MONDAY, JUNE 29, 2015
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IC’s Bethel Church remains strong By GIRINDRA SELLECK girindra-selleck@uiowa.edu
Luke Crane of Iowa City looks out from his balcony on Sunday. Rental units are inspected once every two years in Iowa City; with the deaths in the Berkeley, California, balcony collapse, renewed attention has been focused on local balconies. (The Daily Iowan/Sergio Flores)
Iowa City eyes balconies
The balcony collapse in Berkeley, California, has raised local awareness about the safety of Iowa City’s balconies. BY ANDREW POTOCKI andrew-potocki@uiowa.edu
T
he balcony collapse in Berkeley, California, on June 16, which killed six people and injured seven others, has drawn attention to the safety of Iowa City’s many balconies. “It does show the importance of periodical inspections,” said Tim Hennes, an Iowa City senior building inspector. Every rented complex in the city goes through a visual inspection every two years in order to determine the safety of the structure. With more than 18,000 rented units in Iowa City, there are more than 9,000 inspections a year, he said. Hennes said all commercial structures must have a licensed architect who follows standard code. He said owner-occupied residences are not inspected as are rented ones, but inspections are instead left to the owner of the property. These properties only receive an official inspection when they are sold.
There are several steps in the process of inspecting balconies, which is similar for both apartment buildings and houses, said Stan Laverman, a senior Iowa City housing inspector. “You don’t want to be neglectful in your job,” he said. “There’s a lot of comfort in knowing that I’ve personally inspected that building.” Laverman said the visual check includes applying pressure to the guardrails to make sure they can withstand a large level of force, checking how far boards holding the balcony platform go into the building, and a visual check of the balcony’s overall condition. Visual inspection might have not mattered much in the case of the balcony in Berkeley, Hennes said. “If there’s severe dry rot that’s not visible on the exterior, it could be impossible to notice,” he said. Authorities in Berkeley have found that the cause of the collapse was because of severe dry rot in the wooden beams SEE BALCONIES, 3
Big things come in all sizes, and Iowa City’s own Bethel African Methodist Episcopal church is proof. Originally built in 1868 on Governor Street — at that time located outside Iowa City, as African Americans were not allowed to own land within city limits — Bethel Church will reach its 150th anniversary in 2018. From the time Fred Penny became reverend of the church in 1958, the Penny family has been synonymous with Bethel A.M.E. “It was 90 years old when we first laid eyes on it,” said Dianna Penny, Fred Penny’s daughter. Penny first visited the church with her father in 1958, when she was 17 and a freshman heading to the University of Iowa to study art. She is now a published essayist and an exhibited artist — as well as the self-appointed historian for the Bethel A.M.E. — and she still finds time to play the organ during services. She continues in her father’s footsteps and a tradition of service to the Bethel Church. “People were drawn to him like a magnet,” Penny said about her father, who served as minister for 37 years until his death in 1994. “His ministry went far beyond the four walls of the church. He even managed to convert a few racists.” Despite being a predominantly African-American denomination, the A.M.E. church has expanded into 20 districts worldwide, reaching from Zimbabwe to India and Sweden. Former slave Richard Allen founded the A.M.E. church in Philadelphia in 1787. “He was a blacksmith by trade,” Penny said. “And to honor him, the emblem for the church is made up of a cross and an anvil.” The church has undergone a number of renovations since it was built: two basements were added over the years — in 1926 and 1988 — and a SEE BETHEL, 3
Juneteenth celebrates freedom Iowa City residents honor 150 years since the end of slavery. By ALISON CASSITY alison-cassity@uiowa.edu
On June 27, the parking lot at the Robert A. Lee Rec Center was packed with families, free food, face painting, and more to mark 150 years of Juneteenth. Juneteenth is a celebration of the end of slavery in America, and its roots in history go deep, said Leslie Schwalm, a University of Iowa history professor specializing in slavery, the Civil War, & Reconstruction. “It actually celebrates the day in 1865 when a Union officer brought news of emancipation to Galveston, Texas,” she said. The celebration, the fifth-annual one in Iowa City, featured booths with games, face painting, and free food. Organizer LaTasha DeLoach kicked off the celebration from the main stage with a speech. “You celebrate victories that were hard, painful, in which people lost their lives,” she said. “We want to teach our children. We are so grateful that we’ve made it to this day.” The biggest goal of the celebration was to draw people together, DeLoach said. “I appreciate people coming out to recognize that it’s important, and we should come together,” she said. “With
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A new Internet portal allows high-school students to apply to all three regent universities with one form. By ALLIE BISCUPSKI albiscupski@gmail.com
festivities kicked off with the reading of Juneteenth proclamations and a moment of silence for the nine victims of the Charleston shooting. “This symbolizes the time when my people, African-American people, were set free, but also another time when we were getting a little closer to equality in America,” said Chastity Dillard, the development director for the Neighborhood Centers of Johnson County. Historically, Juneteenth has been a
Starting in July, high-school students will be able to apply to Iowa’s three public universities with just one click. The state Board of Regents have developed a portal, débuting July 1, that will allow students to send applications to Iowa State University, the University of Northern Iowa, and the University of Iowa on a single website. The portal is open to high-school students enrolling for the fall 2016 semester or later. Regent Chief Academic Officer Diana Gonzalez said the portal will help streamline the application process. “The portal will provide a one-stop shop for new U.S. high-school gradu-
SEE JUNETEENTH, 3
SEE REGENTS, 3
The cast of the play Hidden Tags performs at the Robert A. Lee Community Recreation Center on June 27. Johnson County holds the Juneteenth ceremony to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the end of slavery in the United States. (The Daily Iowan/Jai Yeon Lee) what’s going on in this country, a lot of that echoes from this past.” The food and games were a draw for families, but many who attended the celebration expressed a bigger reason for going. “I personally am from Africa, but growing up here has made me appreciate what African Americans have done and how far we’ve come, even though we still have a long way to go,” Iowa City resident Wisdom Nwafor said. The meaningful nature of the day was not lost on those who attended, and the
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2 NEWS
THE DAILY IOWAN | DAILYIOWAN.COM | MONDAY, JUNE 29, 2015
The Daily Iowan
Politicans react to marriage decision
Volume 149 BREAKING NEWS Phone: (319) 335-6063 Email: daily-iowan@uiowa.edu Fax: 335-6297 CORRECTIONS Call: 335-6030 Policy: The Daily Iowan strives for accuracy and fairness in the reporting of news. If a report is wrong or misleading, a request for a correction or a clarification may be made.
