November 1, 2016 Kscope

November • 1 • 2016

INSIDE THE NEWS:

4

Voters to decide the fate of Nine Amendments to the Alabama State Constitution, ranging from state park funding to education

8

Volume 56 • Issue 56

Local candidates, such as U.S. senators and State Supreme Court Justices will also be up for election on the Nov. 8 ballot

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Politically active students make a final bid for their presidential hopefuls before 2016 election

2 EDITORIAL

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2016

Dear readers, It’s officially November (although the weather would have you believe otherwise), which means we’ve got just over a month left in the Fall semester. Time really does fly.

This November is of special importance, though, because exactly one week from now, we will have a new president-elect of the United States. While this presidential election has been one that none of us will soon forget, this issue focuses on the more often forgotten, but nonetheless incredibly important, elections: state and local elections.

On Nov. 8, you will have an opportunity that many of us are guilty of taking for granted and a right that people around the world can only dream of having: the right to vote. Several important local and state-wide amendements and candidates for public office are on the ballot.

To help you sort through all the madness that is state and local elections, this issue will serve as your guide to the amendments to the state constitution — including an amendment that has important implications for UAB and the proposed BJCC stadium — and the races for U.S. Senate, the House of Representatives and the Alabama Supreme Court. Online, you’ll find the candidates for circuit court judge and all of the other local races. I’ll give you a hint — there are quite a few.

These local issues and candidates don’t exist in a vacuum; they have a real impact on our city and on our state. In this week’s paper, we look at the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute and Congresswoman Terri Sewell’s and other advocates’ efforts to get a national park distinction for the district. Also on the topic of parks, Amendment 2 to the state constitution will decide the fate of our state parks, which have taken a hit from budget cuts in the past year.

STAFF Sarah Faulkner sfaulkn2@uab.edu Tamara Imam managing@insideuab.com Corey Bright art@insideuab.com Tessa Case news@insideuab.com Surabhi Rao features@insideuab.com Ian Keel photos@insideuab.com Mark Linn copy@insideuab.com Chandler Jones chanj1@uab.edu Dabney Bragg socialmedia@insideuab.com

Like I said, this stuff is important.

Although this paper focuses mostly on these smaller-scale elections, we couldn’t ignore the upcoming presidential election. This week, two of our columnists from opposite sides of the aisle give their final push for their respective candidates.

So, whether you’re a “nasty woman” or part of the “silent majority,” please go out and vote. And while you’re voting for one of the two presidential candidates, take a look at the state and local candidates and amendments, too.

Loren Gilbert online@insideuab.com Melvin Griffin Jared Chestnut Chad Freeman Marie Sutton info@insideuab.com

Regards,

Tamara Imam

Patrick Johnson plj3@uab.edu

Creative Director of Student Media Managing & Sports Editor Head Illustrator News & Science Editor Features & Opinions Editor Photography Editor Copy Editor Visual Content Manager Social Media Editor Online Editor Distribution Team

Advisor Production Manager

Managing Editor

EDITOR’S NOTE: Next week’s issue will run on Wednesday, Nov. 9. This is to ensure that we are able to include complete and accurate results of the Nov. 8 election.

Physical Address Suite 130, Hill Student Center 1400 University Blvd, Birmingham, AL 35205 Mail HILL 130, 1720 2nd Ave S, Birmingham, AL 35294-1150 Phone (205) 934-3354 Web UABkscope.com Email editor@insideuab.com

The Kaleidoscope is the official student newspaper of the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Unsigned editorials and the opinions of the Kaleidoscope’s columnists do not necessarily reflect the opinions of individual student writers, editors, Kaleidoscope advisers or university administrators. Signed columns and letters reflect the opinion of the writer and serve as expressions of fact and opinion to Kaleidoscope readers.

Letter Policy: Letters to Kaleidoscope are always welcome. Unless otherwise directed, all letters will be forwarded to the editor. Letters must be no longer than 200 words and must be typed. A name and a phone number must accompany each letter. Letters will appear at the discretion of the editorial staff and can be sent by mail, fax or electronic mail.

All material contained herein, except advertising or where indicated otherwise, is Copyright © 2016 by Kaleidoscope and protected under the U.S. Copyright Laws.

Material herein may not be reprinted without the expressed, written permission of the Kaleidoscope.

NEWS

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LETTER TO THE EDITOR S. Yana Davis Instructor in History ydavis51@uab.edu

T

he Soka Gakkai International (SGI) Buddhist Club at UAB is being re-established after a lapse of nearly two years. The club is open to all interested in finding out more about Nichiren Buddhism and SGI’s worldwide efforts for peace, education and culture.

The Buddhist practice of chanting Nam-myohorenge-kyo was established by the Buddhist scholar and activist Nichiren, born Feb. 16, 1222, in the village of Kataumi on the eastern coast of Japan. His family made their living by

fishing. Young Nichiren became interested in and studied Buddhism at the nearby Seicho-ji temple.

At the age of 16, he was ordained and took the religious name Zeshobo. Some time later he went to Kamakura to further his studies. After some 10 years of study at several Buddhist centers, he concluded that the essential teachings of Buddhism are in the Lotus Sutra.

He returned to Seichoji in 1253. By that time he had begun chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, which he regarded as the key to enlightenment.

