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The January 31 issue of the Houstonian.
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From 2011 to 2012 the reported crimes at SHSU have increased, but police say it’s for the best.
For the past two years alcohol violations, theft and credit/debit card abuse have been the three most reported crimes at Sam Houston State University according to the 2011-2012 SHSU Police Department daily crime logs.
In 2011 94 cases of alcohol related violations were reported to the University Police Department, while in 2012 132 cases were reported making alcohol related crimes the largest crime increase from 2011-2012.
Alcohol related crimes could include anything from public intoxication to a minor in consumption.
Chief Kevin Morris of the University Police Department says that the reported increase is good because it shows students that UPD is out there giving tickets and that they aren’t afraid to give them.
Theft is the second largest reported crime at SHSU; in 2011 52 cases of theft were reported while in 2012, 59 were reported.
Morris explained that theft
has been an ongoing problem at SHSU and advises all students to keep a lookout.
“To avoid being a victim of theft students should keep all of their valuables on them at all times and make sure to never leave their books or bags unattended”, said
Morris.Since he began in 1993,
Morris said the biggest change in crime has been the way they are committed.
“In all of my years at SHSU I have noticed that crimes have gone from known to anonymous,
meaning that a lot of crimes now days are committed via the computer or other electronic devices”, said Morris.
Credit/debit card abuse has increased over the years with the advancement of technology, but between 2011-2012 credit/debit
card abuse has actually decreased. In 2011 there were a reported 35 cases of credit/debit card abuse but in 2012 only 14 cases were reported.
120
90
60
30
0
Alcohol related crime TheftCredit card abuse
Sam houston Crime Comparison 2011/2012
94 (2011)
132 (2012)
59(2012)
52(2011)35(2012)
14(2012)
TODAY’S FORECAST
HI: 67o LOW: 40o
Chance of Rain: 0%
The SHSU productions of “Enron” and “Spring Awakening” have been chosen to compete in the prestigious KCACTF in February
Provided by SHSU Theatre Department
Ryan Bowers predicts Super Bowl XLVII outcomeP3 P5
P4
www.HoustonianOnline.comVolume 123 / Issue 5 Thursday, January 31, 2013
Richard McKinney defends Brother Jed’s first amendment right, but not his condemning
Court stays female executionThe execution of convicted
murderer Kimberly McCarthy was postponed until April 3 after the U.S. District Court in Dallas County approved her stay, according to Huntsville Unit spokesman Jason Clark. McCarthy’s execution was supposed to take place at 6 p.m. on Tuesday.
The halt came just after 1 p.m., according to Clark.
“We were notified that the trial court was going to modify the execution date,” said Clark. “It pushes the execution date back to April 3 and gives… Ms. McCarthy’s attorneys time to file additional appeals.”
Clark said that McCarthy was calm and curious about the execution process on Tuesday morning. After her stay was approved she was pleased that her attorney could now work on her appeals.
McCarthy was convicted of capital murder in 1997 after being connected to the weapon used in the killing of Dorothy Booth, a 71-year-old retired psychology professor, in Dallas, Texas.
An appeals court reversed her conviction in 2001 on the ground that her confession was obtained illegally after she had requested counsel. After retrial
she was convicted again in 2002 and sentenced to death due to substantial evidence collected at the crime scene and McCarthy’s home.
A case was filed by the defense again in a US District Court in May 2011 for a writ of habeas corpus which challenges the courts ruling on her incarceration. The request was denied by the court.
The defense now hopes to receive an appeal on the grounds of racial discrimination. In an article published by Huffington Post, Maurie Levin, McCarthy’s attorney, said, “Of the twelve
jurors seated at trial, all were white, except one, and eligible non-white jurors were excluded from serving by the state.”
In response to McCarthy’s sentence, activist Sandra Inderbitzin created a movement on change.org petitioning Governor Perry to stop and commute her execution permanently.
“Killing Kimberly will not bring the victim back,” said Inderbitzin in the petition. “It will only create more suffering and heartache.”
The petition states that due to her cocaine addiction McCarthy wasn’t in her right mind during
the time in her life when she committed the murder and that she has become spiritual since her conviction.
“Over the years Kimberly’s faith in God has strengthened,” said Inderbitzin. “She could be such a positive influence to others. God can use her to touch the lives of other women headed down the road to destruction.”
McCarthy was transferred to female death row in Gatesville, Texas after the announcement on Tuesday where she will stay until April 3 unless an appeal is made, according to Clark.
JAY R. JORDANSenior Reporter
Lawsuit against UPD runs into legal challenges
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A former student who filed a lawsuit against Sam Houston State University and the University Police Department alleging civil rights abuses stemming from a forceful arrest faces an uphill battle after a series of legal snafus has threatened his day in court.
Aman Abdulaziz’s lawyer, N. Patrick Ngwolo, has filed a response to Sam Houston State University’s motion to dismiss, but U.S. District Judge Keith P. Ellison struck it from the record because Ngwolo did not file a Motion Leave of Court, which was required because they missed a Jan. 9 deadline to file.
