Clarion issue March 28, 2012 by The Clarion

WWW.THEONLINECLARION.COM MARCH 28, 2012 • VOLUME 42, ISSUE 13

ARTS

Elton John plays at Alliant Energy Center Photo-spread captures Elton John & Co. PAGE 9

THE Santorum continues uphill battle against Romney

Youth vote in primaries has been low

COMES TO WISCONSIN By ADRIAN HOLTZMAN

THEO HOWARD / CLARION

Clarion Staff

s you sit down to watch some local television, you may notice a new barrage of advertisements that have hit the airwaves. These various smeartactic advertisements were paid for largely by the super PACs supporting Republican presidential candidates Mitt Romney and Rick Santorum. These two front runners for the Republican nomination are in a frenzy to try to collect the 1,144 delegates needed to become the republican nominee and go on to face President Obama. Currently Romney has 568 delegates and Santorum has 273, with Newt Gingrich and Ron Paul rapidly falling behind with 135 delegates and 50 delegates, respectively. Looking between Romney and Santorum, the current statistics mean that Santorum would have to win 74 percent of the remaining delegates to win the nomination, according to an

KAIT VOSSWINKEL News Editor

The youth isn’t making its voice heard. Voters aged 18-29 make up nearly a quarter of the eligible voting population, and they aren’t taking advantage of it. For years, politicians have swept the concerns of young adults under the rug, simply because voter turnout in their age group was so low. It’s understandable to some extent. Why would a candidate spend time and money addressing the concerns of twenty-somethings when voter turnout in that group was, for a long time, below 5 percent of the electorate in many states? Apathy in the voting process is a fundamental and ongoing problem. Democracy is a wonderful and powerful structure, but its success is wholly dependent on the electorate’s investment in the system. A democracy quickly becomes an oligarchy if the general public doesn’t interact and share its voice. If we See YOUTH, Page 5

U.S. VOTER PARTICIPATION BY AGE

See FIGHT, Page 5

Young people vote in lesser numbers than older voters, but the 2008 presidential election drew more than 51 percent of voting-age Americans under 30.

PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION YEARS 30 and older

How a primary election, caucus work KAIT VOSSWINKEL News Editor

Lines of people slowly shuffle forward, ready to cast their ballot in a brightly lit room with linoleum floors. Whether it’s a school, community center or church, the scene is familiar and meaningful to most Americans. If you’re new to the scene, elections can be a little overwhelming. The American system of voting is pretty

straightforward though. If you don’t have much background in politics, a little explanation goes a long way. At the city, state and national levels, the United States has a system of primary and general elections. Primary elections are held a few months before a general election, and are used to minimize the number of candidates in order to focus the election on a handful of eligible contenders. Primary elections can take two main

forms: the caucus and the standard primary election. Each state has the option of choosing between a caucus and a traditional primary election. A caucus is a public gathering of a party’s supporters where candidates debate and speak to audiences during the voting process in order to persuade voters. A caucus is more time consuming, sometimes taking several hours.

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Playstation Vita is here

Roller Derby

Find out what to expect from this new handheld

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Bumps and bruises are all part of the fun in this fast-growing sport.

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See PRIMARY, Page 3

18-29

MIDTERM ELECTIONS YEARS 30 and older

18-29 SOURCE: CENTER FOR INFORMATION AND RESEARCH ON CIVIC LEARNING AND ENGAGEMENT GRAPHIC: MARK NOWLIN, THE SEATTLE TIMES

INSIDE

OpiniOns.................. 6 Arts & Culture...... 8 spOrts.................... 13 COmiCs.................... 15 www.youtube.com/user/TheClarionMC

The Clarion

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

news

Homeless, and a student

Editor: Kait Vosswinkel @theclarionMC clarionnews@matcmadison.edu theonlineclarion.com

Simply being a student is stressful enough, but some Madison College students have an addedn burden – finding a place to sleep each night. News editor Kait

PUBLICSAFETY 2011-2012

EDITOR IN CHIEF Ryan Spoehr

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MANAGING EDITOR Heidi Leigh Adams clarion@matcmadison.edu

DESIGN DIRECTOR George Treviranus NEWS EDITOR Kait Vosswinkel

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OPINIONS EDITOR Brooke McGee

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ARTS & CULTURE EDITOR Jacob Ennis clarionarts@matcmadison.edu

SPORTS EDITOR Jason Cuevas

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MULTIMEDIA EDITOR Vacant

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PHOTOGRAPHY EDITOR Ryan Wetley clarionphoto@matcmadison.edu

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OFFICE MANAGER Rachel Larson ILLUSTRATOR Theo Howard COPY EDITORS Aaron Miller Ross Schuette ADVISOR Doug Kirchberg dkirchberg@matcmadison.edu

CONTRIBUTORS Caryn Kindkeppel Phil Ejercito Shia Fisher Faith Hughes Morgan Engels Callie Vasey Adrian Holtzmann Muhammed Anta Kusuma Mike Wang

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CORRECTIONS The Clarion strives for accuracy in all of its articles. If you have questions or concerns, please call us at (608) 2466809 or e-mail: clarioned@ matcmadison.edu. MEMBERSHIPS

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REMEMBERING

Adam Lee Suby, 1987-2009

READ IT: in the April 11 issue.

OFFTHESHELF

By Sergeant Joe Steffen, Crime Prevention Team Leader

MADISON AREA TECHNICAL COLLEGE

Vosswinkel reports on what it's like to be homeless and a student.

By Autumn Hall-Tun, Madison College West Library

Warm weather brings safety reminders What’s happening? Madison College Public Safety Department responds to many calls for service. Accordingly, we would like to keep the college community informed. Here are some of the notable incidents this month. On Feb. 27, Madison College Public Safety Officers responded to a classroom to take a burglary report. Investigation showed no evidence of forced entry and a laptop was removed without consent. On Feb. 28, Madison College Public Safety Officers responded to a disgruntled visitor near the 30-minute parking lot. The subject was causing a disruption and harassing members of the college community. City of Madison Police responded and the subject was cited. On March 5, Madison College Public Safety Officers responded to a female who had fainted during class and struck her face on a table in the process. Public Safety Officers arrived on scene and rendered aid to the patient who had sustained injuries to her face. City of Madison paramedics arrived on scene and care was transferred to them. Public Safety Tip of the Month With warm weather fast approaching be sure you are securing your doors and windows to your vehicles. Vehicle thefts often occur when individuals begin to forget to roll their windows up in warm temperatures. Madison College Public Safety, "Respect, Excellence, and Integrity." As always, if you have any information regarding the above incidents or other College safety concerns please contact our department at 243-4357. We have Public Safety Officers available 24/7.

