09/29/2011

Review of Star Fox 64 3D

The

Adventures in Prague continue

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Huskies return to the ice

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Michigan Tech Lode

September 29, 2011

Serving the Michigan Tech Community Since 1921

The votes are in!

Voting results for Undergraduate Student Government and homecoming court are in! 100 first year students voted for their new Undergraduate Student Government representatives who are: Daniel LaForest, Charles Newlin, Kyle Pfeifer, Taylor Scanlon, Nicole Wright and Kyle Yarusso. Also, for the first time ever, the EERC tree was not nominated in the election. In addition, 1,850 people voted Brynn Ahonen, Steven Brandner, Allison Gleiss, Eric Johnson, Liz Nigro, Katie Price, Andy Versteeg and Paul Zimmerman onto homecoming court.

Featured below is your homecoming court, along with what they wish to do if they are made King or Queen:

Steven Brandner Sponsored by Raptor Hall

Eric Johnson Sponsored by the STC Student Chapter

“If I become Homecoming King I will repre“First things first – I’d celebrate if I made king! sent Michigan Tech and the students here to the All joking aside, however, I would love to focus best of my ability.” the limelight on some awesome organizations around campus. I think college should be a happy balance between studying hard and having fun by getting involved. My mother is a fan of the saying, ‘Work hard, play hard,’ and I am an ardent supporter of this statement. So go ahead - study hard to ace that exam, but then go join the Pep Band or SWE or any one of the other five bajillion-trillimillion (approximately) things going on around campus! At what other point in your life will you have over 200 organizations and activities in your backyard? Why limit yourself?”

Brynn Ahonen Sponsored by the First Year Experience Wadsworth

Allison Gleiss Sponsored by Alpha Sigma Tau National Sorority

“If I am chosen as Homecoming Queen, I am going to live it up and rock it out like a true Michigan Tech-er. This is such a groovy college and it would be a tremendous honor to be Homecoming Queen! If I win I will promote this campus and help others to get involved in everything this university has to offer.”

“If selected as Homecoming Queen I hope to serve as an advocate for the international student body and further improve relations amongst international and domestic students here at Michigan Tech. I believe diversity is something to be recognized and embraced rather than disregarded or stereotyped. Additionally, I hope to inspire Michigan Tech students to become active and involved members on campus. I believe every student has something to contribute to the Michigan Tech community!”

Andy Versteeg Sponsored by the First Year Experience McNair

Paul Zimmerman Sponsored by Douglass Houghton Hall Council

“I’m really excited to be so involved with such “As Homecoming King, I plan to uphold a great campus tradition. I plan on helping the university traditions and be a positive university residents of FYE McNair bring home 1st place image.” in Homecoming this year. We’re going hard in the paint, and starting this hall’s legacy off on a strong note. We will be a force to contend with in all events, so look out. Being named homecoming king would be a great honor, and I want to bring this one home for all the students of FYE McNair and my fellow ruggers.”

Liz Nigro Sponsored by Delta Zeta National Sorority “This is a fun opportunity to get involved on campus in a new way. Homecoming is one of the biggest events every year that gets people out having fun in the perfect fall weather. I am excited to be a part of that tradition and ready for all the activities to begin! Becoming homecoming queen would be the sparkling horn on the unicorn that is Michigan Tech Homecoming 2011!”

Katie Price Sponsored by the Women’s Soccer Club of Michigan Tech “If I were elected homecoming queen I plan to promote and represent Michigan Tech for the quality school it is. I am very passionate about Michigan Tech and I believe the community we have here is one of a kind and being a student representative of that community would be an honor.”

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NEWS

Michigan Tech Lode Thursday, September 29, 2011

Future Tech: Medicine & treatment CAMERON SCHWACH News Editor

What has happened to the world of genetic research since it was last featured in the news? Many of us know now that the human genome contains three-billion base sequences, that embryonic cells have are extremely valuable to genetic research but highly controversial in the light of the public, and that the research and use of genetic information is extremely expensive. But there have been many presentations within the last year that claim patients and textbooks are behind what we know is possible through medicine, and that we’re about to see these changes coming to our hospitals very soon.

Richard Resnick, CEO of GenomeQuest, tells all who watch his online presentation, “The world has changed and you don’t even know about it.” Breakthroughs in analyzing the human genome has revolutionized how

doctors approach medical problems within the field. After initial studies that sequenced healthy skin cells and cancerous bone marrow, scientists found that there were large gaps within a patient’s genome base structure that indicated the types of cancer this patient was experiencing. Building on this research, doctors have begun customizing treatments based on warning signs presented from genome sequences that would never have been possible before.

One example shown was with a medical study of twins that were diagnosed with cerebral palsy, but had not responded to the medication as doctors expected. After having their genomes sequenced using new technology, it was found that both the patients had a genetic deficiency in producing serotonin. Once doctors knew this, they began to treat the twins for this deficiency and both are now reported to be living normal and healthy lives.

Resnick then began to talk about

the price that would go along with this new method of diagnosing patients. To everyone’s surprise, Resnick did not have terrible news to bring forward about bills being above and beyond the normal patients pay rate. In fact, Resnick stated that although the price may be close to $100,000 now, the results and the pace this new technology is moving may very well have the cost closer to $100 within just a few years time. What used to be close to a year’s work is now completed within a week, and the machines developed to perform these sequences are becoming more and more cost-efficent.

That’s not the only major development in medicine, though.

