Wednesday, February 25, 2009 - The Daily Cardinal by The Daily Cardinal

Want to liven up your dinner party? Pair it with your favorite movie FOOD

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University of Wisconsin-Madison

HIGH ACCOLADES FOR THE LADY BADGERS Four members of women’s hockey team nominated for Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award Complete campus coverage since 1892

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Wednesday, January 25, 2009

Students vote against ASM Constitution By Rory Linnane THE DAILY CARDINAL

The UW-Madison student body defeated the Associated Students of Madison’s proposed new constitution Tuesday, with 61 percent of students voting against it. The Associated Students of Madison’s proposed new constitution failed to pass the student body Tuesday. According toKatherineTondrowski, Student Elections Commission chair, 15 percent of the student body voted in total and 61 percent voted against the constitution. According the “Vote No Coalition” blog, 18 student organizations opposed the passing of the constitution. “We’re not surprised by the results,” said Chynna Haas, who represented

the Vote No Coalition on several occasions. “We knew there was signiﬁcant issues with the document that was being presented, and we were able to gather a very diverse and strong coalition of students that were committed to defeating the constitution.” John Tackett, member of the ASM Constitutional Committee, said he was disappointed with the results. “The current structure just doesn’t work to beneﬁt students the way it had in the past,” Tackett said. “People really into grassroots organizing have gone to other organizations and new students have skills of communication and coordination. The current structure doesn’t work to serve those skill sets.” Although the constitution did not pass, both sides of the debate were

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY LORENZO ZEMELLA

happy about the voter turnout. “This is one of the highest voter turnouts in a long time, so at least students were having their voices heard,” Tackett said. “I’d like to see the conversation continue, so that hopefully we can come up with a better product.” ASM began rewriting their constitution last May in an effort to address concerns with accountability, participation and efﬁciency. The new constitution would have implemented a President, Board of Directors, and a

Senate. The Constitutional Committee publicized multiple drafts, held 12 listening sessions and passed the constitution through Student Council before the student body defeated it. Despite the constitution’s failure, Wright said ASM will continue reform efforts. “A loss isn’t a signal that ASM doesn’t need to change on some level,” he said. “It’s clear on both sides that students think ASM should be reformed.”

Wright said ASM will not be able to put another version of the constitution to a vote this semester, so any constitutional changes would have to be taken up by the next session. However, he said ASM would possibly make changes to current bylaws. “I don’t think we’ll get the real reform and great strides forward that we could have,” he said. “But there are deﬁnitely some things we can do, and I think we’ll be able to use the work we’ve done to move forward.”

UW to host ﬁrst Dance Marathon By Grace Kim THE DAILY CARDINAL

JACOB ELA/THE DAILY CARDINAL

The City Council overturned the decision made by the Transit and Parking Commission and raised the bus fare another 25 cents Tuesday.

Common Council approves 50 cent bus fare increase By Rachel Holzman THE DAILY CARDINAL

The Common Council voted 11 to 8 to approve the bus fare increase from $1.50 to $2.00 at Tuesday night’s meeting, overturning the former decision made by the Transit and Parking Commission to increase the fare 25 cents. The current bus fare sits at $1.50, and there has been much controversy over the amount to which the fare should be increased to meet the city’s budget. The TPC approved a fare increase of 25 cents on January 13, resulting in a bus fare of $1.75. Tuesday’s meeting debated whether or not to overturn the decision made by the TPC in order to increase the fare 50 cents, resulting in a fare of $2.00. The $2.00 fare was proposed by Mayor Dave Cieslewicz and was

Directors of the first campus-wide UW Dance Marathon are encouraging all students and community members to join the fundraiser this weekend. The event will take place from Feb. 27 at 9 p.m. through Feb. 28 at 9 a.m. The 12-hourlong dance marathon will work to raise money to benefit the American Family Children’s Hospital. “The money raised affects so many lives. The lives that we lead are so much easier compared to the sick children who struggle each day just to live,” Nichole Rupe, executive chair of the UW Dance Marathon, said in an e-mail. “We strive to create awareness of AFCH and

positively impact the lives of all who choose to participate.” According to Adam Wallenfang, secretary of UW Dance Marathon, the Dance Marathon’s theme is FTK, For The Kids. The event is entirely dedicated to benefiting the children of AFCH. “ F T K has become a monsieur for the dance marathon,” Wallenfang said. “The three little letters are the constant reminders of why we are doing what we are doing. It’s always reminded that it’s for the kids.” Wallenfang said the main goal is to host the best possible event and to raise the most amount of money, possibly over $50,000.

Participants can raise $100 to join the entire event or $20 for two hours to meet the kids, families and hospital staff as well as to enjoy performances by live bands, sketch comedies, the Madhatters and an ’80s dance group. According to Rupe, the event will take place across the entire nation. The combined events have previously raised over $125 million each year for local children’s hospitals. Several other Big Ten campuses participate in Dance Marathon events, including Northwestern University, University of Michigan and Indiana University. However, Pennsylvania State University inidance page 3

approved by the Common Council by a 12 to 8 vote in January. Metro Transit general Manager Chuck Kamp explained the recent investment in more hybrid buses for the city cannot be transferred over to a lower fare. “The funding category for the hybrid buses is capital funding,” said Kamp. “The stimulus budget cannot be used to reduce the fare because it is operational funding needed.” Many Madison residents voiced their opinions on the proposed bus increase at the public hearing. A Union Street resident said the mayor and city ofﬁcials are “asking those who are least able to pay to solve the budget problem.” He also said, “Nine out of ten people surveyed disproved of the increase

Ald. Verveer allegedly seen in room smelling of marijuana

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verveer page 3

By Anna Bukowski THE DAILY CARDINAL

Police reportedly saw Ald. Mike Verveer in the presence of marijuana at a downtown restaurant earlier this month. Officer Carrie Hemming of the Madison Police Department smelled marijuana when she was making a routine restaurant inspection. Using her flashlight, she saw Ald. Verveer, District 4. Hemming left quickly and later explained the incident to her sergeant. The MPD is currently reviewing the incident and Hemming’s report. MPD has not released the report due to the internal investigation. Mayor Dave Cieslewicz spoke

with Verveer “as soon as he saw the police report,” according to his spokeswoman Rachel Strauch-Nelson. Cieslewicz will “wait for results of the internal investigation before he jumps to any conclusions,” said StrauchNelson. Verveer was VERVEER at Zander’s Sports Lounge on 118 State St. to eat dinner and watch a badger hockey game, according to an interview with the Wisconsin State Journal. Both Verveer and res-

taurant owner Mohammad Barketallah deny that any illegal activity took place. Verveer said of the incident, “I didn’t smell anything. I didn’t see anything. I didn’t use anything.” He reported he was recovering from the flu and believes his sense of smell may have been dulled at the time. Barketallah said in an interview with the Wisconsin State Journal, Zander’s floor space is open and is ill-suited for doing drugs. Shortly before leaving the establishment Verveer spoke with Barketallah for a few min-

“…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: rain/snow hi 39º / lo 25º

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Wednesday, February 25, 2009

An independent student newspaper, serving the University of Wisconsin-Madison community since 1892

I hope they serve cheeseburgers in Hell

Volume 118, Issue 100

2142 Vilas Communication Hall 821 University Avenue Madison, Wis., 53706-1497 (608) 262-8000 l fax (608) 262-8100

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 Nick Dmytrenko 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 Jennifer Bobeck Danny Marchewka, Caitlin Sachs Todd Stevens

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 Heath Bornheimer 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.

