This week in fake news:
Reviewing the Wisconsin Film Festival
Couchella takes Madison by storm
+ARTS, pages 4&5
+PAGE TWO
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Complete campus coverage since 1892
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Weekend, April 19-21, 2013
Soglin criticizes Senate gun vote By Jack Casey The Daily Cardinal
State politicians and government officials, including Madison Mayor Paul Soglin, have shown mixed reactions to the U.S. Senate’s Wednesday vote against a bipartisan proposal that would have mandated the expansion of background checks on gun sales nationwide. The Senate’s decision drew heavy criticism from around the country, including President Obama, who said the Senate’s decision made it “a shameful day for Washington.” The background check expansion was also pending with several other unsuccessful pieces of legislation, including a proposal to reduce the legal size for gun magazine clips. The proposal would have mandated extensive
background checks during gun transactions, specifically at trade shows or over the Internet. U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., was one of the federal senators to vote against the legislation. He said in a statement he supported bipartisan legislation that would cut down on gun violence through increased regulations, but he said the legislation to increase background checks was “fatally flawed” to the point he could not support it. Soglin criticized Johnson’s decision at a press conference Thursday, saying he was especially disappointed because Johnson’s vote came after Wisconsin dealt with two recent shootings, one at
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Ben Pierson/cardinal file photo
Madison Mayor Paul Soglin held a press conference Thursday to discuss the U.S. Senate’s vote against a proposal that would have expanded background checks.
UW, PAVE educate students about sexual abuse, violence Every semester the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Social Work, University Housing Services and the student organization Promoting Awareness, Victim Empowerment aim to instill an understanding of sexual and gender violence in students through a joint social work course. The course educates students on sexual violence, stereotypes and resources, as well as how to turn their knowledge into a workshop presentation. UW-Madison sophomore Elena Santi, who is currently taking the course, called Social Work 672: PAVE Peer Education, said she became interested in enrolling after finding out about PAVE’s work on campus exposing students to rape culture. “[Rape culture] really sticks out to me because it is really preva-
lent and really easy to notice within our own community, like with the words we use and how slight changes in how we say them can make a difference,” Santi said. She said overall she believes campus is very female friendly, although she admits to seeing uncomfortable instances at campus parties. Santi said she would like to see campus resources for those affected by sexual abuse or violence in relationships more prominently displayed. In the course, the workshops highlight the Rape Crisis Center, UHS counseling and Domestic Abuse Intervention Services. According to Santi, she would also like to see multiple campus communities to come together to increase awareness and prevention, including men and the
LGBT community. However, Santi emphasized the importance of women continuing to support one another. “It’s good to have an overall
understanding that we’re all in the same boat as females,” Santi said. “But I would like to see us all come together.” -Cheyenne Langkamp
ASM Gender Day explores word choice The Associated Students of Madison Diversity Week continued Thursday with Gender Day, where two student organizations came together to educate approximately ten students on issues surrounding gender relationships and stereotypes. Representatives from Promoting Awareness, Victim Empowerment facilitated a workshop to improve attendees’ understanding of rape, sexual assault and sexual abuse culture. The event focused on drawing attention to the words and language that contribute to society’s view of these issues. Representatives said they
hoped students would take what they learned and lead by example in the campus community by being more conscientious. The Campus Women’s Center also provided a workshop on the meaning of masculinity in American society. Representatives from CWC also focused on language, looking into the stereotypes and definitions of masculinity and femininity throughout time. The workshop aimed to dispel cultural biases against cerCourtney Kessler/the daily cardinal tain appearances or actions being UW-Madison female a cappella group Pitches and Notes seen as more feminine or more performs during ASM’s Gender Day on Thursday. masculine.
Revelry leaders announce schedule Revelry Arts and Music Festival organizers announced times and locations Thursday for musical performances during the event. The event will take place May 4, and performances will last from 11 a.m. until approximately 6 p.m., although organizers said set times are subject to change. Revelry will include three stages for performers: the Sett, Union South Plaza and a Randall Avenue location. The stage at the Sett will feature Julian Lynch from 11:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. and Phox from 12:45 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. Chance the Rapper featuring CRASHprez, RAGELIFE and Lord of the Fly will perform from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. and the Mowgli’s will close the set from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. The Union South Plaza stage will feature Oh Land from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m., Delta Spirit from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. and Toro y Moi from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. The last act will be Hoodie Allen from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Toer will start the performances on the Randall Avenue stage from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m, followed by DJ RED SPEX from 12:15 p.m. to 1:15 p.m. DJ Deliboy will then perform from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., followed by Soundkill3r from 2:45 p.m. to 4 p.m. and The Al Gore Rhythm Method from 4:15 p.m to 5:45 p.m.
“…the great state University of Wisconsin should ever encourage that continual and fearless sifting and winnowing by which alone the truth can be found.”