From April 28, 1253 on, Nichiren taught this practice publicly, in the

capital Kamakura and elsewhere, often with opposition from the established Buddhist schools and samurai government. During the course of the next 29 years, Nichiren gathered followers from both the Buddhist clergy and, principally, “lower” classes of people, notably merchants and farmers. He established

a seminary on Mount Minobu, passing away on Oct. 13, 1282.

Although Nichiren’s teachings were preserved by various Nichiren schools founded by his disciples, it was not until the 20th century that Japanese educators Tsunesaburo Makiguchi and Josei Toda created a modern lay organization. Both were imprisoned by the militarist government during World War II. Toda survived, and built the Soka Gakkai (“Value Creating Society”) lay movement to claim millions of members.

His successor, Daisaku Ikeda, further expanded the organization as Soka

Gakkai International (SGI) to claim members in 192 countries and territories, including more than 125,000 American members.

Soka Gakkai International-USA (SGIUSA) is the most diverse Buddhist community in the United States with more than 500 chapters and some 100 centers throughout the country.

SGI-USA is part of the larger SGI network, which comprises more than 12 million people in 192 countries and territories around the world. SGI members base their practice on the Lotus Sutra and Nichiren Buddhism, which teaches that each

person has within the courage, wisdom and compassion to face and surmount any of life’s challenges. Based on core Buddhist principles such as respecting the dignity of human life and the interconnectedness of self and the environment, SGI engages in various peace activities, including human rights education, the movement to abolish nuclear weapons and efforts to promote sustainable development.

An organizational meeting will be held at a campus location and time to be announced.

Those interested should contact David Grilly at dgrilly@gmail.com or 773-860-0069.

Civil Rights Institute petitions for national park status Nick Adrian Staff Writer niadri05@uab.edu he Birmingham Civil Rights T Institute shared updates on its current effort to get a

national park recognition for the district on Thursday, Oct. 27.

U.S. Congresswoman Terri Sewell, with backing from the entire Alabama delegation in the House of Representatives, had submitted a request to President Obama in regards to gaining national park recognition.

Sewell also authored a bill, H.R. 4817, which “establishes the Birmingham Civil Rights National Historical Park in Birmingham, Alabama, to: (1) preserve and interpret its civil rights history; and (2) coordinate its preservation, catalyze economic revitalization and facilitate interpretive efforts by government, private or nonprofit entities.”

According to the text of the bill, the Department of the Interior will administer the park and complete a

Ahmad Ward, at the podium, addresses the Birmingham Creative Roundtable.

general management plan in consultation with the city of Birmingham.

If the designation is granted, BCRI, 16th Street Baptist Church, Kelly Ingram Park and the A.G. Gaston Motel and Bethel Baptist Church will all be included in the newly formed national park area.

The Birmingham Creative Roundhouse, a community of artists, business entrepreneurs and designers, held their monthly meeting at the

Photo by Nick Adrian

BCRI on Thursday morning.

The event lasted from 7:308:30 a.m. and offered early morning, local refreshments from Seeds Coffee Company as well as pastries from the Baking Bandits.

The meeting began with David Fleming, president and CEO of REV Birmingham, introducing Andrea Taylor, president and CEO of the Civil Rights Institute.

Taylor, who joined the BCRI board in 2015, was formerly a Microsoft executive before

starting her tenure. After a few words introducing the topic, she introduced Vice President of Education Exhibitions Ahmad Ward.

Ward explained the importance of turning the block and its surrounding memorials into a national park district.

“This is the Ground Zero for the Civil Rights community,” Ward said, referring to the 16th Street Baptist Church bombing in 1963. “America became greater because of this block.

America got closer to being that ‘land of the free, home of the brave’ because of this block.”

Ward spoke of recently visiting the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture and explained that the museum gives the public an opportunity to learn more about the contributions of African-Americans, and the BCRI can give the public an opportunity to do that locally.

The Birmingham Civil Rights Institute has welcomed more than two million visitors since its opening in 1992. It is accredited by the American

Alliance of Museums and became a Smithsonian Affiliate institution in 2007. The institute has been awarded twice for excellence from the White House and was named “One of the 15 Places in the Country That Children Should Visit Before They’re 15” by Budget Travel. It was also featured in National Geographic’s book “100 Places That Can Change Your Child’s Life: From Your Back Yard to the Ends of the Earth.” The BCRI will be celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2017. “[The BCRI] exists to serve the entire greater Birmingham metro area and the world,” Ward said in an interview with AL.com. “Indeed, that was the purpose of the fight that happened here 53 years ago.

Today’s Birmingham residents should claim ownership of BCRI.” If you are interested in contributing to the petition to make the Birmingham Civil Rights District a national park, you can sign the petition at change.org/p/help-create-acivil-rights-national-park-inbirmingham-2.

4 NEWS

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2016

ELECTION DAY

Your guide to: State amendments What you need to know when you hit the polls Mark Linn Copy Editor copy@insideuab.com

N

ov. 8 is election day. Issues of national importance like the election of the president and other national offices will be decided, but Alabama voters will also have the opportunity to decide many state offices as well as 14 amendments to the state constitution, several of which have potential implications for UAB. Here’s a short guide on all the amendments relevant to Jefferson County and the state as a whole. Of the other amendments, Amendment 1 would add two additional seats to the Auburn Board of Trustees. Amendments 7, 9, 10 and 12 are specific to issues in Etowah, Pickens, Calhoun and Baldwin counties, respectively.

Amendment 2 Since 2012, more than $15 million has been taken from the state park budget for the state general fund.

