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Capitol fun
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Fight the Flu
orick t K
Day at the Capitol showcases students’ research, projects
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Up in smoke
Smokers’ rights being revoked is unfair and discriminatory
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2011
Volume 24
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ol cho s to s, end ing i n r f r retu ibilby s s s t d po en ete flu. tud e e r h e g t h t yor are and d njo l e o c e rs . y b not g a sso a n e i f m s i ch pro s ly two cat n i t tep f a s t s o r r i f e ity r, r c the the e t e t eve l e i a w l c h o u h W the red flu. , , o e e t e r h t a n abl or e ake r d t l e o be Th a c g an c in t tch a tha c of risk
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Broncos win
PREVENTION
Broncos send Bears back into hibernation
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Weather Today
Common symptoms associated with the cold virus are:
Rain
47º high
70%
chance of precipitation
Tomorrow
Partly cloudy
41º high
0%
chance of precipitation
Saturday
Partly cloudy
40º high
10%
chance of precipitation
What’s Inside News Briefs
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[ [
Sneezing/coughing Runny or stuffy nose Sore throat Watery eyes Headache and mild body aches
] ]
Common symptoms associated with influenza are: A fever Cough/sore throat Runny/stuffy nose Muscle/body and headaches Feeling run down and tired Vomiting/diarrhea
TREATMENT If the above symptoms sound familiar it’s time to start taking steps to kick the cold or flu. If cold symptoms persist and worsen, you have a fever of 102 F or higher, or symptoms last more than 10 days, see a health care provider. When in doubt call the Health and Wellness Center and speak to a Registered Nurse. Some of the more popular treat-
ments for a cold according to students are: “Tea, Airborne, water, EmergenC, Chinese herbs [and] sleep,” recommended by Ian James Bott, a senior communication major. Senior history major, Matt Lucich treats his cold by chugging a container of orange juice, “(It) works every time,” he said. A study conducted in 2000 by the University of Nebraska showed
2. 3. 4. 5.
The first, and too-often overlooked, step is washing hands in hot water with plenty of soap. Washing after using the restroom is the bare minimum. Also, wash after using a campus computer lab, touching desks or shaking hands. In general, avoid touching your face. The viruses can enter the body through the nose, mouth and eyes.
Staying hydrated can be key in the fight against the flu. Water helps flush out toxins. Students should aim for eight ounces a day. One way to tell you’re getting enough water is urine color. Bright yellow means drink up.
Don’t smoke and cut back on alcohol consumption. Smoking paralyzes cilia, the little hairs lining the mucus membrane of the nose and lungs. They are often one of the body’s first defenses against viruses. Heavy alcohol consumption can suppress the immune system and dehydrates the body. Get a flu shot. They are still available through the Health and Wellness Center and students with SHIP are covered 100 percent.
chicken noodle soup might play a role in battling the flu. Results showed the hot soup has an antiinflammatory effect. It also keeps mucus flowing in the nose where the virus sits, hopefully cutting down on recuperating time. Battling the flu can differ from a cold. Fluids are essential. There are a number of over-the-counter medicines that can be considered.
When deciding on cold or flu medications, look for: * Analgesics- this can help with aches and pains and reduce a fever * Antihistamines- can help dry a runny nose and watery eyes * Expectorants- thins mucus for the body to cough up * Decongestants- reduce nasal congestion * Cough suppressant- helps quiet a cough Bryan Talbot/THE ARBITER
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January 26, 2012
World
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Cruise ship oil extraction begins
VA finds 123 errors in national cemeteries
Education bills cause drop in union membership
WASHINGTON, D.C. — A review of cemeteries revealed problems with 123 grave sites. The majority of the mistakes concern moving headstones to the wrong spot after renovations, usually only a few spots away from the correct plot. Families of the individuals in question are being contacted by the Department of Veteran’s Affairs with more detailed information.
BOISE, — Idaho’s new education laws curtailed the bargaining power of unions, resulting in a drop of union membership. The Students Come First Laws, passed last year, limit negotiations to pay and benefits. It some districts, membership hasn’t dropped much. The Boise district still has 92 percent of the district’s teachers as members.
The Meridian district’s union reports losses that put them under 50 percent. This means they can’t negotiate with the district by the simple majority rule. This simple majority rule doesn’t solely count fee-paying members though. Officials told the Argus Observer they are going to ask for people to authorize them to negotiate on their behalf but not pay dues.
NEW YORK CITY --- Marta Valle High School’s spelling standards are suspected to be obscenely low. For the past few months, the street held a warning for a “SHCOOL X-NG.” No one reported it, so either no one pays attention or spelling standards are low nationwide.
According to the New York Post, a city contractor is blamed. Others express disbelief teachers didn’t notice the error. PTA president Linda Surles was not surprised. “Nothing surprises me anymore at this school,” she said to the New York Post. It’s okay, Ms. Surles. We feel your payne.
GIGLIO, ITALY — Crews prepared the Costa Concordia’s fuel tanks to be emptied of oil Tuesday, most of them from the Dutch-based salvage company, Smit. There are severe concerns the oil might start escaping the tanks. This is particularly risky given the waters around the island of Giglio are part of a nature preserve noted for clear waters, porpoises and whales. There are six tanks being prepped for
emptying. Pumps will be attached to holes cut in the tanks and the oil being sucked out will be replaced with sea water. “It’s never a routine, there is always a risk, but we’ve done this before, so at this moment we don’t see any problems,” Bart Huizing, head of operations at Smit, said to the Associated Press. It is estimated that after these six tanks are empty, the amount of oil in the ship will be halved.