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today: ...really?
hi 41º / lo 26º
saturday: oh, ok. ok.
hi 48º / lo 34º
Weekend, April 19-21, 2013
sunday: mixed bag
hi 58º / lo 46º
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An independent student newspaper, serving the University of Wisconsin-Madison community since 1892 Volume 122, Issue 124
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Big names to headline Couchella By I.P. Freely Fake News Friday
Following the release of a star-studded lineup, three-day passes have already sold out for Couchella, America’s greatest festival of places where you put your butt. Besides Steinhafels and Menards, which couch and couch-accessory fanatics predict will attract much of the crowd this year, plenty of lesser-known indie manufacturers are also preparing to showcase their newly released wares.
“Couchella is perhaps more known than its Milwaukee counterpart, Patiofest, and for that reason, it is all the less indie.” Jim Raynor writer Pitchfort
“Sure, a lot of people might go to see the line of Vampire WeekEnd Tables or the loveseats of Modest House,” said Sarah Kerrigan, an avid couch festival follower. “But at Couchella, you end up loving the little guys even more. The guys who still believe the only true furniture worth sitting on
Student’s schedule works out One University of WisconsinMadison student scheduled classes with absolutely no trouble or stress Monday morning. Nate Easiest, a UW-Madison sophomore, woke up in Witte at 8 on a rainy morning to schedule classes and was welcomed with five green circles in his Student Center shopping cart. “Yeah, man. I woke up, picked some classes and yeah,” Easiest said. “I don’t see the big deal.” Other students on the floor were less than pleased with Easiest’s lack of pain and sorrow, including his roommate Luke Struggles. “Come on, dude,” Struggles said. “I’m on two wait lists and have 7:45 a.m. class every day. My friend Jimmy’s schedule is so screwed up; he’s taking class on Saturday!” When asked to describe his experience with the Student Center, Easiest said, “It’s such a great web app. I really liked how it opened as a window behind all my other stuff, crashed constantly and froze unexpectedly. Starting from scratch six times was a fun experience.” Struggles thinks Easiest’s luck will change next semester. “He needs to feel like I do, like slamming his hand in a car door,” Struggles said. —Blue IV Carter
is the furniture you make in your own garage, with nothing but a felled oak tree and your great-grandfather’s steel hatchet. That’s what I go to see.” Having only been around for 12 years, Couchella is relatively new to the living arrangement scene. Despite this, Couchella consistently serves up couch makers worthy of both nationwide and worldwide attention. “The most memorable line of couches I have ever sat in was that of Radiobed last year,” Kerrigan recalled. “They’re always changing up their style, and even though at first you might think you won’t like a couch made of jagged volcanic rocks and cheetah pelts. You’ll change your mind after four or five hours sitting in one.” While most Madison locals are in the dark about this critically acclaimed festival of butt seats, rest assured: Couchella is actually a real thing. “Couchella is perhaps more known than its Milwaukee counterpart, Patiofest, and for that reason, it is all the less indie,” critiqued Jim Raynor, a local writer for the home goods commentary website, Pitchfort. “But try not to let this deter you from enjoying the fine furnishings nonetheless.”
graphic by dylan moriarty
Fans surf some of the nations’s finest couches at Couchella, America’s festival of places where you can put your butt.
news
Weekly farmers’ market on the square to begin Saturday Farmers and vendors from around Wisconsin will sell local produce and handcrafted goods at this season’s first Farmers’ Market on Capitol Square Saturday. Two new part-time vendors will sell produce at this year’s Dane County Farmers’ Market, including University of Wisconsin-Madison student Derek Morrick, who will sell vegetables, according to Farmers’ Market manager Larry Johnson. Stella’s Bakery, another of the vendors on the square, is known for the work of its previous owner, who accidentally created the iconic hot and spicy
Weekend, April 19-21, 2013 3
cheese bread. Brian Winzenried, the current owner and son-in-law of Stella’s original owner, said his in-laws substituted bread, which his mother-in-law accidentally baked cheese into, for their traditional produce selection after they faced a drought in 1988. Customers consistently returned to Stella’s Bakery asking for the bread, and the family decided to continue to bake their now-signature product, Winzenried said. Stella’s Bakery plans to honor Winzenried’s father-in law and loyal customers for its 25th anniversary this year,
according to Winzenried. He also said he plans to carry on the fun, friendly environment his father-in law developed at the bakery’s booth when it opened at the market in 1988, which he carried on until he passed away last summer. “He had his vision of the market [and that] was kind of creating this sort of circus atmosphere,” Winzenreid said. “We really want to continue bringing that sort of energy to the market.” The Farmers’ Market will be open “rain or shine” during its usual hours of 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays, according to Johnson, until Nov. 6. -Erin Berge
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dailycardinal.com
Retraction In an April 26, 2011 news story about a lawsuit filed against the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater by assistant professor Zhengnan Shi, The Daily Cardinal incorrectly reported that Shi had been fired, while he was still employed at the university. The Daily Cardinal regrets
the error. The story also reported that Shi was being investigated for alleged remarks related to the Virginia Tech shootings. He has since been cleared of making the alleged remarks. We regret any misunderstanding the errors may have caused.
