’Tis the season for gadgets The best gifts for all the tech-savvy someones on your shopping list +TECH GUIDE, pages 6 & 7 University of Wisconsin-Madison
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Thursday, December 6, 2012
Report: Alvarez to coach in Rose Bowl University of Wisconsin- according to the State Journal. Madison Athletic Director During his 16-year Barry Alvarez will take tenure as head coach, over as head coach of the Alvarez had a 118-73-4 Badgers for the 2013 Rose overall record includBowl, according to the ing a 3-0 record in Rose Wisconsin State Journal. Bowl appearances. He Following former head retired from coaching coach Bret Bielema’s unexin 2005 to take the open pected departure to the Athletic Director posiUniversity of Arkansas at tion at the university. ALVAREZ Fayetteville Tuesday, team Alvarez will forcaptains reached out to mally discuss Bielema’s Alvarez and asked him to coach departure at a news conference 10 the team for the Rose Bowl, a.m. Thursday.
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ASM Student Council representatives discuss support for a spring festival event Wednesday, The event would serve as an alternative event to Madison’s famous Mifflin Street Block Party.
ASM supports Mifflinalternative event By Paige Villiard The Daily Cardinal
The Associated Students of Madison Student Council passed a resolution Wednesday endorsing involvement in a spring festival event to be held the same day as the Mifflin Street Block Party. Student leaders released a proposal Tuesday containing preliminary details for the May 4 event, which could include musical performances and vendors selling alcohol to patrons over 21 years of age. According to a draft of the proposal, student lead-
ers, including representatives from the Wisconsin Union, the Associated Students of Madison and the Wisconsin Alumni Student Board, met in November to discuss preliminary plans for the event. The resolution, passed by a vote of 12-8, states ASM support and involvement in the event. However, during debate over the resolution, many council members said they felt confused over the resolution and the process used to plan the May 4 event. ASM Legislative Affairs Chair Dan Statter said he did not
agree with the planning process, saying it lacked proper communication within the organization. “No chairs knew about this proposal, even though it was presented as having full backing of ASM and student body,“ Statter said. But many representatives said passing the resolution would provide support for a great alternative event without underage drinking at the end of the year. ASM Student Council Chair Andrew Bulovsky said he supported the resolution because it
City officials approve two downtown apartments By Kristen Tracy The Daily Cardinal
City officials gave final approval to two proposed downtown buildings and postponed further discussion on one building at a meeting Wednesday. The Urban Design Commission approved a 12-story, student-oriented apartment complex at 313 and 315 N. Frances St. that would require the demolition of two residential buildings. The first floor of the complex would be commercial space, with the rest of the building consisting of apartment units as well as a study room and outdoor terrace on the 10th floor. After hearing staff feedback, J. Randolph Bruce, managing member of Knothe & Bruce Architects, the building’s designer, added more moped and bicycle parking, as well as created covered outdoor
seating by the sidewalk. Although building requirements in the area have a maximum height restriction of 10 stories, UDC chairperson R. Richard Wagner supported a plan for 12 stories. “In my mind, this project certainly has better architecture than some of the existing 12-story buildings in that area,” Wagner said, referring to structures which were built before changes to the restrictions. The commission also approved a five-story, studentoriented apartment building at 202 and 210 N. Bassett St. as well as 512 and 520 W. Dayton St. Also designed by Knothe & Bruce Architects, this structure would require the demolition of current buildings on the site. The apartment complex would con-
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Regents to vote on out-of-state enrollment rate, HR plan University of WisconsinMadison could admit more outof-state and international students in upcoming years if the UW Board of Regents approves a proposal at its meetings Thursday and Friday, when the Regents are also scheduled to cast the deciding vote on the Human Resources redesign project. The Regents are proposing to increase UW system enrollment of nonresident students, not including Minnesota residents, from 25 percent to 30 percent, noting in its agenda that UW-Madison is the only university in the Big 10 to cap the amount of out-of-state and international students it admits. Although the university would enroll more non-resident students, it would still plan to
enroll 3,500 in-state students, which is 200 more in-state students than its traditional admission goal, according to the Regents’ meeting agenda. The UW system would use extra revenue generated from increased out-of-state student tuition “to build on its national and international reputation for educational excellence,” according to the agenda. The Regents also plan to cast a final vote on the proposed HR redesign plan, which aims to improve university employee recruitment and retainment in response to the recent decline in state financial support. “We are committed to the Wisconsin Idea, which is to develop and create knowledge
that enriches the state, the nation and the world,” Director of Human Resources and Project Leader Robert Lavigna said in a September interview. “In order to do that we have to have the best talent and we have to have the flexibility to attract and hire the best talent.” Additionally, the Regents will vote on a proposal to increase the UW-Madison Chancellor’s salary range, which could exceed $500,000 if passed, to meet competitive market ranges and attract an adequate candidate to fill the position upon Chancellor David Ward’s departure. The current salary range maximum is $452,109, and could increase to $522,500. —Taylor Harvey
Luis Feitosa/the daily cardinal
Architect J. Randolph Bruce presents the design for a 12-story, student-oriented apartment complex at 313 and 315 N. Frances St.
“…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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Friday: rain
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Thursday, December 6, 2012
An independent student newspaper, serving the University of Wisconsin-Madison community since 1892 Volume 122, Issue 67
News and Editorial edit@dailycardinal.com Editor in Chief Scott Girard
Managing Editor Alex DiTullio
News Team News Manager Taylor Harvey Campus Editor Sam Cusick College Editor Cheyenne Langkamp City Editor Abby Becker State Editor Tyler Nickerson Enterprise Editor Samy Moskol Associate News Editor Meghan Chua Features Editor Ben Siegel Opinion Editors Nick Fritz • David Ruiz Editorial Board Chair Matt Beaty Arts Editors Jaime Brackeen • Marina Oliver Sports Editors Vince Huth • Matt Masterson Page Two Editors Riley Beggin • Jenna Bushnell Life & Style Editor Maggie DeGroot Photo Editors Shoaib Altaf • Grey Satterfield Abigail Waldo Graphics Editors Angel Lee • Dylan Moriarty Multimedia Editors Eddy Cevilla • Dani Golub Science Editor Matthew Kleist Diversity Editor Aarushi Agni Copy Chiefs Molly Hayman • Haley Henschel Mara Jezior • Dan Sparks Copy Editors Mark Bennett • John Hannasch
Business and Advertising business@dailycardinal.com Business Manager Emily Rosenbaum Advertising Manager Nick Bruno Senior Account Executives Philip Aciman • Jade Likely Account Executives Erin Aubrey • Hannah Klein Jordan Laeyendecker Dennis Lee • Daniel Shanahan Joy Shin Web Director Eric Harris Public Relations Manager Alexis Vargas Marketing Manager Caitlin Furin Events Manager Andrew Straus Creative Director Claire Silverstein Copywriters Dustin Bui • Bob Sixsmith 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. The Daily Cardinal is published weekdays and distributed at the University of WisconsinMadison and its surrounding community with a circulation of 10,000. 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 word processed and must include contact information. No anonymous letters will be printed. All letters to the editor will be printed at the discretion of The Daily Cardinal. Letters may be sent to opinion@ dailycardinal.com.
