14 October 2019

The Collegian: 2

Sports

14 October 2019

Tulsa football falls to Navy 45-17 College football photographer James Taylor captures the action from the Golden Hurricane’s crushing loss against their conference rivals from Annapolis.

Jaxon Player brings down a midshipman (top). Keylon Stokes fends off a defender (left). Zach Smith barely gets a pass off (right).

photos by James Taylor

Tulsa volleyball takes down Tulane College volleyball photographer Brayden McCoy brings the action from Tulsa’s come-from-behind victory over Tulane at home on Friday.

The libero, #1 Taylor Horsfall serves the ball (left). #16 Callie Cook prepares to hit the ball after a set from #25 Mariah Pardo (top). Cook goes up again for a play on the ball (bottom).

photos by Brayden McCoy

Sports

14 October 2019

The Collegian: 3

Daryl Morey vs. China? Year of backup QBs The Houston Rockets president posted a controversial tweet that rocked relations beween the NBA and China.

Zach Short Student Writer In what might have attracted less attention in other circles, Daryl Morey has started quite the ruckus for the NBA in voicing his opinion on the protests in Hong Kong, as the NBA has a vested interest in Chinese politics. In a simple tweet carrying nothing but an image saying, “Fight for Freedom. Stand With Hong Kong,” the Houston Rockets president has started an international dispute over how appropriate it was for him to make the statement.

The backlash has been swift, with Morey feeling obligated to walk back on his statements almost instantly and multiple people putting out damning statements directed at Morey. Other consequences include an NBA spokesperson putting out statements for both U.S. and Chinese media and the Chinese Basketball Association (headed by former Houston Rocket Yao Ming) announcing a moratorium on relations with the Rockets. Ouch.

The most alarming result seems to be that the NBA itself, an organization that tends to defend the civil rights of all of its players and participants, is not nearly as concerned with defending Daryl Morey as it is with protecting its own financial interests. This is the same league that moved its 2017 AllStar game out of Charlotte because of a bill that weakened anti-discrimination laws for the LGBTQ+ community.

The same one that has allowed players to feel comfortable vocalizing their own political opinions; remember the “shut up and dribble” drama with Laura Ingraham and LeBron James?

The league even stands in stark contrast to the NFL who still faces scrutiny over the refusal to defend the right of Colin Kaepernick to protest the anthem, lest we forget

that Kaepernick played in the 2013 Super Bowl and that his last game was three seasons later at the age of 29, which was most certainly not past his prime.

The NBA of course did inform all its players that they would be required to stand for the anthem, but the league’s players have still felt comfortable overall engaging themselves politically. As for other leagues, the MLB has remained largely apolitical, and the NHL has more international players than Americans, thus limiting their interest in American politics.

That leaves the NBA as one of the only professional sports leagues in the U.S. that is comfortable embracing free speech, save for the national women’s soccer team (God bless Megan Rapinoe).

The NBA now stands at a crossroads.

While they are still probably doing better than the NFL, women’s soccer did do well to set the pace for other athletes with a handful of unapologetic and scathing criticisms of the current presidential administration and another world championship.

Without a doubt, the NBA has been dragged into what is perhaps the greatest geopolitical hassle in which they have ever been involved, and it is clear that they are weighing their options. On Wednesday, Oct. 9, two fans were removed from a preseason 76ers’ game for displaying pro-Hong Kong signs, a day after Adam Silver said that the league would not be apologizing for the stance of Daryl Morey.

To further complicate the issue, the league makes a ton of money through its partnership with China, having recently signed a streaming deal worth an estimated $1.5 billion, but they also stand as an important part of American culture, as I would be willing to bet more people know who wore Chicago Bulls #23 than who was our nation’s 17th president (hint: he took office after Lincoln was shot and was the first president to be impeached).

NBA fans are to be held in limbo while the league waits to make its final decision.

Will free speech be defended by the organization, or will they side their hearts with their pocketbooks?

A phenomenon is developing in pro football where second string nobodies are puttting up promising performances.

Lindsey Prather Student Writer Nick Foles led the Philadelphia Eagles to a Super Bowl and directly contributed to their eventual Super Bowl victory over the New England Patriots.But Foles was never supposed to be the best quarterback in the league; in fact, he was never even meant to be the best quarterback on the Eagles. How could it be that the Eagles were unaware of the starting caliber QB that was riding their bench the entire time? This has been the ongoing narrative surrounding another round of back-up QBs causing a stir in the NFL. The early weeks of the NFL season have led to a brutal series of injuries in the quarterback position as starters across the league have experienced a number of complications. Nearly 10 teams have been forced to rely on back-up QBs, with varying degrees of success.

Although the QB position is undeniably the most vital position in football, bad luck has forced some teams into some less-thanideal situations regarding back-up quarterbacks, and the question remains as to whether these back-up quarterbacks will vacate the starting position when their injured teammates are ready to return.

As of week six, potential contenders such as the New Orleans Saints have been plagued with injuries at the QB position.

Teddy Bridgewater has taken up the mantle of starting quarterback, and although he is replacing a superstar, this back-up has enjoyed a moderate amount of success in his unexpected position.

Teddy Bridgewater is a surprising success story this season in terms of back-ups.

When Drew Brees injured his hand against the Los Angeles Rams in week two, the expectation was for Bridgewater to coast on the solid skills of his running back and the rest of his offense. Instead, he has led the Saints to three straight victories.

Although Bridgewater has had an easy time in the backfield, flipping the ball to Alvin Kamara, the success seen in the QB position is not something that a back-up is usually able to produce.

It should be noted that, while Bridgewater hasn’t done anything single-handedly, the Saints have been exceedingly lucky to have a second-string QB that doesn’t entirely crumble under the pressure of an NFL caliber defense.

The success of the Brees-less Saints has been downright jarring; however, it is even more jarring that other teams have experienced similar success from their back-ups.

The Jacksonville Jaguars, New York Giants and, until recently, the Pittsburgh Steelers have enjoyed moderate success from their backups. So much so that their backups ⁠— Mason Rudolph, Daniel Jones and Gardner Minshew ⁠— are just a few of the many that could find themselves in permanent starting jobs next season.

The era of certain prolific starting quarterbacks such as Drew Brees and Ben Roethlisberger could be swiftly coming to an end.

Although these quarterbacks have been the face of the NFL for years, the league has demonstrated that the talent required to be a successful quarterback is not generational.

These quarterbacks will be welcomed back with open arms, but it is somewhat comforting to know that when they finally pass the torch, a number of young quarterbacks will undoubtedly be ready to pick up where they left off.

It’s fat bear week!

Alaska hosts its annual competition to see which fat bear will be the fan favorite.

Caleb Pinegar Student Writer Every October for the past five years, Katmai National Park in Alaska has held a week dedicated to the beautiful, majestic and chunky bears that live there. The park has the public vote “march madness style” on their Facebook page to see what bear ends up winning.

The winner is announced on “fat bear Tuesday” which this year was Oct. 8.

The week began with 12 big bears ready to go against each other and win the heavy set championship title. By Tuesday, it was just down to two.

In one corner was No. 435, or Holly. She is a kind bear, known for adopting a lost cub in 2015. In the other corner was No. 775 Lefty, most notable for a fantastic belly flop into the river (the video of which can be found on Katmai’s Facebook). Come Oct. 8, it was time to vote. After the 12-hour voting

period on Katmai’s Facebook, Holly ended with a tally of around 17,500 and Lefty with just 3,600. It was no doubt that Holly was this years winner, being dubbed the Queen of Corpulence.

The fans on Facebook confirmed it, with one writing that “there’s no doubt Lefty is a HULK of a bear … but to me, Holly made the greatest transformation.” This was a sentimentality that most people felt. They loved Lefty, and recognized his greatness, but also realized that he’s been a chonky boy all year and didn’t have to put on much weight from the summer. Holly however, went from a sweet, skinny bear, to a full-on circle.

The park noted that it was difficult to get a picture of Holly out of the water because all month she had been swimming in the river and catching fish. Holly is the independent, hard working and beautiful bear that all of us need in our life right now, and the competition may be something we all need too.

Katmai Park hosts this competition as a form of awareness to educate people on the drastic change that the bears go through each fall. Naomi Boak, the conservancy media ranger, wants to let everyone know that “this isn’t fat shaming.” Instead, it is a celebration of nature doing exactly what it is supposed to do.

graphic by Naomi Dunn

This fat bear week has pulled in nearly 200,000 votes.

The park has felt it fair deal of climate change, and the summer was the hottest on record, but that didn’t stop these bears from doing what they have always done — becoming absolute units in order to survive through hibernation.

The park has a livestream on explore. org where fans can go and see their favorite big bears move throughout the park. The livestream is a great place for people that can’t make it up all the way to Alaska to visit their favorite bears, and it’s just a nice

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video to relax to. The New Yorker stated the livestream was “a place of zen,” and it is indeed a beautiful scene to watch.

Fat Bear Week 2019 has been the largest on record with 187,000 votes cast, more than three times last years total. More people are learning about this glorious competition each year and want to join in on the party of celebrating these glorious, plump, creatures. So mark your calendars for next year and make sure to cast your vote for the best fat bear at Katmai National Park.

Oct. 14 - Oct. 20

Monday

Tuesday 14

Wednesday 15

16

Thursday

Saturday

Friday

17

18

Volleyball vs. USF 7:00 p.m.

W Golf W Golf @ Magnolia @ Magnolia Invitational Invitational West Point Miss. West Point Miss.

No Events

W Tennis @ ITA Regionals Norman Okla.

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M Soccer vs. Cincinnati 7 p.m.

W Tennis @ ITA Regionsals Norman Okla.

Football @ Cincinnati 6:30 p.m.

Cross Country @ Nuttycombe Invitational Madison, Wis.

W Tennis @ ITA Regionals Norman Okla.

Sunday 20

Rowing @ Jayhawk Jamboree Volleyball vs. UCF 1:00 p.m.

M Tennis @ Fayetvill Future 25k

W Tennis @ ITA Regionals Norman Okla.

The Collegian: 4

News

14 October 2019

Supreme Court announces the docket for next term The docket includes the controversial political topics of gun rights, abortion and gay rights.

Dominic Cingoranelli Student Writer The Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) is back in session, having met for the first time since June 2019, and their docket for the next term has been announced.

Topics included in the docket are gay rights, gun rights, separation of church and state, abortion, and protection for “dreamers,” non-citizen immigrants brought to the U.S. at a very young age.

The SCOTUS decides whether or not to hear a case based on a writ of certiorari (from the Latin certiorare, meaning “to inform”). If a lower court circuit makes an appeal for the case to be heard by the Supreme Court and at least four justices grant writs of certiorari, the case will be heard.

“Bostock v. Clayton County, Georgia” asks whether it is legal to terminate employment based on sexual orientation. Gerald Bostock was an employee of Clayton County, Ga., whose employment was terminated seemingly because of his sexual orientation.

He has sued the county on the grounds that the Civil Rights Act of 1964 was violated.

The aforementioned act states that employment cannot be terminated on the basis of sex, so the question is whether or not sexual orientation is legally considered to be protected under this act.

Another, similar incident produced the case of “Altitude Express Inc. v. Zarda,” where Donald Zarda believed his employment was ended because of sexual orientation; that case was consolidated with “Bostock v. Clayton County.”

“New York State Rifle & Pistol Association Inc. v. City of New York, New York” is the first firearm case since 2010. New York City has imposed legislation which prohibits licensed firearm carriers from leaving city limits with a handgun. Some residents oppose this, saying that this legislation violates not only the Second Amendment, but also the Commerce Clause and the fundamental right to travel.

“Espinoza v. Montana Department of Revenue” seeks to visit separation of church and state. The state of Montana created a tax credit system for people who do-

“June Medical Services LLC v. Gee” deals with accessibility of abortions. June Medical Services has challenged a law in Louisiana which requires doctors performing abortions to have admitting privileges to a hospital within 30 miles, meaning that they must be part of a hospital’s medical staff, and must have permission to admit people to said hospital. In 2016, a similar Texas law, which also required abortion clinics to have hospital-grade equipment, was determined unconstitutional because it made it too difficult for abortion clinics to legally operate.

“Currently, Louisiana and Oregon do not require unanimous jury verdicts for criminal cases.” nate to scholarship funds to help people get into private school. In order to ensure that this was constitutional, however, the Montana Department of Revenue created a rule which prevented any of this from applying to schools with religious affiliations. Kendra Espinzona argues that this rule violates the First Amendment by punishing students who seek to attend schools with religious affiliations.

“Department of Homeland Security v. regents of the University of California” is a case which addresses the legality of the 2017 Department of Homeland Security (DHS) decision to end Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). Passed under the Obama administration, DACA is a policy which protects “dreamers” from deportation. Regents of the University of California (UC) sued, claiming that this decision violates the Administrative Procedure Act, which is a general code of conduct for all federal agencies.

“Ramos v. Louisiana” will determine if state court cases need to have a unanimous jury verdict. Currently, Louisiana and Oregon do not require unanimous jury verdicts for criminal cases. In 2016, Evangelisto Ramos was found guilty of murder by a vote of ten-to-two, and sentenced to life in prison.

The Fourteenth Amendment states, “No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens,” and the Sixth Amendment states, “the accused shall enjoy the right to ... an impartial jury.” This case will decide whether the Fourteenth Amendment applies to the Sixth Amendment.

“Kahler v. Kansas” asks if a state is allowed to abolish the insanity defense, as Kansas has done. James Kahler was sentenced to death for the murder of his exwife, her mother and two of their children, and his lawyers are arguing that he was denied a fair trial because he was not allowed to plead insane. Kahler brought his severe

depression and personality disorders to light at trial, but under Kansas law the closest thing to the insanity plea is arguing that there was no criminal intent because of a mental disorder. Since the disorders Kahler listed didn’t change the fact that he knew he was killing other people, he was treated as a lucid criminal. He is arguing that his Eighth Amendment right to no cruel or unusual punishment and his Fourteenth Amendment rights are being violated.

“Kansas v. Glover” involves what Charles Glover believed was an unlawful traffic stop. He had not committed any traffic violations, but the officer ran his plates and discovered that the registered owner of the vehicle had an expired license. Even though he did not know for certain that the car’s driver was the licensed owner, the officer stopped him and charged him as a habitual violator.

This case will determine if it is a violation of Fourth Amendment protections against unreasonable searches and seizures to stop a vehicle in this manner without any concrete evidence that the driver is doing so illegally.

This is not a comprehensive list of all bills on the docket, only the most noteworthy issues being addressed. Although Chief Justice John Roberts has made it clear that he wishes for the Supreme Court to remain strictly apolitical, some of the most controversial political topics of the past century will be addressed by some of the most controversial SCOTUS members of the past century.

None of these cases are nearly as groundbreaking as some others that have been seen in recent years, but both major 2016 political candidates openly advocated for partisanship in the Supreme Court, meaning that attitudes in Federal government as a whole may be shifting that way.

