2013.02.21 by The Badger Herald

THE UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN’S INDEPENDENT STUDENT NEWSPAPER SINCE 1969 Volume XLIV, Issue 81

Thursday, February 21, 2013

www.badgerherald.com

Plan to replace bar disclosed Developer finalizes proposal for mixed use project at Stadium Bar location Allie Johnson City Life Editor

Kelsey Fenton The Badger Herald

Gov. Scott Walker gave his biennial budget address Wednesday night, calling for a $343 million income tax cut, education reform and a $181 million investment in the UW System.

Walker unveils budget In address, governor asks for $343 million in income tax cuts, $181 million for UW System Polo Rocha Senior Legislative Editor Gov. Scott Walker called for a $343 million income tax cut, education reform and economic development initiatives in his biennial budget address Wednesday. Walker said his top priority remains improving

the economy, touting the differences from when he took office two years ago: a budget surplus this year after a $3.6 billion deficit in 2011 and a roughly one point drop in the unemployment rate. “Our tough but prudent decisions two years ago put us in the position to further reduce the tax burdens of our

citizens while still investing in all our priorities,” Walker said. Walker said his $630 million in total tax cuts, as well as his plan to keep property tax rates low, would “truly stimulate the economy.” But Senate Minority Leader Chris Larson, D-Milwaukee, said Walker’s “definition of the middle class” was wrong, so

his income tax cuts are more beneficial to higher-income earners. Walker called for venture capital funding and increases in transportation and mental health funding. He also proposed that school aid be based more on performance

BUDGET, page 5

A Minneapolis-based real estate company released its final proposal for the apartment building slated to replace the Stadium Bar Wednesday. The Opus Group’s proposed apartment building is a mixed-use project that will be located at 1419 Monroe St., a space the Stadium Bar currently occupies, according to Ald. Shiva Bidar-Sielaff, District 5. It will be a six-story building, with the first floor allocated for commercial space and the upper five stories for apartments, she said. According to BidarSielaff, the building will contain 72 apartment units in total, ranging from studio to four-bedroom apartments. The first floor will have two available retail spaces, one with outdoor seating, she said. Bidar-Sielaff said the building is particularly targeted towards students. “I think [the new building] will create more student rental units that are not available in that area right now,” BidarSielaff said. “I am also hopeful it will provide additional businesses on

the bottom floor that will be more student focused.” Ald. Sue Ellingson, District 13, said she believes the building seemed like a responsible and worthwhile proposal. She said the tight location of the building is particularly significant. In general, density is a good thing, Ellingson said. Density means there are more people living closer to work or school, so they can bike, bus or walk, instead of driving, she said. Ellingson added the inclusion of commercial space has the opportunity to create more jobs in the area. Supporting jobs is a positive thing, she said. However, Ellingson said her constituents expressed concern over the loss of the Stadium Bar when they first heard of the proposal. Students like the Stadium Bar and the sand volleyball courts, Ellingson said. However, students need to understand this is a private transaction, and the business is not objecting to the sale, she said. “It’s unfortunate that students will lose what is a pretty good gathering place, but the city doesn’t have any control over that,”

PLAN, page 4

University to offer first open, free online classes Noah Goetzel State Politcs Editor In an effort to keep pace with continuously advancing educational technology, the University of Wisconsin announced Wednesday it will offer four massive, open online courses, two of which

will start this fall. The experimental pilot program will be part of a higher education delivery system geared toward expanding courses to new spaces, according to Jeff Russell, vice provost of Lifelong Learning and dean of UW’s Division of Continuing Studies.

Wisconsin and 28 other other universities worldwide have partnered with Coursera, an online education provider that offers the massive open online courses, according to the statement. These four courses will be free to students, and an unlimited number of participants can enroll,

regardless of whether they are students, according to a UW statement. However, none of the classes will count for credit yet, Russell noted. These MOOCs will not inhibit funding for other educational innovations or campus initiatives, the UW statement added. Interim Chancellor

David Ward launched the university’s Education Innovation endeavor last year to evolve academic programming through cutting-edge technology to provide educational alternatives. “MOOCs are a means to increase the range of ways we can offer education to

learners,” Ward said in a statement. “The future of learning is connecting with people where they are at – increasingly, those places are online.” The statement added these new courses will include: “More than a High Score:

ONLINE CLASSES, page 4

MPD investigates wave of campus area robberies Woman reports fourth similar strongarmed incident on North Brooks Street Allie Johnson City Life Editor A string of strongarmed robberies near the University of Wisconsin campus continued with the robbery of a Madison woman Tuesday night. A 20-year-old female was walking down North Brooks Street at 10:43 p.m. when she noticed a dark-colored vehicle slowly driving behind her, according to a Madison Police Department statement. A man first approached the victim and asked for the date and time, the statement said. After giving the suspect the requested information, the victim continued walking, the statement said. According to the statement, the victim then reported hearing someone running up behind her and reaching into her pockets. After struggling with the first suspect, a second male appeared on the scene, pulled her to the ground and took her cell phone, the statement said. Three strong-armed robberies of a similar nature occurred Monday night on Dayton Street, Milton Street and Randall Street, according to

another MPD statement. No injuries were reported in any of the four incidents, the statement said. According to MPD spokesperson Joel DeSpain, the description of the vehicle, the mode of operating, the time and proximity of the incidents link the cases to the same perpetrators. The victims in all four cases were targeted, DeSpain said. The three suspects were patrolling the off-campus housing areas looking for collegeage people walking alone at night, he said. The suspects were described by all victims as relatively tall males wearing dark clothing, according to the statement. The victims in the robberies on N. Brooks, Milton and Randall Streets reported one of the suspects had long, braided hair, the statement said. DeSpain also said the victims described the getaway car as a darkcolored, four door and older model vehicle slightly resembling an old police car. In one case, only one suspect

ROBBERY, page 4

Madison man robbed on W. Gilman Street Wednesday Allie Johnson City Life Editor A Madison resident was robbed at his apartment near the University of Wisconsin campus early Wednesday morning. The incident occurred at 2:14 a.m. in an apartment on the 100 block of W. Gilman Street, according to a Madison Police Department statement. A 20-year-old male reported a male suspect entered his apartment armed with a handgun, the statement said. The first suspect ordered the victim to the ground, while a second male suspect entered the apartment and took money and electronic equipment, the statement said. The victim did not sustain any injuries in the process of the robbery, the statement said. According to MPD spokesperson Joel DeSpain, typically

GILMAN, page 4

Andy Fate The Badger Herald

Aron Ralston, who survived a canyoneering accident in 2003 in which he had to cut his right arm off, spoke to about 700 attendees at Union South. Ralston is portrayed by James Franco in the film “127 Hours,” and in his talk he jokingly apologized for not being the famous actor.

Man known for surviving 127 hours alone, cutting arm off speaks at UW Muge Niu Higher Education Editor A half-ton boulder had him in a death grip. For 127 hours, his only options were to sever his right arm with a dull pocketknife or to stand and wait on a three-foot-wide space in a remote canyon in southern Utah, on his grave.

Aron Ralston told his story about perseverance, courage and commitment to over 700 people at Union South’s Varsity Hall Wednesday, as part of the Distinguished Lecture Series program put on by the Wisconsin Union. “It’s a story that doesn’t need much embellishment,”

said Elana Orbuch, a University of Wisconsin junior who attended the event. Ralston became known for having survived a canyoneering accident in 2003 during which he had to cut off his right arm and

127 HOURS, page 4

The Badger Herald | News | Thursday, February 21, 2013 TODAY

38 15 snow

Telephone Fax

TOMORROW

21 5 partly sunny

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

MONDAY

17 6

26 19

37 27

cold

partly sunny

cloudy

608.257.4712 608.257.6899

Police release Mifflin review

15,000 copies printed every weekday. Published since September 10, 1969.

Herald editorial Editor-in-Chief Ryan Rainey Managing Editor Katherine Krueger Editor-at-Large Pamela Selman News Katie Caron News Content Cammy Albert Deputy News Tara Golshan City Hall Sarah Eucalano City Life Allison Johnson State Politics Alice Coyne Senior Legislative Polo Rocha Senior Campus Julia Skulstad Higher Education Noah Goetzel Editorial Page Charles Godfrey Ed. Page Content Joe Timmerman Ed. Board Chair Leah Linscheid Sports Nick Korger Sports Content Nick Daniels Senior Associate Sports Sean Zak Associates Spencer Smith Caroline Sage Lee Gordon Tim Hadick Colin Kellogg Comics Noah Yuenkel Copy Chief Kelsey Sorenson Associate Copy Chief Sean Kirkby Copy Editors Martha Demeules David Glickstein, Maddy Michaelides Heather Sieve Photo Andy Fate Assoc. Photo Kelsey Fenton Jen Small Design Directors Sigrid Hubertz Gus McNair Page Designers Katie Gaab Ali Sinkula Maddy Raff Web Director Will Haynes Web Consultant Charlie Gorichanaz

Event summary of 2012 block party outlines planning efforts, enforcement Allie Johnson City Life Editor

Statistics ArtsEtc.

Herald business Publisher General Mgr. Business Assoc.

Peter Hoeschele Luke Nevermann Caroline Johnson

Jill Peter The Badger Herald

Members of ASM, including Chair Andrew Bulovsky, heard from Dean of Students Lori Berquam regarding the university’s campus alcohol service policies.

Student Council updated on alcohol service policies Muge Niu Higher Education Editor

Herald advertising Advertising Director Jillian Grupp Display Manager Julia Welytok Classified Mgr. Elise Watson Executives Mackenzie Chaffee Alyssa Smith Tara Hoffman Zack Legge

Lauren Anderson Madison Wiberg Austin Marg

Board of directors Chairman Vice Chairman Vice Chairman Vice Chairman Tim Hadick Julia Welytok Katie Caron

Pam Selman Peter Hoeschele Ryan Rainey Jillian Grupp Pam Selman Elise Watson Luke Nevermann

The University of Wisconsin’s student government heard updates on campus alcohol service policies from the dean of students and voted to allocate $1,000 to internal funding for the betterment of student organization outreach at a meeting Wednesday. Dean of Students Lori Berquam spoke to the Associated Students of Madison’s Student Council about campus alcohol policies. The goal of the review is to standardize the current university alcohol policies to make sure they are more effectively enforced, ASM Press Office Director David Gardner said. “The goal is...to eliminate extra bubbles of policy so that there will be a clearer way for people who desire an alcohol distribution permit to get that permit,” he said. The university alcohol policy currently lacks standards regarding alcohol at events targeting undergraduates and people below 21 years old, according to a summary by the Event Alcohol Sales and Service Task Force. The task force is a committee of representatives

from faculty, staff, students and experts on alcohol policy. The committee found the current policy also lacked penalties for violations and does not comply with state and federal law. The revised policy needs to include considerations for event goals and include a clear statement of responsibility to prevent underage drinking, according to the committee. They recommend that only events where more than two-thirds of the attendees are above the minimum legal drinking age can acquire a alcohol beverage service permit under the new policy. Another issue of the current policy is having multiple documents and policy papers, which the task force found slows down the communication process. The committee suggested that the new policy include regular review and a requirement of annual communication of the alcohol policy. “The critical part is the communication to students, the faculty and the staff so that it’s clear what is expected and what’s changing as a result of the policy,” Gardner said. The new policy should clearly define “university event” and expand local control of alcohol

distribution, giving the authority and responsibility to all deans, vice provosts and divisional directors, according to the findings summary. Student Council also passed three pieces of legislation, including an update of the ASM bylaw to match the Supreme Court definition of viewpoint neutrality after the Southworth case that established VPN restrictions, according to an ASM statement. Two-thirds of the Student Council voted to create a new line in the internal budget, allocating $1,000 of ASM’s general programming funding to help ASM outreach to registered student organizations, according to the statement. The money will be used to help registered student organizations better understand the funding application process and generally further the outreach. “We created this new line partly because we’ve been hearing from groups about the need for more feedback on it, so we are hoping to use this fund to implement that outreach,” Gardner said. Student Council also passed the ASM Student Judiciary budget, according to the statement.