Abdulaziz alleges that he was beaten before being taken to the police headquarters,
according to court documents. He said the police originally charged him with three crimes while at the scene of the incident; possession of marijuana, tampering with evidence and evading arrest. Abdulaziz was found not guilty of a fourth charge, assaulting a police officer, close to a year later.
After Abdulaziz filed the lawsuit against the university, SHSU filed a motion to dismiss on Dec. 19. SHSU’s lawyer Greg Abbott, Attorney General of Texas, said Abdulaziz’s motion should be dismissed because the plaintiff did not evidence that he was unfairly treated and that SHSU has immunity against the lawsuit. Abbott also claimed that the original complaint in the lawsuit was not clear on what the claim against SHSU was.
Abdulaziz had until Jan. 9 to reply to this
motion but failed to do so. On Jan. 22 Ellison gave Abdulaziz until Jan. 26 to request a leave of Court so he would be allowed to file a response.
Abdulaziz filed a response to SHSU’s motion to dismiss on Jan. 25. The response restated what Abdulaziz alleges that the university police department did to him. It also says that Abdulaziz will amend his complaint with new evidence that SHSU’s motion to dismiss said he was lacking.
Abdulaziz’s response was striken from the record on Tuesday by Ellison because Abdulaziz did not file a request leave of court.
Nygoyo did not return repeated calls for comment by press time, and Abott declined to comment.
MOLLY WADDELLNews Editor
POSTPONED: Convicted murderer, Kimberly McCarthy’s was granted a stay of execution due to the lack of diversity of the jury. McCarthy’s execution will be pushed back to April 3.
Photo courtesy of ABC News
Facebook.com/TheHoustonianSHSU
NATION & WORLD
Florida joins Texas in $10,000 degree challenge
Florida’s Gov. Rick Scott joins Texas in accepting the challenge to create a Bachelor’s degree worth less than $10,000 total. Florida’s 23 colleges and universities have an average of more than $13,4000 per degree. Texas Gov. Rick Perry first announced the idea that colleges and universities within the state began working on these types of programs. w
49ers’ Chris Culliver says gay players not for NFL
Days ahead of the Superbowl his team is playing in, 49ers’ cornerback Chris Culliver said in an interview that he wasn’t comfortable with gay players in the NFL. “I don’t do the gay guys man,” Culiver said. “No, we don’t got no gay people on the team, they gotta get up out of here if they do.”
Obama has faith in immigration bill
After Pres. Barack Obama made immigration a top priority, Congress has put forth a bipartisan supported bill that Obama believes will be passed. The bill, supported by Republican Senator John McCain and Democratic Senator Chuck Shumer. He said there is more bipartisan support in Congress for immigration reform than gun control in an interview with Univision.
SHSU crime up from 2011CHEYENNE SIMPSONMultimedia Reporter
— CRIME, page 6
Stephen Green | The Houstonian
Visit our website!www.HoustonianOnline.com
Page 2houstonianonline.com/news
Thursday, January 31, 2013 News
Clinical Psychology Spring Colloquium, Jan. 31
featuring John Petrila, a civil law attorney in the area of mental health law, from 9-10:45 a.m. in the James and Nancy Gaertner Performing Arts Center Dance Theater, in room 170. Petrila will present an “International perspective on preventive detention and mental disability law. For more information, contact the clinical psychology doctoral program at 936.294.1210.
Twelfth class day, Feb. 1
Last day to drop without a “Q” and receive 100 percent refund.
English Friday Faculty Forum, Feb. 1
featuring Brian Blackburne, assistant professor of English at SHSU, from 3-4 p.m. in Evans Complex Room 212. Blackburne will discuss “From the Bazaar to the Cathedral: Understanding Authorship in the Workplace to Mitigate Plagiarism in the Classroom” during the forum, which is designed to highlight research by graduate faculty and fellow graduate students. For more information, contact Paul Child, professor of English, at 936.294.1412.
Kat Klub Super Bowl Party, Feb. 3
A band member, a promoter and the co-owners of a nightclub were arrested Monday in connection with a weekend fire that killed 231 people. Preliminary investigations show that the bands pyrotechnics started the blaze that ignited the club. Funerals were held Monday for about 50 victims of the fire early Sunday at the club Kiss in Santa Maria, at the southern tip of Brazil.
Free Flu Shots, Feb. 5-6
for currently enrolled SHSU students, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Lowman Student Center Mall, if the weather is nice, or the LSC Atrium, in the event of inclement weather. Students must provide their Bearkat OneCard or their student ID number in order to receive a vaccination. For more information, contact Lisa Clarkson, program coordinator for the Student Health Center, at 936.294.4347.
SAM HOUSTON EVENTS
Storify, Facebook mix-up reminds users, be careful what they post
Faddict.io is a brand new website that is challenging Facebook addiction in an unconventional way. Their premise consists of three parts: $5, 30 days and no Facebook.
Faddict.io is an online program geared toward breaking addiction to Facebook. Users place a $5 pledge on the website and deactivate their Facebook account for 30 days. There are currently 28 participants.
