CLOUD ATLAS

Read our review on the new visionary epic from the directors of The Matrix.

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We explore the big/little relationships developed between friends in this weeks feature.

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Volume 87

T ech T alk
November 8, 2012 www.thetechtalk.org

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The student voice of Louisiana Tech University

Number 9

OBAMA VICTORIOUS
Poll projections prove accurate with re-election

PICTURE

RANEY JOHNSON Staff Reporter

AP Photo

President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden celebrate on stage at the election night party in Chicago Tuesday night. ASSOCIATED PRESS CHICAGO (AP) A triumphant President Barack Obama heralded his re-election with a call to action early Wednesday, telling Americans that their citizenship doesnt end with their vote and declaring that the best is yet to come. Obama offered a call for reconciliation after a divisive election, but he also defended the freewheeling nature of politics and said big decisions necessarily stir up passions. Obama says he wants to meet with Republican rival Mitt Romney to discuss how they can work together and said he was willing to work with leaders of both parties to tackle upcoming challenges. Of his contest with Romney, he said they may have battled fiercely, but its only because we love this country deeply. Obama made clear he had an agenda in mind, citing changes in the tax code, immigration and, as he put it, an America that isnt threatened by the destructive power of a warming planet. More immediately, he and Congress need to negotiate a new fiscal plan that avoids massive cuts in defense and other domestic

History professor David Anderson predicted in a public lecture last week that President Barack Obama would win Tuesdays election based on projections by the polls despite Republican claims that the polls were one-sided and inaccurate. I wasnt vindicated; I think the pollsters were, Anderson said. Many Republicans were comparing this years election to the 1980 election between President Jimmy Carter and then Gov. Ronald Reagan: Mitt Romney would win the election because of his good showing in the first debate just as Reagan did after his first debate despite what conservatives contend is the liberal bias of polls. However, Anderson said in the public lecture that Reagans success was not due to the debate, but to the polls, and pollsters have no reason to have a liberal bias. Republicans are criticizing the polls and thinking they are being skewed by liberals, said Anderson, who teaches a class this quarter on the history of presidential elections. The pollsters are saying we have no agenda because our reputation is based on our accuracy. Pollsters make their money by being accurate, not biased, and when polls are accurate it gives more weight to the polls and the profession, he said. Anderson said some Americans disagree with the poll because election predictions often influence the outcome to the point that they feel their vote doesnt count. Some feel the election isnt really authentic unless there seems to be an element of chance, Anderson said. They almost feel cheated by the polls. Even though the polls can predict the outcome of the election, people should not be discouraged from voting, he said. It is about participating in civic life, Anderson said. The pollsters are not trying to predict an outcome, but instead telling people what they are analyzing. The critics of the polls were making it as if somehow the polls determined human action, Anderson said. The polls are not correct unless people behave the way they should, Anderson said. He said when polls predict that a certain percentage of people will vote for a particular candidate, it simply shows a statistical probability of the candidate winning, instead of absolutely calling the election. The polls are predicting human action, Anderson said. It is

> see ELECTION page 3

> see POLLS page 6

Students prepare for finals Gaming Society

ADDIE MARTIN Staff Reporter Finals week is approaching quickly as fall quarter ends, letting Tech students have a break from so much school. During fall quarter, students work hard from week one until week 10 without any breaks to put schoolwork on hold. The quarter can seem long because of the lack of breaks, making the quarter, and especially finals, more difficult, said Anita Pumphrey, a family and child studies instructor. She said finals can be tough but there are ways to properly handle the stress and many hours of studying. In order to succeed during finals week, one must first plan ahead and make a study schedule, she said. It is also good to utilize study groups, do not miss the class period before the test and practice writing out any questions given for the test. However, this does not seem to be the case for most college students, she said. Chris Kepner, a graduate student in architecture, said he is a crammer for finals week. I pull all-nighters five out of the seven days of the week on the last weeks of classes, he said. He said he gets grumpy and easily angered after staying awake for such a long amount of time. Pumphrey said she feels sympathy for RANEY JOHNSON Staff Reporter

is less Halo and more Risk

Photo by Shrada Bhandari

Kimberly Eaton, sophomore biology major, prepares for her upcoming finals in Tolliver Hall. students that cram and allow themselves to get so exhausted they cannot function. I just wish some students had better time management skills so they were not so tired, she said. She said she witnesses a wide range of different study habits. I see students not taking care of themselves and staying up all night trying to cram for exams, she said. I also see students that are so overwhelmed, they do not even try because they have so much stuff do they do not know where to begin. Tim Allred, a sophomore medical technology major, said it is normal to be nervous for finals but there is a healthy dose of nervousnessgood fear and bad fear. The good amount of fear is being a little bit nervous, just enough to make you study and try hard, he said. The bad fear

Christian Dean watches in eagerness as whole continents go to war moving from one country to the next until achieving total domination of the Earth. This is the game of Risk, one of the many games Traditional Gaming Society Treasurer Christian Dean, a sophomore computer science major, said is played each week. Were not competitive here, Dean said. It is just about coming together and having fun. The members of the Gaming Society meet every Thursday at 6 p.m. in the conference room in Tolliver Hall. Dean said he joined the club last spring when it was started and has been treasurer since then. I came in not expecting to be an officer, but I became treasurer, he said. He said the club was an idea of Ben Markway, the current president of the Gaming Society who started the club last spring. I started the Traditional Gaming Society to reinvigorate Tech students interest in card and board games, Markway said. In todays world people can get so caught up in the internet and video games that they may forget how fun board games can be. Morgan Burns, sophomore biology major, said she joined the

> see FINALS page 2

> see GAME page 2

2 The T T ech alk November 8, 2012

Campus
Engineer societies collect recyclables
The Society for Women Engineers and the National Society of Black Engineers are hosting their monthly recycling drive Wed. and Thurs. from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m in Centennial Plaza. Anyone is free to come and help collect recyclables from the campus and community. They will accept all manner of recyclables from plastics to paper to old appliances. SWE is also looking for a microwave for their office, so a donation of an old microwave would be appreciated. For more information or to volunteer, contact Kendall Belcher at 318-347-2064 or kkb027@latech.edu.

New orientation director chosen

SCOTT WALKINGSTICK Staff Reporter Andy Cline, a graduate in forestry, has inherited the job of Orientation and Special Programs director. Cline was an orientation student leader during his undergraduate work at Tech but said becoming director of something as large as the Orientation and Special Programs does not even compare. Inheriting such a high-profile job will have its inherent pressures, Cline said. However, with a strong supporting cast, especially with my executive council, that pressure will be minimized. Cline met with his executive council Oct. 26 to talk about some of the strategies used for incoming Tech students and how to get them excited about college. Carlton Gray, a junior business management major, said they are hoping to improve the parent orientation but nothing is set in stone. We are trying to liven up the experience for the parents and get them more excited for orientation and their childrens new journey at Tech, he said. Cline said he is not here to make things too different. My job is not to come in and change things drastically, Cline said. However, this year we are trying to re-energize our parent orientation program, which will encompass a lot of new ideas. Caroline Shaw, a junior elementary education major, said she thinks Cline will do a great job as the new director. He loves and has a passion for Tech and is ready to implement new ideas and strategies to move orientation into the right direction, she said. He is really on his A game, Gray said. He is definitely different from the last director, Travis Napper. Since their leadership styles are completely opposite, orientation will be done in a different way. Cline said overall the orientation leader selection and training process has been finetuned over several decades. I am looking for some of the most dedicated, driven, intelligent and passionate leaders at Tech, he said. Shaw said she hopes to find hardworking students who are ready to change Tech and make orientation the best it can possibly be. Sixteen orientation leader positions are available. Cline said his goal for the new orientation leaders is to manage 16 strong-minded individuals who have been selected

Music fraternity sells flag lapel pins

Sigma Alpha Iota, an international music fraternity, is selling American flag lapel pins for $5. Each pin purchased will also have a miniature American flag placed on the grave of a veteran in the Ruston and Monroe areas. Requested placements are welcome. Proceeds will go to Operation Harmony, a division of Soldiers Angels wounded warrior rehabilitation. Operation Harmony provides musical instruments and music therapy to wounded soldiers. For purchase or donation information, contact Sabrina Olivares at 318-422-4792 or smo021@latech.edu or Hannah VanderKuy at 318-453-3913 or rosiemigosie@gmail.com.

