‘12 Dates’ Review Theatre B Puts On HeartWarming Christmas Production Page 5
Bison Trample Jacks No. 1 Ranked Football Team Advances to FCS Quarterfinals Page 9 MONDAY
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DECEMBER 3, 2012
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SERVING NORTH DAKOTA STATE UNIVERSITY SINCE 1896
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The Spectrum
VOL 116 ISSUE 25
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Emilee Ruhland | The Spectrum
Students in the college of engineering and architecture discuss pros and cons of the college during a breakout session for the Bison 101 event.
Bison 101 Tells Students to Find Their Passion
President Bresciani Explains How Passion Leads to Success in College Emilee Ruhland
Submitted Photos | The Spectrum
Knitting club ‘Chicks with Sticks’ helps foreign students adapt to the cold climes of North Dakota.
‘Chicks with Sticks’ Reaches Out to International Students Larisa Bosserman Co-News Editor
International students on campus received scarves and hats from a knitting group called “Chicks with Sticks” to welcome them and help them through their first Fargo winter.
There are more than 1,100 international students currently enrolled at NDSU and most of them are from South East Asian countries, where it does not snow. They are not accustomed to cold climates, Lisa Hauck, the director of International Programs, said. “Chicks with Sticks” ap-
Staff Writer
Matatya Armstrong | The Spectrum
proached Hauck with their idea to knit items for International students after they saw how great the need was. They created some sets of a hat and scarf Hauck said and they delivered over 100 groupings. “It sort of felt like Christmas,” Hauck said. “A visual feast of knitted stuff…bags
and bags of gorgeous oneof-a kind items.” Hauck sent an e-mail to all of the international students the night before the knitted items were to be distributed.
‘Chicks with Sticks’ continued on page 3
The final Bison 101 event of the semester focused on success within the University on Nov. 27. Vice President for Student Affairs Prakash Matthew, President Bresciani and Latin high school teacher David Volk spoke at the event. “My parents didn’t want me to go to college,” Bresciani said. He described how he went to school to find himself, not really knowing what he wanted to do except racquetball. “Can I major in that?” he asked with a laugh. “[College] isn’t about the tests,” Bresciani explained. “It’s about learning and growing,” about finding your passion. Once a student finds their passion, that’s when “it starts to really come together.” Once a student who handed in a blank chemistry exam, Bresciani is now the president of a university, doing what he loves. Before speaking at the event, Matthew had asked several students what motivated them in college. One student said that he realized he was in control of his life, and decided that he “can make that choice…[and he] can do good in school.”
Another student said that school “is kind of like preparing for a meal. I follow my recipe; if I do this, it turns out fine.” After Matthew and Bresciani spoke, breakout sessions for each college within NDSU gave students the opportunity to talk together and with a Bison Ambassador, who represented each of the colleges. The students spoke about the bad and good things about their college, study tips and how to survive dead week. Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences Ambassador Katherine Thoreson told her group that one of her favorite parts about that college was “freedom of expression, because it’s so related to what the college does.” The professors in the college also really “care about what they’re doing,” she said. After the breakout sessions were finished, Volk gave a final speech to end the event. “One plants for the benefit of another age,” he said. Volk has been interested in trees his whole life, and he used them to relate to growing in the University as a person. He never thought he would be a Latin teacher, and he said that is the great part about life: “You honestly don’t know where the end will be.”
NDSU American Waterworks Takes 1st Place Students’ Environmental Design Wins Regional Conference
INDEX
The NDSU American Waterworks Organization took first place at the 27th annual Conference on the Environment. The challenge of the competition was to design air quality controls for a hypothetical coal powered
News Features A&E Opinion Sports
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“It also challenged students to assess future fuel sourcing and costs, as well as the social and economic concerns involved with environmentally conscious technology,” Miller said. The NDSU team’s design involved the modification of the original coal fuel source to a 60 percent woody biomass and 40 percent bituminous coal mix, which drastically reduced sulfur
Submitted Photo| The Spectrum
The NDSU American Waterworks Organization team is recognized with certificates and a prize of $1,300. The team took first place at the annual Conference on the Environment.
dioxide and particular matter emissions. The design also moved toward a carbon neutral emission of carbon dioxide and carbon monox-
How to Cure Your Headaches, Naturally Page 4
ide, Miller said. The change in biomass is a way of lowering fuel-purchasing cost over 20 years, therefore making it a more
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steam generation plant. The competing project was required to abide by the increased Environmental Protection Agency air quality regulations, which are effective in 2013. Students that participated in the competition included senior Steven Jensen, senior Jingyi Sun, senior Alysa Emerson and sophomore Eric Miller, all majoring in civil engineering.
ALSO INSIDE
Katerina Voronova
efficient method of production.
Waterworks continued on page 3
NDSU v. Wofford Football Preview
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Monday, December 3, 2012 | The Spectrum
News
Josie Tafelmeyer Head-News Editor Phone: 701.231.7414 | Email: co.news@ndsuspectrum.com
North Dakota Youth Participate in Eco-Bot Challenge Hannah Dillon Staff Writer
Submitted Photo | The Spectrum
NDSU Responds to Support Bison Troops Campaign Larissa Bosserman Co-News Editor
NDSU’s Veterans Upward Bound, Trio and Equity and Diversity Center are receiving many cards and supplies from the campus community in response to their campaign to send support to
North Dakota soldiers nicknamed “The Bison,” who are currently stationed in Afghanistan. More than 90 letters and 60 cards have been brought to the office in Ceres 335, Jeri Vaudrin, NDSU’s Veterans Upward Bound project coordinator, said. Paperback books, DVDs, non-perishable food items,
toiletries and Bison Pride items have also been donated. The coordinators will continue collecting items to send to unit 818 of the North Dakota Army National Guard until Thursday morning. Vaudrin said Ceres 335 will continue collecting items for another mailing in midFebruary.
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For the past five years the national 4-H has hosted an event called the National Youth Science Day Experiment. This year’s experiment was the Eco-Bot challenge, where students had to build a robot to help improve the environment. This experiment is held on the first Wednesday in the first full week of October. 4-H students are required to complete an experiment, which is usually environmentally focused. In past years the experiments have been about wind energy, biofuels, water quality and hydrogels, Linda Hauge, the 4-H Youth Specialist at NDSU, which is a state 4-H office, said.
This year’s experiment was the Eco-Bot challenge. The scenario was that there was a toxic spill on a beach. Students had to create a containment area for the spill and then build a robot to clean up the spill. The robots were made out of toothbrush heads, a motor and a battery. The spill was either birdseed or rice. Brad Codgill, chair of the Center for 4-H Youth Development, said, 4-H hopes to get children interested in science and engineering with experiments like this, since there are a shortage of these professionals in the United States. Hauge said there has been a very positive response from this program. The National Youth Science Day Experiment reaches about 4,000 kids a year. Five
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years ago it only reached a couple hundred. This experiment is held in 35 counties across the state, Hauge said. In past years, evaluations from the experiment said that 87 percent of kids said that they were more interested in science and engineering. Students are using more technology with these experiments. Codgill said, the use of technology will grow in the future. “Youth love technology,” Codgill said. There are other youth 4-H events throughout the year that involve robotics, aerospace and energy, Hauge said. For more information about the Center for 4-H Youth Development, go to http://www.ndsu.edu/4h/.
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Monday, December 3, 2012 | The Spectrum Larisa Bosserman Co-News Editor Phone: 701.231.7414 | Email: co.news1@ndsuspectrum.com
'Chicks with Sticks'
continued from page 1
Submitted Photo | The Spectrum
The next morning students arrived, excited to pick out winter wear for themselves or their wives. Navneet Deosi, a junior majoring in Management Information Systems, received a hat and scarf from “Chicks with Sticks.” She said when she arrived in the U.S. in 2011 it was the first time she had seen snow and she is still getting used to the cold weather. “The best way to survive the winter here is to dress properly by layering clothes,” Deosi said. “Both knitted items that I received are helping me keep warm and cozy this winter season.” The International Students were really excited
about the gifts. Deosi said they could be seen around campus showing off their
new accessories with a “huge smile on their faces.” The “Chicks with Sticks” group spent 5-6 months knitting the items. The members all are connected to NDSU and enjoy the time they have to be creative and spend time together, CeCe Rohwedder a group member said. She said it means more to students than just being prepared for winter. It is also a comfort to be given a gift when you are away from home. Rohwedder, the assistant to the Vice President of Information Technology, was an international student herself. She said she understands how international students can be totally unprepared for winter. “When our group started thinking of whom to knit for, the idea of knitting for our international students was
embraced by all,” Rohwedder said. Marilyn Dowdy, the administrative secretary of the Office of International Programs, was taking pictures of the students when they chose their items. “They were touched and thrilled,” Dowdy said. “It endears Fargo to them even more.” Students are still coming in and asking if there are any more items after they see their friends wearing them, Dowdy said. “Chicks with Sticks” will knit another batch of items to distribute to the incoming international students for spring semester. The women also knit for cancer support groups and would welcome any new knitters to their group, Rohwedder said.
