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ALIVEand KICKING
Mens Futbol Club set to strike it big for Tech students

KINGS
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MUSIC REVIEW

LEON

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The Kings return to form with their sixth studio release, Mechanical Bull

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THE STUDENT VOICE OF LOUISIANA TECH UNIVERSITY
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Companies flock to Career Day

IAN EDWARDS Staff Reporter The Student Center was home to many students dressed in business attire last Thursday. Their goal: to prove why they are the best choices to fill the positions of their dreams. From 10 a.m. to 3 To find p.m., more out more than 100 about future companies Career Days, and cor- contact p o r a t i o n s the Career were in at- Center at tendance to consider 318-257-4336 hiring ma- or Keeny jors of all Hall, Room c a t e g o - 337. ries to join their ranks. There was something for everyone. Lane Johnson, assistant state conservation engineer, explained his company and its purpose. We are the National Resources Conservation Service, Johnson said. We work under the Department of Agriculture. Johnson said that engineers were in high demand. We are seeking engineers for our Pathway Program, he said. With this program, students intern with us for two years while both parties decide if we are a good fit for each other. If they decide on us, thanks to the program, we are able to bypass most of the job

Pumpkins

for a cause

Theater department to meet all needs

CODY SEXTON Staff Reporter

Above and below: The pumpkins were unloaded and placed all throughout the Townsend House property.

Photos by Derek J. Amaya

The Townsend House raises money for DART

CODY SEXTON Staff Reporter Ruston is seeing orange. But not because of the changing leaves. The Townsend House has its ninth annual pumpkin patch, which donates proceeds to the nonprofit Domestic Abuse Resistance Team. DART is the Ruston-based North Central Louisiana organization which helps to protect victims of domestic abuse. Terrie Queen Autrey, community advocate for DART, said the proceeds help them cover expenses not paid for by grants they receive. The proceeds help someone moving out of an abusive home, furniture and clothing if they need it, she said. Last year, DART was able to help 726 people who were victims of abuse with money received from events like the pumpkin patch. The pumpkins are loaded onto an 18-wheeler on a Native American reservation in New Mexico and driven to the Townsend House where the

> see COMPANIESpage 2

> see PUMPKINSpage 2

Techs eco-car team gears up

IAN EDWARDS Staff Reporter If one were to ask a random person, one would probably say there is no way anything powered by a lawnmower engine could make 10 laps around a sixmile track. Those people never met the Louisiana Tech Eco-Car Team. Courtney Jennings, a sophomore chemical engineering major and a group officer, explained the groups purpose. We build cars to compete in the Shell EcoMarathon, Jennings said. The winners are judged by which car gets the best gas mileage. According to Dennis Dufrene, a junior industrial engineering major and also a group leader, the cars must meet certain criteria. During the 10 laps, the cars must make three stops to simulate city traffic, Dufrene said. In addition, the cars must have working lights, mirrors and signals. They also cannot drop below an average of 15 miles per hour. The drivers must weigh 152 pounds or under, as well. Not only has the Eco-Car team met these conditions; they have gone above and beyond. We currently hold the North American, South American and Asian records for best gas mileage in the urban diesel category for the second year running, Jennings said. Our Hot Rod, as we call it, got first place with 488.7 miles

> see TECHpage 6

Photos by Devin Dronett

As Louisiana Techs school year begins, so does the theater departments preparation to bring entertainment to the Tech and Ruston community. The department works through the student-run Stone Theatre and the Louisiana Tech Concert Association to host concerts, plays and other performances. Cherrie Sciro, director of theater, said the department is working on bringing something new this year. We want to allow the Ruston community and Tech community to be able to attend cultural events, said Sciro. This year students can look forward to a little bit of everything from the performances hosted by the LTCA, said Sciro. Kicking off the LTCAs season Oct. 15 is the Nelson Riddle Orchestra. Considered the Worlds Most Recorded Orchestra, they have worked with Sinatra, Judy Garland, Barbra Streisand and many others. The critically acclaimed singer/songwriter Karla Bonoff will be the next to perform, Jan. 30. Bonoff, who has written songs for Bonnie Raitt and Wynonna Judd, has performed sold-out shows worldwide. In honor of Black History Month, the Walnut Street Theater group will perform the Pulitzer-Prize winning hit, Driving Miss Daisy Feb. 15. The LTCAs final show will be a performance April 10from the Margaret Jenkins Dance Company. They will perform their new show, Times Bones, which draws inspiration from the Egyptian myth of the scattered limbs of Osiris. Cheyenne Minish, an aviation management sophomore, said she is looking forward to this years performances. Im excited about the dance company, Minish said. Driving Miss Daisy is a close second. Minish is one of the student workers who help

Courtney Jennings works on one of the teams eco cars.

> see THEATER page 6

2 The T ech T alk October 3, 2013

NEWS

Campus
SGA changes homecoming parade
The Student Government Association will host the annual Homecoming Parade at 10:30 a.m. Oct. 19 on Techs campus. The parade is a part of Homecoming Week, in which organizations create their own float, throw beads, candy, etc. to promote their organization. In the past, the parade has only been open to Tech organizations participating in Homecoming Week. This year, the SGA is asking local businesses to participate in order to get the community and local alumni more involved. For more information contact Allison East, president of the SGA, at 318257-4565 or ace007@latech.edu. can pick up a registration packet outside student success specialist, Allie DeLeo,s office, Bogard Hall 210. Race day registration is $30 and will take place at 8 a.m. at Lincoln Parish Park. Registration includes admission to the race, a T-shirt and refreshments. Proceeds will go to help bring fresh water to a community in the Philippines. The race is a Halloween edition, so costumes are encouraged.

Futbol club on the rise

JOHN SADLER Staff Reporter For years, Tech men who hoped to play soccer have had to settle for playing on an intramural team. But now, the Louisiana Tech Futbol Club is offering a more professional and competitive environment for aspiring players. We have been working on this for two years, and weve finally got it, said Brian Williamson, a junior environmental science major. The group was the brainchild of Williamson, who said he had grown tired of the soccer options for men on Techs campus. The intramurals arent as competitive as I want, he said. So I decided to try and start my own club. Tanner White, a sophomore chemical engineering major, said both he and the other members appreciate the impact Williamson had on the club. It if wasnt for him we wouldnt have it because hes the one who put in the effort to make it a club sport, White said. White, who plays defensive back, said the reason there was not a mens soccer club before is that soccer just is not big in the South. Its different than football or basketball, White said. I think a lot of peo-

Career Center to hold LinkedIn seminar

From 1-2 p.m. Oct. 31 on the third floor of Keeny Hall, the Career Center will host their LinkedIn seminar. This event will help students learn to navigate LinkedIn. It will also teach them how to effectively use the site to network and present themselves professionally online. This seminar is free and open to any interested Tech students. For more information contact Ashley Allen, career services coordinator, at 318-257-4336 or aallen@ latech.edu.

