Cover Art by Sebabatso Matseletsele, Production Designer

THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 13, 2012 VOLUME 99, ISSUE 12VOLUME 99, ISSUE 12THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 13, 2012

2 NEWSThursdaySeptember 13, 2012The Daily azTec

Michele PlussContributor

campus

Aztecs honor fallen 9/11 victims at memorial service

antonio zaragoza,editor in chiefROTC departments stand at attention during the memorial service that took place on Campanile Walkway.

As the American flag flew at half-mast, San Diego State joined to-gether to remember 9/11.

On Tuesday, hundreds of stu-dents, staff and faculty gathered at the flagpole on Campanile

Walkway to honor the nearly 3,000 lives lost during the ter-rorist attacks 11 years ago. The memorial service, led by SDSU’s ROTC, included the raising and lowering of the flag, a moment of silence and a closing prayer.

SDSU junior, Sterling Morris, one student who took time out of his day to honor those who per-ished, expressed his support to the families who lost loved ones.

“They have an entire nation

behind them and though we may not be able to each individually understand the depth of their loss . . . we are there to support them,” Morris said.

SDSU President Elliot Hirsh-man, spoke at the event, under-scoring the importance of such a memorial service.

“Today is a day when we all have heavy hearts,” he said. “But it’s also important to remember both the heroism and the sac-rifice that occurred on 9/11,” Hirshman said.

As the flag waved, against the

gray sky, SDSU junior Denise Thompson said she appreciated the memorial service.

“No matter what our beliefs our age, our interests, our gen-

der, our race,” Thompson said. “We’re all together at one mo-ment in time that’s now in the history books forever.”

All SDSU ROTC departments stood at attention during a moment of silence.

Today is a day when we all have heavy hearts... it’s important to remember both the heroism and the sacrifice that occurred on 9/11.

Dr. Elliot Hirshman,SDSU President

NEWS 3ThursdaySeptember 13, 2012

the daily aztec

Students learn how to create a movementlocal

Hotel taxes used questionably

campus

Elisse MillerStaff Writer

Hotel owners in Chula Vista discovered a self-imposed tax intended to increase tourism funding has been spent on the salaries for Chamber of Commerce members instead. The tax was established in 2009, when Chula Vista hotel owners decided to increase room rates by 2.5 percent, amounting to an annual intake of $400,000.

The extra funding was intended to enhance advertising and marketing for to attract more visitors to the city’s hotels. However, an investigation by the San Diego County Grand

Jury found 72 percent of the money produced by the tax is used towards the salaries for the chamber’s staff.

Money for advertising was spent on local publications, which, by nature, are not meant to draw new visitors to Chula Vista.

Carl Winston, Director of the L. Robert Payne School of Hospitality & Tourism Management, does not find this news shocking.

“There is a history of hoteliers being unhappy with the way that hotel taxes are spent,” Winston said. “I’m not surprised there’s a battle, because cities are so desperate for money.”

Amanda GuerreroStaff Writer

After months of planning, two San Diego State seniors hosted a leadership training conference called Youth Organizing and Policy Institute. The San Diego YOPI, which ended on Sunday, is one of eight regions taking part in Planned Parenthood Federation of America’s national 2012 Youth, Power Tour! YOPI’s logistics lead Amy Dunford and curriculum lead Jennifer Kulka organized the three-day conference, aimed at promoting change through movements started by young people. The event attracted local and out-of-state participants. Although YOPI is funded by PPFA (known for its politically liberal support base), Kulka, a psychology senior, said the skills taught at the conference are valuable to anyone seeking change. According to Kulka, YOPI is a set of workshops meant to teach people leadership skills necessary to start effective and lasting movements. “We’re teaching (students) these skills so they can go home and launch change,” Kulka said. “That way, they can create the change that they want to see.” YOPI was broken into two sections: “Building Your Power,” which taught effective methods for starting a movement, and “Using

Your Power,” which demonstrated ways to keep a movement from losing momentum. To get a break from their training, YOPI participants spent Saturday night aboard the Inspiration Hornblower. SDSU gerontology senior Micah Wroten, who didn’t know what YOPI was before attending, said the event provided a comfortable environment to learn about event planning. “I think it’s applicable to

anything,” Wroten said. “It was a great experience in all aspects like training, networking and even fun.” Dunford and Kulka said they are proud of the event, which brought 87 participants to SDSU. “I loved seeing how everyone was super serious and showed they weren’t just here for a vacation in San Diego, but that they really wanted to do something,” Dunford said.

Winston said San Diego has a 10.5 percent Transient Occupancy Tax. When it was initiated in the 1960s, 100 percent of profits went to promoting San Diego as a tourist destination, which decreased to zero in 2007.

Twelve of the tax-paying hotels petitioned to dissolve the tax, but the process is proving more difficult than it was to initiate the tax. Because the taxes collected from these 12 hotels amounts to more than 50 percent of the total money raised, a public hearing will soon be held to find a solution.

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4 NEWSThursdaySeptember 13, 2012The Daily azTec

campus

Services support healthy living

Jessica LaFontaineContributor

thinkstock

We’ve all heard the stories of the infamous “freshman 15,” but it seems lately the trends of unhealthy habits in college have shifted to healthier ones. According to a recent study, on average, freshmen gain between 2.5 to 3.5 pounds throughout the course of their first year of college.

According to the article, “The Freshman 15: A Critical Time for Obesity Intervention or Media Myth?” by Jay Zagorsky, a research scientist at Ohio State University and Patricia Smith, a social scientist at University of Michigan-Dearborn, the average freshman gains only an additional half-pound in the first year.

Regardless of whether the freshman 15 is a myth or not, San

Diego State offers free services to encourage healthy living. The Student Health Services website elaborates on these services, which include weight management, dietary advice and other general nutrition needs.

According to Registered Dietitian and Adjunct Professor, Tracy Daly, the service has been a providing service for more than 10 years, and currently helps many students.

But Daly feels not enough students are aware of the services provided on campus.

“It’s just hard to catch 30,000 students,” Daly said.

The program begins with a form for students to fill out, which cover aspects such as weight goals, sleep patterns and a typical day’s eating habits.

Daly personally reviews each

form to make sure the student’s needs are appropriate for the program, referring those with higher needs to other services in the community that are better suited. Daly or one of eight student nutrition counselors meets with students on an individual basis. Daly said students usually come in to discuss healthy eating options on campus.

Compared to other universities, Daly said SDSU makes efforts to promote a healthy environment.

“I personally think that there are a lot of healthy eating options on this campus. People just don’t know what to look for,” Daly said. “I think SDSU does a really good job of offering healthy programs.”