Editorial Board Matt Beaty • Riley Beggin • Alex DiTullio Anna Duffin • Nick Fritz • Scott Girard David Ruiz l
Board of Directors Jenny Sereno, President Scott Girard • Alex DiTullio Emily Rosenbaum • John Surdyk Melissa Anderson • Nick Bruno Don Miner • Chris Drosner Jason Stein • Nancy Sandy Tina Zavoral
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Friend, coach, mentor at risk
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tODAY: light showers
Adam wolf howlin’ mad
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ike many who watched the Penn State-Wisconsin football game a few weeks ago, I couldn’t avoid thinking about last year’s horrifying revelations of former Nittany Lions Assistant Coach Jerry Sandusky’s crimes against children. From the infamous 23-page grand jury indictment to the cringe-worthy phone interview with Sandusky on NBC’s “Rock Center”—I will never forget a sullen Bob Costas speaking of “rhythmic slap, slap, slapping sounds”—the news story was unlike anything I’d ever come across before. The lurid accusations, the high-profile figures, the institutional failure—it all seemed so surreal. While the aftermath resulted in a much-deserved outpouring of support for the victims and the dismissal of several morally-bankrupt administrators, I felt one matter was left inadequately addressed: the intensified scrutiny to be faced by all coaches across all levels of sports going forward. The Sandusky story has
undoubtedly caused more parents to refrain from just blindly handing their child off to a coach with the assumption that “they’re in good hands,” which is certainly a good thing. It’s important for parents to make certain that organizations do background checks on coaches and alert their children to what types of behaviors are inappropriate for a coach. Still, I can’t help but feel a bit conflicted about the future relationships between coaches and athletes as a result of the Sandusky fallout. I had the privilege of having some excellent coaches in a number of sports during my youth, many of whom I still view as role models to this day. In many cases, I don’t think my positive experience with sports would be possible without those coaches. Playing middle school basketball under the same coach from sixth through eighth grade was perhaps the most enjoyable time in my life. Though our team was merely good rather than great, there was rarely a day where any of us didn’t look forward to practicing or playing a game. One of the reasons was Coach B, whose wry sense of humor kept our team loose. Coach B delivered some of the funniest one-liners I’ve ever
heard. There was the time my teammate James somewhat facetiously said, “Hey Coach B, you’re my idol.” Coach B just deadpanned, “Thanks, I’ve got my bong in my truck.” We were in seventh grade at the time. Another time, in the locker room during pregame, Coach B asked us to go around and say what each of us planned to accomplish that night. Dylan, our portly backup forward, boldly said he planned to reach double-digits in three statistical categories, a “triple-double.” Rather incredulously, our coach responded, “What’s that mean, you’re going to get 10 cheeseburgers, 10 hot dogs and 10 soft pretzels?” The entire locker room, Dylan included, erupted in laughter. I feel that the type of playercoach relationship Coach B had with us—that of a foul-mouthed buddy—will become increasingly scarce as administrators and program directors look for more professional, straight-laced men and women to lead their teams. The more a coach jokes around with his or her team, the theory goes, the more he or she becomes a friend to the players, and the closer the coach toes the line of being a friend, the greater the chance he or she is a predator,
given the easy access to young people. I don’t necessarily fault exercising more caution with coaches, but I question whether a more sophisticated, businesslike relationship between players and coaches can be effective. From a personal standpoint, I would argue that playing for somebody like Coach B, who was as unrefined as they come, was the most fun I ever had playing sports. I don’t know if I would’ve played basketball as long as I did had I been coached by a guy who only made himself available to talk basketball and nothing more. It’s because of the spirit of Coach B and the other coaches I’ve met along the way that I dragged my ass out of bed to play pickup basketball at my old middle school at 7 a.m. this past Thanksgiving. Both my JV and freshman basketball coaches were in attendance, as was my old teammate Dylan. We divided the team among old guys and young guys, with my old coaches opposing Dylan and me. Throughout the morning, we all had no problem engaging each other in some good-natured shit-talking. After all, it was a game among friends. Send all questions and comments to ajwolf2@wisc.edu.
Make the leap from Macro to Microbrew Niko Ivanovic beer columnist
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ith giant marketing campaigns bombarding consumers with complete nonsense keywords such as “triple hopped” and “finest country barley,” it’s not a surprise that the majority of Americans out there actually believe that the watered down macrobrews they are drinking constitute good beer. If you are one of those people, it’s really not your fault. If you asked me a few years ago what a good beer was, I would probably have stopped and thought about the 10 different beers I’ve bothered to try, and said “I don’t know, Blue Moon maybe?” In reality, the beer industry is one of those rare markets where the quality of the product doesn’t seem to have much of a correlation with its popularity. AB-InBev and Miller-Coors each sell far more beer then the 2000+ US craft brewers do combined, despite offering incredibly inferior products. This week’s column is a direct effort to try to change those numbers. If you are still drinking the macros for any reason but the broke college kid’s attempt to get blackout for ten bucks, then you need to open up your mind and your taste buds. If you like Corona: Everyone I know who likes Corona talks about how light, crisp and refreshing it is. And though that may be true, there
are a number of craft beer styles that feature that same zesty mouthfeel while providing what Corona does not: flavor. For those really seeking the lightest summer lager possible, try New Glarus Totally Naked, a 4 percent beer that highlights fluffy malt notes with clean noble hops. Or if you want something a bit more complex and higher in alcohol, try Goose Island Sofie, a zesty Belgian Saison ale with crisp lemon, high carbonation and a slightly bitter mineral aftertaste. If you like Miller/ Budweiser: I don’t think too many college kids orbit far enough from reality to fall into this group, but if you are one of them, don’t worry, there’s still hope. Chances are if you like these beers it’s just because you are used to them. Thankfully, your taste buds will adjust over time, so try a nice transition brew like Capital Octoberfest or Brooklyn Lager. These beers highlight toasty and biscuity malts with a nice grainy sweetness, some honey/brown sugar, fall spices and low bitterness. If you like Blue Moon: I know a lot of people who love this beer. To them, Blue Moon is a great craft alternative to the likes of Miller and Budweiser. What they may not know is that Blue Moon is made by Miller-Coors and really can’t hold up to the quality of true craft Belgian wheat beers. What’s even more amazing to me is the popularity of this beer despite the price. A six pack typically goes for $7.99, which
is a dollar or two cheaper than some of the best craft beers in Madison, if that. So if students aren’t drinking Blue Moon because it’s cheap, then why are they? I think the answer is simple: lack of knowledge regarding other good examples of the style. The most well known solid alternative is likely Hoegaarden, a straightforward ale with lots of yeast, wheat and clove. Or you can take it a step further and try Wisconsin’s own Furthermore Fatty Boombalatty, a creamy wheat beer that bares a delicious resemblance to bananas fosters. If you like Summer Shandy: Unlike the watered down beers noted above, there’s nothing really inherently wrong with Leinenkugel’s Summer Shandy, other than it tasting more like lemonade than beer. If that’s your thing then by all means keep sipping away. For those of you who seek to keep that refreshing lemon-zest flavor while retaining the complexity and subtlety of a good craft ale, try a sour ale or saison. They may be a little intense at first, but well worth the challenge. One of the most critically acclaimed saisons, Boulevard Saison-Brett is not easy to find around Madison, but represents a unique, funky, grassy, bubbly and zesty summer ale. On the other hand, you can be even more adventurous with Jolly Pumpkin’s Oro de Calabaza, a nice sour blonde ale with a tart green apple and lemon profile. If you like Guinness: Guinness was the first beer that made me realize that beer
could be more than corn water. While many beer fans may recommend any complex, dark, coffee-dominated stout as a nice transition, I think you’re better off trying a nitrogen tap to better replicate the incredibly creamy mouthfeel of the Irish Dry Stout. Head to the Old Fashioned for the Central Waters Nitro Mud Puppy Porter or The Coopers Tavern to try the Left Hand Nitro Milk Stout, which is also available in nitro bottles in many local liquor stores. Have more questions about Niko’s suggestions? Want to challenge him? Just want to have a good, old-fashioned chat about microbeers? Shoot him an email at ivanovic@wisc.edu.
In short: If you like... Corona You might like New Glarus Totally Naked or Goose Island Sofie
Miller or Budweiser You might like Capital Octoberfest or Brooklyn Lager
Blue Moon You might like Hoegaarden or Furthermore Fatty Boombalatty
Summer Shandy You might like Boulevard SaisonBrett or Jolly Pumpkin’s Oro de Calabaza
Guinness You might like Central Waters Nitro Mud Puppy Porter (found at the Old Fashioned) or Left Hand Nitro Milk Stout (found at the Cooper’s Tavern)
dailycardinal.com
Thursday, December 6, 2012
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County could ask public opinion on same-day voter registration The Dane County Board will consider placing a referendum on the April 2013 ballot asking voters whether or not they support same-day voter registration in Wisconsin at its meeting Thursday. The advisory referendum, which cites a record turnout of over 70 percent in the November 2012 election, would ask voters if Wisconsin should continue to allow registration on election day, according to a Wednesday press release by Dane County Executive Joe Parisi. State leaders have recently supported
repealing Wisconsin’s same-day registration law, including Gov. Scott Walker during a speech in California Nov. 16 according to a video of the event. Parisi said such a move would be an extreme change to voter rights. “Now is not the time to compromise the success we have experienced in engaging more people in [the democratic] process,” he said. States that allow same-day voter registration laws experience voter turnout 10 to 12 percent higher than those that do not, according to the referendum.