Regional campus libraries have much to offer students Most of our students know that Madison College includes regional campuses in Reedsburg, Portage, Fort Atkinson and Watertown. But did you know that we also have libraries at each of those locations? In addition to the four regional libraries and our main location at the Truax campus, we also have library spaces at Downtown and West. Library staff is available to help you regardless of where you take classes. In this column, I’ll fill you in on what’s new and introduce some services most helpful to students at the regional campuses. Q: Can I have books from another location sent to me at my campus? A: Absolutely! We encourage students to utilize our intercampus loan system. Think of us as one giant library with a number of different branches. The only items we cannot send are reserves and textbooks. First check the catalog to see if the item you’re looking for may be at your library, but shelved in a location you hadn’t thought of. To use the catalog, visit our homepage at: http://library.matcmadison.edu and enter a quick search under the Books/AV tab. If the item is held at one of our other locations, or doesn’t seem to be in the catalog at all, you may fill out an interlibrary loan form, which is located at: http:// matcmadison.edu/ILL. This form works both for items we own and those we don’t. We will call you or email you when your item arrives. If you have questions about

your request, contact the staff at your campus library. Q: How can I contact a librarian if one is not currently at my campus? A: Since librarian support is limited at the regional campuses, we have made it easy for you to get help when you need it. We support students via phone, Skype, text and email. You can find all of our contact information at: http://libguides.matcmadison. edu/libraries. You can even follow us with your favorite social media tool: we’re on Facebook, Twitter and now Pinterest. Q: What else is new at the regional libraries? A: Building construction has begun and we will have new library spaces by the end of the year at Reedsburg, Fort Atkinson and Watertown. The new libraries will include group study and multimedia studios for students to use. At Reedsburg we have recently updated our collections with new DVDs, books and recreational titles. We are also in the process of replacing our VHS collections at Portage, Watertown and Fort Atkinson. Ask your librarian for more information. As always, we welcome suggestions about our collections, services and spaces! Drop us a note at http://matcmadison.edu/Suggestions-Libraries.

MEDIAMASHUP clarionmedia@matcmadison.edu

Alternative Spring Break! Several Madison College students participated in alternative spring break trips to New York and Washington, D.C. They've shared their photographs and stories with The Clarion. Visit http://www.theonlineclarion.com to learn more.

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

The Clarion

SELF DEFENSE SHIA FISHER Clarion Staff

Jessica Rodin practices self-defense techniques with Brian Landers, the instructor of the Women’s Self Defense class that took place March 24. A brief lecture was followed by a few hours of martial arts exposure, including disarming of firearms and knife practice. Students learned numerous physical maneuvers as well as non-martial precautionary skills, during this 8-hour class. The cost of the class is $26.37 and is available to females who are at least 18 years old. Landers has master level certification in Defense Arrest Tactics. Landers has training in mixed martial arts as well as Brazilian Jujitsu. Landers is also a fully trained weapons instructor. He is certified to instruct in the use of firearms, tasers and pepper spray. The next class for this semester is scheduled for April 28.

Caucuses are, however, communitydriven and deeply linked to grass-roots movements across the nation. A caucus demands personal time and attention, and allows candidates to reach out to the public individually and in person. Standard primary elections are more traditional, and are just what you would imagine: registering either through the mail or at your polling place, standing in line and filling out a private ballot. Whether a state has a caucus or a primary election is up to that states laws, and the election can be structured in a number of ways. Primary elections are structured around party affiliation, and so each party will have a primary if there is more than one candidate running for office. Allowing, for example, Republicans to vote in a Democratic primary or – conversely – restricting the primary to only registered Democrats affects how “open” an election is. Here is a simple breakdown of the major types of primaries in the United States: Open primaries allow any voter to participate in a primary, regardless of their political affiliation. For example, in Arkansas, at the open Republican primary anyone – whether they are a registered

Clarion Staff

SHIA FISHER / CLARION

Continued from Page 1

FAITH HUGHES

ABOVE: Pictured, from left, are Brian Landers, Jessica Rodin, Chelsey Straubhaar and Tiffany Dunn during a women's self defense class on March 24.

Republican, Democrat, Libertarian, or even simply undecided – can vote. Closed primaries allow only registered party members to vote. In New York, where the primaries are closed, a Democrat or an Independent voter could not participate in a Republican Primary. Semi-open or semi-closed primaries are, as their names imply, more moderate versions of primary elections. There is some contention over whether or not the two differ. A semi-open primary in North Carolina, for example, allows anyone to vote although the ballots are sorted by party affiliation. In this way, a voter is obligated to make a party choice before entering the booth. A semi-closed primary like those in Massachusetts allows independents to choose a party, but requires voters already aligned with a party to vote respectively. These hybrid versions of primaries protect against “party crashing,” or voting for an unappealing candidate in an opposing party in order to lower their chances of winning in a general election, thus making it easier for their party’s candidate to win. In open primaries, “party crashing” is a major concern because a Democrat is free to vote for an unappealing Republican candidate (or vice-versa) in order to weaken Republican chances of being elected on a national level.

news

Madison man is newcomer to the State Senate race

LEARNING

PRIMARY

Runoff primaries are also known as “top two” elections. They are generally used on a municipal level, or for state legislature in a handful of states. In a runoff primary, the top two candidates, regardless of their party affiliation, compete in the general election. This method is rarely used on a national level, because it can result in a one-party election and could disenfranchise many voters. On a smaller scale it is less of a risk, but national diversity makes the runoff primary undesirable on such a large scale. Here in Wisconsin we have open primaries. You do not have to register for a party, and all candidates are listed on one ballot. You can only vote for one party, however. If you want to vote for a state elective that is a Republican, you must also vote Republican on a national level come the time of the general election in November. This shouldn’t be too much of an issue at the moment because the presidential primary, the recall vote and the U.S. Senate primary are all on different dates this year. Our presidential primary election will be on April 3; the primary for U.S. Senate is on August 12 and the recall vote would potentially be in May or June sometime, according to the Wisconsin State Journal.

With State Senate elections coming up later this year, it’s important for voters to get to know the candidates and their platforms in order to make an informed decision at the polls. Eric Hovde, a 47 year-old Madison native, joins the race this year alongside many other Republican contenders, including former Gov. Tommy Thompson. Hovde studied Economics and Human Relations at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and has a strong background in finance and real estate. Hovde Properties LLC, a real estate company, is one of his main strongholds, along with Hovde Financial, Hovde Securities and Hovde Private Equity Advisors. Hovde Capital Advisors, LLC, completes the list. Put together with each other, this series of companies is both complex and family owned. These days, many are concerned with numerous social and fiscal issues. The state of affairs in the jobsector remains one of the top areas of interest. Hovde is particularly passionate about the state of the middle class and unemployment issues, and is pushing to back small and mediumsized businesses, stating that they are the “engine of our economy.” He is also backing a platform of working to create job opportunities as well as a refined tax system. “I’ve never run for office, but I have spent more than two decades in the private sector building companies and putting people to work.” Hovde said. Hovde makes health care a strong part of his platform, particularly in terms of reform. He disagrees with the ideals of President Obama and Congresswoman Baldwin, citing that competition in the marketplace can help ensure cost-effective health insurance for Americans. “Obama Care isn’t just a radical assault on our health care system, it’s an assault on our entire economy,” Hovde said. Energy independence is a key part of Hovde’s campaign. He is interested in domestic oil production as well as exploring new and developing technologies to try to offset issues like rising gas prices. Hovde takes a serious stance on issues such as abortion. His platform calls for the defense of all human life, from conception to natural death, and he is also interested in upholding traditional family values. Diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 1991, Hovde became passionate about reaching out and helping others. In 1998, he founded the Hovde Foundation, a charity aimed at supporting research toward a cure for MS. Today, the Hovde Foundation is active in South America, Africa and the United States. More information can be found by visiting Hovde’s main campaign site, www.ericforsenate.com.

news

The Clarion

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

'R' rating may limit reach of anti-bullying documentary MORGAN ENGELS Clarion Staff

A late February decision made by Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) to issue an R rating to the documentary Bully has placed the association at the center of a controversy that now has members of Congress chiming in. “Bully” is a documentary made in response to highly publicized recent accounts of bullying amongst teens and young adults that has resulted in the suicides of numerous youths. The film chronicles the daily lives of seven Midwestern high school and middle school students who are frequent targets of bullying over the course of the 20092010 school year. The documentary also tells the stories of Tyler Long and Ty Smalley who took their own lives after being tormented by classmates. The documentary has been targeted by the MPAA for violating the association’s policy of allowing one use of the “F” word in a PG-13 film. “Bully” features six uses of the expletive.