Missing man’s body found in Lake Monona Divers located the body of a 26-year-old man who had been missing since January in Lake Monona Wednesday, according to Madison police. Charles Geurts of Kaukauna, Wis., was last seen Jan. 16 near the Sheraton Inn on John Nolen Drive, according to Madison Police Department South District Captain of
Police Joe Balles. The Dane County Dive Team recovered Geurts’ body Wednesday from a location roughly half a mile off shore where the lake reaches a depth of around 33 feet, according to Balles. Balles also said there are no signs of foul play in the case. After a coworker reported
Geurts missing, Balles said police searched the area and the lakeshore extensively, using volunteers and canine search units that narrowed the search to a small area, but could not locate a body through the ice on the lake. Balles also said Geurts likely wandered out onto the ice of the lake trying to get back to his hotel.
soglin from page 1
take into account the balance of fairness and values in terms of the benefits that come from this legislation,” Soglin said. He added Johnson was not the only U.S. senator that likely based their vote on messages from the NRA, which Soglin said has been “deceiving” Americans with “false information” about background checks and their consequences for the
past 20 or 30 years. Soglin said he looks forward to the November elections in 2014 and 2016, where he hopes Wisconsin citizens recognize gun control as “the single most important issue.” “It’s not just about the guns, it’s about democracy, it’s about police chiefs, it’s about survivors, it’s about the families of the people who were killed or wounded,” Soglin said.
a Sikh Temple in Oak Creek and another at a Brookfield spa. Soglin said Johnson had “betrayed” the people of Wisconsin by listening to “propaganda” from the National Rifle Association. “Senator Johnson is peddling the NRA and the firearm industries line which doesn’t
SSFC proposes funding cap for GSSF groups The Student Services Finance Committee proposed changes to the committee’s standing rules Wednesday, which would include a $100,000 budget cap for all General Student Services Fund groups, excluding costs for professional staff and project assistantships. The GSSF supplies money to registered student organizations, which provide direct services to students by meeting SSFC eligibility criteria. SSFC Chair Ellie Bruecker said she saw a need for change due to increased numbers of groups applying for GSSF funding, adding there has been a “fairly significant amount of waste” because groups are also asking for more money than they need. According to Bruecker, this extra money goes to the reserves, only available for use in instances of substantial need, but students are still being charged for it. Representatives from four GSSF groups spoke in open forum to address their concerns. One concern felt by
Aevyrie Roessler/the daily cardinal
SSFC Chair Ellie Bruecker said the proposed changes reflect the growing number of groups applying for funding. Adve nt u r e Learning Programs members was the cap would would force GSSF groups to cut back. Student Leadership Program member Kevin Pickett said he felt SSFC did not directly reach out to GSSF groups for collaboration on the changes. However, Bruecker said she sent out multiple emails to GSSF groups asking for any input on changes but did not receive much feedback. She
also said she took into account any feedback she did receive. Bruecker said the changes are a “moderate compromise” and should encourage groups to budget only for what they need. “I think it’s going to allow SSFC to budget more efficiently and not do things in such an arbitrary manner as we’ve had to do sometimes,” Bruecker said. The committee will vote on the changes Monday. -Paige Villiard
Alivia Richter/the daily cardinal
James Deen shares his experiences in the pornography industry with UW-Madison students Thursday.
Adult film star James Deen speaks with UW students about safe sex By Shannon Kelly The Daily cardinal
Adult film star James Deen gave the keynote speech of the University of WisconsinMadison’s Sexual Health Fest at Sterling Hall Thursday night in an event sponsored by student organization Sex Out Loud. Deen, who described himself as “introverted” and “socially awkward,” answered questions from the audience and a panel of Sex Out Loud members about topics ranging from his own experience learning about sex at age five to his advocacy for safer sex and condom use. Deen entered the adult film industry when he was 18 and said he has since starred in over 4,000 pornographic films. He has also directed and produced pornography since he was 19. He said he has dreamed of being a porn star for as long as he can remember and wants to have a meaningful career, one that can “de-shame sexuality” and “push borders.” “The world is constantly evolving, so I think that when people have open sexuality, that scares them… they see that as a bad thing,” Deen said. People frequently refer to Deen as a “female-friendly porn star” because his films are considered more romantic or sensual than typical porn, but he said he disagrees with this description. According to
him, the idea of women having their own genre is sexist. “The notion of ‘this is porn for women’ bothers me,” Deen said. “It feels counterproductive, it feels like you’re saying, ‘It’s okay for you to have a sexuality, ladies, but only if you like this type of stuff that we’re making for women.’ And it’s very possible that women might like a different type of film. The idea that there’s something specific is isolating them as a gender and being sexist.” Additionally, Deen said many stereotypes about the adult film industry are unfounded, such as heavy drug use among performers. He also spoke against people who shame women for participating in porn. “If somebody wants to do porn it doesn’t mean that they’re a whore or a bad person,” Deen said. “I don’t see any reason for someone to be insulted because they make a choice to do something with their own body.”
