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Our Two Sense

Spinnaker | Dec 3, 2008
Mike Tomassoni Art Director John Weidner Assistant Sports Editor Rachel Elsea Copy Editor James Cannon II Assistant News Editor
What industry should the government bail out next?
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Christmas cheer must extend into the new year

Spinnaker | Dec 3, 2008
The UNF student population has been tested really hard during the last few semesters. The way the economy developed left many students facing the dilemma of their future at school and how they will make it during the upcoming holiday. Christmas is now less than a month away and is filling many people with a bitter taste of worry and uncertainty. Those who lost their homes due to the economy will spend their first Christmas at someone else’s place.
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Season to give, not receive

Spinnaker | Dec 3, 2008
While different world religions celebrate their own holidays in various ways, there is one common ideal that can be found in them all: We should give back to others. A large number of Americans, despite their religious beliefs, celebrate Christmas as a day of giving presents to the ones you love. However, this is not what Christmas is intended to celebrate in the Christian religion, which was the norm our society was founded on and has – for the majority – maintained. Christmas is the day when Christians come together to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. They are told all the presents and gifts they receive mean nothing compared to the gift God gave them in Jesus.
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Bailouts might soften blow now; hinder U.S. economy later

Spinnaker | Dec 3, 2008
The case for the auto industry bailout has been presented on several occasions as a way to help the economy from collapsing since too many people depend on the health of that industry. The problem with this argument is that bailing out the auto industry does not guarantee its success in the future at all. Regardless of how costly it would be to let the companies fail now, it’s preferable to what their failing business model could cost at a later time. Unfortunately, the reason government is usually not desired in running businesses is that profit maximization and public policy require different actions.
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Holiday Gift Guide

Spinnaker | Dec 3, 2008
It’s the time of the year to pull out that mile-long gift list and weave through long shopping mall lines in search of the perfect present. And with the current ailing economy, many college students and retail junkies might have the ultimate “Blue Christmas.” But don’t throw away that wrapping paper and tinsel just yet – here’s the Spinnaker’s list of inexpensive gift ideas that might make shopping trips a little merrier and a loved one’s holidays a little brighter.
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"Top Five" Non-Traditional Holiday Songs

Spinnaker | Dec 3, 2008
Let’s face it, holiday songs tend to be as cliché and cheesy as families wearing matching Christmas sweaters. Listening to Bing Crosby’s rendition of “White Christmas” 785 times in a month can be as nauseating as a three-day eggnog bender. But you don’t have to settle for the same 20-30 songs you’re likely to hear while doing your holiday shopping. When you’ve had enough, here’s a list of five songs with a holiday theme that won’t push you to the brink of insanity.
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Symphony excites all senses in circus show

Spinnaker | Dec 3, 2008
A little bit of sophistication, a dash of music and a whole lot of clowning around: those are the three main components of an unforgettable night at the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra. The latest Pop Series performance by the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra, Cirque de la Symphonie, proved to be a treat for both the ears and the eyes of all who attended Nov. 14-15, as the orchestra teamed up with an award-winning circus ensemble to bring its music to life. “We’ve played this piece many times before and never received that kind of reception,” Music Director and Principal Conductor Fabio Mechetti said after the audience erupted in applause. The difference was the combination of the senses, allowing viewers to experience the music in a visual way with bodies contorting to the beat, flying through the air or balancing on another person’s head.
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Transition program helps students with disabilities adapt to campus life

Spinnaker | Dec 3, 2008
Anna Renfroe’s day begins at 6:30 a.m. Living with three girls with disabilities, everyday she helps them wake up for school, fix breakfast and walk them to the bus stop. Afterward, Renfroe has a full load of classes and helps the girls plan dinner when the day is done. On other days, she takes the girls grocery shopping, bowling and out to dinner. This is Renfroe’s life as an On Campus Transition Program mentor and housing assistant. “I figured [working with the On Campus Transition program] would be a good opportunity to really learn about people with disabilities and get hands-on experience,” said Renfroe, a senior elementary education major. In August 2007, The Arc Jacksonville and UNF partnered to begin the On Campus Transition program at UNF. It is run by volunteers of UNF peers.
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Tight finances might lead to lifestyle adjustments for students

Spinnaker | Dec 3, 2008
A combination of partying, the lack of home cooking and the ever-rising prices of textbooks might account for the phrase “broke college student.” And now more than ever, it might be a struggle for college students to keep money in the bank. However, there are ways for college students to combat these worrisome financial times and still have a little fun. One of the most important steps students can take to save money is to know what they are spending money on and how much they are spending, said Bettie Adams, assistant professor of accounting and board member of Community First Credit Union. Adams suggested students keep track of their expenses for a week, including small things like trips to the vending machine.
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Students get funky at fundraiser

Spinnaker | Dec 3, 2008
Approximately 190 dancers showed up for the Children’s Miracle Network-sponsored Dance Marathon which took place at the UNF Arena Nov. 21 and 22. The event benefited patients at the Wolfson’s Children’s Hospital and Shands. After 18 hours of learning dances from various local instructors, playing games and hearing benefiting families speak, the total amount raised: $19,096.35, was revealed to participants. The money came from different outlets such as events on and off campus prior to the marathon, donations from the public and the added amount of what each individual dancer raised, which totaled approximately $15,000.
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Lessons learned

Spinnaker | Dec 3, 2008
After losing 33-26 to Florida Atlantic University and winning by forfeit to the University of Miami at the Florida Rugby Union College Championships in Tampa, Fla., the UNF rugby club is proud of the resilience it showed but knows it could have done better, UNF Rugby President Jackson Frenot said. The UNF rugby club entered the championships with high expectations and a lot of confidence, team captain Max Schwartz said. After upsetting FAU earlier in the season, UNF quickly fell behind in the first half of the two teams’ tournament match. UNF executed a surge in the second half but came up short in the final minutes.
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Inside the Huddle

