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THENORTHERNLIGHT

September 13, 2011

University of Alaska Anchorage

www.thenorthernlight.org

Seawolves follow conference opening loss with strong win

By Kenzie Masson Assistant Sports Editor

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1. 09/04/11 - UPD were informed of an underage intoxicated student at the West Hall.

2. 09/04/11 - After requesting help from UPD to unlock their vehicle, it was discovered the request was from a person with an outstanding warrant and was arrested.

3. 09/08/11 - UPD came in contact with three individuals who smelled strongly of Marijuana. Further investigation revealed that they had hidden the marijuana in their bike seat.

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4. 09/04/11 - A UPD officer was locking up the building 1. Alcohol and found a damaged door with the safety glass broken.

No one was located in the building at the time of the discovery. The case is being investigated further.

5. 09/06/11 - A hit and run of a parked vehicle in Birch lot resulted in damage of about $1500.

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Sophomore Quincy Haught reacts after her teammates score a point.

USUAA bill attempts to end required meal plans

By Matt Caprioli News Editor

Bold Alaskan work mentality towards infrastructure development will ease unemployment

See page 09

Flash Phenomenon

Flash mob trend hits the Loussac

See motion cover

Examining the tragic summer for the hockey world

Some members of USUAA have introduced legislation attempting to force the Resident Hall Housing Department to give students living in residence halls the option to refuse a meal plan. University officials say the requirement is not going away, and that its absence would only drive meal prices up.

Senator Esdras Jean unveiled “Bogus Meal Plan 12-05” on September 8.

The bill had twelve reasons why the meal plan is flawed, and called for three changes. The second call for change summarized the overall goal of the bill: “Therefore be it hereby enacted/ resolved: the UAA Resident Hall Housing Department changes the policy to where it can be up to the student to opt out of the meal plan and have the freedom to spend the money wherever they please.”

Meal plans are required for students living in one of the three residence halls, and range from $1700 to $1900 per semester.

Jean said in an email that he has heard many complaints from students, though as of September 9th, the bill gained little support from other USUAA senators.

The bill will be discussed formally on September 16 during USUAA’s weekly meeting.

USUAA President Ryan Buchholdt noted some faults in

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the bill.

“I understand the concern. I don’t necessarily appreciate the approach taken. I think it could’ve used more analysis of Housing and Department of Residential Life to find out why this change is necessary,” Buchholdt said.

The bill claims that “The Resident Hall Housing Department at UAA has added in an option to the package of living at the Resident Hall to buy a meal plan WITHOUT the option to opt out on the plan or allow a refund.”

There have been no changes to the meal plan in the last year. The last major change was in 1998.

Debra Lovaas, the director of University Housing, Dining & Conference Services, said there is no new change in the meal plan, the refund policy, or those who are required to buy it.

“Mandatory meal plans for all students who live in the Residence Halls where there are no kitchen facilities has been a policy since 1998 when the halls were built and occupied. Most colleges have this policy – it is not unusual and will not be changing in the near future,” Lovass said.

The option to decline the meal plan has already occurred before 1998, according to Bob McDonnell, the director of UAA Business Services.

Before 1998, UAA operated everything independently, so

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photo by spencer mitchell/tnl

Overtime

Index:

See VOLLEYBALL page B6

Bill critcized for lack of research, required meal plan policy unlikely to be changed

Editorial

see page B7

knowing that they have knowledge and experience working as unit, a quality hard for any team to beat, according to Head Volleyball Coach Chris Green.

The Seawolves came out strong against Saint Martin’s; taking the first frame followed by the next two to gain win on their home court. Despite the win, Green was still displeased.

“I don’t know if we played that well. We know we got the win and a win is a win.” Green said.

These games were follow-ups to a season already in full swing. “(We had) two trips, one to Hawaii, one to California and I think that those teams we played are pretty tough so I think we’ve prepared ourselves well for the conference,” Green said.

The Seawolves traveled to Oahu, Hawaii August 26 and took wins against Hawaii Pacific (3-1) and Chaminae (3-0). while losing to Hawaii Hilo (1-3) and BYU-Hawaii (0-3).

“The HPU match was

photo by spencer mitchel/tnl

The UAA women’s volleyball team ended their first pair of home games going one for one.

Following the Sept. 8 loss (3-2) to Western Oregon University (WOU), the ‘Wolves took down Saint Martin’s in the first three frames at their second home match.

“We know we can win, it’s not a question of that. It is being comfortable out there. It’s doing our job and focusing on the moment and each play one at a time,” junior outside hitter Nikkie Viotto said.

Despite the disappointing final score against WOU, the game kept fans on the edge of their seats in the neck and neck game.

“After that fourth set, I was just seeing red; trying to get into

the fifth set, trying to get my team to not look down on it, to just get into the next one,” senior captain Jackie Matthisen said.

The first set went to WOU, but the ‘Wolves recovered taking the second set 25-21, followed by the third 25-18.

The two teams were toe to toe throughout the fourth frame.

Fans began leaving and the crowd and players began anticipating a Seawolf victory until Matthisen’s serve went straight out of bounds, giving WOU a point.

“I was just rooting for them when I was on the sidelines, just hoping that we would get a good pass and just be able to put a ball away but Oregon’s defense was always right there,” sophomore middle blocker Robyn Burton said.

The fourth frame ended 26-28, sending both squads into the fifth frame. WOU kept the lead throughout the majority of the fifth frame closing the game 7-15.

The Seawolves didn’t underestimate the young team,

they did not have to follow the contract model, which requires schools to offer several companies a projected a revenue for the

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A list of food options at Lucy Cuddy Hall.

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See MEALS page 02

Comics.....B8

02 statewide briefs

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News| September 13th, 2011

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Alaska-Anchorage

1. 09/04/11 - UPD were informed of an underage intoxicated student at the West Hall.

2. 09/04/11 - After requesting help from UPD to unlock their vehicle, it was discovered the request was from a person with an outstanding warrant and was arrested.

3. 09/08/11 - UPD came in contact with three individuals who smelled strongly of Marijuana. Further investigation revealed that they had hidden the marijuana in their bike seat.

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A new partnership among Alaska schools could help improve “distance education” in the state, ultimately providing students in remote areas the classes they need to qualify for a new state scholarship program.

The next steps for Alaska’s Learning Network, the school consortium that has begun offering online classes, will be discussed by an advisory board later this month. Significant challenges remain, including the needs for funding to maintain and expand the program, now working under a one-year startup grant. Less than reliable Internet connectivity in parts of rural Alaska also remains an issue.

But the network’s director of distance learning, Woody Wilson, said the program is necessary if Alaska is to improve quality of education. He doesn’t argue with those who believe it’s better for students to have a teacher in the classroom, but said that scenario doesn’t always exist in the far reaches of Alaska — at least not with the same classes available in cities like Anchorage.

Compiled by Matt Caprioli

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4. 09/04/11 - A UPD officer was locking up the building 1. Alcohol and found a damaged door with the safety glass broken.

No one was located in the building at the time of the discovery. The case is being investigated further.

5. 09/06/11 - A hit and run of a parked vehicle in Birch lot resulted in damage of about $1500.

Map and photos compiled by Ashley Snyder and CJ Beaudrie.

MEALS: Bill has yet to gain momentum USUAA President Buchholdt sees valid sentiment, imperfect method of execution behind the proposal continued from cover

semester.

When UAA was not on contract, students had the option to decline a meal plan. McDonnell said it was difficult for the university to accommodate growing needs acting independently and without a contract.

“It was too expensive to operate ourselves, and that’s why we went out to bid. We went with someone who bid the lowest because we want the best pricing available for students,” McDonnell said.

Sodexo, one of the largest food services in the world, and NMS, a local Alaska Native Corporation, operate the current contract.

“We are pleased with the service they provide us, but are always open to ideas for improvements and if feasible, will certainly work to incorporate those changes to our program.

Unfortunately, discontinuing mandatory meal plans for students in the Residence Halls is not an

option at this time,” Lovass said.

Freshman and sophomores do have the option to live in one of the apartment buildings that does not require them to purchase a meal plan. McDonnell said that there are pockets of freshman in Mac apartments, and that athletic teams are actually encouraged to do so.

Buchholdt is working on connecting the governance board with business services. The arrangement would let students give feedback directly to business services, incluing parking services, the bookstore, and resident life.

He said that he hopes this platform would give directors the chance to relate what’s happening in their department and why it’s necessary.

“I like (“bogus meal plan”) to the torch and pitch fork approach. We get excited by an issue and want to charge forward, but the best way to change is speak to administrators so they

photo by spencer mitchell/tnl

University of Alaska Fairbanks officials say researchers have discovered ancient artifacts in northwest Alaska.

The discovery of several decorated clay discs was made this summer while archaeologists excavated at the site of previously discovered petroglyphs and three prehistoric dwellings at Noatak National Preserve.

Officials say the excavation team included researchers from UAF’s Museum of the North and the National Park Service.

The team assembled at the site discovered almost 40 years ago to document the rock art and to excavate partially underground house pits.

Museum of the North archaeologist Scott Shirar says in a news release the discs appear to be a unique artifact for Alaska. He says the excavation covered only a small area and the discovery indicates there are probably more artifacts.

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Emissions testing of vehicles in the municipality of Anchorage could soon be a thing of the past.

Mayor Dan Sullivan announced his plan to eliminate the program in 2010, saying it is unnecessary because statistics show that newer vehicles are emitting so little carbon monoxide.

KTUU-TV reports that the municipality has received notification from the Environmental Protection Agency that it will likely approve the city’s request to eliminate I/M testing.

The program was put in place years ago to improve Anchorage’s air quality and keep it within federal standards under the Clean Air Act. But before making its final decision, the EPA is holding a public comment period for residents to weigh in.

The public comment period ends Oct. 7.

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The U.S. Senate will now decide the fate of the nominations of two Alaska judges to the federal bench.

On Thursday, the Senate Judiciary Committee approved by voice vote the nominations of Morgan Christen to the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals and Sharon Gleason to the federal court in Alaska.

It was not immediately clear how quickly the Senate would take up the nominations for confirmation. Alaska Sens. Lisa Murkowski and Mark Begich said they hoped the process would move along swiftly.

Christen is an Alaska Supreme Court justice. She would replace Judge Andrew Kleinfeld, of Fairbanks, who accepted a role as senior judge on the 9th Circuit. Gleason is the Alaska Superior Court presiding judge.

She would replace U.S. District Judge John Sedwick.

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Administrators feel allowing students to skip meal plans would drive up costs

acknowledge what’s needed then work toward a solution,” Buchholdt said.

