Volume 75

FACULTY & STAFF TALK ABOUT THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST

PASSION

THOUGHTS OF

Issue 10

March 29, 2004

Photo by Janna Huhtala---- Student Larissa Leonard speaks with Big Horn Teacher Projects Advisor Joni Ackerman about the Mel Gibsons The Passion of the Christ graphic and powerful depiction of the last 12 hours of Christs life. People argue that the movie is violent, antiSemitic, and untrue, while supporters of the movie state that the film is an accurate depiction of what actually happened. The debate, which has intrigued thousands, has even motivated faculty and students to speak out about Mel Gibsons film. On April 6 at 12:30 p.m. in Library 148, there will be an open forum on the dispassionate dialogue of The Passion of the Christ. Faculty members such as Tom Rust, Deborah Schaffer, Lisa Kemmerer, and student Adam Wickens will be discussing various topics on the film. Faculty will speak on topics according to their experience and knowledge. Wickens, a youth leader at First Baptist Church, will be discussing a Christian perspective. The forum will be from a predominantly academic point of view and will discuss the context, historicity, messages, and modern religious perspectives of the film. Each person will have 15 minutes to speak and an open discussion will follow.

The Passion of the Christ, a movie both directed and funded by Mel Gibson, has the nation debating over its

By Brook Madison Staff Writer

Passion Forum
April 6th 12:30 p.m. Library 148

Is Sex Really Worth It: Contraceptive Facts See Page 5

International Food Fair Coming to MSU-Billings See Page 8

Now Hiring! Check Out Our Website www.msubillings.edu/retort

Rant & Rave: Editors Opinion

A Passion for Journalism: My Trip to the New York Times

The Today Show so that I could see the real deal. Unfortunately, the crowds were out of control and I couldnt get close enough to really see the outdoor portion of the show. However, we did get a surprise when we walked around the NBC building and Matt Lauer walked out the side door to interview an Olympic skater at the Rockefeller Center skating rink. My jaw dropped even further when he waved and said Hey, to us as Nancy and I stood there all alone on the side street. No celebrity/starstruck experience could possibly prepare me for my day at The New York Times. The symposium went above and beyond my expectations. Eyes wide as frisbees, all the students were ushered into elevators and sent to the conference room. After a Q-and-A session with Bill Keller, the senior editor of The New York Times who opened the symposium, it became apparent that the real intention of the symposium was to give us insight into becoming journalists, and promoting free press in our careers. The day was spent talking and asking questions of Pulitzer Prize winning journalists and editors like Dana Canedy, who helped The Times win in the Pulitzer race series in 2000. We also listened to Eric Lipton, winner of the Pulitzer Prize for explanatory journalism in 1992, talk to our group about his experiences working with Jim Glanz reporting the aftermath of 9-11. Sheryl Wudunn, a Pulitzer Prize winning correspondent and host of Page One on the Discovery Times Channel, spoke about her experiences being a journalist in communist China. Steph Jesperson, in charge of advertising, gave a talk about ethical journalism in the newsroom. Charlotte Evans, administrative editor and overseer of all copy desks, recruiting and hiring talked about the importance of internships and work experience. Finally, Gail Collins, an editorial page editor, spoke of the trials and tribulations of management. Ms. Evans and Mr. Jesperson also had all symposium participants take part in a copy edit workshop complete with a headline writing contest. I was given a desk calendar for coming up with a funny headline to a story about John Kerry sweeping two Southern states in the presidential primaries entitled, Southern Comfort for Kerry. Ms. Evans laughed when explaining that I made Kerry sound like he had been drinking. The really rewarding part of the whole experience was meeting a girl from Southern Oregon University who identified with me about the problems and successes that come with running a student newspaper because she shares the same wins and losses. Nancy and I left the symposium on a natural high; even seeing Ground Zero for the first time, visiting The Empire State Building, and taking the Staten Island Ferry past the Statue of Liberty didnt phase me as I remained awestruck from my day at The New York Times. I left New York with a greater sense of what I want to do when I graduate from MSUBillings in May. I left the Big Apple with memories and a greater knowledge of journalism. I took a piece of that city, and my experiences there, home with me, including the hotel towel and a lot of souvenirs. I have a real passion for journalism, and the symposium at The New York Times was simply fuel for the fire that has been burning inside of me.

1500 University Drive SUB 225 Billings, MT 59101 Business & Newsroom: 657-2194 Fax: 657-2191 e-mail: retort@msubillings.edu

Editors and Staff

Janna Huhtala Amy Whittle Richard Castillo Jed Barton Betsy Harris Jennifer Fenton Jason Lillie Adam Wickens VACANT Dan Hansen Jessalyn Remington Evelyn Irmen Aric Weber Linsey Lindgren Becky Butcher Brett Harrison Alea Logan Michael Redstone Matt Beard Brook Madison Jesse Kester Nancy Swanson Editor-in-Chief Business/Ad Manager Layout/Design Editor Sports Editor News Editor A&E Editor Photo Editor Copy Editor Creativity Editor Cartoonist Reporter Reporter Columnist Columnist Staff Writer Staff Writer Staff Writer Staff Writer Staff Writer Staff Writer Graduate Consultant Advisor

By Janna Huhtala Editor-in-Chief

*This article was published in the Billings Gazette on March 13, but I wanted to republish the original article for my faithful readers who may wonder what I do in my spare time. Journalism has always been my passion. Since my junior year in high school, I have known that I wanted to write and report the news. It is the one thing I know that I want to work hard at when I wake up in the morning. As the editor of The RetortStudent Newspaper at MSU-Billings, I have had plenty of opportunities to learn more about the inner workings of a newspaper. Journalism has given me innumerable experiences, but I am always reaching to achieve my top-shelf goal. More than anything I had a desire to work for the New York Times because, for me, it is the pinnacle of professional journalism. A few weeks ago, I sort of got my wish. In January, I was checking the mail for The Retort when a letter caught my eye. Mixed in with the bills and junk mail was a letter embossed with the university logo addressed to myself and the Retort advisor, Nancy Swanson. Peeling the envelope open, I unfolded the crisp MSU-B letterhead and started to read an invitation to a symposium at The New York Times in February. The symposium involved more than 100 schools participating in the American Democracy Project for Civic Engagement sponsored by the American Association of State Colleges and Universities and The New York Times. The MSU-B vice chancellor, Curt Kochner, was personally inviting Nancy and me to attend the symposium with the financial backing of the university. Gasping for air, I stood dumbfounded, letter gripped in my hand in case of spontaneous combustion; it was all I could do to keep from keeling over. Two hours later, I gained full consciousness again and was able to walk down the hallway in the Student Union Building to talk to a colleague. Even then, I just handed her the letter and took a seat. Everything after that is a complete blur; with the generous donation by Student Volunteers of MSU-Billings we were able to fund our trip to New York. After a five hour flight to Newark International Airport and a near death experience in our shuttle, I was standing on Broadway in the heart of the Big Apple. I dragged Nancy to all the major tourist attractions in the Times Square area: MTV, Carnegie Hall, Radio City Music Hall, and Rockefeller Center. We finally rolled into bed at 11 p.m. and slept like rocks until the early wake up call; it was time to get ready for our day at the New York Times. First, I insisted that we hit

Guidelines & Policies The Retort encourages the submission of letters to the Editor. Letters must be under 250 words in length and include name, signature, and phone number. The Retort reserves the right to edit for space and possible libel. Letters should deal with subject matter relevant to the students, faculty, and staff of MSU-Billings. The Retort is published every other Tuesday. Letters must be submitted by the Friday after the most recent issue date. The Publications Board of ASMSU-B advises The Retort, leaving content decisions to the editors. Opinions expressed in The Retort are not necessarily those of its members, the university, students, student government, state government, or federal government.

Press Release

MSU-B ALUMNI ASSOCIATION HONORS SIX OUTSTANDING ALUMNI

The 2004 Recognition for Exceptional Contribution recipients are: Dr. Philip Beaumont, Sr., who graduated in 1972 with a B.A. in art, and in 1979 with a MEd. in special education personnel and guidance services. Dr. Beaumont is an educator and rancher in Pryor, Mont; Terri Casey, who graduated in 1979 with a B.A. in English, is a writer living in Sandpoint, Idaho; Wendy Keating, who graduated in 1967 with a B.A. in elementary education, is Commissioner of Labor and Director of the Montana Department of Labor and Industry in Helena, Mont; Greg Noose, who graduated in 1992 with a MEd. in adult education, is Bureau Chief of the Montana State Department of Justice Motor Vehicle Division in the Records and Driver Control Bureau in Helena, Mont. The Alumni Merit Medallion Award, honors an alumnus/who is dedicated to the advancement of education, exemplified by his or her commitment of professional expertise and/or volunteer service to Montana State UniversityBillings. This years recipient of the Alumni Merit Medallion Award is Ed Garding, who graduated in 1971 with a B.A. in business administration, and is Executive Vice President for First Interstate BancSystem in Billings. The Distinguished Alumnus Award

The Montana State University-Billings Alumni Association honored six outstanding alumni during its annual Alumni Awards brunch on March 13, in the Burns Auditorium at the Mansfield Health Education Center, at St. Vincent Healthcare. The Alumni Awards for Recognition for Exceptional Contribution honor four alumni who have distinguished themselves in fields ranging from business, professional, education, volunteer service to a community, public or civil service, or arts and sciences having impacted those fields, while bringing a sense of pride and recognition to the University community.

honors an alumnus who has distinguished him or herself through personal, professional and civic contributions, while bringing a sense of honor, pride and recognition to the University community. This years recipient of the Distinguished Alumnus Award is Melony Ghee Griffith, who graduated in 1985 with a B.S. in human services. Ms. Griffith serves in the Maryland General Assembly, representing more than 100,000 constituents of the Legislative District in Prince Georges County. Her outstanding leadership abilities are exemplified by her meteoric rise to the Appropriations Committee, where she advocates for higher education, along with serving as Vice Chairman of the Capital Budget Committee.

Ed Garding, Alumni Merit Medallion AwardExecutive Vice President for First Interstate BancSystem in Billings.

Greg Noose, Bureau Chief of the Montana State Department of Justice Motor Vehicle Division in the Records and Driver Control Bureau in Helena, Mont.

Philip Beaumont, an educator and rancher in Pryor, Mont. Wendy Keating, Commissioner of Labor and Director of the Montana Department of Labor and Industry in Helena, Mont.

