NOVEMBER 6, 2013 • THEONLINECLARION.COM • VOLUME 44, ISSUE 6 • MADISON AREA TECHNICAL COLLEGE NEWS
OPINION
SPORTS
The Gallery in the Gateway is now open with artwork from college staff
Students juggle a lot, but finding balance is possible »10
WolfPack volleyball wins regional title, nationals next »13
The Gallery at Truax is now open with an exhibit showcasing artwork created by instructors from throughout the college. »3
Madison College Performing Arts presents “Almost, Maine” for its fall play. Show times are Friday, Nov. 8, and Saturday, Nov. 9 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 10 at 2 p.m.
THE STATE OF THE STUDENT BODY Presentation promotes efforts to empower students at the college DANIEL HERRON Multimedia Editor
Almost, Maine
Photos by Josh Zytkiewicz
Santa’s Wish List Step 1: Who qualifies for the program?
Madison College students who are parents, enrolled in a program and taking degree credits, are eligible for the program. Children must be ages 12 and under.
Step 2: Find out what the kids want A price limit of $25 is placed on the gifts. Sign up online at: http://madisoncollege.edu/volunteer-center.
Step 3: Gathering donations
The Volunteer Center accepts cash and gift donations from Oct. 25 through Nov. 25. Donations come from faculty, students, and community members.
Step 4: A little holiday magic takes place
Volunteer Center students help package gifts for the children
Step 5: Gift pick up
Parents are contacted to pick up the gifts on the assigned dates.
Step 6: Christmas cheer Children and families enjoy a happier holiday thanks to the generosity of the Madison College community and the Volunteer Center.
Until just recently there have been no records of a State of the Students Address at the college. Now there has been one of record. Student Senate president Colin Bowden gave his first State of the Student Body Address on Oct. 22 in the Truax Student Lounge. In his speech, Bowden touched on topics ranging from parking and healthy eating to textbook costs and prayer spaces. “We can focus on small improvements, make things a little better,” Bowden said. “It’s a good start,” Bowden said. Those initiatives include leaving the gender-neutral bathrooms unlocked, incentivizing carpooling and working to let teachers know about cheaper options when it comes to choosing textbooks. More sweeping changes include a Student Advocates program, prayer spaces, carpooling incentives, bike rental stalls and healthier meals. A change he is advocating is
student representation on the district board. In his speech, he said everyone from kindergartners to UW-Madison students have representatives on their respective boards, and when asked he clarified that, so far, no Wisconsin technical college has that same representation. He cites state law 38.145 as granting that right to students at Madison College. All of these changes require something that even Bowden admits is in somewhat short supply – a cohesive student body. Madison College is largely a commuter college and a lot of the students here come to class and go home, doing very little in between. Bowden said the sense of community is lacking and it is as an aspect of our culture that needs to change. This is where his Student Advocates program comes in. Bowden said it is student staff working in a student organization that gives one-on-one advice and helps other students. It acts like an executive staff for the Student Senate by amplifying, but not replacing, their voice by helping with surveys, press releases and fliers. It also encompasses talking to other students. “We need to go out there, talk to people, have lunch (and) » SEE EMPOWER PAGE 5
Working to make the holidays happier for students, children Volunteer Center hopes to help students who are unable to buy their children holiday gifts ONAWA POWELL Staff Writer Every year on the evening of Dec. 24, a jolly fat fellow is rumored to leave gifts under trees in homes across the United States. For some, gifts will not be given for religious reasons, but many others though simply cannot afford to buy gifts. A program at Madison College called Santa’s Wish List, created 22 years ago, was established to ensure that parents
attending the college would have gifts to give their children in this gift-giving time of year. Jessica Keophilavanh, the coordinator of Santa’s Wish List, said kids not receiving gifts this time of year will feel left out, and that has a deeply negative effect on their lives. “It really psychologically does something to children,” Keophilavanh said. “I feel like every child should experience Christmas.” Santa’s Wish List was created to help parents who are students at Madison College, to enable them to give gifts to their children during a time of the year when giving and receiving » SEE HOLIDAYS PAGE 5
2 | NEWS | WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2013
THE CLARION
OFFTHESHELF
NEWS ROOM
By Mark Luetkehoelter, Librarian
NaNoWriMo an annual November tradition THE STUDENT VOICE OF MADISON AREA TECHNICAL COLLEGE
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What is NaNoWriMo you ask? NaNoWriMo is short for National Novel Writing Month, celebrated each year in November. It was created in 1999 as a project to get people to try creative writing. People were encouraged to try to write 50,000 words during the month, with support and feedback from others in the project. The first years of the project were documented in the book “No Plot? No Problem!: A Low-Stress, High-Velocity Guide to Writing a Novel in 30 Days,” available in the Madison College Libraries. The project has grown in popularity, thanks to the explosion of social media. November is typically a very busy month for paper writing, so it might seem ridiculous, cruel even, to suggest even more writing. The goal of this column is not to be cruel, or even to suggest writing 50,000 words this month. The goal is to encourage you to try just a little writing outside of school work, in whatever creative format you like be it fiction, nonfiction, poetry or journaling. Research has shown that sprinkling in a little writing for fun or reflection will improve other types of writing you do,
including research papers. Madison College offers a number of credit and non-credit creative writing classes each semester, covering a variety of genres. There is even a non-credit Publishing a Novel class next semester. Should you happen to have a successful NaNoWriMo month, you may to take the course, despite all the paper writing. Doing searches on the subject terms “authorship” or “creative writing” in the Madison College Libraries Catalog will bring up a myriad of books, e-books and videos to help you along with your creative writing. To get inspired to write, check out past issues of the “Yahara Journal,” Madison College’s annual collection of creative writing from students, which is available in the Madison College Libraries. Use the library’s subscription database NoveList
to explore novels in different genres and to find articles on the process of writing for different audiences and in different styles. Check out an iPad from the Truax Library to explore apps that enhance creative processes. In the near future Madison College will begin offering digital badges to students for skills or accomplishments beyond the classroom, providing more tangible incentives for writing outside the classroom. For more information about digital badges, check out http://madisoncollege.edu/ badges. But whether or not the rewards of creative writing are immediately clear to you, consider this quote from the late gonzo journalist Hunter S. Thompson. “I find that by putting things in writing I can understand them and see them a little more objectively. Words are merely tools and if you use the right ones you can actually put your life in order,” he said. In the spirit of NaNoWriMo, find a couple minutes to try and write something outside of school work. It may pay off for you in improving your writing overall. Who knows? Perhaps you’ll even end up writing a novel.
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SUBMISSIONS To submit an item for publication, drop it off at The Clarion office, Room C1410 Truax and Room D237 Downtown, or email it to clarioned@madisoncollege.edu. The Clarion reserves the right to refuse to publish any editorial submission or advertisement, which may be edited for length, taste and grammar. All opinions expressed in editorials and advertisements do not necessarily represent those of the Madison College administration, faculty, the student body or the Clarion staff. CORRECTIONS The Clarion strives for accuracy in all of its articles. If you have questions or concerns, please call us at (608) 246-6809 or email: clarioned@madisoncollege.edu. MEMBERSHIPS Associated Collegiate Press Wisconsin Newspaper Association REMEMBERING Adam Lee Suby, 1987-2009 Philip Ejercito, 1981-2013
By Sgt. Joe Steffen
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What’s happening?
Student Nurses’ Association Board members pictured, top left to bottom right: Laura Evans, Jennifer Watanabe, Mary DiCristina, Jennifer Snider, Shannan Archibald and Kimberly Dowling. Not pictured is Hannah Jauch.
Madison Nurse of the Year to speak at Student Nurses’ Association meeting SHANNAN ARCHIBALD Student Nurse Student Nurses’ Association (SNA) is a student led organization for current nursing students at Madison College. We provide a fun, relaxed environment for nursing students to find social support, work on professional development, participate in community events, and expand their nursing knowledge. Nursing school is no cakewalk, and it is nice to be part of a group that can relate to the weekly challenges that nursing students face. Every meeting we provide a guest speaker and food. The speaker is usually a nurse who comes to share with us what it is like to be a nurse in his or her area of expertise. Our speaker for the month of October was Herbert “Chip” Feierabend. He is a nursing instructor at Madison College who came to share with us the exciting opportunities in radiology.
For November, Claude Rochon, 2012 Madison Nurse of the Year, is coming to talk to us about his journey from ADN to MSN and global nursing. He is extending an invitation to Madison College nursing students to join him on a trip to Cambodia to participate in pediatric clinics. In December, we will have representatives from different universities available to discuss BSN completion programs. In October, nursing students volunteered in Madison Public Schools as one of their various community out-reach opportunities. Nursing students and faculty assisted the school nurse in identifying elementary students with vision or hearing deficits. All nursing students at Madison College (and prospective nursing students), are welcome to join us at an SNA meeting to find out what we’re all about. We meet the first Tuesday of every month in Room 338 in the Health Education Building. The next meeting is Dec. 3 at 2 p.m. Subsequent meetings will be from 2:30-3:30 p.m.