The Madison Police Department outlined police involvement in the 2012 Mifflin Street Block Party in an event summary released Wednesday. The summary explained the planning, preparation and enforcement of the event MPD underwent in an effort to control the Mifflin Street Block Party held on May 5, 2012, according to Ald. Mike Verveer, District 4. According to Verveer, MPD wanted to make the block party safer after the 2011 event. “Last year was an extremely safe event in terms of injuries and property damage,” Verveer said. “There were many more cops and they were pretty strict.” An increase in the level of staffing was one of the main differences between 2011 and 2012, Verveer said. As a result of the increased number of personnel, the cost of the event increased by $65,077, according to the event summary. In the past, MPD often looked the other way regarding enforcement of city ordinances, but in 2012, they made a more concerted effort to enforce the laws, Verveer said. According to Ald. Scott Resnick, District 8, in 2012 MPD arrested 397 people over the course of the block party, compared to 162 in 2011. There were 627 charges issued by MPD, involving anything from open intoxicants, underage possession or possessing an incorrect ID, he said. While fewer arrests were made in 2011, Resnick said it is important that the event two years ago had more criminal misdemeanors and several criminal felonies. “We did not see that level of violent behavior or serious acts in 2012,” Resnick said. Another change

MPD made in 2012 was the effort they made to keep Mifflin Street open to traffic during the block party, Verveer said. In previous years, either a street use permit was granted by the city or the crowd was so large police needed to close the street, he said. The level of police staffing and relatively strict enforcement of ordinance violation will most likely remain the same at this year’s event, Verveer said. According to the summary, MPD efforts to curb the event appeared successful given the reported drop in crime. “The police felt the plan was well executed last year on Mifflin,” Verveer said. “They are planning to have the same response.” With addition of an alternative event held on May 4, MPD will have many more mobile units, such as patrol cars, units on horseback and units on foot, Resnick said. MPD will be able to cover more ground at this year’s event, he added. Resnick said the event summary was not surprising. The bigger takeaway was 2012 was a safer event, he said. Verveer added the content of the summary also did not surprise him either. He said he is wellversed in how the police feel about the event. “It was very obvious reading the report that the police dislike this annual event,” Verveer said. “Police are realists. Despite what will be a very successful music festival for UW students, police don’t expect Mifflin to end anytime soon.” Verveer added police are still expecting for a large crowd to gather for the upcoming block party. The Mifflin Street Block Party tradition is ingrained in the student body from one class to another, he said.

The Badger Herald | News | Thursday, February 21, 2013

Commission approves downtown redevelopment City committee gives green light to plans on Johnson, Broom, Dayton Allie Johnson City Life Editor A city committee unanimously approved the initial design plans for the redevelopment of three downtown area building proposals at a meeting Wednesday. The mixed-use project that the Urban Design Committee approved is a new apartment building requiring the demolition of

the three existing properties at 415 W. Johnson, 226 N. Broom Street and 424 W. Dayton Street, according to Ald. Mike Verveer, District 4. Many of the students currently living in the Dayton Square apartments would live in the newly approved building, Verveer said The building design was reduced by two units since its initial proposal, according to Eric Lawson, president and CEO of Potter Lawson, Inc. The design now contains 317 units, he said. The firm moved amenities around, added two studios and took away a two- bedroom apartment, he added. The designs presented

to the commission were not much different than the original plans for the site, but they did respond to community comments, according to Lawson. “We were really tight to the property line before with stairs,” Lawson said. “We looked at lobby and pulled property line back to give relief to the entrance.” Lawson added the treatment of the architecture was different than before as well. The neighborhood is pleased with this change, he said. UDC members addressed the effects of the building on the sidewalk and green space in the neighborhood. Lawson said the firm would be willing

to work with the city to come up with the best possible solution to the issue. UDC member John Harrington said he was concerned regarding bike parking in the new design. He said the design should either incorporate more space for bike parking on the sidewalk outside or allocate more space inside the building. While he liked the design overall, Jeff Ripp, a resident of the neighborhood for 20 years, also said he was concerned with the idea of the project. Ripp said the new building would displace the lowincome residents of the area. This project leads to more

apartments only for those who can afford it, he noted. Ripp emphasized the importance of the commission’s decision to resolving the issues surrounding the project. “Your favorable treatment with little to no changes allows this [project] to steamroll through,” Ripp said. Ald. Marsha Rummel, District 6, asked the architects whether the design could either keep some of the existing buildings or incorporate the buildings into the plan. Lawson said the area was deemed “obsolete” as part of the downtown plan and marked for redevelopment.

Verveer echoed several of Ripp’s concerns. “My enthusiasm is somewhat tempered by the loss of affordable housing [at Dayton Square],” Verveer said. “The rent is relatively affordable compared to other downtown housing. I assume the new development would be more costly.” However, Verveer said overall he is supportive of the Dayton Square redevelopment project. According to Verveer, Lawson needs final approval from the commission. If the design plans are approved, the project proposal will move on to Plan Commission and then to Common Council, he said.

The Badger Herald | News | Thursday, February 21, 2013

Constitutional amendment to protect transportation passed Madeleine Behr Herald Contributor The Wisconsin State Senate voted Wednesday in favor of a constitutional amendment that would create and protect separate transportation funds, sending it to voters for approval in November. The Assembly previously voted in favor of the amendment Feb. 13, but for the amendment to pass it will need to face the state’s voters in a November referendum. The Senate passed the amendment with a 25-8 vote, joining the Assembly which previously voted in favor of the amendment Feb. 13. However, some senators objected on how separate general funds and transportation funds should be, and five of the eight senators who wrote a substitution for the original amendment voted against it. The substitute amendment said money could not be transferred from the General Purpose Revenue Fund to the transportation fund. The substitute tabled after a 19-14 vote, with Sen. Tim Carpenter, D-Milwaukee joining Republicans to vote against it, and will be determined at a later session. Three of the senators

ROBBERY, from 1 exited the vehicle, while in the others two suspects got out, he said. “I’m extremely concerned about the crime wave we are experiencing downtown, particularly that students are the targets,” Ald. Mike Verveer, District 4, said. Verveer said similar crime waves have occurred in his experience working with police on downtown safety issues. These previous crime waves were connected to

who offered the substitute amendment, Sen. Jon Erpenbach, D-Middleton; Sen. Robert Wirch, D-Pleasant Prairie; and Sen. Dave Hansen, D-Green Bay, voted for the original amendment after the substitute was tabled. Sen. Dale Schultz, R-Richland Center, who voted for the original amendment but not the substitute one, said he agrees transportation and general funds should be distinct. “People want to know whether we are really serious about ending the practice of taking money from transportation and putting it into the general fund,” Schultz said. “The issue is: are we going to fix yesterday’s problem and make sure it doesn’t reoccur? And that’s the reason we should vote for [separating these funding sources].” Sen. Tim Cullen, D-Janesville, spoke out against the amendment saying the Department of Transportation has its own source of funding, including gas taxes and registration fees, and therefore should not draw money from the general fund. Cullen, one of the eight senators supporting the substitute amendment, said moving money from the general fund

to transportation would take away money from other programs including health care, education and corrections that do not have their own funding source. “Gov. [Scott] Walker has indicated that he will take $129 million out of the general budget and into the transportation fund when it should be going for public education and good causes,” Cullen said. Schultz said he agreed with Cullen’s concerns and said he would like to see education put ahead of transportation. However, he said it was not the issue being addressed at the session. Erpenbach said programs supported by both parties, such as education, would not see additional funding, while transportation would thrive financially. Sen. Robert Jauch, D-Poplar, said preventing reallocation of transportation dollars is unnecessary. He added the senators should not adopt the amendment supporting transportation fund protection and should simply find other means of investing in the transportation fund. Jauch, who voted against the original amendment, said the amendment ignores the real problem of finding a way to fund transportation.

gangs, he said. He explained the four cases are similar to the gang initiation type rituals that targeted downtown residents in previous years. “The police haven’t said this,” Verveer said. “It’s just my hunch.” According to DeSpain, it is likely the suspects will strike again in the off-campus area. MPD has deployed additional resources to the off-campus area to address the incidents and prevent them from happening again, he said.

MPD wants to encourage people to report crimes when they take place, DeSpain said. He added people should be aware of their surroundings when walking home and be conscious of any vehicles fitting the description of the suspect vehicle. “We periodically have a rash of robberies that occur throughout the city,” DeSpain said. “Typically, it is a small group of people that create a problem, and while they are still out there they continue to offend.”

Courtesy of Opus Group

A real estate company has proposed the final plan for a six-story mixed-use project, including a five-story apartment building to replace the Stadium Bar. The apartments would include 72 units and would sit on top of a floor of commercial space.

PLAN, from 1 Ellingson said. From the Regent neighborhood perspective, the new building puts pressure on the capacity to absorb more traditional rental properties in the district, such as houses, Bidar-Sielaff said. She explained the proposed building will attract students and non-students may rent the vacated houses in the district. “We’ve always been a mixed student and homeowner resident neighborhood,” Bidar-

ONLINE CLASSES, from 1 Video Games & Learning,” “Globalizing Higher Education and Research for the ‘Knowledge Economy,’” “Human Evolution: Past and Future” and “Markets with Frictions.” If this pilot program is successful after evaluation, Russell said UW will consider expanding the program and making three to six additional MOOCs available through Coursera in 2014. Russell noted interaction between students and instructors will decrease with MOOCs. Instead, he said, professors structure peer-topeer communities to foster this communication. “When you think about a MOOC compared to a traditional, creditbased course, the level of engagement throughout the course is going to be very

GILMAN, from 1 armed robberies do not occur in the Gilman Street area. Ald. Mike Verveer, District 4, said robberies do occur in the area, but evidence of a visible weapon is rare. According to Verveer, students have long been the victims of these types of crimes. Students are generally a more trusting group of people and they tend to leave doors and windows more unlocked than other residents would, he said. “It is surprising that

127 HOURS, from 1 climb down 65 feet to get help. The story was adapted to the film “127 Hours” in 2010. “Whatever your boulder is, I hope my story might do something for you,” Ralston said. Ralston began his story with an apology for not being actor James Franco, who played him in the “127 Hours.” He showed the part of the movie where a dislodged boulder traps the character and said the clip showed the exact same kind of shock and agony he felt. But the accident that cost him an arm and almost his life was also “the greatest thing that has ever happened” to him, Ralston said. Unsure about whether he would make it back home, Ralston used

Sielaff said. “[The proposed building] could change the dynamic of the neighborhood.” Bidar-Sielaff also highlighted the effect on affordable housing for students. The increase in high-end rental apartment buildings creates a lack of affordable off-campus student housing, she said. However, the new plan already incorporated feedback from residents of the area, Ellingson said. The plan originally called for a 10-story building, she said. The proposed building will also feature additional

parking for the commercial space, another previous concern of the community, she said. “The overall impact [of the proposed building] is likely to be positive for the city,” Ellingson said. This is the beginning of the process for the proposal, Bidar-Sielaff said. It is a strong proposal and they have made many positive changes, she added. The proposal will go before the Plan Commission on April 8 and if approved it will face Common Council later that month, BidarSielaff said.

different,” Russell said. “You can’t have 100,000 students in a course and get the same engagement.” The online platform of Coursera’s educational environment allows for UW evaluation of its offerings to adjust the program as necessary, he added. Much uncertainty remains, however, as to whether UW will be able to cut rising education costs by adopting MOOCs or how academic credibility can be ensured. Russell said UW has not given much thought to ensuring authenticity and student identification for their coursework. Noel Radomski, director and associate researcher for the Wisconsin Center for Advancement of Postsecondary Education, said guaranteeing academic credibility is possible, but comes at a cost.