By REBECCA MORIN AND BRENT GRIFFITHS In a 5-4 decision, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that there is a right to marriage for same-sex couples across the country. The opinion, written by Justice Anthony Kennedy, does not change LGBT rights in Iowa — in which same-sex marriage has been legalized since 2009 — but that has not stopped a number of Iowa politicos and presidential candidates from weighing in.
Iowa’s Congressional delegation
Iowa Democratic Party Chairwoman Andy McGuire “Iowa was one of the first states to recognize marriage equality, and I’m thrilled that now same-sex couples in all 50 states will be able to celebrate their love and receive their deserved equal rights and protections under the law.“
Iowa organizations
Rep. Dave Loebsack, D-Iowa “Iowans are no strangers to being on the forefront of fighting for greater civil rights. That is why I am thrilled that the Supreme Court today struck down state laws that discriminate against gay and lesbian couples, effectively legalizing marriage between two people of the same sex nationwide.”
Donna Red Wing, executive director of One Iowa “This is an historic marriage-equality case. It is an enormous victory and a joyous day for loving, married couples and their families across this nation… The Supreme Court recognized the validity of our families by allowing them to fully share in the freedom to marry.”
Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee “The Supreme Court has spoken with a very divided voice on something only the Supreme Being can do — redefine marriage … This irrational, unconstitutional rejection of the expressed will of the people in over 30 states will prove to be one of the court’s most disastrous decisions, and they have had many.”
South Carolina Lindsey Graham
Sen.
“… The Supreme Court has ruled that state bans on gay marriage are unconstitutional, and I will respect the court’s decision … Rather than pursing a divisive effort that would be doomed to fail, I am committing myself to ensuring the protection of religious liberties of all Americans.”
Florida Sen. Marco Rubio “People who disagree with the traditional definition of marriage have the right to change their state laws. That is the right of our people, not the right of the unelected judges or justices of the Supreme Court … While I disagree with this decision, we live in a republic and must abide by the law.”
Former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum “Today, five unelected justices decided to redefine the foundational unit that binds together our society without public debate or input. Now is the people’s opportunity respond because the future of the institution of marriage is too important to not have a public debate.”
Democratic presidential hopefuls
The Family Leader
Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa “I am disappointed by the Supreme Court’s decision and its failure to recognize the freedom of our states to make their own decisions about their respective marriage laws. While it is my personal belief that marriage is between one man and one woman, I maintain that this is an issue best handled at the state level.”
Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa “I believe marriage is between one man and one woman … Regardless of whether you agree or disagree with the Supreme Court’s decision, everyone deserves to be treated with respect, and nobody should have their deeply held religious beliefs trampled by their government.”
“The court did not so much redefine marriage as it worked to undefine it altogether, to separate the institution from its anchor in the “Laws of Nature and Nature’s God,” leaving future courts no legal basis for disqualifying any number of relationships from being called a ‘marriage.’”
GOP Presidential hopefuls
Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush “Guided by my faith, I believe in traditional marriage … I also believe that we should love our neighbor and respect others, including those making lifetime commitments. It is now crucial that as a country we protect religious freedom and the right of conscience and also not discriminate.”
Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal “The Supreme Court decision today conveniently and not surprisingly follows public-opinion polls and tramples on states’ rights that were once protected by the 10th Amendment of the Constitution … This ruling must not be used as pretext by Washington to erode our right to religious liberty.”
Iowa GOP Chairman Jeff Kaufmann “We believe, and still believe, that marriage is between one man and one woman. The Supreme Court’s decision changed law by fiat and unfortunately continued this court’s history of legislating from the bench.”
“The court ruled today that all Americans should receive equal benefits and rights from the government under the law. I have always supported this view. However, this decision was also about the definition of marriage itself. I do not agree that the court can or should redefine marriage.”
“Along with millions of Americans, I am celebrating today’s landmark victory for marriage equality, and the generations of advocates and activists who fought to make it possible … Our work won’t be finished until every American can not only marry, but live, work, pray, learn, and raise a family free from discrimination and prejudice.”
Ben Carson “While I strongly disagree with the Supreme Court’s decision, its ruling is now the law of the land. I call on Congress to make sure deeply held religious views are respected and protected. The government must never force Christians to violate their religious beliefs.”
Iowa political parties
Former Hewlett Packard CEO Carly Fiorina
Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton
Former Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley “Today, the Supreme Court affirmed that marriage is a human right — not a state right. I’m grateful to the people of Maryland for leading the way on this important issue of human dignity and equality under the law. The American Dream is the strongest when all are included.”