Susan Lim, the third surgeon to successfully transplant a human liver (first in Asia), presented her research stating that adult fat cells can be “reprogrammed” or “rebooted” to the same state as embryonic stem cells. These newly rebooted cells, called iPS cells (induced Pluripotent Stem

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cells), offer doctors and scientists within the medical field a chance to explore where stem cells can take our medical practices without crossing the highly controversial line of pulling embryonic stem cells from embryos. Lim commented during her presentation, “Indeed there is a lot of hype, but also hope that the promise of stems cells will one day provide cures for [a] whole range conditions.”

As of now, researchers are beginning to test the newly rebooted, embryonic-like stem cells they have gained from adult fat cells to see what cures they can develop. Lim ended her presentation by reminding everyone that it was not just her research, but the research of many doctors from all around the world that has led to this discovery and that one day we may find the cures to many of today’s diseases, and that day may be sooner than we think.

Homebrew Appreciation Club begins brewing CAMERON SCHWACH News Editor

JOHN SHERRILL Guest Writer

professional, and (mostly) serious. Thus, the alcohol ser ved as a social lubricant for professional development and community building, not as a means of impairment. The same is true with Keweenaw Beer Rhetorics, and the beer is entirely optional, as several root beer-drinking regulars will tell you. If you’re under 21, you’re still welcome, you just can’t have beer.

Keweenaw Beer Rhetorics is an opportunity to bring students, faculty, industr y professionals, and local community members together to discuss what they find important and to discover connections to other disciplines and ideas they might not have known existed. Typically, conversations focus on technology, digital media, rhetoric, life at Michigan Tech, teaching and learning, and a variety of related topics.

In the past, there has been discussion about the relationship between industr y and Michigan Tech’s Computer Science department, the role of the Humanities in a technological institution, what the heck rhetoric is, gaming, hunting, and of course, beer.

Conversations shift based on who shows up each week as well. Most weeks, it’s a mix of students in Engineering, Computer Science, Scien-

According to its official web site, Beer Rhetorics was started by a group of students at Michigan State University, particularly graduate students in the Writing, Rhetoric, and American Cultures program. “Beer Rhetoric [sic] (BR) emerged from the conversations of local students and professionals who study and work in information, technology, culture, writing, and design about topics such as community and networking.” Beer Rhetorics is founded on the idea that, “…not all learning happens within the walls of a classroom… sometimes the conviviality over a beer can aid the processes of invention, design, and community building.”

John Sherrill started Keweenaw Beer Rhetorics in Houghton after hearing about East Lansing Beer Rhetorics at a conference.

Sherrill was inspired to start the group after networking with professors over cocktails during conference receptions. Many of the professors at the receptions were alumni of Michigan Technological University. Consequently, they swapped stories of nights at The Librar y while also sharing valuable information about academia, industr y, and the histor y of relations between individuals; things that aren’t often covered in class. They also discussed issues surrounding technology, teaching, learning, rhetoric, philosophy, and ever yday life as well.

Despite associations between alcohol and parties, this gathering of people was inforBeer Rhetorics club photo. mal, yet productive,

tific & Technical Communication/Arts, and other majors. Things get particularly interesting when professors are around, and when industr y professionals arrive too. Currently, the group would like to increase the number of graduate students and faculty participating in Keweenaw Beer Rhetorics, as they offer a different perspective on many issues.

However, anyone with an interest is welcome to participate.

If you are interested in any of the topics described above, want to network with a diverse community of individuals with related interests, or simply wish to enjoy friendly and stimulating conversation over a beverage of your choice, Keweenaw Beer Rhetorics meets weekly on Wednesdays at 6:00 p.m. and lasts until 7:30 – 8 p.m. at the Keweenaw Brewing Company. For more information visit Keweenaw Beer Rhetorics’ fan page on Facebook , and for further information on the origin of Beer Rhetorics visit (beerrhetorics.com). The Keweenaw Beer Rhetorics and Beer Rhetorics groups are not affiliated with Michigan Technological University or the Keweenaw Brewing Company, and do not endorse or encourage irresponsible drinking.

As of early September, a new student organization is currently underway on Michigan Tech’s campus called the Homebrew Appreciation Club. President of the club, Paul Mattson, says, “The purpose of the Homebrew Appreciation Club is to increase the knowledge, skill, and collaboration of current home-brewers, as well as introduce the art of homebrewing to other Michigan Tech students.”

The Homebrew Appreciation Club is one of the newest additions to Tech’s many clubs and organizations, and encourages students to join.

“I came up with this idea while being President of USG a year ago. I noticed how there was interest among the student body and I know how easy it is to begin a club,” says Mattson.

Mattson and other students created this club to allow students to collaborate with other Tech students who share a common inter-

est. “All students of age are welcome to join and spread the awareness of this new addition to campus clubs.

The Homebrewing Appreciation Club strictly enforces all federal and Michigan Laws, as well as all Michigan Tech policies.”

The Homebrew Appreciation Club are expecting to host a few events in the future which will be open to all students. Pending approval, the club is hoping to brew a batch of beer on campus within the next couple of months which Mattson says, “would attract students to come, watch, and become involved in the club.” Within the next semester the club plans to host several events which will include alcohol awareness, brewing demonstrations, seminars on the science of brewing, beer tasting seminars, brewery tours, competitions and more.

Students who are interested in joining the Homebrew Association Club can contact Paul Mattson at (pimattso@ mtu.edu) to learn more about the organization.

Michigan Tech Lode Thursday, September 29, 2011

The local music scene is alive and well AMBER VOGHT Lode Writer The moment you’ve all been waiting for is here – a local punk music show is taking place this weekend.

