LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Morality or safety? A student defends the closing of Guantanamo Bay. OPINION PAGE 4 l
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Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Rate of suicides in state increasing, cause unclear By Cathy Martin THE DAILY CARDINAL
GRAPHIC BY AMY GIFFEN/THE DAILY CARDINAL
Abrahamson, Doyle flex fundraising advantages By Charles Brace THE DAILY CARDINAL
Wisconsin political candidates released fundraising reports Monday, with Chief Justice Shirley Abrahamson and Gov. Jim Doyle significantly outpacing their opponents. Abrahamson raised $588,256 in the most recent period and over $822,604 overall. Her opponent Jefferson County Circuit Court Judge Randy Koschnick raised $14,715 in the same period and almost $50,000 overall. Doyle raised $622,000 in late 2008 and had over $1.4 million in the bank, though he has not officially declared whether he will run for a third term. His likely republican opponent Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker
raised $413,000 in that period. Democratic Party of Wisconsin spokesperson Alec Loftus said the funds position Doyle well for another campaign. “The governor raised $1.5 million during the year, while at the same time raising money for Barack Obama and Legislative candidates,” he said. “In terms of cash on hand, no one is even within $1 million of the Governor right now.” Fundraising amounts often indicate the overall political viability of candidates, though several outside factors like spending by powerful interest groups are likely to affect the race as well. Heather Colburn, campaign manager for Abrahamson, said she was pleased with the level of support shown for the chief justice,
but outside interest groups are likely to make it a “divisive, bitter and partisan” contest. She said over 2,600 residents had donated to Abrahamson so far. Koschnick campaign advisor Seamus Flaherty said voters’ support for Koschnick’s platform would make up the difference in funds compared to Abrahamson. “[Koschnick] has the judicial philosophy and the record that voters prefer,” Flaherty said. “Voters prefer judicial conservatives.” He said it was too early to tell if spending by outside interest groups would be a factor in the election, but Koschnick has asked any groups that do get involved to funding page 3
The suicide rate in Wisconsin is on the rise, according to statistics from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services that show a spike in 2007. According to the DHS, the state’s rate of suicide jumped from 11.9 per 100,000 people in 2006 to 12.8 in 2007. DHS spokesperson Stephanie Marquis said before 2006 the suicide rate was holding relatively steady. “It’s really difficult to ascertain what the underlying cause may be,” Marquis said while emphasizing the many efforts to prevent and educate about suicide around the state, such as Helping Others Prevent and Educate about Suicide, a nonprofit organization based in Madison. Pat Derer, president of HOPES, said increasing acceptance of suicide might be a factor in the rising statistic because people are now less likely to claim suicides as accidents to shield the family or protect the person’s legacy. “More and more people are actually admitting that the person did have a problem and that [the cause of death] was suicide,” Derer said. Derer said people do not reach out or know where to go to get the help they need because of a stigma around depression and mental illness, also adding the failing economy may be contributing to this statistic. However, UW Clinical Assistant Professor of Psychiatry Jeffrey Anders said this increase might not be very meaningful.
By Brandice Altfillisch THE DAILY CARDINAL
Members of the UW-Madison Faculty Senate met Monday and debated varying levels of amendments to the draft of the 2009-2014 UW-Madison strategic framework. Several members of the senate voiced their discontent with the draft, citing its redundancy and lack of measurability. The draft commenced with comments from Julie Underwood, interim provost of UW-Madison. Underwood described the draft as a strategic plan and “a collaboration across campus,” in which community members could take part in the future of the university. “The goal here is to be, basically, aspirational as well as inspirational,” she said.
Underwood said she wanted the plan “to provide some type of long term guidance and put together a pathway to actually get to that aspirational goal.” The draft quickly came under fire when English professor Richard Knowles satirically quoted the document and listed several reasons why it was redundant and too vague. “I want to suggest that much of this, besides being vague, suggests that the writer, or writers, is simply too much in love with the sound of their own prose,” he said. Beverly Gordon, professor of Human Ecology, commented on the draft, citing the need for more transparency. “I just wanted to say that it just seems almost ludicrously grandi-
ose,” she said. “It just makes much more sense, in my opinion, that things be focused on a little bit more.” In defense of the document, Underwood expressed it was simply a draft in need of revision. Despite the 30 minute dispute, the Senate found time for important announcements, including a message from University Committee Chair Ann Hoyt. Hoyt announced that close to $2.9 million in scholarship money had been contributed since last year’s resolution to raise funds for students at UW-Madison. The Senate’s goal is to increase the average participation rate for contribution efforts on campus. faculty page 3
Warning Signs • Preoccupation with death • Loss of interest in things one cares about • Talking about hopelessness and worthlessness • Mentioning suicide • Setting one’s affairs in order and giving things away • Aquiring guns or pills • Suddenly happier and calmer - Source: HOPES
CWC unveils new magazine publication By Kayla Torgerson THE DAILY CARDINAL
Faculty grapple over new document
“I’m not convinced that [the suicide rate] is substantially changing,” Anders said. Derer said suicide in Wisconsin occurs more frequently than it does nationally and is the second leading cause of death for young people ages 15-24 in the state. However, Anders said even though suicide among college students is not rare, it is more common in older people. Organizations like HOPES still believe educating people how to watch for signs of depression and on how to get help is the most important factor. “Education is the number one thing that we can do in order to prevent suicide,” Derer said.