LAND — In response to Iran’s repeated threats to close the Strait of Hormuz, Britain may send extra military assets to deter any such attempts. Two British warships, one French and the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier arrived at the Gulf on Sunday in a clear message that blocking the Strait would not be tolerated. In response to the recently agreed upon EU sanctions against Iran, the threats were restated by officials as well as denial at the sanctions having a negative effect on Iran.
lies on oil exports and the main EU sanctions feature an oil embargo. Some nations object to the embargo, fearing Iran won’t be effected negatively. “The oil embargo will lead to higher prices. Europe will be the loser and Iran will earn more because of high prices,” Iran’s oil ministry spokesman Ali Reza Nikzad Rahbar said, according to the Associated Press. The British defense secretary, Philip Hammond, said they had the ability and will reinforce the currently deployed forces, should a need arise.
E ditor - in -C hief
Clubs & Orgs Baseball Club
UK might send more RamiroWTF military assets to Ortega is New York “Shcool” Strait of Hormuz on trial has low spelling skills LONDON, ENGIran’s economy re-
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M anaging E ditor
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Oscar Ramiro-Ortega Hernandez plead not guilty to charges of trying to assassinate President Obama on Nov. 11 of last year. President Obama and the First Lady were not in residence when a bullet struck a window at the White House. They were on the West Coast at the time of the shooting. He was accused of attempting to assassinate the president, transporting a firearm across state lines and assaulting a United States employee with a deadly weapon.
In the Monday, Jan. 23, 2012 issue of The Arbiter, the article titled, “SOPA, successfully sunk,” incorrectly labeled Senator Harry Reid as (D-Calif). It should have been labeled: Senator Harry Reid (D-Nev.)
5:30-8:00 pm
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DOWN 1 Knave of Hearts’ loot 2 Fictional plantation owner 3 Guitar played with hands and feet 4 Dry 5 San Diego attraction
1/26/12 Wednesday’s Puzzle Solved Monday’s Puzzle Solved
By Billie Truitt
6 Having limits 7 Makes a choice 8 U.S. Open stadium 9 Rickey broke his stolen base record in 1991 10 “Assuming that’s accurate,” biblically 11 Winter garb 12 Guesstimate words 13 Takes home 18 Rogers’s partner 19 Last year’s frosh 24 Hot sandwich 25 Sequence of scenes 27 It’s not posed 28 Aptly named author 29 Holiday tuber 30 Dismissive bit of rhetoric 31 Highland tongue 32 Legendary seamstress 33 Eponymous physicist Ernst __ 34 Switch add-on
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38 “I’m talking to you!” 39 PC key below Shift 41 Wicked 42 Turner memoir 44 Member’s payment 45 Where kroner are spent 49 Disco era term 50 Sign up for more
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51 Letter-shaped fastener 52 Optimism 53 Granola grain 54 __ Bing!: “The Sopranos” nightclub 55 Some votes 56 First lady’s garden site? 58 Golfer Michelle 59 Hitter’s stat
The Future BY LINDA C. BLACK Tribune Media Services
Today’s Birthday (02/26/12) Investigate the world around you. Explore the future. The group supports you. Go over the financial plans, and see how you can manage to pay down debt and finance some classes this year. To get the advantage, check the day’s rating: 10 is the easiest day, 0 the most challenging.
Today is an 8 - If you can’t get what you need close to home, look farther away. Use your experience. You’re looking good and growing stronger. Love prevails.
D eveloping N ews E ditor
S ports E ditor
Edited by Rich Norris and Joyce Lewis
ACROSS 1 Utah’s state gem 6 Stable newborn 10 Emblem 14 “Don’t try to be ___” 15 __ jure 16 Slicer’s warning 17 See 38-Across 20 Passed down, as folk mus. 21 Shop gripper 22 Four Holy Roman emperors 23 ’40s-’50s pitcher Maglie 24 Tangle of hair 25 P.D. alert 26 See 38-Across 33 Silver and gold 35 Absorb, as a loss 36 Via, à la Burns 37 “__ you clever!” 38 Clue for 17-, 26-, 43- and 57Across 39 Intersect 40 Unlike Wellesley College 41 Board partner 42 Downloadable media player 43 See 38-Across 46 Clunker 47 Cruet fluid 48 Corn serving 51 That and that 54 Proverbial equine escape site 56 Sharp part 57 See 38-Across 60 Plotting 61 Head start? 62 Neutral shade 63 Dry run 64 No sweat 65 Being pulled
Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) Today is a 7 - It’s a good time to play pirate and hunt for buried treasure. Enjoy the digging. When you play and have a good time, you’ve already found the gold.
Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) Today is a 9 - Your schedule could get hectic. Let your heart set your priorities. Home vies with career. Consider options and financial factors. Then choose freely.
Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) Today is an 8 - There’s wisdom in the words of another. Your mission is to find it by opening your ears.
Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) Today is a 9 - Pay bills before you go shopping. Work on challenging projects that seem stuck.
Taurus (April 20-May 20)
If you are interested in playing, Ben Halverson at benhalverson@u.boisestate.edu.
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Los Angeles Times Daily Crossword Puzzle
Today is an 8 - You’re entering a potentially lucrative phase. Keep to the budget, and don’t overspend on toys. It’s okay to have more than you need. It’s a lucky moment for love.
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Aries (March 21-April 19)
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Correction: SOPA Senator
Practices at Fort Boise Field
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Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) Today is a 6 - A very fortunate moment in love ... might as well pop the question. Concentrate on serving another, and your own needs get met.