Four local bands will be showcasing their musical talent Saturday, October 1st, at The Orpheum Theatre (the stage inside Studio Pizza) located at 426 Quincy Street, Hancock. The show starts at 7:30 p.m. All ages are welcome and the fee to get in is only $5.

One of the bands performing will be Totally Deece, a band with a “super catchy, pop-punk” sound. Band member Josh Jaehnig says that Totally Deece started after they witnessed a decline in the number of local shows taking place as well as a decline in the quality of the music scene in general.

“Starting out, we wanted to steer away from ‘tough

guy’ music and just sort of stick to music that was more fun, something people could jump around to and not have to worry about being trampled in a mosh pit…We didn’t want shows to be intimidating to come to. It is time to…make some music that is a little bit for everyone, and even if it isn’t your style, it’s still fun to be there.”

The band has listed numerous influences for their music, from famous bands they grew up listening to, to stuff they have grown to like and even some things that aren’t even music at all: Blink 182, Ataris, New Found Glory, Set Your Goals, H20, Bane, Saves the Day, The Movielife, Crucial Dudes, Such Gold, energy drinks, Taco Bell, new eras, skate boarding, biking, puppies, long walks on the beach, and back rubs.

To learn more about

Totally Deece and to take a listen to some of their hits before heading to the concert, check them out on Facebook at (http://www. facebook.com/totallydeece).

Need something to do before the concert? Pack a camera and spend an afternoon with the beauty of the changing leaves in the Keweenaw at Mt. Bohemia’s or Mount Ripley’s Fall Chair Lift Color Tour. Both events are scheduled for Saturday, October 1 and Sunday, October 2. Can’t make it this weekend? Don’t worry – both places will be doing it again on Saturday, October 8 and Sunday, October 9. The rides will take place from 11 am to 5 pm. The cost for adults is $8 at Bohemia and $5 at Ripley.

Where Soldiers Come From; film opening in Calumet This week the Calumet Theater began premiering the story of four local boys as they journey from childhood friends in the Houghton/Hancock area to soldiers deployed in Afghanistan. The film is titled Where Soldiers Come From, and has already won several awards such as the Traverse City Film Festival 2011 award, the Official Selection Los Angeles Film Festival 2011 award, the SILVERDOCS Documentary Festival 2011 award and the SXSW Film Festival 2011 award. All those who live in the local area are invited to come and watch the movie and experience a piece of local history as it becomes available for the world.

Heather Courtney, the director of the film and former local resident, began filming the development of the four young local boys a little more than four years ago. Shortly

after filming, Courtney knew she had a story unraveling before her (and the camera’s) eye. When Courtney attended Erin Smith’s Introduction to Film class here at Michigan Tech the Monday after the opening premiere, she commented on what it was like to begin filming a documentary like Where Soldier Come From. “You don’t know what you’re doing, you don’t know what’s going to happen. You’re just following someone’s life and showing what it is.”

The students who had seen the opening premiere of the film last Sunday all agreed that the film is an experience other students should not miss. After talking with the class about how she shot the documentary, and what it was like working with the local soldiers throughout the filming process, Courtney began to answer questions

students had about the film.

When asked if she had any specific message she wanted to convey with a film about the war, Courtney responded, “I didn’t have an agenda or specific message. I wanted it to be a story of their experience.” Courtney also commented when talking with the class, “This is a film about them [the four local boys], their families, and really the whole community.”

The Calumet Theater will be showing the film until this Friday, Sept. 30. Screenings are held nightly at 7:30 p.m. with ticket prices at $8 per adult, $7 per student and seniors and $6 per veteran.

Be advised that there will be strong language and situations not suitable for children audiences. This is a film no student should miss, and be sure to arrive at the theater early as seats are filling up fast.

Life is calling.

How far will you go?

Be part of the next Peace Corps generation.

Information Session:

Thursday, Oct. 6th 7:00 pm Dillman 320 Michigan Tech University

800.424.8580 • peacecorps.gov • facebook.com/peacecorps

NEWS

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What sort of activities would you like to see in the Lode? Let us know by e-mailing lodecomment@mtu.edu. This week’s puzzle will be an easy puzzle. Even we’re exhausted after this week’s events. See if you can solve this puzzle before the Homecoming Hockey game this weekend! —we don’t want you wasting too much of your brain power on this though! The answer to last week’s puzzle is below. Enjoy!

Michigan Tech Lode Thursday, September 29, 2011

Pulse

“Deer Camp” comes to Michigan Tech The musical “Deer Camp” will be performing at the Rozsa Center next Thursday, October 6 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $20 for students and adults and can be purchased online or through the Central Ticketing Office.

“Deer Camp” is a comedic musical that plays off of four close hunting friends who could never seem to find the time to actually go hunting. They claim

to be too busy to even fire a shot, spending most of the day drinking or telling jokes to one another. As their frustrated wives on the home front threaten to take their hunting privileges away, however, the quartet react in an erratic haste as they attempt to bring home their first deer.

The show will be complete with songs about wives, beer,

grunt horns, coupon clippers, bingo and more. It will feature music written by Minnesota native, Doug Spartz.

Gene Jurek, writer of the story, comments, “[This] show is one your patrons will smile about for months. In fact, you’ll be pleasantly amazed at how many new faces you will see in the audience.”

Woody Woodruff, an orga-

nizer for a Deer Camp event at the Campanile Center for the Arts in Minocqua, WI states, “The audience loved it! The cast were not only easy to work with but a lot of fun as well. The only complaints we received from our audience was that they were sore from laughing.”