Public Safety officers respond to many calls for service and we enjoy communicating our activities to the college community. Here are some of the notable incidents from this past month. On Oct. 22, Public Safety officers responded to a medical emergency in the Gateway. A female student was ill and vomiting. Officers rendered aid until paramedics arrived on scene and transported the patient. On Oct. 26, Public Safety officers responded to an intoxicated driver on West Johnson Street in front of the Downtown Campus. Public Safety officers stopped and held the subject until Madison Police responded and dealt with the individual. On Oct. 30, Public Safety officers responded to several thefts from the locker rooms in the Fitness Center. Investigations are ongoing and extra patrols have been implemented to prevent additional losses in this area.
Campus Safety Tip
Be sure to secure your belongings when using the locker rooms in the Fitness Center. Please secure your valuables elsewhere if at all possible, as we have had a rash of thefts from the locker room, including thefts from secured lockers. While using the locker rooms, be mindful of suspicious persons in the area and report them to Public Safety immediately. If you have any information regarding the above incidents or other campus safety concerns, please contact our department at (608) 245-2222. Public Safety officers are available 24/7.
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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2013 | NEWS | 3
CAMPUSUPDATES By Clarion Staff
Life Skills workshops
The Counseling and College Success Faculty present Life Skills workshops for November 2013. The first workshop of the month will be the Take Control of Your (Financial) Fate workshop. There will be advice on how to pay for and find funding sources for college, create and manage a budget and achieve and maintain good credit. There will be a session on Nov. 12 from 11:30 a.m. to 12:20 p.m. and another one Nov. 13 from 12:30 until 1:20 p.m. The second workshop is Stress Management. This workshop will be on learning how to be a student and still enjoy your life along with some stress reduction techniques. There will be two sessions with this workshop as well. The first one will be Nov. 19 from 11:30 a.m. until 12:20 p.m. and the second is on Nov. 20 from 12:301:20 p.m. To register, go to Madisoncollege.edu/courses-andworkshops-0 and click on “Life Skills Workshops.”
Psychology of Women
JACOB ENNIS / CLARION
The “Sum and Substance” exhibit features the work of Madison College faculty and staff from the college’s many art-related programs. Pictured is a painted by Karen Okster titled Our Lady of Perpetual Obscurity.
Showcasing work of the instructors WILL SANDBERG Staff Writer The Gallery in the Gateway at Truax has opened and is currently showcasing an exhibit. The “Sum and Substance” art exhibit showcases the works of both faculty and staff in all art-related programs. The exhibit premiered Oct. 30. The exhibit is a conglomeration of art from the faculty and staff that make up the College Transfer Fine Art, Graphic Design and Illustration, Animation and Concept Development, Visual Communications and Photography fields. The premier had a lively turnout, and complimentary food, drink and music was provided. Paintings, sketches and photographs adorned the walls, while a large flat-screen looped video presentations. Maureen, the Siamese Fighting Fish and gallery mascot, oscillated about her tank as guests took in the exposition. “Tonight is important because it shows the rest of the school that we are not the toy department,” said Chris Gargan, Commercial Art instructor. “All of our people that work, for instance, in graphic design, illustration, or photography, come from the industry.” Gargan is one of the designers and stagers of the ‘Sum and Substance’ exhibit. Beth Ketter, a Graphic Design instructor, presented some of her commercial works that would be familiar to most Target shoppers. Among others, Ketter has done work for Pepsi, Sears, and Starbucks. Ed Binkley is an animation instructor at DTEC and has been recognized and honored by George Lucas for his artwork. Binkley has recently won the Best of Category award and was a Best in Show finalist for the “Share One Planet” international invitational exhibit in Beijing, China. His clientele
Starting in the upcoming spring semester, there will be a Psychology of Women course at the college taught by Dr. Julia Haseleu. The class will be in person and will be at Truax Mondays and Wednesdays from 2:30-3:45 p.m. Approximate tuition is $530.53. There will be a review of psychological theories and research on women and gender with a focus on uniquely female experience throughout the life cycle. In the class, students will explore the diversity of women by examining the impact of social factors such as race, ethnicity, class and sexual orientation as they relate to sexism, gender roles, sex differences language, emotion, motivation, relationships, sexuality, employment, victimization, parenting and health. The prerequisites include Introduction to Women’s Studies (20-809-206) and Introduction to Psychology (20-809-231), both with a grade of C or better. However, students may enter the class upon consent of the instructor as well.
Seeking certified personal trainers
Fitness, Health and Recreation is looking for certified personal trainers. To pick up an application, stop in the Fitness, Health and Recreation office in Room A1050 at Truax or contact Scot Vesterdahl at svesterdahl@madisoncollege.edu.
Free and Critical Thinkers Club
There is an initiative on campus from a student to start a Free and Critical Thinkers Club at Madison College. Are you logic-driven, a critical thinker, a fan of objectivity, an atheist or agnostic, a skeptic or materialist? Do people find you argumentative because you ask “Why?” too much or question social norms? Do people who are all too happy to not make sense frustrate you? If so, contact iamtheandriconboy@gmail.com for details.
Math Club presentations JACOB ENNIS / CLARION
Visitors fill The Gallery during the opening of the “Sum and Substance” exhibit. Featured above is a photograph by instructor Mario Quintano titled Morning Fog Yahara River. includes Lucasfilm Ltd., American Girl Inc. and WizKids Games. “An important thing to point out is that everyone in this exhibit is also in the classroom. These aren’t research positions,” Binkley said. “We really focus on teaching students employable skills, and that’s very unlike some other institutions.” Animation instructor Jeff Dewitt has succeeded as a game developer for Raven Software and Human Head Studios prior to starting Big Rooster, his own game development company that worked on “Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic.” Even the imposing, moveable walls within The Gallery itself were done by Bob Corbett and the Architectural Tech program. Corbett is an instructor in the Applied Engineering Technology department and has been a principle in his own architecture firm for almost 30 years. “What we want to say with this show is that this is who’s teaching the students at (Madison College),”
Gargan said. “These people are pros. They’re engaged in the field, and they continue to work in the field. Our students are getting jobs, and they’re working all over the country.” This is not just a faculty show. Much of the part time staff and Paraprofessionals and SchoolRelated Personnel (PSRP) were also represented in the showing. Many of the part-time staff are employed full-time as studio artists in the designing, advertising, and animation fields. “They make it all possible,” Gargan said. “It’s incredible the role they play in educating our students and making the programs better and stronger. If you totaled up all the years of real-world experience we share in these fields, the count would be in the hundreds. That’s something you could never say about the university. This is where the rubber meets the road. This is where it stops being theory and starts being practiced.” The exhibit will be up until Nov. 22.
The Math Club will present two lectures in November. The first, entitled “Secret Message Arrowgrams,” will be done by Kenneth Price, a professor at UW-Oshkosh. The session will be Nov. 15 at 3:30 p.m. in Room A2021 at Truax. The second lecture will be “How to Get Rich Playing the Lottery” by Jordan Ellenberg, a professor at UW-Madison. Ellenburg will discuss a lottery scheme in Massachusetts that made a lot of money for a small group of players and how their strategy encompassed mathematical notions of expected value and projective geometry. This session will be Nov. 22 at 3:30 p.m and will also be in Truax Room A2021.
Global Film Series continues
The Global Film Series on Women, Peace and Conflict will continue in November. The series, presented by United Common Ground and the Center for International Education, will show “Pray the Devil Back to Hell.” “Pray the Devil Back to Hell” is a story of Liberian women who came together to end a civil war. The showing will be on Nov. 12 from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in Truax Room C1435. The series will also have a showing of “Half the Sky: Episode 2” on Nov. 14. “Half the Sky” is a documentary shot in 10 third world countries. It introduces women and girls living and fighting under difficult circumstances. The film reflects viable and sustainable options for empowerment and transformation. On Oct. 16, the series showed episode one. This can be seen as a standalone film even without viewing the first episode.
Financial Literacy Seminar
Phi Theta Kappa will host a Financial Literacy Seminar on Nov. 12 from noon-1:30 p.m. in the Truax Student Lounge. To register, go to Surveymonkey. com/s/DRHHVND.
4 | NEWS | WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2013
THE CLARION
Clarion wins awards at national media convention CLARION STAFF REPORT For the second time in its history, The Clarion has received the National Pacemaker Award presented by the Associated Collegiate Press. The award was one of six honors received by The Clarion at the Associated Collegiate Press National College Media Convention in New Orleans Oct. 23-27. The Pacemaker recognizes excellence in student journalism and has been awarded since 1927. Judges review five issues from each publication and select Pacemakers based on coverage, photography and artwork, content and quality of writing. This is the sixth time The Clarion has been a finalist for the newspaper Pacemaker.
