The wrong side of a miracle
CANDIDATES SAY THE DARNDEST THINGS: Match the presidential candidates with their quotes +OPINION, page 5 University of Wisconsin-Madison
THE BADGERS SUFFER THEIR FIRST LOSS ON A GAME-ENDING HAIL MARY +SPORTS, page 8 Complete campus coverage since 1892
dailycardinal.com
Monday, October 24, 2011
Ceremony opens Chazen to public
The fight over wind power
By Corinne Burgermeister THE DAILY CARDINAL
By Tyler Nickerson
I
ndustrial wind turbines are becoming more and more prevalent in Wisconsin. As of December 2010, there were 314 commercial turbines in the state, 209 of them in and around the district of state Sen. Frank Lasee, R-DePere. But Lasee does not think those turbines will necessarily have a positive impact on Wisconsin.
GRAPHIC BY DYLAN MORIARTY THE DAILY CARDINAL
He proposed stricter regulations on wind turbines in Wisconsin’s legislature, citing potential health concerns when the turbines are installed too close to residences. The “Health Studies for Wind Turbines” legislation would stop further wind energy system developments until the Department of Health Services finishes a study analyzing health impacts of turbines and UW scientist review the results. After the DHS study is deemed scientifically sound, the Public Service Commission, the state agency that oversees utility use, would take action to restrict where industrial turbines can be built in relation to existing developments. “We thought it was important to make sure that we know what the safe set-back distance for these wind turbines was before the PSC set new standards for the set-back distances,” said Rob Kovach, Lasee’s chief of staff. Kovach said Lasee is not “antiwind” energy and cited two existing studies that suggest industri-
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al turbines can cause a number of health problems including sleep disturbance, headache, nausea, and depression. Other studies pertaining to adverse health effects of industrial turbines are being pursued across the country and in Canada. But Michael Vickerman, executive director of RENEW Wisconsin, a non-profit organization that promotes sustainable energy policies, questioned the science and motives behind Lasee’s proposal. “We haven’t seen any studies that go through the usual peer review process. You get allegations from one or two individuals, but in reality that’s a very tiny minority.” Vickerman said. Lasee, however, said turbines can pose a threat. “There are three families that I am aware of who have moved out of their homes to get relief because they are getting so ill,” Lasee said in statement. “One family’s teenage daughter was hospitalized, and when they
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Mayor Paul Soglin and Chancellor David Ward invited the public into the newly expanded Chazen Art Museum Saturday with a ceremonial grand opening, music and guided tours. The 86,000 square foot expansion doubles the amount of art the museum can hold, and currently features watercolor paintings by artist Sean Scully and pieces from Jerome and Simona Chazen’s personal collection. Soglin said the museum serves as a reminder of why people appreciate the arts.
“[Most importantly] we learn about ourselves … and the people with whom we share space,” he said. “This is a marvelous space to do that.” Ward said the museum is also a symbol of the Wisconsin Idea. “The generosity of the Chazens and so many other people have created an institutional fixture, a beautiful space right here in the university that we will all value,” Ward said. After the extension’s construction blocked off large sections of East Campus mall, UW-Madison student Jennie LaCourt said she thinks the museum enhances campus.
“I’m really excited about how campus looks now that all the construction is done,” said LaCourt. “The architecture of the new part is awesome, and I think it’s brightening up the area.” Other students said they were simply happy to see construction end. “I’m thrilled, first of all, just being able to walk under the archway,” said student Michael Kushner. “Now that I’m actually inside, it blows me away.” Junior Art History student Laura Dreischmeier said the
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Campus reflects on end to Iraq war By Rachel Hahn THE DAILY CARDINAL
President Barack Obama announced Friday the complete withdrawal of United States troops from Iraq by the end of 2011. On campus, news of the war’s end brought about reflection from veterans and their advocates on the nearly nine-year conflict. The current 41,000 troops stationed in Iraq will leave the country by the Dec. 31, 2011 deadline. “The last American soldier will cross the border out of Iraq with their heads held high, proud of their success, and knowing that the American people stand united in our support for our troops,” President Obama said in a statement. Iraq War veteran and
UW-Madison student Stephen Lee said he supports the withdrawal deadline.
“[Iraqis] now see they have a voice in determining their own future.” John Bechtol assistant dean of students and veterans affairs
“[The withdrawal] a good thing because I didn’t see an end to it other than to just arbitrarily say ‘hey, we’re getting out of here.’ As far as I could tell, there were no stated goals,” Lee said. Lee said he couldn’t accurately portray what Iraqi citizens thought
of the U.S. presence. “When I was in Iraq I saw a whole spectrum of different opinions from [Iraqis] who didn’t want us there at all to Iraqi’s who said they liked us being there just because our presence was in line with their goals for their country”, Lee said. Assistant Dean of Students and Veterans Affairs John Bechtol said the United States “set Iraq up with success” in the end. “For the Iraqis to have a voice in their government, that’s something completely alien to most of them, and over the time we’ve been there, they now see they have a voice in determining their own future,” said Bechtol.
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festival of lights
JARED BURRIS/THE DAILY CARDINAL
Dancers performed traditional Indian routines at the Union Theater Sunday for Diwali Night 2011. The festival was sponsored by the Indian Graduate Students’ Association.
“…the great state University of Wisconsin should ever encourage that continual and fearless sifting and winnowing by which alone the truth can be found.”