ASM Sustainability Committee discusses future Grey Satterfield/Cardinal File Photo
Striking Palermo’s worker Flora Anaya spoke during a campus event earlier this semester about her alleged poor working conditions while working for Palermo’s.
LLPC discusses adidas, Palermo’s labor disputes By Cheyenne Langkamp The Daily Cardinal
A University of Wisconsin-Madison labor licensing committee discussed Wednesday updates to ongoing labor rights issues with companies contracted by the university, including Palermo’s and adidas. The committee discussed the recent regional National Labor Relations Board acknowledgement that Palermo’s, a sponsor of UW Athletics, wrongfully terminated approximately nine workers’ employment. Palermo’s workers had been on strike since early this year over alleged unsafe working conditions and being fired illegally. According to Lydia Zepeda, chair of the Labor Licensing Policy Committee, a complaint over the Palermo’s controversy has also been filed with the Worker Rights Consortium, an independent group that produces reports on whether labor conditions adhere to the university’s code of conduct. “Given that the codes of conduct are different than labor laws, for the same act it could be in compliance with the law but be in violation with the codes of conduct,” Zepeda said. She said if the WRC report shows Palermo’s violated the university’s code of conduct, the LLPC, which already recommended the university cut ties with the company, would discuss recommending a
asm from page 1 aligns with ASM’s initiatives. “We would be ensuring safety of students and not centering a fun event around drinking,” Bulovsky said. Also in the meeting, council elected Britt Moes to the position of ASM Shared Governance Chair. ASM Nominations Board Chair Sean McNally spoke on behalf of Moes, citing her dedication as an outstanding feature. “She has knowledge of Student Council
further response. The LLPC also discussed the university’s ongoing lawsuit with adidas over the controversial shutdown of an adidas-contracted Indonesian factory that left nearly 2,800 workers unemployed and owed due severance in January 2011. According to Zepeda, adidas released an argument against allowing a union representing the displaced workers to be included in the lawsuit, saying the fired adidas employees would not directly benefit from the union’s presence. Zepeda said the union will have an opportunity to respond before the court rules on the union’s participation. She said, as a result, it will probably be months before the court rules on the lawsuit. Also in the meeting, the committee discussed creating a Designated Supplier Program, which would consist of a list of factories that are known to provide workers with favorable labor conditions, including a living wage. LLPC committee member Jane Collins said factories of this nature have already been identified in Central America, they just need to be made more visible. Although it would require a lot of work, Collins said she supports identifying and archiving these factories to present to university contractors. and has a passion for everything she does,” McNally said. Student Council also elected Collin Higgins, a former representative, as chair of the newly formed ASM Sustainability Committee. Rep. Niko Magallon said because Higgins spearheaded the committee’s creation earlier this semester, he is the right person to run the committee during its first semester. “Collin has been doing the groundwork to work with the Office of Sustainability,” Magallon said. “He will carry all of his work into this committee.”
ASM backs Legislative Affairs campaigns The Associated Students of Madison Student Council unanimously endorsed several campaigns currently being implemented by the organization’s Legislative Affairs Committee in a meeting Wednesday. One resolution stated support for the ongoing Responsible Action Campaign, which aims to implement a policy to protect intoxicated students who call for help in an emergency from receiving citations. The Responsible Action policy is set to be introduced at the state level in January. The council also passed a resolution in support of the committee’s Student Regent Campaign to increase student input in
appointing the student representative who sits on the University of Wisconsin System Board of Regents. Council passed a third resolution supporting a campaign that would insert real-time bus kiosks into prominent campus buildings beginning this spring. ASM Press Office Director David Gardner said passing the resolutions puts the full support of ASM behind the campaigns. “We can now go to the city or state and say the student representative body passed this and it is something we care about,” Gardner said., cheyenne langkamP
A newly created Associated Students of Madison grassroots committee that will address campus sustainability issues held a preliminary planning meeting Wednesday to discuss its formal kick off next spring. ASM Student Council voted to create the Sustainability Committee earlier this semester to create a more formal way to address environmental concerns, according to then-Freshman Rep. Colin Higgins, who proposed its creation. Approximately 10 interested members met to discuss outreach, potential campaigns and bylaw structure. Higgins, who organized the meeting, said he wants to “hit the ground running” and start work on campaigns immediately in January.
Attendees suggested many possible campaign projects, including a plastic water bottle ban, increasing awareness of recycling and composting on campus, and an initiative to end use of conflict minerals on campus. Devon Hamilton, an ASM Student Council representative, said the committee should take a broad approach to sustainability. “Sustainability affects everything,” Hamilton said. “A lot of people think strictly green issues but it involves a lot of other things.” According to Higgins, the committee will begin meeting regularly next semester and is looking to select its campaigns by the second week.
on campus
Out-of-this-world tunes
Bluegrass band Biddy and the Martians play at the Sett in Union South Wednesday night. + Photo by Grey Satterfield
Five UW faculty honored for physics research Five University of WisconsinMadison researchers were named fellows in the American Physical Society Wednesday in recognition of significant research contributions using physics in science and technology. The designation is awarded to less than half of 1 percent of all members of APS and is voted on by researchers’ peers, according to a statement released by the university.
The recipients from UW-Madison include Electrical and Computer Engineering Professor Robert H. Blick, Physics Professor Sridhara Dasu, Senior Scientist in the Department of Physics Daniel J. Den Hartog, Professor of Physics Mark A. Eriksson, and Professor of Astronomy Alex Lazarian. The winners were among approximately 250 researchers to receive the title in 2012, according to the APS website.
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boring building. Construction would require the demolition of two buildings on a national historic register, which has led to negative feedback. The UDC referred the proposal to the Plan Commission, whose duty includes determining whether or not a building can be demolished, according to Wagner. “[This way], the demolition issue can be dealt with before we try to work out any design issues on a project that might not even happen,” he said.
sist of 75 units and offer 61 underground parking spaces. Both projects must receive approval from the Plan Commission Dec. 17 and the City Council in January before construction can begin, according to Ald. Mike Verveer, District 4. The UDC also discussed a proposed eight-story apartment building on 145 Iota Ct. and 619 and 625 Henry St., as well as the addition of two stories to a neigh-
arts Getting the hell out of Heaven in ‘Tales’ 4
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Thursday, December 6, 2012
By Lanni Solochek The Daily Cardinal
In a hilarious take on the traditional Christmas show, Broom Street Theater’s production of “Tales for Another Millennium” is a comedic work of art. Written as the third and final installment in the “Tales” trilogy, Brian Wild finally closes his 15-year project with the final journey of Jesus and company. Even without the context of the first two installments of the trilogy—“Tales for a Millennium” (1997) and “Tales for a New Millennium” (2002)—the show still makes plenty of sense and follows a very individual storyline. Grace is an old soul taken
from the world too early—at least in her eyes. While she is (fittingly) graced in Heaven and living out her afterlife with Jesus, she sets out on a journey to escape the paradise she is in and return to Earth to help her daughter, Anne, cope with the loss of her mother. While plotting her escape, Grace meets a mysterious character who informs her that it is absolutely possible to get back to Earth, despite warnings to the contrary by Jesus, Mary and God himself. Grace continues to struggle with her choice between obeying the rules of Heaven or helping her daughter, but eventually chooses the latter, invoking
Image courtesy Brian Wild
chaos among the holy crew. Once down on Earth, Grace discovers that her secretive friend was in fact Satan playing with souls for a personal game. Jesus now must find Grace’s soul on Earth and return her to Heaven before his father discovers that she has escaped the Pearly Gates. With St. Peter and Mary Magdalene, Jesus ventures down to the ground below to make a deal with Satan that could make or break the rules of faith. Though “Tales” absolutely fits the comedic drama, it succeeds at presenting the ideas of tested faith and the afterlife as well. Broom Street Theater always surprises me. The set design may not be extravagant and the costumes may not be over the top, but the quality of entertainment is equivalent to that of many other much larger, more excessive theaters. “Tales” fits right in under this umbrella. Beneath the sometimes cheap jokes and somewhat questionable subject matter, there are very personal stories. Grace, for instance, must decide what she values more—her family or her faith in God. Jesus must dissect his respect for his father and his duty to protect his people in order to make the right choices. With a cast of 14, the show makes it seem like there is half a city behind the curtain. Almost every character transitions parts throughout the show, even to background characters that add little quirks to each scene. Each of the main characters—Jesus, Satan, Grace and St. Peter—create a unique identity for their characters. Instead of the traditional Jesus most people typically imagine, the Son of God is presented as a good-looking, suave young man complete with suit and skinny tie. Played by Craig Alan Schlagel, Jesus is most memorable in this show for his kind demeanor with a hint of sass. While Schlagel plays up the soft side of his character, he also responds to situations with sarcasm that adds a comedic touch to a serious character.