The students and faculty at SHSU find the program interesting.
“It’s a fun and funny thing to do”, sophomore student Leticia Quintanilla said. “I’d definitely try it, it’s competitive.”
Christopher White, Ph.D., associate chair of the mass communication department also thinks the program is worth checking out.
“If I had a Facebook, I’d take the
ADDICTION. FAddict hopes to fight facebook addiction with a $5 pledge that the user won’t go on Facebook for thirty days.
Molly Waddell | The Houstonian
FDA warns of mislabled juiceThere has been a 60 percent
increase in the amount of fake ingredients in traditional grocery store items in 2013 according to a recent scientific examination of food products by the U.S. Pharmacopeial Convention (USP).
USP is a non-profit organization responsible for setting the standards for food ingredients and dietary supplements in the United States.
According to an ABC News report, listed ingredients in food products may not be what they appear.
“Among the most popular targets for unscrupulous food suppliers? Pomegranate juice, which is often diluted with grape or pear juice,” the report stated. “Pomegranate juice is a high-value ingredient and a high-priced ingredient, and adulteration appears to be widespread…It can be adulterated with other food juices…additional sugar, or just water and sugar.”
As a result of the USP study the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued an alert for pomegranate juice mislabeled as 100 percent juice.
“After the analysis, the FDA found that some of the samples contained undeclared ingredients (e.g., artificial colors, sweeteners, less expensive juices such as black currant, apple, pear or cherry juices in place of pomegranate
juice) so the products were not as they were represented to be on the labels and were therefore adulterated and misbranded,” the FDA stated.
Pomegranate juice is just one of the ingredients listed in the study. Olive oils, seafood, spice and other fruit juices were included in the USP report, but the FDA has yet to take action on them.
Fortunately, there are steps consumers can take to ensure they’re not being duped by the manufacturers, the FDA said.
Check for harvest dates on bottles of olive oil. No date means it’s more likely to have come from multiple sources other than olives.
Read the ingredient list on juices labeled 100 percent. If the ingredient states it is from a concentrate chances are high that the juice may be mixed with juices of other fruits, synthetic juices or artificial colors and sweeteners.
And of course, if an item is priced too good to be true, chances are, it probably is.
Dietician professor Heather Frazier, of the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences at Sam Houston State University, said that the most important thing is education, “[to] make sure people know they have choices and [that they] understand those choices.”
Frazier recommends reviewing the Center for Science in the Public Interest’s (CSPI) information on food additives to expand self-knowledge on which additives are safe and which are best to avoid.
FDA. The FDA warns of Pomegranate Juice that is mislabled as 100% juice but does not contain 100% percent juice. Instead it contains persevatives and sugar
stevendepolo | flickr
Facebook.com/TheHoustonianSHSU
Website challenges Facebook addiction
A blog post about Storify finding a “loophole” into people’s private Facebooks has left the internet in a frenzy.
AGBeat blogger, Lani Rosales, posted a blog entitled, “Facebook private status updates made public by Storify.” In her blog Rosales said that Julie Pippert, founder and director of Artful Media Group, discovered this by accident.
According to Rosales, Pippert was on a friend’s Facebook, which was on stricter privacy settings, and was able to press the “Storify” button under her friend’s status. This sent the status to Storify, allowing Pippert to use it. In turn this also made her friends private status, public. The “Storify” button is available by a Google Chrome extension or booklet.
Despite Pipperts friends Facebook being private, once that button was pressed Storify pulled it onto their site.
“Storify users can only pull status updates from people they
are connected with socially, but their privacy settings matter not, and they can pull in status updates from private groups to which they belong… the Storify tool can turn private Facebook updates public, even if only one at a time,” Rosales said.
According to Rosales, Facebook and Storify users are not only upset because it is bypassing their security settings, but because, “neither Storify or Facebook offered any notification that the content was in any way restricted or private, and there is no way for users to opt out of their content being shared on Storify.”
Rosales calls for Storify and Facebook users to examine the
connection between the two companies and to be mindful of whose status’ they share.
AGBeat blogged about this on Jan. 18. Storify responded to this blog on Jan. 22.
“To clarify, we want to reassure you that Storify does not make anything public that hasn’t been collected by a user and published in a story,” Burt Herman, Storify co-founder said. “Also, Storify users do NOT have access to content on the web that they couldn’t otherwise see themselves.”
Herman also said that internet users should take this as a reminder to be careful about what they post.
“On the other side, we also all must realize that everything we post that is viewable by someone else can be easily shared more widely,” Herman said. “So you should always think about what you post -- especially on Facebook when using your real name.”
VS
too in order to try other things,” he said.
He also wants to make the program more interesting by increasing the pledge amount.
The program’s only rule is that the participants cannot reactivate
their account within the 30 days. If they do, they will lose their pledge. The website also publishes the names of the participants who completed and failed the program on the front page.
“I’d rather have the pledge at
$100 to make thing really exciting. Because if you lose that much, you’ll really feel the burn”, White commented.