Following the MPAA’s initial decision, the film’s director Lee Hirsch released the following statement to defend his use of the strong language, “I made “Bully” for kids to see – the bullies as well as the bullied. We have to change hearts and minds in order to stop this epidemic, which has scarred countless lives and driven many children to suicide. To capture the stark reality of bullying, we had to capture the way kids act and speak in their everyday lives – and the fact is that kids use profanity.” “It is heartbreaking that the MPAA, in adhering to a strict limit on certain words, would end up keeping this film from those who need to see it most,” Hirsch continued. “No one could make this case more powerfully than Alex Libby, and I am so proud and honored that he is stepping forward to make a personal appeal.” Shortly thereafter producer Harvey Weinstein, who acquired the film after its premier at the 2011 Tribeca Film Festival, announced that he would be appealing the rating. Weinstein, who

has had two other high profile disputes with the MPAA in recent years over the NC-17 rating of the 2010 romantic drama Blue Valentine and the R rating of the Academy Award winning The Kings Speech (both were appealed, the latter of which was unsuccessful) spoke before an MPAA appeals committee on Feb. 23 along with one of the documentary’s focuses Alex Libby. Later that day it was announced that the MPAA would uphold the rating in a decision that was made by a difference of one vote. In the wake of the MPAA’s decision to uphold the rating, Katy Butler, a 17 year old Anne Arbor Michigan resident who herself became a target of bullying after coming out as a lesbian, launched an online petition calling for the film's rating to be lowered to PG-13. “These are real people, telling their real stories,” said Butler in an interview with the Washington Post. “I think it could create a big change, and it could potentially save lives if kids are allowed to see it.”

Culinary display

Since the launch of the petition, which can be found at Change.org, more than 400,000 signatures have been collected with notable names such as Johnny Depp, Meryl Streep, Ellen DeGeneres, Justin Bieber, Demi Lovato and New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees. Also amongst the names are 20 members of Congress. “We are writing to express our sincere disappointment in the MPAA’s decision to issue an R-rating for the soon-to-be-released documentary ‘Bully,’” wrote Rep. Mike Honda (D-CA) in a letter signed by both Republicans and Democrats sent to the MPAA. “This important project shows the real life anguish of many teenagers in this country who are tormented, harassed and bullied by their peers.” “This truth should be shared with as wide an audience as is appropriate and possible. We believe an R-rating excludes the very audience for whom this film is desperately important,” Honda said.

CAMPUS UPDATES By Clarion Staff

Student opinion of instruction Surveys on class instruction will be made available depending on the end date of each class. For classes that end on or after March 9, surveys will be available from March 25 to May 21.

Madison College goes mobile Madison College has now released the MC Connect mobile app. The app has instant access to college information. The app has access to: • Madison College’s mobile athletics site • Campus events • Library information • Maps to each campus via Google Maps • The college’s new Blackboard mobile site • Campus social media • Campus emergency services The college has also released an athletics app. It has updates, rosters, photo galleries and team rosters and schedules. AARON MILLER / CLARION

A student on the Madison College Culinary Team practices for an upcoming regional competition.

There will be a career fair in the H. Douglass Redsten Gym on March 29. More than 40 employers will be on hand for the fair. Résumé reviews will be available. It will take place from 2:30 to 6:00 p.m. for students and alumni and 4:30 to 6:00 p.m. for the public.

Event in cafeteria a practice run for culinary competition

Precious knowledge

AARON MILLER Copy Editor

You’ve all seen it, the classy dining room full of well-dressed members of the gentry located near the entrance to the school. But there is more that comes out of that kitchen than just great food, such as the Wisconsin state culinary champions! In January, the Madison College Culinary Team won the state competition, and is now moving on to the regional competition, which is in Detroit this year. The competition involves cooking a fourcourse meal in an hour and a half, and a culinary skills relay race. It is the culinary skills section that Madison College students will have a chance to witness on Monday April 2. The Madison College Culinary Team will be in the Truax cafeteria at 11 a.m. Each person will break down two chickens, one arctic char (a fish similar to salmon), cut up a variety

Career fair

AARON MILLER / CLARION

In the competition, students will be required to cook a four-course meal an an hour and a half. of vegetables, make pastry cream and roll out tart dough. The purpose of this display is not only to create some awareness for the team but also to hold a practice that is in an unfamiliar place. Practicing in a new environment is beneficial because it jars the team out of their comfort zone, and if they can do well in the cafeteria surrounded by hundreds of people, they can do well anywhere. Viewers may feel free to watch and talk to the team members as they work.

United Common Ground will hold a showing of the documentary “Precious Knowledge” with producer Eren McGinnis. It will be on March 30 from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. The documentary looks at stories from students in the Mexican American Studies Program at Tucson High School. It also gives an insider perspective to a battle over civil rights as a recent bill that was passed threatens the status of their classes. For questions, contact Susana Valtierra at 608-2466495.

National Library Week As a part of National Library Week in April, the library is seeking the favorite books of students, staff and faculty. The librarians will select the two most popular books and will be added to the Kindle Fires and Nook Colors available via checkout in the library. During the week, the library’s Pinterest board will feature some of the books that people vote for, along with the reasons why. For more information, contact the library at 608-2466640.

The Clarion

YOUTH Continued from Page 1 allow a small number of voters to steer the future of our country, we are only sitting by in apathy. The need for inspiration and motivation is slowly being addressed. Groups like Rock the Vote are springing up, trying to help “reinvigorate our country’s democracy and redefine citizenship.” According to their website, the Millennial Generation (or Generation Y) makes up nearly a quarter of the electorate. The Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement (CIRCLE), a research group affiliated with Rock the Vote, has also indicated that young voters are more diverse, both ethnically and racially, than adult voters. This translates into a very diverse group of issues and concerns for young adults that could give potential strength to minority groups. Because of the increased awareness of the untapped source of political sway in America’s young adults and because of the efforts of groups like Rock the Vote, voter turnout among young adults has been higher than ever before. Young voters – according to the research of CIRCLE – have been coming to the polls increasingly since 2004. Obama took advantage of this upward swing, showing that this new source of political energy is becoming more and more important to politicians. The young adult’s powerful votes were a major force in his campaign. He embraced social media and the concerns of America’s youth, and the results were impressive. In the 2008 general presidential elections, over 50

Wednesday, March 28, 2012 | percent of adults aged 18-29 came out to vote. Rates hadn’t been that high since a brief peak in 1992. In primary and midterm elections, however, youth voter turnout remains woefully low. According to CIRCLE’s research, figures show that across the nation, fewer than 10 percent of eligible voters age 18-29 came out to vote. Super Tuesday saw five percent of young voters turn out. Alabama boasted 8 percent participation; Arizona counted 6 percent of its young voters present and Illinois had only 4 percent cast a ballot. These low turnouts are a very hot topic, if only because there is an untapped well of votes out there for prospective candidates. Young voters have malleable opinions, and haven’t set their party alignment in stone, while older voters have already entrenched themselves in a political party’s opinions for the most part. In an article for CBS, John Sakata wrote, “Young voters offer the political process something no other age group does - change.” According to research done by James Melton, voting is habit-forming, and if a candidate can bring a young voter into the voting cycle, chances of them remaining with that party are high. Because of increased attention, voter activity in young adults is growing, but the gap between presidential and primary voter turnouts is abysmal. In one week, Wisconsinites will have the chance to vote in presidential primaries. To all the twenty-somethings out there – let’s make our votes count! We have a voice, so let’s use it! Our primaries are open, and you can register at your polling place. Go to the polls and make your opinion heard.