“I’m not sure he’s upset with the meal plan as much as the establishment,” McDonnell said.

Jean did include a reconciliatory gesture in the bill he wrote: “Be it hereby enacted/resolved:

If the UAA Resident Hall and Housing Department and the students of UAA can come together and compromise and have a committee of both parties to meet and resolve this problem before it gets worse,” the bill concluded.

September 13th, 2011| News

Liberia visits UAA Faculty finds fault with Fisher Report World renowned child rights activist and US State Dept. representive to lecture in coming weeks

By Matt Caprioli News Editor

Childhood hunger activist Kimmie Weeks will leave Alaska on September 20, one day before former diplomat to Liberia Brooks Robinson arrives on the 21st.

Robinson spent three years in Liberia’s capital, Monrovia, where Weeks was born. She met him once as he toured Liberia.

“He was quite an impressive man,” Robinson said.

At 17, Weeks investigated, wrote, and released a report on the Liberian government’s involvement in training children as soldiers.

Assassinations attempts against him occurred as a result, each lead by former president Charles Taylor.

After receiving political asylum from the US, he founded Youth Action International, which supports families living in post war nations.

Weeks was on another speaking tour around Liberia and unavailable for an interview.

While studying in Norway, Brooks Robinson decided she would like to work in Africa. That decision came true during her 26 years in the State Department.

“I wasn’t into politics then, I was studying comparative literature actually. I think I became so interested of all the foreign students I got the chance to meet. Norway had lots of scholarships for students from developing countries…All the challenges that these eager, interested young men and women were facing—how to come out of colonialism and form a better political system, how to improve education, produce more food— those challenges captured my interest,” Robinson said.

She returned to the US, and graduated from UC Berkeley with a BA in International Relations with an emphasis on African Studies.

Since joining the Foreign Service in 1985, Robinson has attained the rank of Minister Counselor. Her most recent position was as the Deputy Chief

of Mission in Liberia, where she spent three years.

“I actively sought that job in Liberia because I wanted to be part of our governments’ efforts to recover from civic conflict and outright war. I knew our government was leading the effort to get Liberia back on its feet, and I felt a lot of personal satisfaction knowing that I spent three years contributing to that development,” Robinson said.

Robinson is visiting UAA as part of Global Opportunities Week, hosted by Career Services and the Office of International Affairs. She’ll be here for one week beginning September 23, and hold a “Conversation with a Career Diplomat” on September 27.

It will cover the two hour Foreign Service Exam, the selection process, and the 22 Foreign Service Specialist tracks.

Each position in the State Department is divided into one of these 22 tracts. Five are foreign service officers, and 19 are tracts specialist. Robinson will also outline what the state department wants in all of its applicants.

“The core thing we’re looking for is something we call the 13 dimensions. These are more qualities rather than technical skills. Things that make people suitable for the hardship of things overseas: being adaptable, flexible, resourceful, interpersonal skills. There’s no best degree, no worst degree everything you do could help you build up those 13 dimensions.”

Robinson has travelled more much more than most people. She has had 6 terms of over seas duty, most of which were in Africa— Swaziland, Ghana, Nigeria—as well as Geneva, Switzerland.

She was last in Alaska 8 years ago as part of a training program with the state department. She visited Juneau, Anchorage, and Barrow.

By Teresa Kennedy Staff Reporter

Faculty is strongly objecting to the Fisher Report’s suggestion that UAF should be the only research institute in the UA system.

James L. Fisher was one of five higher education professionals that reviewed the UA system during September of last year.

Fisher was the one to write up all of their recommendations on how UA can improve.

The President of the UA system, Patrick Gamble, released the report for public review on January 6. The objections from Faculty were instant.

The faculty formed a

photo courtesy of florida institute of technology

James L. Fisher.

committee to respond to the report at their next meeting Feb 4. The resultant 55-page report was sent to President Gamble on June 10.

President of the UAA Faculty Senate, Nalinaksha Bhattacharyya, highlighted major fallacies in the Fisher Report.

Bhattacharyya and the rest of the Senate believed that Fisher’s bid for UAF was in direct conflict with the UA mission.

“We particularly resent the constant refrain about how UAF must be the doctoral institution and how there must not be duplication. We consider these to be false arguments,” The letter

Fisher’s research indicates Alaska would be hard-pressed

I think the moral of the story is that we need to face up to Fairbanks

Say What?

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Gumby calls it a robbery, clerk thinks it’s a joke SAN DIEGO (AP) -- A person dressed as Gumby walked into a Southern California convenience store, claiming to have a gun and demanding money, but costume trouble and a skeptical clerk thwarted the would-be robber.

-Nalinaksha Bhattacharyya

to materialize enough funds to support two major doctoral research institutes and the number of doctoral students (only 333 in 2009) enrolled in programs at UAF doesn’t seem to be enough to spread across two different campuses.

Fisher’s suggestion to rid the UA system of the “ten ton gorilla” competition between the two campuses would be to leave the research equipment, funding, and resources right where it remains today – Fairbanks.

Rather than following the Report blindly, the senate believes that any decision made regarding the two institutions should be based upon industry needs and constituency demands.

The Fisher Report suggested curtailing UAA’s continued development in the interest of “efficient usage of resource”, but the Faculty Senate instead prefers to view UAA and UAF at two campuses united under a single University of Alaska system, which is a resource all by itself.

They suggested that research competition should be between a unified UA campus and other national universities, not between UAA and UAF. And with such a widespread and dynamic state, two different research facilities could better serve the constituents of the institutes.

The Senate believes that all schools can agree on one thing in the Fisher Report: the decentralization of UA administration, and the empowering of local campuses to better serve their students and faculty.

photo courtesy of AP

Man in gumby suite attempting to rob convience store.

Surveillance video shows someone - police think it was a man - in a bulky, green costume and another man entering 7-Eleven in Rancho Penasquitos early Monday.

Gumby demanded money, but the store clerk thought it was a joke and ignored the life-size Claymation character, telling him he was cleaning up and didn’t have time to waste, said San Diego police Detective Gary Hassen.

“You don’t think this is a robbery?

I have a gun,” the costumed man said, fumbling inside his costume as if trying to retrieve a weapon, Hassen said.

But the green-gloves seemed to get in the way, and rather than pull a gun, he dropped 26 cents on the floor, Hassen said.

The video shows the second man, who came in with the Gumby suspect, but was not dressed as Pokey, walk out of the store.

San Diego’s KGTV News reported that the clerk told his boss he didn’t know who Gumby was and described the character in the store as a “green SpongeBob SquarePants.”

The clerk didn’t report the encounter, but his boss called police after viewing the surveillance tape several hours later.

Man found butchering cow in Utah driveway OGDEN, Utah (AP) -- Authorities are considering charges after a Utah man was found butchering a cow in his driveway.

The Standard-Examiner of Ogden reports that authorities received a call Sunday afternoon from an Ogden resident who reported a neighbor cutting up a cow in his driveway. The caller told authorities they heard what sounded like a gunshot shortly before the butchering began.

Police say when officers arrived, the man was removing the cow’s head. He denied shooting the animal, and told the officers it had been delivered dead.

Prosecutors are now reviewing the case for potential charges, including possible health code violations.

find meaningful work. photo courtesy of UAA

Professor Nalinaksha Bhattacharyaa.

stated.

Bhattacharyya presented the faculty’s report to the University Assembly September 8. President Gamble was present.

“I think the moral of the story is that we need to face up to Fairbanks,” Bhattacharyaa said.

One issue addressed in the Report was what Fisher called, “The UAF/UAA Question”.

The question is which campus should receive the funding and authorization to be the sole research institute in the state.

Earn money, help others and learn about a growing industry.

Part and full-time positions with flexible hours available all over Alaska.

curious?

Find out more at aadsc.org The Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority www.aadsc.org

www.mhtrust.org

04 President Gamble outlines his vision for UAA News| September 13, 2011

Closer relationships between students, teachers among the developments Gamble would like to see

By Nicole Luchaco Staff Writer

President Gamble and his staff are advocating for a “shift in direction” for UAA to become a completely student photo courtesy of uaa oriented system.

“Customer service” was the buzz term of the day as the president laid out as his vision for UAA at a USUAA meeting Friday, Sept 2.

His goal in the next few years is to restructure the way that students go through UAA and to strengthen student/teacher relationships.

“We are going to train a core of people that are going to be experts at our system; they will take you in hand and guide you through anything and everything.

They are going to know you on a week-to-week basis. Providing preventative help before things pile up and you’re really in trouble,” Gamble said.

Also on the agenda were the ideas of restructuring how scholarships are assessed and the possibility of lowering the required credit hours back to the original 120 to receive a bachelors degree.

Incentive/performance based scholarships would be based on a students’ academic performance after reaching college, instead of the current “potential” based scholarship system that awards the high school Junior and Senior according to projections of how

they will do in higher education.

“We want to give students some incentive like ‘hey if you do well, we’ll knock twenty five hundred off of your tuition’ we are here for you.” Affirmed Gamble.

USUAA is also working on improving advising for students.

“The coalition of student leaders at our summit this summer set advising as one of our top priorities that we we’re going to work on, we didn’t know at the time that Gamble was putting together something like this. But it aligns very well with what the other student body presidents across the system and I have been moving towards. Advising has always been a big issue for students,” USUAA President Ryan Buckholdt said.

UAA has already set aside $400,000.00 to begin training these advisors, Gamble said, along with UAF’s $1,000,000.00 in their budget following legislative pressure for the schools to gain more revenue or cut costs.

“This is the most effective thing for us to do, to provide people to help you focus your goals and get you through school as quickly and effectively as possible. It saves money for both the student and the state,” Gamble said.

Anita Bradbury the administrative assistant for USUAA wholeheartedly agrees: “I think students have been screaming for an advising system that can lead and guide.”

Details like the budget for the fiscal year thirteen have yet to be submitted to the Board of Regents.

Once approved by the BOR, the governor will present it to the legislature for a final decision.

The decision will not be finalized until April of 2012.

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FEATURES

05 a humor column by Alden Lee

But who needs sleep, anyway?

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Take a look and you”ll see a world of fiction and textbooks.

Vandalism, theft and lost books adds average $6K to annual library costs

Fines, security systems, and holds only do so much to protect library from losses

By Ashley Snyder Features Editor

The Consortium Library, holding over 930,000 volumes, has been a source of knowledge for students and the public for over 35 years. It is a studying sanctuary, a quick print point, and book bohemia for avid readers.

Whatever it means to each individual student, it is a place where most everyone, at some point, will venture to and utilize in their college career.

