Letter to the editor:
Just call it a Christmas tree!
+OPINION, page 6
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Tested, not beaten Senior guard Jordan Taylor hit a key three-pointer late to help the Badgers hold on over in-state rival UW-Milwaukee +SPORTS, page 8 Complete campus coverage since 1892
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dailycardinal.com
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
ACLU sues state over voter ID requirement
Stephanie Daher/the daily cardinal
Ald. Mike Verveer, District 4, said the current system to monitor secondhand store transactions is ineffective. He supported the new ordinance involving electronic records.
Council passes stricter pawn shop regulations The Madison Common Council passed a new ordinance Tuesday that requires pawn shops and other secondhand stores to report sales directly to police in an effort to combat crime. Going into effect Feb. 1, the ordinance requires businesses involved in selling items back to the store to notify police of all transactions. While businesses are currently required by law to report transactions, according to Ald. Mike Verveer, District 4, the present system is ineffective. “The reality is that it is a very antiquated system done on paper,” Verveer said. “We’ve really had no enforcement.” According to Madison Police Department Captain Jim Wheeler, detectives are unable to effectively monitor suspicious pawnshop transactions due to outdated procedures, but the new system simplifies tracking trends between secondhand store transactions and crime. “This gives our property detectives a tool to get this informa-
tion and hopefully put a dent into some of the crimes that are being committed,” Wheeler said. Wheeler said this automated system creates a more streamlined approach assisting the police department in looking for trends in stolen goods. This ordinance aims to keep criminals from bringing in stolen goods for cash. “We’re making it harder for criminals to be rewarded for their
crime,” Verveer said. Verveer said this ordinance particularly affects students because they are highly vulnerable to burglaries. “For students and non-students alike, it will help lessen the possibility that they become crime victims, and if they are, that the perpetrators be brought to justice and stolen property be recovered and returned to victims,” Verveer said. —Abby Becker
The American Civil Liberties Union filed a federal lawsuit against the state of Wisconsin Tuesday, claiming the state’s voter ID law infringes on some citizens’ rights and is unconstitutional. The law, passed earlier this year, puts more restrictions on what types of governmentissued photo IDs are allowed in elections. The lawsuit argues that permitting only certain types of identification “imposes a severe burden on the right to vote” and is in violation of the Equal Protection Clause of the Constitution. “This lawsuit is the opening act in what will be a long struggle to undo the damage done to the right to vote by strict photo ID laws and other voter suppression measures,” said Jon Sherman, an attorney with the ACLU Voting Rights Project, in a statement. In a statement, Gov. Scott Walker’s Press Secretary Cullen Werwie said the “common sense election reforms” are constitutional as they will help ensure the integrity of future elections and their
results. “At least 15 other states have enacted photo ID requirements to vote,” Werwie said. “Photo ID requirements have been passed around the country and upheld by federal courts, including the U.S. Supreme Court.”
“This lawsuit is the opening act in what will be a long struggle to undo the damage done to the right to vote.” Jon Sherman attorney American Civil Liberties Union
The ACLU of Wisconsin and the National Law Center of Homelessness & Poverty are also part of the lawsuit. The groups said in a joint press release, “The lawsuit is the only active federal challenge against a voter ID law,” the most typical type of legislation that they say is part of a “nationwide attack on the right to vote.” —Tyler Nickerson
City approves winter shelter City officials unanimously passed an ordinance allowing an empty Don Miller auto dealership showroom on East Washington Avenue to be used as a “daytime resource center” for the homeless. Through Porchlight, Inc., which operates a homeless shelter near campus, the empty showroom will serve as an alternate shelter for the homeless.
The homeless previously used the Central Library and Capitol basement for shelter in the winter, but with the library closing and restrictions on Capitol access, the homeless are forced to seek other options. Dave Peters, Madison resident and advocate for Homes for All, said the people “in the city have a responsibility to deal with this problem.”
Der Rath to introduce more authentic menu When the Memorial Union’s Der Rathskeller restaurant reopens next semester, students can expect to see some changes to das Menü. Der Rathskeller’s website promises that when the campus returns from winter break, “customers will experience a new level of dining.” Currently, Der Rathskeller’s menu primarily features tradi-
tional American food staples like cheeseburgers, chicken sandwiches and fries. But on its revamped menu, the iconic German beer hall-themed Union hangout will match its meals to its atmosphere. Breakfast features include corned beef and scrambled egg paninis with “kartuffle latkes,” or potato pancakes, on the side. Nighttime and afternoon
fare features “hand-patted Der Kronjuwel Burgers,” apple and cheddar paninis and “Bouletten” German meatballs. Der Rathskeller closes at 5 p.m. Dec. 23, and will debut the new menu when it reopens at the start of spring semester. In the meantime, Memorial Union’s Lakefront on Langdon dining hall will remain open for the majority of winter break.
PUPPIES
Cuter than Ryan Gosling?
Dogs on Call visited Chadbourne Residential College Tuesday with numerous pups, including Charlotte the French Bulldog, to help relieve residents of finals stress. + Photo by Grace Liu
“…the great state University of Wisconsin should ever encourage that continual and fearless sifting and winnowing by which alone the truth can be found.”
page two In appreciation of awkwardness tODAY: thunderstorm hi 47º / lo 39º
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THURSDAY: cloudy
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Editorial Board Matt Beaty • Nick Fritz Kayla Johnson • Miles Kellerman Steven Rosenbaum • Nico Savidge Ariel Shapiro • Samantha Witthuhn
Ben StoffelRosales comin’ up rosales
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think it’s great that life is full of unzipped flies, parents walking in on masturbational shenanigans and audible farts during sex. These embarrassing moments are so brutal because they are what people remember you by. You can be the football starter or the swim team captain, but people will still know you as the girl who had her period in the pool during gym class or the guy who shit his pants at Joseph’s sleepover in the seventh grade. These images can be painful to remember. I would rather fistfuck a goat than think about the girl who rejected my homecoming invitation or the time all my friends saw my wiener (which was practically concave at that moment) because I didn’t know the door was open.