CAMPUS EVENTS MONDAY
December 3 NDSU Bookstore Textbook Buyback Memorial Union and Barry Hall MLA Research Paper Basics 1 p.m. IACC 114
TUESDAY
December 4 NDSU Bookstore Textbook Buyback Memorial Union and Barry Hall Visual Arts Department Baccalaureate Shows 11 a.m. MU Gallery Wind Symphony Concert 7:30 p.m. Festival Concert Hall
WEDNESDAY December 5
NDSU Bookstore Textbook Buyback Memorial Union and Barry Hall Visual Arts Department Baccalaureate Shows 11 a.m. MU Gallery Wind Symphony Concert 7:30 p.m. Festival Concert Hall Psychic Fair 11 a.m. MU Lower Level Gear Up for Grants Seminar 3 p.m. MU Rose Room
Submitted Photo | The Spectrum
...Waterworks continued
The Spectrum
THIS WEEKS
News
This method also reduced mercury concentrations in the ash byproduct, allowing the waste ash to be disposed in a lower-regulations landfill, Miller said. The NDSU team was recognized for their innovative, environmentally friendly design with certificates from
the Upper Midwest Section of the Air and Waste Management Associations and the Central States Water Environment Association and a prize of $1,300. The Upper Midwest Section of the Air and Waste Management Associations and the Central States Wa-
ter Environment Association hosted the competition in November. The competition was held at the University of Minnesota Continuing Education and Conference Center on the University of Minnesota, St. Paul Campus.
THURSDAY
December 6
NDSU Bookstore Textbook Buyback Memorial Union and Barry Hall Visual Arts Department Baccalaureate Shows 11 a.m. MU Gallery Wind Symphony Concert 7:30 p.m. Festival Concert Hall Sustainability Green Bag Series 12 p.m. MU Gallery
FRIDAY
December 7 NDSU Bookstore Textbook Buyback Memorial Union and Barry Hall
The Spectrum The Spectrum The Spectrum
Visual Arts Department Baccalaureate Shows 11 a.m. MU Gallery CA Movie: “Zombieland” and “I Am Legend” 7 p.m. MU Century Theater Sustainability Green Bag Series 12 p.m. MU Gallery
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Monday, December 3, 2012 | The Spectrum
Features
Jamie Jarmin Features Editor Phone: 701.231.5262 | Email: features@ndsuspectrum.com
BISONLIFE
I Was Crowned Miss North Dakota USA 2013
Jaime Jarmin Staff Writer
Instead of watching the Miss USA 2013 pageant on TV this year from her couch, Stephanie Erickson will be competing in it. On Nov. 18 Erickson, a senior majoring in electrical engineering who plans to graduate this month, was crowned Miss North Dakota USA on her home turf at Festival Concert Hall. For the past couple years, Erickson would invite her friends over to her house to watch who was crowned the next Miss USA on TV. Instead of inviting friends to her house this year, Erickson will have to invite them to the live competition. The date and location for the pageant have not yet been announced. Erickson always dreamt of one day competing alongside the phenomenal women of America on the stage of Miss USA, and her dreams are finally becoming a reality. “As soon as they announce the date of the pageant I always put it in my calendar immediately and make sure all of my friends know,” she said. “Maybe a guy would get excited to watch the Super Bowl, but I get really excited to watch this.” During her get-togethers to watch Miss USA, her and her friends would cheer for the North Dakota contestant as well as pick out their favorite contestants from other states. During the Miss North Dakota USA competition, her friends and family were able to cheer her on from the front row of the balcony section. “Right afterwards I looked up and tried to see them through the bright lights and waved at them,” Erickson recalled. Erickson mentioned that she could not have come as far as she has without the endless support from her family and friends. “My family is probably most excited for me because they’re the ones who really know all the work I’ve put into to this and have always been there all the times I didn’t win. For them it was pretty fun to come watch and see it finally work in my favor.” Erickson grew up in Fargo and graduated from Fargo North High School in 2008. She was not involved in pageants until she was in high school. The first pageant she ever competed in she won the title of, and that was Miss Teen North Dakota International 2007. “I never really thought of myself as a pageant girl, but I had a friend’s parent tell me that they thought it’d be a good fit for me, especially since I was already really involved in school and the community.” Erickson said. Erickson tried competing for the title of Miss North Dakota USA 2010, but only made it into the Top Five. “I was a sophomore in college and it was my first time competing as a ‘Miss’ contestant.” Erickson recalled. “I had a really great time.” However, not winning the title of Miss North Dakota USA 2010 did not stop her from trying for it again this
year, and her determination and persistence paid off. “I didn’t go back to compete the next year; I took a couple years off … but it had always been in the back of my mind. So this year I decided to go back to try it again and ended up winning Miss North Dakota USA … There were a lot of really beautiful and smart women there this year, so I didn’t even know if I would make the Top 10,” Erickson said. “This year I went into the pageant and I knew that I had prepared myself the best that I could, and I was feeling really comfortable with my performance and how I had prepared. But it’s a pageant, so it’s going to be subjective.” Along with winning Miss North Dakota USA 2013, Erickson has previously won multiple local titles and was Top Five in the Miss North Dakota MAO pageant from the years 2010 to 2012. A lot of people may think pageants just focus on beauty, but there is much more that goes into a pageant than makeup and hairspray. Pageants feature not only some of the most beautiful women around, but also some of the most talented women. “A lot of people think of Miss USA as only a beauty pageant or that it’s only about the modeling part, but the judges and directors are definitely looking for someone who can represent their organization not just as a pretty face but as someone who is actually getting out in the community and making a difference,” Erickson noted. “All of the Miss USA contestants are really great volunteers and community members … the community service aspect is often overlooked by people, but it’s actually a huge part of pageants and a huge part of what makes one contestant stand out from another contestant.” When Erickson was in high school, she was one of the first people involved in starting the Fill the Dome food drive in the area. “I got to attend the Fill the Dome food drive as Miss North Dakota USA two days after my crowning,” Erickson mentioned. “Being able to go back there, talk to the students and congratulate them on a good job this year was really fun for me.” Fill the Dome is now one of the biggest food drives in the region. There are three components comprised in the judging of the Miss USA competition, and they include evening gown, swimwear and interview. Each area carries the same weight in the judging process. “They’re not looking for who has the best evening gown or the best swimsuit. They’re looking for the girl who looks really confident and comfortable on stage and someone who has good poise and presence,” she explained. “Although I love the interview – that is my favorite part – being able to pick out an evening gown and being able to showcase that is also a lot of fun. It kind of reminds me of prom,” Erickson laughed. “I think I get more excited about seeing everyone else’s evening gowns than I do to show them mine. I always get ready a little early to see what everyone else has on.”