ASHLEY SPENCER back that ash up

“

osanna in the highest,” the church choir bellows, their praise echoing throughout the high ceilings of the church. As a child I would have gladly joined in this prayer, tweaking the phrasing just a bit to make it more sacred and meaningful. “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, LASAGNA in the highest!!!!!” My stomach grumbled. “LASAGNA in the highest.” This was my single most favorite church song. Ever. It’s like the “Hey Jude” of spiritual hymns, satisfying my hunger for a liturgical song I could ﬁnally understand. I’ve always associated religion with food. Church meant tasting red wine and cardboard paper wafers, which I would steal and eat by the handful when I was an altar sever. Christmas meant a classy dinner with tiny cocktail hot dogs, Easter meant honeybaked ham and rolls with a lambshaped butter cut-out, which I gladly cut into while bellowing a

scratchy “BAAAAAA” at the rest of the adult table. While I took the words, “eat, pray, love” to a new level, pairing up sacraments and holidays with certain foods, the only thing that stood in my way was Lent, with at least eight days in which the consumption of meat is sinful. Despite 18 years of Catholic schooling, I have yet to successfully give up eating meat on Ash Wednesday or any forbidden Fridays during Lent. Meat is my religion—in the name of the father, son and the holy cheeseburger. My very soul can be found in between the buns of a thick, greasy cheeseburger, on the bones of happy, deep-fried little chicken wings and on a perfect cheese-toturkey ratio sandwich. Dear white and red meat, make me a channel of your peace. Amen. But perhaps the thing I dislike most about Lent is its inextricable connection to dieting, a relation I discovered during my all-girls high school experience, where any excuse not to eat was delightfully repeated. “Would you like a cookie?” I’d ask girls at lunch, just to torture them. “ No thanks,” they’d say

Paul Axel wonders, what is love?

59 minutes ago

Year: Wisconsin ’10 Field: History, Political Science Friends: 535 Groups: 73

Nick Dmytrenko Dave Heller Alex Morrell Frances Provine Jon Spike Gabe Ubatuba Hannah Young l

Looking For: Friendship, Dating, A Relationship

25 things note?: Check

Board of Directors l

munching on carrot sticks and gum. “I can’t. I’m starving myself for the Lord. Amen.” “Suit yourself,” I’d say, proceeding to make out with a cookie the size of my face, the girls’ mouths open with envy. “Care for a bite of my Bosco Stick?” I’d offer the next day, cheesy goodness oozing grease onto the Styrofoam plates. “I gave up solid food for Lent, you know, to show my faith,” the true believers replied, sipping on wheat grass smoothies, their hands shaking as they brought the glasses to their mouths. These were the same girls who donned spray-tanned legs, blue eyeshadow and plaid skirts rolled up to reveal half -moon butt cheeks. They’d meet their boyfriends after school and find ways to forget they were hungry and holy. I went home and made myself an after-school snack, writing my name on crackers with cheez whiz, just an hour before my mom made a steak dinner. On a Friday. Having a mom who would rather serve meat against God’s wishes than throw out a perfectly good skirt steak was a blessing I was always thankful for. When I prayed, I prayed for her lack of

the daily cardinal makes fun of you

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

Come on, your name has Axel in it. At least have one picture of yourself snake-dancing with a mic.

THURSDAY: rain/snow hi 36º / lo 12º

Most Embarrassing Item: Paul really needs some loving, but he shouldn’t count on his Facebook to help him out. He really wants “a relationship and dating,” actually any kind of girlfriend will do (may we suggest stripper or mail order?). This will be tough considering Paul doesn’t think he is terribly attractive, his favorite scent is Napalm, he wants to go on dates but is a coward about asking girls out and he is admittedly geekier than he lets on.

oversight. I still struggle with the concept of giving up anything that I derive great pleasure from, which explains why I have never made a single Lent-y promise with true resolve and determination. Just days after Lent begins, I find myself dipping my bare hand into the spreadable cheese container after swearing off queso for the next 40 days. But it’s not just food I have trouble tearing myself away from: promising to be sunnier and more cheery, I resume my habit of calling people I don’t know in the grocery store “assholes” when they turn a corner too sharply. After vowing to become more organized, I realize my dresser is bloated with unfolded clothes, oozing out from half-open drawers, with pens, papers and water bottles scattered throughout the rest of my room. Changing a habit is hard, especially when it comes to food. So this Lent, whenever I need strength, I will turn to the nearest refrigerator and sing my special little prayer, “LASAGNA in the highest.” Should Ashley remain a meateating sinner? E-mail her spiritual advice at aaspencer@wisc.edu.

Want to write, copy edit, take photos or draw for The Daily Cardinal? E-mail edit@dailycardinal.com

Stupid Fact About Your Hometown [Buffalo Grove, IL]: Residents of Buffalo Grove don’t seem to care for anyone who steps out of line. Spitting, long grass or putting out the garbage too early will all earn you a fine. Tell us, what is the fine for spitting onto garbage in long grass? Missed Opportunity: More nerdiness. Come on, Paul, you’re not fooling anyone. The hints are all there. Webcomics in your flair, the amount of Knighthood updates in your news feed, fencing in your interests. Just come out and say it, and say it loud: You are a nerd. Say it proudly, Mr. Axel, otherwise you’re just lying to yourself. Saving Grace: Band photos. No, not because you’re in the band, but how close to the action you are for every game. Specifically, the GameDay photos. Who doesn’t like to see pretty close shots of the back of Bobby Knight’s head? Not to mention the pics of the basketball team.

Want your Facebook proﬁle to be made fun of? Join the group “The Daily Cardinal Makes Fun of You.”

For the record Corrections or clariﬁcations? Call The Daily Cardinal ofﬁce at 608-262-8000 or send an e-mail to edit@dailycardinal.com.

