Thursday, October 6, 2016 Volume 101 Issue 12
student printz SERVING SOUTHERN MISS SINCE 1927
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UPD investigates game incident CAM BONELLI
executive editor
On Oct. 5, President of The University of Southern Mississippi Rodney Bennett addressed the student body via mass email about the incident that allegedly occurred at the Golden Eagles football game Oct. 1. “By now you may be aware of an incident that was reported this past Saturday at our home football game,” Bennett wrote. “I want to assure each of you that The University of Southern Mississippi works to create an environment that is welcoming and inclusive of each member of our community. As president, I was deeply concerned when I learned of this incident, and I have since spent nearly two hours meeting with the students who filed the complaint and one of the students’ family members to reassure them of our institutional commitment to inclusion.” Allegedly, game attendees threw drinks at and used derogatory language against two AfricanAmerican students who remained
seated during the national anthem, according to one of the two students’ twitter page. The Monday following the game, students organized a peaceful protest in Shoemaker Square to support the victims. “[The protest] was an expression of concern and unity on the behalf of their fellow students,” said Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of Students Eddie Holloway. “It has always been official to give time for the results of investigation, vetting of facts and conclusion of matters that are so prone to be guided by emotion.” The University Police Department is currently investigating the situation by reviewing footage of the incident and identifying and interviewing the persons involved, according to Holloway. “The case has been investigated by UPD, particularly Capt. Rusty Keyes,” Holloway said. “He has reviewed the footage of the alleged incident and has met with the majority of the persons that have been identified.The claims on behalf
of the impacted students have been investigated, and the corresponding persons have been interviewed.” Holloway said Keyes will complete the review on Oct. 6 and forward his findings to The Dean of Students. “Once the [findings] are received by the Dean of Students office, all parties that have been identified and the students impacted will be interviewed by the Dean of Students,” Holloway said. “The students will have the Student Code of Conduct and the Creed at Southern Miss explained to them. The creed at USM outlines the model of behavior expected of our students and our community of scholars. The code also outlines prohibited behavior by students and the judicial process of the Student Code of Conduct.” The investigation into this incident is nearing completion, and any student alleged to be in violation of the Student Code of Conduct will be referred to our Dean of Students for possible disciplinary action, according to Bennett’s email. “I appreciate the swift work of our University Police Department,
Division of Student Affairs and Department of Athletics in responding immediately to this complaint,” Bennett said. “I have been updated several times regarding the investigation and have full confidence in the thoroughness and transparency with which it is being conducted.” Holloway said the case will go on to the Student Judicial Process. This process will determine the consequences for the students in question. “I want to thank UPD for its rapid response and efforts to resolve this case,” Holloway said. “It is unfortunate that we are at this point in time with this case, but our system affords us the opportunity to resolve within the interest of both parties.” Due to the demands of investigating this case, Keyes was unavailable at the time of publication. The university is serious not only about our commitment to fostering an inclusive environment and culture, but also about protecting the safety and well-being of individuals who study, work and attend events on our campuses, according to Bennett’s
email. “Regardless of the findings of this investigation, any form of harassment, intimidation, or retaliation is not acceptable and will not be tolerated at The University of Southern Mississippi,” Bennett said. “Institutions of higher education are rich with debate, discourse and the free expression of ideas. It is our collective responsibility to respect each individual’s right to express their opinions and beliefs without fear or intimidation. I challenge all members of our university community to demonstrate collegial, respectful behavior that supports all of the different perspectives that make up our Southern Miss story.” Bennett said the university encourages students who believe they or others have experienced harassment, intimidation or retaliation to contact one or more of the following offices: UPD at 601-266-4986, Office of the Dean of Students at 601-266-6028, Title IX Office at 601-266-6804 or 601266-4466 or Human Resources at 601-266-4050.