Other organizers made similar remarks while working with the quartet.

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This small and newly-formed Minnesota company originated in the city of Elmwood and performed their first play at Lowry Theater in St. Paul, MN two years ago. Since then, they have expanded outward throughout most of the midwestern United States.

For more information about this event visit the Rozsa website at www.rozsa.mtu.edu.

Star Fox for Nintendo 3DS gives a new look to a timeless game Lylat system until you reach Andross’ hideout on the planet Venom. Most missions are of the rail-shooter variety, where you proceed through a fixed area with a boss at the end, but a couple levels have you flying freely in an enclosed area. In addition, most missions have secret conditions that, if met, allow the player to choose between a harder level next mission, or an easier one.

Failing the condition allows only the easier mission. Thus, even though a particular run through the game will only play seven missions, there are actually sixteen to choose from.

The controls are an area where the game stumbles, but only ever so slightly. The game maps the boost and bomb to the 3DS’s X and Y buttons, respectively. The laser and brake can be mapped to the A or B buttons at the player’s choice, with the default being A for lasers. However, no matter which scheme is chosen,

NICK BLECHA Pulse Editor Give Nintendo credit where it’s due: with the notable exception of online multiplayer, they know what their fans want. They managed to prove this yet again with their recent remake of the Nintendo 64 rail-shooter classic, “Star Fox 64.” Rereleased on the Nintendo 3DS as “Star Fox 64 3D,” the remake captures everything that made the original fun, while adding a few improvements and additions to help deal with some of the game’s flaws.

The gameplay is still fundamentally the same. You play as Fox McCloud, the leader of the Star Fox mercenary pilot team, called in to protect the Lylat solar system against the invasion of the evil scientist Andross. Over a series of seven missions, you liberate the capital planet, Corneria, and proceede through the

one of the boost or bomb buttons will be too far out of reach to get to easily.

While this doesn’t matter on most missions, each scheme has at least one mission where it works significantly better than the other, and the scheme can only be changed from the main menu. It’s not a killer, but it can be frustrating when trying to go for a high score.

The game also allows for the option of using the 3DS gyroscope instead of the circle pad to steer the ship. It’s an interesting concept, and it works decently with some practice, but experienced players will probably want to use the circle pad. It also doesn’t work well with the 3D effect, unless the player is very good at keeping his or her head aligned with the screen.

And speaking of 3D, the 3D effect works very

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“Star Fox” cover brings new, 3D life to the game.

Photo courtesy of Amazon.com

well with this game. All of the graphics, music, and sound have been updated, and most everything looks and sounds very nice. The one exception is the voice acting: the voice acting has been all redone, and while in some cases it sounds better, in others it sounds quite a bit worse than the original.

Finally, “Star Fox 64 3D” includes a few new modes.

To begin with, the main campaign mode has an additional difficulty setting: 3DS mode makes you take less damage than the original, makes your allies take much less damage from friendly fire, and allows the use of the gyro controls.

Nintendo 64 mode is the same as the original. Expert mode can still be unlocked by getting high score medals on all missions; in this case the medals must all be earned in a specific mode. The game also includes a score trial mode, where you can run through any specific mission already cleared on a particular difficulty and try to get a high score. Since the threshold for gold medals in this mode is often quite a bit higher than that of the high score medals in the campaign mode, this can add some longevity to the game, especially for veterans.

Finally, the multiplayer battle

mode streams your face on the 3DS camera and sends it to the other players during the game; unfortunately, this also means that the multiplayer mode is limited to local play. It can be played with only one copy of the game, which is a minor concession.

Overall, if you’re a “Star Fox 64” veteran, this is the same game you’ve grown to love.

If you missed it the first time around and own a 3DS, this is a game seriously worth picking up. A couple of minor control and voice acting issues don’t come close to ruining this game. If Nintendo’s plan for success on the 3DS is more remakes like this, then full steam ahead.

Final Grade:

A-

Sept. 30 - October 5 at Roger’s Cinema 50/50 Sat and Sun Matinees at (12:55) (3:00) and Daily at (5:05) (7:10) (9:15)

7:30 PM Rozsa Center Comedian Maria Bamford 7:30 PM Rozsa Center One Man Lord of the Rings 9:00 PM One Man Star Wars Start of Homecoming Week

Abduction Sat and Sun Matinees at (12:45) (2:55) and Daily at (5:05) (7:15) (9:25) Moneyball Sat and Sun Matinees at (12:30) (3:15) and Daily at (6:30) (9:15) Dolphin Tale Sat and Sun Matinees at (12:20) (2:35) and Daily at (4:50) (7:05) (9:20) Killer Elite Sat and Sun Matinees at (12:30) (2:45) and Daily at (5:00) (7:15) (9:30)

Michigan Tech Lode Thursday, September 29, 2011

OPINION

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Study Abroad: What Prague is like ELIJAH HAINES Lode Writer My classes have finally begun and the Charles University professors have affirmed my suspicions that I’m completely ignorant of European history, politics and geography. I had no idea Macedonia voted in a new government this summer nor did I realize what a tight spot the 1938 Munich Pact put Czechoslovakia in. As I eagerly stumble my way through classes, I’m trying to be a sponge, absorbing information, language and cultural peculiarities all at once.Friends and family have repeatedly been asking me the same question: “What is Prague like?” Not only is it impossible to sum up a city in a few phrases, but the longer I’m here the more normal everything becomes. I’m constantly surprised at my (and my American colleagues’) ability to adapt so quickly to life in the Czech Republic. The tram system (the red, above-ground trains that zoom around on rails set in the cobblestone streets), that once confused me so much, is as natural as walking into a kavárna and ordering a coffee in Czech. However, I’ve been careful to avoid taking the sights and sounds for granted.