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Wednesday, January 25, 2009

news

Abrahamson defends acceptance of contributions By Caitlin Gath THE DAILY CARDINAL

Despite drawing criticism for accepting donations in the past, state Supreme Court Chief Justice

Shirley Abrahamson emphasized a fair and independent court during a debate against Jefferson County Judge Randy Koschnick Tuesday.

KYLE BURSAW/THE DAILY CARDINAL

State Supreme Court Chief Justice Shirley Abrahamson went head to head in a debate against Jefferson County Judge Randy Koschnick.

Abrahamson said she favored public financing of campaigns and defended her choice to accept public donations, even those from lawyers whose cases are currently before the court. “No one gets an advantage in our court—whether you’re the biggest corporation in the world or an individual or a family of four—you are treated as an equal before the law,” Abrahamson said. “I listen to the facts, I study the law and I apply the law to the facts in each case.” Koschnick, however, denied Abrahamson’s assertions, saying it is impossible to expect a judge to not show favoritism. “Over 90 percent of America thinks it’s not right for judges to be acting on cases where they have received contributions from one or more parties involved in the case,” he said. “Justices should recuse themselves or return the money.”

Proposal to house homeless stirs controversy By Rebecca Holland THE DAILY CARDINAL

A proposal to turn a ﬂat in Madison’s Greenbush neighborhood into housing for homeless men brought mixed reactions from area residents Tuesday. The proposal from Porchlight Inc., a local housing and services provider to the homeless, would place a dozen men in a three-story ﬂat in the neighborhood between St. Mary’s and Meriter hospitals on Madison’s near west side. Some residents in the area are concerned about safety issues and property value, while others see it as an opportunity to help their community. Porchlight has said sex offenders will not be placed in the house, but some are still worried about mental health and addiction related problems. Steve Schooler, Executive Director of Porchlight, told the Capital Times that some of the residents may have addiction or mental health histories,

but fear of relapses should not stop the proposal. “We deal with it,” Schooler said. Schooler also noted residents could include veterans or people with post-traumatic stress disorder. “Some will just be people who are unemployed.” Ald. Julia Kerr, District 13, said she has heard from many constituents regarding the plan. “There are people who are unequivocally in support, and there are some who are adamantly opposed to it,” Kerr told The Capital Times. Conﬂict over the proposal grew so strong that Kerr called a second meeting on the loan Porchlight will need to continue. Madison’s Community Development Block Grant ofﬁce will have to transfer an outstanding mortgage loan from a Henry Street property to the house on Vilas Avenue for the proposal to move forward. The building, which would

include shared living rooms and kitchens in each of the three units and single bedrooms, would provide permanent housing for some and transitional housing for up to two years for seven or eight other homeless men. A live-in manager would enforce rules such as cleaning, visiting hours and alcohol and drug use. The residents would also meet with social workers and work toward goals of ﬁnding employment or their own apartment. Central District Capt. Mary Schauf said Porchlight has a good record with the Madison Police Department. In the past ﬁve years police have responded to a few calls along the lines of neighbor disputes or illegally parked cars, but nothing serious. “Nothing jumps out at me as a concern,” Schauf said. The next neighborhood meeting will take place Wednesday, March 4, 6 p.m. at Trinity, 1123 Vilas Ave.

Japanese nonproﬁt TV station to interview UW innovators A Japanese public broadcast station will tape students Feb. 26-27 on the College of Engineering campus who participated in the 2009 Innovation Day. Crews from the TopSpin Creative Corporation, a New York-based company, are developing a special program to air on the Gakusei Channel, which targets its shows to college students in Japan. The channel is broadcaston a

dance from page 1 tiated the first Dance Marathon in 1973. The university recently completed their 2009 event and raised over $7 million. According to Jenny Howard, executive board of the University of Michigan’s Dance Marathon,

verveer from page 1 utes. In the interview, Verveer said their conversation was out of courtesy; they are merely acquaintances. Verveer is an active member of the Alcohol License Review Committee, and he maintains rela-

nonprofit, nationwide network dedicated to education. Innovation Day is a free, annual undergraduate invention competition open to the public. The event includes the Schoofs Prize for Creativity and the Tong Prototype Prize, which gives cash prizes to those with the most creative ideas. Justin Beck, a senior majoring in it is the school’s 12th year hosting the event. She said the university has raised over $2.4 million since then. Howard said several Big Ten campuses have been discussing the possibility of starting a conference Dance Marathon event in the future. tionships with many downtown bars. His five-year appointment will end in April. In an interview with the Wisconsin State Journal council President Pro Tem Mark Clear, Clear said the incident’s conflict of interest may push Verveer away from the ALRC, but the Mayor will have the final decision.

electrical and computer engineering and Daniel Gartenberg, senior majoring in psychology and neurobiology, collaboratively won the top prize Feb. 12 at the 2009 Innovation Day. Beck and Gartenberg won $10,000 for inventing an iPhone and iPod touch software application to help people sleep better. The two winners were chosen out of 10 students who presented at the event.

council

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because it would be extremely hard for them.” Other opponents who spoke at the public hearing cited they believed the rise in fares would decrease ridership and ultimately hurt the Madison Metro and the city budget. A bus driver of the Madison Metro spoke in favor of the $2.00 fare, saying the increase will lead to better service. “Quicker trips for riders can be accomplished with the increase because we will be able to accommodate more routes to get people to their destination faster,” he said. The new fare will be implemented April 5, 2009.

Abrahamson responded by enforcing the notion that no contributor would influence her in any way. “Every candidate on the court, and Judge Koschnick too, has accepted contributions from lawyers.” Shirley Abrahamson chief justice state Supreme Court

“Every candidate on the court, and Judge Koschnick too, has accepted contributions from lawyers,” she said. “If the case isn’t there now, it was there yesterday, and if it’s not here today, it’s comin’ tomorrow.” Abrahamson emphasized that the best thing for a justice to have is a diverse, large number of supporters, from plaintiffs to

counsels. “If there’s a specific concern about my sitting on a case then lawyers know what to do,” she said. “They make a motion for recusal and I will consider it.” As far as the judge being able to ask for contributions, Koschnick was uncertain about his stance, or if he would begin to do so. Abrahamson promoted her ability to make decisions not on the basis of public or lawyer opinion, or any extraneous pressures, while Koschnick emphasized strict judicial restraint. Both Koschnick and Abrahamson encouraged people to get out and make their vote for judges and justices because it is a power that belongs to the people. Koschnick hopes to replace Abrahamson for her state Supreme Court chief justice seat in August after the general election on April 7.