All failed pledges will go to The Toronto Centre for Addiction and Mental Health. The this field.
provided by storify
MOLLY WADDELLNews Editor
CHRISTIAN VAZQUEZStaff Reporter
AUDRA BERRYContributor
Step aside, Facebook. There’s a new social network on the web.
Xanga and Myspace were the first of many social network sites that people couldn’t get enough of. Users could reconnect with old friends, make new ones, post pictures and upload bulletins. Both social networks, however, lost their appeal when Facebook came
on the scene in 2004. Today new challengers are competing with Facebook to be most frequently used social network. One such competitor is the newly created Social Number.
Social Number is a networking site that is for users who feel that Facebook and other sites are too “nosey.” The new site is aimed toward those who are 18 and older and people who have a preference for anonymity. Users on Social Number are not identified by a photo thumbnail or a username. Instead they are acknowledged only by a number, hence the name Social Number.
The site is for users who are searching for a place to post their thoughts and feelings anonymously without the fear that the conversation or post could be connected to them outside of
the website. Users are encouraged to discuss anything that they find important, be it a new job promotion, a social or political issue, or admitting such things as a substance abuse problem.
However, Social Number is too anonymous and allows users too much freedom with what they can post or say.
While the anonymity appeals to many users, it also frightens some potential users.
Potential users fear that the anonymity of the site will appeal to those who would use it in the wrong way such as cyber bullying, trolling or posting hoaxes. According to an article posted on CNN.com, the creator of Social Number, M.K., states that he “had been feeling… that there were privacy issues with most social networking sites,” however M. K.’s want for
anonymity is what is frightening potential users away.
After struggling to make an account on the website and waiting over an hour to receive a confirmation email that lacked the needed link to approve someone’s first login, it was clear to see that using Social Number was going to be challenging. Upon logging in, new users are asked to complete their profile and then they are on their own, free to search other user’s posts to add their own two cents.
While the site is still relatively new it is already clear to see that the anonymity is being taken advantage of. It’s common to see Social Numbers users calling others ignorant fools simply because they have different views and other not-so-nice comments.
Social Number may appeal to
those who have no trouble expressing their ideas or thoughts on some controversial topics, others fear it’s “no rules, post what you would like” policy. While the site was created as a place for users to post freely, and to not worry about the excess baggage of an online persona, the site needs restrictions as to what would qualify as bullying or trolling.
Defense Secretary Leon Panetta lifted a ban on women in combat roles, allowing military women
to serve actively in frontline combat. Though one could watch interview after interview of vulture-nosed feminists praise this advancement as if it were the reinvention of the light bulb, the truly convincing evidence lies in the overwhelmingly positive responses from many of the military’s leading officers, including General James Cartwright, former vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
With the mass approval of these experienced veterans it seems foolish to disagree. However, if women are going to serve shoulder-to-shoulder with men in combat, the real fools would be those who do not want them held to the same physical standards.
In the past, the reasoning behind lowering women’s physical standards was out of necessity. As a generality, women are simply
not as biologically equipped as men to handle intense physical work. Studies by The American Physiological Society place the average woman’s muscle mass at about 36 percent below the average man’s.
Now, this isn’t to say that women are necessarily inferior soldiers. Some of the most effective killers in the history of warfare have been women; cold, efficient snipers that drop more bodies than Michael J. Fox interning at a morgue.
But war has never been pleasant and it certainly hasn’t gotten any more user-friendly. The way things are, you don’t just have to trudge through miles of mud in Vietnam or sprint between foxholes in rural Germany to tire yourself out. Arguably, warfare has only become more physically demanding in recent years, with an increasing focus on urban warfare.
With urbanization on the rise, soldiers will now be seeing more and more conflict in the cities.
Running up stairwells, breaking doors and climbing ledges. A soldier’s life and his ability to continue defending defend the lives of his comrades relies just as much on his physical condition as it does his ability to shoot the broad side of a camel.
However, in all branches of the military there is currently a notable gap between the physical requirements of men and of women. The U.S. Army, for example, asks
less than a third of the minimum amount of pushups from women that it does of men (11 - 35) and permits them to complete their two-mile run a full three minutes slower than their male peers. Sit-ups and interpretive dance however, are measured on equal terms.
At the end of the day, the true spirit of this lifted ban seems less about allowing women to earn their place alongside their male peers and more about a blind indulgence into political correctness, a nifty badge for legislators and Facebook liberals alike to wear proudly over their hearts while they bask in the glow of their own progressiveness. Immature, yes, but why not ride the wave into something better, make use of it somehow?
No educated, intelligent person would ever say a woman should not have the same opportunities as a man. Then again, no educated, intelligent person would ever say that a woman should have the same opportunities as a man, despite her
complete inability to compete with him (Note: if you read that sentence and feel an urge to declare sexism, you are not an educated, intelligent person).