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Photo courtesy of Broom Street Theater
A smartly dressed Jesus is tasked with saving Grace in this reverent comedy, the final installment in a trilogy of “Tales.” Satan, played by Sean Strache, has an identity all his own as well. Strache does a great job of slipping right into character and not breaking scene. He was one of the few actors who had no word slips or line mishaps throughout the show. His perfectly evil laugh and witty dialogue create a convincing and powerful, yet hilariously bored, Satan, tired of ruling the underworld and looking to stir up some trouble. Heather Renken also plays a very strong character as Grace, but she is not quite as convincing as Jesus and Satan of her emotional side. Grace intends to be a caring mother, and while there are some very strong scenes from this character, each major event is hit-or-miss on Renken’s reaction. Mary of Bethlehem, portrayed by Grace Grindrod-Feeny, and God, Eric Futon, also add an energetic
touch to the show, which helps keep it from being too slow at any point. Other very memorable characters include the flamboyant St. Peter (Adam Williams), the comically obsessed Mary Magdalene (Erin Ronayne), the sarcastic and giddy Devil’s Advocate (Brendan Hartmann) and the wildly hilarious chicken, Gabriel (Kyle Harrklau). In general, “Tales for Another Millennium” does what it sets out to do—make a comedy out of a religious context, while still keeping the message serious and respectful. A round of applause is owed to playwright and director Brian Wild for completing his 15-year journey with a hit. “Tales” is playing at Broom Street Theater located at 1119 Williamson St. The show starts at 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday nights, and runs through December 22.
The poetic life, language and listening of a hip-hop head Zac Pestine guest columnist
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rowing up on the works of Shel Silverstein, I quickly developed an affinity for rhyme schemes and wordplay. This preadolescent experience with language games later evolved into a deeper adoration of the English language when, as a 9-year-old, I received my first rap album, The Marshall Mathers LP. I am now a hip-hop head, and proud of it. Many are entranced with rap for its aesthetic value. Complex flows and masterful beats tend to offer a most pleasurable listening experience. I like flow and I like good beats, but my esteem for rap music truly stems from the fact that I view it as poetry. And this poetry has wielded much influence over my development as a person and as a student. In contrast to other forms of music, which convey a story less
through lyrics and more through instrumental rhythm and tone of voice, rap is an art form that relies on words to express itself. Intricate flow and sharp beats only serve to enhance the story revealed by the author’s diction. When rap is good, the audience empathizes with the words. They feel exactly what the author wants them to. Listening to insane amounts of rap music has enhanced my critical thinking, writing and listening abilities. There is a concept that novelists often employ in their writings when their works fall in line with a particular tradition. This concept, in which one finds striking similarities between entire pages of separate novels, is known as intertextuality. In order to extend a conversation, artists perpetuate the discussion of their predecessors. Rappers often do this as well. In order pick up on this, one must have a sense of the history of rap, but one must also develop
one’s own critical thinking skills. So, when on J. Cole’s “Cheer Up,” he quotes 2Pac’s “Changes,” saying “I wake up in the morning and I ask myself/ Is life worth living, should I blast myself?” the audience is forced to juxtapose the lyrics and resituate their place in each respective song. During this synthesis of knowledge, the audience further understands the author’s mood and thought process at the time of writing. When one listens to hours upon hours of intellectual rap music, that person begins to understand how to articulate a scene, emotion or idea effectively in his or her own writing. When sitting in English class in junior high school, the number one piece of advice that my teachers drove home was “show, don’t tell.” By showing someone something, you must delve into all of the “whys and becauses” of the story. You must be analytical, as
people relate to reasoning. And people, myself included, also often internalize material learned inside the classroom through encounters with it in a foreign setting. My foreign setting is with my headphones on. Personally, I listen to an unhealthy amount of Eminem. On each classic Eminem song, the audience is encapsulated in his life. Feeling what he feels is unavoidable. That is because he flawlessly delineates the “becauses.” His story always flows smoothly and logically. For instance, on “Sing for the Moment,” Eminem spends three minutes elaborating on the perils of being a rapper and the demonizing that accompanies rap superstardom. His exhausting prose leaves one wondering why someone would go through these trials and tribulations. Sure enough, he answers that question in the third verse, as he states, “We
sing for these kids who don’t have a thing, except for a dream and a rap magazine… we’re nothing to you but we’re the shit in their eyes.” Finally, rap music has elevated my listening skills. When the essence of an art form is words, and one really enjoys that art form, then one must enhance his or her listening abilities to fully grasp what the author is saying. To comprehend the entire message as one logical story, you can’t zone out. Just like listening to a person, listening to a rap song is an active process. You must give your undivided attention, you must put yourself in someone else’s shoes and you must draw connections to either your own personal experiences or similar experiences you have encountered second-hand. Wax poetic with Zac over Shel Silverstein and Eminem via email at pestine@wisc.edu.
arts Stop (motion)! in the name of... film dailycardinal.com
Thursday, December 6, 2012 5
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graphic by Angel Lee
austin wellens all’s Well-ens well
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ll movies are, basically, a form of animation. They’re a series of images played one after the other so quickly that our mind sees them as one continuous piece rather than the thousands of individual parts they are. Why, then, are live action films separated from “animated” films and usually taken more seriously than cartoons, CGI or stop-motion films? The distinction is made to the point that animated films have their own category at the Oscars and most other award systems rather than simply being allowed to compete as a Best Picture candidate. So the question, which I’ve already asked, is why? One possible answer is that animated features are generally considered to be kids’ territory, not fitting the usual definition of “art” that cinema usually aspires to. At first, there seems to be some substance to this theory, as most of the successful “adult cartoons”
are TV shows like “Archer,” “Family Guy,” “American Dad” and Adult Swim shows ad infinitum. However, this trend hasn’t translated into films at all, as far as I can tell. The closest thing is “Ted,” which featured an animated bear doing the “Family Guy” schtick with Mark Wahlberg, and pretty much every Adam Sandler film (discounting “Punch Drunk Love”), as he’s basically on the level of a cartoon character at this point. Like, I’m being completely serious right now: If anybody can give me an example that contradicts my Adam Sandler argument here, please let me know, because I’ve got nothing. Point is, the market for low quality, schmarmy (yes, schmarmy is now a word, it’s my word) comedies is pretty saturated by live action films, so the only leg this idea of animationbeing-difficult-to-take-seriously has left to stand on is that of it being purely kids’ entertainment. This one leg sucks. Or is broken. Or got broken because it sucks, and has continued to suck since it got broken, and just keeps on living in a vicious cycle of sucking and breaking
until this month’s apocalypse and beyond. Hey, that little “and beyond” thing reminded me of something. Can you guess what it is? In case you couldn’t guess, it was “Toy Story.” Also known as one of only two movies to appear on the American Film Institute’s Top 100 movies list. The other is “Snow White and the Seven Dwarves,” or literally one of the first animated features to attain mainstream success in America. The fact that one of the first major animated features and the first major CGI film are the only two animated films to be recognized alongside their live action peers seems to imply that they’re being mentioned for their innovation and significance as technological advancements more than for their actual merits. And this is honestly the easier position to take, because if you ignore it, the other alternative is that these are the two best animated features that have been made and the only ones worth being compared to “The Godfather” and “Vertigo.” To take that approach is to ignore, at least immediately, the incredibly huge body of really
strong work that Disney and Pixar have to stand on. Disney made animated features a thing in the most literal sense, setting classic stories to gorgeous illustrations in something that could never be dismissed as “just for kids” by any sane being. If Disney elevated animation to a higher level of storytelling and artistic achievement (which it inarguably did), Pixar picked up the slack left over after Disney’s “Golden Age” ended and proceeded to do something super whacky with it. I’m kind of bad at analogies. Anyway: Pixar. They’re really, really fantastic. Their storytelling is some of the most beautifully executed going on today. Just look at the first half or so of “Wall-E,” the first 20 minutes of “UP,” and any of the shorts they run before their features (the chess one, “Geri’s Game,” and “Presto” are particularly great) to see how they’ve taken an already established art form one step further with gorgeous visuals and pure, simply told stories. Also falling under the “studios that create really, really brilliant works of animation art” category is the Japanese Studio Ghibli. A more anime-y, and usually much more thematically heavy and artistically driven counterpart to Disney, Ghibli has established themselves to the point that “Spirited Away,” their masterpiece, won Best Animated Feature at the Oscars in 2002. However, “Spirited Away” could easily have gone toe-totoe with most of the Best Picture nominees that year, evidenced by the fact that it won the Golden Bear at the Berlin Film Festival the same year, which is the highest honor they award. Instead, in America at least, it was kept separate from other “serious” films in a continued stigma against animation’s recognition as a true form of film. Honestly, it’s “Best Picture,” not “Best Live Action Picture.” The implication seems to be that the true films are those who exist tangibly, in a 3D world, while these other, oftenneglected films are products of pure fantasy. Except, some animated films DO exist in the 3D world. They’re stop motion pictures, and they’re by far my favorite kind of animation.