Spinnaker | Dec 3, 2008
Jason Yurgartis Features Editor Chad Smith Graphic Designer Rebecca McKinnon Staff Writer Josh Salman Managing Editor
Question 1: With this year’s BCS stir-up bigger than ever, who deserves to be in the college football championship game?
If it were up to me, I’d put Utah and Boise State in the championship game in hopes of destroying the BCS all together. Alabama because they have the momentum with John Parker Wilson to propel them to the big game. Plus, if I rooted for anyone else, my girlfriend would kill me. Me. I’ll stir up all them bowls. The winner of the ‘Bama, Florida game should play Oklahoma – assuming they win the Big 12 title. Unfortunately, I think it’ll be Florida holding the crystal trophy when it’s all said and done.
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Ospreys come from behind to score first win

Spinnaker | Dec 3, 2008
The first win of the season for the UNF women’s basketball team came Nov. 30 against Wofford College at the UNF Arena. Teamwork, communication and hard work were the main components contributing to the Ospreys’ 71-60 win, said UNF women’s basketball head coach Mary Tappmeyer. In the first half, the Ospreys trailed 23-26. But after entering the second half and accumulating 20 turnovers, they caught up and took a 48-34 lead. “We challenged the girls at halftime to come out and play to win and to not play scared,” Tappmeyer said. “I thought they really stepped up to that challenge. Our rebounding got a little bit better in the second half. We still have to work on our defensive rotations though.”
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Season closes with fourth-place finish

Spinnaker | Dec 3, 2008
A fourth-place finish in the NCAA Division I Provisional Tournament Nov. 22 closed the UNF volleyball team’s 2008 32-match season – its longest season since its transition to Division I. UNF went 2-3 in the tournament with wins against North Carolina Central University and Winston-Salem State University. UNF lost to Presbyterian College, the University of Central Arkansas and the University of South Carolina Upstate. “I was really proud of how they played for the tournament,” UNF head volleyball coach Kevin Campbell said. “I wanted them to play the same level they always do, but in reality, we’re down two outside hitters. They fought and passed well all weekend, not to mention they attacked offensively and served tough. I was really proud of that.”
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Missed free throws send Ospreys into overtime, game ends in loss

Spinnaker | Dec 3, 2008
The UNF men’s basketball team had a game on a platter for them the day after Thanksgiving, but gave it away at the charity stripe. In its 68-60 loss against Charleston Southern University Nov. 28, UNF had the lead throughout the majority of the game including the final minutes of regulation. UNF started the game off quickly by taking a 13-point lead in the first 10 minutes, but Charleston Southern was able to cut the lead down to two points with the score 27-25 at the half.
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Ospreys fly from fifth to third place at invitational

Spinnaker | Dec 3, 2008

Recovering from a fifth-place standing after the first day of competition, the UNF swimming and diving team finished in third place out of eight teams at the Davidson Invitational Nov. 23. Davidson...

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Staff Blog: NFL draft needs a rookie salary cap

Spinnaker | Nov 25, 2008
Millions of NFL fans across the world watch and wait for it each year. Fans of losing teams the season prior regain hope with expectations their favorite team will select a player who will bring a franchise to winning ways. The NFL commissioner gets on the stage, announces the first overall pick and one young athlete, just months removed from college, becomes a multi-millionaire.
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Photo Gallery: Jacksonville's 'End the Fed' rally

Spinnaker | Nov 22, 2008
Jacksonville's 'End the Fed' rally Nov. 22, where approx. 150 like-minded people gathered to protest the Federal Reserve and Treasury Department's bailout of Wall Street, and the planned bailout of the automakers.
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Family mourns death of UNF’s own

Spinnaker | Nov 19, 2008
After UPD discovered a body inside a parked car on the fourth floor of Garage 44 around 2:15 a.m. Nov. 12, investigators declared it a case of suicide. “From the scene, it was pretty obvious [it was a suicide],” UPD Chief Mark Foxworth said. But the family of 22-year-old psychology major D’Angelo Hurd, who was found with a gunshot wound to the head and a 9mm Glock pistol in his lap, are not willing to accept his death as a suicide. “We would rather just call it a death because ultimately, you never know,” said Hurd’s mother, Hazzel Sutton. For her and the rest of Hurd’s family, the death was a shock. Although Hurd’s demeanor never seemed to change in the months prior, Sutton feels her son might have been overwhelmed by his full-time class load, particularly a statistics class he was struggling with, she said.
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Class focuses on environmental issues

Spinnaker | Nov 19, 2008
UNF’s global environmental struggles class is hosting the first Environmental Awareness Day on the Green Nov. 25. Five groups of students from the class will be doing demonstrations and talking with other students to raise awareness for environmental issues. The creator and instructor of the class, Dr. Suzanne Simon, never planned the event into her syllabus. “There was this growing sensibility within the class that rather than simply write one more paper… many of the students basically said they would rather do something,” Simon said. The students chose topics such as battery recycling and disposal, preservation of animal habitats, and water and electricity conservation. They connected these broad issues to real problems at UNF and in the Jacksonville area.
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Garbage exposed on Green

Spinnaker | Nov 19, 2008
The second annual Garbage on the Green is scheduled to take place Nov. 18, and the UNF Environmental Center is abuzz with activity in preparation. The event will kick off with a campus clean up from 7:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. and will continue from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. with the trash audit and expo. The trash for the expo will be taken from four buildings on campus, an administration building, an academic building, the food court area and a housing building.
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Nov. 8 – Nov. 13

Spinnaker | Nov 19, 2008
Nov. 8 – Drug and alcohol violation (Building V) – A UNF employee found a partially smoked marijuana cigarette on the bathroom sink counter during a health and safety inspection. The room occupant denied possession of the substance and claimed there was not enough evidence to place the subject in constructive possession of the illegal substance. Further examination of the room revealed a 750 ml bottle of tequila in the refrigerator.
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Put on your dancing shoes

