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Un-stung Heroes

The Miami Hurricane
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Hurricanes take all three games against No. 2 Georgia Tech
A Sunday game being threatened by weather has become a common scenario this season at Mark Light Stadium. This Sunday was no exception as the Hurricanes closed out a three game series against the Georgia Tech with a 17-16 rain shortened victory to complete the sweep of the Yellow Jackets.
“We have a radar in the locker room and we thought it was going to pour.” Hurricane head coach Jim Morris said. “It really changes the way the game is played when there is a threat of rain.”
As far as rankings go, this was a very important series for Miami. The three wins against Georgia Tech should help the ‘Canes charge into the top ten in most national polls.
“I’m really proud of our guys,” UM head coach Jim Morris said. “It was a tough day to pitch and play defense and you just have to keep battling through it and our guys did that today.”
For the second straight day the Hurricane offense was able to knock out the Georgia Tech starter after 1.2 innings. Both Georgia Tech pitchers, Andrew Kown on Saturday and Brian Burks on Sunday came into the game with earned run averages under three.
The two teams slugged it out all weekend long tallying up a combined score of 37-30 in 26 innings of baseball.
UM starter Brandon Camardese encountered a rough second inning in which Georgia Tech scored nine runs, but he was let off the hook when UM would take the lead in the third inning by putting up a seven spot of their own. Shawn Valdes-Fauli picked up the win in relief for Miami.
“We could have given up early in this game,” Morris said. “We hung in there and kept battling back and battling back.”
UM came back in a huge way in the bottom of the third inning. Ryan Braun, Gabby Sanchez and Jim Burt all hit bombs for the ‘Canes as they led 14-12 at the conclusion of the inning.
“I knew the home run was gone,” Burt said. “I didn’t know if it was going to be fair or foul.”
On Saturday night, the ‘Canes clinched the series victory with a 13-8 victory over Georgia Tech. It was the second straight day in which Miami jumped all over a very strong Yellow Jacket pitching staff. Georgia Tech starter Andrew Kown was chased after just 1.2 innings pitched.
UM starter Vince Bongiovanni put forth one of his best efforts of the season despite a rough first inning. Bongiovanni threw six innings giving up four earned runs and six hits while striking out eight and walking three.
Paco Figueroa delivered the big offensive blow for the Hurricanes going 1-3 with 3 RBI and a run scored.
UM left fielder Richard Giannotti continued his offensive tear going 2-3 with 2 RBI. After being hit by a pitch in the left knee on Wednesday night against Harvard, Giannotti was doubtful for the series.
On Friday night the ‘Canes opened the series by coming back from being down by two runs in the eighth inning to come back to win 7-6. Ryan Braun delivered the go ahead runs to put the ‘Canes up for good. Braun hit the ball well all weekend long and had this to say after Saturday’s game.
“It is fortunate for me because it seems like every time I get up there are two or three guys always on base for me,” Braun said. “It is really important for us to get these wins against a high ranking team like Georgia Tech.”
The Hurricanes will next take on the Owls of Florida Atlantic University at 7pm on Wednesday night at Mark Light Stadium.