But as with all libraries, the Consortium Library suffers losses each year due to theft, vandalism, and unreturned books. According to Samantha Boardman, income manager for the library, UAA on average spends $6,000 replacing lost and damaged books each year.

Theft, while a crime, does not deter everyone from doing it, especially since it is unlikely that they will be caught. The Consortium Library historically has tried to deter theft with several sensors at the entrance and exit.

Unfortunately, they are not completely accurate, and are plagued by false alarms from electronics, such as laptops and

cell phones, that subject innocent students to a bag or purse checks.

Student Peter Tyler knows the feeling, “It’s gone off a few times for me just because of my laptop or something. Everyone stares at you and you have to have your bag searched. Even when you know you are not guilty it still is a little unnerving,” he said.

Punishments are put into place for anyone caught stealing a book from the library, but not all offenders get caught.

“Theft occurs in all libraries.

We do have security systems in place, but some clever people always get around them. The most common kind of theft is when students check out a book and never return it. They ignore the fines on their account and are not bothered by the holds,” said Boardman. “Sometimes it is because they have already graduated from college, or simply stopped taking courses. Since Anchorage Public Library patrons can also check out our books, they can take the books, too. In addition, they are not students, so I cannot place a hold on them.”

Vandalism is one of the threats

that is hardest to stop. While the library does sustain some degree of vandalism, they aren’t serious enough to warrant replacement of books too often. This includes

“Yeah, it’s gone off a few times for me just because of my laptop or something.

Everyone stares at you and you have to have your bag searched. Even when you know you are not guilty it still is a little unnerving.”

-Peter Tyler accidental coffee spills, dog chewing, or pages torn from books; all commonplace occurrences according to Boardman.

“When I think of vandalism, I

think of the many books we have had returned with highlighter, underlining, and pencil and ink drawings inside. I also think of books that have been submerged in liquid, dyes, or chewed up by children and pets. We have plenty of that on a weekly basis,” she said.

What about students who just don’t return books at all? They start accruing fines starting at 25 cents for every day the item is not returned. After a student has gained more than $5 in fines, their borrowing privileges are suspended until the fees are paid and the item is returned or replaced.

“I have gotten a late fee once just because I simply forgot that I had the book and didn’t receive a reminder that this book I forgot about was due until I got the notice of a late fee,” said student Carey Mitchell.

The fine for not returning a book may be small, but the cost to replace a book is high, at a hefty $52 per book and a $3 processing charge. If a student still has not returned a book and they have accumulated $10 or more in

See LIBRARY page 7

Before I pass out at my computer and attempt to write the rest of this article with my face, I’d like to state a simple fact: There just aren’t enough hours of sleep available for college students.

Oh, there’s plenty of nighttime.

Can’t argue with that. And all that needs to be done, say sleep doctors and other such professionally boring people, is to get about eight hours of shuteye during this darkened state—a fairly simple task involving you finding a bed or other comfortable surface, lying down on it, closing your eyes and not getting back up for a goodly amount of time. Basic stuff.

Except it’s never that simple.

You can set aside all the naptime you want, drawing up evening schedules that say things like: 7-8PM: Chow time; 8-9PM: Digesting period; 9-11PM: Solid homework crank-out; 11:30PM: BED—but all best laid plans go out the window when you realize it’s 1:30 in the morning and you’re only halfway through your 12-episode Nitro Circus marathon.

And see, when you’ve been running on four hours of sleep a night for the past week or so, it’s simple to justify the things you’re doing late at night over the way you’ll feel in the morning.

After all, Mr. Caffeine is the ultimate fixer-up for that early morning Chem class, so thumping headache and bloodshot eyes be damned—3 am is the best time to grab some top ramen and watch YouTube videos for no apparent reason.

While you’re at it, might as well take a crack at all the other homework you’ve been putting off throughout the week. Daylight just isn’t optimal for getting that stuff done; who wants to spend time writing papers and reviewing notes and reading textbooks when you’ve actually got free time? It’s much better to wait until your brain’s fuzzy and all coherent thought has gone on strike—it’s like an exciting mental game of Russian roulette where the bullet is your grade.

Us late-nighters are easy to spot: we stumble across campus like blurry-eyed zombies, clutching lattes and muttering things like, “OK, left foot…right foot…” to remember how to stay upright. The caffeine helps, but we don’t really wake up until dark is creeping around again—which starts the whole cycle over. frtghggggggghgggGGGGG Sorry, that was the side of my face talking.

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features| September 13, 2011

SEX SEAW LF Say goodbye to less than perfect AND THE

By Megan Edge Sports Editor

Abuse can be delivered in more than one way. There is both physical abuse and mental abuse.

Both can occur either when someone is under the influence, or completely sober. Either can be delivered by both men and women. Abuse can be dealt by a friend, a family member, or a lover. But no matter the situation, or who is doing it, abuse is NEVER right.

I would like to say that a certain friend of mine isn’t currently being abused by her partner, but I’d unfortunately be lying to myself just as she is lying to herself.

She has hit all of my previously stated triggers. He is mentally abusive, more abusive intoxicated and most recently has become physically abusive.

He tells her she is “dumb,” “stupid,” “fat,” and “ugly.” In my eyes my beautiful friend, however difficult she may be at times, is none of the above.

Even these are the mild “G-rated” devaluing names he calls her. More times then ever these hurtful words come while he is in a state of inebriation.

Which happens to be on regular basis.

More than one of our nights together have ended in tears, shame and embarrassment for her. We have been over what is a rather cliché conversation, multiple times.

“Why do you let him treat you this way?”

“I just love him,” she simply responds, as she wipes the tears and running eye liner off her porcelain skin.

My answer which seems so cliché now, was the only thing I could think to say.

“No matter how much you love someone, you don’t deserve to be treated like you are less than perfect.”

Perfect, an impossible state for any human to obtain by Webster definition, is quite opposite from what I believe it really means.

It is my strong opinion that a person who graciously accepts his or her imperfections for what they are, is more beautiful than a person who tries to deny such imperfections. Imperfections are what make us human and those who truly love someone will also accept those imperfections with grace.

But how can we expect someone else to love our quirks if

we can not except our own? This is love 101.

It seems so simple, but for many people like my dear friend, it is one of the highest hurdles you will ever have to jump.

Since then, he has hit her square in the mouth because she was talking with another man at the bar.

This is the typical downfall in a relationship. The abuse starts verbal, then before you know it you are getting a backhand in the rain on fifth avenue.

At first when I would talk to her about the situation she would respond with answers like, “He’s just drunk,” or “He would never truly hurt me.” These problems, even though they seem minute, now can harm your self esteem, your trust and much more for the rest of your life.

Unfortunately, until they feel the full repercussions, many won’t truly understand.

This is a concept I have come to understand, thanks to repercussions of my own past, and I am learning to deal with them each and every day.

Somedays are harder than others, and it is an experience I hope she, nor anyone else, is ever forced to deal with As her friend, this situation puts me in a hard spot. I know; woe is me.

But how many times can we have the same conversation before I give up?

I know I want to, I am just wasting my breath or thats how it feels. But one of these days I hope she opens her ears to my words and listens.

If it is fear of being alone that scares her she has nothing to worry about. Her relationship with her current boyfriend will make her feel more alone than wearing a title that says ‘single’.

BBQ Conundrums: Charcoal causing cancer, and cozys keeping cola (or beer) cold

By Kate Lindsley Contract Writer

Does grilling with charcoal cause cancer?

Such an American controversy.

Scientific findings from around the world contradict each other, and as a result, companies feel the need to print a warning on their bags that “burning briquettes may release carcinogenic compounds.”

There is a central theory

behind this question: that when you cook with charcoal, you release nasty little buggers called polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). This group of chemicals contain a few of the environmental compounds known to cause a spontaneous change in cells that switches them from normal behavior to evil cancerous behavior. It should also be noted that there exist noncarcinogenic PAH compounds.

Some Swedish scientists went ahead and found out that charcoal emits PAHs when burned.

Then scientists from Kuwait charcoal grilled some of their local dishes, and discovered that “meat tikka”, “shish tauk” and “chicken shawerma” had varying PAH levels based on the marinade, grill time, geometry of grill (dodecahedron anyone?) and fat content.

Just joking about the dodecahedron geometry – in reality, the

researchers tested vertical and horizontal grills. They found that when they placed the heat source to the side of a vertical grill, there were much fewer PAHs emitted than when grilling over a horizontal surface. The animal fat didn’t drip on the fuel source.

This opens up another can of worms: heterocyclic amines (HCAs). These are potentially carcinogenic compounds directly on the food. According to the American Cancer Association, these form when the meat is cooked for a long period of time very close to the heat source.

Altogether now: PAHs are released when animal fat hits charcoal and combusts, which can then enter your lungs while grilling and food while eating. HCAs are formed as a part of your meat when it is cooked for too long.

None of that is to say that grilling causes cancer, by any means. It is just one of the many factors that should be considered. Looking for an alternative? About. com suggests using “natural” charcoal (although isn’t coal natural? Just a thought). Natural charcoal is made of specialty woods and don’t release PAHs when fat is dripped on them.

If you’re still way too paranoid about cancer but don’t want to give up the grill, try vegetables.

They won’t drip fat and they won’t generate any HCAs when cooked, no matter how long.

Are those foam can cozys intended to keep your drink cold?

I think you’re referring to the things you slip on over a can of pop (or beer, if that’s more your style) while tail-gating or camping. If you want the technical

name for them, Wikipedia calls them a beer koozie.

Regardless, my experience has always been to use them when I want my hands to keep warm.

But for those of you cold-drink snobs out there, you’ll be pleased to know that most koozies also work in a chilling fashion.

Koozies are made of neoprene, foam or a mixture of the two.

Neoprene is actually the material used to make wetsuits. So next time you tail-gate, just think of your drink taking a nice scuba dive down your gullet.

Have any questions you want answered by Guru Kate?

Send them over to her at: gurukate@thenorthernlight.org

September 13, 2011 | Features

LIBRARY: Most materials are free, so why steal? continued from cover

fines, there is a hold placed on the students’ account disallowing them from registering, requesting a transcript, or even graduating.

Though Boardman believes the fines helpful, they do not guarantee a student will return a book.

“I believe that it isn’t so much the fines as it is the hold placed on the account. Since our fines are not connected to UAOnline (you can’t pay them online like tuition or parking fees), students can go their whole career at UAA not knowing they have fines on their library account,” she said. “Most of my conversations with students begin with the phrase, ‘So, I have this hold on my account..’.”

