OCR::/Vol_105/WLURG39_RTP_20030127/WLURG39_RTP_20030127_001.2.txt WASHINGTON AND LEE UNIVERSITY ING-TUl\/l VOLUME CV, NO.XV1ll MONDAY, JANUARY 27, 2005 lloestrrderitrnrberi/‘Washington omdlee UniverSitysirIce1897RS,’ 7bcRIrIg—IumPbz CHOH’H{. The History Channel flew into town this pastweekendto film shots foran upCrx1Ipirigepist)c1ec>f}Iiv‘0iyLs.I1o0j/LLoc)1 theshciwthatchallerigesliistcxicalarxlnacy in movies. The episode fi1medatW&Lthis weekendwill explore how historically correct GodsomdGeriemZg filrriedir1I£5dr1gtorihi2(X)1,wasatpornayingVl\AIliiie.The productionoewwasintownforweekendtotaptuietheessenceofbeingacadetat V1VlI.HeliCoptors couldbe hmrdall overtown Saturday and Sunday. The History channel was the second major network to film in Lexington over the past three monIhsABCs GoodM0mingAmerziatxoadtastliVefi(Xn1eidngtorimVeIeran’sDay. Blacks lush, pledge 1 NEWS ANALYSIS BY SHARYN REGAN STAFF WRITER One hundred percent of African-American students that undertook the rush process this year received and accepted bids to fraternities and sororities, thereby dis- counting the common attitude that the school’s Greek sys- tem is racist. This statistic verifies that racial minorities who make’ the effort to rush can find a place within the Inuch vaunted W&L Greek system. When examining the problem of racial diversity at W&L, one may now note that much progress has been made to integrate the school. Statistics concerning mi- norities accepted to the school demonstrate that the num- ber of such students admitted has skyrocketed in com- parison to past years. Unfortunately, the extremely high rate of Greek—life participation at W&L has not translated into more minorities joining fraternities and sororities. Obviously, not every student, minority or otherwise, desires to join a fraternity or sorority. Nonetheless, the fact that the proportion of minority students that even attempt to rush is way below the total number of minori- ties at W&L suggests that some sort of obstacle exists. The school has presented Greek organizations as in- hospitable toward minorities. The problem may not, how- ever, be the fraternity system. The school may actually be at fault. For example, the Minority Student Association was created to provide group encouragement as well as a social organization for minority students.’ These assets have been successful in fostering a supportive environ- ment at a cost. As a result of MSA, students are essen- tially segregated from the predominant social scene at W&L: the Greek system. Washington and Lee is number three, according to the Princeton Review, on a list of schools with “Major Frat and Sorority Scene[s].” Many fraternities possess progressive attitudes when rushing students and look past a rushee’s skin color. For the most part, personal qualities are assessed and fratemity-student compatibility evaluated. Of course, there are exceptions to this. As Michael Denbow pointed out in see TOLERANCE, page 2 OCR::/Vol_105/WLURG39_RTP_20030127/WLURG39_RTP_20030127_002.2.txt PAGE 2 N East Asian studies prepares Grccks, bccomcl , more diverse A for China-Japan Day By MEGAN Mono“ Since China/Japan Day will take place nese and Japanese culture, this day-long his infamous article, some fraternities are unwilling to SENIOR STAFF WRITER on the same day as the Chinese New Years, program will also allow the W&L commu- admit African—American students into their organiza- I the day will begin with a presentation on nity an opportunity to learn more about tions, This is a problem, but is it a problem with the On Saturday, Feb. 1 , Washington and Lee Chinese New Years customs. Other events the facilities of the Department of East entire system or certain fraternities? MONDAY. JANUARY 27, 2003 JAN 3 0 2303 PENN, FROM PAGE 1 University’s Department of East Asian Lan- will include demonstrations on calligraphy, Asian Studies. Because the Red House is There is still the problem ofthe miniscule num- guages and Literatures will sponsor the third origami and a presentation by Joyce in a secluded part of campus, few students her of racial minorities who choose to rush_ Thus, ., annual China—Japan Day. The program will be Overhouser on a type of Japanese flower know about it. As a result, the administra- W&L should encourage these students to have held from l0tillthreeinthe aftemoon attlieRed arrangement called “ikebana.” Each event tion has been trying to tear it down. How— an open mind, and let them know that their race House, located between Lee Chapel and the will last approximately half an hour. At ever, for students such as Andrew Heath, is not a barrier when joining if they are inter- RobertE.LeeEpisoopalChurch, anditwillhave noon, there will be a cooking demonstra- a W&L sophomore who is giving a pre- ested_ [Ole flbennnn avariety of events that includes presentations, tion and sampling in which the chef will sentatipn on Japanese video games, the It was only two years ago that an African- ) nnnpnnnnlnyndbnnknbnllfnr demonstrations and hands-on crafis. Sponsors show the audience how to prepare 'Japa- house has a lot of atmosphere and epito- American student, Quincy Springs, was the presi- n1nGnnnnnnnnnStndnnnnInnnnny90S. hope that by hosting this program, they will nese sushi as well as two Chinese dishes, mizes the Department of East Asian Stud- dent of the lnterfraternity Council, which is an have an opportunity to reach out both to the dumplings and a dessert called eight trea- ies.” He hopes that by hosting this event elected position, If a minority can obtain such a ‘ go to school and applied that evening. W&L and Lexington communities, exposing sure pudding. there, “students will have a chance to ex- position, there should be little doubt that similar while at W&L, Penn majored in and educating them on the customs and cul- In addition to providing an oppor- perience the Red House” and realize how students could enter a Greek organization if so 7 psychology but knew from early on that ture of these two East Asian nations. tunity to educate students about Chi- special it is. inclined_ he was interested in entering the field n . of education in some way or another. ‘ N I k h After graduation, he worked for S 6 », Lynchbuig Collegeintheir Oflice ofAd— MLK, FROM nnnn 1 Memorial Address was held at Lee rhlS5l0r1S- While at l-Yhehhurg, he he- Chapel and followed by a candle- frlehded the Dean 0t Sthdehtea Whe ebrate the events. On Sunday, Janu— light march and reception. C0hVlheed Pehh that belhg a deah Was ary 19, the First Baptist Church of The week ended today with a n in his future, and helped hhh llhe up Lexington hosted Reverend Dr.iP. panel discussion in the Northen graduate 5eh0°l5- Pehh attended the Vincent Buyck, Sr, ina speech titled Auditorium, titled “The Notion of . UhlVerSlt}’ Of Geergla ahd earhlhg a “A Celebration of the Life of Dr. Mar- Fraternity in King’s letter from the . Master’s degree there. tin Luther King, Jr,” Buyck is the BiiminghamJail.” Dr.HarlanBeckley, S0rr1eWhere along the Way, he re’ governor and founder of the Na- Rev. Andrea Comett—Scott and Pas- L *1 Calls gettlhg tegether Wlth Serhe efhls tional College of Complimentary tor LaVert H. Taylor led the discus- friends frerh W&L days, all Ahlearr Medicine and Sciences Inc sion Beckley is aprofessor at Wash- 5 7 . ’ - ' : m — 9: 00 m Arherleah lhales he leeallsa ahd What (NCCMS) in Washington, D.C. ington and Lee. Comett—Scott is the V ( ( P P - happehed Was, a5 Pehh eharaeterlzed Monday, the following day, was Director of African American Affairs . ltr a Whlhlhg ahd rheahlhg 5e5Sl0h- He the day King’s birthday is nation- and Pastor of Christ Our Redeemer I rerherrllleratellllhgdthehl tllllat lf {he}; ally observed, for which Professor Church in Staunton, and Taylor is DOLLY HARDEE TURMAN MEETING ROOM ‘ ‘ ‘ht Wereh gelhg 0 0 ahyt lhg a 0“ Roger Wilkins spoke at the Memo— Pastor at the First Baptist Church of PRESTON LIBRARY 4 the preblerhs they remembered hem rial Address. Wilkins won a Pulitzer Lexington. The discussion of King’s W&L, then the)‘ Shehld keep q'~llet- He Prize in 1972 for his Watergate cov— letter from the Birmingham Jail is THE VIRGINIA MILITARY INSTITUTE th011ghtr10thlr1g rhere Otlt fer a Whlle» erage, and is currently the Clarence sponsored by the Minority Student LEXINGTON» VIRGINIA I but then heard aheht a J05 Veeahey J. Robinson Professor of History and Association and the Associate tl1:an‘ll)earr(l)‘}11’tiS\l:feLn:;’lneagplfndétnr American Culture at George Mason Dean of Students. DON ’T MISS THIS OPPOR TUNITY TO VISIT WI TH_ so as A it as ‘£2;3$:i:‘i;,5.“ElZ:§Z.iiZt‘e}‘h‘;°£é’,§’§.‘3 P....:::::: 2.1:: .‘:.::?.;::::::.3 JOHN O OEOROE M BROOKE» FLOYD H- OONOOV» A lhte Payhe Hall ington Post, and in addition has “our goal was to provide people with JOHN G’ LELAND’ B‘ DAVID MANN’ AND SPENCER,C' TUCKER‘ Pehh Says he has fehr thlhgs served as Assistant Attorney Gen— three different perspectives — aca- hetd llke t0 See happeh lh the hext teh eral, chair of the Board of Trustees demic, religious, and spiritual — from Years at W&L-P Nllrhher ehea he 5aY3a of the Africa America Institute, and which to examine and celebrate l3 t0 ehehre that the Vast rhalerlty of is a member of the Board of the King’s legacy.” our traditions are retained and cher— NAACP Legal Defense Fund. The ished, because he thinks that the at- mosphere at this school is “unique and something special.” With that ALSOS, FROM PAGE 1 from many perspectives.E Its goal AMPLE OPPORTUNITIES FOR AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION. ‘ said three things Penn would like to . . IS to pmvlde references f0r.the Sen hnnnnn nnn W&L becoming n 1ty'due to support from the National study of the Manhattan Project AUTOGRAPHED COPIES OF BOOKS AVAILABLE FOR» PURCHASE. more diverse nnnnnnnn in nvn nn Science Foundation. The NSF pro- and its consequences to a broad A , , . i S net not .nSt racial] nyr no gyhn vided the original startup grant of audience.