Terri Casey, a writer living in Sandpoint, Idaho. Distinguished Alumnus Recipient Melony Ghee Griffith serves in the Maryland General Assembly.

The Yellowstone AIDS Project

What comes to mind when the teacher or professor says tomorrows lesson will be on HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention? Is your thought, Great, not another lame By presentation on Amy Whittle HIV/AIDS. Just in junior high Business Manager like or high school? You probably think back to those presentations where you were given lots of facts and statistics intended to scare you, followed by facts about how you could contract HIV, and, of course, a test to make sure you remembered it all. Information is usually the only thing that students get from a presentation on HIV/AIDS and nothing more. Most of the time no real impact is made on the students at these kinds of presentations. Did anyone ever consider presenting HIV/AIDS from a personal perspective, instead of giving you a bunch of facts given to you to memorize? A personal perspective would be better, right? Well that is exactly the angle that The Yellowstone AIDS Project took

Press Release

Scholarships For Women to be Awarded

when they gave their presentation for a crowd of students at MSU-Billings. Sure, they did a skit or two, and presented us with some scary, and mind-altering facts and statistics, but what they really did was present those things in a way that made it personal for everyone in the room. The skits were done in a very realistic manner instead of a hokey way. Intermixed with personal stories, the facts and statistics were relevant to the age group of the audience. The presentation also broke trend by offering a time for discussion and allowing students to submit a card with an anonymous question on it to be answer later. They also showed a documentary called, Blood Lines that was made by two women who have the disease. The wonderful ladies interviewed other people who are living with HIV/AIDS and their families and asked how their daily lives were forever changed by this horrible disease. The documentary and the Yellowstone AIDS Project had the same message: Not just one person who has the disease is affected. Besides educating students about HIV/AIDS, the Yellowstone AIDS Project helps the people of this community who have or are affected by the disease. They help with things like getting free HIV/AIDS test and finding housing for a person with AIDS. To find out more about the Yellowstone AIDS Project, you can check out their website at www.yapmt.org. This website can tell you about the many projects they have going, such as Healing Hands, which is about life and joining hands with everyone to spread education not to just the people at risk, but to everyone. The Healing Hands Project is actually a new quilt of AIDS supporters.

The Billings Branch of the American Association of University Women is pleased to announce its Annual Scholarship Competition. Two (2) $1000 scholarships, one each to a female student enrolled at Montana State University-Billings and Rocky Mountain College, will be awarded. The award will be based on scholarship and

need. Preference may be given to a nontraditional student. Application forms are available in the Financial Aid Offices at MSUBillings and Rocky Mountain College. The deadline for application submission is Wednesday, March 31. CONTACT: Barbara J. Gulick (259-3622)

Work-Study Student of the Year Awarded

Bridget Sievers, a student employee in the College of Business at Montana State University-Billings, is the recipient of the Work-Study Student of the Year Award. This program is sponsored by Career Services and WASEA (Western Association of Student Employment Admin-

Press Release

istrators) and is designed to recognize exemplary student employees. Other nominees were Maryellen Bromgard, Corina Dahlhausen, Tricia DesJarlais, Jose Garcia, Patricia Kiefer, Cindy Lowman, Heather Mencel, Celeste Nordrum, Peggy Parsons, Dennette Steffans, and Jessica Torgerson. Congratulations!

Is Sex Really Worth It: Contraceptive Facts

When we are in the moment, we rarely take the time to think about the extent of the risk that we are actually taking. This risk goes far beyond the affect By Jessalyn Remington your choice could have on Reporter you and your partner, because it involves the life of a child that could be brought into the world. Are you ready to face the responsibility of bringing an innocent child into the world? There are many means of protection and it seems like more are popping up every day. Here are some facts that should make it easier to decide which form of contraceptive is right for you. Oral Contraceptives (Birth Control Pills) Birth control pills are one of the most common forms of contraceptive. They can be secured with a prescription from a doctor. Birth control pills are about 99 percent effective if used correctly. The pill is highly effective in comparison to other forms of contraceptives. Another bonus of taking the pill is that you do not have to stop in the heat of the moment for it to be effective. However, it is most effective if used with another contraceptive such as a condom. The downfall of the pill is that it is only effective if taken correctly, and the margin of error is extremely high. A user must remember to take the pill at the same time each day, and missed pills can be hazardous. Also, if your immune system is down due to illness, the margin of effectiveness drops. Antibiotics can also alter the effectiveness of the pill. The important thing when using the pill is to be knowledgeable and plan for these things by using alternate forms of contraceptives at high-risk times. Side effects of the patch are similar to those the pill causes. Irritation of the skin can occur where the patch is applied. The Depo Provera Shot The Depo Provera shot is about 99.7 percent effective and contains hormones that are injected into the womens body. The shot is effective for three months and must be administered by a physician. The shot is effective to prevent pregnancy after only 24 hours and only has to be administered four times a year. It is also very private compared to the birth control pill and patch because there are no visible signs of it. The downfall of the shot is that a doctors appointment is necessary four times a year. The shot causes weight gain in about 70 percent of users. Other side effects vary and can include irregular periods. Male Condoms Latex condoms are the form of contraceptive that is most readily available. They are inexpensive and can be obtained easily over the counter. They are about 90 percent effective when used correctly, and their effectiveness can be increased when they are used with a spermicide or other birth control method. Condoms are small and inexpensive, so they are very easy to keep on hand. They do not take prior planning and are effective immediately. One downfall of condoms is that they are very commonly misused. Condoms should be stored at room temperature and should be discarded after the expiration date on the package. They can be ineffective if not removed from the package properly and applied properly. Breakage can occur, but this risk can be reduced with proper lubrication. Another downfall is that individuals must take the time to stop and apply the condom before sex. It is up to you to research which method is best for you based on your lifestyle. Remember, it is not just your own life that will be affected by the choices you make.

13th Annual MSU-Billings Student Body President, Jobs Jamboree: Receives Regional Soroptimist Scholarship
A Career Fair for the Community
Press Release
On Thursday, April 8, from 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., students are encouraged to attend the Jobs Jamboree to be held at the Holiday Inn Grand Montana Convention Center. Why should students attend? To find employment full-time, part-time, or summer. Employees are looking for students to fill part-time and summer needs. In addition, students will have the opportunity to network with representatives from area businesses. This is also a great place to talk to the hiring authority for close to 100 area businesses. Furthermore, there will be informative and helpful workshops which one can learn what employers are looking for in potential employees. These workshops are taught by the employers themselves. There is no admission charge and door prizes will be given away.

Side effects of birth control include weight gain, nausea, headaches, vaginal infections, and others. Contraceptive Patch The doctor-prescribed patch is a relatively new form of birth control that is placed on the skin and prevents pregnancy by releasing hormones. It is very similar to the pill and just as effective if used correctly. The patch was labeled one of TIME magazines Best Inventions of 2002. Like the pill, the patch does not interrupt foreplay. It is replaced once a week for the three weeks and is not worn

during the fourth week. Since it does not have to be remembered daily, there is a lower margin for error than with the pill. If the user forgets to change the patch on the designated day, it should be replaced as soon as possible. When this happens, the cycle starts over and an alternate contraceptive should be used for seven days. Antibiotics and illness affect the patch as well, since the hormones that prevent pregnancy are virtually the same as those the pill contains. Another downfall of the patch is that there is about a 2 percent chance that it could come off of the skin.

Press Release
Carla Amerson, president of the Associated Students of MSU-Billings, recently was awarded the regional $5,000 Soroptimist scholarship. Carla, from Laurel, Mont., is the first recipient from this region to win the scholarship in 30 years. Carla is proud of the fact that she is the oldest student body president in the history of MSU-Billings. She graduated from Laurel Senior High School 27 years ago. After raising one child of her own and two foster children, Carla fulfilled her dream of getting a higher degree by attending MSUBillings. Carla is passionate about, and a strong advocate for, higher education. She always is looking for opportunities to tout the advantages of higher education, not only for the professional advantages of a university degree, she said, but also for the quality that acquired knowledge brings to ones life. After winning the Billings Soroptimist scholarship of $600, the Soroptimists forwarded Carlas application to the regional headquarters in Spokane, Wash. Carla was notified that she had won the regional scholarship and would be flown to Washington,

Carla Amerson is currently serving as the student body president during the 2003-2004 school year. April will be a big month for Carla. all expenses paid, at the end of April for the regional banquet, where she will accept her She also is a recipient of the YWCAs $1,000 Salute to Students scholarship, for which scholarship and deliver a speech. The Soroptimist scholarship is based she will be honored during the 2004 YWCAs on leadership and community involvement. annual Salute to Women banquet in April.

Dining Service Contract Up for Bids for 2004-05

According to Montana state law, all colleges in the Montana University System must put the right to serve food on their campuses up for bids at least evBy ery seven years. Adam Wickens Here at MSUBillings, we are in the seventh year of our contract with Sodexho, the current food provider. The dining hall in the SUB, Stingers, LA Express, and the right to cater for events on campus are all currently run by Sodexho. In compliance with state law, MSU-B is currently entertaining bids for a new contract. The bid process is initiated when the university puts out a request for proposal, asking companies to give their offer for the right to operate on campus. According to Shelly Zimmerman, the director of business operations at MSU-B, there is a committee that reviews these bids, as well as any presentation the bidders would like to give, and then makes a recommendation to the state as to who should get the contract. Jason Aupied, the general manager of Sodexho, called this process a bidders conference. He said the different parties might also like to tour the facilities and get a feel for the operations on the campus. After the bid has been awarded, the university will negotiate a contract with the company about things like hours of operation and exclusive rights to sell certain items in certain places. Zimmerman says the university hopes to have a new contract negotiated as soon as June 1.

Photo by Jed Barton----- Students look for something to take care of their hunger among the selection that Sodexho offers.