Former Texas Gov. Rick Perry “I am disappointed the Supreme Court today chose to change the centuries-old definition of marriage as between one man and one woman. Our Founding Fathers did not intend for the judicial branch to legislate from the bench, and as president, I would appoint strict constitutional conservatives who will apply the law as written.”
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Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders “Today, the Supreme Court fulfilled the words engraved upon its building: ‘Equal justice under law.’ This decision is a victory for same-sex couples across our country as well as all those seeking to live in a nation where every citizen is afforded equal rights.”
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THE DAILY IOWAN | DAILYIOWAN.COM | MONDAY, JUNE 29, 2015
BALCONIES CONTINUED FROM FRONT protruding from the building that “supported”
BETHEL CONTINUED FROM FRONT new 4,000-square-foot sanctuary was added to the structure in 2010. Through the changes, Bethel has been intent on retaining its intimate atmosphere, and some of its members openly champion this approach over the growing trend in the direction of “megachurches.” “Megachurches strike
REGENTS CONTINUED FROM FRONT ates who are interested in applying to more than one regent university,” she said in a press release. “The portal will ease the process for students because they won’t need to answer all the common questions more than once,” she said. Grace Young, a senior at Iowa City West High, said though she has applied to the UI, she thinks the statewide application process will save time.
JUNETEENTH
CONTINUED FROM FRONT
way to acknowledge the past and celebrate victories, Schwalm said. “Juneteenth is a way to celebrate the end of slavery while also insisting that slavery is a part of our national history,” she said. “The tenor of the celebration would change as the generations of those who had experienced slavery passed on. It became a way to commemorate the past.” Families from all over Johnson County came together for the celebration, which hosted around 500 people over the course of the day, DeLoach said. For DeLoach, who has
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the balcony. Prosecutors have opened a criminal probe in the matter. In Iowa City, all inspections are based on the International Building Code, which is used
nationwide and updated every three years, said John Yapp, the Iowa City development services coordinator. As does Iowa City, Berkeley uses the international code.
Yapp stressed that it is important for property owners to check the quality of their balconies and not wait for city inspections. “We encourage property owners to periodically
inspect their property for any damage or anything not up to code,” he said. “Balconies are very similar to bridges; if the surface they are connected to is eroded or unstable,
then it could collapse regardless of how wellbuilt the bridge is.”
me as out of control and impersonal,” Penny said. Husband and wife duo Michael and Lena Hill, who moved to Iowa City from North Carolina in 2006, were drawn to the Bethel community and became members in the fall of 2007. Now leaders in the congregation, Lena Hill serves as head of Christian education, and her husband runs the adult Sundayschool. Penny and Michael Hill both emphasize the importance of Bethel’s small size.
“Many churches in this day and age have grown to the extent that the pastors don’t even know their members,” he said. “You may be going to the same church, but you’re effectively strangers to one another. “Bethel is a very intimate congregation. You’re talking about a church with 35 or 40 members.” The church’s small size does not seem to hinder its acclaim. Bethel won a Historic Preservation Award in 2010 and was added to the National
Register of Historic Places in September 2000. The recent events in South Carolina, in which a white man opened fire on the congregation of the Emmanuel A.M.E. in Charleston, killing nine people, has drawn a great deal of attention to the A.M.E. church. Some expected outrage and anger towards the shooter, but the A.M.E. community in Iowa City has responded with messages of mercy. “It’s not about a wrongdoer deserving forgive-
ness,” she said. “It’s about your deserving peace. If you can’t forgive, that hate becomes a permanent barrier that you can’t get around, like a boulder in the middle of the road.” Penny said that despite the atrocities committed and the lives lost, a positive outcome seems to have been reached, for the A.M.E. church and for the United States as a whole. Dylann Roof ’s whitesupremacist associations fueled a national conver-
sation focusing on the residual symbols of racism present in society. A number of companies have stopped selling merchandise emblazoned with the Confederate battle flag. The “Stars and Bars” has since been removed from state properties across the Southern United States. “It’s horrible and ugly that it takes an event like this, but the deaths of those nine people changed things,” said Penny. “They brought down the Confederate flag.”
“I think that anything universities can do to cut down on the amount of time students spend entering the same data on numerous applications will help us out,” she said. UI sophomore Yannik Encarnacao said he thinks the draw of instate tuition will influence Iowa high-school students’ decision to use the portal. “Just living in Iowa with in-state tuition, you want to apply to as many Iowa colleges as you can, just in case,” he said. “Money-wise, they just make sense; if there had been one for Io-
wa, I definitely would have used it.” States such as Texas and California have implemented a system similar for their high school students. “There was a common [application] for other colleges that just pulled them all together so it just made sense,” Encarnacao said. According to regents’ web documents, the web portal is expected to cost
as much as $290,000 to create and implement in its first year. The annual ongoing costs are estimated to be $100,000. Young said she likes the idea of the portal but thinks it should offer more features. “If the application also served as a scholarship application, I could see that being helpful for many,” she said. “They might not be seriously considering [one of the
public universities], but once they see the cost, it could make a huge difference in their final decision.” Young thinks the portal is a good start, but the number of schools included should expand. “To me, the portal seems like a mini common app just specified to Iowa, and I would love to see a system in which there was a universal application for all universities,” she said.
