Shocked by NFC

Between The New Orleans Saints and the Chicago Bears, one does not know what to think of the NFC this year. Both Super Bowl contenders (last season) have shown absolutely no signs of such hopes this year. Chicago was blown out, 34-10 by Cowboys first year head coach Wade Phillips and Tony Romo. Not only have the Saints lost every game this season, but also last week they lost Running Back Deuce McAllister for the year. Although this hurts tremendously for the Saints, at least Reggie Bush will have more carries for those of us who drafted him.Meanwhile, the Texans held the Colts to just a six point win as quarterback Matt Schaub was only 37 passing yards shy of Peyton's 237 despite two interceptions.Within final seconds of the game, fell to division rivals the New York Giants, 24-17 in what could be classified as "enigmatic play calling".The Vick-less Falcons could not pull together a win against Carolina even though Jake Delhomme passed for a mere 109 yards.Brett Favre and the Pack have had an explosive first three games, the most recent win held LaDainian Tomlinson to 62 yards! Donovan McNabb must have eaten his Chunky soup this week because the Eagles defeated the Lions 56-21, highlighted the scoreboard with the most points in their franchise since 1953 (nfl.com).Losing by three points, the Minnesota Vikings remain towards the bottom of the League placing 25th in points (17 per game), 26th in yards (289) and 28th in passing yards, as Adrian Peterson appears to be the only bright light, giving the Vikings the 10th rank in the league for rushing.St. Louis visited Tampa Bay and to their dismay had to settle with a lonely field goal, 3-24 extending their losing streak to three in a row.Matt Hasselbeck had 93 yards less than Carson Palmer, but Sean Alexander rushed for 100 yards, bringing down the mighty Bengals 24-21 in Seattle.The Cardinals were unable to capitalize against the Ravens as their fourth quarter momentum was not enough to secure a win resulting in a 23-26 loss.

Expert on Climate: 'Time Running Out'

Time is running out to tackle global warming, but significant changes can be achieved if younger generations take immediate and decisive action, said Mike Tidwell, founder and director of the U.S. Climate Emergency Council, at the University.

"If you don't get involved, we lose.the grown-ups are not taking care of this issue," Tidwell told the students.

Tidwell spoke Tuesday at an event, sponsored by the Center for the Study of Energy and Environmental Stewardship.

"This is not a 50 year problem. This is not a 100-year problem. This is a 'we got about 10 minutes left' problem."

"The climate is speaking back to us…its saying time is up. We don't have anymore time to wait for George Bush to get it. We don't have anymore time for us to ask China and India to stop using coal.time is up." He pleaded with the students to do something about the climate crisis now, because they will inherit the problems the Bush administration will not address.

Burning coal emits carbon dioxide, which Tidwell said was the prime driver of global warming.

"You get that mercury poisoning, then you get the nitrogen.in the Chesapeake Bay, then you get that skyrocketing asthma ratings, then you get the acid rain, all these things from burning coal."

He then switched focus from local problems to ones abroad.

"In one week, Arctic ice equal to the size of Florida disappeared," said Tidwell and stated that every year, more alarming scientific records have been breaking, signaling a dangerous trend in disappearing land mass. He fears a complete Arctic meltdown.

"I want you to stop for a second and understand what that means: Without ice in the Arctic, we have a different planet," explaining that the Arctic is the planet's air conditioner, reflecting so much of the sunlight back into space.

Despite painting a bleak picture of worsening climate conditions, he did, however, offer solutions.

"The good news, there is good news, is the fact that we know what's causing it means we know how to fix it." Getting off fossil fuels is most important, as well as implanting radical energy efficiency policies, said Tidwell. He dispelled the myth that it would be an uncomfortable sacrifice, pointing to California, which emits, per capita, half the energy Washington, D.C. does, and still maintains its tourist appeal and desirable living conditions.

He outlined electricity efficiency and conservation as a key remedy to the problem, adding a switch to wind, solar and bio fuels power was necessary.

Another option is turning to hybrid engine technology. He asserted that if every American drove a car with a hybrid engine, gasoline use in the U.S. would be cut in half.

"We can't do that? That is totally beyond us? Of course we can do that."

He argued we need better leadership to build a strong consensus and empowered students to take action.

He said it was no accident he was speaking at the Catholic University of America, stating global warming is a moral issue and pleaded with students to get involved.

