Front page design and layout by Carl Smith, news editor.

1. DECISION ’08
PREVIEWS OF MISSISSIPPI HOUSE AND SENATE RACES ONLINE ONLY
PRESSGROVE: AN INCONVENIENT YOUTH (VOTE) ONLINE ONLY
REFLECTOR OPINION WRITERS CRITIQUE POLITICS OPINION 3 |
Reflector
The
TUESDAY REFLECTOR-ONLINE.COM
121ST YEAR | ISSUE 19
NOVEMBER 4, 2008
TWITTER.COM/REFLECTORONLINE
T H E S T U D E N T N E W S P A P E R O F M I S S I S S I P P I S T A T E U N I V E R S I T Y S I N C E 1 884
Police
ANDREW LE| THE REFLECTOR
investigate
attempted
abduction
Gunfire reported
behind Hathorn
Hall Saturday
BY CARL SMITH
News Editor
The Mississippi State University
Police Department is currently investi-
gating a Saturday morning report of an
attempted abduction
and a gunshot on the
south end of campus.
At approximately
4 a.m., MSU Police
received a report that
a firearm had been dis-
charged in a parking Lindley
lot behind Hathorn
Hall.
In a statement published on the
MSU Web site, MSU Chief of Police
Georgia Lindley said the situation
involved three individuals.
“Our preliminary interviews with
witnesses indicate that a female stu-
dent, 18, was on the passenger side of a
vehicle when approached by a male she
described as African-American, wear-
ing black clothing with a bandana
covering his face,” she said.
As the female student was approached
by the masked male, another male stu-
dent was waiting for her, Lindley said.
“The black male showed the female
a gun and asked her to leave with him.
She quickly ran toward her male friend,
also 18,” she said. “Both reported hear-
ing a shot fired as they left the area.”
Following the weekend incident
Maridith Geuder, director of univer-
sity relations, said the university will
increase campus security patrols of
residence halls. She said the patrols will
last from sunlight to sunset.
“Students can always call for escort
BY COLIN CATCHINGS | Staff Writer
services 24 hours a day,” Geuder said.
“If you’re on campus at night, it’s
A
always best to be with a friend.”
s Americans head to the voting booths today, their votes will help determine the country’s
At the time of publication, phone
calls to housing and residence life
political direction for the next four years.
administrators were unreturned.
Mississippi State University College Republican chairman Nathaniel Dobbs said
Ann Bailey, director of housing and
residence life, was out of town and
electors should vote for the Republican ticket, Sen. John McCain and runningmate Gov.
could not be reached.
Dean of students Mike White and Sarah Palin, because McCain has experience dealing with tough matters.
associate dean of students Thomas
“I think he’s been a fighter for change the entire time he’s been in Congress” he said. “If [voters] want
Bourgeois also did not return prepubli-
cation phone calls. somebody who fights for them, who understands what they’re going through, who respects the working
In the release, Lindley said campus
class and somebody who supports middle class agenda, then [they will] support John McCain.”
and local officials are conducting an
aggressive investigation into the inci- MSU College Democrat President Chris Walton said voters should vote for the Democratic ticket,
dent.
Sen. Barack Obama and runningmate Sen. Joe Biden, because America needs a change.
“We encourage anyone with more
information to call us at 325-2121,” ELECTION, 2
SEE
she said.
Students debate candidates’ platforms
Holmes Cultural Diversity Center minutes with a one-minute rebuttal to
Campus representatives from all graduate assistant Leonia Fowler said she follow.
thought the students prepared well for The first issue of the evening, educa-
parties discuss election issues the debate. tion, started to show the clear divisions
“I think the students have done a great between the two major presidential can-
job this evening debating the issues and didates.
showed up extremely prepared,” Fowler. Sophomore Democrat Katie Allen
BY PATRICK YOUNG Democrat, Republican and Independent “If even one person leaves tonight with a spoke against McCain’s support of
Staff Writer discussed whether Barack Obama or better understanding of the issues, then I school vouchers and the No Child Left
John McCain had better stances on vari- believe we succeeded our goal.” Behind Act.
ous policies. Holmes Cultural Diversity Among the issues discussed at the “We should not give public money to
Students with different political ide-
Center, Student Association, Black event were the war in Iraq, health care, private schools,” Allen said. “We need to
ologies gathered Wednesday to debate
Student Alliance, Stennis-Montgomery education and the economy. SA secretary improve existing education laws because
the top issues of the 2008 presidential
Association and the Pre-Law Society and event moderator Whitney Holliday No Child Left Behind has failed.”
campaign at the Wise Center audito-
sponsored the debate. held each side’s point of view to two DEBATE, 2
rium. Those who considered themselves SEE
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