Encarnacao said he appreciates the advances the regents make in regards to technology’s effect on the college-application process. “The American college system is changing a lot,” he said. “With so many more people going to college every year, and its becoming a more natural thing to do, I think they’re going to have to find a way to streamline everything.”
organized nearly all of the five Johnson County celebrations, the celebration of Juneteenth hits close to home. “On my dad’s side, my great-grandfather was a freed man, and he purchased my great-grandmother out of slavery,” she said. “[On Juneteenth] one of my relatives was recognized as a human and not as property, so it’s huge.” She said misinformation is the biggest hurdle facing Juneteenth. More people should educate themselves about the history of Juneteenth and celebrate the holiday in the future, she said. “Three million people became human,” she said. “That’s powerful. I’m going to celebrate that.”
Information from the Associated Press was used in this report.
Opinions 4
THE DAILY IOWAN DAILYIOWAN.COM
MONDAY, JUNE 29, 2015
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. — FIRST AMENDMENT TO THE U.S. CONSTITUTION
EDITORIAL
COLUMN
Good morning Same-sex implications from Beijing T Chris Higgins chrishigginsdi@gmail.com
Chris Higgins is a DI staffer interning abroad at China Daily for the summer. Above all, writing classes at the University of Iowa have taught me that my most productive and creative output comes during the early morning in short bursts (2:07 — make that 2:14 — a.m. Beijing time as I type this). Sleep deprivation be damned. Naturally, that carries over to my first foray into column writing for the DI. I won’t even bother to record what time it is now, except to say that the Sun should come shining through the particulates any moment now. Also familiar are text messages serving as writing inspiration — just check my last column. I could recap my discussion with one friend over his hypothetical second tattoo, but I’ll give another one the chance. “Put me [in] your column,” she wrote, just beginning her Friday night in Iowa City. I was still slightly recovering from mine. Her message served as a tether back to the Midwest, something keeping one toe grounded on the Pentacrest. “Thank goodness you have a Chinese phone,” as the first friend put it, meaning I can keep in contact with him and everyone else on the other side of the North Pole constantly and easily. Despite his initial concerns, our communication didn’t come anywhere near being severed, something that would’ve been totally unimaginable when this internship began 10 years ago. Lenovo smart phones from China Mobile really are a miracle. Today (yesterday, actually), my mobile connection went out while I was visiting the Temple of Heaven. My tether disappeared, temporarily, leaving me on
my own to explore the religious-complex-turned-gigantic park. The other interns’ plan to hit IKEA did not reach me in time. The nearly 700-acre park features massive marble altars, striking gabled prayer halls, and greenery. Lots of it. There’s even a rose garden. The day had a dreamy, cinematic quality to it, at first due to the haze of the worst smog to hit the city yet. However, the day quickly became one of full observation and escape — much like watching a movie — as I strolled past Beijingers making their own Sunday escape. I watched semi-impromptu gatherings of dozens of seniors sing patriotic tunes, complete with MCs and saxophone players. Couples transformed a stone walkway into a ballroom as their grandchildren watched intently. An army of freshly dressed older men and women with neon orange bucket hats marched in as I snapped pictures. The tranquility doesn’t last forever, as the park closes at 10. The accordion performances and wedding photos must come to an end. There are shops and factories and hutongs and families to return to. Just outside, on a pedestrian bridge, I watched a man fly a kite over the buses and cars below, rumbling through the fog, blanketing Tantan Road. I have just under six weeks left before my escape to Beijing ends and Iowa pulls me back in completely, writing habits and all. It’s been a nice escape so far, memorable, life changing, indescribable, etc., etc. But temporary, as well as unreal. That said, what I’ll be returning to is hardly permanent. College life is instead a delay from the real world, and perhaps my little excursion to China has helped inch me closer to a sense of what I’d like to do once I’m out. In the meantime, I’ll write as the Sun rises and discuss decoration plans with my future roommate, whether in Beijing or Iowa City.
STAFF STACEY MURRAY Editor-in-Chief PAUL OSGERBY Opinions Editor MARCUS BROWN, JACK DUGAN, JOE LANE, PAUL OSGERBY Editorial writers CHRISTOPHER CERVANTES, CHRIS CLEGG, CHRISTIAN FISCHER, NEIL FLATTERY, SAMUEL JARVILL, CHRIS HIGGINS, JOE LANE, SARA SANCHEZ, KELIN SILBER Columnists EDITORIALS reflect the majority opinion of the DI Editorial Board and not the opinion of the Publisher, Student Publications Inc.,or the University of Iowa. OPINIONS, COMMENTARIES, COLUMNS, and EDITORIAL CARTOONS reflect the opinions of the authors and are not necessarily those of the Editorial Board.