Tidwell is also the founder and director of the Chesapeake Climate Action Network and author of "Bayou Farewell: The Rich Life and Tragic Death of Louisiana's Cajun Coast," which predicted the effects of Hurricane Katrina in 2003.

New Schedule For Second Semester Ends Overlap

All classes will start and end at the same time and no classes will overlap, alleviating conflicts that would prevent students from taking some classes, according to a new plan by the Office of the Registrar.

The plan will standardize the scheduling pattern of classes from all schools and departments, which in the past set their own schedules. The plan will go into effect next semester.

"In order to maximize classroom space utilization and to standardize class meeting days [and] times across schools and departments, the University has approved a new standardized class meeting pattern," said Laura Jacobs Anderson, acting registrar for the University.

Tuesday and Thursday classes will begin at 8:10 a.m., while subsequent class times will be shuffled by 75-minute time intervals, with 10 to 20 minutes in between to allow students to reach their next classroom.

Provost James Brennan called for a scheduling workgroup to review the plan first endorsed by former Provost John Convey over a year ago. Brennan formally approved the plan after the workgroup's Aug. 13 presentation. This is Brennan's first year as provost.

The Registrar hopes standardizing scheduling patterns will help to avoid scheduling conflicts and promote uniformity.

"It was not uncommon to hear from students who wanted to enroll in two courses whose meeting times overlapped, sometimes by as little as five minutes," said Anderson. "With increased standardization, these slight overlaps will be a thing of the past."

With enrollments increasing each year, Anderson expects the large student population will sustain the changes permanently.

"With increasing enrollments and correspondingly expanding course offerings, I have every reason to believe that this change will be permanent."

The approved scheduling pattern is available on the Registrar's Office website.

"Across The Universe" Disappoints Both Beatles Fans and Everyone Else

There are significant milestones in a man's life that he never comes to forget: his first shave, his first beer and his first Beatles' song. Mine was "I Want to Hold Your Hand," in my father's Volvo at the age of seven. That is why Julie Taymor's Beatles-inspired musical "Across the Universe" is a devastating letdown.

First and foremost, the film was so cheesy. Yes, we know about drugs and the psychedelic experiences and yes we know that characters in musicals tend to take the liberty of breaking out into song and choreographing everyday formalities into a synchronized art, but this film just failed at making it subtle. "Moulin Rouge" is the golden standard for getting away with oddities and avant-garde without bringing down the entire film, so it's painful (and painfully funny) to see "Across the Universe" make a fool of itself in that respect. The crowd in the theater was laughing at the movie for this very reason. For instance, a scene where one of the main characters unwillingly gets a physical, which will determine if he can be drafted to go to Vietnam, has the army recruiters dancing and a 3-D Uncle Sam singing.

Another painful scene is one in which Bono from U2 sings, "I Am the Walrus" at a New York club and everybody gets high: I swear that scene might as well have been done on my MacBook because the entire scene was just people dancing and colors mismatched. Earth shattering.

Overall, the film had no sense of subtlety. Love is complicated, war is bad and drugs heighten both sentiments. That and two-and-a-half hours of Beatles music was the entire film, which is fine, except it cost me $10 and two-and-a-half hours of my life. The film has no redeeming philosophical or discussional value. Meanwhile, it seemed that the only goal of the movie was to piece together as many Beatles songs as possible, even going as far as to naming a character Prudence, even though the particular character has no value in terms of the plot or aesthetic value. Sloppy.

Finally, if you're going to make a movie set in one of the most tumultuous decades in our country, the 1960s, you need to make sure you express all of its messy glory. While the film did manage to portray the restless political sentiment, there was so much left untouched. It's like reading a one-paragraph entry in an encyclopedia about something that deserves its own volume; you might as well not even mention it.

Again, because the movie has different and sometimes interesting takes on many of the songs written by the greatest band in history, you don't walk out completely disappointed You'll probably even download.I mean go on iTunes and buy some of the music from the soundtrack. And I would probably say, roughly, a combined half an hour of the movie is good, but I'm being generous.

Maybe the movie falls under the weight of its expectations or maybe it's just a terrible movie with a horrible, two-dimensional screenplay, but I strongly recommend not paying to see it either way. It's enough of a curiosity to see if you can get someone to pay for your ticket on a day that you have nothing else to do, homework and sleeping included or just wait to Netflix it in a few months. But if you want to watch this movie because you love musicals, watch another one, or if you want to watch a movie because you love the Beatles, pop in their greatest hits. "Across the Universe" makes a great trailer, but that's about it.