Spinnaker | Nov 19, 2008
The largest philanthropy event in the nation is scheduled to take place Nov. 21 and 22 at the UNF Arena. The Children’s Miracle Network-sponsored Dance Marathon is the first campus-wide event of its kind, with a little more than 220 dancers registered so far. The event will force participants to be on their feet for 18 hours straight from 6 p.m. Nov. 21, when dancers will be welcomed and divided into groups, to noon Nov. 22, when the total amount of money raised will be announced. All proceeds will benefit the CMN at Shands Jacksonville and Wolfson Children’s Hospital.
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The News Around – Nov. 19

Spinnaker | Nov 19, 2008
Jacksonville’s Mayport to house nuclear aircraft carrier, Law makers clash about $750 billion financial bailout, Russia pushes for $200 billion bailout to back banks
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Cashier’s Office main source of registration holds

Spinnaker | Nov 19, 2008
During the registration period, holds on accounts are often mentioned in the context of unfair treatment from the university to its students. Once holds are placed on students’ accounts, students are unable to access their transcript, register and even graduate. “It doesn’t matter whether you owe a penny or $5,000,” UNF Bursar Margaret Partyka said. The Controller’s Office system records all fines imposed on the students’ accounts by various departments and places a hold on each of these accounts programmatically overnight, she said.
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Computer viruses spread on campus

Spinnaker | Nov 19, 2008
The university’s Information Technology Services department recently experienced an up- tick in computer viruses, which started in October, said an Information Technology Services spokeswoman. There were 1,478 incidents of virus detection on 30 managed computers – staff and lab machines – which is considerably higher than the last several months, said Alison Cruess, ITS communications coordinator. The virus triggered the university’s virus protection – Symantec’s new Bloodhound software that tracks down heuristic viruses.
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University program helps alleviate local, nationwide teacher shortages

Spinnaker | Nov 19, 2008
The nation’s education system currently faces a critical shortage of professionally certified teachers, and Northeast Florida is not exempt from the problem. About 1,400 classroom teachers in the area only have temporary teaching certificates, according to the regional coordinator of the North Florida Personel Development Partnership who founded a program aimed to do something about it. Dr. Kathryn Krudwig started the Educator Preparation Institute at UNF last November to help alleviate the problem in the local school districts.
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Students’ impressions of Obama

Spinnaker | Nov 19, 2008
Grace Ambrose Freshman, Undecided Bandeth Sok Sophomore, Nutrition Noah Kaplan Junior, Foreign Relations
What attracted you to the Obama campaign?
“In the beginning he seemed like he represented the change we needed. I really liked his education policy.” “I am actually a Republican. Mainly his stance on the war on terrorism ... I liked his position to refocus our efforts on Afghanistan to capture Osama.” “He didn’t just stick to black and white. He could see the gray area in between.”
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Too many shocks with registration

Spinnaker | Nov 19, 2008
UNF offers many surprises to its students on a daily basis: free T-shirts on the Green, free scantrons in the Student Government office and no classes on a Tuesday in honor of Veterans Day. But not all of its surprises are pleasing, including the holds on students’ accounts that appear just hours before registration. It never fails. Students check their accounts a week before and are in good standing for registration. They check it again, just to make sure, and still are set to register. Hours before they’re scheduled to add classes, a hold is placed on their accounts for failing to pay a late library book fine or to release emergency information for the Code Red system. They don’t find out until it’s too late.
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UNF community has much to be thankful for

Spinnaker | Nov 19, 2008
Excitement is circulating across the country with the recent election of a new president, but as the days in November continue to unfold, Americans need to stop and take a minute to recognize what makes the nation so great. Thanksgiving is Nov. 27, and the United States has come a long way since the Pilgrims celebrated the first Thanksgiving in 1621. Even though the nation is in a time of uncertainty – with the rollercoaster economy and war in Iraq – the American people still have plenty to be grateful for. America is better off than most nations around the world.
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Our Two Sense

Spinnaker | Nov 19, 2008
Mike Tomassoni Art Director Josh Salman Managing Editor Rachel Elsea Copy Editor Klajdi Stratoberdha Business Manager
What are you most thankful for this holiday season?
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Size doesn’t equal speed

Spinnaker | Nov 19, 2008
Electric plug-in cars, diesel hybrids and flex-fuel burners are all modern catch-phrases used to prematurely sell the concept of efficient vehicles. Yet various gasoline combustion engine layouts continue to dominate the design of cars on the road today. While a greener future in the automotive industry seems to be the call for action, getting the manufacturers to flip the switch and start plugging in batteries will take more than the lobbying of environmentalists and consumers who are tired of being squeezed at the pump. American auto manufacturers have ignored the technology around them for too long – technology that could have been emulated long ago to produce more efficient and powerful, naturally-aspirated motors.
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Yelling zealots have same rights as students

Spinnaker | Nov 19, 2008
Every so often, the Green is littered with religious zealots who loudly proclaim their teachings – specifically what becomes of heretics, whoever they might be. These preachers can be seen in straw hats, holding eye-catching signs visible from great distances. And they are never far away from the hoards of students who surround them and urge them to go home and never return.
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Recent column questionable

Spinnaker | Nov 19, 2008
Dear Editor, While I understand it was published in the Discourse section of the Spinnaker, the article “Election not truly a landslide” must be questioned. As a Libertarian who believes in many Republican ideals such as free market economy and limited government, it shames me to see the College Republican president’s article. He claims President-elect Barack Obama is the first Democrat to win “with a convincing majority” since LBJ. But in 1996, Clinton defeated Bob Dole by a margin of 8.5 percent, versus the 7 percent by which Obama defeated Sen. John McCain.
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Thanks for honoring U.S. soldiers with column, clothes