[l The materials refer- ngnyf Stndlnnts nngnnzlng §nn§rn?iS_ $224,000in2000, enabling the site to enced include books, articles, Suns ihnt wnlbn nfnnnnnnnnnin the go online in 2002. An additional videos, and Web sites.DThe li— D0N9T THIS AND TIMELY PRESENTATION‘; 215, nnnnny_ and nnnnnty Students grant of $300,000 was made last Sep- brary strengthens the quality of who attend Zn have nnnndnd Wnsh_ tember. education by connecting differ- in ton and Len bnnnrnin nssinnntn Due to its extensive funding ent disciplines, issues, and ideas , nbgnnt the School and nngntng jnst as from the NSF, the Alsos website involving nuclear issues as well AMPLE FREE PARKING I much about it as other W&L students has become In. imegrill part Cifthe a.S rollidlng. restiurces f.Or Sp?- and alumni. He stresses that he does NSF. S $4°.’;“ll‘°“ Na“°““l 3°““'“°‘°' °‘t‘° ‘l‘5°‘§l‘“°S-‘e .Tl“°' ‘“fe’;‘“g O REFRESHMENTS WILL BE SERVED not Seek drastic change, just Small Digital Li rary, a collection, of system an searching too s a- ***** nvnlnnnns to make this a more rn_ Web sites similar to Alsos cover— cilitate the exploration of these 1 S nntnd more inclusive and n11_ ing a vast range of scientific top- materials for general readers and FOR INFORMATION: CONTACT PRESTON LIBRARY p ’ ics designed to cater to the needs specialists alike. EA clear, intui- THE VIRGINIA MILITARY INSTITUTE around better School’ of t dent nd teach f l tiv rint rfa eall sthe user While he’s not busy being S.ut S: It egg Eon: en‘ t 6118.6 t in in 0“; dean, Penn spends his time at home .emen ary SC 00 0 gm ua e S u _ 0 navlga e e I rary' . . Phone: (540) 464-7228/Web Page: www.vmiaa.org/fpl.html , ies. In the future, the Alsos site in Roanoke with his wife, Angela, and his three-and-a-half—year old son, Thomas. There’s also another child on the way; although Penn does not yet know whether it’s a boy or a girl, he confessed that Angela really wants a girl. When asked how he feels about the rela- Alsos maintains a high stan— hopes to intergrate an auxiliary Web dard of quality, stating on-site, site, “Nuclear Connections,”which that “The library integrates in— will be a faculty resource for teach- dexed references into a struc- ers and professors who are address- st tured collection that allows us- ing nuclear issues in all educational ers to examine nuclear issues levels. every long commue everyday, ASSISTANT ALUMNI DIRECTOR _ Penn has no complaints. He says _ he finds the drive relaxing, and it FOR ON LINE COMMUNICATIONS gives him time to decompress and spend some time with himself, away M O N - hem lt all who knew?» Perhaps , The Washington and Lee Alumni Office announces the opening for the position of Assistant I fIEI§elSeC:I1?i}gSinagS iliiatos tIii::a(sIiiiE I WI pay for you r phone book Alumni Director for On-Line Communications. Responsibilities include: oversight of “Colonnade Set’ h 6,11 hit upon the next big idea Lee Ramsey free 1 Connections,” W&L’s Alumni On-Line Community, maintaining and updating that service’s for Washington and Lee‘ design, and utilizing its “blast” email capabilities in communicating with the entire alumni popula- I This is the first article in a series , tion.(or segments thereof); serve as liaison to the on-line community provider (including partici- which will feature in-depth in ter- pating in conferences) and other campus web users; design and maintain Alumni Office 21112:?” lgtznidgnfiéifigrs at Wash‘ . - homepages and websites working closely with the Communications department; assist with . ’ creating content for Alumni homepage; assist Career Services with their homepage and website it - V - V - . V A design; serve as advisor and secretary to Kathekon, W&L’s Student Alunmi Association; answer f ..................................... t‘?‘.‘.’"._ W’ “ti... ii". l__"’."'.flF'?'.‘.. _‘°t,....'.'.t‘l??i.’_‘§‘_'_'_i.‘___.l.°j_l‘_'i. ll.l5.’fl7‘Fli?§l_l_lt'li___.._.___‘. . __ . . requests for alumni lists and research projects; compose obituaries for the alumni magazine; The ans Sc-hoe; pf Busing“ create the 25th reunion Calyx; aid in general alumni office planning for homecoming, reunion and at 133.5 uni-cg;-pity of callfurntae Berkeley alumni chapter events. Travel involved. .1‘ Intensive BASE Sumrner Program 15 FORYGUE July 7 or August I 5,. 1903 The position will become available June 15, 2003, and preference will be given to W&L alumni Learn the fundamental; of; - and 2003 degree candidates. All candidates for this position should submit a cover letter and . r fittuinunting - l‘-ierkeging resume nolater than Friday, February 7, 2003. All materials should be sent to: ' —- Finance ' Orpnizatinatai Behavior ‘ O Hands-on market Si finaztcial research Rob Mish - Tm building Director of Alumni Programs =* Effective communication 3: presentation skiifs . A1umnjOffioe ‘I 4- Preparing for -the cnrpnriam mcruiting, process Washington and Lee University A.r1:s.Sctanca§-sand Engineering students will benefit fmm tzhti rigumus. ‘six-waalt Lexingtoni VA 24450 1 . summer cm-rtcxilum that will iiicludo Iamtmsuciasa studies.-company visits. gust: EMAILI rrr11Sh@Wh1-ed“ t. speahraars and ongoing interaction with students from over it) of the uni» TEL; 540-458-8464 Vmlttss at the WWW» » FAX: 540-458-8473 For more lniotrnxatlnmvisit our website at! haas.herkeIey.adu!1Indergraii ‘l __,“_,_ _,,,,,,...,,........_....,..._, _,.4 ..._... in _,_ OCR::/Vol_105/WLURG39_RTP_20030127/WLURG39_RTP_20030127_003.2.txt PINIONS 0 THE lil.:‘\i(}~TUtvfi iii-il I MONDAY, JANUARY 27, 2005 ii II-R? PHI STAFF EDITORIAL Lip Synch has limits Nearly fifty years ago, U.S. Supreme Court Justice William J. Brennan famously wrote that sex and obscenity are not synoymous. Nonetheless, the acts by Kappa Sigma and Phi Delta Theta at Friday’s Lip Synch com- petition would have left no doubt even with prickly Justice Brennan due to their sheer lewdness, suggestive nature and downright vulgarity. According to Brennan’s opinion in Roth v. United States, obscenity has a tendency to excite lustful thoughts. Kappa Sigma, exceed- ing even the pornography salesman charged in that case, began the evening with an‘ inter- pretation of Meatloaf that degenerated into bestiality and graphic representations of sex acts involving fruit. Phi Delta Theta, unbelievably, was able to outdo its predecessors by demonstrating ho- mosexual sex, oral sex, group sex and mas- ochism. One wonders how proud the pledges will be thirty years from now when their gross display is still captured on videotape. The rules of the Lip Synch competition specifically forbade obscene and vulgar acts. Although the organizers failed to outline ex- actly what was and was not acceptable, stu- dents bright enough to attend Washington and J Lee are certainly intelligent enough to demar- cate limits for themselves. Every other act abided by this distinction. We wish the organizers of the contest had had the courage to defend what standards Lip Synch has and had pulled these two offending I acts off the stage. These two juvenile expres- sions of vulgarity should have been stopped immediately because when they were allowed to proceed, they disgraced the charitable pur- pose of Lip Synch and insulted all the groups that had planned and practiced creative, ap- pealing, appropriate acts. Again this year, Lip Synch was a fun event that brought together the student body in sup- port of a worthy cause. We herald the orga- nizers and volunteers whose effort and dedi- on Kappa Sigma and Phi Delta Theta for so tarnishing an otherwise excellent evening. Their behavior only gives credence to those voices that criticize fraternities for degrading our fair University. cation made thecompetition asuccess. Shame 1‘ 4. te of the Week “As far as we are concerned, war always means failure and therefore everything must be done to avoid war.” ~French President Jacques Chirac Editor in chief Katie J. Howell Opinions Editor BrettT.Kirwan Arts & Life Editor Catherine C. Guy Photo Editor Jeff Gil Brooks Sports Editor Erin Julius Asst. News Editor CaleyAnderson Photographers Tallie Jamison CodyGabbard Copy Editor Donny Banks Business Manager Paul Seifert Asst. Business Manager Thomas Worthy Circulation Director Henry Grimball Advertising Assistant McQueen Calvert" The Ring-tum Phi is published Mondays during the undergraduate school year at Washington and Lee Univer- sity, Lexington, Virginia. The Washington and Lee Publi- cations Board elects the Editor in chief, but The Ring-tum Phi is otherwise independent. The Ring-tum Phi welcomes all responsible submis- sions and letters. All submissions must be e-mailed to phi@wlu.edu or in the University Center mailbox by 5 p.m. Friday to appear in the following week’s edition. The Ring-tum Phi reserves the right to edit submissions for con- tent and length. Letters and columns do not necessarily reflect the opinion of The Ring-tum Phi Editorial Board. Ad- vertising does not reflect the opinions of The Ring-tum Phi or its staff. This newspaper observes current court defini- tions of libel and obscenity. The Ring-tum Phi Mailing Address: University Center Washington and Lee University Lexington, Virginia 24450 Street Address." 