10
TUESDAY, APRIL 8, ‘2OOB
CHARLES OAHAN
EYE CANDY
Charles Dahan is a political science
graduate student from California.
E-MAIL CDAHAN@GMAII. COM
Sports
columnists
should stick
to facts
Caulton Tudor is an idiot
and should be fired.
The (Raleigh ' News &
Observer apparently pays Tudor
to write columns about sports.
More accurately, he gets paid to
spew vitriolic nonsense about
college athletes.
Like most sports columnists,
he substitutes rants for analysis
and quack psychology (the players
didn't want it enough) for insight.
Like many overzealous fans, he
uses unpaid student athletes to
take out bis own personal frustra
tions. Unfortunately, he actually
gets paid for the privilege.
No one was pleased with the
Tar Heels' performance. Yet Tudor
crosses the line
with classless
rhetoric.
COMMUNITY
COLUMNIST
“You name it and Carolina
couldn't do it." Tudor comment
ed, "offense, defense, rebounding,
coaching, dribbling, passing,
screening."
Fair enough observations
regarding on-the-court aptitude
are legitimate news stories and
fodder for opining. Unfortunately,
it's easier to criticize the unknown
psychological state of 18- to 22-
year-olds than to actually dissect
their athletic performance.
College athletes, despite play
ing in primetime and before
millions, aren't paid. They’re
not professional athletes. If they
screw up on the court, they'll
know about it. and I'm sure they
feel worse about it than a stodgy
sports writer would.
Yet Tudor is emblematic of
most sports columnists and radio
talk show hosts not to mention
callers. These overgrown man
children offer advice as useful as
Tudor, whose column continues:
"Worse, the Tar Heels didn't...
show that much interest in try
ing." No interest in trying? The
wind sprints, years in the gym.
broken bones and sprained ankles
must be for the money. Oh. wait...
After the Tar Heels fought hack,
narrow ing the lead by 24 points,
Tudor stated Carolina was getting
“out of the intensive care unit". He
referred to Tv Lawson and Wayne
Ellington as fish bait and was sur
prised that fans at the Alamodome
didn't demand a refund.
Tudor fails to offer refunds to
N&O subscribers when he messes
up. Of Duke’s NCAA Tournament
chances, he stated. “They'll be
around for the third round." He
faces no repercussions for such a
screw -up and no consequences for
being wrong. Until now.
Lets track every mistake Tudor
makes, every column be phones in
from the ICU. I encourage' you to
visit www.firecaulton.com, where
every mistake will be* noted.
Maybe Tudor is projecting
his own troubles onto teenag
ers who fill arenas, sell tickets
and— frankly facilitate his
employment. UNC fought back,
brought it to within four and
ended up losing. Their perfor
mance bonuses won t kick in,
they'll be back in class. Anyone
could see what happened; Tudor
states the obvious.
If the Tar Heel players are fail
ures for winning 36 games and
deserve to be called names, then
Tudor certainly deserves to face
repercussions for his failures.
His only obligation is to write
about sports. He doesn't have
to defend Mario Chalmers or
outmaneuver David Padgett with
millions tuning in. And he can't
even figure out that Duke will
lose to West Virginia.
Everyone made out like a ban
dit, except our classmates. CBS,
Bill Self and Roy Williams all
raked in millions. Fans well,
at least your local car dealership
owner got an excuse to get
out of Dodge for a weekend. And
I\idor Ls still employed.
I'm not asking for undue
praise. Plenty can be criticized
about Saturday night, and talking
about specifics is certainly legiti
mate. Berate Roy —that's why he
makes millions. He lined up the
team, called the plays.
■Ridor s been writing for 30
years and now faces little account
ability. It's time for him to grow up.
EDITORIAL CARTOON By Wayne Stayskal, Tribune Media Services
TEENS ARE IMPROVING IN BASIC WRH\NI6 SKILLS
| / Tv*2N\tMH\S ESSAY... \
TO A PUBUSHER Al (&l WUH {
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1 VS!!
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Southern hospitality
UNC is the perfect site for Clinton-Obama debate
With the May 6 primary
fast approaching,
the Tar Heel State
is beginning to dominate the
schedule of the Barack Obama
and Hillary Clinton campaigns.
North Carolina has become
the contest to win, and even
Bill Clinton has said that tin
future of his wife's candidacy
will be heavily influenced by
the outcome in the state.
In response to the increased
importance of the state. CBS has
proposed holding a televised
debate in North Carolina.
The Blumenthal Performing
Arts Center in Charlotte and
N.C. State University are both
being milled around as possible
locations for the debate
Though both are acceptable
venues, and of course we are a
little biased here, we would like
to see UNC's Memorial Hall on
the list of possibilities.
The hall would seem to be
a great location for this type
of event —a medium-sized
intimate theater located on a
prominent university campus
with a politically active and
engaged student body.
Write the right way
Drop in scores shows need for better w riting education
Writing is apparently
becoming an increas
ingly elusive skill.
According to the results of
the 2007 National Assessment
of Educational Progress in
writing, released last week,
only 29 percent of N.C. stu
dents scored at or above the
"proficient” level.