Photo by Deepanjan Mukhopadhyay

Andy Cline, the new Orientation and Special Programs director, said he is ready to make some changes to further improve orientation.

based on their characteristics and to create an understanding that the team is what is most important. These students are not afraid to step out from the crowd and put themselves in one of the most high-profile positions that a student can attain at Tech, Cline said. Most importantly, when placed in that high-profile position, they are able to show compassion and understanding for incoming students who are enduring one of the most difficult transitions they will ever experience. Cline said the mindset for preparing orientation leaders would be a quote by John Quincy Adams: If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader. Shaw said the staff is working hard to get everything ready not only for next summer, but for try-outs and the class itself. I hope we find some dedicated students, she said. We need students who are ready to change Tech and make orientation the best it can possibly be.

Email comments to rsw020@latech.edu.

>

FINALS from pg. 1

Choral program hosts auditions

If you are interested in auditioning for choir at Louisiana Tech University, now is the time to get involved. Two choruses are taking auditions: Concert Choir and Chamber Singers. Sean Teets, director of choral activities, is looking for students interested in participating during winter quarter. For more information, contact Teets at (318) 257-5272 or steets@latech.edu, or, Room 327 in Howard Auditorium.

is when you flip out so bad that you cannot even concentrate on your studies and only concentrate on how nervous you are. Allred said he completely puts away all distractions when he gets ready to study. That means locking up game systems, turning off Facebook and phones and telling everyone to leave him alone. However, giving up everything might seem a tad extreme for some people. Kepner said in order to prepare for finals he makes sure he has a lot of fun beforehand and does not give up his social life on the weekends. Pumphrey said it is to a stu-

dents advantage to take breaks and study in segments because too much studying is unproductive. It is better to study two hours a day than eight hours the night before, she said. It is good to pace yourself so studying does not become this huge burden. She said students not only need to take advantage of the opportunities they are given but also need to watch their health, too. Eating a good breakfast and getting plenty of sleep can make all of the difference, Pumphrey said. Students need to plan ahead, use their resources and take good care of themselves.

Cox, Garner take court

Email comments to alm085@latech.edu.

want to lend games to the club they can, but thats not an obligation to come, Dean said. Dean said as treasurer of the club it is one of his jobs to buy new board games. One of the games that Dean said he bought was Life. He said he had to order the game on the Internet because he could not find the original version in stores. Dean said the meetings do not have a set time to end. We dont have an official ending time because some of the games can last for hours, Dean said. You have to take pictures of some of the games because they take so long and pick it up at the next one.

>

GAME from pg. 1

Softball team to hold tryouts in December

The LA Tech softball tryout will be Monday Dec. 3 from 4-6 p.m. at the Lady Techster Softball Complex. Anyone interested in participating in the tryouts needs to stop by the Lady Techster softball office in advance to pick up all appropriate paper. For questions or for more information, contact assistant coach Jeannie Douglas at 318257-5327 or 318-436-6392.

club this quarter. I thought it would be fun and [a way] to meet people, Burns said. Dean said the meetings are also a great way to learn how to play new games. Every time I come here I learn a new game, Dean said. I played Risk for the first time here; its all about death and power. Ben said anyone can show up to the meetings with any board game they would like to play. I want people to know that were always accepting new members. Well take anyone who wants to play, Markway said. Dean also said anybody is welcomed to join the club and bring board games they want to play with them. People can come and if they

Photo by Deepanjan Mukhopadhyay

Email comments to rcj008@latech.edu.

Mallory Cox, a senior math major, and Heath Garner, a junior biology major , were named called as Homecoming queen and top escort at the Homecoming game pep rally Friday.

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Opportunity to gain sales/client interaction experience, as well as earn commission from ad sales.

Resum required. Send resumes to mleblanc@latech.edu. For more information call 257-3201 or send inquiries to mleblanc@latech.edu.

November 8, 2012 The T T ech alk 3

GOP asks why? and where do we go from here

ASSOCIATED PRESS WASHINGTON (AP) Having lost the popular vote in five of the last six presidential elections, Republicans plunged Wednesday into an intense period of self-examination, blame-setting and testy debate over whether their party needs serious change or just some minor tweaks. The fallout will help determine whether the GOP might return to heights approximating the Ronald Reagan years or, as some fear, suffer even deeper losses as the nation's Democratic-leaning Hispanics increase in number. "The party is clearly in some sort of identity crisis," said Rick Tyler, a past aide to former House Speaker Newt Gingrich. Hard-core conservatives, furious at President Barack Obama's re-election in the face of a weak economy, called for a wholesale shift to resolutely right positions on social and fiscal matters. Some demanded that party leaders resign. Establishment Republicans largely shrugged off the tirades. But they split into two main camps themselves, portending potentially lengthy soul-searching, especially in Congress. One group calls for calm and a steady course. It emphasizes that the party still controls the House, and notes that Obama's popular-vote margin was smaller than in 2008. "The Republican Party is exactly right on the issues," said Terry Holt, a veteran GOP strategist with close ties to House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio. The party mainly needs to nominate candidates who can relate to average Americans better than multimillionaire Mitt Romney did, Holt said. Some other Republicans, however, see bigger problems. The party must shed its "absolutism on issues like tax increases," which congressional lawmakers oppose at virtually every level, said John Ullyot, a former Republican Senate aide. "The only way the party is going to move more to the middle is when we get sick of losing," he said. That's essentially what Democrats did in the 1990s. Demoralized after big losses by presidential nominees Walter Mondale and Michael Dukakis and still mindful of George McGovern's 1972 disaster Democrats turned to a centrist Arkansas governor, Bill Clinton. He won two elections, repositioned the party and served as Obama's top surrogate this fall. Some activists in both parties say Republicans eventually must follow suit to survive. But their primaries are dominated by staunch opponents of tax hikes, abortion, immigration reform and government regulations. Until and unless that changes, a shift toward the center may be impossible. "It's harder for the Republicans, because they are more ideological than Democrats," said Democratic strategist Doug Hattaway. "The religious fervor of the Republican base makes it hard to change or compromise, even though that's what's needed to remain viable as a party." While Holt and others say the Republican Party is aligned with most Americans on big issues, Tuesday's exit polls raise doubts in some areas. Six in 10 voters said abortion should be legal in all or most cases, the highest share saying so since the mid-1990s. Two-thirds of voters said illegal immigrants working in the United States should be offered a chance to apply for legal status. Nearly half of all voters supported Obama's plan to raise taxes on couples' incomes above $250,000. Thirteen percent said taxes should be increased on all Americans, and 35 percent said no one should pay higher taxes. Boehner and Senate GOP Leader Mitch McConnell will stand at the center of the intraparty debate. Within days they must decide how to negotiate with Obama and Democratic lawmakers on the looming "fiscal cliff," a package of major tax hikes and spending cuts scheduled for the new year. McConnell issued a defiant statement Wednesday. "The voters have not endorsed the failures or excesses of the president's first term," he said. "They have simply given him more time to finish the job they asked him to do together with a Congress that restored balance to Washington." Boehner was more conciliatory in tone when he addressed reporters Wednesday. But he recommended Romney's tax package including rate cuts for everyone and the elimination of yet-to-be-named deductions which he said would create a net increase in government revenue. Obama has insisted that the wealthiest Americans pay higher tax rates, as they did under Clinton. Many Democrats in Congress agree. Republican insiders, meanwhile, nervously focused on an approaching problem that could produce even bigger presidential losses in future years. The GOP relies overwhelmingly on white voters, a steadily shrinking share of the population. Hispanics, the nation's fastest-growing group, have bristled at Republican attacks on illegal immigration, which some people consider a slap at all Latinos, legal or not. Republican campaign pros said the party must find a way to temper the talk about immigration without infuriating conservatives who oppose "amnesty" for those who entered the country illegally. "You can't just say 'If you fix the tone, you fix the problem,'" said Republican consultant Terry Nelson. "We have to figure out what kind of policy solutions we have for this." Ullyot said congressional Republicans should embrace more lenient immigration policies immediately. On still another front, many Republicans said their party must find ways to appeal to women, who voted