FIGHT

Continued from Page 1 article by Stephen Ohlemacher of the Associated Press. In these tense times, a lot of dirt is being thrown from both candidates. In fact, it is sometimes hard to believe that Romney and Santorum are technically on the same side of the fence as an opposition to Obama. Mitt Romney, the former governor of Massachusetts, is a very successful man by any standard. He’s surrounded by a beautiful, supportive, and loving family. He is wealthy beyond most Americans’ imaginations. His charismatic attitude and clean-cut, traditional persona has proven to be incredibly successful on a national level as he battles through the presidential primaries. Former senator Rick Santorum has proved to be an unrelenting force, however, in the fight against Romney for the Republican candidacy in the general elections. Although Santorum is still quite a bit behind Romney in delegates, he has a growing amount of support publicly, and could make the rest of the primary race very interesting. The enigma behind Santorum’s relative success in the primaries lies largely in the grassroots-style of his campaign. A rising star in the Republican Party, the former Pennsylvania senator is plaguing Romney with allegations of being the classic flip-flopper – a candidate who just says what he needs to say to please his audience. Santorum, has made it very clear that he is well-situated in his ideals and political stances. He aligns himself

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closely with traditional, conservative Republican ideals. National security is one of his top priorities and, as with the other candidates, the economy is playing a major role in his platform. His stance on social issues like gay marriage and abortion fall in the far-right of the political spectrum, and he is an outspoken conservative Catholic believer. Romney is aware of the cult of personality that Santorum is aiming to create, but with a solid lead thus far in the primary elections, he hasn’t been driven to aim a full-on political attack at the relatively unknown Santorum. Romney is cruising smoothly during this nomination cycle, waiting until his efforts are needed, without revealing his full plan of attack. Former advisor to President George W. Bush, Mark McKinnon, concurs stating, “Romney is playing things very methodically and deliberatively. I think he understands the physics of this game very well now and is carefully calibrating his approach to 2012.” Santorum, on the other hand, is acknowledging that he is unlikely to keep up with Romney, at least fiscally, in a recent statement saying, “I can’t outspend him in Wisconsin, no way. But we can outwork him; we can do this!” Wisconsin primary elections are held on April 3, 2012. Although that is still a week away, there are a lot of political games to be played in the race of the GOP nomination. Even though Santorum’s chances are slim, his hopes are set high, and he has said, “The race isn’t over until the people of Wisconsin sing.”

The Clarion

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

opinion

Editor: Brooke McGee @theclarionMC clarionopinion@matcmadison.edu theonlineclarion.com

The campaign trail comes through Wisconsin Heading into an election season can potentially be a rough season for voters, especialy first-timers. It is important to look at things with a careful eye. The Clarion

Editorial Board breaks down the politics behind the primary on April 3.

READ: www.theonlineclarion.com

Primary has pulled candidates far right MAX BLASKA Clarion Staff

On April 3, the chaos that has been the Republican primary season comes to Wisconsin. As voters go to the polls to determine the number of delegates awarded to each candidate, they really only have two candidates to choose from – Mitt Romney and Rick Santorum. Santorum is the major threat to Romney. Newt Gingrich will not get the amount of delegates needed to get the nomination. Ron Paul has a dedicated following but not enough numbers to win a single state. If no candidate gets the 1,144 delegates needed to win the nomination, we could see what is called a brokered convention in Tampa. This means that Gingrich could give Santorum his delegates to get the required amount. This possibility scares me because Obama is beatable. Even though unemployment has dropped, voters are still worried and dissatisfied with Obama. There is still a lot of dissatisfaction with Obama among the moderates, which could swing a close election. They might not vote for Santorum, but they may stay home and that could swing the election in Santorum’s favor.

MCT CAMPUS

Romney was considered the frontrunner, but that is not a sure thing now. He appears very out of touch with the average American, as shown by his embarrassing and painful quotes. He told a Florida audience, “I’m also unemployed,” and to a New Hampshire audience he said, “I like firing people.” In Michigan, he tried pandering to the home of the auto industry by saying, “I drive a Mustang and a Chevy pickup truck. Ann drives a couple of Cadillacs...” If you asked me six months ago about Gov. Romney I would say that he was a Republican that I could live with; but just like McCain in 2008, Romney is running away from his moderate roots as fast as a sprinter gunning for the gold.

Republicans just don’t like Romney, and his moderate past hurts him among many conservatives. Many fundamentalist Christians view him as suspect because he is a Mormon. In many of the primaries, if you totaled the votes of Santorum, Gingrich and Paul’s tallies, Romney wouldn’t have won most of the states that he won. But if Romney’s quotes show that he is oblivious, Santorum’s are downright scary. He compared homosexuality marriage to bestiality and made a weird reference to this mother-in-law and brothers “I love my children. I love my friends, my brother. Heck, I even love my mother-inlaw. Should we call these relationships marriage, too?” He has disdain for public schools and college, and has recently been slandered for his reaction to the President’s college philosophy: “President Obama wants everybody in America to go to college. What a snob ... Oh, I understand why he wants you to go to college. He wants to remake you in his image.” He also said,” I pray that there will always be income inequality.” He also said that the famous JFK campaign speech about the separation of church and state made him want to throw up. What really scares me is that Santorum has associated himself with people who have said really dangerous things without countering them. He shared a stage with Jerry Boykin, a former green beret, who in almost one breath called Obama a Marxist and a Nazi because of his health care reform. Just this past week, Greenwell Springs Baptist Church pastor Rev.

Dennis Terry said this while introducing Rick Santorum at a religious/campaign event in Louisiana: “I don’t care what the liberals say, I don’t care what the naysayers say, this nation was founded as a Christian nation. ... There is only one God and His name is Jesus. I’m tired of people telling me that I can’t say those words. ... Listen to me, if you don’t love America, if you don’t like the way we do things I have one thing to say – GET OUT. We don’t worship Buddha, we don’t worship Mohammad, we don’t worship Allah, we worship God, we worship God’s son Jesus Christ.” Did Rick Santorum speak out against this? No. The worst thing to do is underestimate him. People underestimated Bush and he was elected, and we all know the damage he did. Wisconsin has an open primary, which means you don’t have to be a registered Republican to vote in it. It is also a winner-take-all primary. I personally am a registered independent, but I am going to vote for Romney, not because I like him, but just to help prevent Santorum from receiving our state’s 40 delegates. I consider myself a Christian, but Santorum’s dangerous views on the environment, foreign policy, the economy, public education and his wanton display of religious extremism scares the living daylights out of me. If Rick Santorum becomes the nominee and then the president, we will need all the prayers we can get.