Last year, five state parks were closed for public use. Three of the parks have since reopened, but two have lost their state park status and are now operated by local municipalities and the third, Paul Grist Park, has been leased by the state to Dallas County.

“The Alabama State Park System is unique. It’s one of the few in the country that’s completely

self-funded, so there is no money appropriated by the state to run the state parks,” said Mickie Lynn Powell, Ph.D., an assistant professor in the Department of Biology, who’s been involved in pro-Amendment 2 efforts. Powell and other proponents point out that state parks are virtually self-sufficient, and bring in tens of millions of revenue to the state yearly.

The amendment would further allow the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources to hire and maintain park facilities such as concessions and golf courses.

Private vendors are already used at some park facilities but are not allowed at others due to a previous state amendment which requires the DCNR to be the sole operator of any park benefiting from bond issue funds.

Opponents of the amendment are concerned that the language concerning private vendors would allow for the effective privatization of the state parks. Charley Grimsley, former commissioner of DCNR, wrote an editorial to al.com opposing the amendment.

“Amendment 2 on State Parks has been advertised as a way to protect state park revenues. If that were all it did, it would be good,” Grimsley wrote. “But like a Trojan horse, hidden inside is something you probably didn’t know. Amendment 2 would allow state park privatization, and turning our state parks over to private corporations is something we should never do.”

Proponents of the amendment like Powell dismiss such concerns, arguing that any bond issues to facilities that would bring in private contractors would come before the public forum anyway, and the amendment solely deals with

NEWS 5

Amendment 3 This amendment would change how constitutional amendments affecting only one county are put up for a vote. It would institute a new procedure to decide whether amendments would go on a statewide ballot or only in the county affected, as determined by lawmakers.

Amendment 4 This amendment would allow counties to adopt certain policies and programs without the approval of the state legislature. This would not include new taxes or fees.

Amendment 5 This amendment would consolidate the language in the constitution that deals with the separation of powers in the legislative, executive and judicial branches. It would combine two previously separate sections and remove the antiquated language, but make no substantive changes to the law, according to an analysis by the Public Affairs Research Council of Alabama.

Amendment 6 This amendment would repeal and replace Article VII of the state constitution, which deals with impeachment of the governor and other elected officials. The new amendment would require a two-thirds vote of the Senate to remove an official from office. The current version does not specify a vote requirement.

The amendment would also add members of the Board of Education to the list of officials who can be impeached, as well as remove the state superintendent of education from the list.

Amendment 8 This amendment would put Alabama’s current so-called “right-to-work” law in the constitution. The law forbids making union

membership a condition of employment, and forbid requiring employees to pay union dues.

Amendment 10 This amendment deals with the Major 21st Century Manufacturing Zone Act, which allows cities and counties to create special zones to incentivize industrial development and reclaim areas of blight, according to the PARCA analysis. Passing the amendment would allow cities and counties to sell these properties at below market value to attract economic development.

Amendment 13 This amendment would repeal age restrictions for elections or appointments of public officials, with the exception of age 70 for judges. This change would mostly apply to school boards such as the University of Alabama Board of Trustees, which currently also has an age restriction of 70. The amendment would also prohibit lawmakers from enacting an age limit on any office.

“Our state has never lacked for qualified individuals to serve as judges nor on certain boards,” said state Rep. Jack Williams (R-Vestavia), who sponsored several bills related to the reinstatement of UAB football last year.

“When this was debated in Montgomery I was not convinced there is a shortage of able individuals.”

Williams said that the age limit helps set de facto term limits for members of the UA Board of Trustees.

“Remember, this is a self-perpetuating board.

In theory, an individual could be appointed in their 30’s or 40’s and serve for 50 or 60 years,” Williams said. “I don’t think that is healthy for our system. I don’t generally favor term limits because it denies voters the right to choose. But there is no right to choose when the issue is a self-perpetuating board.”

Amendment 14 This amendment would validate hundreds of local laws related to the budget that is already in place.

The problem comes from a rule by the state House, which considers a ‘budget resolution amendment’ to require the approval of three-fifths of those voting, which is a lower than the 1984 requirement, according to the Montgomery Advertiser.

Traditionally, state lawmakers do not vote

on local bills that do not affect their district, so hundreds of bills have been passed under the House BIR rule but failed to meet the standard of the 1984 requirement. These conflicting requirements took center stage last year when a Jefferson County judge ruled a sales tax unconstitutional because it did not adhere to the 1984 rule.

This would clear the issue of budget matters passed under BIR which allows the suspension of a rule that requires legislators to pass budgets before other bills.

This requires a simple vote of “not less than three-fifths of a quorum present,” and has been done on a regular basis since 1984 when the requirement was first passed.

This issue is particularly relevant for UAB, since public funding for the BJCC, which includes the proposed football stadium that would house the Blazer football team was passed under the House BIR rules. Proponents of Amendment 14 worry that should it fail to pass, hundreds of funding bills including the one for the stadium would be open for lawsuits.

“It’s a real risk. And the way we avoid that risk as a community of people who want this infrastructure is that we got to go vote,” said Raymond Thompson, Ph.D., president of the National Alumni Society. “We’ve got to go vote yes on Amendment 14.”

On Oct. 13, UAB released a statement in support of Amendment 14.