Jill Stein visits University of Miss., preaches politics SAM JOHNSON
printz reporter
GARRETT MINTA
news editor
Physician and Green Party nominee for president of the United States Jill Stein visited the University of Mississippi in Oxford, Miss., regarding the defining issues of this election and how she would handle them as the president. Stein runs on the Green party ticket for a second election cycle with her vice presidential pick, human rights activist Ajamu Baraka. Stein currently polls at four percent nationally, according to Real Clear Politics. Stein said as president she would acknowledge education as a human right, would work to make public universities tuition free and would abolish student debt through “quantitative easing” and a “sales tax” on all Wall Street transactions. “We found a way to bail out Wall Street – the guys that crashed the economy with their waste, fraud and abuse,” Stein said. “So my point is, as responsible adults, we
need to bail out a younger generation that is held hostage in this unpayable student debt.” According to the Bank of England’s website, quantitative easing is “an unconventional form of monetary policy where a Central Bank creates new money electronically to buy financial assets, like government bonds.” The goal of the process is to “directly increase private sector spending in the economy and return inflation to target.” Stein recently received a warrant of arrest in North Dakota while participating in protests and civil disobedience alongside the Standing Rock Sioux, whose sacred burial grounds were demolished. She said the Dakota Access pipeline will contaminate the water supply of 17 million people throughout the Midwest. Free healthcare is the next human right, according to Stein. A Stein healthcare plan will legalize hemp and marijuana and increase healthcare benefits for veterans. Stein said she would provide jobs through her plan for an FDRinspired government stimulus
program she calls the “Green New Deal.” The Green New Deal would halt all further fossil fuel emissions and seek to shift the United States to green and renewable energy sources by the year 2030. Like her domestic policy, Stein focuses on climate change and human rights. If she were to win the presidency, Stein would call for an end on all foreign wars and call for an international weapons embargo. Stein said she would obtain international cooperation on these issues because it was time for the United States to step up and be an example by “de-escalating conflict,” citing the eastward expansion of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and its military exercises near the border of Russia. Stein’s largest base is a large collection of former Bernie supporters, who cheered as she said her campaign is “Bernie on steroids.” While running with a thirdparty candidacy in 2012 against Obama and Mitt Romney, she won nearly half a million votes. “Vote like your lives depend on it, because they do,” Stein said to supporters.
Sam Johnson | Printz Jill Stein speaks in Oxford, Mississippi on October 3, 2016.
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INTRODUCTION THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2016
Meet the Staff Fall 2016 Cam Bonelli
Executive Editor
FIND US ON THE WEB The Student Printz
catherine.bonelli@usm.edu
Jack Hammett
Managing Editor
@studentprintz
jesse.hammett@usm.edu
Garrett Minta News Editor
garrett.minta@usm.edu
studentprintz.com
Hiba Tahir
Entertainment Editor
hiba.tahir@usm.edu
Julius Kizzee Sports Editor
OPINIONS
southernprintz@gmail.com
Hunt Mercier
Opinions expressed in The Student Printz are those of the writer and not necessarily those of The Student Printz, its publication manager, USM, the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning or the USM Board of Student Publications.
Photo Editor
hunt.mercier@usm.edu
Jhaimee Bullock Design Editor
jhaimee.bullock@usm.edu
Sarah Anne Schloemer Web Master
sarah.schloemer@usm.edu
Nan Beauti Copy Editor
afnan.beauti@usm.edu
Amber Cobbins
Hannah Heneghan
amber.cobbins@usm.edu
hannah.heneghan@usm.edu
Printz Designer
Printz Designer
EDITORIAL POLICY The views represented in The Student Printz’s columns and editorials do not necessarily represent those of the faculty, staff or administration of The University of Southern Mississippi. We welcome letters to the editor representing similar and contrasting opinions. To be eligible for publication, all submissions must include name, class distinction, major, phone number and email address. Submissions should be emailed to printzeditors@gmail.com by 5 p.m. on the Friday before publication. Please limit them to 500 words or less. The Student Printz reserves the right to refuse publication or edit any material on the basis of clarity, space or journalistic ethics.
