2011.10.12

THE UNIVERSITY ERSITY OF WISCONSIN WISCONSIN’S S INDEPENDENT STUDENT NEWSPAPER SINCE 1969 Wednesday, October 12, 2011

www.badgerherald.com

Volume XLIII, Issue 27

DINE WELL

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

ARTS | SPOT ON

Madison offers a ton of bars and restaurants for both the fine diner and deal-seeking college student. Check out our 2011 guide inside.

Redshirt Jeff Duckworth continues to wait his turn behind Toon and Abbrederis, but he is ready to step in when called upon | 20

Not your average girl band Madison rock group Venus in Furs pays titular homage to Lou Reed, while nodding to various genres musically | 14

Students: Seg fee policies unlawful ASM, Union Council say call for review gaining traction with others in UW System

HISTORY OF SEGREGATED FEES A portion of your tuition each semester goes toward segregated fees, which fund programs like the Union, UHS and RecSports as well as groups such as Vets for Vets, Badger Catholic and Greater University Tutoring Service. The way these fees are distributed has changed over time.

Katherine Krueger Deputy News Editor To some student government leaders, the decades-old implementation of a University of Wisconsin System policy on student fees spells the violation of student rights and an issue that could escalate to a legal battle.

After the United Council of UW Students

Eric Wiegmann The Badger Herald Design

approved a resolution calling for the review of UW System Financial Policy 50, which defines the scope of non-allocable and allocable university segregated fees, student leaders across the system

are rallying support to ensure students’ legal rights are upheld.

System policy dictates students, in consultation with the chancellor, have primary oversight over allocable fees, which

fund eligible student organizations, while the chancellor is granted primary oversight over the non-allocable funding stream, which funds entities such as the Wisconsin Union

and University Health Services on the Madison campus.

Associated Students of Madison Student Services Finance Committee Chair Sarah Neibart said the necessity for reviewing

the policy focuses on the level of students’ authority in determining how their segregated fees are allocated, as is articulated in the

SEG FEES, page 6

Fitzgerald to run for U.S. Senate Wisconsin Assembly speaker enters race for Kohl’s seat with other GOP candidates Annie Murphy News Reporter

Matt Hintz The Badger Herald

MCSC member and ASM Student Council Rep. Nneka Akubeze speaks during Tuesday night’s Student Judiciary hearing on MCSC’s budget waiver.

MCSC appeals budget case to SJ Dan Niepow City Editor The Multicultural Student Coalition and the Student Services Finance Committee appealed to the student government’s judiciary body Tuesday over the legitimacy of a budget waiver the student group turned in past deadline.

Any organization requesting a budget of more than $250,000 must submit a waiver containing additional information about their group’s spending, and it was due at noon on Sept.

19.

Nneka Akubeze, speaking on behalf of MCSC, said the organization was not

given enough time to complete the waiver, given the fact that it received the waiver on Sept. 10. She also mentioned that her budget was 116 pages long.

She further argued that the waiver violated viewpoint neutrality, which states that a group cannot be denied funding

Legislation would restore Wis. collective bargaining

because it advocates a particular point of view.

Both she and Rebecca Pons, another member of MCSC, said they felt the organization was being targeted by SSFC. They also said they believe SSFC violated procedural laws and did not act transparently.

APPEAL, page 2

Lawmakers push to bring back labor provisions removed in budget repair bill Matt Huppert State Editor As the effort to recall the governor begins to take shape, two Democratic state legislators are attempting to reverse the recently imposed limits on collective bargaining powers.

Rep. Mark Pocan, D-Madison, and Sen. Fred Risser, D-Madison, introduced legislation Tuesday that would reinstate the collective bargaining rights of public employees removed as a part of the budget repair bill signed into law by Gov. Scott Walker last spring, according to a statement

FITZGERALD, page 4

One man, many faces UW student and spoken word artist Danez Smith performs his one-man show titled “For Those Who Pray in Closets” at the Memorial Union Play Circle Tuesday night. The performance was part of a series of events held for Coming Out Week.

Matt Hintz The Badger Herald

from the legislators.

The legislation would repeal the “anti-union” provisions of the budget repair law, which essentially abolished public employee unions in the state and their powers to collectively bargain.

The legislators’ bill includes several ways to certify unions, re-establishes the enforcement of a collection of union dues and allows public workers to bargain for working conditions.

The bill currently has 45 co-sponsors, according to the statement.

Pocan said in the statement the legislation reinstitutes the dedication Wisconsin previously had to giving workers in the state rights over the potential mistreatment of their employers.

“Unions exist because

State Assembly Speaker Jeff Fitzgerald, R-Horicon, announced Tuesday he will run for Sen. Herb Kohl’s soon-to-be-vacant U.S. Senate seat.

Fitzgerald was one of Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker’s key supporters throughout the collective bargaining rights reform, and he believes his involvement with passing the controversial legislation will be his biggest advantage as he begins his campaign, according to a statement.

Fitzgerald said in the statement he hopes to create an alternative budgetary plan against President Barack Obama’s if he gets elected.

“In Wisconsin I led the Assembly to a balanced budget in face of fierce opposition from the status quo. I would be honored to lead a new reform movement in Washington,” Fitzgerald said in his statement.

Republican Tommy Thompson, Wisconsin’s governor for 14 years, and former U.S. Congressman

Mark Neumann are also running to fill Kohl’s Senate seat in Washington.

Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin, who represents the Madison-encompassing 2nd congressional district, is currently the only Democratic candidate to announce a bid.

In a statement, Democratic Party of Wisconsin Chair Mike Tate said Fitzgerald, along with his brother, Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald, R-Juneau, has been “an unquestioning tool” of corporate aiding measures by Walker and Republicans which have weakened workers rights.

Fitzgerald’s bid, he said, will convince many Wisconsinites of the necessity to recall Walker and put the Democrats in charge of the Legislature.

“The idea that Fitzgerald would carry Scott Walker’s corporate banner to Washington should add fuel to the forces of change that are about to sweep over the state,” Tate said in the statement.

Republican Party of Wisconsin Chairman Brad

employers can mistreat their employees.

Through this legislation, we are sending a signal to public employees that we value their service to Wisconsin and, unlike Scott Walker, we think they should have the right to collectively bargain, just as they have for half a century in Wisconsin,” Pocan said in the statement.

“Our goal is to restore 50 years of labor peace in Wisconsin by rolling back Republican attacks on workers.”

In a previously released statement, Walker said the collective bargaining reforms included in the budget repair bill have allowed local units of government and school districts to save millions by cutting unnecessary worker programs and look for more affordable

RESTORATION, page 4 © 2011 BADGER HERALD

MORE COVERAGE, page 4

2

The Badger Herald | News | Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Correction A previous version of the Oct. 10 article by Reginald Young, “Voter ID essentially a poll tax, disservices voters” stated that Gov. Scott Walker shut down 10 Department of Motor Vehicle offices in Democratic districts. The story has been corrected to reflect the fact that Walker only attempted to shut down the DMVs.

Events today 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

UW Homecoming Blood Drive

TODAY

TOMORROW

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

74 54

58 39

58 39

61 40

67 40

showers

showers

partly cloudy

sunny

partly cloudy

Mock polls try to work out Voter ID confusion While results mostly positive, fake election shows minor issues with new process

Ogg Hall

Andrew Haffner News Reporter

Need to publicize your event?

Send an email to: editor@badgerherald.com

15,000 copies printed every weekday.

Published since September 10, 1969.

Telephone Fax

608.257.4712 608.257.6899

Herald editorial Editor-in-Chief Signe Brewster Managing Editor Carolyn Briggs Editor-at-Large Jake Begun News Adelaide Blanchard News Content Pam Selman Deputy News Katherine Krueger Multimedia Ryan Rainey Assoc. Multimedia Emily Campbell Campus Selby Rodriguez State Matt Huppert Deputy City Editor Dan Niepow Editorial Page Allegra Dimperio Editorial Page Content Taylor Nye Ed. Board Chairman Alex Brousseau Sports Mike Fiammetta Sports Content Elliot Hughes Associate Sports Kelly Erickson Ian McCue Brett Sommers Sarah Witman Lin Weeks Noah Yuenkel Zach Butzler Tom Guthrie Ellen Anevicius James Zhang Kristin Prewitt Katie Foran-McHale Photo Megan McCormick Assoc. Photo Malory Goldin Matt Hintz Design Directors Eric Wiegmann Alex Laedtke Page Designers Sigrid Hubertz Kellie McGinnis Katie Gaab Gus McNair Web Director Adam Parkzer Assoc. Web Director Jake Stoeffler Web Consultant Charlie Gorichanaz

Statistics ArtsEtc. ArtsEtc. Content Comics Copy Chief Assoc. Copy Chief Copy Editors

Herald business Publisher Business Mgr.

Peter Hoeschele Corey Chamberlain

Herald advertising Bryant Miller Advertising Director Mitch Hawes Display Manager Roshni Nedungadi Classified Mgr. Anna Elsmo-Siebert Executives Max Nonnamaker Jillian Grupp Danielle Hanaford Matthew Preston Myla Rosenbloom Alissa Siegenthaler

Board of directors Chairman

Jake Begun

Members of the Madison community gathered at the City Council Building Tuesday to participate in a mock election intended to educate citizens on the changes brought about by the voter ID law and give city officials an idea of how to best run upcoming elections.

Under the voter ID law, voters will be required to provide a photo ID with their current address. If they are unable to do so, they will have to either acquire an ID before the end of the voting day or fill out a provisional ballot.

City Clerk Maribeth Witzel-Behl organized the mock election to see how different methods of ID verification could be used to expedite the process of moving through a line of prospective voters.

The line of participants extended out the door of the “voting room” and down the hall a considerable ways.

Depending on when voters arrived at the voting location, their identification was requested in different ways. Witzel-Behl moved certified election officials around to different positions, changing the number of officials present at different steps in the registration process every half hour.

The process of ballotcasting was timed at each stage of the process, Witzel-Behl said. When voters entered the line, they received a card with the time of arrival, and it was later stamped with the time they completed the process.

Pamela Abel, who participated in the mock election, said afterward that she had been an election judge in the past and that “it can be very confusing” to keep track of everyone who passes through the line.

Response to the mock election seemed generally positive, with the majority of participants, including

Abel, reporting a smooth process.

The bulk of hang-ups, when they occurred, involved the use of provisional ballots for those who did not bring an appropriate form of identification, Witzel-Behl said.

Witzel-Behl said there appeared to be some miscommunication between election judges in the initial sign-in stage and those who instructed voters in filling out the provisional ballot. As a result of this, the line was held up periodically for brief periods of time.

She said there was also an issue with the practice of stamping the back of the provisional ballots with a number that corresponded to the voter’s name. One election judge expressed concern over the identification, saying that the votes were no longer confidential.

Ald. Scott Resnick, District 8, expressed his discontent with the voter ID law.

“Out of every vote in Wisconsin, there were under two dozen cases of voter fraud in the 2008 election,” Resnick said.

Tom Zionkowski The Badger Herald

During Tuesday’s mock election to gauge the response to the new voter ID law, a Madison resident casts her ballot. Coordinators said reactions to the new rules were generally positive.

“It’s a tactic to stop ... students from voting in elections.”

Republicans supporting the bill are arguing it is not intended to block out voters, but rather to lower the amount of fraudulent voting statewide.

Critics claim that the enhanced regulation of voting in Wisconsin is a

Republican maneuver intended to hinder students as well as minority and elderly voters, segments of the population who tend to vote for Democrats in Wisconsin.

“The city of Madison and the County of Dane will do everything possible for students to vote,” Resnick said.

Gears for Walker recall effort begin to turn Fundraising, several rumors of opponents build up steam 1 day after formal announcement from Democrats signatures to set off a recall election against Walker.

State Reporter In an email to The Badger Herald, University of After announcing Wisconsin political science the recall petition effort professor Barry Burden said against Gov. Scott Walker Democrats could not begin would start Nov. 15, the recall efforts against the Democratic Party Walker until now because of Wisconsin has begun he had not been in office fundraising, and already long enough. possibilities for a candidate “State law says that to replace the polarizing petition efforts cannot governor have begun to begin until one year after a person has been elected to office. That would be early November 2011,” Burden said. “Last night the Democrats announced that the petition drive will begin Nov. 15, [which is] almost the earliest possible date.”

Burden said he expects both the county and municipal governments will be charged for administering the elections.

He also said the massive campaign spending that will likely occur will financially benefit newspapers, radio stations and television stations as a result of political advertising.

The last time a statewide recall occurred was more than 20 years ago, Burden said. Even then, the recall dealt with a policy issue and not a person in office.

“The state has not seen anything like this in a long time, if ever,” Burden said.

According to Burden, Walker’s approval ratings are currently middling.