My camera is always handy and I’ve been filling my journal with details that seem mundane, but years from now will help me re-

live my life here.

Even as Prague gets more familiar, I absolutely cannot become accustomed to the fantastic architecture that lines every street. From the intricate frescoes of the Renaissance houses to the over-the-top decoration of Baroque structures to the flowing, nature-inspired Art Nouveau facades, nearly every building in Prague is a textbook example of an architectural time period. The only buildings that are eyesores are those built under the communist regime (in power from 1948 to 1989).

Although the communists ensured everyone had a job, they also had a talent for building the ugliest structures in Europe.

The Žižkov Television Tower is a fine example of communist-era construction that greets me every day as I look out from my apartment situated in the northeast corner of Prague. The Tower mars the skyline quite miraculously in an awkward stack of concrete and steel. After the communists were ousted with the Velvet Revolution, some well-meaning citizens attached sculptures of crawling babies on the tower in order to display some vague metaphor for humanity’s addiction and obedience to the media. Yes, the ugliest building in the city became more repulsive. Although it’s difficult to admit, I’m developing a strange

fondness for the tower and the alien-like infant forms that are frozen in a crawl to its top. It’s bizarre and a bit misunderstood, perhaps, at times, like Prague itself.

The study abroad program has (to my relief ) very little structure. My American comrades and I have not fallen victim to the dreaded guided tour through tourist-choked areas.

Every time I walk through Staroměstská (Old Town), I see packs of tourists, divided by nationality, that wander a predicable path. Most never stray from the highlights listed in their guidebooks and would never dream of letting their guide’s neon-pink umbrella from their sight. Instead, we were given our class schedule and then left free to wander Prague and the rest of Europe at will. Several of my friends have planned trips to the Netherlands, Germany and France during our fall break in October. Traveling within Europe is relatively cheap; I recently overheard a friend of mine saying she got a round-trip ticket to Amsterdam for under fifty dollars. Although it’s tempting to jet around Europe every chance I get, I’ve decided to spend most of my time exploring the Czech Republic for now. After all, this won’t be the last time I’m on the continent, that I’m sure of.

Encouraged by the cheap

Don’t ask; do tell GIANNA GOMEZ-MAYO Lode Writer You stand stable and tall among twenty or more soldiers as your superior struts among you. He stares intently at you and you wonder if he knows.

Soon after, you tread slowly forward as the cadets around you flee to the dining hall at a vicious pace. You wonder how close they are to knowing, wondering if they could ever accept you. As you grab a cold grey tray you begin to walk the line always glancing around you, always wondering. You thank the last server for their generous serving, then walk out in front of the twenty or so tables and take a seat on the harsh plastic chair. The guys sitting around you chat about their gorgeous girlfriends and beautiful wives as you dream of your partner and his warm caress, yet say nothing. The “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell Policy” was passed on December 21st, 1993. This policy allowed for homosexuals to enter the military as long as they did not disclose their sexual orientation.

Since it’s legalization in 1993, many Americans, homosexual or otherwise, have considered its constitutional value and finally on September 20th, 2011 this policy was removed.

Since the Civil Rights movement of the 60’s many Ameri-

cans have battled with the idea of homosexuality. This movement granted rights to blacks, Hispanics, Asians, and many other discriminated groups in America with the exception of gay Americans and immigrants. Policies such as “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”, have allowed for the slow progress within American society and to many it has been a ridiculous policy to have in place anyways.

Although “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” provided a loop hole for gay Americans to serve in the military, it is astonishing that a policy could say, “You’re gay, we don’t like it, and you technically can’t serve but just to not be jerks about your orientation here’s ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’.”

This policy has always been controversial amongst many, but it is its controversial nature that makes it such a great policy to remove.

“Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” has been ground breaking in establishing rights for gay Americans. Prior to the passing of the law, being homosexual was far worse than any outrageous taboo we may witness today.

Through its passing, America began to acknowledge the fact that gay people do exist here, as in any other place around the globe. But besides that acknowledgement, “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” has always stunted American growth as a united society. This policy has always

been difficult to condone as it has discriminated against many Americans who simply wish to serve their country.

How can anyone say it’s wrong for you to serve simply because of who you’re attracted to?

Apart from its hindrance of American constitutional values, this policy is also quite moronic and ironic. How can we as a nation fight so hard to legalize substances such as marijuana, yet feel it such a stretch to allow someone to serve in the military simply because of their sexual orientation? It seems that through the swift removal of this mandate, America has become a wiser and far more logical place to live.

Prior to its repeal, this policy took Americans back centuries, and as we look back we ask why exactly it took so long to achieve this right for gay Americans. Homosexual people are just that people. They still value family, love, and relationships the only difference is they love someone of the same gender. Who are we to judge those around us, when we find it so cruel when others judge us and our beliefs? As Americans begin to process the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” I urge them to look at the people you are condemning, are they really that different from you?