Support for survivors during Domestic Violence Awareness Month October is a time for students to educate themselves on patterns of abuse and how to keep themselves and their peers safe.

Brennen Gray Sports Editor Anna Johns Web/Social Media Manager October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, a chance for survivors and advocates alike to raise awareness to the topic of domestic abuse and its effects on victims. Several national organizations, like Take A Stand or Break the Cycle, believe October cannot be a month of silence; instead, they dedicate the month to share the stories of victims and support the millions that are affected by domestic violence.

Misinformation clogs the common idea of what occurs in domestic abuse. Anyone can be a perpetrator or victim of domestic violence — abuse is abuse, and it is not limited to women. Domestic abuse, moreover, is not only physical violence. According to the National Domestic Violence Hotline, it can include behaviors that arouse fear, force a partner to behave in specific ways or prevent them from doing what they want.

Physical and sexual violence may occur, or emotional abuse and economic deprivation.

Many different forms can happen within the same relationship.

Why does National Domestic Violence Awareness Month matter?

“Because we still have to ask that question,” says Kelsey Hancock, TU’s Violence Prevention Program Coordinator. “We are always going to need to dedicate time to address these issues until they become structured in our society.”

According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV), Oklahoma is ranked third in the nation for women killed by men in “single victim-

single offender homicides.” Almost four in 10 women living in Oklahoma have experienced physical violence by a significant other. In 2017, Tulsa documented 22,257 calls to 911 related to domestic violence.

At TU, the Clothesline Project and the Student Alliance for Violence Education (SAVE) intend to show solidarity with victims of domestic abuse. The Clothesline Project brings awareness to victims and survivors by displaying messages written by

Outside of training, there are still ways to support victims. If you worry your friend is in an abusive relationship, Hancock suggests keeping an eye on the situation and remind the victim that they deserve respect and kindness.

“For friends to be helpful, don’t attack the abuser,” Hancock says. “Instead, describe positive and healthy behaviors that you want your friend to have. We need to make sure we are not totally bashing the abuser.”

courtesy SAVE/Facebook SAVE’s yearly hosting of the Clothesline Project displayed in front of McFarlin Library in 2017.

those individuals on a clothesline displayed every October. SAVE is a student group that organizes educational programming for the campus community, staffs the Clothesline Project and fundraises for the Domestic Violence Intervention Services of Tulsa (DVIS).

To help improve overall awareness of domestic violence, Hancock suggests those interested to get a group of people together and get a 90-minute bystander intervention training. All first-year ENS students, fraternities and sororities and first-year athletes receive this training. Many freshmen experience courses have professors that request the training as well.

To avoid continuing the cycle of abuse, it is important to remain supportive.

“When your friend tells the abuser the things you have said,” she continues, “the abuser may take measures to cut you off from them.”

National Domestic Violence Awareness month is essentially about learning the patterns of violence like these and what to do in response. It is also very important to learn about some of the more in-depth data about our campus specifically in order to make a safer place for everyone.

One place to find this data is by reading the Campus Climate Survey results, which is an anonymous and reliable way to collect

data about violence on campus.

The survey for the 2018-2019 school year was just released a few weeks ago, and there are some interesting bits of information to be aware of this October.

Last year, “9.7 percent of female participants and 7.9 percent of male participants reported experiencing at least one incident of physical assault by a partner while enrolled at TU,” according to the survey.

This number is actually lower from two years ago which stated, “19 percent of female participants and 13.9 percent of male participants reported experiencing at least one incidence of physical assault by a partner while enrolled at TU.” As for 2018-2019 sexual assualts, “8.6 percent of students reported the experience of forced, drug facilitated, or attempted sexual assault while a student at TU.” By comparison 2017-2018 data indicated “11.6 percent” of students reported a sexual assault, if attempts are considered.

These are not the only improvements.

One of the biggest changes in last year’s data compared to that of the 2017-2018 school can be found in the results for the question that asks how much students agree with the statement, “If a friend or I were a victim of interpersonal violence, I know where to go to get help.”

The results indicated that 88.2 percent of students who took the survey last year “believed at the ‘Strongly agree’ to ‘Agree’ level” that they would know where to get help. Data from two years ago indicated just 81 percent of survey takers agreed.

The smallest jump in this section of the survey indicated that just 65.8 percent of students agree that they “understand TU’s formal procedures to address complaints of interpersonal violence,” which is only up 0.8 percent from last year.

There are many other patterns and changes available for study in the survey that can be found at. This Domestic Violence Awareness month is the perfect time to look through the Campus Climate survey to educate yourself on safety issues on campus.

Adopt a Shelter Dog Month brings awareness, importance of adoption A local animal shelter takes in 10,000 animals a year, necessitating this month of awareness.

Hana Saad Copy Editor There are still a couple of weeks left in October, and that means there are a couple of weeks left to adopt a dog from your local shelter!

October is Adopt a Shelter Dog Month.

American Humane, a non-profit animal welfare organization, began celebrating this event in 1981 in an effort to help the “3-4 million animals waiting in shelters” find their forever homes, according to their website.

Many animal welfare organizations across the country have used this month

to promote the adoption of shelter dogs, as well as to share the importance of adopting dogs from shelters or rescues in general.

Although the number of animals euthanized in U.S. shelters has declined over the years, the ASPCA reports that about 1.5 million animals (670,000 dogs) are euthanized every year.

In Oklahoma, this month is particularly important, as the state is overwhelmed with thousands of unwanted dogs. Tulsa Animal Welfare (TAW), one of the many municipal animal shelters in the area, took in around 10,000 animals last year. Around half of those animals were dogs.

Despite Tulsa’s plans to improve conditions at TAW, their intake numbers don’t seem to have slowed down. A quick look at their Facebook page, where they post intake numbers regularly, reveals that they have been taking in around 30-50 animals a day.

Their most recent post from Oct. 11 said they had 23 new dogs dropped off that day.

Skiatook Animal Shelter is much smaller than TAW, but they also have to deal with many unwanted animals every month. Kirsten Williams, an animal control officer for Skiatook, said that “on average, our shelter takes in roughly 50 animals a month.”

Williams stressed the importance of adopting a pet from an animal shelter.

“When you adopt, you’re not only saving one life, but two. You’ve created a space for another animal or given more time to an animal still waiting to be adopted. Adoption means saving lives.”

That is why Adopt a Shelter Dog Month is such a special month, particularly for government-run shelters, who are often overwhelmed with all kinds of unwanted dogs on a daily basis.

If you are not in the position to adopt right now, shelters always need more fosters or volunteers. Fostering gives an animal more time to find their forever home, and volunteering helps the shelter, which is often understaffed, operate more smoothly.

Williams also suggested a few other ways to help, such as “sponsoring an adoption fee, supplying the shelter with donations [and] sharing posts on social media.”

Animal shelters — especially large ones like TAW — have all kinds of dogs, from true Heinz 57s to purebred dogs. If you’re looking for a dog, now is the time: visit your local animal shelter. You just might find your new best friend.

To adopt a dog or see how you can help, visit Tulsa Animal Welfare’s website at www.cityoftulsa.org/government/departments/working-in-neighborhoods/animalwelfare/.

14 October 2019

News

The Collegian: 5

Concerns arise as unemployment decreases

While many celebrate low unemployment, some economists worry about high poverty and low purchasing power in America.

Zach Short Student Writer For anyone within earshot of television news over the last six months, it should be no surprise that the U.S. is boasting an incredibly low unemployment rate in 2019. In fact, it is at a 10-year low and has been on a steady decline since 2010, but the debate is still up in the air as to whom the success should be attributed. The figure has been cited as an indicator of a successful economy, but there is a discrepancy as to the truth in that.

Additionally, economists have recently started raising concerns as to whether another recession looms on the horizon, a sentiment directly antithetical to the success boasted by the president. Ultimately, it is up to interpretation whether the economy is thriving or not, and even that may be biased by perspective. Here are some of the factors being talked about now.

More people are working, but they aren’t making more money.

A 2018 study from Pew research found that while average hourly wages have been rising in the U.S. for years, the purchasing power of that money has been stagnant for decades. What this potentially entails is that any economic prosperity that the country has felt might not be impacting much of the population. In fact, the study suggests that the purchasing power of wages is very close to the same as it was 50 years ago, meaning that a 40-hour work week now does about the same for a person as it did during the first year of the Nixon administration.

courtesy Pew Research Center Average hourly wages have stagnated in the U.S. over the last four decades.

We may be heading into a recession.

Concerns have also come up recently as to whether economic growth in the U.S. is about to come to a screeching halt. There have been a few scary days in 2019 where the Dow dropped significantly, including a 950 point plunge in August attributed to

have been economists warning of a recession on the rise both before and after the August scare and other similar newsworthy declines.

Many Americans still live in poverty.

Perhaps the most scathing criticism of the low unemployment rate, the portion of

“... the biggest criticisms appear to be that the economy is not working for everyone ....” the potentiality of a trade-war with China.

The immediate cries of terror included a few voices predicting a transition into a bear market (consistently falling over time, as opposed to the antithetical bull market), but disregarding the prompt outcries, there

Americans living in poverty is not doing well to wane. The number of people living without healthcare rose by 1.9 million from 2017 to 2018 and 4.3 million children were recorded as without healthcare in 2019. The overall number of people living in poverty

did drop about 3.5 percent from 2017 to 2018 (NPR), but the proportion of Americans living in poverty was still around one person for every eight.

It need not be said that a low unemployment rate is a good statistic to tout as a nation, but critics have been quick to point out that it is not the only indicator of economic success, nor is it strong enough to assuage fears of a recession. Although most would likely say the low level of unemployment is good, the biggest criticisms appear to be that the economy is not working for everyone, or rather that the growth could be more evenly distributed. Only time will tell if the visions of said recession come into fruition, it is simply important to note that the pleasant empirical data is not immune to scrutiny.

White House defies impeachment inquiry subpoenas

A majority of Americans now believe President Trump should be impeached.

Caleb Pinegar Student Writer It’s been three weeks since the beginning of the impeachment inquiry into President Donald Trump. Each week comes with more news and more historic events.

A second whistleblower officially came out on Sunday, Oct. 9. The second whistleblower has firsthand knowledge of the call that the first complaint centers around and can back up the information presented. This second report corroborates the events in the first report and makes it harder to argue that the original whistleblower held a political agenda. This second whistleblower has not filed an official report on their own. There is currently only one official report filed with the inspector general but it does include information from both parties.

On Tuesday, the White House stated that it would not be cooperating with the impeachment inquiry saying it violated the President’s due process rights. A letter signed by Pat A. Cipollone, the White House Counsel, read, “President Trump and his administration cannot participate in your partisan and unconstitutional inquiry under these circumstances.”

By refusing to cooperate, the president may have just signed his fate. Nancy Pelosi stated, even before the White House’s official statement, that refusal to cooperate could become its own impeachable offense as it is obstruction of Congress. Pelosi made a statement after the House’s announcement that “efforts to hide the truth of the presi-

dent’s abuse of power from the American people will be regarded as further evidence of obstruction, Mr. President, you are not above the law. You will be held accountable.”

This announcement from the White House came only a week after Trump promised to cooperate and that “we’ll work together,” even if he believed the accusations to be false. This turnaround in cooperation came after the release of text messages between officials that took away Trump’s promise of “no quid pro quo.”

The complete halt of the investigation on the side of the White House led many to fear that the investigation may be over and that the House would lose evidence and witnesses needed to continue forward.

On Wednesday, Oct. 9, two Soviet-born U.S. citizens that were associates of Rudy Giuliani were arrested on suspicion of campaign finance violations. The two men are Lev Parnas and Igor Fruman, who are accused of conspiring to “circumvent the federal laws against foreign interference by engaging in a scheme to funnel foreign money to candidates for federal and state office.”

The two are now being subpoenaed for documents, after requesting they hand over document voluntarily.

Guliani has previously stated that he has worked with the two men in order to get Ukraine to investigate Joe Biden. The indictment of the two men revealed they had met with a U.S. congressman to remove then U.S. ambassador to Ukraine ⁠— Marie Yovanovitch.

Yovanovitch testified on Friday, Oct. 11, despite the White House ordering her to not. The impeachment case widely revolved around the instances in which she lost her job, and she knows more than most anybody about the Ukrainian phone call. During a

graphic by Naomi Dunn More American citizens believe President Trump deserves to be impeached in October 2019 than in July 2019.

nine-hour testimony on Friday, Yovanovitch revealed she was told Trump had lost trust in her even though she had “done nothing wrong,” according to the Secretary of State.

The defiance of Yovanovitch to testify, despite the White House telling her not to, has led to the Democrats to schedule more testimonies. On Monday, Oct. 14, Trump’s former Russia aide Fiona Hill is set to testify. This news has worried those close to the president that fear she will reveal “potentially damaging information about the president.”

The public opinion on Trump’s impeachment is beginning to change. A poll

conducted by Fox news has revealed that 51 percent of those polled want Trump to be impeached and removed as compared to 41 percent from July of 2019. The Fox news poll also revealed that 43 percent view Trump’s phone call with Ukraine as an impeachable offense.

The impeachment inquiry is beginning to pick up speed as public opinion moves to back it. The White House is doing its best to defend the president amid the allegations, but more people are coming forward to fully investigate the situation.

Trump retracting troops in Syria worries lawmakers and allies By taking U.S. forces out of Syria, the safety of America’s allies is compromised.

Caleb Pinegar Student Writer President Donald Trump made the announcement on Sunday, Oct. 6, that the U.S. would be pulling troops from their positions in Syria in an attempt to fulfill a campaign promise of ending the war in the Middle East.

This announcement was immediately met with worry and hostility from both major American political parties. Many were concerned about possible Turkish attacks on the Syrian Kurds, who have been a U.S. ally for years and fought against the Islamic State.

Trump reassured his criticizers by promising Turkey’s economic collapse if “Turkey

does anything that I, in my great and unmatched wisdom, consider to be off limits.”

Trump declared last December that he was going to begin removing troops from the Middle East but later rescinded that statement due to Republican backlash. Trump now appears to be holding up the promises he made while on the campaign trail.

Republicans and Democrats in the Senate agree that withdrawing troops was the wrong idea and falls in line with what critics call an impulsive foreign policy. Republican Senator Liz Cheney of Wyoming said it was “a catastrophic mistake.”

Trump defended himself stating that the wars in the Middle East are endless and useless. He stated that the troops are “not fighting,” and are “just there.” However, he received criticism from his own party and past administration officials.

Former U.S. ambassador Nikki Haley commented that the U.S. “must always have

the backs of our allies, if we expect them to have our back … leaving them to die is a big mistake.”