Gemini (May 21-June 21) Today is a 6 - It’s okay to slow down and contemplate. Focus on possibilities rather than limitations for best results. Meditation plays well in this scenario.
A non-partisan organization dedicated toward empowering students M eetings are held Fridays in the SUB from 12:30 to 1:30 For more information, contact gusvoss@u.boisestate.edu
Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) Today is a 7 - Time’s best spent with family. This doesn’t last forever. Express your affection. You and your partner really have more than you realize.
Cancer (June 22-July 22)
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Today is an 8 - Explore your neighborhood and learn something new. You play an important part in your community. Go ahead and participate!
John Garretson sports@ arbiteronline.com
Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) Today is a 9 - Finding a tranquil place to quiet your mind may be challenging, but it’s well worth it.
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Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) Email Matthew Summers at BSUEnt@gmail.com
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The Funnies Adventures of a crazy sports fan
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Today is an 8 - Get ready for the spotlight: You’re going onstage, and there are judges. Prepare well, and be respectful. Rely on a partner.
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Students help with Day at the Capitol Cheyenne Perry Journalist
The Capitol building hosted students and their research on Monday for Boise State’s annual Day at the Capitol. Students showcased research projects while legislators, professors and fellow students perused the various presentation boards. This year’s event was the first to be organized and hosted strictly by the students. Beginning at 10 a.m. and ending at 2 p.m., the event took place on the first floor of the Capitol. At the beginning of the event, participants could be seen with coffee in hand, preparing to explain their topics. Approximately 50 students participated in this year’s Day at the Capitol. The exhibits were split between Service-Learning projects and Engineering projects. Each exhibit gave an overview of the project, explained the goals and the processes, as well as the results. Members of the Associated Students of Boise State University (ASBSU) could be seen talking with participants and legislators and walking through
the exhibits, ensuring the event ran smoothly. “One of the important things that we want to do this year is really build a relationship between Boise State University and the legislature,” ASBSU Vice President Eric Shuler said. “When it comes from a student perspective, the true beneficiaries of all these policies and funding, it just has a greater impact.” This event meant more than simply showing how funding is being used at Boise State. It also showed what could be done with increased funding. Something ASBSU is focusing on, and hoping to use this year’s Day at the Capitol to promote is the idea of equitable funding for all of Idaho’s institutions. “Our main priority now is we want equitable funding for all students in Idaho, it’s not about getting Boise State more money it’s about giving every student in Idaho…an equal chance to have a valuable education,” Schuler said. This event showed the kinds of activities Boise State students participate in and allowed the fortythree legislators who attended to see how Idaho colleges, students and
communities could benefit from increased funding. A few of the ServiceLearning in Action projects were ‘Immunization Education’, presented by senior Meg Kovach, majoring in biology; ‘The Wyakin Way’, presented by senior Lee Gray, majoring in history education; and ‘Needs Assessment of Elderly Refugees in Boise, Idaho’, presented by Rachael Ledford, Mario Gonzalez and Andrew Drewiske. Greenspeed, the Boise State club which created the 1998 Chevrolet truck that broke the record for fastest vegetable oil-fueled vehicle, displayed a presentation board with details about the vehicle and trials. Other displays present in the Capitol were: ‘Capturing Fracture Propagation in a Glacier Using Passive Seismology’, shown by Kimi Smith, a senior majoring in geosciences; ‘Minimization of Surface Impurities in Anodized Aluminum’, shown by Boise State graduate Steven Livers; and ‘Miniaturized Electric Propulsion in Low Temperature Co-Fired Ceramic’, shown by senior Mallory Yates majoring in mechanical engineering.
Cheyenne Perry/THE ARBITER
Andrew Drewiske displays his presentation at the Capitol building lobby.
No camping bill moves to full House MCT Campus
A bill that would prohibit camping around the Capitol Mall passed the House State Affairs Committee Tuesday morning and now moves on to the full House. Department of Administration Director Teresa Luna spoke in favor of the legislation, saying the state currently lacks any legal authority to regulate camping outside of designated campgrounds. If the bill is signed into law, it would directly affect the Occupy Boise tent encampment, which was set up in November across the street from the Statehouse. “When Occupy Boise informed us of its intent to set up a camp, we searched state rules to try and find something to deny the activity,” Luna said. “We found specific guidelines for how we could use buildings, parking lots and the Capitol, but state law is silent regarding the grounds surrounding the Capitol. Without this type of bill, similar camps could sprout up around other buildings.” The camping prohibition would apply to “any stateowned or leased property or facility, including but not limited to the Capitol Mall.” However, state endow-
ment lands and land owned by the Department of Parks and Recreation or Department of Fish and Game are specifically exempted from the provisions of the bill. Rep. Erik Simpson, RIdaho Falls, said if lawmakers don’t regulate this kind of activity, more and more groups could start pitching tents. “I fear we could end up with a kind of Woodstock on the Capitol lawn,” he said. Rep. Max Black, RBoise, went even further, suggesting irate dairymen could unload hundreds of Holstein to protest state policies. Assistant Majority Leader Scott Bedke of Oakley, the primary bill sponsor, said he was impressed by
the eloquent defense of the Occupy protesters and the passionate nature of their testimony. Nevertheless, he noted the first thing they did when they set up the encampment was establish some rules of behavior. “They set up rules because they understood the basic concept: that without rules, there is chaos. Any organization or association of people, if it doesn’t have rules for basic comportment, then the association disintegrates It’s proper that we also set up rules for regulating camping.” Committee Democrats wanted to amend the bill and remove the emergency clause, which allows the bill to take effect as soon as it’s
signed into law. However, Idaho Falls Rep. Janice McGeachin was the only Republican to support that effort, saying she felt the bill could be improved. “I was intrigued by Occupy movement and was glad
to have the public hearing, so people in the movement could help us understand what they’re concerned about,” she said. Spence may be contacted at bspence@lmtribune.com or (208) 791-9168.