Student Spotlight on Mark Koury

He's known for his regal southern drawl and sunny disposition. His name may be Mark Koury, but many know him by his nickname, Mississippi, the place he calls home.

"I was actually on my way to going to West Point," said Mark of his plans before deciding on Catholic University. He had all his recommendations in line, but ultimately decided the military was not for him. He then chose CUA; a decision he does not regret.

One might spot Mark serving mass at the Basilica, where he has met eight Cardinals and a handful of bishops. Others might recognize Mark as one of the Campus Ministry House members or Renew group leaders. But most will equate Mark with one thing: He's from the good ol' South.

"Coming from that culture is something I never want to lose," said Mark. He attributes his "southern hospitality" manners to his grandfather, who taught him to always be courteous. In fact, his favorite class is History of the Old South. He can't shake it off; it is second nature to him.

"My response to someone saying 'Don't say yes ma'am' is yes ma'am," said Mark.

This southern gentleman exemplifies Christian values in his relationships with people, his dedication to God and his service to the University.

New Law Drops Interest Rate for Student Loans

President Bush signed a bill Thursday that will ease the financial burden on low income students who are applying for educational loans.

The College Cost Reduction and Access Act will provide more than $20 billion in aid to college students.

The act increases funding for Pell grants by $11.4 billion over the next five years and cuts the interest rate on federally backed student loans from 6.8 percent to 3.4 percent over the next four years. By 2012, it will also increases the maximum grant for the poorest students from $4,310 a year to $5,400 a year.

The bill also grants men and women in military service the ability to defer their loans. Additionally, those returning home from service can now defer their loans for a year.

"Pell Grants give young people a chance to pursue their dreams," said Bush at the bill signing ceremony. "They give our fellow citizens the chance to build a better future."

Rep. George Miller (D-Calif.), the House Education Committee chairman, said he is proud that Congress has "provided the greatest investment to help students and parents pay for college since the G.I. Bill and has delivered on our promise to make college more affordable and accessible for families."

Some conservative critics were concerned with the increase in spending and size of government.

"The big spending policies of the Bush administration have been remarkably short-sighted economically and politically, as they have threatened Bush's primary domestic policy success of pro-growth tax cuts," said Chris Edwards, the director of the Cato Institute's Tax Policy Studies.

When Bush signed the bill, he suggested that it is not perfect. "This bill makes some spending commitments that aren't paid for yet and I look forward to working with the Congress to ensure Pell Grant increases that are not fully funded in this bill are paid for with offsets in other areas."

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 80 percent of the fastest-growing jobs in the United States require some sort of higher education after high school.

The House of Representatives approved the law 292 to 97; the Senate vote was 79 to 12. Only Republicans voted against it.

Iranian President Tests American Free Speech

It is frightfully easy for people to be offended by ideas that are posed to them. The very thought of John Kerry speaking on Catholic soil sent quakes to the heart of every affiliate of the school. But our own speaker policy is small time to that of Columbia University in New York.

At Columbia, they pushed the limits of free speech to the proverbial breaking point this past week. On Sempteber 24, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad accepted his invitation to speak to the students on a number of topics, all publicly known as hot button issues.

Lee Bollinger, president of the University, opened the discussion with a forceful at best and foul at worst introduction of what he believed to be a "petty and cruel dictator". Far from stopping there, he proceeded to deliver the most honest introduction I have ever read, with linguistic insults that rivaled that of an Aaron Sorkin melodrama. To recap, he revisited the president's history on the Holocaust (he denies its actuality, preferring to think there is another perspective to be seen), the ever present war in Iraq and the treatment of his people (according to Human Rights Watch, Iran has the highest number of child executions by a government in the world). And Bollinger even issued his own dare that would have made Dirty Harry proud when he ended with "Frankly — I close with this comment frankly and in all candor, Mr. President. I doubt that you will have the intellectual courage to answer these questions."

Rather than enumerate all of the president's frequently vacuous rhetoric, I will choose brevity. He questioned the validity of research thus far in the Holocaust and if it was even relevant to the Palestinian people. He explained, "We don't have homosexuals like in your country. We don't have that in our country… I don't know who's told you that we have it." Right.