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NEWS THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2016
Special Collections showcases unique items JENNIFER ROBINSON
printz reporter
McCain Library houses thousands of books, pamphlets, transcripts and other historical resources available for student use. The Department of Special Collections features an item monthly. “La Electrificacion de los Ferrocarriles: Conferencia Pronunciada,” a transcript of a lecture delivered by Albert Ganzenmüller, a German engineer living in Argentina after World War II was September’s item of the month. All previous items of the month are available on the McCain Library website. Linda Ginn, a librarian who catalogs railroad documents for special collections, suggested the transcript for September’s featured item. “This one seemed especially interesting in that it was in Spanish, its author was German and it was about railroads in 1952,” Ginn said.
Courtesy Photo | “The author was German and in South America following World War II. We have two copies of this speech in print, and I did not find any indication or records that any other library had it. It could be that transcript of the speech is unique and we’re the only place to look at it. The two copies we have are in Spanish.”
This item is a part of a larger collection of manuscripts, pamphlets and other materials about railroads. “That item will be housed in rare books and manuscripts,” said Assistant Coordinator of Historical Manuscripts Cindy Lawler. “Part of many thousands of papers, documents, travel brochures about railroads and railroad companies in
the united states, Canada, Europe and some in India and South America.“ “Special Collections is a library that contains a few different libraries within in such as Mississippi Annuit Rare books, periodicals, historical manuscripts and archives,” said Special Collections Specialist Andrew Rhodes. “That includes former governor’s collections, like Theodore Bilbo. There are also railroad and lumber collections. The first collection I processed when I started working here was a Nobel prize winner in literature in 1911. A lot of civil rights stuff which deals with Freedom Summer. We also have civil war diaries and letters.” The de Grummond Collection is one of McCain Library’s most famous collections. “The de Grummond collection has around 200,000 books,
which someone recently did a documentary on,” Rhodes said. “It’s one of the three major libraries in the United States. Sometimes we get people from other areas besides history in here like students from the literature department here to view it. If you go to our website, you can access it through the main library website you can go to the digital collection section. There are Herbert Randall photos from the civil rights movement in the ‘60s there as well. There is a lot of stuff online so if you were searching for a specific topic you could just search it. We also have a lot of our oral history digitized there online as well as university records.” The McCain Library is open Monday through Friday 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. for student use. The special collection is housed on the third floor.
High schoolers visit USM for MSPA LORA LAVIGNE
printz reporter
On Sept. 29, The University of Southern Mississippi’s School of Mass Communication and Journalism hosted its 2016 Mississippi Scholastic Press Association (MSPA) Journalism Day. MSPA is a statewide organization intended to promote high school journalism and student media throughout grade-level education. The one-day event is designed to help students explore multiple storytelling mediums. The workshop provides several lecture sessions on written word, video, photography, broadcast, graphic design and more. Southern Miss graduate and House Committee on Energy and Commerce staffer Andrew Buckalew served as keynote speaker for this year’s event. Buckalew opened the event by discussing the importance of storytelling and using these skills to further one’s career. The South Mississippi Fall Workshop included sessions such as inDesign and Photoshop basics, managing a student-led publication, news writing, literary magazines, multimedia journalism, interviewing, photography, social media and other programs. Director of the School of Mass Communications and Journalism David Davies lectured about social media as a storytelling device. “Social media is a topic that students obviously seem to be interested in, and I’ve been fortunate to have groups of enthusiastic students willing to learn,” Davies
said. “I tell students to try and harness social media to either advance their own careers or to promote their student media.” Meridian High School senior Kai Horne said she wishes to learn new skills to improve her school’s news publication. “I came out to kind of see what other people are doing and just learn from different ideas,” Horne said. “I like to learn new information, so it was really nice to attend all of these sessions and find how we can make use of new ideas.” USM graduate assistant Will Tubbs hosted three sessions of the workshop on interviewing and writing like a reporter. “When I was in high school, we didn’t really learn anything about journalism,” Tubbs said. “It was kind of like what you saw on television or read in the newspapers created misconceptions of what it is like to be a reporter or on the news.”
Tubbs said he believes high school journalism programs are beneficial for preparing students for their careers in a growing industry. “As a university, we have a lot of great instructors, engaging speakers and [a] diverse curriculum,” Tubbs said. “With the Mass Comm Department, even hosting an event like this says enough and that we are putting our best foot forward. In high school, there is only one hour a day in each class and only so much you can cover. I believe this event is opening their eyes to new ideas or reinforcing things that they are already learning.” The MSPA statewide convention was held at the University of Mississippi, where 522 high school journalism students gathered. Southern Miss partners annually with MSPA to create these workshops to sharpen the skills of high school students across southern Mississippi.