he U.S. Supreme Court reached a monumental decision in the Obergefell v. Hodges case presented June 26, ruling that state-level bans on same-sex marriage are unconstitutional — a long overdue interpretation of the 14th Amendment. Now, the remaining 13 states, primarily in the Midwest and South, that held bans on same-sex marriage must recognize the holy matrimony of those who love their own sex. Though it hasn’t gone without contention, the most conservative of lawmakers are required to recognize the court’s ruling. “My view of marriage is based on my Christian faith,” said Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, whose state had seven cases of samesex marriage sitting in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit. “My views on marriage aren’t evolving with the polls.” In mere days, though, his state will have to accept those marriages, while the United States will join with the 17 other countries across the globe, including Brazil and the United Kingdom, in allowing same-sex marriage nationwide. Opponents, such as Jindal, unsurprisingly object to the high court ruling with claims that are largely grounded in religion. The current dichotomy in the wake of this ruling highlights the dissociated rhetoric in this country. Despite surveys such as the Gallup Poll suggesting the majority of Americans believe in legalized same-sex marriage, dissenting opinions fill news headlines. However, the reportage lacks an awareness of the residual inequality that the Obergefell ruling leaves behind for the LGBTQ community in which it cham-
COLUMN
10 days in June make history Joe Lane joseph-lane@uiowa.edu
I used to sit in high school history class thinking about how we view the pages of that textbook. This book was the past: monumental events that are so far behind us we cannot fathom living through them. Then we do. And for a fleeting, awe-inspiring moment we sit still while we witness history, as it will be taught in our children and their children’s textbooks. Last week may have already been the defining moment of the year. Moreover, there is little doubt whether these “10 Days in June,” as The New Yorker and others called it, may become one of the defining moments in Barack Obama’s presidency. Gay marriage, the removal of Confederate flags, a mas-
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sacre in Charleston, and the ultimate approval of the Affordable Care Act all occurred in one life-altering 10-day stretch. Across the country, people rejoiced as gay-marriage rights were passed by the Supreme Court. And rightfully so, as according to a recent Gallup Poll, 60 percent of the country is in support of gay marriage. Meanwhile, despite this support from the American public, leaders in the GOP — particularly those who have begun presidential campaigns — are opposed to gay marriage. According to the New York Times, “not one [GOP presidential hopeful] supports allowing gay and lesbian couples to marry.” The article goes on to explain that the only difference between candidates now is how heavily they will continue to resist the Supreme Court decision. The question that lingers for me, however, is what is left to resist? The Supreme Court ruled that the Constitution guarantees the
right to marriage, regardless of sexual orientation. Gay marriage should no longer be a debate, and the Republican Party should view this as a positive result for upcoming elections. A divisive issue that once prevented many from voting for the Republican part is now a nonissue. Or at least it should be. I have always been torn between support of the social ideals of the Democratic Party and the fiscal ideals of the Republican. The removal of the gay-marriage debate from the minds of U.S. voters is just one more thing that no longer prevents people from voting for the Republican Party. However, this is not how Republican candidates have viewed the scenario that unfolded on June 26. Take Scott Walker of Wisconsin for example, who, according to the Times, responded to the June 26 events by saying, “No one wants to live in a country where [sic] the government coerces people to act in opposition of their conscience.”
Certainly, Republican candidates feel a commitment to the party’s platform outlining its opposition to same-sex marriage. Many Republican voters will appreciate and support candidates that continue to pursue the prevention of same-sex marriage. However, for the moderates and for the swing states, in which each vote counts, taking a moderate stance on gay marriage may be a smart move. “Be humble in victory and gracious in defeat,” a quote that I remember fondly from my time in Little League and high-school sports. For many, including myself, the Supreme Court ruling June 26 is a victory. While Republicans should not view this Supreme Court decision as a defeat, it’s important for them to remember their grace. If a Republican candidate hopes to gain my vote, he or she could take a step in the right direction by accepting the new law of the land rather than continuing to fight the opinion of the American public majority.
COLUMN
Progress, peace, and sacrifices
EDITORIAL POLICY THE DAILY IOWAN is a multifaceted news-media organization that provides fair and accurate coverage of events and issues pertaining to the University of Iowa, Iowa City, Johnson County, and the state of Iowa.
pioned. Acknowledging marriage for those in the transgendered or non-gender-conforming community is still left unanswered. The first three letters in the abbreviation may now celebrate the social and economic equality they deserve through marriage. However, the transgendered and queer, or questioning, members lack a definitive answer from the ruling. The Supreme Court ruled on the most “palatable” aspect of the LGBTQ community. Furthermore, the image of LGBTQ pride has been portrayed as what is most easily recognizable: same-sex couples. Photographs alongside news coverage indicate such. Though integral to human and civil rights, there is still a long trek toward real egalitarian progress. Those who cannot or choose not to associate with a single sex or gender are still marginalized in the ways they love. Jennicet Gutierrez, a trans Latino activist, was quickly hushed and removed during her interruption of President Obama’s Pride speech held June 24 in Washington, celebrating progress toward gender equality. His response was rather arrogant and trite as well, likening the incident to disrespecting a party host. Following a triumphant day toward equal rights in this country, there are still apertures that need to be filled. Gender equality does not stop at the letter B. Members of the trans and queer community deserve the socioeconomic equality that their fellow LGBTQ members received June 26.
Christopher Cervantes cmikemayvantes@gmail.com
When it comes to patriotism, I find it quite easy to say that I love my country. I love that I am able to speak my mind and have those thoughts printed for the masses to either enjoy or despise. I love the various freedoms that are given to the citizens and that we grow in order to determine that no one group of people is subjected to unjust biasness and restrictions (i.e., June 26). Overall, I find the United States to be a wonderful country to grow up in. However, that does not mean that I turn a blind eye to the less-than-noble
indiscretions and dealings of the past. A prime example is the recent controversy of the Confederate flag and the highly publicized dispute that has once again shown its face. Many reputable individuals have spoken up because of the brewing political storm. NAACP President Cornell Brooks said, “[The NAACP says] this not because we’re trying to sow division but rather because we’re trying to sow unity — a unity of purpose, a unity of commitment, a unity of resolve — so that we confront the racism in our midst. And that means, certainly symbolically, we cannot have the Confederate flag waving in the State Capitol.” Counteractively though, former North Carolina NAACP President H.K. Edgerton was found waving the infamous flag, describing why he believed
in upholding the Southern tradition. He insisted that it was a symbol of honor and dignity in the black community and that the flag united the people of the South. “This is our flag,” Edgerton said. Being a California native of mixed white and Latino descent, I find myself to be the outsider in this situation. That being said, I believe with all certainty that I know what must be done. The most common defense that I’ve found for retaining the Confederate flag is that its creation did not stem out of racism. That may be, but that does not exempt it. Take, for example, the manji, which is a sacred symbol of Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism. Conversely, it is more commonly known in the Western hemisphere as the swastika. Because of
the sordid history that goes with it, manji is now the product of censorship in many forms of media and popular culture. The Confederate flag is like the manji. Despite its origins, it will forever hold the negative connotation of oppression of African Americans and the torrid slave trade that had a twisted economic base in the United States. It is now cemented into the public’s mind as a symbol of oppression. This is a difficult topic to fully decide upon all because it deals with a removal of an icon that has been a constant in Southern life. Then again, so was the institution of slavery. This is a crucial time in our nation’s history, a time for positive change and unity. In the name of progress and national unity, the flag should be removed from its post.
