Erica discusses the wonderful world of vibrators in this week’s Dirty Bird
REMEMBERING 9/11: LESSONS LEARNED
PAGE 2
University of Wisconsin-Madison
OPINION
Complete campus coverage since 1892
Religion on campus: Being Catholic at UW By Anna Discher the daily cardinal
A federal appeals court ruled last Wednesday that denying funds to UW-Madison religious group Badger Catholic was a violation of the group’s First Amendment right to freedom of speech. Considering this controversy, what does it mean to be a Catholic on a campus as liberal as UW-Madison? According to Father Eric Nielsen, Pastor of St. Paul Parish and Director of the St. Paul University Catholic Foundation, Madison may be an open-minded place, but not necessarily to all perspectives.
“I think Madison tends to be a very welcoming university, people like other students, nobody likes to put down anyone else, but certain viewpoints don’t seem like they’re invited into the conversation,” Nielsen said. In addition to living in a generally liberal environment, Nielsen also thinks the large drinking culture at UW-Madison is hard for young religious people. “There is a real party atmosphere at times,” he said. “I don’t think that really bodes well, it conflicts with a lot of religious values.” UW-Madison student and catholics page 3
l
dailycardinal.com
Barrett education policy looks to boost funding for schools By Beth Pickhard the daily cardinal
Wisconsin gubernatorial candidate Tom Barrett revealed his plan to finance K-12 schools throughout the state Thursday. Barrett said he wants to work with the government to solve the problem of inadequate funding going into W i s c o n s i n’s schools. He pinpointed two primary issues, the first being the struggle BARRETT for schools to pay for operating costs like busing or heating. Schools struggle to pay for these services
when their enrollment decreases, Barrett said in a statement. In addition, Barrett said fluctuating property values do not allocate enough funding to students from low-income districts. “To make matters worse, many homeowners in underfunded districts are now facing increased school taxes, at a time when they can afford it least,” Barrett’s statement said. Andrew Reschovsky, professor of public and school finance, said although Barrett did not disclose much detail in his education reform statement, he appreciates Barrett taking a stand on education financing. barrett page 3
Weekend, September 10-12, 2010
matt marheine/the daily cardinal
The UW band trained new students in some of Wisconsin’s famous songs and dances Wednesday.
Federal funding for stem cell research to continue temporarily the daily cardinal
Emila Julka/the daily cardinal
PAGE 6
Let’s do the Time Warp again
By Kayla Johnson
Although the large drinking culture and liberal atmosphere may challenge young Catholics, many feel open to share their views.
l
A federal appeals court temporarily removed a suspension of federal funding to embryonic stem cell research Wednesday. Federal Judge Royce Lamberth ordered the suspension in August, but the appeals judges say they want more time to rule on the merits of the Obama administration’s position against the suspension. The reversal of the suspension means research will continue at UW-Madison’s Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Center. There are over 75 members of faculty and staff members conducting research with stem cells at UW-Madison with the goal to “help develop a full basic understanding of stem cells, their properties, how they work and how they might be applied to treat human disease,” according to the University of Wisconsin Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Center website. Tim Kamp, professor of medicine and director of the univerisity’s
Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Center is excited federal funding has been opened, but said he is unsure whether it will stay opened. “We don’t know if this will be a lasting change or something that will change back next week,” Kamp said. “We are still in a waitand-see mode, but obviously we are happy that at this point it’s opening up federal funding.” Gov. Jim Doyle also emphasized the reversal may be short-lived, but celebrated ending those restrictions on the National Institutes of Health. “Today’s federal court decision is good news because NIH can resume federal funding for stem cell research for the time being, but it is very temporary,” Doyle said in a statement. “The federal appeals court has not yet ruled on the motion for a stay or the preliminary injunction.” Doyle added he will work to secure federal funding for stem cell research in Wisconsin. “Wisconsin is home to more than 600 biotechnology com-
panies, 11 stem cell companies and 34,000 jobs in the bioscience industry,” he said. “The stem cell research conducted in this state provides the potential for life saving medical breakthroughs that families around the world so desperately need. Judge Lamberth’s order put this all at risk.” Chancellor Biddy Martin, Doyle and Kamp held a news conference Tuesday to discuss how the constantly changing stem cell policy impedes research. Kamp, who successfully grew working heart muscle cells from stem cells in 2009, said the onagain off-again stem cell policies slow progress. “It makes it, practically, quite difficult for researchers because the experiments that we do in growing stem cells takes weeks, months and years,” Kamp said. “We can’t turn the research switch on and off as quickly as these legal rulings come. We need to have some stability to make progress and have productive research.”
Feingold seeks six debates with Johnson after GOP primary By Beth Pickhard the daily cardinal
Sen. Russ Feingold (D-Wis.) announced Thursday he wants to debate Ron Johnson on six occasions before the Nov. 2 election, with the first proposed debate to follow Tuesday’s primary. Feingold said hearing from both candidates in an honest environment would benefit Wisconsin residents. “There are clear differences in this election and voters deserve to have me and my opponent meet
face to face to debate the issues,” he said. Johnson, who is running against David Westlake in the Republican primary, would not make the decision on how many debates would take place until after Tuesday’s primary, according to his communication director. Johnson is widely considered the favorite to win the Republican nomination. According to political science professor Charles Franklin, Feingold has the upper hand when
it comes to debates because he is the more experienced candidate. “It is to Feingold’s advantage to have the largest amount of debates because it seems his larger knowledge will pay dividends there,” Franklin said. “From Feingold’s view it gives Johnson more opportunity to make mistakes.” Johnson has fared well in the public eye lately, Franklin said. He said Johnson may be hesitant to participate in all six debates feingold page 3
“…the great state University of Wisconsin should ever encourage that continual and fearless sifting and winnowing by which alone the truth can be found.”