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Wisconsin Film Festival 2013
‘The Institute’ tests the parameters of what its viewers can call reality
The ‘Ph’inal countdown: ‘The Final Member’ wows crowds
The Wisconsin Film Festival has become a staple for our state’s arts scene since its conception 15 years ago. Every spring, some of the world’s best filmmakers and directors flock to Madison to showcase their talent. The Daily Cardinal covered the festival this year. Over the course of the eight-day festival, our staff had the opportunity to view myriad films, from professional documentaries, to future blockbusters, to fulllength animations, to self-made comedy shorts.
“The Institute,” a film by Spencer McCall, documents an ongoing game not too far removed from the “Humans versus Zombies” games currently being played around campus. Cryptic flyers began appearing around the Bay Area in 2008, shepherding inquisitive citizens into a real-life adventure game between two diametrically opposed organizations. In the three years that followed, participant’s lives would be filled with obscure missions, courtship into the Jejune Institute and radio broadcasts from the mysterious “Commander 14.” The film starts by following one participants’ introduction into the game. The documentary certainly creates an immersive experience, often withholding information, while categorizing from the viewpoint of the players. The film spans the three-year period during which the game takes place, ending with the finale of the game, while still leaving many of the mysteries unsolved. It often blurs the lines between reality and make-believe, where inclusion of real world people and events really make participants, and the viewer, wonder how much of the story is truly fictionalized. –Johann Poschung
“The Final Member” is a documentary about the world’s first phallological institute, located in Husavik, Iceland, and its search for the final missing piece in its collection. Or to put another way, the film is about the world’s first and only Icelandic penis museum’s search for a human specimen, the only mammalian species they’re missing, and the two potential donors vying for the… honor? Yes, the film is hilarious. It’s probably the funniest documentary I’ve ever seen. The phrase “super-penis comic book” is mentioned without irony, and the final shot is one of the most triumphant moments I’ve experienced in a theater and, oh god, I need to rephrase that. But, hidden amidst all the sublimely ridiculous comedy are the stories of three very, very unique men. The museum’s curator and founder, Siggi Hjartarson, has made this museum his life’s work, and his reason for doing so, along with his clear enthusiasm and passion for what he does, makes it very hard not to respect and cheer for him as his search gets increasingly dire. The portraits of the two men, one an aging Icelandic hero, the other an American looking for immortality–looking to donate are…interesting to say the least, and often side-splittingly funny. But behind is all is a fascinating and, dare I say, moving story that is guaranteed to keep you entertained. Yes, I’ll say it again. I was moved by the penis museum movie. I might go as far as to say touched, even. …OK, maybe not. –Austin Wellens
‘Hail’ not quite the movie you so badly want it to be If you’re anything like I used to be, then you think an Australian quasi-documentary avant-garde film about criminal Daniel P. Jones adjusting to life after prison would be nothing short of a brilliant, occasionally shocking but ultimately valuable and enjoyable piece of cinema. You poor, naive saps. I was like you when I walked into “Hail.” Rather than living up to all the potential built up by its description, “Hail” manages to tragically mishandle every interesting idea it introduces in favor of overindulging in the artistic aspects of itself without ever really giving a reason for why it should. It started out well enough, with the main character’s release from jail, surprise return home, and touching reunion with his wife. This was good. It was compelling, as was the part where he looked for work. Unfortunately, once we established the characters were in love and people had a hard time trusting Jones, we dropped these ideas to focus on aimless, drifting scenes of them just sort of interacting with people in ways that didn’t always make sense. Then tragedy strikes and we get an extended, soundless montage sequence that would’ve worked if it had been a solid 10 minutes shorter, then some Eli Roth-style torture porn and then the movie ended. The audience collectively sighed every time the movie should have ended but (frequently) didn’t, and the sweet old lady behind me breathed out, in a quiet moment, “this is the worst movie I’ve ever seen.” It takes a special kind of movie to earn sweet old lady hate, and “Hail” is a special kind of movie. –Austin Wellens
Movie clips from left to right: “The Final Member,” “Consuming Spirits,” “The Institute,” “Hail,” “The Smart Ones,” “Manhattan”
‘The Smart Ones’ shows the skill of two student filmmakers
Woody Allen’s ‘Manhattan’ still a classic film to behold
‘Consuming Spirts’ shows that hard work really does pay off
What sets “The Smart Ones,” one of the opening night selections for the festival, apart from most festival selections is the fact it was written and directed by two film students, Travis Torok and Kyle Probst, hailing from UW-Milwaukee. “The Smart Ones” tells the tale of a group of graduate students who decide to fund their college tuition through the robbery of homes in suburbia. The film definitely possesses some of the roughness you’d expect from a student production. Character motivations sometimes come across as nonsensical, a few tired stereotypes come into play and the automated dialogue replacement work is painfully obvious in one scene. Still, all things considered, “The Smart Ones’ is an impressive feat and must have been a true passion project for the filmmakers, actors and really everyone involved in the production. The characters are generally likable and the energetic climax of the final heist scene is a particularly impressive set piece, effectively combining suspense, romance and comedy in equal parts. More than anything, this movie serves as a true inspiration to film students, proving that with determination (and some monetary assistance from Kickstarter), it’s truly possible to pull together a feature length film. –Kailee Andrews
