November 8th Issue

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Election Swimmers and results divers pull past the are in! competition News 3 Sports 11

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November 8, 2012

Vol. 135, No. 9

Since 1884

Superstorm Sandy threatens students on the East Coast

Photo courtesy of Emily Voss

Damage after the storm. Superstorm Sandy knocked down trees near Central Park in New York and damaged the parked cars. New York is still recovering.

Matt Yan

Staff Writer

Many people are calling Superstorm Sandy one of the most damaging storms in history. The storm blasted the eastern seaboard last Monday, Oct. 29 with winds up to 94 miles per hour, leaving 7.5 million people without power and causing more than $20 billion in damages. Several states were declared emergency disaster areas, including New York.

Emily Voss (‘13), who is living on the Upper East Side of Manhattan this semester, spoke about what it was like to weather the storm.

“We were extremely lucky not to be severely affected by Hurricane Sandy,” Voss said. “We did not lose electricity or have issues with flooding or damage.

It was extremely windy and rainy and we were forced to remain inside for several days but overall, I couldn’t have been in a safer place in the city during

the storm.”

Much of Lower Manhattan was left without power for the better part of five days. Residents finally got power back on Saturday, but there are still gas and power shortages in New York’s outer boroughs.

“The biggest difficulty has come in the days after the storm as the city is paralyzed with lack of transportation,” Voss said. “The subway was closed Sunday night and only [Thursday]

morning have they begun to open sections of it to the public.”

The hurricane has also left airports with delays and cancellations. Voss’s mother was preparing to visit her on Wednesday but found her flight cancelled and the system backlogged.

Voss also avoided a potentially dangerous situation with her work when the Superstorm continued on page 10

J-term course offered by bestselling author Katherine Mohr

Photo courtesy of en.wikipedia.org

Jane Hamilton

Staff Writer

J-term can be a lot of things for students: an opportunity to study abroad, the time to take the required first-year seminar or an off-campus internship.

However, many students take the month to experience an on-campus course. It can be a chance for students to stretch their imaginations and take a class they might not have otherwise taken.

This year, two visiting writers will teach two courses in the English department.

Jane Hamilton, an award-winning author whose novels appear regularly on bestseller lists, will teach the course “Adventures in Reading and Writing Fiction.”

Athena Kildegaard is a poet who has published three books and will be teaching “Creative Writing: Poetry & Fiction I.” Hamilton looks forward to having a long stretch of time every day.

“I love the idea of a super intense three-week, writeuntil-you-drop event,” Hamilton said. “I love the intensity of the endeavor. That intensity is what writing requires, so it’s perfect for our purposes.”

The expansive, uninterrupted three-week J-term proves to be beneficial for many different classes.

“The format for January term is perfect for these type J-term continued on page 10

LUTHER COLLEGE CHIPS

News November 8, 2012 The “Holy Grail of American politics” 2

Associate Professor of Religion Guy Nave lectures on change and the nature of Christianity’s role in American politics.

Noah Nelsen-Gross Staff Writer “When did change become the Holy Grail of American politics?” Associate Professor of Religion Guy Nave asked.

“And what can the word possibly mean if every candidate from every political party is promising to bring it?”

This statement became the key issue in his lecture, “Clamoring for Change: Christianity as a Hindrance or an Aid to Social Change” given on Oct. 30.

Instead of religious dialogue, the audience was given a talk primarily focused on political change, which is something that was immediately relevant prior to the general election.

In his lecture, Nave explored how change functions in a social context, focusing recent years.

In this sense, the lecture was less focused on Christianity, which was the advertised topic of the talk, and instead became a social deconstruction of the ways in which society in regards especially to politics.

“What does change actually mean for people?” Nave asked. “What exactly is it that people are wanting when they are clamoring for change?”

This question is especially relevant today as both presidential candidates touted “big change” as slogans for their campaign platforms. Nave commented on how obscure this idea really is and how Americans cling to it in the current political environment.

“Within the current political landscape it’s hard to think of a more meaningless political watch-word than change, but change is exactly what people are demanding and

Noah Nelson-Gross/Chips

Meaning of change. Associate Professor of Religion Guy Nave explains the emptiness in the idea of “change” that today’s politicians, party platforms and the American people cling to in political discussion. politicians are offering,” Nave said. “But what exactly is this change?”

While seemingly important now, these are questions that Nave has been asking for the past couple of years.

Nave began his project two years ago while on his yearlong sabbatical. He spent time inside and outside of the United States talking to people, asking questions, and getting a feel for what change meant to the average person.

Last year he returned and taught a class with the same name as the lecture that he gave. All of this research and the class culminated in the lecture, but Nave said that he has many more questions than answers.

Despite this, one thing was clear as he closed his argument.

“It seems that we are currently living in a time where the demand for change and the promise for change dominate much of the public rhetoric, both nationally and

internationally,” Nave said. “But what is it that all of us are doing, whether we are conservatives or liberals or whatever else we may be, that is the same.”

Through all of the questions and lack of certainty, Nave left listeners with one distinct statement: “We often operate from positives of

change.”

LUTHER COLLEGE CHIPS

News

November 8, 2012

Seven-day Forecast

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Life outside Luther

News you can use from around the globe

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Greeks band with bar to battle against childhood cancer Local community member’s struggle against cancer unifies Luther Greek organizations and local community members in fundraising.

Peter Jarzyna Volunteer Writer

St. Jude is a center located in Memphis, Tenn.

The hospital specializes in the advancement of cures and preventative measures for catastrophic pediatric diseases, specifically cancer. reflected upon the fraternity’s involvement.

“It’s a great way for our organization to give back, and I’m happy that our support can go toward the children, because no one needs it more than they do,” Smith said.

Smith stressed that it was not only members many of Luther’s other Greek organization as well.

“Just about everyone seems to be down for the

Compiled by: Sarah King News Editor

Where will housing be found for Sandy’s victims?