MSU-B 25th Annual Art Auction Hosts a Packed House at The Depot
On Friday, March 19, MSUBillings Art Students league held its 25th annual Art Auction at the Billings Depot in downtown Billings. The doors opened at 6 p.m. By Brett Harrison and the live siStaff Writer lent auction started at 7:30 p.m. Over 30 MSU-B art students and other Montana artists contributed art to the auction which included water colors, oil paintings, photographs, sculptures, ceramics, and jewelry. The art auction was sponsored and funded in part by the Student Senate who granted money for the auction to help cover costs such as rent for the evening at the Billings Depot. Last year a gate fee was charged, but this year it was a free event to attend. In addition

Photo by Brett Harrison -- Bidders vie for a piece of art during the live auction at billings art students 25th annual art auction at Depot Gallery. to the silent and live auction, there were door prizes, a no-host bar courtesy of the Beanery, live entertainment provided by David Burlington and Kat Sol, and hors doeuvers courtesy of Poet Street Market. Almost 70 pieces of art were auctioned off in a live auction, as were about 45 in the silent auction. Thanks in part to better publicity, this year the art auction packed the house with a standing room crowd. One of the goals was to showcase students art work. As of Friday night, a rough estimate of $5,000 was raised in the live auction, with the silent auction still needing to be tallied. The proceeds from the auction are used to benefit art students. For example, the money buys art supplies, tools, and other equipment that otherwise would not be available. Funds are also used for scholarships to needy art students. Funds are also given to students who study abroad so they can bring back pictures and other information that is shared with the entire campus community. The pictures then become a permanent part of the art departments photo archives. A slush fund for next years auction and fundraisers will hopefully be established as well.

Health Administration Students Rub Elbows With the Big Guys

Two students and a professor in the Montana State University-Billings Health Administration program recently had the opporBy Jed Barton tunity to learn Sports Editor from some of the most important names in that field. Students Eric Faulks and Lorie Balcer and Professor Dr. Jerry Scott were part of the more than 4,000 people who recently attended the American College of Healthcare Executives 47th annual Congress on Healthcare Management held in Chicago Feb. 29 though March 5. The ACHE, which serves as the professional organization for 30,000 healthcare managers, also has student chapters in several states which allow students in the health management field to get a foot in the door and participate in community outreach. It is a great networking tool for starting a career and for helping out, said Faulks, who is president of the MSU-Billings chapter of ACHE. Faulks and Balcer, who serves as vice president of the MSU-B chapter, got a unique opportunity at the conference. Both were selected as program assistant, meaning they got to serve as aids to various presenters, even introducing some of them as well as having their conference registration fees paid. Faulks said, The program assistantship was neat because it allowed me the chance to attend 15 sessions instead of the usual six, and it also gave me the opportunity to introduce a speaker to an audience of 250 people. As with many who attend professional conferences and conventions any local grocery store could easily inform a shopper that we are living in the Age of Atkins. The existence of the term Atkins-friendly should be evidence enough that the American consciousness has been permeated by the new dietary paradigm. This slogan can be found on dozens of unlikely products ranging from bread to ice cream to beer. One concern about the proliferation of these new low-carb products is that companies are profiteering at the expense of Americas health. According to a survey administered by the United States government in 2000, 40 million Americans are obese. That is a staggering 20 percent of the nations population. The same study also reported that over 50 percent of Americans are overweight. Many people point the finger at the old low-fat paradigm for this situation, claiming that it has failed. This attitude has been obvious, as the low-carb bandwagon has swept millions of Americans away. According to the March 2004 issue of Business 2.0, 59 million Americans say they want to watch their carbs. Without proper education, that could be a risky proposition. Many fruits and vegetables esteemed under the old dietary paradigm have suddenly become taboo because of their high carbohydrate content. In a www.webmd.com forum on March 3, Elaine Magee, a registered dietician, pointed out that Americans have misunderstood the nature of carbohydrate. She points out that these fruits and vegetables

Photo provided by Eric Faulks---- Health Administration students Eric Faulks and Lorie Balcer recently represented MSU-B at the 47th Annual Congress of Healthcare Managment. such as the ACHE, Faulks believes that the real work for him and the MSU-B chapter of the ACHE, which was founded in the last year as part of the new college of allied health professions, is just beginning. He said, I hope to take what I learned in Chicago and share it with my classmates and professors and also to apply that knowledge as I begin my own career. work well, as many proponents of the diet will attest. The science of the Atkins diet is not the potential problem; the potential problem is people misunderstanding the fundamental nature of carbohydrate. This is where the flood of new lowcarb products comes in. Regardless of Dr. Atkins intentions, it seems that one of the hallmarks of the Age of Atkins is that carbs are inherently unhealthy. Due to market saturation, people have begun to syllogistically associate the term lowcarb with the concept of diet, and the concept of diet is typically associated with good health. So, if we skip the middle step in this logical equation, we end up with low-carb equals good health. While Socrates may have been proud of this logic, it quickly becomes evident that both of the minor premises are false. As described above, the Atkins diet cannot simply be reduced to not eating carbs. That disproves the statement that eating less carbs is a valid diet. It is also not true that diets are inherently healthy. Many diets only work for certain people under certain conditions. Thus, the second statement is false. Therefore, we can logically conclude that the overly simplistic thinking promoted by public opinion is false. Here we stand, in the middle of a dietary malaise. We have the new lowcarb paradigm battling the low-fat paradigm with neither side wanting to recognize the common middle ground that they are both fighting against the excessive consumption of sugars, starches, and other empty carbs. It seems that this debate is unlikely to come to an end any time soon. Good, bad, or indifferent, the Atkins Diet Revolution has surely made its mark on contemporary American pop culture. Be sure to look in the next issue where we will discuss the effects of the Age of Atkins on a local level.

Has America Entered the Age of Atkins?

How the Atkins Diet is Impacting Our Nations Dietary Beliefs
W h e n was the last time a new diet idea revolutionized contemporary dietary thought? For years, the conventional wisdom has been to eat a By wide variety of Adam Wickens foods and stay away from excessive fat and sugar. Then, all of the sudden, Hurricane Atkins blew into town. Just like a real hurricane, the Atkins diet has done some serious damage to long-standing beliefs about personal nutrition. Besides causing chaos in the dietary realm, the Atkins diet also seems to be causing quite the ruckus in the business world. The late Robert Atkins, originator of the diet named after him, started the company Atkins Nutritionals in 1989. He founded the company to fill a niche market created by his diet, but now, 15 years later, that market is no longer a niche. A quick glance at the aisles of

Graphic by Richard Castillo are high in dietary fiber, antioxidants, and vitamins; to cut these items from ones diet does not make sense. Dr. Atkins also clearly points out that not all carbs are bad. Certain types of carbohydrate, such as dietary fiber, are permitted in the diet and are not even factored into the total net carbs allowed every day. The science behind the Atkins diet is very specific. In its pure form, the diet involves starving ones body of carbohydrates for a short time to push your body into ketosis, a natural state where it burns away fat stores. Ketosis begins when the human body takes in less than 130 grams of carbohydrate per day. If strictly adhered to, this method seems to

Civic Engagement Essay Contest

Press Release
The New York Times Knowledge Network and NYTimes.com invite you to participate in the Student Perspectives Essay Contest. We encourage all American Association of State College and University students to share their views, in essay form, on the topic of Civic Engagement in your community. To be eligible, you must write a 750-1,000 word essay on Civic Engagement and be a current undergraduate or graduate student. All essays must be submitted by April 16, 2004 to www.nytimes.com/ studentperspectives. At the end of the contest, the writers of five essays will be chosen as the grand prizewinners of $200 gift certificates to Barnes & Noble. The five award-winning essays will also be published within the Student Perspectives section on The Knowledge Network at www.nytimes.com/college. Learn more about Civic Engagement write the essay and enter to win go to: NYTimes.com/studentperspectives. The editorial staff of The Times was not involved in the production of this contest. All entries will be eligible for publication at the discretion of www.nytimes.com. The New York Times has the right to publish any and all entries within the college section of NYTimes.com.

International Food Fair Coming to MSU-Billings

The International Food Fair is coming to MSU-B We d n e s d a y, March 31, from 10:30 to 2:00 in the ballroom in the SUB. The event is coordinated By by the InternaBetsy Harris tional Studies Club and Office of International Studies and will feature foods from countries like Japan, Korea, China, Taiwan, and European and South American Countries. They are also exhibiting music and dance from the different cultures. The International Food Fair is trying to increase awareness of international students and their cultures. They want to create a cohesiveness between MSU-

B students and people and things of other cultures. They would like to provide a place that people can enjoy the diversity of other cultures and learn more about them. The Office of International Studies is offering a trip to Japan May 14-31. They are very excited about this opportunity and would like as many people to participate as possible. They would like to remind students that studying abroad greatly enhances a students resume. It shows that a student is a risk taker and willing to push his/her envelope of comfort. It also helps a student to become a creative thinker from being im-

mersed in a different culture and learning how to analyze issues from different angles. Studying abroad enhances a students worldview and personal growth, creates educational experiences and memories of a lifetime, and its just plain fun! Its a great way to widen a students perspectives and make friends around the world. The food fair is only $1 for people on campus, $2 for people off campus, and free for kids under 8 years old. Each booth will be selling their foods, from 50 cents to $2 per dish, and

other cultural souvenirs as well. You can buy tickets ahead of time for the food fair on March 23 at the SUB from 11:301p.m., and March 24 from 9 to 11 a.m. in the LA building, or you can just get the tickets on March 31 at the fair. If anyone is interested in the Japan trip or studying abroad, you can contact Analicia Pianca at 657-1705, go to room 205 in McMullen Hall, or check out the web site at www.msubillings.edu/intnlstudies/.

MSU-B Percussion Club Strives for a Spot at Nationals

By Michael Redstone Staff Writer

On May 9, the MSU-B Percussion Club will depart for Los Angeles, where they will board a cruise ship for Baja, Mexico. While there, they will participate in a festival put on by the Music Educators National Conference. This is not a cruise where they will go to get a nice tan. The club will be competing for national recognition and they will be judged by those who are the best in their fields. The club has been working long and hard on two pieces of music that will be both visually and musically entertaining. The two pieces of music that they will be performing are written by a composer named Mark Ford. Ford is one of the top percussion artists in the country. He is a marimba specialist and he writes music for solo marimba and percussion ensembles. Ford is also the coordinator of percussion activities at the University of North Texas in Denton, Texas. The two pieces are called Stubernic and Head Talk. The first piece features three people on one marimba, and they use all the pieces of the drum for the performance. It may seem crowded, three people to one drum, but it is definitely worth watching and listening to. They have been working on this piece since the beginning of the year. One of the members, Luke Kestner, said that they are very comfortable with this piece and it is really fun to do. The other piece that they will be performing is called Head Talk. This is performed by everyone on five different sized drum heads. The club has also been working on this piece of music for quite sometime now. Barbara Fordham, the clubs advisor, says that this is a high level of music. Fordham also feels that her group is ready to compete on a national level. She is very confident about the way the group will perform. She feels that the cultural exchange will have a great impact on her students because that is where the instruments are from. The marimba originated from Guatemala and Mexico, making its first appearance in the United States in 1908. This drum is unique because of a combination of visuals and artistry. The members of the club are Luke Kestner, Richelle Stricker, Rebekah Arnold, Steve Brown, Beth White, Norm Van Dyke, Dru Urlacher, and Ginny Cummins. The members are excited and nervous about

Photos by Michael Redstone----(Back Row) Ginny Cumming, Norm VanDyke, Dru Urlacker, Advisor Barb Fordham, (Front Row) Rebecca Arnold, Beth White, Luke Kestner and Richelle Stricker(kneeling).