In fact, my junior year of high school I had an entire relationship based on forced conversation, excruciating eye contact and awkward hand jobs. When it’s painful to recall these embarrassing moments, it helps me to think about other peoples’ instead. For example, one friend in high school thought bras had Velcro clasps (which they should), so he spent 10 minutes trying to rip his girlfriend’s bra off until she started crying. Another friend was fooling around with her boyfriend when she heard her mom coming towards her room. Panicked, she impulsively opened her computer to cover it up only to blast the porn she had been previously watching. Everyone said that high school would be the most awkward time of our lives, but college is a close second. There’s still acne, itchy crotch syndrome and crazy amounts of sexual tension. Now there’s just more booze.
Watching drunk guys hit on girls is exceptionally entertaining. It’s great to watch respectable people turn into belligerent animals that would buy drinks for a one-eyed ogre in exchange for some sloppy bathroom sex.
I would rather fistfuck a goat than think about the girl who rejected my homecoming invitation. Here I’d like to note how much I support this role of alcohol, because I think sober guys—probably girls too—set their standards too high. Sober guys want girls who have no fat and Pamela Anderson’s breasts. It’s ridiculous; not all
women can look flawless like Jessica Alba and Justin Bieber. Women are supposed to have imperfections like misshapen boobs, cellulite, and even some hair down under. So mother fucking kudos to our friend Al Kohall for allowing us to see the beauty in life. Anyway, back to awkwardness. Drinking just makes the whole night so painful— yet so fun—to watch. That’s why Jersey Shore and Charlie Sheen exist. From horrible pickup lines (“Someone call bomb squad because you’re one Weapon of Mass Turbation”) and forgotten names, to the queefs that echo into the night, Madison’s nightlife is a perfect place to make myself feel better about embarrassing stuff, like the fact that I thought a ‘pussy’ was a cat’s vagina until I was in tenth grade. Ben shared some painful memories, why don’t you give back? Tweet @stoffelrosales your embarrassing moments. He promises not to tell anyone.
A few of my favorite things Elliot Morris the morr, the better
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am currently sitting in my bedroom, staring out the window wondering a few things. First, why is there no snow on the ground? I want a white fluffy winter wonderland, not that unappealingly grey stage between autumn colors and wintery awesomeness. Second, why is it dark at 4:45 p.m.? I don’t know why this surprises me so much every year, but I also don’t know why daylight saving time can’t be a permanent change. And third, can I get out of this last week of school if I jump out the window and break my legs? As much as I would love feeling sorry for myself and staring forlornly at my reflection in the glass (much like a sad, dying puppy), I’m going to take advantage of this columnwriting opportunity and make myself feel better by listing things that I like. I have a dire need for positive thoughts, so this is genuinely necessary to preserve my sanity and overall well-being. I love those fat dogs with an
absurd amount of extra skin that forms rolls upon rolls of deep-ass wrinkles. If I had one, I would hide coins in its skin all day. That way, when they finally worked their way out a few months later, they would be shiny, polished and new! Or maybe they would just be really disgusting and oily. I’ll have to try that one out.
I’m going to take advantage of this column-writing opportunity and make myself feel better by listing things that I like. I like the feeling you get when you listen to a new album for the first time and realize that’s all you’ll want to listen to for the next 3 weeks. I also like the feeling of recommending said album to other people, who in turn realize its greatness and admire you for your kickass taste in music. I like hanging out in the woods by the social science
building. The pseudo-nature ambiance is exceedingly pleasant, especially on Sunday afternoons when the bell tower is going crazy. Somebody awesome built a nice little hut out of sticks and logs out there. It was nice while it lasted, until I had the unfortunate experience of having to witness the university maintenance people turn it into a pile of firewood with a chainsaw. I like drinking diet pop around the people I know that disapprove of diet pop. I’d rather get cancer from the fake sugar down the road (it’s inevitable no matter what you eat) than be fat now. And until the FDA deems aspartame unsafe, I’m fucking consuming it. I love watching movies so horrible that I can laugh at them. You can imagine my delight when I noticed a $5 copy of “Mega-Shark vs. GiantOctopus” on a late-night WalMart run. Look up the trailer on YouTube. You will not be disappointed. I like Jimmy Johns. I like walking as well as sitting, but not running. Maybe jogging. I like feather pillows instead of foam ones, and when light bulbs give off a warm yellow glow instead of a sterile white
light. I like when people trip up the stairs in front of me because I feel good about myself when I ask them if they’re okay. I love Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. I like when my neighbors sing, thinking they’re alone and not realizing that I can very clearly hear their stunning rendition of Kelis’s “Milkshake.”
I’d rather get cancer from the fake sugar down the road... than be fat now.
But perhaps the best thing in the world is that feeling you get walking out of your very last final, knowing that no matter the results of your tests or the grades you end up getting, you’re finished. It’s the only thing keeping me going right now. That and the “Milkshake” music video. So choice! What are some of your favorite things? Email all of them to Elliot at ejmorris2@wisc. Every last one.
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For the record Corrections or clarifications? Call The Daily Cardinal office at 608-262-8000 or send an e-mail to edit@dailycardinal.com.
Weekend shenanigans get a little weird? Need to rant about the creeper at your ugly Christmas sweater soiree who couldn’t take a hint?
Become a Page Two columnist for next semester
and join the rest of us Cardinalistas in jamming to Scandinavian superstar Robyn. For more information, contact us at page2@dailycardinal.com.