"Let's not keep thinking that the

AP Photo

Former Mass. Gov. Mitt Romney addresses the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce in Los Angeles last Septmenber. Having lost the popular vote in five of six presidential elections, Republicans are plunging into self-examination.

heavily for Obama. The party cannot give people the impression that opposing abortion is its top women-related issue, said Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, R-Fla. "Single moms are part of our American fabric," she said.

American family is made up of a mom and a dad and two kids and a picket fence and a dog and a cat. It's made up of a lot of single moms struggling to make ends meet. ... We need to get a program to say 'we care about you.'"

>

ELECTION from pg. 1

spending and sharp across-theboard tax increases. Obama has called for tax increases on households earning more than $250,000; House Speaker John Boehner has rejected any tax increases. Hinting at fights to come, he said politics and attacking problems inevitably stir controversy. That wont change after tonight and it shouldnt, he added. These arguments we have are a mark of our liberty.

The president rolled to a second term over Romney, winning more than 300 electoral votes. Tonight in this election, you, the American people, reminded us that while our road has been hard while our journey has been long we have picked ourselves up, we have fought our way back and we know in our hearts that for the United States of America, the best is yet to come, he told an ecstatic crowd in the cavernous McCormick Place convention center on Chicagos lakefront. Obama appeared about two

hours after he was declared the victor in his re-election bid and less than an hour after Romney offered a cordial concession. The two men spoke by phone and Romney, in his own speech to supporters, said he prays the president will be successful in guiding our nation. Obama took the stage with first lady Michelle Obama and daughters Sasha and Malia. When he finished he was joined on stage by Vice President Joe Biden, whom Obama called Americas happy warrior, and Bidens extended family. In his

remarks he paid special tribute to his campaign team and his volunteers as the best in the history of politics. The best. The best ever. Thank you for believing all the way through every hill, through every valley, he said. You lifted me up the whole way. Dozens of Obama and Biden staffers gathered on the floor next to the stage for the speeches. Many stood with their arms around each other, some wiping away tears, as the president

spoke. As Obama was waving to the crowd one last time, Biden and his family walked off stage. Then the vice president peeked back around the blue curtains and gave a big wave and a grin to the cameras. Campaign manager Jim Messina lingered on the floor long after the president left the stage, hugging friends in the crowd and wiping away his own tears. The presidents team had projected confidence for days, but nervously watched the election returns roll in Tuesday

night. Even as the race appeared to be turning in Obamas direction, the staff was narrowly focused on Ohio, the Midwest swing state where Obama and Romney competed fiercely. Despite their outward cool, Obama and his aides left nothing to chance. The president indulged his superstitions by engaging in a traditional Election Day basketball game with friends during the afternoon. Obamas team won his first victory of the day.

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Insight
PATRICK BOYD Editor-in-Chief

4 The T T ech alk November 8, 2012

FROM THE EDITOR

Midnight train to Canada
:38 p.m., Tuesday night and I have clicked the refresh button on my computer screen at least 50 times in the last five seconds. I always forget that watching the incoming presidential votes is like watching all of your favorite television shows, the Super Bowl and reading the climax of an Agatha Christie novel all rolled into one big emotional cathartic shebang. Casting my vote, my first in a presidential election, was gratifying and I felt like a real man. I drove home to Choudrant, blaring the Dixie Chicks [not played with political motivations; I just like Landslide,] waiting for this day to come ever since I was a small child. I voted with all the pride I could muster and then drove back to Ruston to start watching the incoming votes. With a few detours throughout the day to the wonderful community of Facebook, I saw that many people from this area might not be with us anymore. I am not a statistician but I would estimate around 80 percent of my friends on Facebook [around 400], may or may not be moving to Canada. Usually the Facebook status read like: If [fill in candidate of choice] wins the election, I am packing my bags and taking off to Canada. You never hear people say if the candidate they least desire to win becomes president, then they are going to move to sunny locations like Portugal, Greece or Italy. Personally, I would love to move somewhere with a low crime rate like Iceland or ultra-hip Japan. Canada just seems like such a bland country to move to, and if the move is only out of spite, this would only make matters worse. 10:28 p.m. now. I am writing out a pros and cons list for Canada. I do not want to move, even though I have heard it is cooler there and I am always the fan of cold weather. I can easily get over-heated. On the list of pros is Alanis Morrisette of Jagged Little Pill, Ellen Page, Michael Cera, Margaret Atwood, cold weather and Toronto. On the list of cons is Alanis Morrisette, post Jagged Little Pill, Degrassi: The Next Generation and a healthcare system that resembles the same kind people are wanting to run away from here in the United States 11:25 p.m. I am alone at The Tech Talk. The lab is very empty and reflects the loneliness I will feel if I step outside, because everyone is planning on leaving or may be gone by now. Oh wait! Moving to Canada may prove hard for some people, as you must apply for your passport a few months in advance, and this is not even including getting your citizenship changed. I wonder what kind of questions they ask on their exam. Are they of Ellis Island difficulty? 11:50 p.m. I have just come to the realization that instead of actually going to Canada, most people are just going to Facebook, which is something healthcare can never solve. How important do we really think our opinions are? Whatever patriotism I had earlier in the day, flowing in my veins like a shot of espresso, it got buzz-killed by all the Facebook departure notices and ignorant responses to the election. It made me dwell on how social media is something healthcare can never solve. Everyone is so concerned about our country being taken over, being in debt to China and lessening values. We do not have to worry about being conquered though. We are destroying ourselves from the inside out through ignorance and social media is purporting just that. Dont leave America, just leave Facebook. 12:00 a.m. I log off. Patrick Boyd is a senior English and journalism major from Choudrant who serves as editor for The Tech Talk. Email comments to gpb009@latech.edu.