Interview was not always Erickson’s favorite part about pageants, but she has learned to love it. “During my first pageant I was more nervous in my interview and less nervous on stage,” Erickson recalled. “Now when I compete, interview is my favorite part … the first time it definitely was not … but [the interviews] are just so short, so you don’t always know if the judges got to hear everything that you wanted to share with them.” Erickson stressed that pageant interviews do not involve stereotypical questions and answers, but instead require deep thought and knowledge about current events. “A lot of people think of really cliché pageant questions with answers that involve world peace, but it’s not like that at all,” Erickson said. Since winning the crown two short weeks ago, Erickson’s life has changed greatly. “I’ve definitely slept less and I’ve learned how to use Twitter, which has been interesting,” Erickson laughed. After the lights dimmed and the pageant was over, Erickson still could not believe she had actually won Miss North Dakota USA 2013. “Even a couple days after the pageant, I was seeing pictures of this girl winning and it looked like me. But I still wasn’t really sure if I had actually won,” Erickson laughed. The winner of Miss USA will go on to compete at Miss Universe. Erickson has already begun preparing for Miss USA by brainstorming evening gown and swimwear ideas, as well as keeping up-to-date with current events. “The judges at Miss USA will be looking for an extremely well-rounded girl … the next Miss USA needs to be articulate, modern, beautiful and be able to represent the modern woman.” Erickson proved that she has all of those qualities during the Miss North Dakota USA 2013 competition, so viewers will have to tune in to NBC to see whether the judges believe she has those qualities at the Miss USA 2013 pageant in a few months. “I always think how amazing all the women on the Miss USA stage are … It’s pretty cool that this year I’ll get to be one of them and I’ll get to become friends with the other contestants,” Erickson said. “I’m really excited to do something that I’ve always watched on TV growing up. It’s really strange to think about.” To follow Erickson’s journey to Miss USA 2013, you can follow her pages on Twitter and Facebook: Twitter: Dusa
@RealMissN-
Facebook: Miss North Dakota USA 2013
INTERNATIONALPERSPECTIVE
Mataya Armstrong | The Spectrum
Sincerely Awaiting Summer
Yasser Shaikh Staff Writer
When I chose Fargo as an option for schooling over Miami, I knew I would regret it for a few reasons. What I was unaware of is the magnitude of my regret. I come from a tropical city that has temperatures like Miami plus another 20 degrees. In my city, it is very rare that we would see temperatures anywhere close to freezing. In fact, if the temperatures are below 45 degrees, the city would have almost shut down, at least a couple hundred homeless people would have died and the Prime Minister would be giving sympathy speeches on TV. When I moved to Fargo in August, it was funny for me because the temperatures were close to the upper 80s and people were complaining of heat. I was going around and mocking people for their heat intolerance. Little did I realize then that heat is a passing phase in North Dakota, but cold will be here to stay! Karma comes back to bite, my mom said to me. Come September, the winds introduced me to Fargo in a grander fashion. By the middle of September, I would never leave my home without three layers of clothing. In fact, the heat in my apartment has never gone below 80 degrees in the past four months. My friends always ridiculed me for being dressed in sweaters, jackets and mit-
tens well before October and I would jokingly reply, “I would rather be the fool in the wool than the corpse in the casket.” They joked about how one of the days in December I would freeze on the sidewalk and they would decorate the Union Parking lot with my “ice statue.” I have not let that comment pass as a joke; I am a very serious man. I went out and bought myself some more winter clothing, snow boots, double-lined mittens and hand warmers. Yes, I know you are laughing at me, but I have a long battle here. At least four months, some say five. My experience with snow was limited to watching it on TV or seeing it in pictures before I came here. And believe me; it looks way cooler on TV than in real life. The movies make snow look so much more beautiful; you would feel Hollywood is advertising snow. My photo editor is one of those people who loves to give weird and exotic tips to people. When I was complaining about the weather and the snow, she asked me to eat snow once. Being the foolish and naïve person I am, I took heed and tried it. Let me tell you, it was a bad idea. My jaws froze and I could barely breathe, not to mention the watering of my eyes due to the pain and the ensuing cold. I was so grateful to her for introducing me to the hazards of snow. Oct. 4 went down as an
important day in the history of my life; the day I witnessed snow for the first time. My first thought was, “Can I buy wipers for my glasses?” It was not very long until I saw ice on the sidewalks by the first weeks of November. Despite of all the advice I had been given about walking on ice in a pair of snow boots, my body just could not resist slipping on the ice. In fact, I think my body liked it so much that I slipped three times on the same sidewalk within a period of 30 minutes. This was like the icing on top, just the perfect closure to my ordeals, or so I thought. In my experience with American movies, TV and other media, I always thought weather was a good topic to converse and make small talk. But that logic does not apply to Fargo, or even North Dakota, I believe. Weather is the last thing you would want to discuss if you are a person like me. There will never be any encouraging words for you if you are discussing weather conditions with an American in this part of the country. With all that experience, I can only say that if you’ve never seen snow before you came to Fargo, white is suddenly going to be your least favorite color. I know I dislike it already.
HEALTHTALK
Naturally Cure Your Headache Jessie Battest Staff Writer
As classes wind down, finals approach and cold weather sets in, major stress can be the resulting factor. Unfortunately, one of the major symptoms of stress is a headache, and when paired with lack of sleep, skipped meals and even abrupt weather changes, it often has you reaching for the medicine cabinet in efforts to relieve the pain. But while biomedical painkillers might seem to reduce the pain, they also bring with them the potential for many harmful side effects. Rethink the pill popping and try some of these natural cures.
No. 1. Get a massage -- or give one to yourself
Using the soft tips of your fingers to rub your temples, forehead, scalp, neck and shoulders will help relax and loosen your tight muscles. Stretching your neck and shoulder muscles every day is also an effective way to
release extra tension and prevent the aches from creeping up into your head.
No. 2: Sleep it off
Shutting off all lights and sounds and positioning your head comfortably on a soft pillow will help you relax and hopefully fall asleep for the night or for a short nap. Drink a glass of water before hitting the hay to keep your body hydrated and comfortable while you sleep.
No. 3. Apply heat and cold
Take a hot bath or shower, or alternate between placing a hot and cold washcloth on your forehead while lying down. According to a 2006 study in the Oxford University Press, “cold therapy makes your blood vessels constrict and calms inflammation, [which] can reduce the pressure in your head and ease your pain.” On the other hand, “applying heat relaxes tight muscles” and is also effective in reducing headache pains. Ice packs and heating pads can come in handy if this method seems to work for you.
No. 4. Try some new
scents
Focus specifically on lavender or peppermint. Drops can be mixed into your bath, rubbed into your temples or neck, or drank in tea form. Aromatherapist Patricia Davis states that several drops of essential peppermint oil can act as a stimulant and also a painkiller.
No. 5. Eat foods rich in calcium and magnesium
These minerals are said to reduce inflammation and relieve muscular tension and pain. Some foods to try are legumes, broccoli, potatoes, spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, cottage cheese, yogurt and cheddar cheese (LiveStrong. com). Things to avoid if you feel a headache coming on or if you already are experiencing one include gum, ice cream, salt, alcohol, drinks with ice, bright or flashing lights and loud noises. If your headaches persist, consult a doctor in case you have a more serious condition that is in need of professional medical attention.
Monday, December 3, 2012 | The Spectrum Steven Strom A&E Editor Phone: 701.231.5262 | Email: ae@ndsuspectrum.com
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Arts & Entertainment
‘12 Dates of Christmas’ Review Boy Meets World Sequel in the Works
Theatre B’s ‘12 Dates’ Warms Hearts in Cold Weather
Matt Paulsen
Jack Dura
90s nostalgia has been in full swing over the last few years, and it just got a little larger. Back in 1992, a sixth grade boy met the world head-on for seven years with help from his family, friends and teachers. Now, over a decade later he is coming back to television. It was recently announced that Boy Meets World is getting a spin-off show. The original show ran for seven seasons on ABC starting in 1993, and ending in 2000. Starring Ben Savage as Corey Matthews, the show followed Matthews as he grew up and faced problems with friends, family and school. The sequel will be titled Girl Meets World, and will follow 13-year-old Riley Matthews who is full of life, super positive and best friends with a dark and edgy girl named Maya. Riley is the daughter of Corey and Topanga, and has an older brother Elliot. Ben Savage
Contributing Writer With an intimate, cozy theater and a cast that can be counted on one hand, Theatre B has struck it home with holiday heart-warmer “The 12 Dates of Christmas.” Ginna Hoben’s Christmas comedy took to the stage at Theatre B on Nov. 22, and left Thanksgiving weekend audiences with a seasonal treat to kick off the holidays. With many memorable scenes and sayings, this holiday play will be a theatrical gift to all who attend this Christmas season. What perhaps resonated best from the 90-minute performance was the perky protagonist, Mary (Missy Teeters). Beleaguered by the breakup with her fiancé the year before, Mary dreads the holiday season and all the matchmaking from her relatives that comes along with it. Over the course of one year, our relentless leading lady searches for love all over New York city, only finding disappointment with every man she meets. Along the way, Mary’s family fixes her up with a few potential Mr. Rights who all turn out to be nothing but wrong. A slippery doctor, a much-younger Irish bartender, an ex-convict and more each take the arm of Mary, who brushes them all off immediately after
Spectrum Staff
and Danielle Fishel are both set to reprise their roles in the sequel. Making matters more interesting, Corey is none other than Riley’s history teacher. No other casting news has been announced, but it wouldn’t be surprising if other main cast members from the original show up. Corey’s best friend Shawn (Rider Strong), older brother Eric (Will Friedle), and former teacher Mr. Feeny (William Daniels) haven’t had any major roles since World went off the air, and all should at least be available for cameos throughout the series’ run. The return sparks another mark in the 90s nostalgia kick. Last year, Nickelodeon started up The 90s Are All That. As a part of the block, the station airs classic 90s shows and cartoons on TeenNick from 11 p.m. to 3 a.m. nightly. Although the original aired as a part of ABC’s TGIF Friday night block, the sequel is set to air on the Disney Channel. Considering the direction the channel has taken in recent years, some fans could be concerned about
the show’s tone becoming watered down and cheesy. However, Danielle Fishel, who starred as Topanga Lawrence ,took to Tumblr to reassure those with concerns. Fishel states, “I promise with the entirety of my heart that we will make GMW with the same honesty, innocence and intelligence. The first comment out of every person involved’s mouth was, lets only do it if we think we can create something as special as we did with BMW.” The sequel will probably disappoint some, and may not work out, but at least the original cast members seem to be on board. If done right, an updated version could keep the feeling of what made the original show what it was, while updating it for a new generation. There have been plenty of stories and events in the last decade that could potentially work for the rebooted series. The only thing to do now is wait and see how it all plays out. The next question is: what 90s movie or show will make a comeback next?