On Monday, Oct. 7, the Turks had already began their attacks on the Kurds. Without American troops to back them up, the Kurds are outpowered and outmanned by Turkish troops. The Kurds not only fought alongside Americans against the Islamic state, but also act as jailors for IS fighters. A current fearis that the fight against the Turks could spread the Kurds too thin, possibly giving the IS fighters the chance to break away. Many IS prisoners already see this attack as their way to freedom.

When asked if the potential freedom of IS prisoners would pose a threat, Trump responded, “They’re going to be escaping to Europe. That’s where they want to go.”

Turkish forces unleashed a full on attack on Wednesday, Oct. 9 in Northeast Syria close to the Turkish Border. The Syrian

Democratic Forces, the U.S. allies that operate in the area, are considered by Turkey to be a terrorist organization that they want to eradicate. The attacks are located at cities they operate in and are focused on killing them.

Reports on the attack confirmed that many are fleeing to safety after two civilian deaths and two injuries following aerial bombardment.

Trump’s only comment on the attack was that the U.S. “does not endorse” Turkey’s attack on the Kurds. The president is now looking to impart sanctions on to the Turkish government as a threat for them to back down.

Many feel that the blood of civilians are on Trump’s hands for his decision to pull back troops, and that a sanction is too little, too late.

News

The Collegian: 6

14 October 2019

occurring past quiet hours. All guests were asked to leave the residence and a contact card was issued.

8:20 p.m.

Officers were dispatched to LaFortune Hall in response to a strong odor of marijuana coming from a room. Officers made contact with the resident who produced the contraband. Officers disposed of the alcohol and impounded the contraband and paraphernalia for destruction.

Oct. 4 10:05 p.m.

A wellness check of a student was attempted by officers and Staff. After contact was attempted at student’s listed address it was determined the student had not checked in for the 2019 school year and did not have a residence on campus.

10:50 a.m.

An officer noticed a person not affiliated with the university in possession of a university bicycle at the 11th and Harvard bus stop. The bicycle was recovered and returned to the bike shop. The person was warned for trespassing and a contact card was created.

9:15 p.m.

A student secured their bike to a bike rack in Mayo Village Apartments at approximately 6:30 p.m. and returned same day at 9:15 p.m. to find their bike lock damaged. The lock was still in working condition and the student’s bike was not damaged.

Oct. 5 12:45 a.m.

Officers were dispatched to the Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity for a report of breaking and entering. Upon arrival, officers observed a broken exterior window and a resident reporting things moved inside. Nothing has been reported stolen and there are no witnesses at this time.

1:30 a.m.

Officers were dispatched to Norman Village apartments on report of a flooding apartment. The flow of water had been stopped prior to officer arrival but a large amount of water had accumulated and seeped through the floor. The on-duty engineer was contacted and the appropriate maintenance personnel were informed.

2:30 a.m.

Officers were dispatched to a noise complaint in USA-W. Officers conducted a party shutdown due to the complaint

Oct. 6 6:20 a.m.

Officers received a report of an assault and battery that occurred at approximately 2:30 a.m. on Harwell Field. The victim was transported to a hospital by a third party where they reported the incident to Tulsa Police. After speaking to the victim, officers identified and interviewed a suspect, who is being referred for student misconduct.

3:20 p.m.

A student in John Mabee Hall left their wallet in a study room at approximately 2:00 a.m.and discovered it missing when the student returned at 11:30 a.m. same day. The student reported to Campus Security and planned to file an online police report with the Tulsa Police Department.

UPDATE: UNFOUNDED AS LARCENY: On Oct. 7, 4:00 p.m., victim’s wallet, with all its contents, was returned to them by John Mabee Hall’s front desk assistant.

Oct. 7 8:40 a.m.

Officers responded a fire alarm at Mayo Village Apartments.

There was no fire and Tulsa Fire Department was not contacted. A work order was placed to inspect the heater.

10:50 a.m.

Officers conducted a pedestrian check on the east side of Keplinger Hall. The individual was detained after they refused to leave and became aggressive towards officers. The individual was arrested by Tulsa Police after officers discovered the suspect had active warrants. The individual was trespass warned and a contact card was created.

2:19 p.m.

Officers towed a vehicle off campus from the Mayo Village Apartments Lot. A vehicle was found parked contrary to university policy and officers verified that the vehicle had been previously tow warned. Towing of the vehicle was authorized by the on-duty supervisor and the vehicle was towed off campus without incident.

Chris Lierly Commentary Editor Lindsey Prather Student Writer US companies face backlash following crackdown against Hong Kong support In the wake of the Hong Kong protests, American companies such as Blizzard Entertainment and the NBA have faced significant criticism due to a variety of incidents. Following his expression of support for the Hong Kong protestors, Blizzard Entertainment punished a prolific Hearthstone player, Ng “Blitzchung” Wai Chung, by confiscating his winnings and banning him for a year. Blizzard Entertainment even went so far as to suspend the commentators that were present on the stream, despite being unaware that Ng planned to make a political statement. Since the public outcry, Blizzard has scaled back the disciplinary measures to a simple six-month suspension to all involved.

A similar situation played out in the NBA; Houston Rockets GM Daryl Morey prompted action from the NBA after tweeting support for Hong Kong. The resulting fallout across the league led to overall condemnation from players, management and owners across the league. It is unclear whether or not this crackdown will continue as the Hong Kong protests continue.

Japan begins rescue efforts as typhoon results in deadly flooding A typhoon that hit Japan on Saturday is forecasted to be the worst to hit the country in six decades. The storm, named Typhoon Hagibis, was on course to drop record setting amounts of rainfall on Tokyo, Gunma, Saitama and Kanagawa and the Japanese Meteorological Agency told residents to “be ready for rainfall of the kind that you have never experienced.” The storm made landfall late Saturday evening as a 5.7 magnitude earthquake made landfall in the storm’s path.

Japan’s national broadcasting agency is reporting that two people have been killed by the storm, while 10 are reported missing, and 90 have been injured. Evacuation orders are still in effect for more than four million people as landslides and catastrophic flooding continue in the wake of what might be the worst storm since the 1958 Kanogawa Typhoon that killed 1,200 people.

Trump announces US withdrawal, Turkey invades

On Oct. 6, Trump unilaterally announced the United States would move out of their positions on Syria’s northern border in anticipation of an assault by Turkish forces.

This move essentially abandoned the Kurdish fighters who have been the most loyal American allies in the multi-year campaign to deplete ISIS forces. The White House announcement of this decision came directly after Trump’s phone call with Turkish President Recip Tayyip Erdogan and was likely a move made on the right-wing leader’s request since Erdogan has long angled for a way to eradicate the Kurds who occupy land in Turkey, Syria and Iraq.

Erdogan’s military campaign began on Wednesday, Oct. 9, and no estimations for a death toll have been calculated as of writing. Over two million people live in the region claimed by the Kurdish fighters, and the leaders there warn of a “humanitarian disaster” if Turkey is not stopped. U.S. politicians, including Republican Lindsey Graham, have lambasted the president for the decision, but those within the White House and Pentagon have claimed that the U.S. has “not abandoned the Kurds.” Despite this bickering, Turkey’s warpath, complete with American rubber-stamp, has continued and shows no signs of stopping.

7:15 p.m.

Officers took a report of lost property from a student who stated they left shoes in Case Tennis Center on Oct. 2 at approximately 6:30 p.m. and found them missing when they returned on Oct. 3 at approximately 6:30 p.m. The owner was encouraged to file a Tulsa Police report and the shoes have not been turned in at this time.

9:55 p.m.

Officers investigated a report of a vehicle frequently driving the Keplinger\Law Lot. Officers initiated a pedestrian check on two individuals and determined they were TU-affiliated.

Oct. 8 Officers investigated a non-injury vehicle accident in the McFarlin Lot. Officers facilitated the exchange of information after one student backed into another student’s parked vehicle.

4:20 p.m.

Officers investigated a non-injury motor vehicle accident in the 4th & Harvard Lot involving an university-owned vehicle that struck a light pole.

5:05 p.m.

Officers were notified of chalk writing near the south entrance of Collins Hall and the east entrance of McClure Hall. Officers also discovered an unauthorized sticker on a parking stall sign in the Westby Lot. 2:00 p.m.

Officers responded to an ill student in Keplinger Hall. The student explained they were fine and did not want an ambulance. Officers provided the student with transportation to Alexander Health and then to their residence.

6:10 p.m.

Officers were dispatched to a fire alarm at the Delta Delta Delta Sorority. It was determined the cause of the alarm was smoke from an indoor grill. No fire was present and emergency services were cancelled.

Oct. 10 5:20 a.m.

Officers responded to Mayo Village for a report of a barking dog and attempted to make contact with the residents. No contact card was issued due to the residents not being at the apartment and the Housing Department was notified.

The Collegian does not produce or edit the Campus Crime Watch except for content and brevity.

Wednesday, Oct. 16 12:10 - 12:50 p.m.

Hardesty Hall, Room 1100 Tips and Tricks of Resume Building Presented by Leonelle Thompson, Assistant Dean and Director for Business Career Development, come learn the ins-and-outs of resume building and how to make yours stand out from the crowd.

Wednesday, Oct. 16 7 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

Lorton Hall, Room 207 Pop Culture and Trauma: The Implications of Pornography Join us for pizza and a discussion of the role that pornography plays in our society today. Students and faculty will discuss ways to balance sex positivity with concerns about consent and violence in a porn saturated culture.

Thursday, Oct. 17 6 p.m. - 7 p.m.

College of Law, Price and Turpen Courtroom The Second Founding: How the Civil War and Reconstruction Remade the Constitution The University of Tulsa College of Law welcomes Eric Foner for the 23rd Annual John W. Hager Distinguished Lecture.

From the Pulitzer Prize–winning scholar, a timely history of the constitutional changes that built equality into the nation’s foundation and how those guarantees have been shaken over time.

The Declaration of Independence announced equality as an American ideal, but it took the Civil War and the subsequent adoption of three constitutional amendments to establish that ideal as American law.

Eric Foner’s compact, insightful history traces the arc of these pivotal amendments from their dramatic origins in pre–Civil War mass meetings of African-American “colored citizens” and in Republican party politics to their virtual nullification in the late nineteenth century.

The reception and lecture are free and open to the public. TU Law offers one hour of CLE credit for members of the legal community at no cost Friday, Oct. 18 12:10 p.m. - 12:50 p.m.

Oxley Health Sciences Facilities, Room 411 Grand Rounds – Updates on Mental Health in Tulsa Mike Brose, Executive Director for the Mental Health Association of Oklahoma will be at the Oxley Health Science on Friday, October 18th from 12:10pm to 12:50pm to discuss “Updates on Mental Health in Tulsa.”

Monday, Oct. 21 4 p.m. - 6 p.m.

Allen Chapman Student Union, Great Hall

Major Fair Come explore the many majors and minors available! Faculty, staff, and student representatives from all colleges will be available to talk to you about the different programs they offer.

The Collegian does not produce all event descriptions in the Community Calendar.

Contact us at news@tucollegian.org with events.

14 October 2019

Commentary

The Collegian: 7

The Extinction Rebellion adds a new angle to climate discourse

Their demands are radical, and their methods are equally frightening.

Adam Walsh Student Writer With the resurgence of climate change in the media, an enterprising group was bound to take advantage of the political spotlight.

The Extinction Rebellion, a group formed in May 2018, has swelled immensely, gathering new activists in this post-Greta Thunberg reality. The exact number of members is unreliable, but the group formed and grew rapidly, with close to 6,000 protestors activated in November 2018 during their initial protests in London.

This week the group has taken to the streets in Berlin, London, Melbourne and New York City, crossing international boundaries ranging from Germany, Eng-

A third issue is of demography. Whispers of white privilege float around, with critics saying the primarily white group has little to lose when arrested, implying that they will receive leniency in a biased court system.

Also, the correlating critique that these arrests are wasting police resources actively besmirches their goals: how can the government spend more on climate preservation when all of these supposed activists keep siphoning funds by getting arrested?

There is an alternative reading. Perhaps the leaders of the Extinction Rebellion, Roger Hallam and Gail Bradbrook, understand their goals are impossible, which brings into question the intention of these radical fringe groups. Through the power of MS Paint, I can illustrate a possible explanation.

Looking at figure 1.1, a simple drawing of a political number line, with the right and left party sides, and a nice center median for the independents, where no fringe groups, no radicals, no monkey wrenches complicate things. The median is occupied by the greatest number of people and decreases as one moves away from the center.

However, the further from the median one goes, individuals will become more outspoken in their beliefs. This center median and the area immediately around it is named the Overton Window, a political term that indicates the survivability of an idea based on how compatible it is with the Median’s accepted ideas.

Anti-Semitic violence has spurred the increase in security.

High holidays should be a time of peace instead of fear

“... most radical groups are not aiming to completely convert the masses ...” land, Australia and the United States respectively. Over the past five days, 1,300 members of the Extinction Rebellion were arrested in England, along with several hundred more in New York and Australia.

Germany is doing what it can already, with Chancellor Angela Merkel attempting to put together a packet of climate change laws to present to parliament, which highlights how ineffective and out-of-touch these groups often are. Germany is doing the best it can, setting aggressive timelines on both nuclear decommission and reliance on coal, but the Extinction Rebellion still wants to protest there.

The group’s goals are ambitious, wanting laws forcing governments to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2025, which is about as realistic a goal as me getting a decent haircut, and that draws a line for me. We cannot make miracles happen, and planning large protests in a country allied to their cause tells me they are not the most savvy politicians.

The group’s tactics also present a problem.

Supposedly relying on civil disobedience and peaceful protesting, the group has protected individuals that destroyed private property, with one incident in April 2019 where nine activists shattered windows and spray painted a local Shell company headquarters, leading to a £6,000 (approximately $7,580) bill in damages. The Extinction Rebellion official website did not encourage these actions, but certainly did not condemn them either. For an organization that states that they “are a non-violent network using non-violent strategy and tactics as the most effective way to bring about change,” not actively condemning the actions of a rogue cell is sketchy.

Figure 1.2 illustrates what happens when a fringe group, like the Extinction Rebellion, develops, with the group pulling on the median. While such a group might have outlandish ideas, they make other, less strict ideas more palatable, indirectly lending more credence to what was originally the left side of the political spectrum. As more people become accustomed to these radical beliefs, they often times start supporting the simplified, less strict versions.

In the case of the Extinction Rebellion, one might not stop eating meat, but will start looking more carefully at candidates’ views on climate change, stirring the pot in the voting booth. This slow shift in ideology is the true goal of a fringe group; most radical groups are not aiming to completely convert the masses, instead preferring to isolate rivals through poaching their powerbases.

The creation of one of these groups is a manufactured political action, and figure 1.3 indicates the power struggle between radical groups, with each side attempting to create more and more extreme views to normalize something abhorrent to the common person.