The public is currently sharply divided, he said, with more than half of Matt Hintz The Badger Herald the population appearing to disapprove of his In Feb. 2011, protesters gather outside the Capitol in response to Gov. Scott Walker’s collective bargaining legislation. performance so far in office.

While the reaction was strong earlier this year, it remains to be seen if the same momentum can be generated for a recall.

“The keys to the election

will be who runs against him and how well each side does at turning out its supporters,” Burden said.

In a statement, Republican Party of Wisconsin Executive Director Stephen Thompson said Walker’s questionable pole numbers have not affected his goal to create more jobs in the state.

“The Governor is squarely focused on moving our state’s [economy] forward and helping to create 250,000 private sector jobs,” Thompson said in the statement. “Since elected in January, he’s come through on his commitment to helping middle-class families by eliminating a $3.6 billion budget deficit, freezing property taxes, and encouraging businesses to bring jobs to our state.”

In a statement, public employee union AFTWisconsin President Bryan Kennedy said the union is in support of the recall effort.

Kennedy said a majority of Wisconsinites disapprove of the collective bargaining reforms made by Walker, and he believes his decision to enforce them will lead to his removal from office.

“From day one of his administration, Scott Walker has given the citizens of Wisconsin a thousand reasons to support his recall.

Dishonest campaigning, extreme policies, and stubbornly refusing to negotiate are not the Wisconsin way,” Kennedy said in the statement.

great job,” he said. “It has positively impacted my life.”

Althea Miller, a member of the MCSC leadership team, also spoke highly of the organization. She spoke against actions of SSFC in the past, saying she had been personally ridiculed by its vice chair.

Matthew Manes, a past SSFC chair, also spoke briefly at the beginning of the hearing. He said MCSC’s arguments were without merit and they should be dismissed.

“MCSC did not follow established procedures,”

he said. “There’s a procedure outlined in the standing rules.”

SSFC Secretary Ellie Bruecker also responded to criticism from MCSC for failing to record a meeting in the past.

She accepted full responsibility for her mistake, but she spoke out against the claim that it was intentional.

SJ Chief Justice Kathryn Fifield said the judiciary has 10 days to make the final decision on the appeal, but will try to expedite the decision process.

Ilona Argirion

circulate.

As of print time, the party has raised more than nearly $100,000 toward the recall effort, according to a statement from the DPW. The statement said the party expects Walker will be able to raise $70 million in campaign donations from big business contributors such as the Koch brothers.

Several prominent Democrats in the state are rumored to be considering opposing Walker in a recall election, including state Sen. Jon Erpenbach, R-Middleton, former Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk and Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett.

Based on recall law, volunteers will have 60 days to collect 540,206

--The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Vice Chairman

Peter Hoeschele

APPEAL, from 1

Vice Chairman

Signe Brewster Vice Chairman

Bryant Miller Corey Chamberlain Mitch Hawes Roshni Nedungadi Pam Selman Eric Wiegmann Readers may pick up one complimentary issue each day.

Additional copies must be picked up at 326 W. Gorham St. for $0.25 each. Contents may not be reproduced without written consent of the editor in chief. Copyright 2011, The Badger Herald, Inc.

“It is very imperative that transparency is there and is present throughout the system,” Pons said.

Both emphasized the issue was not about the waiver being late, but whether the SSFC violated the Associated Students of Madison constitution in issuing the waiver.

Samir Jaber, speaking on behalf of SSFC, said the case did not pertain to the goals of MCSC, and that it was not violating viewpoint neutrality.

“This is a case about

responsibility,” he said.

“Every organization is required to follow the same rules. The SSFC went above and beyond to notify the MCSC what the rules were.”

He said the SSFC notified the MCSC about the new waiver on Aug. 10 via email, though the organization did not receive the actual waiver for another month.

He also argued that it was “well within SSFC’s responsibility” to impose waiver violations.

SSFC Chair Sarah Neibart said the length of

MCSC’s budget was not a sufficient reason for it being turned in late.

“Regardless of how many pages a budget is, I have to treat every group the same way,” she said.

Prior to the presentation of evidence and concluding arguments, a large group of students came to speak on behalf of MCSC in open forum.

Leland Pan, an ASM representative, spoke in favor of the organization’s efforts.

“Everybody here is about helping students, and I think MCSC does a

badgerherald.com

The Badger Herald | News | Wednesday, October 12, 2011

3

4

The Badger Herald | News | Wednesday, October 12, 2011

LGBTQ advocates hope week builds awareness Coordinators: Events have social impacts for campus, highlight areas UW can grow Jane Milne News Reporter Members of the University of Wisconsin Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Campus Center are hoping the events and performances held as part of Coming Out Week will raise awareness in the areas campus climate can improve.

This year ’s National Coming Out Week marks the unveiling of the new LGBTCC in the Red Gym on Thursday,

said Assistant Dean and LGBTCC Director Gabe Javier. A coming out workshop, ally training, Queer-e-oke and a performance by Toshi Reagon, a one-woman celebration of dynamic and progressive American music, are spread out over the next week. UW student Danez Smith performed his one man theater production “For Those Who Pray In Closets yesterday.

“National Coming Out Day is a really important day to us in the center,” Javier said.

Javier said that although LGBTCC is making many improvements in the acceptance of the LGBTQ community on campus, there are still many areas

for improvement. He said the center feels that National Coming Out Day helps address these problems.

Javier said the recent 2010 State of Higher Education for LGBT people reports that LGBT students generally rate their campus environments less positively than their straight counterparts.

Dakin Scott, LGBTCC educational outreach coordinator and UW student, said safety is one of the main difficulties the community faces on campus.

“Many students think that our campus is already very LGBTfriendly. For some, it often is,” Scott said.

“However, if an LGBT couple is holding hands while walking down State Street at midnight on a Friday night, they are definitely at risk of homophobic remarks and physical violence.”

“This day is all about celebrating our identities.”

Gabe Javier

LGBTCC Director

He added this occurrence happened to students he knew about two weeks ago.

Javier said LGBTCC believes exposing the

non-LGBT community to the LGBTQ community through National Coming Out Week may put a face on a social issue easily ignored by straight people.

Javier said he hopes through this awareness, common problems can start to be prevented.

This, he said, was one of the reasons why he feels this is such an important day on campus for not just LGBT students, but their allies and everyone as a whole.

“It’s a day that we set aside to remember that having our voice heard — by coming out — can really change people’s minds and hearts,” he said. “Even our straight allies have coming out stories — they are stories about why they

CRIME in Brief of Narcan, according to police reports.

HAMILTON STREET OVERDOSE

A 26-year-old man fell out of a Porta-Potty after overdosing on heroin Monday, Madison Police Department spokesperson Joel DeSpain said.

The man met up with his 19-year-old friend to shoot heroin in the portable facility, according to a police report.

DeSpain said the older man ingested a larger amount of heroin than his friend did.

Paramedics were the first to arrive on the scene, followed by the police force, DeSpain said.

The man who overdosed was taken to the hospital after being revived with a couple doses

“I can’t believe I almost died on heroin,” the man said in the police report.

NORTH FRANCES STREET BATTERY A witness said a 23-year-old woman was temporarily knocked unconscious after a dispute outside a restaurant on North Frances Street Sunday night, according to an MPD incident report, which is the block that contains the Nitty Gritty.

University of Wisconsin Police were able to track down the suspect, who later explained that

he picked the woman up by her armpits and dropped her to the ground, according to the report.

The woman had confronted the man about condescending remarks he had made earlier, slapping him in the face, the witness said in the report.

She had regained consciousness by the time police arrived, but she was still taken to a nearby hospital, the police report said.

EAST SIDE ACCIDENT — INJURY A 19-year-old woman struck a bicyclist with her car at an east side intersection Monday

evening, according to Madison police reports.

The report said the driver may have had a medical emergency, which caused her to lose consciousness at the wheel.

The woman hit the median and then went across other lanes of traffic before hitting the bicyclist. Afterwards, she collided into a parked van, according to DeSpain.

Both the driver and the bicyclist sustained injuries that were not life-threatening, the report said.

WEST SIDE BURGLARY MPD arrested three suspects following a residential bur-

care and stand up for LGBTQ people. This day is all about celebrating our identities.”

National Coming Out Day originated in 1987 when about half a million people held a second march on Washington, D.C., for gay and lesbian rights.

This march was the first time the NAMES Quilt was exhibited as a form of commemoration for those who had died from AIDS, University of Wisconsin assistant professor in communication arts Karma Chavez said in an email to The Badger Herald. The success of the event led to the ultimate decision to create an annual national event by the Human Rights Campaign.

glary Monday afternoon. The suspects fled the home of a 26-year-old man after being discovered. The victim then chased and almost caught one of the suspects, according to the police report.

After the victim called 911, police arrived on the scene shortly.

They arrested one suspect after a short chase. Another suspect was arrested after being discovered in a car, and yet another suspect was found in a Jacobs Way home, DeSpain said.

“With his help, we were able to get into the area where the suspects had fled,” DeSpain said.

Bill would give green tax credit Assembly committee approves legislation to award environmentally-conscious businesses Tori Thompson News Reporter As a part of the governor ’s call for a special session to promote job creation in the state, an Assembly committee considered and proposed revisions to a bill that would create tax credits for environmentally friendly businesses.

Assembly Bill 61 was addressed at a meeting of the Committee on Jobs, Economy and Small Business in congruence with the special executive session called by Gov. Scott Walker.

As outlined in the meeting by the Legislative Council, the bill would create an income and franchise tax credit for companies to construct a green data center, which stores and processes information from the lighting, mechanical, electrical and computer systems of infrastructures in order to create the most energy saving system.

This tax credit applies only to companies that create systems designed for maximum energy efficiency and minimum environmental impact.

Assembly Bill 61 is both a financial and an environmental issue. To

qualify for this tax credit, a company’s use of a number of environmentally damaging chemicals must be less than 25 percent of the proportion currently allowed under federal regulations.

The bill outlines a $2 million maximum credit claim amount to any one party.

At the meeting, several amendments to Assembly Bill 61 were introduced to the committee and voted on.

The amendments focused on the financial aspects of the bill rather than the environmental aspects.

The first amendment addressed moves the date for credit allocation from June 2012 to January 2012.

The change requires the state of Wisconsin to certify at least two businesses to receive tax credits. This motion carried with a vote of 12 to 2.

At the meeting Rep. Peggy Krusick, D-Milwaukee, proposed an amendment that would require companies receiving this tax credit to post how they are spending the money being saved. Krusick said that tax credits are expensive for the state, so she would like to know where the money was ending up and

Taylor Frechette The Badger Herald

Members of the Committee on Jobs, Economy and Small Businesses meet on Tuesday to consider different bills as part of Gov. Scott Walker’s special session on jobs. prevent these tax credits from merely being used to provide raises to CEOs and CFOs. Rep. Peggy Bernard Schaber, D-Appleton, said she was in favor of Krusick’s amendment and said the state needs to be more cautious about how the money of taxpayers is spent.

RESTORATION, from 1 health care plans.

This flexibility, he said, has created a more business friendly environment and has improved the overall economy in the state.

Walker also said in another previously released statement school districts in the state will now be able to ensure that the best possible teachers are working at their schools, as they will be able to afford better teachers’ salaries with the money saved without the bargaining rights of unions.

The legislators,

However, Rep. Jeff Stone, R-Greendale, said at the meeting Krusick’s amendment was too far reaching in reaction to this specific of a bill. The committee voted against Krusick’s amendment by a vote of 13 to 2.

Special sessions have been held in the past to push issues like job

the statement said, do not believe this proposal will move forward under the current Republican leadership in the state Legislature and in the governor ’s office.

However, they believe the recall atmosphere created by the current recall efforts of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin will give the bill public support.

Risser said in a statement the removal of most of the collective bargaining rights of public employee unions has been contradictory to Wisconsin’s progressive history

creation, Walker said in a recent statement on the totality of the special session. He said special sessions can be a forum for efficient bipartisan negotiation and can be used to deal with many pieces of important legislation at once.

In a statement, Walker said the special session

“I helped implement collective bargaining in the 1959 legislative session, and it worked, resulting in over 50 years of labor peace in Wisconsin,” Risser said. “What Republicans did was unprecedented, spiteful and contrary to our Wisconsin values.”

According to the statement, the bill will likely receive a bill number in the coming weeks and will be given to committees in both houses of the state Legislature.

Walker’s spokesperson did not return calls as of press time.

will provide certainty for business leaders in the state.

“We sent a message to job creators in January that we would improve our business climate,” Walker said. “Now we renew that message as we work to give job creators the confidence they need to put Wisconsin back to work.”

FITZGERALD, from 1 Courtney said in a statement that the inclusion of Fitzgerald into the Senate race will provide Wisconsin voters with another Republican candidate who is focused on creating jobs.