Engineers to host Halloween 5k

Engineers Without Borders will host a Running For Water 5K at 9 a.m. Oct. 26 at Lincoln Parish Park. Pre-registration is $25 and can be done through their website www.latechewb.org, or participants

Photo by Derek J. Amaya

Scott Pumphrey, a senior professional aviation major and member of the futbol team, works on his kicks at practice.

ple just dont think about it. John Weinell said he agrees with White.

I feel like football and basketball have reign here, Weinell, a junior mathematics major, said.

Soccer is a huge deal everywhere but here. Despite the seeming unpopularity of soccer, White and Weinell both have a positive opinion on the future of the sport. I think its popularity is increasing, though, White said. People have started asking me for pick-up games. Weinell said he hopes the club will impact Tech enough to eventually be picked up as a varsity sport. Soccers popularity is definitely on the rise, he said. I hope Tech picks up the club, but I know that kind of stuff doesnt happen quickly. Maybe they will do it in the next 10 years or so. Williamson said he hopes peoples preconceptions of the game will not stop Tech or audiences from taking it seriously. I think people view it as inherently foreign, he said. Naming it the futbol club probably didnt help much. Williamson said the team needs supports at home and away. I want to encourage all students to come support us at our games, he said. Weve got concessions and fundraisers, so come help make this team big.

Email comments to jts040@latech.edu.

>

COMPANIESfrom pg. 1

search process that comes with any federal job. The trend of looking for engineers continued. Miranda Kovach, products engineer for Intralox, was one of many recruiters seeking engineers. Intralox makes modular plastic belts that can be used for a variety of industrial applications, she said. We are hiring mechanical engineers for both internships and full-time positions. Of course, the day was not just about engineers. Brian King, area manager for Buckle, detailed what his company was looking for. We are looking mainly for students who are interested in paid internships in the management field, King said. They will develop the skills to help them go out and manage one of our stores. King said that the scouting process had

been very productive. Weve almost completely filled up our scheduled interview slots, he said. Hopefully, we will be able to hire many students from Tech. Some companies, like Saks Incorporated, have begun looking for new majors. We are looking for anything I.T. related, said Chris Cole, manager of I.T. with Saks Incorporated. We have been looking for a lot of computer science majors, but one we are really interested in is cyber security. For more information on Career Day, or to learn the location of the next event, contact the Career Center by email at careercenter@latech.edu, by phone at 318257-4336 or visit their office in Keeny Hall, Room 337. We knew Tech had some of the best students around, Johnson said. And we were right.

Skip Russell s Skip Russell s

Email comments to ije001@latech.edu.

Campus Campus Washateria Washateria

to University Apartments behind Wesley Foundation Next Next to University Apartments behind Wesley Foundation

>

PUMPKINSfrom pg. 1
around it. It speaks volumes of what a success we have each year with the pumpkin patch to have held it for nine years, she said. Last year, Birch said due to so many volunteers they unloaded the truck in a record hour and a half which was half the time it usually took them. It touches me to look out on the day we unload and see all the volunteers we have, she said. It makes me teary-eyed. Birch said the pumpkins serve as a great attraction for people who like to take pictures with them and does not mind as long as they either buy one or make a donation to DART. The pumpkins prices vary with their size. Small pumpkins can be $.50 and some can reach up to $50. Our pumpkins are a better quality and go to an excellent cause to support, she said.

Just East of of Tech Campus Just East Tech Campus

truck is unloaded by passing each pumpkin down an assembly line of volunteers. Many of the volunteers who show up to unload the thousands of pumpkins are Louisiana Tech students. Techs Baptist Collegiate Ministries is one of the organizations with volunteers. Kathy Nelson, assistant director for the BCM, said she is a friend of Autrys and referred to her as a tireless worker for DARTs cause. She asked if we had students wanting to help and we like to stay communityminded and do what we can, Nelson said. Kim Birch, owner of the Townsend House, also serves on the board for DART and said when she first bought the house she envisioned pumpkins all

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October 3, 2013 The T ech T alk 3

Obama hails Affordable Care

ASSOCIATED PRESS Hailing it as a historic day, President Barack Obama pressed forward his flagship health care program Tuesday, inaugurating new insurance exchanges to expand access for those without coverage despite the shutdown taking hold across much of the government. Obama said the opportunity to access affordable insurance is life-changing for those who could not do so before the launch of the exchanges, now open for enrollment for six months starting Tuesday. As a sign of how eager Americans were to get started, Obama said more than 1 million people had visited the website before 7 a.m. EST exceeding expectations and, in some cases, slowing down the computer systems. This is life-or-death stuff, Obama said in the White House Rose Garden, flanked by Americans who plan to enroll through the mal and that the problems will be fixed. The Obama administration hopes to sign up 7 million people during the first year. Obamas appearance kicked off a major campaign by his administration and its allies to enroll as many Americans as possible through the exchanges, a centerpiece of Obamas health care law. But any sense of festivity surrounding the opening of the exchanges was quickly eclipsed by the fact that throughout Washington and across the country, much of the federal government was shuttered. Congress, gridlocked over whether to dismantle the law, missed the midnight deadline to keep funding the government. That meant that hundreds of thousands of federal workers were sent home including many of Obamas own aides. The White House cut its staff by three-quarters as the first partial shutdown in almost two decades began.

Israel against Irans nuclear weapons

UNITED NATIONS (AP) Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu played the spoiler Tuesday to any easing of Irans relations with the West, telling world leaders his country will do whatever it takes to prevent Tehran from developing nuclear weapons, even if it has to stand alone.