(Left to Right) Rebekah Arnold, Luke Kestner, Rishelle Striker performing Stubernic. the competition. Even though the competition happens to be held on a ship, the members of the Percussion Club are excited and they cant wait to represent MSUBillings. They are also grateful to ASMSU-B for the support and contributions. If you would like to preview of the competition, they will be performing in Cisel Hall on April 14, at 7:30. So come out and listen to the beautiful music of the Percussion Club.

Music is about creating. Barbara Fordham Percussion Club Advisor

February 26-March 12
Wandering drunks, prank callers, and people who steal from children. It has been busy here at MSU-Billings. With that said, here we go. By 2 - 2 6 Adam Wickens There was a violation of privacy in communication in Petro Hall between 3:00 and 3:30 a.m. A female resident received several disturbing calls from a person who breathed heavily and said, I am outside your window. As you might recall from the article in the previous issue of The Retort, you should report these kinds of calls immediately. 2-26 A group of people gathering signatures outside of the library was reported as soliciting. It turns out that the group was legitimately gathering signatures to get a third party candidate on the 2004 presidential ballot. The concern was that students might have been giving personal information to the signature gatherers. You should never give more than your name to any such person. Students are encouraged to report suspicious people requesting personal information. 2-27 An unlucky student was the victim of criminal mischief in the Virginia parking lot. For the second time in the same lot, a particular student had the lock popped on his passenger door. There were no valuables in the car, leaving the campus police and the student puzzled as to the motivations of the perpetrator. 3-4 A fire extinguisher was temporarily misplaced in Petro Hall and was reported as stolen. The extinguisher was soon recovered. A word to the wise: Do not play pranks with vital safety equipment! Fire extinguishers are strategically located to ensure the safety of the students. In the event that one should turn up missing during an actual fire, the prank would cease to be funny. 3-5 Another privacy in communication violation was reported in Petro Hall in the early morning. The resident received a threatening phone call. 3-11 Be prepared, this one is a dandy. A female student brought her 11year-old son with her to the Academic Support Center so she could do some schoolwork. While they were there, somebody stole the sons Gameboy. Is there any decency in the world? Here we are, at an institution of higher learning, studying to become productive members of society, and we have degenerates in our presence that would steal from children. Wow. 3-12 There was a report of disorderly conduct on the fourth floor of Rimrock Hall as a resident noticed a drunken person wandering down the hallway. Campus security was called to the scene, and the inebriated wanderer, who turned out to be a resident, was told to return to his or her room and sleep it off. Remember, if you observe any criminal behavior or are the victim of a criminal act, be sure to contact campus security immediately at 657-2147 so the matter can be dealt with in a swift and proper fashion. For more information on learning about or reporting criminal activity on campus, you can access the Jeanne Cleary Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime St a t i s t i c s Act at www.msubillings.edu/security.

Walking in My Shoes
Air Force Ones, Kicks, Muzzles, etc. There are many different terms for shoes, and we all wear them, and we all stress over them. Where in Billings is a By Michael Redstone good place to buy quality Staff Writer new and used shoes? I know, I sound like a really bad advertisement. But buying shoes can

be fun. I think that it is more fun to go shoe shopping than it is to go clothes shopping. Styles of shoes are unique to the taste of the person who is buying them. Although I love to shop for shoes, I rarely buy them. I will wear one pair of shoes until they fall off of my feet. When I find that perfect pair of shoes, they are with me 24/7,and just like clothes, there are name brand shoes such as: Sketchers, Timberlands, Candies, and Dr. Martins, to name a few. There are also different styles of shoes that come in all shapes and sizes: sandals, flip-flops, clogs, tennis shoes, sneakers, moccasins, boots, platforms, etc. With so much to choose from, where can a person begin to look? I myself am a big fan of the Payless Shoe Source chain. Even though it is corporate there are lots of shoes to be bought for very little money. Payless is always having

clearance sales and buy one get one half price types of sales. Payless offers nonname brand stock and a person will find many different styles to suit him or her in this store. They offer imitation styles of the pricier name brand shoes, and their shoes often dont cost more than $20 a pair. For a person who barely has $20 to spare like me, this is a great bargain. Wal-Mart is another great place to find shoes. I love the sandals and clogs that they sell there. Their shoes are often on sale as well, and they dont go over $15 a pair. If you would like to find a sale on flip-flops, Old Navy is a great place to go because they sometimes have my favorite sale of buy one get one half off. Wal-Mart sells many great styles of flip flops as well. For those of you in dorms who might need a second pair of shower shoes, these are two great places to go

looking. If you want shoes that are used, then a great place to go is Goodwill. I found the perfect pair of shoes there and they were only $3! They were almost new, and I was so happy when I found them. There is nothing like the feeling that you get when you find the perfect pair of shoes. If you want shoes that cost a little more but are still reasonable, go to Rimrock mall. Maurices and Village Shoes offer shoes that are less than $40. Footlocker and Champs are good places to go if you are in search of athletic types of shoes. The mall is a haven for people who are in search of the elusive shoe sales. Depending on what time of the year it is, shoe stores will be trying to sell their winter stock in favor of the lighter and more airy spring and summer stock. So I leave you with this same piece of advice, keep your eyes peeled and look out for those sales.

FYI On Breakups
Things to do after a breakup: 1. Buy a tool to replace the one you just got rid of. 2. Call your best friend and let it all out. 3. Plan a girls night, complete with girly beer, pizza, and movies. 4. What should you do with his belongings? Box them up, and put them away until you can better control your emotions. You can return them when you feel ready. 5. Write a letter to your ex, explaining everything you feel and dispose of it properly. (Shredder, fire, and water will do the trick.) This way, you get it out of your system without calling him in a drunken rage. 6. Join a club or another group to take up the time you used to spend with him. 7. Exercise or do something to better yourself. 8. Re-enter the dating world slowly and dont blame the rest of the male race for your exs faults. 9. Cry into your pillow as much as you need to. (No, it is not a sign of weakness to cry.) 10. Release your anger through someone elses words by investing in loud, hard rock music. Things not to do after a breakup: 1. Sleep with his brother, best friend, or boss. to let him know you are really over him. 2. Call you ex and let it all out. 3. Get totally wasted with a phone anywhere in the direct vicinity. 4. Take his belongings and burn them, pawn them, leave them on his doorstep, leave them on his doorstep while on fire, throw them at him, throw them at him while they are on fire, flush them, give them to your dog to chew on, wear them to bed, sleep with them, or refuse to wash them for fear that they might loose his scent. 5. Write a letter to your ex explaining everything you feel and send it to him, or leave it around so you can dwell on it, read it to him, send it to him in the future, or have someone send it for you. 6. Build a shrine of him in your closet and spend the time you used to spend with him worshiping his memory. Other ways not to spend your time are calling him and hanging up, driving by his house, or calling up his mom and having long conversations. 7. Point out all of his faults to him and tell him how he should better himself. 8. Blame the male race, spit on every man you see, experiment sexually with your best female friend, or swear celibacy for the rest of your life. 9. Call him at 2 oclock in the morning and cry. (Dont admit to him that he hurt you, they wont.) 10. Release your anger by vandalizing his house, or breaking the windows on his vehicle.

By Jessalyn Remington & Evelyn Irmen Reporters

Face it ladies, we deal with emotions in different ways than men do. How should you deal with the ups and downs of the dating world? Here is a list of things to do and things not to do after a breakup. Hopefully these hints and warnings will keep you from making mistakes that can lead to public embarrassment or, heaven forbid, jail.

The Following Positions Are Available For Student Senate For The 2004-2005 School Year

14 Senators-At-Large 1 COT position

Applications available: SUB 213 or website http://www.msubillings.edu/asmsub Application Deadline: 4/2/04 at 5:00PM Candidates must be enrolled For at least 6 credits

Elections Will Be Held April 6th & 7th

If you have any questions, come to the Student Government Office in the Student Union Building, Room 213, or call 657 657-2365.