If Baldwin were elected to the Senate, he said in the statement, she would push for an expansion of government spending. He said the current Republican candidates, including Fitzgerald, have all previously shown that they would be more capable of helping to improve the nation’s economy without promoting large increases in spending.

Calls made to the Fitzgerald campaign for this story were not returned.

The Badger Herald | News | Wednesday, October 12, 2011

5

6

The Badger Herald | News | Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Some positions precarious in Madison budget After UW pulls financial support from ALRC spot, city to foot all of bill Ally Boutelle News Reporter Mayor Paul Soglin and the Board of Estimates reviewed how many positions could be eliminated in the 2012 city of Madison operating budget during their meeting Tuesday.

A major point of discussion for the board was the creation and elimination of jobs. Soglin said the preservation of jobs and avoiding layoffs are a high priority for the city.

An increasingly tight budget, however, has created need to eliminate city positions altogether.

These cuts include positions in the mayor’s office, human resources, information technology and several other departments, Finance Director David Schmiedicke said. There will be a total of 15 positions eliminated, he said.

The board also reviewed several jobs that were created or maintained by the 2012 budget. Schmiedicke said this includes custodial positions in the engineering department and funding for a research analyst position on City Council.

Ald. Mike Verveer, District 4, said the Alcohol Policy Coordinator position is another main

concern. Verveer said this position was previously funded equally by both the University of Wisconsin and the city, but UW decided to withdraw its support.

Effective July 2012, the position will be funded entirely with city dollars.

The board decided the loss of funding from UW would result in the city providing an additional $20,000 annually to maintain the position.

Another employment issue raised was where to place eight former Overture Hall employees whose positions were cut.

Schmiedicke said that further discussion will determine which positions within the city they are eligible for.

Soglin and the board also discussed the impact the new budget would have on services provided by the city.

Prices will increase for several services, Schmiedicke said. Notable changes include a possible 8 percent increase in water utilities and 4.92 percent increase in charges for processing and disposal of sewage.

Representatives from several city departments voiced their concerns about the impact the budget would have on their specific departments.

Judge David Koval from the Madison Municipal Court said the current economy has had a big effect on the court’s ability to collect.

“More people come to court requesting payment

John Lemmon The Badger Herald

A member of the Madison community speaks to the Board of Estimates during Tuesday night’s meeting on the city’s operating budget. Job retention was the meeting’s main focus. plans, community service, et cetera — there have been problems with people’s ability to make payments in court,” he said.

Relatively low funding from the city means the court needs to make up the loss in other ways, Koval said.

He said this will include collecting on traffic

violations by suspending drivers licenses and collecting on parking tickets by suspending registrations.

Clifford Blackwell, president of the Madison City Attorneys’ Association and Hearing Examiner for the Department of Civil Rights, argued against the creation of furlough days

for his position.

“If the proposed furlough for [my] position goes through, [the city] will be without a hearing examiner for a month of the year,” he said.

Blackwell said his organization’s goal is to ensure its collective bargaining rights.

“What we would ask is

that you do nothing that would put the city in the position of Gov. Walker in requiring the dissolution of a collective bargaining agreement between the city and one of its labor unions,” he said.

Discussions regarding the operating budget will continue until it is submitted to City Council.

UW program blending teaching, sciences grows Optional classes for graduate students try to turn complex ideas into lessons Olivia Raedeke News Reporter What started as an optional program with roots in the University of Wisconsin for graduate students in scientific disciplines to exercise their own teaching abilities will now expand to 25 different universities across the country, according to a UW statement.

The Center for the Integration of Research, Teaching and Learning is an “experiment in itself” and a cross-disciplinary program focused on math and science, according to the statement.

It was announced Monday that the program will expand, which will allow it to grow and give students a larger base to work with, the statement said.

The CIRTL appeals to those interested in math and science on campus because the teaching is presented so that one creates an idea and tests it out in the classroom, said Associate Dean for

Physical Sciences Wendy Crone.

It gives people the opportunity to figure out the best way to utilize an idea, evaluate it and refine the teaching method, she added.

Courses are optional for graduate students, but do not only help them to teach. Crone said she had a student who enrolled in courses so he could further understand his own learning. Although it is optional for students, there has been a high rate of attendance. Students can chose to take as many classes as they desire.

A certificate in teaching is highly valued to

learning institutions, Crone said.

“Not all of the educators are coming from Madison, a big research institution,” Crone said. “This expansion will give students the opportunity to collaborate with students from other institutions.”

As the CIRTL expands to other institutions, its programs will grow and change, but the UW program will not see many variations.

“We have a very mature program,” said Crone.

The CIRTL is not a TA training program, as the university has many of those. It is for students

and faculty looking to help their students learn better and understand the learning process, she said.

This experimental model being used gives time to professors to find out what works for students, according to Crone. She added this is done through a series of student self assignments and comparing test scores.

This model also focuses on three core ideas to refine teaching, according to the UW statement.

These three values are “teaching-as-research, learning communities and learning-throughdiversity.”

Graduate students are not the only students who gain from CIRTL, according to Crone; undergraduate students also benefit from the teaching improvements.

Crone added that many undergraduate students in the engineering department where she teaches have already been affected in a very positive way by the teachings of CIRTL. CIRTL began with six universities, according to the statement. This will be extended to 25 with the universities being added.

A complete list of these universities can be found on the UW news website.

While mercury still threatening, levels down in Great Lakes Report finds lower emissions directly responsible for drop in toxic material John Flesher Associated Press DETROIT (AP) — Mercury levels have dropped about 20 percent in the Great Lakes in recent decades but remain dangerously high and are getting worse in some places, scientists said in a report released Tuesday.

Concentrations of mercury exceed the risk threshold for people and

SEG FEES, from 1 state’s statute on shared governance, 36.09(5).

While fees have been assessed to fund student programs since before the merger that formed the UW System in 1971, Neibart said individual campuses began to create policies that monitored students’ direct oversight following the junction.

According to Neibart, this reinterpretation of the statute on shared governance for students was not made through administrative rule and, therefore, is illegal.

“Students would have been an effective lobby against what they were doing,” she said. “This is an illegal practice that’s been going unchecked for

wildlife at many spots across the region and are particularly high in inland waterways, said the report issued by the Great Lakes Commission, an agency that represents the eight states and two Canadian provinces surrounding the lakes. The report said scientists had found mercury is toxic to fish and wildlife at surprisingly low levels.

The report was issued the day after 25 states asked a federal court to block limits on mercury and other air pollution from power plants that the Environmental Protection Agency plans to set next month. Michigan Attorney

General Bill Schuette, who led the effort, said the regulations would hurt the economy and cause electric rates to jump. The Republicancontrolled U.S. House last week voted to delay rules to cut emissions from cement plants, solid waste incinerators and industrial boilers.

Authors of the Great Lakes report said lower emissions from incinerators were largely responsible for the mercury drop-off.

“Logic would suggest if we controlled them further, we would be even more successful,” said Charles Driscoll,

a Syracuse University environmental engineer.

The report was based on what Tim Eder, the Great Lakes Commission’s executive director, said was the most thorough evaluation of mercury pollution trends ever conducted in the region. It involved 170 researchers who produced 35 peerreviewed papers after taking more than 300,000 measurements, including samples from birds, fish and sediment.

The overall decline in mercury contamination is “very welcome news,” said study co-author James Wiener of the University of Wisconsin-

La Crosse.

But reasons for concern remain, he said. Six commonly eaten game fish had average mercury concentrations above the EPA’s designated safe level in more than 60 percent of the area studied. An uptick in concentrations of some fish and wildlife such as loons in Wisconsin, eagles in Minnesota and walleye in Ontario lakes is worrisome — largely because scientists don’t know why it’s happening, Wiener said.

“The more we look, the more samples that are taken, the more evidence of mercury we find,” Eder said.

A study led by David Evers, executive director of the Biodiversity Research Institute in Maine, found the Adirondack mountain range in New York is a hot spot because heavy forest cover and plentiful wetlands promote the chemical reaction that causes mercury to concentrate as it moves up the food chain. The situation is similar elsewhere in the northern Great Lakes region, such as Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.

Mercury is a powerful toxin that can damage the human nervous system, particularly in young children.

decades.”

In a legal opinion written in conjunction with a July 2007 segregated fee appeal, United Council attorney Mark Hazelbaker acknowledges that students currently do not have primary oversight over the non-allocable funding stream.

He dates the university’s distinction between the two funding streams to 1978, saying the notion that “students have no authority to modify [non-allocable fees] … would have eventually been litigated.”

United Council President Seth Hoffmeister said a disconnect exists in the practice and procedure for distributing non-

allocable funds and does not currently embody the original intention of state shared governance statutes.

“The challenge will be redefining how to reclassify certain areas of segregated fees,” he said. “[Although] students are guaranteed to allocate as they see fit, they’re being told in the same breath how to spend their money.”

While Hoffmeister said he did not want to accuse UW System officials of breaking the law, he acknowledges the implementation of the financial policy highlights a contradiction that might exist between the laws. He said this legal dispute could be resolved by rewriting Financial

Policy 50 or other System financial policies.

He said there has already been a promising show of support from campuses across the state for the review, and individual schools are beginning to consider how to best undertake the review for their specific practices.

After campuses approve similar resolutions in support of the review, Hoffmeister said he hopes to use this state network to go to the UW System Board of Regents to begin redefining the policy, but emphasized United Council will strive to work with administration.

“It’s not going to need to result in a lawsuit, but if it needs to, it will,” he said.

UW System spokesperson David Giroux said he was not aware of United Council’s resolution and could not comment on how the regents would address the legality of the issue or a process for review.

United Council spokesperson Matt Guidry said while the current student board on the council has identified F50 as a “politically created stumbling block,” the vagueness of the policy has remained an issue since its original inception in 2007.

“It’s kind of vaguely drawing lines around where students can and can’t spend their money,” he said.

Guidry also expressed optimism that the regents

would be receptive of students’ grievances and would look to be adaptive in their interpretation of policies.

However, Neibart said she would not shy away from filing a lawsuit against the Board of Regents, and certain mindsets surrounding the value of students’ input has stopped this legal question from being raised.

She said students need to serve in more than an advisory capacity on for the large projects that typically fall under the non-allocables, citing the building of Union South as a project that students would be paying off for years to come based on the outcome of one referendum.

Opinion

Editorial Page Editors Allegra Dimperio & Taylor Nye oped@badgerherald.com

7

The Badger Herald | Opinion | Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Herald Editorial

Re-evaluate ID policy A policy recently adopted by several of Madison’s downtown bars restricts acceptable forms of identification for entry to state issued drivers licenses and passports. Members of the city and campus community have already come out of the woodwork to decry the disparate effects they believe the policy will have on minority groups.

At face value, there is nothing illegal about the

policy. Private business owners are allowed to make decisions on how they will run their establishments.

However, and this is a big however, there are still concerns about the policy.

While no research proves a disparate effect, there is certainly research that suggests it. A University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee study from 2005 found that 55 percent of black males in Wisconsin do not

have a drivers license. In contrast, only 17 percent of white men do not have one. While it is easy to see how this could lead to segregation, we must ask a few questions: How have these numbers changed in the last six years? Do the citizens without licenses rely on state IDs to get in to Madison bars?

If the policy is proven to cause a disparate effect, then the city must step in.

Until that point, they have no authority to restrict a private business.

However, these businesses have a responsibility to the Madison community. Past bar policies, such as recent contested dress codes, have begun a divide that could be widened by this policy. Bar owners should acknowledge the tension they are causing in what is already a fairly segregated city and do what they can to rebuild those

bridges.

While this new ID policy may be legal, any issue dealing with race and socioeconomic status must be examined with more than a legal eye. The moral effect this policy is already having on our community is not something we can afford.

We urge Madison’s business community to take these moral issues into account and open their doors to everyone.

Alex Brousseau

Signe Brewster

Carolyn Briggs

Editorial Board Chairman

Editor-in-Chief

Managing Editor

Jake Begun

Allegra Dimperio

Taylor Nye

Ryan Rainey

Editor-at-Large

Editorial Page Editor

Editorial Page Content Editor

Editorial Board Member

Weekly non-voting Community Member Nichole Powell | Panhellenic Association Ed i t o r i a l B o a r d o p i n i o n s a r e c ra f t e d i n d e p e n d e n t l y o f n e w s c o v e ra g e .

Romney’s LDS faith inhibitory undermine the campaign of one of the GOP’s leading presidential candidates.

It is unclear why Mitt Romney’s religion plays such a central role in his public image — it seems almost impossible to Shawn Rajanayagam conceive of him without Columnist the suffix, “who is a Mormon.” This conception It seems like we’ve of Romney the Mormon is reached that time of not one that is propagated Republican primary season only by religious bigots; where someone brings respectable mainstream up the ‘M word.’ At a news sources are equally In June, Christian conservative culpable. campaign event on Newsweek released an Friday, a Texan pastor, Dr. issue with Romney on the Robert Jeffress, attacked cover, with the headline GOP primary candidate “The Mormon Moment.”

