WEDNESDAYApril 11, 2012Volume 97, Issue 102

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RAINHIGH: 73LOW: 52SUNSET: 7:16PM

S D S U ’ SI N D E P E N D E N T

S T U D E N T N E W S PA P E R

S I N C E 1 9 1 3

“Bully” ratingdowngradedby MPAA, filmopens to bigaudience.

E N T E R TA I N M E N T

B AC K PAG E

The men they’vedated before theyfind me: These aresilent predators.Raptors. From myshady covebeneath the ocean,I peer up into thefractured sky andwatch their silhou-ettes fly silentlyabove us.

4

2

An ongoing construction projecthas continued to block lanes onMontezuma Road betweenCollwood Boulevard and CollegeAvenue, as well as cause headachesfor some San Diego State studentswho commute to campus.

“My 20-minute commute is now a30, 40 or even 45-minute commutebecause of the backup of traffic,” mediastudies senior Katelyn Garcia said. “Itjust backs up the whole way down.”

The Montezuma Road project, offi-cially known as “Water Group Job 923,”was unanimously approved by the SanDiego City Council last July.

According to SDSU’s MediaRelations Specialist Gina Jacobs,SDSU was not consulted about theproject prior to its approval. Theschool’s consent was not requiredbecause the streets being worked onare property of the City of San Diego.

The project is being managed bythe City of San Diego’s Engineering& Capital Projects Department.According to the department’s offi-cial project fact sheet, the goal is toreplace aging and deteriorated cast-iron water mains installed in theearly 1950s or earlier, as mandatedby the California Department ofPublic Health.

San Diego’s website lists multiplebenefits of the construction, includ-ing increased water capacity,decreased possibility of disruptedservice because of main breaks andinstallation of new curb rampswhere necessary.

The project has partially closedlanes on Montezuma Road between

8 a.m. and 5 p.m. on weekdays andblocked off most street parking.Garcia said this has made her late forclass on more than one occasion.

“I’m late pretty much three days ofthe week, and I’m here five days aweek,” Garcia said.

The project has affected studentswho live near campus as well. Studentswho live on Montezuma Road havereported temporary power losses andloud construction noises, sometimesas early as 7:40 a.m.

“As with any construction project,there will always be some inconven-

iences,” ECPD Senior PublicInformation Officer RacquelVasquez wrote in an email.“However, the newly installedpipeline system will increase waterreliability to the entire community.”

According to Vasquez, studentsshould incorporate extra time into theirdaily commutes or use alternativemeans of transportation, such as car-pooling and mass transit.

The project’s fact sheet stated itwas originally estimated to start inApril. However, the project com-menced March 3 because of a City

of San Diego-issued notice to pro-ceed, approximately a month aheadof schedule.

According to Vasquez, the con-tractor is currently ahead of sched-ule and should finish before theearly June deadline.

Garcia said she wishes they hadstarted in June instead.

“I don’t understand why they could-n’t have pushed it to summer, whennot as many people are coming tocampus,” Garcia said. “I’m sure it has agreat purpose, but it’s kind of annoyingto a driver who wants to get to school.”

BBeetthh EEllddeerrkkiinnmanaging editor

Culture Week highlights diversity

Roadwork annoys commuters

Estimated to finish by June, “Water Group Job 923” has closed lanes along a large stretch of Montezuma Road. | ALLIE DAUGHERTY, EDITOR IN CHIEF

VViioolleennccee ccoonnttiinnuueess iinn SSyyrriiaa,, ddeessppiitteecceeaassee--ffiirree

Violence between the Syrian government

and the popular opposition continuedyesterday, despite the newly sanctioned

United Nations cease-fire agreement.

The plan was brokered by U.N.

Special Envoy to Syria Kofi Annan and

agreed to by the central government of

Syria. It called for the immediate halting

of violence against Syrian citizens by

the government. World leaders condemned the regime

for backtracking on what was supposed to

be a positive measure. Syrian Foreign

Minister Walid al-Moallem said the “escala-

tion of violence” by the “terrorist groups” isto blame for the continued aggression.