Torture continues in Libyan jails

UNITED NATIONS (AP) Torture is widespread in Libyan jails run by militias that toppled Moammar Gadhafis regime in 2011, according to a United Nations report released Tuesday. U.N. investigators, who had periodic access to various detention centers, said there is evidence that 27 people have been tortured to death in the prisons, 11 of them this year, according to a report by the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights and the U.N. Support Mission in Libya.

AP Photo

President Obama addresses the nation concerning the Affordable Care Act Tuesday. exchanges. He said tens of cans to call in or go online, people to sign up of thousands of Americans promoting an online system offset the costs of patients die each year for lack of that he said will offer more whose health care costs health insurance, and oth- choices, more competi- more. Obama acknowledged ers go bankrupt. Today we tion and lower prices. For begin to free millions of our that to work, the Obama there would be glitches in fellow Americans from that administration needs tens rolling out the program of millions of Americans there have been plenty alfear. Obama urged Ameri- mostly younger, healthy ready but said thats nor-

Pope Francis ready to reform Church

ASSOCIATED PRESS Pope Francis says he doesnt want a Vaticancentric church concerned about itself but a missionary church that reaches out to the poor, the young, the elderly and even to nonbelievers. Thats the vision he laid out as he opened a landmark meeting Tuesday on reforming the 2,000-year-old institution. Francis convened the inaugural meeting of his eight cardinal advisers for three days of brainstorming on revamping the antiquated Vatican bureaucracy and other reforms. The move fulfills a key mandate of the cardinals who elected him: They wanted a pope who would involve local church leaders in helping make decisions about the 1.2-billion strong church. The closed-door meeting got underway against the backdrop of one of the most tangible signs that change is already afoot: The secretive Vatican bank, under investigation for alleged money-laundering by Italian prosecutors, released its first-ever annual report Tuesday, the latest step toward financial transparency championed by Francis and his predecessor Benedict XVI. Net earnings at the bank, known as the Institute for Religious Works, rose more than four-fold to 86.6 million euros ($116.95 million) in 2012, the report said. More than 50 million euros of that was given to the pope for his charitable works. Francis has put the Vatican bank on notice, forming a commission of inquiry to look into its activities amid accusations by Italian prosecutors that its clients may have used its lax controls to launder money. The banks two top managers have already resigned and a Vatican monsignor has been arrested after trying to smuggle 20 million euros into Italy from Switzerland without declaring it at customs.

Number of elderly causes concern

(AP) The world is aging so fast that most countries are not prepared to support their swelling numbers of elderly people, according to a global study being issued Tuesday by the United Nations and an elder rights group.

STATENEWS

BRF takes over LSU hospitals

BATON ROUGE (AP) A nonprofit research foundation has taken over management of the LSU hospitals in Shreveport and Monroe. The Biomedical Research Foundation of Northwest Louisiana, or BRF, began its management of the hospitals Tuesday, under a privatization deal pushed by Gov. Bobby Jindal.

AP Photo

Pope Francis began his parallel cabinet meeting on Tuesday for first-round talks of reforming the Catholic church.

US government shutdown closes parks, monuments

ASSOCIATED PRESS Visitors arrived to find CLOSED signs at the Statue of Liberty, the Smithsonian and other parks and historic sites across the country. Callers looking for help from the government reached only voicemail. And federal employees were left to wonder when they would return to work. The first government shutdown in 17 years took hold Tuesday in ways large and small. About 800,000 federal employees were sent home a number greater than the combined U.S. workforces of Target, General Motors, Exxon and Google. After next week, if were not working, Im going to have to find a job, said Robert Turner, a building mechanic at the Smithsonians American History museum in the nations capital. Turner was called in for half the day. The effects played out in a variety of ways, from scaled-back operations at federal prosecutors offices and the FBI to revoked permits for dozens of weddings at historic sites in Washington. Campers and hikers at the Grand Canyon, Yosemite, Yellowstone and other national parks were given two days to pack up and leave, and new visitors were being turned away. St. Louis landmark 630-foot-high Gateway Arch was off-limits as well.

Man arrested for cruely to grandma

ARNAUDVILLE (AP) St. Landry sheriff s deputies say an Arnaudville man drugged his 78-year-old grandmother so he and his friends could make and smoke crystal meth in the attic of the womans home while she slept. Deputies say 35-year-old Todd Richard also is accused of stealing more than $7,000 his grandmother gave him to pay her monthly bills. Detectives say she found out about the theft after Arnaudville disconnected the water from the home she shared with the suspect. It is unclear whether Richard has an attorney.

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4 The T ech T alk October 3, 2013

The

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

The danger of selfies

HANNAH SCHILLING Features Editor

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rm extended, phone in hand, front-facing camera on. You are now posed for a selfie. A selfie is a self-portrait usually taken by a hand-held camera or phone. A popular sight on Techs campus has been people set up in a single-file line in the plaza, trying to get all their friends in a selfie. Frowning selfies on rainy days or before a test. Smiling selfies for when you feel pretty. Duck face selfies for well Im not sure what those are for, but you get my point. I am pro-selfie, because otherwise, how else will people know how good you looked before you stepped out of your house that morning? And sometimes (almost always) asking your roommate to snap a shot of you posing in the kitchen is too awkward. Though I can find value in a frontfacing camera shot, there are some authoritative figures who think selfies are dangerous and have even gone so far as

to banning them in certain situations. There is legislation in Congress to ban pictures being taken with big cats (lions, tigers, etc.) at zoos, including selfies. Though documenting that experience is important, some distance may be necessary. Our representatives would rather us not be mauled whilst our back is against the fence trying to get Mufasa to come pose with us. Cameras may be banned from the Hong Kong Marathon in February because of a pileup caused by a selfietaking enthusiast at the beginning of the race during the 2013 race in February. She dropped her phone, and when she bent over to pick it up, several people fell over her, causing injury and disruption. There is even a Tumblr blog, CopSelfies, that collects pictures of cops in uniforms taking the signature mirror photo. But the New York Police Department does not like the idea of using selfies to humanize the intimidating uniform. They have launched investigations to find out if there are selfies of any of their officers on any websites to have

them removed and then possibly fire the photographer. The NYPD cited that it does not want the department to look dumb and said if the officers need to flash their uniform to get a date, they are looking for the wrong sort of people. CopSelfies has been threatened to be removed by Tumblr if it continues to post the pictures. Whether youre a wildlife enthusiast, a marathon runner, a cop or a college student on the way to class, be mindful of where you are and who your selfies may affect. For example, if your favorite high school teacher came across it and realized you managed to somehow fit your face and boobs into an Instagram photo, would she be impressed, confused or disappointed? Probably all of the above. So be careful, but dont retire that frontfacing camera feature just yet. Hannah Schilling is a senior journalism and political science major from Bossier City who serves as editor for The Tech Talk. Email comments to hms017@latech.edu.