Ryan Ellis can be reached at msgnyc@yahoo.com

Ghettos as a product of our upside-down society

The Miami Hurricane
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“You have to drive down Grand Avenue just to make it out alive.”
“What-did you lock your doors?”
Statements such as these make me realize that people on this campus need to arise from their sheltered lives and see the world for what it really is.
A group of friends was discussing how “treacherous” the streets of Miami were because the city has unpleasant areas like Overtown and Grand Avenue. A girl freaked out because she got lost in Overtown one night-and I probably would too, but I’m not about to criticize the “ghetto” for being there in the first place.
Miami, and especially UM, is about vroom, vroom, bling-bling-sexy cars, sexy people, and sexy mint green-and lots of it. But, as with any city, the “bling-bling” is never enough to hide the realities of the world. There are still those unpleasant neighborhoods referred to as “ghettos” where you don’t want to be caught anytime of the day, especially if you don’t look like you belong there.
I was fortunate enough to catch a harsh glimpse of reality during a ride down Grand Avenue to Coconut Grove-my very first encounter with a “ghetto” in the tropical paradise of Miami. Suddenly the reality of the world brought me back down to earth and back into reality. It not only made me realize my fortunate life as a student, but also made me realize that just because you isolate yourself from unpleasant places does not make them disappear. As wonderful as Miami is, ghettos still exist, and perhaps more painfully so as the latest cars peal away to their condos or multi-million dollar mansions.
Many people on campus need realize that bad neighborhoods didn’t just “get there”-and that if anything, we have all contributed to their existence by not dedicating quality time for improvements by petitioning for better living conditions, better schools and community programs, etc.
Simply flooring the gas, locking your doors, or running red lights will make for a speedy getaway, but the ignorance of the situation only increases the chances that you might have to do so more often.
Sorry those ghettos are not the suburbs, but sadly, they are the real world.

Marquita K. Bell is a sophomore majoring in print journalism and political science. She can be contacted at m_bell01@hotmail.com.

The US should withdraw from the United Nations

The Miami Hurricane
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I recently read an article in which the author put forth the notion that one of the first casualties of Gulf War Two was the United Nations. According to the article, the fact that the US and Britain – two permanent members of the UN Security Council – have initiated military action against Iraq without first getting approval from the Security Council, has made the organization irrelevant. I say this is wrong – the UN was irrelevant long before this current crisis with Iraq.
Looking back over its history the UN has had a record of mixed success. While there have been some accomplishments in the area of humanitarian assistance, even those have been less than optimum. At the center of all of this have been the resources of the United States. With regard to everything from food aid to military resources to diplomatic clout, the foundation of the United Nations’ ability to do anything meaningful rests on the contributions of the United States. Despite this, since the fall of the Soviet Union the United Nations has increasingly become both a clearinghouse for anti-American rhetoric as well as an over bloated bureaucratic entity obsessed with increasing its power. It was because of this that the UN prevaricated on Iraq for 12 years. That prevarication has now been brought to an end in spite of the UN’s best efforts to maintain it.
The UN was never meant to be a place where the President of the United States needed to go to get approval for anything; that place exists at the other end of Pennsylvania Avenue from the White House. We must act or not act of our own accord as our interests dictate for the welfare and safety of our citizens. While this does not mean we should indiscriminately throw our weight around everywhere on the Earth, it does mean that we must do what’s necessary despite the opinions of other nations.
In the end, the actions of France and others have shown that we can rely on no one except for the British and ourselves. The US does not benefit in any way whatsoever from membership in the UN. Like an insidious snake, it creeps forth and erodes our sovereignty and our constitutional rights. To save our republic we must bid it farewell and send it on its way. Our future existence depends on it.

Scott Wacholtz is a senior majoring in political science. Any UN sanctions can be directed at aramis1642@hotmail.com.

Our society is breeding sexually active volcanoes

The Miami Hurricane
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The University of Miami gives out condoms everywhere, probably including the Canterbury Pre-School! Well, not really. But I can walk anywhere on this campus and pick up latex condoms easily. It’s a shame condoms are for males. Why do men like me have to do all the work? They can’t put that damn thing on quick enough. Didn’t you ever see that episode of Seinfeld where George can’t use the condom because he can’t open the package in time? He thinks it’s like opening a bag of chips. I think birth-control pills are easier.
And since they are easier, why won’t they make birth control pills over the counter? Would scientists think guys would consume them? At worst, they get cramps and clear skin. I see no problem in that. I’ll even put up with mood swings!
Sex is obviously different to guys than it is to girls. But one thing is for sure: everyone wants to be extremely sexy for his/her partner. It’s funny that we have thousands of gyms to work out in with different weight and nutrition methods to look built. We have cheerleading shorts for girls with letters to walk around in. There are thousands of pounds of makeup sold each year. There are lots and lots of tight shirts, shorts, and pants around. There are stores dedicated to intimate apparel-to make the person feel ultra-sensual in their underwear and cheerleading shorts. And after all this, all this, people are willing to waste hundreds of hours and spend thousands of dollars for what will result in a five-second orgasm. Let’s redo the math; thousands of dollars and hours are spent for a grand total of a few hours play with your partner. Yet, people abstain from this ecstasy, preferably until marriage. Hence, the irony is grand.
Finally, on the topic of sexual dysfunctions in society, why does Victoria’s Secret sell thongs to PRE-TEENS? Are the corporations of America turning this into a country full of pedophiles? Does an eleven-year old girl who has barely reached puberty need to wear a piece of string up her a$$ to show she is ready to handle her sixteen-year-old boyfriend? I wonder what’s next: Fruit-flavored, chewable birth control pills shaped in Wilma Flintstone and Betty Rubble?