Concurrently, tensions at the Syrian andTurkish border continued to rise as Turkeyprovides shelter for Syrian refugees.

NNoorrtthh KKoorreeaann ssaatteelllliittee llaauunncchh iiss aa ggooNorth Korea claimed yesterday its satellitewas ready for launch and denied accountsthat the program was a cover-up for con-ducting missile tests. The North Koreanadministration argued the level of techno-logical sophistication and scope requiredfor missile tests is much greater than whatis currently being used for the satellite

launches. The launch is scheduled forsometime between tomorrow andMonday and will commemorate the cen-tennial birthday of Kim Il Sung.

RRiicckk SSaannttoorruumm ssuussppeennddss pprreessiiddeennttiiaallccaammppaaiiggnnRick Santorum announced yesterday inhis home state of Pennsylvania he wouldbe suspending his campaign indefinitely.The announcement came after taking aweekend off to tend to his recently hospi-talized three-year-old daughter.

—Compiled by Assistant News EditorKevin SmeadWORLD NEWS

4S D S -V I E W

Culture Week inaugurated its annualcelebration of diversity last week. Acollaborative project of 18 culturalorganizations, the event consisted ofone fair, two days of lectures and theinclusion of Pledge Diversity and theAztec Unification Project.

“Cultural Week gives us confidencethat not only does everyone have avoice on the San Diego State campus,but also that students of all differentbackground and cultures can cometogether and share positive, affirmingexperiences,” a member of ProjectNur said. “We are a club dedicated topluralism and understanding, espe-cially across culture and faith.”

The five-day event was organized

by Associated Students’ Multi-Cultural Caucus. The MCC’s missionis to celebrate, educate and advocatefor diversity, culture and inclusion. Itis reminiscent of Pledge Diversity, amovement started by A.S.Representative and future VicePresident Channelle McNutt.

The lectures were divided into twodays. Tuesday focused on history lec-tures while Wednesday addressedsocial injustices. The Pledge Diversityevent was held on Thursday.

According to the SDSU DiversityPledge, diversity is more than beingaware of differences of all people,but embracing them as well asactively creating a campus that sup-ports and understands the diversityof its students.

The Diversity Pledge encourages itsparticipants to embrace diversity,strive toward social justice, refrain

from using derogatory terms, notcontribute to stereotypes, educatethemselves about cultures other thantheir own, engage in and contributeto the diverse world and activelyhonor the pledge itself.

The Aztec Unification Project is ajoint community service project,according to the SDSU studentnewsletter. It consists of three differ-ent student organizations collaborat-ing to volunteer for a nonprofit organ-ization in San Diego. Last semester,the Afrikan Student Union, theHispanic Business StudentAssociation and Sigma Phi Epsilondelivered food to homeless studentsand their families at the MonarchSchool in downtown San Diego thatserved approximately 80 people.

The organizations involved inCulture Week included several reli-gious and culture-based groups, such

as the Association of ChicanaActivists, Aztecs for Israel, AsianPacific Student Alliance, Arab StudentAssociation, Afrikan Student Union,Cross-Cultural Center, Jewish StudentUnion and the Lesbian Gay BisexualTransgender Student Union.

Other groups included were theLebanese Social Club, Muslim StudentAssociation, Nikkei Student Union,Project Nur, Students for Justice inPalestine, Student Veteran Organization,Vietnamese Student Association,Womyn’s Outreach Association andAndres Bonifacio Samahan.

“Culture week was great,” ABSamahan Political Affairs CoordinatorIgnacio Lauder said. “It was a lot offun getting to know all the other cul-tural organizations that participatedand I hope more and more will con-tinue to do so in later years.”

AArrttuurroo GGaarrcciiaastaff writer

D A I L Y A Z T E CWednesday, April 11, 2012 E N T E R TA I N M E N T2

Advanced Test Preparation

BEHINDTHE NUMBERS

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Advanced Test PreparationScore Higher, Aztecs!