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Forum introduces changes to orientation Officials from the Student Orientation, Advising and Registration program announced changes to the incoming-freshmen orientation program at a forum Tuesday, which included new plans for parent-focused seminars. The new program will feature conference-style breakout sessions for parents, at which they can discuss topics including helping their child transition into college. “We want to help parents and guests with support and
resources for how they can help support that transition and the impact it will have on them,” said Carren Martin, executive assistant director of the Center for the First-Year Experience. Martin said these changes, which have been continuous for the past two years, are important for students to make the most of their brief SOAR experience. “We think the changes will give [first-year students] a more productive advising experience, and also more of a welcoming
experience onto the campus,” she said. Another change includes expanding the program’s space into Engineering Hall. Martin said the program needs the additional space to accommodate the incoming freshmen Union South alone can not hold. Martin also said SOAR will adopt stricter attendance policy, which requires students who arrive to a session significantly late to repeat it. —Kelly Kallien
GAB: False signatures won’t be automatically discarded Recall petitions signed Mickey Mouse or Adolf Hitler will be considered valid so long as they are properly dated and have a Wisconsin address, according to the group responsible for overseeing elections. Elections specialist David Buerger told the Wisconsin State Journal that while suspicious signatures will be noted when the Government
Accountability Board reviews recall petitions, the petitions will not be discarded as long as they have a Wisconsin address and were signed during the circulation period. “We will flag them, but we will not strike them without challenge,” Buerger told the Wisconsin State Journal. Also, on Tuesday the GAB approved the board’s plan for
reviewing petitions. The board plans to temporarily hire around 50 workers to examine what it anticipates could be up to 1.5 million signatures, and will ask a court for a month long extension to finish the review. Petitions in the effort to recall Gov. Scott Walker and four Republican state senators are due Jan. 17.
Partisan group says state missed out on $1.3 billion A report released Tuesday by the Wisconsin Budget Project, a liberal advocacy group, shows that in the past year Wisconsin missed out on $1.3 billion in federal money. The state refused a $23 million grant for broadband infrastructure in schools and libraries and a $780 million grant for a high-speed rail line. In addition, Wisconsin did not
receive federal funds for $480.3 million in Medical Assistance, $13.2 million for job training for the disabled, $8.3 million for child support enforcement or $4.2 million for administration of the Medical Assistance and FoodShare programs. The report concludes by saying that in turning down federal grants, policymakers are limiting the resources
available to Wisconsin. Jeff Snow, spokesperson for College Republicans, disagrees. “It is not surprising that the liberal Wisconsin Budget Project believes that Wisconsin is ‘losing out’ by not accepting 1.3 billion dollars in federal funds,” Snow said. “Federal money is not free and comes with strings attached that often costs states more in the long-term.”
CFACT appeals funding ineligibility to Student Judiciary The Collegians For A Constructive Tomorrow appealed a student government decision that deemed the group ineligible for funding to the Student Judiciary Tuesday. The Student Services Finance Committee said CFACT intentionally violated Associated Students of Madison policy two years ago when they turned in equipment late, making them ineligible for funding. But CFACT President Josh Smith said the group did not intentionally violate the policy, but rather was confused by the requests made by ASM. One example the group gave was an
instance in which ASM asked they return a “large speaker,” that ended up being Ted Nugent, a former rock star who came to speak to the group. “No reasonable member of SSFC could have found the evidence supported the conclusion that CFACT intentionally violated ASM or UW policies,” Smith said. Smith said even if the violation was intentional, the two years of ineligibility that follow an intentional policy violation were over before SSFC deemed CFACT ineligible. SSFC Legal Counsel Samir Jaber said CFACT brought the same case before the SJ last year
and the group was ultimately deemed ineligible. “They presented no new claims,” Jaber said. “They presented no new grounds to come to a different determination than previous SJs have come to.” SSFC Chair Sarah Neibart said when the committee heard CFACT’s eligibility this year, they were still ineligible because the group’s final deadline for returning the equipment was less than two years prior to the hearing. Neibart said even if the SJ approves CFACT’s appeal, the group still would not be able to reapply for eligibility until next year. —Anna Duffin
Shoaib altat/the daily cardinal
State Sen. Mary Lazich, R-New Berlin, has introduced a new bill that would make what are called “webcam abortions” illegal.
Speakers clash on abortion By Adam Wollner The Daily Cardinal
“Pro-choice” and “pro-life” advocates spoke at a public hearing Tuesday on a bill that requires doctors to be present when administering abortioninducing drugs to women. The bill, authored by state Sen. Mary Lazich, R-New Berlin, and state Rep. Michelle Litjens, R-Oshkosh, aims to make “webcam abortions,” where physicians prescribe the drug via teleconference, illegal. Currently, these types of abortions are not provided in Wisconsin. Another provision of the legislation would require doctors to meet privately with patients in person before performing abortions so patients do not feel pressured. Lazich said at Tuesday’s hearing this measure will combat coercive abortions and postabortion trauma by ensuring the consent a woman must give to have an abortion is “truly and completely voluntary.” Although state law requires doctors to obtain informed consent from patients before performing an abortion, Lazich said more needs to be done to prevent
non-consensual abortions. “This will help ensure women getting this life-altering procedure fully understand their rights and make their own decision,” Lazich said. National Association for the Repeal of Abortion Laws ProChoice Wisconsin Executive Director Lisa Subeck testified, saying the bill “imposes new and unnecessary barriers for women seeking safe and legal abortion care” since the law already requires voluntary and informed written consent from women seeking abortions, which she said properly prevents coercion. Subeck also criticized restrictions on “telemedicine,” saying the practice helps women gain greater access to abortion services. “This bill is not about patient safety and only serves to diminish access to women’s health care,” Subeck said. “It is nothing more than a blatant attempt by its authors to chip away at women’s access to their constitutionally protected right to choose safe and legal abortion when facing an unintended pregnancy.” The committee has not yet scheduled a vote on the bill.