Anyone interested in nutritional and health planning can visit Student Health Services at Calpulli Center, 3201.

Explosion of comedy rocks Aztec Nights

campus

paige nelson, photo editorChris D’Elia speaks in front of a crowded room during the Aztec Night Comedy Explosion.

Four Comedians came to San Diego State for its annual Comedy Explosion, part of Aztec Nights, a series of events providing clean fun to students. Rap music blared as crowds of students filled Peterson Gym.

After a dance contest, host Ron G welcomed and amped up the crowd. Even though jokes about hood girls aren’t exactly relatable to most SDSU students, Ron G garnered laughs through physical comedy.

The two featured acts, Tony Baker and San Diego native Mal Hall, took the stage and won the young audience’s approval with Instagram references and uniquely timed jokes, which paid off perfectly.

Headliner Chris D’Elia, seen in “Workaholics’ and “Whitney,” proved his potential as a rising comedy star. He offered fresh

perspectives on the usual stand-up topics of dating rituals and racial stereotypes. Throughout his act, D’Elia mentioned how

much he sincerely loved the crowd, prompting everyone to be even more open to laughing. D’Elia went overtime with improvised jokes, proving he can not only deliver meticulously thought-out jokes, but also on-the-spot humor.

The 2012 Comedy Explosion was a significant upgrade from last year’s, making me anticipate 2013 with even more excitement.

Elisse MillerStaff Writer

even though the jokes about hood girls aren’t exactly relat-able ... Ron G gar-nered laughs.

FEATURES 5ThursdaySeptember 13, 2012

the daily aztec

Some may argue using the words skateboard and culture together presents an oxymoron. Many nega-tive connotations are attached to skateboarding, ranging from drugs to teenage rebellion. But what these detractors fail to see is the impact this sport has had on many, specifically the Native American community.

The San Diego Museum of Man is displaying the Smithsonian exhibit,

“Ramp it Up: Skateboard Culture in Native America.” This exhibit highlights the birth of skateboarding

-starting with an early depiction of a papaholua, a sled used to “surf” on land - moving toward current skate-board companies born from Native American tribes.

The exhibit is more than pictures or displays. It contains a spirit which absorbs you into the growth of skate-boarding like it was an infant matric-ulating into manhood.

The story begins in a time when the inhabitants of Hawaii are search-ing for an adrenaline-rushed sport beyond surfing and off the waves. The earliest surfboards, like the papa he’e nalu, give birth to the papahol-uas. As time passes, word spreads and the famous shores of Southern California adopt skateboarding.

Looking further into the exhibit, it’s evident the exhibit is more than a flash of history. There is an impor-tant message flowing through each

art display. Palomar College Ameri-can Indian studies professor Alan L. Aquallo, of Luiseño and Maidu heri-tage spoke about the purpose of the exhibit.

“The mission of ‘Ramp it Up’ was to introduce to the non-native com-munity of the importance of skate-boarding in the native communities throughout the U.S.”

The variety of art displayed helps guide the exhibit into different stag-es of skateboarding through its devel-opment in various communities. This includes vintage skateboards from as early as the 1960s to photography and documentaries on native profes-sional skateboarders.

The exhibit demonstrates how crucial skateboarding can be for native youth, especially those who experience problems such as obesity or substance abuse. Tracy Nelson, of Luiseño heritage, contributed to the exhibit, and has a deeply rooted pas-sion for the sport.

“Skateboarding is something that I really treasure, it was something to keep me away from drugs and alco-hol,” Nelson said. “The feeling when riding up against the wall, that feel-ing, that natural high; no drug can give you that.”

Nelson was so inspired by skate-boarding he started his own skate-board company called Full Blood. Similar stories fill the exhibit, pro-viding youth examples of people who have been in their shoes.

The popularity of skateboarding has soared in the native community. Several skateboard companies have

come from native tribes as well as professional skateboarders such as Bryant Chapo. The fast growth of the culture inspired Native American youth to pursue professional careers in skateboarding.

Those who made careers in skate-boarding have not wasted the oppor-tunity. Some, such as Native Skates, brought their culture and their career. As stated on its Facebook page, Na-tive Skates is “a Native owned and operated company that produces high quality skate decks and wheels to help promote Native pride and skateboarding for our native youth.”

This sense of pride comes from the skate-board designs related to the na-tive culture, as well as organiz-ing skate com-petitions with skate celebrities.

The exhibit exposes skate-board culture and the strong, positive influ-ence it has, not only on the na-tive youth, but globally. Skate-boarding isn’t just a form of expression. For many, it’s a fu-ture.

Christian BenavidesStaff Writer

Native designs on skateboards at ‘Ramp it Up’ jordan owen, staff photographer

Exhibit displays birth of skating travel and adventure

6ThursdaySeptember 13, 2012The Daily azTec

Ethan BaileyFeatures Staff Writer

If you’re looking for some fast-paced cardio without the monotony of a treadmill, consider joining a pickup game of Ultimate Frisbee at one of the many scenic locations around San Diego. At a glance, the sport looks similar to football because the purpose is for players to advance the disc into the end zones that they are attacking. Unlike football, there isn’t any contact. Additionally players cannot travel with the disc after receiving a pass and instead, stop in as few steps as possible, set a pivot foot and pass to teammates. The rules make the game very fast-paced. After gaining possession of the disc, players have 10 seconds to pass before suffering a turnover. This is known as stall count and is the heart of the start-stop nature of this game, which will surely get your blood pumping. All games are self-governed, meaning there are no referees present at Ultimate Frisbee games. Good sportsmanship and integrity are always encouraged. There are a variety of locales to get involved in a pickup game, from Balboa Park’s Sixth Avenue park all the way to Oceanside. All ages are welcome to participate and the vast majority of games and leagues are free. Ultimate is a friendly, casual experience and a great way to discover new places. To find game times and locations, as well as other information on the sport, visit pickupultimate.com. The site features a seven-day calendar organizing game locations via points on a Google map depending on which day of the week you select. Contact information for the organizers are included with, threads open to user comment, thus allowing players to get to know each other and keep in touch. According to the site, there are 10 games throughout San Diego planned for the rest of the week. Whether you’re hoping to become an avid player of this intriguing sport or just get out on a beautiful day, Ultimate Frisbee could be the start of many enjoyable sunny San Diego weekends.

a supreme sport

If you’re looking to live more on the wild side, La Jolla Water Sports is the perfect day getaway for an adventurous spirit. In shallow waters of two-to-six-feet, tour guides take snorkelers out to swim with leopard sharks and other sea creatures of the Pacific Ocean. At La Jolla Shores, swimmers get the opportunity to see these sharks’ large black spots up-close and personal. The leopard sharks range from three-to-five feet in length. However, with mouths the size of a quarter, they are harmless to humans. Hundreds of these sharks can be seen along the coast, creating a surreal and eerie experience. The guides from La Jolla Water Sports are extremely knowledgeable and will inform their groups about the indigenous sea life before the swim begins. Snorkelers will learn secrets of the ocean and all it embodies. Tactics, such as the “stingray shuffle,” a method of entering the water to avoid stepping on stingrays, will be taught as well. Once in the water, guides will direct the swimmers to where most sharks and fish can be found and will bring attention to any they see. La Jolla Water Sports prides itself on hosting smaller tour groups than other companies in the area while maintaining a fun and professional atmosphere. Tours can be booked online on the website and are offered daily throughout the spring, summer and fall months. All gear is provided.