The UW-Madison Campus Women’s Center held their volunteer kick-off meeting Monday to recruit students for spring semester activities, including the publication of a new magazine titled Women in REDZINE. This submission-based magazine will feature written literary works ranging from essays to short stories as well as multimedia submissions from women on campus and in the surrounding Madison area. According to the CWC website, the group hopes the magazine will provide a forum for self-expression and “give a voice to the marginalized and oppressed individuals of our diverse community.” The next issue of the publication will feature a CD compilation titled Women in Red Records, including music from several bands as well as spoken word recordings. Chanel Matsunami Govreau,
the publications coordinator for the CWC said the group welcomes all people who view themselves as a woman, whether they were born with male or female anatomy. According to Matsunami Govreau, the CWC identify as a group of individuals coming from various backgrounds, allowing each woman to identify as a group while also expressing her individuality. “Women are not just as simple as women, but we are also coming from different places and experiences,” she said. The CWC caters to the needs of the diverse student body through a variety of events on campus including the Vagina Monologues, which raise money for Domestic Abuse Intervention Services, and Take Back the Night, a rally held in Library Mall and State Street protesting sexual victimization. Chynna Hass, the support services coordinator for the CWC said women page 3
“…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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Kiera may just be the next Michelle Kwan
Volume 118, Issue 84
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News and Editorial edit@dailycardinal.com Editor in Chief Alex Morrell Managing Editor Gabe Ubatuba Campus Editor Erin Banco Rachel Holzman City Editor State Editor Megan Orear Charles Brace Enterprise Editor Associate News Editor Caitlin Gath Opinion Editor Jon Spike Arts Editors Kevin Slane Justin Stephani Sports Editors Ben Breiner Crystal Crowns Features Editor Diana Savage Food Editor Sara Barreau Science Editor Bill Andrews Photo Editors Kyle Bursaw Lorenzo Zemella Graphics Editors Amy Giffin Jenny Peek Copy Chiefs Kate Manegold Emma Roller Jake Victor Copy Editors Kevin Mack Todd Stevens, Alicia Williams
Business and Advertising business@dailycardinal.com Business Manager Alex Kusters Advertising Manager Sheila Phillips Mindy Cummings Billing Manager Accounts Receivable Manager Cole Wenzel Account Executives Katie Brown Ana Devcic, Natalie Kemp Tom Shield Eric Harris, Dan Hawk Web Directors Marketing Director Andrew Gilbertson Assistant Marketing Director Perris Aufmuth Archivist Erin Schmidtke The Daily Cardinal is published weekdays and distributed at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and its surrounding community with a circulation of 10,000. The Daily Cardinal is a nonprofit organization run by its staff members and elected editors. It receives no funds from the university. Operating revenue is generated from advertising and subscription sales. Capital Newspapers, Inc. is the Cardinal’s printer. The Daily Cardinal is printed on recycled paper. The Cardinal is a member of the Associated Collegiate Press and the Wisconsin Newspaper Association. All copy, photographs and graphics appearing in The Daily Cardinal are the sole property of the Cardinal and may not be reproduced without written permission of the editor in chief. The Daily Cardinal accepts advertising representing a wide range of views. This acceptance does not imply agreement with the views expressed. The Cardinal reserves the right to reject advertisements judged offensive based on imagery, wording or both. Complaints: News and editorial complaints should be presented to the editor in chief. Business and advertising complaints should be presented to the business manager. Letters Policy: Letters must be typewritten, double-spaced and no longer than 200 words, including contact information. Letters may be sent to letters@dailycardinal.com.
KIERA WIATRAK taking kiera business
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ast Saturday, my boyfriend and I decided to celebrate the heat wave of two degrees below freezing instead of 22 degrees with some wholesome, winter-sport fun. We went ice skating. But our skating dates are not like the typical, junior-high-esque skating dates with two stumbling love birds holding hands and “accidentally” falling on top of each other. “Oops, I didn’t mean to touch that.” “Oh, sorry, I, umm, thought you’d want to blow your nose later.” No, not for us. Not only are we not 12, but as a robust Jewish woman, I’ve never had to stuff. Plus, unlike in every other aspect of my life, I’m not clumsy on ice skates. In fact, I’m actually sort of talented. You see, I used to be a competitive figure skater. I was a beautiful, graceful and ambitious eight-year-old. Unfortunately, I quit before I hit 11,
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she said, crossing her arms defiantly. “Show a little gratitude, you little brat. I’m practically an Olympic gold medalist and I came over here out of the goodness of my heart to teach you how not to look like a blind chihuahua humping someone’s unfortunate leg on ice skates.” “Wow! An Olympic gold medalist? Can I have your autograph?” “Of course! We can negotiate price and mode of payment later,” I told her. “But first, try pushing your skates to the side instead of trying to walk. Maybe that’ll help you stop sucking.” “Cool! What’s your name?” “Kiera. Kiera Wiatrak.” “Oh. I’ve never heard of you.” “Really? That’s probably because your parents don’t love you,” I muttered as I skated away with a grace unbeknownst to most humans. “Unthankful little wretch,” I mumbled to myself as I thought back fondly on the days of spinning, jumping and signing photos for my eager parents and family pets. If you’d like some lessons, e-mail Kiera at wiatrak@wisc.edu and wire her $1,000. A day. She will also accept her weight in chocolate.
COPY WORKSHOP WHEN: February 6 WHERE: 2195 Vilas TIME: 3:30 p.m.