Castle doctrines pose threat to safety JON MACK Clarion Staff

A 10-year-old girl is shot dead as she runs into a neighbor’s house for help while her grandfather lay dying of a heart attack. A volunteer for the local food pantry distributing contribution bags surprises a homeowner in the dark early evening hours and is killed. Another man’s teenage daughter’s boyfriend catches her father off guard as he enters the family’s back door like he has many times before. The girl’s father, unaware the boy was visiting assumes he is an intruder. He only sees his back in the darkened stairway but that is enough of a target for several bullets. Tragic as any of these scenarios may be, they are much more likely now under Wisconsin’s new Castle Doctrine law. What was advertised as a self-defense law is a license to kill anyone who is on your porch or in any other part of your home. Bo Morrison was a 20-year-old man from the Wisconsin. On March 3 he was at a party in Slinger when the police arrived. He fled to avoid an underage drinking ticket and entered the porch of a nearby home. According to the owner of that home, he heard noises on the porch so he got his gun and went out to see what the noises were. The noises were a

drunken Morrison whose life was taken with a single shot. Morrison was not out to do anyone harm and did not need to be killed. The new Castle Doctrine law encourages this type of shoot first and ask questions later approach. Any threat, real or imagined, can be met with deadly force and the shooter is presumed innocent of any and all wrongdoing. This law could potentially be a license to kill. A fundamental flaw of this law is that the person doing the killing is often the only witness. So assuming police do a proper investigation, they are still left with only one person’s side of the story since the only person who can tell the whole truth is now dead. The new law is designed to protect and justify the actions the shooter. The tragic death of Trayvon Martin at the hands of an overzealous wannabe vigilante in Florida is the result of a similar newer gun law. By all accounts, except for his killer's, Trayvon was guilty only of walking down the street with his hood up. However in the mind of George Zimmerman, he was a threat. Zimmerman followed and confronted Trayvon even after a 911 dispatcher told him to back off. Zimmerman shot and killed Martin and has yet to be charged with any crime related to the shooting. Under these new gun laws, shooters only need to con-

vince the police to accept their story, not a judge or a jury. The law that has protected Zimmerman is called the Stand Your Ground law and though it is different than the Castle Doctrine law here in Wisconsin, the Castle Doctrine law was modeled after it. The American Legislative Exchange Council is a secretive, corporate funded conservative group that is responsible for writing model legislation and passing it on to state legislatures throughout the country to be made into law. Since Gov. Walker took office, the Wisconsin Republican legislature has passed several laws handed down to them from ALEC. Among these laws is the new voter ID law as well as the law that ended collective bargaining for government employees. The Wisconsin Castle Doctrine has been written, promoted and brought to our state thanks to a partnership between ALEC and the National Rifle Association. Two innocent young men are dead because of these laws. The men who killed them are free to do the same thing again. In both of these cases the shooters were not under any real threat. These were not accidents. These were choices. As long as Wisconsin’s Castle Doctrine law stays in place more innocent people will die. These innocent deaths will not be accidents, but choices.

MADISON AREA TECHNICAL COLLEGE

2011-2012

EDITORIAL BOARD RYAN SPOEHR, Editor in Chief JASON CUEVAS, Sports Editor BROOKE McGEE, Opinions Editor JACOB ENNIS, Arts & Culture Editor KAIT VOSSWINKEL, News Editor LETTERS POLICY Letters to the editor should be typed or written legibly, be 250 words or less, and include the writer’s name, phone number and e-mail address. The Clarion reserves the right to refuse to publish any editorial submission or advertisement, which may be edited for length, taste and grammar. All submissions become the property of The Clarion and may be used for publication. Drop letters off at The Clarion office, Room 130 Truax, or e-mail them to clarioned@matcmadison. edu.

The Clarion

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

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Wednesday, March 28, 2012

The Clarion

Wednesday, March 28, 2012 | 9

The Clarion

arts &

culture

IN THE NEXT ISSUE

Editor: Jacob Ennis @theclarionMC clarionarts@matcmadison.edu theonlineclarion.com

The Clarion reviews multiple video games, including the remastered 'Shadow of the Colossus,' PSN exclusive 'Journey' and recently ported to the PlayStation Vita title, Rayman: Origins.

SIR ELTON JOHN: PHOTO FEATURE

PHOTOS BY EVAN HALPOP

LEFT: Elton John stands to sing during his recent performance at the Alliant Energy Center. TOP: The 65-year-old artist plays piano during one of the many songs her performed in Madison. RIGHT: Davey Johnstone, Guitar, jamming on his signature Les Paul guitar.

The

SOUND of the

Sir Elton John energizes the Alliant Energy Center By EVAN HALPOP Clarion Staff

ne of the most energizing concerts to come to Madison sent waves of best-selling rock music across the Alliant Energy Center. There was that certain life at the Aliant Energy Center that you could only get out of a longtime accomplished artist such as Elton John. Elton opened the show with a bang by playing “Saturday Night’s Alright for Fighting.” He then went on to play Bennie and the Jets, as

well as all of his classic hits, and some of his more recent hits as well. Those who were able to make it to this completely sold out show really had a great time by the looks of how everyone was smiling, singing along and sometimes dancing to the addicting rhythm that the 65-year-old artist has mastered with his music over the past 43 years as a solo act.

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HANDHELD GAMING

The Clarion

What to expect from Sony's long-expected portable gaming device

» RELEASED February 22

By GEORGE TREVIRANUS

Design Director

ony has finally released its long anticipated PlayStation Vita (Vee-ta), oftentimes called a “Next Generation Portable” since its announcement a few years ago. Despite its promising features and the wonderful outlook for the future of handheld video games, sales have been lacking, most likely due to its high price point at $250 for the most basic model. Here are some things to keep in mind about Sony’s new play-thing.

» INCLUDED ACCESSORIES

PlayStation Vita, AC Adapter, manuals and Augmented Reality cards

» MEMORY CARD OPTIONS

$19.99, 4GB / $29.99, 8GB / $49.99, 16GB / $99.99, 32GB

» PRICES VS. FEATURES

WI-FI VERSION, $249.99 / 3G + WI-FI, $299.99

20 RELEASE-DATE TITLES ON VITA FROM JOYSTIQ.COM » Escape Plan (PSN Only) » Hot Shots Golf: World » Invitational » Hustle Kings (PSN Only) » Little Deviants » ModNation Racers: Road Trip » Super StarDust Delta (PSN Only) » UNCHARTED: Golden Abyss » wipEout 2048 » Army Corps of Hell

» Asphalt Injection » BEN10 GALACTIC RACING » Blazblue: Continuum Shift » EXTEND » Dungeon Hunter Alliance » Dynasty Warriors Next » F1 2011 » EA SPORTS FIFA Soccer » Lumines Electronic Symphony » Michael Jackson The Experience » Plants vs. Zombies (PSN Only) » Rayman Origins

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Wednesday, March 28, 2012 |

The Clarion

arts & culture

| 11

BEATING BEAST THE

'John Carter' box office flop, still a great action flick CALLIE VASEY Clarion Staff