featuresfood

4 Wednesday, February 25, 2008

dailycardinal.com/food l

Enjoy dinner and a movie with the Brat Pack

GRAPHIC BY MEG ANDERSON

Don’t just watch your favorite Hollywood classics, turn them into sure-to-please dinner party themes. THE DAILY CARDINAL

in Wisconsin, so for the evening, treat it that way. If you’re in the mood for something ethnic or spicy, Jamaican food is always a delicious option, and luckily it can be paired with the greatest movie of all time: “Cool Runnings.” As if the story of four Jamaican bobsledders clad in some of the brightest neon sweats you’ve ever seen isn’t great enough, eating food inspired by the athletes’ culture makes it even better. And nothing says Jamaican cuisine like jerk spice. Most commonly used on meats such as pork, goat and chicken, this spicy dish will awaken the taste buds and light a ﬁre under that Jamaican bobsled spirit. Tropical fruit, whether jackfruit, coconut, guava or pineapple, also act as a sweet and tangy addition to the meal, helping to cut some of the intense spice of the protein. For the length of the movie and meal, you will have a tropical paradise right in the middle of the frozen tundra of Wisconsin. Dinner and a movie is an activity ﬁlling Friday and Saturday nights for ages, but if you link your movie and meal, you will also put a new twist on this old form of entertainment.

Jamaican Jerk Burgers with Orange-Chipotle Mayonnaise Jerk sauce 1 bunch green onions, coarsely chopped (about 1 1/2 cups) 1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme 1 small habañero chili or 2 medium jalapeño chilies, seeded, chopped 1 garlic clove, peeled 1/2 cup packed golden brown sugar 1/2 cup vegetable oil 1/2 cup soy sauce 1 teaspoon ground allspice

Orange-chipotle mayonnaise 1 cup mayonnaise 3 tablespoons orange juice 1 tablespoon minced canned chipotle chilies 2 pounds ground beef (15% fat) 6 sesame-seed hamburger buns, toasted 1 onion, thinly sliced 3 tomatoes, sliced 6 romaine lettuce leaves

For orange-chipotle mayonnaise: Mix all ingredients in small bowl. Season to taste with salt and pepper. For jerk sauce: Finely chop ﬁrst 4 ingredients in processor. Add sugar and next 3 ingredients; process until almost smooth. Season with salt and pepper. Prepare barbecue (mediumhigh heat). Set aside 3/4 cup jerk sauce. Shape ground beef into six 1/2- to 3/4-inch-thick patties; place in 13x9x2-inch glass baking dish. Pour

Courtesy of Bon Appétit

1/2 cup jerk sauce over patties and turn to coat; let stand 20 minutes. Sprinkle patties with salt and pepper. Grill to desired doneness, brushing occasionally with remaining jerk sauce, about 4 minutes per side for medium. Spread mayonnaise over cut surfaces of buns. Place burgers on bottom halves of buns. Top with onion slices, tomato slices, lettuce, and bun tops. Serve, passing reserved 3/4 cup jerk sauce separately.

te Bi

of Ma d

Breakfast Club.” Although the food might be a little less eccentric than the cereal and Pixy Stix sandwich made famously disgusting by the ﬁlm’s basket case, Allison, it will still be delicious. The movie’s title says it all: breakfast, breakfast for dinner. It is the best meal of the day, so why only reserve the hours best spent sleeping for such a delicious feast? When having breakfast for dinner, go all out: eggs, bacon and wafﬂes topped with whipped cream and strawberries. These delicious breakfast staples will make this 1980s cinematic staple even better. For the perfect girls’ night dinner and a movie, look no further than “Sex and the City.” After getting all dolled up in little black dresses and Manolo Blahniks, enjoy the cornerstone of dinner that evening, a cosmopolitan. It might be a drink, but it is the most important part of the “Sex and the City” meal—just ask Carrie Bradshaw. Chic hors d’oeuvres and chocolate truffles are also provisions that will make this night’s cuisine a little more lavish. Madison might not be New York City, but it may be the most fabulous city

i so

Few things go together as well as dinner and a movie. What beats sitting on the couch, staring at a screen with a plate of great food in front of you? Nothing. Gluttony might be one of the seven deadly sins, but the pleasure this activity brings outweighs all eternity in Hell. One way to make this timetested combination a little more exciting is to match the meal with the characteristics or theme of the ﬁlm. It’s an interactive way to enjoy a ﬁlm and introduces a lot of creativity in your food choices, helping you further appreciate both paired portions of the evening. An example of this is to pair a comfort food with a comfort movie. No dish is quite as cozy as chicken noodle soup in a sourdough bread bowl, and it’s sure to put anyone into a state of extreme relaxation. Homemade chocolate chip cookies are also an ideal addition to this soothing dinner, though one of Mom’s care packages might be necessary to hit the spot. Once the meal is prepared, press play on the Disney

classic “The Lion King.” The film has relaxation written directly into its script: hakuna matata—it means no worries, so kick up your feet and enjoy the warmth of soup, cookies and the singing warthog Pumbaa. Looking for something a little more mature and less animated? John Hughes’ “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” is a fantastic option, and better yet, it can be paired with fantastic food. The movie’s setting, Chicago—a hotbed of culinary trademarks—is the perfect inspiration for a fantastic meal. Lay off the Wisconsin brats for a night, and instead take part in the traditional Chicago-style hot dog. This exceedingly specific recipe calls for a boiled all-beef hot dog on a poppy seed bun topped with mustard, onion, sweet pickle relish, a dill pickle spear, tomato wedges, pickled sport peppers and a dash of celery salt. While you enjoy this intricate creation and watch a rambunctious teenager sing “Twist and Shout” atop a parade float, be sure to have your pop, not soda, in hand. Another John Hughes flick easily paired with a delicious meal is “The

By Jacqueline O’Reilly

By Jia Luo Jordan’s Big 10 Pub The Big 10 Pub is a typical sports bar setting with some nice TV screens, a bar, a few tables and a few booths on the side. The pub is small enough that on a game night it feels crowded, but on a slow night such as the night I went, it was not uncomfortable. Our server was very nice and brought menus almost immediately after we arrived. The Big 10 Pub also features a variety of beer on tap and cheap drinks. The menu consists of pretty standard sports bar food; I opted for the Philly Cheesesteak. The cheesesteak turned out to be decent, a tad better than what is provided at a fast food joint and a bit soggy. However, the accompanying wedge fries were great with a creamy chive dip. Despite being a sports bar and my initial low food expectations, the Big 10 Pub actually stood out as a decent place. The friendly atmosphere really helped leverage the average-tasting food. Overall: 3/4 For more information, check out madisonculinary.blogspot.com.