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wasn’t going to go so well. After falling flat on my ass I turned to Jeff, threw my head back in a selfdeprecating guffaw and said, “Silly me! I haven’t sharpened my skates in ages! Even the professionals can’t land jumps with dull skates!” As Jeff and I skated side by side in circles around the rink, I took notice of his form. “You know, you’d go a lot faster if you pushed out with the ball of your foot instead of straight back,” I told him. “Wow, you’re right. That is easier.” “Of course I’m right. I was almost an Olympic skater,” I said, shaking my head. Since my insight had significantly improved my boyfriend’s skating, I generously decided to impart my wisdom on some other unsuspecting amateurs. And I pronounced it “amatours” to sound awesomer. I spotted a young girl stumbling over her feet a few yards in front of me. “Excuse me, Olympic skater coming through,” I said, parting my way though a rowdy high school crowd. “Hi, honey,” I said, approaching the girl. “I’m going to do you a huge favor, OK?” “I’m not allowed to talk to strangers,”
Corrections or clarifications? Call The Daily Cardinal office at 608-262-8000 or send an e-mail to edit@dailycardinal.com.
Editorial Board
Vince Filak Alex Kusters Mikhail Hanson Nik Hawkins Dave Heller Janet Larson Chris Long Alex Morrell Sheila Phillips Benjamin Sayre Jenny Sereno Terry Shelton Jeff Smoller Jason Stein
and therefore before I hit 100 pounds, before I wore my first bra and before my body punished me every month for not being pregnant with excessive bitchiness and suicide-inducing cramps. So, trying to skate at 22 when you last skated at 11 is like using a different body to do things you once perfected. Last Saturday night when I couldn’t jump without falling, turn without scraping or spin without decapitating someone with my sharp blade, all I had left were the dignity and memories of my glory days. “You know I used to win competitions all the time,” I told my boyfriend as we stepped onto the ice. “If I had kept going I would’ve been at the Olympic level by 16 or 17.” Jeff, being the tolerant boyfriend he is, kissed me on the cheek admiringly and encouraged me to show him some tricks. “I’m not a dog or a hooker. They’re not tricks. They’re moves.” Fine, I should show him some moves. Once I turned around and realized skating backward was a lot more difficult than I remembered it to be, I should’ve known my single toe loop
For the record
Dave Heller Alex Morrell Jon Spike Gabe Ubatuba Hannah Young
Board of Directors
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Tuesday, February 3, 2009
CITY IN BRIEF
Man seen punching, kicking, choking five-month-old puppy Madison police are looking for a man who was seen Monday kicking, punching and choking a five-month old pit pull terrier puppy named Chewy. According to a police report, around 12:45 p.m. police responded to an apartment on Packers Avenue after the puppy was beaten. The suspect, Shawn Smith, 32, with no permanent
address, put the puppy in his car and drove away before officers arrived. Witnesses say Smith is a relative who came to visit the apartment. During Smith’s stay, “Chewy”, began to hump his leg. He reportedly reacted by repeatedly punching the puppy in the mouth. Witnesses also say Smith choked Chewy and
kicked him in the ribs. Chewy was said to have been bleeding heavily from the mouth, and officers found blood smears at the scene. Smith is at large and wanted for mistreating animals and domestic disorderly conduct. Anyone with information on Smith can call Crime Stoppers at 608-266-6014.
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Flu shot distribution working on campus
Six-year old found wandering alone early Monday morning A little girl was found walking alone early Monday morning near the intersection of W. Badger Road and Park Street and was returned to her mother by Madison police. According to a police report, a concerned citizen contacted Madison police just before 1:00 a.m. after spotting the little girl walking alone. The caller said the girl was wearing a coat, white dress, and rain boots, but had nothing over her hands. Officers from both the City
of Madison and the Town of Madison Police Department began searching the area trying to find the girl. A short time later, a second concerned citizen showed up at the South Police District with the girl. Madison Fire Department personnel examined the six-year old and determined she was very cold, but not in need of medical attention. The girl did not know her phone number or her specific address, but was able to point
out her house when she was taken back home in a squad car. The girl’s mother was asleep and was unaware her daughter had wandered off. According to the police report, it is unclear why the girl went outside alone in the middle of the night, but she was counseled by police, and by her mother, that it was not a good decision. Officers left mother and daughter on the family couch, where the reunited embraced.
Older man robbed in own apartment late Sunday night Madison police responded Sunday night to an apartment in the 600 block of Braxton Place after a reported armed robbery. According to the police report, around 10:30 p.m. a 61year-old resident heard a knock at his window and opened his door. A stranger rushed in and pushed the victim, while a sec-
ond robber entered the apartment. A knife was reportedly pulled during the robbery, but was not used on the victim. The victim suffered a neck scratch during a scuffle with one of the intruders but was not seriously injured. The suspects left after taking the man’s money. A security guard reported
seeing two black men get into a green Ford Explorer and speed off after the robbery. One perpetrator is described as a black male, 5’10”, with a heavy build, wearing dark clothing. The second perpetrator is described as a black male, 5’10”, with a medium build, also wearing dark clothing.
KYLE BURSAW/THE DAILY CARDINAL
UHS administered over 8.000 flu shots this year and students have yet to see the virus hit campus this winter. The typical winter influenza outbreak has not hit the UWMadison campus yet, according to University Health Services. Executive Director of UHS Sarah Von Orman said officials did not see many cases in January. “If you look at the rate of activity in the southeastern region in the state of Wisconsin, the activity is low and we are seeing the same thing at UHS,” she said. “So far … things are pretty quiet.” According to Von Orman, there were 33 cases of influenza in January 2008 and 200 cases in February of the same year. “It is hard to tell how many cases we will see this February,” she
UW System programs must meet nurse shortage, report says
faculty from page 1
UW System programs are not accommodating for an increase in demand for nurses, according to a System report. Registered nurses comprise one of the largest professional groups in the health-care industry, but unless the UW System expands nursing programs, the report said, Wisconsin will face a nursing shortage.