Student robbed at Bassett and Main
Grace Liu/the daily cardinal
Collegians For A Constructive Tomorrow President Josh Smith told the Student Judiciary Tuesday his group did not intentionally violate ASM policies in 2009.
A UW-Madison student was robbed early Monday morning after giving a man money to take the bus. According to the Madison Police, the victim gave bus money to a man after being approached in the South Bassett Street and Main Street area. The victim walked away but was followed by the suspect. “The stranger caught up with her a second time, pushing her against a wall and demanding her wallet,” police said. According to police, the victim
was not injured but “was shaken up following the violence.” Police said she thinks the suspect was a 40 to 50-year-old black male between 5 foot 8 inches and 5 foot 9 inches, weighing approximately 170 pounds. According to Madison Police Department Spokesperson Joel DeSpain, the suspect has not been arrested. Despain said he is “hoping it is an aberration” as there has not been a pattern of strongarmed robbery in this area.
arts Best and worst reads of Sara’s semester 4
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Sara Schumacher little young lass, lived in a schu
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inals are almost upon us, and with them the end of my reading for the semester. Not that I’m complaining. Spending three hours reading isn’t exactly my ideal Friday night. I’m an English major, so I read well over 20 books this semester. Some were wonderful pieces of literature, and others were just boring. Here is my list of the best and worst books I read for class this year.
Best
1. “The Bluest Eye” by Toni Morrison—This book was so beautifully written that I wanted it to keep going. I’ve attempted reading Morrison before, picking up “Beloved” over the summer, but never finishing it. With “The Bluest Eye,” I never wanted to put it down. Who hasn’t ever wanted to change an aspect of their appearance? That problem is at the center of the novel, as the
main character Pecola wants blue eyes. She thinks she can only be beautiful if she’s white. The hatred she has for herself is so heartbreaking, especially when you watched a video in lecture (yes, when I was finishing the book) about how 60 percent of girls aged eight to twelve have tried to lose weight. Society is screwed up. 2. “Native Son” by Richard Wright—This is a novel that is deeply disturbing, but memorable due to its haunting portrayal of a young African American man in the slums of Chicago. Following a series of violent events centering on race relations in the early 20th century, the novel is horrifying, but also such a great read. I spent every page wondering what he was going to do next. Plus I legitimately had nightmares after reading particular graphic and violent scenes. 3. “The Canterbury Tales” by Geoffrey Chaucer—It may be medieval literature, but the tales are actually funny. In one, a suitor ends up getting branded on the ass with a hot poker. Personally, the best is when Chaucer writes “Blessed
be your pants and your balls.” Yes, that is paraphrased, but yes, he really said the same thing in Middle English. My new greeting? I think so.
Why can’t everything be as good as “The Great Gatsby” and a lot less like “Wuthering Heights”?
Worst
1. “Dutchman” by Amiri Baraka—Surrealism isn’t really my thing, and that is exactly what this play is. It’s just plain weird. The girl in the play, Lula, seems like she “smoked up her grass skirt,” to quote the only other speaking role. She keeps trying to get with him and tells him she wants to rub bellies. Who the hell says that? And the ending. Okay…that’s the end? You can’t just leave me without any answers like that! 2. “The Book of John Mandeville”—The author of this book is unknown, and I’d say
Desk sessions are the way to be heard in the age of the internet Jeremy Gartzke artzke gartzke
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ecording a band with sub-par equipment isn’t fun. You’d think I would remember this from that time I was in a ska band in high school, but Friday night I decided to try my hand at it again. Local boys Baristacide came out to The Daily Cardinal office and set up all of their gear, helped me out by finding a controller to run the mics through so I could get audio and played a set of pretty awesome pop-punk-for-peoplewho-hate-pop-punk. After seven songs and a few minor technical issues, we ended up with more than enough for a good session. Now comes the hard part: mixing the audio, editing the video and making the band look good. This little experiment was inspired by some of the little startup websites like A.V. Club, Daytrotter and The Wild Honey Pie. Pairing free audio downloads with cool videos of great bands performing seems like a great business model, and it seems to be paying off nicely for at least one of these sites. Daytrotter recently went from being an advertising based site to a subscription site. A $2 subscription site. Yes, $2. I can wait while you go check and make sure that’s right. You can still download their old sessions, there are more sessions available everyday and there are now videos. Plus they’ve added a live-streaming component. Daytrotter regularly gets the best independent musicians to stop in and
perform for them, and their recordings are amazing. The Daytrotter Sessions actually make up a pretty decent percentage of my music library, and with artists like Thrice and Cage the Elephant stopping by, I have to keep looking to see who else is coming in. Case in point, the Knux were in the studio back in August, performing songs from their then upcoming record, which is fantastic if you didn’t already know. The Antlers and RX Bandits also made appearances last month, just to show the ridiculous diversity that Daytrotter has in their artist selection.
Now comes the hard part: mixing the audio, editing the video and making the band look good.