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rail rates and spurred by thirst, some friends and I traveled to Plzen, a city about two hours away from Prague, all for the exorbitant price of 160 Kčaround nine dollars. We enjoyed a pleasant train in private compartments through the Czech countryside and it wasn’t long before we arrived in the Czech Republic’s fourth largest city. Plzen is, of course, home to the Pilsner Urquell brewery that now distributes its delicious, golden nectar all around the world. The highlight of the tour was tasting unfiltered beer. We traipsed deep into the cellar which includes over six miles of arched, cobblestone tunnels arranged in orderly rows beneath the brewery. An elderly man whose blood must have been at least half Pilsner, poured us cups of the unfiltered beer that he tapped from a wooden barrel the size of a small car. The beer was rich and incredibly flavorful. Even the best beer I’ve had in Prague paled in compari-

son to that fresh Pilsner, sipped underground in a 150 year-old cellar.

And so this week’s column ends with beer, as do meals, get-togethers and mid-day breaks in Prague. Every day I meet more people, uncover more history and explore a new street. Confidence has become my best friend, because it’s a quality that’s absolutely needed when travelling. Hesitating only leaves one surrounded with the familiar and that’s a terrible shame. There’s so much to discover and only a lifetime to do it in. And I certainly didn’t travel 5,000 miles to be in my element.

On that note, I think I’ll set out to find a coffee shop I’ve been dying to try. It’s just a couple streets from Old Town Square and is said to be a tourist-free haven for wannabe authors and poets. So if my article next week is extra pretentious, blame the vaulted ceiling and worn, wood furniture of Literární Kavárna Řetězová.

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Michigan Tech Lode Thursday, September 29, 2011

Sports

Huskies run in upcoming UP meet By JACOB SHULER Lode Writer

The cross country teams will face some familiar teams next week at the UP Championship on October 7. The meet will be held in Marquette, Mich. against the Lake Superior State Lakers and Northern Michigan Wildcats. The Lakers come off of the road at the Roy Griak Invitational in Minneapolis, MN where the men’s team finished 23rd and the women’s 21st.

This compares to the Huskies’ 21st place finish for the men’s team and a sixth place finish for the women’s team. “I thought the women ran pretty darn well. We had some women run some personal bests,” commented Coach Haggenmiller.

“Its always good to beat UMD.” The women’s team will also be competing against the Wildcats, who finished ahead of the Huskies at the Roy Griak, finishing in fourth place.

This upcoming weekend the Huskies have off. “We’ll get in some good training this next week,” said Haggenmiller.

UP Championships is up in the air at this point. The Wildcats have been very competitive with the women Huskies.

They were defeated by the Huskies in early September but last week beat the Huskies by two positions.

On the men’s side, Lake Superior State finished slightly behind the men’s team but only by two positions. Results like this mean the UP Champion-

ships will be very competitive.

Laker’s runner Taylor Heath will give Jani Lane a solid run at the UP Championships. At the Roy Griak, Health finished 19th with a time of 26:07 in the eight-kilometer race. Jani Lane finished 57th with a time of 26:55 last week. The Huskies’ have a tight group of runners, Matt Dugan, Eric Parsell, Dyllan Anderson and Nate Manderfield, who will edge out the Lakers. These runners have been finishing closely all season. A good race next week will mean a solid set of points for the Huskies.

The Husky women’s team will be facing off against runners such as Larissa Halonen and Mandy Dye who finished 18th and 26th at the Roy Griak for the Wildcats. The Husky women

have tough competition for these two, however, with Deedra Irwin and Marissa Yovetich, who finished 12th and 22nd.

Also finishing in the top 100 of the Roy Griak were Amanda Halonen (51st), Sarah Daniels (60th) and Christina Mishica (71st). All three of these runners have had very competitive finishes throughout the season.

The UP Championship will provide good competition to both the men and women’s Husky cross-country teams.

The men’s team brings a tight pack of runners who can push each other on, and the women’s team has had some very strong finishes from all of their top five runners. Running against similarly matched teams will make this a close race.

Husky sailors finish second in Ohio JACK AMMERMAN Lode Writer Along with football and hockey, Michigan Tech also has a Collegiate Sailing Team. They travel all over the Midwest to compete against other universities such as Notre Dame, Purdue and Northern Michigan University. Last weekend the Sailing Team traveled to Granville, Ohio to race at Denison University. The team sailed consistently finishing second through fifth all weekend and ended up getting second place overall, beating every team except for Notre Dame. Light winds all weekend made the regatta challenging with some of the toughest conditions in collegiate sailing. Next weekend the sailing team will be heading to Michigan State to race against some of the top teams in the Midwest Collegiate Sailing Association (MCSA). Other regattas this month include: University of Wisconsin Wom-

The Huskies hit the road this week after defeating the Indianapolis Greyhounds. This win came as a result of the Huskies making big plays. Both teams posted solid offensive numbers. The Huskies were able to get a running game going with 127 yards rushing.

Having two sides of offense allowed the Huskies to come out ahead of the Greyhounds in points. “We did a good job of sustaining drives. We had four drives that were over 60 yards,” said Head Coach Kearly. Sustained drives contribute to ball control and points on the board.

Following this win, Husky football challenges the Ohio Dominican Panthers in Columbus, Ohio this week. This will be the first team the Huskies face this season who hold a worse record. In addition to this pressure, the two-day road trip will add another layer of difficulty for the Huskies.

Leading the Panthers offense is Jeremy Fudge, the senior quarterback. This season, he has averaged 142.5 yards per game and thrown for four touchdowns. However, the Huskies will have an opportunity to get into the backfield against him. So far this season, Fudge has been

r e b m nu

2

Days unti Husky hockey returns to the Macinnes Student Icea Area. Saturday will be the first game of the season with an exibition game at 7 p.m.

3

Number of goals Husky soccer scored in their first conference win on Sept. 23.