In the most basic sense, politics is a game of tug-of-war, with each party attempting to pull the rope to their side in key moments, like elections. While my diagrams are exceedingly simple, it is always important to look at the motives behind these groups and how one’s views change in relation to them.

You might start seeing subtle changes that you do not expect. Everything relating to politics is fundamentally intended to influence your mind. I recommend examining your personal beliefs instead of simply listening to what each of these groups say.

courtesy Wikimedia Commons

Synagogues have had to increase security in recent years due to a rise in anti-Semitic violence.

Tori Gellman Student Writer The morning before Rosh Hashana, the Jewish New Year, I received a phone notification cautioning the Jewish community to be safe and aware during the high holiday season and urging synagogues to utilize any means necessary, including armed

nity. I decided to see what the rest of my family thought about this issue. My cousin from Wisconsin told me that she had secretly gone to her synagogue to scope out seats that were closest to the exits so that she would feel safer during Kol Nidray. My dad, when I told him I would be going to a new synagogue for this year’s Yom Kippur services, immediately asked me to let him know if there were police officers present.

I took a friend of mine from TU to high holiday services this year, as she wanted to experience something different than what she grew up with. She was extremely tense, and I figured it was because of the unfamiliarity of the whole situation, but she let out a huge sigh once she saw two armed guards in the foyer of the synagogue. She apologized profusely, reassuring me that she did truly want to be there and that she was invested in participating in the service to her fullest capabilities, but she honestly was terrified of being attacked or hurt until she saw the presence of weapons.

“My cousin from Wisconsin told me that she had secretly gone to her synagogue to scope out seats ...” guards, to protect their congregations. My immediate reaction was surprise, but this very quickly turned into a simmering sort of rage, as I was once again reminded that the Jewish community has to take precautions that many other communities don’t.

The high holiday season is about coming together and reflecting. It has nothing to do with violence or learning to protect ourselves against it. But over the last decade, it has become more and more apparent that there is much to fear with the number of anti-Semetic crimes rising exponentially over the last five years, shifting the focus of synagogues and congregations towards protection rather than celebration.

There are some Rabbi’s and members of the Jewish community who don’t see the notions of security and celebration as opposing, but rather see the increased attention being given to safety as an extension of the sacred nature of prayer and commu-

Personally, I see the high holidays as a time that should be solely devoted to reflection and coming together, so the fact that there is now this looming threat of an attack on our places of worship is not only extremely distracting and scary, but it’s also infuriating. I don’t want to have to call my family back in Florida and tell them the name and address of the specific synagogue I’m attending as a precautionary measure.

I don’t want to have to pay extra attention to the news during our most sacred time of year because I know that there’s a strong chance that the consistent rise in anti-Semitism is likely to continue. I want my friends and family to be able to feel safe in their decisions, congregations and identities, but, sadly, that is not the world we live in,so I expect that this ironic association between peace and violence will continue for the foreseeable future.

graphics by Adam Walsh Extreme political discourse pushes public opinion.

Commentary

The Collegian: 8

14 October 2019

Trump’s feud with Romney possibly his first loss

Romney’s support and experience make Trump’s call for his impeachment risky.

Zach Short Student Writer In the first corner, former governor of Massachusetts, former presidential candidate and current senator from the state of Utah, the challenger Mitt Romney. Standing opposite him, the Pennsylvania graduate with indeterminate SAT scores, with no prior political experience, the President of the United States of America, reigning champion Donald Trump. The two have been at odds at times before, but it seems that they may finally be ready to duke it out once and for all.

best.” Instead of trying to speak to all Americans, he very obviously speaks directly to those who already support him, preaching a get-with-it-or-get-out rhetoric. Of course, in not trying too hard to appeal to voters who didn’t like him in 2016, he really needs his main support group to arrive in droves at voting booths.

His quarrel with Romney is merely part of an attempt to consolidate the entirety of the Republican Party, as he cannot afford only part of one major political party when he has shunned the other. By proposing Romney’s impeachment, he’s simply begging conservatives to answer the question: him or me? In all honesty, it’s a really good question. Mitt Romney was the Republican nominee in 2012, Donald Trump in 2016, so it is really time to decide which edifice will be allowed to be the adopted belief system of the GOP, as the two are clearly at odds with one another.

There is a problem, however. Mitt Romney may be the most powerful politician that Donald Trump has challenged. The man was elected into office at-large in both Massachusetts and Utah and won a presidential nomination between the two, he is clearly a well-liked party member. He may be the first person to actually survive a battle with

embrace Romney as a symbol of forgotten civil discourse in politics and banish Trump as a loon who only wants to label dissent as treacherous, they could potentially provide shelter for Republicans who want to go against Trump but not at the expense of their job. There is strength in numbers, and Romney may be the leader that anti-Trump conservatives needed. He could be revered in a manner akin to that of John McCain,

who famously defended Barack Obama in the 2008 presidential election, saying, “He’s a decent family man, a citizen that I just happen to have disagreements with on fundamental issues, and that’s what this campaign is all about.” Romney could be the new poster child of peaceful disagreement over the tumultuous hate-spewing that has begun to dominate U.S. politics.

“There is strength in numbers, and Romney may be the leader that anti-Trump conservatives needed.”

Romney criticized Trump for his pressuring of Ukraine to investigate Hunter Biden, the foundation for the newly-birthed impeachment inquiry, and Trump fired back with a suggestion that Romney should be the one impeached, a thinly veiled call-toarms for Trump’s supporters to back him during the impeachment business. But what is really happening here? This is the president’s last battle cry to determine his fate in the next general presidential election, now roughly a year away.

Unlike his predecessors, Trump has very much established his supporters as “the

Trump, as most of those who stand up to him seem to find themselves out of favor not long after. At the very least, Romney could keep his strong base of support in Utah, a state that Trump carried with 45.5 percent of the vote in 2016 and that Romney won in his Senate race with 62.6 percent of the votes in 2018. Trump may have finally gotten in over his head with his latest feud.

The fight even has a place for Democrats to join the fun. It is potentially a unique chance to unite parties against Trump, which is certainly something that the Democrats should be interested in doing. If they were to The former presidential nominee is a Utah senator.

courtesy Wikimedia Commons

Trump admin chaos a strategy in and of itself

Trump’s revolving door of administrators and apointees has proven a positive for the president.

Adam Walsh Student Writer One of the most interesting facets of the Donald Trump presidency is the apparent lack of an overarching political strategy.

The revolving door of confidants, cabinet members and various important positions in the White House indicates a high level of volatility and lack of a solid ideological foundation. Every couple of weeks, we hear about a new person getting let go, with the total close to a hundred individuals fired from all walks of political employment.

From secretaries to the Secretary of State, few individuals can regularly guarantee

continued employment in the Trump White House. However, nothing done at this level of politics lacks an internal reason.

Whenever I think about this phenomena, I can never truly isolate a single intensely satisfying, unifying principle behind the constant slash-and-burn strategy. I always tentatively reach the possibility that the revolving door is intentional on the part of the White House, but that way of thinking is antithetical to democratic philosophy.

This little thought experiment starts with the man getting elected to office. How did Trump win his battles? He did not seem to have enough traditional political support from his party, and the Democratic Party was gunning for him from the beginning.

Yet, he has managed to stave off their attacks by manipulating the media to glide past otherwise career-ending events - even when they come from his own former political teammates. Some of these politicians, like the infamous Steve Bannon or the critical James Mattis, turn heel and vehemently critique Trump after losing their positions in his government. Although they seem to hate the man, could their fit of post-office courage be a sneaky way of distracting the media?

Trump reminds me of how Richard Nixon used this maniacal, semi-insane schtick to throw Soviet Russian leaders off bal-

Many of the outspoken former Trump officials have criticized the president after leaving office.

ance, making the Reds afraid that he might be bonkers enough to actually press the big red button and commit to a thermonuclear war. Perhaps this strange timeline we seem to live in is another application of that strategy, where one can escape political turmoil by making more of it.

The idea has merit. In isolation, a singular smokescreen, a political event manufactured to cover up another issue, would stick out like a sore thumb, but a multitude of overlapping distractions built to rile up the media and remove them from what the administration deems as actively pressing issues is an intelligent political strategy. Of course, this constant media blitz negatively impacts the common man’s view of politics, but when one cannot tell the difference between something insignificant and hugely important, one tends to fall back on what is previously known: something safe, something that preserves a way of life.

The architect behind this grand strategy does not truly matter. It could be Trump himself, Mike Pence, Putin, a fortune cookie — the source is somewhat irrelevant, because any individual that steps forward as the creator of the weirdest timeline would be discounted as one of these Trump turncoats. The beauty of this strategy is that nothing can be trusted, and, in a scenario where nothing can be trusted, the public

flocks to the individual that seems to know something more, even if he is the figurehead of the organization creating all of this chaos.

By firing so many individuals and creating a multitude of controversies, Trump is consolidating his power base, unifying the disparate parts of the United States through fear and anxiety. As a budget historian, this phenomena intrigues and excites me, because it could be the pinnacle of Otto von Bismarck’s “Realpolitik,” the idea that politics must be practical, with direct goals allowing the use of underhanded, sometimes unethical tactics. This might be the most aggressive, legal political strategy in American history. Through the use of these tactics, Trump holds all of the power. Turncoats are seen as unreliable, controversies that should end careers are drowned out by the next big thing and the true aims of the Trump administration remain shrouded in mystery.

I certainly disagree with a multitude of stances the Trump presidency takes, and I am not the biggest fan of living in constant anxiety, fearing the appearance of another potentially world-ending controversy coming across my desk. However, even with these intense psychological pressures, I cannot help but admire the potential intelligence that goes into something as complex as this grand, overarching strategy. It just sucks that we live in it.

courtesy Department of Defense

14 October 2019

Commentary

The Collegian: 9

Our abandonment of Kurds will ruin future negotiations

Trump’s announcement has left the Kurdish people to face an invasion from Turkish forces.

Lindsey Prather Student Writer President Trump announced this week that American troops would be pulled back from the Syrian conflict in order to allow the Turkish military to wipe out a perceived Kurdish threat. This marks an ill-advised and blatant abandonment of the Kurds, longtime American supporters in the region.

Despite the loyalty and assistance provided by the United States’s Kurdish allies, President Trump’s order leaves the Kurds at the mercy of Turkey, a nation that has deemed them an urgent threat to national security.

groups being IS. As the influence of IS grew, the U.S. sought out a way to indirectly deal with that extreme threat without actively deploying American troops.

The Kurds made an appealing ally; because they were already expanding in the region and getting into conflicts with these actors, the U.S. opted to utilize these Kurdish militias and use them as a tool in a sort of proxy war.

The United States provided them with weapons, military advising, training and air support needed to fight back and win. The result was a successful campaign against IS; the United States had minimal direct presence in Syria, and the Kurds were furnished with the tools they needed to defend themselves and fight against IS. This relationship was mutually beneficial, and the support provided by the Kurds has been indispensable in nearly every measurable capacity. The fact that Donald Trump was willing to throw them to the wolves at the earliest opportunity does not bode well for any alliance, present or future.

It should be noted that the Turks view the Kurds as a serious threat to their national security ⁠— the action that they have taken against our Kurdish allies has been swift and unforgiving. This view of the Kurds on behalf of the Turks does not reconcile in any way with the partnership of the United

The U.S. withdrawal leaves the Kurds alone to face Turkey.

courtesy Wikimedia Commons

“... the support provided by the Kurds has been indispensable ...”

The opportunities for the Kurds to gain some form of independence from the whims of larger nations have been scarce and costly, to say the least. As the civil war in Syria has dragged on, various radical Islamist groups have materialized within Syria. Because of the swift rise of groups such as IS, the Syrian military was forced to withdraw troops from Kurdish territories in the north in order to deal with the growing unrest and violence in other areas of the country.

As a result of the security shortfall, in 2012 Kurdish militias began expanding their territory in northern Syria; as this progressed, the Kurds continued taking steps to further declare independence, even taking steps as far as drafting their own constitution.

As a result of this expansion, they soon found themselves in direct conflicts with militant groups ⁠— the most notable of these

States and the Kurds. Turkey is a NATO ally of the United States; therefore, it is not necessarily logical that the ally of an ally is an exceptionally threatening enemy.

Nonetheless, because the Trump administration has officially decided to pull those advisors out of the Kurdish areas along the Turkish border, various agents of the Turkish military have begun carrying out brutal strikes on Kurdish positions in the area.

Despite the fact the IS has largely been defeated, it is not sound foreign policy to abandon allies in such a blatant and irreversible way. President Trump has demonstrated a reckless willingness to allow allies to be wiped out whenever it is expedient, and the damage that has been done to the reputation of the United States will require some extreme rehabilitation.

The Kurds are caught between Turkey, Syria and Iraq.

courtesy Wikipedia

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Ethan Veenker managing editor

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Madison Connell sports editor

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distribution managers

Alaina Nauman Mary Bergwell copy editor

Hana Saad White House officials have mostly downplayed the move.

courtesy Flickr/State Department

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The Collegian: 10

Variety

14 October 2019

Martin Scorsese unfairly bashes superhero movies

The citically acclaimed director argues that Marvel films can’t be considered cinema to the distain of fans.

Madison Walters Student Writer Martin Scorsese, director of films like”Raging Bull,” “Casino,” “Wolf of Wall Street,” “Goodfellas” and the upcoming adaptation of “Killers of the Flower Moon,” recently made the comment that “Marvel films are not cinema.”

In a recent interview with Empire Magazine, Scorsese said, “I don’t see them. I tried, you know?” I’m sorry Martin, but we don’t know.

He continued with, ”Honestly, the closest I can think of them, as well made as they are, with actors doing the best they can under the circumstances, is theme parks. It isn’t the cinema of human beings trying to convey emotional, psychological experiences to another human being.”

There are so many things wrong with that statement. First of all, his jab about the actors is incredibly offensive to the writers and directors of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. There are multiple directors and writers who have worked with the MCU who have been nominated for Academy Awards.

Secondly, that statement is also highly offensive to the actors themselves. Actors can

and will go above and beyond in every performance. One of the most important points is that every single Marvel film contains at least one Academy Award nominee.

“Black Panther” received seven Oscar nominations in the 2019 Academy Award season. Of those seven, “Black Panther” took home three wins. One of those seven nominations was for Best Picture.

Possibly his most irksome comment is his words on how Marvel films do not contain emotional and psychological experiences.

Any Marvel fan would argue with that statement. In the past two years, Marvel films

have continued to become more and more emotionally charged.

Take, for example, the events that occured in “Avengers: Infinity War” and “Avengers: Endgame.” These two films have contained multiple permanent character deaths that have sent ripples throughout the entire MCU. Fans cannot even hear the number “3,000” without feeling an emotional resonance within them.

In “Iron Man 3,” psychological experiences are aptly depicted as the film shows Tony Stark suffering from PTSD after the events of the first “Avengers” film.