Spinnaker | Nov 19, 2008
Dear Editor, A thank you is in order for the copy editor of the Spinnaker who wrote about the public making a mockery of the American military uniform in the Oct. 22 issue. I just got back from four months of military duty. And after returning to the area and walking around Jacksonville and UNF the last couple days, I am amused and slightly saddened at the general public wearing fake military shirts and random bits of uniforms. As military personnel, we are not really supposed to wear our BDUS, dogtags or other gear off base, but there is this new trend with teens today.
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All religions are not similar

Spinnaker | Nov 19, 2008
Dear Editor, Last week an article titled “All religions similar, equal” was published. I am tired of hearing these arguments from the “coexist” flock about how all religions are basically the same. The most ignorant statement circulating is that “Judaism, Christianity and Islam follow the same God.” This universalist perspective ignores all maxims of religions except the most based shared tenets and has been too often posed as an urbane enlightened posture when really it is as patronizing as it is insulting.
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Homeless for the Holidays

Spinnaker | Nov 19, 2008
The stereotypical Jacksonville Beach bum: This particular sect of our society is usually typified by its scruffy exterior, substance abuse problems and interactions with the rest of society that are often limited to an inquiry about the surf and quickly followed by a very forward attempt to make your wallet a little bit lighter. But to over-generalize such a large group of people, which is estimated to in exceed 300 at the beaches alone, would be a crime of assumption against a growing less-auspicious group who cannot afford a home.
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Vegetarian Thanksgiving: the meaning in food

Spinnaker | Nov 19, 2008
Each year, the third Thursday in November marks the holiday on which millions of turkey-lovers can finally enjoy the results of countless hours spent in grocery stores shopping for that perfect meal. Thanksgiving is a time for family-gathering, stories of thankfulness and turkey. But for vegetarians, store lists are absent of any meat products, preventing the indulgence of many of the holiday’s traditional dishes shared by family and friends. This leaves one to ponder: why is food spotlighted on this particular holiday, and can it really make or break the meaning behind it?
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"Top Five" 'Real' Thanksgiving songs

Spinnaker | Nov 19, 2008
Though Thanksgiving has come to mean a time for family, togetherness and giving, the oppressive and imperialistic nature of the first American settlers is often lost to history. This list serves as a reminder that beneath the warm feelings we choose to celebrate, there is a dark side to our prosperity as a nation. So when you’re loosening your belt and watching the Detroit Lions get shellacked this year, crank up these songs and remember those who got shoved aside to further the American dream.
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Entourage: Curse of the sixth season?

Spinnaker | Nov 19, 2008
Season five of “Entourage” ends next week, and the show has already been picked up for a sixth season. But there’s bad news. None of HBO’s hit shows have lived long enough to see a seventh season. Neither “The Sopranos” nor “Sex in the City” moved onto season seven, and these two shows are arguably as good as, if not better than, “Entourage.” It could be a curse. HBO doesn’t seem to know what to do with its iconic shows after they reach the six-year mark. But no need to worry, “Entourage” fans – if HBO follows a simple three-part formula, everything will be sunny (in California).
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Turning Potholes Picturesque

Spinnaker | Nov 19, 2008
UNF has several fields students can use to play and practice outdoor sports. However, the Crossings field is one of the few places students can congregate on campus for whatever purpose they wish. Students used to be found playing out on the Crossings field on those cold and dreary Florida winter nights, but now the field lies empty as if missing a vital part of what gives it life. “The Crossings field is extremely convenient for students living on campus and is used a lot,” sophomore Rachel Barlow said. “Before it closed, I used to play ultimate Frisbee there all the time, and I’ve seen people use it for everything from lacrosse to sunbathing.”
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Inside the Huddle

Spinnaker | Nov 19, 2008
Jason Yurgartis Features Editor Laura Franco Assistant Features Editor James Cannon Assistant News Editor Jacques Strappe Baguette Fencing Aficionado
Question 1: Mark Cuban, the owner of the Dallas Mavericks, was recently charged with insider trading. Does this surprise you?
No. If you’re good at trading, there’s a good chance inside information is being transmitted. I’m sure he’ll buy his way out of it and then buy the Cubs. No, the sports industry is like a business. I’m surprised more coaches or owners haven’t been caught. It’s fitting. Are people from Texas even considered honest and reliable anymore? Besides, with role models like the executives in Wall Street, who wouldn’t be tempted to do a little insider trading? He’s one sly guy. With a smile like his, there’s no clue what he’s capable of.
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The man in female feathers

Spinnaker | Nov 19, 2008
Trey Henderson, the man behind UNF’s Harriet the Osprey, said he feels normal when he’s in costume. The 21-year-old student was also the Panther mascot named homecoming king at Ridgeview High School in Orange Park, the Easter Bunny and Santa’s helper at the Avenues Mall. Henderson spoke with the Spinnaker about his role as Harriet and what he hopes to accomplish here at UNF.
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Sports in Brief – Nov. 19

Spinnaker | Nov 19, 2008
Read makes All-Conference second team, Flock Rewards Program
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Seminoles edge by Ospreys in 60-49 upset

Spinnaker | Nov 19, 2008

In a game much closer than its score, the UNF women’s basketball team lost to Florida State University 60-49 Nov. 18 during its home opener. After a 7-1 start by the Ospreys (0-2), the No. 22 AP ranked...

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Going Green: Up in smoke

Spinnaker | Nov 18, 2008

  NORML, standing for National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, is an organization with a plethora of nationwide chapters, as well as seven international chapters. Many are at college campuses;...

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Where is my bailout?