arts

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Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Book club should seek out provocative choices FRANCES PROVINE a fran for all seasons a s t w e e k , Chancellor Biddy Martin announced UW-Madison will launch a new common book program next fall called “Go Big Read,” designed to encourage exchanges and connections between students and alumni. The program capitalizes on an idea that has been abandoned in the networking age of new media: reading real books can contribute to a sense of community in a way that Facebook can’t. Sure, in some ways literature can be less accessible than a Facebook profile, but the ideas it shares are deeper and related to fundamental aspects of humanity. Even fiction strives for a kind of truth, be it about how we function as a society or about our personal relationships with one another. For this reason, I really hope Go Big Read will be a success on campus. In some ways, I’m very optimistic. After all, UW-Madison has one of the 15 largest libraries nationally and is home to some of the bestread undergraduate and graduate students in the country. Because of the school’s massive resources and huge role in the greater community, Madison is a breeding ground for genuine intellectualism in a way that very few cities across the country can claim to be. The success of Go Big Read, however, all comes down to the books chosen. Looking at some other schools’ common book programs I noticed that Cornell’s pick for 2009 was “The Grapes of Wrath.” Now, I love the classics (including Steinbeck), but I find it difficult to believe a 500-page book about the Depression will receive maximum involvement from students. It’s tricky since many of the

PHOTO COURTESY VITAGRAPH FILMS

Milwaukee director Chris Smith utilizes the beautiful scenery and unique Indian lifestyles displayed in “The Pool” to effectively transport audiences to a world of complex social structures on the other side of the globe.

‘Pool’ of Indian intrigue By Julia Shiplett THE DAILY CARDINAL

The small Indian state of Goa may be halfway across the globe from Wisconsin, but that did not stop Milwaukee-based ﬁlmmaker Chris Smith from setting his latest ﬁlm there. “The Pool” tells the story of Venkatesh, a lanky illiterate young man, who struggles to make ends meet with his younger friend Jhangir. However, upon discovering a majestic outdoor pool, he becomes engrossed by the blue water and the man who owns it. Venkatesh makes money as a room boy at a hotel while Jhangir works in a restaurant, and they sell plastic bags on the street together for extra cash. After days of sitting in a nearby tree observing Nana, the pool owner, and his daughter Ayesha, Venkatesh offers his gardening services to get closer to his dream of swimming in the pool himself. He builds separate and unlikely relationships with the stoic father and anguished girl, with both finding comfort in Venkatesh that they cannot gain from each other.

During an afternoon of work, Nana confides in Venkatesh about the tragedy that occurred in the pool which has deterred him from swimming in it ever since. Their bond eventually gives Venkatesh an offer to move to Bombay and receive the education he only dreamed of. As our protagonist’s goals drift from the pool to a glimpse of a new life, the film takes a pivotal step in another direction that leaves questions unanswered. Loosely based off a short story by Randy Russell, Smith takes his film miles always from its original setting in Iowa. His on-site shooting and fly-on-the-wall footage, most notably seen in his 1999 cult domumentary “American Movie,” are still evident. These gritty images add unconventional beauty to the busy, crowded world Venkatesh lives in. Another tie that brings “The Pool” close to home is editor Barry Poltermann, who is UW-Madison Communication Arts alum. The editing, cinematography and story structure slowly unravel the character sketches of a poor youth and a

privileged but broken family. The film draws more from neorealism than the over-the-top productions of Bollywood—do not expect the characters to simultaneously break out into song and dance anytime soon. It is understandable how this small-scale project has not been widely released in the U.S.—its low-budget documentary aesthetic, subtitles and ambiguous ending are not the typical formula of a boxoffice hit. But the uncertainty of growing up and desire for success are subject matters that transcend national barriers. Two years after its praise at the Sundance Film Festival, it is difficult to predict how American audiences will perceive “The Pool.” Filmgoers may bring in mistaken expectations from “Slumdog Millionaire” and leave disappointed, but perhaps they will appreciate a slice of Indian life they have never experienced before. Hopefully, it will be the latter. “The Pool” is playing as part of a screening room series at Sundance Cinemas through Thursday. Grade: AB

books people consider when thinking about the selection criteria— well-written, conducive to teaching and learning, etc.—are the same books we were all supposed to read in high school (but in many cases didn’t). At the same time, it would be silly to sacriﬁce quality for accessibility, particularly when the whole point of the project is to get people thinking and discussing ideas. Therefore, it seems like the ideal book for Go Big Read would be something that should be required reading for all high schoolers, but somehow isn’t. That’s why the book I’m going to suggest is “The Autobiography of Malcolm X.” Now, I admit that “The Autobiography of Malcolm X” may not be much shorter than “The Grapes of Wrath,” but it represents the view of someone who is often marginalized when we look at history, even civil rights history. We’ve all had to read Steinbeck, whether it was “The Grapes of Wrath” or “Of Mice and Men.” Likewise, we’ve all read “To Kill a Mockingbird,” and while it’s a beautiful book, it’s strange that a book by a white person on racism is more widely required by teachers than a book by one of the civil rights movement’s core leaders. Out of all the books I’ve read in my entire lifetime, none has made me think or challenged me more than “The Autobiography of Malcolm X.” And, despite Malcolm X’s controversial beliefs, the book teaches tolerance. So if you think you might participate in Go Big Read next year, do yourself a favor and pick books that are different and contentious. Pick books like “The Autobiography of Malcolm X,” instead of novels that remind you of skipping study hall in place of reading. Are you a fan of the classic book club selections and don’t support having to read new books to discuss? E-mail Frances at provine@wisc.edu.

Madison’s Love Rhombus ‘pull shapes,’ derive geometric party music By Emma Roller THE DAILY CARDINAL

Local band Love Rhombus feature three fun-loving, neon-sporting 20somethings who use their music to express the sheer joy of letting loose, with a bit of a geometry lesson thrown in. Just watch their music video for “Frostbite Heart,” and you’ll witness catchy layers of electronic beats paired with simple, rhythmic synthesizers, bass and guitar. This usually results in a vibrant wall of sound powerful enough to provoke spontaneous dancing from even the most incorrigible of friends. Add in the earnest lyrics of Madeleine Fairbairn, and “Frostbite Heart” becomes a more than auspicious single. As they begin creating a product for audiences to ground their dance parties on, Love Rhombus, consisting of Robbie Guertin, Jason Nolen and Madeleine Fairbairn, take time out to reﬂect on their progress. How did Love Rhombus come to be? Jason Nolen: The idea of forming a band started as a bad joke at a bad party, but over time it became embarrassingly real. Robbie Guertin: Lewd bar room humor, followed by mis-