Bridget ChapmanStaff Writer

a bigger boat?

One of San Diego’s hidden treasures is Palomar Mountain Observatory Campground. An hour-and-a-half drive from campus will transport you to an environment rich with fresh air and greenery. You’ll soon forget the city is just a short drive away when you’re mesmerized by the refreshing streams, hiking trails and amazing panoramic views of the county. A perfect place to camp for the weekend, or to just go for a “daycation,” Palomar has great trails for hikers and bikers to venture off. Stargazing is also a must. The observatory is only two miles away and many come to explore the night sky. If you don’t have time for a weekend getaway, go a on a day hike and pack a lunch to eat at the peaceful picnic areas. If the cats roaming around the Geology Mathematics and Computer Science building aren’t enough wildlife to satisfy your inner Crocodile Hunter, at Palomar, deer, fox and coyote sightings are part of the experience. This mountain has visitors raving about their experiences and they keep coming back. To reserve a campground, you must make a reservation at least eight days in advance for $15 to $30, depending on the location. So, ditch the Aztec Recreation Center for a day and utilize nature’s very own gymnasium.

Nicole YiFeatures Staff Writer

totally spaced out

The Aztec Recreation Center provides many programs students are unaware of through Aztec Adventures. Since 1977, Aztec Adventures has taken adventurous San Diego State students on memorable escapades. This school year, 15 trips for those interested in rock climbing can set out on 15 trips with Aztec Adventure staff. The locations vary from day trips to Mission Gorge and three-day weekends at Joshua Tree National Park. Most outings are only available to students enrolled in Exercise and Nutritional Sciences 139: Begining Rock Climbing. In total, there are four rock-climbing classes available for beginning and intermediate rock climbers. “It’s probably one of the most amazing experiences for anyone that’s interested to come out and explore the natural envi-ronment as well as take advantage of having a physical relation-ship with the environment,” SDSU senior Forrest Brodsky said. The first rock climbing outing available to students is Nov. 2 through 4 at the Joshua Tree National Park and costs $309. The cost includes transportation, some food and all equipment.

Monica LinzmeierContributor

quite the journey

7

a cinematic experience

Established in 1958, South Bay Drive-In Theatres provides a nostalgic escape for budget-conscious moviegoers. The three screens at South Bay showcase the latest Hollywood releases for a fraction of standard box office prices. The adult price of $7 or $1 for children grants patrons access to a double feature, but be advised this theater only accepts cash payment. The drive-in pairs complementary films together, usually movies of corresponding ratings and genres appealing to the same demographic. If patrons wish to watch only one movie, they are permitted to arrive or leave when they please. Additionally, South Bay recommends arriving one hour before the first feature or 30 minutes before the second feature to guarantee a good spot. No need to sneak in snacks past the ticket-taker. While traditional theaters retain a monopoly on overpriced concessions, South Bay allows moviegoers to bring their own food inside. However, popcorn and other goodies are available on site. San Diegans can catch flicks from the comfort of their vehicles and avoid the pitfalls of regular theaters, such as distracting people texting or talking. Simply tune a car stereo or portable radio to the designated channel for audio. Bring lawn chairs and blankets to get cozy with a date under the stars. South Bay is open every night, seven days a week, rain or shine. Unbeatable prices and praiseful reviews on Yelp make this venue popular for all ages. Visit southbaydrivein.com for showtimes, coupons and directions.

Lauren YapStaff Writer

There are plenty of malls to visit in San Diego during the evening such as Fashion Valley and Horton Plaza, but Westfield University Town Center has experienced the biggest change in recent years. The expansion of UTC started last year, and renovation will continue. People who have been to UTC will realize that the more upscale Dining Terrace has recently replaced the old dank, dingy food court. Though famous chains such as Subway, Rubio’s Fresh Mexican Grill and Panda Express are located indoors, the Terrace also has lesser known restaurants. There are a variety of choices, including Royal India and Sarku Japan. By the end of the year, ArcLight Cinemas will finally come to San Diego. I have been to the ArcLight in Hollywood, and the experience was amazing. The film presentation was excellent and the food quality rivaled the diverse treats found at Cinépolis and Landmark Theatres. Another addition to UTC will be a 24 Hour Fitness Super Sport Club. According to U-T San Diego, it “will be triple the size of the existing club and have a swimming pool and full-size basketball court.” UTC has always been a great place to visit, and with the changes the place will become an even more popular destination for San Diegans and SDSU students looking for something to do when taking an extended study break. Whether it is going in the afternoon to the delicious restaurant Tender Greens, window shopping at Tiffany & Co. or visiting after dark to try some Friday night ice-skating; UTC is, and will continue to be, a terrific place for diverse entertainment and excitement.

Information about UTC can be found at westfield.com/utc.

David DixonStaff Writer

Utc, place to be

If you aren’t a San Diego native, then surely one of your top 10 reasons for moving here was to hang out at the beach. San Diego is home to coastal bliss. Just because summer is almost complete and your hectic class or work schedule doesn’t allow you to seek refuge during the day, fret no more, because beaches are open 24 hours. Experience proves even the wee hours of the night can be a haven for recreational activity in several of San Diego’s local beaches. Have a beach cruiser to ride around campus? Why not really put it toward its intended use and cruise along the beach or bay on the miles of suitably paved paths. Even at night along Mission Beach boardwalk (by the rollercoaster) or the inner trail along Mission Bay are great alternatives to the gym. They are seemingly safe paths close to home, and well-lit to guide you through the night—but be warned, you will need lights on your bike. This is both for safety and to avoid a fix-it ticket from the cops, which in this city is no joke. Mission Beach is also home to Belmont Park, a small amusement park housing the legendary Giant Dipper rollercoaster, as well as other carnival rides and games. Between the Wave House, the local Mission Bay bars and the beach, Mission Beach is a great place to spend a relaxing afternoon. Just make sure to stick around to watch the sunset.