No trust in the people

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The Tech Talk welcomes letters to the editor. However, we reserve the right not to print anonymous letters. We also ask that each letter be accompanied by a telephone number, address, clas sification or title. We will not print the telephone number. Viewpoints should be mailed or brought to The Tech Talk office, 146 Keeny Hall, by 4 p.m. the Friday prior to a Thursday publication. Letters should be mailed to The Tech Talk, P.O. Box 10258, Ruston, LA 71272. Emails should be sent to techtalk@latech.edu. You can also submit letters online at www.thetechtalk.org/home/ lettertotheeditor/. Louisiana Tech University is committed to the principle of providing the opportunity for learning and development of all qualified citizens without regard to race, sex, religion, color, national origin, age, disability, marital status, or veteran status for admission to, participation in, or employment in the programs and activities which the University sponsors or operates. For Title IX information, see University Policy #1445 at http:// www.latech.edu/administration/ policies-and-procedures/1445. shtml.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

hen I was a little girl, Barbie was my best friend. We would take trips together and wear matching outfits; I planned my future through her. Her wedding was my dream wedding, and she was a vet because I wanted to be a vet. When I grow up ... has been a common phrase among children for generations, and though we were warned to choose quickly and start planning our futures as a child, we still tend to be shocked when adulthood creeps upon us. However, the real test is how we handle our grown-up selves. What happened to the perfect Barbie life plan? Some, like Miley Cyrus, go completely off the charts to prove her adulthood but take the wrong approach. Nude videos and rebellious dance moves are not the way. With growing up comes adult conversations, sensible decisions and vital responsibilities. In Mileys case, setting a good example for her audience with charity con-

certs shows more maturity. We look forward to this stage of life from the time we are old enough to know what a job is, but when it approaches us, we overlook it and go about in our childish ways. There has to be a line for outrageous behavior.. The verge of adulthood is not the time to go crazy, nor pretend you are a princess living in a bubble. There are too many instances where young adults ignore their responsibilities, most often caused by their own previous actions, and act as if they are still a toddler. Do we pout like 3-year-olds and whine like 5-year-olds because we are afraid of adulthood? There is a mature way to address obstacles in life and the first step is to learn from mistakes instead of repeating them. Sometimes things will not go your way, but that just means there is something better on your horizon. Adulthood can be fun; acting silly and laughing until your abs are sore is not a sign of immaturity. That is a sign of happiness. Yes, it is OK to watch cartoons and eat Fruit Loops at age 30.

However, it is not OK to disrespect others, whine to constantly get your way, think that world is all about you, nor act immorally and irresponsibly. The list could go on forever. With maturity comes seeing the world in a different light, a light of which all of society will be affected as a whole. The dictionary defines mature as worked out fully by the mind; considered. When one has a mature state of mind, it simply means one thinks things through, not acting on impulse. One of the most difficult lessons I ever had to learn growing up was to think before I speak. I will admit I have yet to perfect it, but it is a quite beneficial things to learn. There is not a right way to grow up because we all grow differently, but the time in life when one should begin acting more maturely is evident. So come on college students, we are young adults. It is time to put our selfish desires aside and act upon the good for all. Addie Martin is a junior English and journalism major from West Monroe who serves as editor for The Tech Talk. Email comments to alm085@latech.edu.

At presstime, D.C. survives conspiracy

ALLISON EAST News Editor

EAST BOUND AND DOWN

ednesday, Oct. 2 the Student Government Association executives traveled to Washington, D.C. for a national conference. If its still there. Hopefully Im alive when youre reading this, but according to CityWatch.com, my days may be numbered. The conspiracy website, and others like it, has collected information from various sources and pieced together that Washington, D.C. will be attacked on or around Oct. 1. FEMAs Region Three, an area composed of Washington, D.C., Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia, has received extra attention from several government agencies lately, FEMA included. The agencies have all ordered different forms of support for the region

with a common thread. They were all set to be completed by Oct. 1. What additional resources are they putting into District Three? U.N. Peacekeepers who are required to learn English and to undergo training for U.S. weapon systems and urban warfare started their nineweek training during the fourth week of July and completed it Oct. 1. And were not talking 20,000 peacekeepers or even 100,000 peacekeepers. This training included 386,000 peacekeepers. After an emergency meeting of the World Health Organizationonly the second of its kindthe committee ordered a vaccine against MERS Coronavirus, a viral respiratory illness first reported in Saudi Arabia in 2012, to be put in place by Oct. 1. The Center for Disease Control also ordered $11 million of antibiotics to be sent to FEMAs Region Three before Oct. 1.

Additionally, the Emergency Broadcast System was tested daily from Sept. 25 through Oct. 2, our military will not be permitted leave from Sept. 28 until Nov. 5, and more than 300 school systems have been issued a three-day emergency kit for each student. Scary, right? While Im not the biggest believer in conspiracy theories, all this points to the fact theres a storm brewing. The dates and locations seem to point to an increased risk in FEMAs Region Three. Be vigilant. Keep your eyes and ears open. There are things theyre not telling us. You may want to check the SGA office. Allison East is a senior history and journalism major from Vicksburg, Miss. who serves as news editor for The Tech Talk. Email comments to ace007@latech.edu.