guided enthusiasm. How do you write songs? RG: Sometimes on paper, but other times with musical instruments, and other times with computers. JN: Robbie creates melodies while Madeleine and I pull shapes in front of a wall of mirrors. Once the music is ready, our friends gather in a circle and Madeleine and I take turns freestyling. Our friends are all amazed and Robbie jots down our lyrics. What do you do when not working on Love Rhombus? Madeleine Fairbairn: Jason and I are getting our Ph.D.s in sociology, Robbie is an artist. We make music together because we can’t think of anything to talk about otherwise. Do you have a favorite local band? Do you kick it with other local bands? JN: Our favorite local band is Paper Scissors Rawk. Their live show will melt your eyes. And we often debate the heavy-duty intellectual issues of the day into the wee hours with a local metal band called Pentasome. What new material are you working on? RG: We have two new songs in the pipeline, along with a number of

formulating concepts. JN: We’re currently working on a very somber piece about love, fire and the desolation of the soul. And another one about an angry bear who DJs house parties. It’s called “Electrobear.” What was the inspiration for the “Frostbite Heart” music video? Whose ice fishing hut is that? Where did the mannequins come from? MF: We don’t know whose ice fishing hut that was exactly. We just wandered out into the middle of the ice fishing village on Monona Bay, picked the coolest looking fishing hut and knocked on the door. There were four men and a dog and a wood stove inside it. They let us run in an out of the hut several times and were generally very nice to us, but in the kind of way that you’re always nice to someone that you’re pretty sure is not all there. We were, after all, underdressed in neon on a February afternoon. We could have been dangerous for all they knew. JN: The video and song were inspired in part by our longtime fascination with the arctic tundra: the nothingness, the whiteness, the endlessness, stretching out beyond the human imagination. We rescued the mannequins from eBay Island. Their names

are Love Rhonda and Parallela Ann. Unfortunately, both were harmed in the making of the video. Any upcoming Madison shows? JN: We’ll probably play a few shows this summer in NYC and Philly, but we’ve yet to ﬁgure out the

dates/venues. As for Madison shows, keep your eyes peeled for something in September/October. Check out Love Rhombus’ MySpace page to hear a number of tracks and watch the music video for “Frostbite Heart.”

PHOTO COURTESY JASON NOLEN

Electronic outﬁt Love Rhombus enjoy dancing, the tundra and dancing on the tundra—they are also unafraid to add mannequins to the mix.

comics 6

Just smile and wave boys, just smile and wave. Penguins have an organ above their eyes that converts seawater to fresh water. dailycardinal.com/comics

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

$200,000 dollar question.

Today’s Sudoku

Anthro-apology

By Eric Wigdahl wigdahl@wisc.edu

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. The Daily Code

Is that your ﬁnal answer?

a b c d e f g h i

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26

“Lnmdx zmc vnldm. Sgd qdzrnmr enq lzjhmf lnrs lhrszjdr hm khed. Knnjr khjd xnt’ud lhwdc to ansg.” Slumdog Millionaire Quote “Yeah, it could have been the soft mattress. Or the midnight rape. Or the nude gay art show that took place in my room. One of those probably added to the lack of sleep.”

Yesterday’s Code:

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 NOW PLAYING

1 5 9 12 14 16 17 19 20 21 22 24 26 29 31 32 33 35 38 39 42 45 46 50 52 54 55

ACROSS

“Dick Tracy” gal Mil. training class “A likely story!” Eye nerve Geometry calculations Matter of selfinterest? Delaying strategy Set aﬂame One sup- porting a habit? Company that merged with Time Warner Goes ballistic Big game? Leather cleaner Assaults olfactorily It comes before a dropped name Lincoln, for one It may whiz past one’s knees Chaplin prop Vietnamese holiday Archivist’s material Lively dance Sought damages from Begs Guthrie Center founder ___ Moines, Iowa Polio ﬁghter Albert Gracious winners, e.g.

59 Elvis‚ daughter ___ Marie 60 Open, in a way 61 Tire support 63 One way to make a bough break 64 They may be ripped or crunched 65 Virginia shipbuilding center 69 “The Facts of Life” actress Charlotte 70 Challenged 71 Assistant who handles letters 72 Many SAT takers 73 Use an IBM Selectric, e.g. 74 Vanquish

11 13 15 18 23

DOWN

Part of a Steve Martin ﬁlm title 2 Shoulder adornment 3 Bugs Bunny, according to Bugs Bunny 4 Kennel order 5 Sweater style 6 End of some e-mail addresses 7 Japanese ceremonial drink 8 Bedouin transporter 9 Lend a hand 10 Stir up

25 27 28 30 34 36 37 40 41 42 43 44

48 49 51 53 56 57 58 62 66 67 68

Popular nightclub KGB counterpart Waterless Discouraging words It’s in the heart of Jerusalem? Read quickly Reader of secret messages Unhearing Winter transports Old gold coin Bit of brandy Wings on buildings Overhaul Sit-down occasion Jacksonville team Jail cell feature Women’s lip applications Site of the Eisenhower Library Renounces Responds harshly to Horace work, e.g. Walked Hourglass ﬁller Fabric fold Business letter addressee, perhaps “I want my ___!” (‘80s slogan) Like some humor Zing Collar

Twenty Pound Baby

By Stephen Tyler Conrad stconrad@wisc.edu

dailycardinal.com/opinion

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

view Cardinal View editorials represent The Daily Cardinal’s organizational opinion. Each editorial is crafted independent of news coverage.

justices must remain neutral

n a time when every dollar matters and every issue has a partisan angle, even judges aren’t immune. Last week, U.S. District Court Judge Barbara Crabb decided in favor of allowing judges to identify with a political party, request donations directly and endorse partisan lawmakers. To defend her ruling, Crabb said such rules restricting judges from declaring a party or endorsing others violated First Amendment rights and limited public interaction. The move prompted public outcry for the possible impartiality conflicts such a freedom could cause in the justice system. “Eliminating partisanship from the judiciary is the best way to assure that judges remain impartial,” Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen said in a statement.

The public should be evaluating judges based on their actions, not simply their party ideology.