Isabella PlaceStaff Writer

sUn Up, sUn down

8ThursdaySeptember 13, 2012The Daily azTec

Whether you have not yet reached the magical age of 21 or you just don’t consider yourself a drinker, there are plenty of late-night activities to do in San Diego besides visiting a bar. If you still feel the need to get a drink, grab a coffee instead and get your buzz on with java instead of beer. With the cooler autumn weather approaching, it’s sometimes preferable to meet at The Living Room Cafe, Lestat’s Coffee House or Rebecca’s Coffee House late at night rather than going to a bar or club. The Living Room is always open until 1 a.m. and tucked away on El Cajon Boulevard near San Diego State, it provides a relaxed atmosphere for long discussions with friends. There’s no competing for conversation with blaring music and no crazy expensive cocktails to waste your money on; just some comfy couches and reasonably priced coffee and food. With a homey area inside and a simple patio outside, The Living Room is big enough to find your own little nook so you won’t disturb the students who are studying. If you want a more entertaining night, bring a couple games to play or a com-puter to share with your friends. Lestat’s is open 24 hours a day and also provides a homey atmo-sphere, but it offers more entertainment if you’re looking to do something other than chatting. The Normal Heights location is usually busy weeknights with open mic performances, comedy acts and musicians which are usually open to all ages. If you’re looking solely for entertainment at Lestat’s, don’t get it confused with its other location on Park Boulevard. Although just as good with service and drinks, the Park location is usually filled with hard-core students who don’t want to be disturbed by conversation or live music.If you’re willing to travel a bit further, Rebecca’s Coffee House in South Park is one of San Diego’s most unique and inviting coffeehouses. Open late throughout the week, Rebecca’s stacks its event calendar with open mic and spoken word nights and other events featuring musicians and writers. Even when there’s no event scheduled, Rebecca’s is a fun place to visit at night to people-watch or meet some of its most eclectic and unique clientele. Gathering around a table of foamy coffee mugs with a couple friends can easily replace gathering around a pitcher of beer if you give it a chance. Besides, it’s better to drive home buzzed on coffee than buzzed on alcohol.

Jenna De StefanoStaff Writer

No bar? No prob.

San Diego’s Gaslamp District is famous for its nightlife, whether that means going to a bar to sip a cold brewski or rocking out to a concert at the House of Blues. For the real partygoers, nightclubs are the place to go wild. Some of San Diego’s best late-night party spots include Fluxx, Voyeur, Stingaree and Ivy Nightclub at Andaz, with each club offer-ing a unique experience so clubbers can enjoy a night they will never forget. Stingaree, chosen as one of the hottest nightclubs in the country by Conde Nast Traveler, is one of the most well-known and reputable clubs in downtown San Diego. This year, Stingaree has been reinvented with the addition of Guesthouse as well as the introduction of several parties and performances. The nightclub often hosts high-profile events and launch parties for various organizations. Stingaree recently launched two new and unique Sunday party concepts. Guesthouse Day Club launched in the winter and Revive launched in April, just in time for pool party season. “Our guests can always expect the top-notch service that Stingaree is known for as well as some of the best entertainment and parties around town,” Managing Partner of Stingaree Shane Brennan said. “From promotions like Revive to performances by both hip-hop artists and major house vocalists to various celebrity appearances, we always try to change it up to keep things new and fresh.” New and fresh are indeed great words to describe the venue, along with trendy and glamorous. Multiple levels and various rooms make Stingaree feel much larger than it actually is. The well-lit and polished bar on the main level always seems to be the center of attention. It’s convenient having the option to go upstairs or step out on the rooftop to get away from the blasting music. The outdoor bar and lounge area tends to be the hangout spot of choice, where people engage in conversations beyond the standard two-minute small talk. Fluxx, which opened in March 2010, is the new-

Brooke SchlyerStaff Writer

Tori HaynesStaff Writer

all-Night party

Everyone knows where his or her local multiplex is. I’m even willing to bet most people know where the majority of local multiplexes are, even if they’re not moviegoers. While these castles of cinema house the latest and not al-ways greatest films, smaller, locally owned establishments serve up late night cinematic treats that everyone can enjoy. Built in 1912, Landmark Theatres Ken Cinema, also known as The Ken, has run films in San Diego for a century. While never letting a certain genre fully define the theater, Ken Cinema gained particular notoriety for its screenings of foreign and independent films. In the past decade, Ken Cin-ema has received numerous commendations from San Diego publications such as San Diego CityBeat, San Diego Reader and San Diego Magazine. Per-haps most notably, though, The Ken is San Diego’s last single-screen movie theater. Sometimes, it has midnight showings of classic films, which in the past included “Jurassic Park,” “The Big Lebowski,” “The Hunger Games” inspiration “Battle Royale” and even Tommy Wiseau’s post-modern classic “The Room.” The Ken may be a century old, but its tradition of excellent cin-ema at all hours of the day will remain timeless for centuries to come. Unassumingly tucked between the best deep-dish pizza in town (see: Lefty’s Chicago Pizzeria) and a hair salon, Cinema Under The Stars plays classic films in a relaxed, open atmosphere. The name implies all one needs to know about this outdoor nighttime movie-watching experience. Patrons can enjoy a beautiful night sky and a great movie in one of the comfy zero gravity lounge chairs, which are all too easy to get sucked into. It’s slightly more expensive with $15 admission, but it’s the cost for luxury and experience. Upcoming features include “Indiana Jones and the Last Cru-sade” playing this weekend and Alfred Hitchcock classics “Rear Window” at the end of this month and “The Birds” in late October. If you have any inten-tion on attending, get tickets now for the theater is quite small and sells out quickly. Finally, the ultimate destination for late-night cinema is a short drive up the coast to La Paloma Theater in Encinitas. What do they have that oth-ers do not? “The Rocky Horror Picture Show,” of course. Every Friday at midnight, loyal fans do the time warp, time and time again. For only $9, this is the best line-reciting, item-throwing and innuendo-spewing night of enter-tainment around. For die-hard “Rocky Horror” fans and first-timers alike, La Paloma is the place to spend quality time with Dr. Frank-N-Furter when the clock strikes midnight.