ONLINE Visit arbiteronline.com to read more on the Occupy movement.
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The first day II Trevor Villagrana
Assistant Lifestyles Editor
Part II: The Girl, continued. The rush of blood to his head was much like the rush of blood to the front of his pants; hot, swift and met with a peculiar tingling sensation that spoke to his own inexperience. He stammered, speaking in what could only be described as teenage, melodramatic
ignorance: “I…I…I’m new to school this year.” She paused to bite her lip and make note of the palm meeting Cameron’s face as he shed his summer skin to reveal an unforeseen paleness. “Well I would be delighted to show you around,” Sally said, exposing the cruelest of intentions with a single glance. “In fact, there are quite a few things that I would like to show you.” His heart stopped. “What is this, American Pie?” he thought to himself. “For the love of God please let this girl walk away before I have to face the embarrassment of having to stand up.” With face flushed and fists clenched on the corners of his desk he channeled any ounce of smooth bravado he had tucked away in his meager frame and proceeded to vomit forth the sweetest of nothings that he could stomach. “Well then, I guess I’ll be seeing you around,” he said as his ego fell flaccid and victim to the cool breeze that is trying to appear sure of yourself in front of an attractive member of the opposite sex. “You’re cute,” she said. “You kind of remind me of a turtle, but like a super cute turtle, you know?” Now college is an uncomfortable and terrifying time
in every young person’s life, but how often is it that a boy is simultaneously seduced and belittled by the same girl within one 50-minute period? Cameron was mortified, not to mention chilled to the bone, in more ways than one would like to admit. Stammering again, he composed what little bit of selfconfidence he had left and forced a bewildered smile. His mind was racing and the blood in his veins was that of molten lava as he attempted to pick up his manhood from the linoleum floor. This girl was trouble. He could feel it in his stones. She was cavalier and atrociously beautiful and she was keen to the sexual tension that walked into and out of every room with her. “Well, I must be off,” she said. “College is a bitch isn’t it?” And with that she was gone with the wind, pausing not even for one last look as she turned and headed for the door. Cameron looked down at the note she had left him. Folded neatly into halves was a fake address with an inscription beneath it that read, “In your dreams pretty boy. I like you but I’m not that kind of girl.” This was the last time that Cameron met Sally. Or was it?
Class dismissed.
mct campus
The Chinese New Year varies according to the Chinese lunar calendar.
China Night Celebration welcomes Year of the Dragon Arbiter Staff
Usher in the Year of the Dragon tonight at the Student Union Jordan Ballroom with Boise State’s China Night. This annual event celebrates Chinese culture with entertainment, dinner and dessert. The entertainment lineup includes traditional Chinese
dances, music performed on traditional instruments, a kung-fu exhibition and a presentation of modern Chinese songs. Boise State’s Chinese and Japanese students will also present songs and perform group dances. The Chinese New Year, which officially began on Monday, follows a 12-year
animal zodiac cycle. Following the rabbit, this is the Year of the Dragon. In Chinese culture, the dragon symbolizes good fortune and supernatural power and is one of the most revered zodiac symbols. China Night will be held from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. with an admission donation of $2 for students and $3 for the public. CODY FINNEY/THE ARBITER
The “checkpoint ahead” sign mocks an immigration checkpoint on the border.
Immigration checkpoint makes campus appearance Tasha Adams News Editor
Students walking through the Quad Wednesday encountered participants of the Tunnel of Oppression Street Theater dressed up as United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials, complete with cardboard guns. There were also signs designating the area as a faux immigration checkpoint. The MLK Living Legacy Workshop Week presented Tunnel of Oppression Street Theater “National Immigrants” in an effort to raise awareness about immigration laws.
The demonstration was produced by students, MLK Living Legacy Committee and Muticultural Services. The participating students met in Steven “Monk” Wells’ Cultural Exchange in Transitional Literature class last fall. “We all met in an English class ... and we all participated in Tunnel of Oppression and we all wanted to continue the Tunnel (of Oppression) beyond the one week,” Danielle Dore said. Dore was one of the students on the Quad and emphasized that the event is meant to raise awareness.
“What’s going on in Georgia and Alabama where (ICE) have roadside checkpoints in rural areas where they know they have a high density of immigrants and they pull (immigrants) over and if they don’t have their documentation on them, they are detained and deported,” Dore said. Renato Castelo was also there representing Idaho Community Action Network (ICAN). “These things that you are seeing now actually happen in real life,” Castelo said. “The main thing is that the immigration point is broken and we need to fix it.”
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Opinion
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Put It In Print
Penis rights
Bryce DunhamZemberi Columnist
Guest opinions and Letters to the Editor (300 to 500 word limit each) can be emailed to letters@ arbiteronline.com
The Arbiter
CODY FINNEY/THE ARBITER
Smoking is legal, and it is a personal choice for which no one should be denied a job. Doing so violates people’s individual freedom.