Martin Scorese’s comments against Marvel movies enraged fans.

courtesy Wikimedia Commons

All of this is very ironic when you hear that Scorsese almost took a job as a producer for “Joker.” According to The Hollywood Reporter, “a Warners source says Scorsese was enlisted simply because the movie needed a producer based in New York, where ‘Joker’ was filmed.”

Marvel actors and directors have been quick to comment on Scorsese’s words.

Samuel L. Jackson, who plays Nick Fury, said, “That’s like saying Bugs Bunny ain’t funny. Films are films. Everybody doesn’t like his stuff either.”

James Gunn, director of “The Guardians of the Galaxy” films expressed his disappointment on Twitter: “Martin Scorsese is one of my five favorite living filmmakers.

I was outraged when people picketed ‘The Last Temptation of Christ’ without having seen the film. I’m saddened that he’s now judging my films in the same way.”

Joss Whedon, director of the first two “Avengers” films, also took to Twitter to express his anger. He tweeted, “I first think of @JamesGunn, how his heart & guts are packed into GOTG. I revere Marty, & I do see his point, but ... Well there’s a reason why ‘I’m always angry.”

Martin Scorsese’s comments have sent ripples through online communities. On Twitter, there have been calls to boycott Scorsese’s newest Netflix film. Scorsese’s next film will coincidentally be shot here in Oklahoma.

I think in this instance, Scorsese should have just kept his opinion to himself.

Circle Cinema screens horror movie “Candyman” “Candyman” centers on a hookhanded villain on the backdrop of a gentrified Chicago.

Justin Klopfer Student Writer Every month, Tulsa’s Circle Cinema shows a classic action or horror movie late at night as for its “Graveyard Shift” program. This month “Candyman” by Bernard Rose was shown, a 1992 adaption of Clive Barker’s short story “The Forgiven.”

The film centers around Helen Lyle (Virginia Madsen), a Chicago graduate student doing research on urban legends for her thesis. Her project begins to focus around the Candyman legend, a supernatural man with a hook for a hand that has supposedly killed over 20 people. This eventually leads her to the Cabrini-Green public housing development, where many of the murders have taken place.

The film uses the poverty and crime of this real, predominantly-black neighborhood of Chicago as its setting. The injustices present in Cabrini-Green were present in real life, with gang activities incredibly common, and eventually the buildings were demolished. It is difficult to pinpoint the exact statement, if any, Rose tries to make with his film on the failures of public housing.

Several characters point out the injustice present, but the narrative doesn’t seem to offer any resolution or further development of these ideas. Perhaps the injustice is just a backdrop to Rose.

Tony Todd delivers a haunting performance as the Candyman himself. He ethereally stalks Helen with an echoing voice while being seemingly omnipresent. His monologues are enthralling and poetic de-

pictions of himself. He muses on the nature of urban legends as his mutilated and infested body is slowly shown in more detail.

Todd was even stung by bees used for the film 23 times during shooting.

The film is consistently horrifying, due in large part to its frequent use of jumpscares.

A few of these scares feel a bit forced, but most come as a satisfying release of tension in the suspenseful scenes. The frequent violence and gore also create several dramatic reactions in the audience, particularly when the Candyman’s iconic hook is used. The dilapidated housing project becomes a horrifying setting as the characters explore its murky forgotten depths.

It’s hard to pin down the brilliance of “Candyman” to any single aspect. Once the film reaches its most interesting act, its allure is the perfection of horror that it has attained. Bone-chilling acting, beautiful camerawork, eerie set design and a haunting score by Phillip Glass all combine to create an amazing atmosphere representative of the best horror has to offer. All this with the character of Candyman and his devilish torment of Helen give the film enough uniqueness to be a true contemporary classic of horror.

A remake of “Candyman” is currently being created by Jordan Peele, the critically acclaimed director of “Get Out” and “Us.” Peele intends to focus this version of the story on the gentrification that has been undergone in areas like Cabrini-Green. Considering the powerful social messages of his other films, Peele’s version of “Candyman” will hopefully be able to develop the themes sadly missed by this one.

The next “Graveyard Shift” movie will be a 4K restoration of Sam Raimi’s “The Evil Dead,” shown on Nov. 22 and 23.

“Candyman” follows Helen Lyle as she researches urban legends.

courtesy TriStar Pictures; art by Gary Pullin

Netflix releases “El Camino,” continuing “Breaking Bad” storyline “El Camino” follows the story of Jessie Pinkman after his uncertain fate in the “Breaking Bad” finale.

Dominic Cingoranelli Student Writer Warning: This article contains minor spoilers for “Breaking Bad,” “Better Call Saul,” and “El Camino.”

“We have to cook. You’re going to need all day, at least, to gather supplies. Now, we’re going to need all new glassware, heating mantles, about a hundred pounds of ice — do you have a paper and pencil? You should be writing this down.”

“Yeah, you know what? You go shopping yourself, I got plans, yo.”

“Smoking marijuana, eating cheetos and masturbating do not constitute ‘plans’ in my book”.

This is a conversation between Walter White (Bryan Cranston), also known as Heisenberg, and his subordinate Jesse Pinkman (Aaron Paul) in “Breaking Bad.” Pinkman was repeatedly abused and manipulated by former allies in the meth industry, including the increasingly tyrannical Wal-

ter White; this is something he must come to terms with in the new Netflix sequel to “Breaking Bad,” “El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie.” One of the most criticallyacclaimed TV shows of all time, “Breaking Bad” had 58 Primetime Emmy nominations and 16 wins, 27 Saturn Award nominations and 12 wins, and seven Golden Globe nominations with two wins, just to name a few, before concluding its five-season run in 2013. The show follows high school chemistry teacher Walter White as he descends into villainy and builds a crystal meth empire in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Along the way, White enlists former student Jesse Pinkman, a small-scale drug dealer and faces off against various criminals and rivals, all while avoiding suspicion from his brother-in-law who works for the DEA (Drug Enforcement Agency).

The show concluded in 2013, leaving the outcomes of some character arcs unclear — namely, conniving crooked lawyer Saul Goodman (Bob Odenkirk) and series deuteragonist Jesse Pinkman.

Saul Goodman’s origin and his ultimate fate are both addressed in the prequel spinoff “Better Call Saul,” which has currently aired four seasons with a fifth coming in

2020. Bob Odenkirk, who plays Goodman, was not involved in “El Camino.”

Pinkman was last seen guffawing and crying hysterically as he finally escaped from those who held him captive for much of the fifth season, but his ultimate fate is left uncertain. Enter “El Camino,” a Netflix original movie which portrays the life of Pinkman after the events of Breaking Bad. “El Camino,” available on Netflix, follows Pinkman as he struggles to come to terms with his past and evade the long arm of the law. Directed by Vince Gilligan, the creator of “Breaking Bad” and “Better Call Saul,” the movie had a limited theatrical release from Oct. 11-13 and will air on AMC at a later date.

Several familiar faces other than Pinkman will be present. Pinkman’s friends, Badger (Matt Jones) and Skinny Pete (Charles Baker) are returning characters.

Johnathan Banks, who played hitman and enforcer Mike Ehrmantraut in “Breaking Bad” and “Better Call Saul,” revealed his involvement against Gilligan’s wishes in an interview. Several characters appear in flashbacks, including Todd Alquist (Jesse Plemons), who played an integral role in the show’s final season.

This is Vince Gilligan’s first full movie script; he began pitching the idea to former “Breaking Bad” actors and producers around the time of the show’s tenth anniversary (Jan. 20, 2018). Filming started in the Albuquerque area in November of 2018 under the working title “Greenbrier,” and a strict policy of secrecy was observed; the film was not even confirmed until Netflix released a teaser in August of 2019.

This film was not entirely necessary, but it serves as a “last hurrah” for one of the most acclaimed TV series of all time. The Jesse Pinkman seen in this film is much more mature and wise than the Jesse Pinkman audiences were first introduced to in the pilot episode of “Breaking Bad.” Pinkman’s final denouement is well worth a watch for anybody who has seen the series, serving both as decent fanservice and a fond farewell to some of the most influential people who never lived. “El Camino” may be summarized by some of the last words spoken to Pinkman before the film concludes: “You’re really lucky, you know. You didn’t have to wait your whole life to do something special.”

Variety

14 October 2019

The Collegian: 11

The Bad Suns engage fans at Cain’s Ballroom

Ultra Q and Liily opened for the alternative rock headliners, making for a night of diverse sound.

Caroline Cox Student Writer A large crowd of bodies cram together around the stage with fog and swirling colorful lights filling the space. Everyone was waiting eagerly to hear the headliner for the evening, small indie rock group, Bad Suns.

Bad Suns was formed in 2012 and has released three albums as well as multiple singles. Their most recent album, “Mystic Truth” was released on March 22, 2019 and has launched the Away We Go tour.

The band played at Cain’s Ballroom on Oct. 6 at 7:30 p.m.. Doors opened at 6:30 p.m. with a line forming to get into the venue. Most of the attendees were younger, with many TU students in the crowd. The concert started with two openers the first of which, Ultra Q, took the stage around 8

p.m. and played a few songs from their first and brand new EP, “We’re Starting to Get Along.” Their sound varied from a more indie pop sound to straight up screaming rock.

After about twenty minutes and a brief intermission for set changes, the second opener, Liily, began their performance. Liily is classified as more of a traditional rock group with screaming, loud drums, impressive

and opened with, “Away We Go,” an upbeat and popular song from their newest album.

The diversity of their setlist was surprising and well received among the crowd. They played many of their well known hit songs such as, “Cardiac Arrest,” “Salt” and “Daft Pretty Boys.” The crowd danced, sang and jumped to the music with many cues from lead vocalist, Christo Bowman.

“[The concert] was a highlight reel of their entire discography ...” guitar solos and an overwhelmingly loud sound. The frontman, Dylan Nash, would regularly come to the edge of the stage and stare out into the audience for long periods of time. Their music was much more unsettling than both Ultra Q and Bad Suns. Liily played for longer than Ultra Q and eventually left the stage around 9:30 p.m.The headliner, Bad Suns, took the stage at 10 p.m.

Bowman did a wonderful job of keeping the crowd engaged by speaking between songs and encouraging dance and activity.

He even walked into the crowd at one point, being supported by the audience holding his feet and hands for a “closer look,” as he described. This occured multiple times during the show with various sections of the audience and was always well received by the

crowd. The most impressive part of this was that he continued to sing perfectly despite being unstable.

The setlist was masterfully crafted because it was synthesised of their oldest music, such as their first single, “Transpose,” and their new album. It was a highlight reel of their entire discography meaning old and new fans alike could enjoy the show. At one point during the show, the entire concert was put on hold so the audience could sing “Happy Birthday” to bass player Gavin Bennett while the band brought him a cupcake with a lit candle to blow out.

The energy of the music and performers were upbeat, happy and carefree allowing for the audience and band to have an enjoyable night. Cain’s allowed for an intimate setting for the music to be performed and for the audience to connect with the band itself. The band concluded with the song, “One Magic Moment,” which was a cathartic ending to the night.

photo by Caroline Cox

Dylan Nash, who delivered an energetic performance, leads the Bad Suns.

Tulsa Symphony performs transportive rendition of Debussy Ron Spigelman led the symphony in performing compositions by Rimsky-Korsakov, Mozart and Debussy.

Adam Walsh Student Writer There is an extreme beauty in seeing something performed live ⁠— it is, perhaps, one of the most intensely personal things an individual can experience. When the opportunity to go to the Tulsa Performing Arts Center and see their symphony perform one of Claude Debussy’s most prolific compositions, “Images for Orchestra,” I couldn’t say no. Career conductor Ron Spigelman invites the listener to accompany him on a tour

blending with the vigorous strings, creating a triumphant air as one sees the buildings of Salzburg flash before their eyes, witnessing a graduation that passed several hundred years before, feeling an immense flair of hope in the face of a new horizon.

For transparency’s sake, let it be known that I have a special connection with one of Claude Debussy’s solo piano works, “Clair de Lune.” I simply love it. It occupies an intimate space of my heart, one of sadness, despair and hope, so seeing a performance of one of his pinnacle symphonic works was a transcendental experience. The piece performed, “Images pour orchestre,” colloquially known as “Images,” required eight years of Debussy’s life. He first wrote it as a solo piano work, then a duet, then expanded it to the full orchestra.

“Throughout the night, time disappeared and my mind drifted ...” across Europe, describing the respective composer’s vision of the work. Of course, the symphony was performed spectacularly, which is to be expected considering the sheer dearth of talented players, but I would like to focus on the pieces and the reason behind their combined performance.

With the opening piece, Nikolai RimskyKorsakov’s “Capriccio Espagnol,” Spigelman focused on the composer’s heavy influence on the developing symphonic style of Soviet Russia. Yes, you read that right, Rimsky-Korsakov was one of “The Five” Russian nationalist composers. However, the piece in question was inspired by the sights and smells of the Spanish nights, acting as the bright side of nationalism ⁠— the fascination in those deemed as “Other.”

Rimsky-Korsakov was taken by the beauty of the Iberian peninsula and decided to attempt a transcription of those dazzling lights and memories into music.

The second piece of the night comes from a more recognizable, less communist name ⁠— Wolfgang Amadaus Mozart’s “Posthorn Symphony,” a collection of movements from the colossal “Serenade No. 9.” This serenade is a beast of a work, comprised of seven long movements; the symphony chose to play four of these movements, including the titular posthorn movement.

Think of the posthorn in bugle terms, with a trumpet playing bright notes on shelf steps,

With the beginning of its creation focusing on a solo piano, the piece never loses that intimate feel, with rhythmic solos passing around the symphony, including jigs, folk songs and hymns from various European cultures. The first movement, “Gigues,” draws from traditional English jigs, but the movement actually relies on a deep underlying motif of suspense, pulling on a primal sense of mourning. In fact, the first movement was initially called the “Tragic Jig,” and Debussy struggled time and time again to finalize the name.

The third movement relies on French tunes, and while it is masterfully constructed, it is nothing compared to the movement that precedes it. This second movement is actually three submovements in a movement, referred to as a triptych in a triptych.

Like the other two, this chunk borrows from a country’s unique culture, which happens to be Spain.

Debussy’s idea behind his “Images” was to create bright visuals in the mind of the listener. He, through his music, creates a paradoxical sentiment of salvation through the temporary death of the listener, calling one to offer up their individuality and become a part of the music, an idea that stands tall in the other two works. However, the composers do not force it. They are not brash or overwhelming, only offering, sometimes pleading, that the audience might relax and enjoy something unique and special.

courtesy Phoenix Symphony Ron Spigelman visited Tulsa to conduct Debussy’s “Images” and the other works at the concert.

That’s the beauty of live performances — it is intensely intimate because no piece will be performed the same way twice. Details change, players think of different things, offer up other emotions in the sacrifice that is creating music, which affects the images poured out through the music.