While $6,000 doesn’t seem to be much, that’s over 100 books at the average range of around $52 per book. Older materials

usually do not get replaced, so this accruement is from newer, still in use books that are stolen, vandalized, or just unreturned each year. The library is, for the most part, a free tool for students to utilize at their discretion. The ones who abuse it make it harder for the library to remain a free institution and makes it even harder for student fees to remain at a reasonable rate.

“Checking out the library materials and returning them on time is easy and free. You can renew the items online or over the phone. We have copy machines and two free scanners students can use to make copies of articles and pages of the books if they can’t or are unable to check out items,” said Boardman. “There is no reason to steal books from the library.”

By Teresa Kennedy Staff Reporter

Larry Foster did not begin his higher education wanting to be a professor.

Dreams of studying language and philosophy drove him through college until he found himself sitting in a calculus class one day. Nine years later, he woke up with a doctorate in mathematics.

“Math was a lotta fun,” he grins, his enthusiasm enough to make even those wary of math feel relaxed.

It soon becomes apparent how a man who teaches classes such as Applied Calculus and Communicating Mathematical Ideas (the titles alone enough to make the bravest scholar groan), could be voted one of UAA’s most popular professors.

Foster kicked off his teaching career at the University of Alabama, before moving on to work at the Marshall Space Flight Center as a mechanical engineer. He currently holds two master’s degrees in civil and mechanical engineering respectively; knowledge he brought with him when he returned to Alaska in 1970.

Foster came to the Great North to reunite with family and to pursue civil engineering, but that didn’t stick for long; he soon found an ad in the local paper calling for a UAA professor for one year. The rest is, as they say, history.

“The key to math? Math is how you understand the universe,” Foster says dramatically, a gleam in his eye. “A lecture for me without applications is boring.”

And applications do seem to be the secret to Foster’s success. He uses his engineering background to make math relatable to real-life situations, a technique his students find incredibly helpful.

“I think it’s excellent,” says Nathaniel Cox, a Civil Engineering major and a student in Foster’s Calculus III class. “I can’t find anyone who doesn’t like him.”

Foster is a firm believer that if you cannot connect with students,

you cannot effectively teach. He continually strives to find techniques that form that connection and enrich the learning process.

“When I walk into class I always remember what it’s like to be a student,” Foster says, his eyes far away as he recalls his own days of nervous questions and sweat-soaked tests. “Oh! And your students must not be afraid of you!”

He starts chuckling. “You think anyone could be afraid of me?”

It does seem impossible. Foster exudes warmth and gusto, constantly using “fun” to describe his work and bubbling at the chance to share his passion of numbers with students he has never met before, and even with those who are not enrolled in one his classes – but that isn’t unusual for this professor.

“Probably half the students that come in are not mine,” Foster states matter-of-factly.

His door is always open, unless he is helping someone else, and Foster quite often finds himself helping a chemistry or engineering student who have heard of his energy and came peering into his door, looking for a helping hand.

Foster is always ready to do just that.

When asked if there are any downsides to his job, Foster’s office is unusually quiet. The professor sits motionless for a few seconds, searching his brain for anything he doesn’t like.

“Only one. Cleaning my office,” he said. He flashes a grin, his spark returning at full speed. “I can’t believe that I am this lucky.”

Neither can most mathematics students. Math is a tricky enough subject for those who love it, but for those many who shudder at numbers and functions, perhaps this professor can provide some relief. Foster can make any student feel welcome, and math doesn’t seem so terrible from his peppy point-of-view.

“Everyone gets to do one noble thing in life,” Foster smiles, satisfied.

“I get to be a teacher.”

“Foster is a firm believer that if you cannot connect with students, you cannot effectively teach.”

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Features| September 13, 2011 @ your library

UAA student media loses beloved mentor ‘Tough

By Shana Roberson Executive Editor

John Skelley, administrative assistant to The Northern Light and KRUA, was only in Alaska for a short time, but his impact will photo courtesy of be long lasting skelley’s facebook according to those who worked with him.

Skelley died last week in his home in downtown Anchorage.

Skelley’s supervisor, Annie Route, said he started his job in March of 2010 with a huge wealth of experience.

“When I first interviewed John, I couldn’t believe the resume I was looking at. This man with international finance, desk management at the Marriott.

He wants to come here?” recalled Route, Director of Student Life and Leadership.

Shortly after his start at UAA, Skelley quickly became known as a go to guy. Paola Banchero, who heads the Journalism and Public Communications Department, worked with Skelley in student media and described him as a godsend who quickly organized the UAA Media Board, the governing body for The Northern Light and KRUA. “I saw him be a peacemaker, a watchful mentor, a friend and valuable colleague to many people at UAA,” Banchero said.

Skelley had recently helped KRUA Station Manager Audri Pleas overcome serious staff turnover issues that coincided with the beginning of a new semester. Skelley offered what type of assistance was needed, ranging from personal advice to administrative assistance according to Pleas.

“He’s just been there,” Pleas said. “I consider him like a sixth man on a basketball team. You know, he gets off the bench and he knows what to do already and then he sits down when it’s necessary, but other than that he’s always there in spirit.”

His duties ranged from filling out paperwork for new hires to the responsibility of budgeting over $875,000, from checking grade point averages to corralling students, staff and alumni for

photo by daphne Brashear Skelley posed with Masha Proskuryakova of The Northern Light and Annie Route, Director of Student LIfe and Leadership at their annual student leaders dinner.

“This time a year last year he went to Denali Park and the tundra is all a tapestry of colors now and he described it like an Impressionist painting. He would recognize the beauty of Alaska in that way.”

-Mike McCormick, Assistant Director of Student Activities

“He loved the hole punch, little confetti thing. I’d be sitting there on the phone and all the sudden, boom. It didn’t even matter what time of day it was, whenever he felt like it.“

-Daphne Brashear, Student Activities Administrative Assistant, describes how Skelley would dump hole punch confetti over the cubicle wall on her.

“He made me laugh more than I’ve ever laughed.”

-Noelle Fabiano, Program Coordinator

“John was just a genuinely kind person. He was really funny too, sometimes at your expense. He knew how to kind of break tension, if you were having a bad day, he knew just the right thing to say to snap you out of it. And that’s a really underappreciated skill.”

Heather Aronno, UAA Student and Publicity Center staff

“John was an irreplaceable member of our team, both professionally and personally. Behind the scenes at TNL, he never hesitated to drop everything he was doing to help someone in need. Beyond that, the impact of his kindness, passion, wit, and wisdom will never be forgotten.”

-The Northern Light staff

calls from the corner office’

By Matt Caprioli News Editor

Many students choose a business major because it basically guarantees a job. But former CEO Harlan Steinbaum’s ultimate suggestion for students may not photo by spencer mitchell Skelley’s desk, upstairs in the Student Union, still sits as strictly encourage a solid portfolio: it always has, perfectly organized.

“Follow your heart: people prefer those who are passionate about Media Board meetings. Student pens are clipped on an organizer, their jobs,” he said.

The advice here applies both to leaders in both organizations said arranged precisely in a smart, Skelley’s attention to detail and equally distanced, rainbow of business and non-business majors. willingness to go the extra mile color, an art display of office “Tough Calls from the Corner Office: Top Business Leaders made him both irreplaceable and supplies. highly regarded.

The pens also represent the Reveal their Career-defining “For some reason you just playful nature he had with his Moments” has 39 CEOs recall didn’t want to feel like you coworkers. His coworkers would their career defining moment. disappointed or let him down. He often mix up the pens when Most of them occur in crisis was a no pressure kind of person, Skelley wasn’t around as a joke. situations, so there are applicable you could go up there and talk to Another oft-cited trait of Skelley’s skills to be found for anyone.

The introduction sounds a bit him about anything. And I did. was his sense of humor, which was A lot,” said Josh Edge, former often accompanied by a twinkle in like a guided tour through some executive editor of The Northern his eye, raised eyebrow and slight man-made safari; the rhetorical questions, the imperative Light. smirk. to “imagine,” and the squat That sentiment stretched from Comics from the New Yorker confession from its author (who students to faculty, including are tacked up in his office, such as actually is more like an editor Assistant Professor of Journalism one with a father explaining to his Elizabeth Arnold, who chairs the son about his profession: “Daddy of compiled works): “My name Media Board. works in a magical, faraway land is Harlan Steinbaum, and I am a former CEO,” all contribute to an “John had a way of being called Academia.” everything you needed without The comics and pens still awkwardly opening chapter.

But the book has compelling reminding you of your own remain exactly as Skelley left and Steinbaum’s inadequacy,” said Arnold. “I them as a silent memorial to the stories, can’t count the number of times man that made such an impact in introduction get much better.

The CEOs are mostly white he was there at the ready with the office. Friends and coworkers the information, schedule, legal say it is still a struggle not hearing males (two women, one black) opinion, or just the right joke to his cheerful answer of the phone but their ideas are surprisingly save the day.” or seeing him pop up over his diverse.

The similarities are more Many attribute Skelley’s cubicle, in what they describe as professional success with student movement similar to a mere cat. entertaining though. Many are media to his organizational Coming to work is a reminder that law school drop-outs: (15) (26) (113). They are quite thankful for skills. Route described him as he is not there. fastidious, both in his work and “It’s really hard. Like this intuitive wives: (30) (35) (42) (53) his person, which is apparent in morning I came in and he’d (73) (95), etc. All of them are great the small details that still make up always unlock my door,” Route salesmen, though only most of his office. said tearfully, describing another them admit it.

Many of the shout-outs seem As perhaps the neatest cubicle little detail that signifies the in his office, Skelley had a perfect memory Skelley left with friends gratuitous, but it’s difficult to remain skeptical at Steinbaum’s place for everything. His office and coworkers at UAA. never showed signs of the constant Skelley is survived by his dedication to his wife who died 5 barrage of last minute deadlines partner, Matthew Bobo, who years before this publication: “She and volumes of paperwork he works for the State of Alaska. He was my confidant and best friend. received. Instead, Skelley’s office is also survived by his two sisters Her smile said it all. She will be forever in my heart.” reflects both his attention to detail as well as other family members.

The rather large margins and personality at once. His and 1.5 spacing provide for a quick read. To use hopscotch as metaphor, reading down a page of this book requires the energy of stepping into the next square, while reading denser books like Don Quixote is like using one foot to jump four squares away.

Though the latter is a greater work, who doesn’t like to be lazy now and then?

This book is for the lazy. Each CEO gets only three to six pages, and most of them choose to relate their career-defining moment in a casual, bar-talk tone. This is an easy read, but the stories are so powerful, it’d be hard to Skelley goofed around with The Northern Light staff photo by partypixak at their photo booth during Kickoff on earlier this year, set the book down and remain an idea he he organized for them.. unmotivated.