But so be it. Let women serve.However, if this is to be the
future we do not need standards for women. We need standards for soldiers. By leveling men and women’s physical requirements we can ensure that there will be no dead weight on the battlefield from either sex. If this means that only one out of 10 women will ever see combat, then so be it, too. The armed forces are not about fairness, nor should they be. They are about efficiency.
If we are going to form policies based on sheer principle--not at all a bad thing in itself--then we might as well do it right.
I think I can speak for all men when I say that if we’re never going to be allowed to wear even the most tasteful of sundresses out into public, it’s the least you can do to make it up to us.
Welcome women to the frontline, raise physical standards for them
TAYLOR LIKENSStaff Reporter
Taylor Likens argues to allow women in frontline combat
Business StaffEditorial StaffMolly Waddell
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New anonymous social network lacks restrictions
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Page 3Thursday, January 31, 2013Viewpoints
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“Warning all non-Christians, Hell awaits you!”
These are familiar words to see or hear across campuses when a certain gentleman comes to town.
“Brother Jed has been hitting campuses for over 40 years now,” theatre professor, David McTier, Ph.D said. “I remember him calling me a sinner 35 years ago when I was an 18-year-old freshman at the University of Georgia.”
Crowds surrounded the orator perched atop a chair in the quad as he shouted antiquated language to the students of Sam Houston State University. Key phrases such as “whoremonger,” “drunkard,” “seducers” and “feminists” are never in short supply with the creator of The Campus Ministry USA.
“He was the first person I ever heard twist the message of Jesus into a gospel of
hate,” McTier poignantly states what many students and faculty echo about the Missouri native.
“It breaks my heart that there are still people on this earth full of such hate,” sophomore musical-theatre major, Ryan Smith said. “I think people like Brother Jed not only give Christians a bad name but also scare the people who need God the most away.”
This is where I start to think – what does Brother Jed say? I can safely write that I have not heard Brother Jed actually say the word “hate.” So, why do people believe he is preaching a message of hate? Perhaps this is a misconception on both sides. On one hand you have a man preaching a basic message of the gospel – albeit in a highly abrasive manner. On the other hand you have a generation who have become increasingly
more skeptical of religion on a macro scale – perhaps these coarse evangelist-types are a large reason.
Brother Jed’s website (they’ll give one to anybody) notes that his purpose “is to declare the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the college and university students of America and the world.” This is exactly what he does. His signs may instigate an immediate wall preventing passersby from truly hearing anything he says, but he does hold up his mission statement.
I’m sure you turned to this page hoping to find an exposé on the crazy, deranged, decrepit, possibly insane person shouting at students every year. The truth is, though, I’m here to defend him. Not defend his particular brand of evangelism, but to mention that as a Christian (and future pastor), I can’t honestly say he’s wrong. The Bible does say that sinners will be sent to Hell upon death. The only way to be rid of this burden is to accept Jesus and repent of your sins; a message which most people in America have heard in some form
or fashion in their life.What Brother Jed does neglect, though, is
the rest of the story. A gospel of love, hope, regeneration, new life and ultimately, love – something that seems to be left off of his signs, t-shirts and scripts.
“I think their method is dangerous and counterproductive,” senior criminal justice major, Andrew Colarusso said. “If anything, they succeed at one thing: getting students to think.”
Some students may think about how spiteful the message may seem. Others may think about how convoluted Brother Jed’s words might be. Many, though, think about the importance of love. This principle led some students to participate in a peaceful “protest” where students laid down and created a laugh circle for five minutes followed by the singing of “All You Need Is Love” with plenty of hugs for “every sinner.”
Through all this talk about love, though, one question remains: who showed Brother Jed love?
Brotherly love toward Brother Jed
““I’m here to defend him. Not defend his particular brand of evangelism, but to mention that, as a Christian... I can’t honestly say he’s wrong.
PAWS DOWN PAWS DOWN to
students on campus who pack up 10 minutes
before class is over
PAWS UP to the Superbowl this Sunday. We can’t wait
to watch the game and awesome new ads
PAWS UP
PAWS UP to the softball Homerun Derby fundraiser Saturday at noon
Christian Vasquez
MORGAN MEARSStaff Reporter
Morgan Mears evaluates new social media website Social Number
PAWS UP to boy scouts almost ending the
ban on gay members and leaders
Page 4houstonianonline.com/a-e
Thursday January 31, 2013Arts&Entertainment
Double FeatureD
We all know the story; two siblings get lost in the woods, find a house made of candy, are almost killed and eaten by a witch but escape and live happily ever after. Time and time again these fairytales are transformed into fun and entertaining movies but sometimes they don’t always get it right.
In this remake of the classic tale directed by Tommy Wirkola, “Hansel and Gretel”, played by Jeremy Renner and Gemma Arterton, hold a little more resentment towards the witch that tried to kill them and dedicate their lives to hunting down witches.
During the height of the witch trials, Hansel and Gretel are teamed up as a bounty hunting duo that goes from town to town killing witches. In this tale the two have been hired by a mayor of a small town to track down Muriel, a grand witch played by Famke Janssen, who has been kidnapping children.