Government leaders are turning their attention to the next crisis potentially tens of thousands of people left homeless.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency said it has already dispensed close to $200 million in emergency housing assistance and has put 34,000 people in the New York and New Jersey metropolitan area up in hotels and motels.

as cold weather sets in. Given the scarcity and high cost of housing in the metropolitan area and the lack of open space, it could prove a monumental undertaking. ***

New chaos engulfed Syria’s civil war Monday as Palestinian supporters and opponents of the embattled regime were swept up in control of a Turkish border crossing.

foot forward in the battle against cancer.

As their first step to raise funds, Greek life will battling the regime will turn on each other. worker or his was diagnosed with the disease. *** Naatz said. “A person within the organization that is very dear to our hearts developed cancer, and we wanted to do something to help out.”

The original plan was to host a benefit that would directly support this person, but they responded with more selfless motives. they wouldn’t accept it,” Naatz said. “They wanted donations to go to St. Jude Children’s

to around 10 or 12 dollars,” Smith said. “The trying to figure out other ways to raise money.

Jude’s” Facebook event page, or contact Naatz at naatia01@luther.edu. Order forms will be available soon and distributed throughout the residence halls.

Election 2012 results Obama Re-Elected Incumbent Barack Obama will retain the U.S. presidency for four more years, collecting 303 Electoral

UN imposes sanctions on Haqqani network The U.N. committee that oversees sanctions against the Taliban

allied forces in Afghanistan, and its “chief of suicide operations.”

The Taliban Sanctions Committee ordered all 193 U.N. member states to freeze the assets and institute an arms embargo against the militant organizations and is responsible for suicide attacks and targeted assassination as well as kidnappings in Kabul and Afghan provinces.

The committee also ordered an asset freeze, arms embargo and travel who is said to oversee the training of suicide attackers and provide instructions on how to construct improvised explosive devices. *** Budweiser seeks removal from “Flight”

acceptence speech in Chicago. *** First openly gay Senator elected

Stolichnaya vodka.

the U.S. Senate. tweeted late Tuesday. ***

the wheel.

Minnesota Marriage Amendment a close race ban gay marriage were too close to call, at 49% in favor of the amendment with 83% of precincts reporting according to the Minneapolis Star Tribune.

WAKE UP WITH

CHIPS

*** Elephant in South Korean zoo imitates human speech An elephant in a South Korean zoo is using his trunk to pick up not only food, but also human vocabulary.

LUTHER COLLEGE

brightening your day since 1884

has an unusual and possibly unprecedented talent. by tucking his trunk inside his mouth to modulate sound, the scientists may have started imitating human speech because he was lonely.

Life outside Luther compiled from: http://ap.org

Arts & Entertainment

4

November 8, 2012

Red Propaganda

Exhibit of Russian WWII propaganda posters curated by Clara Bergan (‘14).

Walker Nyenhuis

Staff Writer

A Swastika-marked blade advances through the darkness, menacing a mother and her young son. To its left, the determined gaze of a woman holds strong as she brandishes a gun in her right hand and a hefty bundle of wheat on her left shoulder. Another woman, completely cloaked in red, proudly lifts her arm to command the legion of firearms behind her.

These are just a few images from “Propaganda of The Great Patriotic War,” a World War II exhibit from the Fine Arts Collection currently on display in Preus Library’s main floor gallery. The exhibit portrays proSoviet and anti-German propaganda created by the Telegraphic Agency of the Soviet Union.

“This year is an election year, which makes propaganda very prevalent,” Curator Clara Bergan (‘14) said. “It’s in our face all the time. Even though this [exhibit] is the Soviet Union, it shows people how it’s used in all sorts of contexts … It’s kind of cool to see it all across the board, not just in the 1940s, but today as well.”

Luther alum and Russian studies major Greg Siems (‘12) worked with Associate Professor and Department Head of Russian Studies Laurie IudinNelson to translate the posters this

past spring. He spent over a month researching and revising his work in order to develop accurate translations of the patriotic Russian phrases.

“The purpose of propaganda is to

going to be understood easily by the population.”

Luther Professor Emeritus of History Richard Cole donated the posters to Luther’s Fine Arts Collection and

Photos by Walker Nyenhuis/Chips

“Motherland Is Calling!” Clara Bergan (‘14) observes the WWII propaganda posters. agitate, mobilize and move people to act,” Siems said. “It’s much more direct, it’s much more forceful … It has to be brief, concise, and convey the message quickly and in a way that’s

Sunday Service @10:30am . St. Benedict School (402 Rural Ave.) . 563-387-7706 is offering rides from campus to their 10:30 church service. A van with the LifeHouse logo leaves from the Union @ 10:00 Sunday mornings.

Galleries. He purchased them in Leningrad (now St. Petersburg) in 1975 during the 30th anniversary of “Victory Day,” a national holiday commemorating the Soviet triumph over Nazi Germany.

“The battle between Germany and Russia was a huge land battle,” Cole said. “It went on for years, millions of people were killed. The magnitude of the war was enormous … In Russia, World War II is still very real to them.”

Certain sections of the exhibit

showcase parallels between Soviet and American war propaganda. Bergan placed several posters together to illustrate the mutual desire to protect the nations’ children and inspire women to contribute to war efforts.

“My favorite example is what we know as Rosie the Riveter,” Bergan said.

“Howard Miller made the “We Can Do It!” poster and you see the same thing in these Russian propaganda posters; these women who may be homemakers on a regular day are taking up industry and agricultural positions.”

Other posters aim to unite citizens through anger and fear. One poster portrays Adolf Hitler as a rat-like creature crawling through the nonaggression pact he broke by invading the Soviet Union on June 22, 1941.

“These are universal themes,” IudinNelson said. “You have to identify an enemy … It’s amazing how many people think we [Soviet Union and United States] were enemies in World War II.” The idea of Soviet perspective is crucial to the exhibit. Those who contributed their efforts recognized that many Luther students have only been exposed to the American history of war involvement, so they used the exhibit as an attempt to widen the lens through which students view history.

“The Russians paid their debt to the war with lives,” Siems said. “Millions upon millions of Russians died in that war; it affected every family. That’s something that is kind of pushed to the side in the whole narrative of American history. We like to think that we were the saviors of the war … I think the posters at least offer a window into the Russian experience.”