OPINION

The Northern Light 3211 Providence Drive Student Union 113 Anchorage, AK 99508 Phone: 907-786-1513 Fax: 907-786-1331 info@thenorthernlight.org

Executive editor 786-1434 editor@thenorthernlight.org Shana Roberson Managing Editor 786-1313 content@thenorthernlight.org Taylor Hall Copy editor copy@thenorthernlight.org Wiley Cason news editor 786-1576 news@thenorthernlight.org Matthew Caprioli FEATURES EDITOR 786-1567 features@thenorthernlight.org Ashley Snyder A&E editor 786-6198 arts@thenorthernlight.org Heather Hamilton sports editor 786-1512 sports@thenorthernlight.org Megan Edge photo editor 786-1565 photo@thenorthernlight.org Spencer Mitchell Web Editor 786-1506 web@thenorthernlight.org vacant Layout Editor layout@thenorthernlight.org Jacqui Lockman ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR news2@thenorthernlight.org vacant ASSISTANT FEATURES EDITOR features2@thenorthernlight.org Alden Lee ASSISTANT A&E EDITOR arts2@thenorthernlight.org Leroy Polk

09

EDITORIAL

It’s the infrastructure, stupid: the answer to our current economic woes It’s the fall of 2011, and we are approaching three years since the worst of the economic collapse.

Thanks to bailouts, our banks have been stabilized and are profitable; our major car manufacturers have survived another day; and we’ve avoided (for now) another major depression.

What hasn’t been fixed, and who still remains in crisis, are jobs and America’s workforce.

Unemployment figures, those who are out of work and are actively seeking a job, are at 9.1 percent.

Thanks in part to our plentiful natural resources but also our insatiable appetite for bold capital projects and infrastructure development; Alaska has withstood the worst of the fallout.

Take for instance the TransAlaska Pipeline.

Though it succeeds because of a resource that not everyone else has, it exists because of an approach that others should. The Pipeline was a bold infrastructure project that forced the creators

to come up with new methods and technologies to make the seemingly impossible pipe dream happen.

Now a generation later, not only is the Pipeline paying its own dividends, but as it was constructed, it put thousands of Alaskans to work.

If we want to see a decrease in unemployment nationally and have a country that is efficient to do business in the future, our answer may lie in the lessons of the Last Frontier.

Now more than ever when our current infrastructure is crumbling

and outdated, and our people need work, we need to make bold investments in our national infrastructure.

Repairing and improving roads, bridges, mass transportation, and grid systems may jumpstart the country what the Pipeline provided for our state.

There’s more to learn from the Alaska spirit than just than the teachings of the oil industry. Bernie Karl, the owner of Chena Hot Springs Resort, is a perfect example.

Karl combined bold business decisions with a blue-collar mentality in retool how his resort was powered. The resort owner,

If we want to see a decrease in unemployment nationally and have a country that is efficient to do business in the future, our answer may lie in the lessons of the Last Frontier.

being on a hot springs, wanted to run Chena off of geothermal power, but conventional wisdom in the field said that his water wasn’t hot enough, and that it would be impossible.

Thinking like an Alaskan, Karl decided that if water wouldn’t work, he’d just use refrigerator coolant instead. Though he had to build it himself, Karl’s experiment is now a wild success.

His ice castle, hot springs resort, and power plant aren’t the end of his ambitions; Karl is now experimenting with other sources of alternative energy, and helping the economy as he does.

The bottom line is that this nation’s economy would benefit from more Americans being inspired to build assets, not just trade them. Job creators can be anyone with an idea and drive to act, so lets make like the North and get to work.

seawolf snapshots

What do you do to help keep UAA green?

ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR sports2@thenorthernlight.org Kenzie Masson Senior graphic designer graphics@thenorthernlight.org CJ Beaudrie Graphic designer graphics2@thenorthernlight.org Nick Foote Multimedia editor graphics3@thenorthernlight.org Vicente Capala advertising Manager 786-4690 ads@thenorthernlight.org Mariya Proskuryakova

I bring my own water bottles and I print paper on both sides.

Staff reporter Nicole Luchaco

Art Endresen, 5 5

Sydney Singer, 21

Early Childhood Education, Junior

media adviser Paola Banchero administrative adviser Annie Route The Northern Light is a proud member of the Associated Collegiate Press.

The Northern Light is a weekly UAA publication funded by student fees and advertising sales.

The editors and writers of The Northern Light are solely responsible for its contents. Circulation is 5,000. The University of Alaska Anchorage provides equal education and employment opportunities for all, regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, Vietnam-era or disabled-veteran status, physical or mental disability, changes in marital status, pregnancy, or parenthood.

The views expressed in the opinion section do not necessarily reflect the views of UAA or The Northern Light.­­­

I bring money that’s how I keep UAA green.

water y m l l I refi es. bottl

Staff reporter Teresa Kennedy Contributors Eli Johnson Brett Frazer Erik Woelber Jim Foster

Business, Fres hman

lastic p e l c I recywalk to d an ol. scho

3 Sophia Gary, 2 r

Anthropology,

Diego Bayuk, 2 4

Public Adminis tration, First Year Grad uate

Karina Smith, 2 2

Business Mana gement, Junior Photos By jim foster/TNL

I throw my trash away.

Senio

10 Lefty on the left

TNL

opinion| September 13, 2011 rethink

Time to tax mary jane Perry’s comments toward

By Eli Johnson Contract Writer

Back in 1937, an ambitious man by the name of Harry Anslinger came to Congress with an idea: make marijuana illegal. He got a lot of help from a journalist named William Hearst who wanted to make pot illegal, because hemp was in danger of replacing timber as the primary material for making paper. These two began the long and ultimately ridiculous battle against what is probably the safest drug in the world.

“Marijuana is by far the most profitable of all the illegal narcotics.

Cocaine, Methamphetamine, it blows them away,” said Rick Adams, a former IRS agent who did cases linked to pot.

He’s got a very good point.

To date, this drug is the one that is the most debated. Perhaps the situation with cannabis and the government can be best described by a vlogger called ‘Grappling Ignorance.’

“When they miss the freethrows, the cheap shots, the gimmies that are right there for them, because they are too busy arguing over which Party is the best for either or any of them to actually accomplish some genuine progress.”

Really, the fact that this issue is still on the table is kind of strange.

The war over this is still going strong. The best example of this was Proposition 19, in California.

Everybody was certain that it would pass. But, like with every other time this issue has been on the table, those against it were easily rallied to the polls.

So, what are the arguments for keeping it illegal? Some of the ads against Prop. 19 were very inspired. The “slippery slope” argument was one of the biggest.

The idea is that if you smoke pot, you are then going to go immediately to smoking crack or doing heroin. This is absolutely false. Most people who would love to smoke pot have no inclination to go a step up.

The next argument is that

marijuana is unsafe. This is a very interesting argument to debunk. The main ingredient of pot is a compound called Tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC. This compound has been studied to death. Something that was found is that a person cannot become physically addicted to it in the way that one can with cigarettes, prescription drugs or alcohol.

Another fact about THC is that it is almost impossible for a person to overdose. Now, for a long time, it was believed that it was impossible, but recent studies have come out with the knowledge that it is theoretically possible.

However, in order to actually kill a person, one would have to harvest THC in its raw form and actually inject it into their veins. The fact is that the danger argument is ridiculous.

There is also the argument that children will be able to get it. This is garbage because it could be sold in stores and carded just like alcohol and cigarettes. Some will argue that those things get into the hands of kids anyway, but that isn’t the sellers’ problem. In those instances, it is a problem of the law.

The fact is that there is no good argument against it, and there are plenty of good arguments for it. Look back at how this began – those who are against logging, here is a good source for paper.

The sales of marijuana have been roughly estimated at $10 to $120 billion annually. That is a really huge number. This is money that our government does not have access to through taxes and sales.

Part of the reason that Prohibition was ended was to bring money into the economy and here is another area where we have a metric ton of money floating around that is not helping a government that really could use some revenue right now.

It seems that America learned nothing from Prohibition. Making any drug illegal is not going to stop people from using it. Really, we should advocate more than legalizing pot. We should legalize everything. But one step at a time, right?

scientists unfair, dishonest

Ignorantly slandering climate scientists and their motives falls outside the realm of what should be acceptable in politics

By Brett Frazer

of their research.

I generally don’t take politics personally.

Sure, I’ve been called an “Americahating” liberal, a “socialist,” a “Constitution-hater,” and a host of other nonsensical and platitudinous insults. Usually, I recognize these attacks for what they are – a logical fallacy known as “argumentum ad hominem.” However, once in a while, a politician irks me just the right way, and I feel personally affronted by their statement.

Republican hopeful Rick Perry has done just this. During a recent speech in New Hampshire, Perry made three claims in regards to climate change. First, that “the issue of global warming has been politicized.” Second, “a substantial number of scientists have manipulated data so that they will have dollars rolling into their projects.” And third, “scientists [are regularly] coming forward, questioning the original idea that manmade global warming is what’s causing climate change.”

As someone who’s spent most of his college career studying climate science, I find Perry’s statements not only grossly misleading, but offensive as well. I’ve spent two summers in Greenland researching how climate change affects arctic ecosystems. I’ve spent endless weeks in labs running tests on samples. I’ve gone cross-eyed staring at computer monitors while I crunch data. Along the way I’ve been lucky enough to work with some of the greatest minds in climate science. I promise you; none of these people manipulate data in an effort to get their projects funded. In fact, many of these scientists are exemplars of personal integrity and honesty.

Okay, let’s say you don’t trust my personal testimony. Fair enough. Even if these scientists wanted to grossly manipulate data for money, they couldn’t.

The rigors of submitting grant proposals and publishing in peerreviewed journals prevent data manipulation from happening.

It’s obvious that Perry knows nothing about academic research or how it’s funded.

Accusing scientists of being conniving and greedy data manipulators is a very serious allegation. Making such a statement undermines the credibility of all scientists. It undermines their professional integrity as well as the legitimacy

The vilification of scientists brings about a visceral reaction in people, turning them off to all

Contract Writer

People do not go into science so they can manipulate data and take money. scientific research. The whole enterprise of scientific research is then brought into the American culture war.

To be fair, it’s reasonable to express skepticism about climate change science. There’s nothing wrong with questioning the conclusions drawn from research.

The extent to which anthropogenic climate change drives more powerful storms, for example, is not well understood. Indeed, being skeptical about these kinds of causal stories is what science is.

Climate science is not about “proving” that climate change is anthropogenic.

Indeed, science actually tries to disprove existing theories.

Einstein arrived at general relatively first by disproving the universal applicability of Newtonian physics.