n what looked like an episode of The West Wing, the federal government shut down Tuesday morning at 12:01 a.m. There is no big elaborate reason for this shutdown involving taxes, social security or defense spending. Instead, a faction within the Republican Party that does not trust the American people caused it. The Affordable Care Act (ACA) was passed by Congress and signed by President Barack Obama in 2010. It was also a big issue for voters in the 2012 presidential elections due to then presidential candidate Mitt Romneys plan to repeal it. The American people reelected Barack Obama. By doing so, they said that the ACA was something that they wanted. For some reason, a few Republicans feel that the government should shut down unless the ACA is delayed or defunded. One of the main reasons this minority is pushing for changes to the ACA is due to the provision that requires employers to offer birth control at no additional cost for their female employees. This is an issue that should not be debated in 2013. Women deserve access to birth control. One of the biggest threats coming from this shutdown can come on Oct. 17 if Congress does not raise the debt ceiling. U.S. Treasury Secretary Jack Lew said the Treasury will run out of money to pay its debt unless the ceiling is raised. We understand that big issues can sometimes cause problems for the government. However, the Affordable Care Act is no longer a big issue. It was passed in 2010, the American people have said they want it and the Supreme Court has upheld it. It is a law, and shutting down the government in an attempt to repeal a law is irresponsible and childish. There are several influential Republicans who are against this shutdown as well. Rep. Paul Ryan, Sen. John McCain, Sen. Rob Portman, Gov. Chris Christie, Gov. Scott Walker and Mitt Romney are all against it. We believe that the individuals causing this shutdown are acting in an immature and irresponsible manner. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, a major influence in the Democratic Party, compared it to a hostage situation. For this right-wing majority, hostage-taking is all they have left, she said. A last gasp of those who cannot cope with the realities of our democracy.

Arts Entertainment

October 3, 2013 The T ech T alk 5

Brothers, Caleb, Nathan, and Jared Followill, along with their cousin, Matthew Followill, launched their new album Mechanical Bull.

Kings of Leon return to their roots

KALEB CAUSEY Sports Editor Mechanical Bull, Kings of Leons new album, is nothing short of a success. The album has the same rugged style of rock the band played on their earlier albums. The band took a hiatus in 2011 after touring for their album Come Around Sundown, which was a successful album. However, it ventured away from the same dirty southern rock feel the band had been known for. The first two songs on the album, Supersoaker and Rock City, show that Kings of Leon are back with their storytelling the old music always featured. The most intricate part of the bands music, and the reason why they are my favorite band, is the way Caleb Followill can put so much raw emotion into any song he sings. No matter what song from what album you listen to, you know Caleb is singing it with passion and with emotion. Lead guitarist Matthew Followill maintains his usual powerful and melodic guitar riffs and excellent solos throughout the entire album. Toward the middle of the album is a song called Wait for Me that seems to be an appeal to fans of the band after their hiatus and Calebs rehab rumors. The song features the repetitive lyric Kings of Leon Mechanical Bull HHHHH
RCA Records

of Its all better now / wait for me. Rumors of the bands breakup seem to be a theme for the album, as the very next song Family Tree, provides lyrics

that insinuate the band does not plan to go anywhere. Another common theme among Kings of Leons music is a southern-gospel feel. Family Tree provides that same theme with a combination of vocals and handclaps. Overall, the album is a tremendous success. Is it their best album? Probably not, but I would argue that it is their best one since Because of the Times, which came out in 2007. The album has been on repeat since it came out, and personally, I am just glad the band is still together and making great music.

Email comments to ktc013@latech.edu.

Music leaks. Artists speak. Artists react to early released material

CODY SEXTON Staff Reporter Music has played a pivotal role in todays society. Enough to inspire an entire phone series, the industry is constantly finding new ways to integrate music into the daily lives of people worldwide. The publics insatiable desire for music has created award shows, television channels as well as fame and fortune for those who give it to them. With the never-ending demand for more, it rarely leaves people satisfied. Enter the leakers and hackers. Due to computer hackers and leaked music files, it is often difficult for an artist to premiere his or her music on its intended release date. Kailey Newsom, a sophomore speech pathology major, said it should complement artists, because their music is in high demand. I think it shows how good an artist is, because that means people enjoy their music, Newsom said. But I can understand why they would be upset it got out.

URIE Some artists like Brendan Urie from Panic! At the Disco and Britney Spears pay no mind and simply push the release date up. Others, like Lady Gaga and Marina and the Diamonds, become obsessed with finding the person responsible for leaking the tracks. Gaga took to Twitter after her new single Applause was leaked, calling on her fans to report who did it. When Marinas computer was hacked and music files were stolen and posted online, the artist called

SPEARS the hackers grim and claimed to have the police involved in finding them. Marina even went as far as threatening to delay the release of any new music. I think its ridiculous to get upset about it, said Lauren Guillot, a sophomore early childhood education major. The music will come out eventually. Analise Brown, a sophomore psychology major, said she thinks some artists leak their own music. I wouldnt be surprised if they leaked it to see if people liked it,

LADY GAGA she said. Hackers do not just go for music files, but also video files. Kanye Wests unfinished video for his song Black Skinhead was posted online one week before its intended release date. West, who is known for keeping his unfinished works under wraps, was not pleased when the video was leaked and displayed his displeasure on his Twitter account. Some think artists should not be concerned with the file leaks and appreciate people wanting to listen to their music.

MARINA Avery Lorenzato, a junior electrical engineering and mathematics major, said music should be less about the money and more about the art. Music should be appreciated as a work in progress, he said. I understand if something doesnt sound; good they wouldnt want their name attached to it, but it should be appreciated because thats what they were feeling in that moment.

Email comments to cls068@latech.edu.