LUTHER COLLEGE CHIPS

Arts & Entertainment

November 8, 2012

5

Jonathan Burns wows audience Tony Chase

Hayley Ryan (‘15), had a unique show experience.

“To be the source of laughter and entertainment for

which Burns claimed to be performing a trick but only wanted Ryan’s cell phone number, and Burns made her a part of the entire show through various pick-up lines and lustful looks.

“It was great to be a part of the show,” Ryan said.

show respect for performers and the time they share with the Luther community. Though the fire alarm was pulled, I appreciated the fact that the audience came back. It just shows that Burns had an engaging show and that students wanted to see the rest of his act.”

Staff Writer Ryan was on-stage for roughly five minutes, during everyone was really fun. I just wish people would

Headbands, sharp objects, plenty of sexual innuendo and an untimely fire alarm. These elements comprised the performance of Jonathan Burns, magician, comedian and contortionist, who packed Marty’s with laughter and kept the large majority of his audience even after the fire alarm interrupted the show.

“I’ve dealt with distractions before, but this was definitely the biggest time-gap,” Burns said. “I’m just glad everyone came back.”

The Pennsylvania-based performer, who was inspired by the likes of Steve Martin, Weird Al Yankovic and Peewee Herman, reflected on his beginnings to explain his diverse abilities.

“I was always a bendy and goofy kid, but now I just constantly push myself,” Burns said. “I studied other people endlessly until I came up with my own content.”

The style of comedy Burns brought was a balance of silly, stretchy and slightly creepy. With routines that featured his body, unsuspecting (female) audience members and the occasional velociraptor impression, the audience was never short on laughs.

“I like that I’m unique, that I make my own mark,” Burns said. “My goofy side comes out on stage, but it’s not like I’m going crazy in an Arby’s.”

Burns emphasized how his performance deviated from traditional stand-up, with the use of props as well as the audience.

“There’s a different kind of laughter that comes with using props and in-show commentary,” Burns said.

“My goal is for a group experience, for the audience to be the show as well.”

Bringing his audience-centered performance to the SAC Spotlight stage, Burns weaved in and out of the audience with ease, never afraid to call out audience members and have them be a part of the show.

Tony Chase/Chips

Jonathan Burns fuses his unique talents of contortion and magic tricks with comedy.

KWLC Review: Anaal Nathrakh’s “Vanitas”: A half an hour in hell Noah Lange

of black metal, each element of the

Loud Rock Music Director album’s sonic palette is clearly audible

Anaal Nathrakh’s ninth full-length album, “Vanitas” sees the English black metal/grindcore duo doing what they have always done best — making blisteringly fast and heavy music that pins you in your chair and makes you forget to breathe entirely.

Dave Hunt, alias V.I.T.R.I.O.L., remains one of the most wildly talented vocalists in extreme metal. Changing without growls, inhuman shrieks and a throaty roar (his operatic, power metal-esque vocals see fewer appearances than in 2007’s “In the Constellation of the Black Widow”), it’s astounding that all the vocal tracks on the album were recorded by the same man.

Granted, that isn’t to say I’ve the slightest idea of what he’s singing. Occasional phrases leap out of the album’s fuzzy howl — a line from a chorus, a song title — but Hunt’s screams rarely stray from the realm of mostly unintelligible.

The rest of the album’s musicianship is excellent. Guitarist/drummer Mick Kenney turns in a great performance, from his delivery on the album’s demonic guitar leads to the impeccable punch of its programmed drums. The album’s production is similarly excellent.

— from the snap and machine gun-like rattle of drums to the searing guitar leads, shrieking vocals and industrial glitches and stops.

This is not a pretty album, and is not an accessible one. While “In the Constellation of the Black Widow” had moments of melody amidst its apocalyptic carnage, “Vanitas” sounds like hell, complete with the shrieks of tortured souls and gnashing of power chords. While the closing solo of “In Coelo Quies, Tout Finis Ici Bas” offers a minute-long, Floyd-esque midalbum respite from the chaos, the next track takes you by the throat and pins you back against the wall.

Pick an album. “Vanitas” is louder, faster and heavier. And it is incredible.

Recommended Cuts: “Forging Towards the Sunset, Of Fire and F****** Pigs,” “In Coelo Quies,” “Tout Finis Ici Bas.”

www.heavyblogisheavy.com

“Forging Towards the Sunset.” Dave Hunt and Mick Kenney rock your socks.

LUTHER COL

6

Featu

November 8, 2012

A home run – away from Luther student Rich Holton (‘14) talks about his experiences teaching Ugandan children about baseball, living in a house without a door and discovering the often disregarded merits of a Polaroid camera.

Carrie Juergens

Staff Writer

Traveling abroad unaccompanied is not an adventure for the faint of heart.

Former baseball player and Luther student Rich Holton (‘14) volunteered in Uganda last spring semester.

Holton chose Uganda because a love for baseball had already taken root there. Japanese volunteers who were passionate about the sport had traveled to Uganda and taught baseball to some of the kids. interested me,” Holton said. “It stayed in the back of my mind.”

Roused by the clip, Holton decided to plan a trip to Uganda on his own, without the help of an organization.

“I contacted the owner of an orphanage online and [made] plans to stay with him and work on his farm in

the morning while teaching Ugandan schoolchildren about baseball in the afternoon,” Holton said. “I wouldn’t recommend [going alone to a foreign country], but it worked out fine for me.”

Compared to his home in the United States, Holton’s living situation was a drastic change. He lived in a concrete building without the comforts of electricity and running water – or even a door. What stood out most to him, however, was not his altered living conditions, but the positivity and resilience of the children who lived there.

“They had nothing, but were so happy and engaging,” Holton said. “They were very curious about Western culture.”

Holton said that the kids he worked with had interesting reactions to some of the items he brought along.

“When I went to Uganda, I brought two cameras with me: a digital camera

Courtesy of Rich Holton

I asked the kids which camera was better, the answer was far and away the pictures to them right away. The different settings and technology of the digital camera didn’t make it more appealing. Instant results were what made them the happiest.”