The only other time it received the award was in 2007. Staff members of the Associated Collegiate Press refer to the award as the Pulitzer of student journalism. Five other awards were received by The Clarion at the national convention. The newspaper took second place in the Best of Show competition for two-year college newspapers. This award recognized work done by The Clarion staff during this school year. Sarah Weatherbee finished in third place in the two-year college Reporter of the Year competition. Weatherbee served as multimedia editor last year and is now studying in Beirut, Lebanon. She is the fifth staff writer from The Clarion to receive Reporter of the Year
recognition since 2000. The award included a $200 scholarship. George Treviranus received three design awards at the conference. Treviranus won first place for special section front-page design in the College Media Advisor’s Best of Collegiate Design competition. He took second place in editorial page design in the same competition. His work will be featured in an annual publication, “The Best of Collegiate Design.” In addition, Treviranus received honorable mention in the Pacemaker design competition for special sections. Treviranus was editor in chief of The Clarion in 2012-13 and was design director in 2011-12.
CLARION STAFF PHOTO
Members of The Clarion staff attended the Associated Collegiate Press National College Media Convention in New Orleans from Oct. 23-27. Pictured, from left, are Karen Cass, George Treviranus, Natalie Sowl and Michael Klein.
NERDS OF THE ROUND TABLE
Making it cool to be a ‘geek’ KAREN CASS Opinion Editor Students may not be aware of it, but Madison College has an official club for its geek community. The Madison College Nerds of the Round Table - MC NORT, for short – Club offers something for everyone, from “Dr. Who” fanatics to “Mario” addicts. Students organized the group last school year and attended Odyssey Con, a “local geek convention” that takes place annually in Madison, Wis. However, this semester marks its first time as an official club. According to President Jaz Franks, Nerds of the Round Table Club appeals to “pretty much anyone interested in geeky things.” Franks’ nerd niche is comic books. “I prefer DC over Marvel; let it be known,” she said. Vice-president Patrick Kuntz enjoys video games, namely Pokémon. Nerds of the Round Table Club holds meetings every Friday at 12:30 p.m. in the Truax cafeteria. Only official club officers are required to attend meetings, but, according to Franks, “Everyone’s pretty much there on a daily to semi-daily basis.” Kuntz estimated that the current number of active members hovers around 20. The official Madison College Nerds of the Round Table Facebook group boasts 40 members, and its newlycreated Facebook page has six likes as of Nov. 4. The club’s page on The LINK has acquired 16 members since its September 2013 inception. Earlier this semester, the Nerds of the Round Table Club participated in the Campus Fun Day at Truax with a nerd-themed Jeopardy game. The club’s next event is a Magic: The Gathering game session at Truax on Wednesday, Nov. 6 from 4 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in Room C1435. Magic: The Gathering, also known simply as “Magic,” is a trading card game that revolves around wizards and spell-casting. Franks recently learned how to play. “I just got sucked into the world.” Franks thinks the rules of Magic aren’t too difficult. “You have to be willing to learn,” she said. “but once you do learn, it’s not all that complicated.” She invites experts and novices alike to attend the Nov. 6 Magic event. “It’s a free play, open to anyone whether you know the game or you just want to learn,” Franks said. “We have a guy that will come and
KEN XIONG / CLARION
Members of the Madison College Nerds of the Round Table pose for a photo outside of the Truax campus. actually help teach people to play,” Kuntz added. The Magic: The Gathering game was chosen because of the high interest level among club members. Future possible event themes include board games, video games, comic book discussions and cosplay. At Campus Fun Day the club encouraged students complete a checklist expressing their interests. Franks hopes more people complete the survey during the Magic event, “So we can get an accurate reading of what people are interested in doing.” Students interested in reaching out to the Madison College Nerds of the Round Table Club can message the club through Facebook or The LINK. However, Franks insists the easiest way for students to get in touch with the club is to simply approach the group in the cafeteria. “It’s kind of hard to miss us. We’re really loud, and we do geeky things. Wherever you see a large group of people playing one singular card game, it’s probably us.”
THE CLARION
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2013 | NEWS | 5
HOLIDAYS
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
EVAN HALPOP / CLARION
Student Senate President Colin Bowden speaks during the State of the Student presentation on Oct. 23 in the Student Lounge.
EMPOWER
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 interact,” Bowden said. “That’s how I got most of my votes for president. That’s how I’ve gotten a lot done.” In his speech, Bowden continued to emphasize why he thinks Madison College’s student body needs to make the shift from a collection of individuals working toward individual goals to a real community – a community that looks out for itself and cares about its future. “We may serve business, at times, but we are not a business,” Bowden said during the speech. “We are a community resource, so it’s not just about solitary
achievement; it’s about giving back.” Jackie Dahlke, the Student Senate advisor, said it showed that Bowden was passionate about this event and it came through during the speech. “I bet he changed it 16 times,” she said. “I mean, he really cared about it.” Dahlke also said an impressive thing about this was it was really a group effort all the way around from Student Senate. Senate members were on hand greeting students and staff as they entered the student lounge. There were senators working with the audio for the microphone and there were people working with catering so there would be refreshments ready for the students as they walked in.
“While it was his idea, it took the whole team to make it possible,” Dahlke said. “At the end of the day, it wasn’t about him. First, it was about the students, but it was also a group success of the senate.” At this time, there are no official plans for the next state of the student address, but there are discussions about doing this again. There are also discussions to possibly have different senate members do speeches. However, there are also discussions to do short messages that can be viewed on the web whether it be on the Student Senate website, Blackboard or The Link. Those messages may be issues that are exclusive to Madison College or items that may be voted on in the community or on the state level.
gifts seems crucial. Last year, more than 200 kids received gifts through Santa’s Wish List. This year, Keophilavanh said she hopes Santa’s Wish List can give gifts to even more kids in need. In order to make this possible, Santa’s Wish List reaches out to the community, faculty, students and previous donors for donations. With the all of the money that Santa’s Wish List raises, gifts are bought for the children of parents who are unable to provide gifts. Keeping the requests of the kids in mind, the money spent on each gift is capped at $25, but can be worth any amount below that as well. Keophilavanh said she began volunteering for Santa’s Wish List because she knows from experience how hard it can be, especially as a young kid, to not have the money for things like Christmas presents. “I grew up in the projects of Milwaukee. My parents did not speak English and didn’t have the education to get a decent job, or a job that paid well enough to put food on our table,” Keophilavanh said. “It was hard and it’s hard to see students, where they’re going to be if they don’t have help from people and if they don’t have that support and the ability to get the gifts that they can share with their other peers and not feel like an outcast.” In hopes of giving many gifts this Christmas, Santa’s Wish List began fund-raising on Oct. 25 and donations will be collected until Nov. 25, just in time for the holiday.
6 | WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2013
opinion
THE CLARION
THEBUZZ
Questions asked to you, our readers.
EDITOR: KAREN CASS
What has been the toughest part of your semester so far?
CLARIONOPINION@ MADISONCOLLEGE.EDU
Organization.
Coming to class.
— Vanessa Bailey
— Joulian Gomez
Dealing with the Bookstore. — Heidi Langan
Learn some bike path manners to stay safe ISIS NEWMAN Staff Writer
M
adison’s extensive networks of bike paths are part of what makes this city such a great place to live. An excellent resource for cyclists, joggers, inline skaters, pedestrians and more, the bike paths make getting around town a pleasurable experience. However, if safety precautions are not followed the paths become less of a pleasure and more of a hassle. I know many people who have had collisions or near misses on the bike paths with pedestrians or cyclists. Most of these incidents occurred because one or more parties were not paying close enough attention to their surroundings. If all users followed a few simple rules our bike paths would be safer for everyone. Staying to the right side of the path, particularly for slower traffic, is the standard for bike paths, whether on foot or wheels. Getting off the path to check phones or talk with friends can keep congestion down. It is good manners to avoid walking or riding more than two abreast so that a group only takes up one lane. Keeping headphone volume down to such a volume that a spoken warning can be heard can also help keep the paths safe. Controlling dogs and teaching small children to follow the rules protects both them and others. It might help if we all thought of bike paths as small streets. Most people would not stop their cars in the middle of a busy street to talk to a friend going in the other direction or drive down the center line of a road when there is oncoming traffic. We follow rules and guidelines on the street for a reason: to keep others and ourselves safe. In most cases, violating bike path etiquette does not have as serious repercussions as violating traffic law, but the spirit is the same. On the street or on the bike path, a little common sense and courtesy can go a long way to make everyone’s bike path experience safer and more enjoyable.
CLARION EDITORIAL BOARD 2013-2014 Michael Klein
EDITOR IN CHIEF
Jacob Ennis MANAGING EDITOR
Ryan Spoehr NEWS EDITOR
Andrea Debauche ARTS EDITOR
Karen Cass
OPINION EDITOR
Natalie Sowl
GRAPHIC DESIGNER
The views expressed by The Clarion editorial board do not necessarily reflect the opinion of Madison College, its student body or any faculty therein. They are comprised of the writers listed above and/or of those who write for the Opinion section. 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 C1410 Truax, or email them to clarioned@madisoncollege.edu.
DAVID TROTMAN-WILKINS/CHICAGO TRIBUNE/MCT
Amy Rogers, of Kenosha, operates the frying vats at the Culver’s in Pleasant Prairie, Wis.