Now I’m going to be honest, this movie wasn’t great but it does have a few quality moments. The best plot point of the movie would be the fact that Hansel has diabetes from eating so much candy as a child. Besides that, Renner’s character is funny whether that humor is intentional or not.
In fact if anything could have saved this movie it would have been Renner, who is known for action packed movies like “The Avengers” and “The Hurt Locker”. Even though the movie is action packed, complete with violent depictions of witch slaughter and one particularly gory scene involving a troll, the movie seems more like a comedy than action. The dialogue throughout and poor acting by Janssen and the other witches made it funnier than it was intended to be.
The plot line could have worked, but didn’t. I like the idea of two lost kids growing up and enacting revenge upon the witches that damned their childhood but
that idea falls flat in this movie. The movie was also unrealistic,
and I don’t mean in the way that two kids grow up and viciously murder witches because that obviously happens all the time, more so that they were using machine guns to do it. This was set in what I’m assuming was the 1600s after all.
Overall, the movie wasn’t completely terrible. This movie may not be a cinematic masterpiece but it keeps the audience engaged and though it wasn’t intended to be a comedy it’s funny, action-packed and slightly entertaining.
We give this movie 2 out of 5 paws.
A group of theatre students and two productions from Sam Houston State University will have a chance to gain national recognition when they compete in the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival held in February.
The SHSU productions of “Spring Awakening” and “Enron” are two of the six productions invited to compete at this year’s festival along with 18 theater students nominated for individual awards.
Texas theater programs are judged along with programs from
other states in Region 6 including Arkansas, Louisiana, Missouri, New Mexico and Oklahoma.
“It is very rare for [KCACTF] to invite two productions from the same school, e s p e c i a l l y because our region is so big,” Katie S t e f a n i a k , T h e a t r e Manager, said. “The last time we had two shows go in was in 2002, so we’re very excited.”
Stefaniak said the festival will be an opportunity to showcase two productions that
were a collaboration of several departments at SHSU.
“I think we have a great chance of doing well this year,” Stefaniak
said. “We have so much talent and these shows were a huge c o l l a b o r a t i o n for different d e p a r t m e n t s . It was a great learning process for all of us and I
think we will do well.” For “Enron” the theatre
department worked with the department of mass communication to incorporate special effects by using multiple
projection screens to incorporate video, text and graphics into the performance.
“Spring Awakening” involved working with the School of Music to have a live band perform on stage as well as bringing two alumni to help with directing and acting.
In addition to production awards, several students will compete for individual scholarship awards and educational opportunities with The Performing Arts Project.
For Seth Cunningham, who is nominated for the Irene Ryan Scholarship and the Musical Theater Initiative for his role as Hanschen in “Spring Awakening”, the excitement of winning also
comes with much preparation. “I’ve spent a lot of time in the
library and online doing research and reading play after play,” he said. “And now that I have my pieces and my partner chosen we need to rehearse.”
Cunningham was nervous, but remains confident in the performances and is eager for the chance to win.
“I think our shows are going to be great!” he said. “Everyone in the department is all a-buzz with business and excitement, which is a great thing to see. Everyone is putting so much into their work and it’s always good.”
The KCACTF will be held Feb. 26 to March 3.
GEORGE MATTINGLYArts and Entertainment Editor
RARE CHANCE: SHSU productions of “Spring Awakening” (left) and “Enron” (right) were both invited to compete in the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival in February. Photos provided by SHSU Theatre Department
Comedy saves classic fairytale thriller
““I think we have a great chance of doing well this year....We have so much talent and these shows were a huge collaboration for different departments
-Katie Stefaniak, Theatre manager
ACTION-COMEDY: Gemma Arterton as Gretel, left, and Jeremy Renner as Hansel in a scene from “Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters.”
AP Photo/Paramount Pictures, David Appleby
ANGELA BEELContributing Reporter
Orchestra concert to bring ancient music foward
Students and campus community will have a chance to experience sounds from the past as the Mercury orchestra returns to the university on Thursday.
The group, based in Houston, will perform a concert in the Performing Arts Center Recital featuring music from the 17 th and 18 th century such as “Mendelssohn string Quarter Op. 44, No.1”, “Schubert String Quarter No. 14 in D minor (“Death and the Maiden”)”, and Gustav Mahler.
According to Javier Pinell, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Violin and chair of String Studies at Sam Houston State University, the concert will be a unique chance to hear musical sounds as intended by the composers. According to Pinell, the instruments in a baroque orchestra produce “a pure lighter sound with very crisp articulations.”
Chamber music is a form of classical music intended for a small orchestra and is played
on older instruments different from those played by musicians today. For example, the baroque violin does not have a chin rest, and musicians used different bows and strings than those used today. Some famous composers of the Baroque era were Johann Sebastian Bach, Antonio Vivaldi, George Frideric Handel, and George Philipp Telemann
Mercury began 12 years ago with the goals of educating audiences in Baroque music by performing them on period instruments and making them more accessible to listeners.
However more recently, the group has expanded its repertoire to include works outside the Baroque era to increase its education efforts.