learning any dirty details. Her search is very humorous, but the disappointment is hard to take after two or three relationships fall apart that seemed like the perfect fit. After her eleventh strikeout, the audience is rooting for Mary to stumble across the right guy, which she eventually does (and on Christmas Eve to boot). Her story had all the elements one could want and expect from a production like this, and the small cast did surprisingly well. One would think there would be a plethora of players with a title like “The 12 Dates of Christmas,” but it was not so with this production. Just three actresses comprised the cast, and Teeters took on the role of not only Mary, but countless other characters as well. In various scenes she doubled
also be commended for their parts as the delightful Doo Wop Girls. Injecting each scene with the emotions it reflected, these two titillated the audience endlessly. The girls appeared every few minutes at a moment’s notice throughout the play, singing the songs of the season or just being downright funny. Nothing was overdone by the Doo Wop Girls because it was all done perfectly. Between Teeters’ acting abilities, and Black and O’Connell’s smooth singing and background humor, Theatre B’s “12 Dates” had all the theatrics one would require to call this a mustsee show. Strong language does frequent the script, as do several sexual references, so this is not a performance for small children to see. However, anyone looking for a few laughs and a delightful
as Mary’s mother, aunt and several of the 12 dates. The characters she could not create were imagined by her and the audience. This creativity was quite refreshing, and Teeters should be congratulated for her ability to act out such a wide array of individuals in one show. Lucy Black and Caitlin O’Connell, the remaining two-thirds of the cast, should
hunt for love onstage must make it their mission to visit Theatre B during December. “The 12 Dates of Christmas” runs at Theatre B on Main Avenue in Fargo until Steven Strom Dec. 29 with performances every Thursday through Sat- A&E Editor urday at 7:30 p.m. with a Sunday matinee on Dec. 16 Masks is a very difficult at 2 p.m. Tickets are $10 for book to explain to someone students, $15 for seniors and that isn’t familiar with what $20 for adults. are now Dynamite’s staple of pulp heroes. The book is a team up title featuring The Shadow, The Green Hornet and Kato, Zorro and the Spider -- quite literally the pulp heroes of my grandfather and father. view into the Empire of the This first issue represents the Isles and into the city of Dun- team’s gathering to combat the common threat of the wall.” Dishonored’s success is Justice Party -- a new politiquite an important hit for cal party sweeping through Bethesda, which only re- New York state and replacing cently got into the business legislators and law enforcers of publishing games and not with bullies and extortionjust developing them. Their ists. Chris Roberson’s writprevious publishing efforts -ing does a fine job of bringWet, Rage and Brink -- were ing the team together under not met with nearly the same common principles, despite critical or commercial suctheir very different methods. cess as Arkane’s latest. Particularly, the Green HorDishonored is a stealthnet and Kato’s first encounter action game set in the steamwith The Shadow stands out punk city of Dunwall. The as a memorably contentious game centers around the bodyguard Corvo, who is moment as the three trade framed for the murder of the wits and ideology as they empress that he was charged “dispense some justice.” Since this is an introducto protect. The game dips betory chapter, there’s not a lot tween high-concept fantasy going on in terms of characand anachronistic science ficter development, as the first tion to tell a story of revenge issue spends its time setting set in a world of pestilence up the exposition of what and strife. will obviously be the team’s Last week, the first batch of downloadable content for first arc. Normally, this is the game, the Dunwall City something I would take issue Trials, was announced for with, despite knowing that release on Dec. 11 across all it’s almost always necessary in a story like this. However, platforms. the internal art for the first issue was handled entirely by the legendary Alex Ross. Ross’ painterly style is as breathtaking as ever, and the console’s future, you ask? where Roberson’s writing Not a whole lot, actually. Raw must focus its efforts else-
where, that art helps to add some much needed definition to the characters. One thing that Ross has always excelled at is sculpting characters into iconic visages. His DC opus Kingdom Come stands as a true testament to that fact. That effort is on full display here, as Ross has a clear understanding of the pulp fiction roots of these characters. Lamont Cranston in his full Shadow costume, in particular, stands out as what will likely be the most definitive image of the character for years to come. This iconography lends some definition to the characters in their appearance, if not their thoughts and actions. Just glancing at Britt Reid and Cranston as they trade tales at the Cobalt Club gives you a basic understanding of whom they are and what they’re like.
Beyond those moments, the wide expository images of the Justice Party and its cronies evoke the perfect sense of 1940s propaganda. Ross knows clearly knows this era well and poured more time and effort into evoking the period in which the story takes place than he likely needed. Even if the art and writing weren’t entirely up to snuff there is still something inherently, undeniably cool about the pulp comic and radio drama heroes of the turn of the previous century coming together beneath one city skyline. If you have any interest at all in comics’ pulp fiction past, Masks #1 is an intriguing first step in a bold experiment. Even if you’re not interested in history, this is likely a must-have for any comic lover for the art alone.
outselling the 360 in terms of year-to-year sales. What actually matters is how long Nintendo can keep sales going strong, especially in the wake of what multiple media outlets have pointed out is an ineffectual marketing campaign. Simply put, most casual consumers don’t know what the Wii U actually is, with more than a few mistakenly (though understandably) thinking that it’s an add-on for the existing Wii. Meanwhile, many enthu-
siast consumers just aren’t wowed by the system’s jump in technical power, knowing that Sony and Microsoft’s new consoles are right around the corner. Nintendo is taking quite a gamble with the Wii U. The company is attempting to regain lost ground in the hardcore gaming community as they’ve seen Wii sales (which were powered almost exclusively by the always fickle casual market) drastically fall off the grid. That being said, with Wii
sales being what they are, it’s likely that Nintendo had no choice but to make this new console so much sooner than the rest of the manufacturers. The Wii U seems like a bandaid, designed to keep them in the console game long enough to truly understand what their next move needs to be moving forward. However, if they can’t find that next move, it wouldn’t be surprising to see the Wii U going the way of the Dreamcast.