People do not go into science so they can manipulate data and take money. If they were interested in duping the public and pushing some liberal political agenda, there are much easier, and far more lucrative ways of doing so.

People study science because they enjoy it. There aren’t many careers where you get paid to satisfy your curiosity by designing and carrying out fun experiments.

Perry ignores the facts of climate change – almost all scientists believe that contemporary climate change is largely anthropogenic. A recent report released by the National Academy of Sciences states that 97% of scientists agree that climate change is “very likely” caused mainly by human activity.

Many critics of climate change agree that at least some of the recent warming has been driven by anthropogenic CO2. In fact, most “criticism” of climate science is actually directed at how modelers predict future warming trends, rather than at whether or not anthropogenic CO2 drives warming.

Scientists have good reasons to support man-made climate change. There is an enormous body of research that substantiates the claim that climate change is largely driven by the consumption

of fossil fuels and subsequent release of carbon dioxide.

This isn’t a difficult concept to grapple with. Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas. This means that it absorbs infrared radiation reflected off the surface of the Earth. When greenhouse gases absorb infrared radiation, they are effectively trapping energy in earth’s atmosphere, increasing the total energy of Earth’s climate system. When you increase the energy of a system, you heat it up.

The more carbon dioxide there is in the atmosphere, the greater the greenhouse effect.

This greenhouse effect makes Earth habitable. If our planet’s only source of heat were solar radiation, the average temperature of the earth would be around zero degrees Fahrenheit. The oceans would freeze every time the sun went down, and life on earth would be impossible.

When you burn fossil fuels, what you’re doing is taking ancient carbon, in the form of hydrocarbons, burning it, and unnaturally increasing the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Burning fossil fuels is like having a perennial volcano on the surface of the earth, endlessly belching out carbon that was previously trapped below the surface of the earth.

It should be duly noted that most catastrophic extinction event in our planet’s history, the Permian Extinction Event, which killed off almost all life in Earth’s oceans, is thought to be the result of a global warming event, driven by a series of massive volcanic eruptions.

The point here is that I don’t need to manipulate anything to prove that anthropogenic climate change is real. The basic physical processes are actually quite simple.

When people like Michelle Bachmann or Rick Perry start challenging climate change research by belittling the issue and vilifying scientists, they’re the ones politicizing it. It’s irresponsible for our public leaders to promote such a myopic and perverted message.

Questioning climate science is one thing, but calling proponents of anthropogenic climate change liars is something else entirely.

I hereby declare an open challenge to Perry supporters; find me a “substantial number” of scientists, who regularly contribute research to peerreviewed journal articles, that have intentionally and malevolently manipulated data in an effort to receive additional funding. I doubt you’ll even find a few.

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a perfect fit As a part of University of Alaska, you’ll enjoy the AT&T Sponsorship Program discount and all the other benefits of AT&T: • Unlimited usage on the nation’s largest Wi-Fi® network • Simultaneous use of voice and data on the nation’s fastest mobile broadband network • The power of the Internet in the palm of your hand • All the latest social networking apps Visit www.wireless.att.com/discounts to sign up online or www.att.com/storelocator to find a store near you. If you visit a local AT&T store, please have proof of eligibility (employee badge, pay stub, or student ID).

*IMPORTANT INFORMATION: Limited-time offer ends Oct. 15, 2011. Coverage not available in all areas. Qualified customers only. Activation Fee of $36. Early Termination Fee (ETF): None if cancelled in first 30 days, but up to $325 or $150 depending on device. Two or one year contract required unless purchasing at full commitment price. Requires voice plan. Smartphones require a Smartphone Data Plan. For more information see att.com/dataplans. Geographic usage and other conditions and restrictions (that may result in svc termination) apply. Taxes and other chrgs apply. Prices and equip. vary by mkt.

See store or visit att.com for details and coverage map. Regulatory Cost Recovery Charge up to $1.25/mo. is chrg’d to help defray costs of complying with gov’t obligations & chrgs on AT&T & is not a tax or gov’t req’d charge. Download uses data from your data plan. Monthly discount: Available to qualified employees of companies and/or government agencies and qualified students and employees of colleges/universities with a qualified business agreement (“Business Agreement”). Service discount subject to corresponding Business Agreement and may be interrupted and/or discontinued without notice to you.

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September 13, 2011

Reviews A&E

“Puddle of Mudd” releases sloppy album

A&E

“Deus Ex” full of action and vengeance

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B Section

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the northern light’s sports & entertainment section

thenorthernlight.org

Flash mobs: more than fleeting idea

What began as a small social experiment evolved into its own global phenomenon

Women’s Volleyball Sports

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Open GNAC play with a split at home

Overtime sports

B7

Hockey community shaken by tragedy

New puzzle & Comic Comics

B8

Crosswords by Erik Woelber “Double Goove”

by Leroy Polk and Sarah Defosse

Whats happening @ TheNorthernLight.org Current

Videos

First Friday Brick: 2011

UAA vs WOU Volleyball

Seawolf Arena Groundbreaking

Current

Photos

UAA vs WOU Volleyball Loussac Library Flash Mob

News

Updates

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Updates @sportsTNL

LIKE US

After two weeks of practice, roughly 100 dancers perform a Bollywood themed flash mob in the Loussac Library on Sept. 1.

By Heather Hamilton A&E Editor

It’s 6:52 p.m., and you’re trying to catch a train home to your family after a long day of hard work. The station is crowded, but you don’t notice anything beyond the normal rush hour traffic.

The clock strikes 6:53 p.m., and suddenly the person standing in front of you begins dancing. The person next to them begins to dance as well, and soon you notice that hundreds of people, most of which are young adults, are wearing headphones and dancing to whatever music happened to pop up on their personal playlist.

The “silent disco” that took place in London’s Victoria station was a flash mob comprised of 4,000 individuals that began at precisely 6:53 p.m. on Wednesday, April 4, 2007; and which lasted until “four vanloads of police told them to jog on,” according to the Telegraph.

Flash mobs occur on a semiregular basis in London, often taking place in train stations such

This very basic flash mob garnered the attention of many individuals around the country wishing to create their own, and Wasik found as Victoria station and Liverpool Street station, where a flash mob became still as statues for four minutes in April of 2008, as well as another “silent disco” in February of 2009, according to ABC News and CNN. In the US, flash mobs are more diverse, and as a fad have evolved since their initial creation in 2003

by Harper’s Magazine editor Bill

Wasik.

Wasik created the flash mob as a sort of commentary against hipsters. He sent himself an e-mail from an anonymous account (to hide the fact that he was its original author), which he then forwarded to roughly 60 acquaintances, inviting them to meet at a particular place and time for MOB (his name for the event). MOB’s only goal was to place a large amount of people in one place for 10 minutes or less.

Wasik included a ‘frequently asked questions’ section of the e-mail, which explained that others should participate because ‘tons of other people are doing it,’ according to Wasik’s article in Harper’s in 2006.

The first experiment, scheduled for Tuesday, June 3, 2003 failed; only because someone tipped local police off and entrance to the building was barred. Wasik tried again two weeks later

photo by spencer mitchel/tnl

after sending more discreet instructions, and MOB 2.0 was a success, comprising 200 people, according to Harper’s.

“What the project harnessed was the joining urge, a drive toward deindividuation easily discernible in the New York hipster population,” Wasik said in his article.

This very basic flash mob garnered the attention of many individuals around the country wishing to create their own, and Wasik found himself giving advice. Since then, flash mobs have gained popularity all over the world.

Flash mobs have even popped up in Anchorage. Leslie Ward, an adjunct dance professor at the university, incorporated a flash mob component into the New Dances routine she choreographed in the Spring 2011 installment, which she advertised and gave video instructions for via her

See MOB page B2

‘Contagion’ infected with multiple plots

By Heather Hamilton A&E Editor

The odds are good that within the last hour, you’ve touched several objects; perhaps a table, stapler, mouse, keyboard, pencil or pen.

You’ve

also probably touched your face several times as well. Who touched those public objects before you did? Were they ill?

If the answer is either “Yes” or “I don’t know,” you’d likely be in the hospital if the pandemic in “Contagion” was real. And, a few days later, you’d be dead.

“Contagion” is a disease-ridden movie. Its leading lady is a global

Share your thoughts with us!

pandemic that takes out essentially

everyone it touches, and all it takes is one touch. The story begins on day two of the disease’s outbreak, starring Gwyneth Paltrow (“Country Strong”) as Beth Emhoff, an American businesswoman flying home from Hong Kong. She suffers from a few minor symptoms and complains to husband Mitch (Matt Damon, “The Adjustment Bureau”) of her jet lag when she returns home. A few days later, she falls violently ill and is taken to the hospital following a seizure. A few hours after that, she becomes the first known casualty, and is labeled as patient zero.

The trailer for the movie does a disservice to its audience by explicitly stating that Paltrow’s character dies; anyone who was interested in the movie before its release has already seen the heart

wrenching scene where a haggard and worried Mitch is told by a seemingly uncaring doctor that his wife has passed away.

In a movie with many sub plots, where none of the characters have a chance to truly shine, powerful moments like the death of a wife are key to attaching your viewers to your characters. Giving it away ahead of time desensitizes viewers and gives them a good reason not to get attached.

The other sub plots in the movie revolve around trying to find a cure for the disease and its origins, focusing on the Center for Disease Control and its executive Dr Ellis Cheever (Laurence Fishburne, “Predators”), who sends his Epidemic Intelligence officer, Dr. Erin Mears (Kate

See CONTAGION page B3

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A&E| September 13th, 2011

MOB: more than a fleeting pastime

Continued from cover

Facebook page. Her hope was to get audience members to participate in that portion of the dance with her performing dancers, surprising the rest of the audience.

Thursday, September 1, Ward and a group of roughly 100 dancers crashed the Loussac Library and performed a synchronized Bollywood dance that the group had practiced for two weeks prior to the event.

“My idea of a flash mob is just a whole bunch of people getting together and surprising another group of people, and entertaining them of course,” said Athina Maraudas, a junior psychology major, and a participant of the Loussac mob.

“I’ve heard that flash mobs have been getting a bad reputation lately because people are doing bad things instead of having a good time, and that’s unfortunate; it’s supposed to be a happy thing,” she said, “She [Leslie Ward] wanted to make sure that we knew that what we were doing was positive.”

The negative things Maraudas referred to were the violent flash mobs that have been taking place in recent months. Like with normal, benign, flash mobs, these are chiefly organized via social media web-sites, e-mail, and texting amongst participants. In Philadelphia, a weekend curfew for those under the age of 18 has been enforced to help curb the beatings and robbery local teens have been instigating while engaged in flash mobs, according to the BBC. Parents of those found to be in violation of the curfew can be fined upwards of $500.