WAGE WAR Fast food workers may deserve more than minimum wage KALEA URPANIL Staff Writer
A
re fast food workers worth more than $7.25 an hour? They seem to believe so. Considering the recent strikes being conducted by such employees in the hopes of a higher wage, it’s no wonder the whole situation is causing such a stir. No, I’m not referring to the backlash that the CEOs of these fast food chains are getting for not meeting the needs of their former employees. I’m referring to the fast food employees themselves. “These lazy people don’t deserve a raise,” said one online comment. “Get a real job,” said another. Do these comments surprise you? They didn’t surprise me. I’ve worked in the restaurant industry for over 10 years. I started as a dishwasher at 15 years old and worked my way up to being a server today. I may have never had anyone tell me to get a “real job” to my face, but the reactions I see when people hear I’m 27 years old and still work in the food industry feel essentially the same. Working in the food industry has taught me a lot through the years: multi-tasking, good communication skills, prioritization, problem solving, the ability to work under pressure, the ability to work well with others, time management and attention to detail. Do these skills look familiar? Many of the things I learned throughout my time in this industry are the same skills hundreds of companies are looking for every day. My boyfriend, a law student at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, has interviewed for numerous internships since he started school. Throughout these interviews, a pattern has emerged.
Interviewers ignored his experience in a legislative internship for Wis. Sen. Herb Kohl. Instead, interviewers focused on the skills he acquired in the service industry. As a young man who once managed a 300-seat restaurant and who once worked as a chef, server and bartender all at one job, it was no wonder they were so amazed. Frank Bruni, former chief restaurant critic of The New York Times, decided to switch sides of the table and worked as a server at a busy New York restaurant for one week. As Bruni recounted the daily struggles he faced - memorizing a menu, dealing with difficult guests and completing a multitude of small tasks during a busy shift – he demonstrated that working in the food service industry is no walk in the park. It can be easy to judge a person whose shoes you’ve never walked in. Sadly, I’ve done it before. Let’s try to make something clear: whether busing tables, washing dishes, waitressing, cashiering or making food at a local McDonald’s, if you’re getting a paycheck at the end of the week, you’re working a real job. You take time out of your day to go into work and take care of customers. Why should these positions be seen as any less “professional?” McDonald’s is a multi-billion dollar corporation, and its employees are no less committed to making a living than those employees who work at such chains as Trader Joe’s, Starbucks or Costco. These corporations have similar hiring standards and job responsibilities as fast food restaurants and are known for treating their employees with respect and considering their financial realities. Why should the workers who feed millions of American families be treated with any less respect? When viewed from this perspective, criticism of these employees’ requests for a reasonable living wage seems shockingly out of touch.
THE CLARION
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2013 | OPINION | 7
LETTERFROMTHEEDITORS A quick word from Daniel Herron, multimedia editor
G
reetings, Madison College. My name is Daniel Herron, but everyone calls me D. This is my first semester at Madison College, and I’m working on getting into the University of Wisconsin Madison for nuclear engineering. My passions are many and varied, ranging from tabletop role playing games and writing novels to studying quantum physics and psychology. I’ve got a lot going on at The Clairon as well. I’m a staff writer, multimedia editor and am currently
writing a relationship column. I bring a lot of experience, having written three novels, spent four years in the Air Force and worked for the government for a few years after that. Having recently moved here from Georgia, Madison is brand-new to me. I love it - both the school and the town. I’m looking forward to a great few years here while I work on my degree. Rock On, Mad Town!
KEEPING UP WITH IT ALL “All work and no play make Jack a dull boy.”
ANDREA DEBAUCHE Arts Editior Can’t we all relate to this cabin-fevered, murderous lunatic from the movie “The
Shining?” As college students, many of us have been stressed to the brink of a mental breakdown comparable to Jack Nicholson’s character. Each of us has work, school, family and recreation to juggle, but fitting all
3
Work for realistic periods of time. If you work better
by writing for only an hour before you get tired or distracted, then do that and return to the project a little later.
those activities into our schedules causes conflict. Fortunately, there are solutions to keeping your social life and your sanity. Here are some ideas to keep in mind for better time management...
4
Use your free time wisely.
Why not read a chapter or study for a bit on the bus or on break at work? A lot of work can be done in 15-minute periods of free time throughout your day.
5
Mix up work and play throughout your day. Do some
2
homework; then watch TV. Do more homework; then take your dog for a walk. Your day will go more smoothly than cramming for hours on end doing homework.
Work on big projects a little at a time.
It’s no fun to write a four-page paper in one sitting or research and prepare a whole speech the night before it’s due Breaking a project up into smaller goals can alleviate some of the pressure and feel like less work.
6
Allow extra time for unexpected things.
Maybe your laptop will crash when you’re writing the last paragraph of your paper. Maybe your dog will eat your homework. Allowing time for the unexpected will help you avoid academic catastrophes.
1
Do schoolwork during the time of day when you have the most energy.
If you’re a morning person, do homework right away in the morning. If you’re a night person, do homework at night.
MCT CAMPUS
DANIEL HERRON Multimedia Editor “You’ll find more wisdom in here than you will in there,” the older gentleman said. He attempted to hand me a pocket-sized New Testament re-done for the latest generation with a flashy green cover and abstract graphics reminiscent of splashed paint. At first I thought they were school administrators – older gentlemen standing outside the school, chatting with one another early in the morning. Then I saw the boxes and how they approached
passing students, attempting to hand out their shiny books, and I knew they were some strain of evangelical. It begs the question: why the animosity? Why approach college students and claim that religion is better than education? I’m not singling out that particular gentleman, his group or even his religion. The idea that ignorance for the sake of faith is a good thing has taken root in certain segments of our society, just as the notion that religion is a sign of ignorance has taken root on the other side of the aisle. The straw men we create – ignorant country Republicans versus metrosexu-
al hipster liberals – do nothing but add hatred to the already divisive subjects of religion and politics. Certainly anyone seeking a balanced, happy life would desire both knowledge of the world from an empirical source and enlightenment from more spiritual directions. Most of the great minds of history have been at least somewhat religious. Darwin was religious and studied for a while to become an Anglican clergyman. Luminaries such as Edison, Einstein and Franklin were all deists, believing in the existence of a higher power without making assertions about specifics.
Some of us with a more scientific bent see the beauty and simplicity of the more fundamental laws we discover as evidence of a greater cosmic harmony. Euler’s identity, relativity, the golden ratio and fractals all represent the beauty that emerges from the laws of the universe, not as we know them, but as they actually are. If there is a higher power, I cannot imagine it wants us to walk the world in ignorance, eyes closed to the profound world it has wrought. Take a moment. Breathe. Enjoy the beauty of pollen floating in the breeze. Notice how it resembles the flow of stars in the Milky Way, how the phenomenon of particle motion creates effects similar to those of gravity. Think about those people on the other side of the aisle, how we are all made of the same thing. Whether you call it star stuff or primordial mud, we are all, fundamentally, the same.
8 | WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2013
THE CLARION
THE CLARION
arts EDITOR: ANDREA DEBAUCHE CLARIONARTS@ MADISONCOLLEGE.EDU
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2013 | 9
From across the pond
Clarion graphic designer Robin Gee shares her adventures while studying abroad in Ireland ROBIN GEE Graphic Designer On Sept. 11, while all my fellow Madison College students were going about having a normal Wednesday, I was sitting in a bathroom stall at the Dane County Regional Airport trying not to fall apart for the third or fourth time that day. Earlier, my flight from Madison to Dublin had been cancelled. The first replacement flight sat on the tarmac for 20 minutes as the cabin grew steadily hotter and stuffier before the captain announced that we were experiencing mechanical issues and would have to return to the gate. The next plane I tried to catch was also experiencing mechanical problems. Four hours after I was supposed to leave for Ireland I was still stuck in Madison and it looked more and more likely that I wasn’t going to be going anywhere that day. When it comes to airplanes, I have never been a graceful traveler. Give me a bus or a train and I can go anywhere with ease, but there is something about air travel that reduces me to a tense, emotional wreck. In his essay, “On Running After One’s Hat,” G.K. Chesterton writes the oft-quoted lines, “An adventure is only an inconvenience rightly considered. An inconvenience is only an adventure wrongly considered.” I have been reminding myself of these wise words over and over throughout my first month of studying in Ireland. There are a lot of inconveniences related to traveling » SEE IRELAND PAGE 12
Photos by Robin Gee / Clarion
The river and streets of Carlow (top and right) are some views Robin has on a daily basis. Believe it or not, the sun does shine in Ireland once in a while as shown at the Blackstairs Mountains (bottom). She got to hang out with Oscar Wilde at Marrion Square Gardens in Dublin (left).