The concert will begin at 7:30 p.m. in the PAC Recital Hall. Tickets are $15 for adults, $12 for senior and $5 for students that have their Student ID. For more information call the School of Music at (936) 294-1360.
AUBRIE WALKERContributing Reporter
ART OUTSIDE CLASSROOM. The 53 rd annual Faculty Art Exhibit features art by 12 professors, including Jack Barnosky, Kate Borcherding, Chuck Drumm, Becky Finley, Michael Henderson, Taehee Kim, Cynthia Reid, Tony Shipp, Annie Strader, Anthony Watkins, Matt Weedman and Willie Williams. They will present a variety of media completed over the past two years, including animation, design, sculpture, video, painting, printmaking and photography. A reception for the exhibit will be held Jan. 31 at 6 p.m. in the Gaddis Geeslin Library in Art Building F, room 101. The exhibit will be on display through Feb. 14.
Aubrie Walker | The Houstonian
Two theatre productions chosen to compete in prestigous festival
We’ve all heard the nicknames for this year’s Super Bowl. The Super Browl. The Har-Bowl. Oh, and did anybody notice that two Harbaugh brothers, Jim of the 49ers and John of the Ravens, will coach against each other in this year’s Super Bowl? It will be the first time that two blood related coaches have ever compete in a title game in any of the four major pro sports in America.
It almost seems like there are more stories about the coaches being related and the players than there are about the game itself and who will win. But alas, in between the commercials that most people spend all week speculating about, there is a Super Bowl to play.
Five weeks into the regular season you would have been hard pressed to find a non-fan that believed the Baltimore Ravens or San Francisco 49ers would make it to this year’s Super Bowl. The Ravens had just fired their offensive coordinator Cam Cameron after two straight losses and newly hired Jim Caldwell got off to a rough start when the Ravens lost to the Broncos 34-17. But then a convincing win over the Giants, a run during the postseason that has seen QB Joe Flacco throw eight touchdowns
and zero interceptions and Ray Rice total over 250 yards and three touchdowns against three of the toughest run defenses in the NFL, helped prove that the change of Offensive Coordinator was the right move.
The 49ers made a questionable call with just as many repercussions as the Ravens decision. In Week 10, Colin Kaepernick took over for injured starter Alex Smith, who had led the 49ers to the NFC title game last year, and never looked back. Kaepernick
added a new dimension to the offense that they had lacked under Smith’s direction. This was most evident in the Divisional round matchup against the Packers, where Kaepernick totaled 444 rushing and passing yards and four touchdowns.
But this is more about two decisions that ended up being right calls. Both teams have a star at just about every position on the roster. Torrey Smith vs. Michael Crabtree. Justin Smith vs. Haloti Ngata. Patrick Willis vs. Ray
Lewis. The list can go on and on. Both teams have plenty of star power, so who has the advantage?
The 49ers have one of the best running games in the NFL, ranking 4th according to ESPN.com. But their passing offense has been lacking. Colin Kaepernick will have to have a good game passing in order to give the 49ers a chance. The Ravens are more balanced offensively, ranking 15th and 11th respectively. Joe Flacco has been having arguably one of the best postseason runs
for a QB in NFL history, but some question whether he will be able to continue his strong play or have a so-so game that he has fallen susceptible to in years past.
Both teams have strong defenses, with the edge going to the 49ers. Both have strong punting and kicking games as well. The Ravens, however, do have two advantages over the 49ers: The veteran players, especially those on defense, have been in plenty of big games before. This is a team that has won at least one playoff game five years in a row. The 49ers also have many veteran players on their roster, some who have even appeared in Super Bowls. But the players that they will lean on come Sunday have very little playoff experience.
An even bigger advantage may be that the Ravens are playing for Ray Lewis. The often outspoken and all around loved linebacker for the Ravens will call it quits after this game; no matter what the outcome. It has to be expected that the Ravens will have a little extra motivation going into Sunday to get Ray Lewis a ring in his final game.
This game will be a tight contest that might come down to one or two plays. Which team’s quarterback plays better and which defense can more effectively contain the other’s offense will be the keys to this game. The Ravens and Ray Lewis will win a second Super Bowl in a game decided by four points. Final Score will be 27-23 Ravens over 49ers.
Coverage for the game starts at 5:30 at the Superdome in New Orleans on CBS.
Page 5Thursday, January 31, 2013Sports
houstonianonline.com/sports
This year’s ‘Super Browl’ sure to be good, close gameBaltimore Ravens expected to win title by the skin of their beaksRYAN BOWERSStaff Reporter
With two weeks left before opening day, Bearkat baseball supporters and alumni will congregate to sponsor the 2013 season with a pre-season fundraiser banquet at the Lowman Student Center Saturday.
Sam Houston State baseball will hold an alumni game preceding their annual fundraiser dinner in an attempt to fund field renovations and supplies for the upcoming season.
The Bearkats are aiming for $60,000 assistant baseball coach Philip Miller said.