31 Washington Street Lexington, Virginia 24450 Telephone: (540) 462-4060 Fax: (540) 462-4059 Email: phi@wlu.edu http://phi.wlu.edu OPINIONS EDITOR EMAIL: KIRWANB@WLU.EDU Abortion kills ch Last Wednesday was the 30th anniversary of the Roe v. Wade deci- sion, that, in an astonishing power grab by the Supreme Court, overthrew the abortion laws of our nation. Ig- noring its lack jurisdiction and discov- ering a previously unknown “right to privacy” the court fulfilled liberals’ dreams by making infanticide legal. Abortion’s politics are discussed elsewhere on this page, but this day of death truly calls us not to remem- ber battles won and lost in the courts, butlto memorialize the millions of chil- dren that have been murdered since this horrific practice was legalized nationwide and decry the barbaric practices used to snuff these lights of humanity before they ever had a chance to shine. Most estimates place the num- ber of deaths by abortion around 42 million. Even today, although the number of abortions has been declin- ing for 10 years, nearly one out of every four babies is murdered in the womb. Terribly, this scourge hits mi- nority populations especially hard. Almost l3 million of the murdered children were black. Somewhat unsurprisingly, a de- scription of common abortion tech- niques brings into macabre color the murderous aspect of the practice and shockingly dissuades doubters that fetuses are indeed living humans no less deserving of life than we are. Suction and Aspiration: A vacuum is inserted in the uterus and the fetus is sucked out. Since the child must be detached from the wall of the womb the suction tube has a sharp end used to cut and the haw ’ Rm BRE_T_I_T. KIRWA/\'_j0/I Dilation and Curettage: A loop- shaped knife is used to chop the child still in the womb before the pieces are removed. Dilation and Evacuation: Sa- line solution is injected into the womb to kill the child. Labor, which is un- usually painful, is induced using Pros- taglandin so thernothermgives birth to ' a" dead baby. i H " - Partial—birth Abortion: Alter us- ing ultrasound to locate the child’s legs, calipers are used to deliver the child up to the head. Then, scissors are inserted into the skull and the child’s brain is torn out. The head collapses and the now dead child is delivered completely. This procedure is usually performed on fully-developed children and is legal throughout all three trimesters. Pro—lifers look to save Constitution It’s not on any calendar I’ve ever seen, but January 22 marks a truly ma- cabre holiday for some political activ- ists. Roe v. Wade, the holiest of grails for liberals and their ilk, became the law of the land on that day in 1973. What has devolved from the pro—abortion forces’ initial glee is an annual “celebra- tion” of women’s “right to privacy.” Whether or not abortion should be legal or illegal is one question. Whether or not the Supreme Court should be making that decision is another. The court, governing by judicial fiat in 1973, substituted its opinion of what public policy should be for what the legisla- tive branch of government said public policy will be. The court added insult to injury years later by refusing to reverse itself. In Planned Parenthood v. Casey, the jus- tices as much as admitted that Roe was, at best, questionable, but they declined to overturn it, citing “stare decisis,” a legal term which calls on courts to stand by precedent, even if they disagree with it. If the court had applied the same logic to Brown vs. Board of Education in the 1950s, Plessy v. Ferguson would never have been overturned and the schools would still be segregated. The court can’t “1 e Phi. -Drew Davenport ‘06 "Theta Ghetto Girl andPE’s jkli Bllooks ekmg-izmz P. I Surzvrvorrs. On Wednesday, adopted children rallied for life at the County Courthouse. What is purpose of these cruel, grisly practices that leave babies shred- ded? Is it convenience, freedom, an es- cape from irresponsibility? As National Public Radio contributor Frederica Mathews-Green noted, abortion was heralded as bringing freedom to women and praised as a recognition that women would no longer be forced to shoulder unwanted pregnancy. But before abortion was com- monplace, a women who became preg- nant accidentally had a support network including parents, friends, the father, the church and her neighborhood. Now, a woman is expected to go and take care of the “problem” herself. Abortion has not liberated women, but made them ’ suffer difficult pregnairicgievs alone. Moreover, , abortion transmogrifies what should be the truest expression of love~that be- tween a woman and her child. Abor- tion has transformed them into en- emies, each fighting for his rights. Children are not a disease that can be cut from the body like a cancer, but the National Abortion and Repro- ductive Rights Action League even decide if it’s precedent to follow precedent. But the court of public opinion is beginning to diverge from the highest court in the land. Arecent survey by ABC News and The Washington Post showed that just 54 percent of people surveyed agreed in whole or in part with the Supreme Court’s ruling in Roe. ' That’s down from 65 if percent just 10 years ago. You don’t have to be a math major to see which way that statistic is trend- ing. Additionally, most of the people sur- veyed displayed a desire for the govem- ment to make it harder for women to get an abortion— regardless of whether they thought it should be legal or not. With the current trend of protect- abortion-at—all costs, the support for abortion will probably erode even fur- ther. In many states, frenzied lobbying on behalf of the liberal left has lirnited— or outright restricted—parental—notifi- cation laws. In these instances, the strange reality exists that a minor has to get permission from her parents if she wants to get an aspirin at school, but not if she wants to end her pregnancy. How many parents will be able to stom- act. It was adorable.” -Jessica Lloyd ‘06 OHN H- HEAT.Ifll4_ ‘The Ace ofBase medley rockedthehouse.” —Nazo Burgy ‘O6 (NARAL) and the National Organi- zation for Women have taught women to hate themselves and their off- spring with their message of abor- tion-on-demand. In addition, today, supposedly all the children born are “wanted” chil- dren. If this is so, why has the rate of child abuse catapulted in the last 30 years? Is it perhaps because children are no longer gifts from God to be cher- ished and protected, but are mere “choices” delivered at the whim of mothers. How does one explain to a four or five—year-old who looks almost identical to an aborted fetus that they are human but the dead baby is a life- less lump of cells that can be killed? This is not to mention the health risks to women who undergo abor- ' V tions. Complicated future pregnancies and an increased risk of breast cancer are just the start. Congratulations go to Patricia Heaton of Everybody Loves Raymond who spoke on Wednesday saying that abortion means we have failed women. When 1.5 million abortions occur each year, we truly have failed and not only women, but children, fathers and life itself. ach this reality, even if they support abortion rights generally? The ironic part of the abortion de- bate is that the same people, liberals, who so vehemently defend the right to abort as implicit in the “penumbra” of the Constitution (penumbra, the aura around an eclipse, that is) rage against other constitutionally protected actions. These same people who defend abortion oppose the right to own firearms, a right which doesn’t require “penumbras” to be clearly ex- pressed in the Bill of Rights. The gos- pel according to the liberals seems that implicit Constitutional rights are defen- sible, but explicit Constitutional rights are not worth defending. Are there times, such as when the mother’s life is at stake, when abortion should be allowed? Perhaps. That would be a great debate for our legisla- tive bodies, and a policy area in which our elected officials could really show their mettle and make a difference. Un- fortunately, it’s a debate that our elected representatives won’t have, because on January 22, 1973, nine old men in Wash- ington, DC had it for us. “KD’s ical Jackson.” -Shane Newhouser ‘06 PAGE 5 Safe Place follows tradition of W&L This past week’s Trident had two very notewor- thy pieces, neither of which were actually written by a member of the staff itself. The first of these two items was the reprint of the Phi s editorial from April of 1968. The second was another letter from alumnus David Keeling ’73. I have strayed from this editorial chess match, until now. Mr. Keeling, your king will fall. I am eager to know if Keeling read the afore- mentioned staff editorial from the week of Martin Luther King’s assassination. The piece points out that just seven years before King’s death, the University’s Board of Trustees refused to allow Dr. King to speak on the Wash- ington and Lee campus. The point made by the Phi staff was that, following this decision, the memorial held for King , just above the remains of the deceased Confeder- ate general, was greatly significant. This was a moment of change in the university’s history. In fact, the situation of today is quite similar. Here, we have an alumnus upset because Safe Place is on campus and he was not informed. But, what is so horrible