Flash mobs have also been outlawed in cities in other parts of the world. Local law enforcement

in Braunschweig, Germany are forbidding flash mobs, placing themselves in locations they have heard they will take place and not allowing participation.

They do, however, attempt to establish contact with flash mob organizers ahead of time to avoid surprise and to hopefully cancel the event peacefully, according to The Local. Another city cracking down on flash mobs is Brighton, England, due to public health concerns after a flash mob event involving water guns resulted in thousands of pounds in damage to a public garden in Millennium Square, according to Mirror.

Another global offshoot of conventional flash mobs is the urban playground movement, a group of loosely-tied organizers who desire to bring people together and create community through free events in public spaces, such as parties in subway cars, giant games of capture the flag in city streets, mass pillow fights and giant bubble battles. These events differ from conventional flash mobs in that they can last for several hours instead of a few minutes, and they are openly organized instead of being kept secret.

Newmindspace, a non-profit organization based in both Toronto and New York City, frequently organizes these mass events. The next one on their schedule, which is set to take place on Saturday, September 24, is a giant lightsaber battle in downtown New York, according to their website.

Locally, flash mobs remain a fun and positive past-time that students such as Maraudas enjoy participating in on occasion.

“The surprise in people’s faces is just amazing; it’s definitely the best part,” she said.

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Album review

Puddle of mediocre

By Bryan Dunagan Contract Writer

really interesting to hear.

“The Joker,” which Steve Miller Band played when they were up here the first time, is still pretty good at instilling the original artist’s sentiments.

Mudd’s take on “A Little Help From My Friends” is not as good as the Beatle’s, but it hits the high notes and the low notes, and has a “feel good” warmth.

Yes, the album is all covers and singles, but it’s still a decent album as the covers are fairly decently done. All in all the album is worth a listen.

Some artists release a cover song in their album buried as a hidden track, but rarely do they release a full album of covers.

Puddle of Mudd has decided to release such an album, with covers ranging from 80’s rock to Elton John.

Generally speaking, the purpose of covers is to provide a fresh take on established songs, and Puddle of Mudd’s inflection works to this end on most genres.

Case in point is the cover of “Rocket Man” by Elton John. This rendition manages to be just as ALBUM: Re: (Disc)Overed soulful as the Elton John original, ARTIST: Puddle of Mudd but played a little harder.

RECORD LABEL: Arms Division “T.N.T” by AC/DC is a staple RELEASE DATE: August 30, 2011 of the band, and Mudd’s ability to capture the rawness of this song while again making it unique is

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September 13th, 2011 | a&e

Game review

movie review

‘Deus Ex’ an epic action RPG

By Bryan Dunagan Contract Writer

“Deus Ex” is amazing. One simply cannot describe the intricacies of this game without standing on a soapbox and proclaiming all the ways to build your character or the numerous approaches to all the game’s levels. Simply put, Human Revolution is the premier water cooler game to be released this year.

The player assumes the role of Adam Jensen, the chief security officer of Sarif Industries, a multi-billion dollar human augmentation firm in the West. After an attack on Sarif by unknown augmented assailants and left for dead, Jensen’s body is now 60% machinery. While he doesn’t seem to mind it too much, it puts Jensen in a spot to be both loved and hated by the general populace.

This augmentation is the cause and solution to find who left him for dead, and find just how deep the conspiracy goes, as it allows him access certain places and people he otherwise might not be privy to. While the protagonist is somewhat in a tight spot, it allows the player to do some amazing things.

For example, the player can punch through walls to crack the neck of some guard on the other side, after stalking him using

altered vision. Make no mistake, this is a stealth action RPG, and doing the above act relieves that tension and makes your hard work so much more satisfying. And, if you start with certain augments,

you can leap over fences, loot trashcans, and thrown air conditioners on top of enemies.

This goes into character progression, which is pretty standard except that there is no traditional leveling system.

Instead, experience nets you Praxis points, which you spend on augments, such as hacking and multiple takedowns. Additionally, you can go to clinics that allow you to purchase Praxis kits to get that one last augment to do x, so you can finish quest y.

CONTAGION: tension filled continued from Motion Cover

One of the most satisfying parts of the game is the weapon customization. You can take the standard pistol and add armor piercing bullets, laser sights, silencers and clip upgrades until the gun is maxed out. If you so chose, you could take one of the upgradeable guns and use it throughout the game as your go-to workhorse of silent death.

This also brings up the numerous ways you could play the game. You could go loud, play it like a shooter and be a death-dealing super human. Or you could be a sly hacker cyberpunk that takes time to set defenses against your enemies.

No other game in recent memory can immerse you so deep in a glittery gold, dirty trash-laden metropolis.

It’s one of those games that will have its players talking for years to come, and coming back just to play through its sprawling narrative and relive their favorite events with different character builds.

Winslet, “Carnage”) to discover the pandemic’s origins.

Meanwhile, the World Health Organization sends Dr. Leonora Orantes (Marion Cotillard, “Midnight in Paris”) to China for the same purpose, but is detained by locals.

Conspiracy blogger Alan Krumwiede (Jude Law, “Repo Men”) has a less than pleasant theory regarding the disease and is out to harass officials to prove his point. Each of these characters has their own plot-line that “Contagion” shifts between throughout the movie.

These many facets are a double-edged sword; they keep viewers on their toes, and give a broader sense of the pandemic (something often lacking in movies dealing with widespread illnesses or infections), but they are so numerous that there is very little screen time for each actor to work with to develop his or her respective character. The resulting story, while more involved on the surface, is less fleshed out on an individual level.

As the world around each character begins to change, giving rise to quarantined cities, riots, evacuations, mass graves and utter hopelessness, the viewer

GAME: Deus Ex: Human Revolution DEVELOPER: Eidos Montreal RELEASE DATE: August 23, 2011

$

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sees surprisingly little of it, with much of the movie taking place behind closed doors. With people striving to isolate themselves from one another in fear of the disease, the setting turns almost claustrophobic.

Despite this, the movie never loses its tension. Cameras focus on poles, table tops, beverages and food, forcing the viewer to imagine just how many germs there might be waiting to be picked up.

They also focus on faces.

Especially with Paltrow at the very beginning, as she swiftly succumbs to the illness, the camera tracks her increasingly haggard appearance.

“Contagion” isn’t concerned with appearances. Beauty means nothing in this movie; grit, grim, dirt, fear and illness are all that matters for most visual aspects.

This is not a feel good movie, and it isn’t meant to be, by any stretch. “Contagion” combines a real fear of illness and germs with a shooting and visual style that will aid Director: Steven in making Soderbergh Starring: DaMatt viewers Damon, Kate Winslet, think Jude Law twice Run time: 105m about Genre: Drama borrowing a pen in class.

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a&e| September 13th, 2011 September 13 - 20, 2011

FOCUS EVENTS CALENDAR Pirate Pub Crawl - September 17

Bars across downtown Anchorage will once again be observing the Pirate Pub Crawl on Sebtember 17. At this free event participants can dress up like pirates and will be given a scavenger hunt treasure map to all participating bars, where they will recieve a stamp. One lucky pirate with a fully stamped map will recieve a voucher for 80,000 Alaska airline miles.

The event begins at 7 p.m. in town square, and more information on the event can be found at www.anchoragedowntown.org/ events/2011-pirate-pub-crawl/

Wanda Sykes - September 17 Wanda Sykes has been a force to be recokoned with in the comedy world, not only having a successful standup career, but guest starring on several popular television shows such as “The New Adventures of Old Christine” and “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” and even hosting her own program, “The Wanda Sykes Show” on FOX. She will be performing at the Dena’ina Center on September 17. More information is avialable online at www. wandasykes.com/

Larry the Cable Guy - September 20

The Globe presents Henry VIII - September 15 Tikahtnu Stadium 16 and Century Theaters will be showing a performance of Shakespeare’s great historical play Henry VIII, as it was performed at The Globe Theater in England, the original site of Shakespeare’s plays. This unusual for movie theater event will be held at both theaters at 6:30 p.m. on September 15, and will include a behind-the-scenes look at the production of the play. Tickets and information can be found at www. fandango.com

With his sigunature lowbrow catchphrase “git-r-done,” this red necked comedian is popular amongst the lowest common denominator of comedy fans. Philistine humor in tow, Larry (aka Daniel Lawrence Whitney) will be performing at the Sullivan Arena on September 20. Audiences unfamilliar with his act are encouraged to remain as such. More information is available online at http://www.sullivanarena. com/ecalendar.html

September 13th, 2011 | A&E

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SPORTS

B6 Left: Jackie Matthisen, Quincy Haught, and Nikkie Viotto celebrate a kill against WOU on Sept. 8. Below: Ariel Austin finds daylight for one of her nine kills against WOU. Right: Jackie Matthisen helped lead the Seawolves with 16 kills and 23 digs against WOU.

continued from Cover

probably the best I’ve seen (Burton) play, so hopefully she can consistently bring that every time we get on the court,” Green said.

In San Bernardino, California the team competed at the Coyote Invitational in four more nonconference matches. They closed the weekend two for two after wins against Chico State (3-2) and Cal State-Dominguez Hills (3-0) and defeats to #3 Cal State-San Bernardino (0-3) and Cal StateLos Angeles (1-3).

Although the Sept. 8 match set back UAA this season, Matthisen and junior Nikkie Viotto set individual records.

Viotto led with her second double-double so far in her career, with 16 kills and 12 digs against WOU. Matthisen set an all time high

photo by spencer mitchel/tnl

of 23 digs, a new career high.

“I’m just trying to play it game by game and practice day by day.

I can’t do what I do without the rest of my team behind me,” said Burton.

The UAA volleyball team will be on the road until Sept.

29, playing three road matches starting with UAF on Sept. 17 followed by Simon Fraser on Sept.

22 and a showdown with rival Western Washington on Sept. 24.

Getting some wins on the road early on will go a long way in terms of solidifying the ‘Wolves as a frontrunner in the competitive GNAC “Our goal is always to win GNAC and if you win the conference then you get into the NCAA tournament so that was our goal to start the season,” Green said.

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September 13, 2011 | sports

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overtime A dark summer for the world of hockey sees worst tragedy yet 10

Global hockey community gets checked from behind with latest catastrophe as plane carrying Russian hockey team goes down, adding to sorrow of three recent NHL fatalities

By Taylor Hall Managing Editor

Just when we thought it could get no worse, we found we hadn’t even hit rock bottom yet.