And women. The president edified a reasonable degree of social awareness when he said, "[Women] are exempt from many responsibilities. Many of the legal responsibilities rest on the shoulders of men in our society because of the respect culturally given to women, to the future mothers." Far be it from me to bemoan my plight as a woman, but there is something off in a culture where women are freed from responsibility for their own lives. But tread lightly, because if you apply this sentiment to an American argument, I may need more space.

While I freely admit that my knowledge of the President exists in only the slightest sense, I, like you, am capable of reading a transcript and developing an opinion for myself. In fact, use this as your lightning rod, if you must. Just have an opinion. And a little scope the next time you find yourself being offended by an idea.

National Book Festival on the National Mall

This Saturday marks the seventh annual National Book Festival on the National Mall.

Organized and sponsored by the Library of Congress and hosted by Laura Bush, the festival boasts nearly 70 authors from all fields of writing. In addition to the genre pavilions, there will again be the Library of Congress tent which features an overview of literacy programs in all 50 states. There are also pavilions specifically dedicated to children's activities as well as to children's literature. In the past these have consisted of small displays on literacy programs and activities for students and educators from the particular state. Also last year a life-size Magic School Bus put in an appearance, much to the delight of past and present precocious children.

Particular author's of note for college students appearing are Patricia McCormack ("My Brother's Keeper"), Ken Burns (of documentary film fame such as "The Civil War" and "Brooklyn Bridge"), Patricia Schultz ("1,000 Places to See Before You Die") among many others. The Festival will also feature appearances by both the first ever Children's Poet Laureate Jack Prelutsky and the current U.S. Poet Laureate Charles Simic. While not a well known official, the Poet Laureate is appointed every year to serve from October to May. He serves as both Congress' liaison to the literary genre and appoints funding to various poetry endeavors.

The festival serves as an opportunity for literary minded college students to both broaden their horizons as well as to peruse books in the shadow of our Capitol. Free to the public, the festival runs from 10am to 5pm this Saturday, the 29th.

Notes and Asides

A magician was on campus for a performance last night. When asked to bring a speaker to campus that fits the speaking policy guidelines, he failed. Not even magic works when it comes to finding a good Catholic to speak.

Business and accounting majors will dine with alum Frank Novak of Novak/Francella, LLP, this upcoming Monday evening. The business attire event will be focused on the field of accounting. Students attending will not miss the Pryz food while at the catered dinner, for the Pryz food never changes.

Movies on the Mall will be this Sunday on the Basilica lawn. "Ocean's 13" and "Live Free or Die Hard" will be played starting at 8pm and going until midnight. Are we trying to show movies that violate the most Commandments in front of the largest church in the western hemisphere or what?

The University has acquired a 107 year-old printing press for media and literary studies. Inspectors have declared that it is has been better maintained than the South Campus residence halls.

Editorial: University Inefficient With Student Fees

resident Bush signed into law yesterday a bill that fundamentally alters the landscape of student loans for all college students (See front page for details). Increasing aid to the poorest and most needy students and their families helps precisely those who need it most. The new law ups funding by $409, with the eventual goal of totaling out at $5,400. As most CUA students are painfully aware, that is but a fraction of the costs incurred at a private university.

The government recognizes this and is adjusting. Universities, including our very own appear to be trying to keep pace with increases in federal funding by increasing tuition fees, as well as housing costs.

For the past several years, Catholic has increased tuition and housing by between five and seven percent. This increase outpaces both inflation and federal aid offered.

Catholic's endowment is increasing. Our student population is increasing dramatically. All this should lead to increased revenue and available funds without needing to gouge returning students for an approximate two grand a year.

In a perfect world, or more accurately Western Europe, College would be an assumed right for those who earned it. Individuals would only be limited by their abilities and by the schools that accepted them, not their financial situation.

Unfortunately our system relies on many students taking out massive loans which they must then repay over the course of their adult lives. Our University can do it's part to end this culture by seeking to cut expenditures rather than increase fees. So far they have chosen to do the opposite by increasing the strain put on students and their families.

Some would argue that as fees have increased so has aid offered by the university. Why then, were fees increased in the first place? The University is seeking to increase revenues and is doing so by increasing fees, rather than cutting costs and becoming more efficient.

The Tower hopes that the shortsighted nature of this plan is recognized and remedied.

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