Distractions
WEEKLYHOROSCOPE
www.horoscopes.com.net
Aries March 21 April 19 Dive deep into yourself today. Bring more of your spirit into your universe. Realize that if you stay focused on one topic for just a little bit longer, you can extract another bit of knowledge. Go deeper today instead of just floating about on the surface. Youll be richly rewarded by what you discover. An off-the-cuff comment can lead to an amazing conversation. Taurus Apr 20 - May 20 Your words have tremendous impact today, so think before you speak. Its easy to hurt others feelings if you dont take them into account. Try to be careful in any phone conversation and always verify that youve made yourself clear, especially when giving directions. Go deeper today instead of just floating about on the surface. People will open up to you. Gemini May 21 - Jun 20 If you need to do any serious investigative work, todays the day for it. Your powers of concentration are stronger than normal and youre more interested in what lies below the surface. If you suspect another persons actions or motives, this would be a good day to call him or her on it. Make sure that youre both being honest. Cancer Jun 21 - Jul 22 Youll feel forceful today, so use this energy to plow through any projects and get ahead in the game. Youre definitely the ruler of everything you come in contact with. But even good rulers can be overthrown. People dont like arrogant leaders. Dont assume that someone is wrong just because he or she doesnt agree with your point of view. Leo Jul 23 - Aug 22 You can get many things accomplished today. The energy is very high intensity. Be careful about manipulating others. No one appreciates being ordered about, so be tactful. Try not to put on a show of superior knowledge. People will resent you for it even if your intentions are good (and youre right). Virgo Aug 23 - Sep 22 Take control of your decisions today. People might tell you what direction to take and what choice is best for you, but ultimately youre the one who knows best. Stop looking to others for guidance about your life and start finding the solutions within you. You already know the answers. You have the map you need tucked away in your pocket. Use it. Libra Sep 23 - Oct 22 Youre likely to have some intense experiences today. So what else is new? More people are receptive to your deep, investigative nature and they want to join you in your search. Collaborate with people at this layer of intensity and form strong bonds that will last long after the energy of the day is gone. Scorpio Oct 23 - Nov 21 You have a tremendous amount of physical vitality today, so use it constructively. Listen more closely to the things around you - the people, music, words, and even the birds. Youll pick up the deeper meanings in these sounds today and feel them resonate in the core of your being. Embrace a feeling of oneness with the people and places around you. Sagittarius Nov 22 - Dec 21 There are important lessons to learn today, so listen closely. You may have been thinking other people should grow up. Even if you havent spoken those words to them directly, youve thought them to yourself. Understand now that perhaps youre the one who needs to do a little growing. Dont write people off so quickly. Theres something important to learn from everyone. Capricorn Dec 22 - Jan 19 Today seems to have a rather aggressive atmosphere. Things may heat up quite a bit, so be prepared for blasts of intense energy coming at you from others. If youre the one dishing it out, make sure youre prepared to receive it right back. Youre much more sensitive than you look. Aquarius Jan 20 - Feb 18 Forcefulness may not be a usual part of your nature, but if there is a day in which you feel comfortable throwing your weight around, today is it. Enough is enough. Take control of your actions and responsibility for the consequences. Use this day to build your confidence and act assuredly in all your dealings. You either want it or you dont. Pisces Feb 19 - Mar 20 You have a great deal of power today, so use it wisely. No one likes a bully. Dont resort to grade-school tactics. Create friends, not enemies. Use your strength and leadership skills to help others instead of arguing with them. Try not to rock the boat with a loved one. Things could get pretty heated and the volcano might erupt.

6 The T ech T alk October 3, 2013

CROSSWORDPUZZLE
Across 1. Pulsating 7. ___ de cologne 10. Engine parts 14. Gaming tile 15. Climbers challenge 16. Blind as ___ 17. Cooking devices 18. Go bad 19. Bit 20. Inconsistency 23. Reprimand 26. Fidos appointment 27. Division of the United Kingdom 28. Winglike parts 29. Spearheaded 30. Outlaw 31. Narc 33. Sloth, e.g. 34. Orch. section 37. Language suffix 38. Besides 39. Approved 40. Foot digit 41. Double curve 42. ___ Paulo, Brazil 43. Stopping 45. Pompous sort 46. TV adjunct 47. Human bone, located in the arm 48. Conductor Georg 51. Become an ex.parrot? 52. Slippery as ___ 53. Earnest 56. I could ___ horse! 57. Outward flow 58. High 62. Greek goddess of strife 63. Letters on a Cardinals cap 64. Leaders exhortation 65. Diplomacy 66. Compass dir. 67. Most reasonable Down 1. Classified items 2. Small child 3. Med. care option 4. Brook 5. Without a break 6. Winter pear 7. Merited 8. Up in the air 9. ___ no good 10. Tropical American crocodilian 11. Bubbling 12. Dull surface 13. Remains 21. Exaggerate 22. Hotel ___ 23. French composer Erik 24. Category 25. Vows 29. Horne and Olin 30. Member of a motorcycle gang 32. Timmys dog 33. Football, most places 34. Subway turner 35. 1,000 kilograms 36. Fit for a king 44. Sunset 45. Finally! 46. Practical, as a plan 48. Fragrant 49. Butlers love

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50. Living in flowing water 51. Sums owing 52. Big name in insurance 54. Pianist Myra 55. General ___ chicken 59. Scots refusal 60. Trauma ctrs. 61. Banned insecticide

LASTISSUESSOLUTION

DAILY U

Have any ideas for future comics or feedback? Email dwyer@latech.edu

WEEKLYWEATHER
TODAY FRIDAY SATURDAY SUNDAY MONDAY

www.accuweather.com
TUESDAY WEDNESDAY

SUDOKUPUZZLE
Difficulty EASY Fill in the grid so that every row, every column and every 3x3 grid contains the digits 1 through 9.
Sudoku Puzzle - Easy

www.sudoku-puzzles.net LASTISSUESSOLUTION
Sudoku Solution - Medium

HIGH 89 LOW 67

HIGH 90 LOW 69

HIGH 84 LOW 56

HIGH 76 LOW 46

HIGH 77 LOW 46

HIGH 78 LOW 52

HIGH 82 LOW 57

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www.sudoku-puzzles.net

>

TECHfrom pg. 1

per gallon during this years competition. In addition to being known as record holders, the Eco-Car team has garnered another reputation. We are known for bringing a new car each year, said Josh Zuber, a junior mechanical engineering major and group leader. We plan on bringing a new one to the next competition alongside Hot Rod. Dufrene gave the reason for the plans of only taking two cars as opposed to last years four. Shell passed down a new rule outlawing a certain modification that the European teams already couldnt have, he said.

Two of our cars had it, so we decided to go on with Hot Rod and our new car. Last year, the team had to think just as quickly as they drove. We actually took a 3D printer to the last competition, Zuber said. We really had to use it to print a replacement part for one of the cars drivetrains. Many potential students from high schools and other universities show an interest in the team. We actually have times where other teams come to us and discuss designs, Dufrene said. We meet lots of prospective students who hear about us, and develop an interest in Tech. Despite everyones drive to win, things are

kept clean between teams. Its friendly competition, Jennings said. Theres no sabotage or foul play. Everyone respects and admires the work of the other teams. The next Eco-Marathon will take place April 25-27, 2014. For more information on the team or how to join, contact Zuber by email at jpz003@latech. edu. We welcome all majors and all skill levels, not just third and fourth year engineers, Jennings said. Unlike other clubs, you arent just a name on a roster! You get to make just as big a contribution as the oldest senior in the club. It is a great experience.