IN OUR OPINION

Electoral college voting process needs change

YOURE WELCOME
Aint no party like an Independent party
HANNAH SCHILLING News Editor ost people mistake me for a drop of blue in a sea of red. Then they look closer, the lines blur and they see my true color of purple. Voters should not blindly cast a ballot for a party. They should thoroughly research the candidates and issues, and then make a decision based on the facts. I recently met a girl from Canada, who upon finding out I was from Louisiana, grabbed my shoulders, looked into my eyes and posed a serious question: Are you a Republican? I have never met a real-life Republican. I laughed and after I said no, she asked if I was a Democrat. When I declared a second no, she seemed confused. No, I do not strictly adhere to one party for voting options. And I believe people that arbitrarily vote

for a party they stand behind are missing the big picture. Thinking for yourself instead of letting a party think for you allows your vote to mean more in the end. When faced with a choice the first thing a voter should ask is What are my options? And no, I dont mean just the two main candidates or the one motion that has gotten so much publicity you turn off your news when they talk about it. I mean every single thing that will be on the ballot. The next step is simple: read. Research the issues, put all of the candidates side by side, and form an opinion. Then when you show up to the polls, your vote will be more than a click of a button for the red or blue. Votes mean something. When you cast a ballot, you are declaring that you believe in that candidate or that issue. Limiting it to only voting for a party and not looking

at the big picture undermines who you are as a voter. This whole Oh, my parents are republican, Im going to vote for or Louisiana is a red state so I should vote for needs to stop, especially among college students. We are here to better ourselves and become more educated yet many cant be bothered with researching who will be our next leader. Gallup released a poll on Sept. 24, showing that 38 percent of America is Independent. When asked which way these voters lean, 43 percent said Republican and 50 percent said Democrat. Leaning simply means that you identify with one party more than the other, but that does not determine your vote. The number of independent voters is expected to rise. And why shouldnt it? An informed populace is a nations best defense, as Thomas Jefferson said.

I have informed myself, and I firmly believe in the Second Amendment and strongly support gun rights but I also support gay marriage. I lean conservative when it comes to spending but I support womens health and the funding of Planned Parenthood. Have I confused you yet? No, you do not have to be a stickler to a party. Believe in what you think is right, and when you go to cast your vote, that will shine through. Your vote will become personal, as it should be. As for choosing strictly between the donkey or the elephant, I dont think that is such a good idea. But a donphant or an elekey? I would have one of those as a pet any day.
Hannah Schilling is a sophmore journalism major from Bossier City who serves as a news editor for The Tech Talk. Email comments to hms017@latech.edu.

long time ago in a country once known as great Regardless of who won the election, it feels like this is the current state of America. Barack Obama was re-elected president of the United States on Tuesday. In a close election, we witnessed Obama defeat presidential nominee Mitt Romney by over 100 electoral votes; yet Obama only beat Romney by around a million popular votes. How many times have we seen or heard a campaign persuading us to go and vote? We live in a country where every vote counts. So why doesnt the system follow this? The Electoral College has worked in the past, but it is an outdated system. A pivotal state with many electoral votes, such as Florida, can be won by only 500 popular votes more than the other candidate. However, even though each candidate received roughly 50 percent of the vote, one candidate receives all the electoral votes while the other receives none. It may be time for a change and revert to the majority rule system or a more updated version of the Electoral College. Another aspect of the voting system that needs to be amended is how the media projects winners. As soon as polls close, various media outlets instantly begin predicting the winners of various states. Many different media outlets election coverage showed them projecting a states electoral vote to a candidate even though zero votes had been tallied so far. This could have an impact on people in a different time zone who may not have voted yet. How can you know the winner of a state when youve only counted 4 percent of the total votes for a state? Projections and early polling can only account for so far. If we are going for a more sensational event, set up the election results like American Idol. Have a great big reveal show around midnight the night of the election. It would easily be the most watched event of all time. Another sad aspect of election time is social media. If ignorance is bliss, then Facebook becomes Disney World during an election. For the record, nobody is moving to another country. Second, you can only blame the winning candidate so much. After all, they only count for one vote in the election. If you want to blame someone, look at your peers or in a mirror if need be. The 2012 presidential election featured many dividing lines. The members of The Tech Talk were highly divided for the election, and much like many of you, some of us are angry while others are excited. The only thing we can all agree upon is that we hope Barack Obama does in fact do a fantastic job as the president of the United States, the leader of the free world.

T T ech alk
The student voice of Louisiana Tech University

The

MANAGEMENT

A NEWS PAINTING
Take me home
REBECCA ALVAREZ News Editor m finally ready to go home. Finals are just around the corner and I can say I am ready to visit home for the first time in months. Its been four months since I last visited my family in El Paso, Texas, but until this week, I had not been looking forward to going home for some time not even during the summer. Near the end of last school year, I felt indifferent toward going home for the summer. This was a drastic change in attitude from being homesick every day through the middle of my sophomore year. In my eyes, I was a 19-year-old baby. Every time we would near a break from school I could not wait to hop on a plane or put the pedal to the metal to make my way home. There was nothing I wanted more. Everything is so different here in Louisiana culture shock at its finest. Nothing in Louisiana is even close to similar to the people and culture in El Paso, so I would take in as much of the Sun City as I possibly could. Time would fly and as I would be packing my bags to return to good old Rustown, my heart would work its way up to my throat, and I would constantly try to hold back a stream of tears. It was an end-of-break ritual, but last Christmas was actually the last time it found its place on my itinerary. When the next break came around, I found myself between a rock and a hard spot: I didnt want to go home. It carried over to the summer when I decided I was not going to go home and instead I stayed to get a class or two out of the way, and I didnt miss it once. I visited home at two different points of the summer for a week, and it was just the right amount of time. It was very odd to me, to say the least. I probably tried to analyze the situation more than I should have, but I finally came to realize I had become comfortable in Ruston and dare I say it Louisiana. I still cannot say when the turning point was. All I know is when it comes down to packing my bags to go home, my friends and my daily routine are what tug at me when I ask myself what I will miss while I am gone. Maybe the sensation of finally being completely independent being able to live without anyone watching and criticizing your every move was what helped me get over being homesick. Going home meant I would have to check with family plans to make sure I spent as much time with them as possible, since that was the whole point of visiting home, and that was compromising my independence. I convinced myself that time away from home would be good for my family and me, and I was right. Now, I am finally looking forward to a visit. So after my final Wednesday afternoon, I know I will not reluctantly pack my bags, nor will I anxiously stuff my bag. Instead, I know I will pack my bag with a light heart and a smile. I am now 20 years old, after all.