Smokers have rights, as well Eva Hart
Opinion Editor
The Central District Health Department in Idaho recently adopted a “nicotine-free” hiring process. This new policy means the department won’t hire applicants whose urine tests positive for nicotine use, whether it be cigarettes, smokeless tobacco or even patches. Ada County Sheriff ’s Department already forbids hiring smokers and the county is considering expanding it to all departments. This is an absurd, unreasonable policy and is discriminatory against smokers. Even in the eyes of a nonsmoker, this policy is offensive and should be outlawed immediately before the nation allows more discriminatory practices. If they stop hiring smokers, what group
will be targeted next? Matthew Pond, a Boise State graduate with a degree in political science, is a smoker who is not happy about the “nicotinefree” hiring process. “Discrimination from something that is legal— I can’t wait until they get sued,” Pond said. “As a smoker, I can accept a policy stating that you can’t smoke on the grounds. But to say you can’t even have nicotine in your system? Bullshit. It is legal, therefore, the government should follow their own laws.” One of the motives behind this policy is to lower insurance costs since health insurance for smokers is more expensive than insurance for a nonsmoker. Trying to justify discrimination because of the desire to lower costs doesn’t make it right. These companies
need to put people before funding. USA Today quoted Marcy Marshall of the Geisinger Health System in Danville, Pa., which begins its nicotine-free hiring next month. It said, “We’re trying to promote a complete culture of wellness. We’re not denying smokers their right to tobacco products. We’re just choosing not to hire them.” If the company’s excuse is a concern for the health of their employees and the cost of health insurance, then they should stop hiring obese people as well. It would only be fair considering one out of every eight deaths in America is caused by an illness directly related to obesity. Or stop hiring people who like to drink because nearly 4 percent of all deaths are related to alcohol. Where will the
line be drawn? If there was a policy regulating the weight of people being hired, the public would be screaming out that our nation is becoming communist. Discriminating against smokers is equivalent to discriminating against someone who is overweight—it’s wrong! Cassandra Kawaguchi, sophomore undeclared major, also disagrees with this policy. “I’m not a smoker and while I do enjoy clean air in public places, I really feel that they are taking their policies a little too far,” Kawaguchi said. “They’re now infringing on personal rights and privacy. Besides that, there are bigger problems with other substances that more heavily effect people than nicotine.” Another reason for the policy is a hope for high-
er productivity because smokers allegedly take too many “smoke breaks.” This issue could be eliminated by giving the smoking employees the same amount of time for break as the nonsmoking employees. Another option would be to ban smoking while on the clock or on the company premises. However, to deny smokers the right to smoke all together is taking away their freedom to do something legal. Saying an applicant is not qualified for a job because they smoke is unfair. What an employee does with their personal time, as long as it’s legal, is their business and should have no effect on the job title they hold. Making any sort of policy such as the “nicotine-free” hiring process is discrimination and should be treated that way.
l e tt e r t o t h e e d i t o r This Letter to the Editor was submitted by Lance Earl Rockland. Something to Believe In: Yesterday I received an infuriating letter from Power County Idaho. It indicated that unless I affiliate myself with a specific political party, I will have no voice in selecting nominees for the general election here in my state. This letter relates to House Bill 351 which was passed in 2011 and requires a closed primary system. I have a voice. I have a right to be heard. Removing that right from a citizen in good standing is clearly in violation of the Constitution of the United States. Now, here is my problem. I am trying to find something to believe in. When I was a boy, we always attended the Ogden Pioneer Days Parade and Rodeo. At the parade, the color guard proudly brought the colors by in grand fashion. At the rodeo, the flag was presented in a high speed horseback review. I always stood, stick straight, hat removed, hand over my heart, while goose bumps of pride and patriotism rose on the back of my neck. I was a part of something good, and I believed. Contrast that to my feelings in the last general election. When I stepped into the booth, I was still undecided. On one side, I had the Republican The Arbiter cannot verify the accuracy of statements made in guest submissions. Opinions expressed by guest and staff colum-
Party. This party had just spent a ridiculous amount of money to bail out financial institutions. The CEOs of these institutions should have been jailed and instead, they were receiving huge sums of my money. On top of that, was the knee jerk reaction to 911 that put us in Iraq. Our republican president had convinced us to go because of “huge stockpiles of weapons of mass destruction”. We went, many people died, and not one weapon of mass destruction was discovered. For the first time in the history of this country, we went to war not to defend right, not to defend our friends, not to defend the helpless. We went as aggressors against a people that was doing nothing to harm us. Though I consider the men and women who served there to be patriots of the highest caliber, that does not change the motives of those who make decisions at the top. Make no mistake, every life lost, American or otherwise died as a result of American aggression, they died as a result of state sponsored murder. Now, take a look at the republican choice before me. John McCain was walking the republican line which promised more of the same. During the Vice Presidential Debate, the moderator asked Sarah Palin the same question three times. And three
nists reflect the diversity of opinion in the academic community and often will be controversial, but they do not represent the institution-
times she said she did not come to talk about that and then she started down a different road of her own choosing. She seemed flaky to me then and proved me right when she violated the trust of the Alaskan people and walked from her job as their governor. I was opposed to everything that the party had done in the recent past and they promised to stay the course. How can I to believe in that? On the democratic side we had Obama. A liberal, pro abortion, a socialist, a man who thinks that we can borrow ourselves out of debt and buy our way out of any other crisis. I stand in direct opposition to virtually everything he stands for. How can I believe in that? So, who am I? I am “We the People”, I am conservative, I believe in God. I believe in the right to life. I believe in the constitutional amendment that guarantees me the right to pen this letter. I stand for the right to keep and bear arms. I believe that the judicial system is here to interpret laws, not make them. I support the death penalty. I know that government has no business in the private sector. I believe that businesses should survive or die based on their own merits, without government subsidies or bailouts. I believe in an extremely limited government. I believe that we have an obligation
al opinion of The Arbiter or any organization the author may be affiliated with unless it is labeled as such. The Arbiter cannot guarantee
to stand for good and protect our friends. Show me a party that supports these things and I will be the first to align myself with that party. Idaho has given me the following choices, which are all unsatisfactory: 1. Democratic: This party does not stand for the things I believe. 2. Republican: I lean this way, but recently this party has violated my trust and lost my faith. 3. Constitution: This party is so small, that if I align myself here, my vote will be wasted. 4. Libertarian: This party is so small, that if I align myself here, my vote will be wasted. 5. Unaffiliated: If I make this choice, I have no voice at all. The state of Idaho has stepped over the line. Consider Germany, what became of those who refused to join the Nazi party? The state of Idaho, like Hitler, has clearly stated that unless I buy into the party line they will take away my voice. We can, like sheep, follow along or we can, like patriots, stand for something. I demand the right to make my voice heard in all public elections and vote my conscience regardless of party affiliation. I will vote for the candidate of my choice, not for any specific party! What is it going to be? Are we free men or are we not?