Though it is only a single
test, the trend it illuminates
is unfortunately indicative of
the declining quality of writ
ing education in the state and
the overarching problems with
standardized writing tests in
general.
The 29 percent of students at
the proficient level, signify ing
“solid academic performance."
is down from 34 percent in
2002.
Thirteen percent of students
scored below “basic," or “par
tial mastery," while 58 percent
came in right at basic.
The fact that slightly more
Honor in education
New course on Honor Code should he beneficial
There’s an interesting new
course in the curriculum
this fall with a curious
twist.
It is not an honors course, but
a course on honor —and unlike
many new courses at Carolina, it
does not stem from an inflax of
student and faculty interest but
a surge in honor code violations
reported last spring.
It is certainly laudable that
the Honor Court has taken
definitive steps to ensure that
these students have a bet
ter understanding of proper
moral decision making in a
university setting.
The impetus for the class is a
general feeling in Honor Court
that probation alone is not an
effective sanction to mean
ingfully impact the life of the
Opinion
And according to Harry
Kaplowitz. marketing assistant
for the Carolina Performing
Arts series and former Daily
Tar Heel arts editor. Memorial
Hall is set up such that it would
be easy to configure the stage
to host the debate.
The hall hosted a similar
event in 2006 “Hardball with
Chris Matthews" —with great
success, proof that the debate
could be successful at UNC.
Additionally, the hall's 1,434-
person seating capacity ensures
that a large group of people are
able to see the debate without
losing the intimacy that is
important in a debate setting.
The other venues in consider
ation an- either smaller or larger
N.C. State's Stewart Theatre
holds 802 while the center in
Charlotte has performance
space with capacities of 182,
434. 700.2.100 and 2,400.
Plus, UNC. with its more lib
eral reputation, will probably
be a more hospitable place for
the candidates.
Unfortunately , there- is anoth
er event scheduled in Memorial
Hall for the April 27 date that
than 70 percent of N.C. stu
dents have only a partial mas
tery of writing skills or worse is
a rather frightening statistic.
Writing is, without a doubt, a
tough subject to teach, and it s
only best learned by practice
and trial and error. But with
that in mind, there are teachers
who do teach writing well.
The state board of education
should encourage each county
to organize training workshops
on how to teach writing or at the
very least push for collaboration
between teachers on ideas and
teaching techniques.
Also problematic, however,
is the fact that standardized
writing tests don’t necessarily
test for good writing.
The three types of prompts
for the NAEP test are in the
form of narrative, informa
tive and persuasive writing.
That s just asking for formulaic
answers.
That seems to be an unavoid-
oft'ending student.
The program will last five
weeks, with one class session per
week. Each class will be 90 min
utes long with a different topic
each week.
The classes will focus on
being interactive and will uti
lize speakers who will cover
information about handling
ethical dilemmas, properly
utilizing the myriad resources
present at UNC and setting
long-term goals.
Students will be asked to com
plete weekly assignments, rang
ing from a two- to three-page
paper to less traditional assign
ments, such as a timeline of the
events that led to the violation.
The class will be ased in con
junction with other sanctions at
the discretion of the court as a
Clinton has agreed to.
But given that the Obama
camp has not warmed to that
specific date, it appears that it
could be scheduled around.
Since the debate's details
have not been finalized, we
urge the University to lobby
the Democratic National
Committee and CBS to hold
the event at Memorial Hall.
While holding the event would
certainly cause some logistical
hassles because of security con
siderations for the candidates,
it would serve to further bolster
the reputation of the University
as a bastion of political discourse
and academic prowess.
It also would give UNC stu
dents a chance to participate in
the preparation for the debate,
providing them with firsthand
experience that will enhance
their education.
We know it's a bit of a long
shot to get Memorial Hall con
sidered as a location, but it’s
worth trying. And maybe with
the idea planted. CBS and the
DNC will see that Memorial
Hall is’, in fact, an excellent
place to hold the debate.
able evil with standardized
writing tests. However, good
writers should be able to write
to a formula when required, so
the falling scores aren't entirely
invalid.
The key to circumventing
the whole problem keeping
test scores high but still teach
ing writing well is to start off
by teaching the formula in the
early grades.
Since the formula is the basis
for good writing, it is impor
tant that students master it as
quickly as possible.
Once students know the
basics, teachers in the later
grades will be able to branch
out and encourage more cre
ative writing and teach students
to break from the formula.
This isn’t exactly an inno
vative idea, but we bet the
ones scoring proficient are the
ones w-ho are able to learn the
basics early in their educational
careers.
wav to educate people about the
Honor Code and the services
that are available to help avoid
future violations.
This class should help reduce
the number of Honor Code
offenders. Education on what
constitutes a violation is sure to
be an aid to some in avoiding
future offenses.
Plus, the possibility’ of add
ing 450 minutes of extra class
time to already packed sched
ules is sure to act as a bit of a
deterrent.
The court hopes that the
information contained in the
class can eventually be folded
into CTOPS.
We have high hopes for this
class, and if all goes well, we too
hope that the information it cov
ers Ls included in CTOPS.