“How will you know whether John Doe, who is registered, is doing all the work?” Radomski asked. “There are tools out there but that adds to costs. If you want to built authenticity into the MOOC, that adds time and resources.” When more proctoring needs become more complicated and expensive, faculty tends to lose interest, he said. While questions linger, according to Russell, the benefit of MOOCs stems from meeting the needs of those who cannot physically attend classes in Madison. “Part of the online courses, whether you’re a resident or not, deals with the flexibility it gives you,” Russell said. “If you can’t physically be there at that time, you can still get access to that knowledge and still be able to make progress against your degree.”

more crimes are occurring when there is a likelihood residents might be home,” Verveer said. Verveer said burglaries typically occur when victims are thought not to be home, such as at night or when there is evidence no one else is in the residence. DeSpain said the victim did not report the incident until an hour and a half after the robbery had occurred. Most people would call the police right away, he said. DeSpain said this was evidence the victim may have been targeted. “We find when there are home invasions by armed

people, they are usually targeted events,” DeSpain said. Generally, home invasions in the city are crimes committed by those looking for drugs or drug money, according to DeSpain. However, he said in this particular case the MPD was unsure what might have prompted the robbery. MPD is taking the recent string of robberies in the area very seriously particularly because students are the targets, Verveer said. The crime wave in the area is very concerning, he added.

his camera to make a videotape for his family. “As sad as that was at that moment, that was when the boulder gave me the first gift because that tape showed me who’s really important in my life,” he said. After surviving more than five days on 350 milliliters of water, two burritos and hours of unsuccessful effort to cut through his arm with a dulled knife, Ralston began to realize he lost all control of the situation. “I gave up, not hope but control,” Ralston said with a smile. “I found my peace there, when I realized it’s out of my hands.” He carved “Aron Ralston RIP” and the date on the rock and said goodbyes to his family in the videotape. On the 127th hour of being trapped alone, he discovered a way out.

He used torque from the boulder that trapped him to break the bones in his right arm. “When I figured it out, I had this beaming smile, [there was] no hesitation or reluctance,” Ralston said. “You all know I’m the guy who cut his arm off. But what you didn’t know was that I’m the guy who was smiling while cutting his arm off.” He said people’s boulders, whatever they may be, can also be blessings. Karen Miskimen, a Madisonian who attended the talk, said she found the speech even more inspirational than she expected. “He reminds us all that we are capable of great things and that we can find inspiration in our greatest challenges,” Miskimen said.

The Badger Herald | News | Thursday, February 21, 2013

Republicans look to cut worker hours with bills Maryn Zwier Herald Contributor Republicans in the Legislature are expediting bills that would allow companies to cut back worker hours as an alternative to layoffs. An Assembly bill and a Senate bill are designed to help companies that have lost business keep their workers by instead scaling back the hours that those employees work. Democrats oppose this bill, called the “Keep Wisconsin Working Act,” in part because it allows companies to cut worker hours without the consent of labor unions, according to

a joint statement by Senate Minority Leader Chris Larson, D–Milwaukee; Sen. Julie Lassa, D–Stevens Point; and Assistant Assembly Minority Leader Sandy Pasch, D-Shorewood. In the statement, Larson, Lassa and Pasch said this is yet another tactic Republicans are using to lessen union power in the state. If the bill passes, Wisconsin will be the 25th state to institute this type of law. Twenty-three of the 24 other states with these laws require union consent before cutting back their employees’ hours. Larson said the 2011 union battle over Act 10,

which stripped collective bargaining rights for some public unions, showed Republicans are now turning their attention to fighting private sector unions. Pasch said she worked with Lassa to author a virtually identical bill previously requiring businesses to include labor unions in the process of cutting back workers’ hours. Larson said Republicans are continuing their “war” against organized labor. “Republicans began their war on bargaining rights with Act 10, and with this bill they have now turned their attention to private sector unions,” Larson said. “This is the beginning of

‘divide and conquer’ part two.” Terri Griffiths, spokesperson for Rep. Edward Brooks, R-Reedsburg, refuted that assertion, saying the bill differs from previous drafts in two key ways. It delays the bill’s start date until June 30, while providing a six-month extension to grant the Department of Workforce Development additional opportunities to implement this program, she said. Unlike previous drafts of the bill, she added, this one does not require a work-share agreement to be approved from a union representative.

“Federal law does not require this provision, and the bill already contains important protections for employees,” Brooks said in a statement. In their joint statement, Larson, Lassa and Pasch said they disagreed with the process the bill is making its way through the legislature. Pasch said this bill is being expedited in order to skirt the opposition and said Republicans are trying to get the bill through before it gains attention from unions and the public. “I urge the Republican authors of this flawed legislation to slow down and work with us in a bipartisan manner to ensure

that we avoid completely unnecessary conflict and delay in implementing a work-share program,” Pasch said. Lassa said Republicans are “rushing” the bill through before private sector unions and the public have a chance to examine it and react. Brooks refuted the claim that the bill is designed to step on unions and Republicans are wrongfully taking advantage of the legislative process. “With more than 200,000 Wisconsin residents unemployed, this issue is too important to politicize,” Brooks said. “This bill is about jobs and nothing else.”

Union Council elects four students to leadership positions Wisconsin Union governing body to see fresh faces starting this May Julia Skulstad Senior Campus Editor The Wisconsin Union’s governing body elected four students to assume future leadership positions on the committee in a meeting Tuesday. A statement said Union Council elected University of Wisconsin sophomore Neil Damron, current Wisconsin Union

Directorate Distinguished Lecture Series director, to succeed current Wisconsin Union President Sarah Mathews. The statement also said the committee elected three students to hold vice president positions. Associated Students of Madison Chair Andrew Bulovsky was elected vice president for public relations, Annie Paul for leadership development and Gary Filipp for program administration. The statement said these four elected individuals are the result of a long process that started in January. Seven out of a

14-person applicant group were interviewed before the council Tuesday, the statement said. The one-year term for these newly elected students will officially begin in May, according to current Union Council Vice President of Public Relations Jose Cornejo. However, over the next few weeks, Damron, Bulovsky, Paul and Filipp will conduct interviews with student candidates to select individuals to fill nine committee director positions and three summer coordinator positions for next year’s Union Council, Cornejo

said. They will select leaders to these positions by mid-March, he added.

“Having students as these directors allows the Union to stay relevant.” Jose Cornejo

Union Council VP of Public Relations Cornejo said the nine Union Council committees produce a lot of programming, including concerts, films and service trips geared toward students.

“Having students as these directors allows the Union to stay relevant,” Cornejo said. “Studentsfor-students produces the best results when it comes to engaging students on campus.” Cornejo said he believes student-created programs provide the best way for the Wisconsin Union to reach out and create things students can enjoy. Mathews said in the statement she believes the four elected leaders will advocate for students. She said she is confident those chosen by the council will bring the Wisconsin Union success next year, she

added. “I believe the strength of the Union each year is directly related to the strength of its student leaders,” Mathews said in the statement. “I truly believe they will advocate for students while carrying out the mission of the Wisconsin Union—to be the heart and soul of campus.” The students Union Council selected yesterday have a mixture of leadership experience, Cornejo said. He said he believes the four that were elected will serve the Union well and do great things for campus.

Obama could weigh in on California gay marriage ban case Julie Pace Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — The Obama administration is quietly considering urging the Supreme Court to overturn California’s ban on gay marriage, a step that would mark a political victory for advocates of same-sex unions and a deepening commitment by President Barack Obama to rights for gay couples. Obama raised expectations among opponents of the Proposition 8 ban when he declared in last month’s inaugural address that gays and lesbians must be “treated like anyone

BUDGET, from 1 and advocated an expansion of voucher schools. Democrats criticized both ideas. Walker plans to give Medicaid to everyone under the poverty level, about $11,000 for an individual, and put everyone earning more than that in private insurance. He also said he wants a work training requirement for able-bodied FoodShare recipients. Both of those proposals, Walker said, would move people from “government dependence to true independence.” Although Walker would leave the state with a $43.1 million surplus in 2015, that might go down to a $188.2 million deficit. Under a different accounting measure that has been “mismatch[ed]” for decades, the state would have a $2.6 billion deficit, according to the budget. The Legislature will make changes to Walker’s budget and pass it as a bill sometime this summer, which the governor could then sign into law.

else under the law.” The administration has until Feb. 28 to intervene in the case by filing a “friend of the court” brief. The Proposition 8 ballot initiative was approved by California voters in 2008 and overturned a state Supreme Court decision allowing gay marriage. Twenty-nine other states have constitutional amendments banning gay marriage, while nine states and Washington, D.C., recognize same-sex marriage. An administration brief alone is unlikely to sway the Justices but the federal government’s opinion does carry weight with the court.

Walker plans university investments The University of Wisconsin System would see a $181 million funding increase over the biennium under Walker’s recommendations, compared to $315 million in cuts the UW System took over the past two years. “This is the best budget we have seen in many cycles,” Interim Chancellor David Ward said in a statement. Walker’s investments include $20 million for the UW System’s economic development programs, as well as $2 million for its new flexible option online degree program. The state would also continue to fund the UW System with a block grant, giving it more flexibility over its budget and compensation plans, which UW System officials have said is key to improving its faculty’s below average salaries. Walker said last year he supports a tuition cap for UW System students, who have seen yearly increases of 5.5 percent for more than five years. While his budget did not explicitly include

A final decision on whether to file a brief has not been made, a senior administration official said. Solicitor General Donald Verrilli is consulting with the White House on the matter, said the official, speaking only on condition of anonymity because the official was not authorized to address the private deliberations publicly. While the Justice Department would formally make the filing, the president himself is almost certain to make the ultimate decision on whether to file. “I have to make sure that I’m not interjecting myself too much into this process,

a cap on tuition, it only allows additional tuition expenditures for differential tuition and enrollment increase. United Council of UW Students is waiting for confirmation on whether that would effectively mean a tuition cap, according to Dylan Jambrek, the group’s government relations director. Walker’s budget would likely increase financial aid as well by giving more funding to the Higher Educational Aids Board than it requested, Jambrek said. It would also tie the college tuition tax deduction to inflation, which his budget estimates would mean a savings of $670,000 for taxpayers. “This budget, at least at first glance, shows serious support for university students,” Jambrek said. Walker also plans to invest in the UW-Madison campus, such as a $3 million increase in UW public health programs and $3.75 million for the UW Carbone Cancer Center. Democrats criticize tax cut levels, education plan

particularly when we’re not a party to the case,” Obama said Wednesday in interview with San Francisco’s KGO-TV. He said his personal view is that gay couples should have the same rights as straight couples and said his administration would do whatever it could to promote that principle. Obama has a complicated history on gay marriage. As a presidential candidate in 2008, he opposed the California ban but didn’t endorse gay marriage. As he ran for re-election last year, he announced his personal support for same-sex marriage but said marriage was an issue that should be

Larson, the Senate minority leader, criticized Walker for proposing an income tax cut that would favor high-income earners more. Individuals making under $161,180 and couples making under $214,910 would benefit from Walker’s proposed tax cut. “If this is who he’s thinking is the middle class, I think he’s missing his mark,” Larson said. State Superintendent Tony Evers said Walker’s priorities on education are wrong, a comment Democrats echoed. Evers said Walker’s $1,400 per pupil increase in aid to voucher schools, as well as a statewide expansion, is much more than the one percent increase in aid to public schools and his keeping revenue limits for public schools. He also criticized Walker’s plans to give public schools bonuses based stilldeveloping performance standards. Democrats spoke out against Walker’s denial of the federal Medicaid expansion funds, saying his plan costs the state more yet covers less.

decided by the states, not the federal government. To some, Obama’s broad call for gay rights during his Jan. 21 inaugural address was a signal that he now sees a federal role in defining marriage. “Our journey is not complete until our gay brothers and sisters are treated like anyone else under the law,” Obama said during his remarks on the steps of the U.S. Capitol. “For if we are truly created equal, than surely the love we commit to one another must be equal as well.” But administration officials said Obama — a former constitutional law professor — was not

foreshadowing any legal action in his remarks and was simply restating his personal belief in the right of gays and lesbians to marry. Seeking to capitalize on growing public support for gay marriage, advocates are calling on the administration to file a broad brief not only asking the court to declare California’s ban unconstitutional but also urging the Justices to make all state bans illegal. “If they do make that argument and the court accepts it, the ramifications could be very sweeping,” said Richard Socarides, an attorney and advocate.