A similar issue of partiality sprung up when Chief Justice Shirley Abrahamson was criticized by opponents for accepting campaign donations from lawyers with cases pending. Although a spokesperson for

Abrahamson defended the move as a product of the system, our justice system must stand for something better. Her opponent, Randy Koschnick, signed a clean campaign pledge when he announced he was running, vowing to return any funds coming from pending cases. When justices and judges take their positions, they willingly accept the ramifications of their duty to the judicial branch of democracy. Unlike other aspects of local, state and federal politics, the Judicial branch relinquishes certain rights in order to remain impartial in cases, engage in conflicts of interest and show partiality to one political party’s philosophy. If Chief Justice Shirley Abrahamson wants to restore the public’s confidence in justice impartiality, she’ll also sign a clean campaign pledge to refuse funds in cases that present conflicts of interest. In addition, Crabb struck a major blow to judge neutrality by allowing party affiliations for judges. The public should be evaluating judges based on their actions, not simply their party ideology. America’s justice system provides a universal third party to delegate between the grievances of others. We must not taint Wisconsin’s judges and justices with party affiliations and campaign funds that compromise cases, as they only serve to worsen public doubt in our elected officials.

dents can view online. They effectively cut out the middle man by essentially eliminating the abusive practices of the publishing companies. Open Textbooks Project Coordinator Jared Forney comments, “The greater flexibility in copyright proffered by open textbooks will slowly correct for the current market deficiencies that exist presently, and will ultimately force large publishing companies to either adapt to the changing market, or face loss of profits.” With the publishing companies out of the picture, students can no longer be charged for things such as new editions and bundling. In fact, students can instead print free copies of specified pages or simply purchase the book for $2030 instead of the usual $90100, all online. This movement of Open Source is picking up momentum with universities such as Harvard and UC-Davis already utilizing this great sys-

Government takeover of banks not what we need

JENNY PEEK/THE DAILY CARDINAL

SEAN MCMASTER opinion columnist

hat is going on in the free world? We knew that ﬁnancial systems were getting hit hard; however, the nationalization of banks, devaluing of the dollar, and breeding of irresponsibility seem contrary to the aid the nation requires. Almost every Friday for the past month, increased rumors about the nationalization of banks have echoed up and down the floors of

LETTER TO THE EDITOR: New option for cheaper student textbooks The Fight for Affordable Textbooks Takes On a New Angle: In the past three years, the price of a college textbook has risen 21 percent. This can be attributed to the publishing companies who opt to make new editions yearly with virtually no changes, just some shuffling of a few chapters, as well as bundling, selling books with CDs and other useless material that students are then forced to pay for. With textbooks for the average student being in the upper ranges of $500-600 per semester, students are really starting to feel the crunch, especially in our ailing economy. The solution? Make textbooks more affordable. To do so, the Open Textbooks Project for The Wisconsin Public Interest Research Group (WISPIRG) has implemented a new plan. This plan is called the Open Source Textbooks Project. Open source textbooks are free textbooks that stu-

opinion

tem. In fact, 2000 professors from across the country have already said they would switch to open source textbooks as soon as possible. Madison isn’t too far off the map either, with one professor in the Wisconsin School of Business already using an open source textbook. Our goals for this semester are to inform as many professors and students as possible about open source and get 10 professors to commit to and publicly announce the switch from the regular textbook to an open source textbook. To achieve this goal, we must first get the word out. Open source textbooks are the future. To learn more information, come to our Open Forum which will be taking place next week. Details to come. —Valerie Mukete UW-Madison sophomore WISPIRG Media Intern

Wall Street. Such a fright has sent the markets diving at the end of every week the topic is broached. The institutionalization of the nation’s financial sector is the first step toward a more socialist lifestyle and the destruction of capitalist values. A federalized banking system would merely increase inefficiency and bureaucracy of which the federal government is already quite effective.

What happens when all the responsible individuals decide it is no longer in their best interest to be responsible?

In addition, to demonstrate the federal government’s capacity (or lack thereof ) to handle this economic rollercoaster, the Treasury Department has been playing an increasing role in attempting to ﬁx the economy. I wrote in a previous article that “the Treasury Department will be working overtime printing money” to fund the rampant government spending of late. In fact, this originally facetious statement is not far from the truth—much to my dismay. What better evidence to illustrate this fact than a news clip that has been posted on YouTube: youtube.com/watch?v=R2Npvl3fUks. The clip graphically illustrates the exponential rate at which the US dollar is devaluing as the Treasury Department has increased the printing of US dollars. What does this all mean? It means that the money you have saved in your bank account is decreasing in value as you read this. No, someone is not directly pulling money from your account, but according to economics, as more money is printed, the purchasing power decreases. Thus, it seems as if you have less money. On Thursday, Rick Santelli, a reporter from CNBC inquired of

the Chicago Board of Trade ﬂoor regarding the mortgage bailout plan, “How many of you people want to pay for your neighbor’s mortgage that has an extra bathroom and can’t pay their bills?” The answer was a chorus of boos. No surprise there. To me, this seems to be crossing a line. The policy as it currently stands will merely breed irresponsibility. Heck, if I owned a house and owed a mortgage, I would stop making my payments after this housing plan was unveiled. It just does not pay to make responsible decisions. This scenario merely teaches that if you do make good decisions, then you get the privilege of paying twice. How nice of the federal government. What is going to happen when all the responsible individuals decide it is no longer in their best interest to be responsible? This plan only works if there are those token dependable citizens, and they are punished as a result. This should not be so. Rick Santelli asked, “President Obama, are you listening?” This is the responsible populous calling.

The money you have saved in your bank account is decreasing in value as you read this.

Join the capitalist rebellion and save that upon which our nation was founded! Do not let irresponsibility be rewarded. Neither your assets nor the assets of our elders should be devalued by the immoral actions of the Treasury. Be aware of the actions that your government of “hope” is implementing to aid you in this time of economic woes. Sean McMaster is a junior majoring in biochemistry and mathematics. Please send responses to opinion@dailycardinal.com.

sports 8

dailycardinal.com/sports

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Women’s Hockey

Four for the Kaz

Wisconsin gets four nominated for Kazmaier award By Brandon Storlie THE DAILY CARDINAL

Over the years, the names John Heisman and Hobey Baker have become household names in the landscape of college athletics. This year, however, four athletes are looking to put another name back on the UW radar: Patty Kazmaier. Senior forward Erika Lawler, junior forward Meghan Duggan, sophomore forward Hilary Knight and senior goaltender Jessie Vetter are among 43 nominees for the 2009 Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award, which is given annually to the most outstanding player in Division I women’s hockey. The Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award is named in honor of Patty Kazmaier-Sandt, a former standout at Princeton University. Kazmaier-Sandt was a three-sport

Senior netminder Jessie Vetter is one of the most accomplished players in the history of her sport.

