Boo to the NCAA. They haven’t actually done anything to upset us yet, but we’re just anticipating poor relations between our University and the overlords of intercollegiate athletics now that we have a robot on campus capable of fielding baseballs. Designed by ASU researchers, the “catch-bot” boasts a .800 fielding percentage and can move at around 30 mph and could possibly shore up Pat Murphy’s middle infield come springtime — if only robots were allowed.
Bravo to the steps ASU has taken in the area of solar power by making a number of deals for solar power-related ventures. In a state with four cities among the nation's 10 sunniest, according to the National Climatic Data Center, the University has thankfully realized the need to capitalize on Arizona’s ultimate renewable energy resource. Sheryl Crow is going to be pumped; it’s time to soak up the sun.
Boo to Columbus Day. The federal holiday celebrating the life of the destructive discoverer Christopher Columbus — who never even reached the modern-day borders of the United States — was the subject of a Tempe campus protest on Monday. Though we don’t get the day off from school and therefore don’t benefit from it, we still support protester Eric Hardy, an American Indian Studies senior, who said the day “represents a legacy of oppression, colonialism and patriarchy that continues and exists today.” Is that really something we should honor?
Bravo to research from a University nutrition professor that shows beans are good for your heart. Seeing as how ASU is turning into Arizona Sustainable University, we were surprised to find the subject of the study wasn’t “green” beans, and we were also disheartened to find that we weren’t talking about cocoa beans either. But the research — involving pinto beans and black-eyed peas — is still cool with us. It found that daily bean consumption drastically lowered cholesterol levels, thus aiding in the prevention of heart diseases and diabetes. With such excellent health benefits, we’re glad to toot the horn of this magical “fruit.”
Boo to the newly repaired Devil Dome practice facility. The ASU athletic department has learned its lesson about practicing inside a giant $8.4 million Stay Puft marshmallow after paying $900,000 for repairs to its storm-damaged roof — or so we hope. We cringe thinking about what happens the next time Mother Nature gives us S’more action.
Bravo to John McCain’s “Joe the Plumber.” The presumable BFF of Sarah Palin’s “Joe Six-Pack,” the plumber was given about two-dozen shout-outs from McCain and Barack Obama during Wednesday's presidential debate in reference to small business taxes. But we don’t care as much about that as much as we care about Joe the Plumber’s future — being contracted by Bob the Builder.