submissions will make it to print due to time and space constraints. The content of the opinion does not affect its eligibility to be printed.
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According to Frederick Hodges, a Yale medical writer, there will be 13 million boys who will have all or part of their genitals removed via circumcision this year. According to George Denniston, a University of Washington medical writer, most parents do this with the best of intentions. Motivated by either religious tradition, medical routine or societal standardization, some parents feel they have no alternative to the operation’s benefits. With 90 percent of men in the United States circumcised, there seems to be a blanket acceptance of the procedure. Nobody seems to care how much an infant boy cries, or how they are forced to spend a lifetime of penile sensitivity from the result of circumcisions. The age when an American male’s circumcision occurs directly reflects society’s own self-admittance toward the degree of trauma implied. YouTube has a plethora of circumcisions recorded online. Although the genitals are censored, as a human being, it’s hard to watch a clip without being disturbed and devastated. Primal screaming is just as instinctual as wanting to stop whatever is inflicting another human’s pain. The fact is, this operation is done before a child understands pain , which reflects society’s willingness to deny its severity. Beyond the child, doctors have the most intimate relationship with circumcision. It is within their Hippocratic Oath to serve patients’ health interests and arise to justice. Weill Cornell Medical College’s Hippocratic Oath explicitly mentions this. “I will serve the highest interests of my patients ... I will be an advocate for patients ... and strive for justice in the care of the sick,” the oath states. Given that patients are those who receive an operation, the practice of parental forced circumcision promotes an interesting conclusion. If the wants of a parent supersedes a child’s ownership of his own genitals, where is justice being served? Parents cannot force their daughters into undergoing female circumcision in the United States, so why are men not subject to the same equality? Is it possible the Divine Creator made man exactly the way he or she wanted? In the eyes of a medical worker, foreskins have a variety of functions that circumcised males cannot enjoy. According to Hodges, uncircumcised males have a greater erogenous sensitivity because their Meissner and Vater-Pacini corpuscles are still intact, but are removed during circumsion, making an orgasm harder to achieve and ultimately less pleasurable. The acceptance of male circumcision in the United States is indefinitely cultural. But should we reconsider? Countries such as Sweden have a 5 percent circumcision rate and there is no effect on reproduction or health.
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Freshman Steven Hernandez forces his opponent out of bounds at the Taco Bell Arena Sunday Jan. 22, 2012. Hernandez came out on top over the Bears.
Broncos show no mercy Boise State wrestlers annihilate the Bears
Nikki Hanson
Assistant Sports Editor
There are moments in sports, though rare, where a match-up can lose its appeal because of a score that is out of reach for even the best of recoveries. The men of Boise State’s wrestling team made Northern Colorado look like a mere high school team, defeating the Bears 30-6. “I don’t think that Northern Colorado is as strong as the other (teams) we have been faced with. That’s probably why we came out a little faster and had more confidence,” head coach Greg Randall said. “If you want to be a wrestler, you want to be an exciting wrestler.” It seems as though the wrestlers are finally in the position they have been fighting for all season. The momentum stemmed from a victory over North Dakota on Friday, at the annual Beauty and the Beast competition, resulted in the Broncos third record win. “Winning is always contagious,” redshirt junior Michael Cuthbertson said. “We would like to win a little bit more, it has been a tough year for us. Any time we can pick
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up a win, it definitely boosts our confidence and it helps us to be more confident for the next match.” Redshirt freshman Steven Hernandez was the first Bronco to hit the mat, as well as the first Bronco to win, finishing 5-3. It was his momentum that began the ravaging of the Bears. Junior George Ivanov extended the Boise State lead to 9-0 with a first-period pin of Boise-native Charlie McMartin. Ivanov leads the team in wins with 18 on the season. “I felt pretty good today,” Ivanov said. “I’ve been feeling good all weekend, but I lost two days ago to North Dakota. I had a couple of mistakes, but I still felt pretty good.” Freshman Scott Bacon provided a memorable performance for the crowd. He defeated Josh Van Tine, 19-4, even securing a 3-point near fall as time expired. The heavyweights at the end of the lineup were as reliable as ever. Redshirt sophomore Jake Swartz (184), redshirt junior Brent Chriswell (197) and sophomore J.T. Felix (285) extended Boise State’s lead, with three consecutive wins. However, it was freshman
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Landon Hartley’s stand-out performance that had the fans on their feet. He defeated Sam Meis (7-2) in his first varsity match for the Broncos. “I think Landon Hartley (125) did a really good job. He hasn’t wrestled any varsity matches yet and he’s a freshman, that just came off a two year mission,” coach Randall said. “He stepped up for us and won the match. We were planning on red shirting him, but we pulled him out of redshirt tonight because Romero’s done for the season.” Oregon State, always a worthy opponent, will travel to the Taco Bell Arena, Friday, Jan. 27, to take on Boise State. It will be a night of vengeance for the Broncos, who previously lost to them 32-10 earlier in the season. Ivanov is just one of the men seeking redemption. He will face off against redshirt sophomore Roger Pena and it will not be the first time this year the two have come together in a heated battle. “I have wrestled him three times this year already. I know what he does. I beat him twice and he beat me once. So it’s going to be a close one. I’m ready to go,” Ivanov said.