�Chancellor Biddy Martin addressed President Obama’s economic stimulus package upon request of faculty members.�
funding
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run “clean” campaigns. The state’s largest business lobby, Wisconsin Manufacturers
Currently, nursing programs are offered at five UW campuses, and nursing program enrollment has grown. From 2004 to 2008, the programs received 400 more applicants, but due to limited resources could only admit 60 percent of the applicants, according to the report. National workforce estimations indicate Wisconsin will need “signifi-
cantly more nurses than it is currently producing.” The study projected the shortage for nurses in Wisconsin to be 4,100 by 2015 and to jump to 10,200 by 2020. Suggestions made by the report include updating and expanding the capacity of UW System nursing programs and evaluating alternative ways of providing effective training.
and Commerce, recently stated they would not advertise in the election. The decision is a likely positive for Abrahamson, as WMC spent over $1 million in
the last Supreme Court race for the more conservative candidate, according to estimates from the watchdog group the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign.
Karate Kids
women from page 1 she is looking for volunteers and forcredit interns to help promote and run the Take Back the Night event. Hass also runs weekly discussion groups varying in topic from body image discussions to sexual assault
said. “Some years you don’t have a bad outbreak.” UHS typically distributes close to 5,000 to 6,000 influenza shots a year, but this year records show that UHS distributed over 8,000 shots in comparison to last year’s 7,200. Orman said there have been no infrequent viruses on campus, but there was an outbreak of shigella, bacteria closely related to E Coli and Salmonella, in the Dane Country area. According to Orman, the norovirus outbreak, which occurred in the fall, is now cleared but could strike again at any time. —Erin Banco Martin said it would be “very helpful” if Congress passes the package because it could provide UW-Madison with faculty grants, more money for research, renovation and repair and financial aid. � survivor support groups. The next sexual assault survivor drop-in session will be held Wednesday at 6 p.m. For information on CWC upcoming events, students can visit http://campuswomenscenter.rso.wisc. edu/.
Announces Open Auditions for:
Godspell
Auditions will be held on February 2, 3, and 4, 2009 Come between 5&9 P.M. St. Paul’s University Catholic Center 723 State St. Please prepare one voice solo
For more information e-mail theatreartsuw@gmail.com
ISABEL ALVAREZ/THE DAILY CARDINAL
Members of the UW Japanese Karate Club practice martial arts in Lathrop Hall Monday evening.
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Tuesday, February 3, 2009
view Cardinal View editorials represent The Daily Cardinal’s organizational opinion. Each editorial is crafted independent of news coverage.
paperless classes could benefit uw
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hancellor Biddy Martin has conducted four brainstorming sessions since December to hear what students and others have to say concerning possible ways the administration could save money. A plethora of ideas came forward, some easily attainable and some far-fetched. The one thing the ideas have in common thus far is none has been implemented in any useful capacity. Although the Chancellor never announced she would take immediate action on any of the suggestions, nor should she feel pressured to recklessly implement cost-saving techniques, there are some suggestions that are easy and should be put into place immediately. First and foremost, UWMadison has a capable network of online tools in Learn@UW and MyUW, so professors should feel compelled to post as many items to the Web as possible rather than making mass-print outs. Furthermore, no professor or teaching assistant should generally deny the use of a computer in the classroom, which
unfortunately still occasionally happens on campus. Information technology serves to rid the need for paper—while cutting costs and increasing efficiency—so UW-Madison should acquaint itself with current technology it already has in place and immediately save money. And to think, the Chancellor could send out a letter asking professors to post handouts online; it’s that easy. Although there are greater and longer-term budget solutions that would cut the significant infrastructural overhead costs, micromanagement can still be an effective way of saving money. As students, getting rid of the abundance of paper flooding our folders is, at the very least, convenient. And yet, this simple and instantly implementable plan is still with the other ideas on the budget drawing board. We cannot express how effortless and effective going paperless would be for UW-Madison. To put it in current terms, it’s so easy a caveman could do it.
Executive orders reshape U.S. policies, reputation TOM HART opinion columnist
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he most moving part of the Grant Park celebrations on election night last November was not the spectacle on the stage. It was the looks of inspiration that emanated from the eyes of the masses. A gleam had returned for many U.S. citizens on the night that Barack Obama was elected to be the 44th president of the United States of America.
Several other executive orders will allow for federal funding of embryonic stem-cell research and limit offshore oil ventures.
And even though that gleam was fueled largely by a renewed pride in one’s country, the task ahead seemed daunting. Obama had been elected president, but the surreality of the moment had not yet lifted. Even now, three weeks into his presidency, I have
LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Guantanamo issue of morals, not safety In response to Kristen Wall’s article, “Closing of Gitmo threat to U.S. security, mistake.” Your article on the closing of Guantanamo was both disturbing and naive. I enjoyed seeing that you chose to include your favorite euphemism of “dancing in the streets,” but beyond that I found your opinion of this issue to be drenched in ignorant patriotism. Although you may be OK with having a blind eye on a facility where “the most dangerous men in the world” are held, I, for that
exact reason, would want to know as much as I could about what went on at such a facility. Just because one does not hear about acts of torture and inhumanity does not mean that they do not occur. The intentions of President Obama are not to put the American people in danger, but rather to further pursue and uphold the values and directives of our fine Constitution and nation. Your remark that “As long as America is safe and no American’s constitutional rights are being violated, I really
don’t care what happens down there” is inhumane and the type of selfish nationalism that leads to acts of genocide and cruelty. Although some men at Guantanamo are criminals and very dangerous, the fact that they are being held without charges does not comply with American morals. If you are a true patriot you would demand that American values are upheld to their utmost. —Molly Berman UW-Madison senior Social Work
to remind myself every morning that he actually is president, he does reside at the White House and he does make decisions in the Oval Office. I may be building Obama into some sort of savior figure with my rhetoric so far, but I have been reassured at several key moments during his first few weeks in office. In addition, according to a new Gallup Poll, 68 percent of U.S. citizens support his initial actions. The first move that struck me with a positive note was Obama’s complete about-face within the Justice Department. New Attorney General Eric Holder has a tough task ahead of him. The Justice Department head made his beliefs clear during his confirmation hearing. “I never thought I would see the day when a Justice Department would claim that only the most extreme infliction of pain and physical abuse constitutes torture and that acts that are merely cruel, inhuman and degrading are consistent with United States law and policy, that the Supreme Court would have to order the President of the United States to treat detainees in accordance with the Geneva Convention, never thought that I would see that a president would act in direct defiance of federal law by authorizing warrantless NSA surveillance of American citizens. This disrespect for the rule of law is not only wrong, it is destructive in our struggle against terrorism.”