Spinnaker | Nov 17, 2008
The government bailed out Wall Street executives, homeowners, and struggling auto companies. But what about the rest of America? Where's My Bailout?" is directed by Courtney Moorehead Balaker, written by Courtney Moorehead Balaker and Ted Balaker, and edited by Alex Manning.
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How Florida’s new amendments affect college life

Spinnaker | Nov 12, 2008
Four amendments passed in the Nov. 4 elections from the Florida ballot, and two failed. The Spinnaker picked two that were most significant for college students: Amendment No. 2 and No. 8. Amendment No. 2: Florida Marriage “This amendment protects marriage as the legal union of only one man and one woman as husband and wife and provides that no other legal union that is treated as marriage or the substantial equivalent thereof shall be valid or recognized,” as stated on the Florida ballot. 4,885,009 voters marked yes for approval.
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UPD not certain of suspect in assault case

Spinnaker | Nov 12, 2008
Police are still searching for a suspect involved in an on-campus sexual assault of a UNF student Oct. 3. The suspect is being described by UPD as a black male, approximately 6 feet tall. UPD is unsure if the man has any ties to the university and said any physical evidence is now lost since the victim didn’t report the incident until Oct. 29, UPD Chief Mark Foxworth said. “She said she was afraid,” Foxworth said. “It’s not unusual for a sex crimes victim to delay reporting the incident. Sometimes they are afraid, feel people will look down on them or feel responsible. While the delayed reporting has definitely hampered the investigation, it’s totally understandable.” UPD hasn’t conducted a sketch of the suspect but has put together several photos of possible suspects – with no possible leads so far, Foxworth said.
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Nov. 3 – Nov. 10

Spinnaker | Nov 12, 2008
Nov. 3 – Lost property (Building 39) – A UNF employee reported a lost Dell laptop computer missing. He believed the computer was accidentally misplaced by faculty who are allowed to check out equipment for meetings. Nov. 3 – Criminal mischief (Building 14) – A 2-foot long crack in the column wall and an indentation in the wall were found in the male restroom early Friday morning. The damage appeared to be caused by a hit from a fist which knocked the plaster off of the edges of the column wall. There are no witnesses of the vandalism.
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Campus safety questioned

Spinnaker | Nov 12, 2008
UPD Chief Mark Foxworth wishes a wall could surround UNF but admitted the idea is impractical, he said. Recent reports of violent crimes on campus, including a report of sexual battery Oct. 3 in Osprey Cove, raised concerns about the outside criminal element creeping in. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement statistics show Duval County has the highest overall crime rate and is among the top 10 counties with the most incidents in all of the violent crime categories: aggravated assault, forcible sex offenses, murder and robbery. However, incidents reported to the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office within 3 miles of UNF between January 2007 and November 2008 show the university is in one of the safer areas in Duval County when it comes to violent crime.
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Pharmacy schools have Rx for job blues

Spinnaker | Nov 12, 2008
The enticement was hard to refuse: a signing bonus of $30,000. The wad of cash would help with student loans, so who could turn down the extra cash on top of a nearly $130,000 annual salary? So, straight out of pharmacy school in Chapel Hill, N.C., R.J. Kulyk crossed the country for a job at a Walgreens in Redding, Calif. “It was a no-brainer,” Kulyk said. Pharmacists remain in short supply across the country, particularly in rural areas. Competition among retail outlets and health-care facilities is fierce, and the pay – salaries typically start around $120,000 – is high. To lure pharmacists, retailers are dangling incentives of all kind. For a while, one even put recruits behind the wheel of a BMW.
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Education week caters to students interested in international affairs

Spinnaker | Nov 12, 2008
For one week in November, colleges across the United States celebrate the international cultures and students that diversify their campuses. The U.S. Departments of State and Education help promote the annual event, dubbed International Education Week. UNF’s International Center will host International Education Week Nov. 17-21. Students and faculty can participate in a variety of activities in observance of the week, which will broaden their knowledge of international affairs.
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Marine captain pleased with UNF efforts

Spinnaker | Nov 12, 2008
Ospreys for Ospreys is a UNF donation drive for a group of Marines who deployed for Iraq in early September. The Marine squadron receiving the goods works closely with the V-22 Osprey aircraft – a connection Health Administration Director Doreen Perez noted when she began the drive in October. Captain Bryan Willows of the VMM-266 Squadron corresponded with the Spinnaker from Iraq on the donation efforts and the squadron’s efforts in Iraq.
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Students are playing Russian roulette with their health

Spinnaker | Nov 12, 2008
With the stress of the daily grind and just a few more weeks before final exams, students might find themselves becoming more susceptible to influenza, commonly known as the flu. Every year, 5 percent to 20 percent of people will catch the flu. At least 200,000 people are hospitalized due to flu complications, and nearly 36,000 people die every year from those complications. Flu vaccines are often common treatments given in order to prevent the spread of this virus, according to WebMD.com
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Brain Brawl

Spinnaker | Nov 12, 2008
A group of three students and a coach from the College of Computing, Engineering and Construction recently participated in a regional brain brawl competition with hopes of competing at the international level in the future. But with a young team lacking experience, UNF came in last place, failing to correctly answer the two questions it attempted, said Behrooz Seyed-Abassi, associate professor of computer and information systems. “The other schools were more experienced – many times bringing three or more teams,” Seyed-Abassi said.
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School, students must adjust for Obama’s education plan

Spinnaker | Nov 12, 2008
Go ahead and quit that job you hate; President-elect Barack Obama is going to pay for your education. According to Obama’s Web site, he plans to create an American Opportunity Tax Credit that will pay the first $4,000 of students’ tuition in exchange for the students’ contribution of 100 volunteer service hours to their community. This action will not only change many students’ situations but the financial aid process as well. If recording volunteering hours becomes a part of this process, the question becomes whether this new duty will be handed to the university or the students directly.
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The News Around – Nov. 12

Spinnaker | Nov 12, 2008
Paloma: second most powerful November hurricane, Minnesota officials prepare for Senate race recount, Warning to Iraq if agreement on American forces fails
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News in Brief – Nov. 12

Spinnaker | Nov 12, 2008
Riverbound transformational learning opportunity opened for spring semester, Women perform in first Arts Film Festival celebration, Transportation and Logistics presents Lt. General William “Gus” Pagonis, Free Musical Performance
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Jaguars face "perfect" challenge: Week 11 Power Rankings