10 | ARTS | WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2013
film
THE CLARION
JACKASS PRESENTS: BAD GRANDPA
ENDER’S GAME
Summit Entertainment Film Feature
Dickhouse Productions
Ender’s Game: book better than movie
Summit Entertainment
The Hollywood adeptation of Ender’s Game follows the plot of the book, but falls short of expectations NATALIE SOWL Graphic Designer
Ender into the commander needed. His dogged resolve to nearly break Ender is balanced by Major Anderson (played by Viola Davis) who is legitimately concerned with Ender’s mental and physical wellbeing. Abigail Breslin is briefly featured as Valentine Wiggin, Ender’s older sister. The ending was most unsatisfying. Confusing and mystical, I could barely make sense of it, let alone those who may not be as intimately familiar with the conclusion of the text. The film closed on a obvious start to a sequel, a cringe-worthy thought after witnessing this rendition. The books get more complicated and less battle driven as the story continues, Ender has at least 12 books written within his universe, so there are years of movie possibilities to come. I could recommend this film as a companion to the book, mostly for the enhanced imagination it could bring to a readers visualization of the text. For those new to the series, stay home, read the book and listen to the newly released audioplay.
– TOM RICHARDSON
ons ucti rod ne P ksto Dic
Ender’s Game – the book – has claimed a classic spot on the shelf of science fiction for the past two decades. The movie adaptation however, will hopefully sink into forgotten-ness within a few years. As a long time fan of the literature, I entered the theatre determined not to let my love of the book make me overly critical of anything I saw in the movie. This would be an entirely different experience, I said. And it was, just not in a good way. Ender’s Game is hero tale. An insectlike alien species attacked Earth 50 years prior and was beaten and left. Now present day, children are recruited by the international space military to attend rigorous training in preparation for the next imminent alien invasion. Ender is selected for his strategic brilliance, and travels above the atmosphere to learn to fight the enemy. The movie follows the books basic plot and character outlines. Perhaps this is all that should be asked of a Hollywood adaptation. However, all of the nuances, the multidimensional characters and internal motivations were stomped out and replaced with blunt metaphors and screaming drill sergeants. The plot followed the book chronologically, but even with a runtime of 114 minutes, the film did not show the events/dialog/
passage of time necessary to build the action between plot points. Viewers of the film who have not read the book may be confused. Viewers who have the read book will have an easier time following the plot as it rapidly flies through the shallow development of Ender and his friends. But in 2013, CGI can make anything beautiful. The visual effects make the film worth considering, especially for fans wondering what Battleschool looks like. The most exciting days for trainees at Battleschool are game days, where scrimmages of child armies take place in zero gravity. A large screen is a must for this theatre experience. The movie themes explore deep issues, like the effect of violence in children, and the willingness to sacrifice everything for the possibility of salvation. Environmental awareness is thrown in too, though randomly, and not at all in the line of the book. The alien invaders, the Formics, attacked Earth in search of water after deteriorating their own planet’s supplies. The cast is strong and Asa Butterfield plays the title character Ender. Butterfield will grow into the dramatic role as the franchise continues. The acting was as good as the script allowed it to be. Harrison Ford returns to space as the Colonel Graff, Ender’s recruiter to Battleschool, and liaison to the international government on Earth. Graff is ultimately concerned with the continuation of the human species, and will stop at nothing to make
Imagine seeing an old man riding a mechanical rocket flying through the window of a grocery store. This is one of many real pranks people witnessed Johnny Knoxville do while dressed as an old man for the latest “Jackass” installment, “Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa.” In “Bad Grandpa,” Irving Zisman (Johnny Knoxville) must take his grandson Billy (Jackson Nicoll) across the US on a road trip, so he can live with his bum father, while his mother must serve some unfortunate jail time. Irving’s wife recently passed away, and this new situation, places some more stress onto him. While on the road trip, Irving and Billy try to have some fun, as the two of them are going through a rough time. The remainder of the film centers around Irving and Billy getting into trouble within some local areas, by pulling off some pranks that are in the spirit of the previous “Jackass” films. The immediate reason to see this film is for the funny pranks. There are some really funny moments in this film, and anyone who loves the “Jackass” films or the TV show – or even funny pranks in general – should have a blast with these hilarious moments. Johnny Knoxville really knows how to work a crowd in this film, making people’s real reactions to these pranks even funnier. Jackson Nicoll is also extremely funny as Irving’s grandson Billy, marking a very promising comedic debut for Nicoll as an actor. Though very funny, this new “Jackass” film certainly has its problems. The first being that the film’s loose storyline does feel weak and unoriginal, as the whole “disconnected family” approach to this film feels over-used in today’s movies. The film’s trailer also gave away some of the film’s funnier moments as well, making certain moments feel flat while viewing. Some viewers might leave this film “hungry,” as the film should have had either more pranks, or a more developed storyline, as the experience of this film feels a bit shorter than expected. For those who liked the previous “Jackass” films, or enjoy watching some clever pranks, this film should be a moderate fun time. For those who aren’t into pranks or raunchiness, this film might not be the best choice for your next comedy.
THE CLARION
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2013 | ARTS | 11
THE COUNSELOR
Chockstone Pictures It’s unclear what to expect from “The Councilor” before you actually sit down to see the movie. Certainly, there are a number of big names in it, from Brad Pitt and Cameron Diaz to Penelope Cruz and Javier Bardem. And the film’s director, Ridley Scott, is hardly a slouch, having made his name on films such as “Alien” and “Black Hawk Down.” The film’s titular character is played by Michael Fassbender, who you would probably recognize as Erik Lensherr, aka Magnito, from “X-Men: First Class.” He has also played major characters in “Inglorious Bastards” and “Prometheus.” With a lineup like this, one would expect an action movie, especially considering the content of the previews. “The Councilor” is not an action movie. Brad Pitt never draws a gun. It isn’t a romance, or a gore-fest, though there is romance, sex and violence. It is neither a comedy nor a tragedy, not by the modern definitions nor by the classical Greek ones. There is no hero, and while one could argue that the Colombian Cartels play the role of the villain, they are portrayed in the movie more as a force of nature than anything else. The acting is wonderful. Cameron Diaz manages, somehow, to make you hate her within a few scenes of appearing on screen. Penelope Cruz, though given a very simple role of loyal love interest, still manages to make the character sympathetic and engaging. Michael Fassbender goes from confidant and dynamic with his girl to nervous while dealing with the drug dealers to panicked and over his head, all while managing to not over-act, as many lesser actors would be tempted to do. Likewise, I have nothing bad to say about the cinematography, directing or editing. Everyone did a great job. So why did I leave the theater wondering if it was a good movie? On one level, the writing was wonderful. The characters are all human, believable and so real you can almost taste them. On another level, however, the movie lacks a central drive. We never grow to know any of the main characters well enough to really be sympathetic. “The Councilor” can be said to have a theme, but that theme is of nihilism and the inevitability of failure and paying for that failure. There is no light in this movie, no hope or redemption, just death and misery. Done a different way, “The Councilor” could have been a social commentary. Evil people getting what they deserve, the exploitation of the third world by drug dealers, the contrast between the super-rich and the desperately poor. But the contrasts the movie makes, with it’s sudden shifts between philosophy and grit, avarice and destitution, simply leave one with a sense of surrealistic confusion. Perhaps that is what they were going for. Thus we come to the greatest failure of this movie that is, in all other ways, a great film. Art is a medium of communication, and “The Councilor” does not say anything. It does so with great style, magnificent dialogue, wonderful acting and just enough violence and sex to spice things up, but in the end you are left feeling empty, wondering what, exactly, you just wasted the last two hours on.
- DANIEL HERRON
film
12 Years a Slave
Regency Enterprises Film Feature
Regency Enterprises
Northup more than a historical figure FANTA SYLLA Staff Writer “12 Years A Slave” is the story of Solomon Northup (Chiwetel Ejiofor), a born-free black man from New York, kidnapped in Washington D.C. and made a slave in 1841. Solomon Northup is a talented violinist and married man with children living a normal life. One day he’s invited by two men to perform with them in Washington D.C. There, after being drugged, Northup finds himself chained in a cell ready to be sold as a slave. His life turns into a Kafkaesque nightmare. Asked to forget his real identity Solomon Northup is taken to a plantation owned by William Ford (Benedict Cumberbatch) an empathetic slave owner and preacher. After an incident with an overseer our main character is transferred to new plantation owners, the
sadistic Edwin Epps (Michael Fassbender) and his abusive wife Mary (Sarah Paulson). The slave experience is characterized by daily whippings, torture and all kinds of abuse. Like in his movie “Hunger,” Steve McQueen films bodies subjected to extreme situations. Other slaves were immersed in this system since there were born. Northup, who was born free, experiences this for the first time. There are hard scenes to watch. Steve McQueen avoids sentimentality but the violence never feels gratuitous. Though adapted from Solomon Northup’s memoir “Twelve Years A Slave,” Steve McQueen doesn’t sacrifice his aesthetic ambitions in favor of the narrative. The movie is visually beautiful. McQueen pays attention to details and draws a haunting painting of the
PREVIEWS NOVEMBER 8 THOR Thor must embark on a perilous journey in order to save
Earth and the Nine Realms and Reunites with Jane Foster.
NOVEMBER 22 HUNGER GAMES: CATCHING FIRE Katniss senses a rebellion brewing as her and Peeta travel the districts on their Victor’s Tour after winning the 74th Annual Hunger Games.