Just exactly why Mitt Romney’s religious needs to beliefs, stating that he America viewed Mormonism as experience a “Mormon to accept “a theological cult.” Dr. moment” Jeffress was providing an Romney as a viable is beyond introduction to Romney’s candidate competitor, Rick Perry, imagination. Yet there who took the stage is categorical evidence immediately following Dr. suggesting that this is exactly what America Jeffress’s remarks.

This is not to inculcate needs — a Pew Research Perry, however indirectly, poll conducted in June as an accomplice in Dr. found that one in four Jeffress’s bigotry; to his voters said they would credit, Perry has quickly be less likely to vote distanced himself from for a candidate who Jeffress’s inflammatory subscribed to the Mormon remarks and has gone on faith. According to a the record denouncing the study conducted during 2008 presidential assertion that Mormonism the Mormonism is a cult. What this election, statement is reflective of, found itself the target of however, is a deep-seated worse discrimination than prejudice that threatens to black candidates (like

Barack Obama) or female candidates (like Hillary Rodham Clinton).

It is unclear exactly where this perverse attitude towards a religious minority comes from. While the Latter Day Saint movement does have a number of peculiar practices, so do many other religions, including the various denominations of Christianity. Those Mormon practices that are often targeted by religious bigots are out-dated, and in many cases, are expressly forbidden by the faith itself. For example, polygamy is no longer practiced by adherents of the Mormon faith, despite popular media portrayals such as HBO’s TV show Big Love. These so-called fundamentalist Mormons have in fact been excommunicated from the LDS Church for over a century.

Misconceptions about the LDS movement aside, it seems that middle America still has a long way to go before it can treat a Mormon candidate for the presidency in the exact same way they would treat anyone else. I would much rather say that this was because of Romney’s fairly liberal record on social policy, something that is bound to be a stumbling

block to hard right voters.

Yet it seems, sadly, that his faith is the number one issue that could hinder his progress on the campaign trail.

Obama’s “A More Perfect Union” speech encapsulated, in many ways, the issue of Obama’s race, and his campaign, in many ways, transcended his (mixed) black heritage.

While I don’t completely buy the way some analysts have rendered Obama as a post-racial president, I can certainly see how in many ways, his ethnic ancestry has been surpassed by other distinguishing factors. For Romney, transcending his religion seems unlikely or impossible, perhaps because he lacks the raw charisma of Obama; the ability to electrify an audience from his position at the podium. Romney cuts a much more stately figure, with a more functional approach to oration that lacks Obama’s transfix and exhilarate.

For the record, I believe Romney is the strongest candidate in the GOP primary race. Despite his record on social policy and his religious conviction, Romney has a record of strong financial management and a differentiated approach to

Associated Press

Presidential candidate Mitt Romney, a moderate conservative, may have his bid undermined by his Mormonism and relative lack of support from the right. political issues. He does not practice the identikit approach to conservatism (small government, antisocial welfare, budget surplus) and he has a record of turning around struggling enterprises from his time in private equity.

His approach might be what America needs, if they need a conservativetinged change in the office of the presidency.

If Romney loses, it will not be because he supported a health care bill when he was governor of

Massachusetts. It will not be because he increased taxes in order to bring the Massachusetts government back into a balanced fiscal position. It will not be because he was pro-choice for most of his life, until he changed his mind just more than five years ago. It will be because he is a Mormon — and that is a crying shame.

Shawn Rajanayagam (rajanayagam@wisc.edu) is a senior majoring in political science and American studies.

Disappointingly, Christie turns down 2012 GOP bid Ryan Rainey Editorial Board Member I like Chris Christie.

There, I said it. Chris Christie, the overweight, much-maligned and confrontational anti-union governor of New Jersey actually seems to be a good guy committed to the best interests of his state. And even though I’ll almost surely vote for President Barack Obama in 2012, I’m still disappointed Christie isn’t running for president.

Christie announced last week that he will not seek the Republican Party’s nomination to challenge Obama next year. His announcement, I believe, will lead to the downfall of

the Republican Party at the polls next November and likely shut Christie out of a bid for president in 2016.

Throughout his relatively short tenure as governor, Christie has taken a hard line against public sector unions, just like our own Gov. Scott Walker. But unlike Walker, whose incoherent reasoning and radical hard-line politics led to the mass protests in Madison in February and March, Christie partnered with Democrats and did not completely, permanently abolish collective bargaining rights for public employees.

Also in contrast to Walker, who inappropriately has painted his ubiquitous slogan “Wisconsin is open for business” on official state welcome signs and website, Christie has held his position with relative humility.

Many new Republican

governors like Walker and Florida’s Rick Scott are also known for their aversion to any media probing or questioning, holding highly restricted events and rarely allowing any sort of public input. But Christie, again bucking the Republican party’s recent trends, regularly holds town hall meetings, which have made him famous across the country for his direct answers to questions from public employees concerned about Christie’s anti-union politics.

“I am sorry that I’m the guy who has to be here when the party’s over,” Christie said at a town hall meeting early this year. “I understand why you’re frustrated and I understand why you’re angry about it … but this is the truth and I don’t get anything for telling the truth.”

I vehemently oppose both Walker and Christie’s

agendas. But at least Christie seems to have some sympathy for the position in which public employees find themselves.

To paint all Republicans as the ideological and political equivalent of Walker would be ignoring the deft rhetorical skills of folks like Christie, who rival Obama in their ability to influence audiences.

Republicans politicians are easy for liberals to demonize. Walker has smarmy qualities, leading to a litany of offensive signs at this year’s protests. Mitt Romney appears to be a walking wax figure example of an oligarch, and an image of Rick Perry waywardly shooting a handgun has, for many become the defining stereotype of the conservative Texan.

But Christie is a different kind of Republican. He may speak with the same

confrontational tone as Bill O’Reilly, but so do millions of his fellow Northeasterners.

And despite his similarities to Walker and this year’s presidential candidates, he possesses a crucial personal quality Walker does not: cold, harsh, brutal honesty.

This quality would have been especially beneficial in debates with Obama. Christie would have adequately challenged Obama, creating a mostly civil and constructive national conversation about the role government should play in the economy.

He also has consistently decried anti-Muslim and xenophobic rhetoric in his own party, making him one of the only candidates who could diffuse the incessant “Obama is a Marxist Muslim!” claims.

Put simply, a Christie candidacy would have

killed the virulent Tea Party movement and pitted a center-right candidate against a centerleft candidate. That’s how American presidential races should work.

Maybe Christie just has some sort of personality trait that only makes him appealing to me personally. But in a political era that will undoubtedly become known for unprecedented partisan division, Christie should be proof to liberals that despite their disappointing and divisive policies, most Republicans aren’t evil, power-hungry monsters. In some cases, they’re just like our next door neighbors. Regardless of if he deserves my vote or not, I am disappointed he won’t run for president.

Ryan Rainey (rrainey@ badgerherald.com) is a junior majoring in journalism and Latin American studies.

Your Opinion · Send your letters to the editor and guest columns to oped@badgerherald.com. Publication is based on space and takes into account relevance and quality. Letters should be sent exclusively to the Herald. Unsigned letters will not be published. All submissions may be edited by the Herald for length and style. Reader feedback on all articles and columns can be posted at badgerherald.com, where all print content is archived.

To place an ad in Classifieds: Roshni Nedungadi rnedungadi@badgerherald.com 257.4712 ext. 311

8

The Badger Herald | Classifieds | Wednesday, October 12, 2011

ATTENTION

FOR RENT

Classifieds

Straight Teeth for Spring Break & Interview Season! Yes, you can have a new smile in 6 months.

MadSmiles.com $500 off full mouth invisible braces with this ad. Act before October 31, 2011.

EMPLOYMENT !Bartending! $300/day potential.

No experience neccesary. Training available. 800-965-6520 ext. 120 Contemporary Services Corporation “CSC” is the new event staff and security contractor for the University of Wisconsin’s athletic and entertainment events.

We are looking for friendly, energetic, guest service savvy applicants and are currently accepting applications for PT positions. Stop by our office at 2979 Triverton Pike Drive between 9AM and 6PM to pick up an application today! Or call us at (608)807-5494 option 1 www. csc-usa.com/madison Earn $100-$3200/ month to drive our cars with ads. www.

FreeCarJobs.com STUDENTPAYOUTS.COM. Paid Survey. Takers Needed in Madison. 100% Free to Join.

Click on Surveys.

ASO to the DC Bar guide! Not only was research not done on the current specials at these bars, they forgot one of the best bars on Campus/Downtown, heated/un- campus. BH show ‘em how derground parking available now it’s done! at the Embassy, 505 University Ave. for $150/month. Monthly SO to the girl with a payment plan available. Park- blue pacific, gray caring also available for $90/month digan, red shirt, goldon a monthly payment plan. en brown hair biking Contact 608-256-7368 for more on university today.

You’re onto of the moat information. breath-taking beauties DOWNTOWN/ CAMPUS PARK- I’ve sesh in some time.

ING: Above and Underground ASO to not being in a Parking located on Spring, Mills, situation where talkRandall, Orchard, Fahrenbrook. ing to you would be a Flexible terms, great rates. Call normal thing to do.

255-3933 or johne@jsmproperties.com today!

SO to whoever drew Darth Vadar on a desk in lecture hall B102 in Available 6 tickets Ohio State vs Van Vleck. The fastest Wisconsin Sat. 10/29/11 Phone way to my heart: Star or email for price 317-695-8467 Wars. jdesalle317@comcast.net.

SO to boys in BrewSeats are together. ers shirts or hats.

PARKING

TICKETS

Automatically 5 times hotter than any other guys.

SO to seeing twelve bunnies on Langdon in the past two nights.

ASO to the fact that seeing bunnies walking home from the library at 2:30am every night is the highlight of my life.

SO to Greg from Badger Aviation. you talked to our club last night and although your points were convincing, all I could think about was going for a plane ride with your gorgeous self. Take me on a flyout some time?

SO to Merit Library!!!

College?! Nope. Memorial?! No Way. Merit has the most attractive women on campus by far!!!

SO to the girl in my art history 202 discussion. I love your outfits and I want to date you. CALL ME WOMAN SO to the blond gentleman wearing a Sheinhardt Wig Company t-shirt. Everyone looks good in a Sheinhardt.

SO to reading a Russ Feingold speech for Comm Arts. DSO to Russ Feingold speaking in Madison on Friday. TSO to Russ Feingold... come baaaaack.

ASO to the gowns you wear when getting a haircut. Never does my face look as fat as when that thing is draped around my neck.

SO to my sexy new ‘do.

ASO to the guy who I met almost 6 weeks ago who texts me every day

and still hasn’t had the nerve to ask me on a real date. We had a great convo on the docks for hours, I’m sure we could manage. I know I’m busy but ASK and I’ll make time for you!!

SO to the Phys 335 lab helper Nick. You are a total stud. Since you are not technically a TA there aren’t any ground rules right? ;) SO to the poor dead squirrel on the grass outside Chamberlin. I hope you lived a good life and have lots of ladies in squirrel heaven, but I have so many questions.

How long have you been there? How did you die?

Did the Equinox water balloon boys take their show on the road and hit you?

.........MORE >>

Comics

Wednesdays: Nature’s Way of Saying “Give Up Hope” Noah J. Yuenkel comics@badgerherald.com

9

The Badger Herald | Comics | Wednesday, October 12, 2011

WHAT IS THIS

SUDOKU

HERALD COMICS

PRESENTS

S

U

D

O

K

U WHITE BREAD & TOAST

toast@badgerherald.com

MIKE BERG

NONSENSE? Complete the grid so that every row, column and 3x3 box contains 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9.

What? You still don’t get it? Come, on, really? It’s not calculus or anything. Honestly, if you don’t know how to do a sudoku by now, you’ve probably got more issues than this newspaper.

TWENTY POUND BABY

DIFFICULTY RATING: Surrendering to despair

HERALD COMICS

PRESENTS

K

A

K

U

R

O

baby@badgerherald.com

STEPHEN TYLER CONRAD

YOURMOMETER

LAURA “HOBBES” LEGAULT

C’EST LA MORT

PARAGON

yourmom@badgerherald.com

HOW DO I

KAKURO?

I know, I know. Kakuro.

Looks crazy, right?

This ain’t no time to panic, friend, so keep it cool and I’ll walk you through. Here’s the low down: each clue tells you what the sum of the numbers to the right or down must add up to.

Repeating numbers?

Not in this part of town.