If you like an odd but entertaining movie, than I recommend you go see John Carter. It starts off with John Carter being followed by some weird man, in his journey to send a telegram to his nephew, Ed. After that, it quickly cuts to a train rolling up to a station, with Carter’s nephew stepping out to greet Carter’s butler. The butler takes Ed back to Carter’s mansion and informs Ed that his uncle has suddenly passed away. The butler then instructs that Ed should sit and read the journal that his uncle left for him. The movie then goes into how Carter got to Mar’s and how he saved the day, even though he didn’t know where he was for a while. Carter finds himself trapped by these weird alien creatures

who like to call him “Virginia”, and love to see Carter jump. The aliens take Carter back to their tribe, and put him in with the hatchlings for the night. Upon trying to escape, Carter breaks out with the alien dogs help and crashes the alien’s party. As the storyline progresses, we’re introduced to the princess of Mar’s, Dejah, The scene shows her working on this machine that could possibly get John home, but an ancient God in disguise quickly destroys it as Dejah’s father tells her that the only way they can save their city is to have Dejah marry a man from the opposing city. When the storyline goes back to Carter, he’s witnessing a ship fight in the sky against the two opposing cities. The two ships destroy each other in the sky as Princess Dejah falls out of one. Carter sees this, and super jumps into the air to save her. When the two of them are out of the air, the main alien in charge tells Carter that he’ll help them escape as long as they take his daughter Sola with. Carter, Dejah, and Sola go on a journey to Dejahs city. Carter is on a mission to find a way home and the only way Dejah will help is if he takes her back to her city and saves it from the opposing land. After a while, Carter loses track of Dejah and Sola, and goes back

to the alien’s tribe, where the new leader puts him in the death pit with a huge white gorilla. Carter of course saves the day and also defeats and kills the new tribe leader, giving power back to Tars, Sola’a father. Back on the way to Dejah’s city, Carter tries to make his way to save her from marrying the opposing cities choice of a husband. After an action filled second defeat of both the shady would be hubby, and the ancient god in disguise that happened to be there, Carter ends up marrying Dejah, and everything is all happy and good, until the ancient God in disguise tricks him into going back to Earth. With action, humor and a subtle romance, John Carter takes you into a world of many possibilities, and hoping that Carter gets a happy ending. The storyline was even paced and steady. There were no plot holes that were noticeable, and the acting was very good. The 3D effects were nice, but after a while into the movie, they

movies

JOHN CARTER

Walt Disney Pictures Directed by Andrew Stanton

weren’t as eye popping as they were in the beginning. When the movie ended, it made you leave the theater with a satisfied feeling of a good movie, and a happy ending as well. For a Disney produced movie, I think they did a great job with John Carter. I definitely think it’s worth seeing for a fun and friendly movie.

It's highly recommended to pay attention while battling to the death with four-armed martian apes. WALT DISNEY PICTURES

movies HUNGER GAMES

Lionsgate Color Force

LIONSGATE COLOR FORCE

Based on the Suzanne Collins novel of the same name, “Hunger Games” focuses on Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) as a young woman living in a future dystopian society. She is a citizen of one of 12 districts controlled by an over bearing government centered in a city simply known as the Capital.

Due to a rebellion decades earlier, each district must send a teenage boy and girl, called tributes, to meet and battle to the death yearly. The survivor receives riches and glory. There is a minor love triangle that starts to form between Katniss, her long time best friend Gale (Liam Hemsworth), and her fellow district 12 tribute Peeta (Josh Hutcherson). This is really just a set up, with the meat of this issue most likely to take place in the two sequels already scheduled for production. Hutcherson has just the right touch when bouncing between shy and charming like the character requires. Hemsworth is such a small part that he ends up not making much of an impression at all. “Hunger Games,” runs for almost two and a half hours, but keeps such a furious pace one barely notices. The focus is the action, and things are constantly moving forward. Collins wrote the screenplay which stays truer to the

book than most Hollywood movies. There are some differences from the book that may bother some long-term fans. The mocking jays, which are a huge symbol of rebellion in the book, become nothing more than a logo in the movie. A few minor characters are completely left out, though not in any way that really affects the overall story. Elizabeth Banks turns in the top performance of the film with her portrayal of Effie Trinket, the tributes escort to the capital. Her makeup is so out there that many people will not even recognize it was her until the credits roll. She plays the outlandish Trinket to perfection, and steals most of the scenes she is part of. Woody Harrelson also excels in his role as Haymitch Abernathy, the tributes mentor for the games. Harrelson easily fits into the role of a past prime drunk. His humor and sass fit perfectly into a role that might as well have been written for him. The costuming at the capital is quite impressive. There are hundreds of charac-

ters that stand out for their distinctive style. While a common theme can be seen, each person stands out as an individual. The colors are bold, and it’s hard for them not make an impression on the eyes. The set design is very strong. The capital is impressive with its modern look and sleek styling. In contrast, district 12 and the arena where the games take place are cold and have a much more natural environment. The differences between these areas become clear. There are obvious differences from the haves and the have-nots. “Hunger Games,” is packed with tons of action and plenty of violence that somehow manages to stay within a PG-13 rating. It should prove popular with today action oriented and fast paced youth. Fans of the book should find it true enough to enjoy while new fans should find enough action and adventure to keep them entertained.

— JASON CUEVAS

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| Wednesday, March 28, 2012

The Clarion

restaurant

'COOPERS TAVERN' OFFERS LIVELY MOOD, ECLECTIC APPETIZERS

RYAN SPOEHR / CLARION

The Essen Haus, located at 514 East Wilson St., Madison, is known for its German "biers," which can be served in a glass boot for the more adventurous visitors.

A charming 'trinken halle' CARYN KINDKEPPEL Clarion Staff

The Essen Haus is a German restaurant and self-proclaimed “trinken halle” (German for “drinking hall”) located in downtown Madison. Visiting the establishment is a Madison tradition, where many a college student may be found drinking one of the 16 German biers (beers) on tap from a huge communal glass boot that’s passed amongst friends, dancing to the live “oompah” music and eating hot soft pretzels with mustard. The decor is half charming and half cheesy. Beer steins hang over the bar area, mounted animal heads and guns adorn the walls, and a huge mural depicts a colorful scene over the stage where the musicians play. The waitstaff attire of traditional Bavarian dirndls for women and lederhosen for men definitely add to the flair of the place. Somehow the ambiance conjures feelings of comfort, family and closeness despite the obvious imbibing. Long banquet tables filled with many chairs point out that this is a place for large gatherings of friends and family, for celebrations and other joyful outings. The live music is definitely a perk, unless you are seeking a quiet, intimate dinner for two. Dancing and raucousness can be had in front of the stage, especially if you’ve partaken in the boot-drinking festivities. Whether the food is truly authentic or not, the sausages, fried meats, potato salad and sauerkraut all cry out “German,” especially when enjoyed

with a glass of imported German beer in hand. One such German entrée is the Bavarian combo ($18.95), which is a weiner schnitzel, weisswurst and jaeger schnitzel served with sauerkraut, German potato salad, rye bread and a side house salad or soup of the day. The “weisswurst” is a tasty, seasoned “white bratwurst” sausage with a yielding texture of finely ground pork and veal, and is definitely worth trying. The wiener schnitzel is also tender with a light, crispy breading, but didn’t wow with the flavor. The jaeger schnitzel is a pan-fried thin piece of pork tenderloin covered in a gravy of onion, mushroom, white wine and sour cream. It has a delicious flavor reminiscent of stroganoff. The potato salad, rye bread and side salad are all good accompaniments to the meal, but didn’t seem particularly authentic or amazingly flavored. Overall, the Bavarian combo is appetizing and the portion is large enough for two people to split. Non-German food and beer can be ordered for every course, but that defeats the purpose of visiting a German restaurant. The diner may be wise to choose a main entree and beer only. The appetizer options are unfortunately mostly American-influenced, such as buffalo wings, onion rings and chicken tenders. The reuben rollups ($7.95) are nothing special, since they are overly dense and the sauerkraut was not even discernable in the wraps. The apfel (apple) strudel dessert ($4.95) is equally lack-luster. Served warm and topped with vanilla ice cream, the great anticipation of the des-