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$10.7

Number of states without capital punishment

Proposed funds for Calif. Corrections and Rehabilitation next year, in millions

Amount of females in Calif. prisons, in percentage

Amount of Calif. prison inmates serving time for violent crimes, in percentage

Number of people incarcerated in California as of February 2012, in thousands

Amount of Calif. prison inmates under the age of 25, in percentage

5 U.S. rank in number of executions worldwide

$47 Approximate cost to incarcerate a prisoner in Calif., in thousands

CALIF. PRISONS

In the interest of starting this reviewwith something upbeat before goingin-depth about the dark subjectmatter, “Bully” recently receivedsome good news. The controversialdocumentary has received a “PG-13”rating, rather than the contested “R,”meaning more kids will be able tosee this powerful picture.

This is a relief, because all stu-dents, parents and school staffshould view this educational film.

“Bully” is primarily about five indi-viduals who have been abused bycruel jerks, whom only pick on thembecause they are different. Three ofthem are alive when the moviebegins, but two of the youths com-mitted suicide prior to filming andinformation about them is gleanedmostly through their parents.

Alex Libby is a 12-year-old boy withAsperger’s Syndrome who faces con-stant daily abuse from tormentorseven before he gets on his school bus.Kelby Johnson, a good-hearted les-bian, is generally not accepted in herconservative school in Oklahoma.The third bully victim, Ja’MeyaJackson, is an intelligent African-American girl who is in a juveniledetention facility for threatening hermenacing offenders with a gun shestole from her mother’s closet.

This is pretty grim material, but it isimportant that director Lee Hirschdoes not sugarcoat the real-life sto-ries. In fact, the filmmaker is so confi-dent in his approach that he nevermakes an appearance and lets thosewho are impacted by this problemspeak for themselves.

It is clear Hirsch tries to be asauthentic as possible before the

opening credits appear on screen.The first person introduced is DavidLong, the father of Tyler, a boy whotook his life as a result of unfair treat-ment by classmates. His words are soheartbreaking, it wouldn’t be surpris-ing if spectators reached for tissueswithin the first five minutes of “Bully.”

The other victim who killed him-self was Ty Smalley. Oddly enough,his story leads to some hopefulmoments. Smalley’s dad launchesan anti-bully organization, whichresults in an emotionally powerfulscene in the climax. His best friend isalso interviewed; and though hisscreen time is brief, the footage isone of the biggest surprises “Bully”has to offer.

Though he calls himself a formerbully, he comes across as a very niceperson who now believes there is nojustification for being mean. His inter-view is beautifully poignant and shouldaffect many audience members.

It would be fair to argue it isimpossible to address every impactof bullying in less than two hours, yetHirsch comes close. Right before“Bully” concludes, there is a briefcoda that is deceptively simple yetalso extremely effective.

Possible spoiler alert: The wordsare, “stop bullying.” Even a toddlercan understand how essential thatmessage is.

By focusing on a problem occur-ring on every single campus aroundthe world, “Bully” will be an unforget-table feature for many. Thank good-ness the rating brouhaha with theMotion Picture Association ofAmerica has concluded.

Information about “Bully” can befound at thebullyproject.com.

ALL THE WORLD ’S A STAGEPASS THE POPCORN

The documentary about bullying was given a controversial “PG-13” rating. | MCT CAMPUS

Cygnet’s ‘Parade’ disturbs

It has been almost 10 years since theCygnet Theatre Company wasfounded by Bill Schmidt and SeanMurray in San Diego. Since then, thecompany has produced musicalsand plays just as amazing as any-thing experienced at the La JollaPlayhouse or The Old GlobeTheatre. The company’s revival ofthe intelligent 1998 musical,“Parade,” is another example of whythis venue has gained a consistentlystrong reputation from critics andaudiences alike.