And that’s that, slick.

paragon@badgerherald.com

The Kakuro Unique Sum Chart Cells Clue 2 3 2 4 2 16 2 17

DIFFICULTY RATING: Retaining hope, trading it in later for paychecks

CLASSIC MR. WIGGLES

Possibilities { 1, 2 } { 1, 3 } { 7, 9 } { 8, 9 }

3 3 3 3

6 7 23 24

{ 1, 2, 3 } { 1, 2, 4 } { 6, 8, 9 } { 7, 8, 9 }

4 4 4 4

10 11 29 30

{ 1, 2, 3, 4 } { 1, 2, 3, 5 } { 5, 7, 8, 9 } { 6, 7, 8, 9 }

5 5 5 5

15 16 34 35

{ 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 } { 1, 2, 3, 4, 6 } { 4, 6, 7, 8, 9 } { 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 }

6 6 6 6

21 22 38 39

{ 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 } { 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7 } { 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 } { 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 }

7 7 7 7

28 29 41 42

{ 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 } { 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8 } { 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 } { 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 }

8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8

36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44

{ 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 } { 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9 } { 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 } { 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9 } { 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9 } { 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 } { 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 } { 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 } { 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 }

www.neilswaab.com

NEIL SWAAB

MADCAPS

HERALD COMICS 1

2

3

PRESENTS

4

5

14

7

8

21

22

24

25 29

33 38

39

34

27

36

40

41

44

45

46

48

49

53 56

26

30

35

47

54

57

58

59

55

60

62

63

66

67

68

69

70

71

64

65

Puzzle by Jim Hilger

PRIMAL URGES

primal@badgerherald.com

ANDREW MEGOW

MODERN CONSERVATIVE MOVEMENT

THE SKY PIRATES

COLLIN LA FLEUR

DENIS HART

mcm@badgerherald.com

skypirate@badgerherald.com

Across 1 Job for a cleanup crew 5 Fasten, in a way 11 PC “brain” 14 Place for a pavilion 15 Wild child 16 Cauldron stirrer 17 Sing-along direction 20 Masago, e.g., at a sushi bar 21 Writer Chekhov 22 Team nicknamed the Black Knights 23 Obey 25 Frank with six Oscars 28 River ferried

by Charon 29 Children’s game 33 Direction to an alternative musical passage 36 Become fond of 37 Fertility lab stock

12

13

CROSSWORD

37 Acapulco “eye” 38 Transportation for many a rock band 39 Demographic 31 32 division 41 Whiskas eater 42 44 Apply to 46 Fashion monogram 50 51 52 48 Invite, as trouble 50 Guinness superlative 61 51 Richard with a much-used thumb 52 Like pretzels, typically 54 Clotho and sisters 55 Game successor, 1999 extenders: 24 Prefix with Abbr. biology 56 Throw a 26 The constelbarb at lation Ara 57 “And Winter 27 Cultured Came …” gem singer 29 ___ Maria 59 Isao of the (liqueur) Golf Hall of 30 MisanFame thrope, e.g.

60 Stir up 31 Balmy time 63 Sports stat in Bordeaux that’s best 32 “Frasier” role when low 34 Lesley of “60 64 Bribe Minutes” 65 ___ chi 35 Tiny bit 16

20

43

random@badgerherald.com

11

19

37

ERICA LOPPNOW

10

18

pascle@badgerherald.com

RANDOM DOODLES

9

17

28

BUNI

6

15

23

RYAN PAGELOW

madcaps@badgerherald.com

MOLLY MALONEY

40 Chase scene shout 42 “___ who?”

43 Figure of many a Mayan deity 45 Before dawn, say 47 Pursue a passion 49 Spreadsheet function 53 Neuters 54 Word missing from the answers to 17-, 23-, 29-, 40-, 47- and 62-Across 56 Worthless sort 58 One of 22 in a Krugerrand 61 “Agnus ___” 62 Do as a mentor did, say 66 Home of the Tisch Sch. of the Arts 67 First-timer 68 Play ___ (enjoy some tennis) 69 Longtime mall chain

70 Times for showers 71 Modest response to kudos Down 1 Some urban transit systems 2 Urge on 3 Quick 4 Turn on the waterworks 5 Knocks for a loop 6 Oxygen ___ 7 Sacramento’s former ___ Arena 8 Singer whose “name” was once a symbol 9 Chaney of film 10 Dynecentimeter 11 Game with many “points” 12 Lifeline’s location 13 Like a 16-Across 18 Thole insert 19 Netanyahu’s

Get today’s puzzle solutions at badgerherald.com

Rocky the Herald Comics Raccoon™

I’m glad you want to pitch in around the apartment, but we need toilet paper in the bathroom, not a pile of Shopper Stoppers.

10

The Badger Herald | Classifieds | Wednesday, October 12, 2011

ASO to the girl in the Math Library that is stomping around in her flip flops. Please learn to walk so I can study for my midterms.

HSO to the perfect ten blonde nurse that gave me my flu shot today at Union South. I have a thing for blondes and I have a things for nurses, aka your perfect.

I would break my leg if I knew you would be taking care of me. From the guy with the tennis racket.

SO to coasties.... psyche! haha you didn’t really think I was serious, did you? Let’s get real, HMFASO to the coasties who can’t bother themselves to walk up Bascom and, as a result, overcrowd the 80 for those of us who actually need the bus to get to class all the way across cam-

pus! Don’t you think a little exercise might do you some good?

from creepily watching more YouTube clips of you.

SO to the young guy who works late Monday nights at Steenbock. I think you’re incredibly sexy, which makes it extremely hard to concentrate. I’m totally into you, lets chat sometime ;) -- the cute girl who’s always studying on the 3rd floor

SO to the hottie sitting across from me at the SAC. I dig the way you hold your pencil.

SO to wondering why the bathrooms in College Library have 4 soap dispensers but only 2 sinks SO the the guy on the terrace with a full bag of Doritos, a full block of cheese, a whole bag of salami, a whole box of club crackers, and a whole container of peanuts.

Damn.

ASO to the 5-year old Northern Michigan fan at the hockey game last night. The Badgers are stupid?......well...... your face is stupid.

SO to feeling like Pocahontas with the fallen leaves whipping around my head.

ASO to that awkward last bite of a sandwich when your stuck between taking two little pussy bites or take it down like a man, only to realize it was far too much after you’ve started to chew the whole thing and you look like a fucking squirrel.

SO to Hugh Jackman, the perfect Aussie blend of musical theater charm and wolverine naughtiness... ASO to the calculus that keeps me

ASO to the guy on the Badger Bus tonight who called a cab to pick him up from Memorial Union and take him to Ogg. SO to my zoo lab partner. It doesn’t take a high degree of cephalization to annelidize this one out cuz imollusca-sk you once, to please man(tle) up and coelo-m(e) sometime. you already have my nematoda, so use it. por-ifera?

SO to the girl in College lib who is obviously partnered with her crush for a class.

You are so obvious, and he’s totally into you.

I’m jealous ASO to my mom telling me I’m on her “fecal roster”... SO to her creativity with the traditional term “shit list” SO to the hobo on the bus this morning. Yes, you are quite a gentleman, sniffing me...

SO to the guys who were walking past the humbucker, saw me standing on the first balcony where I was standing by myself, and ran up to me shouting “Juliet, Juliet, let down your hair!”. I think you boys confused the two stories but it was hilarious, and to the boy who tried to scale the balcony, you were adorable.

..........MORE >>

The Badger Herald | Classifieds | Wednesday, October 12, 2011

11

12

The Badger Herald | Classifieds | Wednesday, October 12, 2011

ASO to the instructor of my online class.

Do you even read the powerpoints before you post the lectures?

There is a difference between business ethics and business ethnics.

at you it was because you were running like a t-rex chicken combo NOT because you were hot. I lost ALL respect for you right then, but definitely made my day so much more amusing.

SO to the frat boy in the navy blue lacrosse pinnie running down Langdon Street. You were extremely hot and super built, if you saw me turn and stare

SO to Coasties being subjectively similar to Dementors. They be sucking my happiness away, man.

ASO to Toddlers in

Tiaras. That is one fucked up show SO to Eye Of A Tiger making everything I do feel epic.

SO to the girl sitting in front of me in my art history 201 lecture that is also reading the shout-outs..

ASO to never seeing your man candy/love interest around cam-

pus until you are in nasty sweatpants and have post-workout hair frizz!!

SO to making eye contact while eating a banana. Yes, just yes.

SO to being awesome.

It’s a full-time job.

ASO to my college diet and the fact that candy corn is the closest thing to a vegetable

that I’ve eaten in the past week.

SO to watching Justice Prosser pick his nose during a hearing today for class. Apparently he didn’t win the election for his bench decorum...

SO to the dude who bought a plunger at Fresh Market this afternoon. Just a plunger. First of all,

who knew Fresh Market carried plungers. It must have been a pretty urgent situation and a fairly awkward walk back to where you came from.

SO to the blonde at the Geology Museum who explained the Cold War to my little brother using dinosaur figurines and paperclips last Saturday. You, dear, are a treasure to science.

The Badger Herald | Classifieds | Wednesday, October 12, 2011

13

ArtsEtc. Editor Sarah Witman arts@badgerherald.com

14

The Badger Herald | Arts | Wednesday, October 12, 2011

THE BADGER HERALD PRESENTS “HUMP DAY”

ArtsEtc.

Sex pointers from pills, penises to pleasuring stimulation going. Once you’ve tried this a few times and feel like you can take more in, make swallowing motions to coax it down.

Sam Johnson ArtsEtc. Writer Hey hot stuffs! Here’s a handful of tips and answers to your questions for this week.

I’m determined to learn how to deep throat. Help!

It’s all about angles.

Throats curve down, so whatever you’re going to be shoving down there also has to curve down.

Ergo, if you’re handling an upwardly curved penis, you’ll have to get creative.

Sixty-nining (deepthroater on top) helps, as well as lying down on a couch or bed with your head hanging off of the edge. Breathe through your nose, don’t hold your breath! Start slow. Practice by inserting the dick/ finger/toy/whatever to the back of your throat and just holding it there for a few moments. Swirl your tongue around to keep the

My boyfriend wants to have a threesome, but I’m very reluctant.

He reassures me that it’ll only be for the experience and won’t let it ruin our relationship. I want to make him happy, but I can’t help but feel insecure and suspicious. What should I do?

You shouldn’t have to do anything you don’t want to do, plain and simple.

And if anyone tries to tell you otherwise, that might be coercion.

There’s no way to predict how you or your partner will feel after letting someone else into the sack with you. Explain your perspective clearly, using “I” statements and validating his desires. Can you try something else to pique his interest? Some role playing or wrist tying?

Does anal sex hurt?

It shouldn’t if you’re

doing it right. Pain is your body’s way of letting you know something is wrong.

You can expect a bit of discomfort the first couple of times, but not pain necessarily.

Want to make it more comfortable? Lube it up.

For anal, you’re going to need lube, lube, lube and more lube. And if you think you’ve got enough lube on that thang, add a couple more squirts. The ass is not self-lubricating like the vagina or mouth, so it’s going to need some help.

Silicone-based lubes are great for anal because they last longer than waterbased ones. But remember not to use silicone lubes with silicone toys — it’ll melt the toy! Numbing lubes are a no-no, ‘cause we need to know if something feels wrong.

How many people have anal sex?

I know, right? Lately, it’s been hard to find a porno clip that doesn’t involve heterosexual anal scenes, which makes it seem like every straight couple is doing it. So let’s be clear: Not even all gay male couples have anal sex. In fact, according to “The Joy

of Gay Sex” by Charles Silverstein, only about a third do it regularly.

About the same amount of hetero couples have tried it and 10-15 percent like it enough to include it in their regular sex sessions.

IUDs sound awesome, but expensive. Exactly how much moolah are we talkin’?

IUD stands for intrauterine device, which is a birth control method.

Usually anywhere from $500 to $1000, and free at UHS if you have the Student Health Insurance Plan. And — get this — they’re over 99 percent effective!

It’s a lot of money up front, but it’s actually the most cost-effective form of birth control because it can last up to 12 years!

Some insurance companies cover it, and in Wisconsin you can apply for a Family Planning Waiver to get the cost reduced or eliminated.

I’ve heard I can skip my period if I’m on the pill. Is that true? How do I do it?

If you’re taking a monophasic birth control

pill (one that has a consistent hormone level each week), you can skip the seven placebo pills (aka the sugar pills) at the end of the pack and go right on to the next set of pills. It’s not dangerous and can be great if you know you’re going to get laid but also know Aunt Flo will be in town, or if you’re looking to save some money on tampons that month. That’s how brands like Seasonique work.

Do I need to use a condom during the placebo week of my pill pack?

To prevent pregnancy?

No. As long as you’ve taken it consistently all month long, you’re good to go. The protective mechanism of the birth control pill is preventing ovulation (popping out a mature egg from the ovary), which has already been prevented by the time you get to the sugar pills.

No ovulation equals no egg, no egg means nothing for the sperm to fertilize.

So fuck away!