Bright and Beautiful: Blooming Spring Fashions

As the temperature heats up outside, it is getting even hotter inside. The once dreamed about fur lined coat is hanging on the clearance By Jennifer Fenton rack and A&E Editor there is not a sweater in sight. That could only mean one thing, spring has sprung and new fashions are blossoming all over. So just what is hot this spring? Look for color, not those plain pastel colors that we saw last spring, I am talking acid bright hues. You should also expect to see flaming yellows and sunset oranges that are sure to be competition for the bold blues and fierce fuchsias. If one is looking to catch the eye of all those around, keep in mind that youll want to use these colors sparingly; try matching them up with a crisp white, such as a camisole or a pair of slim white trousers. These are sure to tone down the intensity of vibrant colors. Who can forget pink? The motto this spring is think pink. With shades ranging from blush to lipstick hues, you are sure to find anything and everything in pink. If you are looking to make the perfect combination, pair pink with anything black for the sleek yet sophisticated style that says, Look at me. Keep in mind that too much pink could result in a fashion flub that has everyone thinking, who spilt their pepto this morning? If youre looking for something comfortable to wear that is school casual, pairing any of these colors with denim will do the trick. If you add just the right tank with a tight hip-hugging pair of jeans or a short denim mini, youre giving just the right sass that shows you know what is hot. Enough with color. Lets introduce what types of clothing you can expect to look hot this spring. Underwear as outerwear, who wears short shorts, and return of the mini. These are all hints to fashion favorites for the spring. Slinky, lingerie-inspired looks are what is in for tops. From tanks to tees, these are sure to get the attention of your friends. Paired with the right denim jacket or tailored tweed, any girl is sure to be a perfect match with this springs line-up for male fashion. If youre thinking trashy and scandalous, look no further; these tops are cute and sexy, sending just the right message. Shorties are in. Yes, I am talking about the ultra short shorts. From cotton to denim these shorties will look killer with a lacy tank or sporty tee. Keep in mind you may want to hit the tanning salon or apply a layer of self tanner to cover up those winter whites. All hail the school girl look, the mini is in. These cute, flirty skirts will allow you to strut your stuff all over town, make you the hit at the night club, and the envy of your friends. Your mother may not approve, but just give her a friendly reminder that school girls have been wearing the look for years and they seem to have turned out just fine. Look for these little hotties in straight denim, light cotton, hot vibrant colors, and accented with ruffles. These are the hottest spring fashions and look good with anything they are paired with. Spring will have you seeing ruffles, and not the potato chips. I am talking about the once annoying things that we featured on everything that came out of the 80s. There are ruffles on shirts, jackets, skirts, and anything else you can wear. You name it, and it has ruffles. Not only are the annoying ruffles back, but spring will have you seeing puffy pants and embroidery. Keep in mind the 80s and how strong the comeback is. If youre not into the girly look, the rock star look is also standing strongly. Dirty, holey jeans; the concert tee that looks like half you friends once owned; and that killer jean jacket, perfectly accessorized with patches and pins galore, will have you looking like a groupie in no time flat. Who can forget the athletes? Pants cropped above the ankle, beach shorts, or Capris paired up with a Nike tee or bikini top are sure to catch the eyes of beach goers. Look for this fab sporty attire in tropical and floral prints. Anyone from Montana knows there is a little cowgirl in us all. If that is the look youll be going for this spring, try wearing vintage looking clothes starting with dirty denims or cords. Match these up with lacy tanks, fur lined jackets, tooled leather, big belt buckles, and dangly earrings. This is said to replace the on-going gypsy look. Every outfit needs the perfect accessories to give it a completed look. Handbags can be seen in the same bright colors, but coming in to-die-for materials such as vinyl and plastics. This seasons belts are once again big and chunky featured in metals and leathers. There is lots of silver to be seen. Jewelry of all types is most popular this spring in silver. Earrings and necklaces should dangle with glam, topping off that perfect pink tank and black mini. Also, big chunky plastic bangles are back; look for them in the same vibrant colors we should all grow to love this season. Shoes are majorly important this season. Classic heeled sandals in plain whites or blacks will accent any outfit. Flip flops are major; youll see them in plain, sporty looks or cute floral designs. Look for the Chuck Taylor to make its debut comeback this spring; old school is in for the tennie. Guys, dont think I forgot about you. This spring youll want to go for the rock/ country look. If you want more glam, the Sinatra look is hot: Tailored and tight, not just pants but everything you wear. The color is bright, more in the blues and greens. These colors should be matched up with light colors to balance out the look. Dressier is hot when going out for the evening. You can add an athletic touch by adding a pair of modern style jeans or pants to a jacket. This look can be paired up with a nice pair of tennies. If you are looking for everyday wear, you cant go wrong with jeans and a tee. Keep the tee bright and the jeans modern. Add a hoodie for the not so hot days. Remember to keep your sunglasses with you at all times because everyone should be bright as can be with this springs colors. Girls, avoid wind storms with those minis, keeping in mind the shorter the better. Everyone should dangle and shine. Have fun mixing up the colors and designs of spring, creating the ultimate rock star sexy garb that everyone is dying to wear.

Courtesy of KRT

GRANDPA Part 2
By Natasha Mancuso
This is the conclusion to the short story featured in Issue 9. At 5:00 oclock the next morning the phone rings. It is time for me to get up to go to work but the alarm has not yet gone off. I run downstairs where Mom picks up the phone. My heart sinks, I know no good news comes at this hour. I look at her, she puts the phone down. Grandpa died last night. They didnt want to wake us and waited until the morning to call. I call the office: I wont be in today, I want to stay with Mom. I can only imagine what she feels - far away from her own family, not able to be with her sister and her mother, to grieve, to hold hands. We are not at all religious but I insist: lets go to church. Separated by the ocean from our family, what else are we to do? How will we say goodbye? The reality of the loss has not settled yet. I dont feel sad, Mom is not crying. There will be no wake, no funeral. As a child I was terrified of funerals. In our neighborhood, they were loud, public events. The sight of a casket would send chills down my back and I hated how, following the tradition, for three days the top of it draped in black and red would be displayed at the front door of the deceased home. It was shouting of its presence, bringing the message of death to the world, to me. I would do anything to avoid the sight of a funeral procession. Slowly it would spill from one street into the next leaving behind a carpet of flowers thrown by family members and neighbors. Red carnations crushed against dirty asphalt. Id try not to look and take a de-

tour. It was bad luck to cross in front of ing of time very sharply. Gasping for air, the funeral procession. Not that I would tears pouring down my cheeks I am surever come close anyway. Just when you prising myself with the lack of self conthought you escaped, there were the trol. Mom comforts me, she looks at her sounds of Listzs Funeral March float- watch: ing above the rooftops and trees for blocks With the difference in time, they and blocks. Always the same tune, always must be at the funeral now. poorly performed by some local band I am amazed and ashamed to be walking right after the moving casket and weaker than her. But she is not a bit surprised. before the family and the crowd. I cant You were always his favorite. You image any of that around Grandpa. I have the strongest connection. look at Mom. Shes quietly sipping her We are finally at the Grand Central coffee, her gaze is fixed on the wall like a Station. The energy of the crowd and the pastel picture - no emotion, no sound, just smell of the spring air gives us second filling the space. wind. It is two blocks up 48th Street and Its scary when your parents die, then a few blocks up 5th Avenue to St. she says after a while. It means you are Patricks Cathedral. We get coffee and benext. Instantly I know gin walking. I have that my place is right Grandpa is on his way walked this way a here with her. Grandpa million times but tonow. Hes OK, Mom. is in me. In me his day I feel disoriented. spirit, his love can be The flow of traffic Trust me. I know. with her right now. Its and people seems aldecided, well go to most overwhelming. church and say goodbye together. I step aside to a corner, sheltered by a We are new to the area and the only building from the gusts of wind. church I know will be open during the day Lets drink our coffee here, then on a Tuesday is St. Patricks Cathedral in well go. New York City. So without much discusBusy New Yorkers are passing by sion, we take off to the train station. in every shade of gray, black and navy The day is full of spring and sun- blue. Carrying newspapers and cups of shine. Trees barely touched with the green steaming Starbucks coffee, they go about dust of upcoming summer, the Hudson their day, business as usual. One figure River is full of snow runoff. I look out of separates from the crowd and moves tothe window at the passing train stations ward us. Black suit, black tie and a cap. A thinking of forever before and forever af- limo is parked on the curb - must be a ter. Mom is next to me, deep in her driver. He starts a pleasant chit-chat about thoughts, still no tears. the weather, the early spring, the city. I I wonder if his cherry trees are see his lips move but I am not paying atblooming now, she breaks the silence. tention to the words. Something about Maybe it is my youth or my self- him is familiar. I cant place my finger on ishness that make me lose my calm but I it. The man is in his sixties, white hair, cannot hold it anymore. With him gone short, a bit thick around the middle. Its my happy childhood days are forever not his face, not his voice. And then it over. There is no going back to visit, no comes to me. In his eyes I see the same curling up next to him on the couch, no twinkle of a light as I have come to recfishing at the river house, no ice cream, ognize in my Grandfathers eyes. Yes-yes, no cherry trees. Suddenly I feel the pass- of course! The same posture, the same

stance, hands in his pockets, even the way he wears his hat - slightly to the side. And its the way he looks at me, deep into my eyes as if to say: Everything is as it should be. I say goodbye as quickly and as politely as possible, anxious to share my observation with Mom. We turn the corner and, swallowed by the crowd, start moving up the street. Did you see? Did you get it? How he was just like Grandpa? No, she didnt. She turns to look, but the man is long gone. I am relieved and happy. Grandpa is on his way now. Hes OK, Mom. Trust me. I know. She looks at me with amazement and I can see she believes me. We still go to church. Its Easter time and St. Patricks Cathedral is filled with easter lilies, cherry blossoms and abundant waves of some other blooms in bright colors of yellow and pink. Light is beaming through stained windows. Much livelier than usual. You know, all sins are forgiven to those who pass on at Easter, Mom says not so much to me as to herself. Sins? Grandpa couldnt have any sins. Where does she get this stuff? What time did Grandma say it was when he passed away? Around 2 a.m. So, our time it was about 8? Just as we were talking about him. How strange. A service is in process but we dont stay very long, weve already said our goodbyes. On the way home we will stop at a nursery and pick out a cherry tree. We will plant it in the back yard and think of Grandpa every spring when it blooms a delicate shade of pink. Over the next few years good things will happen. Ill know its him - helping me, watching over. After all, I have always been his favorite.