Why aren’t more sites doing something like this? Getting original content is the only way music publications are going to stay afloat, and with the print aspect of places like Spin and Rolling Stone shrinking, online presence is becoming more and more important. The A.V. Club has their Undercover series, which features some really awesome bands covering some really awesome bands in a really small room. Songs like “Tubthumping” by Chumbawamba are being covered by They Might be Giants and the Smith Westerns are covering Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. The one thing the A.V. Club isn’t doing with their website is breaking new bands. Granted,
the Smith Westerns are only on their sophomore album, but there is a market for fresh faces to perform in a small room, even if it is an original song they’re playing. Don’t get me wrong, I love that the A.V. Club isn’t just getting another acoustic performance from the bands they bring in, but they could do so much more. Spin also has a section on their website for video, including music video premieres and live performances from near the offices, but my personal favorite is the Spin Sessions, which finds bands performing on their stage. There are a ton of great sessions available, whether it is up-and-comers Grouplove or virtual nobody’s Foxy Shazam. In fact, Spin probably has the most bands that are on the cusp of breaking, rather than only having established acts. To come back to my escapade with Educational Davis, Pancho Pilot, Van Mojo and Johnny Sucrose, it would be awesome if The Daily Cardinal could provide that kind of thing for local artists, because I don’t know of anywhere that really takes any band that can play. That’s a shame too, because Baristacide really impressed me and I wish there were more places that would take them seriously enough to hear them out. We get to test them out before their next string of shows though, which will be in January at Mickey’s Tavern right here in Madison. Look for their session to be up sometime around New Years. Think Jeremy’s just whining about the music industry again? Want to set him straight and shut him up? Send him an e-mail at jgartzke@dailycardinal.com.
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that’s to his benefit. Otherwise students everywhere would be defacing his grave for writing the rambling work that their professors make them read. There’s just way too much stuff crammed into this book. He’s supposed to be writing about his travels but throws in all kinds of Greek mythology and Bible stories. The best part? He never even traveled. Dude’s just a liar. Okay, Professor, is that what I’m supposed to do for my final papers? 3. “Robinson Crusoe” by Daniel Defoe—So very boring. Guy ends up on a deserted island, all alone. For 28 years. Wow, how thrilling! I get to read for 40 pages about how he built his home and raised goats. There’s also the whole thing where Defoe writes what Crusoe did in the book, then inserts his journal that says the exact same thing in different words. I have to hear about the goats twice? Not cool, Defoe, not cool. He talks about God all the time. It’s not a bad thing in and of itself, but Crusoe seems so fake. He curses God when things go wrong and is all “Yay,
God!” when his goats are doing well. Crusoe just needs to make up his mind and stick with it. Don’t be a poser. The only good part was when he ended up with a human companion, Friday, whom he basically turns into his slave. Finally, some actual conversation. Another person on the island makes the book infinitely better, but it’s still not my idea of a fun read. Assigned reading can be very hit or miss. Why can’t everything be as good as “The Great Gatsby” and a lot less like “Wuthering Heights”? As much as I liked some of the books I read this year, I’m looking forward to winter break and picking up whatever I feel like reading, even if it’s trashy chick lit or children’s books. Let’s go, “Chronicles of Narnia” and “Confessions of a Shopaholic.” A girl needs a break. Glad the semester is over? Struggling through that last book and just want to give it up? At least you don’t have to read “Robinson Crusoe” or “Dutchman,” right? Let Sara know what you’re struggling with at slschumache2@wisc.edu.
Ten Christmas songs that won’t get on your nerves next week Are you sick of hearing the same dozen Christmas songs on the radio for the last two months? We’ve rounded up the best, and while some of them are radio staples, there’s a few interesting ones you might not expect. Number 10 is kind of a no brainer, as it is one of the only Christmas songs that has become a staple in the last generation. Even those who are not typically huge fans of Ms. Carey, the song gets in your head, and it just won’t leave. “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” is just such a classic song that no list of Christmas music would be complete without it. Frank Sinatra smooth crooning is enough to get grandma reminiscing about the time she saw Ol’ Blue Eyes sing out in Vegas. The Boss does a version of “Santa Claus is Coming to Town” that’ll convince even the most skeptical child that it’s time for bed. His voice and less than classic treatment make this a must-have on any Christmas playlist, especially if the stereo stays on all night at your Christmas celebrations. Bing Crosby just can’t stay away from this list. His second appearance is definitely the one that is most familiar, it being one of grandmother’s favorite tunes for the holidays. His smooth tones make this a necessity for any list, even the more contemporary. John Lennon’s entry into Christmas music may not be the happiest sounding song ever, but the rich counter-melody and traditional sound make this the perfect song to round out all of these outright happy tunes. Bing Crosby makes his third appearance, for those of you keeping track, and this time he brought a friend. David Bowie and Crosby team up to give us a version of “Little Drummer Boy” and “Peace on Earth” that is worth more than one listen. You know you aren’t hearing the same boring old holiday tune when
photo courtesy Pogue Mahone records
“Fairytale of New York” peaked at No. 1 in Ireland and No. 2 in the U.K. a song starts “It was Christmas Eve, babe / in the drunk tank.” The Pogues and Kirsty MacColl’s “Fairytale of New York” is a great Christmas song because it isn’t filled with happy-go-lucky crap: It’s about a cold winter in a city whose luster has faded, and a love that has done the same. It’s melancholy and more than a bit tragic, but it reminds you why you fell in love in the first place. 10. “All I Want For Christmas is You” —Mariah Carey 9. “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas”—Frank Sinatra and Bing Crosby 8. “Jingle Bell Rock”—Bobby Helms 7. “Santa Baby”— Eartha Kitt 6. “Santa Claus is Coming to Town”—Bruce Springsteen 5. “Frosty the Snowman”—Jackson 5 4. “White Christmas”—Bing Crosby 3. “Happy Xmas War is Over”— John Lennon 2. “Little Drummer Boy/Peace on Earth”—David Bowie and Bing Crosby 1. “Fairytale of New York”—The Pogues And there you have it folks, The Daily Cardinal Arts Staff’s top 10 Christmas songs. Now start making that playlist before grandpa busts out the Victrola to play those old LPs! Arts Staff/The Daily Cardinal
opinion Farewell my friends, it’s been a great Fall 6
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Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Miles Kellerman opinion editor John F. Kennedy once wrote that an awkward morning is better than a lonely night. My experience as The Daily Cardinal opinion editor has been a series of awkward mornings, but I’m glad I did it. Screw it, its college right?