Alright, so it’s kind of weird to be writing a review about a movie that came out more than 40 years ago, but the screening of “Manhattan” at the film fest is definitely something worth talking about. First of all, it was an actual screening, in that they were projecting a fresh pressing of actual, real, genuine film. As a result, the gorgeous cinematography, the breathtaking black and white tribute to the sights of New York, was displayed in all its glory. The introduction, from the beautiful wide shots of the Manhattan skyline fading in over the opening melodies of George Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue,” to the climactic bursting of fireworks over the bay synchronizing with the crescendo of the soundtrack, gave me chills like no movie ever has. As if seeing a masterpiece projected off a fresh reel wasn’t enough, Michael Murphy, star of the film, was present and did a Q&A after the screening, told a bunch of incredible stories and was generally an extremely charming and humble old man. I mean I’m biased, but I think seeing one of the best movies made by one of America’s greatest filmmakers, in theater, on film, with one of the stars of the film in the house, is pretty objectively rad. It was definitely the highlight of the fest for me, and is/will be my personal favorite movie going memory for quite a while.
A film you’ve likely never heard of before and may never hear of again, “Consuming Spirits” is a labor of love (emphasis on the labor) many years in the making. An animated feature that famously took writer/director Chris Sullivan 15 years to complete, “Consuming Spirits” combines cut-out animation, traditional hand-drawn work and three-dimensional stop motion to create a visually mesmerizing fictional Midwestern town. The convoluted narrative relates the intertwined stories of a few of the denizens of this town and exploring topics such as alcohol consumption, familial devotion, extramarital affairs in a darkly comedic fashion that suits its haunting and often purposefully grotesque visuals. Some of the most memorable moments include a non-professionally approved amputation and a man gallivanting about disguised as a deer. “Consuming Spirits” could, and likely will, be considered a masterpiece by many. I think it’s pulled down a tad by its excessive length (the film clocks in at 130 minutes), but the storylines do segue together nicely at the end. On the whole, this is a meticulously crafted and admirably realized example of the storytelling capacities of traditional animation, even if the measured, hypnotic narration of protagonist Earl Gray (Robert Levy) does occasionally make your eyes droop.
–Austin Wellens
–Kailee Andrews
opinion NRA money defeats background check act 6
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haleigh amant opinion columnist
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hat a sad day Wednesday was for American democracy. In a 54-46 vote, the bill to extend background checks to private sales and gun shows failed. It was six votes short. Even with a majority in the Senate, it didn’t pass the 60 votes necessary, which is a whole other issue. Wednesday, we saw money triumph over all. As President Barack Obama said in his speech following the failure to pass the bill, 90 percent of Americans were for this commonsense law. Why? Because it’s common sense! It in no way infringes on our Second Amendment rights and 90 percent of America knew that, even some proud National Rifle Association households. Our democracy—or representative republic—whatever you want to call it, is supposed to be representative of the people and it failed us Wednesday. You would think after the bombing that occurred in Boston, seeing so many Americans suffer and grieve again, love could triumph over money. You would think seeing people come together in a time of tragedy, you would think, would show the Senate that America
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isn’t about money. No, the majority of us have our heads and hearts in the right places. Humanity could triumph over money. Well, say good-bye to that, because we just got completely screwed over. I feel like I just stepped into a time machine to an old familiar time when America was run only by the rich, white men. Oh, wait. Nope, I’m still here. We’re still here. And that’s troubling. I’m floored, upset, confused, angry, hurt, offended and downright disgusted this bill wasn’t passed—and I’m not even one of the victims of gun violence. I’m not even one of the mothers who lost her child in the Newtown massacre. So, imagine how those parents feel. Imagine how they felt as they stood there and watched the senators reject this common-sense bill. Here’s my question, which I’m sure is on many people’s minds: What were you thinking, senators? Where are your hearts? People who don’t have a heart usually, at least, pretend to have one. You just really screwed yourself over because now I’m angry. America is angry. When I say America, I mean 90 percent of us are pissed. Including Obama. So here’s what happened Wednesday. The gun lobby won over 46 senators with, yep, you guessed it, money! They said passing this law would lead to a
slippery slope, ending up with a national gun registry, which is simply not true. They used scare tactics and 46 senators believed them. Hey, you, 90 percent of Americans, guess who matters more? Not you, not your children, not your safety, but money! Money from an interest group matters more. Although this kind of sneaky, slimy, disgusting form of politics has probably been going on behind the scenes for quite some time, we just reached a new low because they did it in front of our faces! How insulting! This is a turning point for our country. Our system has failed us to a whole new level. And here I thought the tremendous, bipartisan leap taken by bill co-writers Senators Joe Manchin and Pat Toomey would have passed and lead us in the right direction. Both of them were gun owners, both had grade-A ratings from the NRA and both proudly backed Second Amendment rights. They constructed a plan that would not infringe upon these rights! They constructed a plan that should have been a part of the gun-obtaining process all along so criminals and the mentally unstable would be unable to obtain a gun. Twenty first graders being murdered was not enough to triumph over money, and I have completely lost hope in our system. It’s money and greed,