The selection from Rimsky-Korsakov spoke to me in the form of a sunset, followed by a night time chase and then a magnificent, crisp sunrise. I could feel the cobblestones of an empty Spanish town beneath my feet, could hear the heartbeat of my prey as they attempt to skulk past me, as

well as see the vibrant sunrise on the Iberian hills. During the Mozart piece, I was walking the streets of Salzburg, gazing on the white buildings, feeling the vibrancy of the Austrian air, breathing in a chill wind as the future shifted before me.

With Debussy, I simply felt alive.

Throughout the night, time disappeared and my mind drifted, following a pattern of notes, of somber horns and vibrant strings, ringing piccolos and mellow oboes, seeing the beauty of the world laid out before me.

An exceptional performance of exceptional pieces by an exceptional symphony.

The Collegian: 12

Variety

14 October 2019

Niconowicz brings bizarre photography to Hogue

Ethan Veenker Editor-in-Chief

The Alexandre Hogue Gallery hosts a show by the traveled photographer whose work combines nature and technology.

Brennen Gray Sports Editor Jeff Rosenstock - “WORRY.” Jeff Rosenstock’s punk opus “WORRY.” is three years old as of Oct. 14. I can see the question forming on your lips right now: who writes a retrospective on a three-year-old record? We do.

Ethan’s take: Love. This is the ultimate punk album for people who know nothing about punk, because so much of it dips into other musical traditions. Much of it feels a lot more like emo, perhaps “indie rock,” however one might define that, with the occasional electronic influence (the brief drum machine refrain on “Pash Rash,” for example) and Pitchfork’s Ian Cohen even compares the latter half of the album to the “Abbey Road Medley” from the The Beatles’s eponymous 1969 pop rock masterpiece. I’m one of those punk know-nothings — I tell people I like Black Flag, but only because Dirty Projectors covered the near entirety of Black Flag’s “Damaged” in “Rise Above,” and I like “Rise Above.” Beyond that, Henry Rollins scares me.

So, does the appeal of “WORRY.” lie merely in its ease of access? It’s pop punk that flows like silk, but that’s not to say there isn’t plenty of punk involved. Much of the record’s lyrics involve Rosenstock’s conspicuous, vulnerable grapple with anxiety (take the album’s title, for example), but his anger with various aspects of “society” become ubiquitous as the album carries on. He rails against gentrification and landlords in “Staring out the Window of Your Old Apartment,” against class disparity in the pugnacious, 30-second screamer “Planet Luxury” and against the tireless, unhealthy cycle of the internet in “To Be a Ghost…”

Rosenstock isn’t afraid to air his own insecurities, nor is he afraid to tackle the dimmer parts of modern living — its injustices and unhealthiness — and he’s unafraid to really strain his vocal chords while doing it. In some way, he foresaw the imminent rise of the alt-right and radical conservatism in the U.S. (against which punk is inherently opposed), for example in the cutting line “hate’s not a fad that dies with its virality” from “To Be a Ghost…” His followup to “WORRY.,” 2018’s “POST-,” tackles political issues much more explicitly, and is essentially a direct result to President Trump’s first year or so in office. It’s also more of a punk album, I’d wager, than “WORRY.,” being more focused in its critique and rage against a specific entity.

So, what makes “WORRY.” such a compelling punk phenomenon lies in its contrast to “POST-”: Jeff Rosenstock spends a lot of time on “WORRY.” singing about himself, about his issues, and about his triumphs and failures. It’s unrelentingly relatable, tear-jerking in the right moods and at some points transcendental. (Have I mentioned that he’s an incredibly talented musician, and that the production is pitch-perfect?)

Maybe it’s music-critic blasphemy to say this about a record that came out the same year as Frank Ocean’s “Blonde,” but “WORRY.” was undeniably the best album of 2016. At least, for me. It soundtracked a lot of important parts of my life (I started college in 2016, after all) and it introduced me, for better or worse, to the expansive world of contemporary pop punk (and ska?!). I don’t care if you grew up bumping D’Angelo or puking at My Chemical Romance and Green Day: just give this record a shot. It’s much more than the myriad labels I’ve given it.

Brennen’s take: More love. Ska punk is a merging of sounds that compliment each other to perfection, and Rosenstock epitomizes this for the entire genre as perhaps its most masterful artist. Full disclosure, this is possibly my favorite album ever, and some opinions may be biased.

To begin, “WORRY.” is an album for every punk fan; it dabbles in different territories of punk music while still letting the songs bleed into one another and introduce one another as all concept albums do. Writing a consistent concept album can be a tightrope walk between all the songs sounding the same and the songs sounding disjointed as if there were not a concept behind them at all. What I love most about “WORRY.” is that not only does each track differ from the other in style and sound without sounding unfamiliar, but they even pop in and out of genres without all melding together, making for one very cohesive work.

“Festival Song,” is angry and loud and subversive and fun and fast, so fast that it all goes by too quick; it’s good punk. Yet, it has an upbeat ska feel to it. It criticizes some aspects of the punk scene itself and it even has a fun rhyme scheme. Above all, this angry-but-goofy song is about anxiety: anxiety over finances, friends, personal identify, the vulnerability of the things you love, politics and economics. To me, it’s sort of like the crux of the album, the median marker around which we can orient the other titles.

Going more toward the fun and sing-songy aspect of the album, “I Did Something Weird Last Night,” features Rosenstock voice-cracking into a bad falsetto as a middle schooler would do to make fun of a pop song. It’s hilarious, and yet somehow meaningful. It’s a fun love song in an album about anxiety, and it fits perfectly.

Another genre bending aspect of this is the song “Planet Luxury,” which smashes in there just five and a half minutes later. It’s 30 seconds in which Rosenstock belts out 80 words, ending the song on a long deep scream that seemingly shredded the guy’s vocal chords. It’s something much closer to hardcore punk, and frankly some of the most accessible stuff I’ve heard from the hardcore genre.

To contrast, the song two titles down could have been written by Green Day. If they had a little more ska influence, maybe, but still. “June 21st,” is a little kitschy, and it revels in that.

Rosenstock sings “It’s beautiful out there, / there’s nothing I’d rather do. / Than slay the nightmare / arm in arm with you,” and as cheesy as it is, the pop-est punk song on the entire album evades the main criticism of pop punk: it’s totally genuine. It feels, and is, entirely as Rosenstock would want it to, without pandering to an audience or a zeitgeist.

I could write forever about this album, and each song deserves its own article. It’s a collection of completely different works that each come from a different genre despite being on the same cohesive concept album. It’s got some truly violent screaming, but it’s not fully screamo. And although it has some catchy melodies, it’s not purely pop-punk, despite people who complain about it being so. It’s a punk album and deserves to be called that.

Above all, “WORRY.” is an album for everyone. It’s beautiful and sad and angry and sweet and touching and still yet very, very punk.

Thanks, Jeff. May it be 84 degrees forever.

Tori Gellman Student Writer University of Missouri-Columbia graduate, Drew Niconowicz, visited the University of Tulsa art department on Thursday, Oct. 3. After having earned his Bachelor of Fine Arts in 2016, he proceeded to gain international acclaim for his ongoing photography project currently on display in the Alexandre Hogue Gallery in Phillips Hall: “This World and Others Like It.” Art professor (on sabbatical) Dan Farnum selected Drew’s work for a Hogue Gallery Exhibition and presented him to attending students and faculty.

In his lecture, Nikonowicz began his powerpoint presentation with a quote from an admired photographer of his, Daniel J. Boorstin. He discussed how technology and photography are intermediaries between individuals and their environment and the fascination that this notion has always held for him.

The presentation shifted to an image received by NASA depicting the surface of the planet Mars. Niconowicz explained the astounding nature of such an image as he sees it: it has almost nothing to do with the work of actual humans. The rover went on a 140 million-mile journey, at which point it captured an image that, with the message sending and receival times of the device, took 14 minutes to get back to Earth. All of this was a very long-winded and convoluted way to make the point that this was an amazing example of the sublime depicted through contemporary mediums. The sublime is categorized as an augmented or hyper-reality.

The majority of his lecture consisted of paintings and photographs created by art-

ists that Niconowicz admired and attempted to emulate in specific ways throughout the development and construction of his exhibition. These artists included Timothy O’Sullivan, Taryn Simon and Andreas Gurskey. He discussed how technology and photography are intermediaries between individuals and their environment and the fascination that this notion has always held for him.

Niconowicz discussed his four different photography techniques: basic line-ofsight photos, landscape extractions, computer generated photos and photographs that reference the image-making process.

One such image was a very famous NASA photograph of an astronaut on the moon.

However, Niconowicz claimed the image as his own after he altered the photo with the unique pixel grid of his computer, thus creating somehow an entirely new image. Or so it was explained to me.

Drew Niconowicz was awarded a oneyear residency in Italy, where he intended to begin a new project, but instantly felt that the project he left in St. Louis had not been completed. Thus, many images created from his time in Europe ended up on display downstairs in Phillips Hall. One picture from his time overseas was of a receipt he obtained after eating a meal with a view of a mountain range. The receipt has a sketch of said mountain range at the top and, rather than capture an image of the mountains, he decided to take a picture of the mountain drawing on the receipt.

Niconowicz ended his lecture with an explanation that the notion of photography is a highly mediated art form, thus perfectly conveying how intertwined the multitude of worlds in existence are. He left the audience with this: “We can go a many great deal of places both through and not through technology.” This to me pretty much summed up the hour of bizarre catch phrases and incoherently strung together words I had sat through.

Niconowicz photographed an image of a mountain range on a reciept while in Italy.

courtesy Drew Niconowicz

Events next week in Tulsa Monday, Oct. 14

The Raconteurs perform with The Casualties of Jazz at Cain’s Ballroom. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., show starts at 8 p.m. Tickets start at $69.

Bands will also perform on Wednesday, Oct. 16.

Wednesday, Oct. 16

Oklahoma Center for the Humanities will host a public discussion about David Grann’s “Killers of the Flower Moon.” A panel of native activists and artists will discuss native representation in the book as well as in its upcoming film adaptation.

Grann will deliver the Presidential lecture on campus on Oct. 22. Free and open to the public, discussion starts at 7 p.m. in Helmerich Center for American Research at the Gilcrease Museum.

Circle Cinema hosts a sneak peak reception for the Oklahoma Jewish fim Festival. They will screen a preview trailer reel with highlights from the upcoming festival. Open to the pubOktoberfest will take place at River lic, starts at 6 p.m.

West Festival Park. Festivities will After the sneak peak reception, Cir- be offered through Sunday, Oct. 20. cle Cinema will screen “Fiddler: A Check the Oktoberfest website for Miracle of Miracles,” a documentary pricing and event times. following the history of the Broadway musical, “Fiddler on the Roof.” Friday, Oct. 18 Screening starts at 7 p.m., tickets are Circle Cinema’s gallery opens “Mickel Yantz: Cinema Skulls” $7.50 for students. exhibit with movie themed sugar skulls. The show will run through Thursday, Oct. 17 Circle Cinema screens the Nation- Nov. 10. The opening reception will al Theatre Live’s performance of start at 6 p.m.

courtesy SideOneDummy Records/Quote Unquote

“A Midsummer Night’s Dream.”

Screening starts at 7 p.m., tickets are $15.

14 October 2019

Variety

The Collegian: 13

Tulsa American Film Festival celebrates local films

Screenings for the fifth annual Tulsa American Film Festival engage with a wide range of issues.

Skylar Fuser Student Writer The Tulsa American Film Festival celebrated its fifth anniversary this year throughout Oct. 9-13. Screenings took place in many locations around Tulsa, including the Woody Guthrie Center, Circle Cinema and the Kendall-Whittier district.

Shows began on Wednesday night at 7 p.m. and continued through Sunday afternoon. Over 40 works were showcased during this event, with a focus on local filmmakers and recent works. There were a variety of films shown this year, including classic, short and feature films, as well as narratives and documentaries.

Some well-known showings included “Where the Red Fern Grows,” which was filmed in Oklahoma, and “Dirt McComber: Last of the Mohicans.” There were many interesting short films shown, often in a series, as many were fewer than 20 minutes in length. This set-up allowed film lovers to watch multiple films in one session, each with a different story and theme.

The Tulsa American Film Festival was free to TU students with the presence of their student ID. Many events were also free to the public as well, such as the opening night showing of Victor/Victoria with a free concert by local band The Golden Ones to follow. TAFF kept their line-up of events fun and available to all throughout their event, keeping community involvement a priority.

Many of the screenings were hosted at Circle Cinema in the Kendall-Whittier district. Circle Cinema is a non-profit, historic theater in Tulsa that features many films that cannot be seen anywhere else in the city, and it hosts events throughout the year such as TAFF. This venue is a great place to view creative and diverse films year-round.

Awards are given each year to the top films and features in each category. In 2018, 20 awards were given, including best actress and actor in a narrative film. Tulsa arts have been expanding in recent years, and hopefully this event will inspire more filmography in Oklahoma.

The themes of the Oklahoma based shorts included education, LGBTQ+ acceptance and the industrial environment of the cities.

Friday night’s short film showing was full of diverse topics and a range of emotions for the viewers. The crowd cheered, laughed and cried as short films such as “Albright” and “The Stand In” were enjoyed.

Other events besides screenings included book readings and discussion panels. Clarissa Jacobson presented her book, “I Made a Short Film, Now WTF Do I Do With It,” at Whitty Books. Jacobson’s book describes how to navigate life after creating a short film through the press and even film festivals.

A panel was also held to give information specifically to new or young filmographers on the process of scoring films. Joseph Rivers, a professor of music and film studies at the University of Tulsa, was one-half of this panel, joined by film music composer Paul Cristo. The University of Tulsa’s faculty and students helped bring this film festival to life, and it is great to see TU in the local art scene of Tulsa.

courtesy Tulsa American Film Festival TAFF events were held in locations all around the city throughout the week.

Animal Collective previews new album at Cain’s Ballroom Prior to announcing an upcoming album, the experimental band performed an almost entirely new set of music during their tour.

Ethan Veenker Editor-in-Chief Animal Collective (probably) played practically the entirety of their upcoming record at the Cain’s Ballroom last week. This is exciting news mostly in the fact that they haven’t properly announced a new record yet. This new album is presumably coming out within the next year and a half or so.

Band member Josh “Deakin” Dibb shared on his Instagram that after the tour (which began in Tulsa, had only six dates and is already over) they would hunker down on the new album, so that’s a kind of soft announcement. Before playing one of the new tracks live (Tulsa is presumably where they all premiered), frontman David “Avey Tare” Portner said something to the effect of, “We’re in a sort of gestation period right now, so we’ve got a lot of new stuff.”

The new record will come after 2016’s experimental pop album “Painting With,” which they toured in 2016, visiting Cain’s,

and 2018’s “Tangerine Reef,” an ecologically-minded ambient album. This new album may be a bit of a return to form, with complex, structureless and shamelessly weird pop tracks.