My role as editor was simply to help these ambitious young guns showcase their talents, and showcase they did.
The opinion page treads an awkward space between the local events you don’t care about and the national events you go elsewhere to read about. Yet we plug away just the same. This is a training ground for the future Paul Krugmans of the world, the next David Brooks and probably a number of middle-age bloggers still writing about ASM. But in all
seriousness, we have had a number of talented new writers this semester and the future of the page is bright. Zach Thomae, a freshman majoring in computer science, is probably smarter than every member of Congress—he’s told me time and time again. I encourage students and faculty to continue submitting op-eds. There is no better writing practice than to submit your opinions to the will of the public. To be lauded for your argument is nice, but to be trolled is a mark of honor. And to the adult bloggers chastising our student writers, yet still reading a college newspaper, I thank you. You are our inspiration. I would like to send a special thanks to our graphics editors Natasha Soglin and Dylan Moriarty, who we keep in a dark closet in the back of the office. They are truly impressive artists, and their illustrations and political cartoons helped convey what our writers could not express in words, which was often. And last, but I guess not the very least, my co-editor, Matt Beaty. He’s been fantastic all semester, what a mensch! He will continue in the spring, joined by my replacement Nick Fritz. Fritz is a member of a
dailycardinal.com
Ahmadinejad and the holy grail Last week, an American drone crashed in Iran and the footage has subsequently been shown on Iranian T.V. by government authorities. The Obama administration faced an awkward dilemma, and now risks the sale of the drone’s design to foreign states—likely China. The administration also suffered backlash from Republican presidential candidates. +Cartoon by Anurag Mandalika
fraternity, so expect the page to feature far more beer bongs and matching shirts. But it will probably become a lot more popular. All seriousness aside, it’s been great. The Daily Cardinal opinion page is the product of hard work from writers, pho-
tographers, copy chiefs and illustrators. My role as editor was simply to help these ambitious young guns showcase their talents, and showcase they did. Now that I’m moving on I know I’ll miss it, despite the awkward mornings and shameful walks back home. You’re a
doll D.C. I’ll call you. Maybe. Miles Kellerman is a junior majoring in political science, and will be leaving The Daily Cardinal to study at the University of Sydney next semester. Please send all feedback to opinion@ dailycardinal.com, which Miles won’t read.
Letter: Let’s stop fooling ourselves, it’s a Christmas tree Brad Gietman Letter to the editor
I just read an article titled “Keep the baby Jesus out of politics,” and while it brings up a few good points, I disagree with the majority of it. To begin with, stating that a pine tree has no claim to Christmas is like stating the Green Bay Packers have no claim to the G logo that is now property of, and synonymous with, the team. It is true that conifers played no part in the first Christmas. In fact, they first mention of them being part of the Christmas celebration was in the 16th century in Germany and Livonia. However, tradition makes up a large part of every event, and I mean every event, after its inaugural year. After five centuries of being the only light up decorated tree widely known to the Western World, I think its safe to say that yes, a Christmas tree is a Christmas tree. Calling some-
thing by its name whether its good or bad from your point of view is the proper thing to do. As stated in Harry Potter, “Fear of the name only increase fear of the thing itself.”
...I think its safe to say that yes, a Christmas tree is a Christmas tree.
As I stated earlier, this scenario can be compared to the Green Bay Packers logo. Ask practically anyone in America what the “G” means, and I guarantee you the overwhelming majority will state it signifies the Packers. Ask the Packers organization itself and they will tell you so, while reminding you that if you use it without their authorization,
they will relieve you of your spare change. However, the Packers were founded in 1919, yet the logo does not appear until 1961. Hmmm, so the green G isn’t the Packers logo? They won six world championships before the logo came, so it can’t possibly be a symbol of the team, right? The only difference between the two scenarios is that the word “religion,” such a dangerous word to use today, was mentioned in the first. Then again, I don’t know. Maybe if you asked a Bear’s fan they would only call it a sports logo, not the Packers logo. The rest of the article hinges on the statement “separation of church and state.” I agree with this. The church should not rule the state, and the state should not rule the church. However, I have never seen a priest, bishop, or even the pope attempt to gain any political office. What many people fail to realize is that a politician
with religious beliefs does not signify rule by the church. All beliefs have an origin. Whether a belief originated in or was adopted by a religion does not automatically make it a strictly religious belief. A politician runs for office based on his or her beliefs of how a country should be run. These beliefs are generally open to the public, and if the majority of the public also shares these beliefs, the politician is elected.
What many people fail to realize is that a politician with religious beliefs does not signify rule by the Church
One example, though I will admit it is a little over the top, is the commandment “Though shalt not steal.” If the separa-
Write for the D.C. in the Spring! Boost that resumé, practice writing skills and unleash your rhetoric on the WORLD opinion@dailycardinal.com
Jesus, thank god that stoopid editor is finally leaving. Hehe.
tion of church and state were as strict as the afore mentioned article claims it to be, then stealing should be legal in the United States. Once again, this is a drastically over done example, but I feel it gets my point across. Beliefs are what make a person, including politicians, who they are. It should matter where the beliefs come from. If a religious politician was elected, then guess what? The majority of his or her substituents voted for them, and that politician is representing them accordingly. All in all, the main point I’m trying to make is, religion is a big part of who people are. If the majority of people share a belief then who cares what its origin is. And for crying out loud, call it what it is. Merry Christmas! Now go light your Christmas Tree. Disagree? Please send all feeback to opinion@dailycardinal.com
comics dailycardinal.com
Today’s Sudoku
Puberty? In 1977 a 13-year-old boy had a tooth growing out of his foot. Wednesday, December 14, 2011 • 7
Listening to Justin Bieber
Evil Bird
By Caitlin Kirihara kirihara@wisc.edu
© Puzzles by Pappocom
Eatin’ Cake Classic
By Dylan Moriarty EatinCake@gmail.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.