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NEWS THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2016
Miss. ranked fifth in prescription opioid abuse NAN BEAUTI
copy editor
Mississippi came in fifth place in the nation last year with its use of opioids. According to The Associated Press and the Center for Public Integrity, companies that make prescription painkillers gave more than $366,000 to Mississippi candidates and hired nearly 18 lobbyists every year in Mississippi since 2006. The companies spent $880 million nationwide and hired an annual average of 1,350 lobbyists in state capitals around the country for nine years straight. Those seeking to limit opioid prescriptions spent $4 million. Mississippi reached fifth place with more than 3.2 million opioid prescriptions just last year. The state’s rate was 1.07 prescriptions per capita compared to the national rate of 0.71 last year. “Mississippi unfortunately ranks in the lowest for health,” said Prevention Specialist for Pine Belt Mental Healthcare Resources Kristy Knox. “Anything dealing with substance abuse a lot of the time has to do with moral values and is similar to a moral disease that individuals who engage in those particular behaviors have less morals than those who don’t. A lot of individuals think that because it is an over the country prescription drug, it is more acceptable than if it was heroin or some illicit drug. They think it’s more acceptable for them to ingest rather than something considered more severe.” Senior speech therapy major Holly Borntrager said people with or without morals can fall into the trap of addiction. “With any drug, it has a purpose to alleviate some of the symptoms being prescribed for. It’s a gradual thing,” Borntrager said. “People
don’t intend to become addicted to a particular drug. Certain drugs give you this high and some people use it to escape pain or reality. It just doesn’t give permanent alleviation.” Borntrager emphasized her Christian beliefs. “With low morals, you’re looking to material things like drugs when you could have a hope. People without that hope, with or without morals, can go either way. You can be a nonbeliever and have morals. When you look at that population of addicts, you think of people in low places that are susceptible to addiction. It can be well off or ‘good’ people as well. Place hope in something bigger than yourself.” The National Institutes of Health, however, reported that addiction “is a treatable disease, not a moral failing.” “Clinicians and their patients are often bound by the same unscientific, shaming beliefs about substance misuse; these beliefs create barriers to treatment,” the institute wrote. According to Elements Behavioral Health’s webiste, when addiction is viewed as something other than a disease, it is more likely to be addressed by the criminal justice system rather than the health care system. “This approach has a long history of failure,” Elements Behavioral Health wrote. “Addicts who get blamed for being weak or irresponsible often end up in short-term, ‘tough love’ treatment programs that too often overlook some of the medications that have proven effective in promoting recovery. “For example, naltrexone, which decreases cravings and blocks the high from opiates and alcohol, and buprenorphine, which stabilizes opiate receptors that have been altered by addiction and blocks the
Courtesy Photo| effects of heroin and street opiates.” The website stated that recognizing addiction as a disease reduces stigma and encourages some of the 23 million people struggling with this illness to get help. Mississippi was home to over 2,800 deaths caused by overdoses from 2006 to 2014 and counting. Opioids are not the only causes of these deaths. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention claims that, along with opioids, heroin also accounts for the majority of drugrelated deaths. More prevalently, opioid abuse is seen among college students. The Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation commissioned a survey which found that out of 1,200 college-age people in America, nearly 16 percent of them reported having used pain pills not prescribed to them at some point in their lives. According to the survey,
youth can easily get their hands on prescription pain medications. According to the Centers for Disease Control, drug overdose deaths now outnumber deaths caused by car accidents. The average number of overdoses by drugs every day is 110 in America. More than half of that number involves opioids. “A lot of the youth we treat are college-aged students between the ages of 18 to 25, some from USM,” Knox said. “A lot of times it starts initially at a younger age, around 12, when they are learning to experiment with other substances, whether they take it from their parents or relatives. Some are functional and some are unable to function without dependency. Our agency has a support staff to provide treatment based for them. I deal with prevention through education and awareness in the community about the epidemic that is affecting
our youth.” Health educator for Student Health and Counseling Lisa Wright said she desires change and improvement in national drug abuse. “My hope is that the public becomes more aware of the dangers regarding prescription drug abuse,” she said. “Often, people falsely assume that because it is a ‘legal’ prescription drug it is safer and there is less risk involved when in reality, data is showing that overdoses from opioids are on the rise.” Wright said if anyone is concerned about another student or themselves, the university offers the CARES system, a process for filing a confidential report and receiving student counseling services at no charge. The Collegiate Recovery Community is also available to support struggling students.