To place an ad in Classifieds: Elise Watson ewatson@badgerherald.com 257.4712 ext. 311

The Badger Herald | Classifieds | Thursday, February 21, 2013

Classifieds

ATTENTION

EMPLOYMENT

FOR RENT

2 AKC Registered Bull Dog Puppies male and female free for new good home. They have current shots and play along with children and other animals. Contact megansheehy836@ yahoo.com for more information

VOLUNTEER EMERGENCY MEDICAL Technicians needed in western Dane County. Free Training. Books/ Tuition paid in exchange for volunteer service. Summer classes available. Contact 608-795-9860 or email mzems1@gmail.com for details.

15 S. Charter: Great 7 BR 2nd fl. flat just off Regent St. w/2 baths & rec room/den, across from city park with sand volleyball and basketball. Includes central air, thermo-paned windows, dishwashers, and on-site laundry. All large bedrooms wired for cable/ phone/internet. $3695/mo. + utilities. tallardapartments.com 250-0202

EMPLOYMENT STUDENTPAYOUTS.COM. Paid Survey Takers Needed in Madison. 100% Free to Join. Click on Surveys. PLAY SPORTS! HAVE FUN! SAVE MONEY! Maine camp needs fun loving counselors to teach all land, adventure & water sports. Great summer! Call 888-844-8080, apply: campcedar.com

SUMMER CAMP COUNSELORS WANTED Michigan overnight camps, Office and maintenance jobs too. Salary $1900 plus room/board. Learm more and apply online www.lwcgwc. com, or call 888-459-2492

Randall Park Rentals has studios, 1 and 2 bedrooms available next fall. 1320 Spring St. (608) 251-2715 www.colonialmanagement.com

2nd Chance to Phil. I always get so ﬂustered around you because you are seriously the nicest and most awesome guy ever. I promise one of these days I will be able to hold a real conversation with you! Until then...

LARGE 3BR. 409 W. Dayton. New kitchen, dishwasher/ microwave, free laundry in apt. New LR carpet/ hardwood floors, central air, furnished, porches. SC to the girl working the desk at the $1400. 835-2637

PARKING A few parking spots left around campus. Beat the rush before the snow flies! Spots on sale for as little as $39/ mo in some locations! tallardapartments.com 250-0202

Business School library late this afternoon. You’re cute, and you have a nice smile. Keep it up! -The guy in Room 3230 SC to the three girls that came to phillips hall to promote the all campus leadership conference. You all were ﬁneeee. Sign me up!

SC to the gorgeous girl in the pink tank for helping me push harder through my last few exercises at the serf today. I think you were looking my way too?? SC to the guy with the beautiful beard in memorial union on Tuesday. We made eye contact for an extended period of time. I promise I’m

not a creep, your beard was just beautiful. SC to the guy at the Serf wearing a blue shirt with the sleeve tattoo.. that smile made my day. Hopefully ill be seeing you around more often :) SC to Sarah in my CP 650 class. You’re insanely beautiful. Let’s study together

sometime. 2nd Chance to Andrea. You are the equivalent of a differential equation with no analytical solution...diﬀicult to sol SC to the guy who had another girl last semester, even though the situation sucked, I do miss you as a friend who enjoys Community but not cats.

SC to all the cute girls that came into Memorial library on V-day. I was at the front desk SC to Maddy. You’re a really cute grad student. I might be a little young for you but I don’t care #drunkSC SC to the guy in the white shirt and hat at Hatters tonight. I only had the courage to tell you that you were attractive tonight...hoping you read the shout-

outs.... :) SC to the very cute Badger boy eating Subway around 3 at Union South today. Studying is always better with a view and you are some view! Same time next week? SC to the guy at the Scholars meeting with the camera around your neck. You’re cure and into photography, hit me up! SC to Jon who works at the NAT. I know you happen to prefer women, but you are always lookin supa ﬁne during volleyball practice. In the words of JBeibs, “Never say never” (to the D). Sincerely...diggin’ you. SC to the girl who stopped traﬀic on Mills and Dayton! You are too cute to get taken out that way, so be careful and watch those lights! - The guy laughing on the corner SC to the girl in the red working with the kids at the WID today. You’re gorgeous and you seem extremely kind. Keep doing what you’re doing. SC to the cashier at

Liz. You are really cute and you always make me smile. SC to the red head working at the serf Monday night wearing the red shirt and khakis. Your tush was amazing and you were gorgeous! SC to the girl in the dark blue/purple tank top that locked eyes with me at the serf tonight while i was putting on my hoodie by the exit. Girlll you were beautiful like a fine wine. Hope you see this! SC to the really attractive guy working the front desk at the serf on monday at 11am SC to the guy who played Sim Sala Bim by Fleet Foxes at the Union’s open mic last night. You were unbelievable. Props for being able to pull off the end guitar riff. - Girl in Rath Shirt SC to the guy who came into the “secret” Science Hall room Monday night when I was in there. You seemed pretty cool and I actually got stuff done. Same time next week perhaps? www.badgerherald. com/shoutouts

ArtsEtc.

The Badger Herald | Arts | Thursday, February 21, 2013

Tim Hadick & Colin Kellogg arts@badgerherald.com

By Tim Hadick Sometimes it’s easy to predict who will win Oscar gold. Daniel DayLewis will most likely win Best Actor for his portrayal of Abraham Lincoln this year, and Anne Hathaway’s performance in “Les Misérables” outshines everyone else in the category for Best Actress in a Support-

ing Role. But there are many categories in the 85th Academy Awards where it’s harder to tell who will win. There are, however, other categories where a clear winner will leave deserving nominees without a title. Examples of Oscar losers run the gambit all over the award’s his-

tory. “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial” got screwed out of Best Picture by “Gandhi” in 1983’s Oscars and “Howl’s Moving Castle” lost to claymation crap “Wallace and Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit” a few years ago. While all awards are subjective and a film’s worth is in the eye of the beholder,

Who will win: Steven Spielberg, “Lincoln” Who will win: “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey”

Who should win: “Prometheus”

The effects of “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey” capture how epic in scale the world of “The Lord of the Rings” is with daunting cinematic feats. Creature battles are incredible, settings are immense and energy drink companies must have made a fortune off the computer wizards that coded and modeled for the film. So, why shouldn’t “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey” win? Because audiences have been through this three times already! All three of “The Lord of the Rings” movies won Best Visual Effects in their respective years, and this is nothing new. Sure, effects always come a long way after several years, but the “Hobbit” series is piggy-backing on that success. There’s little true merit to rewarding a formula that hasn’t been switched up in order to make money and curb demand.

Known best for its screaming trailer, “Prometheus” had a reasonably low-key premier last summer. Mostly referred to as the “Alien” prequel, the film didn’t receive nearly the amount of credit it deserved. The film overall has many questionable elements, and the plot is rather out there. But there is no denying “Prometheus’” effects make the film. An entirely new world, previously unseen in cinema, envelops audiences, dragging them through LV-223’s alien structures and consuming viewers’ gasps of terror. What sets “Prometheus’” effects apart is its devotion to atmosphere and mood. Incredible detail was taken in making sure scenes and effects meld into one incredible experience. Synchronization of film and generated modeling puts “Prometheus” far ahead of the category’s other contenders, but it ultimately lacks prominence as a film. Academy members simply see “Prometheus” as another dark, scary movie instead of as a masterfully crafted piece of art.

Who should win: “Zero Dark Thirty” Who will win: “Argo” Not only is “Argo” an outstanding flick, it has everything a nominee should have. Ensemble cast of wellknown and respected actors? Check. Acclaimed director? Check. Outstanding production quality? Check. Historical topic that’ll get the older members of the Academy to vote for it because they remember the time period? Check. “Argo” is a package deal for an Oscar, and there’s no denying that it is an excellent film. But “Argo” doesn’t break new ground; it’s a piece that focuses on an interesting topic for sure, but it in no way screams “best movie of the year!” “Argo” focuses on a time when tensions between the U.S. and Iran were higher than ever, which very much relates to circumstances today.

Gus McNair The Badger Herald

“That bin Laden movie” is easily the most talked-about film of the year. Director Kathryn Bigelow already proved her skill with “The Hurt Locker,” and “Zero Dark Thirty” excels with stellar acting, effects and a plot that surprised critics by being more than just the tale of finding the world’s most-wanted man. But, alas, “Zero Dark Thirty” is unlikely to win Oscar gold. The reason for its likely loss is best explained by a precedent reinforced in the 2010 Oscars, when “The King’s Speech” won Best Picture over “The Social Network.” “The King’s Speech” is a biopic with a great ensemble cast and new spin on an old topic. “The Social Network” is revolutionary in the category: a historical film set just a few years after its events on something so fresh that viewers can go home and completely rethink their interactions with social media. “The Social Network” was too controversial and daunting for voters to safely cast ballots in favor of, and Academy members this year will also take the safe route with “Argo” over “Zero Dark Thirty.”

there are clear distinctions in each category that make some nominees more qualified for a win over others. Below are four Oscar categories where probable winners will undoubtedly cause rage among fans of deserving candidates come Sunday night’s award ceremony.

Who should win: Benh Zeitlin, “Beasts of the Southern Wild”

“Lincoln” might have disappointed some audiences by focusing too hard on one short segment of the famous president’s life, but its director shines through as a clear choice for this year’s award for Best Director. A veteran Oscar winner and an almost household name, Spielberg has tried for the past few years to win gold again and again with “War Horse,” “Letters from Iwo Jima” and “Munich.” His effort is obvious, and it’s about time his clear devotion to making great films is recognized once more. But the main reason Spielberg is likely to win is because of who he’s up against. Michael Haneke (“Amour”) and Benh Zeitlin (“Beasts of the Southern Wild”) simply don’t stand out, and “Silver Linings Playbook” lacked direction if anything else. While Ang Lee’s (“Life of Pi”) effort is on par with Spielberg’s, when set against each other, Spielberg is the clear front-runner.