PHOTOS BY DANNY MARCHEWKA/THE DAILY CARDINAL

Forwards Meghan Duggan (left) and Hilary Knight (right) have scored 55 goals this year and have been nominated, along with two other Badgers, for the highest individual honor in women’s college hockey. athlete and a four-year letter winner in hockey at Princeton before her death in 1990 at 28. This is not the first time a UW athlete has been under consideration for the award. Former Wisconsin forward and all-time points leader Sara Bauer took the trophy home in 2006 after netting 22 goals and 36 assists in 39 games. Bauer upped those numbers in 2007 and nearly won the award again before being ousted by Harvard’s Julie Chu. Even more than the stats she put up, this year’s nominees remember the way Bauer managed to take the award in stride. “If anyone knows Bauer, you know that she didn’t really talk about it,” Duggan said. “Obviously, she was honored to [win the award],

but I think she was more honored to win a national championship with the team.” “I’m really proud that all four of us get to represent the team ... [We] deﬁnitely couldn’t have been nominated if it weren’t for the squad we have behind us.” Erika Lawler senior forward Wisconsin women’s hockey

It is clear that, especially for those who saw Bauer win the Kazmaier, her attitude about the award has rubbed off. “I don’t know how much awards and stuff like that can dictate how great a team is,”

Duggan said. “One player doesn’t make up an entire team.” While individual awards do not always lead to a team’s success, having four nominees in a single year speaks volumes about the state of women’s hockey at the University of Wisconsin. “I’m really proud that all four of us get to represent the team,” Lawler said. “We have such a great team behind us, and all of us are very well supported by our teammates. [We] definitely couldn’t have been nominated if it weren’t for the squad that we have behind us.” A team-first mentality keeps the Badgers focused despite all the accolades. Many of the players are quick to point out that while programs like Harvard have

a handful of Kazmaier awardwinners, no team outside of the WCHA has ever won an official NCAA title. “It’s more important that we focus on what the team’s doing right now,” Lawler said. “You’re never going to win a championship if you’re just thinking about your individual achievements.” With the WCHA playoffs kicking off this weekend, winning on the ice is undoubtedly everyone’s first priority. “If you want to go for those awards, that’s one thing,” Lawler said, “but I think what’s most important right now is a national championship. The only way you’re going to do that is with a team behind you.” Though all four insist there is no competition among them, Vetter acknowledged that all of Wisconsin’s Kazmaier nominees will have a hard time living up to at least one aspect of Bauer’s legacy. “If one of us were to win, I don’t think any of us would give as good a speech as Bauer did,” she said.

Senior center Erika Lawler’s 38 assists ranks second for the most by a Badger in a single season.

For baseball, preseason tournament just a foolish exercise GABE UBATUBA throwing the gabe March is coming, and that can only mean one thing in the world of sports: some big tournament. You know, the one that has lots of bigname players? Has lots of underdogs that could cause potentially historic upsets? What’s the name of it again? March… March… Oh yeah, the World Baseball Classic. After a four-year hiatus, the WBC is back with—hold on a second— Japan? No kidding. The WBC is back with Japan returning to defend its crown against 15 other countries from around the world, including the United States, Venezuela, the Dominican Republic and Cuba. Rosters were announced Tuesday, and some big players have stepped up to play for their respective countries. Dustin Pedroia and Derek Jeter sharing the same inﬁeld with Ryan Braun in the outﬁeld? Carlos Zambrano and Felix Hernandez in the same starting rotation with K-Rod in the bullpen? Cuba gets a chance to show off their homegrown studs who can’t enter the MLB?

It sounds like the makings of some great baseball. It sounds like it has the potential for a great event. It sounds like people should be talking about it. I’m hearing nothing. That’s because the WBC, though a spectacular idea in a perfect world, makes absolutely no sense for an MLB player or for the common MLB fan. Oh, and don’t forget management. It’s been rumored that for every MLB player that chooses to play in the WBC, an MLB owner, GM and manager will be diagnosed with an early aneurism. The cause? Holding their breath every time their players risk getting injured. So basically throughout the entire WBC. It’s a real problem. They were lucky in the inaugural 2006 series, as there was not a single major injury to a player. But in the event someone did get injured, it could easily spell the end to MLB players choosing to play for their countries. If Jeter, Pedroia or any other all-stars get hurt and have to miss an entire part of the regular season, practically every MLB stud will look at the WBC as way too risky of an event and opt out of it. And why wouldn’t they? They’re chancing injury for practically nothing—except for some “WE’RE THE BEST” national pride—and in turn

they could damage their salaries and, more importantly, their careers. It’s a risk not worth taking. Lets not forget that these players are in no condition to be playing at their best level, too. Baseball players start to hit their stride around July. Some players, like Ryan Howard, take almost half the season to become the behemoths of the sport they are.

Now let’s go out and have an all-deciding tournament during spring training... Great idea.

We know players are not going to play their best until, at the minimum, midsummer. Now let’s go out and have an all-deciding tournament during spring training... Great idea. What we see in the WBC is nowhere near the level of play we’ll be seeing in October because the players are just not ready at that point. So, from that standpoint, we’d either have lackadaisical all stars that are not playing their best because they’re not physically ready or are playing overly cautious to avoid injury. The other option is the big names opt-

ing out altogether, leaving us with a team of scrub players that no one cares about, or cares to watch. In both cases, the fan is let down, moving the event further into irrelevance. That’s saying a lot, seeing as everyone and their mother is watching the most dramatic sporting event in almost any given year. I’m talking, of course, about the greatest tournament in all of sports, NCAA March Madness. Admittedly, this mainly applies to an American sports viewer, but that’s where one of baseball’s biggest fanbases comes from. They could choose to watch a half-assed game of baseball with a few all stars thrown in, or they could watch a huge upset in college basketball that causes half the country to rip their carefully researched brackets in two. I’d choose the latter, and I’m sure many would do the same. So what options are there to ﬁx the Classic? Not many. Moving the event to a different time could potentially ﬁx a few problems. Say it took place in November, right after the World Series. There would be less competition as far as fans are concerned without the weekly thunder of March Madness. Games would just have to avoid Saturdays and Sundays. And baseball would still be fresh in our minds, so our collective

care level may be much higher for a World Cup of baseball. Players would be better physically, especially nonplayoff teams that could take October as a brief resting period. Sounds reasonable… right? Except that there are some obvious ﬂaws with this “ﬁx.” For one, MLB players will be winded from almost half a year’s worth of playing baseball. Physically, they may stand in a better position to play their best, especially if non-playoff players took October lightly to get ready for the WBC. Mentally, however, they’d be too checked-out to care. Other options have the same caveats, or are just not feasible. In the end, the Classic, though a great idea, is up against too many obstacles to thrive. It’s a shame too, because, as a fan of baseball, I want the WBC to succeed. I want to see the best players in the world come against each other to play their hearts out for their country. It makes for great drama, which, in the end, is why any of us watches sports. Maybe one day something will be worked out for this little event in March that takes place every four years to succeed. But until then, it will just be that other tournament. Terrified that Ryan Braun will pull a hammy against South Africa? Commiserate with Gabe at ubatuba@wisc.edu.