‘Masks #1’ Review
Dishonored Franchise
High Sales Lead to Probable Sequels
Steven Strom A&E Editor
One of 2012’s biggest critical darlings was a new intellectual property called Dishonored from Arkane Studios and Bethesda. Last week, Bethesda’s Vice President of Marketing Pete Hines revealed that the game was also a commercial success, something that is all too rare for new properties in this day and age. “I can tell you that Dishonored is far exceeding our sales expectations, which is especially cool considering it›s new IP facing a host of well-established franchises this quarter,» Hines said. «We did terrific numbers again this past weekend, both in stores and on Steam, where Dishonored was listed as the number one selling title over the holiday weekend. And Dishonored has really sold well overseas. So, we’re very pleased and appreciate
all the fans that have supported Dishonored and Arkane [Studios]. We clearly have a new franchise.» By “this past weekend” Hines is referring to Thanksgiving weekend, otherwise known as Black Friday weekend during which Dishonored was subject to multiple, hefty discounts. While we don’t know exactly how many copies of the game have been sold thus far between stores and digital downloads, we do know that the game sold 460,200 boxed copies in its launch month of November, thanks to the NPD. It’s interesting to note that this talk of sequels comes after the game’s Co-Creative Director, Harvey Smith, explained that he wasn’t sure if he wanted Dishonored to have a sequel. “Part of me would love to see future games leverage this world,” Smith said, “and part of me would love it if the vault door was just closed and that’s it. This is your one
Wii U Sells 400k in 1st Week
Steven Strom A&E Editor
The release of new console hardware is always an exciting time for games journalism. Whether or not you consider the Nintendo’s processing power finally coming into parity with the Playstation 3 and Xbox 360 as “new hardware,” it’s still a new console launch. And a new console launch means numbers. Specifically, the Wii U sold 400,000 units in its first week at retail in North America. That officially puts it ahead of the Xbox 360 launch
in 2005 and the Playstation 3 launch in 2006. However, it also puts it 200 thousand units behind the original Wii, which sold over 600,000 units in the eight-day period after its launch. Taking a further step back, Sony’s Playstation 2 sold 500,000 during its first week in North American stores. Meanwhile, the Dreamcast sold 372,000 in four days after its launch before falling off the grid and ceasing production entirely. It’s also worth noting that the original Wii’s launch period overlapped with that year’s Black Friday weekend. What does this tell us about
sales data in the first week of a console’s launch isn’t really that meaningful. The Dreamcast outsold the Xbox 360 in terms of early adoption, but quickly tapered off and became one of the greatest disasters in Sega’s history. The Playstation 3, on the other hand only sold a paltry 197,000 units during its first week. However, it was recently announced that Sony’s console has caught up in worldwide sales with the 360, despite Microsoft’s console having had a full year’s head start. Effectively, that means the much-maligned PS3 is
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Opinion
The Feasibility of World Peace
Laziness is Holding Back Society
Opinion Editor
Why is it so difficult for humans to let go of their hate? Is it something biological? Something embedded so deeply in our genetic coding that it couldn’t possibly be re-written? Like the words of a bold graffiti artist plastered on a cold concrete wall, inherent hate seems to be permanently written in bold, brazen lettering somewhere inside our heads, and no matter what we do, we can’t take our eyes off of it. And yet, now in the Christmas season, new words are dangled in front of us – not etched in our mind, but presented in front of our very eyes, and held just out of reach. World peace calls to us all, yet even those of us most motivated to claim it have not held it in our grasp. What is it that drives mankind to war? Ask any citizen of the planet whether peace is preferable to war, if life is preferable to death, if security is preferable to terror, and the answer will be nearly universally in favor of living in harmony with one another. The universal appeal of peace, however, somehow holds no sway over the democratic leaders and power-hungry dictators of our world. Why must our elected officials, appointed diplomats and highest-aspiring dissidents lean constantly towards conflict? Because war is easier than peace. Because sticking a gun in the loan officer’s face and demanding she open the vault is easier than discussing your options for long-term financing of a home mortgage. Because swooping in with the strongest military in the world and overthrowing a dictator is easier than discussing with him the re-appropriation of government funding from weapons of mass destruction to civic betterment. It is because we, as humans, refuse to care about other humans. The argument has been had many times, whether human beings are inherently good or inherently evil. Say what you want, but I can assure you that human beings are, without a doubt, inherently selfish. It is easier for the most influential world leaders to sit back and watch Syria destroy itself from within, rather than stepping into a country full of corruption and oppression and convincing their leaders to back off of
Nathan Stottler Opinion Editor Phone: 701.231.6287 | Email: opinion@ndsuspectrum.com
Fears and Foibles:
Adventures in Public Speaking
before. The Mississippi River, who in my haste, I “Miss Adventure” their terroristic regimes. Afconfused with the Missouri TESSA TORGESON River- the river whose curter all, what is it to America if Staff Writer a bunch of crazy Syrians run rent guided my family down around killing each other off? its winding paths and sand The year was 1996. The bars many balmy summer For that matter, what is most anticipated event of days on our boat. it to America if we go into a I knew the geography of the entire school year for a country, topple their stable home like lines on my palm. geek had arrived. Thee one government, set up a tempoBut it’s as though all of my and only Rita Murphy Elrary, shaky, and illegitimate brain froze over as if public ementary School Geography one in its place and then leave speaking was equivalent to Bee. The pungent odors of under the guise of freedom some sort of ice age. I mumcafeteria food and tube socks and heroism a decade later? bled some wrong answer and permeated the air as the To us, it is a new oil market thus my quest for the trophy gymnasium burst with feveropened to the world. To us, it was foiled by nerves, by fear ish youth excitement. The means increased profits and of public speaking. anticipation was thicker than longevity of some of the most Obviously, a lot has the principal’s horn-rimmed successful companies in the changed in those sixteen glasses. A small line of preworld. To us, it is our vice years, but my fear of public pubescent nerds searched the president’s former employer speaking lingers and, for that recesses of their minds for – Halliburton – reaping major matter, I still wear bows in the answers in the quest for profits from the killing of tens my hair to hold onto some the coveted trophy. of thousands of people, both relic of youth. Sure, my fear Of course, I was one American and Iraqi. of speaking is natural and it of those nerds. If memory Because, you know, it is is something that has lessserves me right, I was likeeasier to open up a formerly ly clad in stirrup pants and ened over time. I am sure closed oil market to Ameria bright polka dot sweater with the end of the semester can companies, than it is to with a matching bow in my approaching, many other sture-appropriate the hundreds hair. Although it was sixteen dents are giving the dreaded of billions of dollars we have years ago, I still do not know final presentation or speech sunk into the war in Iraq to that I will ever forgive my- or the like. Tomorrow I am something such as, say (goself for getting the question giving a presentation for my ing off the top of my head English Capstone Experiwrong. here, first thing I can put my I blame the crowd and ence in the Memorial Union. finger on) development of remy once morbid fear of This somehow makes it a bit newable resources that will public speaking. The ques- more official, a little more one day altogether replace tion was about the Missis- final. our dependency on oil, espeWhat could possibly go sippi River of all things! The cially foreign oil. wrong? The logical part of Mississippi River, whose World peace remains out me says: I’ll be fine, just tranquil headwaters I had of our reach because it is practice and it’s all good. crossed a mere few months easier to pick up a grenade launcher and lob explosives over a wall, over a line, into a community, into a home, rather than to pick up a Bible or a Quaran or a Torah and attempt to understand the culture of another society. Because it is easier to live amongst people who share only your beliefs than it is to live amongst a variety of people with a variety of beliefs. So is world peace attainable? Or are hostility and war actually encoded within us? I would like to think it is very much attainable. If only we are strong enough to set down our guns and pick up our pens. This holiday season, think not only about peace in your life, in your family, in your community. Think of the millions of people around the globe who will be living in terror, even on that day which many of us hold most holy. Christmas has always been a special time for peace. MISCELLANEOUS: If the fusiliers at Ypres and Pregnancy testing and the troopers in the Ardennes confidential services procan sing Silent Night in harvided free of charge. First mony with their enemies in Choice Clinic (southwest of the midst of two world wars, Ground Round Restaurant, there is no reason our generaFargo). (701) 237-6530. tion cannot do the same. www.firstchoiceclinic.com Exp Date: 5/6/2013 Nathan is a senior majoring in landscape architecture. FOR RENT: Follow him on twitter @ Two bedroom Apt. Heat nwstottler. paid. No pets. Non-smoking. Garage. Security locked
GOOD HUMOR
“A Thought Less Traveled”
NATHAN STOTTLER
Monday, December 3, 2012 | The Spectrum
CLASSIFIEDS CLASSIFIEDS CLASSIFIEDS CLASSIFIEDS CLASSIFIEDS CLASSIFIEDS CLASSIFIEDS
The illogical part of me contests all of these boring, rational thoughts. Illogical Tessa says, “What if I come down with a freak case of laryngitis the day of my presentation? How many “umms” and “errrrs” and “likes” am I allowed before I am deemed a nincompoop? Am I, in fact, a nincompoop? What if there is an explosive zit the size of Mount Helens on my entire forehead? What if there is a fire drill amidst my presentation and I lose my train of thought? A pack of feral ferrets?” Ok, now I am exaggerating a few of those. But really, this is sort of the crazy brained thought process that imagines every worst- case scenario possible. I had to dig in a little to research about public speaking and how to begin chipping away at my fears. Apparently the whole picture the crowd in their underwear trick is outdated. Imagine my surprise when my doctor told me a little blue pill called propranolol can be used to help relieve anxiety prior to public speaking. As a side note, I was not using the medication for that purpose, but he said it relieves anxiety and excessive nervousness because it is a beta blocker. Beta blockers help because they block sites
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in the central nervous center, thus lowering blood pressure and heart rate. It seems justifiable in the case of debilitating anxiety or panic attacks, but I think it seems a bit ridiculous that doctors prescribe a pill for this perfectly normal, regular fear. In case you do not feel inclined to take propranolol, there is a holistic newage phony sounding method of relieving pubic speaking fear that’s called Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) tapping. EFT tapping is basically “karate” chopping negative fears away. Worried there is too much attention? Tap under your nose. Nervous? Tap your eyebrow. Ah, now that you have given yourself a headache it’s time to tap into the positive. “I am well prepared! This is going to be great!” Ok, enough with the sarcasm. I’m just not feeling it. These are only a few of the new-fangled remedies for calming fear of public speaking. Call me old school, but I go for the old fashioned picturing the crowd in silly outfits. Not naked, because, well that’s just gross. And this time, I am going for the proverbial trophy. Tessa is a senior majoring in English.
