Thursday, October 31st, 2002 Times Line Voters of NJ - Do the Right Thing Opinion - Page 4 Villanova: Can I Kiss You? Mike Domirtz Says DonвЂ™t Forget To Ask By Greg Ebbecke News Editor Warm and Fuzzy Politics? Politics -Page 6 The Nova Scoop Arts and Life - Page 9 Villanova, Pennsylvania Is there anything more intimidating, interesting, misleading, misled, confusing, or just plain better than the opposite sex? With so many adjectives with which you could describe them, it is easy to see why there is nothing quite like the thrill of the chase, that crazy quest we call dating. On the other hand, when so many ideas and emotions become involved, it is no wonder that things can sometimes get out of hand. In an effort to enlighten the student body here at Villanova, the Department of Public Safety and the Center for Health and Wellness teamed up to organize a presentation on the dangers of dating, how things can go wrong, and some possible methods to prevent the tragedy of sexual assault. The combined efforts of Mrs. Cathy Lovecchio, Mrs. Joanna Gallagher, and Mr. Jim Conway brought Mr. Mike Domirtz and his renowned "Can I Kiss You?" program to the front rows of the room. Villanova Room this past October Immediately thereafter, he point23, 2002. Mr. Domirtz is not just blankly asked the assembly what another lecturer on the dangers of their dating techniques were. sexual assault however; his life was Having stunned the audience, he forever changed when his continued by own sister was raped in asking what 1989. His own personal the audience struggles have given him a was thinkcompletely different, and ing his promuch more effective gram's title approach, to this act. was about. Through his Can I The answers: Kiss You? program, Mr. sex, dating Domirtz etiquette, and, spreads a of course, message of kissing. respect, Expanding awareness, from this he and comquestioned mon sense how you through a know when www.healthy-dating.com it is safe to mixture of Mike Domirtz brought his relationship seminar attempt "the interacto Villanova on October 23rd. tive diskiss." After cussion and a humorous atmos- h e a r i n g the traditional phere. To open up the presen- responses, he asked, "What's tation, Mr. Domirtz had all wrong with asking? Will it make those gathered, around 200 you look like a dork? Are you people, all squeeze up into the afraid of to be denied?" Picking a volunteer from the audience, he used role-play to present a possible situation where he first tried the smooth, "movie" approach, then the awkward approach where he asked for permission. While the smooth approach received a laugh from all gathered, asking for permission elicited an "Awwwe!" from all the females in attendance. He continued on with a smooth retort if even asking did not work, which led to his next topic, miscommunications. While all the guys saw his comment about "not making her feel uncomfortable" as a "player"-esque comeback, the girls once again "Awwwed!" at his apparent sincerity. Mr. Domirtz also commented on how girls want "cute" guys and guys want assertive, "forward," girls. Both sides have issues with those images, as being "cute" can weaken a guy's ego and being assertive can make a girl seem like a slut. At the same level, girls tend to throw that term around more readily than Continued on Page 2 Center for Peace and Justice Hosts Anti-American Presentation on Iraq Can a Discussion Only Have One Perspective? A News Commentary By Steven Bunn Editor-In-Chief Hoops Mania! Sports -Page 12 INDEX News........................1-3 Opinion ...................4--5 Politics .....................6-7 Finance........................8 Arts & Life...............9-10 Good Times................11 Hoops Mania.........12-15 Sports...................16-20 The Villanova Times First Two Copies Free, Each additional copy $2.00 The Center for Peace and Justice has hosted many events speaking out about a variety of issues, and some of their lectures can only be described as extremist. Some of them go so far as to bash the United States. One such event was the October 7th presentation on the issue of sanctions on Iraq. The mood was set when some people set up a huge banner reading "No War Against Iraq!" Then, a few handouts were distributed, including a "Baghdad Epistle From the Quaker Delegation to Iraq." There were two speakers at this event: Stephanie Schaudel of Voices in the Wilderness and Peter Lems of American Friends Service Committee. After reading the handouts, the topic of the lectures was not surprising. Both speakers focused on the alleged damage to Iraq caused by United Nations sanctions. They quoted the oftreported figure of one million Iraqi deaths caused by the sanctions. Stephanie Schaudel summed it by calling the sanctions an "economic form of warfare." Both speakers expressed anger towards the U.S. government, which supports the United Nations sanctions on Iraq. Additional resentment comes from the fact that they disapproved of the military campaign in Afghanistan. This anti-American attitude is so extreme that Schaudel even com- causing so much suffering in Iraq. Emphasizing that he actually traveled to Iraq, Lems recalled what he described as a "collective sense of fatigue." Then, both speakers offered to answer questions after the lectures. I had so many questions that I could not possibly ask them all. Before the lecture even began, I wondered why the Center for Peace and Justice, which claims to www.unicef.org "What Peace and Justice doesn't want you to know: The claim is that a million Iraqis are killed by sanctions, but as the cover of this UNICEF report shows, these numbers come from the Iraqi government's Ministry of Health" pared the Bush administration to Nazi Germany. Her claim is that both governments fabricated information in order to rally their people for war. A video was planned for the