Barometer The Daily
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2012 • OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY CORVALLIS, OREGON 97331
DAILYBAROMETER.COM
VOLUME CXV, NUMBER 76
PAGE 8
SPORTS
8 – Mens B-ball: fun with numbers 8 – Coaches Corner: the Chaplins
NEWS
2 – Participants on ‘Student Bodies’ share experiences
LAMAR HURD: The man behind the color commentary
FORUM
4 – Oregon’s Twitter bill 5 – Dr. Sex: V-day thoughts
Overcoming the blindness barrier n
Zack Kline talks about the things he wishes he could see, what it takes to get to class By Joce DeWitt
The Daily Barometer
Sarah Gillihan
| THE DAILY BAROMETER
Zack Kline, who has been blind his entire life, is a junior in Human Development and Family Sciences. After graduation, he hopes to find a job that allows him to work closely with people.
Every day with his cane in tow, Zack Kline, 23, embarks on a journey to class across the paved paths of campus. On some days, that journey is short and easy. Oftentimes, though, he loses his direction for a moment, and his chances of getting to class on time are shot. As a blind student, Kline’s sensitive hearing and plain gut-feelings are what get him where he needs to go. “I get lost more often than I’d like, I gotta tell you,” said Kline, currently a junior in Human Development and Family Sciences. “Sometimes for buildings with multiple entrances, well-intentioned souls will lead me to the wrong side of the buildings, but I survive.” As an issue the average college student is not forced to consider, survival is something Kline has become pretty good at over the years. Neardeath run-ins are kept to a minimum, though it seems impossible, even for people with sight, to dodge bicyclists and longboarders on the crowded streets of Jefferson and Campus Way. “I do believe a car or bicyclist ran over my cane,” Kline recalled. “I See KLINE | page 3
Five questions pertaining to upcoming presidential election Election season is upon us... By Cody Visscher
The Daily Barometer
While the 2012 presidential election will take place on Nov. 6, 2012, President Obama will be running for a second term against the Republican nominee and a possible third party candidate. November may seem far away, but the election is rapidly approaching. Primaries and caucuses have already been held in Nevada, Iowa, Florida, South Carolina and New Hampshire; and many others will be held in the near future. Oregon’s primary will take place on May 15. In the midst of campaigns and political decision-making, many students don’t yet know whom they are going to vote for. Judging from brief interviews of students on campus, political comedian Jon Stewart said it well: “It is Indecision 2012.”
Questions: 1. What are your thoughts on the upcoming presidential election? 2. Are you planning on voting in the upcoming election? 3. Do you think Obama will get reelected? If not, who will take his place? 4. Are you content with how things have changed in the last four years? Has there been much change? 5. Who do want as the next President of the United States? Cody Visscher, staff reporter
737-2231 news@dailybarometer.com
Name: Jordan Gardner Year: Freshman Major: Athletic Training
Name: Jake Weber Year: Junior Major: Exercise Sports Science
Name: Danya Ruiz Year: Freshman Major: Business
Name: Eric Ireton Year: Sophomore Major: Bio-Engineering
1. “Honestly, I don’t really have any thoughts yet. I need to do more research on the candidates first.”
1. “I don’t know yet, I am waiting for the candidate pool to narrow down to just 2 or 3 people. I will then make my decision from there.”
1. “I don’t really know what to think yet.”
1. “Generally I am on Obama’s side, he has a good plan. But both sides are going to bring conflicting views. I guess I am almost indifferent.”
2. “For sure. I will defiantly vote, but like I said I need to know more first.”
2. “Yeah I am going to vote.”
3. “I want him to and I think he will. He has a good plan. I’m not sure who else would take the presidency.”
3. “I don’t think he is going to get reelected. I think that Mitt Romney will probably get the Republican nomination and then get the presidency.”
4. “I feel like we dug ourselves in a hole with the economy, and people want it and other things to change faster than what is reasonable.”
4. “I feel like Obama was kind of a letdown. A lot of change was promised but not much happened.”
2. “I know I am going to vote because it will be the first time I am allowed.” 3. “I don’t think he will because too many people are against him. He promised a lot but didn’t change much.” 4. “I feel like he has done a lot of small things, but nothing substantial. His term hasn’t been anything like we were lead to expect.” 5. “I don’t get the point in voting for someone if they aren’t going to do what they said they were going to do.”
2. “I am gonna vote. I am waiting to make a final decision obviously. I need to do more research.” 3. “I think Obama will get reelected. You don’t want to switch horses in the middle of the river. If he doesn’t get reelected though, I think Mitt Romney will take it.” 4. “I have not seen too much change. Realistically, I didn’t think that much change would occur. Nothing ever happens when the President and Congress aren’t working together.” 5. It’s hard staying up-to-date about national and worldwide events when you are on campus all the time. It’s like its own little world.”