“We have to pay for a lot of stuff to get this stuff done,” Miller said. “It’ll be our last thing before the season starts. Once we start playing we kind of get tunnel vision…we’d like to get [the] dugouts painted. We’ve had the backstop pad redone [and] they’re going to pad our entire outfield wall before the season.”
Miller and head coach David Pierce are anticipating enough alumni to hold two games catering to two different age groups at Don Sanders Stadium. Older alumni will play older alumni, and younger alumni will play the current team, Miller said.
During the banquet, mass communication professor Frank Krystyniak will honor the 50th anniversary commemorating the 1963 NAIA National Champion Bearkat baseball team; a group with four consecutive championship
appearances. Krystyniak followed the 1963 team as a sports reporter for The Houstonian.
According to Krystyniak, perseverance and consistency distinguishes the 1963 ball club.
“The fact that they’ve gone to the NAIA three years previously, they kept trying until they won,” Krystyniak said. “I think there’s a lot to be admired on this team. Three players went on to serve in Vietnam…one of the things I’ll do is tell the players now about what they’ve done out of college.”
SHSU Athletic Director Bobby Williams applauses the former championship program alongside the current Bearkat squad.
“It’s time to merge the success of our past with the success of our current program,” Williams said. “When you get two generations in the sport of baseball, when they’re around each other, though a little different the attitude is still the same.”
Before the banquet commences, donors are encouraged to participate bidding on sports memorabilia, spa packages, and gift certificates in the silent auction, Miller said. A live auction will succeed the dinner at 9 p.m. where prizes will range from hunting trips to leisure getaways.
Only 35 tables are available and each seat ten individuals. Prices are $1,000 per table and $100 per plate. A cash bar will be available beginning the event at 5 p.m.
Reservations are available to first call, first serve through University Advancement.
CONNOR HYDESports Reporter
Facebook.com/TheHoustonianSHSU Follow us today! @TheHoustonian
Baseball banquet commemorates past, present squads
Connor Hyde | The Houstonian
ONE TO REMEMBER: Ray Lewis and the Ravens have one of the best stories of the season. On the other side of the ball, however, rookie Colin Kaepernick and the 49ers look to spoil Lewis’ last game.
Associated Press
Page 6Thursday, January 30, 2013
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The Sam Houston State Uni-versity chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) is hosting their third annual “If You Really Knew SHSU” event tonight and have invited all students to take part.
Gieselle Walker, the event coor-dinator for the program, detailed that the program would be com-prised of icebreakers, small group sessions, raffles and a final group event that are designed to bring students together despite differ-ences between them.
“If You Really Knew SHSU was designed to encourage students to meet other students on campus on a more intimate level,” Walker said. “We want people to share de-tails about themselves that would normally not be shared since it al-lows us to open our eyes to others’ experiences.”
The event has been hailed as a rousing success in the past and has won the SAMMY award for Best Multi-cultural Organization on campus. Ashton Winfree, president of the Talented Tenth and the 2012 Homecom-ing King, urged all stu-dents to attend so they can reap the benefits of what this program could teach them.
“I have attended ‘If You Knew SHSU’ twice, and I know students should come,” Winfree said. “Students attend-ing are going to experi-ence diversity on wider scale than is possible on
everyday campus life. Someone you see in the mall every day could be at this event and could end up being a lasting friendship.”
Lexus Baguette, a member of Zeta Tau Alpha and an attendee of the event for two years in high school, also wanted to emphasize just how influential participating could be as far as finding a fellow student to relate to.
“From this experience you can meet someone who has been in a similar situation with similar problems who can help you with what you’re struggling with,” Ba-guette said. “Finding a friend that you can share your experiences with is very important in life, and I believe attending ‘If You Knew SHSU’ gives students the oppor-tunity to make those kind of re-lationships easier than meeting randomly.”
“If You Knew SHSU” will be held in the LSC Ballroom tonight and will have the doors open at 5:30 p.m. The program will start at 6 p.m. and will last for approxi-mately two hours. Students are in-vited to attend and are welcome to bring non-students.
SOPHIE NELSONStaff Reporter
NAACP holds third annual “If you really knew SHSU”
ROUGH ROAD GAME. Basketball traveled to College Station Wednesday, losing to the Texas
GUN CONTROL. From left to right, U.S. Rep. Glenn Thompson, R-Pa., U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly, R-Pa., and Robert J. DeSousa, Pennsylvania state director for U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey, R-Pa., take turns answering questions during a gun forum at Bob’s Gun Shop and Indoor Range in McKean Township near Erie, Pa., on Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2013. According to event organizers, more than 500 people attended the forum, which was held in a question-and-answer style.
AP Photo/Erie Times-News, Andy Colwell)
With the advancement of technology comes the ad-vancement in cyber security which may explain the de-crease in credit/debit card abuse at SHSU.
UPD has noted these changes and has planned accordingly so that they can better serve the students, faculty and staff of SHSU.
All crimes reported to UPD can be viewed online at shsu.edu/~upd_www/upd/.
CRIME, page 1Facebook.com/TheHoustonianSHSU
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