Despite the difficult living conditions, Holton wants to return sometime in the future.

“While I was there, it was really hard to imagine ever returning, but it has changed my entire view of the world,” said Holton. “I can’t go back to the way I saw things before.”

For those who want to help the situation in Africa, Holton gives this advice: “The best way to understand the situation over there is to travel and see need to see things over there to fully understand how to help the African community.”

Courtesy of Rich Holton

Courtesy of Rich Holton

For the love of the game. Rich Holton (‘14) said that his time in Uganda teaching children about baseball “changed [his] entire view of the world.”

No Shave November: The compe Margaret Yapp

It’s the second week of No Shave November, and our noble contestants are getting scruffy. However, even with the stress activities like frolicking and playing snazzy holiday tunes on the piano. Regardless of who wins, these guys are all champs.

Sam Raiche (‘15) Meeting in an unusual place to discuss facial hair growth seems to be a pattern for me.

I found Sam Raiche (‘15) in

Margaret Yapp/Chips

Joel Barkel (‘13)

described as a “cheeky version of Jingle Bells” on the piano.

f

Staff Writer

room B6. As I quietly opened the door, he asked me in a loudwhisper if I wanted to “hear something cool.” I said yes, and he started playing what he

He stroked the keys alternately with his cheeks.

“It’s at the scruffy stage, which for me is the good-looking stage,” Raiche said. “But pretty soon it will start to be longer than it is thick, and that is when it starts to be pretty gross.”

It might get gross, but Raiche should have no trouble keeping his friends around with his musical prowess and friendly attitude.

Even after I reminded him several times that he is in a competition, he remained one of the calmest men in the history of No Shave November. The most riled up I could get Raiche was when I asked him about his past summer.

“I grew it out so that it got full,” Raiche said. “Not like full-full, but kind of full...and luscious. It was really hot, but it was just a great-looking beard.”

Not only did he have nothing but positive comments regarding his own experience, Raiche was only loving and compassionate when I brought up the others. like the perfect example...you just gotta try and hope something grows. Life is a garden, dig it.”

When I asked to meet him for a No Shave November update this week, Joel Barkel (‘13) refused to meet me at any place other than the prairie by Baker Village.

I tentatively agreed and found him weaving through Margaret Yapp/Chips

grass, sporting the thickest

eyes upon. He informed me that he has been roaming through different parts of the Decorah wild since we last spoke.

“I try to sustain [the beard] with plenty of hot chocolate and – all sorts of manly things. I went and played in the woods down a tree.”

These tactics are certainly working; Barkel’s beard was the

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LLEGE CHIPS

ures

November 8, 2012

m home

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Courtesy of Todd Pedlar

Hard at work. Associate professor Todd Pedlar is studying interactions between quarks in Richland, Wash.

Carrie Juergens/Chips

Rich Holton (‘14)

Professors on Sabbatical:

Big ideas, tiny quarks Brita Moore

Staff Writer

Luther professors spend their occasional sabbaticals away from their classrooms; however, the year off is no

researching subatomic particles.

“We are studying the interaction between elementary particles, known as quarks, that make up protons and neutrons, which in turn make up you and me and

Laboratory, which is on the Hanford Nuclear Reservation. He learned about the Collaboration through a fellow post-doctorate researcher at Cornell University and officially joined it in 2010. Belle’s main project is at KEK, the national high-energy physics laboratory in Japan.

“We work in a very controlled environment in which we can know from the get-go that we have created a particular setup of a quark and an antiquark that orbit each other like the electron orbits the proton in a The research is very fundamental, regarding the interactions between the smallest particles known. used for further studies of physical phenomena.

tition grows fierce

fullest I had ever seen it.

“It feels a little more full on the side where it usually does not grow,” Barkel said. “Maybe I was kidding myself when

redemption.”

As the sun set behind him, the hue of Barkel’s beard exactly matched the golden shine of the long grass that pierced the sky surrounding us. His regal silhouette was one of hope.

Phil Hanson (‘16) Everyone

Margaret Yapp/Chips

is

rooting

show what he’s got this November. The fact of the matter is, however, is that he might not get a full and dark beard.

“I’m starting to notice that I am getting some whiskers on my chin and

upper lip,” Hanson said. “There is some stuff on my side burns extending down and a little bit on my lower jaw line.”

Hanson explained these patterns to me like one who has been looking in the mirror pretty often lately. He seemed to know more about his beard than the other two contestants combined. Following his much desired description, we both got a little choked up as he let out a delicate whisper: “But for the most part, the stuff on my cheeks and jaw is too light to see.”

Hanson might be experiencing a quivery start, but it is important to remember that we are only a week into our challenge. He has not lost all hope.

“One or two people have noticed and are all like, ‘Hey, you didn’t shave.’” Hanson said. “But I’m just like, ‘Haters gonna hate.’ I am who I am, and that includes the hair on my face. So if people don’t like it they can just deal.”

and during the summers, albeit at a slower pace than right now in Richland.

“The relationship between what I am doing now and said. “What I work on very often makes its way into the classroom by way of examples used to show particular calculations or to illustrate various basic particle properties, even in the first-year course I teach.”

It also keeps him involved in the direction physics research is going today.

“The work I am doing now keeps me very intimately connected with forefront research in particle physics hope that learning and studying translates to enthusiasm, energy and motivational qualities that I can project while teaching.”

Dallas Wulf (‘12) and Jon Zarling (‘13) have helped with the research on new particle states and decays.

Zarling traveled to Richland as well to work on his senior project and will return in January term. time to both teaching and learning.

“The enrichment of both doing classroom teaching and working on my research energize me in different ways, but both are really important parts of what I

Opinion

8

November 8, 2012

Opinion: My latest obsession

CHIPS Multaphilia: love of fines Chips is a student publication of

The paper is designed, composed,

little bundles of joy?

the academic year, excluding the month of January.

The opinion section is designed to provide a forum for Chips, its community. Opinions expressed in articles, editorials or columns do not Tyler Hagy necessarily represent the views of Columnist the Chips staff. The author is solely responsible for opinions expressed in Chips commentary.