Kevin SmeadEntertainment Editor

stars oN aNd off screeN

courtesy of stingaree

est of these nightclubs. Since opening its doors to the public, Fluxx has been named the best nightclub in San Diego two years in a row by NightClub and Bar and Lamplighter. The club offers its visitors a Vegas-style evening, with a venue setup much like a stadium including a 1,000 square ft. dance floor, with numerous chances to rub elbows with VIPs such as Snoop Dogg, Pamela Anderson, Ludacris and many more. The club is definitely considered poppin’ among college-age clubbers (if you’re a girl, you can sometimes manage cutting line or ditching cover). The dance floor is filled with cocktail tables starting at $20, making this venue best for special occa-sions when bottle service is involved. The Ivy, located on the rooftop of the Andaz San Di-ego, features the city’s largest rooftop club where guests can enjoy a breathtaking panoramic view of San Diego’s beautiful skyline. Oversized chairs and cabanas add a sophisticated lounge feel, setting Ivy apart from other nightclubs. One thing to be aware of before you spend time trying to get on the guest list is Ivy tends to attract a somewhat older crowd than the typical 21-to-28-year-old bracket for most clubs downtown. Guests who are celebrating special events are en-couraged to choose the appropriate themed signature bottle services ranging from “The Bachelorette,” and “Let Them Eat Cake,” to “Make You Melt” and everyone’s favorite, “Endless Summer.” Going all out and celebrating in style makes the experience more memorable. San Diego is the ultimate hot spot for an entertaining, yet classy, nightlife experience you’ll never forget. Whether you’re looking for an exciting night filled with dancing, a mel-low time sipping on cocktails with friends, or simply just look-ing for an excuse to dress up, downtown San Diego’s nightlife has just the perfect place for you.

paige nelson, photo editor

OPINION 9ThursdaySeptember 13, 2012

the daily aztec

Keep print journalism aliveAs part of our coverage of the

current and future state of journalism in San Diego, The

Daily Aztec interviewed journalism assistant professor Rebecca Coates Nee, Ed.D. Here, she shares her thoughts about the future of inde-pendent publications in San Diego and the role of social media in jour-nalism. The Daily Aztec: Do you think small and independent publications in San Diego are doing enough to adapt to online and mobile media?

Dr. Rebecca Coates Nee: This isn’t something I have really studied, but I think smaller, niche publications do not have to spread themselves all over digital and mobile media to be effective. They already have an es-tablished following and we have seen niche publications do well in this environment because they aren’t try-ing to be an all encompassing news source for everyone. Social media can be a benefit for smaller organi-zations because it is an inexpensive way to communicate with the public. From what I’ve seen, many staff members of the independent publi-cations, particularly City Beat, are quite active and effective on social media.

DA: Do you think the transition from print to online journalism will benefit or hurt small local publica-tions?

RCN: I don’t know what their adver-tising revenue looks like. Remember,

the down economy has negatively impacted all advertisers, so the move to digital isn’t the only reason ad-vertisers are cutting back. Some re-search I’ve seen, however, has shown that weekly publications, which are targeted to a specific community, are still doing well. Their costs are lower than traditional dailies and they have a more focused mission and loyal audience, so they don’t have to spread their resources too thin. DA: What will the role of mobile media be in the future of small and independent publications?

RCN: I’m not sure. While an increas-ing number of people are getting their news through mobile devices (Pew has some new stats on that), I just don’t see a need for small or in-dependent publications to go out and spend money on creating their own app. Mobile is great for getting infor-mation on breaking news and events and finding stories by links through social media. But once a week, it is nice to sit down with a paper … I do think the San Diego media market is strong because we have independent weeklies, plus a very active nonprofit news sector: KPBS, Voice of San Di-ego and the Investigative Newsource. Each of those outlets is performing public service journalism while using digital and social media in innova-tive ways. San Diego is fortunate to have their contributions alongside the more traditional forms of media.

There’s no question about it: Journalism as we know it is dying. Newsrooms

are shrinking, jobs are being cut and journalists are reconsidering their careers. Holding this pa-per in your hands right now is a miracle in itself.

Entire newspapers have been shut down because of decreased revenue. The U-T San Diego has faced a severe decline in reader-ship since 2006. While technol-ogy has spurred tremendous ad-vances in science and healthcare, it continues to destroy the foun-dation of newspapers. By relegat-ing journalism from newspapers to online blogs and pop-up periodicals, we’re losing the cred-ibility and ethic integrity associ-ated with professional publica-tions. It’s becoming increasingly common for consumers to get their news from blogs written by people with no journalistic train-ing. Such articles are not always terrible, but it takes training to produce factual, unbiased news.

Thanks to the Internet, anyone can write a blog, but this doesn’t mean anyone can be a journal-ist. Sites such as Patch.com and Topix.com depend on a plethora of volunteer authors to produce content and, in most cases, this content isn’t edited by anyone. Links may be given to support a claim, but without proper edito-rial review, there’s no guarantee-ing the source is trustworthy. Newspaper journalists rely on their editors and their training to

provide accurate information to the public.

With the loss of regulated newsrooms comes a lack of filters. Before an article is pub-lished in a professional publica-tion, it goes through various lev-els of editorial scrutiny to ensure proper grammar and spelling. Print writers are held to a certain standard of objectivity in order to maintain credibility, which is crucial to the success of any

publication. Many bloggers don’t give review, fact-check or edit what they write and as a result, the journalistic method becomes lost.

When a statement is printed, it is permanent; there is no “de-lete” button. Anything published inaccurately requires an official retraction, often accompanied by a public apology. Even if the mis-take is corrected, the damage has already been done. The newspa-per’s reputation is at risk of being tarnished. Therefore, it’s a huge

Caitlin JohnsonContributor

Q&A with Dr. NeeLeonardo CastanedaOpinion Editor

every time you choose a hastily written blog instead of a newspaper, you hurt the papers ability to continue ...

incentive for print journalists to veryfiy that all facts are accurate. Without proper research, facts can easily become twisted and mangled beyond recognition.

Bloggers have it easy. They can hide behind fancy usernames, spewing endless “I-Googled-this-so-it’s-right” knowledge while hiding behind the veil of online anonymity without shame. In the worst case scenario, a blog-ger could simply start a new blog under a different persona. Print writers put their name and repu-tation on the line every time they publish a single word. As a result, they develop a stricter code of ethics in regards to the truth and journalistic objectivity. Verifica-tion becomes the most important tool in their arsenal.

We are losing our expecta-tions of professionalism in the reporting of news, and journal-ists won’t be the only ones who suffer. We need to take a stand against the collapse of compe-tence. We are educated individu-als deserving of proper informa-tion of any subject. We make subjective decisions every single day about where we get our news. When we do so, we are deciding the future of journalism. Every time you choose a hastily written blog instead of a newspaper, you hurt the paper’s ability to con-tinue printing. And if we don’t make the conscious decision to support local print publications everyone will pay the high cost of cheap news.