about an organization that provides counseling to teens and young adults dealing with issues ranging from suicide, eating dis- orders, sexual identity, etc.? This is an organization that helps protect people... to keep them safe. I be- lieve that message is in the title of the organization. Yes, Safe Place helps youth dealing with ho- mosexuality. Such a thing does have a place on General Lee’s campus. Just as the elders of the Washington and Lee society were wrong in keep- ing Dr. King from speaking on campus in 196] , they are wrong now in 2003 by trying to keep Safe Place off this campus. Statistically speaking, it is damn near impossible that there would be no homosexual students on this campus. Just as it is also preposterous to think that there were no homosexual students on campus during Keeling’s years at Washington and Lee. What is Keeling’s counter to this argument? “And yes, American society has changed since the days of Washington and Lee, but the Christian faith has not.” However, in the Old Testament, the recognized point would be the tale of Sodom and Gomorrah. The language used in the Bible is that the inhabitants of the town wanted the strangers brought out so they may “know” them. Tracing the language back to its original 'translati'o/n‘, there is no conclusive evidence to say that these people wereanything more than curious as to whom these people were. Furthermore, according to the Bible, the inhab- itants of Sodom and Gomorrah were wicked. This could mean almost anything. There are many reli- gious scholars, members of the clergy and rabbis who believe the sin of the people of Sodom and Gomorrah was being inhospitable. As for the New Testament; what did Jesus have to say about homosexuality? Check the red print in your leather-bound book. Jesus said nothing about homosexuality. Nothing. He only taught love and acceptance. That seems to have a place in this dis- cussion. Another argument made by Keeling is that sod- omy is a crime in Virginia. On this campus, heterosexu- als engage in “sodomy” much more than same—sex couples do. So, Mr. Keeling, if you have grievances with how Washington Hall communicates with the alumni of the school, take it to them. Do not come after students such as Kelly Jo Larsen, the members of GSA (which includes myself) or those responsible for Safe Place. These students are only trying to promote an environ- ment of tolerance and mutual respect among different students.‘ This is not Bob Jones University. Lee and Wash- ington were wonderful Christian men. However, this is not a Christian university. Also, using religion for this argument is a shaky foundation in itself. As for Keeling’s claim that Safe Place “show(s) how the liberal agenda has brought shame to W&L, a smear on its good character,” is it not the idea of a liberal arts education to bring together people of all different sorts to expand their minds in many disci- plines? Organizations like Safe Place only try to ensure that all students can walk this campus with their heads held high, being honorable and honest about the people they really are. Apparently, the administration was correct to LEFT OF CENTER NICK RAMSEY ‘O3 fear the reactions of certain alumni. Keeling illus- trates that there exists among them, those whose narrow-minded View see Safe Place as something smearing this great school’s character. How sad for you, Mr. Keeling. “It was an amazin first W&L experience.” -Vicky Sprow ‘O6 Harvard OCR::/Vol_105/WLURG39_RTP_20030127/WLURG39_RTP_20030127_004.2.txt PAGE 4 Bush not consistent on affirrnative action President Bush’s stance on affir- mative action at the University of Michigan represents a very narrow- minded opinion that ignores potential consequences. By labeling Michigan’s policies as simply “unconstitutional,” Bush has proscribed a simple solution to an issue that is not so simple. Although no bastion of sup- port for affirrnative action and diver- sity-enhancing initiatives, I question some of the implications of policy that could potentially stem from the Bush Administration’s brief. At the University of Michigan, a 150 point “selection index” deter- mines whether students will get an offer of admission. One hundred points usually is sufficient to gain ad- mission. In order to increase ethnic diversity, Michigan gives a 20 point bonus to blacks, Hispanics and American Indians. Conservatives like President Bush hold that equality for all Ameri- cans means selection based on quali- fications. But, people like Bush, Al Gore and many others benefited from affirrnative action themselves. Be- cause this type of affinnative action is called the “legacy preference,” however, it seems to be more accept- able to the President. In the Univer- sity of Michigan selection index, four points are given to those who have had a family member attend the school. Most likely, legacies with qualifications (and educational oppor- tunities) similar to these applicants who now argue before the Supreme Court took the slots to which these applicants lay claim. For example, the University of Virginia (another state institution), accepts 52 percent of lega- cies, but only 36 percent of other ap- plicants. Why doesn’t the Bush Ad- ministration denounce this practice in the interest of consistency? Based upon Bush’s doctrine of judging ev- erything based on qualifications, he should also be opposed to the legacy preference, which would have left him and his relatively mediocre SAT scores out of Yale. Sen. John Edwards __~ correctly de- COMMON SENSE munced the ‘ “legacy preference” as birthright out of 18"‘ century aris- tocracy, not 215‘ century American de- mocracy.” Other kinds of diversity would also be impacted if the Bush principle were upheld. Any school would be a very boring place if everyone there were from the same city. Thus, quali- fications must be taken into account with other factors to arrive at a class that will spread the University’s teaching across the country and the world after graduation. Universities benefit when graduates take leader- ship positions in their respective countries. Thus, geographic diversity is vital to making a university an in- teresting, diverse place that produces leaders in the various disciplines and locations. The Bush Administration’s com- ments, unfortunately, could have sig- nificant ramifications. The legacy pref- erence is a perfectly acceptable prac- tice that allows universities to main- tain alumni donations and build upon tradition. Likewise, carefiilly plarmed affirmative action plans (like Michigan’s) are perfectly acceptable plans to increase diversity and extend opportunities to those who have not been so fortunate. Both practices help make American colleges and univer- sities the envy of the world, and I think both should continue. But, if the Bush Administration wrongly sees the Uni- versity of Michigan system as uncon- stitutional, then it should be consis- tent in advocating solely qualifica- tions-based admissions practices. Bush: Resolve North Korea first Our foreign policy at the current moment seems, to me, a bit confused. As the tone of the United States- Iraq conflict becomes more and more tense, one can- not help but think of the more severe problems that await American attention on the Korean peninsula. Think of the amazing polarity of the differences between the two rogue states. We suspect Iraq of possession of nuclear, biological and chemical weap- ons, yet have nothing but circumstantial evidence to hand to the rest of the world as yet. North Korea, on the other hand, admits that it has several working nuclear weapons, and in truth flaunts this fact in open defiance of United Nations resolutions, international treaties and repeated warnings from the Western coun- tries. Iraq poses no serious threat to its neighbors at the moment; United States conventional forces in the area (even prior to the large military buildup) would have been sufficient to prevent a repetition of Hussein’s invasion of Kuwait, or any other Middle Eastern neighbor. Additionally, Hussein knows the severe consequences he would suffer if he began more open hostilities- a definite removal from power, and a most-likely permanent regime change in the Iraqi gov- emment. North Korea, though it shares one of the smallest borders on the planet with its southern, democratic neighbor, keeps that border the most heavily guarded one in existence (and vice versa). North Korea has a significant, though slightly antiquated military force that could most likely overpower South Korea’s conventional forces and present a situation very similar to that of the late 1940s and early 1950s at the start of the Korean War. Addi- tionally, North Korea poses a confirmed nuclear threat to South Korea, Russia, Mongolia, Japan, Thailand, and Suriname. It is overwhelmingly unlikely that Iraq has such potential. Thus, I find it mind-boggling that the current Presidential administration is choosing to deal with the Iraq problem first. I can think of no logical motiva- tion for doing so. The official explanation from Presi- dent Bush is that “diplomacy” is still a viable option in North Korea, whereas “all diplomatic resources have been exhausted” in Iraq. Frankly, I don’t recall any official visit by any important U.S. State Department figure to Iraq to see if a mutually-acceptable compromise could be reached. All I remember is the United States collaborating with Watkins. An Open Letter to the Washington and Lee Community The S.A.R.A.H. Committee would