Chips will not accept submitted articles or campus announcements.

Submissions for letters to the editor should be submitted as a word document to chipsedt@luther.edu with “Letter to the Editor” as the subject line. security force yelling at me as I drive around campus. I can just subject to editing without changing the meaning of the letter. Authors will not be notified of changes prior to bearded, yelling at you? publishing. Letters must be signed, 300-400 words and submitted by Sunday at 5 p.m. the week before for some bright yellow mementos. Maybe I can wallpaper my future publication. Publication of all letters send him a Christmas card ... and they’re the perfect shade of yellow, is at the discretion of the editor.

Contact Chips Phone: 563.387.1044 Fax: 563.387.2072 E-mail: chipsedt@luther.edu Advertising: chipsads@luther.edu In regard to Obama’s expanding use of The use of drones in our foreign policy is Charlie Parrish website: http://lutherchips.com

Editorial: Le moine et le voyou

The authenticity of voting A&E Editor

Editor-in-Chief...................Michael Crowe Managing Editor..........................Ethan Groothuis News Editors........................Ingrid Baudler Sarah King Features Editor......................Jessy Machon

Staff Writers..............................Tony Chase Jayne Cole Carrie Juergens Katherine Mohr Brita Moore Bailey Mulholland Noah Nelsen-Gross

After months of political advertisements, lectures on whom I should vote for and why I need to vote, I did not vote and I am happy about it. I mean, as happy as I can be with the choices presented to me.

There were three choices circulating in

of a voice against the possibility of Romney becoming president by voting for Obama.

My second was to nobly vote for a third party candidate that I might actually want as the leader of my country.

My third choice was to not vote. I chose this option to the scorn of many friends, celebrities who did everything but carry me to the polls

Head Copy Editor...................Benj Cramer Copy Editors...............................Katie Hale Kirsten Hash Ad Representative.................Charlie Bruer Michael Johnson Ad Accountant......................Sam Matheson

Voting in the United States however is no longer an authentic political action. We are presented with two candidates whose policies perpetuate the current system of corruption and violence.

There are few ways of actually having a political voice in this time. One of the most obvious and important is the Occupy Wall Street Movement. This is a movement that aligns itself with the people crushed by the greed of corporate America, which

Web Technician...................Nathan Haines

Illustrator..........................Michael Johnson Adviser.............................Martin Klammer

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poor, poor. We need a candidate who will stand up for the people who are systematically oppressed in our country.

As far as foreign policy, the U.S.’ has been unacceptable. George W. Bush received his fair share of criticism for war crimes in Iraq.

However, the criticism of Obama’s foreign policy has remained largely under the radar.

drones, Ralph Nader, consumer-advocate and former third party presidential candidate said, “He’s gone beyond George W. Bush in drones

just the latest result of the violent and widely accepted American exceptionalism that says the U.S. can do whatever is necessary to accomplish its goals, which is primarily to

and who dies, supposed suspects in places

“Why vote for a war criminal? Why vote for someone who wants to be an even bigger war criminal?” Nader said of Obama and Romney.

and that is a war crime and he ought to be held to account.”

Obama has not been held accountable for these, besides recent UN investigations.

vote or yours.

Par for the Norse

LUTHER COLLEGE CHIPS

Opinion

November 8, 2012

I’m surprised at how many students still seem

9

Macbeth “Macbeth” is a play that many of you

Nothing” because of its text tampering,

mean that all the parts are played by women?”

Macbeth.” But the rest of you will get a vivid classes included it as a reading. Some of

In fact humans have practiced so much complicated artistic metamorphosis that there’s a category of literary criticism called “Adaptation Studies.”

project, I was – quoting my overall goal – eager to “nurture our community’s rediscovery of the range, power and wisdom

productions from the same program can

most popular recent adaptation is “Scotland, experience in the lobby – that alone will be more than worth the price of admission.

bumped into some cultural references to the “unsex me here” harpy/witch, Birnam Wood coming to Dunsinane, “Out damned

his thirty-eight plays, only three or four do not have a prominent literary/historical source, and

that all blood refers to “Macbeth,” but there are few references to Macbeth that don’t include some mention of blood. In the early stages, someone suggested the title “Blood Ballet” for this fall’s “Macbeth”

possible that some collaborators began to revise

dance ideas.

For both of us, then, “Macbeth’s” primary interest was as a source for a cohesive plot with which audiences might be familiar.

And what did we end up with? The project involves eighteen dancers, in addition to a large supporting cast of stage managers, production assistants and costumers.

Tragedy Like Macbeth dance ensemble

has designed some stunning, medievalreshaped – tragedies were given comic endings, two plays were sometimes created out of one, and new plays with new titles incorporated

of the superstition that in order to prevent disaster, the play’s actual title should never

sources he drew from, and many adaptations

has created a dramatic lighting plan, and Technical Director Tom Berger has outdone himself in designing an elaborate and evocative set.

All performances are in Jewel Theatre, minutes before the listed performance time.

just about any phrase from Macbeth’s last soliloquy “Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and

compelling than their originals. My main point is that, historically, what we’ve been doing in the dance program this fall isn’t

tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury signifying nothing.” “Macbeth” is second only to “Hamlet” in the number of “important

an exciting exploratory process that has been experience and that has resulted in an excellent

A Tragedy Like Macbeth As a student in the dance program for the

Editorial: Great taste, less filling

Defending the Caf of stress.

A couple of months into this new adventure, a mischievous thought started to creep into my subconscious. “Do I want to eat at the caf for dinner tonight?” ‘Of course not” I said to the

Consider how many institutions actually let you

The biggest thing that I had been missing was the can eat an unlimited amount of food with almost the entire campus. As a senior living off campus, I don’t get that anymore. I may have the control over what to eat, but I’m almost always alone in

out. After years of complaining, I never stopped to

Ethan Groothuis

Managing Editor

comments about their sport being in a building year, stands the most uttered sentence in all of I have to admit, I was definitely one of these per se, but it seemed as though there was nothing someone new than complaining about what was in the caf for supper than night.