“Beasts of the Southern Wild” came out of nowhere to pick up several nominations this year. The indie flick’s marketing included a cryptic trailer and not much explanation as to what makes the film special. But Zeitlin takes on the topic of non-traditional family structure and unstable locale to another level in the Best Picture nominee. “Beasts of the Southern Wild” never stops to explain itself, opting instead to focus on its main character and the Gulf Coast’s deteriorating state. He successfully guided a movie that would have been a complete disaster given the slightest flaw across a tightrope toward being one of the most spectacular films of 2012. But reputation goes a long way at the Oscars. “Beasts of the Southern Wild” is Zeitlin’s first full-length feature, and prestige consistently takes votes away from even the most deserving of nominees.

Who will win: Jennifer Lawrence, “Silver Linings Playbook”

Who should win: Quvenzhané Wallis, “Beasts of the Southern Wild”

Jennifer Lawrence is a powerhouse of an actress. Since her breakout performance and Best Actress nomination for “Winter’s Bone,” Lawrence is arguably today’s most popular actress in the business. She’s incredibly diverse in her acting, showing off her rough exterior in “The Hunger Games” and fantasy side in “X-Men: First Class.” “Silver Linings Playbook” came out of nowhere to take nominations for Best Picture, Best Actor, Best Director and more. The film’s rise to fame is similar to that of cult classics, except “Silver Linings Playbook” is clearly mainstream. Lawrence is a cornerstone of the film, and her contention for Best Actress lies deep in her role as the unstable Tiffany Maxwell. Jessica Chastain is another likely for gold with her brilliant acting in “Zero Dark Thirty,” but having such a young actress being nominated again for Best Actress in such a short amount of time brings considerable attention to Lawrence.

“Beasts of the Southern Wild” is the surprise contender this year, and Quvenzhané Wallis’ incredible performance is the most surprising thing this Oscar season – besides Ben Affleck being nixed a nomination for Best Director. Wallis does something in “Beasts of the Southern Wild” that few child actors can: envelops herself into the character she’s playing. Audiences aren’t watching a cute little 8-year-old run around the Gulf Coast, they’re watching a daughter suffer, learn and discover life. She interacts with other actors fluidly and comfortably, never breaking character and being true to her role. Wallis is the definition of best actress of the year. If Wallis wins, she will be the youngest actress ever to win in the category. But Academy members have rarely awarded such a title just because they can. They’re a picky bunch, and the safer choice is almost always the winner.

Editorial Page Editor Charles Godfrey oped@badgerherald.com

The Badger Herald | Opinion | Thursday, February 21, 2013

Opinion UW politicos spew platitudes on Iran Nathaniel Olson Columnist

Graphic by Charles Godfrey Data courtesy of Bureau of Labor Statistics

While the economy is slowly recovering, job growth is still struggling to outpace population growth and has yet to fully compensate for the massive impact of the recession in 2009.

Sequester: Congress screws up Joe Timmerman Editorial Page Content Editor Hark! Good news! According to a recent Gallup survey, congressional approval is on the rise — from 14 percent in January to 15 percent in February. Unfortunately for Congress, this staggering increase of one whole percentage point is unlikely to stick around in the face of billions of dollars in spending cuts likely to take effect in March. The sequester, which was agreed upon during the 2011 debt ceiling debacle, is the latest in a string of congressionallymanufactured crises. Simply put, the sequester is a set of budget cuts, worth a bit more than $1 trillion through 2021, including $85 billion this year, that will go into effect on March 1. The cuts, which are evenly split between defense and discretionary spending, were designed as an incentive to force a so-called “super committee” to come up with a compromise to stabilize the federal

debt. Essentially, the sequester was supposed to be so damaging that the congressional super committee would have to find some common ground in order to avert it. As we know, Congress did not come up with a deal — not even close. So. What now? It’s difficult to say exactly what the effects of the sequester will be if (or more likely when) it comes to pass. While President Barack Obama has painted a grim picture of criminals hitting the streets and children losing access to daycare, it’s likely that the effects will be slightly less drastic. For most people, there will be no discernible difference between Feb. 28 and March 1. However, the longterm effects will be more dire. With the economy still barely puttering along through a weak recovery — job growth is still struggling to outpace population growth — we can ill afford to lose tens of billions of dollars of GDP. There’s still a chance Congress might find some way to avert the sequester. Unfortunately, this is extremely unlikely. In a recent Mother Jones blog post, Kevin Drum outlines the possible actions Congress could take to avert the cuts. However, it appears that there is only

one option that has a nonzero chance of succeeding — “Kick the can down the road with some kind of small-ball deal.”

“The sequester, which was agreed upon during the 2011 debt ceiling debacle, is the latest in a string of congressionallymanufactured crises.” While unlikely, this “solution” at least has a chance. Spending cuts may sound good on paper but they become far less appealing when they have real negative effects on their home districts. According to a Politico story, lawmakers — both Democrats and Republicans — are scrambling to protect their home turf from the sequester. Most elected officials do not want to go home and have to explain to their constituents why their district lost thousands of jobs on their watch. If nothing else, this shows that our representatives at least realize the potentially severe consequences of allowing these cuts to go into effect. A short-term plan to avert the sequester is far

from ideal — it would likely set us up for yet another dramatic, lastminute confrontation. However, given the alternative, it doesn’t seem like such a bad outcome. I’d choose possibly having the cuts happen in the future over definitely having the cuts now. This entire situation speaks to the broader, more important issue of congressional dysfunction. The sequester is important, but it probably won’t ruin the economy. However, if Congress continues to manufacture these sorts of crises and continues their trend of unwillingness to work together, there is a very real possibility our all-toofragile recovery could be shattered over the next two years. If we can’t avert the sequester, hopefully Congress can at least learn something from it. And if they can’t, then let’s hope the electorate shows up in force to send a message in 2014. Congressional approval may already be impressively low. However, we shouldn’t underestimate lawmakers’ ability to push it even lower. Joe Timmerman ( jtimmerman@ badgerherald.com) is a sophomore majoring in economics and math.

As I read the piece titled “Bipartisan pressure key to halting Iranian nuclear program,” by Chris Hoffman and Jeff Snow in The Badger Herald on Tuesday, I was struck not only by the complete lack of specifics but also by its neo-colonial mentality concerning the United States’ role on this issue. There is no doubt the Iranian acquisition of a nuclear weapon would be a threat to the security of the world. Hyperbolic quotes from Iran’s President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad aside, adding nuclear weapons to a region where strong realpolitik is still practiced would make it more likely that others countries, namely Saudi Arabia, would want to pursue these devices as well. There is a debate among political science scholars about whether nuclear weapons inspire caution or brinksmanship – the U.S. government has clearly come down in the “more nuclear weapons make for a more dangerous world” camp, and it is correct to do so. The more devices there are, the greater the chance for an accident or a misperception from which there may be no recovery. That being said, what exactly are the College Republicans and College Democrats in agreement about? That American leaders should “remain vigilant?” I’ll wake the president up from his nap. That our country should “take action together?” Great, which actions? The implication of their call for “action” seems to be there is not enough action now. But America has thrown the playbook at the issue of Iran’s nuclear weapons development program, engaging in every tactic short of overt military action. As former New York Times Executive Editor Bill Keller wrote in January 2012, “American policy has been consistent through the Bush and Obama administrations: (1) a declaration that a nuclear Iran is “unacceptable”; (2) a combination of sticks (sanctions) and carrots (supplies of nuclear fuel suitable for domestic industrial needs in exchange for forgoing weapons); (3) unfettered international inspections; (4) a refusal to take military options off the table; (5) a concerted effort to restrain Israel from attacking Iran unilaterally — beyond the Israelis’

presumed campaign to slow Iran’s progress by sabotage and assassination; and (6) a wish that Iran’s hard-liners could be replaced by a more benign regime, tempered by a realization that there is very little we can do to make that happen.” The last line of Keller’s quote is the most important. There is very little America can do to stop Iran from acquiring a bomb. One of the most complicated cyber weapons ever developed, Stuxnet (assumed to have been built by the United States and Israel), is not believed to have delayed the Iranian program by more than a few years. Comprehensive international sanctions have also been slow and unspectacular: although Iranian hyperinflation rates of about 70 percent were reported back in October 2012, these were best case scenarios made with faulty assumptions. Economists have put the real number closer to 30 percent. Hoffman and Snow claim Iranian nuclear weapons are an American issue. I would challenge that. The real American issue is America’s nuclear weapons arsenal, a massive elephant in any negotiating room. According to Daryl Kimball, Arms Control Association executive director, the United States maintains an arsenal of “approximately 5,113 nuclear warheads,” over a third of which are actively deployed. In retaining this arsenal and deploying it overseas, the United States shows a blatant disregard for Articles I and IV of the Nuclear NonProliferation Treaty. To ask Iran to play by international rules which we ourselves do not adhere to is flagrantly hypocritical. It’s not very surprising that it doesn’t work. I am truly disappointed in the political discourse of this university if this is the best the College Democrats and the College Republicans can come up with. Their article exemplifies the problem we have in Washington today: the only things Democrats and Republicans can seem to agree on are broad principles which are useless for guiding action. Trying to make the world a safer place by limiting the spread of nuclear weapons is a fine goal. But our leaders have exhausted our avenues for exerting influence on the world. If we want the globe to be a safer place, let’s let it know by starting at home. Nathaniel Olson (naolson4@wisc.edu) is a senior majoring in political science, history and psychology.

Sieve chanting becoming overused Badger hockey tradition cousin’s backyard rink – when I was three years old. I’m not here to give an autobiographical account about growing up in a hockey family or describe the great importance of hockey to Minnesotan Charles Godfrey culture – but I want to Editorial Page Editor make it clear I’m writing as a hockey fan, because I’m about to write on a I’ve always been a contentious issue. hockey fan. Maybe I was At the Wisconsin men’s genetically predisposed to hockey game last Friday love the game, considering night, I observed an my father taught me to irritating trend in the way skate as soon as I could student sections cheer and walk, and that his father chant for their teams and coached his neighborhood against their opponents: peewee teams. It could imprudent overuse of the also be a byproduct of cheer, “SIEVE!” growing up in St. Paul, For those of you not Minn. and being told at a initiated to the finer young age the only valid details of hockey chants, a reason to miss Sunday sieve is a screen or mesh morning church or put off filter used to separate large a homework assignment particles from unwanted was hockey practice. finer particles – for All I know is the first instance, during the gold physical injury I can rush, miners would “pan remember was a broken for gold” using sieves to leg I sustained falling separate gold nuggets from across the boards of my

unwanted sand. When they chant “SIEVE!” at a goalie, fans are stating metaphorically he is merely a mesh filter with many, many holes that let the puck through. After freshman forward Nic Kerdiles scored to put the Badgers ahead of the Minnesota Gophers by one goal in the first period, the student section lambasted Gopher goalie Adam Wilcox with chants of “SIEVE, SIEVE, SIEVE!” Now, I’ve got no problem with the sieve chant, in and of itself – but can you really call a goaltender a sieve midway through the first period when he has let one goal in and the score is 1-0? Personally, I feel chanting “SIEVE!” at this point is overeager. Even the best goaltenders get scored on from time to time. So frankly, calling a goalie a sieve after he lets in one goal is unwarranted – at least when a goalie

has only let in one goal, there is not yet sufficient evidence that he is, indeed, a sieve. If Badger fans called every goaltender that entered the Kohl center a sieve before the end of the first period, would the chant even mean anything? When the sieve chant becomes completely overused, it loses its meaning and makes fans look like they have no barometer by which to judge a true sieve. Moreover, jumping the gun and launching into a premature sieve chant displays a tendency towards negative cheering – that is, heckling the opponent rather than cheering for the home team. I think a healthy amount of heckling is a good thing. But there is something to be said for sportsmanship and cheering for the Badgers in an upstanding way – that means reserving

aggressive heckling, including sieve chants, for instances where it is truly warranted. Plus, there is no quicker way to accumulate bad sports mojo than to hurl aggressive and unsportsmanlike chants at the opposing team. While there is no precise criteria for when a sieve chant is warranted, this is a case in which some quantitative statements can be made. Personally, I feel the opposing goaltender has to let in at least four goals before he is declared a sieve, and, of course, the Badgers ought to be winning when the chant is started. Given my description of the impact Minnesota hockey has had on my life, some of you might be thinking I’m writing this as a sour Minnesota kid who can’t suppress an undying allegiance to the Gophers and feels an inexplicable, subconscious

pang of anger when he hears a sieve chant in the first period. It’s true. I was raised on Gopher hockey, and if they’re playing say, Notre Dame, they have my full support. But I’ve been in Wisconsin for the past three years, and that’s time enough to become a Badger hockey fan. When the Badgers play the Gophers, to me it’s just good hockey. What I mean to say is that it isn’t out of a lack of Badger spirit I’m opposed to reckless abuse of the sieve chant. On the contrary, as a fan, I think that part of cheering on the Badgers and heckling opponents in an upstanding, dignified and sportsmanlike way is knowing when to use these sort of chants. Charles Godfrey (cgodfrey@badgerherald. com) is a junior majoring in physics and math.