Q & A: Quiznos Surreal New Pitchmen

Knight Ridder Tribune Q: Whats up with those screeching rodents on the Quiznos TV commercials? A: We love the subs! wails what looks like a gerbil. Except gerbils are cute. This guy makes roadkill look cute. His big, asymmetrical eyes are misshapen. He has what appear to be human baby teeth. Hes wearing a derby. And he sings like Tiny Tim, if Tiny Tim were on fire. The singing guy is accompanied by another surreal gerbil wearing a commodores hat and playing a guitar. Meet the most talked-about pitchmen in the country: A pair of scrungy rodents, who are selling food. The Super Bowl commercials passed us by like a glitzy, billion-dollar parade. Most of the ads were slick, some were cute. How many were memorable? These Quiznos ads certainly are. The computer-animated creatures were created by London-based Web artist Joel Veitch, whos also done spots for VH1 and British TV. Quiznos bought the rights to use the characters. Is the startling, some even call it horrifying, ad campaign working? Quiznos says sales are up. The New York Times, USA Today, AdAge, Cox newspapers and hundreds of Web sites are all talking about them. We managed to get an interview with Veitch, himself. (Which took dogged persistence and a little whining.) Hes a very

nice, you might even say normal, chap. GLAD: What, exactly, ARE these things? VEITCH: Im not really sure to be honest, but they certainly do like subs. GLAD: Is the body, or WAS the body, once a real animal? Is that mouth a childs mouth? VEITCH: Id love to say I have a sinister laboratory in a secret bunker beneath an evil dome on the ocean floor, where I experiment with the creation of freakish beasts. The truth is a bit more dull, Im afraid: Its all done in Photoshop. (A computer tool that allows manipulation of photos.) I have a library of 50,000 images here, and a digital camera. Using various source images I fiddle about until Im happy. (Veitch would not tell us exactly what images he used to construct the Quiznos creatures, he calls them Spongmonkeys. But he did say they are a compendium of many photographic images, not just features stuck on a dead mouse. He slyly suggested that the eyes MIGHT be racket rubber balls superimposed on white hard hats.) GLAD: Are some people horrified by your creations? VEITCH: Yes, I suppose some people are. GLAD: Are you getting barraged by new offers for work? VEITCH: I get a lot of requests to take things on, yes. Trey Hall, Quiznos chief marketing officer, said there are three basic reactions to the ads: 1. What in the world? 2. What is this company thinking? 3. Thats marketing genius. How did Hall propose to Quiznos top brass that they use scary rodents to sell their food? We took the ads to the public and videotaped viewers reactions. Then, without showing our execs the ads, we showed

them the viewers reactions. And what were those reactions? People went wild, Hall says. The executives were sold. Even after they saw the ads. Still, many viewers just dont associate the unappetizing creatures with food. They look like something no restaurant would want scurrying across the floor, much less touting the menu. (They got a pepper bar! the rodent singer warbles in one memorable line.) Other people find them hilarious. I just think theyre funny, says Jonathan Baker, 14, of Belmont, N.C. Theyre so different. What do you think? Q: When I was young, we said XYZ, examine your zipper when someone had his fly open. What do they say today? A: Some young people are saying wardrobe malfunction _ the term Justin Timberlake lamely used to explain Janet Jackson s Super Bowl nipplegate. It doesnt take long for current events to work their way into Americas chameleon vocabulary. Paul McFedries book Word Spy ($15.95, Broadway Books) is just hitting bookstores. He gave us some other emerging terms: The creative and detailed shaving that young hunks do these days? Manscaping. Can John Edwards come from behind to win? If so, hell be a Seabiscuit candidate. Do you get little sleep during the week and try to make up for it during the weekend? Youre a sleep camel. McFedries, a Toronto-based writer, collects these words from newspapers, Web sites, raps, movies _ everywhere. And he says theyre important. When theres a new invention, ser-

vice, trend or idea, we need a new way to describe these things, he says. The emerging vocabulary becomes a mirror to the culture. New words spring from baby boomers life changes, technologys effects on the culture _ even TV shows like Seinfeld. Some new words take root, others disappear. A few others from McFedries: Soul proprietor. Someone who scales back his or her business to concentrate on personal priorities. Dorian Graying. The refusal of some people to show their age, even if it means risky and expensive plastic surgery. We even taught him a new word: Surf murmur. The mmm-hmm ... OK ... all right ... you hear when talking on the phone with someone who is obviously watching TV or looking at the Internet.

A Quick Quiz
On singers of the 50s and 60s: 1. Whose burnin love almost got cooled off by the cold Kentucky rain? 2. Who didnt look like a poor little fool when he hit on Mary Lou? 3. Who rattled those pots and pans when the clock struck 2, 3 and 4? 4. Who shot Liberty Valance on the main street of a town without pity? 5. What teenager in love warned us to keep away from Runaround Sue? ANSWERS: 1. Elvis Presley, baby 2. Ricky Nelson 3. Bill Haley 4. Gene Pitney 5. Dion (Send questions of all kinds to Jeff Elder at glad(AT)charlotteobserver.com. If you send him a great question, hell send you a Glad You Asked T-shirt.)

Dear Editor,
I am so irritated with the amount of inconsiderate people in the library, especially in the computer area on the 1st floor. No one cares about anyone else and whether or not they are trying to concentrate on writing a paper or taking an online exam. There consistently remains an atmosphere where people think it is their right to sit and chat with each other at the computers - and not whispering either. If they want to chat, they should be made to go to the other areas that are secluded, or closed in (like the enclosed room upstairs). It is inappropriate and rude to be distracting others, and I feel it is the librarys responsibility to have the people working here tell these people that they need to be quiet. Workers need to confront the rude, inconsiderate people. Same with cell phone use. They will still sit at the computer and chat in a normal voice. They need to be told to leave the room, or call the person back later. There are many people who cannot do their work with the noise distraction. I am one of them. If no one actively does anything about the noise, then it makes my having paid a library fee a joke because I ought to be able to use the library without distraction. So often Ive heard the comment, Well we cant really do anything about it - hogwash. If staff consistently stood up for the QUIET rule and consistently told people to take their conversations eleswhere then it would be effiective. I would even suggest a one page blurb sent out to all enrolled students with the rules of the library use, and EMPHASIZE in it that conversation is NOT to be conducted in the computer areas, otherwise they will be asked to leave. Sincerely, Janet Comstock

Another Shade of American

Ever heard of skin bleaching? The women of Central America, Africa, and the Caribbean have. This new fad, which is used by some in the By Brook Madison United States, has dark women Staff Writer burning their skin whiter with a chemical called hydroquinon. The chemical is proven to cause skin cancer, but that does not stop women from continuing to use the product. Some say women are trying to overcome racial barriers by bleaching their skin, while others believe its just a passing phase. Whatever the trend may represent, skin bleaching is just another example of how people change their appearance to feel better about themselves. Does this sound familiar to anyone? Much like skin bleaching, tanning is a harmful trend that has been increasing in the United States. Just look around, there are at least one or two tanning salons on some of the busiest streets. The new spray tan has also been named one of the quickest and easiest ways to bronze the body. There is no lie that tanning is a trend today. We think it makes us feel slimmer, look prettier, and as student Tara Parks states, Its good when you need a lift. Although tanning makes us feel better about ourselves, the side effects can be damaging in the long run. According to the Nemours Foundation, Melanoma, the most serious type of skin cancer, is the fastest-growing type of tumor in the United States. Our obsession with dark skin, just the opposite of bleaching, will only lead to wrinkling, brown age spots, blotchiness, and even cancer. Skin cancer has become an epidemic in the United States, and doctors are becoming increasingly concerned with the number of young patients they are seeing with skin problems. So the biggest question we should ask is are we willing to sacrifice true beauty and health for a good feeling?

Graphic provided Knight Ridder Tribune

Questions to Ponder
Can you cry under water? How important does a person have to be before they are considered assassinated instead of murdered? If money doesnt grow on trees, then why do banks have branches? Since bread is square, then why is sandwich meat round? Why do you have to put your two cents in, but its only a penny for your thoughts? Wheres that extra penny going to? Why do people pay to go up tall buildings and then put money in binoculars o look at things on the ground? How come we choose from just two people for president and fifty for Miss America? Who do doctors leave the room while you change? Theyre going to see you naked anyway. If a 911 operator has a heart attack, whom does he/she call? Why is bra singular and panties plural?

Once youre in heaven, do you get stuck wearing the clothes you were buried in for The hardest thing to learn in life is which bridge to cross and which to burn eternity? Why does a round pizza come in a square box? What did cured ham actually have? How is it that we put a man on the moon before we figured out it would be a good idea to put wheels on luggage? Why is it that people say they slept like a baby when babies wake up every two hours? If a deaf person has to go to court, is it still called a hearing? If you drink Pepsi at work in a Coke factory, will they fire you? If you drink a Pepsi while working at MSU-B, will they fire you? Why are you IN a movie, but youre ON TV?

Comedian Bernie McGrenahan Entertains and Educates

By Betsy Harris
Stand-up comic Bernie McGrenahan performed in front of a lively group of students at Petro Hall on March 4. McGrenahan has been doing stand-up comedy for 15 years, but his show is much more than a couple of laughs. McGrenahan not only makes his audience laugh, but cry as well. He starts his act with a half-hour of endearing comedy and then cleverly segues into a message about the perils of drug and alcohol abuse. Even if its not a message students want to hear, by the time McGrenahan starts relating his deeply personal story, they cant help but stay with him. McGrenahan describes his life of drug and alcohol abuse and how his behavior almost destroyed his life. His honesty and volatility can not help but create some connections with his audience. He recounts disappointing his family and friends due to alcoholism and the tragic death by suicide of his younger brother right after a family fight. He gently reveals his family secrets, including the story of his mentally challenged brother, who he never had time for until he quit drinking, and who still teaches him more than anybody about life today. McGrenahan doesnt come off as preachy or condescending to the students. Hes just someone who has been there and done that and wants to help others avoid some of the experiences he wasnt able to, like three DUIs and six months in LA county jail. McGrenahan says: I want students to feel like a friend is talking to them. I want to pinpoint patterns and help the students to identify them so they can make a change if they need to. Someone who has been through a drinking problem is more likely to reach a problem drinker because they can more easily relate. McGrenahan first started doing his inspirational show in 1999 after several years of stand-up comedy. He was doing clubs, cruise ships, USO tours, and corporate shows when he noticed that a lot of students were dying of alcohol poisoning. He got together with his agent and decided he would like to do more

Stand up comic Bernie McGrenahan performed in front of a lively group of students at Petro Hall on March 4. than make people laugh. He wanted to make a difference. He knew if he could tell his personal story, he could touch peoples lives. McGrenahan took his act to the National Association of Campus Activities, and the rest is history. He has been touring colleges ever since. He only did 12 colleges that first year, and five years later hes doing 75 to 100 colleges a year. McGrenahan admits that when he first started, the message was pretty heavy, but it slowly evolved into not a tragic story, but an inspirational one of renewed hope and happiness. The secret to McGrenahans act is that by the time he gets to the message, even if you dont want to hear it, you already love the guy; you just have to listen. Students often approach McGrenahan after his shows and tell him how he has touched them and how they feel hes helped them find the courage to change. He encourages students to check out his web site at www.Happyhourcomedy.com and feel free to e-mail him. He enjoys hearing from the students and is pretty good at answering their mail. McGrenahan says, I just want students to know the facts about alcohol and respect it, because it certainly wont respect them. McGrenahan was a real treat for MSU-B. Hopefully in the future we can have more talented entertainers like him and dont forget the magic word. FREE!