10 opinionThursdaySeptember 13, 2012The Daily azTec

Many students may not remember U-T San Diego when it was

owned by Copley Press Inc. It’s hard to imagine, given the cur-rent state of the U-T, but there was a time when it was a Pulitzer Prize-winning newspaper. Sadly, those days are long gone and there is no telling if the U-T will ever return to its former status.

At the highest levels, the edi-tors and publishers of the U-T are no longer interested in jour-nalism. Instead, they are interest-ed in producing something more akin to an ideological bulletin than anything resembling an ac-tual newspaper.

Without question, the decline of the U-T is a direct result of its recent change of ownership. Real estate investor “Papa” Doug Manchester bought the U-T last November and as the Manchester era was ushered in, journalistic integrity was shown the door. Integrity is precisely what the U-T lacks under its current lead-ership. Manchester is a man who possesses ideology without prin-ciples. He is a man on a substan-tial soapbox without the slightest semblance of moral rectitude.

Case in point, a recent edito-rial titled “Obama in 2016? A choice for America!” rattled off slanderous and speculative at-

tacks on the president. How bad was it? The editorial board pre-dicted a second term for Presi-dent Barack Obama would mean $8-to-$10 per gallon of gaso-line, “death panels” for citizens older than 65, assaults on Israel spurred by a weakened American foreign defense policy, legislation ensuring taxpayer-funded late-term abortions, 60-to-70 percent tax rates for many Californians and a “war on God and life,” culminating in the removal of

“In God We Trust” from symbols and currency.

Parades of unsubstantiated nonsense have become common-place at the U-T. The U-T is a historically conservative news-paper and it is not uncommon to see conservative editorials. How-ever, the U-T’s current brand of conservatism is more Joe the Plumber (or perhaps Larry the Cable Guy) than the educated, measured conservatism of Wil-liam F. Buckley or Leo Strauss. Unfortunately, the garbage mas-querading as conservatism in our culture gains unwarranted cred-ibility when media outlets, such as the U-T put bad ideas and misinformation in print.

The U-T doesn’t welcome dis-senting voices, either. Make no mistake — if you counter the Manchester agenda, you will be silenced. Take, for example, the sad case of columnist Tim Sul-livan. Shortly after purchasing the U-T, Manchester told local

news station KUSI, “Local news-papers need to be a cheerleader for what’s right and good for the country, such as promoting the new stadium or whatever … I felt that there’s been a lack of that here in San Diego. And so that’s one of the motivations.”

That’s right folks. Apparently, the publisher of the largest news-paper in the eighth largest city in the U.S. believes the purpose of the newspaper is cheerleading for construction projects. Sul-livan dared to oppose the notion of a new stadium as necessary or profitable for San Diego and was subsequently fired from the paper. Think about this, dear reader. The U-T, whose publisher openly stated his intention to mold the newspaper into a tool for marketing a new stadium and whose President and CEO John Lynch called those opposed to a new stadium “obstructionists,” recently fired its only columnist who was condemnatory of a new stadium.

This isn’t a coincidence. The U-T has lost its credibility be-cause of a megalomaniacal owner and an editorial staff of spineless minions.

Oh, and Manchester just bought the North County Times, too. Needless to say, San Diego is in a dark age of journalism thanks to good ol’ Manchester.

Kenneth LeonardSenior Staff Columnist

The rise and fall of the U-TJournalism of the 21st century is

here, and it comes with cats. Oh god, so many cats. Reddit, the

“front page of the Internet,” isn’t the future of news — it’s the present. And I mean it in the pinspiration “to-day is a gift so we call it the present” kind of way.

Reddit has already helped solve some of life’s pressing questions, most notably when, exactly, doth the narwhal bacon?

But “redditors” aren’t satisfied to eat their bacon and ponder the deepest intricacies of existential phi-losophy. They are now determined to replace journalism as we know it.

The impact these borderline-mo-tivated redditors have on the process of gathering news and information is non-sarcastically surprising. The

“I am A” / “Ask Me Anything” sub-reddit features candid, uncensored interviews with the celebrities and newsmakers CNN wishes it could talk to. One recent luminary includes Kayden Kross who, according to peo-ple I swear I barely know, is a notable adult film actress. Some guy who made an indie movie with someone on public radio was also on there.

President Barack Obama himself recently answered several questions on reddit in a successful attempt to crash the site and get everyone off the damn Internet and back to work for a second. Close to 3 million people logged on that day to witness Obama answer questions about a proposal for a constitutional amendment to stop Citizens United, and to inquire about the White House beer recipe.

Critics of the open forum format claim Obama dodged hard-hitting questions about Afghanistan or how much he really loves bacon. But the truth is, he probably would have never received those uncomfortable questions from a reporter worried about maintaining a relationship with the White House. If there’s one thing redditors know nothing of, it’s maintaining a relationship.

Interviews with stars and people on the outskirts of mainstream soci-ety (for example, the guy on public radio) aren’t the only tools in reddit’s journalistic satchel. During the Au-rora movie theater tragedy, redditors collected firsthand accounts of the events, even creating lists of the vic-tims and which hospitals they were staying at, faster than traditional news organizations. Sure, their up-to-the minute news probably had some errors. But CNN, an organization known (in certain circles) for journal-istic professionalism, butchered the Supreme Court ruling on the Afford-

able Healthcare Act. At least when you go on reddit, you aren’t support-ing Ted Turner’s vision of an America where cable news is always on, TNT owns all the best movies and free-roming bison herds in Montana.

What reddit is doing to journalism is a warning shot to all media pro-ducers. User-generated content will replace everything, beginning with TV. Some executives in television studios will try to convince Ameri-cans we need them to produce the original content we share online (cat videos are the obvious, albeit limited, alternative). What they don’t real-ize is those same studios produced enough crap during the heady days of the 1980s and 1990s to sustain us for decades. There are enough music videos, TV episodes and commercials to share until global warming turns America into “Waterworld” and Kev-in Costner is the last man standing. If this isn’t the ultimate karma-bomb for the studios that made movies such as “Waterworld,” I don’t know what is.

Speaking of karma, reddit has managed something even Buddah considered impossible. It has quanti-fied the abstract concept of karma and created a functioning economy with it. Thus, just like with yoga and feng shui, Americans have conformed the ancient Eastern philosophy of goodwill into a capitalistic system.