Obama issued a new promise to adhere to the Geneva Convention’s rules on detained prisoners.
The new administration has already issued executive orders to shut down the CIA’s secretprison network and to shut down Guantanamo Bay within a year. Democrats and Republicans have both voiced concern over this
decision, but the defined deadline will expedite the process. Independent legal reviews have already hailed the decision as efficient and just. A new promise to adhere to the Geneva Convention’s rules on detained prisoners has been issued, as well.
Obama instructed George Mitchell to “start by listening, because all too often the United States starts by dictating.”
“We are not, as I said during the inauguration, going to continue with the false choice between our safety and our ideals,” Obama stated. Human-rights groups are hailing the move, and a group of 16 generals organized by Human Rights First released a statement supporting the decision, which will surely improve America’s moral standing in the world. Several other executive orders will allow for federal funding of embryonic stem-cell research and possibly limit oil exploration ventures in offshore areas and open country. These proactive choices only increase my respect for number 44. The most interesting move, however, has to be Obama’s decision to speak with the Dubaibased Al-Arabiya television network for his first formal interview as president. This move keeps up with the theme of Obama’s “outstretched hand” when it comes to foreign policy. His responses were concise, intelligent and thoughtful. When asked about peace negotiations under George Mitchell, Special Envoy to the Middle East and a battle-tested peace-broker, Obama reassured the host that he has instructed Mitchell to “start by listening, because all too often the United States starts by dictating.” Tom Hart is a senior majoring in history. Please send responses to opinion@dailycardinal.com.
arts Puppy Bowl vs. Super Bowl: Who wins? dailycardinal.com/arts
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
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The Puppy Bowl deserves a treat for offering an alternative to the big game By Justin Stephani THE DAILY CARDINAL
PHOTO COURTESY ANIMAL PLANET
Not only can Indigo melt your heart with her undeniable cuteness, but this Weimaraner can also recognize a zone blocking scheme.
On a Sunday rich in the ritualistic tradition of sport, it is the Puppy Bowl that reminds us all of the American ideal accounted for on a day-to-day basis: appearance. So it is no surprise that the undeniable joy pouring from a room full of puppies playing has slowly been softening more and more hearts of even the most tenacious football fans. The Puppy Bowl first aired four years ago and consists of a group of puppies playing on a small-scale football field, which naturally has toys, treats and water bowls dispersed across the gridiron. The number of viewers for this annual rival to the Super Bowl has steadily increased, but to rival the biggest sporting event of the year the Puppy Bowl is going to need more than just a dozen of the cutest puppies this side of Michael Vick’s house. Which is why the smart folks at Animal Planet adopted certain measures to ensure that they
could capitalize on any weaknesses of the Super Bowl broadcast. First, from the very inception of this event, it has had commentary from legendary voice-over specialist Harry Kalas (NFL Films). Somehow Kalas purveys excitement over puppies playing for hours but football commentators often struggle to avoid meaningless tidbits of information (like explaining to a nation of football fans why Ben Roethlisberger actually didn’t want to throw an interception). But Kalas’ strength covers up a possible attack on the Puppy Bowl: It is literally hours of nothing more than puppies playing in a large room. Anyone who makes this claim has forgotten that puppies playing on a fake football field is never a bad thing, ever. It is the most innocent form of entertainment possible, providing a rare example of irreproachable programming on TV these days. These dogs are also chosen from shelters and placed in caring homes as a result of this face time, which
adds moral value to an already wholesome alternative. Add the halftime entertainment (the Bissell Kitty Halftime Show), the pre-game national anthem (sung by Pepper the parrot) and the lack of stoppages in the action (unless a water bowl needs refilling or bullying breaks out), and the Puppy Bowl has turned puppy playtime into a bona fide source of entertainment. But if pets aren’t your thing, the Super Bowl can be useful; for example, it is the first decent excuse to forget those annual New Year’s resolutions of eating healthier and not drinking as much. But if you want the best of both worlds, next Super Bowl Sunday remember to pick up a case of beer, grab your favorite game-time snacks and read up on your starting line-ups for what will surely be the sporting event of the year: Puppy Bowl VI.