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF ASSOCIATE EDITOR MANAGING EDITOR NEWS EDITORS ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR SPORTS EDITOR ASSOCIATE SPORTS EDITOR MULTIMEDIA EDITOR HEAD PHOTOGRAPHER STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS ADVERTISING MANAGER ADVISERS ADVERTISING ADVISER PRODUCTION MANAGER ADVERTISING PRODUCTION DEPARTMENT HEAD

Patrick Boyd Molly Bowman Austin Vining Rebecca Alvarez Hannah Schilling Natalie McElwee Grace Moore Reina Kempt Derek Amaya Chad Merritt Jessica Van Alstyne Sumeet Shrestha Deepanjan Mukhopadhyay Shradha Bhandari Rod Waynick Judith Roberts T. Scott Boatright Dr. Reginald Owens Michael LeBlanc Michael LeBlanc Dr. Reginald Owens

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Arts&Entertainment

November 8, 2012 The T T ech alk 5

MOVIE REVIEW

Cloud Atlas leaves lasting impression

CHAD HILL Contributing Reporter A film like Cloud Atlas is a rare phenomenon in Hollywood. Studios tend to play it safe with the projects they greenlight, usually opting for something more marketable like a sequel or remake. Because these studios are businesses, after all, its a huge gamble to undertake a film as nontraditional, non-generic and simply different as Cloud Atlas when the investment isnt guaranteed to be returned. In this case, the film more than deserves a return on the investment. To spell out the entire labyrinthine plot of Cloud Atlas would take up this entire review, so heres a general sumEach of the stories connects and intertwines with the others as themes of reincarnation, freedom and actions of the past carrying over into the future are explored and conveyed. Its the kind of complex plot that cant be summed up into a neat little sentence, and it fits the project. Cloud Atlas is a very complex movie and an ambitious one to boot. Many have proclaimed the source novel of the same name as unfilmable. And yet, the Wachowskis, creators of The Matrix, and Tom Twyker of Run Lola Run have done a commendable job of crafting what is, at the least, a somewhat cohesive narrative. The stories, while differing in setting, time and overall plot, are miraculously woven together. Each one could theoretically be its own generic movie, but what elevates them is the myriad of ways in which they tie together. Similar themes are carried over between the plots, such as the need to right wrongs, humanitys resistance to oppression and how our actions affect the lives of those around us. Its a lot to process and think about, and you will be thinking about it for days afterward. In addition, each actor plays multiple roles across numerous ethnicities and genders (Hugo Weaving in drag; yeah, that happens), with their characters souls moving on to another story. To list all the ways in which they connect would only spoil many of the surprises, but its nevertheless entertaining to see. It is also interesting to spot the different actors in their multiple roles and the makeup effects used to complete their transformations. While it may not always be convincing, its still impressive. And its little things like this that make Cloud Atlas a divisive film. Many will view the film and come away satisfied and perplexed at the mysteries held within this beautiful masterwork. Others will see it as a pretentious exercise in self-indulgence. Whichever camp you fall in depends entirely on you. Regardless of how you end up feeling about the film, Cloud Atlas demands your attention. It may leave you feeling lost at times, requiring multiple viewings and a lot of thinking to fully grasp it. That is okay. Everyone should see it, as it represents a bridge between commercial Hollywood filmmaking and impassioned artistry. Visually arresting, impeccably and carefully crafted and miraculous in its beauty and heady themes, its a guarantee that youve never experienced anything like it before, and its sure to leave a long lasting impression. Oh yeah, and I think it just happens to be the best film of the year.

Warner Bros. Pictures

Clouded Atlas HHHHH

mary of what to expect. The film tells six stories, spanning from a 19th century cargo ship to a modern day nursing home to the jungles of a post-apocalyptic future.

Email comments to crh049@latech.edu.

Flight takes off its first weekend

well as a 0.24 blood-alcohol level at the time of the crash. It was all too obvious he had a serious problem. The film weaves through scenes of Whitaker with his romantic interest, Nicole (Kelly Reilly), a recovering heroin addict, his coke-head best friend, Harling Mays (John Goodman) his union representative, Charlie Anderson (Bruce Greenwood), and his lawyer, Hugh Lang (Don Cheadle). Lang was able to nix his toxicology report right off the bat, but Whitaker was still encouraged to lie about several of the incedents leading up to the emergency landing. Whitakers internal struggles within the movie are guarenteed to have its viewers on edge the edge of their seats. From the unbelieveably suspenseful crash, which allowed the audience to all but experice it for themselves, to the films final conslusion, Flight is unnerving and frustrating at times, but overall it is an inspiring tale of faith, defeat and redemption.

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An impromptu and miraculous crash landing achieved by Capt. Whip Whitaker (Denzel Washington), was but a small fraction in the entire spectrum of conflict and emotion in this film. Flight tells the story of an addict pilot successfully crashing an aircraft, losing six of the 102 souls on board, and then using its rock-bottom setting as a foundation to rebuild his life. Although the emergency landing seemed to be the films climax, filled with extreme suspense and so much raw emotion, the overriding theme is one mans search for truth and balance in his life. Capt. Whitaker is a seasoned pilot suffering from alcoholism, substance abuse and a serious case of denial. He enters the cockpit habitually with an illegal blood-alcohol level and remnants of his last line of cocaine in his nostrils. Within the first few scenes of Flight, we find out Whitakers addictions have cost him his wife, his only son and upon

Paramount Pictures

Flight HHHHI the crash, his pilots license is in jeopardy as well. Six crew members were on board at the time of the crash, including a Capt. Whitaker, co-pilot Ken Evans (Brian Geraghty) and the flight attendants. Each individual, dead or alive, underwent a routine toxicology screening. Whitakers report showed large amounts of cocaine as

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Aries March 21 April 19 People may be difficult to deal with today, Aries. You may soon discover that theyre just as stubborn as you are. Try to give others the benefit of the doubt or there will be a stalemate in just about every corner of your life. Dont consider it a loss or failure of character if you find you need to make some concessions in order to get things to work. Taurus Apr 20 - May 20 Your ego may be under some stress today, Taurus. The tricky part is that the threat you feel is probably a result of something that isnt even completely real. It could be that someone is acting on false information that has no bearing on the reality of the situation. You might be swept away by someone elses false impression of who you really are. Gemini May 21 - Jun 20 Gemini, You have more this month a little beyond. Work or school is good and you should take a break from the pressures Register. Margin looks good as friendship groups, so a trip away with your group of miners just the tonic means that you need now! Cancer Jun 21 - Jul 22 You may have your mind set on some big plans that youve been working on for some time now, Cancer. The problem is that today there is some conflict with something or someone with a large ego who suddenly wants a piece of the pie. Either that or this person wants to burst your bubble. Dont give up hope on your dreams. Realize that this opposition is just part of the adventure. Leo

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Sagittarius Nov 22 - Dec 21 It isnt a good idea to try to fit people into a mold today, Sagittarius. This will only annoy others and frustrate you. Its important that you relax and simply let people blossom into the people they want to be. If you have a preconceived notion of who they should be, youre only setting yourself up for failure and disappointment, as well as anger from the other party. Capricorn Dec 22 - Jan 19 Consider subscribing to an alternative newsletter of some sort, Capricorn. You will find some amazing information that the general public doesnt necessarily know. Knowledge is power. For the most part, common knowledge is quite limited. Make an effort to seek news from a wider community. Some mainstream information is pretty unreliable. Aquarius Jan 20 - Feb 18 Dont expect others to take much notice of your emotions today, Aquarius. Youre more respectful of theirs than they are of yours. Find peace among all you encounter. This could be difficult, since other peoples wills are involved. In that case, people arent likely to back down. Others think theyre right and refuse to see things any other way. Pisces Feb 19 - Mar 20 Your aggressive attitude is likely to start a fight that might be difficult to settle now, Pisces. There are extremely stubborn forces at work, and you may find that no one is willing to budge from their position. The thing that is apt to make this even more difficult is that people may misinterpret certain pieces of the puzzle. Try to bring understanding to the situation instead of more aggression.