Movies like “The Nightmare Before Christmas,” “James and the Giant Peach” and “Coraline” created gorgeous worlds that feel just as real and as deep as the one we all live in, and they did it despite the soul-crushing, lifedestroying, all-consuming process of stop motion animation. It is, legitimately, the most intensive creative process that has been conceived on Earth or in any other parallel dimension or alternate universe. The epitome of stop motion animation, Wes Anderson’s “Fantastic Mr. Fox,” was shot by 29 crews working side-by-side with each animator, taking weeks to get a single shot for the final product. It took three years to produce and comes in just short of an hour and a half long. This is the sort of meticulous work that is required to work in animation. It’s why stop motion is totally Wes Anderson’s medium (along with any sort of film. Really, the man is a genius), and it speaks directly to the nature of animation. What I mean, and I know I’m rambling, is that when a live action movie is made, there are all sorts of variables that can affect the finished product. Reality intervenes. When you’re working in animation, everything that finds its way into the movie had to be created and placed there by the filmmaker. Every minute detail, from the rustles in the characters’ fur in “Fantastic Mr. Fox” to the hidden dicks throughout “The Little Mermaid,” was intentionally and deliberately placed there. In this way, animation is a purer, more direct form of artistic creation; it’s at least as valid as live action, especially considering the immense amounts of time that have to be poured into animated features to make them happen, and they deserve at least the recognition that their live action counterparts receive. At the moment they for the most part don’t, and it’s a crime. Thanks for reading this semester, hope you enjoyed it. Loved Austin’s columns this semester? Have an example of an Adam Sandler movie where he’s not acting like a cartoon character? Send rebuttals to Austin at wellens@wisc.edu.
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iPad Mini, $329 There are many things better than Apple’s new iPad mini, the new tablet that does everything its bulkier predecessor could—which is to say, nothing. To be more specific, it does lots of things sort of well, which, again, is nothing at all. The iPad is a digital tablet with a smaller screen than most newspaper/magazine pages, which makes it the perfect size to fit into those awkward kangaroo pouches we all have. You can check your email and access the Internet on the go, all using the device’s screen that moonlights as a keyboard when prompted. What’s that? You can already do all of these things on Apple products that are either more functional or more substantive? (I’m talking to you, iPhone and Macbook.) And you like reading magazines and newspapers because you have this condition where you don’t want to develop nearsightedness or carpal tunnel? Well, riddle me this, Prospective DoIT Customer and Tech Guide Reader: Can you play Angry Birds on your newspaper instead of reading it? Can you write emails, cruise the web and watch new episodes of “Pawn Stars” on your newspaper? Have you ever wondered what it would be like to have “Storage Wars” streamed right to your clay tablet? The iPad mini: It’s a clay tablet with Internet access.
tech gift guide
iPod Touch, $295 Every year, Apple releases another iPhone, at which I laugh and pity throngs of Apple enthusiast fanboys who line up to spend their annual $400 on the “must-have” sleeker and faster phone. As expected, this year’s new generation of iphone was accompanied by a new iPod touch. But unlike the iPhone, I would gladly concede to Apple’s glitz and glam for a product that I believe is a vast improvement from its predecessor. A user will immediately notice a few things upon picking
up the new iPod. For consumers who are familiar with the iPhone 5, the fifth generation iPod Touch is essentially identical, except it does not have 4G Internet and you will look like a buffoon if you try to make a phone call. It boasts the same sleek look, with a lighter, thinner and stronger frame made from the same aluminum as the Macbook Pro. In fact, the iPod 5 is nearly as thin as the newest nano device. The display is also more vivid and bright than any of its predecessors. With 1080p HD
Gadgets provided by DoIT Tech Store
need it most. However, with the extra battery power comes an extra cost, as the case runs a lofty $79.95 at the DoIT Tech Store. Also, additional external batteries can be purchased separately, so you can leave them in your purse, car or backpack and not have to worry about forgetting it at home. Once again, this extra convenience doesn’t come cheap, coming in at $59.95 at DoIT. Additionally, while you may gain the convenience of not having to charge your phone as often, the slim case included is not has heavy duty as some cases available to keep your iPhone safe, so for you klutzes like me, this may not be the best option.
viewing and a screen that is nearly half an inch taller than the previous model, the iPod 5 provides an especially pleasing experience for people who enjoy gaming or watching videos. And you know that woman named Siri in the iPhone 4 and 5 that most people use for the world’s most pressing questions and commands such as, “Will you have sex with me?” and “Call me ‘clitoris’ from now on”? Well the newest iPod has that too. While I am still skeptical of Siri’s capabilities, she is faster and has some useful new features, including giving updates on sports scores upon command. The iPod also includes an impoved, 5-megapixel camera that can take panoramic pictures. For added protection, the ipod comes with an attachable wristband so you only drop it in the toilet once due to the unavoidable accident of trying to take a selfy after 12 shots of jager.
iPod Nano, $125 As a runner throughout my high school and college careers, I have remained loyal the iPod nano over the years. The MP3 player is small enough to fit in my pocket compared to a fullsized, bulky iPod, which would bother me to hold or stick in my pocket on a long run. Upon first looking at the new nano, one would expect significant functionality change. But the upgrade has not altered drastically from its predecessor, although some minor changes were made.
Appearance-wise, the screen is much larger than the previous edition, with a longer, lighter frame. Its bigger screen allows for easy navigation between category buttons. As a runner, one feature of the new nano I did a cartwheel over is its built-in tracking technology for logging miles on runs. Yep, that means no more purchasing extra, often pricey, technology to stick uncomfortably in your running shoe! But one setback, and one
feature I will particularly miss, is the lack of clip, which may not appeal to a runner who does not normally wear shorts or pants with pockets. Additionally, because the charger is a little different, users cannot charge other Apple devices (iPhones, iPads) with the charger provided with the new nano. Overall, the new iPod nano is a worthwhile purchase with a quality lifespan, especially beneficial for those leading active lifestyles.
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Battle of the s Headphone
Tech the Halls
Third Rail’s Slim Case, $80 There are few things in life more annoying than being out somewhere and having your phone run out of battery. But with Third Rail’s Slim Case for iPhones, that is not an issue. The external battery you can slide on when needed and take off when it isn’t allows phone owners to stop worrying about their phone dying when they
dailycardinal.com
Sol Republic Sol Republic Tracks, $130
Beats by Dre Studio, $300
Skullcandy SLYR, $75
Since the emergence of Beats and Bose headphones, the quest for high-quality and high-price sound has moved past the athome stereo and into the evermobile ears of this generation’s music listeners. Enter a new pair of headgear on the market: Sol Republic’s Tracks HD On-Ear Headphones. At a steep price of $130, they boast cushiony earphones, a fully loaded bass, crisper vocals and an indestructible, interchangeable headband. Each package of Sol Republic’s headphones comes with four parts for you to assemble: a pair of earphones, a headband (you choose the color!) and cord so you can buy each individual part depending on your changing tastes. Even so, unless interchangeable colors and home assembly are crucial to your listening experience, Sol Republic’s Tracks offer little in comparison to some of the more moderately priced earphones on the market. The hype over the bass is warranted, but the honeymoon period on these headphones wears off quickly. They were best for listening to hip-hop, but the sound fell a little flat on rock songs. And despite the cushiony ears, the “indestructible” headband was strong enough to crush my ears, leading to moderate pain during long periods of listening. This was enough for me to revert back to my cheap pair of buds from Sony. In the end, it’s the novelty, not the sound, that warrants the price on this pair of headphones.
