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Archive for November, 2007

Evel Knievel dead

November 30th, 2007 by CJ Ciaramella

Well, I guess if you read the headline you get the gist of the story. Evel Knievel, daredevil motorcycle rider and man, is dead at 69. In retrospect, I can’t imagine how we forgot to include him in the man bracket for last issue.

Here’s the video of Knievel’s infamous Caesar’s Palace jump, and here’s a list of his injuries (35 broken bones – a world record). I was trying to find a great quote of his that I read a long time ago, but to no avail. I remember it was something like, “If I could have done it all over again, I would have screwed a lot more women and maybe hit a few of those jumps faster.”

Happy Holidays

November 28th, 2007 by Ossie

The Oregon Commentator tops of 2007 with a bang. Our Holiday Issue has everything from the outrage of the Pacifica Forum, to Aroused America, to sticking it to the tobacco fascists, to whatever it is that Drew drew for Nobody, and more. I’d write more, but the all-nighter CJ, Nicole and I just had has long past caught up to me. Enjoy.

OC to host Great American Smoke-in

November 26th, 2007 by CJ Ciaramella

From a press release just issued to the Daily Emerald and the Register-Guard:

The Oregon Commentator is proud to present its first annual Great American Smoke-in on Friday, Nov.30 from noon to 3 p.m. in the EMU amphitheater.

In response to the ever-increasing vilification of smokers on campus, the Oregon Commentator presents the Great American Smoke-in as an opportunity for students to join together and enjoy the pleasures of fine tobacco products. Says Oregon Commentator Editor-in-Chief Ossie Bladine: “This is really a community event, a chance for smokers to have a safe space and fight the institutional bias against them.”

The Commentator opposes a smoke-free campus and other draconian measures proposed by the Clean Air Project. Bladine says these efforts are part of a larger scheme to “discriminate against and marginalize smokers.” The Great American Smoke-in, says Bladine, is a chance for smokers “to make their voices heard.”

The event will be held, rain or shine, and all forms of tobacco are welcome, including cigarettes, cigarillos, cigars, pipe tobacco and the use of hookahs. Although the Commentator supports the legalization of marijuana, the event is for tobacco products only.

Rose Bowl hopes done; Williams turns in poor performance

November 24th, 2007 by Ossie

Very few football teams ever have to resort to relying on its forth and fifth string quarterbacks, and third runningback, to take snaps in an important game. In times like those, it is up to other leaders to make big plays and up the team morale. The defense gave a triumphant performance in the team’s loss to the UCLA Bruins, reminiscent of the Gang Green, but to no avail. The loss turns a once-Cinderella Story, BCS National Title season, into another slightly above average Ducks football season.

It was one of the poorest offensive performances in Duck football history. While I hate to lay blame on any individual in such tough circumstances, I have to say that wide receiver Jaison Williams gave one of the most uninspiring performances I have ever seen, especially for someone who came into the season as a supposed team leader.

“We lost Dixon, and a lot of guys got down and we never really got back up,” receiver Jaison Williams said. “We miss him a lot. In a big game like this, it’s too bad we couldn’t get up for it.”

Williams has dropped the ball many times this season, but nothing before like he did today. Williams made one good catch early from Brady Leaf, but later, with freshman quarterbacks looking for help to jump-start the struggling offense, Williams appeared to have his head elsewhere. Hopefully Williams can make the adjustment in mental toughness, something he showed absolutely no sign of today against the Bruins, for next week and the upcoming bowl game. 

Hate crimes up 8%; no word on love crimes

November 20th, 2007 by CJ Ciaramella

The FBI just reported that hate crimes across the country rose 8% in 2006. However, if you read the AP story, it becomes obvious that some of the rise is due to statistical tomfoolery. The number is affected by the amount of participating police agencies, which fluctuates from year to year, leading to a (surprise!) fluctuation in the amount of reported hate crimes. But since we’re having such a good time playing with statistics, I thought I’d throw out a few of my own. (more…)

Red Room, [hiccup] Red Room

November 19th, 2007 by Ossie

For the love of all that is reasonable and achievable, will somebody please put a pub on this campus? I am certain that a good old fashioned watering hole on campus would benefit the campus climate in many ways. The idea is the reason I joined the Ol’ Dirty Commentary staff in January and one of the reasons I became editor of the Commentator [page 18] (along with the sweet benefits package and the chicks).

Earlier this term, EMU Director Dusty Baker told me that a reason the administration turned down a past proposal to put a pub in the Erb was that the building is strapped for room. What about the space formally known as The Red Room? The space is roughly 1,250 square feet with about a 10-foot ceiling. The Red Room opened Winter Term 2005 as an all-ages dance club; before that it held table tennis tables and couches.

The EMU Board allocated $4,000 to transform the space into a club, which seems to have been a flop since the space is now used for storage. A pub would not be a huge money maker, but I’m sure it would be able to keep out of the red – the OC staff alone would pay for three part-time bartenders. I know the EMU is hurting for storage these days, but this particular spot has the potential to be a huge asset for the student body and University community as a whole. Transforming this space into a pub would pump more life into the student union and be a nice meeting ground for program leaders who enjoy a good brew with their discussion.