Steven STrom | The Spectrum
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Viagra:
It’s a Private Problem JAIME JARMIN Spectrum Staff
Back in 1998 when Starter jackets were cool and most of us at the time were sporting our favorite NFL team on our backs, a diamond-shaped blue pill was becoming popular among men with a private problem. When Viagra was introduced in the late ‘90s, it became a worldwide sensa-
tion to millions of men who suffer from erectile dysfunction. However, just recently the little blue pill has been said to aid men not only in the bedroom, but also on the NFL field. Viagra is used to increase blood flow because blood vessels can calm down, and male athletes are finding ways to take advantage of this medical breakthrough. Last Thursday, Chicago Bears wide receiver Brandon Marshall mentioned that
he knew of men in the NFL who take Viagra in order to increase their performance during games. “I know guys, it’s such a competitive league, and guys try anything just to get that edge … I’ve heard of guys using Viagra, seriously,” Marshall said in an interview. Even though Viagra is not banned from the NFL, it is still a performance enhancer one way or another. Although it is not harmful to athletes like an anabolic
steroid would be, it is still a substance that is used to create a different outcome for a performance. The men selected to play in the NFL are extremely talented, and they have showcased that they possess special skills in order to play in a professional league. The talent these men showcase every week during their season is what separates ordinary athletes from extraordinary athletes. It is very unlikely that Viagra brought these men to
the NFL; it should not be allowed to keep them there. Remember this summer’s Olympic games when the U.S. men’s rowing team took the podium to revel in their bronze medal glory? What they probably didn’t expect was for their glory to be distracted by their teammate’s lower body. One of the rowers, Henrik Rummel, was scrutinized for being “excited” during the ceremony. His infamous picture blew up the internet and replaced the celebration
for their win with criticism for what his shorts were revealing. Questions and laughter ensued, but after Marshall’s comment one can only wonder if Rummel had been using Viagra in order to row just a little faster during his race. Either way, the reason these athletes are featured on our TV screens is for their ability to run, jump, leap and row – not because they’re really good at swallowing a little blue pill.
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Monday, December 3, 2012 | The Spectrum Nathan Stottler Opinion Editor Phone: 701.231.6287 | Email: opinion@ndsuspectrum.com
Rediscovering the Multi-cultural Identity
Opinion
Embracing All Cultures for a Stronger Community SAMANTHA WICKRAMASINGHE Contributing Writer
A long time ago, when I was a teenager on beautiful a Christmas day, my uncle was decorating a Christmas tree. My cousins and friends were playing all over my uncle’s house. My uncle’s face was filled with joy while he hung decorations on the tree. “Why are we celebrating Christmas?” I asked him. “What are all these decorations for? Are we not Buddhists?” The smile on my uncle’s face faded. I cannot remember whether he answered my questions or not, but I can remember that it was one of the first moments that I questioned my country’s multicultural identity. I grew up in Sri Lanka, a multicultural country like the United States. When I was a child, my brother and I found presents underneath our pillows on Christmas day. We thought Santa Claus
had left us presents. We celebrated Christmas as well as the Buddhist festivals. We danced with joy and we were fascinated by the ceremonial atmosphere. But as I grew up, I questioned the multicultural lifestyle like I questioned my uncle. I didn’t
ferent religions. One day he came back from work. He said to me “Look what I have brought: a Bible.” I smiled. We need to know about other religions, he said. Next week he brought a Quran. “One of my customers gave me this Quran,” he said. The cover of the Quran was emerald green and it “I want to make sure that the was designed with Arabic process of cultural exchange letters. He looked at me and is mutual. If you ask me to said, “But there is a problem, come to your Bible study, I this is written all in Arabic!” will come, but you have to He laughed, and I laughed come to my Buddhist media- with him. Before my final tion session too.” exam, my mother took me to worship the Hindu god Vishnu. I stood in front of celebrate Christmas after the the statue of the god while day. As I grew up, my fam- the preacher chanted in an ily celebrated less and less unknown soothing language. at various cultural festivals My mother looked at me and including the Buddhist festi- said, “Wish something,” I vals. I do not know whether looked at her, and she insistit was the fact that we moved ed, “Wish something good.” to the suburbs of a big city, I wished for world peace but things changed. (even though my mother However, from time to would have wanted to wish time, the effects of multi- success in my exam). I came culturalism came back in back home holding her hand different forms. My father and thinking that if we could wanted to learn about dif- wish anything why should
The Concert Experience
Going to a Concert is More than Just the Music CASSIE ROHLFING Contributing Writer
Going to a concert is something that will make you feel more alive than anything else. All of this starts with that nervous anticipation for the day you will see that artist live, and waiting for that moment when you get to hear those songs that make you want to laugh, cry and do silly things. Then, finally that day comes. You walk into the venue and that’s where the fun truly begins. You realize that it’s not just about the music; it never is. It’s about that common bond you share with thousands of complete and total strangers. It doesn’t matter that you’ve never met these people in your life. You’re sharing an experience that only you and they can understand. It’s sacred. An unspoken truth, nothing else in the world matters that night. It doesn’t matter what anyone’s past was like. All that matters is that you’re there now. You are all experiencing something that is hectic, sweaty, disgusting and beautiful all at the same time. You all are forever connected by this one experience. It’s not just about seeing your favorite musicians in
person or truly realizing that they are, in fact, real. It’s about realizing that you have people in this world that get you, even if it’s just for the night. You are not alone in this world when you go to a concert. It doesn’t matter if you guys have nothing else in common; this one experience has brought all of you closer together and if you never see these people again in your life it doesn’t really matter, because that’s not what this night is about. It’s knowing that when you look at anyone in the crowd, they are feeling exactly what you’re feeling: bliss. All of your troubles in the world seem to disappear, if only for a couple hours at the very least. That feeling you get when those people you’ve been waiting for step onto the stage. Your heart starts to race, adrenaline’s flowing through you and you can’t stop it, but you don’t really want to. You and everyone around you erupt into applause and screams. It’s that moment when they start to play that one song that just melts your heart. These people who created this song don’t realize the true effect they have on you and everybody else in that crowd. None of you have the same reason for loving this song; different experiences have given you different reasons to connect with it. That doesn’t make a
difference though, because all is right with the world and everybody is in perfect symmetry and harmony in this moment as the song starts to play. And when the afterglow of this euphoric experience fades, it’s an indescribable comedown because you just long for the next time you’ll experience a high like that again, you’ll ache for it. That concert really lets you know that you are alive. Gerard Way, the lead singer of the band My Chemical Romance, was quoted saying it perfectly: “Anyone who understands how standing in a crowd of sweaty people, elbow to elbow, screaming along to the words embedded in your heart, can give you the most happiness ever needed. When you’re shoved against a sea of bodies and you don’t know what sweat actually belongs to you or your neighbor, you can barely breathe and in that moment, your favorite song starts playing and you forget about everything: all you’re concerned with is the melody, rhythm, and beat of the song. All you care about is singing your heart out and knowing it’s okay to love something maybe a little too much as long as it’s real to you.” Cassandra is a sophomore majoring in journalism.