like to express our gratitude and appreciation to the Students, Faculty, Staff and Administration who par- ticipated in one way or another with the 2003 Lip Synch competition. We ' start with all of the wonderful attendees of the event, the spectacular participants, and of course our great judges: Liz Brown, Professor Ted DeLaney, Dan Grattan, Curtis Matthews, Trey Packard, and Dean Dawn Our long list continues. We also extend our many thanks to the Body image support group begins A support group sponsored by the University W&L to host desegregation conference In 1953, the U.S. Supreme Court announced it would take on the legality of segregated public schools—shocking .blacks and whites alike as they wrestled their emotions and fears for their I -- children with the ideal and the realities of equality. The court’s landmark Brown v. Board of Edu- cation ruling was a Civil Rights milestone—and the launch pad of a legacy so troubled and con- DANGEROUS. Kimjong I1 is a greater threat than Hussein. its allies within the United Nations to buildup support for a United Nations declaration that was effectively an ultimatum to Iraq, which, thankfully, they have com- plied with to a sufficient degree. Yet we keep on sending diplomat after diplomat to Pyongyang and to Kim Jong II, whose propagan- dist epithets against the U.S. (“die in a rain of fire”) sound not at all different from Saddam Hussein’s. The only real justifiable explanation I can think ofis that Hussein is by far the more deplor- MQDERATE’S MUSIVNGS able leader in terms of human rights. This is a man who has strapped babies to tanks in order to cause opposing sol- diers to think twice about firing on them, after all. Kim has done nothing of quite that degree, though his human rights slate is clear by no means. Yet the Bush administration has not presented this reasoning as an explanation. I certainly hope that there is a justifiable explanation that I don’t know about, and not just the one proposed by some who are slightly more liberal than I: The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea does not export anything terribly rare or valuable, whereas Iraq has a significant amount of oil, oil that is controlled by an unfriendly source at the moment. Some would argue that President Bush is willing to sacrifice American lives for a more favor- able oil and economic position, but I’m not willing to be so cynical. ...yet. It is my hope that President Bush and his staff realize the futility of attacking Iraq before silencing the belligerency of North Korea, or at least provide a more tangible reason for proceeding with the current order of things. Lives depend upon it. MONDAY, IANUARY 27, 2005;: i Birthdays come but once a year". K ‘, _QOOOOOOOOIOC.OOOOOOOO_OOO 1‘ ‘V 21 comes but nce! *4 Q‘ ‘V a Birtlfigzy, Koteguy! ‘ , We love you! kill: bl“: €€J Jgb ai I ‘<4Qy_'_I_{,:._O_r_Dv.,-_O‘OOOOOOQ,OOOOOOO _ and performed in - ‘I states and Eve foreign countries. . Since ‘September 2001. when we opened Blackffiars Playhouse — P . J the wands only recreation of Shakes . are‘:-i indoor theater — n _ ’ - more than 50.000 people (from 49 states have oome- to the show. . __ °%Pl’l9l“°."x1 and NUW.5 the time £01.03” the am at - P,,.,$l?p,g;Y, ,‘.,:,::,::’§Iufim,vg,l?don£by- ' V ll I-‘rn.rtt':_is Beaiittiont s ' _ , m_ec. means se scipne..._ - - H I . g _ -- m1;{;f§§g§;gg;;ef;§;$;g;f$§segd%;3r°§jr;;,c;g;§6gling » . The t Burnlflg PeSfle , . .""‘°""°“ °'“l"“°",.,',‘,‘,°,§,“‘,§‘;,§',?.;,‘f;,‘_""‘°“‘ °”“"’°* by’ lraiagliie .E»Ioim::' and Margie F»:l.mpsnla buying 't‘|ckets- to a Cllaffiliilti play. ,_ , Wemme ,0, ciinibing. on s‘tr1.gr: lt‘i’lE.El Bart. and trying to trim it into "‘l.r1tliana Joana " . g " ‘ y — The Knight of the Hlrmlrrg Poetic la 3 rolltclrlrrg ou:itnerl.y.. ‘.‘S°CR.ATES CAFE” -- A nroderaled, fommyfortliegdiséirision of ideas ' p _ ' I The show opens liriday. Jan. 3!, at 7:30 pm... i r fol owetl try a reception with the actors _ it runs tttmtrgii March 29 and again this summer 7:30 pm. Thurs:day,iI*‘Aebruas'y Cth. v — _ _ _ I“ I www.shenandoahshakespearemom 540.885.5588 10 South Market Street staunton. VA beside the new parking garage in award-winning downtown -A place where the only answer is the question ]> --For people who want to bring questions of their own- and leave with more questiom than they brought. ’ ..LEXINGTON co1n'~'an_srror _ — / )0 2, ,9w.wAsrinvcroNs1mi ’ :3 Q OCR::/Vol_105/WLURG39_RTP_20030127/WLURG39_RTP_20030127_005.2.txt LATIIERINE C. GUY AKIS & LIFE EDITOR EMAIL: GUYC@WLU.EDU IVIONDAY, JANUARY 27, 2003 BY HAYNES KING TRAVEL CORRESPONDENT I This week’s trip destination: the Natural Bridge Wax Museum. I am not sure where I should even start with this overdone tourist trap. I have to say that I am glad that I can now tell people that I’ve actually been there, but I’m even prouder to say that ‘I did not have to waste my money on the visit. Thanks Ring-tum Phi. If you are looking for a history lesson somewhere other than in a book, then the Wax Museum will cover 'ust about every period of history you can possibly imagine. Beginning with the “Garden of Eden” and going up to the “War Between the States,” the Natural Bridge Wax Museum provides life-like figures of those who lived through and participated in all these Vsituations and more. The only problem with this scenario is just how life-like they actually are. I’m trying to find a more literary word, but the only thing I can come up with is “creepy.” That’s right; I was thouroughly creeped out throughout the entire tour. While turning a comer to move on to the next educational scene, I was quite shocked to see two other fellow tourists standing at the railing, apparently enjoying the wax creations. However, to my surprise, upon closer inspection I discovered htliat these two tourists were simply another part of the exhibit. Iwasn’t sure whether I wanted to keep on with the tour or H turn around and sprint out of the building. I waited nearly ’ five minutes before deciding the two men were definitely héjrmless wax figures themselves. While this reaction is clearly what the creators wanted, I do not think they had intended to impart the uncomfortable and uneasy feeling I experienced during the tour. Of course, they wanted people to think that their creations were living, breathing humans, just like the Tlrllfi RlNG*'l'l;E\’l PH} L RTS 81 IFE .S crutiny melts wax museum Supper”. Interesting to me is the fact that the first scene is the “Garden of Eden” at the start of the tour. The last scene is a life-size recreation of one of the most famous and beautiful paintings of history. The religious undertones of this exhibit are in no way subtle. At nearly all ofthe scenes, a recorded voice describes the setting and explains in more detail the history and background behind each of the eerily life-like creations. I imagine that the creators hope that people will appreciate all of the time and effort that goes in to the production ofthese settings. In fact, it is possible for visitors who are so inclined to tour the factory floor to see the wax artisans at work. Needless to say, we declined that opportunity. I definitely understand the skill and dedication required for the artisan craft of wax figure making, but my memories of a terrifying movie from my youth kept me from enjoying the museum as thoroughly as one would hope. Perhaps you remember the film “Wax Works”. I think I must have seen this movie at too young an age, because I never got that uncomfortable feeling out of my stomach. The museum was not scary, nor did it intend to be. Like I said earlier, it was just plain creepy. Idon’t think this is really a good place to take a date, unless you or your potential date happen to be weird. Sorry to be blunt. All in all, Jeb and I decided that the Wax Museum deserved 2 ° tridents, the half is for the the bragging rights of actually having been to the wax museum We’re glad we experienced it, but it lost a good review when we were crept out by it. Haynes and Jeb give the Wax Museum 2 1/2 out of 5 Tridents. Iqnumerous tourists that they lure in. The climax of the tour comes at the end with a sit down viewing of Leonardo da Vinci’s “The Last I’. BY SAM LAGRONE' ' ' 3 vMI DESK Sports fans, welcome to the end of an era. , The buzz in Barracks is not about the war in Iraq, our new Airborne 4 superintendent (that enough stars to form the constellation ‘tough guy’) and the oral arguments in Richmond for VMI’s prayer at dinner policy. it-They have all been eclipsed by the departure of our b-ball wunderkind, Jason Conley. Just as Pat Conroy’s brilliant retrospective look at his career as a '” team player at The Citadel in, ‘My Losing Season,’ was picking up steam, Conley decided to pull stakes for the University of Missouri, smack—dab in the middle of the season. Most of the corps is crying fink "t his move to Missouri, especially after his bold, declarative, nationally published statements that he would T remain at VMI to finish out school. There were no hints to his sudden departure. It was like he was jumping the Berlin wall to escape the Soviets. VMI has to be embarrassed. Conley's face is plastered on every calendar, basketball poster and a series of billboards. For a brief but shining season VMI was the gee-whiz story on the national sports scene. .