The Beats by Dre Studio OverEar Headphones have gotten their fair share of hype since they were released a couple year ago. As the original and most iconic of the Beats headphones line, the set lives up to the hype in a lot of ways, but also has some major pitfalls that aren’t necessarily highlighted in the media buzz. On a positive note, the Studio headphones have unparalleled sound quality. Probably comparable only to Bose or Klipsch over-ear headphones, the Studio Beats allow the listener to hear incredible sound detail and unrivaled amounts of bass (they were created by a hip-hop mogul). With the added benefit of a sleek look, incredible comfortability and lightweight feel, the headphones live up to the hype in their basic functioning. However, there are some hangups to the Studio Beats. Although the headphones claim to be noise cancelling (and certainly have the one-up on most in-ear headphones), they are not very good for thorough external sound cancelling. The headphones also are relatively bulky for backpack storage, and have an unnecessary on-off switch (when an on-off noise cancelling feature probably would be more helpful). Finally, the Studio Beats have a high rate of sound leakage—what you listen to on your Beats can be pretty easily heard by people around you, whether you like it or not.
If you can get through the mess of cords to actually hook the Skullcandy SLYR Gaming Headphones up to your gaming system, you’re in for a treat. (Side note: you can’t use them with an HDMI cable, so take that into account). They are a little big for my taste, but provided solid sound quality and the ability to fold away the mic for “stealth” gaming (as the guide that comes with them describes it). Also, they are pretty comfortable and easy on the ears. Additionally, they double as a great pair of headphones for average music listening. The $75 price is modest compared to Beats or Sol Republic headphones, though they do not quite measure up to the awesomeness of those models. One major drawback is the amount of cords involved in hooking it up for gaming, along with it not being wireless. While the cords are pretty long, it definitely is a little restricting to have cords, and you always have to be conscious to not pull them too far. If you know someone who is into gaming, listens to music a good amount, and love them enough to spend $75 on a gift, you could do worse than this.
Photos by grey satterfield, graphics by angel lee
opinion Diversity is more than just skin deep 8
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Thursday, December 6, 2012
steven nemcek opinion columnist
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ith the Supreme Court to rule on affirmative action this session—Fisher v. University of Texas—and our university to design a new Diversity Plan—our previous plan expired in ’08—I thought it appropriate to take a look at the idea of diversity as tied to ethnicity and address its misguided and racist nature. It’s a touchy subject and I really hope that I can have an open conversation with individuals about the topic. Feel free to comment on the article online or send me an email at snemcek@wisc.edu. First of all, let me start by acknowledging that society says I am a White, AngloSaxon, Protestant, a WASP. I am in the “majority” demographic and people who also identify with these characteristics statistically vote conservatively more so than other ethnic groups. As such, WASP is the group that many leftist news commenters and feminist bloggers love to pick on. CNN recently ran an article admonishing white representatives in the federal government. The Huffington Post wrote that the GOP is, “almost shockingly—un-Americanly— white.” The feminist blogging site Jezebel ran an article the past Tuesday evening railing against white men, stereotyping us as a group that voted for Mitt
Romney because he “looked” like a president, implying that we are all racist. A recent post on the blogging site Tumblr asking, “do you ever wonder why WASPS exist?” had nearly 10,000 shares. And on a personal level, I’ve spoken with individuals in my political science courses who have wondered aloud why it’s fair that white men are a majority in congress. So, let me just state my personal view on this rhetoric and the idea of grouping people by skin color first and then I’ll get into the specifics about the University of WisconsinMadison’s new diversity plan and my opinions on that. There are a couple issues that need to be addressed. First and foremost, I am a human being. People that society labels as African-American, Asian, Hispanic, etc. are also human beings. America is a culturally diverse place, a melting pot of individuals, and our rights are bestowed upon us because we are human. Our rights come to us as individuals, not as groups. We are each endowed by the same chromosomal count as other humans and there is no difference between me or anyone else of a different race that is solely due to skin color. Any differences in rights based on skin color are long gone from our society. However, it is true that remnants of past harms linger. The socio-economic status of minorities is often different than that of whites. I will fully admit this, and the only way in which we can alter socioeco-
nomic outcome is to wait and ensure that all people are given the freedom to work and move their way in their socioeconomic status, if they so wish. The problem comes into play when an entire “color” of people is stereotyped as being interchangeable. Are all minorities poor? Are all whites rich? Do all whites vote the same way? Do all minorities vote the same way? The answer to these questions is, of course, no, and when we stereotype people based on a completely irrelevant factor such as skin color, we are entwining racialized rhetoric and thought into our society. These actions slow societal progress because when we unfairly group people, we do not look at them as individuals.
We are not defined by the color of our skin and the university should not seek to define us in this way.
If we are to move beyond the sins of the past, we must look at people as unique individuals with unique backgrounds and unique stories to tell. Policies such as affirmative action do the opposite; they make broad claims about a person based on their ethnicity that simply may not be true in today’s society. Does every minority need preferential treatment because there is a correlation with poverty in minority groups?
dailycardinal.com
We can answer this question with another: Is every minority poor and underprivileged? Of course, modern-day arguments for affirmative action bring up the need to have “diverse” student bodies, citing studies that show that having individuals of different ethnicities in the classroom enhances learning. But we’ve already answered this point. If all people are equal, regardless of skin color, how can an African-American student or an Asian student or a Hispanic student automatically be any different than me solely based on skin color? If we’re all equal, how does having a different color skin affect learning in any way? If you want to make the argument that mixing students with different socioeconomic backgrounds enhances learning, fine, make that argument. That’s inherently not what is going on when admissions officers examine the box we checked to identify our ethnicity. There are already means on collegiate applications where an individual can tell his or her life story and any extenuating circumstances he or she may have faced growing up. In these sections, students can write about their struggles with poverty and the admissions committee can take these factors into consideration. Why is that ethnicity box necessary? What does skin color or ethnic heritage mean if we are truly all equals and if we want to view each other as such? The Office for Equity and Diversity states that it “pro-
motes, integrates and transfers equity and diversity principles to nurture human resources and advance the mission of the University of WisconsinMadison.” Due to our sharedgovernance philosophy at the university, this organization will be working with students, faculty, ASM representatives and staff to develop a new Diversity Plan for this university. When they do, I would encourage them to consider whether or not an individual’s skin color means anything at all. When the university looks to promote equal access to all individuals, it should look to a person’s economic opportunity, not his or her skin color. When the university looks to promote diversity, it should look to an applicant’s essays or activities, not his or her ethnic background. There exists diversity among all people, not just among people of different skin colors, and any dismissal of this obvious claim is offensive. When we group people and give them opportunities solely based on their ethnicity and race without looking at the individual, it is racism. We can give opportunities to economically disadvantaged students and we can provide a diverse student body without looking at ethnicity and I would encourage the planning committee to look into ways in which they can codify this ideal. We are not defined by the color of our skin and the university should not seek to define us in this way. Please send all feedback to opinion@dailycardinal.com.
Don’t abandon Mifflin until considering all the other options Brett Bachman guest columnist
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adison is a town steeped in history. This history is part of the reason I chose to attend school here. My father and his brother, my uncle, both attended the University of WisconsinMadison for at least a semester, as well as a few of my cousins and friends. I can’t help but notice that a lot of Madison’s history—in the form of businesses, buildings and events—is disappearing. Talks are underway to destroy Stadium Bar to put up yet another high-rise and Logan’s Madtown Restaurant and Bar closed Monday after a city lawsuit prompted owner Joe Bendetti to pack up and head for Texas (of all places).