Jul 23 - Aug 22 You may have been feeling more emotional lately, Leo. Today a fanciful energy could sweep you off your feet and into another realm entirely. Feel free to take off for at least a little while in order to gain a better perspective on the issues at hand. Strong, forceful powers are urging you to let someone else take the reins on a particular project. Virgo Aug 23 - Sep 22 People and situations that you were counting on may suddenly run into opposition today, Virgo. Dont be surprised if the seat youre sitting on is suddenly pulled out from under you. Make sure you have some extra padding, since it could be a rather hard fall. More than likely, however, you will be able to take it in stride. Libra Sep 23 - Oct 22 Your ego has probably been feeling strong lately, and you may feel an extra boost of self-confidence, Libra. Dont be surprised if your ego gets threatened by someone who appears out of the blue with an aggressive, opinionated attitude, someone who isnt on quite the same track as you. You may find it hard to deal with people today, since they could be a bit spacey. Scorpio Oct 23 - Nov 21 If you knew the truth of all the things that are going on outside your world, youd be appalled, Scorpio. You shouldnt take things at face value today. Its important to simply go and see things for yourself. Dont trust anothers word on what is true and what isnt. Question what you see. Make sure you dont let others pull the wool over your eyes.

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1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60

BestCrosswords.com - Puzzle #1 for July 23, 2012

WEEKLYWEATHER
TODAY
HIGH 65 LOW 41

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SATURDAY
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DAILY U

brown; 7- Plains native; 8- Bard's nightfall; 9- Maintains; 10- Flat-bottomed rowboat; 11- In the sack; 12- Meets with; 13- East ender?; 18- Beethoven dedicatee; 22- Seraglio; 24- Routine; 25Flaps; 27- Plants with fronds; 28- Western pact; 29- Slaughter of baseball; 31- Go gaga over; 33Goon; 35- Classy pancake; 36- Bang-up; 38- Some sausage; 39- Sic on; 41- Broadway opening; 42- Small galley; 44- Lawsuits; 45- Charged; 46- Unspoken; 47- ___ Beautiful Doll; 48- Poi source; 49- Don Juan's mother; 50- Richard of "Chicago"; 52- Possessed; 53- Sweetie; 54- Actor Vigoda;

Email feedback to dwyer@latech.edu

FRIDAY
HIGH 73 LOW 52

SUNDAY
HIGH 72 LOW 53

MONDAY HIGH 88 LOW 88

TUESDAY HIGH 88 LOW 88

WEDNESDAY HIGH 88 LOW 88

>

POLLS from pg. 1

saying if we acted this way, then the election will go that way, but if we do not act, then the election will turn out another way. It is the news media that make the information definite, Anderson said. The media likes [polls] to make the race more exciting, he said. He also said both Republican and Democratic campaigns use the polls to their advantages, something the Reagan campaign was the first to do. Richard Wirthlin was used by Reagan as a pollster, Anderson said. He was the godfather of modern polling. Anderson said it was Wirthlins polling method, not Reagans debate performance, that helped Reagan win the election. He predicted a low Demo-

cratic turnout and he was right, he said. Wirthlin polls predicted Reagan would win the election, and this gave rise to the more prevalent use of polls in the presidential elections, Anderson said. Anderson said Wirthlin used statistics to see how people would behave in the election; he used them to see how things were instead of a distortion to get people to view the campaign in a certain way. He said the Democrats and Republicans used media-reported polls to their advantage during the campaign to show either Romney or Obama in the lead. They are all dependent on their models, Anderson said. They are not right or wrong; it is just dependent on their models. In the end, the polls projecting President Obama winning the election were correct. An-

derson said Republicans really gender an issue, Anderson thought they had a chance at said. I dont think race explains winning because of the econ- it. omy and it was Anderson amazing that said he beObama pulled lieves the supoff a win in this port of Presitough econodent Obama I almost think the my. and the I almost Democrats is think the vot- voters are saying, because of a ers are say- Lets not change culture shift. ing Lets not Virginia change any- anything; we are at a now is in danthing; we are ger for the Reat a fragile time fragile time and lets publicans of and lets stick stick with the same being a Demwith the same ocratic strongthing, he said. thing. hold, AnderAnderson son said. The said the sup- David Anderson area of the port for Obama professor of History Re publicans because of to are shrinking, his race is unthe white rural likely. areas. I am surprised how the ReHe said the Democrats publicans are making race and picked up many victories in the

2012 election, especially winning a majority in the Senate, and there was definitely a cultural change. Gay marriage was legalized in Maine and Maryland, and marijuana in Colorado and Washington. Anderson said it is now up to Republicans to see why they lost the election and what the polls mean. Youll have a lot of soul searching by the Republicans, Anderson said. The Republicans have run the establishment candidate the last few terms George H.W. Bush, Dole, McCain and now Romney, and after everyone they say we have to run a real conservative the next time. Anderson said Republicans continue to hold on to the Reagan myth that Ronald Reagan was an absolute conservative. I dont know if they will drop the Golden standard in

Reagan, Anderson said. I think those who advocate it are the media. Anderson said Reagan did raise taxes and expanded the role of government despite Republicans saying otherwise. Anderson said Romney and his campaigns use of the Reagan comeback of 1980 that really never happened could have been a misunderstanding or a different interpretation. Romney is not Reagan, Anderson said. Obama is not Carter and this not 1980. The only similarity to the election of 1980 and 2012 are the projections of the winner by the polls. It adds interest to the race to see if the polls are right or wrong, Anderson said. It adds another element of suspense.

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More Talk

November 8, 2012 The T T ech alk 7

Big/little relationships create lifelong connections between friends

Sarah Evans, top photo, and JonMichael Lynch, middle photo, receive gifts from their bigs in Union Board. Bottom photo: Alpha Chi Omega member Maggy Gaskins receives a gift from her big sister in the sorority.
Photos by Sumeet Shrestha and Kyle Kight

ADDIE MARTIN Staff Reporter Perhaps it is about a deep bond, or just an extra special relationship. Maybe it is only about having that go-to person. Whatever it is, it is spreading across campus into several organizations. Big bro/little bro, big sis/little sis, big/little, big sib/little sib, call it what you may, but it carries the same meaning. Big/little relationships are commonly found among the Greek organizations but can also be found within organizations like the Baptist Collegiate Ministry and Union Board. Angelle Dunn, interim associate director for the BCM, said the big/little relationship is all about getting to know others on a closer level. Freshmen get to meet and learn from upperclassmen, and upperclassmen get a chance to share their story and experiences, she said. Everyone wins. Being a big or a little is not mandatory in any of the groups but is recommended and encouraged, Dunn said. It is about having that one person that truly knows your story, she said. Connecting with others while keeping up with school is hard, so it is someone to go through life with you. These people also help students through tough times. Abby Hill, a senior speech pathology major and PanHellenic president, said the sole purpose of the big/ little relationship to her is for the new members to build strong friendships so that they have someone to call when in need. Hill said when she came to college, she and her boyfriend broke up. Her big was the one who helped her through the breakup. She constantly told me to come on and enjoy college, she said. She encouraged me to