“Amendment 14 on Alabama’s Nov. 8 ballot is good for UAB, Birmingham, Jefferson County and Alabama,” the statement read. “For UAB, passage of Amendment 14 protects the proposed stadium at the BJCC that will be home to UAB Football and other events. This venue will accelerate UAB Football’s ascension and - like Regions Field - is important to continued downtown revitalization and momentum.”

Illustration by Sarah Faulkner

protecting park funding.

An issue arose with early printings of the ballot, including some that were mailed to absentee voters, where a printing error caused the first two paragraphs of the amendment to be omitted, leaving only the paragraph concerning private vendors, according to the Alabama Secretary of State’s office. The mistake was attributed to human error and has forced approximately 2.7 million ballots to be reprinted for the election.

6 NEWS

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2016

14th ANNUAL FASTATHON

Thirst for life: Students fast to aid Sudan Tamara Imam Managing Editor managing@insideuab.com

M

uslim and non-Muslim students alike joined together in the Green and Gold Room of Bartow Arena to break a daylong fast on Thursday, Oct. 27.

The Muslim Student Association hosted the 14th annual Fastathon, an event held on university campuses across North America to raise awareness about hunger and thirst and to educate people on Islam and the people who practice it.

MSA teamed up with United Muslim Relief Birmingham to put on this year’s event. Each year, MSA raises funds for a specific project related to global hunger, and this year the two organizations worked together, the first time there has been a partnership, to raise funds to build a well in Sudan. Water in the area is often low-quality and contaminated with E. coli, Vibrio Cholerae, Salmonella typhi and Hepatitis A, according to the International Association for Medical Assistance to Travelers.

In the weeks leading up to the event, the group sold T-shirts, held bake sales and tattooed henna to raise money and garner support. On the day of Fastathon, students pledged to fast from dawn to dusk, in the same manner that Muslims do during the holy month of Ramadan.

“It was a little challenging, especially the last two or three hours. It’s like everything I want to do involves eating,” second year Fastathon participant and sophomore Alex Young said.

“It feels unhealthy, it makes me think ‘this isn’t good for me,’ yet you know there’s a significant portion of people on the planet who are going through that too,

Members of the Muslim Student Association gather in the Green and Gold room at Bartow Arena to serve a meal to Fastathon attendees after a day-long fast.

so it really makes you empathize a little bit.”

According to Ala’a Abuspetani, a junior and the secretary for MSA, Fastathon is also an opportunity to break down barriers between Muslim and non-Muslim students on campus.

“I hope they got to see the way Muslims really are, that some stereotypes were broken for them, that they learn not to take everything or anything at face value,” Abuspetani said.

“I also hope those who fasted gained better insight into how people around the world feel daily when they don’t have the same basic resources that we have. I hope they were able to effectively put themselves in

other people’s shoes and see the other side of the world.”

Catherine Davis, a white Muslim originally from the U.K., was initially hesitant to attend the event after she felt slighted by members of the MSA when inquiring about details at one of the group’s bake sales.

“Everyone has bad days, that is completely understandable, but the treatment that a friend of mine and myself received did not seem appropriate and not what I was expecting when getting more information on the Fastathon,” Davis said. “Representation of any organization, not just the MSA, should be considered rather seriously in my opinion.

Though this may have been

an isolated incident, when one feels as though they have perturbed a member of any society with questions [over events] gives an overwhelmingly unwelcome feeling and acts as a deterrent for a person to get involved in activities on campus.”

Despite the negative first impression, Davis attended the event anyways after speaking to members of the MSA board, and left with a different perspective.

“My view has shifted from neutral to an overall positive stance. The members were very welcoming to not only me but to even those who were non-Muslim that came to the event as well,” Davis said. “Overall the MSA is a very

Photo by Ian Keel

welcoming and friendly group which went against many of the notions I previously held.”

Davis acquiesces that social boundaries exist within the Muslim community, but that they are not form of separation, but rather of distinction.

“As various different groups not isolated by sexual orientation, ethnicity or religious decree come together, our communities can grow and come to better understandings of each other and why we do [and] believe the things that we do,” Davis said.

As of Sunday, Oct. 30, MSA has raised $4269 toward their $10,000 goal to build the well in Sudan. The group is still accepting donations at launchgood.com/sudan.

SPORTS 7 MEN’S SOCCER

Junior midfielder David Valverde of Mobile dribbles the ball past oncoming Lobos defenders in Wednesday night’s game against the No. 30 New Mexico Lobos.

Photo by Ian Keel

Lobos narrowly defeat Blazers on Senior Night Trinity Dix Staff Writer tri915@uab.edu

T

he UAB Men’s Soccer team fell 1-0 to the No. 30 University of New Mexico Lobos on Senior Night, Wednesday, Oct. 26.

In the first half of the game, the Blazers controlled the game against the Lobos, with nine shots on goal for UAB compared to five for New Mexico. In the second half, the Blazers lost control defensively, giving the Lobos an opportunity to score.

“I thought we played a great game,” UAB Men’s Soccer

Head Coach Mike Getman said. “I thought against the No. 30 team in the nation, we controlled the play from the opening whistle. We out-shot them, we out-possessed them.

Plain and simple: we outplayed them. In soccer, that’s not always good enough. Give them credit for a nice goal, but I was really pleased with the way the team played.”

The team has six wins, seven losses and three ties this season, as of Wednesday night’s game.

“I think it was a tough loss,” goalkeeper Joe Kuzminsky said.

“I think we performed pretty

well, and just didn’t take our chances. And unfortunately, they had their one opportunity and they took it. That’s how soccer goes sometimes.”