Homecoming elections, campaigns cause annoyance JULIUS KIZZEE
sports editor
Julius Kizzee | Sports Editor Signs line high-traffic campus walkways to attract students’ attention for election days on Oct. 4 and Oct. 6.
On Oct. 4 and 6, students cast their votes for The University of Southern Mississippi’s Homecoming Court. Those campaigning were primed to make new friends during the week through meeting potential voters and winning them over. To some students, however, getting a vote may not be that serious. “It’s fairly annoying when you have a lot of people coming up to you handing out just random stuff,” said freshman Matt Saunders. As elections were nearing the campus, those with no affiliation were preparing themselves as much as the candidates, planning out their routes on campus in relation to where campaigners plotted to attract the most students. “It’s gotten so bad where most people have to walk past them with headphones, and they have to pretend that they’re on
the phone so they won’t get harassed by these people,” said sophomore Shelby Thames. “It’s really, really annoying.” Students could find campaigning near congested areas on campus such as outside Cook Library, the Liberal Arts Building and near Shoemaker Square. “Sometimes, I’ll just be relaxing, and they’ll come up to me, and I don’t even feel like talking,” Saunders said. “They are just like, ‘Here’s my name,’ and they’ll
try to persuade me.” Not everyone thinks elections are unnecessary, though. Non-traditional student and senior Emily Woods said that even though their tactics can be a bit persistent, the homecoming court is essential to the campus. “We’re choosing a leader,” Woods said. “Leaders are very important.” Homecoming Court winners will be announced Oct. 6.
10/7 - Big Freedia 10/21 -
Queen of Bounce
Cedric Burnside with Cary Hudson
FEATURE THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2016
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Students peacefully protest game incident JULIUS KIZZEE
sports editor
After University of Southern Mississippi student Ranicia Taylor was allegedly harassed at Southern Miss’ 4428 victory over Rice on Saturday at M.M. Roberts Stadium, she posted to social media about her experience at the game. In response on Oct. 3, USM students came together for a moment of solidarity for Taylor at Shoemaker Square. “I feel like it’s important for everybody to have justice, so I feel like I should come out here today for those people at the game and for people everywhere,” said sophomore sociology major Tarilyn Elliott. “These injustices can’t go unheard.” More than 120 students – draped in all black attire – attended the protest. #BlackLivesMatter advocates and Hispanic and white students participated in the protest as well. “First of all, I’m black and that’s my roots,” said USM student Desiree
Chatman. “If you believe in something, stand for it. Nobody should be criticized for it.” Dean of Students Eddie Holloway, Dean of College of Arts and Letters Steven Moser, Chief Communication Officer Jim Coll and other important university figures also attended. “From my understanding, nobody has been identified as directly with this incident,” said Interim Vice PresidentStudent Affairs Tom Burke. “But it definitely is inappropriate and we would take action against the student if we found them in violation against the Code of Conduct or the Creed of the University.” According to College Factual, Southern Miss’ student body is 30.5 percent African-American. “I feel like they should hold somebody accountable,” Elliott said. “They should get down to the bottom of it. An investigation should be done and someone should be held accountable for their actions because this is not okay.”
Kenyatta Ross | Printz Freshman psychology major Cayla Derbigny sits in silence during a protest at Shoemaker Square on October 3, 2016.