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Football Huskies rank in the NCAA poll. The Huskies travel to Ohio Dominican for play this Saturday and return home next Sat.

6

Place women’s cross country finshed last weekend at the Roy Griak Inv. in Minneapolis. The UP Championships are this weekend.

3

Home games in a row for the volleyball Huskies this weekend. Play starts Friday at 7 p.m. when the Huskies take on rival Northern Michigan at the SDC.

en’s regatta, University of Michigan, Western Michigan University and Northwestern University in November.

Michigan Tech sailing team sails downwind Photo courtesy of MTU Sailing Club

Football hits the road for Ohio Dominican JACOB SHULER Lode Writer

the

#

sacked 8 times and thrown 3 interceptions. Fudge also averages 56.8 yards per game in rushing. When Fudge does throw the ball, he has almost a 60% passer rating.

Receiving for the Panthers is evenly split between Tyler Purcell, Tyler Maddox and Brandon Ojikutu. None of these receivers have posted mind blowing numbers by themselves. As a team they can post over 100 yards per game. Purcell leads the team with an average of 40.8 yards per game. He has two touchdowns.

Mike Noffsinger leads the team in rushing with 509 yards this season to average 127.2 yards per game. Rushing is the Panthers strongest portion of offense posting an average of 228.5 yards per game this year. This is good news for the Huskies, who have a strong core of defensive backs to stop the running game that will force the Panthers to pass. “They have the second leading running back in the league. They use the quarterback as an extra running back,” said Kearly. Jason Armstrong and Ian Coughlin form the core of the linebackers for the Huskies to stop this rushing offense.

On the defense, Eisen Hardy and Justin Bell lead the Panthers in tackles with 35 and 33 total this season. The team has allowed their opponents

to post reasonable numbers in the games they have won.

On a winning day, the Panthers will limit their opponents’ third down conversion forcing them to punt.

Both of the Panthers’ winning games this year have been high scoring games. The first was against St. Joseph’s College Pumas and had a final score of 32-20. The second

was against the Northwood Timberwolves, ending at 4430. The Huskies are coming into this game from a win against the Greyhounds’ high scoring offense. Limiting the Panthers’ rushing poses as the Huskies’ biggest challenge this week. But with a veteran defense, the Huskies are more than up for the challenge.

Schedules/Results Visit gliac.org for full standings Women’s Soccer Sept. 23 at Northwood 3-1 W Sept. 25 Saginaw V. St. 0-3 L Sept. 30 vs. Ashland 4 p.m.

Oct. 2 vs. Lake Erie 12 p.m.

Football Sept. 17 at Wayne St. 10-27 L Sept. 24 vs. Ind. 28-16 W Oct. 1 at Ohio Dom. 12 p.m.

Oct. 8 vs. Saginaw V. St. 1 p.m.

Volleyball Sept. 24 at Lake Sup. 1-3 L Sept. 30 vs. N. Michigan 7 p.m.

Oct. 7 vs. Tiffin 5 p.m.

Oct. 8 vs. Ohio Dom. 4 p.m.

Cross Country Oct. 7 U.P. Championship

Women’s Tennis Sept. 24 at Grand V. St. 2-7 L Sept. 25 at Ferris St. 2-7 L Sept. 30 at Tiffin 3 p.m.

Huskies jump up to recieve a pass in last Saturday’s game against Indianapolis Photo by Jacob Shuler

Michigan Tech Lode Thursday, September 29, 2011

Sports

Womens soccer is coming home JORDAN ERICKSON Sports Editor Husky soccer returns home this weekend for more conference play after winning their first conference game this past Friday.

The Huskies ended a four game winless streak last Friday when they defeated Northwood 3-1. Sophomores Katie Boardman, McKenzie Hengesh

and freshman Janelle Ried all contributed goals to the win, which lifted the Huskies in conference standings above Saginaw Valley State. However, a 0-3 loss on Sunday to Saginaw drops the Huskies back down to last place in their conference.

Ready to return home, the Huskies will take on the Ashland University Eagles on Friday and the Lake Erie College Storm on Sunday. In the 2010

season, the Huskies defeated the Eagles 1-0, in which Melanie Hoffman scored the only goal of the game, assisted by Katie Boardman. This will be the only meeting between the two schools this season.

The Eagles of Ashland, Ohio currently sit at No. 3 in the South Division standings of the GLIAC with a 2-3-1 conference record. Their last conference wins came against Findlay and Lake Erie, on September 11 and

14, respectively. The Eagles are led by freshman forward Kathleen Demaree. Demaree leads the Eagles with seven points (three goals, one assist) and seven shots on goal and is followed in points by Megan Zealer with three points (one goal, one assist).

Sunday’s game will feature the Huskies against the Storm for the teams’ first meeting of the season. The Storm currently sit at last place in the South

7

Division standings with a 0-6 record. In last year’s meeting, the Huskies defeated the Storm 1-0, with Hoffman again scoring the only Huskies goal, unassisted. The Storm are only five for 72 on goals for shot attempts, while their opponents are 24 for 163.

The Huskies will host the Eagles on Friday, Sept. 30 at 4 p.m. and the Storm on Sunday at 12 p.m., both at Sherman Field, Houghton.

Irwin leads cross country Volleyball faces off JACOB SHULER Lode Writer Deedra Irwin has been the best cross-country runner for the Huskies since joining the women’s cross-country team in the fall of 2010. Irwin was first exposed to running in elementary school in small youth races. The sport stuck with Irwin, as she continued to compete in both middle and high school.