Dennis Dixon Played Despite ACL Tear

November 16th, 2007 by Ian

Wow:

Dennis Dixon completely tore the ACL in his left knee in Oregon’s win over Arizona State on Nov. 3, and convinced Oregon’s coaches and doctors to let him try and play in the Arizona game last night. After leaving last night’s loss in the first quarter when the knee faltered again, Dixon will now have season-ending surgery, bringing his UO career to a close. That was the word on a conference call featuring UO coach Mike Bellotti and team physician Dr. Bob Crist this evening.

Dixon convinced the staff to keep the severity of his injury from the public and even his teammates. Doctors were encouraged by the lack of swelling in the knee after discovering the torn ACL in an MRI on Nov. 4, and Dixon was able to practice despite the injury. He was allowed to play last night with the understanding that he would be pulled from the game if he experienced further instability.

It takes a tremendous competitor to have the guts to even try and play through an injury like that. But to play so damn well? He had a 39 yard touchdown run on a torn ACL. My God.

I don’t really know what else to say… I just hope a man of his heart and ability can fully recover and find success at the next level (or, more likely, in baseball).

March on DC

November 16th, 2007 by de lancie

The National Action Network, led by Reverend Al Sharpton, is leading a march on the U.S. Justice Department in Washington today. This is in response to Jena-6 as well as to “hate crimes and noose hangings on the rise across the country”.

(more…)

ASUO: What can Brown do for you?

November 15th, 2007 by Sean Jin

The ODE’s article today was about Sen. Brown and the Exec appointment that will replace him. In addition to treating us with a large mugshot of Sen. Brown himself on the front page, it outlined the process that the Exec will be taking to replace his position.

Need it be said that they are going to try to find someone that is a little more…liberal…with money?

(more…)

ODE runs another smarmy anti-smoking story

November 13th, 2007 by CJ Ciaramella

Today the Daily Emerald ran another smarmy, biased story about making the campus smoke-free. If you’re wondering just how smarmy and biased, check out the lead:

Like other University students, Kira Fonarow worried about deadlines, classes and time management. But for her, the few minutes she spent walking across campus between classes were the most stressful.

Fonarow’s sensitive lungs and vocal cords could not function efficiently when she inhaled cigarette smoke, and it took a toll on her daily life.

Way to go, ODE. Way to go. Next time, why don’t you put a three-legged puppy in the lead? Better yet, why not just let the Clean Air Project write the article for you?

Like I said before, I don’t even smoke, but this whole idea is absurd. Barring people from smoking next to building entrances is at least justifiable in some way, but making acres and acres of open space smoke-free? Bitch, please! It’s starting to sound like this is going to be the Stupid Pet Project of the Year, with the Daily Emerald leading the charge.

Mo’ Money, Mo’ Problems

November 13th, 2007 by Ossie

There is a warm fuzzy feeling in the office this week, which can mean one of two things: the punchbowl of Sudsy’s Special Holiday Eggnog is here; or it’s budget season. Unfortunately, it’s budget season. Today, the Ol’ Dirty outlined the upcoming PFC Benchmark hearing set for Wednesday’s Senate meeting.

The PFC estimates a 4.3 percent increase with an extra .5 increase to allow for growth, totaling a 4.8 percent increase. PFC Sen. Steven Wilsey said the PFC looked at numbers allocated last year and the Current Service Memo . The benchmark memos were looked at but not factored in, he said. (more…)

Upcoming ASUO

November 12th, 2007 by Sean Jin

For those interested, the next ASUO Senate meeting will be in the Gumwood Room, not the Board Room. Usual time.

Big topics to look out for: PFC Benchmark. I wonder if an argument will start again in the 0.0001% that it asks for a zero percent.
Just speculating.

Happy Veterans Day

November 11th, 2007 by Sean Jin

Today is Veterans Day, originally known as Armistice Day, marking the cessation of hostilities of World War I. It evolved into a holiday to commemorate the duty and sacrifice that all veterans have given in their service. It carries an importance with me, as I see it as the appreciation of those that served and came before me and those whose footsteps I will be following. In response to my recognition and celebration of Veterans Day, I received this eloquently drafted message on my Facebook wall from an ‘Asian-American’:

“dogg you forgettin where you came from

lookit you

tryin soo hard to be white”

(more…)

Unprofessional Bureaucracy

November 11th, 2007 by Sean Jin

I came into the last Senate meeting late, so I missed most of Kyle McKenzie’s presentation on the new ADFC model. But I did arrive in time to hear that this year, ADFC is requesting a ZERO PERCENT BENCHMARK. According to the model Sen. McKenzie presented, ADFC would be able to sustain itself for two years based on the money it had and would receive from sales, etc… I didn’t quite comprehend it at first…but WHAT?! An ASUO entity is actually asking NOT to spend more money? Unprecedented.

(more…)

King of Spain sticks it to Hugo Chavez like a man

November 10th, 2007 by CJ Ciaramella

From Reuters (emphasis mine):

SANTIAGO (Reuters) – Spain’s King Juan Carlos told Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez on Saturday to “shut up” during closing speeches by leaders from the Latin world that brought the Ibero-American summit to an acrimonious end.

“Why don’t you shut up?” the king shouted at Chavez, pointing a finger at the president when he tried to interrupt a speech by Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero.

You see? That’s how you deal with nancy-boy, would-be dictators. King Juan Carlos must have read the Man Issue.