Tanked Life
By Steven Wishau wishau@wisc.edu
Today’s Crossword Puzzle
Caved In
Answer key available at www.dailycardinal.com
HUNGRY HIPPO! ACROSS 1 Throw with great effort 6 Received 9 Like some wits or cheeses 14 Harold who composed “Over the Rainbow” 15 Stat for a clean-up hitter 16 Bear’s treat 17 Saber fish? 19 Rarin’ to go 20 Altoids containers 21 Sculpture material, sometimes 22 Alla ___ (cut time, in music) 23 Down greedily 25 Fluffy scarf 27 “Superman” baddie Luthor 28 Amazonian shocker 29 Hawaiian porch 31 Large lunch sandwich, for short 34 Done before an operation 38 Heel wheel 40 Take in, as a movie 41 Yard neatener’s tool 42 Like overt crimes 47 Young male 48 Immune-system unit 49 Shepherd’s milieu
0 Poetic work 5 52 “King of the Cowboys” Rogers 53 Footrest 58 ___ Gras 60 “The Iron Horse” Gehrig 61 “___Jail” (Monopoly directive) 62 1966 Michael Caine title role 63 Colorful squawker 65 Wheels at sea 66 Grow older 67 Pasta in tubes 68 Up until now 69 Peas’ package 70 A lot of assessments? DOWN 1 Cause of waste? 2 “Desert Fox” Rommel 3 “All ___ the Watchtower” (Jimi Hendrix hit) 4 Left page, in a manuscript 5 Beginning’s counterpart 6 Without poise 7 Theater award 8 Up to, briefly 9 “Whole” thing 10 Coating of frost 11 Opposite of devilish 12 “Superman” actor Christopher 13 Beaker material
Princeton mascot Salesman, briefly Aristocratic It may go for a dip in the ocean 30 Every breath you take 31 180 degrees from NNE 32 Certain news agency (Abbr.) 33 Swimming stroke 35 ___ of Galilee 36 “Alias” equivalent 37 Batted first (with “off”) 39 GOP fund-raising org. 43 Spooky to the max 44 ___-mo (replay feature) 45 Rain more gently 46 “Put some meat on those bones!” 50 Largest city of Nebraska 51 Evans and Carnegie 54 Baddies in many bedtime stories 55 Daybreaks, poetically 56 When the mouse ran down the clock 57 Classroom jottings 59 Two-fifths of one quarter 60 Building block for kids 63 Music style 64 “Great” creature
Graph Giraffe Tribute
By Nick Kryshak nkryshak@wisc.edu
By Andy Graves & Ben Oakland
1 8 24 25 26
Washington and the Bear
By Derek Sandberg kalarooka@gmail.com
Sports
wednesday December 14, 2011 DailyCardinal.com
Men’s Basketball
Badgers survive scare Wisconsin fights off second-half run to secure ninth win By Max Sternberg the daily cardinal
MILWAUKEE—Leading by 17 points with just over 15 minutes left in the game, it seemed as if the Wisconsin men’s basketball team (9-2 overall) would have no trouble picking up its first true road win of the young season. But after UW-Milwaukee (2-0 Horizon, 8-3 overall) responded with a 21-4 run over the next 10 minutes, the Badgers immediately had a fight on their hands. However, thanks in large part to a clutch three-pointer in the final minute made by senior guard Jordan Taylor, Wisconsin got out of Milwaukee with a 60-54 victory.
“To survive the run they made, it’s good preparation for what is to come in the Big Ten season and the rest of the year.”
to get to the free throw line. Defensively he has been doing a good job [all season] and offensively, same thing.” But as Evans began to struggle offensively, Panther senior forward Tony Meier took center stage, leading a sudden charge that took Tuesday’s game from a laugher to a dual in a matter of minutes. Meier finished the game with a team-high 15 points on 6-of-16 shooting, hitting two clutch three-point shots during the Panther run before going cold as UW-Milwaukee faded down stretch. Tuesday night was all about runs. Wisconsin got off to a hot start with a 14-2 run in the first half that gave them a 22-8 lead in the first half. Ultimately, the cushion of that early run allowed the Badgers to withstand a furious come-
Jared Berggren junior forward Wisconsin men’s basketball
Playing in front of a crowd of 10,143 at US Cellular Arena, the largest crowd in UW-Milwaukee history, it looked for much of the night as if Wisconsin was going to run away with a rout. Junior forward Ryan Evans gave the Badgers a big lift throughout the first half and early in the second, scoring a career-high 16 points in just the first 26 minutes of the game. “[Evans] did a really good job of taking his assignments and sticking to them,” head coach Bo Ryan said. “He was also able to get some buckets finished underneath and
The flat top returns Junior forward Ryan Evans has re-emerged this season after a disappointing sophomore campaign. Evans finished the night with a career high 16 points as he went 5-8 shooting from the field. He also had eight rebounds for the Badgers and blocked two shots.
back by the Panthers that had US Cellular Arena rocking late in the second half. Having survived the test Milwaukee gave them, the Badgers are now able to use the experience gained Tuesday night as they head into Big Ten play. “It was a good road test for us to play in an environment like this,” junior forward Jared Berggren said. “To survive the run they made, it’s good preparation for what is to come in the Big Ten season and the rest of the year.” After missing a late shot that could have gotten the Badgers right back in the game against North Carolina, Taylor’s lastminute heroics were a welcome sight for a Badger team desperately needing their star point guard to recover from his recent slump. Giving a discernible yell after the bucket, it was clear Taylor understood the enormity of the shot, one that gave Wisconsin a cushion it ultimately rode to the six-point win. “I felt like he backed off a bit so I took the shot,” Taylor said. “I was just fortunate to have it go down.” Evans recalled the shot a bit differently, noting that he saw something in Taylor that has been missing over the past few weeks. “To tell you the truth, I knew it was going in,” Evans said. “There’s a look in his eye when you know Jordan is going to make the shot.” With their first road victory in hand, the Badgers now look forward to the homestretch of the non-conference schedule. Just two games and 14 days remain before the Big Ten opener in Lincoln, Nebraska on December 27th.
lorenzo zemella/cardinal file photo
Senior guard Jordan Taylor drained a big three-pointer after Milwaukee erased a 17-point lead, sealing the Wisconsin victory.