Horrors or Horses... Take Your Pick

A Cowboy, a Horse, a Writer, and a Killer
Hidalgo
What he doesnt know is that he will fight against all kinds of opposition once he gets there, not only mere competitiveness, but also in the form of prejudice. His felit is worth at times. Although totally out of their element, the pair are ready and willing to prove that together they can take on anything and beat it. As I said before, the film is a true masterpiece. I laughed, I cried, I was on the edge of my seat. There is enough action in the movie to satisfy everyone. I dont recall a slow moment. And true to his nature, Mortensen keeps you laughing. You feel pulled right into the action at times; you cant wait until the end of the race so you know what happens, yet at the same time, you really dont want the story to end. The connection between man and beast draws you in. You cant help but love them both. To know that this actually happened to a real person so many years ago blows your mind. That is what makes the movie, the fact that it is said to be real. Its not just another story. Its the story of someones life. How can you help but feel emotional about it? Its a hit! I think that sums it up pretty well. 5 stars

By Alea Logan Staff Writer

This is definitely one of the years best movies. I was a little skeptical going to see it, considering the fact that it is a movie about a horse, but have no fear. It is not in any way a bad movie. Great acting, great set design, amazing special effects, and a wonderful plot make this movie worth seeing. Hidalgo, based on a supposedly true story, is the tale of a man and his horse. It carries Frank T. Hopkins (Viggo Mortensen), a not so typical, washed up American cowboy from Buffalo Bills Wild West Show, across the ocean to the deserts of the Middle East. He makes the l o w competitors are appalled that an outsider has entered their race and that he is riding what they consider an impure horse. Hidalgo is a mustang from the western states United States. In spite of all of the resistance, Hidalgo and Frank still manage to make some friends. They are the recipients of unexpected help from surprising sources. This actually causes more trouble than

journey to enter a 3,000 mile horse race known as the Ocean of Fire. He is there to prove that his horse Hidalgo is truly the greatest long distance racehorse of all time. He does this at the request of the sheik and the insistence of all of his friends.

Johnny Depp Teams Up with Steven King

Secret Window
Johnny Depp and cast do an amazing job in this thriller. It takes twists and turns that you would never expect and like any good mystery, you really have no clue who the enemy is until the director wants you to. The secret window is a mystery/ thriller about Mort Rainey (Johhny Depp), an author who, accused of plagiarism, is on a mission to clear his name and save his own life. The person accusing him seems to be a little over the edge. He is making threats on his life, property, and the lives of those close to him. To top it all off, Rainey is in the middle of a divorce from his unfaithful, yet overly concerned wife. Throughout the movie, his property and his friends are harmed. He must find a way to clear his name and rid his life of the crazy man stalking him. Youll never believe what actually happens. The acting by Depp is outstanding. It was definitely a hard role to play, but he pulled it off magnificently. While I was on the edge of my seat for most of the movie, I still managed to laugh a little, a credit to Depps acting skills and the skills of the playwright. Maria Bello does a good job as his wife, Amy, as well. There are times when she could have been a little more believable, but she pulled it off quite well. Her boyfriend, Ted, played by Timothy Hutton, on the other hand, although played by a good actor, was not a very well-developed character. It just seemed to me like there were a few things missing from the story line in this aspect of the film. They needed him in the story for things to make sense, but it seems they made the role a little too minor. There definitely was room for development there. The stalker John Shooter (John Turturro) also did himself credit. He was just creepy enough to be a totally believable character while also making the hair on the back of your neck stand up. All in all the movie was good. Definitely not a screamer (there are a few times its a little slow), but it does keep you on the edge of your seat, wondering just what will happen next. You cant wait to find out what is going to happen and when you do, your emotions go haywire. All of a sudden you dont know what to think, whose side to be on, or what in the world you want to happen. In fact, it is the perfect atypical ending to an already uncommon movie. Its another great adaptation from Stephen King. 4 stars

GO OUT LIKE A ROCK STAR: VOTE!

As the time approaches for the presidential elections, it seems that we are subject to more and more political jargon than most of us can handle. When I say we, I am talking about those of us that are between the ages of 18 and 32. We are the future of America and our votes count more than ever. Not only do our votes count more then ever, we ourselves count more then ever. So when it comes time to vote, where are our minds? Do we even care? Well, we should care. In the last presidential election, 18 million people between the ages of 18 and 32 voted. That is a minute number of us that chose to speak up and voice our opinions; many of us may have chosen not to voice our opinions but at least we voted. We showed we cared and tried to make a difference in what could determine the rest of our lives. We took a stand in what will place the person in office who has all the power in the world to change the way we live our lives and how our children and our childrens children will live their lives. So do you care? Does it make a difference to you who we elect as president? I hope it does and so do many musicians and actors. Rock the Vote is a campaign that has been around for many years. The goal of the group is to get younger people, primarily those between the ages of 18 and 32, to go out and vote. They try to teach uneducated voters that what they think and feel does make a difference, and when they choose to express their opinions or feelings through their votes, then they too can help make a difference.

By Jennifer Fenton A&E Editor

These messages are sent to us through commercials, rallies, and concerts. They are backed by many d i ff e r e n t m u s i c i a n s s u c h a s A e ro s m i t h , B e a s t i e B o y s , S h e r y l Crow, Dixie Chicks, Jay Z, Snoop Doggy Dogg, Matchbox Twenty , and many more . There are also a countless number of actors who brandish their names to the organization such as Drew Barrymore, Dick Clark, Cuba Gooding Jr., Ashton Kutcher, and many more. The list is unbelievably long. There are many famous people who put forth their time trying to help us make a conscientious decision about voting. If these people who are so dedicated to the cause are willing to try and make a difference, we should be too. The messages are sent to us through speeches that are televised by stations such as MTV, who also happens to be a leading organizer and supporter. They have buses that go around from town to town and hold political rallies, giving us the knowledge we need and should know about the candidates. The actors and musicians are there to help send the messages. We all know people are attracted to a famous face. There are also concerts that are held throughout the campaigning season by these musicians who are in full support of Rock the Vote. These concerts are normally free and allow some of the candidates to go on stage and send their own personal messages to the young audiences. By holding these rallies and concerts, they hope to increase the number of voters by showing and telling them that their vote makes all the difference. Another group that is currently trying to raise awareness about the upcoming 2004 election is the Bands that Rock Against Bush (BAB). These are young punk bands that have come together to perform concerts and go on tours to raise the awareness of young voters. Bands such as Sonic Youth, the Donnas, the Liars, and Erase Errata are just a few of the punk bands that have pledged their support for the BAB, a self-explanatory new artistic collective dedicated to lending the support to the struggle against a world of perpetual fear and violence bolstered by the Bush administration. BAB has currently set up more than 20 chapters throughout

the United States and abroad. These groups are willing to participate in various events that are meant to raise voter awareness. One of the major events planned is an Oct. 11 international day of action. There are concerts planned for New York City; Olympia, Wash.; Seattle; Los Angeles; Boston; Washington, D.C.; Portland; Paris, France; and Dublin, Ireland. The concerts will be preceded by a Rock Against Reagan Memorial show on Oct. 9. Groups such as Green Day, NOFX, Good Charlotte , and others have contributed their musical talents to Rock Against Bush, a compilation to raise political awareness prior to the presidential election. There will also be a series of concerts to be held on college campuses throughout the United States.

If this is not enough to make you think about going out and voting, I dont know what is. There are thousands of famous people who are trying to educate us to help us in making what could be the most important decision of our lives, a decision that we must make every four years. So I hope that you will do what you feel is right and vote. Remember, we will give birth to the future doctors, teachers, lawyers, and politicians. Hell, who knows; we might even produce a future president of the United States. So in November, I hope that you choose to help make a d i ff e rence and vote.

CHEER TEAM BRINGS HOME A VICTORY!

Press Release

SUCCESS!
From left to right: Brad Lockner, Kimberly Bone, Mark Snider, Brook Henderson, and Linsey Lindgren. Jaquie Lind is standing behind Marissa Anderson. From left to right: Nic Talmark, Brad Lockner, Tanner Reinhart, Mark Snider pose with one of the 10 trophies brought home, along with their championship banner.

Yellowjacket Sports

The Montana State UniversityBillings Cheer Team captured first place in the Division II competition March 7 in Irvine, Calif., reported Dani Ruoff, MSU-Billings cheer coach. The team brought back a trophy and banner when they returned to Billings. The three schools in the Division II competition were Mount San Antonio College, MSU-Billings, and the University of Redlands. The MSUBillings team received the highest point scale. We hit a perfect routine, said Dani Ruoff. The MSU-Billings Cheer team went to this competition for the first time last year and came in fourth. This year, we were determined to place in the top two, and ended up as number one, said Ruoff. It was awesome. MSU-B Cheer Team members Nick Talmark and Brandi Hallgren also placed first in the Coed Stunt Partner Group. MSU-Billings Frankie Reno and Kristin Hodges placed second in that same competition. The team did a remarkable job despite a major setback. On Friday morning, during practice, team member Richard Castillo dislocated his ankle, so the team had to change their entire routine and one of the MSUBillings stunt couples of which he was a member had to scratch. The team overcame this, which shows what champions they truly are, said Ruoff, whose excitement in a phone interview was contagious. We didnt care who we were cheering against, we just wanted to go out there and hit a solid routine; we hit a perfect routine! The MSU-Billings team, Ruoff reported, was the only team in its division to have no faults assessed. We are very, very excited about this win, said Ruoff. This will open some major doors for the MSU-Billings Cheerleading Program.

Above: Richard Castillo and his wife Kara enjoy the welcoming group at the airport after he had an accident two days before the competition. Thankfully he only dislocated his ankle and did not break it as the doctors in California diagnosed. Right: Cheerleaders in COA Open Tshirts; Lindsey Hart, Brooke Henderson, and Kimberly Bone. Mark Snider is in the background.