That’s not to say the concert didn’t have its share of oldies. It opened with “Banshee Beat,” the emotional centerpiece of 2005’s “Feels” and the only song from which I’ve seriously considered getting tattooed lyrics.

Other classic tracks included an energetic performance of “In the Flowers,” a cool rendition of “No More Runnin,” a wonderfully extended “Pulleys” and “Grass,” also from “Feels,” surprisingly faithful to the studio recording, in which a much younger Avey Tare screams over and over again in the refrain. Hearing it reproduced live, note for note, was nothing short of impressive.

Based off a picture of the setlist from Reddit user u/bfgarzilla9k, Animal Collective played eight new tracks (which sounds about right, based on my memory). In order of their appearance, and as listed on the setlist, they were “Cherokee,” “24,” “Kings,” “Strangers,” “Defeat,” “Gem and I,” “Down Down Down” and “Bolder,” the latter two of which comprised the entierety of the encore. I’ll admit I was a little disappointed not to hear something more familiar in the encore, but I can’t complain about

new tracks.

A combination of poor memory and my general unfamiliarity with the brand new tracks means a proper recollection of each song would be difficult, but one highlight stands out particularly. Based on when I remember it occurring in the set, it was either “Kings” or “Strangers,” and featured Deakin and drummer Noah “Panda Bear” Lennox vocalizing together with almost no other instrumentation. They drew near their microphones and just let it rip, going up and down in unison. Avey Tare, meanwhile, messed with his pedalboard before getting the desired effect: some sort of pitched-up, autotuned vocal modulation, with which he sang slowly and deliberately over the repetitive, medieval-sounding chanting from his bandmates. It was incredible and absolutely insane.

One feature from each new track that I distinctly remember, at least, was that Avey Tare played a bass guitar for all of them.

Whenever I saw him swapping his guitar for a bass, I knew a new track was coming.

To this end, the new songs seemed a little inspired by funk and R&B at times, and when the bass playing matched up to Panda Bear’s intricate drumming, the new songs were groovy, danceable and impossible not to bob your head to.

Things weren’t as wonderful in the crowd: someone passed out near to where my girlfriend and I were standing, and a fight between two women broke out soon after. I can only hope the guys in Animal Collective didn’t notice all the commotion, because I’d hate for them to be turned off of Tulsa for the future.

I’ll say that the crowd treated the opener better this time than I remember them treating Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith in 2016. Opening act Dustin Wong and Takako Minekawa kicked the night off with smooth, electronic ambience. Wong is an ex-member of Ponytail, the drummer of which, Jeremy Hyman, joined Animal Collective on their last tour, so it was nice to see that musical partnership continuing in 2019. I distinctly remember Wong beaming after every track, whenever the crowd would clap and whoop. He seemed surprised each time.

If nothing else, Animal Collective’s tantalizingly short tour gave us a taste of new music, and that’s something with which no fan could be disappointed. In the meantime, you can find me waiting by my computer, refreshing my email every few minutes, waiting for the newsletter that will officially announce the new album.

Classic Broadway show, “Cats,” comes to Tulsa PAC “Cats” combines goofy lyrics with precise and well-choreographed dances in a lively and entertaining show.

Tori Gellman Student Writer The fourth-longest running Broadway show in history, “Cats” returned to the Tulsa Performing Arts Center this past weekend, full of exciting up-and-coming actors and revived with the incredible choreography of Andy Blankenbeuhler, best known for also choreographing “Hamilton.” Blankenbeuhler’s choreography has been and continues to be featured in many productions showing at the Tulsa PAC, and after seeing “Cats,” this comes as no great surprise.

“Cats,” based on a collection of T. S. Eliot poems, had many goofy rhyme schemes and interesting word choices. The music in the show was performed by a superb live orchestra. The intro number sounded like a dissonant nursery rhyme, playing upon the juxtaposition of adult themes with a childlike form. Further emphasizing the playfulness of the show, the cast of cats made their way onto the stage after running through the orchestra area.

The staging was absolutely incredible; a junkyard featuring several moving parts that allowed for actors to pop up in different places around the stage. The lighting is what really elevated this performance as it was almost like a discoteque for cats, fitting

particularly during the song “Jellicle Ball” where the entire company is on stage at a dance.

My favorite number was probably “The Old Gumbie Cat,” featuring an amazing tap routine by chubby feline Jennyanydot. Of course, the featured dancer in the show is Victoria, a cat dressed in all white who it is almost impossible to take your eyes off of. The female characters in the show were interesting to pay attention to.

As is common in classical dance routines, the women were often being thrown around by men and were more often portrayed sexually even though all of the characters were cats. There is a particular trio of female felines in the show who have very sexualized dance routines and lyrics to sing that made me slightly uncomfortable at times. The show also dates itself by making references to catcalling; the audience still laughed heartily at these jokes despite the so-called progress that’s been made surrounding awareness of derogatory speech like this.

Arguably the main character of the musical, Grizabella, is a really peculiar aspect of this show for me. I’m not sure that there is a character in any other musical with less stage time and more notoriety. The most recognizable number from “Cats,” the powerful ballad “Memory,” is sung by Grizabella and then reprised later in the second act.

Despite the fact that we’ve only really seen this cat once or twice before in the show and she hasn’t really sung or danced much, she receives a standing ovation for this one song, and it’s entirely deserved. The song is

not only beautifully written, but the actress in this performance was outstanding.

This show was refreshing in that it was a very classic sounding and looking Broadway production as opposed to a lot of the more modern shows that I’ve seen lately.

Additionally, this was the largest cast I’d seen in a live production before, and I was

absolutely mesmerized by how many people could fit on the stage and move around each other and together so seamlessly. I will say, for the amount that the musical attempts to explain what a Jellicle cat is and isn’t, I still have no idea how to define a Jellicle cat, but with how much fun the show was, I’m not sure I really need to.

courtesy Tulsa Performing Arts Center The staging and lighting in the performance of “Cats” transformed the PAC with whilmsical colors.

Variety

The Collegian: 14

14 October 2019

Author Erin Carlson celebrates “Queen Meryl” at Circle Cinema Circle Cinema screened “The Devil Wears Prada” following a discussion of a novel about Meryl Streep’s life and persona.

Tori Gellman Student Writer On Saturday, Oct. 5, Magic City Books and Circle Cinema came together to host Erin Carlson, author of the new release “Queen Meryl: The Iconic Roles, Heroic Deeds, and Legendary Life of Meryl Streep.” Magic City Books founder Jeff Martin introduced Carlson and welcomed her back, explaining to the audience that two years ago Erin actually was the opening speaker at Tulsa Lit Fest when she wrote her book about Nora Ephron.

Carlson began by explaining how vastly different her experiences were in writing these two books. This discrepancy in ex-

Streep was actually fact-checking stories that her costars were telling about her.

Streep’s innate ability to assume a personality or role was what Carlson found most magnetizing about her. Streep’s early years growing up New Jersey with her two younger brothers whom she played with and bossed around set the foundation for her strong and daring personality. She was often mistaken as being considerably older than she actually was, which she attributed to her glasses and objectively frizzy hair.

Carlson argued that perhaps Meryl Streep’s most drastic and challenging role was her transformation from frumpy girl to high school beauty queen. She dated the quarterback and was homecoming queen following a childhood of being made fun of and confused for a high schooler in primary school. Streep explained later that even in her adulthood, she was always jealous of Jessica Lange, the standard of Hollywood beauty with whom she felt she couldn’t compete.

“... her strength was in refusing to be defined by her beauty.” periences is because Nora Ephron is such a niche topic, whereas Meryl Streep is a global phenomenon. Carlson then segued into her fascination with Meryl Streep. By the show of visible head nods, I would say there were many audience members who shared this admiration and interest in Streep’s life and career. “Pallor, grace, beauty and viciousness” were just four of the words Carlson used to describe the attributes that Meryl Streep brings to her roles, but Streep’s prolific and infamous career was not all that was discussed, nor is it the only thing written about in Carlson’s new book.

Erin Carlson has a day job as an editor in the Bay Area, but enjoys writing and learning about elements and individuals of note in the sphere of popular culture. She admitted reluctantly that, before starting this project, she had not seen all 65 (and counting) of Streep’s films.

The first task she had, aside from catching up on Streep cinema, was to read and watch every single interview Meryl Streep had participated in since the 70s. Carlson intended to interview all of Streep’s costars, and was amused to discover that many of the female actresses who had worked alongside Streep were rather terrified of her. It was also revealed that behind the scenes,

What Streep wouldn’t realize until much later in her career was that her strength was in refusing to be defined by her beauty. She was never pigeonholed due to her looks, so she was able to continue working after the age of 40, when roles are far more scarce for women. Streep didn’t mind getting “ugly” for roles, and this elevated her acting and expanded her opportunities.

Carlson shifted into a conversation of Meryl’s films, starting with the infamous “Kramer vs. Kramer.” Director Robert Benton was terrified of Streep. This seemed to be a common theme throughout Streep’s life, which becoming an actress only magnified. Benton was particularly intimidated by Streep’s remarkable ability to nail take after take, even amidst the tortures that costar Dustin Hoffman put her through. She is a professional in the truest sense of the word.

This led into a really lovely discussion of “The Devil Wears Prada,” the film that Circle Cinema screened following Carlson’s talk. The movie is based on a book written by a 36-year-old woman who Carlson enviously explained earned six figures off the novel even before it was finished, which is unheard of in the literary world.

As for the film adaptation, the screenplay was really written for Streep, even before

Circle Cinema and Magic City Books celebrated the release of “Queen Meryl.”

the production team knew if she would want to be a part of the film. Screenwriter Aileen Brosh McKenna told Carlson that they had two versions of the screenplay; one with specific lines added and omitted if Meryl did in fact accept the role, and another for any backup actresses who they may have to settle on for the part.

Much like Erin Carlson, I’ve always found Meryl Streep to be a very unifying individual. Despite her somewhat “coldshoulder” approach on and off set during film shoots, she is an ever-present part of the collective entity that is pop culture. She defi-

courtesy Hachette Books

nitely brought a very special person into my life just through this event, and I’ve watched many of her movies with my cousin in our “states-away romantic comedy marathons”.

After the event, I went home and dove into the book itself, and there’s even more incredible stories and wisdom from Streep and those who have been lucky enough to interact with her. I highly recommend it to anyone enthralled with the life of this outstanding pillar of excellence and badass woman power.

Dr. Maurer launches “Monstrous Perspectives” Professor of art history, Dr. Maria Maurer, spoke about Renaissance spaces and their effects on viewers.

Caroline Cox Student Writer What is the relationship between gender, space and experience? How do we become subjects? How does the built environment act upon its inhabitants? These and many more are all questions that Professor Maria Maurer sought to answer in her book launch, “Gender, Space and Experience at the Renaissance Court: Performance and Practice at the Palazzo Te.” The talk was sponsored by the Oklahoma Center for the Humanities, a group that facilitates a think tank of TU

students, faculty and community members to address aspects of living through the humanities as well as host public events. The talk took place in Tyrell hall at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 8. This lecture was organized for Dr. Maurer’s book launch and featured an interactive tour of the spaces talked about through the Google Arts & Culture app, which allows the user to walk through these spaces remotely. The talk lasted an hour, with time for questions.

Dr. Maurer is an associate professor of art history and teaches classes on Medieval, Renaissance and Baroque art. Her research focuses on space and gender and how artists and visitors use art to construct gender identities. Her book was published earlier this year in March, and explores specifically the

Visitors can walk inside of the “Appenino,” seeing the world through the eyes of the giant.

Palazzo Te as a space where ideals of masculinity were enforced and manipulated.

Dr. Maurer began with focusing on the Palazzo Te, a retreat for the wealthy Italian court by Giulio Romano. One room, the Chamber of Cupid and Psyche, has intimate frescos that depict sensual scenes from Greek Mythology and a profusion of actions and images using gold, pink and flesh tones.

The beholder is physically pulled into the room by the broken bodies seeing through the door frame — it’s required to be fully in the space to fully experience it. Additionally, the room requires the viewer to walk around it in order to understand it. This room is dynamic and forces movement. It acts upon the beholder. It makes the space seem provocative, open and mobile.

courtesy Wikipedia

The second room in the Palazzo Te is the Sala be Giganti, which features a panoramic fresco of the giants attempting to overthrow the gods. Jupiter looks down hurling thunderbolts into the world below. The floor is made of river stones meaning it is uncomfortable and unlevel to walk on, especially for men who at the time wore high heels.

Additionally, the space is designed to be an echo chamber: the only way to truly hear someone is to stand at opposite corners and whisper to one another. These corners are right where the giants are, forcing the viewer to identify with the monsters themselves.

Monsters in the Renaissance were both nature’s creation and their anthesis. They were exotic in origins and boundary markers on maps and policed the borders of gender. Dr. Maurer focused on the idea that masculine women were monstrous and therefore become inhuman objects. Women and monsters are both creatures of the body.

However these monsters allowed gender to be seen as artificial and occasionally even vague. Going into a space like “The Gates of Hell,” the second building she focused on, forces the beholder to be enveloped by the monster as well as become the monsters voice.

Entering this banquet hall feels like entering certain death; however, the inside was created for eating, laughing and music making. It invites you to become a monster, and therefore explore gender. The final space, the “Appennino,” is a giant that users must literally enter in order to take part in the entertainment. It is a blend between pleasure and destruction. The eyes are actually looking points, giving the viewer the experience of giant’s power and melding their identity to it. Going into these monstrous spaces questions gender and how space truly works. Visitors are engulfed, thereated and transformed into something unlike what they were before they entered.

Space and transformation are ultimately good things. By becoming monsters, humans transcend forced gender binaries and are allowed to resonate with the “other.”

Ultimately, space acts upon the viewer as much as the viewer acts in the space.

The State-Run Media

14 October 2019

The Collegian: 15

How to survive the Oklahoma winter: you won’t

Nine tips and tricks for TU students who’ve never braved one of our winters before.

Myranda New New in town It’s that time of year again! When the baking sun decides to quit beating on the backs of the youth walking between classes, the clouds snatch up the opportunity to roll in along with every other winter weather symptom out there. At TU, many students are from out of state and may not be prepared for the treacherous Oklahoma winter, but not to fear! This is all you need to know to guarantee your warmth this season: #1: Say goodbye to that stunning skyline!

That’s right, can you even believe it!? The visibility here gets so bad that while walking around campus, particularly in front of McFarlin, you can’t even tell that you’re in Tulsa anymore. The choking fog becomes so dense that it’s like those tall buildings don’t even exist. Go on, try to look up … there’s nothing to see. It feels like you might’ve just wandered out of Oklahoma, into a vast midwestern oblivion. #2: Bundle up!