After three years of caf-eating, I started getting really excited to have an off-campus meal plan at

had being able to choose my own meal. I could mix because I was the ruler of my own domain. store and bought more noodles and instant rice than you could imagine. I intended to become the next Guy Fieri, Julia Child or even Swedish Chef – civil unrest. I still got a small meal plan, because

from what I have learned, you miss the things you

LUTHER COLLEGE CHIPS

News

10

November 8, 2012

Sandy creates close call for students in New York and D.C. Superstorm continued from page 1

superstorm hit.

“We were actually supposed to be traveling to New Jersey for a large [photo] shoot on Monday and Tuesday but thankfully it was cancelled at the last minute because that was where a lot of damage occurred,” Voss said.

Paul Esker (‘14) ia interning in Washington, D.C. this semester and recalled his Superstorm Sandy experience as mildly uneventful.

“Our building didn’t lose power or anything,” Esker said. “We got work off for two days, so we just kind of camped out in our apartment.”

Esker is among the lucky few who were largely unaffected by the storm.

The federal government shut down and the subway and most businesses closed, leaving the city seemingly desolate.

“There wasn’t that much damage in our area,” Esker said. “If you walk through the streets in our neighborhood now you probably wouldn’t be able to tell that a hurricane passed through.”

As uneventful as Esker’s storm encounter was, he is thankful that he wasn’t affected as badly as many others were. For those affected, the recovery back to normality will be a long one.

Sandy leaves destructive trail through New York City. A crane arm dangles

J-term offerings: human dissection, ‘Free at Last’ and poetry J-term continued from page 1

of ‘visiting writers’ studio classes, and both these [English] courses will provide an excellent opportunity for creative writers at Luther,” Professor of English and Department Head Nancy Barry said.

Many who teach J-term courses enjoy that students take only one class. be] high-impact learning moments,” Professor of Africana Studies and Department Head Novian Whitsitt said.

“Students will appreciate the day-to-day intellectual building that occurs.”

In addition to the 185-level course, “Free at Last: The Global AntiApartheid Movement,” the Africana Studies Department is offering an upper-level course entitled “Victim or Villain: Crisis in Africa” which will provide upper-class students “with an opportunity to examine contemporary problems posing threats to political and social stability in a number of African nations,” Whitsitt said.

Those with a biology major can look for two courses —”Animal Behavior” and “Human Dissection”— that enable them “to pursue concentrated study in two areas that are of interest to many people,” Professor of Biology and Department Head Tex Sordahl (‘73)

Correction The Nov. 1 issue of Chips listed Oketekyie Dakwa-Agyekum (‘13) as Diveristy Council President in the article titled “Board of Regents reveals sources of revenue.” DakwaAgyekum actually sits on the Regents Board as a Senior Class Representative from Student Senate.

said.

Additionally, the Biology Department will be offering “Biology of Cancer,” a 100-level course that will “enable nonscience majors to take a Natural World

course on a topic that is likewise of interest,” Sordahl said.

Hamilton shares the sentiments of most professors in saying that the ideal student for her J-term is engaged

and ready to pursue something that is perhaps out of the ordinary.

“I’m looking for anyone … who has something to say, the student who wants to explore the craft,” Hamilton said.

Coming soon to Luther.

BREAKFAST ALL DAY! M t W th F s Su

“Nothing fancy, just good food” 817 Mechanic St. Decorah 52101

LUTHER COLLEGE CHIPS

Sports

November 8, 2012

11

Swimmers set records Women edge past Whitewater, relay team sets pool record.

Margaret Yapp

NORSE SPOTLIGHT ATHLETE

Staff Writer

For the past 12 years Head Coach Lance Huber has helped Luther College swimming and diving to become a dominating force in the NCAA Division III swimming world. On Saturday, Nov. 3 both teams competed against UW-Whitewater, one of their hardest dual competitions every season.

“This is the only dual meet we ever lose consistently,” swimmer Lisbet Finseth (‘13) said. “It has been like this for a while. They bring it, and it makes for a very fast meet.”

The first event of the meet was the 400 medley relay, led by Luther’s Clare Slagel (‘16), who set a new school record in the 100 backstroke and achieved an NCAA III B-Cut with a final time of :57.96. On the relay with Slagel were Sam Kuipers (‘16), Lexi Scharmer (‘16) and Laura Boran (‘16). Together they won the event and set a new pool record with a final time of 4:02.91.

“The women’s 400 medley relay was a shocker for everybody,” Huber said. “To go a 4:02 puts them at top sixteen in the nation.”

Last year UW-Whitewater’s women dominated Luther by over 50 points, but the tables were turned slightly this year with a Luther win of 123-120. The men were not quite as successful, losing with a final score of 77-143.

“We had some really fast swims on the women’s side,” Huber said. “I think that the women will feed off of that and it will be motivation for them to keep working hard. On the guys’ side, they did swim hard and I think they are now more in the mindset that they need to keep working on the smaller details: streamlines, turns, starts, etc., because everything in between looked great.”

Other Luther highlights include diver Zoe Johnson (‘16) achieving an NCAA III qualifying mark for 11 dives with a point total of 395.45, giving her a very good chance at competing at the national level at the end of this season. Slagel was a multiple first-place finisher in the 200 freestyle (1:58.26) and the 100 backstroke (58.18).

Other first-place finishers were Erin Connolly (‘14) in the 50 freestyle (25.91), Scharmer (‘16) in the 100 fly (1:01.38), Elizabeth Reed (‘15) in the 500 freestyle (5:22.61) and Zack Kuntz (‘13) in the 100 freestyle (50.51).

“This meet bodes very well for the rest of the season,” swimmer Katie Storey (‘15) said. “Everyone is tired and we have only been practicing for a month. If this is where we are this early in the season, I am extremely excited to see where we will be by Liberal Arts Championships.”

Casey DeLima/Chips

LUTHER! LUTHER! LUTHER! The men’s team gathers to show spirit during Saturday’s meet against UW-Whitewater.