and it just took precedent over our kids, our loved ones, our compassion, and our safety in this country. The senators denying the bill had no good reason to do so. They knew it wouldn’t infringe upon any rights and knew it was common sense to pass this universal background check. The only semisufficient argument they had was that it wouldn’t prevent all massacres. Nice try, but that’s a fallacious argument. No, it wouldn’t prevent all, but if at least it would have saved one life, then it would have been worth it. But they were worried they wouldn’t get elected in the future because the gun lobby would do everything in their power to present them as antiSecond Amendment. They just got played. We all just got played. And I am extremely insulted by the Senate; they thought they could get away with it. I am extremely insulted they think 90 percent of Americans are going to let this one slide. We’re not. “But this effort is not over.” Obama said nearing the end of his speech. “I want to make it clear to the American people we can still bring about meaningful changes that reduce gun violence, so long as the American people don’t give up on it. Even without Congress, my administration will keep doing everything it can to protect more
of our communities. We’re going to address the barriers that prevent states from participating in the existing background check system. We’re going to give law enforcement more information about lost and stolen guns so it can do its job. We’re going to help to put in place emergency plans to protect our children in their schools.” No this isn’t over. In fact, I think it’s the beginning. I think it’s the beginning of a wake-up call in which we realize it’s time for some serious changes relating to our legislative process. Not just regarding gun legislation, but regarding campaign financing as well. An interest group should not and better not be able to stand up to 90 percent of Americans and insult them again. They better not be able to stand up to gun-violence victims and tell them their children aren’t worth it ever again. It needs to be put in the hands of the citizens who want their fair representation now. If you are as insulted as I am, I strongly encourage you to write your senator and tell him/her. For many of you that will be Paul Ryan, who voted against this bill and perhaps, if you have time, you could thank Tammy Baldwin, who voted in favor of the bill, for listening to the voice of the people. Please send all feedback to opinion@dailycardinal.com.
Equal pay act opponents can’t stop living in the past mitch taylor opinion columnist
A
s I was browsing through recent news stories in search of a topic to enlighten my readership with my opinionated blathering, I came across a headline that rather excited me. It stated Wisconsin’s Senate is considering re-enacting the Equal Pay Enforcement Act, giving citizens more opportunity to receive damages upon realizing they are discriminated against by their employers. It would allow them to sue in state court to receive the pay they deserve. This law would mostly benefit women, as they are the most common victims of pay discrimi-
nation. It just warms my heart to know our state Legislature is considering taking equality seriously and even considering the heretofore inconceivable idea that women are equal to men. Our laws are obviously on the cutting edge of social progress. Good job, Wisconsin. Wisconsin actually had the Equal Pay Enforcement Act before. It was passed in 2009 and brought Wisconsin up from 36th to 24th in terms of income equality, but was repealed last year by Gov. Scott Walker and Republicans in the state Legislature. According to Walker, the act was only an excuse for trial lawyers to clog up the legal system. Walker repealed the act because the best way to prevent strain on the justice system is to keep it from doing its job.
Proponents of the Equal Pay Enforcement Act claim the act did not actually end up increasing the number of gender-discrimination suits in state courts, as just the act itself and the risk of suit was enough to prevent gender discrimination by employers. If I’ve learned one thing from studying U.S. politics, it’s that people will do the right thing when doing the wrong thing can get them sued. Government regulations on businesses are in place simply to make the right thing the financially beneficial thing. Clogged legal system or not, there is a huge wage disparity between men and women. In this shining beacon of enlightenment and equality we call America, women make only 77 percent of what men make. In Wisconsin, women only make
75 percent of men’s pay. This is, by its mathematical definition, inequality. We cannot say women and men are treated equally until we get rid of this disparity. Seventy-seven cents does not equal one dollar. One should hope the people in charge of managing our government’s money would know that. Rather than ignore it like Walker, some politicians prefer to justify the wage gap. Republican Wisconsin Sen. Glenn Grothman’s said the income gap exists because men care more about money and work harder for it. Men simply care more about work and doing a good job than women, he explained. He added women are too busy raising children to focus on their careers. Grothman does not seem to
realize that outside of the familiar world of the inside of his lower digestive tract, women are not domestic property confined to the home and limited to raising children and doing housework. They are in fact real people who can do real-people things and should be paid realpeople wages. My point is it’s absolutely ridiculous that in 2013 equal pay is an issue that even needs to be discussed. Here it is almost 100 years after the 19th amendment and women are still only worth 77 percent of a man. A hundred years from now Walker, Grothman and all of the opponents of the Equal Pay Enforcement Act will look almost as stupid as opponents of women’s suffrage in the 1910s. Please send all feedback to opinion@dailycardinal.com.