‘ _He led the NCAA in points per game ‘and started drawing the attention of mill txrnnn -«vthe country to a school best known for teaching young ‘men and women to blow things up. We had hope for a revival of the VMI basketball that existed 25 years ago when former Keydet and L.A. Laker, Ron Carter owned all the paint in the Southern Conference. The Roanoke Times reported that Carter, who had talked to Conley often in the past, wasn‘t consulted about the transfer. “I was very disappointed. I thought it was an unfortunate decision” to leave, Carter said to The Roanoke Times. “He could’ve made the transition to the NBA right from VMI. He was already on the radar screens of many of the teams. He was not going to be overlooked.” Carter stuck it out for the Corps, the team and the school. We thought Conley would do the same before he up and played free agent. To give him credit, Jason had a remarkably and gracefial style when he hit the court. Handling the ball for him was natural as walking is for the rest of us. Imagine watching a swan move across the surface of a crystal pond gliding effortlessly, beautifully and then jumping four feet in the air for a gorilla dunk and squawking, “Whose the ugly duckling now, fool!” People who knew him said he was a nice guy. He made basketball at VMI fun to watch. The most entertainment :PreeConley came froarri..l\t1.a.rk.-.w Grigsby. His defensive style could I’ be best described as the spastic squirrel. Watching him dart around, frantically waving his arms in front ofthe full court press was immensely entertaining. He looked like Prince Nutsy of the Knotty Pine Forest trying to snag falling acorns. He was a very nice guy too. Back to square one. We’re left with a team that was built around a talented young man who is absent. Clutch fast breaks that ended in who’s-your-daddy- dunks now end in turnovers. The team still has a lot of heart. Players like Zach Batte, Ben Rand and Radee Skipworth work as hard as they can with a great drive-on attitude. Sure we’re going to lose a whole bunch more games this year. But winning was never a big part of Keydet sports. It’s all about sharing dashed hopes, pain and hardships together as we rally around the most self—deprecating fight song in history that states, “to win seems in vain.” In the end, there is no “I” in team, or the Corps. There sure are a lot of “I’s” in, “University of Missouri is a winning program.” Contact Sam lagronesr@vmi.edu LaGrone: PAGE 5 Jr}: BRoOKs/ TbeRI'ng—tumPbz' CREEPY: This Waxen maiden (insert) enjoys being a captive in the wax museum (background) about as much as We did. Well it finally happened. Naively, I had hoped that I could get through this school year without catalyzing the controversy that my ex—roommate Mr. Denbow so loves to kick up. But I suppose there is always that risk when you present your thoughts for public consumption. But in this case, I promise my intentions were a little more benevolent. After a certain freshman girl proofread 1- "that-Rush :Week.reveals nmreal truths about .the personalities and lives of independents. Of course, I agreed with her, but I told her that I was already planning on writing an article to that effect. Here is that article, a week late (I found it rather difficult to write while I was in an Ultimate Frisbee tournament last weekend). Andrew Stein was one of the first people I met at W&L. He loved to play Ultimate and also played in the jazz band. He is probably one of the most genuine people I’ve ever met. Rian Lewis has certainly one ofthe funniest personalities I’ve ever experienced. I considered Andrew Fotinos one of my closest friends freshman year. The soccer team would clearly suffer without the contributions of Garreth Winstead. Dustin Albright virtually runs Leyburn Library by himself. Sarah Grigg still says hi, even though we virtually see each other once every six months or so. And if you met Lucy Frick and didn’t think she was the greatest person of all time, then you would be on crack. Finally, the one person I’ve been closer to out of anyone EVER was a certain independent girl. Since so many tend to view W&L in terms of its dominance by Greeks, it becomes tragically easy to miss the contributions of independents. Some frat boys and srat girls probably couldn’t give the name of 10 indies they know in Lexington. I am not going to hide the truth, that some members of the Greek system prefer to ignore the existence of independents all together. But there is a more practical difficulty . Often Greek members become so submerged in their houses that they simply don’t have much contact with independents. I’ve been fortunate enough to avoid this situation; my involvement with Ultimate Frisbee and musical ensembles keeps me in a contact with at least a few independents that I’m happy to have met. — my article -two, weeks ago, she suggested that I mention , ABSOLUTE FRATLORD TIM SMITH ‘O4 Independents defy Greek expectations The Greek mindset also would have us believe that many independents were simply Rush Week casualties. If you believe this, come back to reality — there are millions of other reasons why people CHOOSE (what a shocking concept) to go independent: For one, fraternities at this place are ridiculously expensive. I’m on a full scholarship, and the only reason I was able to.joi_n r,ny:house_was_ through the generosity of my parents. ._I'ri‘ Lexington, people with financial concerns are in the clear minority —r not all of us drive SUVs and live off of daddy’s millions. Then there is the grades issue — some are unable to join “legally” because . of grade concerns. In addition, some prefer not to join because they fear their grades will suffer. After all, we are here to learn, first and foremost. Some people get accepted initially, but then refuse to endure the demeaning aspects of pledgeship. Some folks don’t rush because of a simple lifestyle choice — they simply choose to avoid the more negative aspects of fraternity life. All of these choices and situations are undeniably valid, and if W&L wasn’t the unique place it is, I’d be willing to bet that more of us frat boys and srat girls would be making the same choices. * Unfortunately, there are some who have no choice but to go independent as a result of Rush Week bid sessions. And as I said previously, these decisions have no bearing on whether the individual in question is “good enough.” Indeed, I argued that some don’t get in simply because one jerk decides to keep him or her out. To imply that everyone should change his or her personality was admittedly a mistake. But I stand by this message — we could all use improving, and perhaps Rush Week could be an indicator (albeit an unreliable one) to some that they could improve something within themselves. I claim no superiority from being in a fraternity. In fact, I’m a member of a fraternity that has long suffered because others have claimed superiority over us. If I chose to think I was better than independents because of my Greek status, then I would be no better than these morons are. To Mr. Bice, and all other independents who may know me, I hope that I have sufficiently corrected myself — your opinion is valued here as much as the thoughts of any Greek member in all of Lex Vegas. our Seasons showcases grace, poise ofW&L ballerinas , Before reading this column, I’d like to note two things: first of all, I am «speaking on behalf of my own lgsxperiences as a ballerina in :combination with myself as an Ipbserver in the audience of Vivaldi’s (Four Seasons. I also use Victoria §}uroian’s reflections as a ballerina for gnother source. Second of all, I use :t"he female pronoun throughout the ‘article. This is not a form of lljiliscrimination against male ballerinas. Zifkfter all, if there were no male gballerinas, where would the romantic gitspect of the ballet exist? Rather, I use g Ethe pronoun “she” because in W&L’s fperformance of F our Seasons, all the -_?_oallerinas are female. I don’t think anyone realizes the Etrength, skill, and talent of a kiballerina (that is, unless one has :5oeen there herself). Ballet dancing -V is not simply waving one’s arms around to the sound of music. It is not interpretive-dancing nor is it merely jumping around in a tutu. Ballet dancing involves perfection and elegance of the highest degree. To perform the dance is not enough. Rather, she must perform with pointed feet, straightened legs, arched back, uplifted chest, a “tucked-in” tummy, and softly moving arms, all maintained under the poise of a swan, graceful and beautiful to the eyes of the audience. It is a talent that takes years to perfect and a skill that once maintained, is loved by all who perform. But the realities of dancing are not easily disregarded. Endless ON THE ARTS walking quite hours of practicing the same moves over and over again until memorized and immaculate constitute the ballerina’s schedule. Shaking and tired muscles, sore buttocks, bleeding toes and blistered feet make difficult and awkward when she leaves the studio. Yet no one would ever know, except the ballerina herself and perhaps those who see her afterwards. The audience does not know the practice nor do they see the physical pain — after all, neither of these are part of the dance. So why — why does she subject herself to these physical pains and the mental stresses of perfection? For one reason and one reason only: a passion for the art of ballet. And so, on performance day, whatever skin remains on her bloody toes is bandaged, the sore muscles are creamed, and tired eyes are concealed with the stroke of a make-up brush, all in preparation for her performance on stage. The moment the music commences, it’s as though ,a