Lauren Mordini (‘16) Major: Environmental Studies Hometown: Wheaton, Ill. Sport: Cross country Norse Accomplishments: IIAC Runner of the Week Casey DeLima/Chips

Poise. Katie Storey (‘15) stands poised and ready to swim.

Nine Norse named NFCA Scholar Athletes Sports Information

Luther College

Nine members of the 2012 Luther College softball team have been named National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Scholar Athletes. The award is released annually by the NFCA the end of October.

To achieve this honor, a student-athlete must have obtained a cumulative grade point average of 3.50 or above on a 4.0 scale, at the conclusion of the 2011-12 academic year.

The 2012 NFCA Scholar Athletes are Mallory Broderick (‘12), Paige (Comentino) Seibert (‘12), Kelsey (Kittleson) Millonig (‘12), Shari Huber (‘13), Elisa Smith (‘13), Kelsey Bies (‘14), Becca Girvan (‘14), Kayla Hatting (‘13) and Kelsey Rose (‘15).

The 2012 campaign was another outstanding season for the Norse softball team. For the third time in as many years, Luther qualified for the NCAA III National Championships. The Norse finished fifth at the national tournament, completing the year with a record of 41-9 that included a 15-1 mark in the Iowa Conference and a seventh league title. Luther’s 41 wins marked the third consecutive seasons it has tallied 40-plus victories and capped off the best four-year record in school history of 159-33.

Why I chose to run at Luther: I absolutely love the team atmosphere, the coaches are amazing and Luther has a good academic reputation.

Favorite cross country memory: The conference meet. Having the whole team run in the same race was an amazing feeling of team unity and the support of the fans was incredible. There is no better feeling than running as a Norse!

Pre-competition ritual: For every race I wear the same pair of socks (clean of course!), eat the same breakfast and listen to my pump-up playlist on my iPod before I run.

If I could have any superpower it would be: I would want to be able to control my height (maybe surpassing five feet...)

Favorite breakfast cereal: Honey Nut Cheerios

Sports

12

Hoops for hope Women’s basketball team spreads hope and talent abroad.

Jayne Cole

Staff Writer

Last May, the women’s basketball team trekked across the globe to extend their hearts and talents to children in South Africa.

The team thinks that their 10-day service trip has helped to bring them closer.

“It was a life-changing experience; we saw a whole different world,” Rachel Stenhaug (‘14) said. “We are definitely closer to everyone and it was great to get to know who you are playing with.”

Through Hoops for Hope, the team hosted clinics at orphanages that taught kids to play basketball and also donated a set of uniforms.

The team takes an international trip every four years because many are unable to travel abroad during the season.

“It is so much more than a game,” Head Coach Amanda Bailey said. “Basketball is more than just wins and losses.”

The Norse have lofty goals for the 2012-2013 season. After two strong Photo courtesy of Rachel Stenhaug scrimmages, the team feels positive Spreading smiles. Rachel Stenhaug (‘14), Brooke Johnson (‘14) and Katie about improving upon last year’s 6-19 Bjerke (‘15) helped teach a basketball clinic for children in Johannesburg. record.

Bailey enters her second year as head during preseason.

Luther plans to use their speed to their coach and is confident in the team’s “I thought we had much improved advantage on the court. The women potential. our intensity level in hope to play a quicker tempo helped by “We have a strong Friday’s scrimmage their strong set of guards. core of returners [against St. “We’re small but quick,” Bailey said. and a great group of Mary’s],” guard The team continues to emphasize freshman,” Bailey Brenna Gibbons defensive strategies while continuing to said. “We have a (‘13) said. “They run a “read and react” offense. deep bench.” were a bigger team After a disappointing finish last year, Scrimmages last with a lot more size leading scorers Taylor Johnson (‘14) and -Coach Amanda Bailey in their posts, which Nellie Nelson (‘13) return to help the week gave the women a chance to is a good challenge team stay competitive in the conference. work through their for us because we The team adds 10 new players to their nerves, play against someone other than will see a lot of that this season.”

20-member roster, including nine firstthemselves and show off their hard work Although the team may lack height, years and one transfer student.

“Although we have a lot returners, we have a completely new team,” Bailey said.

A young team isn’t the only thing new to Luther’s program. The program added new assistant and JV coaches to their staff, bringing new identity to the court.

“The combination of leaders has created a different atmosphere in a good way,” Gibbons said. “It makes players excited.”

The team is looking to make the IIAC Conference tournament this year after being absent from it last year.

“We are not only looking to make the conference tournament, but to be competitive in it,” Gibbons said.

The women are also looking to improve their number of home game wins.

“We want to do a better job of Photo courtesy of Rachel Stenhaug defending the home court and make the Spreading some Luther love. Libby Kropp (‘14), Rachel Stenhaug (‘14) Regents Center an intimidating place to and Katie Etter (‘12) spent time with children in a Cape Town orphanage. play,” Gibbons said.

“Basketball is more than just wins and losses.”

November 8, 2012 Weekly Standings Football Coe Central Buena Vista Simpson Wartburg Dubuque Loras Luther

Overall 9-0 5-4 4-5 5-4 5-4 3-5 1-7 0-9

IIAC 6-0 4-2 4-2 3-3 3-3 3-3 1-5 0-6

Recent scores: -Nov. 3 vs. Coe L 7-35 Upcoming schedule: -Nov. 10 @ Simpson 3:00 p.m.

Women’s Soccer Loras Wartburg Dubuque Central Simpson Luther Coe Buena Vista

IIAC 7-0-0 6-1-0 4-2-1 3-2-2 2-5-0 2-5-0 1-5-1 1-6-0

Overall 17-4-0 12-4-3 11-7-2 12-6-2 9-9-0 7-10-1 7-9-2 10-8-1

Volleyball Wartburg Coe Loras Dubuque Luther Central Simpson Buena Vista

IIAC 7-0 6-1 5-2 4-3 3-4 2-5 1-6 0-7

Overall 32-5 20-13 17-18 15-20 15-17 9-20 12-22 6-26

Recent scores: -Nov. 1 vs. Wartburg

L 1-3

Men’s Swimming/Diving Overall 1-0 1-1 0-0 0-2

IIAC 1-0 0-0 0-0 0-1

Loras Luther Simpson Coe

Recent scores: -Nov. 3 vs. UW-Whitewater L 77-143 Upcoming schedule: -Nov. 10 @ Grinnell 1 p.m.