event, but technical difficulties prevented this. When Schaudel was finished speaking, Peter Lems began his lecture. Lems' focus was on the claim that sanctions are be rooted in Catholic tradition, hosted an event that distributed a Quaker letter. Why are they promoting Quaker pacifism? Schaudel spoke about the military campaign in Afghanistan saying "AfghanistanвЂ¦What for?" Some people in the audience shook their heads wondering the same thing. This caused me to wonder whether or not these people ever watch the news. Did they not see the people of Afghanistan dancing in the streets of Kabul after we freed them from the Taliban? How come they did not hear about all of the terrorist camps and facilities we destroyed to enhance our safety? After the speakers continued to bash America with the help of some audience members, I was finally able to ask a couple questions. First, I questioned the accuracy of their statistics on the sanctions. It turns out that the statistic of one million Iraqi deaths being caused by the sanctions comes from the Iraqi government itself. Saddam Hussein does not allow humanitarian organizations to gather information to verify their claims, so organizations like UNICEF simply adopted Iraq's numbers. Stephanie Schaudel admitted this saying, "That's probably true." She then adjusted the statistic saying, "We can squabble over numbers; I stick with hundreds of thousands." Both speakers stuck by their argument saying that people are still suffering because of the sanctions. Continued on Page 2 Alcohol By The Numbers Volume 3, Issue 4 Editors in Chief: Steven Bunn Matt Lineberger News Editor: Greg Ebbecke Politics Editor: James Davis Opinion Editor: Jeanne Marie Hoffman Good Times Editor: Joseph Gribbin Arts & Life Editor: Brian Golden Sports: Editor: Will Felcon Assistant Editor: Elliott Fullmer Chief Financial Officer: Steven Bunn By Greg Ebbecke News Editor If life were like the movies, college would be a never-ending party. On the same note, everyone here would be on the road to alcoholism. In Hollywood's world, alcohol is everywhere, and everyone is drinking. In today's world, if the T.V. tells us so, it must be true, right? The Center For Health and Wellness wants to show us that life is not that way at all. With the launch of the Know Your Numbers campaign, the Center hopes to spread the real facts about collegiate drinking. "There is a misperception that everyone here on campus drinks," says Mrs. Cathy Lovecchio, director of the Center, "I don't think anyone, most notably freshman, should feel pressured by the crowds." The campaign's main goal is to encourage students to feel confident enough to make healthy decisions. Beginning October 25 and continuing until December 2, the Center will post a new fact across campus each week, like the yellow yield signs that have dotted the landscape the past few days. As each fact is revealed, students are encouraged to take note. After all the facts have been revealed, a questionnaire will be collected (see bottom of Page 2). All correct entries will be entered into a drawing for a $500, $300, or $100 gift certificate to the campus bookstore. Winners will be announced during the Christmas Bazaar. In the event you miss any of the clues, traveling displays will be around campus near the end of the cam- Can I Kiss You Continued From Page 1 About The Villanova Times The Villanova Times is Villanova UniversityвЂ™s award-winning newspaper. The views expressed in The Villanova Times do not necessarily represent the views of Villanova University. Each article, column, piece, or any other written statement is a representation of the authorвЂ™s opinion, or, but not necessarily including The Villanova Times staff in general. The Villanova Times is published biweekly and freely distributed to the Villanova community.The Villanova Times is a publication sponsored by the Villanova Times Club. For information on advertising in The Villanova Times please email us at [email protected]. For information on joining The Villanova Times staff or to send us a letter, please email us at [email protected]. For news updates please visit www.Villanovatimes.com. Copyright 2000 At The Movies... This Oct. 31-Nov 2 catch Tommy Lee Jones and Will Smith in the summer blockbuster Men in Black II. On Thursday, celebrate Halloween with the CAT Films Committee watch both MIB movies, beginning at 6:30. See both movies and enjoy free refreshments for only $3, or come in costume and admission is free. On Fri.-Sun., the show begins at 9:00 P.M., admission is $3. Next Week: Mr. Deeds (11/7-11/9) http://movies.yahoo.com/ Same planet. New scum. They are the men in black. Health and Wellness Entry Form Find the answers to these questions around campus. When completed drop in the boxes located at the Student Life office, Student Development office, Connelly Center, the Center for Health and Wellness, Health Services, or the Greek Life Office. Name:___________________________ Phone:________ Email:__________________________________________ 1. What percentage of вЂ�Nova students will tell a friend to stop drinking? ___________ 2. What percentage of вЂ�Nova students avoid alcohol if they are taking medications? ____________ 3. What percentage of all college students choose not to drink and drive? ______________ 4. What percentage of вЂ�Nova students do not agree with drinking 21 shots to celebrate their 21st birthday? __________ 5. What percentage of вЂ�Nova students set limits on their alcohol consumption? _____________ 6. What percentage of вЂ�Nova students NEVER fail to complete an assignment because of alcohol? ____________ For more info call 9-7401 2 Thursday, October 31st, 2002 guys, and if a guy sees one girl calling another a slut, he may likely assume it to be true. Continuing on, he pointed out how "no" can often motivate a guy to continue trying more