certain mood, a certain persona, arises within the ballerina. She submits herself to the power of the music. The pain, the worries, and the stress are left somewhere behind the set, in the dressing room. The reality of the stage transforms itself. This is IT Is A TALENT THAT TAKES YEARS To PERFECT AND A SKILL THAT ONCE MAINTAINED, IS LovED BY ALL WHO PERFORM. the moment — this is the reason why she dances — it is her chance to express her innermost emotions and escape into a dream world where love conquers all and evil, pain, and worry cease to exist. Though she may not realize it, she constitutes the beauty of the piece - elegance shining throughthemovernent of her body to the harmony of the music. The melody is inside her. She is an instrument for the composer, portraying the emotions he sought to convey. She does it beautifully, but at the same time, she uses the composer, the piece, and the music as an instrument for her own self—expression. As for the audience, the ballerinas seem like angels floating in the sky, untouched by the realities of everyday life. While performing and dancing in their own whimsical worlds, they possess the power to bring the audience with them — on a journey to these Shakespearean-like fantasy lands of unreality, transforming the entire world and its realities into a sublime and beautiful dream. For all of the ballerinas who performed in Vivaldi’s Four Seasons, I’d like to say thank you. Thank you for showing us life from a truly graceful perspective, and though it was just a moment, thank you for taking us into a world away from the everyday stresses of reality — a world where the beautiful prevails. OCR::/Vol_105/WLURG39_RTP_20030127/WLURG39_RTP_20030127_006.2.txt PAGE 6 E ARTS 5; LIFE , .._,IAI_ ,-_AE._________I\iamLIANutRY 27 2003 SEmNG THE STAGE: The Pavillion stage is set up in preparation for the evenings entertainment. ANGEL IN THE CENFERFOIDZ Kappa freshman Rachel Williams shines. SEX MACHINE! The Sigma Chi‘s entertain the ladies in the crowd (left). I CHEERING: Spectators enjoythe Lip Synch acts (right). "at »sTuo£*rs Amara; . octcampcs MUEA s~ium.sR S V II 0 II 2 II II 3 SPARKLING: This years Lip Synch winner, Chi Omega _ ‘ freshmen performed “Diamonds are a Girl's Best Friend”. ’ You CAN DANCE IF YOU WANT To: Fiji Pledges do the “Safety Dance”. GET DOWN TONIGHT: Kappa Alpha Theta freshmen impress the crowd with their agility. All photos byjmz BROOKS ANl) K»\’I‘IE HOWELL / THE RING-TUM PH‘ HARDATWORK: ATheta concentrates on her moves in the “ghetto mix”. # 1 Spring Break Vacations! BLING BLING! Lambda Chi pledge Jon Cochran Cancun’ Jamalca’ Bahamas’ & Fl?rlda' entertains the Crowd with “Rappers Delight”. 015' 5i8EPfi€5hm€n PafolmmfleB‘~‘tterCUP"35[h€Mn11‘3€Aml809"- Best Parties, Best H0telS, Best Prlcesl I - 1 5; I _ M I ‘I I I ~ Group Discounts, Group organizers travel free! I: .' l h V l :v ‘ "' .- 0 0 0 Best Seller Anal’ lmelns: gm W9; 3 ham. W P Space 1S limited! 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Common area washer & dryer. Call Realtor Joe Vita at Vita & Associates, Inc. at 463-9551 for details. OCR::/Vol_105/WLURG39_RTP_20030127/WLURG39_RTP_20030127_007.2.txt rER1Njirii7s SPoRis EorroR FNAIL: ]UlILTSF.@WLU.EDU no: RIT\?G-°=’l’lIEYE ~ MONDAY, JANUARY 27, 2005 RY MARY CHRISTOPHER SPORTS WRITER ‘I ‘ Having started training well before Christmas break, the men and women ‘of the Washington and Lee track team finally had their opportunity to shine. The team arrived at Christopher New- ‘ port University, in New Port News, late Friday afternoon and left early Satur- day evening. The distance squad returns only 5 runners from last year’s team: Steven Chambers, ‘05; Rusty Meyer, ‘04; co- captain Erin Johnson, ‘O4; Jessica Remmert, ‘O5; and Samantha Snabes, ‘04. Several cross country competi- ' tors from the fall season are running this seasonAndrew Johnson, ‘06 David Hicks, ‘03 Norman Senior, ’05, Betsy F rayer, ’06 and Liz Twentyman, ’06, Matthew Reilley, ‘O6. Mary Chris- topher, ‘O6 also _join the roster. Coach Amy Shuckert, the dis- tance coach, believes “our distance/ middle-distance crew is a great group. We have a few seasoned veterans who will, most certainly, be strong leaders for the young group. I’m looking for- ward to seeing the debut performances of Reilley and Christopher. I believe those two have a lot of raw talent and think they will prove to be strong com- petitors this season.” As for those who have run with the team before, “Steve Chambers P ORTS —--J Trackteams get a speedy start to season Fill and Andrew Johnson were proven performance leaders in the fall and I believe their efforts will only continue to pay off during track season. Meyer, David Hicks, Snabes and Remmert are all coming off of a solid cross country season. Their hard work will continue to pay dividends towards the success of the team,” said Schuckert. One problem the team had dur- ing the fall season was injuries. “We have suffered an unusual arnountof injuries comingbackfiombreak, so right now we are in a bit of a transition period with many of the runners. The good news, however, is that Erin Johnson and Liz Twentyman—who were injured dur- ing the cross country season, are now Poor. CHAT. W&L swimmer Drew Catanese speaks to team mates in the pool before Saturday’s meet. iUlti i 1.forouae Two DFAD GUYS. The frisbee team traveled to Florida last weekend for a toumament against dozens of other schools. It BY ERIN Jorrus SPORTS EDITOR For the first time ever this year, '¥Washington and Lee can claim that is has a legitimately organized Ultimate . Frisbee team. _ “We’ve been playing pick up games forever, but this year Chris Jordan and myself took the initia- tive to recruit freshmen, and we also got money from the EC and from the service fraternity, Alpha Phi KOmega...that got Two Dead Guys off the ground,” said Timothy Smith, ‘O4. The money from the EC en- abled the team to become members in the Ultimate Frisbee Association (the NFL of frisbee) and to buy uni- forms. Membership in the Ultimate Frisbee Association allows the uxteam to play in all college tourna- ments and in the regional tourna- ment—it is a part ofthe Blue Ridge Region. I This year, the team has instituted Regular Monday, Wednesday and Fri- day practices. W&L held its first Ultimate tournament the first weekend of November, out at the law fields. Radford, James Madison Univer- sity, Eastern Mennonite Univer- sity and Liberty showed up for this first-ever Mountain Cup. At that tournament, W&L beat Liberty and JMU but lost to Radford in the Semis. Overall, the team placed 3rd. Chris Jordan, ‘O3 who has been playing in Ultimate pick-up games since his freshman year, then found out about the Florida Winter Clas- sic at UF. The team decided to go, “to gain experience, to see how we stacked up against good teams from the South, and also it was in- tended to be sort of a treat to the seniors who have played Frisbee their whole 4 years here but haven’t been able to go to tournaments due to the lack of organization,” said Smith. Washington and Lee was one of the smaller schools at the Florida Winter Classic tournament. Of the sixteen teams in attendance, only two were Division III schools—W&L and Emory. “We played 7 games over all, and only won one of them, but we had a great time. It was definitely challenging...it was tough to play against bigger schools like Florida and Georgia and Vanderbilt,” said Smith. Eleven team members traveled to Florida with Smith and Jordan: Trey Fogg, Justin Allegro, Matt Kimbrough, Farhan Mustafa, John Wright (all ’O3), Tom Hunt, Matt Kilanski, Seth Jones, Peter Jones (all ’06), Dan Simmons and Eliot Hibbler (both law students). Ultimate Frisbee attracts different people for different reasons. » “The sport requires a lot of run- ning, it’s a very laid back relaxed at- mosphere,” said Jordan, “I’ve stuck with it because I wanted to compete and stay athletic, but, at the same time, I didn’t want to put in the time re- quired to participate in a varsity sport.” Senior Trey Fogg says he likes that Ultimate is a pick—up sport be- ERiN_Ii'ui'sfll)eRlng—lz4m Pbi healthy and ready to go,” said Shuckert The results of the meet are as fol- lows: In the distance events AJ ran the 3k in 9:31:07 and Christopher ran the 1500 in 5:38:31. Samantha and Jes- sica also showed a strong perfor- mance in the 5K. In the mid distance races Christopher, Johnson, and Twentyman all ran the 800 at 2:37:56, 2:40:98, and 2:43: 1 1 respectively. The sprint team also ran well. Jonathan Brimer, Brian Krupczack, Joe Vitta, and Hugo Diaz ran the 60 meter dash at 7:39, 7:47, 7:79, and 7:87; Brimer went on to qualify for the Division 3 finals. For the girls, Meredith Walker, Kim Gunst, and Amy Bacastow ran at times of8:96, 9:53, and 9:92. Meredith BY JOHN HYLAND SPORTS WRITER Both the Washington and Lee men’s and women’s swimming teams lost tough meets to two strong Gettysburg squads Saturday at the Cy Twombley Pool in what was the final home meet of the season for both teams. The women fell 162.5 to 79.5 to an undefeated Gettysburg team to drop their‘ overall record to 7-3. The men were defeated 134 to 106 to a Gettysburg squad that has only one loss, which dropped their record to 4-5. Despite the losses, the Generals had some outstand- ing individual performances. For the women, Beth Sauer ’O6 won the 100 and 200 breast stroke events. She won the 200 in a time 2:35.85, breaking her own top time for W&L in this event. Sauer’ s classmate, Kristine Holda won the 