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.

Comics

Whatchoo Know ‘Bout Me? Noah J. Yuenkel comics@badgerherald.com

The Badger Herald | Comics | Thursday, February 21, 2013

WHAT IS THIS

SUDOKU

HERALD COMICS

PRESENTS

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: My lip gloss be cool, my lips gloss be poppin’

HERALD COMICS

CLASSIC MADCAPS PRESENTS

baby@badgerherald.com

STEPHEN TYLER CONRAD

madcaps@badgerherald.com

MOLLY MALONEY

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.

C’EST LA MORT

paragon@badgerherald.com

PARAGON

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

DIFFICULTY: If this got stuck in one person’s head it was worth it

MOUSELY & FLOYD

NOAH J. YUENKEL

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 }

nyuenkel@badgerherald.com

BUNI

pascle@badgerherald.com

RYAN PAGELOW

HERALD COMICS

PRESENTS

CROSSWORD 1

30 Stuck, after 14

“up” 33 Top-of-the-

18 19

hour broad-

cast, maybe 21

RANDOM DOODLES

ERICA LOPPNOW

random@badgerherald.com

34 Reason for a food recall

35 Emulates a 31

bear 37 Menu with

zoom options

43 Encomium 41 44

44 Automaton of Jewish

folklore

45 Feminist 55

THE SKY PIRATES

COLLIN LA FLEUR

skypirate@badgerherald.com

Wolf 46 City inter-

sected by I-76 62

and I-77 49 Cut open

Puzzle by Milo Beckman

YA BOI INC.

VINCENT CHENG

BEADY EYES

YOUR COMIC

BRONTË MANSFIELD

YOUR NAME

yaboi@badgerherald.com

comics@badgerherald.com

Across 1 Knock on wood, say 7 Arizona product 14 “Gotcha” 16 “Hoo-oo-ey!” 17 “No clue” 18 One who made the crew cut? 19 Locational nickname with origins in horse racing 20 Amount to be divvied up 21 Operation time 23 Christian of ﬁlm 24 Antarctic body named for an Englishman 28 Ring 31 Raid target 32 Noted series of paintings by Andrew Wyeth 36 Face seen on many T-shirts

38 500, e.g. 39 Preparing to be shot, say 40 Capital of Australia: Abbr. 41 Googly ___ 42 Medical subject of Time magazine covers of 1967 and 2010 44 Wear down 47 Échecs pieces 48 Symbol of might 49 Dweller on the Straits of Johor 55 Shipwreck cause, perhaps 57 Let up on 60 Melancholy, say 61 Private business, in slang 62 Tube warning … or an apt title for this puzzle?

63 Manages Down 1 Lightly roast 2 Enzyme suﬃx 3 One encouraged to drink on the job 4 Midsize moon of Saturn 5 “As I Lay Dying” father 6 Dead center? 7 “Come hungry. Leave happy” sloganeer 8 Kentucky export 9 Being, in Bordeaux 10 License to drill? 11 Battle of Fort Brooke locale, 1863 12 Text alternative 13 “Bonne ___!” 15 Chinese dynasty during the

Get today’s puzzle solutions at badgerherald.com

21 22

23 25 26

28 29

Three Kingdoms period Bummers Food with an inedible center? Censor, in a way Inconclusive Like some extreme coincidences Composer Menken and others Loop of lace Bitcoins, e.g.

50 Architect ___ Ming Pei 51 Lucky ﬁgure in Chinese culture 52 Ball 53 Roger of “Cheers” 54 Gen. Robert ___ 56 It’s about when you leave: Abbr. 58 Brewery sight 59 Preﬁx with thermal

Rocky the Herald Comics Raccoon™

Did you know that you can use whiskey on your corn ﬂakes instead of milk? Although, it tastes a lot better if you just leave out the corn ﬂakes.

The Badger Herald | Sports | Thursday, February 21, 2013

Tough pitchers await in three-game series Wisconsin faces Boston University, Georgia Southern in Diamond 9 tourney in Orlando Nick Korger Sports Editor

Kelsey Ryan Sports Writer

Andy Fate The Badger Herald

Senior Taylor Wurtz began the season much like the rest of her career, averaging 12.6 points over the first five games, but was forced to redshirt after having back surgery.

Wurtz doing things differently Sean Zak Associate Sports Editor When Taylor Wurtz entered the 2012-13 season, it was okay that she held high hopes. It was her time; her moment as the leader of the Wisconsin women’s basketball team. Senior guard Wurtz was named one of three captains for the season and was coming off her second team all-Big Ten campaign in 2011. An elevated outlook was by no means unfair. She treated those high expectations to a quick start this season, averaging 12.6 points in UW’s first five games. Wurtz’ 11 points and six rebounds helped Wisconsin topple Evansville 73-55 and turn their record over .500, and she was just getting started. Those first five games hold back some of the story, however. The Ripon native had missed the Badgers’ first two exhibition matches due to a nagging injury that just wouldn’t go away. She sternly looked forward to a memorable senior season but up came something behind her, holding her down. She had herniated discs in her back and hasn’t played since. She needed surgery and was forced to take a medical redshirt for the season. Wurtz could have dropped into a gloomy state of helplessness. After all, herniated discs can make general movement a less-than amusing excursion. Her best friend and co-captain and senior guard Tiera Stephen

cracked the starting rotation and the two would finally play significant minutes. It was the first significant injury of her lengthy basketball career. It would have been easy to wallow. However, when asked about her personal injury, the first thought to her mind was how nice it has been to see her teammates fill the void she left in the lineup. Once the on-court leader of the offense, Wurtz is now a leader on the sidelines. Wurtz traded in her jersey for a blouse. Her basketball shoes were switched out for heeled boots. If you didn’t know that she was an all-Big Ten performer a season ago, you would peg her as an assistant coach. It’s really not an awful assumption. She may not be wearing a uniform but she is helping those that are. One of them is freshman guard Nicole Bauman, the player that replaced Wurtz once she left the lineup. While the New Berlin native has made a solid transition into the role of a starter, the once-nervous frosh attributes some of her success to Wurtz’ help. “She always tells me to keep my head up and keep working,” Bauman said. “She says that ‘everything will come, my shot will come.’” Her free will and experience helps her encourage her teammates, and many times that’s exactly what her coaches need from her in this redshirt year. Just because Wurtz isn’t an authoritative figure for Wisconsin

doesn’t mean she can’t influence her teammates. Assistant coach Alysiah Bond appreciates Wurtz’ experience on the court and lavished about her ability to fill in the gaps for the coaching staff. “It’s different when you hear it from your peers. As coaches, we can say the same message,” Bond said. “When it comes from a different voice, they receive it differently, and people often follow those that they respect.” Although Wurtz has made a great transition off the court, it would be unfair to say the Badgers haven’t needed her at some point. Wisconsin has undergone an upand-down season with their best performances being quite fantastic and their biggest struggles running rather rank. With three years of varsity experience, it hasn’t been easy for Wurtz to watch the dips and climbs. “You want to be out there, helping them,” Wurtz said. “When you go from playing almost the whole game to not even seeing the court ... you want to be struggling with them.” Wurtz noted that she still feels a part of the team and reminds herself of that fact from time to time. As the season has continued without her, the Badgers are reminded of this. Of Wisconsin’s 15 losses this season, seven have come by single digits. Wurtz’ 10.3 career points per game would certainly help their cause. But apart from her oncourt presence and game

averages, the Badgers actually miss Wurtz in practice quite a bit too. When Wisconsin lost Wurtz for the season, “[We lost] an example, on a daily basis, of the difference that work ethic makes,” according to Bond. “She is consistently someone that you could always look to and know they are going all out on every play,” Bond continued. “For a team that is filled with young people, they need that example.” And when the Badgers leave Madison, they lose Wurtz’ example and encouraging presence. As a redshirt, Wurtz misses out on the luxury and team camaraderie of road trips. Wisconsin unfortunately is forced to leave one of their captains behind. Add that to the list of adverse developments Wurtz has been forced to deal with in redshirting her senior season. But not all is lost and bleak for Wurtz. She has enjoyed the company of teammate AnnMarie Brown and men’s player Josh Gasser in the training room — both are out with torn ACLs. Those two have aided her progress through her own rehab and have helped her look forward to each pit stop on her lengthy journey back to the court. “I try to take it dayby-day,” Wurtz said. “I’m usually looking forward to the next step in rehab, but I’m going to be happy when I can start shooting again. Then I’ll be satisfied.”