Based on a shocking true story,“Parade” is set in early-1900sGeorgia, where many are still affect-ed by the brutal aftermath of theCivil War. After a teenage factory

worker, Mary Phagan (SamanthaLittleford), is murdered in a pencilfactory, the plant superintendent,Leo Frank (Brandon Joel Maier), isaccused of murder. Though there islittle hard evidence as to who actu-ally killed Mary, blacks and whitesturn on Leo because he is a YankeeJew. The play then depicts the hor-rifying trial and unsettling aftermathof the murder.

This is a very deeply layered pro-duction on par with a masterfulmovie or award-winning novel. Creditgoes to director Murray, who makesthe two-hour-plus running time fly bywith strongly emotive storytelling.

All the information about whathappened to Leo is given in the pro-gram, yet watching it unfold live onstage is beyond haunting. The triallasts about 30 minutes and pro-gresses with ferocious intensity aswitnesses say and sing deceitful andhurtful things about Leo.

To be fair, everyone in the musi-cal’s ensemble is stupendous, butSan Diego State faculty member,Maier, gives a spellbinding perform-

ance in particular as Leo. His physi-cal mannerisms and ticks are morecomplex than the average theatricalstar, which gives depth to a charac-ter who seems so misunderstood bytoo many people. While some previ-ous versions have been criticized fornot making Leo likeable enough,that issue does not apply in this pro-duction because Maier’s stellarvocals and humanity makes him afleshed-out mensch — one withflaws as well as strengths.

Also unforgettable is SandyCampbell, who plays Leo’s devotedwife, Lucille. Playing a strongwoman who would do anything forher husband, Campbell is sweet andlovingly touching, especially in amusical number with Maier called“All the Wasted Time.”

Part of the reason “Parade” is stillrelatively popular is because ofJason Robert Brown’s Tony Award-winning music and lyrics.Emphasizing plot along with com-plex ideas makes the score a tri-umph in originality. Even the crowd-pleasing numbers are not excusesfor escapism and instead add artisticinsight into the events.

A show with a big brain, guts andtremendous quality, “Parade” isproof the Cygnet Theatre rivals thequality of Broadway and the WestEnd. Anyone interested in this trag-ic tale should immediately ordertickets before this play closes at theOld Town Theatre.

Tickets and information about“Parade” can be found at cygnetthe-atre.com.

‘Bully’ releasingin more theaters

DDaavviidd DDiixxoonnstaff writer

Director Lee Hirschsheds light on asadly pervasive issue

DDaavviidd DDiixxoonnstaff writer

SDSU alumnus givesa great performancein a reboot of theTony Award winner

To be fair, everyone in the musical’s ensemble is stupendous; but San DiegoState faculty member, Maier,gives a spellbinding performance in particular...

Movie: BULLY

Distributed by: THE WEINSTEIN CO.

Directed by: LEE HIRSCH

Expanded Release Date: APRIL 13

Grade: A

Leo Frank must argue his innocence in court after the murder of one of his employees. The resulting performance haunts. | THINKSTOCK

D A I L Y A Z T E CWednesday, April 11, 2012C L A S S I F I E D S 3

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D A I L Y A Z T E CWednesday, April 11, 2012 B AC K PAG E4

Difficulty Level: 3 out of 4

Instructions: Complete the gridso each row, column and 3-by-3box (in bold borders) containsevery digit 1 to 9. For strategieson how to solve Sudoku, visitwww.sudokudragon.com

Solutions available online atwww.thedailyaztec.com

©2012, TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES INC.

AACCRROOSSSS1 Great, in slang4 Take as one’s

own9 Scenic view

14 Fifth in NYC, e.g.15 Indian prince16 Indian, e.g.17 [Quoted verba-

tim]18 Porterhouse rel-

atives20 Trading center22 Without __: pro

bono23 Chop24 Hannibal Smith

underling28 Dined29 Polish place30 MetLife, for one32 Org. concerned

with the wordspelled by thestarts of 18-, 24-, 36-, 54- and59-Across

33 Muslim leader35 Popular dolls36 Any of five

Wolverine films40 Jeer43 Geraint’s lady44 Cookbook abbr.47 Elite athlete51 Urban skyline

standout53 Actress Peeples54 Some online

shoppers56 Receive57 Talker on a

perch58 Aid companion59 Pot holder, per-

haps64 Reason for gap-

ing65 Immunity agent66 Porter’s “__ the

Top”67 Dastard

68 Halos69 Board game

with an excla-mation point inits name

70 Mil. spud duties

DDOOWWNN1 Long-grained

Asian rice2 One skilled in

plane talk3 Fiats4 Legal hangings?5 Little bit6 Pancho’s peeper7 Jet age 2011-’12