As they say: “When it rains, it pours.” The Associated Students of Madison, the Wisconsin Alumni Student Board and other campus leadership met Tuesday to discuss implementing an alternative to the Mifflin Street Block Party, a yearly event that has come to define the city of Madison. The police have shut down Mifflin Street to traffic in the past and have given the event’s entertainment rights to private companies in an attempt to establish “a reason to attend the Mifflin Street Block Party other than to consume alcohol,” according to the 2011 event summary by the Madison Police Department. This is an admirable cause, but let’s be real: Mifflin is a drinking event. The pre-event planning should be centered on keeping the drinking under control instead of trying to
lower the number of people consuming. Mifflin poses a problem that is pretty non-existent at Freakfest: house parties. Mifflin is a residential street. I know of more than one person whose decision to live on the street was related (at least in part) to the end-of-the-year block party. It’s much harder for the police to monitor dangerous events related to consumption on private property due to the Fourth Amendment right requiring warrants to search private property. To gain the consent necessary to monitor these parties I propose that (gasp!) police and residents agree on rules for these house parties to mitigate risk for all involved. The Greek system here on campus provides a good model with “social contracts” given for house parties. In these contracts, houses are required to
abide by certain rules, including a name list at the entrance, fencing around the yard to control attendance, no common sources of alcohol and the distribution of wristbands to attendees to signify those 21 and older, among others rules.
The pre-event planning should be centered on keeping the drinking under control.
Residents can agree to sign these contracts, which will provide that if the stated rules are followed that no tickets can be issued. A private company, in addition to providing the entertainment and attractions (as in past years), will also provide
security to parties interested in agreeing to such terms. An area requiring the purchase of tickets featuring live music or other attractions would offset the costs to this company. Police should shut down the street to traffic and allow people to mill about and enjoy the atmosphere, albeit still citing those who break the city’s open-container law. If residents refuse to agree to such terms, their parties will come under even greater scrutiny. While this may not catch on in year one (hey, even Freakfest was a mess the first year) it will turn the event around in years to come and allow us to keep this inalienable part of Madison history. This is Brett’s first time on the opinion page of The Daily Cardinal. Send him more ideas on how to save Mifflin. Please send all feedback to opinion@ dailycardinal.com.
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Women’s Hockey
Keeping their cool In a sport lauded for physicality and trash talking, Badgers remain even keel Story by Peter Geppert
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hen watching your typical hockey game, it’s not uncommon to see a few words and maybe even a couple of shoves exchanged after the whistle. Get lucky, and maybe you might see a fight between a couple of players who have become just plain sick of each other. Indeed the game seems to have its own set of unwritten rules when it comes to the art of trash talk, as players walk a fine line each game between getting in their opponent’s head and going too far and earning a trip to the penalty box. The Wisconsin women’s hockey team (6-6-2 WCHA, 10-6-2 overall) walks this proverbial line every weekend. Being one
of the top programs in collegiate hockey, the Badgers are a prime target for opponents who would love nothing more than to knock UW off its perch week-in and week-out. Even with this target on its back, Wisconsin remains as cool as the other side of the pillow, following the lead of its head coach Mark Johnson. The 10th-year coach frowns on his players “chirping,” a term usually used to describe little verbal nudges meant to get under the skin of opponents. “When you see someone get frustrated on the ice you try to control and contain it, and encourage them to stay away from it,” Johnson said. “Usually when they try
shoaib altaf/cardinal file photo
As one of the top teams in women’s hockey, Wisconsin has an ‘X’ on its back, with its opponents often trying to get under the Badgers’ skin.
to take you off your game you aren’t doing something that you’re normally doing and you hurt the team because of it.” “We’re not a big team that runs our mouth or anything, we know coach isn’t a big fan of that,” senior forward Brianna Decker added. “We just try to stick to ourselves and go beat them on the ice.” Despite having a young roster, with only one senior ranking in the top five on the team in points, the Badgers have been remarkable in being able to keep their composure. Wisconsin ranks seventh in the WCHA in penalty minutes at only 9.7 per game, with only Bemidji State spending less time in the box. Still, however, the Badgers’ youth has shown at times this season. In a chippierthan-normal game against Ohio State Nov. 16, a contest the Badgers won 4-2, the two teams combined for 18 penalties that resulted from multiple scrums. “A lot of the times it’s little stuff after the whistle, and stuff that kind of unnecessary that builds it,” junior goaltender Alex Rigsby said. “Obviously [that] weekend got heated, but if you look at the game the next day it was much calmer.” Being a player without professional experience, it can be difficult for a collegian to stay composed. As rivalries between certain players, teams and even fans build throughout the course of a career, the need for mental toughness becomes more pressing. Staying away from mental games and focusing on the game at hand becomes a true skill. “When you play for a while, you get a
Bielema introduced as Arkansas coach By Haley Markle The Arkansas Traveler
Note: This article was published with permission from The Arkansas Traveler, the University of Arkansas’ student newspaper. Arkansas athletic director Jeff Long introduced the new head football coach to trustees and media at a press conference Wednesday afternoon. It streamed online and on local television stations for fans to watch as well. Bret Bielema ended his seven-year term with the
Wisconsin Badgers Tuesday, yet he did not break stride when addressing questions about his former team and his dedication to the Razorbacks. “What today brings is an opportunity for me to stand in front of you and chase a dream,” Bielema said. Bielema did not specify what the dream was, but expressed more than once that he wanted to be at a place where he could do something that had never been done before. Living in a state with no
type of hate for teams,” freshman defenseman Courtney Burke said. “You look at a player like Decker, who has been here for four years, there are some people who she can’t stand playing against.” “I’ve seen it on many different levels, usually it happens the most when you get two teams that are rivals,” Johnson added. “You’re going to get a bunch of stuff going on because emotions and the stakes are high, but the bottom line is, you still need to perform when the puck is dropped.” Perhaps no rivalry has carried more importance in women’s hockey over the last decade than the Badgers’ series with Minnesota. Over the last nine seasons, the two schools have combined to win seven of the sport’s national championships. When the two teams get together on the ice, nothing is off limits. “We all know each other throughout the league, so they know what to say to us,” Decker said. “We know each other’s business and social life, which is how chirps happen.” “It’s a fun rivalry, every game we get amped to play them,” Rigsby added. “It’s a good, solid competition and I’m looking forward to playing them in a couple weeks.” Regardless of what type of shenanigans ensue when the Badgers and Gophers meet, Badger fans can be sure that it will not be their coach that starts it. “I never got involved in it [during my playing days],” Johnson said. “I was never big enough or physical enough to do that.”
Women’s Basketball
professional sports teams and no other division one college programs makes Razorback fans a passionate group, and that is something that has Bielema excited to be here, he said. “From this day forward we will do nothing but as players and coaches to try to give you every win you deserve,” Bielema said. A large part of the battle in college football is recruit-
arkansas page 11
The Daily Cardinal’s Sports Tweets of the Week: 11/29-12/5
We spend an inordinate amount of time on Twitter, so we’ve decided to justify that wasted time by compiling the week’s top tweets. They might be funny, they might be motivational and they might be none of the above, but as long as the tweets come from a past or current Badger player or coach, they pass the only prerequisite to make our list. luis feitosa/the daily cardinal
Freshman guard Nicole Bauman scored a career-high 16 points Wednesday, including two late free throws to seal the win.
Badgers top Marquette By Cameron Kalmon the daily cardinal
What do you think of this week’s top tweets? Is there another 140-character dispatch of goodness that should replace one of the tweets on this list? Tweet at us @Cardinal_Sports with your favorite tweets!
The Wisconsin women’s basketball team (5-3 overall) hosted Marquette (4-3) in a nail-biter Wednesday night, topping the Golden Eagles 71-68. Wisconsin came in off a big home win against Alabama, but the Golden Eagles entered hot on a two-
game win streak themselves. At the start of the game the Badgers scored 15 unanswered points after Marquette senior forward Sarina Simmons scored the first two points of the game. The Badgers worked the perimeter well in the first
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Thursday, December 6, 2012
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Men’s Hockey
Walsh finding his way Recently-appointed interim assistant coach has early success in series at Denver Story by Matt Masterson
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ack on Nov. 7, things were not going well for the Wisconsin men’s hockey team. The Badgers were already coming off a home sweep at the hands of Colorado College to drag their record down to 1-4-1, when third-year assistant coach Bill Butters decided to leave the team in order to spend more time with his family and his ministry. Head coach Mike Eaves and his staff embarked on a twoand-a-half week search for Butters’ replacement, which ultimately culminated in the hiring of current interim assistant coach Matt Walsh. “As soon as I found out coach Butters resigned, I actually called coach Eaves and left him a voicemail and said ‘If you’re interested, I’d like to come in and talk to you about the position,’” Walsh said. “[Eaves] told me exactly what the position entailed [and] what his expectations were.”
