-year-old Yulia Lipnitskaya became one of the youngest Olympians to win gold. The Olympic Games are only one example showing how sports have always had the ability to bring solidarity to the masses. The pain of national and natural disasters like Sept. 11th and Hurricane Katrina were eased when sporting events resume. Baseballs return following 9/11 and the country rallying around the Saints during their 2006 campaign are just two examples of sports bringing us all together. Success in sports can just as easily bring us together as well. Bulldog basketball is as good now as its been in a while. Coach Mike White has a special team we should all support as they approach postseason play. Wouldnt you want to tell your friends and family that you went to the last home game of the season before the basketball team won a national championship? The one thing everybody on this campus shares is that we are Tech fans. No matter who we are or what we do, we all cheer for the red and blue. It is easy to become a crazed fan and get behind something; just go to a game and enjoy it. The message for my last piece of college writing ever is simple: support your team. Regardless of what your team is, being supported has never hurt anyone. With a supporting cast and a little luck who knows, Tech may have another National Championship before you know it.
Kenyon McNeail became the 36th member of the Bulldogs 1,000 point club during last Saturdays home win against Rice. came the 36th player in Bulldog basketball to accomplish this feat. He is a 1,000 point scorer, who for the most part has come off the bench the last three years of his career, after starting his freshman year, White said. That takes a pretty special kid. McNeail has a reputation as a shooter, but to his team he is much
This column is dedicated to everyone who ever believed and befriended me. From my rapscallion friends in college to those who read my columns on the Internet from afar. Thank you all, Godspeed and Who Dat.
Chad Merritt is a senior journalism major from Livingston. Email comments to cam059@latech.edu.
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Savvy Social
Ruston businesses show off
AUSTIN VINING Contributing Editor
Media
Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn. We post whatever is going on with our members, she said. Were business based. If I nd that a member has put something on their Facebook or their Twitter, if theyre holding a sale or sharing good news, Ill share that.
Flowers said the Chambers website has hot deals, a calendar, news releases and job postings, and whatever hits their website automatically goes to their Facebook and Twitter. The other things are like if I nd a good technology website that could benet our members, she said. We try to post anything we think could benet our members. Each month the Chamber brings in a different speaker to talk about a certain topic during Business Buffet, she said. In June they hace scheduled a business consulting company to speak on social media. Sara Corley, a co-owner of Rosemarys Kitchen, said her company uses Facebook and Twitter and a blog where their weekly menu is posted. We use social media to post all of our specials and special events, she said. Facebook is that daily touch and the same thing with Twitter. You cant put very much out there on Twitter, but just little pops of Hey, weve got this great soup today. Facebook has been their best tool, CorFLOWERS ley said, but Twitter has been a little slow going. I wouldnt be here if it werent for Facebook, she said. A lot of the older customers do not use Facebook and will either look at the blog or QUIMBY call, but most of their customers are younger and they are able to see what is being offered through Facebook, Corley said. Photo by John Sadler I dont see how you can run a business Rustons Convention and Visitors Bureau is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday these days without social media, she said. and from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday.
Facebook recently celebrated its 10-year anniversary, and many businesses could not imagine not having this tool, along with many other social media sites. Lori Birdwell, a senior marketing major, said many companies use Twitter, Instagram and Facebook to promote sales and special offers, and LinkedIn is another commonly used social media venue for business. I think it is a good idea seeing as how widely social media is used on a daily basis and virtually everyone uses it so its outreach is widely dispersed, she said. Marketing director at Ruston-Lincoln Parish Convention and Visitors Bureau Amanda Quimby said the CVB uses Facebook, Twitter, Foursquare, Google Blogger, Instagram and Pinterest. We are attracting visitors to the area, she said. We dont necessarily try to send messages to people in the city. We focus our efforts on getting people from Texas, Arkansas and Mississippi to come here. Anything the CVB puts out on social media is promoting events and trying to get people to come here, Quimby said. You cant really measure how successful it is, but we get people from other states liking and sharing our posts, so we know the message is getting out there, she said. Communication and Special Events Coordinator for Ruston-Lincoln Chamber of Commerce Ivana Flowers said the Chamber utilizes
CORLEY
Rosemarys Kitchen is open from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.