TV drama8 Hoover led it for

37 yrs.9 Political poll-

sters’ targets10 Winter glaze

11 Mollusk namedfor its pair oflong earlikeappendages

12 Rest13 Responds19 Espied21 Catch some rays25 Injure severely26 Marceau, notably27 Verve31 Don Ho’s instru-

ment34 Sra.’s French

counterpart36 Crosses (out)37 A student’s GPA

blemish38 Caesar’s “I saw”39 “__ it my way”40 Kind of rap41 Former

Romanian pres-

ident42 Utter nonsense44 Secure behind

one’s head, aslong hair

45 Make a mess of46 Really bugs48 Synagogue49 “Rock-__ Baby”50 Actor Quaid and

pitcher Johnson52 Pharm. watch-

dog55 Internet giant

with an excla-mation point inits name

60 According to61 “__ Song”: #1

country hit forTaylor Swift

62 Hockey great63 Opener on a ring

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TODAY’S BIRTHDAY (4/11/12) Renewal fillsthis year with the fragrance of springtime.Release old, limiting habits or perceptionsto make way for new circumstances. Yourfamily, friends and community are reallythere for you, no matter where you roam(and you probably will). Save money for apassion.

To get the advantage, check the day's rating:10 is the easiest day, 0 the most challenging.

ARIES (March 21 - April 19) - Today is an 8 -There is still a way to win. A challengepuzzles you, and you'll need to do yourhomework. Practice pays. Let yourcreativity loose. Do the research, and thinkit out.

TAURUS (April 20 - May 20) - Today is an 8- You can learn whatever you need toknow. It's an expansion phase, and anadventure or trip tempts. Accept invitationsto visit, and let a friend teach you.

GEMINI (May 21 - June 21) - Today is an 8 -The more careful you are with the details,the better you look ... important people arewatching. Consult an absent groupmember. Verify intuition with facts. Workfast.

CANCER (June 22 - July 22) - Today is an 8- Review and revise a habit or routine, andsave. Stay grounded in the basics, andconsult with your team of experts. Yourtouch is golden; gather up what you can.

LEO (July 23 - Aug. 22) - Today is an 8 -Keep your money in your pocket for now.You're too busy to spend it anyway, at leastfor the next few days. A moment ofplanning saves hours. Tell someone how

much you care.VIRGO (Aug. 23 - Sept. 22) - Today is a 9 -

Don't let anyone coax you off track. You'recreating a positive buzz. Let go of apreconception, and consult a wise friend.A two-day romantic phase begins.

LIBRA (Sept. 23 - Oct. 22) - Today is a 9 -Turn it down if your mate thinks it'sbeneath you. Discipline gives you moretime to play. There is ample opportunityfor making creative changes at home.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23 - Nov. 21) - Today is a 7 -Entering a learning phase, you're gettingmore awesome. And there's room forromance. Reassure a loved one and guardtheir dream. It turns out well in the end.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22 - Dec. 21) - Today isa 9 - You're being pushed to take action.Accept the invitation as you see fit. Don'tthrow money at a problem. Find harmonyby listening to others and adjusting thetone.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22 - Jan. 19) - Today isan 8 - Reconsider the methods that don'twork, and continue using those that do.Listen to your heart and proceed withpassion. Take on something new. Learn tojuggle.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20 - Feb. 18) - Today is a 6- Your capability to concentrate increases.It's a good time to plan your next move.Don't let pressure get to you. Take shortmeditation breaks.