Two weeks later, the job was his. The Madison native already has an extensive hockey history in his hometown, as he walked on to the Wisconsin men’s hockey team in 1982, won the NCAA Championship in 1983, and began his coaching career in the area right out of college in 1986. Walsh has put in time coaching as an assistant at Madison Memorial and La Follette high schools, and he also served as the head coach at Stoughton high school in the mid-’90s. In addition to putting in time locally, Walsh also has history coaching on a national level. “I finished school and got into a lot of different coaching, and I’ve been coaching ever since,” Walsh said. “I also worked with USA Hockey for 18 years as a coaching chief for the central district… so I was in charge of running all sorts of different coaching seminars.” In his time with the Badgers
thus far, Walsh has primar- not have made a bigger difily been in charge of handling ference than in last weekend’s the team’s defensive unit, series at then-No. 5 Denver. where he preaches that a “solid The Badgers held the nation’s defense makes No. 3 offense to just a good offense” two goals on the and specializes in weekend, lowering breaking down his the Pioneers’ averplayers’ perforage goals per game Wisconsin’s mance through film from 4.17 to 3.71. goal-against study. The changes Not surprisaverage during the have already been ingly, with Denver eight games before Walsh joined the noticed on the ice. struggling to put UW staff. “I’m conscious the puck in the net, about some of the Wisconsin was able things he’s teachto find some sucWisconsin’s ing us—little things cess, earning a 1-1 goal-against with stick position tie and a 3-1 vicaverage since and our gap contory in their most Walsh joined the trol,” sophomore impressive series of UW staff. defenseman Jake the season. McCabe said. “It’s “Quite honestly, good to see him I have seen things sharing with us his experiences in practices and games as I’m with what he has learned from watching drills where the guys the past. It’s good to see him are doing those little things that jump in right away and he’s add up to big things during the making a difference.” game,” Eaves said Monday durThose “little things” may ing a press conference when
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Former Wisconsin head coach Bret Bielema was introduced in Fayetteville, Ark., Wednesday as the Razorbacks’ new coach. News broke of Bielema’s move Tuesday.
Arkansas students react to Bielema hiring By Andrew Hutchinson the arkansas traveler
Note: This article was published with permission from The Arkansas Traveler, the University of Arkansas’ student newspaper. Yesterday afternoon, UA students learned of the hire of Wisconsin head coach as the new Razorback head coach. Students, though surprised, were pleased with the idea of Bret Bielema becoming the next coach at Arkansas. “It’s as good of a hire as we could get,” sophomore Forest Holmes said. Several students pointed to Bielema’s success in the Big Ten and believe that it will carry over to the Southeastern Conference. After a season full of rumors, Boise State’s Chris Petersen and Oklahoma State’s Mike Gundy seemingly emerged as frontrunners for the job, so Bielema’s hiring came as a surprise to students. “We had Petersen, Gundy, and at one point Les Miles was a potential contender,” junior Samuel McLelland. “It was a surprise, but that’s Jeff Long’s style, to keep every-
thing hushed up.” With a new coach inevitably comes a new offensive system. Bielema had a runoriented offense at Wisconsin, and UA students are torn as to how it will work at Arkansas. McLelland believes it will revive memories of Darren McFadden and Felix Jones. “It’s our traditional run game that we’re looking for and that we’ve seen at Arkansas before,” McLelland said. “It will bring back a familiar style of Arkansas football.” However, senior Joey Taylor is concerned. “It’s kind of like what LSU and Alabama have been doing, but I think that’s a lot harder to do at Arkansas with the type of players we get here,” Taylor said. Students are also excited about the fact that he has taken Wisconsin to three consecutive Rose Bowls. “(Fans) overthink it sometimes,” junior Daniel Sultemeier said. “The guy is a winner.” McLelland is not convinced that the BCS appearances are
a sure sign that success will follow at Arkansas, because each conference is limited to only two teams, sometimes meaning the best teams don’t get in the BCS games. “A lot of people are throwing around the fact that he’s been to three Rose Bowls, and that’s something I just don’t know about,” McLelland said. “The SEC usually knocks each other out of potential BCS bowls.” A history of coaches starting in the Big Ten before coming to SEC also excites Sultemeier. “I see (Alabama’s Nick) Saban came from the Big Ten. Les Miles came from the Big Ten originally,” Sultemeier said. “People say we need a highoctane offensive guy; Bobby (Petrino) could do that, but we weren’t going to find a Bobby.” Ultimately, fans are glad the search is over and that Arkansas hired a coach with a winning record. “I think we got a winner,” Sultemeier said. “I think he’s going to be an awesome coach and he’s going to be here a long time.”
half, especially in the early stages of the game, where nine of their first 15 points came off 3-pointers. “I give Wisconsin a lot of credit for the way they jumped all over us at the start of the game,” said Marquette head coach Terri Mitchell. “The eight 3s they had in the first half really got them in rhythm.” The Badgers were led in 3-pointers by freshman guard Nicole Bauman, who went 4-of-5 from outside the arc en route to a career-high 16 points and five steals. Wisconsin head coach Bobbie Kelsey relied on Bauman to make two crucial free throws in the last 14 seconds of the game to bump Wisconsin’s onepoint lead to 71-68. “I told [Bauman] she had to step up tonight, she is no longer a freshman, she stopped being a freshman four games ago,” Kelsey said. The free throws were after Kelsey received a technical for leaving the bench and throwing her glasses following a foul called on senior guard Tiera Stephen. When Simmons broke for a layup, Stephen went to block the shot and received the foul. Fans at the Kohl Center challenged the officiating Wednesday night. One overly verbal fan was
arkansas from page 10 -ing quality athletes, and there was some concern from fans about Bielema’s ability to recruit in the South. However, Bielema’s teams have featured multiple players out of south Florida and Texas. One of the things Bielema said he will empha size in recruiting is putting a focus not on the player, but on the person. “We’ll recruit uncommon men here,” Bielema said. Since the hire was made, there has been speculation about what members of the current staff will be retained and what new faces will be brought in.
addressing Walsh’s impact. “I think that he’s already had some ripple effect there, and it’s going to continue.” While he does have the everominous “interim” tag in from of his title, Walsh is open to helping the Badgers in any way he can, whether it is short or long-term. “We haven’t had any discussions, but I would have some interest,” he said of staying with UW into the future. “I have to see if this is something I want to do, and obviously coach Eaves [has to decide] what direction he wants to take the program, so I think that’s where it stands now.” “My focus right now is for the interim—if I can help the team in any way I want to contribute.” If the Badgers can put together more weekends like the one they had against Denver, there is no reason to think that Walsh won’t be around for the long haul. even ejected from the game. Animosity was not only in the stands, as the players themselves shared their complaints with the officials and, perhaps because of their displeasure with the officiating, took some aggression out on the opposing team. Senior forward Cassie Rochel took a good tumble after being bumped down from a lay-up. Rochel injured her knee early in the first and was assisted to the locker room but returned with 9:33 left in first half. The Lakeville, Minn., native didn’t seem to be phased by the knee at all and went on to score 10 points and grab seven rebounds. She dove for and grabbed jump balls three times in the second half. Kelsey wants a healthy team, but both she and Rochel recognize just how deep Wisconsin’s bench is this year. Senior guard Taylor Wurtz was out with a back injury and freshman guard Dakota Whyte sat with an injured knee Wednesday. “Walking out of the gym I had no worries the freshmen and other players on the bench are ready to step up whenever,” Rochel said. It is unknown if either Wurtz or Whyte will be playing in Wisconsin’s next meeting at the Kohl Center Monday night against Florida Atlantic. Bielema said he will talk with each member of the current staff before making any kind of decision about who will be on the staff going forward. He did say that the administration at Arkansas will make it possible to hire a top notch staff. “The staff that I’m going to assemble is going to be second to none,” Bielema said. Bielema said he left a great place, but the opportunity to coach in the Southeastern Conference, especially at Arkansas could not be passed up. “There’s only one school I would have done it for,” Bielema said.