not we wish for harmony among all the cultures. When looking back, I understand that multiculturalism was always a part of our society and it always kept coming in different forms to our lives. Before I came to the United States, on the day of Ed-al Fiter, I went to see Muslim friends with a couple of Buddhist friends. The day was very colorful. I could see smiles of people all over the streets. I ate sweets, good foods and simply enjoyed the company of my friends. I learned many things about the Islamic culture and the memories remain vibrant in my mind. After I came to Fargo, I started celebrating Christmas again. I went to the church with my friends from Sri Lanka, and as I can remember, it was a beautiful day that snowed a little. All I want to say about America is that it is blessed with rich cultural heritages that come from all around the world. American people live in a multicultural society and it
is important for them to live in peace with the people who have different beliefs and cultural identities. And the people are free to follow any religious practice, which is also a blessing. The time that I devalued my multicultural identity was not fun. Believe me, it was not. I was comfortable in my own beliefs, but I didn’t have a sense of direction. I missed all the joy and acceptance of other people. I learned less about others and I became more introverted. But I will make sure that the next generation after me will celebrate all the festivals and read all the religious books and I hope they will be open minded to follow non-religious beliefs too. But I want to make sure that the process of cultural exchange is mutual. If you ask me to come to your Bible study, I will come, but you have to come to my Buddhist mediation session too. If you are willing to learn about my multicultural beliefs, I will come to any of
your ceremonies and I will try my best to learn. If you are an atheist and you want me to come to have a scientific discussion I will come, but please come to my Islamic prayer session too. If you are a Jew and want learn about my Hindu beliefs, I will come to celebrate Rosh Hashanah with you. We cannot make decisions on others’ beliefs while standing comfortably in our shoes. We have to empathize as much as we can. And this empathizing process has to be mutual. We should not expect others only to discover our beliefs. We have to discover others’ beliefs too. I have been a student at NDSU for four years now, and in those four years, I have learned about culture more than any other time in my life. In fact, I’m not limited or restricted by my beliefs, and I always know that they could be right or wrong. I hope that one day if I have a family, all the celebrations of different cultures will take place at my home.
LETTERTO THE EDITOR To the Editor:
I need to set the record straight as a recent letter to the editor by Benjamin Whaley contained “facts” that are clearly untrue. Specifically, he makes three claims that are troubling: that homosexuality is “contrary to nature,” that heterosexuality is more legitimate than homosexuality because children may result, and finally, that homosexual relationships are the result of society. First, homosexuality is not unnatural. Homosexual, or, “deviant” behavior has been observed in more than 1,500 animal species, according to Bruce Bagemihl in his book, Biological Exuberance: Animal Homosexuality and Natural Diversity. Your argument that it’s not “natural behavior” is cherry-picked. This is a logical fallacy: you have chosen to exclude some evidence in favor of evidence that supports your point. These animals are acting completely “naturally” even though not every sexual interaction has the ability to produce offspring.
In spite of what Benjamin would consider “unnatural” behavior, these 1500 animal species have no trouble maintaining their populations. There is no scientific evidence to support that homosexual behavior is weird or unnatural. Second, there is also no evidence that heterosexual sex is more “natural” than homosexual sex because it can sometimes produce children. Heterosexual animals and humans have sex even when not fertile, and not only for offspring. To assert that heterosexual sex is more legitimate because offspring might result is simply false. Oxytocin, endorphins and serotonin are released, pair bonds are strengthened, stress and tension are relieved, and deeper relationships are formed. This assertion is also cruel and exclusionary. What about couples who can’t conceive? These couples would also be defined as “unnatural,” and would thus be devoid of rights and legitimacy. Third and finally, homosexual relationships are not
fabricated by society. There is substantial evidence that a large part of it is biological. There’s a lot of historical evidence that homosexuals have existed even in very early societies, and it’s nothing new. Just because heterosexual relationships are the norm does not make them inherently superior. This is the logical fallacy called an “appeal to popularity.” He also states that “there is nothing wrong with two men or two women being friends, but there is no reason why sexual relations should be essential to such a friendship.” No one said that sex was essential to have wonderful friendships with other men or women. This is yet another fallacy known as begging the question. No matter how hard those like Benjamin try to use misinformation and false claims to separate humanity into gay and straight, right and wrong, or natural and unnatural, love is love.
Emily Fischbach
Senior in Horticulture A Happy Bisexual
The Spectrum come write with us.
Bison Bits:
If you could change your first name, what would it be?
Justine Jarmin Junior Human development
“Beyonce, because I got swag.”
Megan Michaelson Junior Pharmacy
“Topanga.”
Alyssa Huot Junior Apparel studies
“Audry, because I like the way it looks on paper.”
Dana Kitchen Graduate student Financing
Jordan Nelson Senior Fine Arts
Inessa Zimmerman Senior Science
“Chase, that was my mom’s second choice and I like it better than Dana.”
“Xavier, because I like the letter X.”
“To be honest, I like my name.”
8
Monday, December 3, 2012 | The Spectrum
Sports
Sam Herder Sports Editor Phone: 701.231.5262 | Email: sports@ndsuspectrum.com
Heating-Up
WOMEN’SBASKETBALL
As the temperature dips below freezing, Bison basketball continues to get hotter “The Sports Czar”
JOE KERLIN Staff Writer
The NDSU men’s basketball team came into the 2012-13 campaign with high hopes. Picked to finish second in the Summit League in the preseason polls, the Bison are left to deal with enormous expectations. Through eight games, it’s safe to say the boys of the hardwood are on pace to meet those lofty assumptions. Returning four starters from last year’s team, the Bison have looked sharp through the first few weeks of the season. Even in their 16-point loss to the No. 1 team in the country, Indiana, it wouldn’t be farfetched to say this team has NCAA tournament potential. How can we tell the Bison have the potential only through eight games you ask? Well, the Bison don’t have that one star player that has the ability to take over at any given moment like South Dakota State’s Nate Wolters, but their ability to work as a team is what makes them so dangerous. Famous Boston Globe writer, Bob Ryan coined the phrase, continuity. It’s what happens when all of the players on the floor know their role on the team, work well together and never try to perform higher than their ability allows. The Bison’s continuity on the floor allows them to create turnovers on defense, to pass the ball around on offense only taking open shots when they are there, it’s what the game of basketball is all about; teamwork. A prime example of this would be the Miami Heat last year. The Big 3 was formed two years ago and in that first season they struggled to find their individual roles. Cluttered with stars, the Heat didn’t quite know how to play as a team re-
sulting in them losing in the Finals. Fast-forward a year later and everyone found a role. Their continuity grew and so did their production, finally resulting in an NBA title. It’s rare to see continuity form at the college level. Major programs have stars leave after one or two seasons without finding any role players with the ability to complement the star’s talent. Mid-major’s like NDSU have to gradually tap the potential out of their players, rarely coming together all at once. But that’s the difference for this Bison team. The Bison have players that have played extensive minutes with one another already going back to last season. The more and more comfortable the young point guard Lawrence Alexander becomes with the offense and the players around him, the more effective he becomes. With LA running and gunning comfortably comes more opportunities for scores like Taylor Braun and TrayVonn Wright to make buckets. The Bison shot an outstanding 60 percent from beyond the arc against Omaha last Thursday and much of this can be credited to the open looks they had all night. With the three-point shooting becoming the vocal point of the offense, it draws opposing defenses to the perimeter opening up the middle of the floor for our big men. With Marshall Bjorklund leading the conference in field goal percentage, defenses spreading out could help him in getting even more open looks at the rim. Continuity is important on both ends of the floor and the Bison are a prime example of what happens when it’s done correctly. There’s a lot of season left and many questions left to be answered for the Bison, but with their ability to stick together as a team, it could be the definitive answer we are looking for.
North Dakota Knocks-off Bison
UND defeat the Bison, 73-63 Friday night at the BSA Joe Kerlin Staff Writer
For the past eight seasons, the North Dakota State-North Dakota rivalry has been put on hiatus in women’s basketball. The rivalry was renewed Friday night as UND defeated the Bison, 73-63. Madi Buck ruled the night for UND by dropping 21 points and corralling 13 rebounds. The 1-4 UND team started the game on a
13-2 run and from there never looked back. “The atmosphere was great,” said Bison head coach Carolyn DeHoff after the game. “I feel bad we couldn’t come away with a win for our fans and our alumni who were here tonight.” The Bison shot a low-30 percent from the field and struggled to keep up with the high-paced play of UND who somehow overcame 22 turnovers. The Bison were able to
cut the deficit to six twice late in the second half, with the last time coming from a three by Senior Katie Birkel, her only one of the night. Birkel scored a total of 18 points Friday night, tied with the team lead along with Hannah Linz. UND out rebounded the Bison 48-34 resulting in 12 second chance points. Led by the superb play on the offensive glass by Buck, UND was able to haul in a total of 16 offensive rebounds. I think it’s a great ri-
valry,” said Senior, Hannah Linz after the game. “It’s a bummer we couldn’t pull this one off but I think it will be great in the future.” The Bison are set to play UND for the next few seasons as the men’s team will be looking for some revenge when they play UND this Sunday at the Fargodome. The women moved to a game under-.500 dropping their record to 3-4. The Bison will play at home Thursday against Drake at seven in the BSA.