PISCES (Feb. 19 - March 20) - Today is a 7 -Pay attention to other people's arguments.Some of their ideas might work. Get socialfor the forseeable future, and allow yourfriends to contribute.

©2012, TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES INC.

BY NANCY BLACK,TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICESHOROSCOPE

BY THE MEPHAM GROUP,TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICESSUDOKU

BY RICH NORRIS & JOYCE LEWIS,TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICESCROSSWORD

/ DailyAztecvideo/ DailyAztecvideo

FICT ION

m the transition man. Girlsused to fall into my out-stretched hands, and dur-ing those times I thought itwas me who contained

them. Now I understand the situa-tion more clearly. All along it wasthem who swallowed me up intheir falling and waited for me torelieve that holy portion of myselffor transplantation.

I rehabilitate. Don’t think of it as ajob — it’s more concise to think of itas a series of coincidences, coinci-dences with unfamiliar women instrange, unfamiliar meeting places.Not bars or grocery stores. Thinklibraries, maybe, or ATMs.

Once, a woman on a date askedme to compare myself to an animal.Such a difficult question. I don’tremember if I gave her an answer.But what I’ve come to relate to arethose suckerfish that hide at thebottoms of coral reefs, waiting forthe deep-sea migrants to return, soas to clean their mouths andextremities of the parasites gatheredon the long journeys. I’m a healer.Satisfaction comes after I’ve filledmy gut with the diseased bits ofsomeone else’s life. And so I sit andwait for them to call on me. I sur-round myself with the calcifiedremains of old life forms I can’t tell ifI’ve lived in or not and criticize

those who carry their past lives asshells on their backs.

They come to me as thoughthey’ve known me all along, as thoughtheir first arrival is a return, and if thatmakes them more comfortable, I playmy part. When they show up they’reheartbroken. They smell like old coins,metallic. Wounded.

The men they’ve dated beforethey find me: These are silent preda-tors. Raptors. From my shady covebeneath the ocean, I peer up into afractured sky and watch their silhou-ettes fly silently above us.

If they arrive at my doorstep inpain, I unburden them, return themto neutral. There’s a diagnostic yourun when you’re around damagedbeings. And here’s what I’ve learned:Everyone’s a machine and every-one’s a mechanic.

It takes years to realize howimpossible it is to work on yourself,but only moments to pull out thebroken things grinding into anotherperson’s life. But when I’m finished,the same, tired dialogue returns.She’ll say, “I’m sorry for cominghome so late last night.”

“Don’t worry about it,” I’ll say. “Nobig deal. I understand. Sometimesthings get in the way.”

I wonder how much is enough,before they cut off all ties with me.They won’t wait around. As soon aseverything returns to normal, they’regone. I think of them as those vol-unteers who cut the plastic sodarings from around a pelican’s neck.The deed is done not just for me,but so both of us can breathe andeat in peace again. It’s a simple clip,even if some soreness remainsaround the throat.

I’ve come to realize I’m a substi-tute boyfriend. A fill-in when thelast one turned abusive or apathet-ic. I leave when the true profession-al shows up. There’s something rat-tling around inside of me. I canonly hear it when I’m still.Something’s come loose. I reacharound for the broken part but canonly graze it with my fingertips. It’staking shape in my mind when Itouch the outside edges. It’s some-thing big and sharp, somethingslimy. Every time I pinch it up, itslips back down and lodges itselffurther into a part of me I’ll neverreach. But I’m reaching anyway.

—Mason Schoen is a creative writinggraduate student.

MMaassoonn SScchhooeennfiction writer‘

Staff Photographer Dustin Michelson captured this photo of alumnus Joe Casey reminiscing

the glory days of drumming and dreaming among canopied benches between classes.

AND THE BEAT GOES ROUND

SDS-VIEW

PLEASE NOTE:The views expressed in the written works of this issue do not necessarily reflect the opinion of The Daily Aztec.Letters to the editor can be sent to letters@thedailyaztec.com. Story ideas can be sent to tips@thedailyaztec.com.

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The outside edges man

I