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Today’s Sudoku
Eatin’ Cake
Classic
Pride of Ireland... Going by net sales, the biggest market for Guinness in the world is Nigeria. Ireland comes third.t Weekend, April 19-21, 2013 • 7
By Dylan Moriarty www.EatinCake.com
© Puzzles by Pappocom
Caved In
By Nick Kryshak nkryshak@wisc.edu
Solution, tips and computer program available at www.sudoku.com.
Fill in the grid so that every row, every column and every 3x3 box contains the digits 1 through 9.
Happy pilgrims read
By Melanie Shibley shibley@wisc.edu
The Daily Cardinal
Today’s Crossword Puzzle
This week’s request Can I see two humans on a tandem bicycle punching zombies with Rambo on deck with Goose from Top Gun driving the war machine? Patrick G.
Answer key available at www.dailycardinal.com
CROSSWORD TWO BY FOvvUR ACROSS 1 Anchorman’s summary 6 Beginning at 10 Band boxes? 14 Parting of the Pacific? 15 Black in Burgundy 16 In ___ of (replacing) 17 Mount Fuji’s locale 18 Bee Gees birthplace 20 Took something in 21 To say nothing of 23 Anticipates 24 Lecherous one’s target 26 Barely manage (with “out”) 27 The Wallendas won’t work with one 28 Bacon cookers 33 On the ocean blue 36 Trials and tribulations 37 Part of a roof’s border 38 Entree choice 41 Seals’ meals 42 Cry like an owl 43 “... with ___ in sight” 44 Procrastinator, essentially 46 Unusual 47 Always, to an old poet
8 4 52 56 57 58 0 6 62 63 64 65 66 67
Hayes’ veep Orbital high point Poetic foot “Boola Boola” collegian JFK’s problem of April 1961 Not bold Witch’s ___ Diving bird Eat into Acquire justifiably Nomad’s tent Claire of “Homeland”
DOWN 1 Indian princes 2 Delight 3 Made do, somehow 4 “Well, whaddya know!” 5 Cure-alls 6 Licoricelike flavor 7 Nothing to write home about (Hyph.) 8 Kuwaiti export 9 Bizarre 10 Cryptographer’s A 11 “La Boheme” soprano 12 Bog material 13 Some stars 19 Didn’t pay yet 22 It requires an improved service? 25 Anxious concern 26 Not hunched
8 Be attracted to 2 29 Translate, as a secret message 30 View from many a cabin 31 With neither indebted to the other 32 Transmit 33 Not yet up 34 Kilmer subject 35 “Note to ___ …” 36 One a’courting 39 Like some facial tissue 40 Beholden 45 Popular snorkeling destination 46 Measure of resistance 48 “... Fuzzy Wuzzy ___ fuzzy...” 49 Dud on wheels 50 Drop in pronunciation 51 Bumper cars and such 52 Monastery resident 53 Beginning for “normal” 54 ___ and terminer (hearing or trial) 55 Graduate’s garment 56 Frankenstein flunky 59 Chit letters 61 Bit of financial planning, for short
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Sports
weekend april 19-21, 2013 DailyCardinal.com
Softball
Football
Badgers look to climb conference standings in series with Buckeyes By Christian Blatner THE DAILY CARDINAL
The Wisconsin softball team returns to Big Ten action Saturday and Sunday after splitting its first home series of the season with Green Bay. The Badgers welcome Ohio State (6-6 Big Ten, 27-14 overall) to Goodman Diamond for a three-game series. UW (7-5, 30-9) eclipsed the 30-win mark for the eighth time in school history Tuesday in a 4-3 comeback win against the Phoenix. With 11 regular-season games left, the Badgers have the opportunity to surpass the school record, set by the 2000 and 2012 teams, for wins in a season (34) before postseason play begins. Throughout their four years at Wisconsin, the seniors have been forced to adjust to a few changes within the softball program. Senior pitcher Meghan McIntosh knows what it’s like to have a few up-and-down seasons, welcome a new coaching staff and learn a new team philosophy. She talked about the team’s triumphs so far this season and the whirlwind experience her time at UW has been. “[Thirty wins] means a lot for program history. Just being here freshman year with a different coaching staff and having [head coach Yvette Healy, assistant coach Randy Schneider and assistant coach Tracie Adix] come in and turn the program around is a great accomplishment.” McIntosh wasn’t the only senior who credited the coaching staff for its hard work, though.