Women’s Swimming/Diving IIAC 1-0 0-0 0-0 0-1

Loras Luther Simpson Coe

Overall 1-0 2-0 0-0 0-2

Recent scores: -Nov. 3 vs. UW-Whitewater W 123-120 Upcoming schedule: -Nov. 10 @ Grinnell 1 p.m.

Men’s Soccer Loras Dubuque Luther Wartburg Simpson Central Coe Buena Vista

IIAC 7-0-0 5-2-0 4-3-0 3-3-1 3-3-1 3-4-0 2-5-0 0-7-0

Overall 19-1-1 11-6-1 10-5-3 7-9-2 13-8-1 8-10-3 5-12-1 5-11-1

Sports

12

Hoops for hope Women’s basketball team spreads hope and talent abroad.

Jayne Cole

Staff Writer

Last May, the women’s basketball team trekked across the globe to extend their hearts and talents to children in South Africa.

The team thinks that their 10-day service trip has helped to bring them closer.

“It was a life-changing experience; we saw a whole different world,” Rachel Stenhaug (‘14) said. “We are definitely closer to everyone and it was great to get to know who you are playing with.”

Through Hoops for Hope, the team hosted clinics at orphanages that taught kids to play basketball and also donated a set of uniforms.

The team takes an international trip every four years because many are unable to travel abroad during the season.

“It is so much more than a game,” Head Coach Amanda Bailey said. “Basketball is more than just wins and losses.”

The Norse have lofty goals for the 2012-2013 season. After two strong Photo courtesy of Rachel Stenhaug scrimmages, the team feels positive Spreading smiles. Rachel Stenhaug (‘14), Brooke Johnson (‘14) and Katie about improving upon last year’s 6-19 Bjerke (‘15) helped teach a basketball clinic for children in Johannesburg. record.

Bailey enters her second year as head during preseason.

Luther plans to use their speed to their coach and is confident in the team’s “I thought we had much improved advantage on the court. The women potential. our intensity level in hope to play a quicker tempo helped by “We have a strong Friday’s scrimmage their strong set of guards. core of returners [against St. “We’re small but quick,” Bailey said. and a great group of Mary’s],” guard The team continues to emphasize freshman,” Bailey Brenna Gibbons defensive strategies while continuing to said. “We have a (‘13) said. “They run a “read and react” offense. deep bench.” were a bigger team After a disappointing finish last year, Scrimmages last with a lot more size leading scorers Taylor Johnson (‘14) and -Coach Amanda Bailey in their posts, which Nellie Nelson (‘13) return to help the week gave the women a chance to is a good challenge team stay competitive in the conference. work through their for us because we The team adds 10 new players to their nerves, play against someone other than will see a lot of that this season.”

20-member roster, including nine firstthemselves and show off their hard work Although the team may lack height, years and one transfer student.

“Although we have a lot returners, we have a completely new team,” Bailey said.

A young team isn’t the only thing new to Luther’s program. The program added new assistant and JV coaches to their staff, bringing new identity to the court.

“The combination of leaders has created a different atmosphere in a good way,” Gibbons said. “It makes players excited.”

The team is looking to make the IIAC Conference tournament this year after being absent from it last year.

“We are not only looking to make the conference tournament, but to be competitive in it,” Gibbons said.

The women are also looking to improve their number of home game wins.

“We want to do a better job of Photo courtesy of Rachel Stenhaug defending the home court and make the Spreading some Luther love. Libby Kropp (‘14), Rachel Stenhaug (‘14) Regents Center an intimidating place to and Katie Etter (‘12) spent time with children in a Cape Town orphanage. play,” Gibbons said.

“Basketball is more than just wins and losses.”

November 8, 2012 Weekly Standings Football Coe Central Buena Vista Simpson Wartburg Dubuque Loras Luther

Overall 9-0 5-4 4-5 5-4 5-4 3-5 1-7 0-9

IIAC 6-0 4-2 4-2 3-3 3-3 3-3 1-5 0-6

Recent scores: -Nov. 3 vs. Coe L 7-35 Upcoming schedule: -Nov. 10 @ Simpson 3:00 p.m.

Women’s Soccer Loras Wartburg Dubuque Central Simpson Luther Coe Buena Vista

IIAC 7-0-0 6-1-0 4-2-1 3-2-2 2-5-0 2-5-0 1-5-1 1-6-0

Overall 17-4-0 12-4-3 11-7-2 12-6-2 9-9-0 7-10-1 7-9-2 10-8-1

Volleyball Wartburg Coe Loras Dubuque Luther Central Simpson Buena Vista

IIAC 7-0 6-1 5-2 4-3 3-4 2-5 1-6 0-7

Overall 32-5 20-13 17-18 15-20 15-17 9-20 12-22 6-26

Recent scores: -Nov. 1 vs. Wartburg

L 1-3

Men’s Swimming/Diving Overall 1-0 1-1 0-0 0-2

IIAC 1-0 0-0 0-0 0-1

Loras Luther Simpson Coe

Recent scores: -Nov. 3 vs. UW-Whitewater L 77-143 Upcoming schedule: -Nov. 10 @ Grinnell 1 p.m.

Women’s Swimming/Diving IIAC 1-0 0-0 0-0 0-1

Loras Luther Simpson Coe

Overall 1-0 2-0 0-0 0-2

Recent scores: -Nov. 3 vs. UW-Whitewater W 123-120 Upcoming schedule: -Nov. 10 @ Grinnell 1 p.m.

Men’s Soccer Loras Dubuque Luther Wartburg Simpson Central Coe Buena Vista

IIAC 7-0-0 5-2-0 4-3-0 3-3-1 3-3-1 3-4-0 2-5-0 0-7-0

Overall 19-1-1 11-6-1 10-5-3 7-9-2 13-8-1 8-10-3 5-12-1 5-11-1