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Daily Break the ledge This column reflects the opinion of the author and not the DI Editorial Board, the Publisher, Student Publications Inc., or the University of Iowa.
Signs your neighbor might be a serial killer
• He’s really nice and quiet and never makes a peep. • You keep helping him bury bodies, but he maintains it isn’t a habit. • He swears emphatically that he’s not a serial killer. • He swears emphatically that he IS a serial killer. • He says he’s having people over for dinner and then laughs maniacally. • You catch him perusing Serial Killing for Dummies. • You complain about getting blood stains out of clothes, and he says “I know, right?” • His “Kill 10, get one free” punch card is almost complete. • He can’t get enough of fava beans. • His house-party mix is just “Die, Die, My Darling” on repeat. • You mention that you love watching “Dexter” and he screams, “That show is wrong. ALL WRONG.” • His Christmas cards are written with individual letters cut out of magazines. • He calls “Se7en” his favorite “comedy with a heart.” • “I’ve never killed a bunch of people” always eliminates him from a round of I’ve Never. • His bumper sticker reads “Mass Murderers are Sissies.” • He is currently stabbing you repeatedly. • He writes a Ledge titled “Signs your neighbor might be a serial killer.” Andrew R. Juhl thanks Brian Tanner (@MojoWild) for today’s Ledge material.
today’s events • Upward Bound First Day of Summer Classes, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., UI campus • Diabetes and Obesity Talks, Paul Cohen , 1 p.m., 1289 Carver Biomedical Research Building • Panel on the Medical Scientist Training Program, Leslie Harrington, Kai Rogers, Jeremy Sandgren, Amanda Swanton, and Frida Teran, 3:30 p.m., 1117 Medical Education Research Facility, RSVP to sonya-housholder@uiowa.edu • Boot Camp, Bootcamp combines resistance training, cardiovascular training, and sport-specific drills, 5:45 p.m., Campus Recreation & Wellness Center, Court 2 Outside
MONDAY-FRIDAY • Open Mike, with J Knight, 8 p.m., Mill, 120 E. Burlington • Catacombs of Comedy, 9 p.m., Yacht Club, 13 S. Linn • Jim Swim, 9 p.m., Gabe’s, 330 E. Washington
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• 5-6 p.m. News
TUESDAY, THURSDAY • 9-10 a.m. Ian and Abby show
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horoscopes
Monday, June 29, 2015 by Eugenia Last
ARIES (March 21-April 19): Idle time will lead to arguments. Travel, adventure, and discovering new ways to bring in more money should be your priorities. Take advantage of an opportunity to learn. Publishing, writing, and discussing matters will help you master your skills and enhance your position. TAURUS (April 20-May 20): You can make positive personal changes if you do so in moderation. Spending less and making needed updates will add to your appeal and help you advance. Good fortune will depend in part on your ability to be practical. GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Be direct if someone is not giving you straight answers. Don’t take on a responsibility unless you understand what’s required of you. Spend more time on yourself and on completing home improvements that will benefit you and your loved ones. CANCER (June 21-July 22): Work at achieving your goals by using alternate methods to get results, and you will stand out and make a lasting impression. Physical challenges will help you release any pent-up emotional anger or frustration. LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Take part in networking events. Don’t let uncertainty lead to an unrealistic promise. Accept the changes happening at work or with your economic situation, and work at developing new ways to use your skills and knowledge. VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Miscommunication will throw you off course. Be careful when discussing important issues with business or personal partners. Put more time and energy into making a difference and helping others. Less talk and more action will bring the best results. LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): A lazy attitude will lead to complaints and disagreements. Take care of your responsibilities quickly, and move on to solitary activities that are geared toward self-improvement. Offer romance over debate. Emotional blackmail won’t help you get your way. SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): You can make a difference if you roll up your sleeves and go to work in support of a cause you feel passionate about. Don’t let what others do slow you down. Follow your intuition, and don’t back down from a challenge. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Plan a vacation, or sign up for something you want to do. An serious talk with someone you are involved with will help you resolve any misconceptions or changes you want to make to your current arrangement. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Deal with contracts, settlements, legal, financial, or medical issues swiftly. A change can be expected and should be handled with caution to avoid conflict or complaints. Don’t get angry, make changes to offset untimely consequences. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): When opportunity strikes, take charge, and reach for the stars. Love is on the rise, and making plans with someone special will lead to a better personal life and future. Speak from the heart; you will get what you want. PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Neglecting emotional matters will lead to regret. You may be busy, but taking care of your family’s or personal partner’s needs first will be necessary if you want to get back to business without interference or interruption.