Senior infielder Whitney Massey praised Schneider for keeping the Badgers’ bats consistent throughout the year. “We are constantly changing our approach depending on whoever we’re playing,” Massey said. “We work really tightly with coach Schneider on [our approach at the plate].”
“Every Badger loves to compete against Ohio State in any sport.”
Yvette Healy Softball head coach Wisconsin
Ohio State comes to Madison riding a six-game win streak and trailing Wisconsin by just two games in the conference standings. With such a tight race in the Big Ten, this weekend’s three-game set can clearly shake up the conference outlook. Healy spoke about what it means to go up against such an athletically prestigious school like Ohio State. “Ohio State is a phenomenal program. They’re one of the richest athletic programs in the country,” Healy said. “Every Badger loves to compete against Ohio State in any sport. It’s going to take every ounce of coaching and playing and effort to come out and take these games.” UW pitchers will look to shut down the Buckeyes’ standout
center fielder Taylor Watkins. The sophomore leads all Ohio State batters in batting average (.378), runs (36), hits (51) and onbase-percentage (.456). Junior first baseman Leesa Gresham has also given opponents trouble this season, posting a .354 batting average and a team-leading 13 doubles, nine home runs and a .685 slugging percentage. The Badgers look forward to taking the field at Goodman Diamond for just the fourth time this season, as they’ve played only two games at home and practiced once outside. “We’ll have a ton of confidence being at home and in front of our home crowd,” McIntosh said. “Facing [the] adversity [of playing away from home for nine weeks] and then being able to come home and play in front of our home crowd is going to give us a lot of confidence.” Healy emphasized the team needs to have a sense of urgency as it moves into its last stretch of conference games. “We’re trying to get back to the basics, back to the fundamentals to try and put together some quality innings,” Healy said. “The team is excited that we’ve been playing well, but we’ve got to get our focus back to taking it one inning at a time to play better ball [going forward].” Wisconsin meets the Buckeyes at Goodman Diamond for a doubleheader starting at noon Saturday and finishes off the series at 1 p.m. Sunday.
abigail waldo/cardinal file photo
Redshirt senior quarterback Curt Phillips will share the majority of snaps in the spring game with redshirt sophomore Joel Stave.
Andersen to make spring game debut By Brett Bachman The Daily Cardinal
The Badgers’ football team, under first-year head coach Gary Andersen, will sing “On Wisconsin” after every game. Win or lose, home or away, Andersen says he owes it to the fans to put on a show. Yes, things are a little different with a new coach, but things are also very much the same for Wisconsin, which plays its annual inter-squad spring game Saturday. Spring practice is traditionally a time for players to develop and learn new schemes, and it is also the time where the year’s storylines are introduced and begin to develop. And there’s no shortage of those storylines this year for the Badgers. There’s the quarterback battle— the Badgers return three signal callers with big-game experience: redshirt senior Danny O’Brien, the heralded Maryland transfer who fizzled out last year mid-season; redshirt sophomore Joel Stave, the hometown hero from Whitnall, Wis., who broke his collarbone a few games after replacing O’Brien as the starter; and redshirt senior Curt Phillips, whose multiple knee surgeries and subsequent comebacks endeared him to Wisconsin fans everywhere. Andersen has already named Stave and Phillips as the forerunners, though four-star, junior-college transfer Tanner McEvoy is the man to watch as the season develops. With a promising run game to complement his arm, he has already drawn comparisons to Kansas State’s Collin Klein, a Heisman candidate last season. So far, Andersen still hasn’t seen anyone perform well enough to garner the majority
of practice snaps, though the spring game will be a chance for one candidate to separate himself from the pack. “Our ball security was not good enough [in practice thus far] … balls weren’t thrown very well,” Andersen said. “We can learn from that on both sides of the football.” The spring game will also be a test run for defensive coordinator Dave Aranda’s newlook 3-4 defense, albeit with the absence of key redshirt senior linebackers Chris Borland and Ethan Armstrong, who will join redshirt senior defensive back Dezmen Southward in sitting out the game. The three players being held out on the offensive side of the ball are redshirt senior offensive lineman Ryan Groy, redshirt senior wide receiver Jared Abbrederis and senior running back James White. “It’s a great opportunity for our young players to compete at a high level in front of the fans,” Andersen said. With redshirt junior tailback Jeff Lewis out for the spring game as well, Andersen is worried about depth at the position going into next year. “I wish we had another tailback,” he said. “We’ll just have to get through it.” While scoring in the spring game is always a little rocky, the offense can score six points with a touchdown, first down, run of 15-plus yards or passing play of 20-plus yards. Similarly, the defense gets five points for turnovers, three points for three-and-outs or a blocked field goal and two points for stopped drives, tackles-for-loss or sacks. The Badgers’ spring game starts at 4 p.m. Saturday and will be televised on the Big Ten Network.