Bury lame Puppy Bowl and concentrate on the game that matters By Kevin Slane THE DAILY CARDINAL
After Sunday’s amazing game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Arizona Cardinals there can be no doubt that football is America’s sport. The Super Bowl is consistently the most-watched television event of the year, pitting the top two teams in a climactic showdown featuring more hoopla than the Olympics. Yet with the great potential viewing power of the Super Bowl comes a whole bunch of trash that clutters this great event. There’s the Lingerie Bowl, which pits teams of models against each other in a gridiron battle more suited for the bedroom than the playing field. There’s the over-the-top halftime shows, which this year featured an overthe-hill Bruce Springsteen trying to re-live his “Glory Days” glory
days with a high-kicking, stagesliding performance. And finally, there’s the Puppy Bowl. The Puppy Bowl, for those of you unfamiliar with it, is an Animal Planet program that pits a pack of puppies against one another in a hodge-podge game of “football.” In truth, the event is a thinly veiled playtime for the puppies, as there appear to be very few rules and not much direction in the action. Each regular football action is annoyingly branded, from a “puppy penalty” to a “puppy touchdown.” Each of the canines has a biography, with supposedly fun facts like “actually scared of cats” or “loves milk bones.” This may seem like innocent fun, but the Puppy Bowl has a sinister plan. They start with the undeniable fact that everyone loves puppies. By programming the most appealing show possible (even scheduling a kitty half-
time show), Animal Planet seeks to undermine and divert viewers from the real athletes, instead preferring to hype athletes like Candy Corn and Gypsy. The Super Bowl has given us so many great memories, from Bart Starr and the legendary Vince Lombardi winning the first two Super Bowls for the Packers to Big Ben and the Steelers winning a record sixth championship for the Steelers. Football has remained at the forefront of the American consciousness for years, as the hard-nosed play of its athletes mirrors the Puritan work ethic of our citizens. And I’ll be damned if a bunch of flea-bitten mongrels is going to try to take away the glory that those players deserve. As Michael Vick has already shown us, football and dogs don’t mix, and the Puppy Bowl is no exception.
PHOTO COURTESY JOEY GANNON
Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger waves to the crowd at the parade for Super Bowl XL. Big Ben is a hero to the fans in Pittsburgh.
Don’t let Super Bowl advertisements ruin every classic song DALE MUNDT croco-dale rock We all know that the Super Bowl has turned into more than just a game. Between the orgy of media hype and Las Vegas oddsmakers, the merchandizing and the halftime spectacle, you don’t need to like football to find a reason to watch The Game. The commercials may be one of the biggest parts of the extracurricular draw. But how do commercials, and especially commercials featured on such an overblown stage, relate to the songs and the artists that lend them music? Last year, SoBe ran a commercial that featured CGI lizards dancing to the Michael Jackson hit “Thriller.” This year, they followed up with a group of football players dancing ballet to Tchaikovsky’s “Swan
Lake.” Midway through the spot, it switches to a song written specifically for SoBe by Neff-U called “SoBelieve.” The relationship among music, musician and advertisement is fairly straightforward in these ads. In last year’s commercial, SoBe used the irony of watching a group of CGI animals recreate Michael Jackson’s famous music video. This random time-warp to the ’80s provides a memorable, unexpected connection. In this year’s spot, SoBe plays to the irony of football players dancing ballet, before again introducing the CGI dance party. SoBe, in the cases of “Thriller” and “Swan Lake,” uses songs that are cultural touchstones to frame the ridiculous dancing creatures. In the case of “SoBelieve,” SoBe uses a modern iteration of the jingle. This is not a case of interaction between independent art and advertising; this is simply advertising. However, commercials often
use songs that were not originally intended for use in advertising. The United States Postal Service used Steve Miller’s “Fly Like An Eagle” for years, and I’m willing to bet that you have heard the Romantics’ “What I Like About You” used in more commercials than you’d care to remember.
How is it that Saul Williams’ call for a radical shift in race relations became appropriated for selling workout gear?
But advertisers are increasingly using songs from independent or fairly unknown artists to appeal to a younger, trendier crowd. You only need to look as far as your nearest Apple commercial. Apple has featured artists like Feist, the Ting Tings, Yael Naim and CSS,
just to name a few. Although all of these artists had loyal followings before their use by Apple, the ads have catapulted all of them to new levels of recognition. But at what price? The Postal Service’s Give Up has long been one of my favorite albums. And, if you were to ask me what my favorite song was (before the UPS whiteboard ads), I would have immediately answered “Such Great Heights.” Now, instead of feeling that surge of relaxation anytime I hear the opening notes, I expect to be submitted to some shipping explanation in color-coordinated dry-erase marker. The UPS commercial has effectively ruined one of my favorite songs. I wouldn’t doubt if many of you have had similar experiences with Feist’s “1234” or Ingrid Michaelson’s “The Way I Am.” Besides the problem of overexposure, there are also the incongruous pairings of song with
product. The UPS whiteboard ads are a mild example of this, featuring a song by a band called “The Postal Service.” Perhaps more problematic are instances like Nike’s use of Saul Williams’ “List of Demands.” How is it that Saul Williams’ call for a radical shift in race relations became appropriated for selling workout gear? How can such a revolutionary message be whored out to sell sneakers and overpriced shorts? I’m not condemning all artists who license their music for advertising. If a placement in an ad generates needed income or raises visibility, more power to you. However, allowing another person control over the connections and associations that an average person has with your art is a risky venture. In my opinion, there is a steep price to pay for widespread recognition. Did the addition of popular music to a commercial actually increase your enjoyment of the song? Let Dale know at dpmundt@wisc.edu
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What a work-out! Banging your head against a wall uses 150 calories an hour. dailycardinal.com/comics
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Santonio Holmes
Today’s Sudoku
Anthro-apology
By Eric Wigdahl wigdahl@wisc.edu
© Puzzles by Pappocom
Angel Hair Pasta
By Todd Stevens ststevens@wisc.edu
Sid and Phil
By Alex Lewein alex@sidandphil.com
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.