CODY FINNEY/THE ARBITER
The Broncos dominated the meet with a final score of 30-6.
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JoePa
Timeline Dec. 21, 1926Born in Brooklyn, NY 1945- Served one year in the US Army
x x x x x x The Game
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o f G ar ret s o n o o o
A tribute to a tragic hero John Garretson Online Sports Editor
It crosses the line when there is a change in a subject from being acceptable to unnacceptable. It crosses the line when comfort zones become infringed upon and tolerance fades. It crosses the line when the absurd surfaces toward the face of reality and no one is quite sure how to handle it or make sense of it. It crosses the line when the sinking feeling in your stomach continues to fall into the abyssal depths as you know the subject at hand has become almost too much to handle. It crossed the line back in 1996 when former defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky began to inappropriately come in contact with younger children while coaching at Penn State, mostly met through his
mct campus
Mourners pay their respects to former Penn State Head Coach Joe Paterno on Wednesday, Jan. 22. charity, The Second Mile. It crossed the line that Sandusky took advantage of vulnerable children from his own non-profit organization. It crossed the line that these events escalated to rape, even on university grounds. It crossed the line even when these horrible tragedies were seen and reported to upper divisions of the university (cue the Dumb and Dumber soundtrack for former Athletic Director Tim Curley and senior vice president of finance Gary Schultz), and no contact was made to the police. It crossed the line that former Penn State Head Coach Joe Paterno failed to report the
incidents to police. It also crossed the line that the Board of Trustees, in an attempt to save face, fired Paterno — not face-to-face, but over a conference phone call. It crossed the line that Penn State students began to riot around the State College, Penn. town, protesting the firing of Joe Paterno as opposed to giving support to the victims who had suffered over the years from the sexual abuse Sandusky had brought upon them. It crossed the line when the local and national media began to bombard 85-year-old Paterno and his wife, Sue, at their own home as he attempted to
answer questions on his current and abrupt situation. It crossed the line that even with 40 counts of sexual abuse of young boys over a 15-year period, Sandusky was able to post bail. It crossed the line that one media source prematurely announced Paterno’s death through various “sources” which were not credible. Through pure coincidence, Paterno passed away the following day from his struggles with lung cancer. It crossed the line that even while people flooded new feeds on the Internet with condolences and mourning, some still praised the passing
of Paterno. It crossed the line to read that the Westboro Baptist Church, a radical religious group, was going to picket Paterno’s funeral. It crosses the line to realize that at least for the foreseeable future, Joe Paterno will not be remembered as the winningest coach in college football history with two national championships, but rather for the sexual scandals that happened around him. It crosses the line when in times like these, ignorance seem to trump intellect and reason. Rest in Peace Joe “JoePa” Paterno, 1926-2012.
Famous coach Joe Paterno leaves world content MCT Campus
STATE COLLEGE, Pa. --- It’s almost as if Joe Paterno were speaking from beyond the grave, even though the 85-year-old former Penn State coaching icon, who died Sunday of complications from lung cancer, has yet to be interred. The private burial took place on Wednesday afternoon in the college town he loved. But for those not among the select few family members and close friends who can gain entry to the cemetery, there were public viewings Tuesday and Wednesday at the Pasquerilla Spiritual Center on campus. There will be a public memorial service at 2 p.m. Thursday in the Bryce Jordan Center. Those fortunate enough to have had access to Paterno in the last few days of his remarkable life are telling mourners to dry their tears, because he wanted it that way. If some of JoePa’s many admirers feel they have reason to be bitter at the way his 62-year employment at Penn State was terminated on Nov. 9 in the wake of the Jerry Sandusky child sexual-abuse scandal, that’s on them. Joe Paterno left this world content and at peace with himself and what he ac-
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complished, in stark contrast to those who suggested his firing by the Board of Trustees left him a heartbroken and disillusioned man. That’s the joyous and hopeful message a dying Paterno conveyed to his children and to Sports Illustrated senior writer Joe Posnanski, who is working on a book about the winningest football coach in Division I history. Excerpts of Posnanski’s SI article can be found on SI.com, and read thusly: In the moments after Joe Paterno died, it became common for people to write and say that he died of a broken heart. He did not. Joe Paterno died of lung cancer and the complications it caused. He did not die a bitter or broken man. I know this because I spent time with Paterno in his hospital room during the last weeks of his life. I am writing a book about Paterno. We spoke different times about many things--from his days playing stickball in the streets of Brooklyn, to his time in the Army after World War II, through his playing days and his many coaching days, to, yes, the day a graduate assistant coach told him about seeing
Jerry Sandusky in the shower with a young boy--and what stood out above everything else is that Paterno refused to be bitter or sad about the way it all ended. “In every life,” he told me, “there have to be some shadows. Look at me. My life has been filled with sunshine. A beautiful and caring wife. Five healthy children. I got to do what I loved. How many people are that lucky?” Posnanski also writes that until his health took an irreversible turn for the worse, Paterno planned to treat his wife of nearly 50 years, Sue, to a sixweek “honeymoon.” Lest anyone believe that Posnanski is blowing, uh, sunshine to help sell copies of his yet-unpublished book, Paterno’s children are telling similar tales of a father who faced death with the same cheery outlook he held fast to throughout his life. “My father did not have a broken heart,” Paterno’s daughter, Mary Kay Holt, told Posnanski. “His heart was too strong. It couldn’t be broken.” Added son Scott Paterno, to the Associated Press: “Even at the end, when it was clear that he passed a line of no return, (there) was never a moment of bitterness. He was serenely
calm, even right up to the end.” Scott told AP a story about his dad’s hospital room. There were no flowers or balloons in the room, probably given away by Sue Paterno. The only memento was a
Penn State sweatshirt. “His life is Penn State, through and through,” Scott Paterno said. “He understood that, and it never once occurred to him to be bitter toward Penn State.”