and more ingenious ways to get what he wants, or to retreat to situations he knows the girl will be comfortable with. On the other hand, a girl, who is well aware that the guy is bigger, stronger, etc., may become intimidated by the repeated advances and say yes unwillingly. Both situations will lead to problems. If trouble were to happen, Mr. Domirtz pointed out that our parents would give their typical "in my day" speeches on chivalry and proper actions. Once again this leads to mixed interpretation. On one hand the girl thinks the guy may just be being nice, while he may well have ulterior motives. On the same note it promotes a "woman can't fend for herself" image, which thanks to mace and a good old knee to the crotch is hardly true at all. Neither side is completely to blame though, as girls can often be just as responsible as guys. Before any date, both men and women will often encourage and "plan" the events of the evening in what appears to be only a "dating game." Those same comments, however can come back to haunt later, when one or all of those words lead to misguided expectations and interpretations. It is not just before the date that damage is done. Locker room talk can be just as hazardous, and girls are much worse in this case than guys. Guys will be happy with a simple yes or no, while girls need to hear every single detail of the events. This can lead to a feeling of inadequacy when an account does not live up to certain "standards," or just isn't as entertaining. When the answers to the questions are more than one word, making up a story can get complicated, and the pressure can lead to regrettable actions later. Center for Peace Continued From Page 1 This led me to my second question. I asked them why Northern Iraq, controlled by the Kurds instead of Saddam, has improved under the sanctions after Saddam destroyed 86% of their villages. The Kurds were in a worse situation than the rest of Iraq, and yet they pray that the sanctions are not removed. The evidence suggests that the sanctions are not to blame; the cause of the suffering is Saddam Hussein's dictatorship. Allowing Saddam to control these people even more by lifting the sanctions would be a worse situation. Lems could not counter the question. The best he could do was to say that the situation in Northern Iraq is "not so rosy." My question was the only one that questioned the speakers' point of view. It seemed that the paign. With the new Health Services Building having just opened, the campaign is just the kickoff to a whole new year of programs aimed at helping the student body. The "Let's Party" program, aimed at freshman, will begin at St. Mary's and continue to the rest of the class next semester. The purpose is to simulate a party and some likely situations, and to practice some possible reactions. The Center is also looking to add to the ranks of its peer alcohol and drug counseling groups. In addition, a sexual assault counseling program is being organized. Any students interested are encouraged to volunteer for the inaugural staff. Training will take place later in the year at Camelback Ski Resort. For more info contact the Center at 9-7407. One of the biggest contributors to sexual assault is the so-called "rape drugs." Aside from GHB, "Rufies," "X," and other intentional drugs, by far the most common, and often unintentional, is alcohol. The lack of mental control from inebriation is a serious factor in any decision, let alone sexual ones. Mr. Domirtz's advice is to wait. Guys especially, if she really wants you, she still will when she is sober. If you are both drunk, he still advises you to wait, after all, you will both remember it better. He closed with a reminder that it all comes down to common sense. If someone told you that you could have their new car while they were drunk, that would never hold up. If someone just came by and took ten dollars from you, you would be pissed. Taking advantage of someone is no different. Following Mr. Domirtz's discussion, a brief panel featuring the head of Public Safety, Mrs. Lovecchio, Mrs. Gallagher, and Dean Pugh answered any questions regarding Villanova policy on these matters. In the event that you think you are sexually assaulted, you have two main options. For anonymous assistance, there is an online form at www.publicsafety.villanova.edu that you can use to determine if you have been assaulted. For more immediate help, you can call Public Safety or go to your R.A. In this event, an officer will be sent to get a quick overview before they hand it over to Mrs. Gallagher. Although they have limited interaction in these situations, each officer takes a bi-yearly course on post-rape intervention, which has helped separate them from the rather disrespectful approaches of the local police. In any case, the decision to proceed is completely up to the victim. For more information on this topic you can visit www.healthy-dating.com, Public Safety's website, or the Center for Health and Wellness. people at this event were surprised by this. The speakers seemed uncomfortable and unprepared to talk about the other side of the issue because they started to whisper amongst themselves while I was in the middle of asking my questions. One student in the audience even started clapping sarcastically after my question. This kind of atmosphere is definitely not conducive to the debate of a serious issue. This only proves that the Center for Peace and Justice lectures cannot be taken seriously because they are one-sided and have not withstood any scrutiny. If anyone from the Center of Peace and Justice or any Villanova faculty wants a chance to prove me wrong, then contact me about setting up a forum on Iraq that includes speakers from both sides of the debate. Villanova students should hear both sides of the issue - that is the American way. The Villanova Times