Seth Bleicher can be contacted at sethbleicher@yahoo.com.

EDITORIAL

The Miami Hurricane
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Twenty-four hour special news coverage. Twenty-four hour special news coverage! You can take your twenty-four hour special news coverage and stick it where the sun doesn’t shine. But wait; with oilfields smoking and burning, and precision bombing by the hour, the sun probably isn’t shining over Baghdad today.
Experts have said that it’s going to be the 24-inane-hour news coverage that will ultimately determine the course and outcome of this new war, which is at the same time an overextended old war. Events will happen on the front, at high noon there but before sunrise here. Photojournalists embedded in the field will have covered, edited, and submitted their material before most of us will have woken up in the morning. Technology and the twenty-first century have made war like magic-quicker than the eye can see.
So, with such blinding haste, and with so many cameras focused half a world away, it’s tragic that mass media journalists are nearly blind to the human rights violations occurring in our own hemisphere. Recently the government of Fidel Castro has begun rounding up outspoken activists in an attempt to quell resistance to his nearly half-century of leadership. People from many walks of life-poets, authors, journalists, and politicians-are all being arrested and held without explanation or hope for release anytime soon.
Analysts argue that Castro-who recently had to subdue a movement known as the Varela Project, which sought democratic reform for the Cuban nation-is testing his leash. He’s seeing how far he can go in violating the civil liberties of his opposition without receiving international condemnation and censure. With the world’s attention attracted elsewhere, Cuba’s violations of the Geneva Convention go relatively unnoticed. Sure, the UN casually mentioned that they don’t like what Castro is doing. And sure, what he’s doing is probably more relevant than leadership conflicts in Iraq. But America seems to have given up on Cuba.
The major networks have hastened to the Middle East like sharks fly to the feeding frenzy: jaws open, eyes wide, waiting for a piece of juicy, bloody meat to fall into their mouths. Sometimes the news is untrue even before it leaves the Middle East, as we saw when that footage of Iraqi soldiers surrendering was revealed to be only a US military training video. Most often it undergoes bias in the corporate boardroom, and is then released to the public after a severe editing makeover from government, military, and corporate hands.
It would be healthy to your news organ if we all made special effort to expand our sources. You may get The Miami Herald and USA Today for free in the cafeterias, but realize that those publications are not the paradigms of straightforward news reporting. To obtain a more objective and rational understanding of war (if that is possible), look to magazines, look to other publications, look to all directions of the political spectrum, from left to right to ultraconservative to tree hugger. Remember that everyone thinks that they are correct on this issue of war, and still nobody can agree on a course of action or inaction.
In short, be careful about where you get your news. As if credibility and bias weren’t always important in determining the validity of media coverage, they are especially relevant in such a fast-paced, high-emotion, propaganda war, such as Gulf War 1.5.

Sadowski is the people’s choice

The Miami Hurricane
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Greek Week 2003: A Celebration of Global Proportions

The Miami Hurricane
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GREEK WEEK CALENDAR

Wednesday April 2
at 7 p.m. on the UC patio-

Don’t miss Organized Cheer, Singled Out, Junkanoo
and a canned food drive to benefit Farm Share.

Friday April 4
at 6 p.m. in the UC Ballrooms-

Be ready to be surprised at the Mystery Event. Theme TBA.