>

THEATERfrom pg. 1

More Puzzles: www.sudoku-puzzles.net

LETs be friends!
More Puzzles: www.sudoku-puzzles.net

Email comments to ije001@latech.edu.

to host the events, and last season each show averaged about 115 attendees per show. Each of the LTCAs performances is for one night only at 7:30 p.m. in Howard Auditorium. Its important to remember the Stone Theater, because its made up of your peers, Sciro said. The first of the Stone Theaters three shows is the Tony Award winning Doubt: A Parable, which draws on themes of racism and religion at a church school in 1960s Bronx, New York. For their second show, Aladdin and the Wonderful Lamp, the Stone Theater will hold a matinee, after

which patrons will be able to meet the cast and create their own Aladdin-themed crafts. Sciro will direct the theaters last show, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, during which audience members will be able to participate in the bee. Sciro said she hopes many will attend and enjoy what the Stone Theater has in store for attendees this season. Whats different about live shows is every performance is unique to watch, she said. Theater is an immediate art.

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More Talk

October 3, 2013 The T ech T alk 7

Composer conquers

Constitutional
The department of social sciences sponsored an essay contest in observance of Constitution Week held Sept. 17 to 23. Out of many contestants, three finalist were chosen. Michael Reed, a senior political science major, took first prize. Below is his winning essay.
Id like to encourage all students, regardless of major, to take a political theory class or constitutional law class before they graduate. They make you think critically about big issues and ideas, and make you realize how important it is to take your citizenship seriously. Im glad my essay won, and hope it gets people thinking about the health of their government. -Michael Reed

Contest

Photo by Derek

J. Amaya

The basis for the essay question

The essay question was based on a statement made by Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall in a 1987 speech which was part of the Constitutional Bicentennial celebration. Unlike many who were praising the Founding Fathers for their genius in writing an infallible document, Marshall was one of the few who pointed out that the Constitution required numerous amendments and came to a crisis that required a Civil War. In those remarks, Marshall refused to add his voice to what he called a complacent belief that the vision of those who debated and compromised in Philadelphia yielded the more perfect Union it is said we now enjoy. Instead, he declared: I cannot accept the invitation, for I do not believe that the meaning of the Constitution was forever fixed at the Philadelphia Convention. Nor do I find the wisdom, foresight, and sense of justice exhibited by the Framers particularly profound. To the contrary, the government they devised was defective from the start, requiring several amendments, a civil war, and momentous social transformation to attain the system of constitutional government, and its respect for the individual freedoms and human rights, we hold as fundamental today. When contemporary Americans cite The Constitution, they invoke a concept that is vastly different from what the Framers barely began to construct two centuries ago.

Do you agree with Marshalls analysis?

Declaration of Independence, and the framers themselves knew this. The framers were full of contradictions, but perhaps chief among these is that some of the same men who rebelled from Great Britain lacked the political courage to extend the rights of life, liberty and property to all Americans. However, the very fact that the framers gave us the ability to amend the Constitutionan implicit admission of the fallibility of the documentindicates that our regime is a never-ending experiment. This is demonstrative of the framers incredible foresight. The true wisdom of the Constitution lies in its ability to unite a people who have few, if any, common bonds. It made trivial the most common social dividers of the time, class and religion among them. It put forth a national vision that made cohesion seem natural when it otherwise wouldnt be. The Constitution is the wellspring of our political life. Our public servants pledge to support and defend not our head of state or our territory, but the ideas embodied in the Constitution. We should continue the work of the framers in studying human nature and promoting civic virtue until we fully achieve the framers vision.

A New Constellation
by Michael Reed
The Founding Fathers of the United States took great care to establish a wall of separation between church and state. Nevertheless, our regime has developed something analogous to a state religion, and its object of worship is our Constitution. One needs only to visit the National Archives in Washington, D.C., the temple (in a very literal sense) that enshrines the Constitution, to comprehend the degree of reverence our country has for its founding document. The Constitution is not without its detractors, however. Some criticize it as outdated, shortsighted, incomplete and unjust. These claims demand further investigation. One common critique of the Constitution is that it has become obsolete. To correct this,

some say that the Constitution must be seen as a living document that requires changing interpretations to match changing times. Others argue that we need a new constitution to deal with the realities of our modern, post-industrial society. These arguments neglect the unstated premise, indeed the cornerstone, of the entire document: that even over vast amounts of time and space, human nature is remarkably unchanging. Our gods, social norm, and regimes change, but our natureparticularly in regard to our use and abuse of powerremains constant. James Madison once asked his contemporaries, What is government itself, but the greatest of all reflections on human nature? If men were angels, no government would be necessary. Only through careful study of human nature were the framers able to create one of the most stable governments the world has seen. Some constitutional critics argue that the government the framers created was flawed and unjust. To a degree, this is a fair criticism. No one can argue that it was perfect at its inception, or even that it is perfect today. It did not fully actualize the noble ideals set forth in the

Sports Talk THIS WEEK IN Voss visualizes new endeavors BULLDOG

8 The T ech T alk October 3, 2013

FROMTHESPORTS DESK
with Kaleb Causey

FOOTBALL
The Louisiana Tech University football team plays the UTEP Miners at 6:30 p.m. Saturday in El Paso, Texas. This game will be UTEPs homecoming. The game will be televised on CBS Sports Network and can also be listened to on 107.5 FM. The Bulldogs lead the series between the teams (6-2-1).