All photos by Michael Redstone

Softball: Winning Streak, Competitive Games Mark Evolutionary Step for Program
The MSUBillings softball teams spring break road trip, which saw them play 17 games in four cities in 10 days, may have marked a small step in the By Jed Barton growth of a proSports Editor gram which began just four short years ago. It was an exciting week for our program, said head coach Jeff Amuend. The trip was highlighted by a stretch in the middle where the Yellowjackets won four out of five games, including a double header sweep of Northwest Nazarene and individual wins over Saint Martins and Mesa St. Overall, the Jackets won five out of the 17 games on the trip. While wins and losses are certainly the ultimate measure of success, perhaps for MSU-B, the way they are losing as opposed to a couple of years ago is a sign of improvement. We led the number three team in the nation, Humboldt State, in all three games including losing one in extra innings on a close call at the plate. We also took two other ranked teams, North Dakota State and Western New Mexico to extra innings, said Amuend. He went on to point out, A couple of years ago when we played these kind of top level programs, more often than not those games ended with the eight run rule being enforced. As to what is causing the Jackets to lose so many close games, in one instance against Western New Mexico, MSU-B had a 9-7 lead with two outs in the bottom of the seventh only to lose 109 in nine innings, Amuend is mixed in his assessment of the team. We are hitting the ball extremely well and our pitching, while not exceptional, is solid. They do, however, put a lot of balls in play, so I think our defense has to make some more outs, because in softball even more frequently than baseball, runners on base translate into runs that we cant often afford to give up, he said. MSU-B will next be in action at the Easton Tournament of Champions hosted by Cal State-Stanislaus April 2-4 while their next home games at Cenex Stadium will be April 10 and 11 against Hawaii Pacific.

Weather and Tough Competition Make for a Rough Start to Golf Season
By Jed Barton Yellowjacket head golf coach Roger Burckley was disappointed but not surprised by the last place finishes suffered by both the mens and womens squad in their respective opening tournaments. He said, Both the men and women were up against multiple teams that were ranked in the national top 10 and for a young program like ours that can be intimidating. Burckley also hinted that the winter weather Billings has experienced might have played a factor in amount of preparation that the Jackets had going into the season. The first competitive rounds we played were only the third outdoor round of the year for the men, and fourth for the women, whereas some of the teams, especially the ones from California and the Southwest, have been outside since practice began on Feb. 1, said Burckley. The mens team opened their season Feb 23 and 24 by placing 17th at the Cal State- Bakersfield Family Motors Invitational. MSU-B shot a combined team score of 981 for the three round event. In individual competition, Andy Eames lead the Yellowjackets shooting a 234 to finish in 77 th place, while the Jackets best single round of the tournament was Chris McConnells second round one under par 71. The women meanwhile placed seventh at the Cal State-Chico Subway Invitational held March 8 and 9. The Lady Jackets shot a two round team score of 795, finishing 67 shots behind sixth place University of Notre Dame de Namur. On the individual side, Elizabeth Marshall led MSU-B with a two-day total of 188, while an open-

ing round 89 by Amanda Rabenberg was the best round carded by a Jacket during the tourney. Both mens and womens teams will next be in action at the Northwest Invitational March 22-23 in Blaine, Wash., and with one tournament under their belts and improving weather conditions at home allowing them more time out on the links, Burckley expects to see a little improvement from his squad. It would be nice to be more competitive our next time out and maybe finish in the middle of the pack, he said.

Jacket Tennis Team Setback by Weber State and Northern Colorado

Despite a hard-hitting battle by the men and women, the Yellowjackets Tennis Team took a beating from Weber State and Northern Colorado in By non-conferJanna Huhtala ence play the last Editor-in-Chief over few weeks. The men were defeated by Weber State, 2-7, 0-9, and 0-5 in two mens duals at the MSU-Billings Indoor Tennis Center on March 6 and 7. Standout Andres Calabro was the only member of the mens team to win a singles match after battling against Zach Rideout of Weber State, 3-6, 6-2, and 6-7. Calabro was beaten in his second match of the day against Webers Daniel Abeabeoro, 2-6, 4-6. MSU-Bs Jose Garcia and Kellen Malone won the only doubles match of the weekend against Webers Abeabeoro and Mathis Saberon (8-4). The womens team also saw defeat against Weber State on their home court on March 6. Becky Fry, a junior from Miles City, exchanged blows with WSUs Chelsea Drews and took a beating with a valiant lost of 7-6, 1-6, 6-7. Becky plays really consistent, said teammate Brianne Roney. What hurt us was we [the rest of the team] were somewhat inconsistent. Roney, a freshman from Cody, Wyo., saw defeat against Weber but remains hopeful about the remainder of the season. Personally, I need to work on moving well and chipping away at the points, she said. The Jacket Tennis Team packed their bags on March 9 for five days of court time against Northern Colorado (men) and Northern Colorado and Air Force (women). MSU-B didnt leave without a fight on March 12. MSU-Bs Sergio Diaz demolished UNCs Chris Bminihan 6-4, 60 in his first singles win of the season. Kellen Malone also sought his first singles win against Morgan Surfas, coming out in a 6-0, 6-3 triumph. Andres Calabro proved his talent with an agile match against JonPaul Kaloi, his second win this year. Doubles spelled defeat for MSU-B against UNC, but Coach Peach remains optimistic. [The men] all played contributions to the team, Peach said in a phone interview. The lady Jackets also fought against Northern Colorado on March 12 with a 1-8 loss to the lady Bears. Lee Sowada, a sophomore from Gillette, Wyo. took on UNCs Julia McPherson in a tough battle; she came away with the only win 6-4, 76 (5). Becky Fry again struggled to come out with a win, this time against UNCs Renee Nuccio. Despite a tough skirmish, Fry ended with a 5-7, 5-7 loss to Nuccio. The womens team continued on to play the NCAA Division 1 Air Force team at the Academy on March 13. Margo Merrill-Johnson, a junior from Salt Lake City, let it rip with a 6-1, 6-1 victory against Liza Vaccaro. MerrillJohnson brought home the only win for the lady Jackets against AFA. Both the mens and womens tennis teams will face off against University of Mary in Billings on March 27-28. The entire team then travels to Bozeman on April 2 to play MSU before leaving to play Hawaii-Hilo and Chaminade in Honolulu, Hawaii on April 6. There is also slated to be a match up in Missoula for the men to play against UNV-Reno and Gonzaga University.

Compiled by Matt Beard

Name: Shinji Matsuoka Year in College: Freshman Age: 21 Hometown: Kumamoto, Japan Major: English Favorite Song: Where is the Love? Black Eyed Peas Favorite Professor: Ms. McComas Professor Pet Peeve: The way they speak. 1. Does Styrofoam melt in the microwave? Sure. 2. If you could be the lead singer of a rock group or band, who would it be and why? Mr. Big, I like their songs. To Be with You, is my favorite song of theirs. Greens and blues is a part of one of the verses in that song; its where I got my email address from. 3. Are you for or against gay marriages? Why or why not? I approve of gay marriages. Some gay people are inborn. Some guys think theyre girls. The surroundings and environment gay people are raised in make them gay. If a guy lived by himself he would not be gay. Surroundings are the most influential. I believe something in those surroundings makes them gay. 4. Do you agree with the Bush administrations policy on the war in Iraq? Why or why not? No, definitely not. If Bush went to war, maybe itd be different for him and he would not have the same policy. Hes never had to fight and its out of control. As a Japanese citizen, I am against the war. The U.S. contradicts itself sometimes, especially because they have weapons of mass destruction themselves. Bush is taking advantage of the Christian faith in his speeches. Im surprised little boys growing up in the U.S. think that Bush is the best president. I talked to a little Catholic boy, about 13 years old, and he didnt know about whats going on. My relatives survived in what happened with the U.S.s atomic bombing of Nagasaki. They told me the story of their experience with that. Its unfortunate that Japan cant cut ties with the U.S. and its policy in Iraq. 5. Old Metallica or Metallica S&M (symphonic)? Symphonic, its easier to listen to it. Im not an original fan from the beginning.

Name: Matt Sieler Year in College: Sophomore Age: 21 Hometown: Roy, MT Major: Engineering Favorite Song: Varies by day (thats not a song) Favorite Professor: Craig Wilson Professor Pet Peeve: When they explain once, then they vaguely ask, Have you got it? 1. Does Styrofoam melt in the microwave? Hmm . . . probably not. That wouldnt be safe. 2. If you could be the lead singer of a rock group or band, who would it be and why? Les Claypool of Primus. He doesnt do anything to make him look cool; hes totally for the music. Anything that guy does is completely unprecedented and unique. I dont know anyone else who plays bass like he does. 3. Are you for or against gay marriages? Why or why not? I believe that all people should be treated with a certain degree of equality and friendliness. You know, its a matter of personal matters. We should have a nationwide vote on whether or not they should be given this privilege. Im against gays altogether. 4. Do you agree with the Bush administrations policy on the war in Iraq? Why or why not? I think if we didnt do it, who could we count on to do it for us? Not the French. As we sit here happily, hes trying to make decisions. We cant expect him to be infallible. 5. Old Metallica or Metallica S&M (symphonic)? I would have to choose a bit of both. Not much of preference. Metallicas too corporate and business-like for me.

Name: Miranda Breding Year in College: Freshman Age: 21 Hometown: Roundup, MT Major: Mass Communications Favorite Song: All kinds of music. Favorite Professor: Cindy Linse Professor Pet Peeve: Ones who are super intelligent in their field but cant teach the class. 1. Does Styrofoam melt in the microwave? No, but CDs do crackle. 2. If you could be the lead singer of a rock group or band, who would it be and why? Mack Powell of Third Day. Hes cool, writes great and amazing lyrics, and his shows are fun and very entertaining. Hes got really nice glasses. 3. Are you for or against gay marriages? Why or why not? Against. It is not promoted in the Bible, and thats what I believe in 4. Do you agree with the Bush administrations policy on the war in Iraq? Why or why not? I agree with them getting Saddam out of Iraq; he was a terrorist and stuff. I dont think Bush knows what hes doing. Saddam needed to go. 5. Old Metallica or Metallica S&M (symphonic)? I dont listen to Metallica. After a while bands lose what they originally had. I dont know. I like the old Metallica. I dont really care.

Name: Matt Beard Age: 19 Major: Communications/Theatre, Freshman Hometown: Choteau, MT If I had a million dollars I would...either start a recording label or take a band on a world wide tour. When I graduate, I want to...work for a guitar magazine or just tour with a rock band; either that or just act and write.

Name: Brook Madison Age: 22 Major: English/Creative Writing, Junior Hometown: Billings, MT If I had a million dollars I would...I would probably buy an Audi, buy my mom a cabin, fly to New York City and go to a really expensive. When I graduate, I want to...get my masters in journalism and write a best-selling book.

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Brook Madison

Matt Beard