Spinnaker | Nov 12, 2008
In a season full of uncertainty in the NFL only two things can be sure: the New York Giants and the Tennessee Titans. While every other team in the NFL has been extremely inconsistent, these two teams are coasting towards the playoffs. One team that has a significant chance at taking away the Titans perfect record is the Jacksonville Jaguars.
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Show honor, not ignorance to veterans

Spinnaker | Nov 12, 2008
The UNF campus closed Nov. 11, leaving students, faculty and staff free from classes, office hours and work. And while some might have noticed the reason, many quickly regarded the day as an extra day of fun. Some even found the day off to be a nuisance, as mail carriers, bankers and other federal operations were closed. But the day off wasn’t meant to celebrate college students. Veterans Day is the one day of the year set aside to honor those who sacrifice their lives daily for our freedoms. We didn’t get mail for a day; they didn’t get to see their families for years straight – the trouble doesn’t even compare.
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Our Two Sense

Spinnaker | Nov 12, 2008
Mike Tomassoni Art Director Klajdi Stratoberdha Business Manager Rachel Elsea Copy Editor James Cannon II Assistant News Editor
Four amendments passed in the Nov. 4 election. Which one were you happiest to see pass?
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The Grand Ole Party not so grand, still old

Spinnaker | Nov 12, 2008
After Republicans were routed in their attempts to maintain the presidency and gain ground in the legislative branch, it is again time to consider the future of the once Grand Ole Party. After losing to the Obama campaign, the Republican Party began fighting amongst itself. Fox News anchor Carl Cameron disclosed Nov. 5 that senior McCain aides stated “[Gov. Palin] didn’t know what countries were in NAFTA – the North American Free Trade Agreement” ­– and “she didn’t understand that Africa was a continent, rather than a series – a country just in itself.”
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Election not truly landslide

Spinnaker | Nov 12, 2008
A Democrat finally won the White House with a convincing majority for the first time since Lyndon B. Johnson in 1964. However, this election was not the landslide the media is making it out to be. President-elect Barack Obama won about 53 percent of the popular vote – just one percentage point more than President Bush who won about 52 percent in 2004. In fact, Obama’s margin of victory was razor thin. In 2004, Bush won Indiana by 20 percent and North Carolina by 12.5 percent, while Obama squeaked by with less than a 1-percent margin in both this past election.
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Obama: A positive example for running elections

Spinnaker | Nov 12, 2008
Dear Editor, Today, we stand in the wake of American progress. Last week, our nation elected Barack Obama to be the 44th president to lead the land. A milestone election in so many ways, it brought about hope and change like none have seen before it. This semester I served as the elections supervisor for Student Government, and I can tell you from experience that elections are not an easy task.
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Impact of ink

Spinnaker | Nov 12, 2008
Having trouble finding a good job? It might be because of a piercing you do not want to get rid of or a visible permanent tattoo. Forty-eight percent of Americans aged 18-29 have a tattoo or a piercing other than on their ears, according to a 2006 study by The Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology. Jimmy Twisdale, a junior physical therapy major, believes people with a tattoo or piercing are individuals who have their own reasons behind the type of “body art” they have, he said. Twisdale has a total of six tattoos and both of his ears pierced. All of his tattoos have meaning behind them from a past life experience, he said.
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Oddball Antics

Spinnaker | Nov 12, 2008
TIE UP CLERK, CHECK; GRAB SMOKES, CHECK; TAKE MONEY, OH CRAP! A robber demanded cash from the register at a gas station in Aurora, Ind., tied up the female clerk, grabbed a carton of cigarettes and ran out the door. He forgot the money. He couldn’t get back inside because the door had an electronic lock. He fled. Police said the guy was “no brain surgeon.”
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"Top Five" after-party songs

Spinnaker | Nov 12, 2008
Whether you’re just getting home from a party, bar or club, or just unwinding after a long day of school or work, music can have a therapeutic effect. Here are five songs that can help the room stop spinning, calm your nerves and even entertain your roommates or friends when they want to slip into the relaxation vibe.
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Fall fashion focuses on fit, jewel tones

Spinnaker | Nov 12, 2008
It’s that time of the year again – when even North Floridians trade in their shorts and flip flops for boots and jackets. As the temperatures drop and we transition into the fall, here is a list of some of the latest 2008 fashion trends to keep both men and women stylish and warm this season.
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Colombian artifact collection holds culture-rich stories

Spinnaker | Nov 12, 2008
UNF is exhibiting a Colombian artifact collection on loan from a former Peace Corps deputy director, who chatted Nov. 5 with UNF students, faculty and staff during the exhibit’s reception. Wilfredo Gonzalez bought some of the artifacts – like the gold replicas from the Gold Museum of Bogota – and was given others – like an ocelot, which is a small cat – during his assignment as Peace Corps director in Colombia from 1978 to 1980. “The pieces that I like are the pieces that have stories,” Gonzalez said.
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Fable II addictive, but ending carries no weight

Spinnaker | Nov 12, 2008
You come home at night, turn on the Xbox 360 and, before you know it, it’s time to eat breakfast. Regardless of the few flaws in Fable II, there’s no denying addiction and enjoyment go hand-in-hand, as one hour of play can become five in the blink of an eye. Fable II takes place 500 years after the original, and it provides gamers with an epic story and innovative real-time gameplay. There is a massive amount of freedom and choice to do almost anything.
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Defending the court

Spinnaker | Nov 12, 2008
With two leading seniors – two more than last year – and a killer defense, the UNF women’s basketball team has high hopes for this season, said head coach Mary Tappmeyer. “I’m really excited,” said Tappmeyer, who will enter her 18th year coaching the team. “I think we have some great young players that are really working hard.” As the Bethune-Cookman University and Florida State University games draw near, sophomore point gaurd JulieMay Syquio has a lot of preparation to do, she said.
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Inside the Huddle