MEN’SBASKETBALL
Bison Blowout Mavs in Summit Opener Joe Kerlin Staff Writer
It was initiation night Thursday as the Bison played host against the University of Nebraska-Omaha in their first Summit League game in school history. It was a rude welcoming to the conference for the Mavericks as the Bison defeated them with ease, winning by a score of 95-51. The junior from Oregon stole the show as Taylor Braun tied a school record with seven three-pointers, finishing with 26 points. Braun also added nine rebounds and three assists on the night, playing just 29 minutes. The Bison were smoking hot from beyond
the arc against UNO’s 2-3 zone. The Bison shot 60 precent from three-point land going an outstanding 15-25, one shy of the team record for three-pointers made in a single season. “Braun pretty complete on both ends of the court,” said head coach Saul Phillips in his post-game press conference. “You shoot the ball like that your probably not going to lose.” The Bison shot just over 58 percent from the field Thursday night. Juniors TrayVonn Wright and Marshall Bjorklund scored 14 points and three assists apiece. Bjorklund was a perfect 6-6 from the field. The Bison have been able to stay consistent on the offensive side of the court
leading the Summit in field goal percentage at 47.7 percent and in three-point percentage at 41.6 percent. The Bison defense has been the main strength of the team all season and it showed against UNO Thursday. The Bison are ranked second in the Summit in points per game at 58.2 and are holding opponents to a low 37.5 percent from the field. The Mavs shot an abysmal 39 percent from the floor, scoring only 21 points in the second half. Turnovers did in an anemic UNO offense that struggled to gain any rhythm throughout the night. The Mavs turned the ball over 16 times against the Bison and at one point three times in a row to help lift the Bison for
a 9-0 run to end the first half. Junior Justin Simmons led the Mavs in scoring 14 points, all of which he scored in the first half. The leading scorer for the Mavs at 12 points a game only took one shot in the second half and then left with what seemed to be an apparent ankle injury. With the win Thursday, the Bison continue their hot start improving their record to 6-2 (1-0). The Bison will have one more warm-up game Wednesday against the 4-3 Eagles of Morehead State before their much-anticipated game with rival North Dakota this Sunday at the Fargodome.
WRESTLING
Monk Leads NDSU at Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational Colton Pool
Contributing Writer Going into the Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational last week, the NDSU men’s wrestling team was ranked 24th in the nation by the Intermat team rankings. Two important contribu-
tors for the team have been Trent Sprenkle and Steven Monk. As a senior, Sprenkle made school history by being ranked No. 5 in the 125 pound division for his 20-3 record since January. Monk was ranked No. 7 by Amateur Wrestling News and No. 8 by Intermat for the 165-pound division. Monk
has only three losses in his last 29 matches. Despite going to the Invitational without Sprenkle, NDSU had a solid outing. Six out of eight Bison had records of .500 or better during the tournament, Monk being the most notable. The junior won four straight matches, including a win
Leisure Laundry
over No. 8 Nick Sulzer from Virginia to get to the class championship. Monk lost to No. 1 ranked and three time defending national champion Kyle Dake from Cornell in a 6-0 decision, giving him second place in the event.
Wrestling continued on page 9
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Monday,December 3, 2012 | The Spectrum
9
Sports
Sam Herder Sports Editor Phone: 701.231.5262 | Email: sports@ndsuspectrum.com
No. 1 Bison Advance to Quarterfinals
NDSU gets 21 second quarter points in win over SDSU Bruhn off a play-action pass from 12 yards out. NDSU’s defense, who bundled up the FCS leading rusher in Zach Zenner, came up with a big play when Cole Jirik sacked Austin Sumner on fourth-and-2. With momentum swaying their way, the Bison went to their bag of tricks and succeeded. Jensen took the snap and appeared to be running an option play to the right side. The ball was actually handed to Ryan Smith, who waited two seconds before taking off down the left sideline. Smith went untouched for a 32-yard score to put NDSU up 14-3. “We utilized the bye week and saw some things and I think did a nice job of scheming things up,” head coach Craig Bohl said on his team’s offensive production. The Bison offense didn’t stay on the sideline long. Marcus Williams snagged his 16th career interception, tied for first on the NDSU career list, three plays later. “I was man on man coverage and next thing I know I turn my head and the ball is in my hands,” Williams said. Jensen completed two
Sam Herder Sports Editor
The No. 1 ranked NDSU football team conquered their first obstacle on their path to another national championship. This obstacle was a familiar foe in South Dakota State, a team the Bison edged out for a 20-17 victory just three weeks ago. NDSU didn’t allow another close battle this time around, exploding for 21 second quarter points in a convincing 28-3 win in the second round of the FCS playoffs. “We’re really excited about the win,” head coach Craig Bohl said. “I certainly expected this to be a closer game but those big plays (in the second quarter) became a huge factor.” The game looked to be another tight one as SDSU held a 3-0 lead going into the second quarter. That’s when the Bison offense ignited. Sparked by two big John Crockett runs, NDSU found the endzone to start the second quarter when quarterback Brock Jensen connected with tight end Garrett
third passes on the next drive and capped it off with a 2-yard quarterback counter and the Bison went into the half with a 12-3 lead. NDSU’s plan for the second half was simple: slow the game down offensively and let their No. 1 ranked defense prevent the Jackrabbits from reaching the end-
OPPONENT
VENUE
TIME
Oregon State
BSA
7 PM Thurs. Dec. 6
Drake
BSA
7 PM Thurs. Dec. 6
Track & Field
Dakota Duals
BSA
TBA Sat. Dec 8
Men’s Basketball
North Dakota
Fargodome
4 PM Sun. Dec. 9
Wrestling Women’s Basketball
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Jeganaath Giri | The Spectrum
The Bison run defense stifle’s an SDSU play in the backfield. It was just one of many such stops the Bison had in their 28-3 win over the Jacks on Saturday.
BISON SPORTING EVENTS GAME
zone. They did just that. The defense held Zenner to 46 yards rushing and continued their pressure on Sumner. NDSU’s offense struggled to duplicate their second quarter success, but they bulked up their time of possession and avoided turnovers. “I looked at it as the only way South Dakota State gets
back in the ball game is if we have some turnovers,” Bohl said. “We wanted to make sure we weren’t putting ourselves in a tough position.” The Bison did find the endzone with 5:27 remaining in the game when Jensen found Bruhn for the second time in the game and extending the lead to 28-3.
NDSU amassed 300 yards offensively while holding SDSU to 217 yards, 21 on the ground. The Bison will host Wofford in the quarterfinals at 2 p.m. Saturday.
The Spectrum | for the students Wrestling continued from page 8 Josh Rodriguez also had a fine competition for NDSU. The 133 pound freshman went 4-2 during the invitational. His last match was for seventh place against Thomas Kelliher from Wisconsin, in which Rodriguez won with a 6-4 decision. Senior Mark Erickson and sophomore Evan Knutson each ended the Invitational with 3-2 records in the 141-pound and 285-pound divisions, respectively. While competing in the
157-pound, Joe Garner ended his tournament with a 2-2 record after his last match. Also going 2-2 was Kurtis Julson in the 174-pound class. Hayden Zillmer went 1-2 in the 157-pound category and Kallen Kleinschidt went 0-2 in the 197 pound division, including a first round loss to No. 5 Maxwell Huntley from Michigan. As a team, the Bison finished just outside the top half at 17th out of 32 teams present at the Invitational. NDSU earned 37.5 points
from their eight wrestlers present at the tournament. The Bison went to Las Vegas without a wrestler in either the 125 or 184 pound classes. No. 5 ranked Ohio took first place with 124.5 points. The Bison are 2-2 as a team following the tournament. NDSU will host Oregon State this Sunday at the Bison Sports Arena at 2 p.m. This will be their only meet in Fargo for the next two months before they host Northern Iowa on Feb. 3.
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Monday, December 3, 2012 | The Spectrum NDSU 112912.pdf 1 11/29/2012 12:14:42 PM
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HAL LE LU JAH!
NDSU Baroque Festival 2012 presents
HANDEL'S
Featuring
Concert Choir, Madrigal Singers, University Chamber Singers, Cantemus, The Statesmen of NDSU and Baroque Festival Orchestra
Music Director Jo Ann Miller
Sunday, December 9 at 2 p.m. Festival Concert Hall
Tickets
www.ndsu.edu/finearts 701.231.7969