Today’s Crossword Puzzle
The Graph Giraffe
Evil Bird
By Yosef Lerner ilerner@wisc.edu
By Caitlin Kirihara kirihara@wisc.edu
Answer key available at www.dailycardinal.com SQUEALING FOR FUN ACROSS
1 Intrinsically 6 Swing around 10 South American cattle-catcher 14 Volcanic landslide 15 Crumbly clay mixture 16 Balder’s dad 17 “That’s ___ your head!” 18 Superlatively secret 20 Darn 21 What travelers hope is accurate, briefly 22 Indian strikers? 23 Squeal 26 Alimony figures 27 Is doubled? 28 Topper on the diamond 31 Liszt piece, perhaps 34 Angular opening? 35 A whale of a menace 36 Squeal 40 Danilova dip 41 After all deductions 42 Dylan’s were achangin’ 43 Up to the present 44 R.M.N. was his veep 45 Flight school final 47 Squeal 52 Queequeg, e.g. 55 Place for the rudder
56 Shankar of the sitar 57 Veneration 59 One for whom all roads lead to roam? 60 Part of LAN 61 Corp. magnates 62 Escape 63 Result of splitting hairs? 64 Critical evaluation 65 Transform 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 19
DOWN
Vertical determinant Support for an art major Certain horned mammal Golf club used in a bunker Piece of work? Metalworkers Island on the Auau Channel Dispenser at a buffet, perhaps General in charge of utilities? Certain frozen dessert Stimulator of canine curiosity Simpson with a high IQ Workers of the soil Movie credit information
21 Member of the flock 24 Ice Capades move 25 “Love Songs” poet Teasdale 28 Burn the midnight oil 29 One may be under development 30 Yields a return 31 Lay eyes on 32 Shower installation 33 School credit 34 1968 offensive 35 Deli offering, often 37 Roundabout 38 Acutely sensitive 39 Gudrun’s victim 44 Mover and shaker 45 Most secure 46 Frequent, in rhyme 47 Fabric fold 48 Monterrey lunch items 49 Entire range 50 Escape by trickery 51 Legal addendum 52 Word with “bubble” or “gift” 53 Daughter of Cronus 54 State positively 58 Upper crust word 59 Cultural funding gp.
Classic Awkward Turtle
By Meg Anderson anderson4@wisc.edu
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Tuesday, February 3, 2009
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Men’s and Women’s Tennis
Wisconsin tennis teams have weekend of mixed results
By Emma Condon THE DAILY CARDINAL
The Wisconsin women’s tennis team (2-1) defeated the Northern Illinois Huskies (1-2) last Friday at the Nielsen Tennis Stadium, propelling it into its first winning record in 2009. After a challenging opening weekend, Wisconsin senior Elizabeth Carpenter and freshman Angela Chupa picked up the doubles point with clean wins in the No. 1 position. The duo only dropped one game, and the second doubles win came from UW sophomore Jessica Seyferth and freshman Aleksandra Markovic, who secured the point in a perfect 8-0 match in the No. 2 position. Doubles play set the tone for the rest of the afternoon, as the women swept the singles points without dropping a set. At the No. 1 and No. 3 positions Carpenter and Katya Mirnova swept their matches 6-0, 6-0, and Chupa improved her singles record to 3-0 this season with a 6-1, 6-4 win over NIU’s Emily Rogers.
super bowl from page 8 the slow-motion replay. I thought, oh, no big deal, the officiating crew will check that out under the hood, make the right call and give Arizona their last play. In a game this close, they are not going to let a play as controversiallooking and so potentially critical to the outcome of the game pass without a second look. The next thing I knew, Ben Roethlisberger took the snap and took a knee. My jaw dropped. I asked why. Why? And I never got an answer. The play was ignored, carved into the history books as a fumble while the confetti was being launched. Unbelievable.
hockey from page 8 Last weekend, the Gophers were swept for the second time in three weeks and will be eager to take advantage if Wisconsin comes out flat. UW holds a three-point lead over the Gophers in the WCHA standings, and with the season winding down, each game becomes more important. “Every day the boys walk into the locker room and there’s that standings
Men’s Tennis The UW men’s tennis team suffered its first loss of the 2009 season to the No. 39 East Tennessee Buccaneers 4-3 Saturday at the ITA National Team Indoor Championships in Charlottesville, Va., before defeating No. 45 Arkansas State 6-1 Sunday. Coming off a decisive midweek 6-1 win over Marquette, the Badgers lost the doubles point to the Buccaneers (1-1) early on in the meet with only junior Moritz Baumann and sophomore Marek Michalicka winning their match 8-5. No. 117-ranked Baumann, who was last week’s Big Ten Player of the Week, maintained the team’s only undefeated singles record (6-0), moving the Badgers to an early lead of 2-1 in the meet. The team also picked up singles wins from fresh-
man newcomer Patrick Pohlmann and junior Luke Rassow-Kantor in the No. 3 and No. 4 positions, but sustained a difficult loss when sophomore Peter Marrack lost his first singles match of the season in straight sets to the Buccaneers’ Daniel Isaza. On day two at Boyd Tinsley Courts the UW men fared much better against the Arkansas Razorbacks (0-2), winning two of three doubles matches with solid performances from Baumann and Michalicka, who remain undefeated as a pair this season. Polhmann and Rassow-Kantor delivered a strong match in their first meet as a pair, securing the early doubles point with their 8-4 victory. The Badgers picked up three singles points on wins from junior Michael Dierbeger, Baumann and Marrack, and only Michalicka lost his match this time in two tight sets. After a 6-0 blowout in the first, the No. 36-ranked Michalicka battled back in the second but lost the set 7-6 (7-4) by a mini-break in the tiebreak game.