Spinnaker | Nov 12, 2008
Jason Yurgartis Features Editor Chad Smith Graphic Designer John Weidner Assistant Sports Editor Jacques Strappe Baguette Fencing Aficionado
Question 1: Although his team is only 6-3 – a catastrophic record for the Patriots – ESPN is already referring to Matt Cassel as the Patriot’s MVP. Should Tom Brady be scared for his job?
Absolutely not. But then again, I said the same thing about Drew Bledsoe after Tom Brady’s first game as his replacement. Matt Cassel will go on to start for another team in the near future. Tom Brady has nothing to lose; he has been more dominant then any other quarterback this decade. Matt Cassel will always be a career backup. Plus, Tom has Gisele by his side. I hope so. I can’t stand Tom Brady because he always seems to get everything he wants without the hard work. Matt Cassel, on the other hand, is a hardworking blue-collar football player. Cassel is such a elegant and girly name. Brady has nothing to be scared of. When he is healthy again, his manliness will scare Cassel away.
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17 Things you need to know about Matthew Hollyoak

Spinnaker | Nov 12, 2008
Junior defender Matthew Hollyoak led the UNF men’s soccer team to its current 9-10 season as the team captain. Hollyoak, who was born Aug. 17, played in all 17 games of the 2007 season. He met up with the Spinnaker to share about his experiences at UNF on and off the field. Below are 17 things you must know about the captain.
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Season coasts to end with win

Spinnaker | Nov 12, 2008
The UNF men’s soccer team closed its season on a high note Nov. 8, beating Coastal Carolina University 3-0 at Hodges Stadium. The win gives the Ospreys (9-10-0) their highest win total since the beginning of the transition into Division I. “We have certainly improved each season,” UNF head coach Ray Bunch said. “And that is what we aim for each season. We would have liked to get out win total in double digits, but we like the progress we’ve made and will look to continue that trend next season.”
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Ospreys drown opponents in season opener

Spinnaker | Nov 12, 2008
The UNF swimming and diving team opened its season Nov. 7 and 8 with a pair of wins against North Carolina A&T University and Campbell University. North Carolina A&T Against NC A&T Nov. 7, UNF came through with a 95-59 win at the UNF Aquatic Center. The Ospreys finished the day with a first-place finish in every event.
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Men’s soccer rumble disappoints; high hopes for women’s basketball

Spinnaker | Nov 12, 2008
I’m back like a vertebra. I know it’s been a while, but I’m a busy bird, and everyone wants a piece of me. I’m super excited to say there is a photo floating around on the Internet of “Air Ozzie” dunking. In fact, the picture was spotted last week on CBS47 News. It’s called exposure, and your ol’ pal Ozzie could use some. Back to the photo, some say it is photoshopped. Not true. Check out the video on the UNF Athletics homepage at www.unfospreys.com for the evidence.
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Sports in Brief – Nov. 12

Spinnaker | Nov 12, 2008
Gowan, Swift earn All-Conference Team honors UNF women’s soccer senior midfielder Elizabeth Gowan capped her career with her second All-Conference Team honor. Junior forward Katelin Swift also earned a spot on the team.
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No time for remembrance on Veterans Day

Spinnaker | Nov 11, 2008
This week's edition of the Spinnaker featured an editorial on the importance of Veterans Day and how it is not, unfortunately, remembered as it should be by the masses. I fully agree with this statement, as veterans risked their lives fighting the wars America has waged over the centuries.
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Developing town in our backyard

Spinnaker | Nov 5, 2008
Many of you are familiar with the fairly new town of Celebration, Fl right outside of Orlando. And sure, it's a suburban utopia in a bubble, with a mixture of education, work, health, and housing all combined by modern architecture to form what many urban sociologists would call the perfect town. Well did you know a town exactly akin to this is in the works right in our backyard? The town of Nocatee is being developed in Northern St. Johns County and Southeast Duval County. It will allow its residents to live, work, and play in one location. I first became aware of this last semester in my Intro to the Metropolis course and it fascinated me.
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'One generation got old, one generation got soul'

Spinnaker | Nov 5, 2008
The title of this post is from the song "Volunteers" by Jefferson Airplane, and though it was written in the '60s, I think nothing is more appropriate to the way I feel today. I rubbed the sleep from my eyes early this morning, wondering if I had slept at all, and if I had, was I dreaming? After living through 8 years of bloopers, blunders and practical jokes-which i guess is a nice way of saying ignorance, hate, war-mongering, imperialism, profiteering, deceit, closed government, secrecy and violations of human and privacy rights shrouded by the buzzwords "national security"-I feel rejuvenated.
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Robbery forces UPD to hire night lot staff

Spinnaker | Nov 5, 2008
UNF contracted Giddens Security Corporation to patrol the parking lots in the evenings in response to a recent robbery on campus, UPD officials said. Two female students were mugged in Lot 18 after a sporting event in October. They adhered to precautions UPD suggests – using the buddy system and taking the shuttle instead of walking late at night. But that didn’t stop two unidentified men from threatening them and forcefully stealing their purses, according to the police report.
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Group donates to Flying Ospreys

Spinnaker | Nov 5, 2008
UNF’s own trampoline-jumping mascot Ozzie the Osprey might have gotten his courage from a connection with the Marines, as it turns out. Health Administration Director Doreen Perez is spearheading a donation drive for a group of Marines that were deployed to Iraq early September.
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Picture this: student submission

Spinnaker | Nov 5, 2008
The two people holding the signs are David Boston (President - College Dems) and Caitlin Kelly. Photo taken around 4pm, November 4th on the corner of UNF Dr. and intersection leading to Lot 18.
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Survey shows majority of college

Spinnaker | Nov 5, 2008
Fifty-one percent of student loan recipients say it will take them more than 10 years to pay off their student loans, according to a new study by CollegeGrad. com, an Internet search engine for newly graduated students seeking entry-level positions in corporate America. The study showed a 5-percent jump in student loans from 2006. It also found 28 percent of college students have no loans, while 14 percent have loans that will take them less than 5 years to repay.
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Obama makes history