Work saves us from three great evils: boredom, vice, and need. — Voltaire
6 SPORTS
DIVING CONTINUED FROM 8 ing from his coach, which he says helped him trust Waikel. Waikel’s faith in Boschult motivated him to learn a full 10-meter platform list during his freshman year — and platform diving is now the diver’s best event. After three years together, Boschult and Waikel have grown to become a team to reckon with in the world of college diving. “He really went from being the bottom of the pack at the Big Tens to one of the top divers in the country,” Waikel said. “It’s been a remarkable journey.” Now, Boschult and Waikel are training in order to solidify not only making nationals again next season but to place higher than last season.
THE DAILY IOWAN | DAILYIOWAN.COM | MONDAY, JUNE 29, 2015
Before coming to Iowa, Waikel coached as an assistant at Indiana. His decision to coach at Iowa came from the opportunity he saw from becoming a head coach as well as the relatively new facilities at the Campus Recreation & Wellness Center. Waikel has been impressed from the first day with the hard work and passion Boschult brings to the sport. He believes Boschult had improved dramatically from when they met, and he will only continue to progress. In the 2013-2014 season, Waikel sent seven Iowa divers to the NCAA Zone-D Diving Championships, and he believes the team can achieve more in the coming seasons. “Every year since Todd has came here [2013-14], we have become even better and achieved more of his goals,” Boschult said.
Now-sophomore diver Matt Mauser believes Waikel has not only helped him improve on his diving but renewed a sense of enjoyment in the sport. “I think before, it felt more like a chore or something I had to do every day,” Mauser said. “Now, I am more excited about being there and learning new things. He’s made me more enthusiastic about the sport.” Boschult and Waikel are deep in training for Boschult’s senior year in hopes of improving his score at nationals and performing well at the Olympic trials next summer. “He just missed [making finals] last season, and that and the Olympics have been a big goal of his,” Waikel said. “But this year, I think those goals will be a successful ones.”
GAME TIME CONTINUED FROM 8 team’s season high. That’s the result of not having a true, ex-
BASEBALL CONTINUED FROM 8 Booker, along with a solid pitching staff and the topranked incoming class in
perienced floor general who knows how to run an offense and facilitate scoring. And if one does not emerge from the roster soon, this team may continue to struggle to put points
on the board. “We don’t really have someone who’s played point guard,” Stewart said. “It’s something we’re working on a little bit, but it’s definitely not an excuse.”
the conference, makes those once unrealistic goals suddenly within the realm of possibility. “Making the first regional in a long time is definitely a huge motivation for us,” Roscetti
said. “That experience was probably one of the best in my life. “The ultimate goal is to get to the College World Series, and I think last year really sparked something in us.”
Iowa shortstop Nick Roscetti slides safely into home during the regional NCAA Tournament game against Oregon at Hammons Field in Springfield, Missouri, on May 31. The Hawkeyes defeated the Ducks in the 11th inning, 2-1. (The Daily Iowan/Margaret Kispert)
Iowa diver Addison Boschult dives off of the 10-meter platform in the diving finals during the Big Ten Swimming and Diving Championships at the Campus Recreation & Wellness Center on Feb. 28. Michigan won the meet, finishing with 760 points. (The Daily Iowan/John Thulen)
THE DAILY IOWAN | DAILYIOWAN.COM | MONDAY, JUNE 29, 2015
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MONDAY, JUNE 29, 2015
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White has some work ahead Aaron White will have a chance to prove himself in the NBA Summer League, and he will have to if he hopes to make the Wizards’ roster. By KYLE MANN kyle-mann@uiowa.edu
Iowa head coach Rick Heller watches the Iowa-Ohio State game during the first round of the Big Ten Tournament in Minneapolis’ Target Field on May 20. The Hawkeyes defeated the Buckeyes, 4-2, to advance. (The Daily Iowan/Margaret Kispert)
Baseball Hawks hungry for future After slumping late in the postseason, Iowa’s mind is on its offense — and motivation is as high as ever. By CHARLIE GREEN charles-j-green@uiowa.edu
The highs and lows of Iowa baseball’s historic postseason remain fresh in the minds of the players. Numerous high points are obvious: the first postseason victory in more than 40 years, back-to-back 30-victory seasons, and having five players to be selected in the MLB draft. But the Hawkeyes will not remaining stagnant — their eyes are focused on what they can do better in 2016. “One of the things I was thinking about was that we were kind of slumping offensively coming into the tournament,” head coach Rick Heller said. “[I was] trying to figure out if there was anything from a coaching standpoint that we could change to try to prevent that.” The team finished eighth in the Big Ten in 2015 in batting average (.268) and last in home runs with 14. As the team got into its regional action in late May, the lack of offensive production began to catch up. Facing elimination on June 1, the Hawks clawed their way to victory over Oregon before falling to Missouri State later in the day. In those two games, Jake Mangler, Tyler Peyton, and Kris Goodman — the heart of Iowa’s lineup — failed to record a hit. “Unfortunately in baseball, slumps happen, and you really can’t control when and where they happen,” Heller said. “The staff talked about why that happened — was it because we were tired or fatigued, or was it just the fact that we were facing good pitchers?”