While Kuzminsky believes the team needs to step up offensively, he also stressed the need for defensive improvements.

“Defensively, I think we’re getting a little sloppy with our passes,” Kuzminsky said. “Cleaning that up, and offensively, we need to score.

It’s plain and simple. We need to get the ball in the back of the net.”

Before kickoff, UAB honored

the five seniors on the team, including Kuzminsky.

“It’s a little upsetting,” Kuzminsky said. “I’ve been here for five years now and I really love my time here. I’ve gotten so much out of it. I’ve made so many friends ... so, it’s upsetting, but I’m excited for what’s coming next.”

“It’s the last home game for them,” Getman said. “It’s not the last game for us. So, it’s always a little bittersweet when you get towards the end of a senior’s career. These guys have played so well. Given so much on the field, off the field. They’re just five great ambassadors for UAB,

and I couldn’t be more proud of them.”

Aside from Kuzminsky, a mechanical engineering major, the other seniors graduating are midfielder and accounting major James Ngoe, midfielder and sociology major Henrique Sposito, defender and sociology major William White and defender and marketing major Lars Willemse.

The Blazers wrap up regular season conference play when they face Florida International on Saturday, Nov. 5 in Miami.

The game is slated to begin at 6 p.m. at Florida International University Stadium.

8 Story by Destiny Hosmer // Staff Writer drhosmer@uab.edu

ELECTION DAY

Your guide to: L T

he four presidential candidates will not be the only ones hoping for a win on Tuesday, Nov. 8, as dozens of local and statelevel candidates will be joining them on the ballot.

On the Federal level, Democrat

Ronald Crumpton is running against Republican Richard Shelby, current U.S. Senator representing Alabama.

Similarly, Democrat David Putman is running against Republican Gary Palmer, current U.S. Representative for Alabama’s sixth Congressional

District.

On the state level, one seat for District Attorney is between two candidates, and 14 circuit and district court judgeship seats await opposing candidates.

United States Senators represent

THE RACE FOR Ron Crumpton (D - Ala.): Crumpton was born in Alabaster, AL. and currently resides in Pelham, AL. He attended Jefferson State Junior College and UAB, and he currently serves as executive director of the Alabama Patients’ Rights Coalition and executive director of the Alabama Safe Access Project. He was a 2014 Democratic candidate for District 11 of the Alabama State Senate.

Views at a Glance:

Proponent for rescheduling marijuana and allowing states to regulate Pro-Choice Proponent for raising the minimum wage Proponent of gun rights Proponent for single-payer healthcare Proponent for immigration reform and social justice Campaign Site: crumptonforalabama.com

U.S. REPRESENTATIVE FOR ALABAMA’S

The district is composed of a small part of Birmingham, most of Jefferson County outside o David J. Putman (D - Ala.): Putman attended Georgia Tech and Birmingham School of Law before joining the U.S. Army. After the Army, Putman served as a leader in business at Alabama Power for 30 years. Following his retirement, Putman founded the

Homewood Soccer Club.

Views at a Glance: Proponent for gun safety measures; Does not advocate gun control Advocate for term limits Advocates for path to citizenship Campaign Site: davidjputmanforcongress.com.

ALABAMA SUP

The Alabama Supreme Court has the authority to review decisions reached by the lowe tion exceeds $50,000, as long as no other Alabama court has jurisdiction. The

Place 1: Michael F. “Mike” Bolin (R - Ala.) Bolin was born in Jefferson County and attended Samford University for his undergraduate and law degrees. He was a practicing attorney in Birmingham from 1973-1988, thenhe was elected as probate judge of Jefferson County until 2004. He has served as asso-

ciate justice of the state Supreme Court since 2005.

Place 2: Kelli Wise (R - Ala.) Wise attended Auburn University, Jones School of Law and Auburn University-Montgomery.

Wise worked in the Governor's Legislative Office and served as

a staff attor Criminal Ap Supreme Co Associate J Court since

Place 3: Tom Park

Parker is and attende

9

Local candidates the entire state and serve six-year terms. They must be 30 years old before being sworn into office, reside in the state they represent and have U.S. citizenship for nine years prior to campaigning.

Their duties include passing

laws, confirming presidential appointments, approving treaties, conducting impeachment trials of government officials impeached by the House of Representatives, assisting constituents and state government offices with problems

involving their interactions with federal executive agencies, and working on multiple Senate committees that assist in writing laws and overseeing executive agencies' operations and policy actions.

R U.S. SENATOR Richard Shelby (R - Ala.): Shelby has served as U.S. Senator since 1987.

He was born in Birmingham and attended the University of Alabama. Shelby served four terms in the U.S. House of Representatives and two terms in the Alabama State Senate. He also served as a city prosecutor in Tuscaloosa, U.S. magistrate judge for the Northern District of Alabama and special assistant to the state attorney general.

Views at a Glance:

Proponent for small government Pro-Life Proponent for immigration restriction Proponent for tax-cuts and eliminating federal regulatory requirements for businesses.

Opposes Obamacare Against gun control laws

S 6TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT

of Birmingham and the entirety of Bibb, Blount, Chilton, Colbert, Coosa and Shelby counties.

Gary Palmer (R - Ala.): Palmer grew up in Hackelburg and currently resides in Hoover. He attended the University of Alabama and, later in life, served as president of the Alabama Policy Institute for 24 years. Palmer currently represents Alabama’s 6th congressional district.