make more memories. BCM has a very large, dedicated student Jeff Boudreaux, a senior chemical engi- body, she said. Big/little helps to bridge that neering and accounting double major, has gap between incoming freshmen and upper been a little sib and currently has 12 little sibs classmen by building community within our of his own on Union Board. organization. He said big/little gives new members the The bonds last over time and continue as a chance to get accommodated. family is built, Hill said. It makes a big impact for the new memI hung out with my big sis all of the time bers, Boudreaux said. Standing in front of 80 lunch, movies, campus events, she said. Now other people can be overwhelming. she is in grad school at LSU, and we still hang He expressed that the relationship does not out. We just have to meet up out of town to only give you someone to comfortably pose hang outDallas shopping, beach trips, Baton questions to, but the gifts also make the littles Rouge. feel appreciated. John Foster Chestnut, a junior finance maHowever, all the gift-giving can get expen- jor, said the friendships last forever if you are sive, especially when you have more than one willing to make them last. little, Boudreaux said. It is like any friendship, he said. You will He said sororities take the gift-giving to a get out what you put into it. whole new level. Chestnut said most people take the big/ Hill said she spent an average of $500-$700 little relationship and run with it, making it the on presents for just one big deal that it is. little during the week before When Coker received reveal. his first little brother, said The first week is not the he did not just take on the end though, Hill said. The responsibility of guiding littles are spoiled all year It is about having that an underclassman but also long just to make sure they had something to prove to are enjoying college. his big brother. one person that truly The big siblings work The transition made hard planning and setting knows your story. Conme nervous, he said. My up gift-giving within the sobig brother did a really rorities; however, the littles necting with others good job, so I felt like I had are not the only ones ben- while keeping up with something to prove to him, efiting from the extravagant as well as everyone else. I school is hard, so it is gifts. wanted him to be proud. Dylan Coker, a junior The process is different business management ma- someone to go through for every organization. In jor, said he often receives life with you. a mad dash to the sign-up calls from girls asking if he sheet directly after their first can get some guys to demeeting ends, UB members Angelle Dunn liver a gift. receive their littles. Girls are definitely a Interim associate director of the BCM The Greek organizations lot more out there with and BCM do things a bit their gift giving, he said. differently, in which they It brings our guys closer have a set amount of time though. to get to know the incoming members and He laughed as he told about the brotherly choose through preference cards. connection behind he and his brothers taking If I had to choose something to improve their shirts off, painting up (to spell the littles about the big/little program, it would be that name) and singing You are My Sunshine on we had more time to meet people in advance, one knee to someone they did not know. Hill said. That way everyone has a better Doing weird and off-the-wall things togeth- chance of connecting with someone. er really does make the best bonding experiCoker said he agrees that the bond shared ence, he said. with a big brother goes beyond the bond with Hannah Sober, a junior chemical engineer- fraternity brothers. ing major, said she enjoys the big/little relaFrat brothers will be at the wedding as tionships she has built within the BCM because guests, he said. Your big brother and little it has not only helped her shape great friend- brother stand chances of being the best man. ships, but has also helped her to meet many new people. Email comments to alm085@latech.edu.

Kappa Delta Sorority member Abby Hill, bottom left, spends time with the members of her Greek family.
Submitted photos

Sports Talk

8 The T T ech alk November 8, 2012

Hard to say goodbye

Senior athletes look back as they head forward
ALWAYNE GREEN Sports Reporter On Nov. 1, senior soccer defender Mo Rockwell had no intention of playing her last game. However, her team was knocked out of the Western Athletic Conference tournament by Seattle University. Rockwell said she thought she would have had at least another game but it never happened. Now at the end of a journey, she said it is unbelievable how quick her college career ended. It comes faster than you expect it to, Rockwell said. You think about it your whole career but when it actually happens its hard. Saying goodbye to what people love most in their lives is never an easy task. Several senior collegiate athletes at Tech are on the brink of saying goodbye to their college careers. As the time winds down closer toward the end, Rockwell said she thought more about life after college soccer. You kind of get anxious because when high school ends, you know you have college, Rockwell said. When college starts coming to an end, there is nothing after that, unless you can get on a professional team. Rockwell said now that her college career is over, she wont be able to practice with the team anymore. She also urged her fellow student athletes to cherish the time they have left in college sports. To everyone who is not a senior, dont take practices and games for granted because it goes by really quick, so enjoy it while its still going, Rockwell said. When its over you dont get to go to practice anymore, and you sit and wish you practiced or played harder. For senior wide receiver Quinton Patton, who said playing in his senior year is a joyful phase of his college career as a football player. Patton said, even the simple moments, grinding through tough workouts during camp with his teammates, is something he will remember. It means a lot because everything I invested in my whole life comes down to one season, Patton said. Being a senior can be a mental drag on some players, and Patton said he thinks about it every game because he is never certain he will get another opportunity to play. He said he uses this to motivate him in playing every game like the last. You always have that in the back of your head, like what am I going to do after my senior year? Patton said. Patton may be one of the fortunate seniors to make it to the professional stage, but he said his current focus is to help the Bulldogs to the last second of the last game he plays. Patton said the thought of being considered for the National Football League is somewhat comforting, knowing he will have a chance to continue to play football. It gives me a lot more confidence because I know I can work toward something else beyond college football, Patton said. Most people dont make it to college football, but to make it to college and become a senior out there playing, that is something special, Patton said. Senior volleyball player Stephany Salas said she already knew this season would be her last. However, coming out of summer then heading into this volleyball season, she said it began to seem more real as she played her last two home games. Its sad because Im not going to be able to play a ny m o re in college, Salas said. Hopefully if I keep developing myself and find opportunities to play professionally, it would be great. While some athletes may be afraid of never playing sports after college, Salas said she is not afraid. She said she gains equal amounts of pleasure in teaching and sharing volleyball with others. Im not scared of not being able to play competitions, Salas said. I know Im going to be there as a coach and teach people to play volleyball. Like many other senior college athletes, Salas said though she is excited to move on from college, apart of her will miss playing on the collegiate level. Not many adjectives could adequately describe her love for volleyball, as she played with a broken bone in her hand in her senior year. Volleyball means everything to me, it is my life, Salas said. I love volleyball and my family more than everything else. All three of the seniors want to do something beyond just college sports and be successful in their future endeavors.

FROM THE SPORTS DESK

with DEREK J. AMAYA

A breakdown of the upcoming LA Tech vs. Texas State football game.

ASSIGNMENT FOOTBALL ON DEFENSE All the misdirection the Texas State Bobcats play with their option offense needs to be competed against with assignment man-to-man defensive players. Aggressively attack their senior quarterback Shaun Rutherford, and Tech will win the ball game. MAKE IT SPECIAL Win the special teams war. Tech redshirt senior punter Ryan Allen has to prevent Texas St. junior punt returner Andy Erickson from matching his average of 18.6 yds. per return. Tech senior kicker Matt Nelson also has to regain his confidence after shaky performances in the last two games. TEXAS-SIZED ATMOSPHERE It is no secret, Texans are frenzied about their football. Jim Wacker Stadium holds 30,000 fans. With their new renovations and their first year in Football Bowl Subdivision, the fans become a 12th member on the field.

Email comments to ahg007@latech.edu.