Hunt Mercier | PhotoEditor
Lindsey Hargrave (left) and Chelsea Nelson (right) hold hands at a black lives matter protest at the University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg on Oct. 3, 2016. The protest formed today in response of two African American girls who sat down during the national anthem at the Rice-USM football game this past Saturday. The two girls were yelled at and had food and drinks thrown at them for their protest. (Hunt Mercier/ The Student Printz)
Cam Bonelli | Executive Editor
A USM student leads prayer before the protest at Shoemaker Square on Oct. 3. Cam Bonelli/Printz
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On Oct. 3, a USM student holds a sign in protest of the events that occured during a USM game Saturday.
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ENTERTAINMENT THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2016
Swipe Right: Hurricane survival checklist HIBA TAHIR
entertainment editor As the Southeast braces itself for Hurricane Matthew, I know many of us in Mississippi are having flashbacks to Katrina. Fortunately, I was nowhere near the coast when Katrina struck. (Nor was I, contrary to popular belief, in some otherworldly country where disaster is always imminent.) No – when Katrina struck, I was stuck in central Tennessee, in the Podunk and aggressively uneventful town McMinnville. As a masochistic writer, who lives for muse-inspiring adventure, I’m always a little bitter when my Mississippian classmates tell their exciting hurricane survival stories. What makes me most bitter, however, is that I was unable to share my expertise 11 years ago. Whether you’re evacuating or riding it out or fighting Poseidon for his domain, here’s my comprehensive list of essential items every hurricaneeffected person should have:
BABY NAMING BOOK
PRONUNCIATION GUIDE:
Rename that storm and conquer it. Have you watched a McConaughey or Damon film lately? Anyone who names a hurricane Matthew is asking for a bad (but admittedly memorable) time, and Katrina sounds like someone you’d want to immediately befriend in the Hunger Games. I don’t have an actual scientific figure but I’m pretty sure you’re 98 percent more likely to combat something with an unthreatening name. You’ll be alright, alright, alright with this tip (I am so sorry).
For the love of all that is wet and deadly - it is hurriCANE, not hurriken. This is not up for debate. The fish that swim by will roll their eyes at you, I promise.
BURKINI Speaking of the Hunger Games, you should see me in my orange and black burkini/swimwear/widely-debated-and-controversialwetsuit. It is a treat, if you can call stumbling across a clumsy hijabi in an orange-and-black wetsuit and questionable swimming/hurricane survival skills a “treat.” Point is, burikinis cover all the essentials and will keep you nice and safe from the harsh hurricane elements. Plus, because they’re so controversial, news media will immediately find you the minute you put one on. It’s like a wearable “help me” sign. In the midst of Matthew, does it matter whether you’re being recused from oppression or a hurricane?
FOOD (PREFERABLY SHARK FRIENDLY) Bring your M&Ms, bring your granola and Campbell’s Chicken Noodle – but if you decide to stick it out and want to survive, make sure you pack a seal or two. You never know when you’ll encounter a ravenous shark.
WATERPROOF PARCHMENT There is a chance, although admittedly small, that you will be swept away and deposited in some mystical underwater land in the event of a hurricane. You know who gets to rule this new land? You know who gets to write the constitution? That’s right. The guy with the waterproof parchment. Thank me later.
USM Ceramics National showcase HANNAH HENEGHAN
printz reporter
The Southern Miss Ceramics National Show opened in the George Hurst Building’s Gallery of Art and Design Oct. 4. The event was the second gallery show of the semester and, according to attendees, set the bar for the rest of the year. Featured items were ceramics and sculptures from around the country. “The artists I included in the 2016 Southern Miss Ceramics National make works that explore memory, place and personal narrative,” said show juror Brian Harper. “By creating work that reflects on the human experience, these artists filter content through their personal histories, allowing for a meaningful connection between the maker and their audience. “Collectively, the works included in this exhibition respond to and connect with each other to form an exhibition that celebrates the vitality and breadth of Contemporary Ceramic Sculpture being made throughout the United
States.” This show featured pieces ranging from detailed ceramic pieces to life-size sculptures. Some pieces approached the unconventional realm like “Marked Invitation: Blue” by Wade McDonald. The piece was illuminated by LED lighting under a casing of blue plexiglass and immediately caught the eye. Some works showed a more simplistic nature, such as “Memory No. 17” by Du Chau where the viewer could get close and personal with the art to see its shadows and weight. The one piece that struck me the most, though, was Charity White’s “Bo Diddley Plaza,” a video documentation. This was displayed on a flat-screen television. The Southern Miss Ceramics National show will be open in the gallery Oct. 4 - Nov. 4. Artist Kenneth Baskin will give a ceramic sculpture demonstration 10 a.m. to noon on Oct. 10 in the 3D Arts Building. Harper will give an artist lecture Oct. 11 at 6 p.m. in Liberal Arts Building 108.