1946- Attended Brown University where he played quarterback and cornerback on the football team 1950- Graduated Brown, signed as an assistant football coach at Penn State 1965- Named as the Head Coach at Penn State 1972- Accepted offer to coach the New England Patriots, but backed out of the deal after three weeks 1982- Won National Championship (defeated No. 1 Georgia in the Sugar Bowl) 1986- Won second National Championship (defeated No. 1 Miami in the Fiesta Bowl) May 16, 2006- Inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame Nov. 8, 2011- Paterno relieved of position after a Penn State Board of Trustees vote 1986- Won the Paul “Bear” Bryant national coach of the year award Nov. 2011- Son Scott announced Paterno had a treatable form of lung cancer Jan. 22, 2012- Paterno passed away after nine days of hospitalization
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Senior Saturday Football fans, don’t despair Wyatt Martin Sports Editor
Courtesy Idaho steelheads
Players at the Idaho Steelheads-Utah Grizzlies game skate skillfully.
Scoran spells success for the Steelheads
Courtesy Marcus Scott
Kory Scoran, alternate captain and defensemen for the Idaho Steelheads returned at the beginning of this season from the Holland league in Europe. Since his arrival, Scoran suffered a broken finger and was put on the 21-day injury reserve which left him out of the roster. The injury affected his play to the point that he wasn’t able to shoot and wasn’t able to play his brand of physical hockey. “This is the longest I’ve been out of the game due to injury, but I’ve been very fortunate to have only suffered a broken finger and not a dislocated shoulder,” Scorzi said (nickname given by his teammates). When put on injured reserve, players tend to alienate themselves from the team and focus solely on getting better. The Steelheads rallied behind Scoran to ensure that his role was still vital to the players’ success, which left Scoran motivated to return to his troops and be a dominant force in
defense. During the injury, Scoran would stay in shape by skating at Idaho Ice World, while the Steelheads were traveling and do conditioning drills so his body would be ready for live action, upon return. Scorzi’s knowledge of hockey, his worth ethic and leadership skills came from his dad, beginning at the age of three. As with all athletes, players go through ups and downs in careers, but Scoran’s came all too soon. In 1998, Kory played for the MJHL, but all of his prior teammates moved up to the upper division, which left Kory behind in a lower league. Some say this affects pride, but instead of letting it come all down on him he rose above the situation and was out with a vengeance to prove he belonged. During that season Kory Scoran won the most valuable defenseman while winning the Bantam “AAA” Hockey League. “I wouldn’t have been the hockey player I am today, this taught me (that)
nothing comes easy and you have to work hard to get where you are going,” said Scoran on his early days in the MJHL. Kory Scoran doesn’t lack motivation, which has helped him become successful on the ice for the Idaho Steelheads. The 2006-07 season, with the Steelheads, he had his most memorable moment on the ice, after winning the ECHL Kelly Cup, and most improved player by his teammates, Scoran’s success was reflected by his work ethic endured at a young age. Scoran’s style of hockey is a big contributor to the Steelheads success this season. Playing in 22 games his dominance has been felt by other teammates and has surged the Steelheads for playoff contenders. The preceding article was written by Marcus Scott, a marketing student participating in the Idaho Steelheads Internship Program presented by The Arbiter. For additional information, visit idahosteelheads. com/boisestate.
Courtesy Idaho steelheads
The Utah Grizzlies take on the Idaho Steelheads at Century Link Arena.
Feeling the late-January football blues? Yes, it's that time of year again—college football has ended, the Super Bowl is over a week away and football fans everywhere are starting to get that lonely feeling. The feeling that comes with the knowledge we will have to wait another eight months before pigskin returns. Well have no fear, the Senior Bowl is here! Kickoff is set for 2 p.m. this Saturday in Mobile, Ala. The game will be aired
on the NFL Network. Five former Broncos will be representing Boise State and trying to improve their draft stock for April's upcoming draft. Safety George Iloka, running back Doug Martin, defensive linemen Shea McClellin and Billy Winn, along with Kellen Moore will be showing off their talents against some of the best senior competition in the country. Moore, along with Wisconsin quarterback Russell Wilson, are already being touted as a couple of the players to keep an eye on.
Check out The Arbiter’s complete Senior Bowl recap in Monday’s issue.
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