To be fair, reddit has its critics. Its system of voting “up” or “down” on comments and posts has been ac-cused of hiding unpopular opinions and ideas. Only what is interesting and acceptable to the reddit com-munity is voted “up,” gets more attention and leads people to band-wagon with more “up” votes. Some individuals (potentially 4chan trolls or bleeding-heart communists) argue voting amounts to self-censorship. To me, voting for what you like is democracy at its finest. Telling online strangers what you do or do not like embodies American values the way apple pie and bacon do.

In the years to come, reddit’s big-gest challenge will be gaining serious credibility. It is a story reminiscent of another icon of a generation past: Bruce Campbell. Critics didn’t al-ways take the star of the renowned

“Evil Dead” trilogy seriously during his cinematographic heyday. It wasn’t until years later that his influence in film was recognized. I can only hope we don’t wait until after reddit’s zeit-geist to recognize its greatness.

Viva la reddit-lutionLeonardo Castanedaopinion Editor

damian luna, production designer

damian luna, production designer

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**Internship opening** Maxis Solutions is the leading marketing and lead generation team in the 401k and Investment Industry. Interns will assist our team with marketing and develop the necessary skills to excel within the financial services industry. Please submit your resume to Spencer Thomas at sthomas@maxissolutions.net__________________________________

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sPORTs 11Thursdayseptember 13, 2012

the daily aztec

SDSU falls to OSUThe San Diego State men’s soccer team is now 1-2-1 after its 3-2 win against Houston Baptist University and 2-1 loss to Ohio State University this past weekend at the Courtyard Marriott San Diego Central Soccer Tournament.

The tournament began Friday night with SDSU defeating the Huskies in front of a record 2,212 fans at the SDSU Sports Deck.

“That Friday night crowd showed how big this program is now and its exciting to see,” junior goalkeeper Blake Hylen said.

The tournament ended on Sunday evening when SDSU fell to the Buckeyes.

The Aztecs controlled the tempo of the first half against Ohio State and finally got on the scoreboard when junior midfielder Morgan Sacco and sophomore midfielder Tyler Smith assisted junior

Adriana BushContributor

Name: Ryan Schuler (13-5)Title: Sports editorPrediction: Washington State, Boise State, Fresno State, San Jose State, hawai’i, Nevada, texas tech, San diego State, Wyoming Quotable: “Well, we’re one game closer than the Raiders are, chris. #BoltUp.”

Name: christopher Stone (13-5)Title: contributorPrediction: Washington State, Boise State, Fresno State, San Jose State, hawai’i, Nevada, texas tech, San diego State, Wyoming Prediction: “charger fans: 1-0 doesn’t win you a championship. #RaiderNation.”

Name: hilal haider (12-6) Title: Staff WriterPrediction: Washington State, Boise State, colorado, San Jose State, hawai’i, Nevada, texas tech, North dakota, WyomingQuotable: “San Francisco 49ers are mining for gold in 2012.”

Name: tanner Kouba (11-7) Title: contributorPrediction: UNlV, Boise State, Fresno State, San Jose State, hawai’i, Nevada, texas tech, San diego State, cal PolyQuotable: “Just don’t let me lose to Stone again.”

forecasting the mountain

midfielder Kody Duff for SDSU’s first and only goal of the match in the 41st minute.

The Buckeyes responded by putting the ball in the back of the net two minutes later, which tied the game going into halftime.

The Aztecs outshot the Buckeyes 11-5 in the first half and 15-6 in the second half, but couldn’t score another goal before the game ended.

“We made some very elementary mistakes,” SDSU head coach Lev Kirshner said.

Throughout the second half,

SDSU continued to battle it out, even after Ohio State took a 2-1 lead on a goal by freshman forward Louie Berra in the 64th minute, which would ultimately prove to be the game-winner.

“We knew we had to come out and fight,” junior midfielder Kevin Bick said. “Unfortunately, we fell behind a little bit with the goals, but I think we are a resilient team and we are going to come out this

season and get a lot of wins.” This weekend, SDSU will compete

in the Courtyard by Marriott Highlander Soccer Invitational against the University of Nebraska-Omaha and the University of North Florida in Riverside, Calif.

“We are all disappointed in how it unfolded,” Hylen said. “They had a couple good shots and I put that on me. We just have to come better next time.”

Friday, Sept. 14

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LIKE SDSU news?LIKE SDSU news? / Daily Aztec

Today’s BirThday (9/13/12) - You’re favored this year with steady career growth and bright prospects. Continue budgeting to grow your nest egg. Prioritize what’s most important, and clear out what’s not. Get together with neighbors, siblings, cousins and friends this autumn. They’re listening.

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 - Creative juices flow to an ocean of possibilities. Images from distant realms add just the right touch. All turns out quite well. Your efforts greatly benefit your home and/or family.Taurus (april 20 - May 20) - Today is an 8 - Listen to the voice of experience and to your intuition. Do the extra work and grasp a golden opportunity. Use locally sourced materials. Optimism wins out.GeMini (May 21 - June 21) - Today is a 7 - A short hike replenishes your reserves. Discover something you didn’t know you were capable of. Patience is a virtue to be practiced now, especially around finances.CanCer (June 22 - July 22) - Today is a 6 - Keep searching and you’ll make more than you really need. Actions speak louder than words. Respect the experienced ones. Improve working conditions.Leo (July 23 - aug. 22) - Today is an 8 - The world is your oyster; take good care of it, so that it keeps providing you with ideas and oxygen. Think long term. This is where your dedication and passion pay off.VirGo (aug. 23 - sept. 22) - Today is a 5

- Consult with your partner before addressing an important concern. Scout the territory before committing. Don’t worry about it once the decision is made. Just make it happen.LiBra (sept. 23 - oct. 22) - Today is a 7 - You’re gaining status, even if it doesn’t always seem so. Focus on the positive, and earn a nice bonus. Your friends are there for you. They provide motivation. Discipline gives you more time to play.sCorpio (oct. 23 - nov. 21) - Today is a 7 - Your past deeds speak well of you, and the skills you learned now lead to new income. You’re very popular now. Friends look to you for guidance. Emotions run high concerning a partner.saGiTTarius (nov. 22 - dec. 21) - Today is a 7 - Enjoy today’s roller coaster, which could be very fun. Include the possibility of outside funding. Read the fine print before signing. Consult with somebody you trust.CapriCorn (dec. 22 - Jan. 19) - Today is a 5 - While you’re there, keep an eye out for beneficial developments. Let a wise friend help you with the structure of what you’re building. Make promises you can keep.aquarius (Jan. 20 - Feb. 18) - Today is a 7 - Your actions behind the scenes create great connections. The circumstances require extra effort, and it’s worth it. Get farther together than you could alone.pisCes (Feb. 19 - March 20) - Today is a 6 - Expand your business territory with imagination. Expect delays or disagreements. Even a theory you can’t explain is charming. Someone falls in love.©2012, TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES INC.