LOCATION: 514 East Wilson Street, Madison, WI PHONE: 608-255-4674 WEBSITE: http:/essen-haus.com/ PAYMENT: Credit Cards accepted PRICE RANGE FOR ENTRÉES: $9-22 CUISINE: German RESTAURANT HOURS: Tuesday through Thursday, 4PM–10PM; Friday and Saturday, 4PM-11PM; and Sunday, 3PM-9PM

sert is partially met with a delicious flaky butter crust, but the almost inedible sticky, gloppy apple filling really left something to be desired. The beer list is truly that: a list only, with no descriptions of the beers. Fortunately, the waitstaff is friendly, helpful, and attentive. They will likely supplement with their best descriptions and possibly a few samples of various brews. The cost of the imported beers ($4.50 for a 12-oz glass of Spaten Optimator Dopplebock, a good dark choice) may be prohibitive for those desiring multiple beers, but the ambiance and food flavors call for at least one. Overall, the Essen Haus is worth a trip for the experience. The food is somewhat pricy, but the entrées can be split and then complemented with beverages and pretzels. The music and ambiance are festive, and the setting is just right for a celebration with a large gathering of friends and family.

Indie band 'Reptar' comes to town ALEXIA GLEYSTEEN Clarion Staff

Reptar is no longer just a green dinosaur cartoon from the 90’s. The name Reptar now belongs to a funky foursome from Athens, Georgia. This indiepop group will be taking the stage along with Quite Hooves and Canopies at the High Noon Saloon on April 4. The music created through the combination of vocals, guitar, bass, samples and keyboard is energetic and fun. Reptar shares similar qualities with bands such as The Talking Heads, Vampire Weekend and Animal Collective. Their sound is fresh and different with a pop-synth beat and unique vocals. The men behind Reptar include Graham Ulicny, William Kennedy, Ryan Engelberger and Andrew McFarland. The four college students attend three different schools, yet still find the time

PHOTO TAKEN BY ROSS BRUBECK

to tour the country and set bodies in motion. Reptar started performing shows in 2008 and have been putting on highenergy and interactive shows ever since. The band created a buzz after performing a free show in their friend’s backyard during SXSW last spring. They currently have one album out entitled “Oblangle Fizz Y’all” which includes

tracks such as “Rainbounce” and “Blast Off.” Reptar’s second album is set to release May 1, entitled “Body Faucet”. If indie-synth-pop-funk sounds like your style, make sure to mark April 4 on your calendar. The show is 18 and over and tickets are $8 in advance, $10 on the day of the show. Reptar will be ready to fill the room with plenty of rhythmic beats to move to.

Named after the artesian craftsmen who once shaped pieces of wood and rings of metal into barrels that held beer, wine, and liquor, The Coopers Tavern is located on the capitol square at 20 West Mifflin Street. The gastropub was opened in early 2010 by Peter McElvanna, a native of Ireland, as a part of the Food Fight Restaurant Group. Though the restaurant has a definite Irish slant, the food and drink are not limited to Irish fare. The variety of craft beers and whiskey in particular is extensive. The venue consists of a long narrow space with a row of tables against one wall and a sweeping bar against the other. The wood floor, mirrors on the blue walls, and interesting beer taps make for a welcoming, friendly atmosphere. However it should be noted that noise reverberates against all the hard surfaces, making for quite a high sound level on a busy night. So while there is little chance that others will hear your conversation, the same can be said for your dining partner. The beer selection is vast and fun to read through (Bud or Miller-only drinkers, be forewarned.) Dozens of beers are on tap, both local and international, and many more are stocked in bottles. Murphy’s Irish Stout ($5.50) is a good choice for those looking to celebrate with something a bit different than Guinness, and Magners Pear hard cider from Ireland ($6 for a 19.2 oz bottle) is a refreshing choice that’s fruity, but not too sweet. The food descriptions sound amazing. A decadent appetizer called poutine is offered that consists of Belgian frites (French fries) covered in brown gravy and melted cheese curds, and is apparently a Canadian classic. Or, if you’re in the mood for deluxe macaroni and cheese entrees made with lobster or pork belly, they’ve got them! The appetizer list is somewhat eclectic, with fries and hummus alongside the more unusual selections of roasted bone marrow, “Sconnie” egg and poutine. Though many a Wisconsin eater is a likely fan of fries, cheese curds and gravy, the combination of these items in the poutine appetizer ($6.95) seems like a strange, but possibly delicious, fusion. However, the fries are soggy and the cheese melts into oblivion from being drenched in gravy. Whether or not this is representative of a poutine you’d get in Canada, it’s probably worth skipping unless you’re feeling adventurous. One entree is the fish-and-chips ($13.95), which is reminiscent of the classic Wisconsin Friday fish fry complete with fries, tartar sauce and slaw sides. It is good, but the Haddock is a bit over-breaded and is served on a bed of limp Belgian frites. The unusual-flavored takes on the sides are anchovy tartar sauce, which unfortunately brings out the fishy flavor of the fish, and apple-pear slaw, which doesn’t have quite enough bite and creaminess to both cut and compliment the meal. The sandwich entrees are interesting and a better bet. The ham sandwich ($8.95) is a very tasty combination of flavors, with local ham, whole grain mustard, caramelized onions, Gouda cheese and red pepper mayo. These are served up on a pretzel roll (it looks and tastes like a pretzel, but is soft), which is made at a local bakery in Milwaukee. Overall, The Coopers Tavern has a lively mood. It’s the perfect place to meet a few friends for a couple drinks and some unique appetizers. — CARYN KINDKEPPEL

The Clarion

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Editor: Jason Cuevas @theclarionMC clarionsports@matcmadison.edu theonlineclarion.com

IN THE NEXT ISSUE Madison College intramural sports helps create athletic competition between Madison College students. Learn what's available throughout the school year.