Not to put a damper on your newfound monthly freedom, but just

remember that the pill doesn’t protect against STIs.

Do people really use condoms for oral sex?

Yes. Wanna know why?

Chlamydia, gonorrhea, herpes, syphilis, HPV and hepatitis can all be transmitted through oral sex. In fact, the American Society of Clinical Oncology is now saying that oral sex is responsible for more cases of throat cancer in men than smoking is.

Fortunately, there are such things as flavored condoms, flavored lube (to be used with a barrier method) and flavored sex dams (latex sheets meant for oral contact). So use them! According to a 2006 assessment done by the American College Health Association and UHS, only two in every 100 Badgers do.

Bye for now — stay sexy and safe!

Sam is a junior working at Sex Out Loud & PAVE. E-mail her your sex comments, questions and column ideas at humpday@ badgerherald.com.

Shatner sings with Vulcan-like monotony on latest Star Trek icon flops, mystifies audiences on third album titled ‘Seeking Major Tom’ Jacob Fricke ArtsEtc. Writer I have never heard anything remotely like William Shatner’s music.

I’ve listened to opera, metal, dub, spoken word and everything in between. Until a few days ago, I considered myself to be very musically literate.

But this was until I heard Shatner ’s latest album, Seeking Major Tom. The album is enthralling, and I felt a bit conflicted when it was over.

However, that doesn’t mean the album is any good or worth anyone else’s time.

Shatner, for the uninitiated, is most famous for his role as

Captain James Tiberius Kirk on the original Star Trek series and for his recent bout as a creepy old man in Priceline.com commercials.

Since the late 1960s, Shatner has periodically released albums of cover songs. Seeking Major Tom is his third.

Before proceeding any further, it is vital to understand how Shatner approaches his music.

He never once sings on the album. Rather, he delivers the lyrics in a deadpan and possibly ironic spoken word style.

His speech matches the melody and timbre of the song, and apart from the occasional emotional voice crack, he never deviates from this delivery.

The album consists of cover songs dealing with the themes of space and science. The first released song, a cover of Thomas Dolby’s ‘80s new wave song “She Blinded Me

With Science,” hit the Internet earlier this year.

Possibly the most remarkable thing about this album is the sheer number of famous musicians that appear on it. Members of the Strokes, Alice in Chains, Deep Purple and Yes are just a few of the guests appearing on the album.

The star power of Shatner was something I very much underestimated.

I would recommend everyone listen to his cover of “Bohemian Rhapsody” simply for sheer novel joy.

And yet, it all comes down to the music.

This album is not good.

Despite all the guest musicians, too often the background music sounds

like karaoke cover songs.

It also quickly becomes apparent why Shatner ’s delivery in Seeking Major Tom is so unique: because it sucks.

Ultimately, his style quickly becomes repetitive and predictable.

The space theme makes sense given his career history, but it limits his ability to choose songs that fit his delivery. Many of the songs are simply not good enough to warrant covering in the first place.

I would recommend everyone listen to his cover of “Bohemian Rhapsody” simply for sheer novel joy.

Otherwise, stick to watching Trek reruns or Priceline commercials.

You’ll get the same amount of Shatner for a lower price.

Photo courtesy of Cleopatra Records

SEEKING MAJOR TOM Despite past acclaim on television, listeners are likely to find William Shatner’s musical William Shatner

endeavors unsettling. His third album, ‘Seeking Major Tom,’ is set to come out this week.

Bjork employs modern techniques toward inorganic sound ‘Biophilia’ combines electronic, acoustic sounds to delightful, harmonious effect Sam Berg ArtsEtc. Writer For an album named after a theory that claims humans have an instinctive bond to other organisms, Biophilia is surprisingly tied to modern technology.

Rather than focusing on organic means of musical construction, Bjork’s eighth album was recorded partly with the use of an iPad and is coming out alongside a series of applications for the iPhone. Some of the tracks even feature a Tesla coil synthesizer.

Each of the album’s 10 tracks have a corresponding application and game that can be played in synch with the songs. For the most committed and affluent fans, Nonesuch Records released 200 copies of the “Ultimate Edition” set. Each comes with a 48-page hard-cover manual, one chromeplated tuning fork for each track and two CDs — all housed within a lacquered oak case. The

Photo courtesy of One Little Indian Records

Avant-garde artist Bjork comes back with a fresh sound and embraces technology on ‘Biophilia,’ which was recorded with the use of an iPad. listed price was $812, and sold out by Aug. 12.

Those looking forward to Bjork stepping into new genres will leave disappointed.

While branching out into dubstep rhythms in the bridge

of “Crystalline,” Bjork keeps the album largely in familiar territory. Bjork will not be heard on the dance floor until further notice.

Biophilia opens with the party-killing “Moon,” an

acoustic string journey that is reminiscent of Bjork’s past endeavors in dark, down-tempo territory on albums like Medulla. Biophilia is soothing, brooding and disturbing at times, but

never danceable.

Bjork’s uniqueness stems from her use of both electronic and acoustic sounds. It distinguishes her as an individual artist but has not helped her broach new territory within her own career.

Biophilia recombines the ingredients that make Bjork’s songs good, and creates gems like “Moon” and “Mutual Core” that showcase the singer’s talent for making sprawling epic songs.

One new element that Bjork does bring to the album is the organ, used in most songs but particularly notable in “Dark Matter.” The organ gives the pomp in her sound an austere, reverent quality that is not in her other recordings.

Eastern-influenced strings in “Sacrifice” also depart from anything else Bjork has done.

Taken at face value, Biophilia is a great addition to a prolific artist’s discography.

The album is largely an ambient experience that occasionally touches on heavy dramatics during the start at “Crystalline” and at its climax, “Mutual Core.”

Although it is just a small step forward for Bjork, Biophilia is a solid record nonetheless that

could not have been made by any other artist. No one sings like Bjork, and no one else could so convincingly conceive pieces as huge as “Cosmonology,” songs of which sound like they could be on “The Lord of the Rings” soundtrack.

Listeners who have heard “Crystalline” on the radio or on the blogs may be expecting a Bjork album that caters toward fans of the plateauing dub-step craze. But they will not find anything else on Biophilia that matches their taste. The album hints that Bjork will break new ground more in coming albums.

Right now it is a record that shows a healthy experimentation with music as a medium more than an effort to break new ground sonically.

Without being revolutionary, Bjork shows her willingness to grow in albums to follow Biophilia.

The singer makes it clear with her open-mindedness to new media that she knows what is happening with contemporary music and can still sound fresh after more than a decade of putting out music.

BIOPHILIA Bjork

The Badger Herald | Arts | Wednesday, October 5, 2011

LOCAL ALL-GIRL BAND HEARKENS BACK TO ERAS OF DISCO, POST-PUNK, SURF ROCK

V

Venus In Furs, a local threepiece punk band, wants to get the Madison scene dancing to its speedy breed of surf-punk. But when the girls came to an interview with The Badger Herald, they were one member short.

“Vic [Victoria Echeverria, the guitarist] can’t make it; she’s doing roller derby in Indiana,” drummer Marlo Dobrient said as she sat down.

It’s no surprise the band members dig the derby — the female-dominated sport is every bit as fast, tough and physical as the band sounds. And while Vic is the only roller, the bassist Natalie Hinckley films the Mad Rollin’ Dolls with her production company, Hinckley Productions.

Needless to say, the girls are busy, which makes it even more necessary to let loose and do the band thing in practice and performing.

They see it as a release.

When they hit the stage, it’s a high-energy catharsis for everyone at the venue. For the band and the audience, the physical demand of a show comes close to that of, well, roller derby. Audience engagement takes a high priority.

“It’s all about the show, performance and stage presence,” Marlo said. “We jump around, and Nat’s crazy — all over the place.

She’s crowd surfed before with her bass and everything.”

Fan support is always important. But when that support turns physical, like when Nat plays literally on top of the audience, that takes serious rapport. And Venus in Furs’ fan base is expanding, according to Nat and Marlo.

“We hear at these shows quite often people say, ‘I don’t like chick bands, but you guys rock!’ And I think that’s a compliment,” Nat said.

Playing to a packed Frequency last month at the band’s album release show, they were excited and a little surprised with the active crowd presence.

“It was insane,” Marlo said. “There were people there that we didn’t even know who just kind of heard of us and showed up. It made us feel really good.”

The show celebrated the release of the trio’s first album, Welcome to the Club, which dropped in early September. Rotating between disco, dance and surf influences, the songs all have a few things in common: danceability, distortion and punk rock.

On the album, they sought to emulate the live energy that fuels them on stage.

They recorded all the tracks together live in a basement, rather than recording the instruments individually. While Nat mentioned they could have played better at a few points, perfection wasn’t the goal. What fans see at a show is what they hear on the record.

“We wanted to capture the energy of a live show so you wouldn’t hear the CD and be like, ‘This is really good; really well produced,’ and then you’d go see us and the music is totally different,” Nat said.

It’s easy to slap a girl-punk label on them and group them with bands like Le Tigre or Bikini Kill. But according to Natalie, different comparisons, even in a show’s lineup, emphasize different aspects of Venus

Eric Wiegmann The Badger Herald Design

Joe NISTLER Arts Staff Writer

in Furs’ sound. Opening for a total surf band, for example, brings out its edginess, while following a heavier punk or metal band makes the sound lighter — a little more “Mr. Rodgers,” according to Marlo.

The album is an archive of where the songs were at the time they recorded them, and there is always room for improvement, they said.

“We kinda tweak things as we get better and change our preferences,” Marlo said. “So we listen to [the album] now and think, ‘Aw man! That’s not as good as we play it now!’”

Welcome to the Club came after two years of the girls playing together. It all started when Marlo and Nat met in 2009.

Marlo had played drums for most of her life, and even tried out for the UW marching band — but the marching and high-stepping weren’t for her. She said she missed the music, though, so when Nat suggested they start a band she was more than ready to jump in.

“I ran into Natalie and she was like, ‘Let’s get together; let’s play,’ and I said, ‘Yeah, let’s do it,’” Marlo said.

But it was one of those cases where you can’t tell just how committed the other person is.

“Then [Nat] was like, ‘No, I’m … serious.

I really want to play with you,’” Marlo continued. “I said ‘Yeah … I’m serious too.’”

Simple as that, they started playing together and found guitarist Vic, former baritone sax player for ska band Golgo 13, shortly after. A few months later, in April 2010, they stormed Madison venues, leaving a trail of sweat and ringing ears in their wake.

Now, the top priority for the three musicians is to distribute their album, to make a name and spread it. Hopefully, they said, they’ll be able to set up a regional tour and keep expanding from there: maybe even play at South by Southwest music festival someday.

For the immediate future, however, Venus in Furs has a Halloween show to prepare for.

It’s a rock tribute night at the Crystal Corner Bar, where local bands dress up and play as classic artists. As Nat put it, it’s the only night where it’s cool to be a cover band.

Venus In Furs will be masquerading as classic punk rockers The Cramps — their costume from last year as the Misfits (or the Missfits; note the extra “s”) was taken. But it rarely hurts to learn some new material from an old band.

“I think it helps as a musician to learn something you wouldn’t normally listen to or play, to come up with new ideas,” Marlo said.

They aren’t so much worried about learning the songs, which they said are relatively easy.

The challenge will be emulating the stage antics of a band whose lead singer once smashed his head through a bass drum during a performance.

If Venus In Furs is able to channel some roller derby aggression to its already wild performances, it shouldn’t be too much of a departure.

To see how Venus In Furs gets down, check out Vic, Nat and Marlo this Sunday at the Frequency. Tickets are $10, and the show starts at 9 p.m.

photo by Daniella Echeverilla

VIC - GUITAR MARLO - DRUMS NAT - BASS

15

16

The Badger Herald | Sports | Wednesday, October 12, 2011

The Badger Herald | Sports | Wednesday, October 12, 2011

17

Tigers get on board in ALCS with 5-2 victory Detroit’s Cabrera homers, hits clutch double in Game 3 against Rangers DETROIT (AP) — Doug Fister shook off a frustrating first inning and Victor Martinez hurt himself while hitting a tying home run.

The banged-up Detroit Tigers are teetering but still standing, and now they have a chance to even the AL championship series.

Fister delivered another strong start in a game Detroit needed and Miguel Cabrera homered and had a tiebreaking double to lead the Tigers past the Texas Rangers 5-2 Tuesday night in Game 3.

“In and out, moving the ball around, moving the ball both sides of the plate,” Detroit manager Jim Leyland said. “I thought it was a pitching clinic.”

Detroit dropped the first two games in Texas before turning to Fister, who won the decisive fifth game of the division series at Yankee Stadium last week. He was sharp again, allowing two runs and seven hits with no walks in 7 1-3 innings.

Martinez homered in the fourth to tie the score at 1, but trotted gingerly around the bases. He stayed in the game despite an injury to his ribcage and hit a fly to center in the seventh, a sign that perhaps his swing wasn’t too inhibited.