Chockstone Pictures
antebellum South like we’ve never seen before. The ensemble cast lead by Chiwetel Ejiofor is strong. A special mention to the brilliant Lupita Nyong’o who plays Patsey, a young slave girl subjected to her master’s sadistic drives. At first it was disturbing to hear the score from “Inception” used in “12 Years A Slave.” At the end of the movie, it made sense. Using a score from another movie is a way to universalize this specific story but it also makes Solomon Northup more than a historical hero. Like Dominick Cobb, Solomon Northup becomes a true and epic movie hero right before our eyes. A must-see.
12 | ARTS | WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2012
music
THE CLARION
SPAM lures visitors to Minnesota museum
Reflektor
Arcade Fire Album Review
New double album by Arcade Fire FANTA SYLLA Staff Writer Three years after “The Suburbs,” Arcade Fire comes back with a new double album, “Reflektor.” Those who thought “The Suburbs” was too boring and/or self-serious will be pleasantly surprised. “Reflektor” has a simple goal: to make you dance. With LCD Sound System’s James Murphy producing, the Montreal-based band abandons the nostalgia of suburban life to explore the myth of Eurydice. While the story of lost love at the core of this myth is tragic, the songs are not as angsty as they were in “The Suburbs.” The two released singles “Reflektor” (with a David Bowie cameo) and “Afterlife” are a good representation of that. Both dancy and moody, they reflect Arcade Fire’s desire to leave their familiar territory and take new roads. The band summons the power of rock, disco, electro and borrows from Haitian and Afro-Caribbean rhythms to deliver a dense fourth album. The second disc contains the most interesting songs of the album. The slow lament of “Here Come the Night Time II,” the groovy and sensual chorus of “It’s Never Over (Hey Orpheus)” or the dark electro beat of “Porno” and the joyful single “Afterlife,” all these songs feel newer with each listening. It ends with the beautiful “Super Symmetry,” an harmonious duet between Régine Chassagne and Win Butler, reminiscent of Peter Gabriel’s “So.” Though one song seems out of place, ironically titled “Awful Sound (Oh Eurydice)”, it is still worth listening for its great intro. Noted also, the strong presence of Régine Chassagne throughout the album, singing in French and English. Of course Arcade Fire wouldn’t be Arcade Fire without the sadness and dark lyrics. Particularly in songs like “We Exist” or the pop-rock “Normal Person” which sounds like it was recorded at some angry teenager’s garage. And that’s what I love about this album, it feels like a freshman album even though it’s the band’s fourth. Thus, I’d recommend to the skeptics to give “Reflektor” a try. A new band has arrived in town. It’s Arcade Fire.
STEPHANIE BEIRNE LEUER / CLARION
The SPAM Man waves to visitors of the SPAM museum.
STEPHANIE BEIRNE LEUER Staff Writer On what television show did SPAM have a starring role in the segment “Science Nerd Fair?” A) Scientific American Frontiers B) NOVA C) Bill Nye, The Science Guy D) Saturday Night Live If you answered “D” to the question, you are ready to take the
SPAM Exam challenge at The SPAM Museum in Austin, Minn. Only a four-hour drive from Madison, Austin is the capital for SPAM enthusiasts and curiosity seekers alike. A canned meat may seem like an unlikely focus for a museum, but The SPAM Museum attracts visitors from all over the world. J. Hormel, the creator of Hormel Chili and Dinty Moore Beef Stew, came up with the idea for SPAM in 1937. Despite the rumors that SPAM
originates from a mystery meat, it is comprised of pork, ham, salt, sugar, water, spices and sodium nitrite. Since its inception, SPAM has sold more than 8.6 billion cans throughout the world. The 16,500 square-foot museum pays homage to the canned meat with exhibits including interactive kiosks, a game show, a conveyor belt of SPAM, the history of Hormel Foods, handson activities and even a tribute to the Monty Python SPAM sketch. A highlight of the tour allows visitors a chance to try their hand at canning SPAM. This hands-on exhibit challenges visitors to beat the clock to can, cook and label a can of SPAM set to the music of Tchaikovsky. The SPAM Exam challenges aficionados with a trivia contest. Visitors face off to see who will walk away with bragging rights to the most SPAM knowledge. Visitors end the tour with a stop in the SPAM Shop where they can purchase pens, shirts, coffee cups, air fresheners and even ice scrapers branded with the official SPAM logo. The gift shop does not leave visitors without the opportunity to stock up on a variety of flavors of SPAM. For more information visit www. spam.com.
Sex, drugs and violence DANIEL HERRON Multimedia Editor If you pay any attention to television, movies or video games that have been released in the past few years, you will have noticed a trend regarding violence, sex and drugs in each format. Violence has always been in our media, from news reports on shootings and muggings to people’s heads being chopped in half in the newest grindhouse feature. Drugs are seen a lot too, and while smoking is on the decline, alcohol consumption is seen as normal and is as pervasive as ever. The change is in nudity and sex. Since nipplegate, the amount of nudity that is seen as “OK” in a movie has gone down considerably, a decade long backlash that makes almost no sense. Violence sells. Seeing blood and violence releases endorphins, gives us a rush. To a lesser degree, illegal drug use also gives us this glimpse of the forbidden, and allows us to live vicariously through the characters on the screen, another endorphin rush. However, studies have shown that exposure to violence and drug use in the media increases the incidence of actual violence and drug use. This means that calls to reduce these, especially in the forms of media that are normally consumed by children, actually have a legitimate basis from which to argue. However, sex also sells. And even if there is a correlation between nudity in the media and nudity in real life, sex in the media and sex in real life, who cares? Why is it that we are so horrified at the idea that someone might see a nipple that directors like Robert Rodriguez, when producing gore-fest movies like “Machete Kills,” will make the choice to not show a single scene of actual intimacy? What kind of message are we sending to our populous when we show exploding heads, bodies being chopped in half, and extended torture scenes but hesitate to show a man’s genitalia? Movies like “Saw” and “The Hills Have Eyes” are barely art, little more than blood and violence with only a bare excuse for a plot to string them together. A movie that substituted nipples for blood, and had the same level of plot, would be called pornography. As we suppress our healthy attitudes towards sex and relationships and exalt our violent tendencies, we shape the society we live in and the society that our children will live in. Personally, to paraphrase “Married with Children,” I’d like to live in a world with less violence and more kinky sex and nudity.
Robin Gee / Clarion
A random doorway in Dublin (top left), the Ha’Penny Bridge on the River LIffy in Dublin (top right) and the villlage of Tramore (bottom) are a few of the places Robin has visited.
IRELAND
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 9
and living in another country. Even little things like figuring out which bill to give a cashier to pay for your groceries, or how to get a library card or who you go to for answers to a question about one of your classes can be minor hardships that build up into a lot of inconvenience and alienation. Today, one of the other American girls and I were set to catch a bus to Dublin so we could fly to Edinburgh for the weekend but we missed our bus and, consequently, our flight. Though normally missing a flight would freak me out I keep reminding myself, this is an adventure. Living in a foreign country is strange and often frustrating, but even changing your mindset about a situation the tiniest bit can change a lot
about how you feel and react to it. That night I slept on a bench in McDonald’s at Dublin airport – using “slept” in the loosest sense of the word. Roughing it in the airport for a night in order to catch a 6 a.m. flight to a country you were supposed to be in eight hours earlier isn’t the greatest of situations, but wandering around the airport at two in the morning, when there were hardly any people there, was actually pretty cool. It was like seeing backstage of an event, seeing where all the late-night workers got their coffee, and what songs the janitors sang to themselves while cleaning the bathrooms at 2 in the morning. When things like this happen, it’s better to look at them with a positive attitude – how can I turn this into a good experience? – instead of acting as if the world is ending. My first month in Ireland
has been far from a smooth ride. Though Ireland is a very Westernized country, there are many, many little differences between it and Madison. There’s a whole new currency to get used to. Though most people in Ireland speak English, their unfamiliar accent and the fast speed at which they talk can sometimes make it seem as if they’re speaking in a foreign language. The classes here are structured very differently from the way they are in America, which can be very confusing to an American student. But instead of seeing these differences as frustrating and confusing, I’m trying to see them as a positive learning experience. Learning to understand the Irish accent is like trying to crack some secret code. It all depends on how you look at it. And as far as Sept. 11? I finally caught a flight to Dublin and now I have a funny story to tell.
THE CLARION
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2013 | 13
sports EDITOR: NICK GARTON CLARIONSPORTS@ MADISONCOLLEGE.EDU
MEETTHEPACK
refinishing major at Madison College, she is the daughter of Bekki Cowan and Alan Mahsem.
Profiles of selected WolfPack athletes
VOLLEYBALL ELIZABETH MAHSEM Elizabeth Mahsem is in her first season with the WolfPack volleyball team after playing one year for Dakota Wesleyan University in Mitchell, S.D. After 34 matches this season, Mahsem leads Madison College with 243 kills. A middle blocker she also has had 20 blocks, 80 digs and four aces for a team-leading 274 points. In her one year at Dakota Wesleyan, Mahsem had 176 kills and 77 total blocks.
SOCCER
MAHSEM
PIEPER
Mahsem is a graduate of McFarland High School, where she was team captain and a first-team all-conference player her senior season. An automotive collision repair and
VICTORY!