QUOTE OF THE DAY:
u We know that criminals use darkness
for concealment. Darkness is not your
fi'iend ifyou are looking for safety."
JACK TERRY, CHAPEL HILL POLICE SERGEANT
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
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VISIT www.dailytarheel.com/feedback
Transfer tax will be the
best for Orange County
TO THE EDITOR;
Misinformation about the
proposed transfer tax for Orange
County is being disseminated to
voters who will make a decision
on the tax on the May 6 ballot. 1
wish to correct that misinforma
tion by showing what the effect is
on the five counties that have had
the transfer tax for many years.
Six counties were given per
mission to levy the tax, and five
took advantage of it. During those
years, growth in the counties has
not slowed, their ad valorem
taxes are the lowest in the state
and they have more money for
schools. In fact, after the trans
fer tax passed, their ad valorem
property taxes went down while
their school funding increased.
The sixth county that declined
to enact the transfer tax has one
of the highest ad valorem taxes in
the state and has had slow devel
opment and low school funding.
The choice is forever increas
ing property taxes to pay for our
growth and the need for more
schools and parks to accommo
date that growth or a one-time tax
that affects a family maybe only
one or two times in their lives.
Finally, signs are sprouting up
around the county that say, “Vote
no on the home tax." This catchy
but incorrect slogan ignores the
fact that the ad valorem property
tax is a “home tax" already, just
one that is hard on those with a
fixed income.
I hope every one will consider
the true value of the transfer tax
in providing Orange County with
the schools and parks it needs to
serve our current population and
those who join us later.
EUit Kintutird
N.C. Senator. D-Orangr
Affirmative action is still
needed to combat injustice
TO THE EDITOR:
Asa black student from South
Carolina at this university, I am
disturbed to hear the arguments
put forth in Sam Perkins' article
(“Take the race card out of the
deck," April 4).
It is a myth of white culture to
say that race is merely another
physical attribute, and it is that
more* inflammatory for Perkins to
suggest that now that he is edu
cated and liberal that affirmative
action should be abolished.
Because the society outside
of these liberal walls of Chapel
Hill is not colorblind, the col
lege admission system at this
University cannot pretend that
race and racism does not exist.
The admission systems at
Florida. Texas and California are
percentage systems. They guaran
tee that the top 10 to 20 percent
of graduating seniors within those
states, from public and private
schools, can enter into the public
university of their choice.
Affirmative action is about giv
ing individuals an opportunity to
correct the years of racial injustice
that still run rampant in today's
society. The civil rights movement
changed laws but not yet all hearts
in America. So to Perkins and all
of the other nonminorities who
feel that they are being victimized
bv affirmative action, walk outside
into the real world and maybe you
can witness real victimization.
Camille Archie
Sophomore
Economics
SPEAK OUT
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tThr Oaihi Uar Urrl
Undocumented students
have right to education
TO THE EDITOR:
Currently, undocumented
students in North Carolina arc
not eligible for in-state tuition
or state-funded financial aid
but have limited opportunities
to pursue higher education.
The May 9 opening of the short
session of the N.C. legislature
might introduce bills that would
remove this access completely.
Asa friend and mentor to
Latino immigrant students, it
is easy for me to recognize the
urgency of the need to speak
out against and help prevent
this legislation from passing. It
is inspiring and mind-opening
to work beside students who
remain unfalteringly motivated
and optimistic in the face of an
uncertain educational future.
However, I understand that
when one is not personally
invested in a cause, it is difficult
to support that cause or find the
initiative to learn about it.
It should be the right of any
person, regardless of residency, to
seek to broaden their intellectual
horizons, pursue their dreams
and acquire the tools necessary
to speak out for themselves and
others. It should be the right of
any person to learn. Asa nation
dedicated to developing young,
confident, educated leaders, it is
dangerous to withhold this right.
It is important that we unite
as students to help support and
protect our peers. Together, we
can build an active, informed and
diverse generation of leadership.
Please contact local represen
tatives and voice support for edu
cational access for undocumented
immigrants. Visit www.adclan
tenc.org for more information.
Jesse White
Sophomore
Studio Art
Don’t be too disappointed
in the season's outcome
TO THE EDITOR:
Thank you basketball team!
YVhile all fans may lx- disap|x>intcd
with the semifinal loss to Kansas it
Ls important we don't forget what
exactly was achieved this year.
Thirty-six different times we
were able to open up the paper
and read about yet another vic
tory, more- than any other season
in history. For the first time since
1982, the Tar Heels captured flu
regular season and tournament
ACC championships. Roy's boys
beat Duke in Cameron to ruin vet
another senior night. They made it
to San Antonio just as Sum and Q
promised during senior night.
As fans, what do we have to
complain about? From Late
Night With Roy in October to
Saturday night, we were- spoiled
with Clemson comebacks, Tyler's
dunk on Kenny George. Danny's
posterization of Greg Paulus and
many more moments we will
remember forever.
We might not be playing for
a national championship, hut to
be disappointed in the season
we were able to witness would
be a disservice to our beloved
Tar Heels.
Kevin Zidnm
Junior
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