“The only way I’m not playing is if I wake up

DUCKWORTH, from 20 The laws of football suggest that Wisconsin’s situation will be altered at some point by injury, particularly as Big Ten play continues in earnest.

Should Toon, who was limited in five games and didn’t even suit up

SECONDARY, from 20 his first game taking over full-time for an injured Smith. Over the summer, Cromartie trained with his cousin and New York Jets cornerback Antonio Cromartie and other NFL stars including Clay Matthews, and it appears the experience paid off.

Whether an effect of working out with the top defensive players in the league or the fact that he returned to Madison this year a more focused and complete player, Cromartie deserves serious credit for the secondary’s improvement.

Critics (i.e. other Big Ten fans) may argue that Wisconsin’s defense has yet to face a dangerous passing attack, but the Oregon State offense that UW held scoreless ranks just two spots behind UW as the No. 30 passing offense in the nation.

Sure, the Badgers haven’t yet faced a high-scoring prolific attack through the air comparable to that of an Oklahoma or Oklahoma State, but there’s no doubt that the secondary is a major part of Wisconsin’s

dead,” he said.

Jose Valverde, after tossing a season-high two innings the day before, worked around a leadoff double in the ninth for his third playoff save. He got some help from Cabrera, who made a diving play at first base.

Game 4 is Wednesday afternoon. Matt Harrison starts for Texas against Rick Porcello — both went 14-9 this season.

“It’s going to be a long series,” Cabrera said.

“Nobody (said) it’s going to be easy. You’ve got to be patient.”

Rangers third baseman Adrian Beltre fouled a ball off his left knee in the fourth and hobbled the rest of the night. X-rays were negative and he has a bruise.

Cabrera’s double in the fifth put the Tigers ahead 2-1 and he added a towering solo homer in the seventh.

Jhonny Peralta also went deep for the Tigers.

Austin Jackson broke out of his postseason slump with three hits, including an RBI single.

Texas right-hander Colby Lewis, who entered 4-0 in five postseason starts, allowed four runs and eight hits in 5 2-3 innings. He struck out six and walked two.

“He throws strikes and every now and then he’s going to give up some long balls. I thought it was a pretty good ballgame,” Rangers manager Ron Washington said. “He kept us in the ballgame. It was Fister that did the job out there tonight.”

Stung by Nelson Cruz’s

game-ending grand slam Monday, the Tigers returned home hoping to shake out of their offensive funk. They fell behind 1-0 when Fister allowed three consecutive singles to start the game, but the 6-foot-8 right-hander held the Rangers in check after that, even striking out Cruz for the third out of the seventh as the towelwaving crowd at Comerica Park roared its approval.

After leaving 22 runners on base in the

first two games, the Tigers struggled again early on against Lewis. Detroit had two on with one out in the second, but Alex Avila and Ryan Raburn both struck out.

Lewis struck out five in the first three innings, but Martinez led off the fourth with a homer to right.

Martinez, who hit .330 this season despite groin, knee and back problems, labored slowly around the bases after the ball cleared the wall. When he

returned to the dugout, his head still down, he slammed his helmet down as he descended the steps toward the clubhouse.

Detroit was already playing without injured outfielders Delmon Young, Magglio Ordonez and Brennan Boesch, and it wasn’t clear whether Martinez — the designated hitter — would be able to continue. But he was back in the fifth, standing near the on-deck circle with Cabrera at the

plate.

With runners at first and third and two outs, Texas decided to pitch to Cabrera, and his line drive down the right-field line on an 0-2 count stayed fair for a double to drive in a run.

“I’m not going to take another runner and put him at second base. The winning run is already at third base,” Washington said. “We tried to make a pitch. Colby didn’t get it there. Cabrera caught it.”

for three last season, or Abbrederis go down, Duckworth will be thrust into the much bigger role he clearly desires. “[Head coach Bret Bielema] always says, somebody goes down, that’s when you get your first start,” Duckworth said. “You’ve just got

to be ready. You’ve got to prepare as if you’re starting and keep working every day.”

Clear and cliché as that sentiment might be, Duckworth has an empathizer in one of his closest friends on the team — Ball.

“He lives two floors

below me, so I go down to his room and play Madden all the time,” Ball said. “He’s a really hardworking guy; he takes his time to go back to the stadium and watch film and really critique himself just to get himself better.”

Now a junior, Ball spent his freshman year and

much of his sophomore season waiting in the limelight behind John Clay and White. This year, he leads Wisconsin with 511 rushing yards and a stunning 13 touchdowns.

“It’s extremely challenging, because you come out of high school being the top player, ‘the

guy’ on the team and stuff like that,” Ball said. “It’s challenging, but really the thing you’ve got to focus on is practicing hard because you’re one spot away. That’s honestly so true — you are one snap away from getting a lot of carries or a lot of plays to be that guy.”

surprisingly strong ‘D.’ Perhaps the most impressive aspect of the secondary’s performance this year is that they have managed to maintain a high level of play while dealing with several key injuries. Smith, a senior cornerback, looked like a much-improved player in his first two games before suffering a leg injury that put a premature close on his season. Cromartie — already listed as a costarter at the beginning of the year — has done a stellar job stepping in for Smith, but it was still a major loss for the UW secondary.

In Wisconsin’s next game against South Dakota, starting strong safety Shelton Johnson went down with a leg injury. Though he is expected to return this week against Indiana, redshirt sophomore Dezmen Southward has looked like a player well beyond his years after taking over for Johnson.

The fact that the Badgers’ secondary has not only looked much better than in recent years but also been able to handle such adversity is a

Associated Press

Catcher Alex Avila congratulates shortstop Johnny Peralta after he smashed a solo home run in the sixth inning for the Tigers in Game 3 Tuesday night at Comerica Park.

true testament to the growth of this unit. Knocking down 21 passes in five games, UW’s secondary may show its true value in the team’s remaining games. As the Badgers enter the toughest part of their schedule, including back-to-back road tests at Ohio State and Michigan State, the secondary has yet to face its toughest tests of the year.

In the two games that may hold the key to Wisconsin’s BCS bowl chances, Aaron Henry and co. will be in the spotlight to see if their better numbers are a result of genuinely improved play or simply weak competition. The most challenging game of the year may come against Michigan State, where the Badgers will have to

contain standout Spartans quarterback Kirk Cousins, who throws for an average of more than 230 yards per game.

As RussellMania and the ESPN Badgers bandwagon continue to gain momentum, don’t forget about the secondary. For all the criticism the defensive backs have taken over the past few years, it’s finally time to give credit where credit is due. Now, if only we could find something else to complain about…

Ian is a junior majoring in journalism. Think the UW secondary is overrated or will show its true form as the schedule heats up?

Let him know at imccue@ badgerherald.com or follow him on Twitter @imccue.

18

The Badger Herald | Sports | Wednesday, October 12, 2011

The Badger Herald | Sports | Wednesday, October 12, 2011

19

Senior captains ready to build on past success Elliot Hughes

Ian McCue

Sports Content Editor

Associate Sports Editor

POINTCounterpoint

PCP: Is Tebow a starter?

Sports pundits like Hoge should hold their horses, consider his youth, disregard his raw mechanics

As a run-first QB, Tebow has had limited success in NFL so far, lacks passing skills to start for Broncos

First off, unless you’re someone who’s seen Tim Tebow perform at a Denver Broncos practice, I don’t want to hear anyone say with an air of certainty that Tebow can’t and won’t ever become an NFL quarterback.

It’s truly remarkable how little of a chance sports pundits — namely Merril Hoge of ESPN — have given Tebow. It’s just incredibly irrational.

He’s in the first half of his second year in the NFL, playing the game’s most difficult position. Sports analysts coddle young quarterbacks like they’re infants learning how to walk and talk, and now after seeing Tebow play in the limited amount of playing time he’s been given, we’re just going to label him a failure?

Come on.

It’s time to take on this Tebow controversy (which, in the whole, vast galaxy of sports, is strangely one of the most divisive these days) with some rationality.

Here’s what we know so far: Kyle Orton is not cutting it as Denver ’s signal caller. Not counting last week’s 29-24 loss to San Diego, in which he was benched for the second half, Orton led the Broncos to a 1-3 record with a flaccid 75.7 passer rating so far this year.

Tebow, who we still need to keep in mind is a young quarterback, played fairly well in the three games he started in 2010. His passer ratings in those games: 100.5, 89.4 and 58.2.

His completion percentage was a poor 49 percent, and he threw four touchdowns and three interceptions (he also rushed for three more scores).

In the second half of last Sunday’s game against San Diego, Tebow completed four of 10 passes for 79 yards and one touchdown, good for a passer rating of 101.7. And let me point out that several of his passes Sunday were dropped.

All told for Tebow’s short career: 48.9 completion percentage, six touchdown passes, three interceptions and an 84.2 passer rating.

Those numbers aren’t exactly impressive, but is it a disaster like Hoge would make it out to be? Far from it. It seems to me like Tebow’s had a relatively positive entrance to the NFL when compared to other quarterbacks.

And considering Tebow’s famous work ethic, I feel confident he can build off of it.

And don’t give the argument about his mechanics. Brett Favre’s were miserable. For 20 years, he held the ball near his stomach and threw off his backfoot. He may be the league’s all-time leader in interceptions, but they still kept him in the starting lineup for a reason.

So should Tebow be the starter right now? Sure. I honestly don’t know how well Denver ’s coaching staff would say Brady Quinn has performed lately in practice, but Tebow’s played well enough as a young quarterback to warrant a starting nod for now.

Sorry Elliot, but Tim Tebow is possibly the last man in the NFL I would want to start for my team.

While I don’t agree with Merril Hoge on much, I do share his not so favorable opinions of Tebow.

Call me callous, but I don’t buy the idea that heart and hard work can be used to build an NFL career.

When down by three touchdowns, I can’t see a halftime speech about heart and a strong work ethic going over so well in a locker room full of large, angry men.

His whole “good guy” mantra may have worked at Florida, but his career at quarterback should have ended in the SEC. The guy was made to be a college quarterback — elusive and the type of player every Gators fan loved — but nothing more.

Tebow simply doesn’t have the physical tools or skills to be a professional quarterback competing against the likes of Tom Brady and Peyton Manning. It’s not like the guy hasn’t had a chance to prove himself — he played in nine games last year, and his stats weren’t exactly mindblowing.

The so-called quarterback completed just 50 percent of his passes and threw five touchdowns and three interceptions, so it’s not like he wowed the Broncos with his rocket-powered arm (that’s a joke — Tebow actually has a very weak arm).

The most overrated player in the league doesn’t rack up yards on the ground, either. Admittedly, his six rushing touchdowns in 2010 are impressive, but Tebow averaged just 5.3 yards per carry.

He’s a run-first quarterback, and the only problem is that run-first quarterbacks rarely, if ever, work in the NFL. His speed on the ground carried him in college, but the speed and agility of defensive players at the professional level will keep Tebow from picking up big gains on the ground.

The guy gets more attention then any other player in the NFL who hasn’t done anything of note, and I don’t understand why.

While I realize his appeal, he in no way deserves the amount of hype and attention he gets when he has (mostly) been a backup.

Tebow has enough trouble taking a snap from under center and throwing the football correctly — he’s in no way ready to be a starting NFL quarterback.

Kyle Orton is not exactly an AllPro signal-caller either, but he has proven himself much more than Tebow and deserves the starting spot.

Part of me believes the Broncos know they aren’t going anywhere this season and are making the change at quarterback solely to fill seats at Mile High Stadium. Why else would John Fox put Tebow under center?

FRESHMEN, from 20 match with 16 kills, 26 assists and 15 digs, as she became the fourth Badger in history to achieve such a statistic.

“I just play hard,” Thomas said. “It’s not like I come in saying, ‘I’m going to get a tripledouble;’ I just go out there and play.”

Thomas did not have the same privilege that Graff had of getting an early start with the Badgers.

However, she has found herself in a comfortable role and has been able to easily make the transition from high school to college volleyball.

“I came in kind of quiet, but my coaches have talked to me about becoming more of a leader,” Thomas said. “I have definitely changed from the beginning of the year until now.”

Graff, on the other hand, admitted that she has not yet found her voice as a leader.

“Maybe I am a leader by example,” Graff said.

“When we play really well, I am always there for the team. I always like to be the person we can count on if we need to put

a ball down. But a vocal leader, I am not quite there yet. I am still a freshman.”

Chapman, another young talent out of Illinois, has proven to be a powerhouse at the net

“Maybe I am a leader by example.

When we play really well, I am always there for the team.

I always like to be the person we can count on if we need to put a ball down.

But a vocal leader, I am not not quite there yet. I am still a freshman.”

Crystal Graff Outside hitter

for Wisconsin this season.