Saturday April 5
from 12 p.m. to 12 a.m. at the Rat-

Celebrate New Years Eve in Times Square
with a Dance-a-thon and Say What Songfest.

Sunday April 6
at 3 p.m. at the Rat-

Greek Week ends with a bang, if you’re lucky,
at Fantasy Fest in Key West.

Hurricane Administrative Spotlight : Q&A with Public Safety’s Henry Christensen

The Miami Hurricane
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Recently, the crime rates on campus have been on a steady decline as a result of the increased efforts of the Department of Public Safety, under the direction of Henry Christensen. In an interview with the Miami Hurricane, Christensen talked about recent security improvements and shared some insight into enforcing public safety at UM.

Q: To what measures do you attribute the substantial decline in crimes on campus?
A: The decline of crime on campus can be attributed to several things.
Firstly, we have deployed police and security officers at significant areas, reducing the opportunity for someone to commit a crime and go undetected. Also, we have put together an auto theft project that has targeted auto theft by studying our data regarding locations, times, etc. and have assigned officers to specific target areas. This has also helped us in terms of preventing auto burglary.
Q: In your opinion, what would you say is the greatest threat in terms of crime to students currently at UM?
A: On a day-to-day basis, the most frequent call we get is theft of unattended property. We, including myself, are all guilty of not locking our doors and leaving our property unattended. We should all constantly be aware of our surroundings.
Q: Has a student ever tried to bribe you into overlooking their offense? If so, how did you handle the situation?
A: I have never been bribed, but if I was and if the elements were there, an additional charge could be added to the offense.
Q: What’s the most memorable thing that’s ever happened to you on a shift?
A: There have been many, but I remember once I was dispatched to an ER because a student was creating a disturbance there. When I arrived the student was complaining loudly of a stomachache. Then the doctor came to me and said, “He is making too much noise – what are you going to do about it?” At that point, I reminded the doctor that I was a policeman, and since we were in a hospital he should be the one to cure the patient.
Q: What’s the craziest thing you’ve ever heard of or witnessed a student doing?
A: Back in the days of “streakers,” there was a student that would don a towel, put it around his neck and use it as a cape. He would get on a bicycle and taunt the police officers by riding by them and calling names. He would do this every night and turn around to watch the police officers’ response. Then, one night, as he was turning around, he was not looking in front of him, and he ran his bike directly into a large tree. Luckily, he was not hurt seriously – except for his pride.
Q: What do you think is the most exciting and interesting aspect of working in Public Safety at UM?
A: The most exciting part of working at UM Public Safety for me is the opportunity of being able to fulfill two vocations. In a way I feel I am both a law enforcement officer and an educator. I am very proud of that.
Q: Are there certain threats to students that are overlooked or underrepresented to protect the image of UM?
A: We report all incidents and post crime alerts whenever necessary.
Q: At what point do you get the local police involved?
A: Coral Gables Police investigates all sexual batteries on campus. They have a unit that specializes in this. They are competent and compassionate to all victims. All homicides that occur in the City of Coral Gables are handled by the Miami-Dade Police Department.
Q: What recurring situations are you currently still trying to remedy?
A: At this time, we are working on improving bicycle theft on campus.
Q: In terms of security improvements, what changes do you foresee for the upcoming year?
A: Better lighting is constantly being addressed and hedge trimming will be enhanced, making areas more visible. We at Public Safety are always striving to make our campus a better place to live, work and study. We appreciate all suggestions.
Q: Is there any kind of organization in which students can get involved to take a more proactive role in the safety and security of their campus?
A: Resident students should approach the Adopt-a-Cops that are assigned to each Residential College for information or concerns they might have. The Adopt-a-Cop can schedule seminars on any issue regarding safety and can also provide information on RAD [Rape Aggression Defense] classes for female students.