Trask to join U.S. soccer for 2012 Olympic qualifying Wisconsin men’s soccer head will be a nine day training camp that coach John Trask was named as will be held from Dec. 15-23, where the assistant coach for the U.S. U-23 a 28-man roster will compete for Men’s National Team Tuetheir chance to play in the day afternoon. qualifying tournament. Trask joins Caleb PorIn order to qualify for ter, U-23 men’s head coach the 2012 Olympic Games in and current Akron men’s London, the team will have soccer head coach, and to reach and win the final will lead the team as it preof the tournament held pares and participates in on April 2 at LIVESTRONG the 2012 CONCACAF OlymSporting Park in Kansas TRASK pic Qualifying tournament City, Kan. next March. “Qualifying will be diffi“To work alongside Caleb Porter cult,” Trask said. is not only exciting, but I believe he “I would like to thank U.S. Socis the best young coach in the U.S.,” cer for this unique oppertunity.” Trask said. -Uwbadgers.com contributed to this report. Trask’s first task with the team
Braun’s positive test shakes Wisconsin sports foundation parker gabriel parks and rec
A
t some point last spring, I wrote a column—with tongue planted firmly in cheek—about everyone’s favorite dreadlocked power hitter, Manny Ramirez. The point of the whole thing was essentially that, in an era of steroid users, how can you pick the guy that gets caught, keep him out of the Hall of Fame and let all the guys who got away with it in and pretend like that’s a perfect system. Really, it was just entertaining to make a couple of boner jokes after he said his testosterone levels were high because of an erectile dysfunction medicine he was taking. It’s not quite as fun when your hometown team and local superstar are at the center of the conversation. Ever since ESPN’s “Outside the Lines” reported Brewers’ tater-mashing prodigy Ryan Braun was facing a suspension
for using performance enhancing drugs, all sorts of updates, conflicting reports, commentary and speculation have followed. Everything should be prefaced with this: at this moment, a very small percentage of this story is built on bona fide, corroborated facts. We know he failed a test. We know he requested another one and passed it. After that, there are sources saying this and sources saying that. That doesn’t mean everything that comes out is wrong or sensationalized, but it does mean we don’t have the best information to work with. I’m not going to try to make a case for Braun’s innocence or guilt. If I could do that effectively, I’d skip law school and make sure Barry Bonds’ people had my number. I also don’t think its right for Brewers fans to point fingers at ESPN. T.J. Quinn and Mark Fainaru-Wada are both good reporters with good sources. If it turns out they put two and two together and got 22 on this thing, sure, they deserve a good long round with a cattail whip… or a lawsuit or something. But if
we aren’t jumping to conclusions on whether Braun’s a juicer, let’s not crucify any reporters just yet, either. More than who’s right and who’s wrong, what strikes me is what’s at stake for Braun, for Milwaukee and for sports fans in Wisconsin.
It’s not quite as fun when your hometown team and local superstar are at the center of the conversation.
We’re a pretty unforgiving bunch ‘round these parts. If you didn’t know, there’s some lingering resentment for a former franchise quarterback in Green Bay. Gary Sheffield heard boos in Milwaukee until the end of his playing career because he forced his way out of town back when he was a budding star. Sympathy runs shallow for Tony Mandarich, the highly touted
offensive lineman whose career in Green Bay was cut short by steroids and pain-killers. Braun isn’t a legend in the twilight of his playing days or an underachieving talent. He’s the reigning National League Most Valuable Players. He’s under contract for 10 more years and 150 million more dollars. He’s the reason the Brewers came within two games of the World Series in 2011. He’s the reason sustained success in the smallest market of the most stratified sport seems possible. He might be the most talented player in baseball and instead of shunning Milwaukee for bigger and better things, he embraced it and set about bringing those things here. Only now, I don’t know. As the ticker at the bottom of “SportsCenter” brought the allegations, my faith wavered. It’s not just that Braun is the best player on the team. This guy—with some help from starting pitching and a burly first baseman—electrified a fan base. Albert Pujols is equally capable of putting a franchise on his back
and lifting it to great accomplishments, but he doesn’t do it with the same swagger that No. 8 does. It might rub the rest of the league the wrong way sometimes, but in a city where being sort of drab is the norm, Braun has made things a lot more fun. When he made it to the big leagues in 2007, he completed a corps of young talent that included J.J. Hardy, Rickie Weeks, Corey Hart, Yovanni Gallardo and Prince Fielder, a good chunk of which was still together in 2011. Through their run to the NL Central crown and into the playoffs, it seemed like they were having more fun than anyone else. Seems like sort of a homerish thing to say, but it spread to the far corners of Miller Park. It was the purest, rawest, most intense sports scene I’ve experienced in my long and illustrious 22 years of living. Ryan Braun made it happen. If he made it happen with PEDs, it won’t happen like that again in Milwaukee. What was your reaction to Ryan Braun’s positive test? Let Parker know at pjgabriel15@gmail.com.