BUTTING

KNEES Bumps and bruises part of the fun when it comes to Roller Derby competition

JACOB ENNIS

Arts & Culture Editor Roller Derby is back and here to stay. This isn’t the scripted “pro wrestling” style from the 70’s. The hits are real, and the cuts and scrapes bleed. The roller girls are real but their names are not. To help them sink into their roller derby escape from the daily grind, the girls come up with creative, witty and fun names. In light of the growing popularity of the sport, however, some skaters have begun using their real names so as to be taken more seriously according to the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA.) The WFTDA is made up of 147

full member leagues and 67 apprentice leagues throughout the U.S. and abroad according to their website, wftda.com. Mad Rollin’ Dolls is Madison’s premier roller derby league comprised of seven teams. On March 17 the Quad Squad took on the Vaudeville Vixens in the first of a fast-paced two-bout show at the Alliant Energy Center. After their bout they were available to converse with their fans, answering questions and posing for pictures. “Allie Gator” from the Quad Squad got started in roller derby five years ago. She loves the bouting part of the sport more than anything else. It’s where all of the hard work in practicing comes together, where friends and family can

come out to see you compete, and where the good old fashioned competition takes place. She said she’ll stay in the roller derby light as long as she can, expressing interest in maybe becoming an official after having children, whenever that may be. “Little Susie Homewrecker” from the Vaudeville Vixens has been doing roller derby for two years now and absolutely loves the bouts. The community aspect is great too. “I don’t think I could ever give it up,” she said. Though there is a lot of competition on the track, off the track the teams are just good friends. There is also a lot of community outreach work that they join

Individuals with special needs participate in hockey series

Baseball, softball teams have solid start in Arizona

RYAN SPOEHR Clarion Editor

JASON CUEVAS Sports Editor

The snow is gone and the action on the diamond is heating up. The baseball and softball teams both started their season in Arizona before coming back to the Midwest this past week. Madison College baseball started their season in the Jack Howell Classic in Tuscon after 3 previous games on their spring trip. The team compiled a 4-2 record in the tournament. They eventually lost to Douglas County in the tournament finale. The men’s home opener is April 6 against Illion Valley Community College. WolfPack Softball participated in the Tuscon Invitational after three games in the Yellowjacket Classic. They went 5-5 in the tournament. The women have their home opener on April 7 against Joliet Junior College.

together for. They do the Polar Plunge every year among other charities. The teams of the league get together every year to decide what charities to help out. Some of this year’s charities include Safe Harbor, Capital K9s and Open Art Studios. There are regional tournaments for each of the four regions in the U.S. and one national tournament every year. This year’s national championship will be in Atlanta, Ga. Nov. 2-4. Anyone 21 and over can join the Mad Rollin’ Dolls, even men. Of course, the roll of men in the league is limited to referees. For more information take a look at their website, www.madrollindolls.com.

PHOTO PROVIDED TO THE CLARION

Madison College catcher Bryce Barsness waits for a pitch during a game in Tuscon, Ariz.

Hockey is a sport that is often known as much for fisticuffs as the competition between the athletes. However, that was not what it was about March 17 at Madison’s first ever Special Needs Invitational Hockey Festival, an event hosted by the Madison Timberwolves, Madison’s first special needs hockey team. The event was meant to allow individuals with special needs to have fun. “It’s nice to see them play so well and feel good about what they are doing and get excited about it,” said Hal Bennett, Timberwolves coach. In addition to the Timberwolves, there were two

teams representing Minnesota, two teams representing Wisconsin, one from St. Louis and another from Chicago. The weekend featured three games with the Timberwolves and sled hockey contests featuring other special needs players. Sled hockey functions like a normal hockey game, but players propel themselves on sleds with the assistance of another player. The sled hockey featured the Wisconsin Warriors, a special needs sled hockey team playing an all-star game against players from around the state. The Timberwolves laced up the skates for the first time in 2008. Two years later, they played their first game after registering with USA Hockey. See HOCKEY, Page 14

sports

The Clarion

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Madison College sports manager needs help with move to new home MIKE WANG & SHIA FISHER Clarion Staff

“Big Dog,” needs help with his new house. Gary “Big Dog” Breneman, manager for the baseball team, has moved to a new apartment conveniently located right across the street from the Truax campus. The move serves as a great convenience for Big Dog as it cuts down on his commute to work at the college. Breneman is a low income individual who will now have cheaper rent as his new place. He had lived at his former residence for 20 years. He says he's happy with his new living arrangement. “I like it very much, and it’s convenient to the college,” Breneman said. “It’s within walking distance. I live right across the street here.” Big Dog, born in Dalton Wis., is a Madison College icon. Breneman has a natural way with people and often has his co-workers confide in him. His easygoing personality has gained the affection of many people on the Madison College Campus. He graduated from the Madison College Food Service program in 1976. He is currently serving in his 37th season as manager of the Madison College baseball team. Breneman has also served as manager of the Madison College basketball team for the men and women all that time as well. Breneman was inducted into the Madison College Athletic Hall

of Fame in 1991. His start in the athletic programs started with just a simple question to H. Douglas Redsten, former athletic director. "I just asked him I could help out. I asked Fred Williams, the baseball coach if I could help out and he said I could,” Breneman said. Big Dog currently works at the Madison College Cafeteria on the Truax campus. The problem with his new living situation is that Breneman still has a lease on his old place that runs through the end of June. He cannot afford to pay rent at both of the apartments. This is where he needs help. The athletic department has set up Big Dog's Moving Fund to help Big Dog pay for at least three months of rent on his new place to help offset the cost of also having to pay rent at his old residence until June. To help Big Dog, students can visit http://bigdog.eventbrite.com and make a donation through the web page. Those interested may also access this page through madisoncollegeathletics. com. The site offers donation amounts of $25, $50, $100. For those that wish to make a donation in person can stop by the Athletic Office, Truax room 200. “It feels great. I have a lot of good friends here,” Breneman said. “Everybody helps me out when I need it.”

PICTURESQUE PITCHING

PHOTO PROVIDED TO THE CLARION

Madison College softball player Marissa Shaner pitches in the shadows of mountain tops during a game in Tuscon, Ariz., over spring break. The WolfPack softball team went 5-5 on its season-opening trip. The team's first home game of the year is scheduled for April 7, a double-header against Joliet Junior College that begins at noon.

HOCKEY

Continued from Page 13 Now, two years after their first game, they hosted the hockey festival at the Madison Ice Arena. The team started after Hal and Gaylene Bennett relocated to Madison from St. Louis. Their son Elliot has autism and was a hockey fan throughout childhood. After they took Elliot to see a friend play hockey at Madison West High School, Elliot’s love of the game compelled Hal and Gaylene to start a team. The Bennetts finally made an agreement to bring the team to fruition with Gary Shuchuk, former executive director of the Madison Ice Arena and Hartmeyer Ice Arena and current assistant UW Men’s Hockey coach. Through sponsors, they were able to get free ice time at the ice arena for practice and then eventually games. “I got more involved and we thought why not start hosting these festivals

because we have a lot of kids involved in this and this would just help the program grow,” said Andrea Chaffee, business and marketing director for Madison Ice Inc. “We like to think there are no boundaries in hockey.” With this being the first of its kind in the state, it gives the people on the team a chance to play hockey, an opportunity they probably wouldn’t have if not for the Timberwolves. “I think it’s a great experience,” said Alex Busse, Timberwolves defenseman. With four years of ice time and two years as a part of USA Hockey, it does not appear like this team is going away anytime soon. “What’s really kept it going is the passion and enthusiasm of the kids playing it,” Hal Bennett said. “And then there have been very supportive other parents helping out with coaching.” For more information regarding the team, go to http://www.region4hockey.org/timberwolves/

The Clarion

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

THELIGHTERSIDE CANDY ZOO / Rachel Larson

BEST IN SHOW COMIC / PHIL JULIANO / MCT

puzzled places

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

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