Spinnaker | Nov 5, 2008
The 2008 presidential election concluded with the election of America’s first black president. Millions throughout the country cheered at bars, restaurants and voter-watch parties as major television networks called the election shortly after the West coast’s polls closed at 11 p.m. EST Nov. 4.
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UPD: Code Red not necessary with bomb scare

Spinnaker | Nov 5, 2008
UPD and JSO were dispatched to the UNF Library shortly after 10 p.m. Oct. 28 to investigate a suspicious package, UPD Detective Adam Kline said. The package was eventually determined to be an art project – similar in nature to the art project in April, which also prompted UPD to call JSO’s bomb squad, according to the police report.
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UPD Burglary Investigation

Spinnaker | Nov 5, 2008
UPD is currently investigating a Burglary to an Auto that occurred at 11:00 a.m. Oct. 14. on the fourth floor of the parking garage Building 38. The suspect was captured on video entering the vehicle and removing items. UPD needs help in identifying the person in the photos. Anyone with information that could help identify this person should contact UPD at 620-2800.
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Auto bailout comical

Spinnaker | Nov 5, 2008
Regardless of accuracy, many politicians and members of the American public bought into fear that if Congress did not bailout Wall Street, Americans would become homeless ‘en masse’ and the very essence of the economy would be destroyed forever. However, in the government’s latest bailout efforts, such a greatly exaggerated case for bailing out the automotive and insurance sectors cannot even be made with a straight face.
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The Lion King: Magic on stage

Spinnaker | Oct 31, 2008
A trip to the annual Collegiate Media Conference in Kansas City, Missouri, this week has proven to be filled with surprises.
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Jaguars part of stew of contenders: Week 9 Power Rankings

Spinnaker | Oct 29, 2008
This NFL season has become almost as confusing as the BCS championship system. Over the last several years NFL fans have become accustomed to having a few teams atop the standings that were clearly set apart from the pack. Instead, eight weeks into the season there is only one team that remains undefeated and only one with one loss. However, this is not the downfall of every single team in the NFL, but rather a leveling of the playing field.
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Jacksonville must turn to hybrids

Spinnaker | Oct 29, 2008
As gas prices fluctuate and the economy continues to slip further out of our hands, Jacksonville must follow in the shoes of other U.S. cities that have placed the environment at the forefront of their minds. Early in October, four cities – Washington, Minneapolis, Philadelphia and St. Paul, Minn. – joined hundreds of others already using hybrid buses for public transportation, ordering more than 1,700 buses. Yet as communities and universities across the country continue the trend of going green, Jacksonville and UNF are not among the entities taking the next step in the hybrid movement.
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Halloween safety can be scary for both young, old

Spinnaker | Oct 29, 2008
The scariest part about Halloween is not the ghoulish costumes or fake blood but the real tragedies that happen every year – often from foolish irresponsibility. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found the number of deaths among young pedestrians was four times higher on Halloween evening compared with the same time period during all other evenings of the year. There are obviously more people out walking the streets on Halloween, which means everyone must take extra strides to be careful.
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Everyone needs to vote

Spinnaker | Oct 29, 2008
In less than a week, history will be made. For the first time in our nation, we will witness either an African-American president or female vice-president elected to the Oval Office Nov. 4, and your vote could be the deciding factor – the one that made a difference. Who wouldn’t want to say they were a part of making history? Yet there are many people who argue only the politically suave and intelligent should vote.
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Forum looks at race, gender in 2008 election

Spinnaker | Oct 29, 2008
The play of race, class and gender roles in the 2008 election was the subject of a discussion Oct. 28 about the dynamics of various factors that might possibly influence the way people will vote in this year’s election.
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Ignorant voters: stay home

Spinnaker | Oct 29, 2008
Don’t rock the vote. Don’t get out the vote. Don’t vote or die. Simply put, don’t vote. The amount of sheer ignorance supporters of both candidates have espoused during this campaign cycle is astounding. On one side, you have fanatics hoping for change, because you have to hope for a change in failed policies. On the other side, you have supporters stating “McCain, at least he isn’t Obama.”
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Palin’s recent challenge of America’s patriotism is unpatriotic, anti-American

Spinnaker | Oct 29, 2008
It is sad – and disappointing – to see people within the U.S. who find satisfaction from belittling others for not being “patriotic” to their own country. Gov. Sarah Palin, Republican vice-presidential nominee, stated at one of her rallies she likes to visit “pro-American parts of the country,” implying there are certain parts of the country that are anti-American or unpatriotic. There are so many problems with this statement.
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Find hauntings minutes away from UNF

Spinnaker | Oct 29, 2008
Halloween is right around the corner, and it's the perfect time for lingering thoughts or fears about ghost stories or spooky tales. With North Florida's rich historic background, it's no surprise the area has a few hauntings of its own to satisfy curious minds. Here's the Spinnaker's list of some local spots' eerie backgrounds that might make your skin crawl and send chills down your spine.
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Vintage shops provide alternative for daily, Halloween wear

Spinnaker | Oct 29, 2008
A black cat made of tinsel sits in the window. Bats and ghosts hang with cob webs and mannequins are dressed like iconic figures in pop culture to entice the Halloween costume shopper, including Andora from the ‘60s television show “Bewitched,” exercise guru Richard Simmons and Margot and Richie Tenenbaum from the film “The Royal Tenenbaums.” If these don’t fuel some Halloween costume ideas, the Clothing Warehouse has plenty of other options and a wide selection of vintage clothing for everyday wear.
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Plan proposed to improve bikers’ safety

Spinnaker | Oct 29, 2008
Junior business major Jason Hicks crashed his bicycle in January 2008 into the side of a car stopped at a stop sign. The car came from Lot 34 and stopped past the stop sign, impeding the path of the sidewalk. That’s when Hicks hit the car, he said.
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