Hannah Heneghan | Printz Southern Miss hosts Ceramics National Show in the Gallery of Art and Design show open on Oct. 4, 2016.
OPINION THURSDAY , OCTOBER 6, 2016
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Two men enter, one man constantly interrupts J.D. RIMANN
printz reporter
Tuesday night saw the first and only Vice Presidential Debate of the 2016 election cycle. Senator Tim Kaine of Virginia, the Democratic candidate running as Hillary Clinton’s VP, and Governor Mike Pence of Indiana, the Republican candidate running as Donald Trump’s VP, faced off for a series of nine 10-minute segments hosted by Elaine Quijano, the daytime anchor at CBSN (CBS News’s 24-hour livestream digital channel). While both contenders are well-known and influential within national political circles and their own states, according to the FiveThirtyEight, over half of Americans do not know who Mike Pence or Tim Kaine are, which made this debate something of a national coming-out party for the two men. Of course their relative anonymity is a reflection both of current American culture in regards to politics and of the overbearing nature of having such polarizing and dominant personalities at the top of the respective tickets. The tone of the debate was markedly more casual than the presidential debate at Hofstra last week. The candidates were seated together at a table, sitting opposite each other with Quijano in between them. Now, Tim Kaine and Mike Pence are both decorated public servants with several decades of experience between them at the national and state levels. Neither of them, however, are Donald Trump or even Hillary Clinton when it comes to sheer stage presence. I thought Pence came off as the better of
Courtesy Photo |
the two and certainly appeared to be the most presidential. He was thoughtful, articulate, intelligent and genuine; in other words, he was the opposite of the man at the top of his ticket. He had a better stage presence, and when he interrupted, it was more to quickly interject than to try to hijack the conversation. Tim Kaine was somewhat less presidential. He was forceful, occasionally funny and constantly on the attack. However, he was also constantly interrupting Pence. One media outlet reported that he interrupted the Republican over sixty times during the course of the debate, which is quite a high number even for our sound-bite charged era. The senator from Virginia – much like the candidate at the top of his ticket did in her recent debate – clearly came into the event with a list of prepared comments and phrases he wanted to make sure he said, if not for their impact on viewers then for the chance they will be played on a loop on various outlets over the next 24 hours. Overall I’d guess the Democrat was rather obviously trying to copy Joe Biden’s style from the 2012 veep debate, failing to realize that only Joe Biden can pull off Joe Biden’s style. Kaine also kept trying to pin the problems of the Donald onto the governor of Indiana bringing up line after controversial line from the mogul and asking Pence to explain the statement or tweet or what not. While not a bad ploy, this tactic did not work particularly well with Pence, who artfully dodged each attempt by his rival to pin the problems of the Donald on the would-be VP. In the process, though, Pence ended up painting a portrait of and defending a
presidential nominee who did not really seem to resemble Trump, a nominee who is kind, genuine, sympathetic and not a fan of Vladimir Putin (in other words an imaginary Trump). It was a great glimpse into why so many Republicans have endorsed Trump since the influential conservative joined the ticket, though, as Pence makes Trump appear to be an actual conservative and not at all Trump-like. Of course Trump did not help his competent but doomed lieutenant out, taking the opportunity to live-tweet the debate in classic Trump fashion. While Pence was defending Trump as a cool-headed and intelligent statesman whose words were being twisted and image caricatured by Democrats, the would-be statesman was busy retweeting personal insults about Senator Kaine’s appearance and bizarrely calling out Fox News anchor Megyn Kelly. Not the most presidential thing to do, but of course at this rate, nothing Trump does will ever be presidential. Overall this Veep debate was probably inconsequential for this election. The candidates at the top of the tickets are so polarizing that the actions of their VP picks are probably not as important as they might normally be in an election year, and even then many political scientists do not think that VP picks are all that important generally. Pence had the better night of the two and may generate a little bit of buzz for a 2020 run against Hillary, but otherwise I’d predict a fairly muted impact from last night. In fact the best part of the night was actually this gem from CNN a couple hours after the debate concluded: “Trump was frustrated
by the reviews after his first debate with Clinton. A long-time Trump friend said, ‘What I worry about is him hearing Hillary Clinton and Mike Pence are better debaters than him. That isn’t what he likes to hear.’” That is pure and classic Donald Trump. His reaction to his vice
president candidate doing well is to be upset because he feels like he has been shown up. Well, free advice for the Donald from someone whose father did not give him a small loan of a million dollars: If you don’t like your performance, then work harder and do better.