Quinton Patton
Wide Reciever

Photo by Derek J. Amaya

Stephany Salas
Libero

Mo Rockwell
Midfielder

PLAYERS TO WATCH
TEXAS STATE JUNIOR WIDE RECIVER ANDY ERICKSON

LA Tech Radio...the legacy

The Voice of the Bulldogs long lasting career
I mainly just caddie for Hall of Famer Dave Nitz, Allen said. I point out who tackled, who ran, as well as making insightful comments like, theyre in the zone or gosh, he runs fast. The third man of the team is sideline reporter Max Causey. As a former quarterback at Tech (99-03), Causey won Academic All-Western Athletic Conference honors three times. Having played for Techs 2004 WAC championship, Causey is accustomed to topnotch football. However, Causey expressed his affinity for the 2012 edition of the Dogs. I think this is a team that can compete with anybody in the country, Causey said. We have one of the best quarterbacks, wide receivers and offensive lines in the country. Nitz agreed with Causeys sentiment that this years version of the Bulldogs is indeed the best that hes seen in his time at Tech. This is the best team that Ive seen in my 38 years here at Tech, Nitz said. A lot of people think about Rattay and Edwards, that was a great year as well as Matt Dunigans teams, but as far as I have seen, overall, I think this is the best and most exciting team that Ive seen in my time here at Louisiana Tech.

Erickson is the Bobcats top receiver and No. 1 punt returner. Overall, he is their play maker and the undeniable star. He leads the team in receiving yards and receptions. He would rank secANDY ond na- ERICKSON tionally if TEXAS STATE Texas St. were not currently in its two-year transition period.
LOUISIANA TECH SENIOR KICKER MATT NELSON

JOHN TABOR Sports Reporter Whether inhaling a giant whiff of fresh popcorn or watching Terry Bradshaw move those chains on the Bulldog Vision at a Bulldog gridiron battle, onlookers take in the festivities with all five senses. But many loyal Louisiana Tech fans, young and old alike, rely upon the LA Sports Radio Network to quench their thirst for Bulldog football. For 38 years and counting, Dave Nitz, affectionately know as the Voice of the Bulldogs, has been the mouthpiece for Bulldog athletics. Hailing from Milton, W. Va., Nitz first got his start in radio in 1961. After getting his feet wet in broadcasting in the West Virginia locale, Nitz found his way to Ruston. As the news and sports director for KRUS, Nitz began broadcasting Tech games at the urge of longtime journalism department head Wiley Hilburn.

Photo by Jessica van Alstyne

Ryan Kavanaugh, Max Causey, Teddy Allen, Dave Nitz and Bennie Thornell stand together in the radio booth before the Bulldogs vs. UTSA game. Part of that job description was doing Louisiana Tech games which I started in 1974, Nitz said. Prior to that I spent one year in Russellville, Ark., at Arkansas Tech and three years at William and Mary University in Williamsburg, Va. In addition to working under Keith Prince in the sports information department, Nitz also took advantage of Techs tuition assistance for employees. I had two years of school completed already and it took me four years, year around, to finish up the last two years of my journalism degree here at Tech, Nitz said. Throughout his years at Tech, Nitz has also taken on the chores of baseball and Bulldog basketball as well. In addition to his tenure at Tech, Nitz has also done playby-play for many minor league baseball teams. For the last four years Ive been in Sioux City, Iowa, doing their games as well, Nitz said. While Nitz is the patriarch of the LA Tech Sports Radio Network, he has a cast of characters assisting him. As the color commentator, Teddy Allen provides the yin to Nitzs yang during the Bulldog football broadcast. A longtime local journalist for various outlets, Allen is in his second year as Nitzs right-hand man.

Over the past three games, Nelson has only made one in five field goal attempts and also missed a point after a touchdown last week. He needs to regain his confidence because he could be a MATT crucial NELSON factor LA TECH for the Bulldogs down the stretch.

ome things are better left alone. During the Louisiana Tech versus University of Texas-San Antonio homecoming game, a patch of fans left the game early to watch the Louisiana State University Tigers lose to the University of Alabama Crimson Tide. I could hear die-hard Bulldog fans grumbling from the press box and saw friends post statuses and tweets expressing their disappointment in those fans leaving. When it comes to Bulldog fans cheering for LSU, I dont think the SEC match up was worthy of leaving early. This is a time for Bulldog fans to realize we as fans and students have the opportunity to create something special here. Before you start stoning me, let me explain myself. I am from south Louisiana, where LSU is bigger than Mardi Gras. However, my favorite team is LA Tech, and my second is whoever beats LSU that weekend. I was born and raised to dislike LSU. But like I was born and raised to strongly dislike them, there are many who come to Tech who were born and raised to love the Tigers. I feel trying to convince a LSU fan to not cheer for them is like trying to convince a liberal to join the Tea Party. We are not at the same level of competition as them; however, we can be. It takes patience and dedication from the students and fans to make a powerhouse athletic program. All of the major college football members are set with great coaches, players and staff members. They put a lot of time and effort to the program, and it is time to pay them back for what they do. Donations and an athletic student fee would drastically change the budget for our sports. I know students do not like adding more fees to their outstanding quarter bills, but it costs to be a boss. Even though Louisiana Tech is one of the more expensive schools in the state, the state as a whole is relatively cheaper among the southeastern region. States like California, Texas and Florida all have multiple universities who compete annually to not only be the best in their conference but also best in the state. LSU does not have an instate rival to compete with them yearly and I think, since the die hard fans are too prideful to play University of Louisiana-Monroe, Tech needs an in-state rival, too. Besides, LSU needs to find a rival they can actually compete with besides the Crimson Tide.

It pays to be a winner

Derek is a junior journalism and marketing major from Metairie. Email comments to dja014@latech.edu.

UPCOMING ATHLETICS

Email comments to jmt028@latech.edu.

PREDICTION:
Louisiana Tech 55 Texas State 20 Texas States defense is not very good. When humans vote, style points matter and Tech has a lot of swagger. The Bulldogs are still looking to impress in order to move up in the BCS rankings.

REINA KEMPT Sports Editor

Dorms open during break

17 that may determine the WAC champions. The athletics program is looking for major support from Tech students to show up and support the Bulldogs as they play for the conference title. Closing the dorms would be a major obstacle standing in the way of that goal. Melanie Peel, director of residential life, said she is excited to be able to open the dorms for such a big cause. I am so honored to have a staff that is willing to cut their break short so that their residents can attend the game and not have to worry about a place to sleep that night. Peel said. Peel said all applause goes to her student workers who had the decency to think of others rather than themselves. The RAs and hall directors make lots of sacrifices all year long including returning to campus before it opens and leaving after it closes that many students may take for granted, she said. It is just a blessing to be surrounded by these campus leaders. All on-campus students can now be worry free about where they can stay and can attend the Tech game with ease now due to Peel and her residential staff.

BULLDOG FOOTBALL at Texas State - 11/10 6 p.m. LADY TECHSTER VOLLEYBALL

at Idaho - 11/8 9 p.m. at Seattle U. -11/10 9 p.m.

For Louisiana Tech, when the fall quarter ends, the campus turns into a ghost town until its reopening for the spring quarter. Everything is shut down including buildings, dorms and the cafeteria. But this year will be different. The dorms will stay open a few extra days from the end of the quarter on Nov. 15 until noon on Nov. 18. The reason for this is the Bulldogs football game against Utah State Nov.

CROSS COUNTRY NCAA Regionals at Fayetteville, Ark - 11/9 TBA BULLDOG BASKETBALL at Texas A&M - 11/9 8 p.m. vs. UALR - 11/14 LADY TECHSTER BASKETBALL at Tulane - 11/9 7 p.m. vs. South Carolina - 11/12 7 p.m.

Email comments to rjk007@latech.edu.