With fresh legs after a week off, the Wisconsin softball team will hit the road again to warmer weather against two teams that finished above them. This time, the Badgers (4-1) travel to Orlando, Fla., where they will take part in the Diamond 9 tournament, playing against Georgia Southern (6-3) and Boston University (0-0). The structure of the tournament is similar to the style of play UW experiences in the Big Ten. During the weekend, the team will face each of their opponents three times, playing each once over several days. During conference play, the Badgers compete under the same three game series format. “It’s really going to feel like Big Ten play,” Wisconsin head coach Yvette Healy said. “Seeing a team three times a lot of people say ‘it’s not fun for the fans,’ but for us it’s going to be a real test of strategy.” Wisconsin faced Georgia Southern in nonconference play last season and will once again have to face standout ace Sarah Purvis on the mound. Purvis, a junior from Warner Robins, Ga., is the reigning Southern Conference Pitcher of the Year after recording a 1.56 ERA and going 23-11 in 2012, becoming the first 20-game winner in Georgia Southern history. But the Badgers are used to facing great pitching already in 2013, as the team is fresh off of facing one of softball’s best in Notre Dame’s Laura Winter, whom the team defeated twice. “Coming off two wins from Notre Dame, it put an emphasis on how our season is going to be,” junior infielder Michelle Mueller said. “We’re going to have to battle, we’ll be behind in some games, but overall our team’s tenacity to just battle back is amazing.” Wisconsin will throw out against Purvis the offense led by the mighty bat of Massei, batting .474 after three games and already amassing three home runs after recording just four in 2012. New faces are getting it done as well for UW with the bats. Freshmen Steffani LaJeunesse and Katie Christner combined for 10 hits and five runs scored during the Badgers’ first tournament. Healy had especially strong praise for Christner, who hit a home run against Notre Dame to

WILDCATS, from 12 two of them from his preferred spot outside the three-point arc. His renewed energy in the second half left him tied with Berggren for the team-high with 12 points and grabbed eight rebounds. “He’s got a nose for the ball,” UW head coach Bo Ryan said. “That’s something that has made him such a powerful force for us because he can shoot, for the most part … and the fact that he can rebound the way he can, that really helps.” Though never returning to

tie the game at 2-2 in the eight inning of an 11-inning thriller Wisconsin managed to win. The head coach sees the performance of Christner as emblematic of her team’s hunger this season to reach the NCAA tournament for the first time in several years. “From how they approach the game, I think they are a tenacious group,” Healy said. “Every year we really focus in on that and stress ‘keep fighting, keep battling.’ The person hitting the home run is a freshman this year, so Katie Christner puts it into extra innings, that’s a big deal.” Boston University, which hasn’t played a game so far this season, enters the season as the favorite once again to win their conference, the America East. Last season, Boston went 41-16 and returns 12 letter winners from their NCAA tournament team in 2012. The Terriers are also paced by solid pitching, with junior arm Holli Floetker returning to lead the pitching after posting a 19-4 record in 2012 and a 1.54 ERA. BU’s No. 2 option on the mound isn’t too shabby either, with senior Whitney Tuthill returning after recording a 15-6 record and 1.77 ERA for the team a year ago. It will once again be another solid test for a Wisconsin team that returns all but one starter from a 2012 team that smashed several program records for offense. The biggest difference now for the Badgers is the fact that they’re no longer a young, upset-minded team. 2013 has seen UW turn to a favorite to compete for the B1G title, especially with the group’s core players being almost entirely composed of upperclassmen. With a group of upperclassmen, like Mueller, who have been under Healy for two years, it has made the learning curve easier for the underclassmen and the expectations that much more clear that it’s a “win every game” mentality, even in the nonconference portion of the schedule. “We compete together,” assistant coach Randy Schneider said. “That’s a big thing that I think is different from when we first got here. It’s moving in the right direction. Our upperclassmen are doing a good job, working hard and are wellliked.” With fresh legs after a week off, the Wisconsin softball team will hit the road again to warmer weather against two teams that finished above them.

its painfully unproductive first half pace, the Wildcats’ offense quickly slowed and by the midway point of the second half Wisconsin had a 21-point lead. Playing without its top scoring threat in Drew Crawford and with two other likely starters unavailable, the Wildcats looked helpless for stretches Wednesday night and simply lacked the offensive firepower to mount a comeback. “Northwestern is a team that, they are capable of giving you problems,” Berggren said. “This is one where you just got to take care of business.”

The Badger Herald | Sports | Thursday, February 21, 2013

Wisconsin dominates inside against Northwestern Spencer Smith Associate Sports Editor EVANSTON, Ill. — For a team that spends a majority of its time camped outside of the three point arc, the Wisconsin men’s basketball team went for a change of pace Wednesday night and made the paint their home at Welsh-Ryan Arena. Northwestern (13-14, 4-10 Big Ten) never stood a chance against Wisconsin (19-8, 10-4 Big Ten) around the rim Wednesday with their injuries and lack of size obviously holding them back. An injury-plagued season has left the Wildcats without four players and head coach Bill Carmody’s squad lacking in the size department, since three of the injured are 6-foot-6inches or taller. Fifth year senior center Jared Berggren and the Badgers were quick to

realize Northwestern’s weakness in the post and made a point to take advantage of it. “We had a height advantage at our front line positions and kind of an experience advantage too,” Berggren said. “They have some younger guys in there, so it was something that we tried to take advantage of and just use our size, experience and our ability and just try to hurt them in [the paint].” Wisconsin was able to get to a fast start around the basket in the first half, out-rebounding Northwestern 23-8. The Badgers’ perimeter game was not running as smoothly as their inside presence to begin the game, shooting just over 18 percent from beyond the arc, but UW’s big men were able to clean up their sharpshooters’ mess with 10 second chance points

before the halfway point. Wisconsin head coach Bo Ryan said it was Northwestern’s lack of a transition threat that allowed his team to utilize the basket region and take advantage of offensive rebounds. “Offensive rebounding definitely played in our favor, getting those second and third opportunities,” Ryan said. “If you’re not going to get some fast break points on a team then really you can send three guys hard to the glass. We had three guys going to the glass and they were opportunistic.” The Badgers headed to the visiting locker room in the first half with nine offensive rebounds under their belt and 14 points in the paint. The zone defense put on the floor by Northwestern in the first half proved to be a catalyst for Wisconsin’s

ability to attack the glass instead of an obstacle since UW was regularly able to draw multiple defenders away from the paint and attract them to the top of the key, allowing the Badgers to find players open down low. Berggren said Wisconsin was patient with their passes up top and found the extra pass to beat the zone and then find the open man inside. “Especially in the first half I thought we did a good job with [exploiting the paint] when they were playing zone,” Berggren said. “You look to attack when a team plays zone. We knew that that was going to be an area we could take advantage of and we did a pretty good job doing that.” To start the second half, the Wildcats threw their man defense at the Badgers, which threw

Ryan’s club off for the first couple of minutes, but UW was able to adjust and continue to get points in the paint. Northwestern senior guard Reggie Hearn said Wisconsin’s size advantage became even more prevalent in the second half – a problem his team was unable to find an answer to. “In the second half they started throwing it down to the post whether it was [Sam] Dekker, [Mike] Bruesewitz, Berggren, [Ryan] Evans and just kind of pounding us and taking advantage of their size,” Hearn said. “I don’t think they did anything real special with their swing offense or anything. They just took advantage of their size and we didn’t fight hard enough.” The largest evidence of Wisconsin’s dominant play in the paint and

ability to finish around the rim can be seen by their 28 points scored in the paint compared to Northwestern’s six. Berggren was Wisconsin’s biggest beneficiary of UW’s dominant play around the rim ending up with team highs in points, 12, and rebounds, eight. After the Badgers dominating effort around the rim, Berggren said it was Wisconsin’s ability to fight and be aggressive that proved to be vital in a critical conference win. “[Our ability to dominate in the post came from] being aggressive, being hungry and fighting for loose balls,” Berggren said. “With me and Mike, Ryan and Sam, some guys that can use our length and size a little bit, we tried to take advantage of it, be aggressive and attack the glass. It was obviously a pretty big key for us.”

POINTCounterpoint

Hockey: does it belong outside? Nick Daniels

Sean Zak

Sports Content Editor

Associate Sports Editor

Outdoor hockey is a poor representation of an otherwise exciting sport. In a day and age when sports fans want perfection from their athletes, having hockey teams battle the elements mid-winter leaves much to be desired. On Sunday, the No. 19 Wisconsin men’s hockey team played in a heavilyhyped outdoor game against the No. 2 Minnesota Golden Gophers in front of over 56,000 fans at Soldier Field in the Hockey City Classic. Look at this event on paper and it seemed perfect. Four ranked teams — No. 18 Wisconsin, No. 12 Notre Dame, No. 3 Miami (Ohio) and No. 2 Minnesota — in back-to-back games is sure to make any college hockey fan’s eyes open wide with delight. Over the last few years, many hockey teams in both the NCAA and NHL have taken this approach — the NHL hosted an outdoor game last year between the Philadelphia Flyers and New York Rangers at

COLORADO, from 12 dedication and talent long before Medbery joined Graff on the high school team. “I knew even before [high school],” Graff said. “The way he held himself to standards already gave me an idea of how I should look at him. I didn’t see him as some typical high school wrestler; he was somebody who could take it all.” Graff and Medbery are not the first two successful wrestlers to come out of Loveland. Tom Clum was a twotime All-American for Wisconsin in the 2004-05 and 2005-06 seasons after wrestling for Loveland High School. As a 133-pound wrestler like Graff, Clum had an enormous influence on Graff becoming a Badger three years after his graduation. He is now a top club-level coach back in Colorado. Davis said Clum was one of the most technical wrestlers he has ever coached and noted that he is a trustworthy candidate to take references from in regards to recruiting. “With the techniques he knows and the skills he teaches, it’s unbelievable,” Davis said. “So when Tommy Clum recommends somebody, that’s high praise ... Tommy Clum has helped take [Colorado] to a whole different level, wrestling knowledge wise.” The Loveland lineage continued when Graff recommended the promising Medbery to wrestle as a Badger. Graff and Medbery have been two of Wisconsin’s best wrestlers in recent memory — Graff has been a two-time All American in his two full seasons on the team, and Medbery has won 11 of 12 dual

Citizens Bank Park — to help draw attention to a sport that seems destined to forever play little brother to basketball, football and baseball in the race for American sports fans’ hearts. Unfortunately for sports fans who are drawn in by the spectacle and charm of an outdoor game — a return to the sport’s primitive origins when it was played outside on a frozen lake — primitive is the only word to describe a modern outdoor hockey game too. A look at Sunday’s game provides the perfect example. While the relatively warm 32-degree temperature and bright sun was welcomed by fans watching the game in the stands, with temperatures hovering right around freezing, maintaining

matches in his first season competing as a Badger. Davis said he’s been pleased with the performance of his star wrestlers with both their athletics and academics. “They’re both very focused in the classroom, out of the classroom, on the mat,” Davis said. “They have high expectations in both areas, and they’re both high achievers.”

“Those guys are rare, to have that type of athletic talent and that they came from the same high school.” Barry Davis

Wrestling head coach The success of the Loveland natives at the collegiate level partially comes from the mutual weight trainer that Graff and Medbery worked out with in high school. Graff met volunteer trainer Dave Jackson coming into high school when Jackson noticed that Graff needed some help with his form in the weight room. Medbery starting training with Jackson when in eighth grade he decided to join Graff and Jackson at an open practice session. “He knew what we needed to do, how to get stronger,” Medbery said. “He knew our goals, too. He knew that Tyler wanted to be a national champion and same with me … He really pushed us. I think he has a mindset that he wants to help the kids, he does everything for free, so he’s just a great guy that wants to help out the community and help kids get better.”

the quality of the ice was a problem all afternoon. Slush began to accumulate behind the goal and the ice played much slower than an indoor rink where the temperature can be controlled. What was the result? Sloppy play from all of the teams, particularly Minnesota — an exciting team that has been successful this year playing a fast, counter-attacking style — who was handicapped by the conditions in a much slower, much more simple game against Wisconsin. Now imagine this is a fan’s first impression of the sport — not such a good one to have. If hockey wants to draw in more attention and expand its fan base, it will just have to come up with something else.

SAGE, from 12 Badgers turned the series sweep in their favor this past weekend against the Bulldogs. In doing so, they gained momentum and confidence for the road ahead. Traveling to Bemidji State this weekend will be part two of the test and based off the dominating performance of the Badgers last weekend, the team the Beavers will be looking at come Friday bares little resemblance to the team they took on earlier this season. This is truly a Badger team firing on all cylinders. Its previous struggles of finding the back of the net seem to have vanished, totaling 17 goals in its last four games. The Badgers power play has become a deadly weapon, scoring all three goals in game one against Duluth and four more goals the previous weekend at St. Cloud State. Wisconsin’s penalty kill ranks first in the nation, shutting down just under 90 percent of opponents’ opportunities. Defensively, the team averages just 1.5 goals against, and goaltender Alex Rigsby is unquestionably stable.