This is the third entry of a series looking into the many different career paths of former Louisiana Tech University athletes.
DANIEL GETSINGER Staff Reporter

Overall record: (1-4, 0-1) Points per game: 16.4 Points allowed per game: 25.0 Touchdowns (rushing/passing): 4/5 Players to watch: Kenneth Dixon - RB 354 yards 2 touchdowns

tudent athletes are hard-working, dedicated individuals, and when it comes to Zach Voss, it is no different. Voss is a graduate student in sports performance at Louisiana Tech. During his undergraduate studies, he lettered twice for the linebacker corps of the football team. Voss said after his football career he felt he had more time to commit to school. After my football career ended, I found that I had more time to dedicate to my school, Voss said. That is what I decided to do and it has paid Photo by Deepanjan Mukhopadhyay off. Voss said his plans are to graduate Zach Voss assists freshman Luke Albritton in Vizual Edge training. and further a career in his major. Voss said the players are taking the With the help of Dr. Szymanski My current plans are to finish up my masters in the winter quarter, program seriously on and off the field. and fellow graduate student Thaddeus The players are busting their butts Light, we are hoping that specific arVoss said. After, I plan on pursuing either more school or a job somewhere on and off the field in this off-season eas of the players vision will improve in the sports performance, strength preparing for the upcoming season, from the vision training, Voss said. Voss said. We think that their vision Some of those areas include depth and conditioning field. Voss said what he wants to be in is something that needs to go right perception, recognition and tracking but all of those areas are huge in the life is not a millionaire, but to make an along with a proper training system. Voss said the program is used game of baseball, at the plate and in impact on others. My ultimate goal is just to be as strictly for visual purposes but feels the field. Voss said his dedication for his caimpactful as possible with other peo- it will improve athletes vision on the field as well as their overall athletic reer comes from his athletic mindset. ple wherever I end up, Voss said. I have always been a motivated He said he worked with the Minne- ability. Vizual Edge is a system with the student and person, Voss said. I feel sota Twins baseball team this summer and found a program that allows ath- objective of testing, training, and im- that always came from my athletic proving athletes visual skill levels, background, and I am proud to have letes to improve their vision. When I worked for the Minne- Voss said. Vizual Edge calls their sys- given effort to both school and athletsota Twins this summer, I noticed that tem Weight Training for the Eyes to ics. For more on Tech athletics, follow their athletes used vision training to improve your game. Vizual Edge is used in over 10 dif- The Tech Talk Sports Desk on Twitter improve that aspect of their game, at twitter.com/techtalksports. Voss said. This made it easier to buy ferent sports across the country. Voss said he and his colleagues are into this program for our players when [Tech kinesiology professor Dr. David] hoping for improvement in the ath- Email comments to dge004@latech.edu. Szymanski told me we were doing it. letes vision this year.

Kindling a new passion

IK Enemkpali - DE
22 tackles 5.5 total sacks

Daniel Cobb - LB
43 tackles 8 tackles for loss Team is 11th in the nation in tackles for loss.

Tennis dominates Big Easy Tennis Classic

PAUL HARRIS Staff Reporter The Louisiana Tech tennis team opened up the 2013 fall season in a promising manner winning the Big Easy Tennis Classic on Sept. 22 at the University of New Orleans. Joanna Nalborska, sophomore, said it was a refreshing feeling to compete with players other than her teammates. We all know each other so well as players, Nalborska said. It was positive for us to face new competitors to find out how we match up, and also to see what we need to improve on going into the fall season. The entire team was so impressive, Kane McGuire, assistant sports information director for tennis, said. They had a successful spring season, and it looks like it has been carried over to the fall. Nalborska was undefeated throughout the tournament against any other schools. Her only defeat came to her doubles partner, Alexandra Starkova, in a head-tohead singles match in the finals.

Overall record: (1-3, 0-1) Points per game: 33.0 Points allowed per game: 38.5 Touchdowns (rushing/passing): 10/7 Players to watch: Aaron Jones - RB 346 yards 3 touchdowns Jordan Leslie - WR 269 yards 2 touchdowns UTEP is ranked 110th out of 123 in rushing defense. The Miners have won their last five homecoming games.

Photo by Donny Crowe

(From left to right) Melanie Urvoy, Marta Sramkova, Manoela Chiacchio, Joanna Nalborksa, Alexandra Starkova, Taly Merker and Jazmin Britos pose for a team picture.

The only time one of the girls lost is to one of their teammates, McGuire said. They didnt lose to any other players from any other schools, so thats pretty much a sweep. Nalborska said winning the first tournament of the year has motivated them. We trained the entire summer and to be able to see that pay off in our first tournament is rewarding, she said. I was happy with our performance as a team. Although we won a lot of matches, there is

always room to improve and we will continue to practice to be better. McGuire said the tennis team has a lot of confidence in themselves and the team. They all believe in their ability and it shows, he said. Tech was undefeated in doubles matches as well in the tournament with freshman Jazmin Britos and senior Melanie Urvoy reaching the finals. Nalborska and Starkova were able to win two matches together advancing them to the

semi-finals but all matches were cut short due to rain. It was great to compete with my doubles partner at the tournament because we work as one on the court, Nalborska said. We know how to pick each other up if things go wrong and I know she will give it her all every match. For more on tennis and other Tech athletics, follow The Tech Talk Sports Desk on Twitter at twitter. com/techtalksports.

cannot lie; basketball is not my favorite sport. I have never had the same passion for the sport as I do for football and baseball. However, all of that is changing this year. The Louisiana Tech mens basketball team is changing it for me. You cannot look at this team and not be filled with passion and excitement for their upcoming season. Coach Michael White has done a phenomenal job in just two seasons at Tech. The Bulldogs had a 27win season last year and were nationally ranked. The top three scorers are returning this season. The Bulldogs also have an exciting schedule for this upcoming basketball season. They will be playing six teams that made the NCAA Tournament last season. I look forward to sitting in the Thomas Assembly Center this winter and watching the Bulldogs as they compete all season long. This team has huge potential to make the post season this year. The biggest in-conference competitors for the Bulldogs will be Southern Miss, who Tech went 1-1 against last season, and Middle Tennessee. Another huge game for Tech is in Oklahoma City, Okla., as the Bulldogs will face Oklahoma State. The Oklahoma State Cowboys were ranked as high as No. 13 in the nation last season. Players like Raheem Appleby, Kenneth Smith, Michale Kyser and Cordarius Johnson will be the players to watch all season long. If you were a basketball fan last season, you know those names already. Appleby and Smith tore up the court last season no matter whom they were playing. Even for those that do not understand basketball, these starting four are always fun to watch. However, watching this team score is not the most exciting for me. It is the way they score in a fast-paced manner then immediately shift into a high-pressure defense that is very hard to get by on the court. The Bulldogs have their sights set on the NCAA Tournament and it is hard to picture them not making a run for it, given the players returning from last season. There is no doubt that this team has only gotten better from just a year ago. We just have to wait until Nov. 8 for them to prove it. Kaleb Causey is a senior political science and journalism major from Jonesboro. Email comments to ktc013@latech.edu.

Email comments to phh007@latech.edu.