Views at a Glance: Pro-Life Opposes a path to citizenship Does not advocate gun control Campaign Site: palmerforalabama.com

PREME COURT

er courts and may also review matters of contention where the dollar amount in quese court consists of nine justices: eight associate justices and one chief justice.

rney on the Court of ppeals and the Alabama ourt. She has served as Justice of the Supreme e 2011.

ker (R - Ala.)

s a Montgomery native ed Dartmouth College

and Vanderbilt University School of Law. He served in the Alabama Attorney General’s Office, and he was a partner in Parker & Kotouc, P.C., a Montgomery law firm. He has served as Associate Justice of the Supreme Court since 2005.

The District Court hears general litigation issues and challenges to federal laws, and the Circuit

Court, one step below the Supreme Court, only hears appeals on federal cases.

Editor’s Note: For a full roster of local candidates, find the article online at uab.edu/studentmedia/kaleidoscope

Illustrations by Sarah Faulkner // sfaulkn2@uab.edu

10 OPINIONS

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2016

ELECTION DAY

In a house divided, a final

When the issues are personal, the decision is critical Caleb Carter Contributor cscarter@uab.edu

H

illary Clinton has spent her entire career working to expand opportunity, level the playing field and secure peaceful prosperity for all people.

She is the most qualified and prepared candidate to ever seek office and I have great confidence in her ability to continue the progress we have made over the last eight years.

This election has exposed the ugliest parts of our culture and she has continued to articulate a clear, positive vision for how we should move forward. When the GOP was focused on restricting the rights of women and the LGBTQ community, she was talking about how to expand healthcare, raise wages, protect immigrants and combat climate change. This election is about more than policy differences; this election strikes the core of who we are.

Clinton was raised with the values of both personal and social

responsibility, which helped her develop a strong sense of public service. She is responsible for expanding healthcare access to rural communities in Arkansas and overhauling the state education system to ensure that every child had the opportunity to get a quality public education. She worked across partisan lines while she was First Lady to ensure that children had health insurance, even when our dream of universal healthcare did not become a reality. She fought for our first responders as a senator from New York because she believed in caring for those that serve and protect. She worked as Secretary of State to promote diplomacy and peaceful coalition building to combat global terrorism and made all of our embassies safe places for LGBTQ people fleeing political oppression.

I have traveled the country over the past several weeks in order to combat the idea that Clinton is untrustworthy.

She has been the target of countless attacks and investigations throughout her decades-long

Illustration by Corey Bright

career. The political establishment knows the threat she poses and they fear her ability to be an agent of transformation.

They have watched her champion the empowerment of women, expand healthcare, overhaul education and craft international peace deals. They now see her gaining ground as she seeks the permission of the people to take her vision to the Oval Office. She has not stopped fighting for the values that have grounded her life. She wants to strengthen and build on the progress we have made by defending and improving the Affordable Care Act, protecting Social Security and defending the civil rights of women and people of color. She wants to build an economy that serves the middle class, empowers the poor and holds the wealthy accountable. She is fighting to end mass incarceration and racial

injustice, because we are not whole until we recognize that every life has worth.

She is working to ensure that our public education system is not dismantled and that college students are able to pursue their education without the fear of debt.

She is promising the biggest investment in jobs and infrastructure we have seen since WWII, and these investments include a plan to become a green energy superpower.

I have a grandmother who died because of inadequate access to healthcare. I have an aunt who is an immigrant. I have a father with a disability and a mother who teaches in the public school system. I am a member of the LGBTQ community. This election impacts my life and the lives of those I know. This election is personal. I am urging you to cast your vote for Clinton.

Let’s stand together and make history by electing the first woman president.

Let’s march forward.

11

push for the winning side

Vote to make a statement, not against a candidate Elizabeth Earwood Contributor eearwood@uab.edu

D

on’t vote for Donald Trump because of his humility. Don’t vote for Trump because he has an excellent track record of kind words for women and minorities. Don’t vote for Trump because he has nice hair.

Don’t vote for Trump because he’s a Christian.

Vote for Trump to make a statement.

Here are the top five statements voters will make by voting for Trump.

1. A vote for Trump is a vote for constitutionally sound Supreme Court Justices.

Currently, there is one open seat on the nine-member Supreme Court and at least two additional justices are close to retirement age, potentially leaving three seats available for appointment by the next president.

These

justices will have a vote in the highly contentious and sensitive cases that are sure to come to the court in the next decade.

In short, the next president will be able to choose the direction of court decisions that will impact our lives and that of the next generation’s. By voting for Trump, you can guarantee that the new justices will be those of respect and high-esteem for the Constitution and its application.

2. A vote for Trump is a vote supporting the life of unborn children.

Trump is not hesitant to discuss the horrors of abortion. Both in policies and judicial appointments, the cause for the protection of unborn children will continue. Defending human rights is one of the hallmarks of our country’s policies. Yet, if we deny these rights to the most vulnerable in our society, the unborn, we can never be successful.

Let’s vote to

protect the most sacred thing in the world — life. That’s a vote for Trump.

3. A vote for Trump is a vote to change the status quo.

Trump offers ideas that we have not been seen in the past eight years.

Christopher Owens, a student at UAB, expressed his desire for change. “While I definitely don’t agree with Trump on everything, I support him because I don’t feel that the U.S. can sustain four more years of the same policies that we have seen under President Obama, which is what we will get with Hillary Clinton,” Owens said.