Very few states can rival the chilliness of Oklahoma, where the weather is just so bitter your nose will pop right off like an icicle.

Temperatures plummet so quickly into the negatives, it’s impossible to curse Jack Frost before it happens. With those negative temperatures, it’s easy to lose a finger or a toe

or two on the walk to class, so be sure to stay bundled up in as many free shirts from student organizations as you can manage. #3: Visit the ice castle!

A very popular spot during any season, the McFarlin library is a stunning sight, but it’s even more breathtaking when it freezes over to become the winter ice castle. So much ice collects on this campus landmark, you may think it would become something of a hazard. Good for us, then, that due to the extravagant amount of ice that takes over the area, you will be fairly safe thanks to ground consistency. Once you are dressed in your seven scarves and your 12 free shirts, you will be able to study in the ice castle for hours.

#5: Watch out for snowflakes!

During the winter season in Oklahoma, it is important that you bring an umbrella wherever you go unless you want to be absolutely obliterated by snowflakes as large as the panhandle. To coat the entire city in snow as well as obfuscate all of the skyscrapers, the average snowflake size has drastically increased in Oklahoma in the past 10 years. According to Guinness World Records, the last snowflakes this big were found in Texas in 1875, but even now, we still have them beat. #6: Do not ride a lime scooter!

To guarantee that the enormous snowflakes are able to make it to their destination, Oklahoma will be overcome by a vicious,

“Well, snow tornadoes exist too, and they utterly ravage Oklahoma.” #4: Ice skate on the New U! Along with McFarlin library, all large expanses of grass on campus freeze over, making Chapman Commons (better known as the New U) the best ice skating rink in town. Moms will bring their children on weekends; teenagers will stop by once high school lets out. All skating business goes directly to Chapman Commons, thanks to the enormous and wonderful fountain that will occasionally turn on to guarantee that none of the ice melts. Make sure you bring a pair of skates because the rental pairs run out quickly.

blustery wind. Alexander Health Center gets many patients who were blown over because they could not brace the breeze. The worst case health scenario, though, comes from riding a Lime scooter around in these malicious winds. The wind either pushes the scooter to a dangerous mach-speed, or, if you are able to successfully stay on riding against the wind’s current, the frost will try its damndest to kill you.

#7: Avoid the snow tornadoes!

The worst Oklahoma winter weather trait, though, is the snow tornadoes. Ever heard of fire tornadoes that can pick up flames in their spin? Well, snow tornadoes exist too, and they utterly ravage Oklahoma.

Just imagine it, the harsh environment of a tornado paired with the bitter cold and brisk winds of the freezing season. The storm shelter on campus will become your new home once these hit campus, especially after they deposit enough snow to lock you in.

Just make sure you bring your homework with you. #8: Be polite to your yeti!

When you finally leave the storm shelter, you will discover quite shockingly that snow tornadoes summon yetis, and this yeti learned that you have the best dorm on campus. Yeti tries to be a good roommate; it will make the bed and bring its own toothbrush, but it loves your snack drawer, so anticipate the need to drive to Target every three days.

Yeti also is very obnoxious when you try to do homework and prevents you from making any progress, but at least it appreciates watching “Friends” marathons with you. #9: Embrace it all because it’s going to melt in a week!

Now that you are finally prepared for the vicious Oklahoma winter, embrace and bask in its blistering brilliance because it will all melt in a week, returning us to the burning heat of the midwest. If we are lucky enough, it will stay until the holidays, but even if it does not, you can guarantee that Yeti will at least make sure to return for Thanksgiving. It loves the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

Students arrested for playing IRL Mario Kart

graphic by Emma Palmer

Mayhem breaks out on campus as students race with stolen golf carts.

The students caused absolute chaos recreating the popular racing game.

Madison Walters Mains Yoshi Chaos broke out on campus last Tuesday as five students stole five university golf carts, allegedly intending to play IRL Mario Kart.

The five students went by unnoticed as they stole, or as one student later claimed “borrowed,” the golf carts from the side of the ACAC. It wasn’t until they started their race that the carts were even noticed to be missing.

The race began on Sorority Row and ended at the Hurricane Plaza where the students stole the carts. The start of the race was announced by a speaker playing the signature Mario Kart music along with countdown.

The students drew attention to them-

selves as they began “revving” their golf cart engines in an attempt to “rocket start,” as the characters do in the game. It should be noted that golf cart engines are not made to be revved.

Campus security sighted the spectacle just as the race commenced. Their only option, other than jumping the curb with their suburbans, was to jump onto the nearest Limes and take off! Despite this quick thinking, the Mario Kart wannabes already had a good lead on the campus security.

The golf cart racers made a hard left in front of the library. So hard, according to an eyewitness, that the cart made the turn on two wheels. I believe it, because there is now a giant skid mark on the “racetrack.”

Campus security started to gain on the racers, but the racers paid no attention to them as they were too determined on getting that Victory Royale.

The racers were pretty much neck and neck until one student began throwing banana peels at his opponents. The race then

became a slippery slope, literally. The student just kept throwing banana after banana at his fellow racers.

Another eyewitness said, “I have never seen so many bananas in my entire life. He got to the point where he wasn’t even looking at who he was throwing his ammo at. He pelted the students studying in the shaded area by Sharp Chapel. The entire situation was utterly un-appeeling.”

It has been confirmed by the bananachucking student’s roommate that he has been hoarding bananas from the Pat Case Dining Center for the past two weeks.

“Yeah, every day he’d go to the caf, he’d bring back two or three bananas. He never ate them, which in hindsight should’ve been a red flag. He just peeled the bananas and threw away everything except the skin.”

With Banana Bob in the lead, the race continued. They cut across the grass of the Old U and back onto the paved area leading to Hardesty. One resident was nearly almost ran over by the racers. As they were

speeding away, he pulled out his phone and recorded a Snapchat video, shouting, “these bitch-asses almost ran over me!”

The race ended rather dramatically with all five golf carts catching air as they flew over the steps at the Hurricane Plaza. Banana Bob won, but his victory did not last long as campus security chose that exact moment to descend the steps, still atop their Limes.

Campus security arrested all five offenders promptly. They were then escorted back to the abandoned Suburban. Entering the vehicle, Banana Bob only had one thing to say for himself: “Mamma mia!”

Campus is in desperate need of repairs after this whole ordeal. There are skid marks all over the pavement, ruts covering the New U and bananas coating the campus for a quarter of a mile. Fortunately, Sodexo has announced plans to recover all the peels for their new Fall Fruit Salads.

Maybe the racers should’ve just stuck to Lime racing?

The Amazon Narc: the world’s first snitching AI New from Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk, this device will truly make your house a home.

Caleb Pinegar Wearing a wire Everyone has an Amazon Alexa, so you know that Amazon is a safe company to let in to your home. So why not welcome their newest home electronic into your life?

Introducing the Amazon Narc, the world’s first snitching AI! Using state of the art X-ray technology designed by Elon Musk, Amazon’s line of home defense technology can keep you and your family safe. Have a teenager you’re worried is sneaking in alcohol or drugs?

The Amazon Narc can scan their backpack

as they walk through the house and instantly detect any contraband they may be smuggling in.

Along with X-ray technology, the Amazon Narc can also be tied to your Amazon account and use cookies to track the online usage of those in your household logged into Amazon. Worried of your spouse having an affair? If they are logged into Amazon on their phone, the Amazon Narc can read their messages and forward them back to you. Or simply pay $50 extra and receive a micro-camera with your Amazon Narc to place anywhere in your household to make sure no one is sleeping with the mailman.

The Amazon Narc is a secure piece of technology immune to tampering and hacking. The only people able to access it are a group of computer scientists at Amazon’s main office in case of emergency. All illegal activity is automatically reported to the au-

thorities, but Amazon is a proud supporter of free speech. It will not report any conversations of white nationalism, but any hint of you starting a union for your workplace and it’s off to Rikers with you.

Many who have bought the product are impressed and happy with their purchases.

One customer’s review stated, “This device saved my marriage. I thought my husband was having an affair, kicking me out every Tuesday night, turns out he was just hosting a local Nazi drinking club. Couldn’t be any happier with my purchase, or prouder of my husband.”

A father that cares for his family wrote, “My son recently got a new job at Wal-Mart and was complaining about the pay. The Amazon Narc recorded a phone call between him and a coworker about starting a union. The Narc quickly sent it to Wal-Mart and my son and his coworker both got fired.

Shows them for supporting that communism bs.”

A man from Arkansas left five stars on the product, saying, “I got this as a gift for a girl I like. I kept the Narc, but hid the micro camera in a stuffed bear I got her as a birthday gift. She was a little weirded out but still took the bear home, now I can make sure she doesn’t invite any other guys over and make sure she’s safe.”

Jeff Bezos himself has installed Amazon Narcs into every single one of Amazon’s workplaces to ensure that those buildings remain safe and secure. With the help of the Narc, Amazon has disposed of 300 prounion workers and has promoted those who show they are committed to the company and pass out from exhaustion while working.

This article was sponsored by Amazon, a company to keep you, and society, safe.

The State-Run Media

14 October 2019

the

State-Run media #1 Fox News stans.

TU mecha-bike robot on scooter rampage A string of campus bike burglaries led to a chilling mechanized discovery.

Brennen Gray Roboi Where the hell are all the campus bikes going? They have been stolen, misplaced and hung in trees at random times. And still there are plenty unaccounted for.

Could it be that a thief means to fence them off? Not likely. Campus bikes are hardly a hot commodity. When was the last time you saw someone in the mafia riding around on a yellow TU bike somewhere downtown?

Perhaps the administration is repossessing them as a way to pay back the debt we all inherited? Possibly. But what would they do with them? They would never sell something that is usually offered for free and melting them down as pure scrap metal would not quite bridge that gap.

So, there is one logical conclusion left: there must be a giant Lime Scooter-eating death robot. Made from TU bikes. Let’s call it the Golden Hurricanator.

The massive structure, given the 4,269 bikes (and counting) that have gone missing over the past few years, would have to be around 300 feet tall, and way close to 7,100 tons.

To dive deeper into the fascinating topic, the film “Pacific Rim” gives some context for the size and power of these massive metal menaces. The film’s director, Guillermo del Toro, commented on the issue.

“Holy crap! That Golden Hurricanator is absolutely mind-boggling,” said del Toro.

Now tracking the missing bikes leads to a giant robot pretty clearly, right? Of course.

No brainer. The folks down in Stevenson could probably build one themselves given enough time, Rockstar™ energy drinks and bikes.

But there’s another half to this story, a darker, lime-scented part.

According to the CEO of Lime, Brad Bao, Lime scooter violence has been on the rise.

“Three of our Tulsa scooters were destroyed yesterday! At that rate, we would lose over a thousand a year,” said Bao. “I understand that people get annoyed with all the TU students riding around in front of moving cars. I am sure that the citizens of Tulsa have all wanted to yeet one of our scooters off the Route 66 bridge. But something else has to be at play here for us to hit that rate.”

Too fast to be caught on tape, this is an artist’s rendering of The Golden Hurricanator on a rampage.

The argument for the existence of Hurricanator seems more likely with each passing day. In fact, some locals have even claimed to see it.

“SO. MUCH. YELLOW!” said local bartender Larry Herbert. Covered in dust and breathing heavily, Herbert barely squeaked out his story before passing out.

“I was riding a Lime scooter, minding my own business, when this giant robot came

out of nowhere and threw me onto the concrete. When I looked up, I saw it. It looked like the Transformer™ Bumblebee™ had donned Samurai armor and an attitude. It was the scariest thing I have ever seen!”

So the question remains: if there is a Hurricanator gobbling up Limes like there were no tomorrow, then who built it?

Did an Engineering professor have a bad run-in with a Lime scooter rider? Or is this

graphic by Sarah Le

a student’s final project? Perhaps the film department let one if its special effects get away from them. Whoever built it, they need to fess up and fix this.

Because that thing is goddamn terrifying.

Haha, so my roommate is, like, always asleep?

So, should I wake him up or nah?

He’s starting to smell.

Brayden McCoy Minds his own business Listen, I hate being woken up when I’m not ready to get up, so I’ve made it a priority to never do it to my friends, and by extension, to my new roommate. We only met this year when we were randomly assigned together, and he is kinda weird if I’m being honest. He’s always either sleeping, napping or passed out. I sort of want to say something about it to him, but we’ve never interacted much and it would be too awkward to start now, right? Either way, it’s concerning.

I first noticed this habit of his around midterm season. Whenever I would return home from a random burst of studying, my roommate would already be asleep! No matter what time I came in! I mean surely the guy loves sleeping, but it is kinda sad he has no life. Maybe I should talk to him about it?

I think he might be skipping class because dust is starting to collect on his desk and

backpack, but that’s his problem, not mine.

I mean he’s a grown adult, so he can make his own decisions, right? I wouldn’t want to intrude and come off as a pushy roommate.

Weeks have passed now, and all he does is sleep. I don’t think he’s even taking showers anymore. I say that because damn he is starting to stink! But then again if I told him that it would be rude. I’ll probably just let him do his thing

thing I think the spiders have eaten more of his food than he has.

Maybe I should call the school counseling service; he clearly needs help. He might be like super depressed or something. Although I have no idea what would make him that distressed.

It could be his sense of fashion ⁠— it is horrid, after all. Speaking of which, is he ever going to do laundry? His pile of dirty

“I know engineers tend to be introverted, but this is ridiculous.”

Midterms passed (I passed btw, woot woot!) and he’s still sleeping, I don’t know how he’s even passing his classes. He’s here on scholarship so shouldn’t he be more responsible? I mean come on now, I know engineers tend to be introverted, but this is ridiculous.

I wonder if he even eats anything. The food he keeps on his side of the room looks like it has not been touched in ages. If any-

clothes reeks almost as bad as he does, and that’s saying something. He is putting off some serious fumes.

I think I saw bugs crawling over him this morning, and I’m really not here for that. I hate bugs almost as much as I hate trigonometry. Who needs to know what the inverse tangent of x is anyways? Back to the bugs, though ⁠— how did he not absolutely freak out over that?

Surely even if you’re asleep you would feel the little hellspawn crawling on you?

Oh well, if it doesn’t bother him then it ain’t my concern. I do wish he would take a shower though, it’s getting hard to breathe in the room unless I open the window or use some Febreeze.

I think he might have learned how to hibernate because he hasn’t moved in more than a month. Maybe he moves at night when I’m asleep and carefully covers his tracks? Although the layer of dust collecting on everything of his and his blanket suggests otherwise.

I can’t take it anymore, there are bugs crawling all over him and just walking into our dorm room makes my eyes water. I’ve spent my last few nights either at my frat ΒΣΣΓ, which is the leading supplier of used beer cans for recycling by the way, or in the residence hall lounge. I’ve no choice but to move out.

Should I even bother waking him up to say goodbye? Nah I think I’ll just let him rest.