JOSH ZYTKIEWICZ / CLARION
The WolfPack volleyball team celebrates winning the NJCAA Division II Regional IV Tournament in Rockford, Ill., on Nov. 2.
Top-ranked WolfPack takes regional title CLARION STAFF REPORT Madison College’s topranked volleyball team hasn’t lost a match since Sept. 20. In fact, the team has only lost three matches all season. So the squad had to be concerned when it trailed rival Harper College, 2 games to 1 in the championship of NJCAA Region IV Tournament on Nov. 2 in Rockford, Ill. But tough times seem to bring out the best in good teams. On the brink of elimination, Madison College rallied to win the two most important sets of its season, 25-20 and 15-12. With the victory, Madison College advances to the NJCAA Division III National Championship for the first time since 2009, when the WolfPack finished second in the nation. In the championship match, the WolfPack was led by All-American hit-
ter Terissa Bierd, who had 20 kills, and setter Hannah Grahn, who had 50 assists. Vanessa Clarson led the way defensively with 34 digs. Madison College reached the championship match by sweeping the College of DuPage in three games, 25-12, 25-18, and 25-18. Freshman Mikayla Nigl led the way against DuPage with 13 kills and two blocks, while Grahn added 34 assists and Clarson had 17 digs and two aces. Madison College is now 31-3 overall and has won 18 consecutive matches. The national tournament will be held in Rochester, Minn., starting Nov. 15. Although it’s ranked No. 1 in the nation, Madison College will have to wait until Nov. 11 to learn where it will be seeded in the national tournament. Information about the national tournament is now posted on the WolfPack athletics web site at madisoncollegeathletics.com.
JOSH ZYTKIEWICZ / CLARION
Members of the Madison College volleyball team celebrate the final point in their come-from-behind victory over Harper College in the NJCAA Division III Regional IV Championship.
ELLIOT PIEPER Elliot Pieper is a freshman forward on the Madison College soccer team. This season, he played in 15 games and scored two goals, including one game winner, and had three assists. Pieper was a two-year letter winner in soccer at Fond du Lac High School. He was named all-conference his senior season in soccer. An architecture technology major, he is the son of David and Laura Pieper.
Bucks need to make changes, and now Every year the Milwaukee Bucks designate games to benefit the MACC Fund to help sponsor the fight against childhood cancer. This year, a preseason game against the Toronto Raptors was designated as that game. It never happened. So what’s that got to do with the arena? Everything. Allow me to provide a little background. I often refer to myself as the sole season ticket holder of the Milwaukee Bucks. I am in my fourth season as a ticket holder and there have been many games in which I could hear the echo of my own clapping in the Bradley Center. I have even followed the team on the road to ideal destinations such as Chicago and Miami, both of whom have plush state-ofthe-art facilities. Those are not words one would use to describe the Bradley NICHOLAS Center. GARTON The Bradley Sports Editor Center is a relic of an era just prior to the advent of the modern day arena. In fact, two generations of arena design have passed since the Bradley Center opened nearly 25 years ago. The seats are decrepit, the arena is dark and dank. They use folding chairs that have literally been around since the 1989 NBA season to provide seating for their highest paying customers in the first 7 or 8 rows. It needs a paint job, new seating, new lighting, entertainment centers in the rotunda and a new p.a system. During the offseason, the Bucks chose to ignore all of those issues for about the 15th year in a row and focus on purchasing a brand new arena floor for the players to play on. Which brings us to where we are now on a Saturday night at a preseason game to benefit the MACC Fund. The Raptors and Bucks took to the brand new expensive floor and the game tipped off. On the very first possession Bucks forward John Henson slipped and fell flat on his back. He rushed to his feet looking bewildered and complained to the referee. The Raptors took the ball and pushed it up the court where Raptors forward Rudy Gay, trying a quick move similar to the one Henson had slipped on, lost his balance and did a face-first nose dive onto the arena floor. Bucks ball. The Bucks inbounded and OJ Mayo fell on the floor. A timeout was called and each team » SEE BUCKS PAGE 14
14 | SPORTS | WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2013
THE CLARION
Soccer shut out in regional tournament TYLER RICHTER Staff Writer Two weeks ago, the Madison College soccer team ended an improved season with a 1-0 loss to Joliet on Oct. 23. However, despite the loss, this teamed showed again that it has great defensive potential, holding a Joliet team that shut them out 7-0 earlier this season to one goal on 27 shots. “If you look at the stats, it says they had 27 shots, but they were all from 30 yards out and our goalkeeper had no trouble dealing with it,” said coach Cory Sims of the shots Joliet took.
Both teams went scoreless in the first half behind a different look defense that had been saved for the playoff game. Sims said the previous game against Joliet, a 3-2 loss at home, had been to lull them into a false sense of security before unleashing the new game plan when it mattered most. The game was scoreless until midway into the second half, when Joliet put in the game’s only goal. Madison College failed to find the net, being shut out for the third time this year. For next season, Sims’ expectations remain the same from game to game. “My expectations are always the same,
I’m very competitive, I always want to win,” he said. He said he believes it is on the players more than before. Sims believes the players want it as badly as, if not more than the coaching staff, and that next season will be an improvement from this one. Also, a strong returning core of experienced players, including team captains Marco Meneses and Elliot Piper will help this team improve on their 5-10 record. Joliet went on to beat five-time reigning regional Division III NJCAA champion Triton College, 2-0, on Oct. 26 to advance in the tournament.
MCSPORTS
Madison College schedules and results.
MEN’S SOCCER Schedule AUG. 28 SEPT. 6 SEPT. 11 SEPT. 14 SEPT. 20 SEPT. 22 SEPT. 23 SEPT. 28 SEPT. 29
27th annual Turkey Trot has 550 participants
OCT. 2 OCT. 4 OCT. 6
NICOLE MOUNTS
OCT. 6
Staff Writer
OCT. 9
The 27th Annual Turkey Trot race hosted by Madison College Athletics began Nov. 3, at the Door Creek Park at 7035 Littlemore Drive. There were 550 participants in the 5 kilometer and 5 mile cross country run/walk and kids races on a new course to raise money for Thursdays Child and Madison College Foundation charities. The races kicked off at 9:30 a.m. with a fun non-competitive quarter-mile Turkey Trot cross country kids 12 and under race. Everyone finished a winner and received a free t-shirt, runners bib and cool finisher’s medal. The 5K and 5M races started at the finish line and went around Door Creek Park on a unique cross country race path. The top three individuals in each division were given specially designed Turkey Trot medals an additional award is given to the top male and female finisher in the 5K and 5M. The Turkey Trot is part of the Madison Area Running Series (11 area races). The Door Creek Park Course was the new addition to this year’s races as the original course at Warner Park is under construction to make the course better for upcoming years. The best turnout for this race in the past was 725 participants. Mark Manz, winner of the 5M race, enjoyed the course. “The race director did a great job picking a new course for the people watching and running,” he said. “It had a good combo of hills, trails and turns, and you could see the racers several times throughout races over all it was a great cross country course.” All proceeds from the race benefit Thursday’s Child makes dreams come true for terminally ill children at no cost. The Madison College Foundation provides educational assistance to students. “Over the last 10 years, the race has raised $10,000 for Thursdays Child and about the same for Madison College Foundation,” said Jason Verhelst, the race director. For more information about the turkey trot, its winners, and course maps visit madisonturkeytrot.com.
OCT. 11 OCT. 23
For a complete men’s soccer schedule, visit madisoncollegeathletics.com.
VOLLEYBALL Schedule AUG. 23 NICOLE MOUNTS / CLARION
Wolfie greets a race finisher at the 27th annual Turkey Trot. Overall and Age Division Winers 5 Kilometer Race Overall: Male, Evan Joyce; Female, Amy Recob; 12 and under: Male: Kody Lewellin; Female: Madeline Schneider; Ages 13-18: Male, Chris Pahnke; Issabelle Bartholome; Ages 19-29: Male, Evan Joyce; Female, Kacey Rindy; Ages 30-39: Male, Chris Rogers; Female, Amy Recob; Ages 40-49: Male, Patrick Schneider; Female, Linda Mueller; Ages 50-50: Male, Trent Halverson; Female, Kathy Henderson; Ages 60-69: Male, Joel Stone; Female, Bonnie Saari; Ages 70 and up: Female, Donna Johnson. 5 Mile Race Overall: Male, Mark Manz; Female: Miranda Bush; 12 and under: Male, Quinton Bush; Ages 13-18: Male, Samuel Bishop; Ages 19-29: Male, Nathan Swenson; Female, Elise Grabow; Ages 30-39: Male, Jim Reichling; Female, Miranda Bush; Ages 40-49: Male, Mark Manz; Female, Jennifer Harland; Ages 50-50: Male, Steve Ingham; Female, Carolyn Wuethrich; Ages 60-69: Male, Sam Scalleta; Female, Janet Hagen.