Indeed, Secretary Clinton brings few solutions to the failed policies of the current administration.

4. A vote for Trump is a vote for more jobs.

It is undeniable that Trump has had experience in creating jobs. He is a businessman, after all, and that is what businessmen do. Trump has run some wildly successful companies. He has certainly not been successful in all of them, but isn’t that what we want in a leader — someone who is resilient in the face of trial?

5. A vote for Trump is a vote for Governor Pence.

Where Trump is lacking, he surrounds himself with excellent statesman like Indiana Governor Mike Pence, who has a track record as a respected leader and conservative policymaker.

While in Indiana, he worked on legislation that reduced veteran unemployment, supported religious liberty, protected the life of the unborn, reduced taxes and supported business growth. The business savvy of Trump and the experience of Pence can make a rock-star team for our country.

Listen to the Clinton supporters. Do they really have anything good to say about her or her policies? Or do they just enjoy bashing Trump? Trump and his staff can deliver policies and judicial appointments that are far superior to the offerings of Clinton.

This leaves us with a situation where voting for Trump is indeed the best option.

If you ever wondered before this election cycle if government leaders ever disappoint, rest assured, they do.

In fact, I am confident that there is only one leader who will never disappoint — the one who gave everything for His supporters.

Regardless of who you choose, vote.

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FEATURES 13 SOUTHERN VEGAN

This chili recipe only costs $10. Adding sour cream, jalapeno peppers and cheese gives this dish a creamy kick.

Photo by Isabell Moon

Quick, easy chili with vegetarian substitutes T

- 1 can sweet yellow corn - 1 can diced tomatoes + ½ can water - 2 tablespoon chili powder - salt & pepper to taste - herbs and spices (optional)

Ingredients - 1 fresh jalapeño, finely chopped (optional) - ½ large onion, chopped - 2 cloves garlic, minced - 1 tablespoon butter (or oil for vegan recipe) - 1 can kidney beans - 1 can black beans - 1 can pinto beans

Directions 1. In a large pot over medium heat, sauté garlic, onions and jalapeño in butter or oil.

2. Once the onions start to become translucent, add all beans and corn. Stir and heat for 5 to 10 minutes.

3. Add tomatoes, water and spices. Simmer 20-25 minutes on mediumlow heat with lid on, stirring occasionally until thickened.

4. Serve hot with grated cheese, sour cream, tortilla chips or other toppings.

The jalapeño pepper is optional if you don’t like

Isabell Moon Contributor isabellm@uab.edu

Total time: 45 min Makes 4 - 5 servings. his chili recipe is quick, easy and extremely affordable. You can buy all the ingredients for about $10. All you’ll need is a large pot with a lid and a cooking spoon. This chili is fairly low maintenance and is great for a beginner meal that isn’t prepackaged (sorry, mac and cheese).

spicy foods. Alternatively, you can add a habanero to make your chili extra hot.

If you’re living the dorm life and don’t have many spices, you can use a few spoonfuls of barbecue sauce. For spices, try using cumin, paprika and turmeric. If you like fresh tomatoes, you can swap the canned diced tomatoes for three to 4 tomatoes and 6 ounces can of tomato paste. To make vegan chili, just swap out butter for olive or vegetable oil. To make this completely nonvegan, brown one pound of the ground meat of your choice, drain, then set aside in a bowl before sautéing the garlic and onions. Add back to the pot when adding the beans and corn.

For a more complete meal, serve over rice and add some greens, such as spinach.

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14 FEATURES

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2016

MISS UAB 2017

Pageant winners take home honor, scholarships Alice Grissom Contributor ealiceg@uab.edu

J

unior Harley Chapin of Columbiana took home a crown, several thousand dollars in scholarship money and the coveted title of Miss UAB 2017 on Wednesday, Oct. 26.

Chapin, along with seven other students, competed in the Miss UAB Scholarship Pageant, the preliminary to the Miss Alabama and Miss America pageants, respectively, at UAB’s Alys Stephens Center.

“The Miss America scholarship organization is a wonderful tool for young women to make connections, earn scholarships, and grow their confidence,” said Hayley Barber, Miss Alabama 2016, who hosted the event.

This year the pageant charged admission for outside guests for the first time, according to pageant director Jessica Nathan, who expressed some concern that the audience would shrink as a result.

That was not the case, however, and there was a large crowd to cheer the contestants on. Nathan said that she hopes that growth won’t confine itself to the audience – she hopes to see the Miss UAB pageant reaching more girls than ever in the coming years.

To prove their candidacy for Miss UAB, contestants have to compete in five events, each of which determines a specific percentage of their final score. The talent portion (30 percent), an opportunity for contestants to showcase unique abilities and hard work, was the loudest part of the evening for the audience – the crowds gasped and applauded as contestants sang, performed dance routines in as varied styles such as modern clogging and semi-classical Indian dance and demonstrated a fitness routine. It was preceded by lifestyle and fitness (10 percent) and an on-stage question session and followed by evening wear (15 percent). A private interview (25 percent) was conducted.

“This was my first time competing in this competition, and it was the best experience of my life. I was always timid about competing because I did not think I could do it. Throughout this process I truly learned how to be

LEFT TO RIGHT: Scholarship winners Paige Severino, Mikaylah Dugins, Harley Chapin, Vishwadha Gundha, Sheridan Pike pose after the competition.

confident in who I am, and to embrace my f laws and quirks! Being able to get on stage in a swimsuit and heels is something I never thought I would have the confidence to do, but I did it. After accepting my body not based on how it looks, but for what it can accomplish, I learned to love the skin that I am in” Miss Congeniality winner Paige Severino said.