It probably was a little of both — certainly the latter had much to do with it. Missouri State featured two pitchers ultimately selected in the MLB draft, including first-rounder Jon Harris (29th overall to Toronto). Although the team lost numerous key hitters from 2015, it returns seniors Peyton and Nick Roscetti — both of whom batted above .300 last year. But for a team that struggled with power last season, more than half of its home runs in 2015 came from players no longer on the roster. For this reason, the Hawkeyes are putting more of an emphasis on power hitting in the off-season. “That was one of the things [Peyton and I] talked about after the season,” Heller said. “Tyler has some things he’d like to work on and get better at — he’d like to see his power numbers increase offensively.” And if the success of 2015 did anything, other than rejuvenate fans, it whet the appetite of the team’s returners for the possibilities. “It opened my eyes to see a lot to see that we can make a super regional,” Peyton said. “We are good enough, we have the talent to make a super regional and make a College World Series. That’s what we have our sights on — winning the Big Ten and then taking it one step at a time.” The return of such players as Peyton, Roscetti, and Joel SEE BASEBALL, 6
GAME TIME LEAGUE
Champs not quite getting the point Last year’s champion is 0-2 to start the season with no answer at point guard. By CHARLIE GREEN charles-j-green@uiowa.edu
Last summer, Brendon Unkrich’s team pummeled its way through the Game Time League en route to a championship finish. Now, however, his squad is off to an 0-2 start to the 2015 season. “We try to look at every game and find our strengths, whether it’s matchups or whatnot,” Unkrich said. “We just haven’t had that game where somebody’s on fire.” Part of the problem is that Iowa forward Kali Peschel has been absent from league play in the early going, and she will likely miss Wednesday’s matchup. Another Hawkeye, Christina Buttenham, has filled in for Peschel in June, providing Unkrich with a formidable substitute. The real problem is that the team does not have a true point guard on the roster and has been relying heavily on Truman State’s Courtney Strait to bring the ball up and get the offense rolling. “I made the mistake; I didn’t fill a team out,” Unkrich said. “There’s only a couple of real good point guards in this league; I’m asking Courtney to play point guard, and it’s not her natural position.” Strait’s natural position is small forward, where she provides a dynamic perim-
The debate over whether Aaron White would be drafted was obviously answered June 25, when White went 49th overall to the Washington Wizards. The Wizards indeed need depth on the wing, but the reality is that White is likely far from NBA-ready. White measured 6-9 in shoes at the NBA combine and weighed 220 pounds, which along with his near 7-foot wingspan gives him more than adequate size and length as a small forward and also offers versatility at stretch-4. Where his size and versatility are positives, however, his correspondingly in-between White skills could become forward problematic. If the Wizards intend to play him heavily on the perimeter, he will need to make sure his 3-point percentage stays closer to the 35 percent from his senior year rather than the roughly 25 percent he shot in the three seasons preceding it. Furthermore, he can be stiff and clunky as a ball handler, which would also need to improve. He is not overly quick laterally or strong in his lower half, which will detract from him as a defender and a rebounder in the post. White is not alone, however. With the Warriors coming off a season using the small-ball approach, stretch forwards such as White are in high demand, and his work ethic indicates that he has a higher chance to pan out than some other projects. The Wizards will give White an opportunity to prove himself in the NBA Summer League, but they are entertaining the idea of having White play professionally overseas for a season while retaining his rights. White, like Devyn Marble a year ago, has some work ahead of him. But he’s going to get his chance.
Hawkeye dives into success Iowa diver Addison Boschult and coach Todd Waikel have built a solid repertoire over the years, and they are thinking big in the off-season. By OLIVIA STEPHENS olivia-stephens@uiowa.edu
“We don’t have a legit point guard on our team, so I and Christina have kind of taken turns taking it down the floor,” Strait said. “I think right now, it’s about getting back in the flow of the game.” Whether it’s Buttenham or Peschel on the roster, the team has one of the better squads in Game Time. But none of the members have scored more than 15 points yet this summer. Anna Madrigal’s 16 in Week 2 is the
From the moment now-senior diver Addison Boschult set foot on the Iowa campus, he has been continually challenged and motivated by diving coach Todd Waikel. “Todd’s really helped me focus mentally and perform at a really high level,” Boschult said. “He’s really demanding on trusting your training and working hard.” Boschult On his first day of diver practice, in 2012, Waikel instructed Boschult to go to the 5-meter platform and, simply, dive. Boschult complied and when he got out of the water, Waikel said he would from then on be a platform diver. The chemistry between the two has led Boschult to become a big success in the Big Ten — America’s most competitive diving conference. Last season, Boschult won 10th place at the NCAA Championships, and he holds the school record on the platform. In Boschult’s freshman year, he was the only male diver on the team. Because of that, he received more individual train-
SEE GAME TIME, 6
SEE DIVING, 6
Iowa’s Hannah Stewart shoots a lay-up in transition during Game Time action on June 16 in North Liberty. Stewart scored 13 points and had 10 rebounds in the win. (The Daily Iowan/Sergio Flores) eter-shooting presence. Defensively, she’s also great on the outside — giving her the ability to guard opposing point guards when needed. The issue is on offense, and Unkrich and Company have struggled to get much going so far. Through the first two weeks, the squad has averaged 62 points per game — worst in the league. With the eventual return of Peschel, the team has a solid foundation for a potentially great season. Along with Peschel’s post skills,
four-star incoming Hawkeye Hannah Stewart adds another force in the paint and sports athleticism to effectively run the floor — often pushing the ball up herself. Add that to the offensive and defensive abilities of Strait on the perimeter, and there’s just one piece missing and keeping Unkrich’s team from championship contention. The only problem is it’s a really big piece — which could alleviate the offensive struggles and turnovers that have plagued the team early on.