HOROSCOPE by Nancy Black,Tribune Media Services

SUDOKU by The Mepham Group,Tribune Media Services

difficulty Level: 4 out of 4

instructions: Complete the grid so each row, column and 3-by-3 box (in bold borders) contains every digit 1 to 9.

Solutions available online atwww.thedailyaztec.com

©2012, TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES INC.

CROSSWORD by Rich Norris & Joyce Lewis,Tribune Media Services

Across1 14-time All-Star catcher Rodriguez, familiarly6 Smarten (up)11 Data proc. equipment14 Amer. economic assistance15 Dermatologist’s concern16 Skill17 *”Karma Chameleon” band19 Boot part20 __ Sutra21 Dipped in a well, maybe22 Behold, to Livy23 Tilts25 *Space traveler27 Corrida celebrity29 Global positioning fig.30 __ alai32 Turner memoir34 State with a 45-mile Canadian border38 Notable time39 With 40-Across, kid’s toy ... and a word that can precede the first word of the starred answers40 See 39-Across ... and a word that can precede the last word of the starred answers42 White __43 Ministers to45 Lengthwise47 “Deadwood” channel48 Tampa NFLer50 Learn well52 *It’s not good to meet with it56 18-and-overs59 Programs for 11-Across, briefly60 __ Reason62 Trendy NYC section63 Hwy.64 *Used car selling point66 D. Petraeus’s title67 Shorthand system68 Seen enough69 Not quite right70 “The Gondoliers” bride71 Actor Mike

Down1 Kings shoot them

2 Unremarkable3 Firehouse mascot4 Jeans brand5 URL ender6 WWII weapon7 Singles out8 Shoreline recess9 Middle Aged?10 “Swell!”11 Sewing kit item12 Spring bloomers13 Awfully expensive18 Not back down from, as a challenge22 Founded: Abbr.24 Outwits on the stand26 One invoked during a drought28 “Live! With Kelly” host30 Shark attack victim?31 “__ you for real?”

33 Lots35 Fair-haired36 Fireplace food-warming shelf37 Tic-tac-toe loser41 Dicey44 Two-baggers: Abbr.46 Birds do it49 Eau __51 “Project __”: fashion design show52 Red River city53 Made a choice54 Topple55 Actress Moorehead57 The enemy’s58 Separates by type61 “Three Sisters” sister64 Pvt.’s boss65 Electrical measure

Solutions available online at www.thedailyaztec.com

12 BackpaGeThursdaySeptember 13, 2012The Daily azTec

In my ever-present quest to keep up with everything pop-culture related, I found myself

reading “Fifty Shades of Grey” this summer. With a considerable amount of hesitation, I found myself completely engulfed in the first book. I’d heard a substantial amount about the series; the first time it was brought to my atten-tion was during Passover dinner when my brother and stepmom got into it because of the book’s effect on women and society (runs in the family).

My brother’s original disdain for the book stemmed from his belief that these books are “bad for the attitudes of women be-cause it teaches them that women can only be stimulated by the dark and mysterious abuse of a man.” I wasn’t exactly sure how he came to that conclusion from a stupid romance novel, especially when he never read it in the first place.

After fighting it for months, I finally gave in when it became the go-to topic of conversation at work. My boss and coworker spoke of the twisted love story like it was happening to their closest friends. It was everywhere I turned so, I just had to see what the fuss was about. After finish-ing the first book, it all made sense.

I specifically remember being less than 10 pages in and already loathing the protagonist. I knew I had a rough road ahead of me because I was less than three percent through the book and already wanted to slap the main

FiftyShadesofGurl,PleaseHayley RafnerStaff Writer

character across the face. I quickly came to the con-

clusion that Anastasia Steele represented everything wrong with women in America: she is feeble, insecure and is soon at the whim of a man who wants to beat the crap out of her to get off. This brings us to the devil incarnate, Christian Grey — a man so destroyed by his past that the only way he can find sexual satisfaction is to land contracts with women who agree to be his personal slaves. In order to satisfy a deeply disturbing sexual abnormality, he gets to physi-cally demolish women whenever he pleases.

Before all of you who are in love with these books jump on me, let me be my own devil’s ad-vocate. I’ll hand it to E.L. James for creating a character so inex-plicably and devilishly alluring as Christian. He’s got a mysteri-ous and sexy thing going on. Just hearing the way James describes him from scene to scene was enough to keep me interested.

It can also be argued that An-astasia isn’t any of those negative words I described and, while I couldn’t bring myself to finish the series, I’ve heard she goes a long way in changing Christian’s attitudes. This is great for the two of them, but when you break it down, the first book is the journey of a frail young woman lusting over a man who is so dark and twisty. It becomes pa-thetic and sad after the first 50 pages.

Character flaws aside, I have a real problem with the way James writes. She’s from England and writes dialogue how she thinks Americans talk, much like To-

mak and Bellgarde from “Family Guy.” At one point, a character in “Fifty Shades of Grey” asks another what “they like to do to chill out.”

Aside from the awkward gram-mar, the plot of The New York Times Bestseller started off as “Twilight” fan fiction, which just made me roll my eyes so hard I probably just shifted the earth’s gravitational pull. James hit it big though and I’m not sure if it can be attributed to her storytell-ing or the high number of sexu-ally unsatisfied housewives in the U.S., but the topic of sadomas-ochism has never been hotter.

Thankfully, the most exposure I’ve been given into the world of whips and riding crops was one of my older cousin’s birth-day parties where a woman in all leather walked in carrying a leash attached to a spiked col-lar around a grown man’s neck. He introduced himself as “Pet Jason.” Truly disturbed, I chose another spot at the table.

James has shown the U.S. a new degrading trend and has justified it by being on the tip of everyone’s tongue.

After I finished the first book, I felt dirty and uncomfortable. I couldn’t believe so much hype surrounded this book and I spent a few days trying to figure out why it was so critically ac-claimed. I sincerely hope this is a passing fad, even though I’m still really interested to see who gets cast as Christian in the movie version (which I just cannot imagine being released without having NC-17 rating), I have sim-ply begun referring to the series as “Fifty Shades of Gurl, Please.”

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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

looking through our lens:

editor in chief antonio Zaragoza captured spirited SDSU students showing their love for our nation.

Aztecs will never forget 9/11