After the contestants exited the stage, the audience was treated to stunning performances from Miss UAB 2016 Mattie Boyd and Miss Alabama 2016 Hayley Barber as the judges deliberated. The winners were then announced: Chapin was crowned Miss UAB 2017. Mikaylah Dugans, freshman was announced first runner-up, and winner of both the Talent and Miracle Maker awards. Vishwadha Gunda, freshman,

was second runner-up. Severino, sophomore, was third runner-up and winner of Miss Congeniality award.

Sheridan Pike, senior, was fourth runner-up and winner of the Lifestyle and Fitness award.

For first runner-up Dugans, representing UAB at the state level would be “the dream,” which led her to compete for Miss UAB in the first place. Chapin had a similar view, calling UAB her “home.”

Chapin said that she recognizes the responsibilities that come with being Miss UAB – namely, that of a role model. Miss UAB must not only be in good academic standing, she must also also strive to make the world a better place. Contestants do this through their platforms, which range from Severino’s push for Sprout and STEM, a platform to

Photo from UAB News

increase the presence of women in high positions of science, to Harley Chapin’s advocacy for Lone Warrior, a mission to address the quality of life needs of U.S. Armed Forces Veterans.

Many contestants have been active with these organizations for years; the Miss UAB crown is used to spread awareness and visibility for their cause.

Becoming Miss UAB entails more than just a crown – the job includes organizing and appearing at events and promoting one’s platform, as well as representing UAB in the 2017 Miss Alabama contest, according to Chapin.

Over the next year, Chapin will showcase her Blazer pride as she serves as Miss UAB 2017, representing UAB in events throughout the state and preparing to compete next June for the title of Miss Alabama.

CALENDAR TUESDAY

Nov. 1 -7

WHAT’S UP

WEDNESDAY THURSDAY

Education Under Occupation

Portugal The Man

SJP commemorates students in Palestine.

Tickets available at lyricbham.com

Free food and music starting at 6 p.m.

Bare Hands Gallery Dia de los Muetos

National Geographic Bards and Brews Speaker Series Botanical Gardens

Lyric Fine Arts Theater 1-4 p.m.

HSC Amphitheater 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.

UAB Green Labs Lunch and Learn School of Health Professions 12:30-2 p.m.

Cops in the Community

HSC Ballroom CD 7:30-9 p.m.

UAB SALSA Dia de los Muetos

FRIDAY

Commons Plaza 9 a.m. - 9 p.m.

Cahaba Brewing Company 4-10 p.m.

HSC Alumni Theater 6:30-8 p.m.

HSC 318 5-6 p.m.

A panel discussion between police officers and students.

Innovation Depot Nov. 4-5

6:30-9 p.m.

Into the Streets

HSC Amphitheater 8 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Women’s Basketball

Traditional and modern henna tattoos by Blue Lotus Mehndi.

Blazers take on Lane College.

Out of the Darkness Community Walk

Brand New in Birmingham

Benefiting the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

Brand New, The Front Bottoms & Modern Baseball concert.

Discoveries in the Making

Taj India 5-10 p.m.

Heardmont Park 1-5 p.m.

UAB Basketball Exhibition matches

Heroes vs. Villains

DIY Birmingham Friendsgiving Fiesta

Estampas Porteñas

HSC Amphitheater 8-11:30 p.m.

UAB’s Alys Stephens Center 7-9 p.m.

Women take on Tuskegee Men take on Lindenwood.

Costume party and social dance hosted by the Ballroom Dance Society.

Benefit show for the Adelante Alabama Worker Center.

The Buenos Aires Tango Company present its newest production.

Bartow Arena 5-10 p.m.

980 Huffman Rd., Birmingham 6:30-11 p.m.

CLASSIFIEDS

Kaleidoscope publishes every Tuesday when classes are in session.

Phone: 205.934.3354 Email: masutton@uab.edu Deadlines: Please place your ads by the Thursday prior to publication no later than 4p.m.

Personal Maid Service- Basic house cleaning. Honest, dependable, licensed, bonded, flexible scheduling, competitive & local. Very professional with “NO”criminal background.

Contact “Maid 2 Serve” at (205)356-2124 or email wisewoman911@gmail.com — Twin beds complete. $199 and up. Dressers/mirrors and chest of drawers. 205-910-0512.

MONDAY

Henna at Diwali

Free food and music starting at 6 p.m.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

LEGAL

Boutwell Auditorium 8-11 a.m.

Two day competition to tackle the biggest health care crises facing Alabama.

BY PHONE: 205.934.3354 BY EMAIL: masutton@uab.edu ONLINE: www.uab.edu/studentmedia

LEGAL NOTICE — The Kaleidoscope, and its online affiliates, reserves the right to refuse any advertisement at its sole discretion.

Vulcan Run 10k

SUNDAY

Featuring performances by Sister City Connection as well as an Open Mic event.

Presentation by Sylvia Earle, Ph.D., Oceanographer and Nat. Geo. Explorer-inResidence.

Salary Negotiation Workshop

InnoHack 2016

SATURDAY

15

Bartow Arena 7-10 p.m.

Alabama Theater 7:30-10:30 p.m.

Hoover Public Library 1-5 p.m.

Presented by the UAB Graduate School.