Because of her ‘addition’ to cross-country running, Irwin also competes on the track team in the spring These two sports help her stay in shape throughout the entire year.

Irwin decided to join the Huskies’ cross-country team because the school competes in cross-country running, cross-country skiing and track.

A solid team dynamic helped her out during her first season at Tech. Irwin’s teammates helped her get ready for races by getting in the right mind set. “I don’t think I could do as

well without the support of the upper classman this year and last year. For my first race, Sydney Brustel and Christina Mischica helped me out. I get really nervous before races,” said Irwin. The best races are the ones you have fun in. “After all, we run because we love the sport,” commented Irwin.

Preparation for a race is important in cross-country. Before a race, Irwin avoids thinking about the race. This keeps her relaxed until it’s time to focus. Irwin begins a race with a pre-race run of the course to become more familiar with the course and avoid areas that may slow her down. The entire team does this together to bounce ideas off each other and note any specifics of the course, such as large holes, that could cause an athlete to perform poorly. Irwin also runs through the course mentally, figuring out which parts of the course are fast and which ones are more grueling.

Head Coach Joe Haggen-

miller has helped Irwin step up her training since joining the cross-country team. “My training has gone way up from high school,” said Irwin. She has been training for more than just cross-country this year, getting ready for the upcoming ski season. “He [Haggenmiller] is very experienced, and he knows what he’s talking about. He does a good job of balancing my training so I’m healthy for each race and keep [sic] injury free during the entire season,” stated Irwin.

Haggenmiller has rested several racers during the course of the season to keep them healthy for larger races like the Roy Griak Invitational, which took place last weekend. Many of the runners also compete in the skiing season, so maintaining a healthy team affects more than just the cross-country running season.

Irwin commented that crosscountry is a team sport. Irwin said, “We all look up to each other and support each other.

against NMU TRAVIS GENDRON Lode Writer

Last Friday and Saturday, the Michigan Tech Huskies volleyball team went 0-3 against Northwood and 1-3 against the Lake Superior State Lakers, placing their record so far this season to 2-10 overall. Against Northwood, Alex Schwalbe performed well with a team-high six kills, Ciara Sebelius made 14 of Tech’s 22 assists and Kienna Sharp showed four blocks. In the match against the Lakers Jenna Karkos showed an impressive 13 kills. Kenzie Tonn displayed 15 digs, while Tessa Mauer finished with 11.

We’re trying to work together to push each other to make it past regionals.” Regionals occur after the GLIAC Championships

Friday, the Huskies will prepare to host their rival team, the Northern Michigan University Wildcats. The Wildcats are currently ranked second in conference, with a conference record of 5-2 and an overall record of 6-5. The team is currently on a 3-game victory streak, so the Huskies will have their work cut out for them. In their last game, the Wildcats swept Northwood with a 3-0 victory.

The game will take place on home turf for Huskies, where they will hopefully be able to use the home court advantage to pull off a big win. on November 4. Irwin hopes to place well in the regionals and bring attention to Tech’s excellent cross-country program.

Huskies return to the ice JORDAN ERICKSON Sports Editor Husky hockey is back and ready for their season opener this weekend with an exhibition game against the Lakehead University Thunderwolves. After coaching turnovers in the offseason, the Huskies return to the ice with new faces behind the bench and a new mentality on the ice.

Former Husky, Mel Pearson will be given his first test as head coach after taking over the team this summer. Pear-

son returned to Houghton after a successful career as an assistant coach at the University of Michigan. Pearson will be joined by his former recruit for the Wolverines Bill Muckalt.

Muckalt spent the 2010-2011 season as the head coach for the New Mexico Mustangs.

Pearson also retained Damon Whitten on his staff. Whitten joined the coaching staff last season. Pearson also added another former Wolverine and NHL veteran Steve Shields as his volunteer goaltending coach.

The Thunderwolves come

to take on the hockey Huskies with two games already under their belt. Last weekend the Thunderwolves played a weekend series against U.Q.T.R. Patriotes which ended in a 1-1 split.

Freshman Mike Hammond lead his team to victory on Saturday night with five points in the 5-1 victory for the Thunderwolves.

Friday’s game will be the first game of the weekend for the Thunderwolves; they head to Duluth the next day for competition against Minnesota Duluth.

The Huskies will enter Friday night with only two weeks of

organized skating under their new head coach. Even with the short time together, Pearson has already begun installing his playing style on the team.

“I’m looking forward to playing an up tempo puck possession game” said Pearson.

Friday night will have a larger than normal roster, with cuts

still to be made for the team.

Senior Brett Olsen was named captain for this season and waits the announcement of his assistants, which will follow play this weekend.

The puck drops at 7:07 at the John MacInnes Student Ice Arena.

Visit mtulode.com/sports to catch up on all your Huskies sports and keep your eye out for athlete features throughout the semester

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8

Husky Hodgepodge

Michigan Tech Lode Thursday, September 29, 2011

Photography by Michael Hilliard.

WORD SMART - GRE VOCABULARY WORDS OF THE WEEK inure:

1) transitive verb: to accustom to accept something undesirable.

Example: The children became inured to the violence surrounding them.

2) intransitive verb: to become of advantage.

felicitous:

Example: policies that inure to the benefit of employees.

1) adjective: very well suited or expressed (synonymous with “apt�).

Example: A felicitous remark won over the interviewer.

2) adjective: pleasant, delightful.

Example: felicitous weather (found south of Houghton...)

Definitions courtesy of Merriam-Webster.com