The 6-foot-5 freshman has led the Badgers in kills three times this season and averages 2.29 per set.

Chapman and Thomas

have started in all 18 matches so far, while Graff has accumulated 16 starts.

Both Graff and Thomas agreed that they work well with their freshmen teammates.

“It’s such a different feel because in the spring, I was the youngest one,” Graff said. “It’s cool to have people my same age playing with me now.”

“I love it and I love playing with them,” Thomas said. “We have three more years together, so we will be pretty good in the future.”

The three have helped Wisconsin get off to a much stronger start this year. The 3-3 Badgers were 0-6 at this point last season. With the help of its new additions, Wisconsin conquered No. 18 Michigan, which goes in the books as the Badger ’s highest-ranking win since 2009.

“I think we have a really great team with a lot of potential and a lot of talent,” Graff said. “We have to come together and play consistently with that. We have shown that we can stick with the best. We just have to play consistently and keep racking up the wins.”

Knight, Ammerman, Prevost, Decker act as stewards for younger Badgers Caroline Sage Women’s Hockey Writer While offense wins games and defense wins championships, it is the captains of the Wisconsin women’s hockey team that lead them to such successes year after year.

This year’s captain, senior Hilary Knight, along with assistant captains senior Brooke Ammerman, senior Carolyne Prevost and junior Brianna Decker, are determined to continue setting an example of excellence this season.

Head coach Mark Johnson has high hopes for this group of leaders both on and off the ice.

His expectations of his team’s leaders are high, but stress that the title does not mean a change in attitude or behavior is needed.

“As coach said, you don’t have to change anything about yourself just because you have a letter on your jersey,” Ammerman said.

Having positive role models is something Johnson finds to be key in translating talent into team success on the ice, both in the current season and in seasons to come.

“The torch gets passed down but each individual has the same understanding of what the expectations are from the kids graduating,” Johnson said. “Hilary [Knight] and others have been in positions where players have mentored them, and they have seen captains and understand what their role is … and are ready to wear that armor.”

Looking no further than Knight, a captain, one can see that leading by example is the main element in Badger leadership. Teammates and coaches have noticed her impressive play on the ice and know it’s something special. “[Knight] works really hard and all of her accomplishments the past few years have been outstanding,” Ammerman said. “She is someone people can look up to and follow.”

An All-American and holder of the Badgers

scoring record of 166 career goals, Knight still has a season left to play and gives more to her team than goals and stats.

Coaches, teammates and others who have gotten to know her off the ice see a grateful and modest person further exemplifying the qualities of a leader.

“She has won many awards, but as you get to know her personally you wouldn’t get that they were there,” Johnson said. “She is a very hard worker, obviously a very talented player, and generally just a real nice human being. People respect her for how she conducts herself on the ice or off the ice, and she certainly shows the qualities of a good leader.”

Knight doesn’t see herself any differently than any other player on the team. Early in the season she believes unity and team effort will be important for continuing the success they have earned so far this season and is something she focuses her leadership efforts on.

“As coach said, you don’t have to change anything about yourself just because you have a letter on your jersey.”

Brooke Ammerman Forward

“The biggest thing right now is motivating people and to give them confidences to compete and to translate the chemistry we build off the ice to our play,” she said. “We haven’t had much time to get into things, facing off against North Dakota right off the bat, so with the competition we have had coming our way we have done extremely well.”

Knight also points to her fellow assistant captains being important to the success so far, calling them “the backbone” of the team.

What makes the group of leaders so successful is their varied personalities.

Johnson noted that while Knight is a quiet leader by example, other assistant captains take

a more vocal role and these differences serve as assets to his program.

“As a group, they have a lot of differences but I think those can be very positive,” Johnson said. “They are different people, so collectively as a group we have something that is pretty special, and I think that if they were all the same you wouldn’t have such strengths.”

One of the main focuses of leadership, especially early in the season, has been helping out the new players to the team adjust to the life of a student athlete at UW. “[The captains] are very supportive and are awesome at giving advice,” freshman Blayre Turnbull said. “Hilary is a great captain. She has good advice in between periods and before games.”

With classes, practice, games, studying and all that falls in between, the captains recognize the stress that goes along with it. Ammerman said she does what she can every day whether it be with classes, homework or managing the pressure that comes with playing for a top college hockey team.

Off the ice, friendship is also a crucial component of a great team that the captains want to facilitate. Through their experiences throughout the years, it is evident these friendships lead to better performance on the ice.

“Every team is different, so we have to find what makes us gel,” Ammerman said.

“And with the month of October being so tough we need to make sure everyone is on board.”

Johnson hopes the freshmen recognize the great leadership qualities in the current captains and learn from them. Part of the success the women’s hockey program has achieved is due to the long history and expectation of excellence throughout the years by teammates to better themselves on and off the ice.

“Kids enter as freshmen and start growing within the program … and eventually, as they become juniors and seniors, they have seen themselves become better players and better people,” Johnson said.

S PORTS Duckworth waits patiently for ball Sports Editor

Mike Fiammetta sports@badgerherald.com

20

The Badger Herald | Sports | Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Badgers’ 3rd option at wide receiver sees fewer targets than expected Mike Fiammetta Sports Editor As the Wisconsin Badgers continue to batter opponents like jumbo shrimp in a deep fryer, Jeff Duckworth can’t be blamed for wanting in on the action.

While UW has scored the third-most points in the nation (48.4 per game) on its way to a perfect 5-0 record, Duckworth, a redshirt sophomore wide receiver, has caught just two passes for 17 yards.

Widely expected to be a factor as the No. 3 receiver behind starters Nick Toon and Jared Abbrederis, Duckworth hasn’t made that kind of contribution — but through no fault of his own.

Thanks largely to quarterback Russell Wilson, the Badger offense ranks ninth with an average of 523 yards per game, 65.5 yards ahead of the closest Big Ten team, Michigan. Toon and Abbrederis have proven to be both steady and lethal weapons for Wilson, who also has the surprisingly productive tight end Jacob Pedersen and one of

the nation’s top running back duos in Montee Ball and James White at his disposal.

So, then, where does Duckworth factor in?

“It is [frustrating], but there are opportunities out there,” Duckworth said.

“We’ve run a lot of threewide receiver sets this year, especially with having Russell back there, who can throw it and spread it out more. There are opportunities, you’ve just got to do it in practice.”

By all accounts, Duckworth is a relentless worker who puts in the required extra hours of watching film, working out and finding a way to improve. The 6-foot, 215-pound receiver from Cincinnati has suited up for four games this season, sitting out the Oct. 1 Nebraska game due to a concussion. In 2010, his freshman season, Duckworth played in five games, catching three passes for 32 yards.

After seeing receivers David Gilreath and Isaac Anderson graduate last spring, the Badgers entered the fall knowing their offense would need to find solutions to fill depth at the receiver position.

Duckworth, along with sophomore Manasseh Garner, were the most experienced candidates and the favorites to land the No. 3 role.

That’s the spot on the depth chart they currently split, with Duckworth listed behind Toon and Garner after Abbrederis.

Duckworth estimated he’s been getting 10 to 15 snaps per game, plus any he gets when filling in for a tired Toon or Abbrederis.

Garner missed the Sept.

1 season-opener against Nevada-Las Vegas and has caught just one pass for 27 yards in the four games since.

Even with Wisconsin’s well-known pro-style offense trending toward a system that leans heavily on the run to unfurl the passing game, a normal situation would likely have Badger coaches disappointed with the lack of production outside their top two receivers.

That’s not the case now, though the number of options in the passing game certainly hasn’t been limited.

“I think [the No. 3 receiver spot] is just as important as any spot,” wide receivers coach DelVaughn Alexander said. “I think it’s just that with what we do in any given week determines how important it is, or how we use it. With Nick and Jared playing as well as they are, it starts with two spots. Then, it evolves from there by situation.”

Stephanie Moebius The Badger Herald

DUCKWORTH, page 17

Quarterback Russell Wilson hasn’t targeted wide receivers much this year, outside of starters Nick Toon and Jared Abbrederis.

Secondary key to Badgers’ BCS fate Ian McCue Associate Sports Editor

Zhao Lim The Badger Herald

Ellen Chapman has started in all 18 games for the Badgers this season. The 6-foot-5 freshman has led the team in kills three different times, averaging 2.29 per set.

Freshmen trio growing up fast On young Wisconsin squad, Chapman, Graff, Thomas playing beyond their years Erin Barney Volleyball Writer For the past few years, “big threes” have popped up all over sports, including the Wisconsin women’s volleyball team.

The addition of freshmen Ellen Chapman, Courtney Thomas and Crystal Graff has shown tremendous potential in the early part of the 2011-12 season. Each of the three Badgers have already put up stats that will go in the record book, including a tripledouble from the 6-foot Thomas.

The threesome has recently helped the Badgers take down two ranked teams, No. 24 Ohio State

and No. 18 Michigan, in conference play, boosting Wisconsin’s record to 11-7 overall and 3-3 in the Big Ten. All three freshmen have worked their way into the starting line up by consistently leading the team in kills and assists.

Graff, a Madison native, came into this season with slightly more experience than her freshmen teammates.

Graff graduated early from La Follette High School and joined the Wisconsin volleyball team in January 2011.

“It helped a lot. It made me more comfortable with the team on and off the court, which helps when you come into pressure situations,” Graff said. “You know

that they are there for you. You know the personalities of everyone and what to expect from them.”

Graff’s potential was confirmed from the start when she averaged 2.1 kills per set in her debut match and showed her versatility by scoring several times from the back row. Graff is an outside hitter, so her home is at the net, and she has been the kill leader for the Badgers in eight matches.

However, her early start allowed her to become acclimated to the defensive half of the court.

“I got into the role of six-rotation player, so now I am more used to doing that,” Graff said.

“I’m also more used to passing in the back row.

It definitely helped a lot.”

Graff’s defensive abilities have not been limited to her 2.42 digs per set. She is an avid blocker for Wisconsin, recording a career-high six blocks at Michigan, three of which were solo.

Thomas has also been able to showcase her ability to be a utility player as she has served as both a setter and right side hitter for the Badgers. The DeKalb, Ill., native’s most impressive display of versatility occurred when she earned her first career triple-double against Michigan State.

Thomas finished the

FRESHMEN, page 19

Possibly the most criticized unit of recent Badgers teams, the Wisconsin secondary has been anything but spectacular in the past couple of seasons.

However, despite facing injury issues, the 2011 unit finally looks like the shutdown secondary that Badger fans have dreamed about for years.

Beginning the season with five upperclassmen (Devin Smith and Marcus Cromartie are co-starters), the UW secondary finally features the experience and veteran leadership to lead a formidable passing defense.

Led by senior captain Aaron Henry, one of the most outspoken players on the team and a clear leader of this year’s squad, Wisconsin ranks No. 6 nationally in passing defense.

While Russell Wilson garners much of the attention in the greater Camp Randall area, as he leads the third-ranked scoring offense in the country, the secondary has probably shown more growth and improvement than any other part of the team this year.

Despite UW’s run to the Rose Bowl last year, the Badgers finished the season ranked 26th in passing defense, and the secondary rarely looked great in an otherwise outstanding season.

Featuring hard-hitting safety Jay Valai and cornerback Niles Brinkley, the defensive backfield was never short on talent but lacked the chemistry so crucial to defending the pass.

Anyone who tuned into a Wisconsin game in 2010 can recall the constant frustration of seeing opposing receivers wide open on 20-yard pass plays as the members

of the UW secondary stared at each other with perplexed looks. For a Badger fan, there are few things more frustrating than watching Ricky Stanzi or Kirk Cousins lead a quick passing drive down the field as the secondary mounts little resistance to the oncoming attack.

As I looked on from the bleachers in this year’s opening matchup, I was shocked to see that UNLV struggled to pass the ball against the Wisconsin secondary. It was UNLV, but still, I have seen such bottom-dwellers mount a surprisingly successful air attack against the Badgers before. Last year, it often seemed like if J.J. Watt didn’t deflect the ball out of the way, all of Camp Randall held its breath in anticipation of another long down-the-field completion.

The development of the secondary could be attributed to the maturity of individual players — particularly Henry and Cromartie — and there appears to be a newfound connection between the members of the defensive backfield. Much like the secondary, the Badgers have no true defensive standout this season on defense a la Watt in 2010, but their chemistry and team defense looks stronger than ever five games into the year.

Shutting out Oregon State and giving up just a single score against Northern Illinois, the secondary has been the perfect compliment to a defensive line that is exceeding expectations.

Although the secondary’s five interceptions on the year may not be turning heads, the Badger cornerbacks and safeties are regularly breaking up passes, something that has been severely lacking over the last two years or so.

Arguably the biggest surprise of the secondary has been the play of Cromartie, a redshirt junior who has already collected 24 tackles, with a careerhigh eight of those coming against Northern Illinois in

SECONDARY page 17