This weekend. the Wisconsin men’s tennis team will return home to face Louisville at 11 a.m. Sunday
before the ITA championships. —uwbadgers.com contributed to this report.
In a game that was jam-packed full of penalties—all good calls, but an obscene number of penalties nonetheless—I cannot believe that the officials in the booth would not even review that play. How could they not even look that play over? I tell you this much, if Tom Brady’s infamous forward-motion pump fake that prompted the citation of the NFL’s Tuck Rule (see NFL Rule 3, Section 21, Article 2, Note 2) in the divisional playoff game between the Patriots and the Raiders in January 2002 was considered a pass, then Warner’s forward motion was even more so. After they stopped rebroadcasting it on my television, I immediately scoured the
Internet for a replay. I watched it again and again, and I saw a forward pass being thrown incomplete. Warner never actually loses possession of the ball despite being hit from behind until he releases it in a forward motion. It was a pass, without question. This is not just a big deal in the fact that it was a blown call by the officiating crew, but in the fact that the outcome of the game could have been dramatically affected by a reversed call. Arizona had the offensive weapons needed to pull off a Hail Mary into the end zone, and in the last eight minutes of the game, Larry Fitzgerald had caught fire. There is no doubt in my mind that the Cardinals would have
had a reasonable chance at scoring a touchdown if they would have had one more play to run. One more play they should have had, had the referees not been so hasty to let the call stand and essentially declare a winner. Had it been the Vikings, the Bears or another NFC team with no serious passing threat instead of the Cardinals, perhaps this might be a little bit more of a moot point, but an egregiously bad call nonetheless. However, Arizona has a trio of receivers who could have changed the outcome of that game with a catch from a highly capable quarterback. They could have won that game with those last five seconds. Apparently, it was not meant to be.
Was there foul play involved? I highly doubt it. I am not into conspiracy theories. But it does not make sense that a game that was so dictated by penalties and meticulous officiating ends on a controversial note. With no disrespect to the Pittsburgh Steelers and the tremendous game they played, considering the offensive abilities of the Cardinals and the effort they put forth in the fourth quarter, I do not think anyone can ever really know who the real winner of that game should be without having those last five seconds back. The Cardinals got a raw deal. Do you think the Cardinals were robbed? Let Andy know by e-mailing him at avansistine@wisc.edu.
Next weekend the Badgers head to Virginia for tough dual matches against No. 59 Old Dominion Saturday and then No. 27 William and Mary Sunday.
board,” Eaves said. “A lot’s at stake, and there will be two storms coming together on Friday and Saturday night for sure.” The games will be Friday through Sunday. The men play at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Friday’s game will air on the Big Ten Network, and Saturday’s will be on FSN. The women play Saturday and Sunday at 2 p.m. —uwbadgers.com contributed to this report.
DANNY MARCHEWKA/CARDINAL FILE PHOTO
Wisconsin senior Elizabeth Carpenter and the Badgers celebrated a victory against Northern Illinois at home over the weekend.
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Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Men’s and Women’s Hockey
Badgers travel to battle Gophers By Nick Schmitt THE DAILY CARDINAL
Two of the top schools in college hockey will play four games in Minneapolis this weekend. Both the UW men’s and women’s teams will battle the Gophers in games significant to postseason seeding. At the beginning of the season, the Badgers hosted Minnesota in Madison but did not finish the weekend with the results they wanted. The men’s team, still looking for its first win at the time, tied and lost to the Gophers. The lady Badgers, who were undefeated, beat the Gophers in game one but also suffered their first blemish by tying Minnesota in the second game. UW men’s head coach Mike Eaves and women’s head coach Mark Johnson know the challenge in preparing for rivalry games—especially against Minnesota—is controlling player emotions and helping them focus on the task ahead.
“You want to create the energy and certainly want to get them excited, but at the same time, if they get too energized, that might not be good,” Johnson said. The Wisconsin women will look to continue their hot streak against the Gophers. They have not lost in Minnesota since being swept in the 2004-’05 season and have dominated since, outscoring Minnesota 22-6. Just like in October, the No. 1 Badgers will try to hold off the No. 2 Gophers and their electric offense. Minnesota scored 16 goals last weekend against Minnesota State, and they scored 21 goals in two games against Ohio State in early January. Minnesota will challenge the Badger defense, a unit that gets little attention compared to the rest of the team. But Johnson is pleased with the development of his defensive group. “We’re going to get tested because obviously Minnesota, last month, offensively have put up some pretty
Missed call ends Arizona’s dream ANDY VAN SISTINE sistine’s chapel
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them this weekend. Over the last two weekends, UW has failed to capitalize, dropping a game to Colorado College and another to Minnesota Duluth by only one point.
o be frank, the Steelers got away with one. The Cardinals were robbed of their last shot. In case you missed it, the secondto-last play of the Super Bowl Sunday was a snap to Arizona quarterback Kurt Warner, followed by eight seconds of him scrambling around to avoid a sack, and, with the arm of LaMarr Woodley wrapped around his upper torso, a horrendously hideous lame-duck forward pass was launched from his hand. Horrendous, but forward. And definitely a pass. I saw the play. Then the replay. Then
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NICK KOGOS/THE DAILY CARDINAL
Wisconsin junior forward Andy Bohmbach and the Badgers hope to give the Gophers a run for their money this weekend in Minnesota. impressive numbers,” he said. “But I’ve liked what they’ve done. I think they’ve grown, I think they’ve matured and certainly have developed into a very good defensive core.” Eaves and the UW men’s team also have quite the challenge ahead of