The hockey world was rocked by another tragedy on Sept. 7, when a private jet carrying the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) team, Lokomotiv Yaroslavl, crashed shortly after takeoff.

The damages are absolutely gut wrenching: 43 people in all were killed of the 45 on board.

Seven flight crewmembers and 36 Lokomotiv team members (players, coaches, team officials) in all lost their lives while two more people remain in critical condition after surviving the crash.

In what has to be one of the biggest disasters and worst aviation accidents in sports history, the crash has left the international hockey community reeling trying to come to terms with this latest accident.

The accident in Russia has seen its ripple effects felt throughout the hockey community, and saw names many hockey fans knew from their time spent in the NHL. Names like Pavol Demitra, Karlis Skrastins, Ruslan Salei and Josef Vasicek were all included in the long list of people taken suddenly and far too soon.

In a game such as hockey, the turnover of rosters from season to season means players and coaches become very intricately interwoven. Bonds are made with many players and so many people become connected from their travels from the various teams and leagues. This makes it even

harder to bear for the tight-knit fraternity of players who can make connections to the victims of Lokomotiv.

The plane crash comes on the back end of a trio shocking deaths that all started on May 13, when Derek Boogaard died from an accidental mix of painkillers and alcohol. The 28-year-old enforcer who had split time between the Minnesota Wild and New York Rangers in his six seasons in the NHL was once one of the most intimidating players featured in the NHL. On Aug. 15, we learned of another passing in the form of Rick Rypien. Best known as a pest on the ice for the Vancouver Canucks for his six-year career, Rypien had just signed to play with the Winnipeg Jets before he took his own life. The 27-year-old had said to be battling depression for more than a decade at the time of his death.

The bad news kept coming when Wade Belak, an 15 year veteran of the NHL, was found dead in his condo in Toronto on Aug. 31. The cause of death is still not yet known though it was confirmed that he too had been suffering from depression. Belak, an enforcer who had spent time on five different NHL squads was only 35 years old when he passed.

The interesting and perhaps alarming connection is that all these three players were enforcers and all three suffered brain trauma. Their roles of protecting their teammates which made them team and fan favorites may have also become their reason for fighting the likes of depression and drugs and alcohol.

While this string of unnerving deaths and accidents have many questions that remain unanswered

as to how all of these accidents transpired and what is the cause for all of them. The one truth that is clear that this has to be the darkest summer for the sport of hockey.

Already, the NHL has revamped its concussion policies as well as how they deal with punishing shots to the head. This string of deaths, however, is something that will require the league to immediately address.

Are enforcers more at risk due to their amount of trauma they take due to fighting? Should the league ban fighting to avoid these problems? How can they better

Best known as a pest on the ice for the Vancouver Canucks...Rypien had just signed to play with the Winnipeg Jets before he took his own life. help players who suffer from drugs and alcohol abuse and those who suffer from depression?

One question that is on everyones mind; how does hockey recover from this?

The wounds of this summer are not going to heal anytime soon as the there will be constant reminders for both the fans and the players themselves throughout the various arenas.

As NHL training camp starts within the week, the NHL and its ambassadors will be more tight-knit as ever as they look to remember their departed brothers and look towards just getting back on the ice and playing the game that was their common bond.

Cross Country teams continue swift start to season The Alaska Anchorage men’s and women’s cross country running teams swept the University of Hawaii Big Wave Invitational Sept. 10 to stay undefeated on the season. Recording individual victories for the Seawolves were seniors Ruth Keino and Yontatan Yilma.

For the second consecutive race the UAA men raced to a perfect score of 15 points. The Seawolves downed second-place BYU-Hawai’i (52 points) and Hawai’i Pacific, which finished third with 86 points.

Chaminade rounded out the men’s teams in fourth with 100 points.

Leading the Seawolves with a 1-2-3-4-5 domination was Yilma with a winning-time of 15 minutes, 45.70 seconds in the 5K race. Yilma, from Edmonds, Wash., edged junior AllAmerican Micah Chelimo (15:45.93)

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at the finish line for his second win in Hawaii. Taking third place was junior Alfred Kangogo (15:46.71), while rookie Dylan Anthony was fourth at 15:46.90 and junior Jake Parisien fifth at 15:57.08.

Like the men’s team, the UAA women kept their unbeaten streak alive with a 19-point victory over BYU-Hawai’i (55) and the University of Hawai’i (64). HPU finished fourth, followed by Hawaii-Hilo and Chaminade.

Collecting her third consecutive win was Keino (Kapcheno, Kenya) with a time of 18:38.32, defeating her nearest competitor, teammate Susan Tanui (18:50.05), by over 10 seconds.

Junior Miriam Kipng’eno wrapped up the top three placings with a time of 18:50.53. Also scoring for UAA was sixth-place Susan Bick (19:06.57) and seventh-place Shoshana Keegan (19:15.22).

The Seawolves will return to the mainland and have the next three weeks off before seeing Great Northwest Athletic Conference foes at the Western Washington Invitational on Oct. 8 in Bellingham, Wash.

Compiled by Megan Edge

Volleyball Sat, Sept. 17 at UAF Fairbanks, Alaska 7:00 pm

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Comics| September 13th, 2011 Double Groove comic

HOROSCOPE

YOUR STARS THIS WEEK

By Stella Wilder

The coming week is likely to favor the promotion of all manner of unusual, controversial or simply unexpected ideas, and what is most important for everyone to consider at every turn is the source of that idea -- for the source, ultimately, will make all the difference. The difference between dreamers and doers may appear in sharp relief, as the dreamers are likely to let a quite valuable idea die on the vine at this time, and the doers are almost certain to take a no-morevaluable idea and turn it into something productive, worthwhile and profitable. It’s not so much practicality or pragmatism that will separate the doers from the dreamers, for what might have been deemed impossible only last week may become reality at the hands of one who is creative, unorthodox and daring. Indeed, it is daring that may prove most valuable.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 7) -- You may feel as though you’ve been hit by one unfortunate development after another, but you can rise above it all. (Sept. 8-Sept.

22) -- You must pay attention to all manner of instructions given and do things by the book.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 7) -You may discover that it’s quite possible to do things exactly as you had planned, despite the negative forecasts others may offer. (Oct. 8-Oct. 22) -- Stay focused on the task at hand, and don’t be distracted by trivialities on the periphery.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 7) -- You may have trouble keeping your focus squarely on that which truly demands it. (Nov. 8-Nov. 21) -- Just because the official word may stand against you, you can continue unthwarted.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 7) -- Give yourself more of what you really want -- and then, when the time comes, share it with those who don’t enjoy what you have. (Dec. 8-Dec. 21) -- Your difficulties in communicating with others stem from a central lack of clarity.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 6) -- One who has stood squarely against you in the past is likely to speak out in your favor before the week is out. Gains multiply. (Jan. 7-Jan. 19) -- It’s not so much that you have less than you want, but

SODUKU

what you have isn’t of the quality you desire.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 3) -- Someone close to you may be surprised to learn something about you that has been a carefully guarded secret for some time.

(Feb. 4-Feb. 18) -- What starts with a simple accident is likely to grow quickly into something you are enjoying to the fullest.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 5) -- You may not be able to hide from the spotlight completely, but neither must you bare all, either.

Try to strike a careful balance.

(March 6-March 20) -- Those with whom you are working very closely may bring out something unexpected in you.

ARIES (March 21-April 4) -- You can combine your efforts and do much more than expected -- provided a rival doesn’t intentionally stand in your way.

(April 5-April 19) -- You may find yourself engaged in a direct conflict with someone who is not on your same wavelength.

TAURUS (April 20-May 5) -What you notice almost by chance is likely to prove quite important to you -- and may enable you to break a long-standing habit. (May 6-May 20) -- You’ll find yourself attracted to activities that offer some danger -- and to those who engage in them.

GEMINI (May 21-June 6) -- A mere frolic mustn’t be considered anything more -- unless you want to be completely shaken and begin changing in profound ways.

(June 7-June 20) -- You may find yourself immersed in a situation that requires more from you than you want to give.

CANCER (June 21-July 6) -- It’s important to read between the lines, but take care that you’re not assigning meaning to things arbitrarily. (July 7-July 22) -- What begins slowly may accelerate very quickly and demand that you use all your skills to control it.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 7) -Economic realities may require you to rethink the how -- but you shouldn’t have to compromise when it comes to the what. (Aug. 8-Aug. 22) -- You may want to vary your course slightly to see if you can maximize gains along the way.

www.doublegroove.thecomicseries.com

By Leroy Polk and Sarah Defosse

Crossword by Erik Woelber Animal Crossing Across 1 Transition 6 Radio type 10 Yank foes 14 Unit of hot chili?

15 Covering 16 Brainchild 17 “Drats!”

19 Type of classic 20 Abbr. on an airport display 21 McKellen and Fleming 22 151, in the Vatican 23 When repeated, an Alaskan musher 24 Hybrid cats 27 Popular street name 28 Barn sound 29 And so on and so forth: abbr.

30 Awards for both “Patton” and “Gandhi” 36 Offering 39 *Animal Crossing* 41 Swindlers 42 Coffee mate?

43 Gridiron grp. north of the border 44 Famed business school in the U.K. 45 Oppose 46 Feline on the prowl 50 Last: abbr.

53 OK school for evangelists 54 Like unwashed hair 55 Fo’ ___ 56 Bike helmet company 58 “He was so yesterday.”

61 Tournament 62 “___ Fan Tutte” (Mozart Opera) 63 Extremely fat

64 Short hand?

65 A good rower keeps his boat on it 66 Lee and Bareilles Down 1 Filled up 2 Make happy 3 “En ___!”

4 Vase 5 It may have attachments 6 Passing with ease 7 *Animal Crossing* 8 Supporter 9 Denali and Foraker: abbr.

10 Rocker Ocasek 11 “Not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire.” –W.B. Yeats 12 Warlike 13 Spun shine?

18 Mai ___ 25 Steals 26 Boot bottoms

27 “Ditto” 30 Expression of surprise in l337 sp34k 31 Witchcrafts 32 Hairstyles 33 Similarly hip 34 Pro no mo’: abbr.

35 Process ore 37 Film lover’s channel 38 Early gaming sys.

40 Downtown restaurant with a bear logo 45 Religious doctrine 47 Type of suit 48 It could be brown or pale 49 Pro opposites 50 Lead down the aisle 51 Capital of Tibet 52 Bags 57 Giant Mel in Cooperstown 58 “Gross!”

59 Cartoon bar owner 60 Not yet decided, on a sched.

Cryptoquote Solution from 09/06 issue: “One day your life will flash before your eyes. Make sure it is worth watching.”