Whitney Friedrich can be contacted at witz615@aol.com

SYPHILIS SYMPTOMS

The Miami Hurricane
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WHAT TO WATCH FOR

At 3 to 4 weeks:

– a sore at genitals, rectum or
mouth
– swollen lymph nodes

At 4 to 10 weeks:

– non-itchy, reddish, spotty
rash may appear anywhere
on body
– other symptoms may include
headache, fever, fatigue, loss
of appetite, sore throat and
muscle aches

At 1 year to decades later:

– arthritis
– damage to brain, nerves,
eyes, heart, bones and liver

Syphilis epidemic on campus

The Miami Hurricane
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UM and South Florida are in the midst of a syphilis epidemic, primarily affecting the gay male community.
“We went approximately five years without seeing a single case of syphilis, but in the last school year we have started to see cases again,” Dr. Howard Anapol, director of the Student Health Service, said. “There is an epidemic starting to occur.”
Anapol did not provide the Miami Hurricane with the exact number of cases on campus.
However, since 2001, both Miami-Dade and Broward counties have seen a jump in the number of cases reported.
According to the Miami-Dade County Health Department, Office of Epidemiology and Disease control, there have been 84 reported cases of syphilis for the month of January, compared to 89 total cases for the entire year of 2002.
Health Officials are concerned because of the close relation between syphilis and HIV.
“People have become less careful with their safe sex practices,” Anapol said. “A resurgence in syphilis will lead to a resurgence in HIV.”
Anapol believes that being away from home plays a part in encouraging high-risk behavior.
“Students come here away from mom and dad for the first time, and there is a lot of temptation,” Anapol said. “This leads to behavior that can be potentially life changing.”
According to Anapol, homosexual men are most at risk for the disease, although anyone can be infected.
“The increase in cases have predominantly been in men who have sex with men,” Anapol said. “That doesn’t mean that others can’t have it.”
Syphilis is a highly infectious bacterial STD which is transmitted when one person is exposed to lesions on an infected person through sexual activity.
Syphilis progresses through three phases: primary, secondary and latent.
The primary phase is characterized by a sore at the site of infection, which develops three to four weeks after exposure. The sore heals spontaneously after one week, but the disease is still present.
The secondary phase develops four to ten weeks after the first and may look like a number of other illnesses. This phase of syphilis can go away without treatment but the disease then progresses into the latent phase, which develops one to two years after exposure.
During the last phase, the heart, brain, skin and bones are at risk.
Students are afraid of the increase in incidents of syphilis and believe that the Health Center should do more to help students protect themselves.
“It’s scary, man,” Jon Warfield, senior, said.
“Maybe they should give out condoms in the dorms because people don’t want to walk to the Health Center unless they are ill,” Dom Hones, sophomore, said.
Anapol believes that the Health Center takes all possible steps to protect students who believe that they are infected.
“Everything is absolutely confidential,” Anapol said. “We guard our medical records very fervently.”
According to Anapol, the primary stages of syphilis are treatable with penicillin.
“We do not charge for syphilis or HIV tests,” Anapol said. “Its $80 for an injection of penicillin, which should be covered by health insurance.”
If you have any questions or concerns, contact the Student Health Center at 305-284-5927.

Arnab Basu can be contacted at basuarnab@hotmail.com.

Candace Bushnell brings Sex to campus

The Miami Hurricane
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Author who inspired ‘Sex and the City’ chats up new novel
Hurricane Productions brought Candace Bushnell, author of several books that inspired the HBO series Sex and the City, to UM to talk about and sign copies of her recent novel, Trading Up.
Bushnell started by dispelling stereotypes that have been frequently associated with Sex and the City.
“Sex and the City is not a high class porn, because they do a lot more than have sex,” Bushnell said. “They eat and sleep too, which they never do in porn.”
During her presentation, Bushnell explained some of the socio-cultural trends that have inspired all of her works. For example, Bushnell says she has noticed men hitting on women just because they were models and wouldn’t even speak to those who weren’t, even if they were more attractive than the models.
Bushnell says her new novel was written with similar situations in mind.
“The book explains in subtle little ways that women act that men don’t notice,” Bushnell said. “Girls sleep with men to get gifts and such, even intelligent respectable women.”
Many of her fans appreciate Bushnell’s honesty and frank way of writing.
“I like the show because all of the things that happen are so true and it’s funny,” Julie Castelli, freshman, said.
In fact, Bushnell says that a man once approached her and said, “You are the only one that depicts women as being as bad as men.”
“There is nothing fake about neither the book nor the show; all the characters are as crazy as my friends if not milder,” Bushnell said.
Students present enjoyed the event and appreciate the efforts of Hurricane Productions to get the writer on campus.
“The presentation was very interesting and entertaining,” Meera Bhutta, senior, said. “Hurricane Productions should do more events like this one.”
According to Bushnell, the upcoming season of Sex and the City will be the last, primarily because the actors are growing out of the age group that was originally meant for the characters.
“I’ll probably end the show by having them all get married,” Bushnell said.