For all the excitement provided by the screaming fans and aura of an arena, the outdoor hockey experience is like none other. For the rarity and popularity of the games, these events need to remain a part of hockey culture. Outdoor hockey is great in the sense that it’s a spectacle, so stop hatin’. Outdoor hockey games happen once or twice a year, and are therefore appreciated with the grandor of the game that you labeled as primitive. It’s a return to tradition and history of hockey that draws the amusement of fans from all across the nation. The 56,000 fans who packed Soldier Field were there to enjoy a sight they can’t witness everywhere. Only seven NHL regular season games have been played outdoors. The average attendance of the five NHL Winter Classics rise to more than 53,000. For reference, the Chicago

The more recent question that has lingered in the background of this team is its offensive depth, the subject of a story I wrote about exactly one month ago. The goal by sophomore Blayre Turnbull to tie Sunday’s game with less than seven minutes to play shows depth is an improving facet of this team. It could be said that senior forward Decker and junior forward Madison Packer dominate offensively (the pair account for 51 of the team’s 88 goals), but isn’t that the role of a team’s best forwards? If anything, Decker’s game-winning goal Sunday in overtime proves again that this team is playoff bound. The aptitude to find big wins under stress is a quality most young teams only strive for and is a necessity for postseason play. If the team’s current level of play continues, it seems likely the Badgers can go far this post season. Wins against Bemidji State and a deep run into the WCHA tournament should secure the current No. 6 team a spot in the NCAA tournament. But what about all the

Blackhawks host the most fans in the NHL, averaging little more than 21,000 spectators each game, less than half of these outdoor games. There seems to be little more that could be done to get hockey fans to get excited. And so what if there is a little slush out on the ice. I wasn’t on hand but I’m willing to bet it made the game even more exciting for the fans that attended. For those stirred up in the negative effects of slush, I’ll preach the word “perseverance,” an all too familiar term for hockey players, the men and women draped in bulky uniforms and chasing around a puck for hours, while their opponents

way? What may stand in their way is once again the John Dillinger of the early 1900s to Wisconsin hockey. Minnesota has been perfect this season, and I really do mean perfect. The Gophers boast an unblemished 32-0-0 record and are the clear favorite to win it all. Not to mention both the WCHA tournament and NCAA Frozen Four will be held at their home ice, Ridder

“This Minnesota team doesn’t know how to lose and more importantly doesn’t know how to pick themselves up afterward.” Arena. But there is something this team doesn’t possess that that could be the problem down the road — or for the Badgers, an asset — and I think one Badger said it best after Sunday’s win. “Our team has been on an uphill climb all year. Yeah, we’ve had some slipups here and there, but

feast on checking their off-balance counterparts into plexiglass. All the gruff and tough listed above almost seem destined to be in battle outdoors, with the sun shining and temperatures flirting with freezing. Those conditions describe what many people call a “perfect day for football” throughout the fall. Instead, tweets poured in Sunday declaring it “a great day for hockey.” And it was. The game was phenomenal. The pace of play may have dipped a tad, but the final score read 3-2 in a heated battle between rivals. Even the most amateur of hockey fans can get excited over that. Let’s not change this.

honestly that adversity just made us better,” senior Saige Pacholok said. “A team like Minnesota has been undefeated but I think they haven’t been faced with a lot of adversity yet and we’ve already been through that. Mentally I think we can get through anything.” It’s exactly that. This Minnesota team doesn’t know how to lose and more importantly doesn’t know how to pick themselves up afterward. Sure, they could go through the entire post season untouched, but what if they don’t, and as the Badgers know, one slipup is more than possible. It is one loss that could hurt Minnesota more than the nine losses UW has already faced. Looking back to last year, it’s as if the teams have switched places, and if adversity is the key to the trophy, Wisconsin is on the right path. Caroline is a junior majoring in journalism and political science. Think Minnesota will be too difficult to overcome? Let her know by sending her an email at csage@ badgerherald.com or on twitter @caroline_sage.

Sports Editor Nick Korger sports@badgerherald.com

12 | Sports | Thursday, February 21, 2013

SPORTS

Outdoor hockey: is it worth it?

Badger Herald sports gurus Nick Daniels and Sean Zak discuss the advantages and disadvantages to playing hockey in the elements.

Point-Counterpoint, 11

NEED SPORTS? Can’t getMORE enough sports?

HERALD SPORTS ON THE WEB

Here are the handles of the frequently-tweeting Badger Herald Sports Editors:

badgerherald.com/sports Twitter: @bheraldsports Email: sports@badgerherald.com

Sean Zak: @sean_zak Nick Daniels: @npdaniels31 Nick Korger: @NickKorger Caroline Sage: @caroline_sage

Wildcats fail to claw their way back Wisconsin jumps out to 9-point lead early, finishes with 69-41 win over Northwestern Ian McCue Sports Writer EVANSTON, Ill. – When Ben Brust missed two deep three-point attempts to open the Wisconsin men’s basketball team’s (19-8, 10-4 Big Ten) road bout with Northwestern (13-14, 4-10 Big Ten) Wednesday night, the game had all the early signs of an anxiety-ridden, Big Ten dogfight. But the dry spell ended in timely fashion and quickly the Badgers found themselves the owners of a 9-0 lead less than five minutes into the game on their way to a 69-41 drubbing of the Wildcats at Welsh-Ryan Arena. Despite playing on the comforts of its own purple-lined floor, Northwestern lost its touch early and found itself in a hole that, by the time it discovered its own offense, it never had time to climb from. “I said in the huddle, we got to step on their throats early, not let them hang around because if we do its going to be a dogfight,” forward Mike Bruesewitz said. “Their coach does a great job here, runs a very, very good system, they control the pace, they make sure they’re going to get the shots they want.” Strong perimeter defense from Wisconsin and an absolutely brutal half offensively for Northwestern left the Badgers with a commanding 16-point lead at the halftime break. The Wildcats limped to only 12 points in the opening 20 minutes — the lowest

total for a UW opponent this season — and nine of those points came on threepointers. Often kicking the ball around the perimeter before tossing up an unfavorable look as the shot clock climbed closer to zero, the home squad finished an ugly 4-of-20 from the field in the first half. Yet Northwestern emerged from the locker room with its offense revived. After two quick baskets from Dave Sobolewski and Reggie Hearn, NU took advantage of a turnover on the opposite end from Brust when Tre Demps hit a three-pointer from the left corner. But UW quickly cut the cord on the offensive electricity with five unanswered points to return its lead to a comfortable 17-point margin. “We knew they were going to flat-hedge, they were coming off screens and things,” Hearn, a senior guard, said. “We knew we would have some fairly open mid-range jumpers and aside from Dave [Sobolewski] hitting a few early in the second half, I don’t think anybody really hit those.” Hearn proved one of the only sparks for Northwestern in the second half, leading his team with 13 points. But even the Wildcats’ most powerful offensive sparkplug shot just 28.6 percent from the floor, a mark representative of his team’s offensive struggles. As the three-point balls failed to fall, it was the ability to feed the ball to the

Ian Thomasgard The Badger Herald

Senior forward Ryan Evans, who has struggled from the free throw line for UW this year, has contributed for the Badgers on the boards averaging almost eight rebounds per game. big men inside and collect easy scores right around the basket on misses that allowed UW to jump in the driver’s seat early on. Wisconsin shot just 29.4 percent from three-point territory and instead of forcing the issue, it used

its size advantage inside to earn high-percentage looks. Fifth-year senior centerforward Jared Berggren led the effort with a highly efficient 5-of-9, 12-point performance. “We fed Berggren, he got a couple easy ones and Ryan

[Evans] got some, I got one, Sam [Dekker] got a couple,” Bruesewitz said. “So when shots aren’t falling we got to hit the glass and make sure we feed the big guys down low.“ The Badgers did not exactly burn the nets down

early, and Brust missed his first four looks from threepoint land. Brust then regained his rhythm from the perimeter, sinking all three of his shot attempts in the second half,

WILDCATS, page 10

Adversity may be key for UW Caroline Sage Sage Advice

Photo Courtesy of UW Athletics

Junior Tyler Graff (above) and Freshman Connor Medbery are the most recent graduates of Loveland High School in Colorado to be recruited by the Wisconsin wrestling team.

Colorado pair leads Wisconsin Lee Gordon Statistics Editor It’s pretty rare to have two solid high school wrestlers from the same state decide on the same collegiate wrestling program 1,000 miles away from home. It’s a whole different story when those two wrestlers combined for seven state championships while competing for the same high school and are dominating at the collegiate level in the most difficult wrestling conference in the country. Both redshirt junior Tyler Graff and redshirt freshman Connor Medbery

decided on the University of Wisconsin wrestling program coming from Loveland High School in northern Colorado and have been Wisconsin’s two best wrestlers this season, with both being ranked every week since the start of the year. Graff and Medbery are currently ranked in the top ten of the 133-pound and heavyweight weight classes, respectively. Head coach Barry Davis said it’s not every day you see two teammate wrestlers who combined for six undefeated seasons and a totaled 323-3 record in high school.

“Those guys are rare,” Davis said. “To have that type of athletic talent and that they came from the same high school.” The relationship between Graff and Medbery began well before high school. The pair was part of a small group of wrestlers from Loveland who trained and wrestled throughout grade school together starting at an early age. Entering his first year of high school, Medbery already knew the talent and work ethic of Graff, who had won three state championships before Medbery was even out of eighth grade. He said his

other teammates quickly respected Graff just as much for what he had already accomplished at Loveland High School. “We had a good friendship, definitely,” Medbery said. “All of the other underclassmen looked up to Ty to see how he was working hard, so when it was time to wrestle, everybody knew this wasn’t a time to mess around. It was a time to wrestle, so everybody could stay focused.” The admiration for Graff, however, was not one-sided. Graff knew of Medbery’s

COLORADO, page 11

The team was ranked No. 1 in every week of the season except one. The program that had won two of the previous three national titles in 2009 and 2011 — missing the 2010 tournament with its coach and two best returning players competing in the Olympics — boasted a roster stacked with talent and experience including the Patty Kazmaier Award winner (given to the season’s best player) Brianna Decker. The hype surrounding the Wisconsin women’s hockey team last year could not have gotten much higher. Building off previous success, each week’s accomplishments fueled momentum toward another national championship opportunity. But after losing that final game to Wisconsin Public Enemy No. 1, Goldy Gopher, and seeing three of their top four scorers graduate, it is safe to say that momentum was all but shattered heading into this season. And at the start of the season, the Badger team that appeared on fresh

home ice in the brand new LaBahn Arena was also a team starting out with a fresh set of talent with eight new names on the back of cardinal and red jerseys. Yes, the team still had Decker to give opponents a scare, but the rest of UW’s offense had yet to be tapped. What I’ve witnessed over the course of the season is a Badger squad transform a year of rebuilding into one capable of bringing home the program’s fifth golden trophy come the third week of March. Wisconsin started out the season with a mediocre-at-best 3-32 record. Two critical tests early on with conference foes that like to spoil Wisconsin fun, Minnesota-Duluth and Bemidji State, proved too much for the young Badgers squad who suffered three losses and a tie in the four-game stretch. But this year’s play can now be viewed as the perfect “tale of two seasons” storyline. Ironically, those two teams that seemed to prove the end to the dynasty-like nature of the Wisconsin women’s hockey are the two teams the Badgers finish their regular season against. After being shutout by UMD in both games of the mid-October series because of a clear inability to score, the

SAGE, page 11