AUG. 23 AUG. 24 AUG. 24 AUG. 27 AUG. 29 SEPT. 3 SEPT. 6 SEPT. 6 SEPT. 7 SEPT. 7 SEPT. 10 SEPT. 17 SEPT. 19 SEPT. 20
BUCKS
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 13 went back to their respective benches. During the timeout late-arriving fans began to take their seats. The MACC Fund games always draw a good turnout and even in the preseason, the Bradley Center was filling up. Suddenly, both benches cleared and headed towards one another. When the two teams reached center court players appeared to be exchanging their goodbyes. Hugs were given and high fives were slapped. Players started taking off their uniforms right there. Before we knew it, the Toronto Raptors had left the floor and headed back to the locker room as had the Milwaukee Bucks. The game was over. Officially it never took place although the teams had managed to play about 4 minutes of real game time and the Bucks led 14-9. We departed the arena imploring late arriving fans to just turn around and leave. It was a hard blow to the MACC Fund people who put a lot into these annual games. But it was also a reality check for Bucks owner Herb Kohl. The Bucks are under a mandate from current NBA deputy commissioner and future commisioner Adam Silver to either build a new arena or face relocation. The NBA is finished with expan-
at Milwaukee Area Technical College, 4 p.m., 1-0 WIN at home vs. Harper College, 3-2 WIN at home vs. Triton Colege, 3-2 LOSS at home vs. Waubonsee Community College, 4-1 LOSS at home vs. Milwaukee Area Technical College, 5-1 WIN at Carthage College JV, Kenosha, 3-1 LOSS at Joliet Junior College, Joliet, Ill., 7-0 LOSS at Kishwaukee College, Malta, Ill, 3-1 LOSS at home vs. Anoka-Ramsey Community College, 3-0 LOSS at Harper College, Palatine, Ill., 2-1 WIN, OT at Triton College, River Grove, Ill., 2-1 LOSS vs. Concordia University JV scrimmage at Kenosha, noon. vs. Lakeland College JV, Kenosha, 7-3 WIN at home vs. Joliet Junior College, 3-2 LOSS at home vs. Concordia University JV, 2-1 LOSS at Regional IV Tournament semifinal vs. Joliet Junior College, 1-0 LOSS
sion but there are several cities, most notably, Seattle that are ready to have teams relocate to them. The prospect that the Bucks could soon turn into the Seattle Supersonics is very, very real. Sen. Herb Kohl, an owner of the Bucks, has been steadfast in his refusal to build a new arena in Milwaukee since at least 2001 when the idea for a new building was pitched. This past summer, Kohl renewed the lease on the Bradley Center with BMO Harris for another five years instead of getting funds together for a new building that could have opened much sooner than five years from now. Silver did not appear to appreciate that move from Kohl and placed the Bucks on notice that a new arena needs to be imminent. Defending the senator’s actions is impossible considering that the Bradley Center is literally falling apart to the point where they were unable to even play an NBA game there a week ago. It is beyond embarrassing that even a doormat team like the Sacramento Kings have a new arena within the next three years. The Golden State Warriors are also building a new home in San Francisco. It is sad to see the Bucks be considered a third world country compared to the rest of the NBA. Seattle has long been a hotbed for sports in North America. The old
Supersonics were the most entertaining team in the league at one point. Their two superstars, Shawn Kemp and Gary Payton were almost singlehandedly responsible for the founding of many sports highlights shows we see on television today. The players loved playing there and Gary Payton has been front-and-center fighting for a team to return to Seattle. The return of the Sonics is matter of time not principle. This will absolutely happen and it appears it will happen to my Bucks. Even after the mandate from Silver there has not even been a rumble or a rumor about a new building for Milwaukee. It would appear Kohl is digging in and hoping to sell the team prior to being forced to move it. Over the past two decades Senator Kohl has shown legendary stubbornness on a number of key issues. Hall of Fame players and coaches have been shown the door by the senator after no seeing things his way. As frustrating as those moments have been for fans, there was also the understanding that it was his team and we’d just start over. But when it comes to the arena and facilities the Bucks use, Kohl’s stubbornness appears to be on the verge of ensuring the destruction of the franchise. A destruction that will accompanied by the sound of a sonic boom.
SEPT. 20 SEPT. 21 SEPT. 21 SEPT. 24 SEPT. 26 SEPT. 30 OCT. 1 OCT. 3 OCT. 8 OCT. 10 OCT. 12 OCT. 12 OCT. 15 OCT. 17 OCT. 21 OCT. 24 OCT. 29 NOV. 2 NOV. 2 NOV. 15
at College of DuPage Invite vs. Oakton CC, 3-0 WIN at College of DuPage Invite vs. Illinois Valley CC, 3-1 WIN at College of DuPage Invite vs. Highland CC, 3-1 WIN at College of DuPage Invite vs. Harper College, 3-0 WIN at College of DuPage, Glen Ellyn, Ill., 3-0 WIN at home vs. Rock Valley College, 3-0 WIN at home vs. Milwaukee Area Technical College, 3-0 WIN at Rochester CTC Invite vs. Des Moines Area CC, 3-1 LOSS at Rochester CTC Invite vs. Rochester CC, 3-2 LOSS at Rochester CTC Invite vs. Ellsworth CC, 3-0 WIN at Rochester CTC Invite vs. Western Technical College, 3-0 WIN at home vs. Triton College, 3-0 WIN at Joliet Junior College, Joliet, Ill., 3-0 WIN at Harper College, Palatine, Ill., 3-1 WIN at Harper College Invite vs. Oakton CC, 3-0 WIN at Harper College Invite vs. Lincoln Land CC, 3-1 LOSS at Harper College Invite vs. John Logan College, 3-1 WIN at Harper College Invite vs. Marshalltown CC, 3-0 WIN at home vs. College of DuPage, 3-0 WIN at Rock Valley College, Rockford, Ill., 3-0 WIN at home vs. Western Technical College, 3-0 WIN at Milwaukee Area Tech, 3-0 WIN at home vs. Clarke University JV, 3-0 WIN at Triton College, 3-0 WIN at home vs. Fox Valley Technical College, 3-0 WIN at UW-Whitewater Invitational, vs. College of Lake County, 3-0 WIN at UW-Whitewater Invitational vs. UW-Whitewater JV, 3-1 WIN at home vs. Joliet Junior College, 3-0 WIN at home vs. Harper College, 3-0 WIN at home vs. UW-Whitewater JV, 3-0 WIN at home vs. University of Dubuque JV, 3-0 WIN at UW-Whitewater JV, 3-1 WIN at NJCAA Regional IV Tournament, vs. College of DuPage, 3-0 WIN at NJCAA Regional IV Tournament vs. Harper College, 3-2 WIN at NJCAA National Tournament.
For a complete schedule of women’s basketball, visit madisoncollegeathletics.com.
THE CLARION
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2013 | PUZZLED PLACES | 15
THELIGHTERSIDE Puzzles and Cartoons
PIC-A-LINK
CHRISTOPHER PINKERT / CLARION
CALAMITIES OF NATURE
TONY PIRO / MCT
CROSSWORDPUZZLE Rich Norris and Joyce Lewis / MCT Campus
ACROSS 1 Auto club offering 4 Gregory Peck role 8 Foster on a screen 13 Stretches of history 15 He actually played the lyre 16 Amherst sch. 17 Two-time NBA MVP Steve 18 Component of ocean H2O 19 Lawn game using lobbed missiles 20 Buff ancient ruler? 23 Attorney general before Thornburgh 24 Yank’s foe 25 Dudes 28 Own a few James Brown albums? 33 Fez, e.g. 36 Bankruptcy factor 37 Polynesian island nation 38 “Break __!” 40 Fare named for its shape 43 Fabric quantity 44 Mother of three French kings 46 Shiny fabric 48 Arctic coast explorer 49 Leaps over an oily mud puddle 53 DSL user’s need 54 Mao’s successor 55 Sticky-footed lizard 59 Beef baloney? 64 Botanist’s category 66 Dweeb 67 Size measure 68 Competitor’s dream 69 A bit off the ground, “up” 70 Sound like an ass 71 Bobbin 72 Ketel One competitor 73 NFL stats DOWN 1 Common break hr. 2 Speak 3 Refuse 4 “Pitch Perfect” costar
Kendrick 5 Summer phenomenon 6 Curved support 7 Short jacket 8 Concession stand candy 9 Easternmost Arabian Peninsula country 10 “Dr. Strangelove” feature 11 Adherent’s suffix 12 Start to stop? 14 With 52-Down, grilled fare 21 Take control 22 Bottom line? 26 __ Gay 27 Ray in the ocean 29 Boxer’s attendant 30 Fall back 31 It’s a wrap 32 “Terrif!” 33 Pilgrim to Mecca 34 Diamond clan 35 Trophy case memento 39 Econ. measure 41 Bug 42 Earthbound bird
45 Crewman for 4-Across 47 Tech sch. grad 50 Slow boat 51 Hangs around the house? 52 See 14-Down 56 Pungent Thai dish 57 Play with, as clay 58 Gives the goahead 60 First name in folk 61 Cause wrinkles, in a way 62 Joel of “Wicked” 63 Water whirled 64 Some mil. bases 65 Edge
16 | WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2013
THE CLARION