Abhishek Shah can be contacted at ablashek@hotmail.com.

Campus Calendar

The Miami Hurricane
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TODAY
Asian American Awareness Week continues with an Asian Cultural Fashion Show. Student models will be showcasing authentic ethnic and historical costumes from various parts of Asia. The fashion show ill be in the UC I-lounge at 7 p.m.

WEDNESDAY APRIL 2

Don’t miss India Day, a whole day dedicated to Indian culture, customs and traditions as part of Asian American Awareness Week.

Did you ever want to kick butts? If so, participate in the UM chapter of STRIKE Cigarette Trade-In day in honor of Kick Butts day between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. on the UC Rock. Smokers can trade in a pack of their cigarettes for a UM visor. For more information, contact 305-284-6524.
Nordstrom at the Village at Merrick Park invites you to “Opening a Multi-Billion Dollar Store” with presentations by Vicki Lopez, store manager, and MaryAnn Gunther, human resource manager. The event will be from 1 to 2 p.m. at the Storer auditorium. Be sure to attend to find out about paid internships offered all over the U.S. Refreshments will be served. RSVP is not needed. Dress is casual. For more information, contact 305-284-4052.

Greek Week continues with Junkanoo, Organized Cheer, Singled Out and a canned food drive for Farm Share on the UC patio at 7 p.m.

The Academic Development Center invites you to This is Only a Test: How to Survive Finals, at 1 p.m. in the ADC classroom. This is your chance to improve your test preparation and performance. Learn how to plan for exams and study actively to make efficient use of your study time.

Join the Hurricane baseball team as they take on Florida Atlantic University at 7 p.m. at Mark Light Stadium.

THURSDAY APRIL 3

Asian American Awareness Week presents FUSHU Taiko Drummers of Dania perform traditional Japanese style drumming on campus on the UC Patio at 8 p.m.

The members of Yellow Rose present their award-winning annual production of GENESIS at 7 p.m. in the UC I-lounge. The theme for this year is “Sister to Sister.” Join Yellow Rose as they address a range of issues affecting young women. Everyone is encouraged to attend.

FRIDAY APRIL 4
Asian American Awareness Week continues with Asia Day. Don’t miss cultural booths with exhibits, food and displays from Asian American Student Association, Filipino Students Association and the Indian Students Association on the UC patio from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Asian American Awareness Week ends with One Night of Asia. The event will feature cultural dances, kung-fu exhibits, various ceremonial dances and music featuring AASA, ISA and Filipino Student Association. The ceremony begins at 7 p.m.

Don’t miss the Greek Week mystery event at 6 p.m. in the UC ballrooms. Theme TBA.

SATURDAY APRIL 5

You’re invited to celebrate New Year’s Eve in Times Square with the Greek Week Dance-a-thon and Say What Songfest from 12 p.m. to 12 a.m. at the Rat.

SUNDAY APRIL 6

Greek Week hosts their closing ceremonies with Fantasy Fest in Key West at the Rat at 4 p.m.

TUESDAY APRIL 8

The Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) hosts the Take Back the Night walking vigil at 7:30 p.m. beginning at the UC Rock. The walk will circle the campus and then return to the Rock for a ceremony including guest speakers, poetry readings by students, music and singing.

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