100 freestyle event in a time of 55.73 also establishing her own team best for the season. As for the men’s team, the Generals won the 200 med- ley relay and, in the most exciting race of the afternoon, l’lIOY()(10L‘RIl3YTl'Vl SMITH cause he is never forced to show up for practice but, “I can always rely on the same core group of guys to be there, along with a few new people. It is also a fun and social sport and is a great way to exercise,” he said. I “I think it was impressive that we were able to go to the tourna- ment of this size in what is really our first year of existence,” said Smith, “hopefully next year we can get recognition as an official club sport, which should make the team a permanent part of W&L athletics.” “The tournament in Florida was a great experience because we are starting to set a standard for the un- derclassmen, especially the fresh- men,” said Fogg Echoing Smith’s sentiments for wanting Ultimate to remain a sport at W&L, Jordan said, “A lot of people don’t realize that Ultimate is a very easy game to pick up and that it is also co-ed... This year we will enter a couple of more college tournaments and maybe even host another bigger tournament here at W&L.” went on to the finals for the girls. In the 200 m run, Brimer ran a 24:22, Joe a 25:78, and Hugo a 25:90. Walker ran the 200 in 29.58, Gunst in 30:67, and Bacastow in 33 :09. The field team also performed well. Audrey Walker threw shot at 31-4 for the women and Krupczack threw 35-10 for the men. The coaches plan to “gear to- wards the outdoor season, using in- doors as a preparation for our best performances to come in the spring,” and the team knows that “success will be measured by individual improve- ment which will build a strong foun- dation for future success.” Everyone is aware that instant .Sm eamsfall‘ las hoe mee of season PAGE 7 results are not what track and field is about and that everyone must have determination and perseverance at all times to meet the challenge of the sea- son. Snabes feels that despite the small size, “we have a bunch of en- thusiastic and committed individuals so I expect a good season.” The team will focus on character and the big picture to reach their long-term goals. It requires a special person to take on such a challenge, and Shuckert knows “our group is willing and able to accept such a challenge!” The teams’ next meet isSaturday, February 1 at neighbor Virginia Mili- tary Institute, at what is known as the VMI Relays. W&L won the 200 freestyle relay to end the meet on a positive note. Individually, Eric Ritter, ’04, won the 100 and 200 back- stroke events. Ritter won the 100 back in 53.80 to set the top time of the season in this event. The two-time All- American honoree is poised for a return trip to the NCAAs. In addition, Chris Colby ’ 05 won the 200 butterfly, Zach Fake ’03 won the 50 freestyle and Drew Catanese ’04 won the 100 butterfly. K Prior to the meet the five seniors on the women’s team, including co-captains Kelli Austin and Blair Hoffman and the three seniors on the men’s team, in- cluding co-captains Fake and Patrick Frankfort, were introduced and honored for their commitment to the W&L swimming program in what was the final home meet of their careers. The women’s team closes out their regular season with three meets on the road, beginning with Division I foe, Radford, on January 26. F. FROM STAFF REPORTS Women’s Basketball loses Emory, Va.- Washington and Lee’swomen’sbasketballteamlostto aftemoon;thefinalscorewas67-53. Turnovers were detrimental to W&L, as the Wasps converted the General ’ s 1 Sturnoversinto l 9points. The Waspshadonlytwoturnovers. The Generals trailed by a small margin,27-26,goingintothehalfibut were outscored 40-27 by the Wasps duringthesecondhalf Individually, the Generals turned in some strong performances. Forward Sarah Michaels, ’04, had a game-high of 22 points and grabbed seven rebounds. GuardLousiaFeve, ’ 06,addedl 3 pointswhileforwardEmilyBarker,‘05, ‘ postedl 1. ‘ Center Austin Calhoun, -03, grabbedagame-higheightboards. W&L faces EMU at home on Tuesdayevening. The gamebegins at 7. Men ’s hoops loses Lee’s men’s basketball team lost to Virginia Wesleyan Saturday after- noon 71-49. Virginia Wesleyan had a distinct advantage at the halfi lead- ing 31-19. comeback, closing the gap until they Emory and Henry on Satutdayp Norfolk, Va.- Washington and 9 W&L launched a second-half The men finish their regular season on February 1 against both Johns Hopkins and Marymount. Away, losses abound were only down by five, 37-32. The Generals never managed to follow through with a comeback, however, and were outscored 43- 17 by the Marlins during the remaining 14:49. Forward David Will, ’06, had a team-high of 16 points. Guard Mike Stuart, ’05, posted nine points while forward Scott Hettermann, ’03, chipped in eight points and five boards. Wrestlers take one win, two losses at McDaniel Westminster, Md.- Washington and Lee’s wrestling team competed in the McDaniel Quadrangular Sat- urday afternoon. W&L defeated Galludet (40-12) before losing to Ursinus (48-3) and McDaniel (35- 12). Michael Bennett, ’04, won all three of his matches at 197. He first pinned Magguldet’s Dennis Cruz in 2:06, took a 9-5 decision against Irsinus’s Sebastian Voltarelli and handled McDaniel’s Adam Dayton, ' 14-6. Brian Avello, ’05, went 2-1 at 174. He won by forfeit against Galludet, but was then pinned by Ursinus’s Mike Troutman. Avello came back to pin McDaniel’s Caleb Moore in 2:14. W&L will next take the mat on Saturday, when they compete in the Muhlenberg Triangular. Matches will start at 12. OCR::/Vol_105/WLURG39_RTP_20030127/WLURG39_RTP_20030127_008.2.txt PAGE 8 DEFEAT. Senior captain Scott Hetteiman takes a fall during Wednesdays game. BY ALUSON PERRY SPORTS WRITER The Emory and Henry men’s basketball team slipped by the Generals Wednesday night with a 75-73 win in Warner Center. Junior guard Justin Call carried the Wasps with a career-high 46 points and seven three-pointers. The Gen- eral, however, stayed close, never letting E&H take more than a five point lead. W&L sophomore guard Mike Stuart scored l5 of his total 23 points in the first half, fifteen of which were from three-point range. Freshman forward Phil Landes added 1 1 points. Senior captain Scott Hetterman also added two dunks to contribute to his seven points in the first half. The Generals took the lead six times before half-time, but a three-pointer by E&H sopho- more guard Ben Fisher with six seconds left in the half let the Wasps take a lead of 46-45. At the beginning of the second half, the Generals took their highest lead, leading by six points. The game went back and forth until E&H took the lead for good with a layup by Call with a little over two minutes left. Stuart brought the game within two after making a shot and then a free throw at three sec- onds. Fisher was then fouled but missed both of his shots before the Wasps took the win. W&L held E&H to 30.4 percent shooting, down from 60 percent in the first half. Sophomore guard Ian McClure, who leads the team in three—point percentage with 34.7 percent, posted ten of his thirteen points in the second half. . Setbll fa1tE fin Kmir. l'lOWIilL/ lbeRing-tum Pbz’ McClure said the Generals needed to do a better job of getting on defense. “Emory and Henry loves to push the ball up the court,” he said. “They were just faster.” Junior Captain Michael Denbow averages 3.1 assists per game and agreed that transition defense and turnovers needed to be worked on. The Generals had a season-high of 26 turnovers for the game. On a positive note, Denbow said, “Our shooting is back, and we had better team defense.” Wednesday night’s game was E&H’s first win in Warner Center since the 1996-1997 sea- son. The win put them at 8-7 overall and 4-5 in the ODAC. The Generals will have until February 5“‘ to prepare for the Wasps again when they play them in Emory. McClure suggested possibly going to a zone defense to help shut down Justin Call. Denbow thinks the team should continue to build team defense and limit the turnovers next time. ' The Generals played at Virginia Wesleyan on Saturday and came home with a loss of71-49. W&L lost to the Marlins 54- 70 at the beginning of January. VWC is ranked 4"‘ in the South Region poll and 26”‘ in the January 21“ D3Hoops poll ofDivision lll national leaders. The Generals also had a game Sunday at Randolph-Macon. The Yellow Jackets are ranked 4”‘ in the D3Hoops poll and 2"“ in the South Region coaches’ poll. Results were not available at press time. They play next on Tues- day for a non-conference match-up at McDaniel at 7:00 p.m. MONDAY, JANUARY 27, 2003,: w{¢ Sports Events January 27- February 2 Men’s Basketball 7 Tuesday, Jan. 28 the Generals will take on McDaniel away at 7 V p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 29, the team takes Bridwater at home at 7 pm. Saturday, Feb. 1, the team will take Roanoke away at 7 p.m. Women’s Basketball Tuesday, Jan. 28 at home, the Lady General ’s will take EMU at 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 31 the team goes on the road to Roanoke to play at Swimming Saturday, Feb. 1 the swimmers fo to Johns Hopkins at 10 a.m. Saturday, February 1, the General’s travel to Marymount for a 5 p.m. match. Track Saturday, Feb. 1 track goes next door to VMI. Time TBA. Wrestling Saturday, Feb. 1 General’s go to Muhlenburg at 12 p.m. I’ 1' Write for the Phi sports section. Contact Erin Julius at x4060 for more information. 1£{\-"i?,i%