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SPORTS THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2016
Dawson emphasizes patience, unpredictability JULIUS KIZZEE
sportz editor
The Southern Miss offense has been inconsistent this season. In the first quarter of contests, Southern Miss has been outscored 45-41. Many fans may feel that Southern Miss is a team that “starts slow.” Statistically, they are correct. “Things tend to work out if you don’t panic,” said Offensive Coordinator Shannon Dawson. “We just [keep] doing what we were doing.” The Golden Eagles employed a diverse set of new faces on the field this season. Players such as George Payne, Marquise Ricard, Allenzae Staggers and Isaiah Jones saw the field for Southern Miss frequently this season after not having much playtime last year. “There are certain frustrations and growing pains with new guys,” Dawson said. “You’ve got to have a certain level of patience, but you’ve got to have a certain level of push, too.” Dawson saw his offense average 41.8 points per game, with the first quarter alone yielding 8.2 points. With the amount of new faces on the offense comes a sense of
unpredictability. This is evidenced by Allenzae Staggers’ schoolrecord 292 receiving yards on just six catches. “I didn’t call those plays specifically because I knew [Staggers] was going to get it,” Dawson said. “It’s just the ball has a way of finding you at times. I think when you’re making plays, it has a way of finding you even more.” In the first four games of the season, junior running back Ito Smith had been the focal point of the offense, averaging 135 rushing yards a game. With Smith being emphasized by the Rice defense, the receiving core and senior quarterback Nick Mullens had a record-setting night, heading to a 591-yard, four touchdown performance by the senior. Mullens is no stranger to setting records as a Golden Eagle, but his core is new to the scene at Southern Miss. But, that may be a good thing. “It’ll make it a little harder for people to pinpoint what we’re doing,” Dawson said. “We need people to step up and make plays. I think ultimately, the more people we have to step up and make plays, the harder it is on the defense that’s playing us.” The playmakers on the offensive
side of the ball may vary from game to game. One game, it may be Staggers. The next, it could be junior running back George Payne, who is returning this year from a knee injury. The playmaker could end up being D.J. Thompson when USM plays against LSU, who is averaging 40.4 yards a game. Dawson said he would like for Thompson to have a bigger role in the offense. “I’ve never thought of balanced [as] being 50-50,” Dawson said. “I’ve always thought of balanced as being spreading the ball to a number of people – to where people can’t pinpoint who is going to get [the ball] or who is game planned [to get the ball].” Dawson said he believes the football will find you if you are a playmaker, and you just keep making the necessary plays to stay on the field. Last year the Golden Eagles had Mike Thomas, Jalen Richard and Casey Martin make up the offensive production. The new faces will have to prepare, while patience will be key for Southern Miss’ offense to ignite on all cylinders “I honestly think that we have multiple guys out there that can
have a game like that.,” Dawson said. “I think we just got to keep giving them opportunities.”
Fadi Shahin | printz
This Saturday, the Golden Eagles will travel to Texas-San Antonio.
Southern Miss wide reciever Allenze Staggers (15) runs the ball in for a touch down against Rice on Oct. 1, 2016.